The Washington Post is reporting that the White House is saying that U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Sonia Sotomayor backs legal abortion:
Facing concerns about the issue from supporters rather than detractors, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said Obama did not ask Sotomayor specifically about abortion rights during their interview. But Gibbs indicated that the White House is nonetheless sure she agrees with the constitutional underpinnings of Roe v. Wade, which 36 years ago provided abortion rights nationwide.
“In their discussions, they talked about the theory of constitutional interpretation, generally, including her views on unenumerated rights in the Constitution and the theory of settled law,” Gibbs said. “He left very comfortable with her interpretation of the Constitution being similar to that of his.”
The White House concedes that the President did not ask Sotomayor directly about Roe v. Wade, the tragic Supreme Court decision which brought us abortion and demand and the deaths of more than 50 million preborn children, not to mention the emotional and physical scarring of countless women. As the Post states:
But White House officials appeared eager to send a message that abortion rights groups do not need to worry about how she might rule in a challenge to Roe v. Wade.
“He did not specifically ask, as we’ve stated for the past several days,” Gibbs said. “But as I just said, I think he feels — I know he feels — comfortable, generally, with her interpretation of the Constitution being similar to that of his.”
Now comes word from MSNBC and the New York Times that abortion-backers are uneasy about President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court pick, Judge Sonia Sotomayor:
In nearly 11 years as a federal appeals court judge, President Obama’s choice for the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, has never directly ruled on whether the Constitution protects a woman’s right to an abortion. But when she has written opinions that touched tangentially on abortion disputes, she has reached outcomes in some cases that were favorable to abortion opponents.
The question arises: Does President Obama know Sotomayor’s stand on Roe v. Wade, the tragic U.S. Supreme Court decision which brought us abortion on demand? Here’s what a White House spokesman had to say in the Times article:
…the White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, was asked whether Mr. Obama had asked Judge Sotomayor about abortion or privacy rights. Mr. Gibbs replied that Mr. Obama “did not ask that specifically.”
Sotomayor has made a statement indicating that the courts are where policy is made, suggesting she might be a judicial activist rather than someone who simply interprets the law. At this point, it’s really too soon to say where Sotomayor will stand when it comes to judgment time on Roe.
The U.S. Supreme Court is back in the spotlight, courtesy of President Barack Obama’s decision to nominate Judge Sonia Sotomayor as a successor to Justice David Souter. We are just beginning to learn about Sotomayor and her views about the judiciary’s role in American life. For the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s reaction to the nomination, click here. For National Right to Life’s in-depth look at the situation, click here. Keep in mind that the current composition of the High Court is likely 5-4 in favor of Roe; under the worst case scenario, if Sotomayor supports Roe, the philosophical makeup of the court would remain unchanged. Thus, at this point, at least, it’s unlikely that Sotomayor’s vote would result in the overturning of Roe.
A new poll shows that a majority of Americans believe that abortion hurts women physically and mentally.
As reported by LifeNews.com, the nationwide survey of 800 adults indicated that Americans do not think that abortion is good for a woman:
Asked to think of abortion and women in general, the survey asked respondents if they thought abortion “is almost always a good thing for a woman or almost always a bad thing for a woman.”
The survey found 53 percent say abortion is almost always a bad thing and a tiny 13 percent said abortion is almost always a good thing for women. Another 21 percent said neither and 13 percent didn’t know or didn’t answer the question.
Asked to describe any ways in which women may be adversely affected by an abortion, respondents to the Polling Company survey gave multiple answers.
Some 51 percent said an abortion would cause women negative emotional impact, 46 percent said an abortion would hurt women psychologically, 38 percent cited adverse spiritual or religious impact, 33 percent said abortions might cause medical or physical problems for women, and 25 percent cited abortion as potentially causing a negative impact on future relationships with men.
Let’s hope that the Obama Administration and members of Congress take note of these survey results and pursue policies that promote alternatives to abortion and help make abortion unthinkable.
A poll released by the pro-life legal group Americans United for Life indicates that Americans want Supreme Court justices who issue rulings based on interpretation of the law rather than their own beliefs. As AUL states in a memo to members of the U.S. Senate:
By overwhelming majorities, Democrats, Republicans and Independents agreed that judges should exercise restraint and check their own beliefs and predispositions at the courthouse door. They agreed on upholding common sense abortion regulations already in place in the states, including parental consent laws, and objecting to late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions in the U.S. and overseas. Further, this consensus was held even among Americans who self-described themselves as “pro-choice.”
For example, on the role of federal judges, majorities of self-identified Republicans, Independents, and Democrats:
And the poll results also show that Americans believe in common sense limits on abortion:
These same majorities were in vast agreement on abortion regulations as they:
Let’s hope that members of the Senate keep these poll results in mind when reviewing the President’s Supreme Court nominee.
