OUR COLUMNISTS The Liberal Version of Tolerance Commentary by Matt Friedeman Alas, liberalism -- true generous, abundant, broad-minded, kind and gentle liberalism -- is dead. In its place are those who talk tolerance, but practice quite the opposite. No place is this more apparent than on the college campus. Serious Death and Destruction Commentary by Jane Jimenez Miles under the ocean's surface, off the coast of Sumatra, the plates of the ocean floor have once again collided in the tremendous force of an earthquake. Unseen by the human eye, the earthquake threatens possible tragedy ... even as America suffers our own earthquake of a different kind. All News Is Doping News Commentary by Brad Locke Various thoughts on legislating sports, opening day for Major League Baseball, and use of doping products in sports. Selfishness Has Another Name Commentary by David Sisler Pittsburgh Steeler running back Jerome Bettis can be described by many adjectives, but one of them certainly has to be "unselfish." Now, contrast him with two men who have been in the news recently -- one whose name we know, Michael Schiavo; and one whose name is kept secret to protect his privacy. Which Is the Greater Sin? Commentary by Mark Creech As the debate for a state-operated lottery in North Carolina intensifies, one rationale by certain lawmakers in favor of the measure contends: "If you think the lottery is sinful, it's more sinful not to educate our children." This approach to morality can be extremely dangerous.

...Evangelist Billy Graham is remembering the late Pope John Paul II as a fellow evangelist who taught that "only Christ can set us free." In a statement, Graham says he has been invited to the pope's funeral, but is not healthy enough to make the trip to Rome. On CNN, he said that his daughter Anne Graham Lotz will go in his place and his son, Rev. Franklin Graham, will attend the enthronement of the new pope. In his statement, the 86-year-old Graham says John Paul's "courage and perseverance in the face of advancing age and illness were an inspiration to millions, including me." On CNN, Graham added that the late pope "taught us how to suffer, and I think in recent days he taught us how to die." [AP]

...The FBI is sending agents to help investigate last week's slaying of two American missionaries in the South American nation of Guyana. The seven-member FBI team arrives today (Monday) to help investigate the killings of Richard Hicks and his wife Charlene, who served with Wycliffe Bible Translators. The couple's house had been set on fire and Richard Hicks' body was burnt. His wife was found nearby with marks of violence. Police in Guyana believe the motive was robbery and say they have at least one suspect. Kenneth Glover, a spokesman for Guyana Bible College, said the missionary couple had worked for about nine years at translating the Bible into the Wapishana language spoken by an indigenous tribe in the border region with Brazil. He was unsure if their translation work will continue. [AP]

...Things are literally "heating up" as Tuesday's vote approaches in Kansas on a constitutional amendment protecting traditional marriage. Election officials in the Sunflower State expect the issue, which if passed would ban civil unions and same-sex "marriage," will spawn a higher-than-normal turnout. Apparently it has triggered a hotter than normal turnout as well. Last week someone burned a pro-amendment yard sign posted on the grounds of a Wichita church -- and the flames nearly reached the church building itself. According to TV station KAKE, an ABC affiliate in Wichita, it was the second time in five days that someone had destroyed signs on Trinity Baptist Church's property that read "Vote Yes: Protect Marriage." The pastor, Craig Atherton, said a church secretary noticed the sign missing on Sunday night (March 27), but it was not until the next morning that the sunlight revealed the sign had been burned. From the charred remains, it was obvious the flames stopped within feet of the church. Kansas state senator Tim Huelskamp, who is the primary sponsor of the Kansas Marriage Amendment, views the burning as "an attempt to intimidate" supporters of the amendment. However, KAKE reports the incident has only served to "fire up" Pastor Atherton's support of the marriage amendment. [Jody Brown]

