 |
||||
|
|
NEWS & ANALYSIS
Napolitano Shortchanges Arizona Youth by Vowing to Cut Abstinence Funding; Pro-Life Community Rallies in Phoenix By Dennis Durband, Editor PHOENIX – On Friday, liberal Gov. Janet Napolitano told pro-aborts attending a Planned Parenthood luncheon that she will refuse federal money for abstinence education. The results of the governor’s actions will result in more teen pregnancies, more sexually-transmitted lives, more abortions and more broken lives. The Arizona Partners for Abstinence Education have worked tirelessly to restore these funds, which the liberal governor had also rejected in previous years. Research shows that abstinence education is highly effective, especially when compared to the failures of comprehensive condom education. The comprehensive approach was first thrust upon the nation’s public schools 40 years ago and resulted in skyrocketing teen pregnancies, STDs and abortion. Gov. Napolitano, a collectivist authoritarian, has abysmally failed the families – especially the children – of Arizona. This is a sad commentary on what happens when politics and money enter the decision to determine which people live and which people die. With this as a backdrop, 2,000 people gathered Sunday at Wesley Bolin Plaza to show their respects for the value of human life. Tuesday is the 35th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which has resulted in the slaughter of 50 million pre-born children. The January 22, 1973 decision by the Court is recognized as one of the darkest days in American history.
Sears said, “This case is a dramatic reminder of God’s Grace when we stand to defend the life of the unborn and the defenseless. First, there was a legal miracle, and then there was a medical miracle. Instead of a funeral in June, there was a celebration in October. This is a reminder that we must continue the fight.”
Sears also spoke of the 12-year battle to overturn the infanticide known as partial-birth abortion. President Bill Clinton twice vetoed the bill, over the objections of many individuals and organizations who recognized it as a barbarous act beneath the dignity of a civilized nation. Then there was the heartache of the Supreme Court
-- Carhart v. Nebraska -- decision in 2000 when partial-birth
abortion bans were overturned by unelected judges overstepping their
bounds. Finally, a new ban in 2003 survived the legal challenges of
Planned Parenthood and others dedicated to a profit motive-driven
culture of death Against All Incredible Odds
After having been drugged and raped, she struggled through the most difficult pregnancy imaginable. Rather than punish the child in an abortion, she overcame all kinds of odds to form a happy family. "I suffered from juvenile diabetes," she said in starting a long litany of obstacles. "The paramedics had to come to my home weekly, and I was hospitalized many times. I was prescribed bed rest because of all the complications. I had congestive heart failure. My child's fluid was toxic. I had a difficult surgery." Her parents said they would understand if she would let go of the pregnancy. Refusing to abandon her child and submit to abortion, Horvath had the child, who was rushed immediately to ICU. She did not get the opportunity to hear his first cries because she was sedated for two days. The baby was given a feeding tube; he was fighting for his life. "I never prayed for anything so much in my life," Horvath said. "I was in the hospital for eight days. I saw other new moms come and go with their babies, and I left with empty hands." Bearing more than most people could bear, Horvath persisted and her baby made it home. She is now engaged and preparing to start a new life with a healthy boy and a father in the home. There were many a moist eye and many tears throughout the audience. NOTES: Elected officials attending the rally and march included: State Senators Linda Gray, Chuck Gray, Pamela Gorman, State Reps Mark Anderson, Russell Pearce, Nancy Barto, Bob Stump, Bob McComish, Bob Robson, Trish Groe; Congressmen John Shadegg and Trent Franks (both of whom spoke briefly); Maricopa County Attorney Andy Thomas; and congressional candidates Jeff Hatch-Miller, Laura Knaperek and David Schweikert, Rep. Anderson (all in Congressional District 5) and Sydney Hay (Congressional District 1). ... The rally was sponsored by the Arizona Life Coalition. |
|||
Alan
Sears, CEO of the Alliance Defense Fund, keynoted today’s rally in
Phoenix. He spoke of Jesse Ramirez, a veteran who was injured in a car
accident last summer who was abandoned by the Arizona medical community,
denied food and water for five days and sentenced to death for the
“crime” of falling into a coma. Once his sister gained legal
guardianship of Ramirez, a court permitted food and water to resume.
Eventually, Ramirez recovered and walked away from a hospice to resume
his life.
If
we remain faithful, Sears said, with God’s Grace and our persistence we
can win this battle.
Many
women facing the difficulty of crisis pregnancy or difficult pregnancy
are encouraged, coerced or forced into abortion. Rachel Horvath told the
big audience an incredible story of perseverance.