LifeNews.com Column

My column over at LifeNews.com posted. The past two weeks have contained a great deal of discouraging news but as I point out, there is a lot of good to read between the lines.

Casey Endorses Obama-- What Would His Father Say?

I'm sure that would be an interesting conversation. Casey's endorsement of Obama today is sure to lead many Pennsylvania Catholic voters who fondly remember Casey Sr. to think that Barack Obama is okay on abortion.

Well, he's not-- he and Hillary are neck and neck when it comes to promoting policies that advance abortion on demand.

Bob Casey, Sr. went through a great deal because he was a pro-life Democrat. He refused to bow to pressure and "conform" to the party's ideals which would have made his life easier. Instead he stood firmly for life and left a lasting and powerful legacy.

But it's not in his son. In fact, Mr. Casey will be traveling with Mr. Obama across the state of Pennsylvania in order to attract the "blue collar" Catholic vote.

His son apparently feels that conforming to the party is more important than his father's legacy and it's both frustrating and sad. Casey is just another water carrier for the Democratic Party and his pro-life credentials should be suspect.

New LifeNews.com Column

The latest column will probably post later today. As soon as it does, I'll provide a link on my website.

Barack Obama and the Born Alive Infant Protection Act

Over at RH Reality Check, writer Dana Goldstein defends Barack Obama's record, specifically his votes on the Born Alive Infant Protection Act while he was in the Illinois legislature.

Goldstein writes:

But BAIPA isn't really about protecting infants; it is anti-abortion rights legislation crafted by the hard right. BAIPA targets the abortion procedure known as dilation and extraction, which anti-choicers have so successfully re-branded as "partial birth abortion." . . .The antis want to redefine these fetuses as "born alive" and require that doctors provide "resuscitation."

Goldstein, how shall I put this-- there is no nice way to say it-- has no earthly idea what she's talking about. First of all, she's not unaware of what happens during a partial-birth abortion-- she defines what it is in her column. Clearly, if an abortionist has stabbed the baby in back of the neck and suctioned out it's brains it is not alive when it comes out. That's the point of a partial-birth abortion: to kill the child literally inches from birth.

The Born Alive Infant Protection Act was crafted to target those instances where a woman's cervix is stimulated during the prep work for a partial-birth abortion and she delivers a living child before the procedure can be completed. Or an abortionist performs an incomplete abortion procedure (whether a partial-birth abortion procedure or not) and the child is born alive. These instances have occurred and, while rare, still need to be addressed. The BAIPA defines "alive" to mean a breathing child or one moving on his/her own.

Goldstein's knee-jerk reaction is just that and the bill was designed to do exactly what it describes-- to protect a child born alive who was destined to die. At that point, the child is no longer a "fetus" subject to Roe v. Wade but a premature infant who has all the rights given to a U.S. citizen--including the right to life-- and needs to be treated accordingly.

Unless Ms. Goldstein is suggesting that abortionists take up performing outright infanticide by allowing these children to die unattended and untreated-- oh, wait that's what was happening that caused the bill to be drafted in the first place.

And yes, Mr. Obama voted against this Illinois legislation twice and, as chairman of the Illinois Health and Human Services Committee in 2003, he once prevented the bill from going to the floor for a vote.

So there you have it folks-- the compassionate Democratic candidate for president and his humanitarian record.

Happy Easter!

On this day, Christians around the world give thanks that we have a risen Savior.

This holiday is not about candy, rabbits, fluffy chicks or spring-- it is about a new birth and a gracious and loving God.

This day, like Christmas, is a religious holiday but it is far more important than Christmas. At Christmas we celebrate God coming to us-- taking on human form to live with us. Easter is the fulfillment of God's promise that he would give us a Redeemer. It is with humility and awe that we celebrate this day.

Working on the Latest Column for LifeNews.com

Look for it-- it's going to be about abstinence funding, teens and abortion, STDs and Great Britain's confusing policies. And if all of that sounds too loosely connected, don't worry, I'll make it work.

Presidential Candidates, Congress on Abstinence Funding, UK Acknowledges Abortion Can Cause Depression

It's been a busy week and I have not had a chance to address anything that has happened.

