Pro-Life: An Agenda for Pro-Life Crusaders in 2015
Today’s post consists of four sections. Three previous posts and one post—the last section—that will be e-mailed Monday to the Abilene Reporter-News as a letter to the editor.
An Update on Pro-Life vs. Pro-Abortion: Conservative Texas House of Representatives about to Reelect a Pro-Abortion Speaker of the House? (11/24/14)
After posting this originally on the 20th of this month, I woke up the next morning thinking I had to do more. Realistically though, what more could I do? I’m one person. I’m relatively new to Texas, and Texas is a large State. I put it out of my mind.
Sunday morning, I woke up with the same thought. Consequently, today’s updated post. There is new material at the end of the post. Tomorrow, I plan to post my proposal for action.
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The following information is from a PDF published by The Empower Texans Foundation. It deals with Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus who although a Republican is, at best, a RINO (Republican in Name Only) Republican who was originally elected Speaker of the House by Democrats with the help of some “moderate” Republicans. The House is more conservative now and has more Republicans. It seems that Speaker Straus has blocked conservative legislation in the past. And yet, once again at the start of the 2015 legislative session, the Speaker will be reelected. (The Session begins Tuesday, January 13, 2015.) The Speaker seems to more pro-abortion/MURDER than pro-life.
This post is hopefully a wake-up call to pro-life Texas and a warning to pro-lifers in other States that the people in leadership positions can block our efforts to change from the culture of death/MURDER to a culture of life. Work to get pro-life representatives in leadership positions in your State. Pro-MURDER Democrats have far more influence than their number in the Texas House because of Speaker Straus from what I have heard. Don’t get caught in the same trap!
http://prattontexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-TFR-Straus-Booklet.pdf
Selected information from the report:
“The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Texas, Jeffrey Hons, acknowledges and thanks Joe Straus for his ‘Tireless effort.’ source Politifact Texas” [page 2]
“Social Issues
Voted in favor of allowing homosexuals and bisexuals to become foster parents. (SB 6, RV 328, 79th Legislature)
Supported making it easier to get a 3rd trimester abortion. Original language of the bill allowed a 3rd trimester abortion only when the mother was at risk of death or the fetus had a severe irreversible brain impairment. Straus voted to expand the exemptions to allow a 3rd trimester abortion if there was ‘substantial risk of serious impairment’ to the mother or if the fetus has a ‘severe and irreversible abnormality.’ (SB 419, RV 672, 79th Legislature)
Joe Straus received a $1,000 donation from Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas. (Texas Ethics Commission, 08/27/2008)
In 2007, Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating by NARAL. (the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League)” [page 4]
“Elected as Speaker
Heading into the 2009 legislative session, a group of 11 Republicans joined forces with 65 Democrats (150 members in the House needing 76 votes to be elected Speaker) to oust conservative Republican Tom Craddick as speaker. Craddick was the first GOP House Speaker in Texas since the 19th Century.”
Following his election as House speaker, Straus told Texas Monthly that he supports Roe v. Wade and does not believe it should be overturned. He went on to call the pro-life movement ‘campaign fodder’ and not a serious political position.” [page 5]
“Praise from Democrats
While the Democrats now hold barely one-third of the seats in the Texas House, they have had great success under Straus’ speakership.
In a study of legislative results, Rice University’s Mark Jones described legislation passed under Straus’ watch as ‘purple’ at best in what is otherwise a very ‘red’ state. The data-crunching website HardHatters.com has found that 51 percent of legislation passed from the House and to the governor’s desk in 2013 was authored or coauthored by Democrats.
Liberal Democrat Joaquin Castro said at a press conference that he ‘can’t think of a better person to lead us … ’ than Joe Straus. (Burnt Orange Report YouTube Video, Joe Straus Supporters at Press Conference)
Characterized as the ‘Harry Reid of Texas,’ in a recent Forbes article that identifies Straus as a ‘left-of-center’ speaker who will be a major obstacle to conservative reforms in the 84th Legislative Session. (Forbes Magazine, 8/14/14, Meet the Harry Reid of Texas) [page 6]
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/11/20/Texas-GOP-Reps-Set-to-Elect-NARAL-Favored-Candidate-for-Speaker
“‘Because the Democrat Members in the House are in the minority with only 52 seats, they cannot elect one of their own as Speaker, but have instead unanimously supported Straus against a more conservative Republican.’
