The video to which I am linking is incredibly graphic. It juxtaposes a reassuring video encouraging women to consider abortion against footage of actual abortion. The woman speaking is representing Northland Family Planning.
If you have young children in the room, I would discourage watching this video. In all honesty, I wouldn't watch it without informing those in the room with you that you are about to watch a rather graphic and horrific video. To be quite blunt, this is abortion from an abortionist's perspective (visually, not conceptually).
That baby deserved to be cared for, and loved. That baby did not will his or herself into the world, but was rather created through the miracle of God's work and through the reproductive act. When you and I were born, we were weighed and measured, wrapped in blankets, and welcomed into the world. When that baby was born, he or she was already dead, torn to pieces inside his or her mother. The second baby in the video was wrapped in paper, packaged like beef tenderloin. This is the horrific and brutal truth about abortion. This is what abortion does. Every day. Over 52 million recorded times since Roe vs. Wade.
Lord, I have been too complacent. Forgive me, God, for my inadequacies. While thousands of Your children are killed daily, I waste my time worrying about my hair. When I could be praying outside of clinics, I waste my time online. Father in Heaven, have mercy on me, and on all of Your children. In Your goodness, open our eyes to Your Truth and guide our actions. Send upon us Your Holy Spirit to be our eternal compass. Jesus, protect and save the unborn. Savior of the World, save America.
I make this prayer in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
0
Where is the Outrage?
It has already been an eventful year for the pro-abortion crowd in the States, from the revelation of Kermit "the Fraud" Gosnell's heinous practice to Planned Parenthood's sex trafficking escapades.
Through all of this, I have waited to hear abortion advocates' outcry, not exactly forthcoming, and wondering what it is about the pro-abortion movement that prevents the sort of vocal outrage that one might expect at these atrocities. Certainly, if an Ob-gyn were caught sabotaging his patients in some way, there would be uproar. When Acorn was caught in a similar sting operation by James O'Keefe, it made at least some upset in the media.
So what is it about abortion advocates that they refuse to take a firm stance against this sort of degradation?
Why is it that when something heinous happens, there aren't a ton of liberal feminists screaming their outrage at the Kermit Gosnells of the world? Why don't they want Cecile Richards to explain herself and STOP her organization from helping sex traffickers to hide their illegal, oppressive and downright evil behaviors? For that matter, why isn't there any upset among those who want to empower women over past Planned Parenthood stings that revealed PP employees pointedly lying to women in crisis?
Why is it that, in the effort to shelter abortion rights groups from the big bad threat of "anti-choicers," abortion advocates have managed to completely sell out some of their most basic principles? Why is it that we don't see more women's liberation groups incensed over the mistreatment of women, the lies, the obvious objectification and usury of not only women, but young girls as well?
Abortion is a business that preys on the fear, the desolation, and the insecurities of women experiencing dilemma. And in order to propagate that business, advocacy groups would go to some deplorable measures to deceive and use the women they are supposed to be empowering. Is that the choice you desire?
Through all of this, I have waited to hear abortion advocates' outcry, not exactly forthcoming, and wondering what it is about the pro-abortion movement that prevents the sort of vocal outrage that one might expect at these atrocities. Certainly, if an Ob-gyn were caught sabotaging his patients in some way, there would be uproar. When Acorn was caught in a similar sting operation by James O'Keefe, it made at least some upset in the media.
So what is it about abortion advocates that they refuse to take a firm stance against this sort of degradation?
Why is it that when something heinous happens, there aren't a ton of liberal feminists screaming their outrage at the Kermit Gosnells of the world? Why don't they want Cecile Richards to explain herself and STOP her organization from helping sex traffickers to hide their illegal, oppressive and downright evil behaviors? For that matter, why isn't there any upset among those who want to empower women over past Planned Parenthood stings that revealed PP employees pointedly lying to women in crisis?
