Opinion: Mass Shootings Due To A Mental Health Crisis

For nearly 2 decades or longer, this country has had a plague of mass shootings. Many, if not all of the shooters, have had serious mental health issues. Often times, it is discovered that some of the perpetrators were known, or made known to law enforcement, well before they carried out their heinous acts of violence.

People then become outraged, and more often than not, point the finger of blame at local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, for not stopping the atrocities before they occurred. Yet these agencies don't have the power to do anything until or if some perpetrator makes an attempt to carry out their dark acts.

What is the reason for this? In many cases, law enforcement agencies have been hamstrung by an out of touch justice system, and well intentioned, but myopic "victim's advocacy" groups.

Advocates for the mentally ill, too often have successfully painted all mental health agencies with the broad brush of the insane asylums of the 19th and early 20th centuries. They successfully portrayed them as wretched places of despair and hopelessness as often depicted in some old horror movie.

They effectively championed the picture of all mental health agencies as being like those insane asylums from long ago, and demanded the release of hundreds, if not thousands of mentally ill patients. The courts agreed, and large numbers of the mentally ill were released onto a society that frankly, did not want them, nor was prepared to provide them with the care they need.

We have seen some of them appear among the large numbers of the homeless. Mentally ill homeless people, whose numbers began to grow rapidly in the cities and towns that were, and still are unprepared for them. Numbers that grew rapidly after court decisions ordering their release, with little or no consideration as to how they would continue to receive the treatment they need, or the physical care that all human beings have a right to.

In essence, another stigma was added to these already stigmatized people for being mentally ill, and to those facilities that cared for them. This has resulted in a justice system that was and still is, all too reluctant to give orders for the diagnosis, treatment, and care of those people whose behavior, threats, and actions, have warranted it.

Until there is a demand from the public at large for reforms, the numbers of these heinous, evil atrocities will only occur again and again. The time for us all to demand action is now.

We must all remember as well, that the time for us to pray is now, and always. Especially pray for all the victims, the first responders, and the young shooter Nikolas Cruz as well.

Opinion: The 2016 Election

The Beginning of the End

Perhaps no presidential election in our lifetime, has been more contentious and divisive as the one now taking shape for 2016.

Both of the two major parties have never produced such weak and questionable candidates for the highest office in the land as they have with such less than illustrious candidates in the persons of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and Donald Trump.

With a population of over 300,000,000 people, one would hope that a nation of this size could somehow produce a crop of candidates that the nation as a whole could place some trust in.

Instead we have forced upon us a group of people as candidates who would be much better suited to be on a wanted poster than a campaign flyer.

We have a candidate in Hillary Clinton whose main objectives are that she should be elected because she would be the first woman elected president, or because she feels that it is her “turn” to sit behind the desk in the Oval Office. No one’s qualifications for president should be predicated by gender or the misguided notion that it is somehow their “turn” to hold that office. Ones “turn” at something is usually relegated to games and not in the real life world of politics where the determining factors should be ability, experience, and character. Anything less is detrimental to that office and is most definitely detrimental to the nation as a whole.

Then we have a candidate in Bernie Sanders who generally always voted with the Democrat Party during his tenure in Washington, ran as an Independent, and is a self avowed Socialist. That is until he decided to run for President as a Democratic candidate. A man, who like most of his followers, does not have an understanding of the most basic economics, yet he, and especially his followers stop their critical thinking when they hear the words “free”, and either ignore or don’t care that the “free” he promises would only lead to economic slavery to taxes and government dependance for us, our children, and our grandchildren.

Last, but not least, we have a candidate in Donald Trump who is willing to say anything and do anything to get elected to the office of President of the United States. A man who can blatantly denigrate minorities, women, and the disabled, and get away with it. A man who talks in a loud, arrogant braggadocio, and gives his supporters his policies in such general, shallow terms, that even he doesn’t know what his policies and plans are. Indeed, when he is questioned about those policies, like the quintessential politician his answers ramble in a broad expanse of nothingness that never reveals just what his ideas are. Thus leaving one to come to the conclusion that all he has are general talking points, and hasn’t given his own vague, vapid statements any real thought. Yet his supporters will laugh, applaud and cheer, and with their mob mentality defend with their dying breaths the glaringly obvious shortcomings of their chosen one, even when those shortcomings and actions should alarm even the most dim witted amongst us.