Several news organizations are running my op-ed piece on the new pro-life majority. Gallup recently found 51 percent of the Americans surveyed identifying themselves as pro-life, and a number of other polls appear to be supporting the contention that America is more pro-life than it used to be.
There are a number of reasons behind the shift to pro-life. These include the success of the campaign against the no-limits-on-abortion bill known as the Freedom of Choice Act; overreaching in pro-abortion policy and personnel appointments by the Obama Administration; and the widespread use of ultrasound, which puts a human face on the abortion controversy.
Another reason? The testimony of women and men who have been hurt by abortion:
Each abortion leads to two victims — the baby who dies and the mother who’s wounded. Women who regret their abortions are speaking out, talking about the pain, both emotional and physical, that resulted from their abortions. They trace drug addiction, alcohol abuse, eating disorders, and sleep disorders to the abortions of their past.
Men, too, are grieving and opening up about the devastation abortion has caused in their lives. There is nothing quite so powerful as the complaint of a dissatisfied customer, and the abortion industry has a number of former clients expressing buyer’s remorse.
Thanks to all the pro-life activists around the Commonwealth and across the nation who have helped disseminate the pro-life message. Your hard work is paying off. Lives are being saved and hearts are being changed. And that’s change we truly can believe in!
Fox News commentator Father Jonathan Morris has an intriguing analysis of President Barack Obama’s recent appearance at Notre Dame. Father’s assessment:
While Notre Dame officials argued for months that the decision to invite President Obama to give the 2009 commencement speech and offer him an honorary law degree had nothing to do with his “unacceptable” stance on abortion and the killing of human embryos for research purposes, President Obama shrewdly and shamelessly proved that for him, the occasion had everything to do with these issues.
During much of his 25 minute speech, President Obama lectured Notre Dame about why some of the Church’s fundamental values don’t really matter that much and why graduates should burn these values at his altar of feigned dialogue.
And all the while, students and professors cheered. And Fr. Jenkins took bows. And Team Obama scored points, moving quickly toward its goal of winning another electoral victory in 2012.
And the President’s rhetoric does not match reality:
A glance at his record leaves no doubt: Senator Obama, candidate Obama, and President Obama are all the same — a radically pro-abortion person and politician. As senator in Illinois Obama voted against providing health care for babies who survive botched abortions. Where was his moral introspection then? As a candidate he promised to sign into law the radical “Freedom of Choice Act” which would take away the hundreds of existing state and federal restrictions on abortion, like parental notification laws and the ban on partial birth abortion. How would this decrease the number of abortions?
We probably have not heard the last of Notre Dame’s decision to award an honorary degree to the most pro-abortion President in U.S. history.
Tuesday, May 19th, is primary election day in Pennsylvania. You must be a registered Republican or Democrat in order to vote. A number of key judicial posts are up for a vote, including the PA Supreme Court, PA Superior Court, PA Commonwealth Court, and local Common Pleas Courts. A number of local races are also on the ballot. Polls are open until 8 p.m. Exercise your rights as an American citizen! Vote today!
During his controversial speech at the University of Notre Dame’s commencement, President Barack Obama, who has a pro-abortion stand, made the following statement:
So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions, let’s reduce unintended pregnancies. (Applause.) Let’s make adoption more available. (Applause.) Let’s provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term. (Applause.) Let’s honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health care policies are grounded not only in sound science, but also in clear ethics, as well as respect for the equality of women. Those are things we can do. (Applause.)
The problem is, the Obama Administration has either already taken actions or promised to take actions which would undermine many of those goals. The Freedom of Choice Act, which the President supports, would wipe out virtually all limits on abortion, which could cause abortion totals to skyrocket. Moreover, during the campaign, Barack Obama voiced opposition to supporting pregnancy resource centers, which do already “provide care and support” for women who decide to bring their babies into the world.
In addition, the White House has begun the process of scaling back the conscience clause protections that were established for medical personnel during the Bush Administration. Safeguarding the equality of women does not necessitate forcing doctors to perform abortions against their will.
If President Obama truly believes the words he said to the graduates at Notre Dame, he must re-examine his administration’s policies, for some of them are threatening the very goals he claims to be seeking.
The latest edition of the PA Pro-Life Online News is up and ready for viewing here. Learn about a pro-life ad on “American Idol,” what to do if you’re tired of the Washington pro-abortion agenda, and about some wonderful opportunities for teens to learn more about the pro-life issue.
The Washington Post is reporting that President Barack Obama could announce his selection for the next U.S. Supreme Court Justice within a week:
President Obama told senators at a White House meeting yesterday that he would review names of potential Supreme Court nominees over the weekend, leading participants to believe an announcement could come within days, according to senior Senate aides who were briefed on the gathering.
