Judie Brown on Stupak

Judie has dissected (like only she can) the Stupak Amendment and raises some valid concerns.

In the days following the passage of the Stupak Amendment, which led directly to the passage of the Pelosi bill, it has been argued that the amendment’s passage is a victory for pro-life Americans. We are sorry to have to throw cold water on the celebration, but frankly, this is false, for the following reasons.

First, there is the undeniable fact that whatever the seriously deficient Stupak Amendment may or may not do, its language could fall out of any bill ultimately voted on in President Obama’s quest to pass a “health care reform” bill. Second, the Stupak Amendment only addresses abortion funding (and only partially at that).

The Pelosi bill (H.R. 3962) includes the following provisions:

• Expanded access to and funding of abortifacient contraception (section 1714)

• Federal funding of Planned Parenthood-style permissive sex education programs “to prevent teen pregnancy” (section 2526), similar to that stipulated in the Senate version of Obamacare

• Deceptive definitions that, in fact, allow euthanasia through withholding or withdrawing “medical treatment or medical care” and withholding or withdrawing of “nutrition or hydration” (section 240)

• Vaguely worded references to conscience rights and only partial protection of the same (sections 258 and 259)

• Language that forces a “participating health benefits plan” to not “discriminate” against any facilities that “provide, pay for, provide coverage of, or refer for abortions.” (section 304)

Of course, the first two provisions would result in massive new federal subsidies for organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which peddle contraceptives, abortion and sexual promiscuity, especially to our youth.

The bottom line is that the intent to restore full protection of the human person and his inalienable right to life does not appear to be high on the USCCB’s list of priorities. Instead, it appears content with maintaining the sordid, deadly status quo. This leads one to presume that the USCCB wants mandatory health care coverage for one and all more than it desires the protection of all vulnerable human beings’ right to life.

I love Judie. She's one of the rare Catholics who will speak up about injustices even when they're being perpetrated from within - by priests, Bishops and Cardinals. When it comes to the choice between letting children be victimized by ideas, policies and people coming from inside of our Catholic camp and publicly opposing the injustices, she chooses the latter. So few people do.

Do read her whole piece.

She has put up more here - and she takes no prisoners.

Apparently, the NRTL participated in the errors.

Compromising on principle is not an option.