The Latest News: Adding Insult to Injury

The Latest News Archive 2013

Adding Insult to Injury

No matter what lines are drawn in terms of issues or politics, I firmly believe in practicing compassion whenever someone is facing a crisis. Unfortunately, there are some in this world who defy civility and instead choose to act with spite. Sadly, I’ve witnessed such inhumane behavior this week.

Just last month, pro-life Republican Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler of Washington joyfully announced she and her husband, Daniel, are pregnant with their first child. Then, this week at a routine ultrasound appointment, she received the tragic news that their unborn child has been diagnosed with Potter’s Syndrome. This condition results in low amniotic fluid due to impaired kidney function. It also inhibits lung development. The prognosis is grim—in the majority of cases the child will die within a few days after birth. Beutler bravely shared the news via Facebook and asked simply for prayers for a miracle and privacy for the family.

While many responded with kindness and empathy, it didn’t take long before pro-abortion advocates began lashing out against Beutler. The National Catholic Register reported a host of the rude, condescending and callous comments that were made. As is expected with abortion supporters, they neglect to even recognize or respect the humanity of this very personal situation. They prefer to rely on typical, self-serving responses: politicizing the issue, making personal attacks and even cruelly advocating for this baby’s death by abortion.

Pro-aborts often look at abortion as being nothing more than a political ideology—Democrats are for it and Republicans are against. Their response is to make it into a partisan argument, no matter what. Some of the remarks made toward Beutler include:

• “Oh goody… and she’s GOP… let’s all watch this one develop. Let’s see if she follows the party line.”
• “A clear case of politics colliding with a medical reality.”
• “I feel for her in that the pregnancy could have been normal. I laugh at her in that her political ideology has her in a corner I would wish nobody in.”

It’s as if they believe the only justification she has for not killing her child is because of her political affiliation. It’s easier to pretend it’s nothing more than a political game rather than to face the harsh reality of what they stand for, which is a death sentence for this innocent baby.

Another defensive mechanism abortion advocates frequently use is personal attacks. This is nothing more than a distraction. It’s fueled by emotion rather than reason. In this case, they assault Beutler’s faith with comments like, “Sorry, prayers won’t do a d**n thing.” Some even resorted to calling her selfish for considering carrying the pregnancy to term. “To come to full-term for religious reasons is selfish and, well, foolish, but more importantly hurtful to the one who cannot speak for itself.” As if it’s somehow less selfish and more merciful to have the child brutally killed in the womb! Nothing could be further from the truth. This mother is only thinking of what’s in the best interests of her child.

Lastly, (and most insulting) is that abortion supporters use this personal crisis to not just proclaim their cause, but to declare that abortion is the solution. These comments are nothing short of crass and cruel. It makes me heartsick to be reminded there are people who actually think this way. “Why not be proactive and get an abortion?” one comment asks. Another declares, “She should just go to a Planned Parenthood and be done with ‘it,’ after all, it’s not a human yet.” And finally, one makes this malicious recommendation, “Abort the baby. Wait a few months. Get pregnant again. This is not a big deal.” That sums up the pro-abort mindset. This isn’t a life to be cherished. It’s an insignificant problem and abortion is the easy solution.

My heart goes out to the Beutler family. I hope they’re surrounded by love and support at this difficult time. If you’d like, you can send a personal message of encouragement at her Facebook page. May they be protected from those that seek to discourage and dishearten their spirits. I thank the many prayer warriors who will join with me in surrounding this special family with the power of prayer.

In prayer for LIFE,

Bradley Mattes
Executive Director
Life Issues Institute

6/7/13

Life Issues Institute is dedicated to changing hearts and minds of millions of people through education. Organizations and individuals around the world depend upon Life Issues Institute to provide the latest information and effective tools to protect innocent human life from womb to tomb.

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