Updated:
Listed are the Texas House Republicans who voiced support for Speaker Joe Straus alphabetically, the member’s hometown, and his/her House Legislative District. * designates that the member is newly elected and will take office in January of 2015.
Source for new member’s district http://naifa-texas.org/news/2014-election-recap/
A special thank you to the Tea Party organization that provided the list of 73 to me. They are active, alive, and well in Texas!
01) Charles ‘Doc’ Anderson (R-Waco) [District 56]
02) Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) [District 57]
03) Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Lampasas) [District 54]
04) Cecil Bell (R-Magnolia) [District 03]
05) Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) [District 138]
06) Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) [District 25]
07) Dr. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) [District 24]
08) Cindy Burkett (R-Garland) [District 113]
09) DeWayne Burns (R-Burleson) [District 58]*
10) Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) [District 112]
11) Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) [District 98]
12) Travis Clardy (R-Jacksonville) [District 11]
13) Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) [District 08]
14) Myra Crownover (R-Lake Dallas) [District 64]
15) Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park) [District 136]
16) Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) [District 72]
17) Sarah Davis (R-Houston) [District 134]
18) Gary Elkins (R-Houston) [District 135]
19) Wayne Faircloth (R-Galveston) [District 23]*
20) Marsha Farney (R- Georgetown) [District 20]
21) Allen Fletcher (R-Houston) [District 130]
22) Dan Flynn (R-Canton) [District 02]
23) James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) [District 69]
24) John Frullo (R-Lubbock) [District 84]
25) Rick Galindo (R-San Antonio) [District 117]*
26) Charlie Geren (R-River Oaks) [District 99]
27) Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) [District 52]
28) Patricia Harless (R-Spring) [District 126]
29) Dan Huberty (R-Kingwood) [District 127]
30) Todd Hunter (R-Portland) [District 32]
31) Jason Issac (R-Dripping Springs) [District 45]
32) Kyle Kacal (R-Hillister) [District 12]
33) Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) [District 60]
34) Ken King (R-Pampa) [District 88]
35) Phil King (R-Weatherford) [District 61]
36) Susan King (R-Abilene) [District 71]
37)Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Eagle Lake) [District 17]
38) Linda Koop (R-Dallas) [District 102]*
39) John Kuempel (R-Seguin) [District 44]
40) Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) [District 122]
41) Jodie Laubenberg (R-Parker) [District 89]
42) J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) [District 43]
43) Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) [District 16]
44) Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) [District 108]*
45) Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) [District 73]
46) Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) [District 26]
47) Geanie W. Morrison (R-Victoria) [District 30]
48) Jim Murphy (R-Houston) [District 133]
49) Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) [District 53]*
50) John Otto (R-Dayton) [District 18]
51) Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) [District 09]
52) Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) [District 63]
53) Dennis Paul (R-Houston) [District 129]*
54) Gilbert Pena (R-Houston) [District 144]*
55) Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) [District 21]*
56) Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) [District 62]
57) Four Price (R-Amarillo) [District 87]
58) John Raney (R-Bryan) [District 14]
59) Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) [District 150]
60) Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) [District 107]
61) J.D. Sheffield (R- Gatesville) [District 59]
62) Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) [District 65]
63) Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) [District 128]
64) John Smithee (R-Amarillo) [District 86]
65) Drew Springer (R-Muenster) [District 68]
66) Phil Stephenson (R-Wharton) [District 85]
67) Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) [District 29]
68) Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) [District 01]*
69) Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) [District 114]
70) James White (R-Woodville) [District 19]
71) Paul Workman (R-Austin) [District 47]
72) John Wray (R-Waxahachie) [District 10]*
73) John Zerwas (R-Katy) [District 28]
Use this list to contact your Representative. Tell him/her not to support Speaker Joe Straus for reelection unless he publicly pledges: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session.
If he does not pledge: The Republicans should and must elect a true conservative Republican as Speaker.
Texas conservative pro-life voters seem to have one of two options. Either accept the reelection of Speaker Straus or launch a campaign to get a conservative pro-life Representative elected in his place. Currently, there is a conservative pro-life candidate. However, I have heard that he is not acceptable to many conservatives for reasons I will not go into at this time. To be clear though, it has nothing to do with race. (The candidate happens to be a Black man.) Perhaps the concerns may be addressed and resolved. If not, surely there is at least one conservative pro-life Representative that Republicans can support who is willing to seek the position.
