This morning at the Reformation Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kansas, the late-term abortionist George Tiller was murdered by an assailant who was later apprehended in a Kansas City suburb. Mark my words, all hell will break loose now with the pro-abortion lobby accusing those of us that are Pro-Life with being nothing but a bunch of homicidal lunatics and will present Tiller as a fallen warrior for a noble cause. Wait, that’s happening already:

Today, [Dr. Ann Kristin] Neuhaus said that she had expected further violence after Tiller’s acquittal. “I knew it was going to antagonize these people that he quote, unquote, got off the hook,” she said. “Dr. Tiller really was a warrior. He was a quiet, persistent, capable visionary, a true leader. Even if he had known it was going to end up this way, he wouldn’t have been deterred.”

{…}

Kelli Conlin, president of NARAL Pro-Choice New York, echoed that sentiment in a statement about Tiller’s death: “It is cold-blooded, vicious actions like today’s assassination that make it hard for those of us in the pro-choice community to find common ground with those on the other side. It is lawless, violent behavior like this that makes us fear for our lives and our families. When they sit down across from us, they have no reason to believe that we come to the table with violent intentions. Today is a brutal reminder that we are not privileged to have the same sense of security.”

[Update: Also see here, and here.]

President Obama’s reaction:

“However profound our differences as Americans over difficult issues such as abortion,” he said in a statement, “they cannot be resolved by heinous acts of violence.

{…} “The fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable.”

This is not going to get the job done on the Pro-Life side. Tiller belonged in prison, or removed from the medical profession — not gunned down like an animal.

You watch, though. The person that did this heinous act is probably quite disturbed. However, unlike a “disturbed” killer of young women or children, those of the most liberal bent will not be cutting Tiller’s assassin any slack. They’ll cry for his head, and would take his soul, too — if they believed that we had souls. As Michelle Malkin writes:

Unfortunately, it’s too much to ask the cable news networks and hyper-partisan snipers on the Internet to have the decency to restrain themselves.

Prepare for a wall-to-wall onslaught of gleeful finger-pointing on the Left and heated responses on the Right.

Prepare for whitewashed hagiographies of Tiller’s career as an abortionist.

Prepare for DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano’s defenders to gloat about vindication.

Prepare for collective demonization of pro-lifers and Christians — and more gratuitous attempts to tar talk radio, Fox News, and the Tea Party movement as responsible for the heinous crime.

Prepare for the continuing redefinition of any and all sharp political disagreement as “hate” — a ruinous trend that inevitably comes back to haunt the hysterical accusers decrying “hate” the loudest.

Mark my words . . .

Sonja E. Brown, acting Deputy Communications Director for Proposition 8 Protect Marriage in California, had a rough day yesterday as she tried in vain to obtain a venue in Los Angele County for the Protect Marriage press conference reactions to the CA Supreme Court decision to uphold last November’s amendment to the state constitution.

In the past week, I was tasked to find a location in Los Angeles where Protect Marriage might be able to offer comment when the California Supreme Court handed down its decision on Proposition 8. This may surprise you, but the Protect Marriage campaign was not welcome anywhere in Los Angeles following last November 4th’s election. Perhaps this does not surprise you. Either out of fear, or fear of appearing supportive of our odd tradition of marriage, facilities like the Museum of Tolerance, The Bonaventure Hotel, City Hall, Marriott Hotels, Hilton Hotels, or any hotel would not welcome Protect Marriage for fear of retaliation or protests. We feared these locations as well because of the great potential for sabatoge. Calling City Hall for instance, was a dead end for a democratic cause like Protect Marriage. Not only did Los Anglees Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa support legalization of gay marriage, but also the entire Board of County of Supervisors and virtually everyone in City and County government. How helpful do you believe City Hall would be in facilitating a Protect Marriage press conference? When the Office of City Permits was contacted to schedule an event, our calls were not returned, our requests ignored.

{…}

During the 10 weeks of the campaign when I was on the airwaves, my computer was hacked, my home was stalked, my safety was threatened, my family was on alert, and my husband uncomfortable with some colleagues. Remarkably, it seemed dangerous at times to be the voice of defense for marriage. In another decade, another century, another millenium, I wouldn’t have been given the time of day. In Los Angeles in 2008, I was viewed as an anti-christ by some for suggeting that children do better when they have the benefit of a mother and a father.

It’s a war out there folks, a real-live culture war. Sonja is one of the valiant warriors fighting for the good!

From the LA Times:

The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8’s ban on same-sex marriage but also ruled that gay couples who wed before the election will continue to be married under state law.

The decision virtually ensures another fight at the ballot box over marriage rights for gays. Gay rights activists said they may ask voters to repeal the marriage ban as early as next year, and opponents have pledged to fight any such effort. Proposition 8 passed with 52% of the vote.

By 52% to 48%, voters approved the measure reinstating a ban on same-sex marriage after the state Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling last May, approved such marriages. Left in limbo were about 18,000 couples who got married in California between May and November of last year. (Note: An earlier version of this post said voters approved by a 52-48 margin the measure reinstating a ban on same-sex marriage after the state Supreme Court, in a landmark ruling last May, approved such marriages.)

The skin on these teeth is getting thinner and thinner — a HUGE fight over this issue will be forthcoming at the ballot box.

GOTTA. GIRD. LOINS. NOW!!!!!!

Readers –

Your ol’ Okie’s been busy the last few weeks helping Lowell and Sonja Brown launch a new blog, actually more of an online magazine, called True North, News & Commentary™. True North will become a resource and launching point for those that can no longer trust the MSM, the mainstream media of newspapers and network newscasters to tell us the truth. Like the difference between magnetic north and True North, those that bring us the news seem ever more subject to change, to bias over objectivity, to outright lies and subterfuge over honesty and truth.

