Here’s the question: is politics always downstream culture, or vice versa? In other words, does culture impact politics more than politics impacts culture?
Catholic writer and Pope John Paul II biographer, George Weigel reflects at length on the subject:
“Politics, John Paul II knew, is always downstream from culture. If our politics is divisive and rancorous, it is almost certainly because something is wrong with our public moral culture. That is true in the United States, and it is true elsewhere. Moral and cultural renewal – a recommitment to “living in the truth”, which helped liberate East Central Europe from communism – is thus an essential part of democratic renewal.”
Pulse Life Advocates agrees, which is why we think outside the box in promoting the cause of Life. To that end, we commissioned a theater piece five years ago, “A Clash of Creeds,” and had it performed at our annual banquet. We even took it out into churches the following year to showcase the ideas, or creeds, that have molded America.
At this year’s Christmas Gala, we were honored to premier a pro-life song, “This Side of Heaven,” performed by the Saints and Sinners Band. The piece was written by band member, Marilyn Jerome, and her son Matt. Here are the lyrics:
VERSE 1
Here I am, don’t know why, safe inside, I reside.
I am small, before long, I’ll arrive and I’ll be strong.
We’re close as two can get; although we haven’t met.
I can feel your heart beat close to mine.
VERSE 2
He knits me together, every day I grow. You’ll count all my fingers and my toes.
I cannot wait to see your smile. Someday soon the world will know.
CHORUS
This side of heaven…… I’ll be gazing in your eyes. You and daddy will teach me about life.
I’ll have questions; you’ll have answers; and sometimes you won’t know.
I look forward to our life together………………… this side of heaven.
BRIDGE
My body, my choice”. That’s what you heard. A burden I’d become.
Who gets the choice? Would my voice have changed their mind?
That side – snuffed out the light. Taken from your womb.
This side – come to the Light, I’m walking out the tomb.
CHORUS -2
This side of heaven……, I see with perfect eyes. I’m with the Father who gives eternal life.
I have questions; He has answers; He always knows.
I look forward to our life together………………… this side of heaven.
(PRAYER)
HOLY INNOCENTS …PRAY FOR US. ALL THE ANGELS …PRAY FOR US
ALL SAINTS IN HEAVEN…PRAY FOR US
PRAY FOR MAMAS AND DADDIES, TOO
PRAY FOR ALL CHILDREN; THAT’S WHAT WE MUST DO……
OUTRO
I hope one day I’ll see your face. I know you’ll love this place.
Until then, I’ll be loving you from this side of heaven.
End with “Jesus loves me, this I know for the bible tells me so.”
You can hear the band’s performance of the song here beginning at the 31:26 mark.
Pulse encourages you to support art that promotes the Judeo-Christian, pro-life values which built Western Civilization. One way is to attend tonight’s performance of new music co-written by Matt Jerome. Here are the details:
On December 21 at 7PM, musical duo JMMJ (Joel Magruder, Matt Jerome) will be performing original Christmas songs from their newly released album – Christmas Snow Globe – as well as other songs from their music catalogue. The evening will include live music, food, drink, and “reindeer games” for a festive environment to celebrate the holiday season. The evening will be hosted at the Younkers Tea Room in downtown Des Moines. JMMJ create hip/hop music that is rooted in faith with clean lyrics for all ages to enjoy. Their music can be found on Apple Music, Spotify, or any other music streaming platform.
Support good art!
Have a happy, holy Advent and Merry Christmas!
Msgr. Frank Chiodo
Monsignor Frank Chiodo, who died on Thanksgiving, was a good friend of Pulse Life Advocates. He served on our board for one year. In 2020, he worked with us on developing the 4-part Holy Family Project. The idea behind the project was simple: the incidence of abortion plummets in holy families.
Monsignor said the project was anointed by the Lord in a special way. As we discussed ways to frame the program, he came up with the foundational theme, upon which we built four episodes:
“The Holy Family is the ‘Soul’ solution for a wounded world”
My wife, Karen, and I sat with him at Frederichs Coffee Shop as he nursed his shot of espresso and brainstormed with us on the project. Pulse executive director, Maggie DeWitte joined us in follow up meetings to fine tune content.
Monsignor thought a good way to launch the program was a first episode on Pope Paul VI’s watershed encyclical, Humanae Vitae. The late pontiff predicted with eerie precision the consequences of the contraception culture on the generations to come.
