Life Matters

The right to life is a very specific thing. It is an assertion of a legal principle. It is not an expression of feelings, or of personal theology, but rather an assertion that the duty of government is to protect innocent lives. The abortion controversy has taken a dramatic turn in 2019 with the adoption of laws in some states and proposals in others, that abortions be legalized throughout the entire nine months of pregnancy, and in the situation where a child is born alive in the course of the abortion that that child be set aside to die. This has caused an alarm both within the pro-abortion camp as well as the pro-life camp.  The President has proposed in the Senate a measure that would assure that a child born alive in the process of abortion get full protection under the law. Numerous quotes from television and radio broadcast as well as the statements of Governor Cuomo of New York and Governor Northam of Virginia are included in today’s program.  Our host to Brian Johnston points out that this is a treme

In this episode Brian Johnston looks further into the insidious legislation being put into law around the country - law that allows for late-term abortions including post-term abortions.  In California, where the Democrat party is essentially pupeteered by Planned Parenthood, the danger of this law coming to our state is very, very real. We need to condemn this great evil while it is exposed.  Do not let the opportunity to remind Americans of their own conscience pass you by.  This episode of Life Matters also explores the upcoming Life Fest Film Festival. Life Fest is dedicated to showcasing films that affirm the intrinsic worth of innocent human life, and the profound significance of each life. Brian touches on the ‘significance of the individual’, a notion imbued in the films of Frank Capra who understood this basic human principal and set it as the focus of so many of his films. Life Fest Film Festival 2019 will be held at the Raleigh Studios facilities in Hollywood from May 2nd to May 5th.

This episode of Life Matters explores the upcoming Life Fest Film Festival. In particular, this episode focuses like a laser on one extraordinary film, Unplanned. Unplanned is the story of Abby Johnson and her escape from the influences of, and employment by Planned Parenthood affiliates of America. Abby had been a nominal Christian and risen to the highest levels of recognition within Planned Parenthood. Her conscience was finally awakened when she was asked to participate in a sonogram-directed abortion.   Brian includes excerpts from a special interview with star, Ashley Bratcher, who portrays Abby, conducted by Alex Marlow of Breitbart News.  Brian further explains the nature of Life Fest Film Festival which takes place at Raleigh Studios, Hollywood, California. Raleigh is the original Chaplin studios, which was so instrumental in putting Hollywood on the map. One of the goals of Life Fest is to restore powerful storytelling and dynamic life-affirming films to the cultural milieu. 

Brian dedicates this episode to specific issues within California in April, 2019. SB-24 is the reintroduction of last year‘s SB-320, a measure which would require every state college and university to distribute the abortion drug RU486. RU486 is not a “morning after pill.”  It is a chemical, an artificial steroid designed to alter a young mother’s body - taken only after she has missed her first two periods. There is clearly a young, growing child in her womb. The first part of the regimen causes the mother’s body to shut down any nutrition going to her uterus. It is designed to literally wither the child within the womb, but may not cause death. The second regimen forces all parts of the child in her uterus to be expelled spontaneously.  The woman may not know exactly when that will happen. It is a grotesque and very personal form of abortion.  The first weekend in April also marks the distribution of a new film, Unplanned, the story of  Abby Johnson’s escape from the clutches of Planned Parenthood. She had

Commissioner Johnston discusses the tragedy of socialized medicine and its failure wherever it has been employed. Brian relates personal stories of Canadian healthcare and the healthcare system of the NHS in the UK as well as the similar system in Ireland.  Professor David Warner, a dear friend and colleague with whom the Commissioner had worked, received an appointment to a professorship in Canada. While there, David Warner was diagnosed with multiple myeloma bone cancer. The Canadian health service did indeed treat him. It did indeed diagnose as well as treat the cancer.  But David suffered and ultimately succumbed under the extremely common phenomenon of “queuing.” Queuing refers to the wait time between diagnosis, treatment, ongoing tests, and ongoing treatments. The extreme lag time between each procedure increases the likelihood of ineffectual treatment and non-curative care. The National Health Service in the UK  has a very similar procedure.  The government offers less medicine to more people. Recentl

There has been an amazing change in the right to life debate in the United States. Starting with the actions of the New York State Legislature on January 22, 2019 and continuing through several other states from Vermont, Virginia and New Mexico. Each has introduced late-term and even “post-term” abortion laws.  The push for unlimited abortion is wide open. The United States Senate voted on the “Born Alive Infant Protection Act” on February 26, 2019. In that vote, 44 Democrats were opposed to protecting a baby after they are born. But that same deliberative body, the United States Senate, voted on an identical piece of legislation protecting children born alive in 2002 and it unanimously passed. At that time all Democrats supported such a common sense view of life. In this Life Matters program we hear from Senator Mitch McConnell and Melissa Ohden, an abortion survivor.   The government-protected killing of survivors is a new and terrifying ‘necessary element’ of the abortion mentality.  Brian explains that it

