Current Events Archives

Leave it to a 12-year-old

Meet Lia. She’s twelve. She lives in Toronto. And her powerful video, has become a YouTube sensation in just two weeks. More than 330,000 viewers have watched this seventh-grader make the case for life in a speech that almost didn’t happen. As her mother Kimberly explains, “Several teachers discouraged her from picking the topic of abortion; she was told it was ‘too big,’ ‘too mature’ and ‘too controversial.’”

That’s not all Lia was told. Her mother adds, “She was also told that if she went ahead with that topic, she would not be allowed to continue on in the speech competition.” But faced with taking on such a Goliath-sized issue, and in spite of the warnings from her teachers that she might be disqualified from the contest, Lia’s pro-life convictions prevailed.

Topics: Current Events Tags: kids, pro-life February 24, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ask God What Your Grade Is

On November 4, 2008, voters in California passed Proposition 8 which amended their state constitution as follows: “Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.” While Prop 8 ended the attempt to redefine marriage in the Golden State, the backlash by those who support so-called same-sex marriage has been, at times, ugly. Case in point. Jonathan Lopez, a Christian student at Los Angeles City College, found himself publicly ridiculed by his college professor who called Lopez a “fascist b–tard” in front of the other students.

Topics: Current Events Tags: homosexuality, marriage, policy, religious liberty February 23, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Driven Over the Edge

Last Monday night, an unidentified businessman allegedly assaulted his girlfriend, and then led police on a low-speed chase through several Southern California highways. Hours later, sitting behind the wheel of his $100,000 luxury Bentley sedan, the armed driver shot himself to death. According to published reports, the man was distraught over losing his business.

We’re not told why his business collapsed. Whether tough economic times, inadequate capitalization, or poor management skills were at fault, he had failed and that failure sparked a depression which drove him over the edge.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news February 11, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Don’t Take It Out On Your Kids

I arrived over the weekend in Sydney, Australia for a series of meetings. Moments after landing, I learned about a tragic, mind-numbing event during rush hour in Melbourne yesterday. According to eye-witnesses, Arthur Phillip Freeman, 35, was driving his vehicle over the West Gate Bridge when he stopped in the middle of traffic, carried his four-year-old daughter, Darcey, in his arms and then dropped this defenseless child 190 feet into the river water below.

Freeman’s actions took place in plain view of a host of stunned motorists who jammed emergency hotlines with frantic calls for help.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, finances, kids, news, parenting February 2, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

From Supermarket to Super Bowl

Next Sunday is Super Bowl XLIII, the most watched football event of the year. And I’m bummed. I’ll be in Australia on business. Due to the time zone differences, I’ll probably miss the Pittsburgh Steelers going head-to-head with the Arizona Cardinals for the NFL World Championship. For a number of reasons I think it’ll be quite the game. Clearly the underdog, Arizona is hungry for the win–this isthe first time the Cardinals have made it to the big game.

Topics: Current Events Tags: entertainment, events, faith, news January 26, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I’m Praying for President Obama

Like millions of people around the world, I watched the inauguration of President Barack Obama earlier this week with interest. Whether or not you agree with his positions on the issues and there–are many that concern me deeply–truly the world witnessed history in the making. Scanning the faces of those in the crowd, I saw a joy and happiness that parallel something I witnessed in South Africa when Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s first black president, was elected.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news, policy January 23, 2009 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Reflections on the Election

I’d like to offer some perspective on the election of Barack Obama. While I happen to have a deep difference of opinion with him regarding the sanctity of human life, traditional marriage, and religious freedoms among other things, I’d like to take a stab at explaining why the election of America’s first black president is important for our nation.

The roots of what I’m about to say can be traced back to my first visit to South Africa back in 1991.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, events, faith, news November 8, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Barbie Doll Controversy

There’s a growing flap over a new Barbie Doll. For reasons that escape me, Mattel has decided to dress Barbie in what looks like a “street walker” outfit. Understandably, parents are enraged. What adult in their right mind would want their eight-year-old playing “make believe” with a doll that looks like a hooker? What message does Barbie’s Black Canary” persona send to youngsters?

However, before jumping on the bash Barbie bandwagon, I did a little research.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, family, kids, pop culture August 12, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

iPhone Fever

Today’s big news, at least in the cell phone industry, is the release of Apple’s much anticipated second generation iPhone. To say that enthusiasm was high for the new gadget would be an understatement. Take the hundreds of folks waiting in a line outside of a store on Fifth Avenue in New York for half the night. The line literally encircled the block.

Stories of iPhone fever abound. Eager to lay hands on Apple’s new and improved phone, buyers from Tokyo to Atlanta camped out overnight to be among the first to snap up the faster and more feature-packed device.

Topics: Current Events Tags: church, events, pop culture, technology July 11, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Is Your Baby a Racist?

Jane Lane, a “racial equality advocate,” published a new book this week in which she suggests a link between a toddlers reaction to foreign foods and possible future racist attitudes. In Young Children and Racial Justice: Taking Action for Racial Equality in the Early Years, Jane believes society should pay closer attention to children “who react negatively to a culinary tradition other than their own by saying ‘yuck.’”

Why? Jane believes such nose-thumbing at ethnic food could be an early indicator that your baby is a racist.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids July 9, 2008 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura