Greetings!
Rain is falling as I begin this edition of Doyle’s Half Dozen. It’s a perfect setting as I share thoughts on six timely topics.
Let’s get to it!
- DNC disappointment
The Democratic National Convention has concluded. All week, liberal politicians and celebrities gave speeches from a stage with no American Flag (until Donald Trump pointed it out, and they added some patriotic décor). Protesters became quite violent outside, and Bernie backers were silenced inside.
Michelle Obama told how great the last eight years were for her kids, and Elizabeth Warren shared how terrible it’s been for everybody else. Abortion was glorified; immigration issues were misidentified; and proper respect to the military and fallen police officers was denied.
Bubba and Biden bored me to tears, and the thought is dreadful of hearing Hillary’s voice throughout the next four years.
I suppose they were successful in stirring up the Democrats’ base, but I just can’t see how independent and non-committed voters were swayed by watching what went on in Philadelphia this week.
- Pro-Life Democrats appear
I read a great article this week from Baptist Press about Democrats for Life. It was encouraging to read that, according to this group, one out of every three Democrats are pro-life. I’m glad this organization was allowed to provide an exhibit at the DNC.
The story quotes Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, who wants to address abortion issues with Democrats.
“If we unite, we can take the party back,” Day said. “We can reduce support for abortion. We can support pregnant women. We really need those (pro-life) Democrats to start coming out and having their voices heard and stop hiding.”
It would thrill me to pieces to see the Democrats remove abortion from their party’s platform and be more supportive of God-honoring alternatives to abortion.
- David Daleiden dismissed from charges
Speaking of encouraging news involving the abortion battle, David Daleiden of Center for Medical Progress had his charges dropped this week. Daleiden was all the talk this time last year, as his videos exposed Planned Parenthood and its horrible practice of selling aborted baby body parts.
Read about it here. This is great news, and though the confrontation of Planned Parenthood has weakened in its publicity, many government officials will continue the attempt of removing federal funding to the largest abortion provider.
- NBA chooses its political battles
It was announced last week that Adam Silver, commissioner of the National Basketball Association, decided to remove Charlotte as the host of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game because North Carolina recently passed a bill involving who should use which bathroom.
The commissioner said the NBA could not successfully host its All-Star Game in Charlotte in the “climate created by HB2 (the bathroom bill).” The fascinating thing is the bill did not create such a climate. It’s universally accepted and understood that men should use the men’s restroom and women should use the women’s restroom.
However, though the All-Star Game could not be successful in this climate, apparently the NBA could operate in China, a climate that enforces abortion upon families of two children and commits other violations of basic human rights. China will be hosting NBA exhibition games this year.
Something else that is fascinating is that New Orleans is projected to replace Charlotte as host of the 2017 NBA All-Star Game. New Orleans observes the same bathroom ordnances that Charlotte does.
- Pokémon Go Gamers convert to Christ
Say what you will about the latest augmented reality game Pokémon Go, but students and faculty at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary have used the outdoor activity to share the Gospel.
Baptist Press reported that six gamers made professions of faith after attending a “lure party” on the Fort Worth, Texas campus on July 19.
The story states the Southwestern reps were able “to seize the moment and strategically utilize the game for evangelism.”
WordSlingers blogger Michael McAfee wrote earlier this week of how Pokémon Go could be beneficial for Christians to connect through this growing social trend. Check out his blog piece “5 Reasons Christians Should Stop Hating Pokémon Go.”
- Bourne watching this weekend
I am a fan of the Bourne movies, so I got excited when my wife told me she wanted to do dinner and a movie this weekend.
“Can we see Jason Bourne?” I asked. “Sure,” she responded.
The movie is PG-13, and compared to other spy-action movies, the Bourne flicks are tamer in the moral criterion.
Check out PluggedIn for its review of Jason Bourne.