First up, John McCain has said that he will keep the pro-life plank in the Republican platform. This is always a source of controversy on some level every election year. To have the candidate announce his intention publicly curbs the push for change by a minority of party activists who are not pro-life. In the past, the platform was written at the platform hearings held about a week before the convention. For the last two conventions, the platform hearings were held earlier in the summer before the conventions and they were held in different sites-- cutting back on protests and the frenzied news coverage that always happens before a convention. I would think the same would happen this year.

Second, pro-abortion members of Congress, led by Congressman Jim Moran (D-VA) signed a letter to House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey asking him to put a stop to abstinence funding. Of course, they argue that the programs don't work but they cite the same flawed studies that groups like Planned Parenthood have cited (of course, PPFA has a vested interest in the outcome). Seventy-six members have signed the letter but that's really not even close to a majority considering how many members there are in Congress. Now, since the CDC has announced that 1 out of 4 teens has a sexually transmitted disease (And, not to be crass, but most of these are spread by skin to skin contact not strictly by intercourse so increased condom use doesn't necessarily help. Even when used correctly, condoms reduce the risk of contracting a STD but do not eliminate it.) one would think that encouraging behavior that prevents this would be a good thing but apparently not.

Last but not least, in what was a surprise announcement, the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Great Britain believes women should be told that abortions can lead to mental health problems. This was followed by Great Britain's General Medical Council, which is the regulatory agency for physicians, announcing that doctors must not allow their personal views on abortion preventing them from referring a woman for an abortion. In other words, if a doctor is pro-life and objects to abortion he or she still has to refer for them and that same doctor isn't supposed to talk a patient out of having one.

Mmmm, abortions can be bad for mental health according to the psychiatrists but heaven forbid that a doctor talk his patient out of one. As my dad says, what a way to run a railroad.

My Apologies

I realize it has been a few days since my last post. Rather than go into detail, if you want to hop over to my autism blog you'll find out why I haven't posted.

I hope to rectify this today.

All Together Now. . .

Dave Andrusko, editor of NRLNews, is not only a former co-worker but also a friend. He writes a daily column at the National Right to Life website called "Today's News and Views" that covers issues related to the right to life.

Today's column is about Barack Obama and how amazing it is that despite his record on abortion, he somehow lulls people into believing that he's not that bad on abortion.

Dave concludes his column by writing:

On Monday I'll talk about Obama's handling of abortion in [Obama's famous "Call to Renewal" Keynote Address from June 28, 2006, where Obama talks about the "connection between religion and politics."] and in the chapter from his book "The Audacity of Hope" where he expands on his thinking. Obama is wrong on virtually every count--insultingly so, in some instances. But, give the man his due, Obama's language is invitational: brothers and sisters, let me help you rethink every pro-life scruple you've ever had.

If you listened to the music and not the lyrics, you'd be on your feet inviting Obama to become a member of the pro-life choir. That, of course, is why he is so dangerous.

Amen, brother.

Kevorkian for Congress??!

It's not official but Jack Kevorkian, aka "Dr. Death", plans to run for office. LifeNews.com reports that he plans to run as an independent for the 9th Congressional District in Michigan.

Of course, as the prosecutor who sent him to jail commented to the Oakland Press, it could just be a big publicity stunt. But stunt or not, what's scary is that some people will vote for him.

Eliot Spitzer

I suppose it would be easy for some to point fingers at New York Governor Eliot Spitzer, who is vehemently pro-abortion, and talk about another Democrat lacking a moral compass or somesuch comment.

The fact is that the whole situation is just sad.

Very sad.

In this month's issue of Touchstone Magazine, Senior Editor Russell D. Moore reviewed Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography about Charles M. Schulz. He writes:

[T]his book is anything but inspirational. . .it is, like the Peanuts strip itself, a kind of modern-day Ecclesiastes. In the biblical text, Solomon grasps at pleasure, wisdom, labor, prosperity, and finds that, "Vanity of vanities. . .all is vanity" (Eccl. 12:8).

Indeed, as [author David] Michaelis argues, this was the reason for the strip's success. Schulz's public, "consisted of good, plain people who felt guilty at being discontented in an epoch of unprecedented prosperity. Peanuts struck a chord with those who had thought they had everything they wanted only to discover that they didn't. . ."

We often think that if we had a little more power or profit, a bigger more expensive car, more jewelry or a nicer home that we would be happy but, as Solomon discovered, it's all empty.

