A Pope-pourri of Distortion
In the largest security detail in American history, there's no such thing as a "chance" meeting. But that's exactly what the media is claiming took place between Pope Francis and Kentucky's Kim Davis. Frustrated by the Pope's obvious support for the jailed clerk, the press is stirring up speculation about whether the conversation even took place.
Pouncing on the private nature of the meeting, everyone from Reuters to the Associated Press is casting doubt on the nature of the get-together, and whether -- in fact -- the Vatican actually invited the Davises to meet the Pontiff. Some reporters are now insisting it was a random encounter, which is laughable considering the amount of security involved in the Pope's visit. In a place like the Vatican Embassy, there's absolutely no way the two parties could have accidentally crossed paths. As Liberty Counsel explained, the Davises were actually transported to the meeting by van by the Vatican's own men. Kim was even asked to wear her hair up so that she'd be less recognizable.
Ultimately, the Davises ended up in a private room, where "no one else [was] present." When the Pope arrived, he stretched out his hands and encouraged Kim to "stay strong," something that wouldn't have made sense unless he was familiar with her case. Now, several days later, the Vatican's communications shop seems intent on giving the media a story where there is none. Pressed by reporters, Spokesman Federico Lombardi appeared to backtrack on the significance of the meeting, suggesting that no one should construe the invitation as an endorsement of Kim.
But we can certainly construe the Pope's own comments as such! No amount of Vatican spin can change his actual words, which were: "Conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right," Francis told reporters on the flight home. "And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right. Conscientious objection must enter into every juridical structure because it is a right, a human right." Asked if that included government officials, the Pope (having just met Kim) replied, "It is a human right and if a government official is a human person, he has that right." In hindsight, we know the context of those remarks. To suggest that Francis's comments were somehow unrelated to Kim and her predicament is ludicrous.
Now, of course, the left-wing media is piling on with attacks on the Davis's attorneys at Liberty Counsel. In what can only be called irresponsible reporting, the AP's Claire Galofaro tried to discredit Mat Staver's organization by slapping the anti-Christian Southern Poverty Law Center's (SPLC) reckless "hate" label on the group. Of course, the only thing worse than trying to smear Liberty Counsel is using a thoroughly discredited organization to do it. The SPLC, as most conservatives know, was linked in federal court to the first case of domestic terrorism in Washington, D.C.
After inspiring the shooting at FRC, most Americans started to rethink the credibility of the so-called "civil rights" group. When the SPLC's bullying tactics were exposed, the FBI went so far as to remove links to the SPLC from its "hate crimes resource" page. The U.S. Army was next, distancing itself from the group's materials. Now, despite the SPLC's agenda of intimidation, the media is using the organization to bludgeon Liberty Counsel and Kim Davis. But instead of exposing any wrongdoing on their part, the media is only exposing its own hostility toward Christians. Which sadly, only furthers the extremism that's silencing religious freedom in the first place.
In the Eye of the Tigers...
Our "Don't Fund Planned Parenthood Bus Tour" is underway! This afternoon, the tour kicked off on Campus of the Clemson Tigers in South Carolina. In addition to Arina Grossu, the Director of Family Research Council's Center for Human Dignity, and Kristina Hernandez with Students for Life of America, we were joined by State Rep. Garry Smith, State Rep. Donna Hicks, a representative from the office of Congressman Jeff Duncan, and the President of Students for Life's Clemson chapter.
Planned Parenthood targets college students, but many are not aware of the organization's horrendous business practices. The rally was held in the heart of the Clemson campus and we were able to raise awareness not just at the rally, but with the many of the students who passed by the Planned Parenthood Project Display. It included 897 crosses -- the number of abortions Planned Parenthood commits each day. The team was able to engage many college students in conversation and equip them with the facts. Many had heard about the recent controversy but had not seen the Planned Parenthood videos.
After hearing the conversations, one woman came up and shared her personal story. Her doctors strongly urged her to abort because of a medical condition and told her that even if she gave birth, her child would have genetic abnormalities and she herself could go blind or even die. She made the courageous decision to carry the baby as long as she could. She gave birth at 30 weeks to a healthy baby boy and she had no complications! Tomorrow, the tour will bring the Planned Parenthood Project to the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill!
Licensed to Lie: A Wednesday Conversation about the DOJ
A tragic suicide, a likely murder, wrongful imprisonment, and gripping courtroom scenes draw readers into this compelling story giving them a troubling perspective on justice corrupted and who should be accountable when evidence is withheld. Licensed to Lie: Exposing Corruption in the Department of Justice is the true story of the strong-arm, illegal, and unethical tactics used by headline-grabbing federal prosecutors in their pursuit of power. Its scope reaches from the U.S. Department of Justice to the U.S. Senate, the FBI, and the White House.
This real-life drama is a scathing attack on corrupt prosecutors, the judges who turned a blind eye to these injustices, and the President who has promoted them to powerful political positions. And this Wednesday, October 7, we'll hear from the author, Sidney Powell, at a special policy lecture at FRC headquarters (801 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C.) at noon. Powell served in the Department of Justice for 10 years in Texas and Virginia and has devoted her private practice to federal appeals for the past 20 years. She was the youngest Assistant United States Attorney in the country when she was appointed. Later, she became Chief of the Appellate Section for the Western and Northern Districts of Texas.
She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and served as its President. Recognized by her peers as a "Super Lawyer" and named as one of the "Best Lawyers in America" for years, she has been lead counsel in more than 500 appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, resulting in more than 180 published opinions, and was President of the Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit. Powell's briefs have long been featured as samples for practitioners. She also writes for the New York Observer, the NRO, and Fox News.
Don't miss what she has to say about the justice system at this Wednesday's event! For more information or to register, click here.
Tony Perkins' Washington Update is written with the aid of FRC senior writers.