Lack of understanding truth

Dear Editor,

 What do President Donald Trump and Wisconsin Supreme Court candidate Judge Chris Taylor have in common?  A lack of understanding when it comes to truth.

President Trump's "role" in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by rioters on the U.S. Capitol, and his pardons, to over 1500 of those convicted rioters, on Jan. 20, 2025, was a "slap in the face" to truth and justice.

During President Trump's State of the Union address on February 24, the President awarded a Purple Heart to Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe and to the family of Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom.  Both were National Guardsman who were shot in the head on November 26, 2025, while patrolling the streets of Washington D.C.  Wolfe survived, but Beckstrom died a day after the shooting.  It was a touching moment to watch the awarding of these medals.

Yet! I think of the 140 police officers who were injured on "January 6" trying to defend the Capitol against the rioters.  Where are their awards?  President Trump's subsequent pardons of these rioters on his first day in office in 2025, dealt a much deeper inner wound for these police officers.

The President during his address on Tuesday night, offered his support for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Unfortunately, IVF can produce many excess embryos that are destroyed or are frozen for possible later implantation.  Even a good end (conception) does not justify an immoral act (IVF) especially when so many embryos are destroyed.

It was embarrassing to watch some of the uncivil behavior coming from both the President (primary culprit) and certain members of the Democratic party during the "State of the Union" address.   Where there should be a certain degree of decorum and civility, I saw a campaign/pep rally with a lack of respect for fellow human beings.

Wisconsin Court of Appeals Judge Chris Taylor has made it abundantly clear of her unwavering support for women to have the "right" to destroy their preborn children.  Just watch the ads now airing on television or read her writings on abortion and you can see Judge Taylor's defense of one of the greatest moral evils in our world today.  It's no great surprise considering Judge Taylor's past employment as an attorney and public policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin.  Planned Parenthood, the leading abortion provider in our nation, has been responsible for millions of abortions nationwide.   Their latest annual report indicated they performed 402,230 abortions in a single year.

Maybe Judge Taylor needs a little lesson on the "facts of life"!  Could it be she needs a refresher course on the definition of "inalienable/unalienable" rights as found in our Declaration of Independence!  How about - "Thou shall not kill/murder" from the Ten Commandments!

I want to share a quote from "the WORD among us", one of my daily meditation devotionals, for February 25:  "Ask the Holy Spirit to stir your heart today.  Make time for quiet listening so that you can hear his voice in a noisy world.  Jesus is greater than Jonah.  He is greater than Solomon.  He is greater than any celebrity, or politician, or internet influencer.  And yet, as great as he is, he wants to spend time with you."

From "Living with Christ" for February 28 that quotes St. Alphonsus Liguori: "O God, help me to remember that time is short, eternity is long.  To love you, my God, and save my soul is the one thing necessary.  Without you, there is no peace, no joy."

President Trump and Judge Taylor, like all of us, should spend a little quiet time this Lenten season with Jesus (who is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life).   Lent is a perfect time to repent and believe in the "Good News"!

Patrick Hardyman

Blanchardville, WI