Monsignor Chiodo suggested we could build on that with three complementary follow-up episodes:
EPISODE TWO: Fruitful MothersEPISODE THREE: Fearless ChildrenEPISODE FOUR: Faithful Fathers
The Holy Family’s format
Each episode begins with a ‘talk,’ in essence a homily by Msgr. Chiodo on each topic. Each concludes with a conversation with panelists Maggie DeWitte, Pulse executive director, Joe Stopulos, host of Man Up on Iowa Catholic Radio, and myself (board president of Pulse).
Special guests joined us in various episodes, including Bishop William Joensen; EWTN talk show host, Dr. Ray Guarendi; and Bill Donaghy of the Theology of the Body Institute.
You can view episodes at the Pulse website. Each one is front-loaded with Msgr. Chiodo’s homily, which are really worth viewing. We even included one short clip of one his talks in our new project, “How to Raise Pro-Life Children.” (Check it out in episode two.)
The project strained Monsignor. As the year progressed, he became increasingly anxious about the endeavor, and felt that he was under spiritual attack. Through prayer, he persevered and completed the four talks in October of 2020.
The following month, he spoke at the Pulse Christmas Gala in one of his final talks from the podium. Shortly after, he was diagnosed with cancer which eventually claimed his life.
Profound influence
Msgr. Chiodo had a profound influence on me personally. I got to know him well when he became pastor at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the early 2000s. His reverence for the Mass and his passion for the Eucharist drew me deeper into my Catholic faith. I had converted to Catholicism some decades earlier, but under his guidance, I let go of my final reservations and fully embraced the teaching authority of the Church.
Inspired by him, my wife and I launched a weekly group which we dubbed “Catechism & Coffee” to discuss the Catechism of the Catholic Church with a group of friends, one of the many fruits sown by Msgr. Chiodo.
Monsignor and I had so many great conversations over the years, some of which ended in raucous laughter.
I attended a funeral a few days ago for another former Holy Trinity priest, Fr. Jim Laurenzo, who died shortly after Msgr. Chiodo. One of his closest friends reflected that Fr. Jim was a complicated man with simple needs.
In a way, it makes me think of Msgr. Chiodo, who had so much depth, and yet his simple focus was always on the Mass. He lived to say Mass and preach on the beauty of our Catholic faith.
Final correspondence
As he declined, we kept in touch. He wrote to me earlier this year:
“I am delighted and grateful that the Holy Family Project is bearing much fruit and will continue. Thanks to the Holy Spirit! The solution for the Holy Family Project is truly prayer. My prayer for you, Tom and Karen, is ongoing.”
A month later …
“I’ve always enjoyed being with you. You’re still one of God’s best promoters.”
His final note, with wavering handwriting …
“Your kindness was a gift of God. I remember so much the beauty of your words. God bless you.”
Msgr. Frank Chiodo left behind a legacy that is hard to calculate. He impacted so many lives through the power of his words and his unquenchable passion for the Mass. Personally, I am grateful that God allowed our lives to intersect.
As board president of Pulse Life Advocates, I am grateful that he enthusiastically participated in and left behind a project of such depth as The Holy Family Project.
Monsignor knows that I am quite the promoter when it comes to pro-life and Catholic projects. So I encourage you to click this link and take some time to soak in the richness of the Holy Family Project. Monsignor Frank Chiodo will appreciate it.
[One way Pulse Life Advocates promotes a culture of life in Iowa comes via video projects like “The Holy Family Project” and “How to Raise Pro-Life Children.” Help us continue our outreach with your financial support today.]
Today is the day we release episode one of our new video series, “How to Raise Pro-Life Children.” You may have already seen our trailer (above). Now, you can watch episode 1.
Episodes 2, 3, and 4 will be released on December 11th, 18th, and 25th respectively.
Pulse talked to regular folks in Iowa, asking them: How are you raising pro-life children … or … how did your parents raise you to be pro-life? Four themes emerged, beginning with the primacy of faith and prayer in the thirteen minute opening episode, which you can view here.
The last episode is amazing and should be viewed with your entire family on Christmas.
You’ll know some of the people interviewed for this project, so be sure to spread this important pro-life content by sharing it with your family and friends. Just forward the link above by email to people who need to hear its message.
Be sure to go to our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages and LIKE/FOLLOW us and share those links with your social media friends.
