To the editor:
This is a response to the letter by Bill Checovich that appeared in the October 2, 2008 issue of the Catholic Herald, in which he urges consideration of a strategic change in the fight against abortion. He refers to Douglas Kmiec as his authority, who in turn believes that the sanctity of life and social justice are best served by an Obama presidency.
This claim is based upon several assertions that are patently false and misleading. Again in referencing Kmiec, Checovich asserts “that Obama is not pro-abortion . . .” If that is true, why does Obama support taxpayer funded abortion, sponsor federal legislation that would repeal state parental consent laws, and (has) even opposed legislation that would require hospitals to provide care to babies born alive after a failed abortion? He has also said that any nominee of his for the U.S. Supreme Court must support abortion on demand. His voting record in the U.S. Senate has been 100 percent in support of abortion. Really. Does that sound like someone who is “not pro-abortion”?
He also refers to Kmiec’s claim that the strategy to overturn Roe vs. Wade “hasn’t saved a single unborn life . . . “ That strategy embraces information about the development of the unborn life in the womb, about alternatives to abortion, about the gruesome destruction of the unborn child who is aborted, about post-abortion guilt, and resources for women who choose to give their child life. If Checovich and Kmiec were truly informed about the countless successful efforts to save babies through the above means, and others, they would recognize that this is not a failed strategy.
Before repeating fallacious claims and urging support for an Obama presidency that would be disastrous to saving lives, Mr. Checovich needs to become accurately informed. It may be true that Obama supports adequate healthcare and is progressive about other social issues. It is also a fact that true pro-life people are aware that protecting life at conception is not the only pro-life issue, that it doesn’t end with that, but that IS where it begins!
Jim Gross, Ft. Atkinson