LifeNet

Clinton & her support for late term abortion; a comprehensive look

On Wednesday, October 19th Mrs. Clinton went full throttle for abortion throughout pregnancy. It occurred early in her debate with Mr. Trump. Below is the dialogue; you can see the full article where this is excerpted from here at LifeNews. It was originally published  in  National Right to Life News Today.  Below the excerpt we have responses to her support for what amounts to infanticide. Bear in mind that there is never a medical justification for late term abortion, because abortions after approximately 16 weeks are 2-3 day procedures. This is because of the necessity of dilating the cervix with laminaria, which are left in for at least one night. If it's a life threatening situation, the procedure should be an emergency caesarean section and an effort to save both patients.

Wallace (Chris Wallace, the debate moderator) drilled down another thousand feet on Clinton as well:

I wanted to ask you Secretary Clinton, I want to explore how far you think the right to abortion goes. You have been quoted as saying that the fetus has no constitutional rights. You also voted against a ban on late-term partial birth abortions. Why?

Clinton gave her usual answer–that Roe allows for some “regulation,” provided there is an exception for “the health of the mother.” Of course, for 43 years the health exception has swallowed the rule as thoroughly as a python gulps down its supper.

To his great credit, Trump called her out:

Well I think it is terrible. If you go with what Hillary is saying, in the ninth month you can take [the] baby and rip the baby out of the womb of the mother just prior to the birth of the baby. Now, you can say that that is okay and Hillary can say that that is okay, but it’s not okay with me. Because based on what she is saying and based on where she’s going and where she’s been, you can take [the] baby and rip the baby out of the womb. In the ninth month. On the final day. And that’s not acceptable.

Clinton responded that this is just “scare rhetoric,” as if what she supports doesn’t frighten mainstream America. “And I will stand up for that right,” she added.

Trump’s answer?

And honestly, nobody has business doing what I just said. Doing that as late as one or two or three or four days prior to birth. Nobody has that [right].

 

The NY State health department keeps extensive statistics on abortion in the State - age, race, ethnicity, gestation, number of prior abortions, where done, financial coverage, and operative procedures. according to the latest statistices (2014) there were 2,106 abortion at 20+ weeks.

Some rejoinders to Clinton -

This from the Catholic League - hit the link for the full PR -

Apologists also contest what partial-birth abortion really is. Dr. Jen Gunter, for instance, protests Trump’s comment about “ripping” the baby out of the mother’s womb. She says “we don’t ‘rip’ anything in OB/GYN.” So what do they do? “We use sharp dissection and blunt dissection, but we don’t rip.” How reassuring to know that when a scissors is jammed into the skull of a baby about to be born that nothing is “ripped.”

This from Consistent Life, the Consistent Ethic of Life website

Clinton and Children
 
        Hillary Clinton showed something about her often-stated concern for children in the October 19 US presidential debate. For full protection, the children need to be entirely born. Being near birth isn’t good enough. She defended very late-term abortions for reasons including “something terrible has happened or just been discovered about the pregnancy.”
        Though not specific, this could mean when the child is discovered to have “fetal abnormalities” – at least, this is a common justification for very late-term abortions.
        Killing someone because she has disabilities is horrible enough, but a positive portrayal of aborting those with disabilities (as is common in the media) can be devastating to efforts to stop discrimination against disabled children and adults.
        But did that vague phrase mean that? The current Democratic Party Platform is extreme enough to suggest so. If only the press would dig down deeper and ask for clarification.  

The NY Times had an op ed today (October 21, '16.) promoting just that - the baby destroyed at 22 weeks because of a disability.