We are at a unique moment in the fight for Life.  The State of New York and several other states are pushing beyond all sensible bounds and legalizing late-term and even post-birth abortion.   The vast majority of Americans oppose such abortions.  The deceptive reporting of the abortion issue has camouflaged the fact that late Term abortion - Gosnell type abortion - has been legal under Roe.   The President has led the way in boldness and clarity.  He has openly exposed and condemned such evil.  It is time for all to openly condemn the great evil of killing these children.  Why? The majority of Americans - even those who call themselves ‘pro-choice’ agree.  This is going far beyond anything they had been told or imagined.  The task for us, says Brian, is to simply now do what the President has done.  Speak the truth: Openly.  Condemn this great evil while it is exposed.  Do not let this moment pass.   Do not let the opportunity to remind Americans of their own conscience pass you by.  

Mid-February 2019 saw a dramatic change in the public acknowledgement of the Right to Life.  The State of New York passed a sweeping abortion measure and also struck down a law protecting children who were born alive in the process of abortion.  They legalized infanticide.  Worse, the entire legislature then “celebrated” this as part of feminist liberation. The states of Virginia, Vermont, New Mexico and others also introduced similar legislation.   As we have noted in previous programs, the precarious state of Roe v. Wade and the likelihood that it will soon be overturned, has caused radical feminists to overreach in their attempts to secure the unlimited right to kill their baby.   President Trump made a point of reminding Americans of this great evil.  And after presenting a proposal for a new family leave act, in order for parents to bond with their children, the President strongly condemned the infanticide measures.   He asked Congress to pass the Pain Capable Act that would protect a child from late ter

Progressivism has embraced moral and ethical absurdities as somehow 'true,’ even 'Post-birth' abortion is now seriously being put forward as just law in a number of states.   Few people understand the genesis of this widespread thinking, where it came from, or just how deeply-engrained and pervasive it actually is. Brian Johnston explains that many of our contemporaries, even those who may sit in pews in your church, self-described 'Christians,' in practice have been caught in their minds by the pseudoscience-religious appeal of progressive thinking. They have replaced Christian principles of 'self-evident truths' revealed in nature by the God of nature (Rms 1:20) with the emotionally attractive feelings of Hegelian conjecture. Most importantly, Americans and Westerners (as this is an idea designed to undermine all of Western culture) need to understand it is PRECISELY Hegelian philosophy that spawned National Socialism (Nazism) and International Socialism (Marxism). Hegel is clear that the government, (der s

Progressivism has embraced moral and ethical absurdities as somehow 'true,’ even 'Post-birth' abortion is now seriously being put forward as just law in a number of states.   Few people understand the genesis of this widespread thinking, where it came from, or just how deeply engrained and pervasive it actually is. Because the abortion issue and all of the ‘right to life' debate emanates from the 'battle of ideas,' Brian examines the actual roots of 'progressivism' and the deadly serious, yet oddly infectious ideas of German philosopher Fredreich Hegel. In his own words, Peter Singer, the modern progenitor of the idea of 'post-birth abortion,'  explains WHY modern culture is so susceptible to progressivism and 'progressive- Hegelian' thought. Singer admits it is not scientific, though it pretends to be a 'scientific' examination of history and the history that is to come.  Both he and secular philosopher, Brian Magee underscore that progressivism is, at its heart, a religion. Brian Johnston explains that many

If Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman on the Supreme Court, why is Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) heralded as the cutting-edge, feminist icon of American jurisprudence? Simple: Political feminism is not about advancing women. It is about advancing ideology.    "There will never be enough women on the Supreme Court until there are nine." ~RBG   In this special Life Matters broadcast, Brian Johnston explores the recent film lionizing "RBG", what it really says about society and the Supreme Court, and RBG in particular.    Commissioner Johnston may stun some when he asserts that there is in fact nothing original to Justice Ginsburg's political and legal theory. Even in the 1960's when Ginsburg was working her way through the legal world, her thoughts were not in fact 'unique'.   Ginsburg, like many Ivy League graduates of the time, seemed to be expressing 'creative thinking' when in fact they were simply mouthing essential Marxist talking points. In the '60s such statements were not often openly credited to a Ma

There has been a dramatic change in medical ethics, not only allowing medicine to be directed at killing the patient, but in many cases, encouraging and promoting immediate, direct, and intentional lethality. Often nurses are being pressured to be the implementers.  Refusal to participate or approve of medical killing can sometimes place a conscientious nurse's employment at risk.  Commissioner Johnston continues his interviews with Nancy Valko, R.N. and Zonya Townsend, R.N., regarding the dramatic sea-change that has come to the once noble practice of nursing. Both nurses explain the nature of these pressures and what practicing nurses should do to prepare for these situations. Although called 'physician aid-in-dying' in many states, in practice the physician is often not present. He or she is merely the prescriber. The poisoning is simply a prescription, it is 'doctor's orders'. It is left to others to ensure the procedure is carried out. More information on ethical nursing and the current challenges faced