I am not one to do nothing. It is better to fight the good fight and come up short than to ignore the problem of a pro-MURDER Speaker of the House when the Republicans are in the majority and when the voters of the State overwhelming defeated a pro-MURDER Democrat for Governor. Texas is a pro-life State. The tide is turning, we must continue with every effort possible to end the MURDER of the innocent. The Supreme Court was wrong in 1973—morally, scientifically, and constitutionally—and we, as a nation, have had blood on our hands for over forty-one years as a result. It is time to end the abomination of federal court sanctioned MURDER and it can be achieved through States and a Republican controlled Congress.
The End of Roe vs. Wade. The End of Legalized Abortion in the United States (11/25/14)
Roe vs. Wade and the companion Doe vs. Bolton decisions were immoral, unscientific, and unconstitutional. For over forty-one years, the federal government has sanctioned the murder of our own unborn children. However, the tide has been turning and more and more States have been putting restrictions on these murders. The 2014 elections swept a Republican majority into the Senate and increased a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans gained control of twenty-three States with the executive branch governor’s office and both houses of the State General Assembly. Now is the time to boldly act at the State level.
If any of the twenty-three States have not yet passed the clinic requirements for abortion facilities, hospital residency requirements, and 20 week abortion/pain restrictions; they should do so early in their legislative session. However, there is one more piece of legislation that every one of these States should pass. It goes to the heart of the Supreme Court decision.
The Supreme Court said that if life begins at conception then, of course, abortion would be illegal. However, they then mistakenly stated that when life begins was not known and the court need not make that determination. Yet, scientifically there is no doubt that life begins at conception. The pro-abortion forces lied and the court accepted the lie because the court wanted to permit abortions. The States should rectify that error of the court. Each of the twenty-three States should pass a “life begins at conception” law. It is time for the Supreme Court to reexamine the original Roe and Doe decisions. It is up to us to encourage each of the twenty-three States to pass such a law.
Texas is a special case that is going to require decisive action on the part of pro-life groups. As I wrote yesterday, conservatives have stated that they will support the current Speaker of the House even though he seems not to be a pro-life conservative.
However, I found one campaign ad on the internet that claimed Joe Straus is pro-life. Let us put him to the test. Let us challenge the conservative supporters of Joe Straus to extract a public pledge from him in return for their vote for him as Speaker.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session. If he so pledges, they will support him. If he does not make the public pledge, they will not support him.
The legislative session begins January 13, 2015. That gives us approximately a month and a half to make our case. We need to phone, e-mail, write letters, and contact personally all Republicans who have voiced support for the Speaker. We need to contact pro-life groups within Texas and pro-life churches and their members and get them involved. We need to convince the Republicans to require the public pledge in exchange for their support. We need to make our case and then hold their feet to the fire of public opinion.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session.
If he does not pledge: Elect a true conservative Republican as Speaker.
Texas—Incumbent Speaker of the House Joe Straus, “Life Begins at Conception” Law and the Marana, Arizona Example (11/26/14)
Tomorrow is our nation’s designated day of thanksgiving. Of course, we should be thankful every day of our lives. GOD is good. Life, itself, is one blessing for which all should be thankful. Unfortunately, for the last forty-one years, we, as a nation, have not honored our own declared allegiance for life.
The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Constitution of the United States
“Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Let us renew and double our efforts to return the United States to the proposition that all have a GOD-given right to life.
The last two posts dealt with advancing the fight for life by having States pass a “life begins at conception” law in the States. The question must be asked: Is this possible? My answer is yes and I base that answer upon personal experience.
I was a member of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board from 1983-1986. The school district is Northwest of the city of Tucson, Arizona. During that time, girls’ basketball and girls’ softball were played in the spring and winter respectively while the boys played in the traditional winter season for basketball and spring season for baseball.
I was at an away junior high school softball game that should not have been played. It was cold, windy, and miserable. The only people who were in the stands must have been parents and family members. I know it was for our team. No one else would have ventured out. During that game, other parents asked me why I didn’t do something about this untenable situation.
