Life Advocacy Briefing

Major Shift?

OUR READERS SURELY KNOW BY NOW that President Joe Biden has backed off from seeking re-election to the White House and tipped his hat toward Vice President Kamala Harris, the apparent choice of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-SanFrancisco), who appears to be piloting the Democratic Party. Last week we published lengthy excerpts from a The Washington Stand commentary on the radicalism of Vice President Harris. At the close of this edition, we reprint a LifeSiteNews commentary by Matt Lamb covering details of her abortion activism. We hope our readers will find it helpful over the months ahead.

We further note that Fox News is citing a rating by GovTrack from when the VP was a Senator from SanFrancisco, defining Kamala Harris as “the most liberal Senator,” exceeding even notorious Socialist Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT).

Here is the self-description of GovTrack, copied from its internet website (https://www.govtrack.us): “GovTrack helps everyone learn about and track the activities of the United States Congress. Launched more than 20 years ago, we’re one of the oldest government transparency and accountability websites on the Internet. This is a project of Civic Impulse, LLC. GovTrack.us is not a government website.” [emphasis theirs]

According to Fox News, the GovTrack characterization of Ms. Harris as “the most liberal Senator” has since been “taken down.”

Polishing his Bona Fides?

AMONG THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNORS being prominently mentioned by the media as potential Vice Presidential picks for the party’s new ticket is Pennsylvania’s Josh Shapiro. So, we think our readers would benefit from knowing his latest public expression of support for the abortion cartel.

Gov. Shapiro “is siding with abortion groups,” reports Cassy Fiano-Chesser for Live Action, “who are suing to overturn a decades-old law preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortion.”

Let that sink in. The governor of Pennsylvania is undermining Pennsylvania law which protects his citizens from having the tax dollars misappropriated toward the killing of children before their birth.

Abortion businesses “claimed,” reports Mrs. Chesser, “the 1982 Pennsylvania law violated the constitution equal protection rights of low-income women. But in March of 2021, a seven-judge panel ruled against the abortion businesses, finding that taxpayers would not have to be forced to fund abortions in Pennsylvania.”

But just this January, the state’s supreme court overturned the lower court’s ruling, reinstating the challenge to the law for further judicial consideration. Justice Christine Donohue (save that name for future reference if the Democratic Party’s abortion-fanatic candidate takes the White House in November) wrote the majority opinion, reports Mrs. Chesser, “that the Pennsylvania constitution ‘secures the fundamental right to reproductive autonomy, which includes a right to decide whether to have an abortion or to carry a pregnancy to term.’”

For his part, Gov. Shapiro issued a statement last week, notes Mrs. Chesser, “saying he would not defend the law and believes it should be overturned. …

“‘As Governor, I will always uphold our state’s Constitution,’” reads the statement, quoted by Live Action, “‘and protect a woman’s right to make decisions over her own body [!] and have the healthcare [!] services she needs. My Administration looks forward to making our arguments in Court and is urging the Court to strike down this ban that denies Pennsylvanians access to health care [sic] solely because of their sex and clearly runs counter to the recent ST Supreme Court ruling.”

Live Action quotes a response from Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute: “‘This decision leaves the taxpaying citizens of Pennsylvania without a voice on one of the most debated and divisive issues of our time and virtually clears the path for court-mandated taxpayer funding of the taking of innocent human life through abortion, and more.’

“He added,” writes Mrs. Chesser, “‘Our system and the rule of law demand that both sides in a case have legitimate legal advocacy of their positions. In this case, Pennsylvania’s duly enacted Abortion Control Act, supported by a large segment of the population, is left without a defender, as the Shapiro administration (which should be defending the law) walks into court in lockstep with the abortion industry that sued the Commonwealth and its people.’” 

But then, should anyone be surprised? This man the media are trying to portray as a “moderate” among Democrats served Planned Parenthood as an “escort” to guide customers into the shop before he sought his lofty office. He appears to have a lengthy history of “walk[ing] … in lockstep with the abortion industry.” Voter, be warned.

How the Army Is ‘Training’ Our Recruits

OF ALL THE BUREAUCRACIES IN THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, the American public depends the most on the objectivity and professional conduct of the Dept. of Defense. Unfortunately, the “woke” ideology which has crippled much of the federal government in the Obama and Biden years appears to have infected the Pentagon as well. And now we learn that leftwing infection has broken out in overt advocacy for the abortion cartel.

Rep. Ted Budd (R-NC) has uncovered a disturbing targeting of pro-life groups in military training, reports Calvin Freiburger for LifeSiteNews, and has spearheaded a demand, along with several Senate colleagues and a group of lawmakers from the House Committee on Armed Services, that Army Secretary Christine Wormuth answer for the smear.

To her credit, the Army Secretary, reports Mr. Freiburger, “rejects characterizing pro-life groups such as the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) as ‘terrorist groups’ but revealed [admitted?] that a slide presentation suggesting exactly that has been used by military instructors for ‘at least’ seven years, following a Congressional inquiry into a recently-leaked terrorism presentation given to troops at Fort Liberty (the renamed Fort Bragg).

