« Converting to Convents | Main | C.S.Lewis, Rock Star »
November 28, 2005
Horror upon horror
Just remember, pro-choicers. Repeat after me. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending.
Posted by Amy Welborn | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d83451be0d69e200d834367acc53ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Horror upon horror:
» WIRELESS TOYZ from Toyz Shop
Customers want to shop the leader - a store that has a proven record with thousands of customers across the nation. Wireless Toyz represents almost every ... [Read More]
Tracked on May 23, 2006 8:06:06 PM
Comments
“They can be born breathing and crying at 19 weeks’ gestation,” he [Stuart Campbell, former professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at St George’s hospital, London] said. “I am not anti-abortion, but as far as I am concerned this is sub-standard medicine.”
Nope he’s definitely not anti-abortion! Are there people who can read this article without being totally sickened?
Posted by: Liz at Nov 28, 2005 8:56:19 AM
"The number of terminations carried out in the 18th week of pregnancy or later has risen from 5,166 in 1994 to 7,432 last year. Prenatal diagnosis for conditions such as Down’s syndrome is increasing and foetuses with the condition are routinely aborted, even though many might be capable of leading fulfilling lives."
That is sickening all by itself, but I just can't imagine a human being looking at an 18 week old baby struggling for breath and not doing anything to save it. I just can't imagine it.
Posted by: Kathleen at Nov 28, 2005 9:05:06 AM
"Doctors are increasingly uneasy about aborting babies who could be born alive."
Gee, how compassionate of them
Posted by: Michelle K. at Nov 28, 2005 10:50:34 AM
Pro-choicers aren't defending half-ass medical practices any more than all anti-choicers are defending clinic bombings. It's a shame that a whole 50 abortions a year (out of countless successful abortions, births, mortalities, etc, etc) don't go as planned. Of course it's a shame and it's sickening. But it's also sickening that there are millions of dying, starving children in this world that are being refused help. It's sickening that pre-natal and family planning care is being denied to mothers throughout the United States. It's disgusting that people are under the illusion that making safe abortions illegal will make the world a better place. Wake up, people. You're no more perfect than the next sinner.
Posted by: Courts at Nov 28, 2005 10:54:06 AM
Wow...thanks Courts. We're all ready to donate to the next "Pro-Choicers Help Starving Children" charity we see.
Posted by: amy at Nov 28, 2005 11:24:27 AM
Amy--
Might I suggest you shut down comments on this thread? I think Courts' comments will ignite a firestorm no one needs during this first week of Advent.
Of course, I could just avert my eyes...
Posted by: Cranky Lawyer at Nov 28, 2005 11:27:10 AM
With all due respect to Cranky, Amy I suggest you keep them open.
The argument put forth by Courts is the argument of pro-choicers that most drives me crazy.
From my observation, faithful Catholics are far more generous than the 'everybody is a sinner and the church needs to modernize' type.
Posted by: Kathleen at Nov 28, 2005 11:37:22 AM
It is unreasonable to demand that we have heaven on earth before we outlaw abortion. We certainly don't repeal laws against child prostitution because the anti-child prostitution crowd has not discovered a cure for cancer.
Posted by: David R. at Nov 28, 2005 11:38:09 AM
I'm with Cranky Lawyer on this one. No way to start Advent.
Posted by: Lynn at Nov 28, 2005 11:40:53 AM
I'm with Kathleen on this one. This week in particular is the darkest of the Advent weeks - just read the Liturgy of the Hour readings from Isaiah. If ever there is a time to see into the darkness of our fellow human beings, this is it.
Posted by: paul at Nov 28, 2005 11:50:09 AM
Courts may have been responding specifically to Amy's "Just remember, pro-choicers. Repeat after me. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending."
Doesn't seem especially "season of Advent" charitable to at least one observer.
Posted by: Al at Nov 28, 2005 11:53:05 AM
I don't think it's charitable to the millions of unborn being murdered to forget the subject. In fact, Amy was very charitable by calling them by euphemistic "pro-choice".
Courts' arguments are shallow as pro-abortion arguments always are. "Since the world is not perfect and bad things happen, we should make XXX legal." and "since you are not perfect, you should let other people do XXX". There's no correlation, no logic, it means nothing, it serves no other purpose than to make pro-abortionists feel less bad about themselves.
One way to forever end illegal XXX is to make it legal. It’s not very smart reasoning.
Posted by: Delance at Nov 28, 2005 12:30:51 PM
With all due respect, Advent is not a time where we are called to be holier than other times of the year. The Devil don't take no break at Advent. The War of Souls continues. "I would have fought the good fight, Lord, but, as You know, it was Advent."
As you were.
Posted by: Fr Joseph Huneycutt at Nov 28, 2005 12:48:48 PM
Pro-choicers aren't defending half-ass medical practices any more than all anti-choicers are defending clinic bombings.
So when, exactly, will we see a denunciation of this practice by Planned Parenthood International?
Posted by: Dennis_Mahon at Nov 28, 2005 12:57:53 PM
Amen to that, Fr. Huneycutt.
Posted by: Al at Nov 28, 2005 1:01:14 PM
"It's disgusting that people are under the illusion that making safe abortions illegal will make the world a better place."
