policy Archives

Reaction to the Shooting at the Family Research Council

Our thoughts and prayers are with our friends at FRC. Senseless shootings like this are always tragic; but there’s an extra measure of sadness and disbelief when it hits so close to home. We are thankful that the heroic security guard who subdued his alleged shooter was not more seriously wounded.

Early indications are that FRC may have been targeted for its biblical views on social-policy issues. That is a chilling thought. No person or group of any ideological stripe – left, right or center — should have to fear physical violence for passionately articulating and acting on their deeply held convictions in the realm of public policy.

Topics: Current Events Tags: events, faith, news, policy, religious liberty August 15, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Five Things This Hero Taught Us About Fighting Evil

Nellie Grey, “the mother of the March for Life” each year in Washington, D.C., has died. She was 88.

Miss Nell devoted the last 39 years of her life to overturning the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision that legalized abortion. That Roe still lives on in law and Nellie Grey is dead will cause some critics and cynics to suggest she failed in her greatest pursuit.

Don’t believe it.

The story of Miss Grey’s life is a tremendous testimony to the power and significance of a single soul consumed by a magnificent obsession.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, family, policy, pro-life August 14, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Two of My Favorite Quotes

“So let the reader who expects this book to be a political exposé slam its covers shut right now. If only it were all so simple! If only there were evil people somewhere insidiously committing evil deeds, and it were necessary only to separate them from the rest of us and destroy them. But the line dividing good and evil cuts through the heart of every human being.”

– Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Gulag Archipelago

“When a man is getting better, he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, policy August 13, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

The Recipe for American Renewal

Charles J. Chaput is the Catholic Archbishop of Philadelphia. He is also a friend of mine. We first became acquainted during his tenure at the Denver archdiocese. The Archbishop is among the most eloquent advocates for the biblical principles and values we share. I greatly appreciate the courage and boldness with which he speaks.

This past Sunday he gave an extended address on how to build a culture of religious freedom in America. He sees what we see – that little by little our liberties are being eroded by legislators and judges.

Topics: Current Events Tags: faith, policy, pop culture August 5, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Tell Me About Your Time at Chick-fil-A Yesterday

As most of you know, yesterday was “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day,” organized by our friend, former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee. Because they’re a privately owned corporation, Chick-fil-A isn’t expected to release sales figures from yesterday’s events, but from what I’ve seen and heard, it was a record-setting day for the organization.

Don’t you like it when good folks do well?

I visited one of the Chick-fil-A restaurants near Focus yesterday morning and bought 20 sandwiches for some members of my team.

Topics: Current Events Tags: family, marriage, policy August 2, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Will China Stop Forcing Abortions?

An article in last Wednesday’s USA Today chronicled in horrifying terms the forced abortion of 31-year-old Pan Chunyan’s baby. The only reason we know about the tragic ordeal, similar instances of which happen frequently in China, is because of the Internet and the explosion of social media users in that Communist-controlled country.

Ms. Chunyan was eight months pregnant with her third child, a violation of China’s one-child policy. She was told that she could keep her baby provided she pay a penalty, which was the equivalent of $8,640 U.S.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, news, policy, pro-life July 30, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Why Mike Huckabee Makes Me Laugh

Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate-turned radio talk show host, was recently asked a series of questions by a reporter named Andrew Goldmen. I want to share two of them with you.

I appreciate a guy who doesn’t take himself too seriously.

Q: Could it possibly be true that you have never, ever tried alcohol in your life?
A: That’s true, other than communion wine in Europe. But I’ve never, ever tasted beer.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, humor, policy, pop culture July 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Free Slurpees and Our Twenty-Four-Hour Culture

7-Eleven celebrates its 85th anniversary today (7/11/12) and to mark the occasion, stores will be handing out free seven-ounce Slurpees. And all the kids – and adults who have a little kid inside them – rejoiced. Coming from a business background, the explosion of the convenience store model is pretty fascinating.

Started as the Southland Ice Company in 1927 in Dallas, Texas, the original store evolved and expanded over the years.In 1946 operators decided to open at 7 AM and close at 11 PM – a bold and unprecedented move at the time.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: events, policy, pop culture July 11, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

When it Comes to Immigration Reform, Numbers Have Names

Focus on the Family’s decision to endorse the National Association of Evangelical’s bipartisan proposal on immigration reform has ignited a spirited dialogue within Christendom. To be candid, this doesn’t surprise me.

Does it surprise you?

The issue is a complex one, especially when it comes to finding a practical solution to the stalemate over what to do with the 12 million plus individuals who are living without proper documentation within our country. It’s easy to reduce the issue to the numbers, but the numbers have names – and each name is a person created in the image and likeness of a loving God.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy June 19, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Immigration Reform is a Family Concern

Immigration reform remains a hotly contested issue that stirs up a great deal of passion from a wide range of perspectives. In fact, when it comes to the subject of how to manage the millions of individuals who have illegally entered the borders of the United States and assimilated into our culture, almost everyone has an opinion.

But mere opinions don’t solve problems, especially a conundrum as complex and layered as what to do with upwards of 12 million individuals living in the shadows of our society.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: news, policy June 12, 2012 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura