News Item:

On the night of June 24, the media and government become one, when ABC turns its programming over to President Obama and White House officials to push government run health care -- a move that has ignited an ethical firestorm! ABCNEWS anchor Charlie Gibson will deliver WORLD NEWS from the Blue Room of the White House. The network plans a primetime special -- 'Prescription for America' -- originating from the East Room, exclude opposing voices on the debate. When challenged about the constitutional violation of a "free press," ABCNEWS Senior Vice President Kerry Smith responded that: "ABCNEWS prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers -- of all political persuasions -- even when others have taken a more partisan approach and even in the face of criticism from extremes on both ends of the political spectrum. ABCNEWS is looking for the most thoughtful and diverse voices on this issue," (Drudge Report 6/17/09)

The above development ought to cause every lover of freedom to rise up and protest.

Every lover of freedom!

Those who voted for President Obama and those who voted against him.

Those who favor a government health care initiative and those who oppose it.

Those who have never had a political thought in their entire lives and those who eat, sleep and drink politics.

Every lover of freedom should be screaming to ABC and their affiliates ESPN and Disney.

This is a major boundary that is being crossed. When the media begins to openly carry the water for any government agenda a major check on governmental power has been eroded. ABC News has said they will not even allow the mandated oppostion response from the other party.

An independent and free press/media is one of our most important safeguards against the government's ever-encroaching intrusion into our loves.

This is our country. These are our liberties. This is our future we are talking about here!

Wake up America!

This morning I had the distinct honor of presiding at the memorial service for Gerry and Barbara La Chance's daughter, Gretchen.

Gretchen was 25 years old. She was blind; she had no verbal skills; she could not walk without help; she was limited in her mental capacities; and she wore diapers every single day of her life.

When Gerry and Barbara took Gretchen into their home she was 2 and 1/2 years old despite being discouraged from doing so by the doctors. She was severely handicapped, desperately small for her age and given no prospects by the doctors to live to her third birthday. She made that one and 22 more.

How? Love finds a way. Love makes a home. Love forges a highway of hope. Love reaches the spirit.

Gretchen knew how to give and receive love. She learned from those who loved her. She communicated primarily through touch and kisses--either wet sloppy ones when you hugged her or ones she would blow across the room to family and friends.

I had the pleasure of knowing Gretchen for close to 20 years. I can honestly say that my life has been enriched through knowing her. I loved to watch her during worship. When the music began Gretchen was stirred and became engaged in worship. She swayed to the music; she began to smile; she opened her spirit to the Lord she knew by the Spirit. I loved to touch her and pat her and watch her respond to that attention and affection. I loved to watch her interact with her family; especially her older brother, Phillip. (Phillip is a 30 year with Downs syndrome and an amazing personality; but that is the subject of another blog.)

Love brought Gretchen to life; caused her to thrive; sustained her for all these many years. Love is the legacy she leaves.

Good-bye Gretchen. See you in heaven.