It will certainly make it a better and safer place for those children who would not be aborted.
Amy's observation was right on the money. The "right to choose" means the right to a dead baby. The abortion survivors bring this home with shocking clarity. Bravo, Amy! This is the perfect way to begin Advent, speaking out for defenseless children in the womb!
Posted by: Donald R. McClarey at Nov 28, 2005 1:12:42 PM
Funny how the "pro-choice" crowd gets to tar and feather those who have a problem with killing unborn babies by bringing up the fact that people are dying and starving....then they get to completely ignore or dismiss the unpleasantries associated with their enlightened position on the issue.
Funny indeed.
If I may, I would like to pile on as well.
*ahem*
Just remember, pro-choicers. Repeat after me. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending. This is what I'm defending.
Posted by: Paul Scheibmeir at Nov 28, 2005 1:18:26 PM
> One way to forever end illegal XXX is to
> make it legal. It’s not very smart reasoning.
Actually it is. Throughout the world, abortion (and especially the execution-style aborting of fetuses) flourishes even when it is illegal. Look at the high abortion and low birth rates in countries like Poland, Mexico and Brazil where abortion is completely illegal.
By allowing it to remain legal, we are able to read and share articles like this, and make our case persistently and thoughtfully in an open society, that this fetus, and the fifty or so like him or her in the U.K.(along with thousands around the world) should be treated no differently than other newborns, and should not be discarded as detrius.
But the culture wars are more fun. The scientific consensus (which I consider wrong!)is that fetuses between 18-24 weeks are 1) not conscious and 2) feel no pain. Therefore, some people consider a fetus as having no rights. That is not murder. Rather it is a BIG misunderstanding.
Finally, it is worth noting that as Catholics we are called to protect the unborn life of embryos. In other words, the child-like qualities of a fetus are not necessary for us to understanding embryonic life as worthy of saving. And even we acknowledge that an early embryo is unlikely to 1) have consciousness and 2) feel pain.
Posted by: George C. at Nov 28, 2005 1:22:15 PM
"The greatness of a person does not depend on size, for the newborn King is very small. Let us pray for an end to prejudice against the tiny babies threatened by abortion."
(from Fr. Frank Pavone's Pro-Life Meditations on the Mysteries of the Rosary - the Third Joyful Mystery, The Nativity)
Posted by: Judy at Nov 28, 2005 1:35:30 PM
One summer while working on my MPH, I worked on a infant mortality research project. I had to research all the infant deaths and if any of the mothers had received care from the county. I saw at least 5 infant birth and death certificates from infants who survived the abortion, but then died soon after. This was for one year in one large county. Most of them were Down Syndrome babies and around 18-21 weeks gestation. Just multiply that by each county/year and the number is much more than anyone would believe.
Posted by: carrie ryckman at Nov 28, 2005 1:41:11 PM
You are right Father Huneycutt. Advent is no time to ignore the tremendous threat to human life in our society and the need to the vulnerable.
My objection was not to discussing this vital issue, but I presonally have a problem when the topic degenerates into snide remarks/name-calling on the comments boxes.
Perhaps I will give up reading blogs/comments for Advent and spend more time praying for unborn children and supporting our parish Respect Life Christmas activities.
Posted by: Lynn at Nov 28, 2005 2:07:34 PM
that's "our need to protect defend the vulnerable."
Posted by: Lynn at Nov 28, 2005 2:09:47 PM
George C,
"Actually it is. Throughout the world, abortion (and especially the execution-style aborting of fetuses) flourishes even when it is illegal. Look at the high abortion and low birth rates in countries like Poland, Mexico and Brazil where abortion is completely illegal."
Would you care to share your sources for these statistics, George?
I've seen credible statistics on the number of botched illegal abortions in the US based on autopsy records of women of childbearing age. I'm not sure how you could get anything but wild estimates on the number of illegal abortions in any given country, other than by using some pretty creative statistical math.
Posted by: Liz at Nov 28, 2005 2:26:27 PM
From third world country, with restrictive abortion law: Chile. We have no back alley abortion problem. I should know, since I'm a prosecution attorney.
We have abortions yes, but it is a very rare crime and certainly not a significative source of woman deaths. Every time a fetus is found in a dumpster (1 or 2 times a year), it is big news, so uncommon it is, and I don't remember any recent news story about woman found dead for abortions.
Most unwanted pregnancies in Chile are among the poor, but there are many foundations working to help the mother and her child.
My point is Chile's experience with a restrictive abortion law demonstrate that poverty and back alley abortions are just excuses, to keep abortion legal.
Posted by: Patricio Acevedo at Nov 28, 2005 2:35:46 PM
Lynn, I understand, believe me. My point, perhaps poorly put, is that Advent -- while it may be best for one's personal struggle to stay away from the Net & Comments at this time -- should not be seen in a different light than any other season or day ... when it comes to "regular ol' spiritual warfare." True, the prayers, preparations and "feel" is different during this holy season. But it's still just another day outside Paradise among sinners, n'cest pas? As always, God is with us.
(We should, of course, always exercise Christian love and charity.)
Posted by: Fr Joseph Huneycutt at Nov 28, 2005 2:38:21 PM