The ideas shared in “How to Raise Pro-Life Children” work best when you start young. And yet it’s never too late to speak the Truth, that human life begins at the instant of fertilization; that God knows us before we were born; and that we were made in God’s image.
You’re not alone.
Pulse has your back. This new video project is just the latest tool to help parents and grandparents promote a culture of life in Iowa and beyond. A culture of life is built one family at a time.
Will you help?
[Pulse Life Advocates executive director, Maggie DeWitte, delivered these remarks at the Pulse Christmas Gala on November 18th, 2023.]
Thank you to Ryan Buck for producing this powerful video of our first Post-Roe Iowa March for Life. I have watched this video multiple times in hopes I could avoid the tears speaking with you tonight, but no such luck.
It just shakes you up a bit and puts things in perspective – it is about life; and you can’t get much bigger or more important than that.
Pulse Life Advocates- Iowa’s longest-standing, state-wide, pro- life organization. I feel incredibly proud, in the most humblest of ways, and blessed and honored to be working and fighting for life on behalf of Pulse over the last 13 years.
Thank you to our Gala committee for putting this wonderful event together! Thank you to our board of directors. Please stand and be recognized! A special thanks to the staff of Pulse, Sarah Schiltz, Tom & Karen Quiner. Most importantly- thank you all for coming this evening.
The year in perspective
Every year in preparation for my time with you this evening, I get an opportunity to evaluate last year. What worked, what can be improved and ultimately- did we move the needle? Did we change hearts and minds? Was a culture of life created? And when I ponder this- my knee-jerk reaction is- we didn’t do enough- we could have done more. But then I am reminded of the words of St. Mother Theresa of Calcutta:
“God did not call me to be successful, but rather to be faithful.”
And so it is for all of you.
We are living in a Post-Roe America. Praise God! And while that was the biggest victory for the pro-life movement in 50 years; our fight continues just in new ways. And Pulse is there every step of the way, leading the charge.
Shock
The election a few weeks ago left the pro-life movement in shock. In Ohio for example, 57% of the voters led to a double- digit win for a radical proposal amending the state constitution to sanction abortion with no limits to the moment of birth. Pro-lifers were outspent 2 to 1 with mostly outside money flowing into Ohio. Coupled with deceptive media that ran pro-choice TV ads that lied to Ohio voters as to what would happen if they didn’t enshrine abortion into their state constitution.
The other side has been masterful at disguising, sanitizing and downright lying to the American people about what abortion really is. They use words like ‘reproductive freedom’ and ‘women’s rights’ to confuse people about what is really happening: the horrific, violent traumatic end of an innocent human life in the womb. There is no other way to describe it except that it is pure evil.
The pro-life movement needs to give America a positive vision of protecting life instead of the removal of a so-called right. We focused so long and hard on the legal end; we need to focus equally hard on educating on the moral end. We have almost been apologizing for the Dobbs decision and touting moderation on life as the answer.
No compromise
Let’s be absolutely clear- the other side is not seeking compromise or moderation. They are rather pushing extreme, radical death for any reason. The abortion industry’s mantra used to be safe, legal, and rare. Now it’s infanticide and taxpayers should foot the bill.
But we will win when we expose the extremism of the other side and contrast that with the compassion and the love of the pro- life movement.
There can be no consensus or compromise with murder. Period. Full stop.
Subtle as a sledge hammer
It is not a political liability to be pro-life and it is NOT a losing issue! Life begins at conception, and there is nothing complicated about that. This is about what is right and wrong, and we need to speak with moral confidence!
We must be unafraid. Its either killing a baby or it isn’t. We cannot tip toe around the issue.
And we at Pulse are not tip toeing around anything! For those who know me well, I am about as subtle as a sledgehammer on this issue! And we are going to keep pounding away using every opportunity to spread our message of life!
This summer we had a special session thanks to our incredible pro-life Governor Kim Reynolds, where we passed– for the second time– the heartbeat law- Pulse was there. We testified, we rallied, we prayed, and we witnessed.
When the Des Moines City Council tried to make abortion a city issue-Pulse was there!
When women go into Planned Parenthood – Pulse is there praying and witnessing.
When Iowans visit the Iowa State Fair- Pulse is there educating with teen bags and fetal models!
When people across the country travel to Washington DC to the March for Life- Pulse is there.
