“As the clock ticks toward midnight and a shutdown of the federal government, President Obama and congressional leaders still lack a budget deal — and still dispute the major causes of the impasse that threatens to disrupt government operations.
“The government runs out of money at midnight unless Obama, Speaker of the House John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., can resolve differences that appear to be narrow but intense.
“Reid said this morning that Democrats have agreed to $38 billion in budget cuts, but the big hold-up is Republican insistence on the inclusion of non-budget items in a final bill — particularly a proposal to de-fund Planned Parenthood because of abortion services. ‘This all deals with women’s health,’ Reid said.”
Us: Who is being ideological now, Sen. Reid? Taxpayers ought not be forced to fund the nation’s largest abortion provider. Even if you disagree, can we not see this is as an extraneous expenditure at this fiscally tight point?
Update: The Politico said of the deal, “The budget agreement reached late Friday night will not defund either the health care law or Planned Parenthood, but the Senate has agreed to take separate votes on both measures.” It’s hard to see how this is not a huge victory for Planned Parenthood. All the pressure to do the right thing is off. Go figure.


“I commend President Obama for forcing the issue of health-care reform into the public debate,” says Chuck Colson in a new article. “Our present system, still the best in the world, needs to expand coverage to the uninsured.”
Mark Joseph gives a 
Mike Huckabee’s
Christianity Today has a
Rush Limbaugh is one of the most polarizing figures in American politics. The Left simply can’t stand him. As soon as his name comes up, so does an inordinate amount of bile. Almost without exception in some circles. It was no surprise then, that Rush’s suggestion to Colin Powell to “
“The U.S. Senate easily confirmed Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as secretary of Health and Human Services April 28 despite controversy over her record on abortion and the political contributions she has received from the country’s most notorious abortion doctor.” Read some commentary from Richard Land
That is why I was aggravated to see that Gov. Henry vetoed a bill that would have essentially banned the practice in Oklahoma, while encouraging adult stem cell research. The latter is reported to have proven, positive results. The former does not, which is why it is surprising that the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce 

For Christmas this year, I received not one but two copies of Do the Right Thing by Mike Huckabee — one from my mother-in-law and another from a friend.
The pro-life movement has long needed an eloquent spokeswoman on the national stage. In Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, we appear to have been given that gift.
Today, July 29, is voting day for the Oklahoma primaries. The polls are open 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. If my experience at the polls is at all telling, it is going to be light turnout today, even though a U.S. Senate seat and other important offices are at stake.
… for John McCain’s running mate, as their latest feature
Norquist. He is perhaps most famous for forging the ‘