In National Review today, touching on the Second Amendment and abortion - we only are concerned here with abortion -

Hillary Clinton Relentlessly Exploits Voter Ignorance

 

But Hillary has been steadfast in her belief that a woman should be able to hire a doctor to kill her child at any moment before the child is entirely delivered. Yes, even when it’s halfway out, the doctor should be able to lawfully jam scissors into the back of the child’s skull. That’s Hillary’s belief. She cannot, however, own it honestly to the American people. Defending her vote against banning partial-birth abortion, she said this:

 

The kinds of cases that fall at the end of pregnancy are often the most heartbreaking, painful decisions for families to make. I have met with womenwho have, toward the end of their pregnancy, get the worst news one could get. That their health is in jeopardy if they continue to carry to term. Or that something terrible has happened or just been discovered about the pregnancy. I do not think the United States government should be stepping in and making those most personal of decisions. So you can regulate if you are doing so with the life and the health of the mother taken into account.

 

She’s counting on the fact that most Americans have no idea that when she’s referring to health, she’s referring not just to physical health — physical harm or injury to the mother — but also to the mother’s psychological, emotional, and even familial sense of “well-being.” How do we know this? Because it’s in the very Supreme Court jurisprudence, the Doe v. Bolton case, that she so proudly protects. Hillary’s tactics wouldn’t work so well in a functioning media environment. But when reporters largely agree with her policy positions, the various “fact checkers” and other watchdogs are off to the races to find some way, any way that her arguments have merit.

 

 

Lastly, The Eclipse of Reason is a video produced by the late Dr. Bernard Nathanson in 1987 showing an abortion at 20 weeks. Nathanson was an Ob-Gyn and secular Jewish atheist who was a co-founder of NARAL (National  Abortion Rights Action League) an abortionist himself (he aborted one of his own children) and for several years the director of the largest abortion "clinic" in New York City. But he began to realize what he was doing, re-thought his own life, became pro-life and eventually became a Catholic. He is better known for the video The Silent Scream showing an abortion at 12 weeks, but he also produced the aptly named Eclipse of Reason. You can view the Eclipse of Reason either embedded below or hit the link above. Charlton Heston introduces the video.

 

 

 

 

A follow-up commentary by Kathryn Jean Lopez, about Dr. Nathanson

A fine column, touching on Dr. Nathanson's funeral, and the further work we have to do -

Witness to God's Mercy

The funeral Mass for Bernard Nathanson on Monday at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan was a celebration and thanksgiving for mercy and love.

Nathanson was the infamous co-founder of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws and director of the largest abortion clinic in the world who turned pro-life activist. Dr. Nathanson died last week at age 84.

Inescapable, too, as pro-life leaders and activists joined his family and friends, was an overwhelming sense of the work yet to do. His courage both nudges and inspires. If he could reverse himself so publicly and dramatically, working to undo his foundational work in our current culture of death, surely we can each do our part – whatever our role – in prayer and sacrifice, and labor. Speaking the truth with love. Living our lives as beacons of life and love and truth.

Hit the link above (or here http://www.headlinebistro.com/hb/en/columnists/lopez/030111.html ) forthe entire article.

Human Life International - "In Memoriam Dr. Bernard Nathanson"

From Monsignor Ignacio
Barreiro-Carámbula
HLI Interim President

Human Life International -- and indeed, the entire pro-life movement -- will sorely miss Dr. Bernard Nathanson.  He was a great friend to, and collaborator with, HLI and our founder, Fr. Paul Marx, O.S.B., who passed away in April of last year. His courage, knowledge and humor brought light to a difficult struggle, and his knowledge of the inner workings of the abortion industry were priceless.

For years he was a favorite at HLI conferences. His conversion story is well known, and has helped inspire similar conversions. His tales of the distortion tactics the early pro-abortion activists used not only to legalize abortion, but to promote it as an essential aspect of "women's health," were devastating to the credibility of the cause he came to oppose. With palpable regret, he admitted that he and others in the abortion vanguard routinely invented statistics meant to shock people into first allowing, then advocating for, abortion; statistics such as the "thousands" of women who used to die annually from illegal "back alley" abortions.

His groundbreaking films "The Silent Scream" and "Eclipse of Reason," remain startlingly effective in revealing the true nature of abortion and of the movement that strove to enshrine this assault on the unborn in American law.