Meanwhile, the White House is saying President Obama will pick someone who respects judicial precedent–which could be construed as code language for someone who supports Roe v. Wade:
White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters afterward that Obama reiterated to the group that he “would choose a nominee who respects the Constitution and judicial precedent and also has the good judgment and common sense to reach fair decisions.”
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation will be keeping a close eye on the nomination process and will keep you informed of developments.
The latest installment of our one-minute radio commentaries, Pro-Life Notes, are posted here. When you listen to these spots, you’ll learn how to respond to Washington’s pro-abortion agenda…the latest on taxpayer-funded abortions…and the connection between homeschoolers and the pro-life cause. Encourage your local radio stations to run Pro-Life Notes as public service announcements. If you know of a radio station which would like to be added to our distribution list, contact Education Director Maria Vitale at vitale@paprolife.org.
In response to outrage over Notre Dame’s decision to honor pro-abortion President Barack Obama during commencement exercises next Sunday, a group of seniors at the university are offering students an alternative ceremony.
The Class of 2009 Vigil for Life will feature Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life. Fr. Pavone explains the ceremony, and offers words of advice for Catholics upset over the controversy, here.
It’s a shame that students are forced to boycott their own graduation because of the scandalous actions of the school administration. However, as Fr. Pavone states:
The seniors who do this are manifesting the real meaning of commencement: they are carrying out the witness to truth and service that their hard-earned degrees have prepared them to give in the world.
Hundreds of thousands of individuals have signed an online petition objecting to Notre Dame’s decision to honor a President who supports legal abortion. You can add your name to the list here.
Thanks to all the homeschooling families who stopped by our table at the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania Convention over the weekend! We were humbled by your stories, showing your commitment to protecting innocent human life. It is also gratifying to know that you are teaching respect for life to your children. To see our pictures from the convention, click here. If you’d like to become involved in a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, click here. To register online for the PA Pro-Life Conference in October, click here.
The Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation is pleased to have a booth again this year at the Christian Homeschool Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP) convention at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg.
Executive Director Michael Ciccocioppo, Legislative Director Charlene Bashore, and Education Director Maria Vitale will be staffing the booth on Friday and Saturday.
If you’re attending the convention, be sure to stop by our booth. We have some wonderful educational materials to give away. Plus, you can have the opportunity to hold one of our precious fetal models, and remember why it’s so important for us to protect preborn children and their mothers from harm.
It was the shot seen ’round the world–a preborn baby’s hand, reaching out from his mother’s womb. The picture, taken by freelance photographer Michael Clancy, represented the earliest recorded interaction between a preborn child and the outside world.
Now, ten years later, the Hand of Hope continues to make headlines. Fox News is reporting that Baby Samuel is now a 3rd grader who relishes his place in history:
Samuel, now 9 and living in Villa Rica, Ga., said the photo likely gave countless “babies their right to live” and forced many others to debate their beliefs on abortion, something he’s proud of.
Julie Armas, Samuel’s mother, said her eldest son has a “very strong sense of right and wrong” and understands the impact of his unconventional first baby photo.
“He identifies it more in terms of a pro-life message more than anything,” she told FOXNews.com. “This photo happened and God used it to show people that this baby in mom’s tummy is alive. He’s pleased that his photo conveyed that message.”
Photographer Clancy, who appeared at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s Celebrate Life Banquet last year, is scheduled to appear at the National Right to Life convention this June. He’s proud to say that the memorable photo changed his life, transforming him from being “pro-choice” to pro-life. That leaves us to wonder, how many other men and women have had the same experience, after viewing the Hand of Hope?
LifeNews.com is reporting that President Barack Obama could name a new U.S. Supreme Court Justice nominee by the end of the week:
Sen. Orrin Hatch spoke with Obama on the phone on Monday about a replacement for retiring pro-abortion Justice David Souter.
After the phone call, Hatch said he believed Obama would move quickly on naming a replacement because he wants the Senate to complete the confirmation process for a new justice to be in place when the Supreme Court reconvenes this fall.
“I’d be surprised if it went beyond this week,” Hatch told the news web site Politico, though he added that Obama did not make any timing commitments.
“I would think by the end of this week or over the weekend, he’ll nominate somebody. I’m sure they’ve discussed this internally, back and forth for months now,” Hatch added.
This decision represents another test for the President. Will he attempt to further Washington’s pro-abortion agenda by nominating a fiercely pro-abortion ideologue to the High Court? Or will he strike a more moderate pose in an effort to live up to his campaign rhetoric to be a uniter rather than a divider?
Roe v. Wade is the most tragic decision ever delivered by the Supreme Court. It’s long past time for the Court to reverse the ruling and restore common sense and respect for life to our legal system.
The PA Pro-Life Online News is up and ready for viewing at http://www.paprolife.org/resources/e_news.html . It includes articles on the recession and abortion, the latest on the FOCA watch, and singing sensation Susan Boyle being a strong argument for preserving life.