There was once a time in this country of ours, when those we elected to the office of President, were statesmen...leaders…moral...those in whom we placed our trust and believed that whatever they did they did because they thought it best for us, and our country. People who led by example, and not people who make a mockery of everything that is good, noble, and decent like today’s leaders.

Now all we can see is that statesmanship is dead. Like the Roman Empire before us, we have leaders who place themselves above the good of the United States and all Americans. Leaders who are characters instead of having character. Leaders who throw off all semblance of morality and fairness, because morality and fairness don’t matter to Americans anymore. Americans don’t want morality and fairness. They want lies and half-truths. They want all that they can get and future generations be damned.

Is this what we want? Is this what we want for our children and our grandchildren, and their children after them? Is this what America has become?

God save the United States of America.

If They Had Any Guts, All US Papers Would Publish Muhammad Cartoons

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

The terrorists won today.

That was the message Wednesday from retired Lt. Col. Ralph Peters when he appeared on Fox News' "America's News Room."

"It's a terrible morning. It's a bad morning for press freedom, for freedom of information," he said. "It's bad because the terrorists won. The terrorists won this morning."

Peters fears publications will limit their own freedom because of this attack.

...Peters chastised other publications for not having the courage to publish the cartoons of the prophet Muhammed like the French magazine did.

"It was the bravest publication I know. There is not a single magazine in the English-speaking world that had the guts, the courage, to take on Islamist fanaticism and mock these fanatics the way Charlie Hebdo is," he said.

"The correct response to this attack, by all of us in journalism, we pretend to be so brave, if we had guts," Peters said. "Those cartoons would be reprinted on the front page of the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times tomorrow. They won't be."

Peters also criticized the Western world as too weak to deal with radical Islam and said our political correctness may lead to our destruction.

Read more by clicking below:

If They Had Any Guts, All US Papers Would Publish Muhammad Cartoons

Ground Zero cross can stay at 9/11 museum, appeals court rules - The Washington Post

The following excerpts are from The Washington Post:

NEW YORK — A cross-shaped beam from the wreckage of the World Trade Center can remain on display in the National Sept. 11 Memorial and Museum at Ground Zero, a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled, dismissing a lawsuit brought by atheists.

American Atheists filed a federal suit in 2012 claiming the 17-foot display at the museum built with a mix of public and private funds was unconstitutional. The group said its members suffered from both physical and emotional damages from the presence of the beamed cross, resulting in headaches, indigestion and mental pain.

The atheist group filed an appeal after a lower court dismissed the lawsuit, shifting the focus from the cross to asking for an added plaque that would say something like “atheists died, too.”

An observer would understand that the cross was also an inclusive symbol for any persons seeking hope and comfort in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, federal Judge Reena Raggi wrote in the court’s decision.

“Such an observer would not understand the effect of displaying an artifact with such an inclusive past in a Museum devoted to the history of the September 11 attacks to be the divisive one of promoting religion over nonreligion,” she wrote. “Nor would he think the primary effect of displaying The Cross at Ground Zero to be conveying a message to atheists that they are somehow disfavored ‘outsiders,’ while religious believers are favored ‘insiders,’ in the political community.”

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Ground Zero cross can stay at 9/11 museum, appeals court rules - The Washington Post

G.O.P. Animosity For Everything Conservative

The GOP seems intent on dismissing the Tea Party, and conservatives in general, as an embarrassment that is best gotten rid of by any means necessary, even to the point of utilizing dirty tricks such as those used by the Democrats for years.

Paying registered Democrats... many who had already voted in the Democratic primary in Mississippi...to illegally vote again in the Republican primary... is just one example of the GOP's determination to become...as some have called it...Democratic Party #2.

Why did the GOP lose the last two elections to President Barack Obama? Because either they were determined to rid themselves of the conservative "embarrassment" and play to the independents, the undecideds, or they just took the conservatives.... both those in the party and those conservative independents... votes for granted.