Actually, I was. I, as the parent of a daughter who played junior high softball and basketball, was suing the State athletic board in federal court. Further, our high school girls’ basketball coach and the parents of a player were suing in federal court to move basketball. However, the cases would have taken several years and we may not have won.
Therefore, I decided to take a more direct approach as a school board member. Our superintendent suggested I meet with the athletic directors of the conference. I did. Of those who spoke, all were against making any change. They said it couldn’t be done. There would not be enough facilities, coaches, referees and umpires, any excuse they could think of. I continued on anyway.
Here is a section of the board minutes from May 13, 1986 page 948.
“Season of Sports:
Mr. Vance moved, and Mr. Lewandowski seconded the motion that the Governing Board adopt the following directive and resolution:
It is the intent and desire of the Marana School District Governing Board that the current seasons of sports established by the AAA Conference of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Delta League for Junior High for girls’ basketball and girls’ softball be changed to match the season for boys’ basketball and boys’ baseball, respectively. Currently, girls play basketball in the Spring and softball in the Winter, while boys play baseball in the Spring and basketball in the Winter. The seasons of sports for Marana School District are set on a conference-wide basis by the AAA and Delta League. The Governing Board of Marana School District directs its administrators to vote in favor of any change in the season of sports for the AAA and Delta League to match girls and boys sports. The Governing Board also urges any other schools in the AAA and Delta League to support such a change.
Discussion followed.
Aye: Vance, Lewandowski, Coe, Post. Nay: Hill.
Motion Carried.”
Marana was the first school district in the State to move to change the sport seasons. The board lawyer wrote the motion for me and determined the board meeting when the motion would be made. After the motion passed, I wrote letters to all the school boards in our conference urging them to change also. I also wrote letters to all the boards in Southern Arizona who were not in our conference to change. Tucson Unified, which at the time, was the second largest district in the State and not in our conference changed next. After TUSD changed, the rest of Southern Arizona changed. Eventually, as far as I know, the entire State changed. One school board stepping out in faith changed the Statewide system.
If it can happen for this, we certainly should be able—with work, determination, and prayer—to convince the legislators of a conservative pro-life State to pass a law affirming the scientific truth that life begins at conception. There is only one way to find out. To try!
Let’s make next year, the year Texas affirms the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The year that Texas affirms that all human life is protected by law from conception to natural death.
[Note: John Lewandowski and Dan Post are still members of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board. Some people are just gluttons for punishment!
http://www.maranausd.org/index.aspx?nid=654 ~ ]
Letter to the Editor of the Abilene Reporter-News: Texas—Incumbent Speaker of the House Joe Straus, “Life Begins at Conception” Law Pledge in Return for Support
According to The Empower Texans Foundation, Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus is a moderate Republican who was originally elected Speaker of the House by Democrats with the help of eleven Republicans. It seems that Speaker Straus has blocked conservative legislation in the past and is more pro-abortion than pro-life.
According to the report, he has been praised by a Planned Parenthood President, supported making it easier to get a 3rd trimester abortion, received a $1,000 donation from Planned Parenthood, and received a 100 percent rating by the NARAL. He supports Roe v. Wade.
There are reports that Speaker Straus has the support of up to 73 Republicans including Abilene’s Susan King as well as most Democrats. Texas conservative pro-life voters seem to have one of two options. Either accept the reelection of Speaker Straus or launch a campaign to get a conservative pro-life Representative elected in his place.
Texas is a pro-life State. Let us put Speaker Straus and the Republicans, who support him, to the test. Let us challenge the conservative supporters of Joe Straus to extract a public pledge from him in return for their vote for him as Speaker.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session. If he so pledges, they will support him. If he does not make the public pledge, they will not support him. Contact your Representative and demand the pledge.
Donald L. Vance
An Update on Pro-Life vs. Pro-Abortion: Conservative Texas House of Representatives about to Reelect a Pro-Abortion Speaker of the House? (11/24/14)
After posting this originally on the 20th of this month, I woke up the next morning thinking I had to do more. Realistically though, what more could I do? I’m one person. I’m relatively new to Texas, and Texas is a large State. I put it out of my mind.
Sunday morning, I woke up with the same thought. Consequently, today’s updated post. There is new material at the end of the post. Tomorrow, I plan to post my proposal for action.
