The world is imploding and the Left’s focus is … birth control? The Middle East is in turmoil, East Asia is erupting, West Africa is battling a growing plague that threatens to go global, and Democratic leaders think the future of the world hinges on contraceptives. Some Republicans, who’ve been wrongly accused of wanting to ban birth control, have suggested it be made available over the counter. Although FRC hasn’t taken a position on birth control or contraceptives that don’t harm human embryos, we do question the wisdom of making it available over the counter to young girls. 

Now, the Left isn’t even satisfied with that. What they want is to force employers to provide these “free” contraceptives, as we saw in their fight over the HHS mandate. Thankfully, the Supreme Court disagreed and ruled that the mandate violated the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Five justices recognized what the President did not: that it’s unconstitutional to force family businesses like Hobby Lobby and Conestoga Wood Specialties, who only object to drugs like Plan B and Ella (because they can destroy a human life), to cover them. FRC agrees with the Greens and the Hahns who believe that these drugs can destroy human life and, as such, should not be forced to pay for them. Even the Department of Justice in their brief, in asking the Supreme Court to review the Hobby Lobby case (page 10, footnote 5), admitted that Plan B can prevent the implantation of an embryo.

[Last] week, Rand Paul (R-Ky.) told reporters he supports Plan B because it’s “just a higher dose of birth control,” despite evidence to the contrary.  Unfortunately, the eye doctor’s comments created a buzz in the media at a time when pro-lifers should be talking about other things – like their support for legislation that protects unborn babies from being brutalized in abortions after five months when they can experience excruciating pain. Instead of taking the Left’s bait and debating the finer points of contraception, leaders like Sen. Paul should take the opportunity to press their opponents on why they don’t support restrictions on late-term abortions (which polls show are supported by a large majority of Americans).

Republicans don’t need to wave a white flag and abandon core principles when the Left starts its phony war on women mantra. Rather, true conservatives should point to the real wars that the failed policies of this administration have given rise to, which threaten our faith, our families, and nation’s very future.

Justice DeLayed Is Justice Denied

For former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, dealing with the judges on “Dancing with the Stars” was nothing compared to the real ones he faced in a decade-long courtroom battle, which, [last] week, is finally over. After pouring millions of dollars into his defense, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals finally vindicated the Republican leader, whose wrongful conviction toppled and tarnished a powerful voice in the party.

By a 2-1 vote, the judges tossed out the charges, finding DeLay “not guilty” of criminal activity. After nine years, the negative publicity for the former Majority Leader had certainly taken its toll, but Tom credits his faith for his perseverance. “I don’t know how someone could go through this without Christ.” After all the accusations of money laundering and conspiracy, Justice Melissa Goodwin was stunned that the case had gone on as long as it had. “The fundamental problem with the state’s case,” she wrote, “was its failure to prove proceeds of criminal activity.”

Although the trials are literally and emotionally over for the DeLays, this court of public opinion shouldn’t leave without one indictment – of the Left. The Democratic Party took its political vengeance to another level with this attack, all the while knowing that the ethical questions it was raising were baseless. This is by the way, the same County District Attorney’s office that is now going after conservative governor Rick Perry.

Unfortunately, this is how radical liberals work – they try to silence and smear, instead of discuss and debate. “The Republican Party leadership does not understand,” DeLay warned, “they are dealing with the far Left when they are dealing with Democrats today. The Democrats want to destroy you and your family. They want to bankrupt you and put you in a coffin so they can dance on your grave.” We’ve witnessed that up close and personal on issues like marriage. Instead of practicing the tolerance they say they want, these anti-freedom extremists fiercely target anyone they disagree with. Tiny family businesses like the Kleins’, whose only offense is trying to operate their cake store in line with their religious beliefs. Large corporations like Hobby Lobby, who feel that they shouldn’t have to pay for pills that violate their conscience. And everyday conservatives, whose own senators were trying to junk the First Amendment to keep voters from speaking the truth about their radically liberal records. The Left will do anything to steamroll the opposition. If anything’s criminal, it’s the liberals’ totalitarian tactics!

This is a publication of the Family Research Council. Mr. Perkins is president of FRC.