Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by John Michener
On Ignorance and Innocence
I recently received an article from a pro-life apologist who tried to make a positive case for continuing to protect women who choose to kill their offspring by abortion.
National Right to Life Committee Sabotages Equal Protection
The Associate Press recently reported about a woman who “arrived at a hospital Dec. 30 complaining of abdominal pain. She told medical workers that she had taken misoprostol…” The fetus, estimated to be 22-24 weeks old, survived for about an hour after being delivered at the hospital. The woman is quoted to have told the nursing staff: “I know my infant is suffering, because I am the one who did the abortion.
The Myth of Victimhood
When it became evident that Roe v. Wade would be overturned, a powerful consortium of lobbyists and organizations sprang into action to protect existing policy and ensure that women would be able to continue choosing to kill their children by abortion without consequences.
Shepherds, Thieves, and the Least of These
In my last article, I demonstrated that Students for Life Action had undermined the fundamental right to life by promoting legislation that specifically protects abortion pill traffic. Now that most state legislatures have adjourned for the year, let us look at three more examples from Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma in which the pro-life establishment exerted tremendous influence over pro-life legislators, with deadly consequences.
Red Light, Green Light
Year after year, beginning in 2016, abolitionist legislators have run bills intended to finally and completely abolish abortion in Oklahoma. Thank you, Senators Hamilton, Deevers, and Silk, for courageously speaking up for our preborn neighbors in the Oklahoma Legislature by authoring these bills. Every year these bills are ignored or voted down in committee.
The Elephant in the Womb
The Republican Party is symbolized by an elephant. The expression that there is an “elephant in the room” refers to an obvious thing being ignored – the thing no one wants to talk about. Therefore, the elephant in the womb is the truth that Republican pro-life policies are perpetuating the practice of murder by abortion in states that are controlled by Republicans. Here’s a recent example.
Majorities to Mandate Murder in Some States
Some believe in democracy – that the majority can vote to legitimize evil. On 5 November 2024, the people in ten states will vote to protect murder by abortion in their state constitutions. The very idea is repulsive, immoral, and repugnant, and is in direct opposition to every state constitution and the federal constitution, all of which guarantee the right to life. Here is a list of the states and what each has proposed to enshrine in its constitution: 1.
Crime and Punishment
Remember when your mom would yell at you: “Stop that or else!” Or when your dad would bark, “You’re going to get it!” Did you ever wonder, “Or else what? What am I going to get?” No, you had no doubt at all. You knew what they meant. If you did not obey the family rule, you would receive the designated and appropriate punishment. For without the threat of punishment, humans are inclined to go on disobeying. This is a fundamental teaching of scripture and natural law.
Supply or Demand Problem?
The Oklahoma Legislature is considering more than two dozen abortion-related proposals this session. There are only two bills that are pure and principled. Some are symbolic, nothing more than political grandstanding. Still others are well-meaning, but misguided and ultimately harmful. Then, there are those that are truly wicked and dangerous. I will highlight only the most important bills in this article. Every year the Republicans come up with a new strategy to prove their pro-life pedigree.
Oklahoma Abortion Update
Not long after the first century, the Christian movement began to fracture. Factions wrestled against one another for dominance and took turns using the power of the State to get the upper hand. Competing political-religious councils met one after another over hundreds of years to hammer out ever-shifting and contradictory doctrines of men.
Circumstances are Neither the Cause Nor the Cure
Abby Johnson, Lila Rose, and other well-known pro-lifers recently released a “Joint Statement for Building a Post-Roe Future.” Regarding women who carry unwanted preborn babies, they state: “…support from non-profits will not be enough.
Roe-like Ruling of OK Supreme Court
On 21 March 2023 the Supreme Court of the State of Oklahoma (SCOTSOO) held in a 5-4 decision that Oklahoma’s most recent abortion law (63 O.S. § 1-731.4, passed as SB 612 in 2022) “is void and unenforceable.” Under normal circumstances, the voiding of 63 O.S. § 1-731.4 would be no great loss, and in fact, would rightly be celebrated, because this is the statute that contained a license to kill. It gave permission to any woman in Oklahoma to murder her own preborn son or daughter.
Groundhog Day and the Winter of Abortion
Oklahoma politics at the beginning of February always reminds me of the movie Groundhog Day, in which Phil is caught in a time loop, doomed to repeat Groundhog Day over and over. One cementer calculated that he relived the day 3,176 times, well over eight years. Another cementer came up with fifteen days shy of thirty-four years. Harold Ramis, director of the film, later affirmed a range of thirty to forty years. In my opinion, Phil relived Groundhog Day for forty years, and here is why.
Are Women Who Abort, Victims or Criminals?