Cut us some slack as it’s still a work in progress — it had to go online to be ready for dealing with tomorrow’s CA Supreme Court ruling on Proposition 8, the one-man/one-woman marriage amendment to our state constitution — so it’s a bit rough around the edges, and we are still building content and content display sections, still trying to figure out how this will all work together to deliver the real deal — sources of honest, objective truths.

So, for my Memorial Day post I reprise part of last year’s, which included part of the year’s before. It’s all still true today.

– ‘Okie’

The flag out on the balcony is gently wafting in the light onshore breeze. It’s only in the 60s here today, but the sun is trying to shine and the sky clearing. All in all, life is good!

However, this day is for remembering those whose lives were cut short in service to their country, for their sacrifices over the ages that allows us to get together and eat, drink and have fellowship knowing that we live in the most free country on the planet, despite the hyperventilation of the Lefties over loss of “rights”. I’ve looked high and low and, “Nope!” No lost rights here, except maybe to pray in a public school, have the Ten Commandments displayed in a court house or on public property, have a teeny-tiny-little cross as a part of the Los Angeles County Seal as it has been since the beginning — but hey, those things might inconvenience or embarrass some poor secular soul so they have to go in the name of tolerance and acceptance. Somehow I don’t think this is what our brothers, sisters, fathers and grandfathers fought for . . . but hey, what does this ol’ Okie know, anyway?

Just last year I posted the following. It still holds true today.

This is the final resting place for my wife’s father, who proudly served in the Navy during WWII, as did my Dad. Both were fortunate to come back alive, in one piece — although I am sure that each carried memories that haunted them for the rest of their lives.

Many more were, and are today, not so fortunate. Those that are serving today deserve even more respect and consideration from the rest of us, as they have freely volunteered their service to this great country.

If you see someone in uniform, be sure and thank them for their service. You can also honor them by donating to worthy causes like the United Warrior Survivor Foundation and Soldiers’ Angels.

As you go about this holiday, if you are decorating the graves of loved ones, as you pass those with flags, be sure and say a prayer of thanks for that person who served. They are the reason that we have the freedoms that we have, that we can live the lives we live.

Thank you . . .

Last Wed. eve this years’ American Idol was announced. After nearly 100 million votes, 23-year-old Kris Allen from Conway, Ark won — and it’s reported that the voting wasn’t even all that close. Not that this will change the course of world events, but AI is the highest rated regular show on network television — the last of the “water cooler” shows. What makes this year particularly poignant is that the winner wasn’t the best singer — not by a long shot. Adam Lambert can “sing the phone book” as Randy Jackson often proclaims, and it would sound terrific. He had far more range, far more stage presence, much greater vocal skills and excellent enunciation of the lyrics. Superior all around. So, why did Kris win?

First, Kris might not have been great, but he is damn good! Second, his humble manner and absolute genuineness comes across particularly well, and the American Idol home audience really seems to warm up to those traits. Third, many would say this is the biggie, Kris Allen isn’t overtly gay — while Adam Lambert was comfortable glamming with the best of them.

As we out here in the Golden State (is granola “gold”?) gird our loins for Tuesday’s ruling by our Supreme Court on the challenge to Proposition 8, the Constitutional amendment that re-established the meaning of marriage as “between one man and one woman”, one has to consider that our mainstream media notwithstanding — the day-in, day-out common American is not gung ho on championing the gay/lesbian lifestyle as an accepted standard. Tolerated, fine. What we should encourage our children to emulate? Not so much.

But, as they keep saying on the show — “It’s a SINGING competition”. Therefore, the best singer should win? It’s also a “performance” competition, and talent is only part of a performance. There has to be that connection to the viewer, that spark to make tens of millions of folks to reach over, dial or text their vote. The guys are showing us the way through this cultural quagmire, as they seem to be good friends. As a writer over at TMZ blog states: “Just because several million more people like one over the other, it doesn’t mean “American Idol” champ Kris Allen and runner-up Adam Lambert can’t enjoy a meal together.” Adam Lambert is gonna do just fine . . .

Kris Allen — you ARE, the American Idol. Good luck to both of ya!

Howdy! If anyone is still out there to read this . . . I see that it was Mother’s Day, 12 days ago since I posted. That has to be some kind of record for me. It’s certainly not that there hasn’t been a lot to write about, a lot to complain about, a hell of a lot to be worried about — but gee folks, clients came out of the woodwork with a vengeance and one would be a fool to complain about being busy in this current economy!

Speaking of said economy, I see on Drudge that the feces have hit the wind machine big time — the Fed Chairman “promising” that inflation will increase, all but six states had job losses last month with this lovely granola state ‘winning’ the biggest loser contest, the Feds may force GM into bankruptcy even though it has made a tentative ‘deal’ with the UAW, (funny how those pesky bondholders can be so picky about the terms of their haircuts — gee, ya think that a secured lender is supposed to get preference over the Unions’ unsecured debt or somethin’?) The US dollar has hit a new multi-month low vs euro, pound and yen. Sweet! Anymore good economic news?

Oh yeah, Treasury Sec. Tax-dodger Tim is ‘concerned’ about U.S. creditworthiness, which is being flushed down the toilet Internationally so he’s now ‘promising’ to cut the budget deficit, like right damn now! With all the spending this administration has planned, and the stimulus package and TARP plus the impending Carbon Cap & Trade legislation that is being railroaded through Congress without opposition comment — where are they gonna come up with the moolah? Once they drain that upper 5% income bracket, better bend over ’cause they’re gonna come after yours and mine!

One last item before I’m off for a client lunch. Nancy Pelosi is now finished saying anything more about her accusations of lying by the CIA. Guess that hole’s been dug deep enough!

More when I can . . .