barnekovc's blog

June 28, 2013: HHS publishes 'final rule' on abortion mandate

barnekovc — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 19:44:32 +0000

The HHS has published the 'final rule' establishing the contraception/abortion mandate. The rule holds, among other things, that one forfeits all conscience rights upon entering a business. It establishes what can only be called a "shell game" under which some religious entities can pretend they are not providing contraception/abortion coverage -- but this coverage must be provided at no (additional) cost by the insurance carrier to every covered person. HHS claims the authority to demand this by 'finding' that such coverage is costless, and actually saves money. But HHS arrives at this conclusion by counting the costs of birth and health care for children as avoided costs -- in other words, by eliminating children!
This analysis demonstrates the logical flaw in the HHS finding: http://scandhouse.org/liberty/cbstuff/cost_analysis.html
An early analysis by the Becket Fund is at this link: http://www.becketfund.org/becket-welcomes-opportunity-to-study-final-rul...

The full text of the HHS decision is at this link: http://www.becketfund.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/2013-15866_PI.pdf

July 1, 2013: Marriage Rally at Allen County Courthouse

barnekovc — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 17:30:38 +0000

Shepherds United, a group of 140 pastors in Allen County, IN, is sponsoring a rally in defense of traditional marriage.
The rally is at Noon on the East Lawn of the Allen County Courthouse.
The Supreme Court is likely to have announced its decisions in two marriage related cases before then.

More info: http://shepherdsunited.org/

Time is Running Out to Repeal the Mandate!

barnekovc — Wed, 29 May 2013 11:49:43 +0000

Unless Congress acts, the HHS abortion mandate takes full effect August 1, 2013.
It is time to contact your Senators and Representative to demand action!
For more detail, read here: http://www.lifenews.com/2013/05/28/time-running-out-for-congress-to-stop...

August 11 Rally attracts about 400

barnekovc — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:50:48 +0000

The most recent STAND UP FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM Rally in Fort Wayne was held Saturday, August 11 on the East Front of the Allen County Courthouse.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman reported on efforts in Washington to stop the HHS Mandate and other assaults on religious liberty.
Dr. Tom McGovern gave a physician’s perspective on how Obamacare will affect doctors and their patients, particularly their religious liberties. The text of his talk is at this link. Or see the video here.
Mrs. Christy Stutzman gave a woman's perspective on Obamacare. The text of her talk is here. And here is the video.
Mike Ripley of Old National Insurance discussed Obamacare and the Mandates from the perspective of an insurance carrier (employee benefits carrier)
Pat Miller spoke on what we can do here in Fort Wayne to defend religious liberty.

Attendance was estimated at a bit over 400.

The next rally is scheduled for October, date and details to be announced soon.

Federal Court Blocks Enforcement of HHS Mandate

barnekovc — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 21:37:48 +0000

The really great thing about this is that the court has recognized the conscience rights of a business owner. The mandate doesn’t just infringe on the liberty of religious-affiliated institutions, of course; it also harms the liberty of individual believers whom the mandate forces to violate their own consciences, the teachings of their faith.

This is “only” a temporary injunction to prevent enforcement while the case is being tried … but such injunctions are generally not issued unless the court finds that there is a substantial likelihood or a strong likelihood that the party seeking the order will prevail in the final outcome.

http://www.lifenews.com/2012/07/27/obama-hhs-abortion-mandate-halted-by-...

Laura Wegmann's remarks at the June 30 Religious Freedom Rally in Fort Wayne

barnekovc — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 20:52:51 +0000

Recent Hillsdale College grad Laura Wegmann gave a great speech at the June 30 Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally in Fort Wayne.
Here is the text of her remarks: "War Against Women? No Way!"

Congressman Stutzman to Address August 11 Stand Up Rally

barnekovc — Wed, 04 Jul 2012 21:40:21 +0000

Third District Congressman Marlin Stutzman will report on developments in Washington in light of the Supreme Court ruling at the next Stand Up for Religious Freedom Rally in Fort Wayne on Saturday, August 11 ... more details to come!

LCMS Reporter Coverage of April 17 Event

barnekovc — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 01:22:56 +0000

Reporter online coverage at this link: http://reporter.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=19915

Coverage of April 17 "Stand Together" Event

barnekovc — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 01:51:50 +0000

WFFT-TV (55) had a nice story: http://fortwaynehomepage.net/fulltext?nxd_id=59732
Today's Catholic had a good write-up with 45 photos: http://www.todayscatholicnews.org/2012/04/lutheran-church-missouri-synod...
And, for a laugh, look at the photos from the Today's Catholic piece, and THEN look at what WANE-TV (15) posted: http://www.wane.com/dpp/news/local/catholics--lutherans-stand-together

News Sentinel reports on April 17 "Stand Together" Event

barnekovc — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 15:54:43 +0000

The Fort Wayne News Sentinel has published an article detailing plans for the April 17 "Stand Together" event sponsored by St. Paul's