“Blogs For Life” Twitcast and Transcript

As this is published, the “Blogs For Life” Conference is about to begin. This fifth annual gathering of pro-life bloggers and online social media activists, sponsored by the Family Research Council in Washington DC, is being held in conjunction with the annual March for Life. It also beats the bejeezus out of standing in the cold.

You can check the schedule at frc.org, and watch the live webcast at blogs4life.com. Or you can go to ...

twitter.com/manwithblackhat

... for that special brand of color commentary which only mwbh can give. (A transcript thereof will appear later in the day.) Whatever you decide, it's almost like being there, only I am, and you're not.

And now ...

TRANSCRIPT OF TWITCAST

+    +    +

What follows is the official transcript of the Twitter messages sent out in real time earlier today. Statements considered by this writer to be of particular import are in bold type. Text below each message is relative to approximately 1:45 pm local time, and are maintained in italics, to give some idea of time elapsed. Some comments have been subsequently edited for correction and clarity.

+    +    +

We're here at the Family Research Council in DC, and our special "twitcast" is about to begin. Nice place, convenient to Metro, but ....
about 6 hours ago from web

I know they call them "laptops" for a reason, but really, I could use a table. Or one of those little desks for students. Just sayin'.
about 6 hours ago from web

Kudos to the FRC for having this event. And for letting me turn the chair in front of me around. What could go wrong?
about 5 hours ago from web

Jill Stanek has begun, as emcee and introducer of speakers.
about 5 hours ago from web

Kristen Day is from "Democrats for Life." I'd love to me a member, just to know how that works. "Prolifers are not partisan.' Uh-huh.
about 5 hours ago from web

The quote was from Ms Stanek, not Ms Day. Just sayin'.
about 5 hours ago from web

NOTA BENE: The webcast is almost live. About a three-second delay.
about 5 hours ago from web

People don't think about Democrats when it comes to prolife issues. She quotes from Hubert Humphrey about the test of government ...
about 5 hours ago from web

... as it pertains to protection of all stages of life. Wonder what he would think today, because when you put it that way, it makes sense.
about 5 hours ago from web

31% of Democrats think abortion should be illegal in all cases. Huh???
about 5 hours ago from web

According to Gallup, 49% of women in the USA are prolife, and 37% of Democrat women. Similar results for Afro-American women, and Latinos.
about 5 hours ago from web

Very upbeat presentation, while duly noting a growing visibility of pro-life Democrats.
about 5 hours ago from web

Question: How do we release the stranglehold on Democrats with the anti-life agenda? Ms Day gives a defense of Sen Nelson and his role.
about 5 hours ago from web

Joseph Farah of WorldNetDaily.com is the next speaker. "We've heard from a prolife Democrat [and now] we'll hear from a prolife newsman."
about 5 hours ago from web

Any society needs a consensus on certain moral issues. The Founders dealt with this issue concerning slavery. Yet "we hold these truths ..."
about 5 hours ago from web

"No matter what the Supreme Court says ... abortion is illegal, and unconstitutional." Refer to the preamble of the Constitution itself.
about 5 hours ago from web

Roe v Wade is an artificial construct, citing a "right to privacy" not found in the Law, and abrogating a "right" fundamental to the Law.
about 5 hours ago from web

The New York Times was a "Christian advocate" speaking out against abortion -- in the 1850s.
about 5 hours ago from web

Question re CBS interview of Justice Scalia (from yours truly) about his quote that the 14th amendment, equal protection under the law ...
about 5 hours ago from web

... did not apply to protection of the unborn. The good judge was challenged by this speaker at the time to read the Law more closely.
about 5 hours ago from web

The Prolife Blog Award winners, numbering three, appear on the panel.
about 5 hours ago from web

The first awardee, from the Operation Rescue blog, is speaking of the dark side of the abortion industry, and efforts to shut it down.
about 5 hours ago from web

The second speaker [Monte Harms of standforlife.net] is new to the blogosphere, but has come on strong in getting the news out.
about 5 hours ago from web

This guy provides hundreds of links ... He posts once a week only. He's a "one-stop shop."
about 5 hours ago from web

The third awardee won the "Pro-Life Whistleblower Award." The author of Pro-Life Defender has done a little jail time. Committed? oh yes!
about 5 hours ago from web

The next speaker, Carol Clews, is Executive Director of the Center for Pregnancy Concerns in Baltimore.
about 5 hours ago from web

There are scores of women who really do not want abortions, and they need a place to truly consider all their options.
about 5 hours ago from web

"We provide a long list of services. All of them are free." She goes on with an impressive list of such services.
about 5 hours ago from web

Stories of testimony before Baltimore City Council, on a proposal to require signage saying they didn't provide abortions. Genesis 50:20.
about 4 hours ago from web

They put up the mandated sign, along with a bigger not-so-mandated sign. Hey they didn't say what she COULDN'T do, right?
about 4 hours ago from web

Most of the speakers are women. You'd almost think this was a "women's issue." Who knew?
about 4 hours ago from web

Kristin Hansen is vice-president of communications for care-net.org ...
about 4 hours ago from web

... with a book for attendees entitled "A Passion to Serve, A Vision for Life. Pregnancy Resource Center Service Report 2009."
about 4 hours ago from web

Marjorie Dannenfelser is president of the Susan B Anthony List. Yours truly has assisted at their fundraisers in the past.
about 4 hours ago from web

SBA List is outpacing NOW and other women's organizations in fundraising. Would love to see the stats on that, cuz that's impressive.
about 4 hours ago from web

The election of Scott Brown to the Senate is a good sign from a STRATEGIC point of view, to "change the conversation" in Washington. Oh???
about 4 hours ago from web