There has been a dramatic change in medical ethics, not only allowing medicine to be directed at killing the patient, but in many cases, encouraging and promoting immediate, direct, and intentional lethality. Often nurses are being pressured to be the implementers.  Refusal to participate or approve of medical killing can sometimes place a conscientious nurse's employment at risk.  Commissioner Johnston interviews Nancy Valko, R.N. and Zonya Townsend, R.N., regarding the dramatic sea-change that has come to the once noble practice of nursing. Both nurses explain the nature of these pressures and what practicing nurses should do to prepare for these situations. Although called 'physician aid-in-dying' in many states, in practice the physician is often not present. He or she is merely the prescriber. The poisoning is simply a prescription, it is 'doctor's orders'. It is left to others to ensure the procedure is carried out. More information on ethical nursing and the current challenges faced in the field can be

Brian brings a special program discussing the first Christmas and outlines its ongoing significance here and now.  We are in a spiritual war, and there is deep significance as to why innocent human beings are targeted.  There is a reason why that baby in Bethlehem was targeted, and now, why ALL innocent babies are targeted.  The king of this world is deeply threatened by any baby that might grow up to prove a spiritual threat to his kingdom.  We need Christ.  And we need to walk in Christ in order to be a threat to our enemy, the devil, who is seeking to destroy those whom he wishes to devour.  Spiritually speaking, all human beings are potentially a threat to the kingdom of darkness, just as all the babies of his kingdom were a potential threat to Herod.  Let us celebrate Christmas! And let us celebrate and truly walk in what it means for us. 

Together with Nancy Valko, spokesperson for the National Association of Prolife Nurses, Brian discusses the insidious growing trend of voluntary euthanasia and how it is being pushed upon vulnerable individuals.  Is being sold as a "good thing" in the news and the media and the copycat effect is real. The culture of life is being targeted.  You and your loved ones are being targeted.  Now is the time to take up this battle and fight against the culture of death.

Brian discusses the importance of not only taking care of your health now but also of educating yourself on the current state of the healthcare system ideals in particular regards to nursing homes and care for those who in a vulnerable state in their lives. Be aware.  It could mean saving your own lives and those of your loved ones.

Sadly over the last several years, California's Republican Party has grown quiet on the issue of Life and asserting the principles of its own platform. This has had a dramatic impact on its support and following in the state. But that need not be the case. Brian Johnston explains the founding of the Republican Party and its specific purpose of asserting the core values of the American founding - in particular, the assertion of the 'Right to Life' of slaves and the civic duty to free them through legal means, and to end the practice of slavery through the law. Reaching back through the 'Whig' party of the 1830's (of which Lincoln was the Illinois leader), the Republican roots and principles have always asserted the firm commitment to a Constitutional foundation. Many current Republicans do not fully understand their own party or its founding, and when they do so, they fail to stand for these essential elements of a just society. With this failure, they also tend to lose elections.

In this episode of Life Matters Commissioner Johnston examines the aftermath of the 2018 General Election. There are several important principles to be learnt in looking at how candidates addressed the life issues, and in particular those candidates who are willing to stand and declare what they are against - that is to say what the pro-abortion opponent’s actual position is. The vast majority of Americans do not support unlimited abortion on demand, for any reason or for no reason in particular - this is the actual meaning of “choice”   In the 2018 election, although the Democrats did win a majority in House of Representatives, it was substantially smaller than expected. Also, the Republicans increased their position in the United States Senate, opening the door for more Judicial and Administration appointments.  Donald Trump who has become an icon of American politics, and he has done so by directly challenging his opponents and clarifying their dishonesty in framing his position.  But by also framing their

In this final episode covering election season, Brian gives an overview as to why the "Right to Life" is an essential concept when it comes to laws, law making, and the current elections. The Right to Life presumes an important foundational element to our legal system. It is a statement that the government has certain duties, principally the duty to protect the lives of the governed, and specifically the innocent governed.   The 'non-innocent', the miscreant, it has a duty to restrain in its protection of the innocent vulnerable.  So determination of 'guilt or innocence' is one of its jobs, and government has ascribed that job to the courts.    It is important to note that before 1973 it was recognized that human beings were innocent before birth, and that every state in the nation had laws protecting that child. That was up until the Roe v. Wade decision. Roe did not say that children were 'guilty' and could therefore be killed, it did something even more sinister: the court merely said it didn't think the c

Brian reviews some of the many situations where one vote has made a difference. He spends special time reflecting on recent California elections. As important as voting is, it is meaningless and even dangerous if there is not some understanding of the principles being voted on. We don't vote to simply vote. We vote to implement policy via the people we put in place. With a special focus on this election cycle, Brian then ticks through the significant races in California. Perhaps the most important are the Congressional seats as these seats may determine Congressional leadership in Washington, DC. Finally, there is an important emphasis on local elections: Supervisor, City Council, School Board; these are the elections most easily influenced and it is those positions that have great influence on the community. Planned Parenthood regularly targets these lower-level offices.