by Lincoln Brandenburg

Charlie Kirk will always be remembered standing for truth in a culture that loves lies.

But he will also be remembered as a man who exemplified great love – particularly towards his ideological opponents. I’ve watched him debate – both in person and online – and the amount of patience he demonstrated was extraordinary. Charlie was no pushover – he spoke boldly and pushed back against the philosophical fads of the culture. But he balanced doing so with a willingness to listen and to respectfully debate the issues. In a time when so many resort to name-calling and attempts at censorship, he engaged friend and foe at the level of persuasion and reason. He loved people enough to debate with them. He loved people enough to tell them uncomfortable truths they didn’t want to hear.

I’m shocked that an ally I took for granted is no longer with us.

I’m grieved for his family – and for the people of this country and this world who were blessed by his life.

I’m angry that some cowardly monster used violence to silence a good man.

But in a strange sense, while I’m deeply saddened…I’m also envious of Charlie. Through his work and example, he accomplished more good in his 31 short years than many who live a long, safe life. While so many waste their lives in the pursuit of hedonistic pleasure or materialistic possessions, this guy gave himself fully for God and for others. He lived a life of deep impact and service. And he met his end with honor: fighting for the good, making his life count until his last moments.

Charlie’s untimely death at the hand of a murderer is a tragedy. But living a long life for self-gratification – leaving behind nothing of consequence to eternity – is a worse tragedy. I suspect that Charlie would be the first to agree. I suspect that Charlie would be honored if his life and death inspired more of us to live selflessly for love and faithfully to truth.

We were blessed to have you… and will continue to be blessed by your legacy. Thank you for a race well run, Charlie.

“How can we expect fate to let a righteous cause prevail when there is hardly anyone who will give himself up undividedly to a righteous cause?” ― Sophie Scholl

Interesting article by Tim Urban explains why young people, college age and a little older, are unhappy.  It’s because they are (a) wildly ambitious, (b) delusional, and (c) taunted.

There is a lot of truth in the article, but some of it is just the normal process of growing up.  We all have to manage our expectations.

What do you think?

This ain’t on any of the wire services.  I got it from the very top; you saw it here first.  Republicans have picked up a whopping 14 seats in the Tennessee House of Representatives.  Only a couple of weeks ago, a member of the Tennessee House told me they “might pick up as many as 4.”  Wow.  Current score is 64-34-1.

Republicans also picked up one seat in the Tennessee Senate to improve their advantage to 20-13.

Republicans in this State have earned the trust of our citizens by moving forward with a common-sense conservative agenda over the last several years:  holding the line on spending, balancing the budget, just saying “no” to a state income tax, protecting the Second Amendment, moving an Amendment that will overturn a Supreme Court decision that prevents common-sense pro-life legislation, etc.  This is an example for Republicans all over the country.

Excellent column by J. Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel Director of Cultural Affairs.

The study [reported in Reuters] exposed the jaw-dropping fact that one-in-five “gay” and “bisexual” men in American cities have been infected with HIV/Aids.  Needless to say, this scandalous revelation completely blows out of the water, the left’s morally relative, propagandist line that homosexuality is “normal, natural and good.”

***

… far too many Christians have contributed to the dilemma by failing to speak truth, in love, on the issue of homosexuality …  Nobody likes to be unfairly labeled a hater, “homophobe” or bigot, but fear of such attacks offers no justification for failing to speak truth in love …

Click here to see the column.

As 145 soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan walked through the double doors in Terminal D at DFW Airport last week for two weeks of R&R, they were greeted not only by their families, but by President George Bush and his wife Laura.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOC_JjNFkVw

My letter to the Knoxville News Sentinel has been published:

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2010/aug/17/letters-democrats-attacking-first-amendment/

Lots of comments already.  I’ve responded to some of them.  Please leave your own comments on the KNS website (if appropriate to the topic), and also below (to tell me what a smart guy I am)!

Follow CBR / Pro Life on Campus on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

FACT says vote “NO” on judges in Tennessee.  For the whole story, click here.

Do you agree?

The Tennessee Conservative Union has released their ratings for Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, Congressman Zach Wamp and Mayor Bill Haslam.  Candidates are rated on these factors: income tax (Tennessee doesn’t have one and doesn’t want one), Second Amendment, administrative experience, social issues (including pro-life), spending, and taxes.

Click here to see the full document: TCU Candidate Ratings.

Who are you voting for?  Why?  Please comment!

Heard this on the radio the other day.  Anybody else remember this one?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G75cORqX_oQ

Anna Cooper, 6-yr-old daughter of CBR staffer Don Cooper, was attacked by a wild dog last week, just outside her California home.  Anna was rescued by her mother Jennifer and her 14-yr-old brother Stephen and is going to be fine.  After getting the children inside the house, Jennifer shot the dog in the chest.  Don’t mess with this woman.  Media coverage:

• Woman shoots dog
• The dog dies
• I shot the dog (story)
• I shot the dog (video)
• TV story and video
• 911 call

Just one more reason why the Founders gave us the Second Amendment.  Who knows how many children the dog would have attacked or even killed before he could be caught again?