What they did accomplish, was to alienate the conservatives altogether, and lost elections that could and would have turned out differently, if they had given us a viable conservative candidate, instead of giving us two wishy-washy flip floppers who gave lip service to whatever group they were in front of at any particular time.

Thus, the GOP by its actions caused conservative voters to either stay home or vote third party. The GOP has apparently not learned anything.

So, GOP take note. The wishy washy candidates you love are not what the voters want. Period. And don't try thinking you can appease us by having every two bit flip flopper you have telling us they are the "conservative choice". Stop thinking we are dumb, and that we are just a bunch of sheep that can be led by someone proclaiming themselves "conservative". We know who the real conservatives are...and are not.

What you, the GOP, fails to understand....or chooses to ignore....is that we conservatives are informed. We know what is going on better than you seem to understand, and apparently, we are more informed and concerned about the direction of this nation than you are because we are living it. Every day.

North Carolina’s ‘choose life’ license plates unconstitutional: Appeals court

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:

• North Carolina's “Choose Life” license plates have been ruled unconstitutional by a U.S. Appeals Court today.
• A three-judge panel of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that such license plates violate the First Amendment, because the state does not also give residents the chance to purchase a license plate with a pro-abortion message.
• The bill authorizing the pro-life plates, H.R. 854, became law in September 2011 after legislators voted down six amendments to offer competing plates bearing messages like “Respect Choice.”
• State drivers could see $15 of their $25 specialty plate fee fund the Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship, a coalition of 76 crisis pregnancy centers that serve more than 3,000 women each year.
• But the law never went into effect, because the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit.

Read more by clicking below:

North Carolina’s ‘choose life’ license plates unconstitutional: Appeals court

Who's To Blame For The Shutdown: Dems or GOP? (A Poll)

It seems with the government shutdown, slim-down (or maybe better called "Every American Is Gonna Suffer Except the Politicians" fiasco), every politician on one side of the aisle is pointing his or her dirty little fingers at the other side in blame.

Each side claims the American people blame one side or the other, so in this poll, who do YOU blame?

Daniel Doherty - Wendy Davis Makes it Official

The following excerpts are from Townhall.com:

• We’ve had ample warning this was coming. Now it’s official. State Senator Wendy Davis (D-TX) is running for governor

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Daniel Doherty - Wendy Davis Makes it Official

Putin Calls Obama's Syria Military Push 'Nonsense'

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

• As President Barack Obama seems Congressional approval for a military strike on Syria, his counterpart in the Kremlin said Saturday that Washington's chemical weapons call is "unimaginable nonsense."
• Washington says Syria's government used chemical weapons against its own people. Moscow says it did not.
• Once again, the two old enemies are sparring over Middle East unrest, with Putin dead-set against military action on their former ally.
• Ria Novosti newswire reported today had Putin defending Syria's government, saying he believed they did not use chemical weapons against. The United Nations has not been able to confirm the validity of Washington's charge at this time.
• For his part, Putin did not deny the use of chemical weapons in Syria, but said he doubts it was used by the government. Putin has basically come out and said that chemical weapons were being used to scapegoat the government of Bashar Assad.
• "I am sure this was no more than a provocation by those looking to drag other countries (into the conflict) and obtain support of powerful international player, particularly the United States," Putin said about the chemical attack that reportedly killed hundreds last week. "Claims that the proof exists, but is classified and cannot be presented to anybody are below criticism," Putin said.

Read more by clicking below:
Putin Calls Obama's Syria Military Push 'Nonsense'

UN's Syria Samples to Undergo Meticulous Scrutiny

The following excerpts are from AINA.org:

• They've endured repeated delays, unrelenting scrutiny and even snipers' bullets in Damascus. Now U.N. inspectors, who have been gathering evidence of a possible chemical weapons attack in Syria, are poised to return to the Netherlands in coming days, setting in motion a meticulous process of analyzing samples at specially accredited laboratories.
• According to the team's U.N. mandate, the analysis will establish if a chemical attack took place, but not who was responsible for a deadly Aug. 21 attack that Doctors Without Borders says killed 355 people and included the use of toxic gas. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Friday that Washington knows, based on intelligence, that the Syrian regime carefully prepared for days to launch a chemical weapons attack.
• U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is expected to get an initial briefing on the U.N. team's work this weekend from disarmament chief Angela Kane. The team is expected to leave Syria on Saturday, but it remains unclear exactly how long the process of examining samples will take.

