Why Did Maryland Catholic Conference Side With NARAL Against Maryland Right To Life?

In the lead article of the latest edition for Defend Life's newsletter (in which I regularly write a column), one is led to ask that question as the MCC supported a bill in the Maryland State Legislature that would allow Planned Parenthood into schools for easy access to school-aged kids.

I needn't rehash the excellent Defend Life piece but rather, I'd suggest you read it yourselves.  Some things need to be highlighted about the MCC's support for HB 401.  First, two local pro-life groups opposed it.  Didn't Molly Sheahan think it might have been wise to inquire why the other two groups opposed it?  I would think it should have been a part of some "due-diligence" research on her part.  Second, NARAL, existing only to promote abortion, favored it.  I might have thought  that might raise a red flag or two as to whether or not HB 401 was really beneficial.  Defend Life staff questioned Sheahan about these matters, only to receive an evasive response.

So now the question must be asked.  What, or maybe, who urged Sheahan to disregard the voices of others in the pro-life community and stand side by side with rabid pro-aborts in support of HB 401?  I would not be surprised if those directives came from chanceries.  Recall that all three Maryland prelates sit on the Board of Directors of the MCC.

The Archdiocese of Washington has displayed some strange behavior towards pro-life activists.  I touched a bit on it three years ago.  Might our prelates have been willing to support HB 401 in exchange for some other favor?  We don't know.  Suffice it to say that Sheahan most likely would not have supported that bill without obtaining at least the permission of the MCC board of directors - that is, the area bishops.  I regret this episode might be more than just an error of judgment.

Maryland "Pro-Life Victory" A Sham

The Maryland Catholic Conference is calling the recent repeal of the death penalty in Maryland a "pro-life victory".  Really???  Seriously???   What about the real death penalty in Maryland??

While the MCC and state legislators were celebrating and giving "high-fives" to each other, another 95 babies were slaughtered in abortuaries across the Free State.  Yes, approximately 95 babies are murdered vis-a-vis abortion in Maryland - with the support of many of the legislators who repealed capital punishment.

How many executions occurred in Maryland over the years?  According to Maryland's own statistics, 85 men were executed from 1923 to present.  Obviously that's less than 1 per year: 0.94 to be precise.  With 95 babies being murdered every year, that makes 34,700 per year.  Once again, the Maryland Catholic Conference displays an abysmal lack of perspective just in terms of arithmetic as they wax lyrical about a legislative body that largely condones the murder of innocents.

There's a larger issue here, one that eludes the folks at Maryland Catholic Conference.  Mary Ellen Russell, executive director of the MCC stated the case although she doesn't acknowledge the impact of what she said.  She said, "the test of whether the death penalty can be used is not the gravity of the offense, but whether it is absolutely necessary to protect society."  Right there she acknowledges that capital punishment is permissible if "it is absolutely necessary to protect society".  However, thanks to their short-sighted (and progressive leanings of the "social justice" cabal), they have just removed a means of societal defense that would otherwise be available to protect society from dangerous criminals.

There is a malevolent pattern in recent actions of the Maryland legislature.  It's seen in the repeal of capital punishment and it's also seen in the push to cripple our exercise of Second Amendment rights.  In both cases, the progressives are acting to tie our hands when it comes to defending ourselves, our families and our society against dangerous thugs.  In fact, the thugs who call themselves "doctors" while plying their murderous trades are no doubt joining in the celebration of the death penalty repeal.  Why?  Simple!  They no doubt realize that in a saner time, they would be considered eligible for capital punishment.

ADDENDUM:  Perhaps the MCC staffers are reading the Not-at-all Catholic Reporter.  Yesterday their columnist Bill Tammeus questioned why true Catholics spend so much energy trying to stop abortion as opposed to the death penalty.  Why?  According to this dubious sage, the unborn child is just "a bundle of cells" whereas the criminal is a human being.  What a guy!

Maryland Democrats' Horribly Skewed Priorities

I live in Montgomery County Maryland, in Maryland's 39th legislative district.  The state senator from that district is Nancy King.  It will surprise very few people to learn that every representative and senator from Montgomery County is a pro-abortion Democrat.  That includes Ms. King.  Take a look at the endorsements that she touts on her website: National Organization of Women, Emily's List, NARAL, Equality Maryland, etc - in other words, the usual gang of suspects.

Because I sent an email to her to lobby on some issue, I wound up on her email broadcast list.  Today I received an "end of session" recap of what happened during this past session.  As you read this excerpt from it, keep in mind that this is penned by a pro-abortion politician.

"Protecting Animals
This year, we continued our efforts to better protect animals from abuse and neglect by passing Senate Bill 317. This legislation will further combat the issue of puppy mills by requiring retail pet stores to initiate recordkeeping, notification, and public disclosure requirements, as well as creating remedies when a dog sold at a pet store is found to have an undisclosed disease or illness.
One animal issue that I received many, many emails on was SB 465 which would restrict the sale and possession of shark fins. The shark fin trade is largely unregulated and unmonitored. The horrible act of removing fins from live sharks and throwing them back into the water often takes place on oceans beyond national jurisdictions and fins are imported into the U.S. from countries with few shark protections in place. The best way to bring an end to this practice is through legislation prohibiting the trade. SB465 passed the Senate but unfortunately did not pass the House of Delegates. I am sure we will see this legislation again in 2013."