When your children need education on life issues- Pulse is there with our Respect Life Curriculum.
And when anyone needs up-to-date information on state and local issues-Pulse is there with our cutting-edge website, weekly blogs, and rich social media content.
New project
Our newest video project is called, “How to Raise Pro-Life Children.” Here is a trailer of this project. [See video above.]
This is what you have come to expect from Pulse. We are not fighting for a hypothetical or an ideal. We are fighting for people’s lives.
You are all here tonight because you know this. You know in your heart that this is the greatest human rights issue of our time. You know that without us standing in the gap, more lives will be destroyed by the lie of abortion. Pulse is in it for the long haul- heck we have been fighting for over 50 years, we are sure not going to stop now. We cannot be disheartened — and certainly cannot back down.
You heard me tonight talk about the losses in Ohio and other states experienced defeats on the life issue. The prevailing theme in all those losses was lack of financial resources and being outspent by large margins.
Do not let Iowa become Ohio
I am begging you tonight, do not let Iowa become like Ohio. Commit tonight to join Pulse in our work to create a culture of life. Commit tonight to help us in our efforts and support us with your time, talent, and treasure.
I promise you that we will not give up until we have equal protection under the law for all- including our pre-born brothers and sisters.
In today’s society, the value of human life has been diminished; but God, who sees the works of His hands with enduring love, whispers to each of us His plan and purpose for our time here on Earth. He speaks to our heart and tells us what work He has committed to us that He has not committed to another. He tells us that our life has meaning and value. He reminds us that we are only dust—but we are beloved dust!
Please pray for us. We need it. Thank you and God Bless!
[Help Pulse remain on offense in promoting a culture of life in Iowa. Support our pro-life educational outreach now. Don’t wait. The stakes are high.]
On this Giving Tuesday 2023 here are remarks from our recent Christmas Gala on Pulse’s ongoing needs:
MAGGIE DeWITTE [Pulse Executive Director]: You heard me talk of some of the losses that we’ve experienced across the country. The prevailing theme in all of those losses was a lack of financial resources and being outspent by large margins.
I’m begging you tonight. Do not let Iowa become Ohio. Commit tonight to join Pulse in our work to create a culture of life. Commit tonight to help us in our efforts and support us with your time and your talent and your treasure.
I promise you that we will not give up until we have equal protection under the law which includes our preborn brothers and sisters.
KIM GRZYWACZ. [Photo credit: Lisa Bourne]
KIM GRZYWACZ [Pulse Treasurer]: It’s always nice to be in a room of like-minded people. It is my job to oversee our finances and remind you that we are here for an evening out to enjoy like-mindedness, to be inspired, to be inspired to grow pro-life families, and to give.
This is our biggest fundraiser of the year. What we raise tonight gets us through the next 365 days. Oh … 366! Did you know next year is a Leap Year?!
So how can you help?
Well, let’s start with the free.
Yes, you heard me right. I said free. Give of your time and talent.
Pray. Pray and fast 1 day a month for Pulse.
Pray for the strength and protection of our staff.
Pray for our increased outreach.
Pray for increased funding resources.
Volunteer. Give of your time and talent. Sometimes it’s just data entry that needs to be done in the office. Assembling takeaways.
Serve on a committee.
Isn’t this a wonderful event? You could be a part of it.
The March for Life in DC has a committee.
Volunteer at the Iowa State Fair. I volunteer my kids and bring them with me. That’s part of how I’m trying to raise a pro-life family. And it so heartwarming when those little kids come up, hold the baby models, and take away a baby of their own, because they know it’s a baby.
And then there’s the money out of your pocket. I think of the widow’s offering from Mark chapter twelve, verses 41 to 44. Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings are put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasure. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth, but she out of poverty putting in everything, all she had to live on.”
Mother Teresa said it is a poverty to decide that child must die so that you may live as you wish.
How can you pray and fast for Pulse today?
[Pulse relies entirely on donations to maintain and expand our educational pro-life outreach. Give today!]
Dear Fellow Pro-lifer:
I just read an interesting article in the National Review. Tim Busch, the founder of the Napa Institute writes that the pro-life movement must fight for the culture, not just the law. Pulse agrees and has done both for more than half a century.
He goes on to say:
“… as Tuesday’s elections made painfully clear, large numbers of Americans currently support abortion in some form or fashion. Their minds are made up well before they get to the ballot box. If we hope to change election outcomes, we must change people’s minds well before the voting starts.”
