The following comes from a January 21 Federalist article by Daniel Friedman:
The Center for Medical Progress videos caused Democrats and Republicans to retreat to respective ideological corners. Lawmakers in both parties communicated only with their bases. That was no shock. Abortion, more than every other social issue, is an issue lawmakers love to fight over, not legislate on.
With Roe v. Wade enshrined, Congress has limited power to change abortion law. Their incentive, on display this week, is to show supporters they agree with them. The point is to fight publicly, not to win.
But the fact remains: the nonchalance about abortion and the sale of fetal tissue should disturb most people. For that reason, the videos offered a starting point—a chance in Congress and living rooms for political conversations that advance understanding of why the group receives support from some of the population and animosity from another. But that required granting the opposing view some legitimacy. It required acknowledging tradeoffs. We missed that chance. Many share fault.
Those who support allowing abortion were not swayed, because the videos were presented in a way that makes them easily ignored. A boatload of studies on cognitive dissonance show most people ignore information that conflicts with their existing strongly held views, and look for information that discredits the conflicting view.
Seen in that light, abortion critics erred by promoting the relatively weak argument that the videos show Planned Parenthood officials engaged in illegal organ harvesting, rather than unseemly conversation and immoral actions, legal or not. Once defenders of the group decided the claim of illegal activity wasn’t true, they tuned out, dismissing the controversy as a frame job.
The sale of fetal tissue, while outrageous to people who oppose abortion, is easily rationalized by abortion rights advocates. If the fetus died in what they consider a legally defensible procedure, using the tissue for research is morally comparable to organ donation.
But arguing about what isn’t in the videos is in part a way to avoid talking about what is. Focusing on arguably dicey editing and the less controversial health services Planned Parenthood offers might have its place. But it is a way to avoid grappling with the undeniably difficult fact the videos present: Even if you support women’s right to choose it, abortion involves moral conflict.
Planned Parenthood’s defenders dodged a responsibility to consider the clash of values that their views entail. Their position is that the right of mothers to choose to end pregnancies outweighs the cost, which is the killing of human fetuses, or babies. Abortion foes could acknowledge their alternative cost-benefit calculation. They place a higher value on protecting the unborn than on women’s autonomy over their pregnancies.
You cannot embrace one value without sacrificing the other. You pick. It’s not a pleasant choice for anyone. Yet much political rhetoric reflects an assumption that there is no trade-off involved.
I am disgusted with our elected GOP leaders. They control both houses of Congress and have done next to nothing in addressing this horrorific crime. The sale of body parts is dispectful to human life and is another indicator of how far our society has fallen into evil during the last 50 years. Shame on the Republicans!
The author poses a false dichotomy. The videos have turned the stomachs of many the way Uncle Tom’s Cabin turned the stomachs of many regarding slavery. What will come of it, I cannot say.
Thank you, Tom, for your “false dichotomy” insight, which is quite correct. The dichotomy is false because it takes for granted our opponents’ terms. As long as our opponents define the terms of debate, we will lose the war of words. To win the war of words, we need to re-define the terms of debate according to logic: It is illicit to take human life. Abortion takes human life. Hence abortion is illicit. The logical case against abortion is unassailable.
Nothing has happened because of the silence of the wolves.
Bravo – A well presented insightful analysis.
Much the same thing happened with placing Man (XY) Woman (XX) Marriage in the CA Constitution via Proposition 8.
During the campaign and the rigged Court Cases like the Circus in Frisco – the Church of Nice / Mice deliberately excluded some of their Best Facts and Arguments, because they did not want to offend those trying to destroy them and others they pretended to represent.
Former Judge Walker Chose who would be permitted to ‘defend’ Prop 8 – and forbid party status to those who would have done a much better job – albeit not as PC a one.
One has to concentrate in reading this piece to understand the author’s nuances. If we’re down to nuances, we can forget about winning this war. On the other hand, exposing the sale of body parts bares one fundamental truth – that abortion produces body parts. Even the hardest core pro-abort knows that body parts can come only from one source: human life. PP can no longer say that abortion removes only a glob of tissue. The videos advance the Pro Life cause by increasing public awareness that abortion is an act of murder. This isn’t about winning over the pro-aborts. It’s about winning over the large numbers of heretofore uninvolved.