Why is it that, in the effort to shelter abortion rights groups from the big bad threat of "anti-choicers," abortion advocates have managed to completely sell out some of their most basic principles? Why is it that we don't see more women's liberation groups incensed over the mistreatment of women, the lies, the obvious objectification and usury of not only women, but young girls as well?
Abortion is a business that preys on the fear, the desolation, and the insecurities of women experiencing dilemma. And in order to propagate that business, advocacy groups would go to some deplorable measures to deceive and use the women they are supposed to be empowering. Is that the choice you desire?
2
Well, it's been a really long time since I talked about the boys and what's new in our lives, so let me give you the 4-1-1.
D graduated from technical school in November and we've been looking for jobs since. They warned us not to get our hopes up to be employed in less than 3 months, but of course, we always think we're better than that, don't we? It's frustrating to be stuck in a waiting period, but that's where we are. Waiting, praying, and trying to seek out God's plan for us. Trying to hear His response to our prayers. We know He has a plan for our family, and we want to follow it. Sometimes, though, we are weak-willed.
N's vocabulary is developing more rapidly than ever. I am regularly amazed at a new word he has picked up or a new phrase or habit he has developed. Some of his most notable behaviors:
-when asked to do something he doesn't want, he responds with a big sigh and, "Fine!" I am not clear as to where he developed this but DH and I are trying to nip it in the bud without drawing too much attention to the behavior.
-when in a particularly good mood, if you do something that he appreciates he will tell you as much by saying, "Oh, thank you! Thank you very much!" although this comes out more like, "oh, fank you! Fank you bewry much!"
-he collects. Mostly cars, but I also find shoe collections, stuffed animal collections, pants collections, you name it. Most frequently what I find, though, are collections of his cars in odd places. A box that is designated for one thing will become a car 'garage' without me realizing it.
-blankets! N LOVES blankets!
My potty training adventures, by the way, were a bit of an overstatement. He is still in diapers. This morning I cleaned out a pair of poo-filled underpants because I didn't beat him to the punch. Dangit. We're still trying, though. We're still trying...
T has become a toddler while I was blinking, I think. At about 11 months, he began walking, and now is quite sturdy on his feet. He jabbers away and has a few words but mostly mimics sounds. He gives kisses, which is absolutely adorable, and waves goodbye. He is relatively good about naptime and bedtime, although he doesn't always go down easily. He has become picky...well, picky for one of my boys anyway. His favorite snack foods (which he gets RARELY) are bits of Daddy's beef jerky and my homemade popcorn (which despite having very little salt and zero butter is out-of-this-world good!). He climbs the stairs, up and down, which is nerve-wracking. He thinks his older brother is the greatest guy ever.
I am working part-time, which I enjoy, and spending most of my time with my God, my two little guys and my amazing hubby.
And that's our lives in a nutshell. Keeping up the daily everything, loving our boys, and
focusing on His plan.
Developments in the Home
D graduated from technical school in November and we've been looking for jobs since. They warned us not to get our hopes up to be employed in less than 3 months, but of course, we always think we're better than that, don't we? It's frustrating to be stuck in a waiting period, but that's where we are. Waiting, praying, and trying to seek out God's plan for us. Trying to hear His response to our prayers. We know He has a plan for our family, and we want to follow it. Sometimes, though, we are weak-willed.
N's vocabulary is developing more rapidly than ever. I am regularly amazed at a new word he has picked up or a new phrase or habit he has developed. Some of his most notable behaviors:
-when asked to do something he doesn't want, he responds with a big sigh and, "Fine!" I am not clear as to where he developed this but DH and I are trying to nip it in the bud without drawing too much attention to the behavior.-when in a particularly good mood, if you do something that he appreciates he will tell you as much by saying, "Oh, thank you! Thank you very much!" although this comes out more like, "oh, fank you! Fank you bewry much!"
-he collects. Mostly cars, but I also find shoe collections, stuffed animal collections, pants collections, you name it. Most frequently what I find, though, are collections of his cars in odd places. A box that is designated for one thing will become a car 'garage' without me realizing it.