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The following information is from a PDF published by The Empower Texans Foundation. It deals with Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus who although a Republican is, at best, a RINO (Republican in Name Only) Republican who was originally elected Speaker of the House by Democrats with the help of some “moderate” Republicans. The House is more conservative now and has more Republicans. It seems that Speaker Straus has blocked conservative legislation in the past. And yet, once again at the start of the 2015 legislative session, the Speaker will be reelected. (The Session begins Tuesday, January 13, 2015.) The Speaker seems to more pro-abortion/MURDER than pro-life.
This post is hopefully a wake-up call to pro-life Texas and a warning to pro-lifers in other States that the people in leadership positions can block our efforts to change from the culture of death/MURDER to a culture of life. Work to get pro-life representatives in leadership positions in your State. Pro-MURDER Democrats have far more influence than their number in the Texas House because of Speaker Straus from what I have heard. Don’t get caught in the same trap!
http://prattontexas.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2014-TFR-Straus-Booklet.pdf
Selected information from the report:
“The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood South Texas, Jeffrey Hons, acknowledges and thanks Joe Straus for his ‘Tireless effort.’ source Politifact Texas” [page 2]
“Social Issues
Voted in favor of allowing homosexuals and bisexuals to become foster parents. (SB 6, RV 328, 79th Legislature)
Supported making it easier to get a 3rd trimester abortion. Original language of the bill allowed a 3rd trimester abortion only when the mother was at risk of death or the fetus had a severe irreversible brain impairment. Straus voted to expand the exemptions to allow a 3rd trimester abortion if there was ‘substantial risk of serious impairment’ to the mother or if the fetus has a ‘severe and irreversible abnormality.’ (SB 419, RV 672, 79th Legislature)
Joe Straus received a $1,000 donation from Planned Parenthood of San Antonio and South Central Texas. (Texas Ethics Commission, 08/27/2008)
In 2007, Joe Straus received a 100 percent rating by NARAL. (the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League)” [page 4]
“Elected as Speaker
Heading into the 2009 legislative session, a group of 11 Republicans joined forces with 65 Democrats (150 members in the House needing 76 votes to be elected Speaker) to oust conservative Republican Tom Craddick as speaker. Craddick was the first GOP House Speaker in Texas since the 19th Century.”
Following his election as House speaker, Straus told Texas Monthly that he supports Roe v. Wade and does not believe it should be overturned. He went on to call the pro-life movement ‘campaign fodder’ and not a serious political position.” [page 5]
“Praise from Democrats
While the Democrats now hold barely one-third of the seats in the Texas House, they have had great success under Straus’ speakership.
In a study of legislative results, Rice University’s Mark Jones described legislation passed under Straus’ watch as ‘purple’ at best in what is otherwise a very ‘red’ state. The data-crunching website HardHatters.com has found that 51 percent of legislation passed from the House and to the governor’s desk in 2013 was authored or coauthored by Democrats.
Liberal Democrat Joaquin Castro said at a press conference that he ‘can’t think of a better person to lead us … ’ than Joe Straus. (Burnt Orange Report YouTube Video, Joe Straus Supporters at Press Conference)
Characterized as the ‘Harry Reid of Texas,’ in a recent Forbes article that identifies Straus as a ‘left-of-center’ speaker who will be a major obstacle to conservative reforms in the 84th Legislative Session. (Forbes Magazine, 8/14/14, Meet the Harry Reid of Texas) [page 6]
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-Texas/2014/11/20/Texas-GOP-Reps-Set-to-Elect-NARAL-Favored-Candidate-for-Speaker
“‘Because the Democrat Members in the House are in the minority with only 52 seats, they cannot elect one of their own as Speaker, but have instead unanimously supported Straus against a more conservative Republican.’
Updated:
Listed are the Texas House Republicans who voiced support for Speaker Joe Straus alphabetically, the member’s hometown, and his/her House Legislative District. * designates that the member is newly elected and will take office in January of 2015.
Source for new member’s district http://naifa-texas.org/news/2014-election-recap/
A special thank you to the Tea Party organization that provided the list of 73 to me. They are active, alive, and well in Texas!
