Today on Kresta - April 15

Talking about the "things that matter most" on Apr. 15

3:00 – Mixed reactions as Obama eases stance on Cuba
President Obama's new policy that would lift restrictions on travel and remittances for U.S. residents with relatives in Cuba elicited support, condemnation and much in between Tuesday from Cuban-Americans and others. Those who favor a hard line against the Communist nation viewed Obama's move as a softening of the U.S. stance against the island's oppressive regime. The most conservative argued that any change that would pump money into Cuba's economy would not help the people but strengthen the regime. Humberto Fontova is one of those Cuban-Americans and has written Fidel: Hollywood’s Favorite Tyrant.

3:20 – When pro-life activists harm the pro-life cause
Unchastened by his participation in a spectacle that drew him a public rebuke from Archbishop Raymond Burke, pro-life activist Randall Terry is now picking a fight with Bishop John D'Arcy of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Indiana. There's something very seriously wrong with Terry's choice of targets. Archbishop Burke has earned the respect and gratitude of pro-lifers with his repeated insistence that politicians who support legal abortion should be barred from the Eucharist. Bishop D'Arcy has been loud and clear in his opposition to the selection of President Barack Obama as commencement speaker at the University of Notre Dame, which lies within his diocese. These prelates are doing the right thing for the pro-life cause. They deserve support, not embarrassment. We talk with Phil Lawler of Catholic World News about what happens when pro-life activists harm the pro-life cause.

3:40 – Kresta Comments: CA Proposed State Holiday: Harvey Milk Day
CA Senate Bill 572 would declare May 22 as Harvey Milk Day in California. For some, Harvey Milk is considered a civil rights leader for his work in advancing homosexual “rights” in California. A resident of the infamous Castro district in San Francisco, Milk was one of the first homosexual elected officials in America. Milk was killed in 1978 by a fellow San Francisco county supervisor. Considered a martyr for the homosexual movement, Milk is now a hero for the homosexual community. The new bill will declare Milk's birthday, May 22nd, 'Harvey Milk Day' for all of California and the bill language actually states that on Harvey Milk Day, schools must conduct “exercises remembering the life of Harvey Milk and recognizing his accomplishments as well as the contributions he made to this state.” Al tells you about the REAL Harvey Milk.

4:00 – TBA

4:20 – Federal agency warns of “radicals” on right – Veterans, anti-immigration activists and pro-lifers included
The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement officials about a rise in "rightwing extremist activity," saying the economic recession, the election of America's first black president and the return of a few disgruntled war veterans could swell the ranks of white-power militias. It defines "rightwing extremism in the United States" as including not just racist or hate groups, but also groups that reject federal authority in favor of state or local authority. "It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single-issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," the warning says. We talk about this disturbing report with political scientist Paul Kengor.

4:40 – Anniversary of the Sinking of the Titanic: April 15, 1912
The RMS Titanic was an Olympic-class passenger liner owned by the White Star Line and built in the UK. For her time, she was the largest steamship in the world. On the night of April 14, 1912, during her maiden voyage, Titanic hit an iceberg and sank two hours and forty minutes later. The sinking resulted in the deaths of 1,517 people, making it one of the most deadly peacetime maritime disasters in history. The high casualty rate was due in part to the fact that, although complying with the regulations of the time, the ship did not carry enough lifeboats for everyone aboard. We look at this disaster on the ship that “God himself could not sink” with Ed Kamuda, Founder and Director of the Titanic Historical Society.

5:00 – Direct to my Desk