The controversy was elevated to public attention earlier this month, reports Mr. Freiburger, when “independent journalist Sam Shoemate posted to X/Twitter a photograph of a slide he said was shown during an anti-terrorism briefing at Fort Bragg, right after one about the Islamist terror group ISIS. The slide named NRLC and Operation Rescue (OR) as ‘terrorist groups,’ characterized by their opposition to abortion and Roe v. Wade (misspelled “Row”), … echoing common pro-abortion efforts to tar pro-lifers as a whole with the rare and violent acts of a few, which mainstream pro-life activists and organizations have always overwhelmingly condemned. It also,” reports Mr. Freiburger, “showed an example of ‘Choose Life’ license plates, which are available in many states” and frequently feature sketches of children.

After Mr. Budd and his Senate and House colleagues raised the alarm, the Army Secretary replied, and the Senator released her letter, in which she disclosed, reports Mr. Freiburger, that the slide presentation – including the smear, apparently – “has been used by military instructors for ‘at least’ seven years.”

She declared, reports Mr. Freiburger: “‘I want to state unequivocally that non-profit groups such as National Right to Life and PETA are not terrorist groups and should not be described as such in Army documents or training materials. … I share your view that it is critical for the Army to remain politically neutral.’” She stated “they ‘do not represent the official policy or views of the US Army and pre-date Army Directive 2024-07 (Handling Protest, Extremist and Criminal Gang Activities.)’ She pledged,” writes Mr. Freiburger, “that they ‘will no longer be used to train soldiers at Fort Liberty.’”

For his part, Sen. Budd “called the revelation of how long the slides had been used ‘totally outrageous and unacceptable,’” reports Mr. Freiburger, “‘and demanded the Army not only ‘fully renounce this attack on pro-life Americans’ but also ‘conduct a full investigation to ensure similar materials aren’t being used at other installations.’”

Signers of the Letter to the Army Secretary

With Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC), GOP Senators Tommy Tuberville (AL), Tom Cotton (AR), Marco Rubio (FL), Mike Crapo & James Risch (ID), Mike Braun & Todd Young (IN), Cindy Hyde-Smith & Roger Wicker (MS), Eric Schmitt (MO), Steve Daines (MT), Deb Fischer (NE), Thom Tillis (NC), Kevin Cramer (ND), James Lankford & Markwayne Mullin (OK), Lindsey Graham (SC), Bill Hagerty (TN), Ted Cruz (TX), Mike Lee (UT), John Barrasso (WY).

With Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN), GOP Representatives Robert Aderholt, Barry Moore, Gary Palmer, Mike Rogers & Dale Strong (AL); Andy Biggs & Debbie Lesko (AZ); Darrell Issa & Tom McClintock (CA); Doug Lamborn (CO); Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Matt Gaetz, Carlos Gimenez, Cory Mills, Bill Posey, Greg Steube, Michael Waltz & Daniel Webster (FL); Andrew Clyde, Barry Loudermilk, Rich McCormick & Austin Scott (GA); Russ Fulcher (ID); Greg Pence & Rudy Yakym (IN); Randy Feenstra (IA); Clay Higgins (LA); Jack Bergman, John Moolenaar & Tim Walberg (MI); Brad Finstad & Pete Stauber (MN); Mike Ezell, Michael Guest & Trent Kelly (MS); Sam Graves (MO); Don Bacon (NE); Chris Smith (NJ); Nicholas Langworthy, Elise Stefanik & Claudia Tenney (NY); Chuck Edwards, Richard Hudson, Patrick McHenry, Gregory Murphy & David Rouzer (NC); Troy Balderson & Mike Turner (OH); Stephanie Bice & Josh Brecheen (OK); Mike Kelly, Guy Reschenthaler & Glenn Thompson (PA); Jeff Duncan, Russell Fry & Joe Wilson (SC); Tim Burchett, Scott DesJarlais, Mark Green, Andrew Ogles & John Rose (TN); Brian Babin, Michael Cloud, Dan Crenshaw, Pat Fallon, Lance Gooden, Ronny Jackson, Morgan Luttrell, Nathaniel Moran, August Pfluger, Chip Roy, Keith Self, Pete Sessions, Randy Weber & Roger Williams (TX); Blake Moore (UT); Ben Cline, Morgan Griffith, Jen Kiggans & Robert Wittman (VA); Harriet Hageman (WY).

Sliding into Dehumanism?

July 25, 2024, BreakPoint commentary by John Stonestreet & Jared Hayden

             As a cringe-worthy meme puts it, pets are the new kids, and plants are the new pets. This stops being funny when the preference for pets over humans spills into actual policy.

             For example, in the United Kingdom, there are now legal protections that require dog breeders not to separate puppies from their mothers until they are at least eight weeks old. [!] There are no such protections for children born of surrogates.