01) Charles ‘Doc’ Anderson (R-Waco) [District 56]
02) Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) [District 57]
03) Jimmie Don Aycock (R-Lampasas) [District 54]
04) Cecil Bell (R-Magnolia) [District 03]
05) Dwayne Bohac (R-Houston) [District 138]
06) Dennis Bonnen (R-Angleton) [District 25]
07) Dr. Greg Bonnen (R-Friendswood) [District 24]
08) Cindy Burkett (R-Garland) [District 113]
09) DeWayne Burns (R-Burleson) [District 58]*
10) Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) [District 112]
11) Giovanni Capriglione (R-Southlake) [District 98]
12) Travis Clardy (R-Jacksonville) [District 11]
13) Byron Cook (R-Corsicana) [District 08]
14) Myra Crownover (R-Lake Dallas) [District 64]
15) Tony Dale (R-Cedar Park) [District 136]
16) Drew Darby (R-San Angelo) [District 72]
17) Sarah Davis (R-Houston) [District 134]
18) Gary Elkins (R-Houston) [District 135]
19) Wayne Faircloth (R-Galveston) [District 23]*
20) Marsha Farney (R- Georgetown) [District 20]
21) Allen Fletcher (R-Houston) [District 130]
22) Dan Flynn (R-Canton) [District 02]
23) James Frank (R-Wichita Falls) [District 69]
24) John Frullo (R-Lubbock) [District 84]
25) Rick Galindo (R-San Antonio) [District 117]*
26) Charlie Geren (R-River Oaks) [District 99]
27) Larry Gonzales (R-Round Rock) [District 52]
28) Patricia Harless (R-Spring) [District 126]
29) Dan Huberty (R-Kingwood) [District 127]
30) Todd Hunter (R-Portland) [District 32]
31) Jason Issac (R-Dripping Springs) [District 45]
32) Kyle Kacal (R-Hillister) [District 12]
33) Jim Keffer (R-Eastland) [District 60]
34) Ken King (R-Pampa) [District 88]
35) Phil King (R-Weatherford) [District 61]
36) Susan King (R-Abilene) [District 71]
37)Tim Kleinschmidt (R-Eagle Lake) [District 17]
38) Linda Koop (R-Dallas) [District 102]*
39) John Kuempel (R-Seguin) [District 44]
40) Lyle Larson (R-San Antonio) [District 122]
41) Jodie Laubenberg (R-Parker) [District 89]
42) J.M. Lozano (R-Kingsville) [District 43]
43) Will Metcalf (R-Conroe) [District 16]
44) Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) [District 108]*
45) Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) [District 73]
46) Rick Miller (R-Sugar Land) [District 26]
47) Geanie W. Morrison (R-Victoria) [District 30]
48) Jim Murphy (R-Houston) [District 133]
49) Andrew Murr (R-Kerrville) [District 53]*
50) John Otto (R-Dayton) [District 18]
51) Chris Paddie (R-Marshall) [District 09]
52) Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound) [District 63]
53) Dennis Paul (R-Houston) [District 129]*
54) Gilbert Pena (R-Houston) [District 144]*
55) Dade Phelan (R-Beaumont) [District 21]*
56) Larry Phillips (R-Sherman) [District 62]
57) Four Price (R-Amarillo) [District 87]
58) John Raney (R-Bryan) [District 14]
59) Debbie Riddle (R-Houston) [District 150]
60) Kenneth Sheets (R-Dallas) [District 107]
61) J.D. Sheffield (R- Gatesville) [District 59]
62) Ron Simmons (R-Carrollton) [District 65]
63) Wayne Smith (R-Baytown) [District 128]
64) John Smithee (R-Amarillo) [District 86]
65) Drew Springer (R-Muenster) [District 68]
66) Phil Stephenson (R-Wharton) [District 85]
67) Ed Thompson (R-Pearland) [District 29]
68) Gary VanDeaver (R-New Boston) [District 01]*
69) Jason Villalba (R-Dallas) [District 114]
70) James White (R-Woodville) [District 19]
71) Paul Workman (R-Austin) [District 47]
72) John Wray (R-Waxahachie) [District 10]*
73) John Zerwas (R-Katy) [District 28]
Use this list to contact your Representative. Tell him/her not to support Speaker Joe Straus for reelection unless he publicly pledges: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session.
If he does not pledge: The Republicans should and must elect a true conservative Republican as Speaker.