...The influence of homosexuals in the nation's capital is growing as more advocates of that lifestyle have relocated within the District of Columbia. The Washington Post recently ran a three-page article on the growing influence of homosexuals in Washington, DC -- and in particular, the rise of homosexual police officers. Bob Knight of the Culture and Family Institute says he is well aware of the huge effect being exerted by the homosexual population of DC. "I myself have talked to people who have been in the 'gay lifestyle' and in Washington and have since left it -- and they said that it's a lot bigger than people realize," Knight says. "Homosexuals are drawn to Washington [because] it's a power center and it's also a large urban center where there are lots of bars and clubs. But I think the influence they wield is way out of proportion to their numbers." He explains that the number of homosexuals in DC law enforcement has grown in recent years. "They have four full-time officers, they have eight auxiliary officers, and they've even got a transgender officer -- a retired U.S. Capitol Police sergeant," he says. According to the Post, that element of the force is specially trained to deal with the violence that permeates the homosexual lifestyle. In addition, says Knight, homosexuals dominant the hospitality industry in Washington and are in position to keep tabs on the sexual liaisons of many members of Congress. He explains that that can provide information that is very valuable in getting an agenda through Congress. [Bill Fancher]

...A recent study of the effects of sexual conduct shows Americans suffer negative consequences at a rate three times higher than other economically advanced countries. The study found that about eight percent of Americans became ill as a result of sexual activity, and that more than one percent of all American deaths can be attributed to sexual behavior. But the associate director for the Christian Medical & Dental Associations says it goes beyond just physical effects. Dr. Gene Rudd says while the study only focused on the physical consequences, it shows a major problem. "[The study] didn't look at the other emotional consequences, which are significant," Rudd says. "But this did clearly document that we, as a culture, have lots of people and lots of days lost to life and to illness because of our sexual behavior." Despite the focus of the study, says Rudd, it does not undermine the fact that God's plan for sex is best. "There's this notion that the people who enjoy sex the most are [people who are] the most promiscuous -- and it turns out to be just the opposite," he says. The CMDA spokesman points out that several studies from past decades and from sources such as Stanford University and the University of Chicago have consistently shown that "women who are in faithful marriages and who attend church have the highest sexual satisfaction of all groups." Rudd says his experience as a gynecologist has allowed him to see the emotional and physical pain and suffering caused when people do not follow God's plan. [Mary Rettig]

...A faith-based, cost-sharing health-care ministry has announced it is expanding its program for expectant mothers. The executive director of the Christian Brotherhood Newsletter Ministry says that expansion has been a goal of the ministry's board of trustees since assuming responsibility three years ago. Rev. Howard Russell says young families asked for the change -- "and we are responding," he adds. Improved maternity services now include pre-natal, delivery, home births, midwives, post-natal and certain mother and baby complications, and even consideration for adoptive parents prior to a baby's birth. Russell stresses the ministry is not health insurance, but a "faith-based alternative to insurance." Each month, participants in the ministry voluntarily send monthly financial gifts to help each other pay medical bills. "Two things drive us," says Russell. "A desire to serve God and to show God's love by demonstrating that Christians care for each other as members of the body of Christ." According to a press release, the ministry pays more than one million dollars in medical bills each month. [Jody Brown]

...One of the nation's leading advocates for increased border control is not impressed with the recent decision by the Department of Homeland Security to send 500 more Border Patrol agents to a troubled area along the Arizona-Mexico border. Congressman Tom Tancredo of Colorado does not believe the denials from the DHS that the transfer of 500 agents has nothing to do with the Minuteman Project that kicked off last week in Tombstone, Arizona. More than 1,000 volunteers have camped out to call attention to the illegal alien problem, and to report any such activity to the Border Patrol. But Tancredo says the 500 agents who are being sent there were simply taken from another area of the border. "If we secure the Arizona border, then we will see a massive shift ... to New Mexico border," he says. "And then if we secure the New Mexico border, we'll see a massive shift to the Texas border. So it goes until you actually seal the border." And Tancredo says a security fence, like that built by the Israelis and many other countries, is a "perfectly acceptable, low-tech method of trying to stop people from coming into your country without your knowledge." Tancredo says even though Congress has passed legislation authorizing 2,000 more agents per year for the next five years, the Bush administration does not want to hire them. [Chad Groening]

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