Life Matters

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explains the growing embrace of euthanasia in western culture. Listeners of Life Matters understand that the Right to Life debate is a debate about whether the law should allow the killing of innocent human lives. Today, after the impact of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, medical killing has become widespread in the United States and accepted under the law. This is not simply in the act of human abortion. Numerous states have legalized “Assisted suicide”.  But understand that the emotions surrounding suicide can easily be addressed or even manipulated. The reason we have suicide hotlines is because the idea of taking one’s life is one of emotional despair. This despair, these emotions, can be addressed if we care for that human being. However, if we no longer wish to care for that human being, those emotions can just as easily be exploited. That human being can then be disposed of.  In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines the rapid

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston examines what is really at stake in the issue of the Dobbs Decision. Many pro-life individuals errantly believe that the Roe v. Wade decision started the abortion debate in the United States, and that somehow the Dobbs Decision has resolved the debate. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Dobbs Decision was an apology by the Supreme Court, that it should NEVER have entered into the realm of making laws. The Supreme Court itself violated the United States Constitution. And in the Dobbs Decision, the court apologizes and says that now, 50 years later, it’s actually only “up to the people themselves through their elected representatives,” to make law. This is an invitation to pro-life individuals to now be actively and passionately involved in their representative form of government, to work right now, to elect pro-life individuals to public office at every level of government. Brian reminds us that the constitution requires that each and every state

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explores the recent elections and the losses of November 7, 2023. Those losses for pro-life Issues and candidates can be attributed directly to the Dobbs Decision.  The Dobbs Decision was not understood by most pro-life individuals. The Dobbs Decision was not, in fact, a victory for the pro-life movement.  It did not “overturn“ Roe versus Wade. It was the Supreme Court apologizing for Roe v. Wade, and saying it’s not going to get involved - that was it.  “Let’s pretend that never happened.  Now you voters can do whatever you want.” But that is not ‘overturning’.  In fact, it is giving approval to the medical killing of children if so voted.   But that was never the case before Roe.  We have NOT ‘gone back to before Roe’ because doctors were following the Hippocratic Oath before Roe.   They have not restored the legal or ethical standards of the Hippocratic Oath which is the key and essential violation of Roe and its conjoined decision Doe v Bolton.   Dobb

In this episode of Life Matters, Brian focuses on the very specific nature of a very specific political party: the Democrat Party of the United States. He finishes with a comparative and contrastive look at the striking difference between a Democracy and a Republic. As an explanatory template, he uses a recent publication from a Democrat Party operative and New York Times contributor, Terry Golway. The book is, Machine Made; Tammany Hall and the Creation of Modern American Politics. While Brian clearly disagrees with the principles and nature of Tammany Hall, he recommends the book itself as a valid expose, and an unflinching examination of machine or collectivist politics. It was mastered in New York City and spread through much of New York, and is continuing to this very day. Golway, himself, states that the corrupt society of Saint Tammany or "Tammany Hall", founded in 1786, is the template being employed by the modern Democrat Party today. Stuffing ballot boxes, blanketing precincts with empty ballots, co

In the second part of our episode on natural law as a legal predicate, Brian explains at length why Christians should be the most comfortable with this idea - instead of insisting that their theology be the predicate for approaching the issue of life in America’s laws.  Using raw political power to pass a measure that conforms with our religion is not actually an exercise in just law or a recognition of higher law. it is an acknowledgment that, “if we have the votes, we can pass this law“.  What if a political group passes laws on this foundation? It is in essence, the exact predicate used by the Taliban or any other religious group throughout history. It is exactly what gave rise to many of the political disagreements in Europe in the centuries before America’s founding. Americas Founders did not invoke ‘natural law’ unintentionally.  As most individuals who are involved in the right-to-life movement are of some Christian faith background, Brian takes an in-depth look at the Scriptures.  They both explain, a

In this extraordinary episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston explores the biological miracle of twinning. More to the point, he explains in detail how even identical twins are not identical. The twins can share exactly the same DNA, but God still makes each of us unique, even individual “identical twins.” The bottom line is that human beings are not merely naked apes or mammalian animals. Human beings are spiritual beings first and foremost. While there are some aspects of secular science that refuses to acknowledge a spiritual dimension to life, ironically, the physical sciences actually indicate there are deeper truths, higher laws, more profound principles at work behind the machinery of nature.  These higher-law principles are the bedrock of Western Civilization.  Brian uses an amazing weekend trip in which he actually met two sets of identical twins. With them, he took the time to review more of their “identical” nature. You’ll enjoy his story of the older boys, though identical twins, who are dramatica

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston takes a straight-forward look into what the overrule of Roe v. Wade actually means for our nation and our state. He reads from the decision and cites several other matters of court precedent, including Doe v. Bolton. Johnston explains that not a single baby is protected in the language of the Dobbs decision. Instead, the Court simply apologizes and declares they will now let the American people again regulate abortion, and do so through their elected representatives. It restores that essential principle of the Republic: government of, by and for the people. But it does not restore all those laws it struck on Jan 22, 1973. It does not actually address the 50 years of killing or the many other harms that emanated from that day. The Dobbs decision clearly states the Court's regret with the extremist and inappropriate Roe v. Wade misadventures of January 22, 1973. On that day the Court overturned all state laws.  The Court took upon itself the rule of legisla

