Daly Focus Blog
The late liberal activist Saul Alinsky, author of the book, Rules for Radicals, once famously observed, “He who controls the language controls the masses.”
While there is probably very little, if almost anything, I agree with Alinsky on, his statement concerning the use of words to frame an issue is spot-on.
Words mean things – but they’re easily manipulated to mean things that are simply not true.
History is full of people who attempt to use soft words to describe dark deeds.
When news broke this past Friday night of President George H.W. Bush’s passing at the age of 94, press reports were quick to mention his “patrician” pedigree. The son of a United States senator, the New England-bred Mr. Bush attended an elite prep school and later Yale University.
Implied in such a reference is the insinuation that George Herbert Walker Bush began life with a lot compared to the average American, which wouldn’t be entirely untrue.
“Our nation’s forty-first president, George H.W. Bush, was the embodiment of human decency, an honorable gentleman of great manners, class and grace. He was a man who exemplified the importance of faith, family and freedom. He selflessly dedicated his years to the service of his nation. He was a man who saw life in terms of missions to tackle and promises to keep. He was faithful to the end. His death yesterday in Texas at the age of 94 marks the completion of his earthly journey and the beginning of life eternal.In the passing of President Bush, America has lost a champion and the world has lost a friend.”
CBS Sunday Morning recently ran a story about what they called “conversion therapy” – a vague, broad term used by opponents of professional therapy or spiritual support for those with unwanted homosexuality.
They depicted some pretty extreme and even abusive practices. They also interviewed our staff member Jeff Johnston. Unfortunately, they left out an important detail about his background. Let me allow him to explain:
You’d think that a segment critical of therapy for unwanted homosexual attraction would at least acknowledge there’s another side to the story – especially when one of the people you’re interviewing has a powerful testimony about how counseling for his unwanted same-sex attraction did, in fact, contribute to his journey away from homosexuality.
The dust is beginning to settle after yesterday’s historic mid-term election. Politicos and pundits have been analyzing and dissecting the results, some of which are not yet final as ballots continue to be tallied. Earlier today, President Trump conducted a dramatic, combative and at times, explosive press conference from the East Room of the White House where he weighed in on the “split decision” rendered by the American people.
As I mentioned in my initial statement last evening, the outcome included both good news and bad news for Christians concerned about the family, the sanctity of life, religious freedom and free speech.
It appears that many of the pundits were correct when they predicted that Republicans would hold their majority in the U.S. Senate while Democrats would gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. This result is both good news and bad news for Americans concerned about the family, the sanctity of life, religious freedom and free speech.
The very good news is that it appears the U.S. Senate can continue to forge ahead with confirming the excellent judges the President has been nominating for the federal bench, almost all of whom have been constitutionalists, such as Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh.
Earlier this week former First Lady and Democrat candidate for president, Hillary Clinton, made an astonishing statement. In fact, I believe that it succinctly sums up the dangerous and dysfunctional state of today’s American political affairs.
“You cannot be civil with a political party that wants to destroy what you stand for, what you care about,” Mrs. Clinton told a reporter.
One day later, the former attorney general, Eric Holder, echoed Mrs. Clinton’s endorsement of incivility and potentially even mob violence by suggesting it was time for Democrats to act “tough.” Playing off of former First Lady Michelle Obama’s famous declaration during the 2016 presidential campaign, Holder said bluntly, “When they go low, we kick ‘em.”
This past summer, Democrat Representative Maxine Waters, one of the most liberal members of Congress, had urged supporters to physically harass Republican officials with whom they disagree.
We are pleased to hear of the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Opioid Crisis Response Act by an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 98-1. This followed an earlier House vote of 393-8. The bill now goes to President Trump, who last year declared the opioid crisis to be a national emergency, for his signature.
The opioid epidemic in this country is destroying lives and families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 63,600 people died in 2016 from an overdose in the United States, of which 42,249 involved an opioid.
We’re grateful that President Trump is recognizing and celebrating Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
All individuals with Down syndrome have intrinsic value and worth as beings created in the image of God, and we’re excited that the White House has vowed to continue creating great opportunities so that men, women and children with Down syndrome can reach their full potential.
As an organization dedicated to the sanctity of life, we are also encouraged that the Administration has recognized that often preborn children with Down syndrome are never given a chance at life because of abortion.
The escalating drama and controversy surrounding the Supreme Court confirmation proceedings for Judge Brett Kavanaugh have reached a disturbingly feverish pitch. At stake is a seat on the nation’s highest court, of course, and a man’s honor and public reputation is also now on trial.
Sexual assault charges are serious, even allegations from several decades ago. The timing of the accusations, the partisan individuals representing the accusers and the irresponsibility with which they’ve been handled by key members of the United States Senate, all establish a dangerous precedent.
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.
