Expressing Ann Opinion
October 19, 2012 - Friday
There's a reason ABC doesn't call its show, "The Views." As far as these ladies are concerned, there's only one view -- and that's extreme liberalism. Ann Romney understood that better than anyone heading into yesterday's interview, which made her time on the blue couch all the more impressive. Despite one punishing question after another, Ann was every bit the warm, poised, and articulate woman Americans have come to admire. The barrage Ann faced couldn't have been more different from the Obamas' visit three weeks earlier, where the hosts asked about such hard-hitting topics as their first kiss and the girls' bedtime rituals.
Before Ann had even settled into her seat, Barbara Walters bypassed the chit-chat and went straight for the jugular with a question on abortion. She asked if Ann, like Governor Romney, had changed her views on the topic. "The good news is I'm not running for office, and I don't have to say what I feel," Ann replied with a big smile. "But I am pro-life. I'm happy to say that." As happy as she is to say it, Americans are even happier to hear it. For the first time since Roe v. Wade, our nation would finally have a First Lady who shares its pro-life convictions.
"Mitt has always been a pro-life person," Ann explained. "He governed when he ran pro-choice -- but when a decision came across his desk to use embryos for experimentation... he could not have on his conscience, creating human life for experimentation. And that's when he came out with an editorial saying he was pro-life." Her response was heartfelt, it was confident, and it showed amazing backbone in an interview that became more of inquisition than anything else.
Unlike Walters, Whoopie Goldberg made no attempts to hide her disdain. Unfortunately for Whoopie, another thing she couldn't hide was her complete ignorance. During a conversation about military service, Goldberg completely botched her "gotcha" moment by totally misrepresenting Mormonism. "As first lady... [you'll be] talking to the mothers whose children are coming home in bags, you know, from wars. Now, I know -- I believe that your religion doesn't allow you to go fight --" "No, that's not correct," Ann explained. "We have many, many members of our faith that are serving in the armed forces." Instead of landing a blow, Goldberg hurt herself -- and the show. If these are "The View's" standards for accuracy, then it's no wonder millions of women are misled on issues like contraception, abortion, and health care.
Through all the insinuations and mischaracterizations, Ann turned in a performance that was second only to her husband's comedy routine later that night. Believe me, it takes a lot of courage to stand up for your convictions in a hostile environment like that one. And while we don't always agree with Barbara Walters, she did get one thing right: Ann is a wonderful advocate for her husband.
Judge Punts on Football Signs
At tonight's football game, the people of Kountze, Texas will really have something to cheer about. District Judge Steve Thomas vindicated the high school students who proudly painted Bible verses on their game-day signs. Kountze official had been pressured by the Freedom From Religion Foundation to outlaw the banners because they contained a Christian message. When the superintendent caved, the cheerleaders and their parents sued. Soon, this little town was at the center of a big debate over religious liberty. So big, it turns out, that even Gov. Rick Perry and Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott weighed in. Just a day before Judge Thomas's decision, the two leaders held a press conference defending Kountze's cheerleaders. "This is student-led expression, and that's perfectly constitutional. We will not allow atheist groups from outside the state of Texas to come into the state to use menacing and misleading and intimidating tactics to try to bully schools to bow down to the altar of secular beliefs." Although the court did allow the banners, another trial date is scheduled for June of next year.
In Montana, another student had reason to celebrate. After a long, four-year battle over her graduation speech, Renee Griffith scored a victory against her former school when Butte High agreed to settle the case. As class valedictorian in 2008, Renee had been banned from speaking at her graduation because her remarks included religious references. She sued, taking her case all the way to the state Supreme Court and winning. Instead of appealing it to the U.S. Supreme Court, Butte surrendered. Once again, both of these cases prove that when Christians are willing to stand up and defend their rights against the anti-faith bullies, they usually win. To read more about this ongoing assault on religious freedom, check out our joint report with Liberty Institute, Religious Hostility in America. Also, don't miss the latest edition of Washington Watch Weekly, as we get an insider's perspective on the Kountze controversy with Greg Abbott. Click here to listen in.
** The election may be November 6, but some states are already voting. Find out how you can get to the polls sooner and help save America now. Don't leave your vote to chance and risk the traffic, your health, or even a busy schedule. Get a head start today! If you aren't sure about your state's rules and requirements, click here to see the full list of absentee and early voting dates.
*** Set your DVRs for this Sunday at 1:20 p.m. (ET) for Fox News's "America's News Headquarters." I'll be on the show to talk about Gallaudet University's suspension of Dr. McCaskill and how it will impact the four states with marriage referendums.
**** Also on Sunday, FRC's Lt. General Jerry Boykin will appear on the John Ankerberg Show's "Defending the Faith" series. The program will air nationally on the Daystar Network, Dish Network, DirecTV, and Sky Angel, as well as about 50 independent stations around the country. Station listings are here. The program can also be viewed online.