Newer readers of our blogposts may not realize the extent of Pulse Life Advocates involvement in promoting a culture of life at the Iowa state house. Together with the Iowa Coalition of Pro-Life Leaders, we have chipped away at the culture of death that once dominated Iowa politics. We are one court decision away from having a Heartbeat bill (passed twice by the Iowa legislature!) implemented.
But Tim Busch is absolutely correct. Ultimately, you save more unborn babies when you change the culture of rank and file Iowans.
So here’s what I’d like to do. I’d like to give you a quick video overview of how Pulse has impacted, and will continue to impact, Iowa’s culture with smart, loving pro-life outreach:
The March For Life.
We’ve taken tens of thousands of students to this watershed human rights events in Washington DC for decades. Many of these pilgrims have grown and become Iowa leaders.
A Clash of Creeds
We used the theatrical arts to stage a play that showcased the clashing philosophies of three important women of the 20th century: Ayn Rand; Margaret Sanger; and Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. We used their own words, and just to make it even more fun, the moderator was the great G.K. Chesterton.
The Holy Family Project
Families are the ‘soul’ solution for a wounded world. This epic 4-part production explored the spiritual foundations of the family, and how families help prevent abortion.
Pro-Life Apologetics
What should your kids and grandkids say when confronted by smug abortion proponents at school or on college campuses? We created 24 videos of less than a minute each to show them exactly how to respond.
How to Raise Pro-Life Children
Our new 4-part video series will be released next week and show you how to raise pro-life children.
Pulse does more, so much more than what I’ve listed here. But these were big projects that have made a big splash here in the Hawkeye State.
If you want us to turn a ‘big splash’ into a tsunami, donate to our educational pro-life outreach today.
Our Christmas Gala is this Saturday. Be sure to bid on some of our online Christmas items, whether if you attend in person or not. Click on this link to see what we’ve got. You’ll be blown away!
I hope to see you Saturday night in person at our Gala!
Sincerely,
Maggie DeWitte, Executive Director
[Can’t make our Christmas Gala? Watch our live stream at 7PM Saturday night here on our website or at our Facebook page. Support our pro-life outreach with your gift today. Thank-you.]
Pulse Life Advocates published a post on Facebook which asks,
“What does abortion look like? This:”
We accompanied the caption with a photo that showed body parts of an unborn abortion victim. Facebook masked the photo with their own caption which said:
“Violent or graphic content. This photo is covered so people can choose whether they want to see it.”
Most abortion rights advocates refuse to click through and look at the depravity of abortion. Frankly, most pro-lifers don’t want to look either. And yet you must.
If we don’t see the reality of abortion, it remains an abstraction in the hearts and minds of most decent people. It leads to tepid and even insipid responses to abortion, such as:
“Although I’m personally against abortion, I can’t tell a woman what to do with her own body.”
Or …
“Although I’m personally against abortion, I can’t impose my own religion on someone else.”
How to make the violence of abortion a reality
If you have ever looked into the dead eyes of a decapitated baby in the womb (above), the violence of abortion becomes a reality.
You realize you’re not talking about a woman’s body, you’re talking about her daughter’s body.
You realize you’re not trying to convert the mom into becoming a Roman Catholic … or a Southern Baptist … or a Muslim. You’re simply trying to convert her into becoming a civilized human being by acknowledging the humanity of the child she chose to bring into this world through an act of consensual sex.
When you see the actual depravity, it allows you to understand yourself better. WHY are you personally against abortion? The picture of the body parts of the aborted unborn child reminds you. Abortion kills a unique human being in a particularly savage fashion.
Take the pro-life rationale stated above and rephrase it:
“Although I’m personally against someone ripping apart the body of a tiny defenseless baby girl in the womb, I can’t tell a woman what to do with her own body.”
It makes a big difference when you’ve seen the reality of the violence. It makes you squirm, knowing what you have been willing to tolerate in the past.
The video above humanizes abortion
Abortion advocates don’t want you to see these images, which is why the actor Kevin Sorbo agreed to narrate the video above. Although animated, it humanizes the issue in such a heartbreaking way.
Imagine how God feels seeing His creation treated this way. Imagine how He feels about people who claim to follow Him, and yet refuse to stand up for the little gal in the womb.