-blankets! N LOVES blankets!
My potty training adventures, by the way, were a bit of an overstatement. He is still in diapers. This morning I cleaned out a pair of poo-filled underpants because I didn't beat him to the punch. Dangit. We're still trying, though. We're still trying...
T has become a toddler while I was blinking, I think. At about 11 months, he began walking, and now is quite sturdy on his feet. He jabbers away and has a few words but mostly mimics sounds. He gives kisses, which is absolutely adorable, and waves goodbye. He is relatively good about naptime and bedtime, although he doesn't always go down easily. He has become picky...well, picky for one of my boys anyway. His favorite snack foods (which he gets RARELY) are bits of Daddy's beef jerky and my homemade popcorn (which despite having very little salt and zero butter is out-of-this-world good!). He climbs the stairs, up and down, which is nerve-wracking. He thinks his older brother is the greatest guy ever.I am working part-time, which I enjoy, and spending most of my time with my God, my two little guys and my amazing hubby.
And that's our lives in a nutshell. Keeping up the daily everything, loving our boys, and
focusing on His plan.
Monday, January 24, 2011
0
Viva Voice
This blog pretty succinctly addresses the issue of feminism as a justification for abortion.
Honestly, though.
Honestly, though.
0
Identity Crisis
N: "You're pretty, Mommy."
Mom: "Why, thank you, N! And you're so handsome."
N: "No. I'm not handsome. I'm N."
How could I have forgotten his name? ;)
Mom: "Why, thank you, N! And you're so handsome."
N: "No. I'm not handsome. I'm N."
How could I have forgotten his name? ;)
Sunday, January 23, 2011
0
Whenever I can manage, I try to plan my Sunday meals in advance. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Even when I am being lazy and miss planning every other day, I try to get Sunday planned out. This has resulted in 2 things (a) delicious culinary treats on Sundays, and (b) a little easier time relaxing and honoring the Lord's day.
The whole concept of the Lord's day inspires me. A day for family, for joy, for celebration, and for relaxation. I admit, I'm not always fantastic at honoring the relaxation part. Sometimes work gets in the way, sometimes events get in the way. Nonetheless, I am inspired. I love Sundays. I love the moments of quiet, the extra time for cuddles. I love playing cars or tickling or reading to my boys.
I love listening to the Word. I love learning during the gospel and homily. I especially love being in the Presence and knowing Christ in the Eucharist. I love the phrase "Et cum spiritu tuo." I love the latin chants. I love the way N is learning to cross himself. I love the hymns. I love being in the Presence with my family.
There is something special about Sundays.
What I Love About Sundays
The whole concept of the Lord's day inspires me. A day for family, for joy, for celebration, and for relaxation. I admit, I'm not always fantastic at honoring the relaxation part. Sometimes work gets in the way, sometimes events get in the way. Nonetheless, I am inspired. I love Sundays. I love the moments of quiet, the extra time for cuddles. I love playing cars or tickling or reading to my boys.
I love listening to the Word. I love learning during the gospel and homily. I especially love being in the Presence and knowing Christ in the Eucharist. I love the phrase "Et cum spiritu tuo." I love the latin chants. I love the way N is learning to cross himself. I love the hymns. I love being in the Presence with my family.There is something special about Sundays.
Friday, January 21, 2011
4
Every year on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, pro-life groups and individuals gather and march, in Washington DC and throughout the nation, to protest the government sanctioned killing of over 50 million unborn humans in the years since Roe v. Wade. These marches have been incredibly effective at spreading the ugly truth about abortion, and have also served to make our strength known to politicians nationwide.
In light of their poor attendance to past events, it's no great wonder that when NARAL and other abortion advocates launched a counter-event, they chose an online forum. After all, online seems to be the only place they can compete in any real numbers. While the nation is still close to a 50/50 split down the "abortion" line, anti-abortion forces are stronger in conviction and motivation as a whole.
This year, NARAL kicks off its sixth "Blog for Choice Day," wherein they ask abortion advocates to blog about so-called reproductive freedom and the 'necessity' of choice. The response from anti-abortion groups is simple: Ask them what choice they mean.
So, let's talk about "choice," shall we? What does the infamous term "reproductive freedom" really mean? What is a "choice" as NARAL, NOW, Planned Parenthood, and Emily's List (among others) define it?
Abortion is an ugly word. It refers to the process of ending the life of a growing human at his or her most vulnerable. Because this is usually done early in the course of a pregnancy and the mother is not exposed to such facts as the true development of the human life inside of her, the ultrasound photos/video of her womb, and the biological, scientific definition of a human fetus, pro-abortion forces have by-and-large been able to hide the brutal truth of abortion from women experiencing a surprise pregnancy.
The facts on abortion are this: in the moment when a human sperm meets and joins with a human egg, a life is begun. That life has human DNA, unique from the DNA of either parent. That life begins rapidly to shift from a relatively static existence as two pieces of potential into a growing and developing human form. Although we cannot immediately see in a zygote/blastocyst/embryo the human form, it cannot be denied that the growing life inside the womb in that instant is a distinctive human being.
Abortion stops that life. There are a number of ways in which this is achieved. Starvation is the first. Rising in infamy and popularity is the RU-486 abortion and other similar abortion pills. These pills work through the chemical mifepristone by suppressing the hormone progesterone in the woman's body. Progesterone supplies nourishment through the uterine lining to the developing baby, and suppresses uterine contractions which could otherwise serve to flush the uterus, and with it, the growing human life. RU-486, though the least invasive abortion procedure, can also be one of the most physically difficult, as it essentially boils down to days and days of horrific cramping and bleeding.
Another way of ending pregnancy, this one declining in popularity, is through chemically burning the contents of the uterus, including the life within. The developing baby is burned with a saline solution and the chemical solution causes the uterus to contract. This form of abortion requires artificially dilating the cervix as well.
Possibly the most infamous form of abortion in use currently is also the most common surgical abortion nationwide. This is called the suction-aspiration abortion and is a particularly brutal manner of killing the human life, involving inserting a cannula (suction tube) into the uterus and sucking the developing baby into the tube. Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood director, describes this process in detail as she saw it on an ultrasound:
The most controversial and brutal forms of abortion are late-term abortion procedures such as those performed by the late George Tiller. These are done a number of ways, most commonly beginning by using an injection to the baby to induce heart attack and then inducing labor. Late-term abortions which have been famously outlawed include delivering the baby to his or her head and then suctioning out his or her brain tissue, fully delivering a baby and then allowing him or her to die from lack of care, and other equally horrific procedures.
So, when NARAL speaks of "reproductive freedom," what do they mean? Setting aside for a moment the debate about the birth control pill, which I have briefly touched upon previously and will go into more detail about later, the reality of the fact is that by "choice" and "reproductive freedom", abortion rights groups are advocating the legal sanctioning and even funding of their perceived right for women to have their already alive, already developing human babies killed.
The fact of the matter is that abortion preys on women and children. Abortion rights groups make money, lots of money, off of intentionally misrepresenting the fact that by choosing to end your pregnancy, you are choosing to end a life. If abortion were, in fact, rare, as Planned Parenthood and other providers indicate that they want, abortion rights groups would suffer. And abortion rights groups don't want to lose money.
There is big money in the "services" of "choice."
Blog for Abor--er, uh, Choice Day
Every year on the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, pro-life groups and individuals gather and march, in Washington DC and throughout the nation, to protest the government sanctioned killing of over 50 million unborn humans in the years since Roe v. Wade. These marches have been incredibly effective at spreading the ugly truth about abortion, and have also served to make our strength known to politicians nationwide.
