I started collecting my reactions here in a draft about the Gosnell murder trial right before the outcry for main stream media (MSM) to pick up this story started, a month ago. I scratched that because it was just too daunting. I am not going to summarize the case here but will say I am satisfied with the coverage from Fox News and impressed by the articles at www.lifesitenews.com Before a verdict is announced I just need to let out a few points I constantly replay in my mind:
The only difference between an "acceptable" abortion and what Gosnell did is geography.
People who do not want to get too close to knowing how abortions are performed think the occurrence of babies intended for abortion but then born alive is miniscule. "This Doctor is an unusual case" they may think. Others know better though. Because of the shameful nature of it we cannot get an accurate number but in 2010 a report of 1,270 babies born as a result of an abortion attempt then died is recorded. I wish everyone was aware of these testimonies from actual survivors (click) or would watch the movie October Baby, now streaming on Netflix, so they can identify these babies born alive as viable persons.
Who do they think they're fooling trying to distance themselves
#Gosnell case is appalling. He ran a criminal enterprise, not a health facility, & should be punished to full extent bit.ly/ZRyssI
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) April 12, 2013
When just two weeks earlier, March 28th, they were fighting "Born Alive" Act in Florida. Humor me and watch just the first two minutes
This shouldn't be news to you, but if Obama had his way Gosnell's actions against these babies would be perfectly legal in Illinois.
Throughout all of this I keep recalling from the book, Heaven is Real, how little Colton who survived a near death experience kept pestering his father who is a pastor and interrupting his Sunday school lessons that "Jesus really really REALLY loves the little children." As the author the father didn't expand on this point but I immediately drew the conclusion and just keep reminding myself, Jesus really loves these little children.
The saddest defense of abortion is when I hear people say, "I personally cannot imagine abortion as an option but I don't think we should tell women what to do." I personally cannot imagine taking a razor to my forearm but I don't think we should help those that do. Women who consider abortion are hurting. These women who came to Gosnell were desperate. We would intervene for someone who is suicidal because death is permanent but the hurt, no matter how deep, can be addressed. Desperate women deserve better than abortion.
A few months ago when I first saw a preview on the internet for the movie "October Baby" I actually said a prayer asking God for a way to see this movie. If I was crying during the extended trailer I knew it would be a powerful movie. Unfortunately it was not playing in Springfield. The closest showing was Peoria. My husband and I value our weekends together so it wasn't likely I would say adios for a day to travel there, see the movie, and travel back.
This past week started by my husband saying, "Oh yeah, there's a bachelor party I'm going to Saturday if that's alright." And then my mom called, "I'd really like to see you and the kids. You're dad's not sure how he'll be feeling so we'll decide at the end of the week if we can make it there or maybe you could come here or meet halfway." Friday mom called, "Do you think we could meet in Peoria?" Then it dawned on me. My parents had some missed baby-sitting opportunities in the past because of last minute changes in our plans. "Yes, Peoria sounds GREAT. Do you think you can watch the kids for two hours while I go to a movie?"
So on Saturday afternoon we met up, I gave mom the car, and they went literally across the street to the Shoppes of Grand Prairie to have ice cream and play. Dad even bought a wagon with two seats and a canopy. When I walked up I thought the ticket guy would say, "October What?" I thought I'd be the only one in the theater. When I turned the corner though there was a good crowd. By the time the movie started, people were scooting into the empty seats in between to make room for more patrons. It was SO encouraging. And the movie was just fantastic. It was well casted, well written, and not agenda driven (not to be confused with having a message). It was just a well told and played out story that you could immerse yourself in. It wasn't cheesy or predictable. It was just a QUALITY screenplay. Check out the trailer...
On Sunday the youth group I lead sponsored a talk by my friend Bonnie. The talk was about the events of her son born a year ago September and how they have been investigated for the cause for beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. She did such a beautiful job. Everyone there was moved and had only positive feedback (those from the Jr High PSR class up to those from other parishes). Our deacon left afterward to go to the parish men's group already in progress and said he had to reprimand them because it was just the best talk they all should have been at. Bonnie did a great job of expressing her faith and put into perspective how the recounting of her son's alleged miracle is a story about the generosity and love of God and His Church.
Let us pray for the cause for canonization of Archbishop Fulton Sheen:
Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people.
If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Have you seen this story? In Portland, OR a couple won $3 million because of a "Wrongful Birth." The parents say they would have aborted their daughter who has Down Syndrome but the genetic testing, done incorrectly, lead them to believe their baby was normal. Oh, please don't get them wrong, they love their now 4 year old daughter, but all those doctor bills and developmental therapists, it's such a burden and they demand compensation.
In the article, a blip at the bottom also mentions a family in Florida who received $4.5 million for a "Wrongful Birth" because their son was born with no arms and one leg. They were asking for $9,000,000 because they claim that is what it would take to care for him in a 70 year life span.
What if you were told the reason your family had a comfortable lifestyle was because they won money for not wanting you born? What message is this for people born with an abnormality? Why is this just a pro-life issue? Where's the outcry from disability rights activists?
The hurt, the pain, the confusion when those children learn they were used by the people claiming to love them unconditionally, the people they feel safest with and who supposedly are committed to protecting them. Children who are already susceptible to feeling insecure because of their disability.
This is such a sick mindset and so very dangerous. It took a jury to win the cases. Twelve (twenty-four total in these scenarios) people came back all agreeing, yes it would have been better if you ended that child's life in the womb.