Leaders of the Pro-life Movement (PLM) have no trouble imagining abortion doctors as evil creatures with yellow eyes crouching in alleyways waiting to snatch pregnant women and murder their babies against their wills. They see pregnant woman as victims. Is that true? Yes. Some women who choose to kill their babies are victims. Others are criminals.
Abortion Snipers
The Babylon Bee recently posted this satirical headline: “Planned Parenthood Hires Long-Range Snipers To Perform Abortions In Red States.” This is funny because abortion is supposed to be criminal in “Red States,” defined by media as conservative, pro-life, Republican-controlled.
A State-sanctioned Coat Hanger
It is official! According to the majority opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) in the Dobbs case, “The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion.” This is great news for which we have waited half a century. In the immediate aftermath, thousands of lives will be saved in Oklahoma.
What We Learn from Another Pro-Life Signing Ceremony
Following Governor Stitt’s signing ceremony for Senate Bill 612, a limited ban on abortion, we received numerous communications like these: “I am so grateful for what the governor did,” “You must be so happy that all your hard work has paid off,” “You must be dancing in the streets!” We are hopeful that the time is nearing when murder by abortion will be abolished, and should the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) reverse its Roe v.
Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God, A Judicial Update
Rebellion to Tyrants is Obedience to God, A Judicial Update By John Michener Pro-life media outlets are abuzz over Mississippi’s high-profile abortion case (No. 19-1392) pending before the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). Mississippi is correctly arguing that there is no right to abortion in the Constitution. Therefore, per the rights of the States that are explicitly protected in the Tenth Amendment, abortion criminality belongs under the purview of the States.
Are Pro-Life Regulators The Enemy? It Depends.
By John Michener According to folklore, a bullet cast from silver can kill a werewolf. Consequently, the silver bullet has become a metaphor for a simple, almost magical, solution to a difficult problem. Thus, Jim submitted this question to Oklahomans United for Life: “Do we stop all efforts to reduce the numbers [of abortions] and wait for the silver bullet that will kill it, or do we keep chipping away at the foundations of Roe v.
The Red River Rivalry
By John Michener When a friend around here says, “It’s Texas week,” we all know what that means. It is time for the Red River Rivalry, the annual football game between the universities of Oklahoma and Texas. There is a lot of smack talk during that week from fans, and you may have noticed the collective ownership. The pronoun is always “we,” never “they.” Each fan speaks as if he were on the roster: “We will roll right over them,” “We will beat the hooey out of them,” “We will murder them,” etc.
Apples & Oranges
By John Michener Normally, those who visit the abortion deathcamp in Oklahoma City ignore our signs, protests, and pleas. But three women who went in and out together were so incensed by our presence that they decided to stage their own counter-protest. They drove down the block to a drugstore to purchase a black posterboard and white chalk. They made up a sign, and then returned to take their stand on the curb right next to us.
When Courts Decide, Babies Die
When Courts Decide, Babies Die By John Michener After signing contradictory pro-life bills on 26 April 2021, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt said, “We’ll let the courts work out if any of those get overturned.” This passive stance is in stark contrast to Gov. Stitt’s rhetoric and leadership style on other issues.
Malware Threats for Utilities
Energy Central contributors share their experience and insights for the benefit of other Members (like you). Please show them your appreciation by leaving a comment, 'liking' this post, or following this Member. When hackers knocked out the power in parts of Ukraine two winters in a row, the world gasped, and the US energy industry was put on notice.
Malware Threats for Utilities
When hackers knocked out the power in parts of Ukraine two winters in a row, the world gasped, and the US energy industry was put on notice. Malware was behind the damage, the first case in history where malicious code was used by a foreign power to trigger a physical disruption in the power supply of a sovereign nation.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Why Kill Bills? By: John Michener Grassroots activists around the state support bills based on principle. We believe there is a right way and a wrong way to live in community. Public policy either aligns with or violates God’s just standard. In our worldview, government has a simple and clearly defined job description: to protect our God-given rights to life, liberty, and property. That is why we support legislation in these areas.
The Oklahoma Constitution
When should we abolish abortion, now or later? Pro-life politicians tell us we must support incremental laws which regulate abortion in order to save as many babies as we can. They argue that if we do not support incremental regulation, then we are not saving every baby that could be saved. They further argue that if we will just keep passing regulations, then eventually that strategy will completely end abortion. They believe if we abolish it at all, it should be done later.
Defending Against the “Compromised Insider”
Today’s utilities face a growing litany of digital threats, from SCADA targeting malware to air-gap jumping techniques, anti-forensics tools and more. But for the average utility today, one of the biggest risks they face is a basic one — the “compromised insider.” A constant refrain in the security world is that people are the weakest link in any security framework.
