092401 Attack on Our Future

Karen Battles
Contributing Columnist & AFR Staff Member
September 24, 2001

The heroic actions of people all across this nation still move us as we continue to hear story after story of sacrifice and determination in the face of the September 11 terrorist attacks. These riveting and inspiring reports show the true essence of the American spirit. They make us proud. They give us unity.

But we have to face the facts. What can bring out the best in us can also bring out the worst in us. Instead of heroism, some have responded to the attack of the World Trade Center in a heinous manner. Examples that come easily to mind are reports of looting and scam artists posing as charity or rescue workers merely to line their pockets with the money of families and a nation in mourning.

Perhaps the most heinous of these is cleverly disguised as a free service to the women of New York City. Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) has responded to the tragedy by offering “complete reproductive health are . . . free of cost.” Their initial offering was from September 18 through September 22, however they have now extended their “free offer” through September 29.

Many services are available through PPNYC, including pregnancy testing, HIV testing, GYN care and other medical care. Also included in the list of services currently available for “free” are “emergency contraception, surgical first- and second-trimester abortion under local, conscious sedation or general anesthesia and early abortion, including non-surgical abortion.” In other words, PPNYC’s response to the death of thousands of Americans is to kill more Americans!

Then Gloria Feldt, President of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc., claimed a badge of honor as she stated the following in a Planned Parenthood Action Network letter dated Friday, September 21, 2001: “We at Planned Parenthood have lived and worked for many years with the threat of terrorism. Sadly, this is now a bond we share with the entire nation. This experience must magnify the hurt and pain felt by those who have lost loved ones to this senseless violence . . .”

The actions of Planned Parenthood have certainly been outrageous in the past but this “act now, offer ends soon” attempt to kill even more Americans while waiving the flag of America’s rights and freedoms is certainly their most egregious behavior. By offering to kill American children in the womb, PPNYC’s actions are another deadly attack on our future.

This is not a call to storm the gates of Planned Parenthood. Hostile action is not the answer and does not serve the greater goal of preserving life. Our nation does not need more death and injury through violence but conversely we do not need to have our current hurt and pain magnified by the violence of abortion. The only way to stop abortion’s attack on our future is through a loud, clear and united message of truth and life, delivered with love.