Texas conservative pro-life voters seem to have one of two options. Either accept the reelection of Speaker Straus or launch a campaign to get a conservative pro-life Representative elected in his place. Currently, there is a conservative pro-life candidate. However, I have heard that he is not acceptable to many conservatives for reasons I will not go into at this time. To be clear though, it has nothing to do with race. (The candidate happens to be a Black man.) Perhaps the concerns may be addressed and resolved. If not, surely there is at least one conservative pro-life Representative that Republicans can support who is willing to seek the position.
I am not one to do nothing. It is better to fight the good fight and come up short than to ignore the problem of a pro-MURDER Speaker of the House when the Republicans are in the majority and when the voters of the State overwhelming defeated a pro-MURDER Democrat for Governor. Texas is a pro-life State. The tide is turning, we must continue with every effort possible to end the MURDER of the innocent. The Supreme Court was wrong in 1973—morally, scientifically, and constitutionally—and we, as a nation, have had blood on our hands for over forty-one years as a result. It is time to end the abomination of federal court sanctioned MURDER and it can be achieved through States and a Republican controlled Congress.
The End of Roe vs. Wade. The End of Legalized Abortion in the United States (11/25/14)
Roe vs. Wade and the companion Doe vs. Bolton decisions were immoral, unscientific, and unconstitutional. For over forty-one years, the federal government has sanctioned the murder of our own unborn children. However, the tide has been turning and more and more States have been putting restrictions on these murders. The 2014 elections swept a Republican majority into the Senate and increased a Republican majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans gained control of twenty-three States with the executive branch governor’s office and both houses of the State General Assembly. Now is the time to boldly act at the State level.
If any of the twenty-three States have not yet passed the clinic requirements for abortion facilities, hospital residency requirements, and 20 week abortion/pain restrictions; they should do so early in their legislative session. However, there is one more piece of legislation that every one of these States should pass. It goes to the heart of the Supreme Court decision.
The Supreme Court said that if life begins at conception then, of course, abortion would be illegal. However, they then mistakenly stated that when life begins was not known and the court need not make that determination. Yet, scientifically there is no doubt that life begins at conception. The pro-abortion forces lied and the court accepted the lie because the court wanted to permit abortions. The States should rectify that error of the court. Each of the twenty-three States should pass a “life begins at conception” law. It is time for the Supreme Court to reexamine the original Roe and Doe decisions. It is up to us to encourage each of the twenty-three States to pass such a law.
Texas is a special case that is going to require decisive action on the part of pro-life groups. As I wrote yesterday, conservatives have stated that they will support the current Speaker of the House even though he seems not to be a pro-life conservative.
However, I found one campaign ad on the internet that claimed Joe Straus is pro-life. Let us put him to the test. Let us challenge the conservative supporters of Joe Straus to extract a public pledge from him in return for their vote for him as Speaker.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session. If he so pledges, they will support him. If he does not make the public pledge, they will not support him.
The legislative session begins January 13, 2015. That gives us approximately a month and a half to make our case. We need to phone, e-mail, write letters, and contact personally all Republicans who have voiced support for the Speaker. We need to contact pro-life groups within Texas and pro-life churches and their members and get them involved. We need to convince the Republicans to require the public pledge in exchange for their support. We need to make our case and then hold their feet to the fire of public opinion.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session.
If he does not pledge: Elect a true conservative Republican as Speaker.
Texas—Incumbent Speaker of the House Joe Straus, “Life Begins at Conception” Law and the Marana, Arizona Example (11/26/14)
Tomorrow is our nation’s designated day of thanksgiving. Of course, we should be thankful every day of our lives. GOD is good. Life, itself, is one blessing for which all should be thankful. Unfortunately, for the last forty-one years, we, as a nation, have not honored our own declared allegiance for life.
The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Constitution of the United States
“Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Let us renew and double our efforts to return the United States to the proposition that all have a GOD-given right to life.
The last two posts dealt with advancing the fight for life by having States pass a “life begins at conception” law in the States. The question must be asked: Is this possible? My answer is yes and I base that answer upon personal experience.
I was a member of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board from 1983-1986. The school district is Northwest of the city of Tucson, Arizona. During that time, girls’ basketball and girls’ softball were played in the spring and winter respectively while the boys played in the traditional winter season for basketball and spring season for baseball.
