"I've Learned..."

Over the weekend an old and dear friend sent me a sheaf of quotes attributed to CBS newsman and curmudgeon Andy Rooney. They are in the form of "I've learned...."

One I found particularly fetching: "I've learned... it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular." And, wouldn't you know it, not 12 hours later I myself experience one of those small things that make life so spectacular.

It's the custom in my church that after a child is baptized, the pastor lifts the little one up high, sort of an introduction to the congregation of the one whom, corporately, we have just pledged to help rear in the fear and admonition of the Lord. It's a nice touch.

Well, having just completed the ceremony, our pastor (who is miked so we can hear what is said) elevated this very young child toward the heavens. Not content to be an idle spectator, as the young man returned to earth, he added (with impeccable timing) his own two cents worth: a gigantic burp. The congregation cracked up.

Small things were on display in this ceremony of commitment symbolic of great truths: That we are one human family in the fight for dignity and justice; that we assume obligations when we become parents; that little ones "communicate" with us in their own special ways.

Not everyone shares what we consider to be imperishable truths even about children whom they can see with their own two eyes! It is your special gift that you are able to make the logical extension: that all these truths apply every bit as much to the children growing in their mother's wombs.

Andy Rooney is credited with another keen insight which pro-lifers can appreciate: "I've learned... that to ignore the facts does not change the facts." Clearly there are many what ought to be indisputable facts in this issue of NRLNews which, alas, are denied by some people, minimized by other people, and ignored by most.

The list, if elaborated, would be almost as long as the issue itself. I'll just list the highlights.

Through eyepopping advances in ultrasound, we can now see that the once invisible passenger looks remarkably like a newborn child. Even if he or she doesn't bear a striking resemblance early in fetal development, this four-dimensional technology reminds us that this is what we all once looked like. (See page 15.)

"Advances" in killing, such as RU486, are ticking time bombs. Not only do they take the lives of unborn children, they are so laden with complications that when a woman suffers afterwards, she may well think, "Well, this is par for the course." In fact, the difficulties she attributes to this powerful two-drug abortion technique may be masking a potentially lethal ectopic pregnancy. (See page 8.)

Proposals to clone human beings, are a marriage of tunnel-visioned "scientism" gone amuck and misplaced compassion. This commodification of life divorces us from insights that have accumulated since the dawn of time and is a danger of arguably unprecedented proportions. (See page 1.)

Having a pro-life President in office is a joy and the source of enormous importance in winning battles often contested out of public view. Thanks to the Bush Administration's delegation to the UN's "Children's Summit," new anti-life initiatives were thwarted and beginning steps taken in the road back from the dead end to which former President Clinton tried to lead us. (See page 6.)

Finally, we are gradually making inroads into one of the toughest nuts for us to crack -- college campuses. But once the "other side" (us) is heard, the pro-abortion monopoly is broken. We are buoyed by the realization that only good things can follow, (See page 14.)

As I mentioned a moment ago, not everyone is eager to say "yes" to these facts of life. However, whatever their response, from rabid opposition to yawning indifference, it does not change the fact that we share a common humanity with our unborn brothers and sisters which demands that we treat them with justice, mercy, and compassion.

Whether it be measured by continuing upticks in public opinion polls (see page 3) or more subtle, personal evidence (I've found that more people are uncomfortable skirting the realities of abortion and willing to listen), truth is gradually winning the day. If you have any doubts, just check out the web pages of groups such as Planned Parenthood.

Finally, I wish everyone who is reading these remarks could attend National Right to Life's annual convention being held in Pittsburgh this year.

But the factual, ethical, and moral truths that the attendees will be taught at this three-day "teach-in" will be recorded on cassette tapes that can be purchased from NRLC. Look for ordering information in the July issue.

Thank you for all that you are doing. It is a privilege and a blessing to be a part of the 21st century's greatest movement for social justice.

dave andrusko can be reached at dha1245@juno.com