His post-conversion life story was one of redemption--a struggle to undo as many as possible of the wrongs that he had done. To see such a brilliant man suffer from the knowledge of what had wrought is a painful thing to behold, but to see him courageously and humbly seek to set things right was inspiring, reminding us that sincere repentance leads to an effort to make just reparation of the damages caused.  Would that we all could open ourselves to the Grace of true and ongoing conversion, and let Christ reform our lives, change our hearts and guide us toward Him

We are reminded again that no one is beyond redemption, and that the power of Grace is stronger than the power of evil. We have only to avail ourselves of His saving power, and He can help us recover and employ our gifts to His glory, which is all that a true Christian could ask for in this life.

In the early '90's, Dr. Nathanson, who grew up in a Jewish family but had lived his entire adult life without religious faith, came to believe that there was more to redemption than just the undoing of wrong. Only the true forgiveness of his Creator would suffice, so he began a journey that led to his entry into the Church in December of 1996, when he was baptized by the late Cardinal John J. O'Connor. Fr. Marx was one of many who attended his baptism in New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral on that wintry day, and one of many who basked in the warmth of the soul of a friend who came to know the forgiveness and redemption that only Christ can give.

Indeed, the Lord's ways are amazing. Recently we have witnessed another prominent conversion story, although one in a much earlier stage; that of Mrs. Abby Johnson. The former Planned Parenthood clinic director, whose story is also changing hearts and minds, has only begun as a leader in the defense of the unborn. Of all the parallels between their stories, I see nothing more crucial than the obvious fruitfulness of prayer--of faithful, specific prayer from those who loved them enough to pray for their conversion, and of many others who showed up to pray for them without knowing them. This is also why we promote the offering of the prayer of St. Michael after each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the conversion of abortionists. 

Seeing these examples of the Lord's grace, let us continue our efforts of constant prayer for conversion--for our own ongoing conversion, and for the conversion of those who promote and defend the culture of death. No one is beyond redemption, so have hope! Look at the great things the Lord can do with those who come to see the truth, and choose life. Let this hope imbue our efforts as we work to do His will, even in the face of daunting challenges.

At St. Michael's Chapel at HLI headquarters we will pray that soon the doors of Paradise might be open to receive Dr. Nathanson. So please join us in our prayers for his soul, and for those of all the faithful departed. 

 

 

Bernard Nathanson "Rememberance" in Wall Street Journal

The link may not function - WSJ is a subscriber website.

But here it is - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703610604576158894030077096.html

Here are some excerpts:

Onetime Abortionist Who Joined Other Side

A onetime self-described militant for abortion rights, Dr. Nathanson in 1969 picketed a New York City hospital and pushed for passage of the New York state act legalizing abortion the following year. He acted as a spokesman for NARAL in its early years, calling for increased access to abortion for the poor, and became director of Manhattan's Center for Reproductive and Sexual Health.

"We're interested in the poor people who have had to use the back-alley butchers in the past," Dr. Nathanson told the Christian Science Monitor in 1970.

Yet within a few years, Dr. Nathanson, at the time a self-professed "Jewish atheist," became convinced by ultrasound and EKG imagery that the fetus was a human life.

"There is no longer serious doubt in my mind that human life exists within the womb from the very onset of pregnancy," he wrote in 1974.

Dr. Nathanson's conversion brought with it a denunciation of his former allies, whom he accused of "moral myopia" in his 1979 book, "Aborting America."

He accused pro-abortion crusaders—including his former self—of outright lies about the number of women killed by illegal abortions, said by supporters of abortion rights to be 5,000 to 10,000 a year. The real number, he wrote, was far lower.

>>>>>>>>

Joan Andrews Bell, a Catholic anti-abortion activist who has served time in prison for blocking access to clinics, said, "He knew what the other side was thinking, but he also humanized the other side for us."

>>>>>>>>

In 1996, he was baptized a Catholic at St. Patrick's Cathedral by Cardinal O'Connor. "I have such heavy moral baggage to drag into the next world," he told the Washington Times that year.