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UN's Syria Samples to Undergo Meticulous Scrutiny

Police brutality against pro-family protestors in France : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

The following excerpts are from Catholic Culture's  Catholic World News:

• Two dozen members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe recently signed a statement decrying police actions against pro-family protestors in France.
• “Hundreds of walkers and protesters were brutalized, gassed, arbitrarily arrested and jailed for 24 hours and more,” the lawmakers stated in reference to protests in recent months. “Reports from lawyers and NGOs indicate that more than 600 individuals have been arrested and jailed.”

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Police brutality against pro-family protestors in France : News Headlines - Catholic Culture

NY Gov. Cuomo unveils radical late-term abortion expansion bill: likens to ‘bill of rights’ | LifeSiteNews.com

The following excerpts are from LifeSiteNews.com:

• New York Governor Andrew Cuomo unveiled a bill that would radically expand abortion-on-demand in the Empire State today.
• In a press conference, Cuomo at long last revealed the text of his “Women's Equality Act,” a 10-point plan putatively aimed at strengthening women's rights. However, one plank would remove abortion from the state's penal code and affirm abortion at any point during pregnancy if the mother's “health” is in danger – a category so broad it could allow virtually any abortion at any time.
• New York State Right to Life slammed the bill as "a Trojan Horse - a beautifully gift-wrapped package of death and destruction."
• Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life (AUL) said that if the bill passes, "New York will be sanctioning unrestricted, virtually unregulated, and taxpayer-funded abortion-on-demand, making it the most radically pro-abortion state in the nation."

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NY Gov. Cuomo unveils radical late-term abortion expansion bill: likens to ‘bill of rights’ | LifeSiteNews.com

Opinion: Stop Blaming the Conservatives

So, the election is well past over. Mitt Romney lost. Barack Obama won a second term much to the chagrin of many.

Most conservatives...the real ones at least...were not surprised. I had many people get angry with me back in the spring, because I said the only difference between Mitt Romney and John McCain, was that Romney had more money, a better wardrobe, and better hair. One lady got extremely upset with me when I said that Mitt Romney looked more like one of the male models for the box front of a mens hair coloring product than a presidential candidate.

Some people have no sense of humor.

I had people who were even more incensed when I said on Facebook back last April or May, that Mitt Romney could not beat Obama. A few I am sure, unfriended me because of that observation.

When I made my post supporting Rick Santorum for the Republican nomination back on January 31, of this year, one of the things that I said was this:

I have watched as the mainstream media has worked overtime in trying to tell us who the best nominee would be, when we all know where their loyalties apparently lie. They hope to convince the people that they know better than the people who the people's best choice would be.

Yes, the mainstream media kept proclaiming Romney the “nominee” in essence if not in fact at the time. One would have thought then, that if people who watched the 2008 race had remotely been paying attention at all, they would have recalled that this same mainstream media was building up John McCain as the nominee. And guess what? Both men the mainstream media hyped as the nominee, lost.

Here's a clue for you. If the mainstream media is continuously pointing someone out as the frontrunner...as the heir apparent... it is because they are hoping that there are still enough people out there who will buy it, and because there are some people...many people I believe... who want to have voted for the “perceived winner”, and then they will vote for the guy who is actually the worst candidate available.

The worst part of this is, that the GOP bought it themselves. Again. Hook, line, and sinker. Especially sinker.

Then they had Karl Rove, Ann Coulter and others going on every news show, every radio talk show they could get on, leading the cheers for Romney. Newt Gingrich was not liked they said....Rick Santorum was too far right on social issues they said...Herman Cain was inexperienced in public office they said...Michelle Bachmann was too extreme they said...and on and on and on.