You’ve got to look at what you’re allowing to happen through your inaction, through your tolerance of abortion.
In 1955, an African-American young man, Emmett Till, was brutally murdered by two white men. (A movie came out on the story last year.) Till’s mother insisted on an open casket funeral so the nation could see the reality of racism and the violence being perpetrated against Black Americans.
Last month, conservative talk show host, Ben Shapiro, took some heat for showing unedited footage of the massacre of Israelis by Hamas, complete with beheadings and mutilated bodies.
Then in Los Angeles last week, Israeli actress, Gal Gadot, rented a movie theater and screened more footage of the violent attack in Israel, leading to riots in the street outside the theater.
Yes, it’s hard to look at all this depravity, but if you don’t, the violence is less real. And you get more of it. Watch the video above for a wake-up call. Peace begins in the womb. We MUST stand up for the little gal in the womb who screams at us with each abortion, “Stop, you’re hurting me!”
[Our Christmas Gala is THIS Saturday. Get your tickets now.]
The year was 1860. The Republican candidate for president, Abraham Lincoln, stepped to the podium and said:
“You have to be honest with the American people. Slavery is a personal issue. I am unapologetically pro-emancipation for the slaves. But we have to acknowledge that the courts have given the power to make this decision to the individual states.
And as much as I am pro-emancipation, I don’t want anyone being judged for being pro-slavery, and I don’t want them to judge me, because there are some things that are going wrong on the pro-emancipation side. The same on the pro-slavery side.
When it comes to the federal law, it will take 60 senate votes, a majority of the house and the president to sign it. We’ve never had 60 senate votes. Ever. No Republican president can ban slavery anymore than the Democrat president can ban state laws.
Let’s make sure that none of these laws put slave owners in jail or give them the death penalty for depriving black people of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and let’s focus on freeing as many slaves as we can and stop the judgment. We do not need to divide America over this anymore.”
We’re playing, with you, of course. Lincoln didn’t really say that, Nikki Haley did in last night’s Republican debate. Simply swap out ‘abortion’ for ‘slavery’ for her actual comments.
For someone who claims to be “unapologetically pro-life,” Ms. Haley sounds very un-Lincolnesque. She’s not very convincing, is she, especially when contrasted with Mr. Lincoln’s eloquence as he took on the Democratic Party of his day.
Here’s how Lincoln made the moral case for emancipation:
“If A can prove, however conclusively, that he may, of right, enslave B why may not B snatch the same argument, and prove equally, that he may enslave A?
You say A is white and B is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own.
You do not mean color exactly? You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks, and, therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care again. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.
But, say you, it is a question of [self] interest; and, if you can make it your [self] interest, you have the right to enslave another. Very well. And if he can make it his [self] interest, he has the right to enslave you.”
Lincoln, of course, invokes the timeless wisdom of Jesus, as quoted in the Gospel of Matthew 7:1-2:
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Writing in the Reformed Perspective website, John Dykstra suggests Lincoln might have approached the abortion issue this way:
What Jesus issued as a warning Lincoln used as a tool. So how might this tool work in the abortion debate? We could begin by noting that if someone argues the unborn can be killed because they are smaller than us, then, as Lincoln might have put it, “Take care. By this rule you could be killed by the first man you meet who is bigger than you.”
Or if it comes down to some ability, then watch out when you meet someone who is more able than you.
Self-interest? This is a major justification for abortion: a child would interfere with our lifestyle. But, “take care again – by this rule you may be killed by any who can show it is in their self-interest for you to be dead.”
Nikki Haley could learn a thing or two from Abraham Lincoln.
[Our Christmas Gala is filling up fast! Buy your tickets today!]
Josh Mandelbaum, pro-abortion mayor candidate
The Des Moines mayor’s race will be determined by the abortion issue. As we’ve written before, candidate Josh Mandelbaum has made abortion a central issue of his campaign, promoting an agenda which would transform Des Moines into a sanctuary city for abortion.
Although his chief rival, Connie Boesen, is pro-abortion rights, she reiterates that it is not an appropriate issue for the Des Moines city council and should be left to the state legislature.
Just two days ago, he boasted that he worked closely with Planned Parenthood in writing proposed abortion policy which would strip away rights of unborn babies in Des Moines. He wrote:
“When it comes to reproductive rights in this race, there’s a real difference between me and my opponent. But don’t just take it from me, read what Planned Parenthood has to say about the race.”
