"That Which Was Destroyed Can Be Rebuilt"
Sometimes juxtaposing news stories makes for quite illuminating reading. Take an account from this morning's Washington Post, which we will talk about in Part One, and compare it with the powerful testimony of a former abortionist who is now described as "the most important pro-life leader in Serbia," which is the subject of Part Two.
The headline from the Post story is, "Some Abortion Foes Shifting Focus From Ban to Reduction." These "foes" are, of course, the same crew that helped persuade some unsuspecting souls that working with now President-elect Barack Obama would be more likely to shrink the number of abortion than having a pro-life administration led by Sen. John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin. On what basis, you ask? For three reasons, we're told.
(1) The old strategy of trying to "ban" abortions has failed; (2) although beholden in every imaginable way to the most entrenched elements of the pro-abortion movement, Obama will work to reduce the number of abortions; and (3) even if Roe v. Wade were overturned it would "only" mean that the issue would be returned to the states.
What do we say in response? First and foremost, that every effort to help women but not "ban" abortion has been and will be fought by pro-abortionists tooth and nail.
Think of this way. The attempt to restore legal protection to unborn babies is a two-sided coin, as anyone who has looked at this for more than 30 seconds knows.
Our Movement is comprised of infinitely patient women and men who empathize with the daunting gauntlet women in crisis pregnancies must go through. That is why women-helping centers have been a major component of our outreach since day one. Those efforts have not banned a single abortion, but have offered women another option, and in the process saved countless babies.
But if you want to witness the Abortion Establishment go off the deep end, talk about the saintly work of crisis pregnancy centers which typically operate hand-to-mouth. I think they hate the women who heroically staff these facilities even more than they hate us.
In responding to a pro-abortion inquiry during the campaign, Obama said he would not support funding for these humanitarian efforts. What a prince of a fellow.
Likewise each and every legislative initiative to give women information and a few hours to pause for reflection–the equivalent of offering a cup of water to someone dying of thirst–is opposed with a ferocity disproportionate even by the Abortion Establishment's off-the-scale standards. Another example of an effort that doesn't ban a single abortion that evokes an all-hands-on-deck response from the likes of PPFA.
Just in case you forgot or never knew, Obama spoke to PPFA's political action arm last year. The first thing he said he would do as president is sign the adroitly named but completely misleadingly titled "Freedom of Choice Act." But he pledged more:
"So, you know where I stand. But this more is than just about standing our ground. It must be about more than protecting the gains of the past. We're at a crossroads right now in America--and we have to move this country forward. This election is not just about playing defense, it's also about playing offense."
He added, for good measure, "On this fundamental issue [of choice], I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield."
You could not slide a piece of rice paper between the positions of Obama and PPFA.
Since I cannot know their hearts, I will assume for the sake of discussion that when these "abortion foes" dismiss the significance of overturning Roe v. Wade, they are sincere. The Abortion Establishment, much more attuned, knows better.
They are fully aware that Roe was a wreaking ball that smashed the abortion laws of all 50 states. But they also know that which was destroyed can be rebuilt.
Were the debate to return to the state legislatures and the democratic process, everyone on both sides of the abortion issue knows that the result would be a substantial decrease in the number of abortions. Everyone, that is, except "some abortion foes."
Contact: Dave Andrusko
Source: National Right to Life
Source URL: http://www.nrlc.org
Publish Date: November 18, 2008
Link to this article:
http://www.ifrl.org/ifrl/news/081119_2.htm