The GOP now wants to point fingers at the conservative base...the natural marriage people....the pro-life people....the pro-Constitution people...the conservatives who make up the heart of the GOP and blame us for Romney losing. They said we stayed at home....that we voted third party...we didn't support Romney enough. They are ready to throw us under the bus...and then back the bus up, and run over us again.

We have John McCain going on television, and saying if we have pro-life views, it is OK to have them, but we should keep “quiet” about it. Mr. McCain should be the one keeping quiet as he has already shown he doesn't know how to win a presidential race, and shouldn't be telling us to “keep quiet”.

Yes Mr. McCain, the economy is important...but so are the social issues and they need to be expressed and not ignored like Mr. Romney chose to ignore them.

The GOP needs to learn something that is apparent to everyone outside of the “inside” political circles. The mainstream media does not like Republicans. They never have in my lifetime and they never will. So stop getting excited if they are lauding your “moderate candidate”. No moderate candidate can or will win the presidency. That's why they are lauding them. Until the election starts that is, and then they will turn on you.

And if you want the GOP to remain a viable, electable party, stop blaming the Tea Party...stop blaming the pro-lifers....stop blaming the social and fiscal conservatives because we are the GOP. If you keep giving us McCain's and Romney's for candidates...and keep giving us the blame for your major screw-ups, there won't be a GOP.

Frmr Regional Security Officer Nordstrom: 'The Taliban is on the Inside ...

U.S. Mission In Libya In Flames (REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori)

One would have to be a complete and total moron to believe that the attack on the U.S. mission in Libya was caused by a video. Especially in light of those attacks having occurred on the anniversary of 9/11.

The administration of President Obama must take total responsibility for the attack and the resultant deaths of 4 Americans, including  that of U.S. Ambassador Stevens. Using the death of Osama bin Laden as campaign fodder, was totally irresponsible, and the repeated bragging about his death by Obama and Vice President Joe Biden was bound to inflame terrorist organizations, and is more likely to have brought on the attacks than any video did.

According to a report on Fox News, "the U.S. mission in Libya recorded 230 "security incidents" over a one-year period between 2011 and 2012, according to a State Department document that provides the most expansive view yet of the concerns on the ground in the run-up to the deadly Sept. 11 consulate attack."

If there was that large a number of attacks on the U.S. mission in Libya, then denial of additional security was at the height of arrogance and stupidity of the State Department and this administration. How can we rely on this administration to adequately protect and defend the United States, Americans, and American interests around the world?

Obviously we can't. So the only answer is that Mr. Obama must go.

In today's hearing from the Oversight Committee,  Eric Nordstrom, former Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Libya said this at the end of his testimony, in response to how frustrated he was at being denied security in Libya: “For me, the Taliban is on the inside of the building.” (See video below.)

ABC News Reporting Unprofessional

ABC News has once again proven itself to be the epitome of irresponsible "reporting". It is unconscionable that any self-proclaimed "journalist" would attempt to turn the senseless tragedy in Aurora, Colorado into a political opportunity by the careless and unprofessional actions of Bryan Ross. With his incorrect on air assertion that the shooter had joined the Colorado Tea Party last year, the innocent 52 year old man who had actually joined the Tea Party was therefore identified by ABC News as being the shooter. By failing to properly follow up on his so-called "research", Mr. Ross's incompetent actions could have endangered the innocent man and his family, and most certainly lends further credence to the image of ABC News as being far from reliable or credible.

We Are America

Being a freedom loving American isn't about being Republican or Democrat. It isn't about being black, white, yellow, red, or brown. It isn't about being Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, or Muslim. It isn't about being rich, middle class, or poor. 

It is about believing "that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". It is about believing in the "government of the people, by the people, for the people". 

It is about our love, appreciation, and respect for those brave men and women who gave their time, their honor, their bodies, and their lives so that we can continue to be a freedom loving people, like Americans of yesterday, today, and tomorrow. 

It is about standing up to defend our country, and the helpless members of our society, from anyone or anything that threatens the lives and the liberties that this nation has cherished and protected for so many generations. It is about all of us standing up, and saying for all to hear, that WE are America, and that we will protect our nation as all the generations before us, and that we will never go quietly into that dark night.