This isn’t a war. It is a social problem. It has many causes. The best way to put PP out of business is for them to have no one desiring their services.
Anonymous I do think that this is NOT just a “social problem”– it is a CRIME of MURDER of UNBORN BABIES– and the SALE OF THE MURDERED BABIES’ BODY PARTS, down at the CRIMINAL BUSINESS, Planned Parenthood! Planned Parenthood is a SLAUGHTERHOUSE!!
Anonymous– The good people who fight against the EVILS of Planned Parenthood, are fighting a WAR!! A WAR against ABORTION, and against the evil SALE OF BABIES’ BODY PARTS!! The only way to STOP this WAR– is not merely by eliminating customers– but by GETTING RID OF THIS SLAUGHTERHOUSE, and PUNISHING THE CRIMINALS!! I bet you agree!
Ralph:
Hence my point about false dichotomy. There were many in the 1850s who were content there was no slavery in their states and let the matter go at that. Not after Uncle Tom’s Cabin. There are many today content that they don’t participate in abortion. Fewer, I suspect, after the videos. We know how the 1850s ended, but how this will end, I can’t say, except that I won’t be status quo.
President Lincoln was criticized by some, as being too heavy-handed, and autocratic! Yet, that is what it takes, to deal with a harsh, immoral, inhuman situation, with hard-nosed, insensitive people, who wrongfully abuse others, and refuse to listen! Then, there were some, in Lincoln’s era, who knew that slavery was wrong — but lacked the courage, to change their economic convenience of slavery– fearing impending poverty, and a total economic breakdown of the South, if the slaves were set free. Well, so courageous Lincoln was “autocratic,” and gave his life, to end slavery!
While it is true, as Tom Byrne says– that we cannot predict the outcome of this situation, regarding the horrific videos– maybe it will take a courageous, strong, “no nonsense,” stand, someday, by a powerful leader — ( perhaps a future Pope?) who will take a firm stand, and the matter will be concluded, with strong punishments, for the criminals!
Well, maybe I will add one thing. I am thinking of the different style of leadership, the “non-violent” style, of Dr. Martin Luther King, which he learned, from Gandhi! This style was effective, for both of these excellent leaders– but both were sadly assassinated, just like Lincoln! The “non-violent” way, which is not powerful politically, is really the way that pro-lifers of today are using. Perhaps it may eventually reach the hearts of many, and bring about the desired results, of the end of Planned Parenthood, for good! But I think much more political force may be needed, from very powerful religious and political leaders!
When young, we all were taught, that only a handful of people, any age, would have the development of good character, a good moral conscience, and good self-control, to lead a truly moral life! Such trustworthy people are few, and they are often the ones involved in religious and civic leadership. Individuals in a society, all need to be governed by laws, and by a deeply-instilled work ethic, and comprehensive Judeo-Christian morality. With the Ten Commandments on the wall, along with a Bible, in every courtroom! I will continue…
Who taught you that and when?
I will continue, with my above post. It is highly inappropriate, for the average person, to include especially, young teen-agers– to be making highly important and sensitive moral decisions! Such matters should NEVER be up for discussion, in a church, or in a Nation! Christ knew, that this just cannot be! That is why He came, to teach us how to live– and we must obediently do as He says! Not every woman who conceives an unwanted child, will have the capability of making excellent moral decisions, for the life and well-being, of the child! I will continue…
The best way for our Nation and its institutions to function, is for our big religious leaders to competently teach and lead their people! Our Judeo-Christian Biblical foundations, are the bedrock of our country! Belief in, and obedience to God, is essential, and our country is obligated to firmly guide her people, in all matters of morality, for the highest well-being of all, in obedience to God! No useless “discussions” among the ignorant, the insensitive, and the criminals, amongst us, should be tolerated! The tongues of the ignorant, the insensitive, and the greedy and selfish, who had NOT ONE TEAR to shed, over that shocking video– all need to be SILENCED!!