In light of their poor attendance to past events, it's no great wonder that when NARAL and other abortion advocates launched a counter-event, they chose an online forum. After all, online seems to be the only place they can compete in any real numbers. While the nation is still close to a 50/50 split down the "abortion" line, anti-abortion forces are stronger in conviction and motivation as a whole.
This year, NARAL kicks off its sixth "Blog for Choice Day," wherein they ask abortion advocates to blog about so-called reproductive freedom and the 'necessity' of choice. The response from anti-abortion groups is simple: Ask them what choice they mean.
So, let's talk about "choice," shall we? What does the infamous term "reproductive freedom" really mean? What is a "choice" as NARAL, NOW, Planned Parenthood, and Emily's List (among others) define it?
Abortion is an ugly word. It refers to the process of ending the life of a growing human at his or her most vulnerable. Because this is usually done early in the course of a pregnancy and the mother is not exposed to such facts as the true development of the human life inside of her, the ultrasound photos/video of her womb, and the biological, scientific definition of a human fetus, pro-abortion forces have by-and-large been able to hide the brutal truth of abortion from women experiencing a surprise pregnancy.
The facts on abortion are this: in the moment when a human sperm meets and joins with a human egg, a life is begun. That life has human DNA, unique from the DNA of either parent. That life begins rapidly to shift from a relatively static existence as two pieces of potential into a growing and developing human form. Although we cannot immediately see in a zygote/blastocyst/embryo the human form, it cannot be denied that the growing life inside the womb in that instant is a distinctive human being.
Abortion stops that life. There are a number of ways in which this is achieved. Starvation is the first. Rising in infamy and popularity is the RU-486 abortion and other similar abortion pills. These pills work through the chemical mifepristone by suppressing the hormone progesterone in the woman's body. Progesterone supplies nourishment through the uterine lining to the developing baby, and suppresses uterine contractions which could otherwise serve to flush the uterus, and with it, the growing human life. RU-486, though the least invasive abortion procedure, can also be one of the most physically difficult, as it essentially boils down to days and days of horrific cramping and bleeding.
Another way of ending pregnancy, this one declining in popularity, is through chemically burning the contents of the uterus, including the life within. The developing baby is burned with a saline solution and the chemical solution causes the uterus to contract. This form of abortion requires artificially dilating the cervix as well.
Possibly the most infamous form of abortion in use currently is also the most common surgical abortion nationwide. This is called the suction-aspiration abortion and is a particularly brutal manner of killing the human life, involving inserting a cannula (suction tube) into the uterus and sucking the developing baby into the tube. Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood director, describes this process in detail as she saw it on an ultrasound:
My eyes shot back to the screen again. The cannula was already being rotated by the doctor, and now I could see the tiny body violently twisting with it. For the briefest moment it looked as if the baby were being wrung like a dishcloth, twirled and squeezed. And then the little body crumpled and began disappearing into the cannula before my eyes. The last thing I saw was the tiny, perfectly formed backbone sucked into the tube, and then everything was gone. And the uterus was empty.When she partook in this abortion, Abby Johnson was the director of the Planned Parenthood clinic in Bryan, TX where the first 40 Days for Life campaign was held. This abortion was performed on a 13-week-old human fetus.
The most controversial and brutal forms of abortion are late-term abortion procedures such as those performed by the late George Tiller. These are done a number of ways, most commonly beginning by using an injection to the baby to induce heart attack and then inducing labor. Late-term abortions which have been famously outlawed include delivering the baby to his or her head and then suctioning out his or her brain tissue, fully delivering a baby and then allowing him or her to die from lack of care, and other equally horrific procedures.
So, when NARAL speaks of "reproductive freedom," what do they mean? Setting aside for a moment the debate about the birth control pill, which I have briefly touched upon previously and will go into more detail about later, the reality of the fact is that by "choice" and "reproductive freedom", abortion rights groups are advocating the legal sanctioning and even funding of their perceived right for women to have their already alive, already developing human babies killed.The fact of the matter is that abortion preys on women and children. Abortion rights groups make money, lots of money, off of intentionally misrepresenting the fact that by choosing to end your pregnancy, you are choosing to end a life. If abortion were, in fact, rare, as Planned Parenthood and other providers indicate that they want, abortion rights groups would suffer. And abortion rights groups don't want to lose money.