             Humans are not mere animals. Every person has an inherent, distinct dignity from being made in the image and likeness of God. They cannot be compared, at least in value, to any other creatures, and they merit unique protections that honor their God-given value. Likewise, the mother-child relationship is the most foundational of all human relationships. Surrogacy cheapens it by commodifying it. Because of the mother-child relationship’s unique value, it should be specially protected.

             We all love our pets, but they should not have more legal rights than human moms.

Advocating Abortion to the Extreme

July 22, 2024, LifeSiteNews commentary by Matt Lamb

             Pres. Joe Biden’s choice of Democratic Presidential nominee this year has a radical history of supporting abortion. The Joe Biden – Kamala Harris record on abortion since taking office in 2021 makes sense, given the Vice President’s history.

             Since 2021, the Biden-Harris team has ignored long-standing federal law against mailing abortion drugs, made the dangerous pills easily available through pharmacies, supported abortion through all nine months of pregnancy and sent federal agents after pro-life dads who protested outside abortion facilities.

             It is just part of Kamala Harris’s history, particularly since she was the attorney general of California, of using her office to push a pro-abortion agenda. It was Atty. Gen. Harris who initiated criminal charges against David Daleiden after he exposed Planned Parenthood’s baby body parts trafficking scheme.

             She did so while running for US Senate with the backing of Planned Parenthood. Harris’s office worked closely with Planned Parenthood officials to draft a law that would target future journalists who exposed abortion facilities through undercover recordings.

             Harris also backed AB-775, which would have forced pro-life pregnancy centers to tell women where to get abortions. The Supreme Court eventually threw out the law in NIFLA v. Becerra. But in 2015, she praised the bill.

             “I am proud to have co-sponsored the Reproductive FACT Act, which ensures that all women have equal access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare services, and that they have the facts they need to make informed decisions about their health and their lives,” Harris stated. By “co-sponsored,” she means that she backed the bill as Attorney General.

             In 2016 Harris won a seat in the US Senate with the support of pro-abortion groups. She would consistently use her position to advocate for abortion.

             “We are so proud that Kamala Harris will be California’s newest US Senator,” NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue stated at the time. “As California’s attorney general, she dedicated herself to empowering women and families and clearly understands that this means fighting to protect and expand reproductive freedom.”

             As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Harris, along with Sen. Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, questioned Trump judicial nominee Brian Buescher over his membership in the Knights of Columbus. She called the group’s opposition to same-sex “marriage” an “extreme” position and questioned Buescher for being part of the abortion-opposing Catholic group.

             National Review commentator Alexandra DeSanctis wrote of Harris’s animosity:

             “These two Democrats were, in short, suggesting that belonging to a Catholic group with millions of members, which has been an important charity in the US for more than a century, renders an individual unfit to serve as a judge.

             More sinister even that that, Harris used Buescher’s membership in the Knights of Columbus as a pretext to insinuate that opposition to abortion – a core component of Catholic teaching on the dignity and value of human life – disqualifies an individual from the bench.

             But it should be no surprise that Harris viewed a Catholic judicial nominee as a threat to her personal agenda for abortion. She received a 100% voting record [rating] from NARAL Pro-Choice America and Planned Parenthood through 2020.

             One pro-abortion vote Harris took was to oppose efforts to protect babies from infanticide. Harris, in February, 2019, joined with other left-wing Senators like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren to oppose the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. Soon after the vote, Harris refused to say if she believes abortion is ever wrong.

             “I think it’s up to a woman to make that decision, and I will always stand by that,” Harris told a Daily Caller reporter, when asked about her vote.

             “I think she needs to make that decision with her doctor, with her priest, with her spouse. I would leave that decision up to them,” Harris said, suggesting, at least implicitly, that some priests would encourage women to abort their babies.

             While running for President, Harris also suggested all pro-life laws should have to face pre-clearance from the federal government. Similar to the pre-clearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act, Harris will require, for the first time, that states and localities with a history of violating Roe v. Wade obtain approval from her Dept. of Justice before any abortion law or practice can take effect, she said in May, 2019.

             A Harris Presidency would undoubtedly include a further push for abortion, as pro-life groups have recently warned.

             “With Kamala likely as the next Democratic Presidential candidate, we can expect nothing less than abortion extremism through all nine months, and after birth, for any reason,” Students for Life Action president Kristan Hawkins wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

             “A Harris Presidency would be disastrous for human rights,” Live Action president Lila Rose wrote on X.

             SBA Pro-Life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser also criticized Harris’s record. “Kamala Harris is determined to impose on all 50 states all-trimester abortion without any limits, even painful late-term abortions in the seventh, eighth and ninth month of pregnancy,” Dannenfelser stated. “Harris is so committed to abortion that she can’t see anything else – including the developmental stages of children before birth or the real needs of women.”

Life Advocacy Briefing editor’s note: We see no purpose or advantage in drawing lines within the gestation of a child. Vice President Harris’s abortion extremism would be no less extreme if she allowed for a late-term ban. A dead baby is a dead baby.