Specter says he might vote for Romney - TheHill.com

The following excerpt is from the article Specter says he might vote for Romney By Alexander Bolton on TheHill.com:

• Former Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.) says he might vote for Mitt Romney in November, depending on which version of Romney shows up for the general election.

All I can add is...can you say "Etch-A-Sketch"? Click the link below to read the entire article:


Specter says he might vote for Romney - TheHill.com

Ann Romney: 'We Didn't Know a Single Republican' | CNSNews.com

The following excerpts are from the cnsnews.com article Ann Romney: 'We Didn't Know a Single Republican' by Terence P. Jeffrey:

Mitt and Ann Romney "didn't know a single Republican" before Romney decided in late 1993to seek the Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat from Massachusetts,Mrs. Romney told the Los Angeles Times in a story that was published on Oct. 7, 1994 and that is available nowon the Times' website.

The story was written by Ronald Brownstein, who is now with the National Journal, and was published under the headline: "Kennedy in the Fight of His Life : Is Massachusetts senator obsolete and out of touch, or is he an indispensable resource to his state? Mitt Romney, a businessman, threatens to unseat him after 30 years in Senate."

"When Romney decided to run, Republicans exchanged quizzical looks: 'We didn't know a single Republican when we jumped in in December,' his wife, Ann, says," Brownstein reported.

"As a registered independent, Romney had voted in the Democratic presidential primary in 1992 to support Paul E. Tsongas (though he backed George Bush in the general election, he says)," wrote Brownstein."He briefly considered running for the Senate seat as an independent as well, his wife says, before rejecting the idea as impractical.

"Independence and pragmatism remained at the center of his appeal, though," wrote Brownstein."(Even today, he tries to keep his distance from a national Republican Party still held in some suspicion here: He has refused to sign onto the national GOP 'contract' party leaders are pushing in Washington.)

Click the link below to read the entire article:

Ann Romney: 'We Didn't Know a Single Republican' | CNSNews.com

Media Getting Desperate to Be Rid Of Santorum et al?

The following is a post from just minutes ago from "Tea Party Patriots" on Facebook. My answers are below the post.

We need your feedback! Please comment on the questions below:


I am getting media calls to find out what you think about the Presidential Election. 


Do you think the effort should be to coalesce around 1 candidate? 


Do you think since Gov. Romney is ahead in delegate votes that the others should suspend campaigns? 


Do you think Etch-a-Sketch comment will hurt him? 


How enthusiastic are you about Presidential elections? 


Do you prefer for focus to be on the Senate, House, and state and/or local races rather than Presidential race? 


Thanks! -Jxxxx Bxxx

Steve Smith
1. It is too early to coalesece around one candidate, especially if that candidate is Mitt Romney (Obama-Lite).
2.The delegate count is still too soon to name Romney the heir apparent just yet. When he loses in Louisiana it will be clear that he can not win in the south, which the nominee will need to beat Obama.
3. The Etch - a - Sketch candidate was what many of us knew Romney to be already, the Great Flip-Flopper.
4. I am seldom enthusiastic about the presidential elections, but I am enthusiastic for Santorum to be the nominee.
5. I try to focus on all the major races before state and local races.

Articles: The Political Reality Behind the HHS Mandate

The following excerpts are from an article on “American Thinker” by Janice Shaw Crouse, entitled “The Political Reality Behind the HHS Mandate”:

• The inescapable conclusion? The president is dependent upon continued feminist support for his re-election. He is more than willing to throw religious rights voters "under the bus" to appease the "new American electorate." His policy agenda melds with theirs so he has no inner conflict over the choice; he knows he won't get the vote of the "faithful" anyway. Those coldly political calculations set the stage for the health policy mandates that shred religious liberty.
  
  
• Obama's birth control mandate requiring employers, even religious institutions, to cover birth control for their female employees is another instance where the president relies on the women's abortion rights groups to mask his attack on religious freedom.

Click the link below to read the entire article:

Articles: The Political Reality Behind the HHS Mandate