Perhaps you've seen the anemic local news coverage of the case of Dr. Kermit Gosnell and his Women's Medical Society clinic in west Philadelphia, and thought, oh well, just another badly-run abortion mill.
But this one's different.
For an intelligent and detailed summary, go to MercatorNet. There you'll also find a link to a PDF of the full Grand Jury report, which I highly recommend reading, if you have a strong stomach. A very strong stomach. And lots of your favorite means of mood-improvement ready to hand, because you are going to need it.
Especially if you're Catholic, because part of the story involves the suspension of abortion clinic inspections by "Catholic" pro-choice former governor Tom Ridge. I wonder how many "pastoral" contacts Gov. Ridge had from his various bishops on the subject of his support for abortion?
In 1867, Matthew Arnold wrote "Dover Beach", a haunting poem evoking the "melancholy, long, withdrawing roar" of the Sea of Faith. As a boomer who finished Catholic elementary school in 1964 and then watched my Church falter, I've found the roar all too audible. So here I wait, listening for the whispers of that Sea's invincible return.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
The President on abortion
Here's President Obama's statement marking the 38th anniversary of Roe (my comments in bold):
Oh, but I forgot. The President's SO good on the social justice stuff! That trumps everything.
Today marks the 38th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, and affirms a fundamental principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters. [Never mind that the government employees at your local public school will be happy to help your teen daughter find a way to get an abortion without your knowledge, let alone consent. But of course, that's not really intruding on "private family matters"].
I am committed to protecting this constitutional right. [Yep, it's in there among the "penumbras" and "emanations." Really. You just gotta look hard.] I also remain committed to policies, initiatives, and programs that help prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant women and mothers, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption. organization [Note that he didn't mention efforts that would actually try to dissuade women from choosing to abort. That might help make abortion rare, which wouldn't be good for a certain big campaign-contributor organization that makes millions by providing abortions.]
And on this anniversary, I hope that we will recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights, the same freedoms, and the same opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams. [In other words, the freedom to have sex just as irresponsibly as the crudest and most degenerate men. What a triumph for women that is! And you can fulfill your dreams just like men, too! You too can get right back on track to the Big Education that leads to the Big Career that leads to the Big Lifestyle -- and to the shattering Big Emptiness that comes at the end.]
Oh, but I forgot. The President's SO good on the social justice stuff! That trumps everything.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Walk for Life West Coast
Participated in the Walk for Life West Coast today. One darned big crowd! It took an hour for the tail of the parade to leave Justin Herman Plaza.
I saw only a handful of counter-demonstrators. The Sisters of Perpetual Whatever-It-Is had a couple of representatives, and there was a guy with a big sign reading "Pope John Paul II / Patron Saint of Pedophiles". Pretty pitiful.
I think they're getting discouraged. It's tough to have another team come into your house and bring in bigger crowds than you do!
I saw only a handful of counter-demonstrators. The Sisters of Perpetual Whatever-It-Is had a couple of representatives, and there was a guy with a big sign reading "Pope John Paul II / Patron Saint of Pedophiles". Pretty pitiful.
I think they're getting discouraged. It's tough to have another team come into your house and bring in bigger crowds than you do!
Missing the point
According to a local print-only newspaper, the Daily Post, Planned Parenthood is looking at leasing a new location in on El Camino Real in nearby Redwood City. Nothing too unusual in that, although PP seems to be closing more facilities than it's opening these days.
The thing that caught my attention was this reported reaction of a neighbor:
I live in one very weird place.
The thing that caught my attention was this reported reaction of a neighbor:
John Thomas, a resident who lives on nearby Selby Lane, said it's an inappropriate location for a clinic. Thomas said he fears the clinic will draw protesters with signs depicting aborted fetuses in an area where children walk to school.In other words, it's OK with Mr. Thomas that abortions might be done in his neighborhood. He just doesn't want to see any pictures of abortion around, to shock the kids (that is, the ones who didn't get aborted themselves), or make him uncomfortable.
... I'm not comfortable seeing that," Thomas told the Post. "I don't see how how anybody could be comfortable."
I live in one very weird place.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Bishop Finn: ‘Abortion too monumental a disgrace to neglect’
The Catholic Key Blog: Bishop Finn: ‘Abortion too monumental a disgrace to neglect’
Would that every diocese -- including my own of San Jose, California -- had as forthright a defender of life as Bishop Finn.
Would that every diocese -- including my own of San Jose, California -- had as forthright a defender of life as Bishop Finn.
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