I think Governor Spitzer, for all his power and wealth, discovered that "all is vanity." He was searching for the one thing that seemed to elude him-- that gave meaning to life. It's not money, sex, power, love or any other thing-- it's God.

A Real Hero

I received an e-mail about this photo two weeks ago and meant to post something about it then. I have seen this photo before but when I received the e-mail, I realized it may not have circulated as widely as I had assumed. You too may have seen the photo and read the story but if you didn't, it will make you feel good about being an American.

According to Snopes.com the picture was taken in October 2006 and is true. The photo shows Chief Master Sgt. John Gebhart, superintendent of the 22nd Wing Medical Group at McConnell Air Force Base in Kansas. Here is the story that accompanied the photo:

John Gebhardt's wife, Mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. The insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. She was cared for in John's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. The nurses said John is the only one who seems to calm her down, so John has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. The girl is coming along with her healing.

He is a real Star of the war, and represents what America is trying to do.

This, my friends, is worth sharing. Go for it!! You'll never see things like this in the news. Please keep this going. Nothing will happen if you don't, but the American public needs to see pictures like this and needs to realize that what we're doing over there is making a difference. Even if it is just one little girl at a time.

James Gates U. S. Navy

Obama on Schiavo

I never got a chance to post something about Barack Obama's comments regarding his vote on the Terri Schindler Schiavo case.

Mr. Obama was asked if there was a Senate vote he regretted. His response and comments from BioEdge editors follow:

"When I first arrived in the Senate that first year, we had a situation surrounding Terri Schiavo. And I remember how we adjourned with a unanimous agreement that eventually allowed Congress to interject itself into that decision-making process of the families. It wasn't something I was comfortable with, but it was not something that I stood on the floor and stopped. And I think that was a mistake, and I think the American people understood that that was a mistake. And as a constitutional law professor, I knew better... And I think that's an example of inaction, and sometimes that can be as costly as action."

Political observers described Obama's choice of humble pie as very astute, because both Senator Clinton and Senator John McCain also voted for Federal intervention into the case. Hence, the only people he could have antagonised were pro-life diehards - and they already dislike him because of his support for abortion and stem cell research.

John McCain and Mike Huckabee

John McCain has clinched the nomination so Huckabee has officially bowed out. But I think it is important to note that for all the talk about conservative Christianity being rather passe now, Huckabee had a very, very respectable showing and gave McCain a run for his money in some cases-- which was unexpected by the establishment.

I think it shows that there is great concern over the social issues in this country.

I also believe that while McCain will pull in a majority of the Huckabee-type voters, many are going to take up the state motto of Missouri-- "Show me." These voters are not easily led and they aren't dumb-- they'll be watching to make sure McCain follows through on campaign promises and statements regarding issues like abortion, Supreme Court nominations, marriage, etc.

CNS News is reporting that, during a townhall meeting yesterday, a Pastor Leon Forte asked Barack Obama about evangelical Christian concerns regarding Obama's more controversial positions. Mr. Obama took this to mean gay marriage and abortion.

This is Mr. Obama's partial response involving his answer on abortion:

Now, I think what you may be referring to, though, when you say controversies, probably has more to do with two issues, which is abortion and gay marriage, which has become, I think, how people measure faith in the evangelical community. And, you know, I think that there are genuine differences of opinion in this area. . . .

And on the issue of abortion that is always a tragic and painful issue. And I think that in the past we have made some mistakes, I think, people who are pro-choice, in not focusing on the fact that there is a real moral element to this. And I think that is how it is experienced by women. It is never an easy decision and I don't think women make those decisions casually.

I think it is always tragic, and we should prevent it as much as possible by making sure that young people are engaging in responsible behavior and that we are encouraging the kinds of good decisions that prevent unwanted pregnancies and that we are encouraging adoption as an alternative. But I think that at the bottom line is that in the end I think women, in consultation with their pastors, and their doctors, and their family, are in a better position to make these decisions than some bureaucrat in Washington.

We have 1.2 million abortions a year. Less than 10 percent are for rape, incest, the life of mother or for fetal disability. About half of all abortions are repeat abortions and a woman can get an abortion for virtually any reason at any time during her pregnancy.

In the WWJD tradition, I have a hard time believing that Jesus would endorse or approve of the deliberate killing of unborn children.