There is big money in the "services" of "choice."
Thursday, January 20, 2011
4
In her book unPlanned, Abby Johnson uses the fence surrounding the Bryan, TX Planned Parenthood abortion clinic as a metaphor for the abortion debate to GREAT success!
Johnson retells her experience in a captivating and highly believable manner. Her tone speaks to her readership magnificently, bringing to life the how and why of her shift into the pro-choice/pro-abortion industry. Johnson accepts her inconsistencies with the maturity and grace achievable only by growth into Truth. Although her perception has changed, and she accepts how dramatically, she also is able to relate to her readership how she was able to be convinced by the abortion industry's strongest talking points.
Perhaps the greatest moment in Johnson's book comes when she describes her realization of the weight of her pride on her decisions. Looking across the fence at the praying protesters, Abby realizes, "I am on the wrong side of the fence!" Surrendering her preconceived notions of the pro-life cause, letting go of her (tightly held) belief in the ultimate good of legal abortions, Abby Johnson writes with charming and humble simple humanity.
The beginning is a little bit heavy to get through for someone experienced in arguing either side of the abortion debate, as college-aged Abby Johnson shows a naivete we rarely desire to revisit. In this, though, I must also give her credit, as she is honest and forthcoming about her youth, from her bad relationship decisions to her abortion experiences (as a patient) to her simple acceptance of the friendly volunteer recruiter's pro-abortion arguments.
unPlanned is a fresh and honest look at the abortion industry from the inside, and most especially at the mentality of abortion providers. It is a humble and eloquent expression of God's influence on life's events. It is a story about turning from pride to submission, from temporal to eternal. In a society that emphasizes immediate gratification, short-term "solutions," and self-obsessed motivations, unPlanned elegantly introduces and elevates the ideals of self-sacrifice, trust and patience in an absorbing narrative.
Looking Through The Fence
In her book unPlanned, Abby Johnson uses the fence surrounding the Bryan, TX Planned Parenthood abortion clinic as a metaphor for the abortion debate to GREAT success!
Johnson retells her experience in a captivating and highly believable manner. Her tone speaks to her readership magnificently, bringing to life the how and why of her shift into the pro-choice/pro-abortion industry. Johnson accepts her inconsistencies with the maturity and grace achievable only by growth into Truth. Although her perception has changed, and she accepts how dramatically, she also is able to relate to her readership how she was able to be convinced by the abortion industry's strongest talking points.
Perhaps the greatest moment in Johnson's book comes when she describes her realization of the weight of her pride on her decisions. Looking across the fence at the praying protesters, Abby realizes, "I am on the wrong side of the fence!" Surrendering her preconceived notions of the pro-life cause, letting go of her (tightly held) belief in the ultimate good of legal abortions, Abby Johnson writes with charming and humble simple humanity.
The beginning is a little bit heavy to get through for someone experienced in arguing either side of the abortion debate, as college-aged Abby Johnson shows a naivete we rarely desire to revisit. In this, though, I must also give her credit, as she is honest and forthcoming about her youth, from her bad relationship decisions to her abortion experiences (as a patient) to her simple acceptance of the friendly volunteer recruiter's pro-abortion arguments.
unPlanned is a fresh and honest look at the abortion industry from the inside, and most especially at the mentality of abortion providers. It is a humble and eloquent expression of God's influence on life's events. It is a story about turning from pride to submission, from temporal to eternal. In a society that emphasizes immediate gratification, short-term "solutions," and self-obsessed motivations, unPlanned elegantly introduces and elevates the ideals of self-sacrifice, trust and patience in an absorbing narrative.
Analysis