 

NY Times obituary for Dr. Bernard Nathanson

And go here for wikipedia entry for Dr. Nathanson

 

The NY Times obituary:

B. N. Nathanson, 84, Dies; Changed Sides on Abortion

Dr. Nathanson accused his critics of rationalizing. Responding to a doctor from Cornell’s medical school on the television program “Nightline,” he said, “If pro-choice advocates think that they’re going to see the fetus happily sliding down the suction tube waving and smiling as it goes by, they’re in for a truly paralyzing shock.”

 

Joseph Scheidler of the Pro-life Action League: statement on Dr. Nathanson

We are printing this in full:

Why Joe Scheidler Trusted a Man Who Killed 75,000 Babies

 

Pro-Life Action League’s Leadership Praises the Abortion Doctor who became a Beacon of Light for the Pro-Life Movement  

 

STATEMENT FROM JOE SCHEIDLER, NATIONAL DIRECTOR, PRO-LIFE ACTION LEAGUE ON DR. BERNARD NATHANSON 

“The pro-life movement lost a powerful voice in defense of unborn children in the recent death of former abortionist Dr. Bernard Nathanson.

“Along with Lawrence Lader he had founded NARAL (then called the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws). He had performed abortions enthusiastically for many years, directed the largest abortion facility in the Western world, and by his own accounting was responsible for 75,000 deaths.

“As difficult as it is to say now, at the time of his pro-life conversion many years ago, I did not quite trust him. I was skeptical of his story that he didn’t realize abortion was the taking of a human life until he saw an ultrasound. Perhaps he just seemed too matter-of-fact about what he’d done, without the contrition that his role in the abortion business would warrant.

“Most pro-lifers accepted him with open arms, but when other stood and applauded at his presentations, I sat quietly.

“Then one day in Indianapolis, I saw him in the lobby of the hotel where we were both staying, and he asked me if I would like to have a talk. We sat down together and I told him frankly of my misgivings.

“For some time he sat in total silence. And then he said, “Joe, do you realize what I have to face some day—75,000 lives on my conscience? If I would admit outright the horror of what I was doing, I could not live with it. Someday I will face my judge with all those lives on my conscience. It’s almost too difficult to admit what I have done, so I have to approach my conversion in a way that will help me keep my sanity.”

“I could see in his face that he was sincere—that his role as an abortionist and abortion promoter weighed on him more than he could express—and the only feeling I had for him was compassion. From that time on, we became good friends.

“Shortly after that conversation, Nathanson told me that I could call him any time, and he would attend any conference I wanted him to address, at no charge. He was true to his word.

“I saw him once in New York and asked if he would do an interview for one of our Meet the Abortion Providers videos, and he joined us immediately. Whatever his plans might have been, he changed them to assist a fellow pro-lifer and a friend.

“When I got a call from him in December 1996 asking if I could attend his baptism, confirmation, and first Holy Communion at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, he was the happiest I had ever heard him. He later said that since becoming a Catholic, he had found a peace he had never known before. He had been forgiven.

“In later years, as his health deteriorated and he became less actively involved in the pro-life movement, I lost contact with him. But he was still very much in my prayers.

“Dr. Bernard Nathanson was a modern-day Saint Paul. Just as Paul had persecuted the early Church, only to become her greatest advocate, Nathanson turned away from the abortion movement he helped found to become one of the foremost champions of unborn children.

“May his great soul now rest in peace.”

 

Contact: Tom Ciesielka, 312-422-1333, tc@tcpr.net

Pro-Life Action League website  http://prolifeaction.org/index.php

Tom Ciesielka

TC Public Relations

333 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1322, Chicago, IL 60601

tc@tcpr.net

www.tcpr.net

(312) 422-1333 office

(312) 403-1333 mobile

Bernard Nathanson

The co-founder of NARAL, who became prolife.

An atheist, turned Catholic

We just received this:

 

Dr. Bernard Nathanson, Pro-Life Champion, died at home

By Christopher and Joan Bell

FOR INFORMATION CALL 201.920.4986

Bernard N. Nathanson, M.D., former abortionist, whose conversion was a modern-day St. Paul story, died today, Feb. 21, at 84. He became one the most eloquent and informed pro-life voices in America and his death, at his New York residence after a prolonged battle with cancer, with his wife Christine by his side, will not silence his defense of life.