The year 2022 was an extraordinary year for life. Roe versus Wade was overturned through the Dobbs decision of the United States Supreme Court. The Court was very clear, however, that it is a narrowly-drawn decision. Instead of doctors being the arbiters of when an abortion is appropriate (which was the conclusion of Roe and Doe), under Dobbs, “the regulation of abortion has been returned to the people themselves, through their elected representatives.”  This decision underscores the work of the right to life movement and the overall obligation to elect pro-life representatives, wherever we wish to see unborn children protected under the law. The year 2022 also saw the worldwide premiere of the International Life Fest Film Festival. More than 600 films had been submitted from around the world. Less than 40 were selected for viewing. The film festival runs online from Thanksgiving through New Year’s day. Those with purchased tickets are free to vote on their favorite films at www.lifefilmfest.com. Radio and po

In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston conducts an interview with Laura Lehmus, a Finnish director, currently residing in Germany. This interview is part of a series, exploring the Life Fest Film Festival. Life Fest is that unique film festival, dedicated to honoring those films which underscore the significance of an innocent human life, and in particular the seemingly insignificant life. For 12 years, Life Fest has been conducted from Hollywood, California. It has drawn filmmakers from throughout the world, with productions from experienced hands but also brand new students of film.  Its purpose is to give a vision, excitement, and definitive purpose to these aspiring filmmakers to continue on in this important theme, the actual theme of western civilization -  the dignity of each and every life.  This year’s Life Fest film festival is now available online and can be viewed at www.lifefilmfest.com or accessed through the California Pro-Life Council webpage. Laura's is one of several films submitted

This episode of Life Matters explores the net results of the 2022 elections. In particular, the challenge is the dominant media narrative that somehow the pro-life issue lost in 2022 when, in fact, quite the opposite took place.  With the overturn of Roe v. Wade there were 12 states that passed pro-life legislation.  In each of those states the signing governors were affirmed and reelected. It has been suggested that somehow pro-lifer‘s are physically involved in harming individuals, or destroying clinics but that has not been the case in the least. In fact, the FBI, in a notorious media generated stunt, did arrest a Christian family involved in only praying in front of abortion clinics. There’s no actual documentation of any physical harm brought by these individuals. Perhaps most tragically it has been crisis pregnancy centers that have been targeted with fire bombings and physical defacement and destruction. The stories have been covered in Life Matters earlier programs, and our hope is that these will com

In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston gives a brief history of the Life Fest Film Festival which has been held in Hollywood, California for 12 years! This is the first of a special iteration of Life Fest which will be entirely visible from your home. All films and workshops, all breakout sessions will be available to you directly, and a special season pass is available for your viewing in the weeks after Thanksgiving.  The program contains interviews with Vanna White, Kevin Sorbo, Clint Howard and others.  This unique film festival allows aspiring filmmakers and ‘experienced hands’ in the industry to present their work to film watchers around the world. In this episode, Brian gives a brief overview of his experience in the entertainment industry, and his teaching experience of both literature and film. This special online film festival is unique in the world and allows many of these international film makers an opportunity to reach an otherwise unreachable audience. Some Iranian filmmakers and those

Every Life Matters episode makes itself applicable to the immediacy of the news and the times, but simultaneously, Mr. Johnston explains the times in their context.  He underscores the evergreen and important principles that are needed in these times.  This episode is the penultimate episode leading up to November elections, 2022. Brian underscores the many misunderstandings that pro-life individuals have come to, and how those misunderstandings, once clarified and then acted on, could have a dramatic impact on the nation.  But this happens only through having a dramatic impact on one’s immediate community, their county, and their state. This is done through the lawmakers which they elect, and which represent each of those jurisdictions.  The recent Dobbs v. Jackson Supreme Court decision, which nullified the Roe v. Wade decision, explicitly stated this principle. The authority to make abortion laws lies with each American citizen, and is done through their elected representatives. All of these down-ballot ju

Each and every Life Matters podcast is designed to equip listeners for very specific and detailed understanding of particular aspects of the fight to protect innocent lives. This episode of Life Matters, recorded in October 2022, addresses itself to a very specific and ongoing issue in this fight for life. It focuses on the election coming to an end on November 8th.  It gives a much deeper, detailed explanation and understanding of the significance of this and future elections when it comes to ending abortion and the much larger issue of protecting all innocent life from medical killing.  The utilitarian use of medicine - medical abortions - is perhaps the most evil aspect of what the Roe v. Wade decision actually brought to America. The abortion aspect was the only aspect addressed in the Dobbs decision of June, 2022.  Mr. Johnston begins by giving an overview of the elections in California and nationwide. He reminds listeners that our electoral system has been dramatically changed under Democrat party polic