The Oklahoma Constitution
What can we take away from the primary elections held on June 26? Broadly speaking, we see that historic trends repeat themselves, and the state of Oklahoma is following the trend of states and nations to become more and more socialistic. The history of nations is that prosperity leads to moral apathy. The people become more interested in free handouts and entertainment than in liberty.
The Oklahoma Constitution
After forty-five years of electing pro-life politicians who have promised to fight abortion, we find a well-regulated, growing – no, thriving – abortion industry in Oklahoma. One of the reasons Oklahomans United for Life was founded is to provide analysis and critique of abortion-related policies, proposals, and politicians in Oklahoma. With an overwhelming majority of Oklahoma voters self-identifying as “pro-life,” why is the barbaric practice still legal in our state?
The Oklahoma Constitution
“What good does it do … if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions?… Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions… For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead.” (James 2:14-26 ISV). Most of us readily recognize these words from the brother of Jesus. If only our politicians understood them. Elected officials and candidates for office eagerly trumpet their principles.
The Oklahoma Constitution
We all understand that power corrupts, so it is no surprise that the Oklahoma Conservative Index scores of those in leadership are lower than the rest of the Legislature. This is a typical pattern. But simple power alone cannot account for the abysmal scores of so many Republicans who ran as fiscal and social conservatives. In fact, a closer scrutiny reveals that at least three other factors converged to influence legislators to abandon their principles.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Will we look less redneck in the eyes of left-coast liberals? Will this give us a unique attraction? Will our Bass Pro Shop have a bigger fish tank than others? Will tourists who meant to land in San Antonio accidentally land at our canal? These are some of the utilitarian measures of success which have been posed to defend economic development (ED). Every time government wants to promote an ED scheme, it uses a utilitarian argument to justify it.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Who really runs our state government? To answer that question, consider: who makes and enforces the most policies that affect the most citizens? Is it our part-time, minimum-wage, elected officials at the Capitol who will only serve for a season? Or could it be those who are full-time, well-paid, long-term professionals who will outlast any elected official? We see a pattern repeated throughout state government. An agency, bureau, commission, or department (ABC) is created by the Legislature.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Why are conservatives across the land so upset that Planned Parenthood is selling baby parts? Did they not know that Planned Parenthood was first murdering the babies before selling the parts? Which is worse? Likewise, conservatives are distressed that the states are now officially recognizing gay marriage. Yet many of these conservatives believe Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis must "follow the rule of law." All of this stems from a misunderstanding of the Rule of Law.
The Oklahoma Constitution
"What good does it do…if someone claims to have faith but does not prove it with actions?… Show me your faith without any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions… For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without actions is also dead" (James 2:14-26 ISV). Most of us readily recognize these words from the brother of Jesus. If only our politicians understood them. Elected officials and candidates for office eagerly trumpet their principles.
The Oklahoma Constitution
The human backbone begins developing during the first few weeks of an embryo's existence in the womb. Like most characteristics of human beings, the backbone continues to develop, even after birth. What I have not been able to find in any biology texts, however, is why most political leaders shed their backbones upon being elected to office. Fortunately for Oklahomans, many of our legislators are showing signs of growing new backbones.
The Oklahoma Constitution
January 22 marked forty-four years since the Supreme Court of the United States (the Court) published its infamous Roe v. Wade opinion, in which justices said that the unborn are merely “the potentiality of human life,” and that abortion is “primarily, a medical decision, and basic responsibility for it must rest with the physician.” Were those justices in 1973 right or wrong? Is abortion healthcare, or is it a crime?
The Oklahoma Constitution
Our Government has been stolen. You and I do not have representation at the Oklahoma Capitol, only the illusion of it. You may feel good about having a Senator and Representative who have pledged to speak for you, but the truth is they have no more voice than Teller the magician, and the passage of any meaningful reform by an honest legislator will require magic.
The Oklahoma Constitution
Every branch of the federal government is involved in unconstitutional activity. Congress passes unauthorized bills; the President gives unlawful executive orders; the supreme Court issues faulty opinions; and the fourth branch of government, the bureaucracy, just piles on to the whole mess. Almost everything the federal government does is unconstitutional.
Old Habits, New Resolutions
By John Michener The 2022 regular session of the Oklahoma Legislature is about to begin. Since the Legislature convened its regular session one year ago, approximately 3,797 documented and reported murders by abortion were committed in Oklahoma. Considering that none of the several pro-life laws passed a year ago can be shown to have saved any lives, most have been held up in the courts, what might we expect from the Legislature this year? My prediction is that we can expect more of the same.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with John
Contact John, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack