Neddy's Palaver

Ronald Reagan - Father of the Pro-Life Movement

I did not know that until I read this commentary by Fred Barnes: “How a Cause Was Born ~ Ronald Reagan, father of the pro-life movement.” What glorious legacies have been bequeathed to us by our great conservative president!

Abortion is an inhuman act, yet in 1973, the United States Supreme Court legalized its practice, dooming millions of unborn humans to pain, agony and death. By that time eighteen states had already liberalized their abortion laws, and the highest court probably believed that they were “legislating” progress. Practically the only opposition came from the Catholic and evangelical wings of Christian churches. The conservative movement worldwide had no official stand on the sanctity of life issue.

Late in his political life, Ronald Reagan became converted to the cause of “pro-life” and that started the ball rolling amongst American conservatives. Ronald Reagan made opposition to abortion a top priority of the Republican Party and now it is the issue that will not go away. The commitment to protecting unborn children is unique to American conservatism, as outside of the United States there is little serious opposition to abortion.

I Believe

Saving Bad Law

Offering Abortion and Rebirth: A self-described Arkansas abortionist admits that he destroys life, and claims that women who rely on him become “born again”.

“An 18-year-old with braces on her teeth is on the operating table, … 13 weeks pregnant. She hasn’t told her parents. The abortion takes two minutes. “It was a lot easier than I thought it would be,” she says. “I thought it would be horrible, but it wasn’t. The procedure, that is. There’s things wrong with abortion,” she says. “But I want to have a good life. And provide a good life for my child.” To keep this baby now, she says, when she’s single, broke and about to start college, “would be unfair.”

Dr. William F. Harrison’s first patient of the day was Sarah, age 23, who says it never occurred to her to use birth control during the past six years of being sexually active. In the midst of planning her wedding, she discovered that she was pregnant. “I don’t think my dress would have fit with a baby in there,” she says.

Is it a human baby or a chicken yolk?

The 17-year-old in for a consultation this morning assures the nurse that she does not consider the embryo inside her a baby. “Not until it’s developed,” she says. “That would be about three months?” “It’s completely formed about nine weeks,” the nurse tells her. “Yours is more like a chicken yolk.” The girl, who is five weeks pregnant, looks relieved. “Then no,” she says, “it’s not a baby.”

Amanda, a 20-year-old administrative assistant, says it’s not the obstacles that surprise her — it’s how normal and unashamed she feels as she prepares to end her first pregnancy. “It’s an everyday occurrence,” she says as she waits for her 2:30 p.m. abortion. “It’s not like this is a rare thing.”

Rather than destroy their own children, why not offer them to another family to raise? Dr. William F. Harrison’s patients do not consider adoption a realistic alternative.

A high school volleyball player says she doesn’t want to give up her body for nine months. “I realize just from the first three months how it changes everything,” she says. Kim, a single mother of three, says she couldn’t bear to give away a child and have to wonder every day if he were loved. Ending the pregnancy seemed easier, she says —

Dr. Harrison’s last patient was a 32-year-old college student who has had four abortions in the last 12 years. She says that abortion “is a bummer, but no big stress.”

According to the pro-abortion Guttmacher Institute, one quarter of all pregnancies end in abortion, and one third of all American women will have had an abortion by the age of 45.

“I Can” Sounds Praiseworthy, But Is It?
What a shame it is that in today’s culture, something as wholesome and innocent as an “American Girl Doll” becomes shrouded in controversy. I stand with the Pro-lifers. There are far too many worthwhile organizations that help young women, without supporting those who advocate against the sanctity of life. It is especially important, for these young girls to be protected as much as possible from the anti-woman and anti-life culture that is so pervasive in these times. (The American Doll Controversy, More on The American Doll Controversy, American Girl Company Teams up With Pro-Abortion Group)

From the front page of the “Girls Inc” website comes this message. “Girls Inc. has been at the forefront of the girls’ rights movement. Your donation is an investment in the future of girls everywhere.” Question - What is the “Girls’ Rights Movement”? It probably has to do with “The Girls’ Bill of Rights” that is posted at their site. Girl’s Inc claims that it was formerly known as The Girls Club.

I have already purchased dolls from the American Girl Doll company for two of my granddaughters. I was looking forward to more purchases for my younger grandchildren. Now I am rethinking those plans. This is the response that “ProLifeBlogs” has received from American Girl, Inc.

We chose Girls Inc. as our benefit partner because of their strong focus and commitment to help millions of girls realize their potential in these fields. American Girl believes that the girls we serve and support today will be the women who make a difference tomorrow. Our support of these three Girls Inc. programs allows us to have an even greater impact on today’s girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas.

“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

On February 3, 1994, Mother Teresa of Calcutta spoke at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington DC. Many were made to feel uncomfortable when she spoke, as the main thrust of her speech, entitled “WHATEVER YOU DID UNTO ONE OF THE LEAST, YOU DID UNTO ME”, was about the sanctity of life as applies to abortion. Even the president and his wife treated her dismissively because of her strong expressions on the subject. The words of the Angel of Calcutta are lovely and touching, and were delivered forthrightly by an almost saint on earth. Today she is most assuredly a beautiful saint in heaven.

I can never forget the experience I had in visiting a home where they kept all these old parents of sons and daughters who had just put them into an institution and forgotten them - maybe. I saw that in that home these old people had everything - good food, comfortable place, television, everything, but everyone was looking toward the door. And I did not see a single one with a smile on the face. I turned to Sister and I asked: “Why do these people who have every comfort here, why are they all looking toward the door? Why are they not smiling?”

I am so used to seeing the smiles on our people, even the dying ones smile. And Sister said: “This is the way it is nearly everyday. They are expecting, they are hoping that a son or daughter will come to visit them. They are hurt because they are forgotten.”

Please find the time to read the words from eleven years ago of Mother Teresa when she visited the United States. (Her Speech Here)