Bernard delivered our first daughter and became Joan’s godson.

Joan first met Bernard in Delaware at a pro-life meeting during 1980.  He later visited Joan in a Florida prison where she was incarcerated for a peaceful, prayerful attempt to stop abortion. 

            She said about him, “His intellect was incredibly diverse. When he visited me in Florida he brought a large stack of books and he questioned me on a wide range of subjects including philosophical, historical , medical and theological. What an incredibly sharp mind with deep ethical insights he had.”

            She add, “I was deeply honored by his presence in my life. He was a great doctor as well. I loved him and his goodness very much. He had a very great attraction to goodness and truth. I could feel his love for the pre-born children, including each child he had aborted and each child threatened by abortion today. It was a profound experience being in his presence and seeing the love and contrition in his eyes. I believe he came to totally accept God’s forgiveness. It all seemed real to him. His conversion is like St. Paul’s.”

            Christopher first met Bernard at a N.J. Right to Life banquet where they sat together on the Dias. Bernard was fasting, as he often did, before speaking. He launched a boycott of McDonald’s hamburger restaurants at that banquet after explaining that McDonald’s foundation was funding research on unborn babies.

            Christopher and Joan, along with hundreds of other pro-lifers including Bernard were in front of Planned Parenthood in New York City peacefully trying to stop abortions during 1990. Christopher saw how pensive Bernard was and asked, “May I ask you a question?” Bernard said, “Anything except about my spiritual life.”  He was obviously contemplating the journey of his soul. He’d later explain that it was the love he saw in the pro-lifers he met which helped him believe in God. 

            It was then through the intellectual stimulus of  Fr. C.J. McKlosky, a priest of the Prelature of Opus Dei, that Bernard found his way to accepting Baptism in the Catholic Church.  Joan was his godmother.  Bernard attended the baptism of Mary, our daughter whom he delivered, in the crypt at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at the hands of Cardinal John O’Connor. Mary, who was then 4, witnessed Bernard’s baptism at the hands of Cardinal O’Connor in the same crypt of St. Patrick’s Cathedral on December 9, 1996.

Bernard was married in a Catholic ceremony to Christine Reisner, who was with him at the time of his death. She is the daughter of Dr. Edward H. Reisner Jr., a hematologist who was a longtime colleague of Bernard’s’s at St. Luke’s Hospital. Bernard is also survived by his son, Joseph, who’s mother, Adele Roban was always pro-life and once ran for the U.S. Senate on the Right to Life Party Line.

             Born in New York to a Jewish family, Bernard  received his medical degree from McGill University Medical College in Montreal, Canada, and served as a doctor in the U.S. Air Force for a few years. After his military stint, he built a thriving New York medical practice, at one time working at the same hospital as his father. In the late 1960’s, he was one of the founders of the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws (now called Naral ProChoice America), and later became the operator of the nation’s busiest abortion clinic, located in New York.

            An obstetrician-gynecologist, Bernard estimated that he oversaw the performance of about 75,000 abortions in the 1960s and 1970s before performing his last procedure in 1979 and turning his support to the pro-life movement. He wrote a number of books, including the biographical “The Hand of God,” and produced the famous 1986 film “The Silent Scream,” showing ultrasound images of an unborn child shrinking from the instruments of an abortionist. Bernard said that the development of quality ultrasound technology and a class in perinatology brought him face to face with the personality of the pre-born child. Then he knew abortion is the murder of an individual human being. He said, “Even as an atheist I knew that it was just wrong.”

  

            After joining the pro-life movement, he lectured widely, published numerous scholarly articles, and earned a master’s degree in bioethics from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, where he also became a visiting scholar.

A Funeral Mass is planned for St. Patrick’s Cathedral by Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan, the current head of the Archdiocese of New York.      

Peace,
christopher bell +

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