We're at the break, but I got something I want to say to those attending the rally for the March, about the presence of Father Jenkins ...
about 4 hours ago from web

... president of Notre Dame. Oh yeah, he's one of the speakers. Don't jeer, don't boo him. Just turn your back. If everyone does that ...
about 4 hours ago from web

.... maybe those clowns who invited him will get the hint. While less likely, he might get it too. At least he's bringing the marching band....
about 4 hours ago from web

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.
about 4 hours ago from web

The next speaker is Congressman Todd Akin, Republican from Missouri. The "Show Me" State.
about 4 hours ago from web

Our congressman-guest was inspired by the Pro-Life Movement to run for Congress at the offset. His talk is on the role of great leaders ...
about 4 hours ago from web

.... who stay committed to a great cause, even when all is lost.
about 4 hours ago from web

Question from yours truly re the election of Scott Brown. The answer basically elaborates on HOW his victory will "change the conversation."
about 4 hours ago from web

Charmaine Yoest, PhD, is president and CEO of Americans United for Life, the first national pro-life organization.
about 4 hours ago from web

(Welcome to my latest follower. I'm getting more, not less, in the middle of this. That's good, yes?)
about 4 hours ago from web

AUL is totally committed to the use of "new media" to get out the message. Case in point: http://www.virtualmarchforlife.com/
about 4 hours ago from web

"Next year we're gonna [try to] do it as a Wii."
about 4 hours ago from web

Gave a deomonstration: text @wif15150 to 87884 to send a message to the March. [Guess what message I sent. See earlier.]
about 3 hours ago from web

The next panel discussion is on emerging online technologies. Featured: Molotov Mitchell, Illuminati Pictures; Peter Shinn, President ...
about 3 hours ago from web

... of Pro-Life Unity; Founder, Blogs for Life; Krystle Weeks, Web Editor, Family Research Council.
about 3 hours ago from web

(Another new follower. Am I on to something here?)
about 3 hours ago from web

Congressman Jim Jordan from Ohio just showed up. I was in the back. I introduced myself. Dad was born and raised just south of his district.
about 3 hours ago from web

Question about the use of Facebook to create "fan pages." While becoming popular as a replacement for "groups"....
about 3 hours ago from web

.... yours truly finds the interface of Facebook to be rather clumsy. The transition from groups to fan pages is a case in point.
about 3 hours ago from web

The gentleman from Ohio is at the podium now.
about 3 hours ago from web

As terrible as Roe v Wade is, the congressman considers it a joy to converge on this city and "celebrate life!" Can I get an Amen???
about 3 hours ago from web

Life, and the liberty to preserve it, is paramount. Hey, we've been saying that all along. I love this guy cuz great minds think alike.
about 3 hours ago from web

"Finally, thank you for being optimistic. We're gonna win this thing."
about 3 hours ago from web

Be like David against Goliath. "He's so big I can't miss."
about 3 hours ago from web

http://jordan.house.gov/
about 3 hours ago from web

"If you make decisions as a congressman, it is best to make it in terms of the fundamental institution, the family. "Is this good for ...?"
about 3 hours ago from web

"Continue to speak the truth. That is always the most successful way."
about 3 hours ago from web

If a law being considered is bad for the family, it's bad for America. So, there you go.
about 3 hours ago from web

Tony Perkins is President of the Family Research Council. He is scheduled as the final speaker.
about 3 hours ago from web

Perkins is speaking about the ability to "finally" get through the filter that is the mainstream media.
about 3 hours ago from web

"The American people are increasing[ly] standing on the side of life."
about 3 hours ago from web

"We saw the government foiled on the health care plan because of the abortion issue." (Real important, dear reader!)
about 3 hours ago from web

Question about relation to Tea Party movement. Can it propel the pro-life movement sooner rather than later?
about 3 hours ago from web

People are getting in touch with the desire (once again) to be able to control their own destiny, to govern themselves.
about 3 hours ago from web

The Tea Party movement is currently broad in scope, and in its infancy. Basically a "wait and see" assessment.
about 3 hours ago from web

Question from a young man who was the product of a rape, decrying the lack of unity among prolifers, as opposed to the abortion industry.
about 3 hours ago from web

Statement of the attack on African-Americans on the part of Planned Parenthood.
about 3 hours ago from web

The actual final speaker is David Prentice, PhD, Senior Fellow for Life Sciences, FRC, http://StemCellResearchFacts.org/ ...
about 3 hours ago from web

(A third new follower. Is it three times a charm, or three strikes and you're out. Just askin' ...)
about 3 hours ago from web

Adult stem cells are in everybody, and are much more effective in medical tests than embryonic cells. See http://StemCellResearchFacts.org/
about 3 hours ago from web

They are showing two dramatic short videos of people cured of debilitating illnesses due to ADULT stem cells. One young lady can walk again.
about 2 hours ago from web

They're wrapping up, but I gotta tell ya. Go to http://manwithblackhat.blogspot.com/ to read the transcript of this twitcast on the web.
about 2 hours ago from web

The end.
about 2 hours ago from web

+    +    +
.
Following the conference, this writer had an opportunity to speak to speak with Doctor Prentice, and we hope to have the results of that talk on this page by early next week. In the meantime, thanks to all who followed this in real time. A special thanks to Matthew Archbold of Creative Minority Report, who is linking to this via Creative Minority Reader.

THIS JUST IN: Our American Papist has called our attention to the slideshow of the March from The Washington Times. And just when we thought the press would ignore the largest annual public gathering in the Nation's capital.

We ain't goin' away, you cake-eaters! The rest of you fine folks, stay tuned, and stay in touch.
.