(FRC) "Kristol Clear:" Bill Kristol Calls Conservative Flip-floppers "Pathetic"

http://www.frc.org/get.cfm?i=WU13D03&f=RF07B06

Washington Update

Kristol Clear on Marriage

While the media is practically giddy over the GOP's two flip-floppers on marriage, the intellectual wing of the party is lining up to attack the shallowness of their "evolution." Bill Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard who typically doesn't focus on social issues, came right out and called their shift on marriage "pathetic."

On his podcast, Kristol shook his head at any Republican who would "just throw over thousands of years of history and what the great religions teach, and let's just embrace it because, hey--you don't want to be on the other side from a TV show that has 20 millions viewers. I mean, really, that's what a serious political party does?" It's a fad, he argued, and for any leader to be so easily swayed, "...there's something pathetic about it," Kristol told listeners. "I've found it really distasteful. I mean, I myself am a social conservative on the marriage issue, but even if you're not--just say what you believe and let the country decide... This kind of pathetic attempt of 'Oh my, young people especially are liberal, so let's just rush to cater to them.' As if they're going to respect you if you just embrace the views of some 26-year-old who doesn't know anything, honestly. Can't adults say young people are sometimes wrong?"

Luckily for us, FRC has the opportunity to work with young people every day who have a better grasp on the issue than senators twice their age. These are the 38%, the next generation of fearless leaders who are standing up for what's right when others won't. They're the brave millennials at FRC who tell their friends that they'll be kind and loving to anyone who makes bad decisions, but also let them know that "rights come from our Creator. And that same Creator has a clear definition of marriage." They're the interns representing FRC who slept on cold concrete for two days outside the U.S. Supreme Court, defending truth to a press corps surprised that anyone so young still believed in marriage.

"The reason we were popular wasn't hard to figure out," FRC's Cordell Asbenson wrote in a special op-ed. "We were the only ones in line willing to talk about being in support of biblical marriage." It wasn't easy, Cordell admitted. "But soon we all realized the importance of what we were doing and took every interview we could. I came to the point," he said, "where I realized that I would be considered foolish by the media, and most of the people in line, for speaking the truth. I would be attacked, I would be laughed at, I would be considered intolerant, and unloving. But I knew what God had called me to do. The interns and I were not there to make these people feel good, or comfortable--we were there to speak the truth, no matter what it cost."

They are the hope. Not the weak-kneed politicians who let self-interest dictate their values. Maybe you or someone you know could be a part of the few, the proud... the FRC interns. Click here find out how you can get involved in raising up the next generation!

Civil Rights--or Wrongs?

Americans have heard plenty about the Republicans who support same-sex "marriage," but what about the Democrats who don't? To fit its storyline that everyone who's anyone wants to redefine marriage, the media has conveniently ignored one of the most influential wings of the Democratic party: African Americans. Marriage must be color blind--but it can't be gender blind. And while they like and respect President Obama and other liberal leaders, African Americans continue to part ways with Democrats on the issue of marriage.
In a new Zogby poll, commissioned by Black Entertainment Television founder Robert Johnson, African Americans soundly rejected the idea (by almost two-to-one) that gay rights are "civil rights." The majority of the black community is still strongly opposed to same-sex "marriage"--with only 40% in favor of it. What's more, most African Americans thought that ministers were right to oppose both homosexuality and same-sex "marriage" by a 34-31% margin.

Sweet Home Alabama...

While national leaders like Senator Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) continue to disappoint, spirits are high in the states--where a steady drumbeat continues on pro-life policy. The string of conservative victories continued yesterday in Alabama, where legislators gave the green light to a measure that would raise safety standards in abortion clinics. "The goal here is to make sure women's health is protected," said Sen. Scott Beason, who complained that Alabama's five abortion clinics aren't better regulated.

Under the bill, which Gov. Robert Bentley is expected to sign, area clinics would have to widen doorways and hallways, improve equipment, and bring the facilities more in line with the standards of local hospitals--where abortion doctors would also have to have admitting privileges. Of course, Planned Parenthood allies like Sen. Harri Anne Smith (D) argued that providing better care for women would somehow lead to more suicides. Unfortunately, that was just one of the ridiculous claims made by the bill's opponents who simply don't want to admit the obvious: that the abortion business isn't about patients--it's about profits.

Meanwhile, in Washington State, a Republican state senator is single-handedly blocking a proposal that would force health plans to cover abortion. With the encouragement of U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), state Sen. Randi Becker told a packed hearing room that she refused to schedule a vote on the "Reproductive Parity Act," effectively killing the measure. Despite the heat she's taking from the Left, Becker won't let her state become the first to mandate abortion coverage in insurance plans. A local pro-life activist testified, "You all have the Second Amendment right to bear arms, to own a gun. But does that mean I have to buy it for you?"

Echoing McMorris Rogers, Becker said the bill "does not satisfy federal restrictions on conscience rights, the protection for people who have religious objections to abortion to opt out of insurance plans." Good for Becker! She's yet another reminder that Washington, D.C. might not get it--but the states certainly do!

Farewell, Dr. Feulner!

One of the unique privileges I've had over the last 10 years at FRC is the opportunity to meet and spend time with some of our movement's great conservative leaders. I developed good friendships with Dr. James Dobson, Don Wildmon, Chuck Colson, Dr. D. James Kennedy, Dr. Jerry Falwell, Paul Weyrich and other leading minds of the conservative movement. Today, another stalwart and friend, Dr. Ed Feulner, is saying goodbye from The Heritage Foundation after more than four decades of influence. Ever the visionary, Ed raised the think tank from a nine-member staff in a rented office to a 275-person conservative juggernaut in the shadows of the U.S. Capitol. While no one can fill Ed's shoes, FRC also celebrates with Heritage the beginning of a new era with former Senator Jim DeMint at the helm. As co-believers in faith, family, freedom, and opportunity, we look forward to working with Jim in our continued quest for a better America. Congratulations and best wishes to both men as they set out on their new adventures!

** President Obama heard an interesting sermon on Easter Sunday from the Rev. Leon, attacking the "captains of the religious right." Check out my response to his message on Fox News with Megyn Kelly by clicking below.

*** Who's on the new "Dirty Dozen List of Sex Exploiters?" You might be surprised to find out! Tune in to "Washington Watch with Tony Perkins" today to hear Pat Trueman, President of Morality in Media explain. Also, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) will join us to talk about the threat of the U.N. Arms Trade Treaty, which passed the General Assembly yesterday. Click over to TonyPerkins.com to listen!

**** Despite suggesting that homosexual health statistics are a "form of hate," Michigan state party chairman Bobby Schostak contacted our office in response to yesterday's Update and wanted to clarify that he did not call for Dave Agema's resignation.