Reducing Abortion by Not Reducing Abortion

1. Certain elements in the Party of Herod love to say that they are really trying to reduce abortions (not that there's anything wrong with them!) by, well, not doing anything to reduce abortion. What's amazing is that some people (e.g., several prominent Catholic law professors) fall for this bunkum. Here's the latest example of sophistry, the so-called "Prevention First Act" (S.21 (Reid)). It offers the usual "solution" of more funding for the Cult of Moloch (i.e., Planned Parenthood and its ilk), forcing hospitals to dispense "emergency contraception", lying about what "EC" does, and requiring health insurance plans to cover contraception. This is good PR with the credulous, but the reality is pretty grim. You know the way the contraceptive mentality really works -- it's "Prevention First, Abortion As A Backup".

2. At some point, the culture is going to wake up and realize that the problem isn't over-population, it's under-population. Of course, that would entail changing from a contraceptive mentality to a pro-life one. That's going to take some serious grace.

3. What religious group is conspicuous by its absence from the inaugural festivities? Catholics, of course. The new Administration selected four Protestant ministers to formally participate in various inagural events. Gee, do you think it has anything to do with the possibility that a bishop might mention marriage or respect for human life in an invocation or benediction?

4. On the other hand, they do listen to us sometimes. An interfaith group of religious leaders, including representatives of the USCCB, will be meeting with the new President to discuss banning torture. Good -- intrinsically evil acts (see CCC 2297-98) should never be an instrument of our national policy, as it has been on a few occasions in the past. Not only do such acts violate the human dignity of the victim, but they degrade the moral character of the perpetrators. Now, if only the religious leaders could find a moment to mention the torture and killing of unborn children while they have his attention.

5. Okay, now I get it. I don't have to pay my taxes until I'm nominated to be Secretary of the Treasury. Whee! Extra cash!

6. Helping us keep our eyes on the ball, as always, is the Vicar of Christ, who reflects beautifully on St. Paul's use of the image of the Church as the Bride of Christ.