Dane County Judge Hears Arguments Over Abortion Ban

Tgsjmiller   -   May 11, 2023

May 11, 2023

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Dane County Judge Hears Arguments Over Abortion Ban

Last Thursday, Dane County Circuit Judge Diane Schlipper heard oral arguments in the case that challenges the enforceability of Wisconsin’s pre-Roe law that prohibits most abortions. Schlipper heard oral arguments for over 90 minutes, but has not yet released a decision.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul filed the lawsuit within days of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade in June last year. The defendants in the lawsuit are the district attorneys from Sheboygan, Milwaukee, and Madison—all places where surgical or induced abortions were being performed before Roe was overturned.

The defendants argued the judge should dismiss the lawsuit because Kaul lacks the legal standing to bring the lawsuit, as the ban does not affect his ability to carry out his duties as attorney general. 

Attorney Matthew Thome argued that modern-day laws that restrict abortion, such as the 1985 post-viability restriction, can act in “harmony” with the ban. Thome also implored the judge to “get back to principles,” noting that the legislature decided not to repeal the abortion ban,and Schlipper should respect the rightful place of the legislature to enact these laws instead of imposing her own opinion.

The case will undoubtedly end up before the state Supreme Court, which by August, will have a 4-3 liberal majority. 

Until then, innocent lives are being saved every day while the abortion prohibition is in place. Please pray that everyone involved in this case recognizes the humanity of the unborn and rules according to God’s will.

The Legacy of a Mother
The legacy of Mother’s Day in the United States tells us that it originally began as a means to help heal the scars of the bloody Civil War and to bring peace to a torn people. How fitting because who brings healing and peace better than a mother? Eventually, Mother’s Day in the U.S. grew to become a means of honoring mothers for their lives, for the impact they have on their children, and for the legacy they leave with the world.Mothers are deserving of at least one day a year set aside for their husbands, their children, their children’s children, and any others whom they have mothered to shower them with unusual love, affection, and devotion.

One of the ironies of Mother’s Day is that too often the full impact of the day eludes us until we face a Mother’s Day without our mother. During the humdrum routine of our growing up and then moving into our own lives, the years roll by and Mother’s Days come and go with acknowledgment, but all too often not with the understanding and the expressions of our heart that our mothers deserve.

For both daughters and sons, mothers are irreplaceable. Their impact on our lives is inestimable and long outlives them. For those of you whose mothers are living, take the opportunity this week to build lasting memories. Spend time with your mother. Make that call. Take that drive. Laugh with her.  Hug and kiss her. Honor her. No amount of hawking by the retail mongers of our day should rob us of making this day special for mothers. But more importantly, endeavor to make every day special for the mother you have been blessed with. In doing so, you give honor to whom honor is due, and you create lessons and memories that will last even more than a lifetime as the next generation watches and learns. That’s the legacy of a mother.

The board and staff of Wisconsin Family Action and Wisconsin Family Council wish all the mothers a very blessed Mother’s Day!

WI Legislators Introduce “Protect Childhood Innocence” Bills

Earlier this week, State Representative Scott Allen (R-Waukesha) and State Senator André Jacque (R-De Pere) released two bills for co-sponsorship, named the “Protect Childhood Innocence” bills, that restrict the ability of schools to display obscene materials.

One bill prohibits schools from using the taxpayer-funded common school fund to purchase obscene materials, and the other removes the current exemption that allows school employees to not be held liable for displaying obscene material.

COVID pulled the curtain back for many parents when it comes to what is available to their children in school libraries—both digitally and physically. Prohibiting inappropriate materials in schools helps protects the right of parents to determine what their children are exposed to and when.

These bills seem to be commonsense approaches to drawing bright lines about inappropriate material being purchased with public money and being promoted by taxpayer-paid school employees.

“Schools that are focused on teaching students have nothing to fear from this legislation,” said Rep. Allen. “Accountability is important, and these bills create healthy accountability for schools.”