In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston pointedly focuses on elections in 2022. This is the first election since the overturn of Roe versus Wade. Because of that, the disposition of the elected representatives will be of considerable importance.  As usual, Brian goes into extraordinary depths to help individuals understand the details of the Right To Life fight for legal protection of the innocent.  First, Brian explains the history of PACs. PACs were formed in the 1980s in response to public employee unions forced withdrawal of money from union members, and the use of that money for political purposes. This gave the political left multiple millions to use at election time. This is actually government money.  PACs were formed to allow normal people to also “unionize” - that is to say, join together in a group and pool their resources together to impact particular elections. California Prolife, National Right to Life and various state affiliates have organized pro-life PACs. This is the time of year th

Commissioner Johnston explores the first election after the overturn of Roe versus Wade. Brian goes in depth into why this election, and in fact, every subsequent election, will require a vibrant and knowledgeable pro-life electorate. Brian explains that it is in fact the laws that have been at stake all along. That Roe versus Wade was significant only in that it overturned the laws of all 50 states. The laws had protected both mothers and babies up until January 22, 1973. When Justice Blackmun created a new law, and did so inappropriately in Roe v. Wade, he struck down the rights and duties of each of the state legislatures and the responsibility of legislators to make laws for their states.  The Dobbs decision of 2022,  in overturning Roe, made it clear that there is no right to an abortion hidden somewhere in the constitution. It also very clearly handed back to each of the state legislatures and the lawmakers in every state, the right to determine which human lives are protected and how they are to be pro

n this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explains why it’s important to understand the nature of Roe v. Wade, and the fact that it gave all authority only to doctors, an authority that the Constitution says is that of the states.   Life and death legal decisions are to be determined state by state and by the legislators of that state. Many pro-life individuals errantly believe in the media version of Roe - declaring that Roe v. Wade gave women the right to choose, or gave women control of their own body.  But this is NOT is an actual text or application of the decision. It is not. This portrayal by the media is an intentional misrepresentation of Roe v. Wade.  Brian reiterates that even Ruth Bader Ginsburg was very clear and resented the fact that women were given no authority through Roe, but in fact, the entire decision gave all agency and authority - all decision making power - only to doctors. Today, abortion advocates, the media and many others are openly declaring they would like to reasser

In this episode of Life Matters, Brian Johnston is joined by Karen Roseberry - district Director for the California Prolife Council. Karen is also the crisis pregnancy center coordinator for California ProLife communications. The focus of today’s discussion is on how to protect innocent babies after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. As listeners to this program know, many Americans, and even many pro-life Americans, do not fully understand what Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton did.  It gave all authority of the abortion issue into the hands of one individual, the only requirement of that individual is that they have an ‘MD’ after their name. The abortionist bares all responsibilities for deciding if, where, and how an abortion is to be done.  In Roe v. Wade it is very clear the woman is not given any authority, she is only given permission in Roe v. Wade to consult with an abortionist. The Roe v. Wade decision along with Doe v. Bolton was used to strike down the laws of all 50 states. In so doing, it robbed each and

With the overturn of Roe v. Wade and the implementation of the Dobbs Decision, each state will now have the authority to create new laws protecting innocent human life. But there are some dangers, and we must consider well how these laws are to be presented. Most importantly, we must realize that every abortion has two victims: obviously the child, but the mother herself is a victim of the act of abortion. As discussed and examined in depth in my book: “Evil Twins: Roe and Doe - How the Supreme Court Unleashed Medical Killing,” it is very clear that the Supreme Court instructed that in all states, it was only to be doctors who were to make the decision of performing an abortion, that women were not given this authority, but could only ask. All authority for the abortion decision was given entirely to the doctor alone  It is critical as pro-lifers look at which new laws to put into place, that women not be viewed in the way that the radical feminist movement has portrayed them, i.e. as agents of ‘choice’ but i

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston returns to the subject of public opinion polls and Americans’ real attitudes regarding the legalization of human abortion. Johnston reminds us that we must focus on what the right to life debate is.  It is not about emotions, or feelings, how much we like babies, or our personal religious upbringing.  Very specifically, it is a legal question, as all questions of “rights” actually are.  It is essential to understand that this debate of the last 50 years regarding the legality of abortion and the impact of the Roe versus Wade decision, is a matter of legal judgment.  And therefore, public opinion must be viewed as a question of what legal protections ought to be offered to which human beings (babies in the womb), at which times, and under which specific legal conditions. This very particular and incisive understanding of the debate is required now.  This is required for each and every pro-life individual, and specifically in each and every state, because t

In this episode of Life Matters, Commissioner Johnston explores the idea of popular opinion polls. At election time, the media will often present what they claim to be public opinion on the issue of abortion. It is critically important to understand that, very often the general, and unspecific nature of the terms used does not often reflect a valid view of public opinion. More specifically, generic feelings about “choice”, support for Roe, or reproductive freedom do not accurately reflect the average American’s view of abortion particulars. Brian examine’s the current habit for many polling organizations, Pew Research Center as one example, do actually take polls state by state and reach sweeping and generic conclusions. The most common is the statement that the citizens of (fill in the blank) state support all or most abortions. Yet the very terms ‘all’ and ‘most’ are, in fact, contradictory. All means 100%! Most means 50% or more. There is a chasm of difference. And yet this is the most frequently used phra