I was at an away junior high school softball game that should not have been played. It was cold, windy, and miserable. The only people who were in the stands must have been parents and family members. I know it was for our team. No one else would have ventured out. During that game, other parents asked me why I didn’t do something about this untenable situation.
Actually, I was. I, as the parent of a daughter who played junior high softball and basketball, was suing the State athletic board in federal court. Further, our high school girls’ basketball coach and the parents of a player were suing in federal court to move basketball. However, the cases would have taken several years and we may not have won.
Therefore, I decided to take a more direct approach as a school board member. Our superintendent suggested I meet with the athletic directors of the conference. I did. Of those who spoke, all were against making any change. They said it couldn’t be done. There would not be enough facilities, coaches, referees and umpires, any excuse they could think of. I continued on anyway.
Here is a section of the board minutes from May 13, 1986 page 948.
“Season of Sports:
Mr. Vance moved, and Mr. Lewandowski seconded the motion that the Governing Board adopt the following directive and resolution:
It is the intent and desire of the Marana School District Governing Board that the current seasons of sports established by the AAA Conference of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and the Delta League for Junior High for girls’ basketball and girls’ softball be changed to match the season for boys’ basketball and boys’ baseball, respectively. Currently, girls play basketball in the Spring and softball in the Winter, while boys play baseball in the Spring and basketball in the Winter. The seasons of sports for Marana School District are set on a conference-wide basis by the AAA and Delta League. The Governing Board of Marana School District directs its administrators to vote in favor of any change in the season of sports for the AAA and Delta League to match girls and boys sports. The Governing Board also urges any other schools in the AAA and Delta League to support such a change.
Discussion followed.
Aye: Vance, Lewandowski, Coe, Post. Nay: Hill.
Motion Carried.”
Marana was the first school district in the State to move to change the sport seasons. The board lawyer wrote the motion for me and determined the board meeting when the motion would be made. After the motion passed, I wrote letters to all the school boards in our conference urging them to change also. I also wrote letters to all the boards in Southern Arizona who were not in our conference to change. Tucson Unified, which at the time, was the second largest district in the State and not in our conference changed next. After TUSD changed, the rest of Southern Arizona changed. Eventually, as far as I know, the entire State changed. One school board stepping out in faith changed the Statewide system.
If it can happen for this, we certainly should be able—with work, determination, and prayer—to convince the legislators of a conservative pro-life State to pass a law affirming the scientific truth that life begins at conception. There is only one way to find out. To try!
Let’s make next year, the year Texas affirms the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. The year that Texas affirms that all human life is protected by law from conception to natural death.
[Note: John Lewandowski and Dan Post are still members of the Marana Unified School District Governing Board. Some people are just gluttons for punishment!
http://www.maranausd.org/index.aspx?nid=654 ~ ]
Letter to the Editor of the Abilene Reporter-News: Texas—Incumbent Speaker of the House Joe Straus, “Life Begins at Conception” Law Pledge in Return for Support
According to The Empower Texans Foundation, Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus is a moderate Republican who was originally elected Speaker of the House by Democrats with the help of eleven Republicans. It seems that Speaker Straus has blocked conservative legislation in the past and is more pro-abortion than pro-life.
According to the report, he has been praised by a Planned Parenthood President, supported making it easier to get a 3rd trimester abortion, received a $1,000 donation from Planned Parenthood, and received a 100 percent rating by the NARAL. He supports Roe v. Wade.
There are reports that Speaker Straus has the support of up to 73 Republicans including Abilene’s Susan King as well as most Democrats. Texas conservative pro-life voters seem to have one of two options. Either accept the reelection of Speaker Straus or launch a campaign to get a conservative pro-life Representative elected in his place.
Texas is a pro-life State. Let us put Speaker Straus and the Republicans, who support him, to the test. Let us challenge the conservative supporters of Joe Straus to extract a public pledge from him in return for their vote for him as Speaker.
The public pledge: The House of Representatives will vote for a “life begins at conception” bill during the regular session of the 2015 legislative session. If he so pledges, they will support him. If he does not make the public pledge, they will not support him. Contact your Representative and demand the pledge.
Donald L. Vance
posted by Christian Gunslinger at 6:40 PM