In other words, only the RIGHT people should have a voice in anything. And just who chooses those right people? You, Linda Marie? Or maybe the Church that ordained pedophiles? I guess we should trust them as the “right” people to rule us.
Those is the Church responsible for the ordination of sexual predators and the cover ups of abuse scandals were sexual dissenters themselves. Read “Goodbye Good Men,” by Michael S. Rose on this topic. The infiltration into the clergy and hierarchy by sexual dissenters beget the admission of more dissenters, a percentage of whom were so totally bereft of morality that they committed unspeakable crimes against the vulnerable. The dissenters in control covered this up to protect their own little perverted worlds. Some have called this group the Lavender Mafia. So don’t worry, JonJ, the way to clean up corruption is to remove the corrupt, and have only the righteous (or “right people”), those with total devotion to the Magisterium and…
I will say one more thing. The best way to prevent and deter horrible crimes, committed by insensitive, cold, selfish people, as well as heartless criminals–is to educate them in religion and morality— but then, let them all know, there will be STRONG PENALTIES, for committing crimes! And STRONG PENALTIES, in our Church, too, for serious sins!! Not all of them, will respond well, to a good moral and religious training. So– we must protect the innocent, always! In a good country, and good church— again– only a handful, may really become “shining stars,” morally! The rest have to be “managed,” under good, firm governance!
I’m glad you’re not in charge, Linda Marie. Your ideas are pretty terrifying and would lead to entitled Oligarchs lording it over the rest of us.
JonJ– Of course I am NOT talking, about priests and prelates who are IMPOSTERS and CRIMINALS, masquerading as Christ’s true religious leaders! I am talking about true, HONEST religious and moral leadership, by TRUE PRIESTS AND PRELATES DEDICATED TO DOING CHRIST’S WORK!! How LUCKY you are, to have a dedicated priest say Mass for you, hear your Confessions, give you all the other Sacraments, teach and guide you and your family, and give you the Last Rites of the Church, at death, and bury you as a Catholic! Hopefully, you will someday be blessed to go to Heaven, in loving union with God, due to the work of good priests!
JonJ, Good priests and prelates are NOT evil “dictators,” at all! They are given their holy work, by Christ, to teach, lead, and sanctify the people of God, and bring them all to Heaven, eventually, for Him! America was meant to be guided by good moral and spiritual leaders! Our true Judeo-Christian Biblical foundation, is “one Nation under God,” and “in God we trust!” YES!! If we refuse to let our religious leaders guide us, we will be destroyed by the Evil One– as is happening, today!
JonJ– if you are interested, and feel that God is leading you to do so– why don’t you volunteer, to help your parish? God needs you to help do His work in the world, just as He needs His priests! God needs each one of us, to do what we can do for Him! If you see evil in your local parish, you can also help God to get rid of it, for His sake! There is so much work to be done, for His Kingdom!
To JonJ– Perhaps you have read the autobiography of President Obama. Unlike most other presidents, he came from a mixed-race, broken home, and his grandparents raised him. He joined a gang of boys who did drugs every day, in junior high and high school. He was not raised in a church, and was never given religious and moral training. He cannot understand simple moral concepts, like pre-marital chastity, and respect for a girl, Traditional Marriage between a man and a woman, and the sanctity of life– including the miracle of a baby’s life in the womb! He also has no “Billy Graham”– type of chaplain, or religious friend and advisor! TRAGIC!!
We desperately need a Nation that has excellent religious and moral leadership, of her priests, ministers, and rabbis! (This does NOT mean bad, or criminal, FALSE religious leaders!) Just like the GOOD teachers, at good schools, who are really excellent, love their students, and teach them “reading, writing, and arithmetic!” (etc.), to form a good, educated Nation!! Good religious and moral leaders, (good priests, ministers, and rabbis), like good school-teachers– must simply DO THEIR JOBS, to form the Nation, in Faith in God, and Judeo-Christian morality! THAT IS THEIR JOB— AND THEY MUST DO IT!!
Because religion is about social control? That is the perception that causes lots of people to leave organized religion.
