...Of course, despite what Sen. Johanns says, he knows full well that this legislation is definitely a pro-life measure — and a very effective one at that. For its basic purposes are (1) to underscore the humanity of the preborn child in the womb and (2) to underscore just how unnatural and cruel the abortion procedure is.And any time one dares to go beyond the pro-choice slogans to carefully look at what actually occurs in an abortion, the sanctity-of-life cause is well served.
That’s why the abortion lobby is deeply afraid of the Johanns bill. For one thing, it includes language that graphically describes abortion procedures. That in itself is enough to make pro-choice advocates uncomfortable. The ever-advancing science of fetology, upon which Johanns’ bill is based, stands squarely against them.
Abortion proponents thus realize that even when they take issue with key elements of the bill (like whether or not the fetus feels pain at the gestational age of 20 weeks), the audience before them is imagining an unborn baby in dire distress and agony. For if not at 20 weeks, what of 21 or 22 weeks? Perhaps, the audience wonders, could it not even be, in some cases, at 18 or 19 weeks?
Drawing attention to who is inside the womb and what happens to him or her in an abortion can never be helpful for an abortion proponent. And with the Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act, the difficulties are increased. For how does one argue against pain sedation in such a violent intrusion as abortion without appearing unenlightened, uncaring, even cruel?
The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act certainly is part of an incremental attack on Roe v. Wade as it chips away at the false assumptions that underlie that radical Supreme Court fiat. But perhaps this particular act will prove even more effective as an educational tool, focusing as it does on the humanity, the innocence and the vulnerability of the preborn boy or girl endangered by the abortionist...
On Thursday, September 30th I wrote a article for Vital Signs Blog that I decided to offer the Omaha World-Herald for publication. I revised it a bit and sent that version downtown, asking that it be considered for their "Another Point of View" feature. It was accepted and, in agreement with the World-Herald's copyright policy, I removed it from the blog until the newspaper published it.
They did this morning and here, in its entirety, is that feature. I appreciate very much their willingness to do so.
Your follow-up letters to the World-Herald's "Public Pulse" would certainly be in order (pulse@owh.com) as would thank you messages to Senator Mike Johanns. To do so you can use this page or simply write or call his offices: 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C., 20510 -- (202) 224-4224.
