Self Evident Truths
Representative James Lankford from Oklahoma, just last week, proved to be a great man of virtue, a TrueMan. He successfully stood and presented an absolutely dynamic oratorical argument to the right to life for all humans. For it is self evident, as he and the founding fathers stated, that all humans have these unalienable rights.
His courage to stand and speak these truths, even in the House of Representatives where we all know truth is not something they hold to hard and fast, is a great example. Although most of us will never have the chance to stand and speak in this sort of forum, we do have the chance to stand and speak in the small situations. When confronted with the issue of abortion, we, as men, must stand and defend those without a voice.
Good on you, Mr. Lankford.
Abortion Funding Showdown
I recently received this letter from Supreme Knight, Carl Anderson. Brother Anderson is the head of the Knights of Columbus based out of New Haven, CT. We have a chance to do something, to stand up for a social (in)justice and to push the truth. If this bill goes through, it will be the most devastating assault on pro-life since Roe v. Wade in 1973. Here is what Brother Anderson wrote last week:
The debate on health care legislation has now reached its final and most critical stage, with final votes expected in Congress within the next two weeks. The legislation is being fast-tracked through Congress using a rare parliamentary maneuver known as “reconciliation.” This procedure will push the bill through Congress over the objections of a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives that wants to remove abortion funding from the bill.
Very soon the House will be asked vote on a Senate bill containing provisions that would overturn the thirty-year federal policy against tax-dollar funding of abortion. If the Senate bill is approved by the House, it goes immediately to the President’s desk and will be enacted into law. A second “reconciliation” bill will then be voted on by both houses to make changes to the new law. These changes will not amend the abortion mandates enacted through the Senate bill.
The American Catholic bishops oppose the Senate bill, calling it “deficient” because it contains multiple pro-abortion provisions and federal subsidies for abortion. It allows for federal dollars to flow to abortion providers in community health centers; it allows for federal subsidies for overall health plans that cover abortion. Lastly, it provides no conscience protection for those who refuse to participate in abortion. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including brother Knight Congressman Bart Stupak (D-MI), is working to ensure that health care legislation contains language that would ban abortion funding. They need the support of brother Knights from across the United States.
I urge you to encourage every Knight in your state to contact their representatives in Congress. Ask them to go to the Knights of Columbus homepage at www.kofc.org for instructions on contacting Congress. Your immediate action is critical. If the Senate bill becomes law, it will be the largest expansion of abortion in our country since Roe v. Wade.
Carl A. Anderson
Supreme Knight