And here is what Planned Parenthood has to say about Mandelbaum:
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa today issued the following statement regarding the Des Moines mayoral candidates’ stance on protecting the reproductive rights of the people voting for them:
“Since the fall of Roe, reproductive freedom has become a key issue in elections across the country. From federal to state to local races, Planned Parenthood supporters are demanding their elected officials be clear about their positions on sexual and reproductive health. The Des Moines mayoral race is no different.
“Unfortunately, as the mayoral election nears its final days, the events surrounding a City Council resolution in support of bodily autonomy introduced in October 2022 by Councilmember Josh Mandelbaum have been misrepresented. Mandelbaum worked in close coordination with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa to update a proposed resolution to reflect meaningful policy to lawfully protect the reproductive freedoms of Des Moines residents and city staff. When the resolution was brought before the Council for consideration, Councilmember Connie Boesen was the second to a motion by Councilman Joe Gatto to dismiss the resolution without discussion. This vote shut down the effort to act within the city’s authority to protect abortion rights and is a matter of public record.
“When it comes to protecting our freedoms, every level of government matters. It’s not enough to wait on action from the very state government that continually violates Iowans’ freedoms. Municipal governments ought to use any means available to defend the rights of their residents and staff. In this moment, no politician who calls themselves pro-choice gets a pass on protecting bodily autonomy. We appreciate the proactive leadership demonstrated through this resolution and remain disappointed that a majority of the Council chose not to support the rights of their constituents when presented the opportunity to do so.”
To be sure we all understand the primacy of this issue in the Des Moines mayor’s race, Mandelbaum emphasized the point:
“… there’s no question about it, abortion rights are on the ballot in Des Moines this November [7th].”
Pulse Life Advocates encourages pro-lifers everywhere to spread the word. A mayor Josh Mandelbaum who promotes a policy of death would destroy the livability of this great city.
[Big abortion has their tentacles everywhere, even the Des Moines mayor’s race. Help us continue to promote sanctity of life throughout Iowa. Donate to our pro-life educational outreach today.]
The city of Des Moines has flourished over the past two decades. In fact, in an analysis of all the cities in the U.S., the US News and World Report ranks Des Moines as #19! That’s how great this city is. But next week’s mayoral race features a candidate who wants to turn Des Moines into a sanctuary city for abortion.
Yes, Josh Mandelbaum is running for mayor of Des Moines on an abortion platform. Watch his campaign ad above.
In it, he criticizes Governor Kim Reynolds for signing pro-life legislation. It states he proposes ‘new’ reproductive health protections.
And what are these new protections? Here is his proposal:
- Provide a benefit to city employees to cover travel costs in the case that they must seek abortion care outside the state;
- Prohibit discrimination based on reproductive health care decisions;
- Prohibit use of city funds to store or catalog information about abortion, conduct surveillance or collect information to determine if an abortion occurred, or provide information to government agencies about an abortion;
- Make enforcement of state laws that seek to criminalize abortion the lowest enforcement priority; and
- Advocate for the codification of access to abortion care in state and federal law.
In other words, he demands that taxpayers partially fund abortions for our city employees. And in Iowa’s largest city, he wants to end enforcement of pro-life laws passed by our state legislature.
His opponent, Connie Boesen, disagrees
His chief opponent, Connie Boesen, disagrees with Mandelbaum. Although Ms. Boesen is pro-choice, she believes the issue belongs at the state level. And when push came to shove, she voted NO when Mandelbaum called for a vote in Des Moines’ City Council last year. (Pulse was present monitoring the debate.)
Des Moines experienced a renaissance over the past two decades, led by council members who focused on appropriate city matters such as downtown development, bike paths, beautiful parks and public safety.
Josh Mandelbaum fundraises on the abortion issue. He has one of the largest campaign war chests of any mayor candidate in the country as out-of-state abortion money pours into his coffers.
Pro-lifers are advised to keep their eye on the ball. Although the current city council is opposed to Mandelbaum’s radical proposal, that can change in a single election cycle.
Mandelbaum’s website trumpets the fact that he is an “outspoken voice in favor of ‘progressive’ policy”, and that policy begins with gutting life protections in Des Moines.
While most mayoral candidates focus on “livability” issues to make a city better, Mandelbaum focuses on death.
Are you okay with that?