There is no reason for obscene material to be in schools, and as more stories emerge of activist teachers subjecting children to inappropriate lessons, libraries displaying sexually explicit material, and sex-ed programs pushing a radical ideology, legislation such as this has become entirely necessary. 

U.S. History and Civics Test Scores Drop 

Last week, the National Assessment for Education Progress released scores revealing how well students are testing in U.S. history and civics.

The evaluation showed that only 13% of eighth-grade students were considered proficient in U.S. history, and only 1% of eighth-graders rated as advanced. Lastly, 20% of students rated as proficient in civics, and only 2% were advanced. 

“A well-rounded education includes a thorough grounding in democratic principles, and these assessments challenge students to show their knowledge and skills as they prepare to become full participants in American democracy,” said National Center for Education Statistics Commissioner Peggy G. Carr in response to the scores.

“Self-government depends on each generation of students leaving school with a complete understanding of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship,” she continued. “But far too many of our students are struggling to understand and explain the importance of civic participation, how American government functions, and the historical significance of events. These results are a national concern.”

Too many schools are failing to give students the knowledge and skills our next generation needs to maintain a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” and protect our God-given liberties. This means it is more important than ever for parents to take control of their children’s education and give them the tools they need to be effective, godly leaders, and responsible U.S. citizens. 

Watch the Latest “Lunch with a Purpose”
On Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, our office was firebombed. After the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision was leaked, our organization was the first of many across the country to be violently attacked.On Monday, May 8, 2023, Wisconsin Family Council hosted an online webinar with David Closson and Julaine Appling to discuss the firebombing and the status of the pro-life movement since Dobbs brought the issue of abortion back to the states.

You can watch the recorded webinar HERE.

New community event series: Religious Freedom Matters!
Read more about the Religious Freedom Matters! community event series by clicking HERE. Events around Wisconsin are coming soon!

LEAD WI
July 16th-21st, 2023
Maranatha Baptist University – Watertown, WI
Register here

 

IN THE MEDIA
WEEKLY RADIO COMMENTARY. “WISCONSIN FAMILY CONNECTION”
Airing this week on over 20 stations statewide. This week: “The Legacy of a Mother”

  • Click HERE to listen to this week’s Wisconsin Family Connection or read the complete radio commentary.
  • Subscribe to our podcasts HERE!

“WISCONSIN FAMILY MINUTE”
A daily program for Christian radio stations!

  • Listen on our website HERE
  • Click HERE to subscribe to your Wisconsin Family Minute podcasts and never miss an episode!
  • Find your local station to listen live HERE. If the Christian radio station you listen to isn’t carrying “Wisconsin Family Minute,” please encourage them to do so. Contact us at 866-849-2536 or info@wifamilycouncil.org. 

STAND UP FOR THE TRUTH – Q90FM
WFC President Julaine Appling was a guest recently on q90fm’s “Stand Up for the Truth” podcast, hosted by our friend David Fiorazo. You can listen to the podcast HERE. David, Mary (new co-host), and Julaine had a robust discussion on the issues of the day from a Christian perspective. Julaine’s next appearance on Stand Up for the Truth is Thursday, May 18, 2023.

HOME FRONT/InFOCUS – VCY AMERICA
WFC President Julaine Appling hosts VCY America’s “Home Front” program every Wednesday afternoon (Sept.-May) at 3:15 p.m. On each program Julaine talks about important events happening in Wisconsin. Listen to yesterday’s show HERE.
Click HERE to listen to archived Home Front programs.

Julaine is also a monthly guest on VCY’s TV 30 live call-in program, “InFocus,” hosted by VCY America’s General Manager Jim Schneider. The program is on each Monday evening at 7 p.m., September through May. Julaine joined Jim on Monday, April 3. Watch online HERE. Julaine will be on InFocus again on Monday, May 15, 2023.