LifeNews.com Column on Barack Obama

My latest LifeNews.com column is about Barack Obama's position on abortion.

I highly recommend that you sign up for the e-mail news alerts available through LifeNews.com. Steven Ertelt, editor and CEO of LifeNews.com, ensures that the internet news source covers pro-life news not often seen in the mainstream press. LifeNews.com is supported through donations and the e-mail service is free.

Press Release on Barack Obama Transcript

The following release was sent out earlier this afternoon. You'll find the link to the Barack Obama transcript in the column to the right of this post.

Transcript of Barack Obama's Planned Parenthood Speech Made Available

MEDIA ADVISORY, Feb. 27 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today, a full transcript was made available of Barack Obama's July 17th, 2007 speech before the Planned Parenthood Action Fund (PPAF).

"Many American's see Barack Obama as a kind and compassionate candidate," stated political writer Laura Echevarria, who transcribed the July speech. "However, Mr. Obama's compassion does not extend to our most vulnerable members of society- -unborn children."

A recent Survey USA poll showed that in some key battleground states, some voters who considered themselves pro-life said they would vote for Barack Obama over John McCain if such a match-up occurred in the general election.

In Mr. Obama's July speech, he said,

"There will always be people, many of goodwill, who do not share my view on the issue of choice. On this fundamental issue, I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield."

A link to the completed Obama transcript can be found at www.lauraechevarria.com or it can be e-mailed in response to queries sent to laura@lauraechevarria.com.

Laura Echevarria is the former director of media relations for the National Right to Life Committee (1997-2004). She is currently a writer focusing on opinion and politics as well as a columnist for LifeNews.com, the pro-life internet news source that reaches over 250,000 people through web and e-mail each week. Other opinion can be found at her website at www.lauraechevarria.com.

William F. Buckley, Jr. Dead at 82

The Associated Press reports that William F. Buckley, Jr. passed away at his home in New York.

Buckley founded National Review, one of my favorite news magazines, and was a regular contributor as well as a syndicated columnist. His passing was not unexpected but is, nonetheless, a little shocking. He was the kind of man you thought might live forever if he set his mind to it.

The columnist, editor, and commentator was 82 years old. He goes to be with his wife Pat who died last year.

May he rest in peace.

Barack Obama Transcript Available

In light of last Thursday's post and an article in Sunday's LA Times, "They're Republican red and true blue to Obama," I think it's important now to start yelling from the top of buildings that Barack Obama is not pro-life and is not sympathetic to the pro-life cause. He would not appoint strict constructionist judges-- in fact, in July he quoted Ruth Bader Ginsburg several times in his speech before Planned Parenthood activists.

If you want to see what Barack Obama said before those Planned Parenthood activists, I have finished the transcript. A friend of mine, who is also an editor, kindly proofed it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me at laura@lauraechevarria.com

Uh-Oh-- In McCain/Obama Matchup, Obama Pulls Some Pro-Life Voters

In an article from LifeNews.com, polling in key battleground states suggests that voters who consider themselves pro-life are deceived by Barack Obama's record on abortion on demand.

Let's be clear-- Barack Obama is just as pro-abortion as Hillary Clinton. He has worked hand-in-hand with pro-abortion groups. He even opposed the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act. What more to voter's need to know?

In Wisconsin, a Survey USA poll shows that a Obama vs. McCain race has 60% of pro-life voters going to McCain and 32% to Obama. Eight percent are undecided. In that state, a Clinton/McCain matchup has 65 percent going to McCain and 27 percent to Clinton, with eight percent still undecided.

In Virginia, it was 64% of pro-life voters for McCain to 30% for Clinton but in a McCain/Obama matchup, the pro-life percentage drops from 61 for McCain to 36 percent for Obama.

In Iowa, pro-lifers support McCain in a McCain/Clinton matchup, 64 to 28. But against Obama, the percentage of support McCain enjoys among pro-lifers drops to 54 percent versus Obama's 37 percent.

The pro-life voting increment--meaning the advantage the pro-life vote consistently gives a candidate--generally ranges in the 2 to 4 percent range. This can effectively change the course of a race and put a candidate over the top for a win.

If some pro-lifers are under the mistaken belief that Barack Obama is not as bad as Hillary on abortion, they are in for a very rude awakening should he become president.