The very humanity of the preborn is what makes their body parts so valuable for human medical research. Just as a person may donate their own body parts for medical research because they are human, so, too, do women donate their babies’ human body parts. Those babies from whom the parts came are human, and have been destroyed through abortion, and are separated into their constituent parts for “…. donation for remuneration.” ~Deborah vanHei, National Director, Consortium of Abortion Providers, (CAPS), PPFA.
Profit-taking in the sale of human parts is outlawed. I Planned Parenthood has yet to release its records on the sale of baby parts. If it is discovered that Planned Parenthood has taken profit in selling baby parts, they may…
Since the temptings of Satan and sin have always been incremental – case in point was the tempting of Eve: “Did God REALLY say that you should not eat of the tree of good and evil?'” .. and on and on to our day – why not now?
The Wanderer wrote an excellent series on the selling of baby parts in 1999! What came from the horror of that them?
Nada.
And that will continue until we do the grunt work to elect a President to Congress AWA representative who wil have the sense and courage to overturn R v Wade. Not an easy task in our “What’s in it for me?” culture but that which has to be done.
And, dear Friends, with his deadenig silence on the anniversary of R v Wade, Trump is NOT the one who will do this.
Some support from the…
David Daleiden, who produced the videos exposing Planned Parenthood’s trafficking in baby body parts, lives right here in Irvine. You would think that he would be honored from every pulpit in every Catholic church in Orange County for his work benefitting the pro-life movement. You would think. Now, Mr. Daleiden is facing charges in Texas, and Planned Parenthood has been let off the hook. I’m sure there will be outrage expressed from the pulpits. I’m sure.
Catholic ethics professor and Thomistic theologian Dr. Germain Grisez, who contributed to Blessed Pope Paul VI’s great encyclical HUMANAE VITAE has said in the past that the making of those videos is immoral. I am not surprised that they have not been bearing very much good fruit. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pro-life-groups-video-stings-spark-ethical-debate/
A morally-strong Nation, that firmly believes in God, with good Christian leadership– would NEVER permit such a HORRIFIC thing to happen, as Planned Parenthood’s legalized abortion, birth control– and next, David Daleiden’s heroic undercover work– resulting in him being indicted, with potentially facing up to 20 years in prison! SHAME ON AMERICA!! GO HAVE FUN, ALL YOU FILTHY, PROMISCUOUS HIPPIE LIBERALS, KILLING YOUR BABIES!!
I agree that a Godly nation would not allow abortion, but Godly people don’t say the things you said either.
People who have abortions are not filthy.
Some may be promiscuous, but most aren’t.
Some may be liberal but conservatives have abortions too.
Since there are very few hippies left, I am sure that the majority of abortions are not had by hippies. In addition hippies are known for welcoming babies, not aborting them.
Anonymous, YES, “Godly” people say ALL of the things I say– and MUCH MORE!! That is their RESPONSIBILITY!! All of the Old Testament prophets, St. John the Baptist, Christ, St. Paul, and many more saints throughout the ages– STOOD UP AGAINST EVIL!! Christ threw the filthy money changers out of the temple, PHYSICALLY!! And He rebuked those who were EVIL– such as the Pharisees!! Christ was NOT a “nice little boy,” wanting to be “socially popular, with the ignorant and the sinful!! He was betrayed and CRUCIFIED– by people who could not stand His message of Truth!!
Anonymous– You know, you are CONTRIBUTING YOUR TAX DOLLARS to the EVIL PLANNED PARENTHOOD!! Want to go pay a visit to our HEROIC David Daleiden, in PRISON if he is found guilty of a crime– and sentenced to up to TWENTY YEARS– in PRISON?? While Planned Parenthood keeps on PROMOTING PROMISCUITY, MURDERING BABIES, and SELLING THEIR BODY PARTS– WHICH YOU AND ALL AMERICANS, PAY FOR?? And which OBAMACARE also forces upon this Nation!! HORRIFIC!! Now, write about how you feel, on that subject, Anonymous!!
Nothing has changed because the bishops do not care ! Abortion could have been made illegal, many times, but the seamless garment and other nonsense has prevented this from happening. After all, if the Church was instrumental in opening up relations with Cuba, don’t you think they could have outlawed abortion. Their silence is deafening.