In other words, puppies and sharks must be protected, but it's "open season" on human babies in their mothers' wombs!  She advocated putting more diligence and disclosure requirements on pet shops than she ever would have for abortion centers.  She bemoans "the horrible act of removing fins from live sharks".  Hey, Nancy!  How about the tearing apart of babies in the womb?  At last count, this happens almost 100 times a day in the state of Maryland alone!  Oh, wait!  Never mind!  She's endorsed by NOW and NARAL - folks who get some of their donations from abortionists, so King et al are in the back pockets of the abortion industry.

I am told that other areas of the country are a bit more saner.  Let's work and pray to keep them that way and to restore some common sense to Maryland's bastions of progressiveness.

URGENT MARRIAGE ACTION ALERT

The battle to keep traditional marriage from being redefined in Maryland is still on! The marriage bill, which will allow same sex marriage in Maryland, was passed in the Maryland Senate on a preliminary vote. The final vote will happen tonight. This is despite the facts that a poll released just last week found that by a 54-37 margin, Maryland voters believe that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. And in over 30 states where there has been a vote on same-sex marriage, the people have consistently rejected same-sex marriage. Your senator can be called at 301-970-5000.

Now, the battle moves to the Maryland House and more than ever, your help is needed!

1. The House is holding a hearing on Marriage Bills TOMORROW, Friday February 25, 2011 at 1PM in the House Judiciary Committee Room Lowe House Office Building, 6 Bladen Street, Annapolis.
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The bills to be heard are
• Delegate Dwyer's HB 963 for a constitutional amendment to protect marriage between a man and a woman and
• The opposing bills HB 55 & HB 175 which would remove the words "a man and a woman" from the definition of marriage.
• Speakers on both sides of the issue will be there and the opposition is busing people in to Annapolis. We need people who are in favor of traditional marriage to come show their support!
• The hearings can be listened to by webcast.

2. Two press conferences one at 11AM and the second at 12:30AM for each of the Marriage Bills which will be heard are also scheduled for tomorrow (Friday) and your presence there is crucial too! One is being held by Maryland for Marriage Coalition opposing HB 55 &135, and the other is being held by Del. Dwyer. You are invited to attend both events.

3. Contact your legislators and the members of the House Judiciary Committee and let them know that you oppose legislation redefining marriage, and wish to uphold traditional marriage. Click here for a link to the Judiciary Committee's website.

4. Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr. District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony, you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon.
• Click here to email your legislators.
• Click here to contact the Senate Judicial Committee.
• Click here to contact the House Judiciary Committee.
• Call individual legislators-Phone 301 970 5000

Spread the word! Forward this notice to friends!

Testify for the Constitutional Marriage Amendment as well as against the same sex marriage bills by calling Louisa Baucom, Legislative Aide to Del. Don Dwyer Jr District 31 at 1 410-841-3047 NOW. If you are providing written testimony- you will need to hand in 35 copies of your testimony before noon. Instructions below courtesy of Del Dwyer Jr's office

Please contact Louisa Baucom as soon as possible so that she can help with testimony and sign in. If you have never testified in Committee before, below are FAQs to help familiarize you to the process. Please feel free to call if you have any further questions or need further clarification.

If you are providing written testimony- you will need to bring 35 copies of your testimony. She will not have the manpower to make the copies here.

This is a crucial part of the legislative process, having a strong showing in support of, or in opposition to any bill can and does make a difference.

Appearing in Annapolis before the committee sends a much stronger message than emails, please bring your friends and family. Also please note, the push is on in the gay community to pass same sex marriage this year- they will be here in force.

Testifying in Annapolis FAQ

Q: How much time will I get to speak?
A: 3 minutes, more if members of the Committee wish to ask questions or ask for further testimony or explanation.

Q : How much notice will I get of the hearing date?
A : Unfortunately, it could be weeks or days in advance, or it could be a short as a day.

Q: How much time should I plan on being in Annapolis?
A: Again, this depends on variables such as; number of bills being heard that day, order of bills being heard, and number of people testifying on each bill. The rule of thumb is to plan on spending the day if you can or spending the amount of time you are able.

Q: Can I testify as an individual citizen?
A: yes

Q: Where do I park, and driving directions
A: park in any of the garages in Annapolis or at the Navy Stadium and ride the shuttle in. You can email don.dwyer@house.state.md.us or call our office at 410-841-3047 to request driving directions and parking information be sent to you via email or regular mail.

Q: Where do I go to testify?
A: Committees are located in the Lowe House Office Building at 6 Bladen Street. Contact me to confirm the committee (Marriage Bill will be in Judiciary, Personhood will be in Health and Government Operations)


Maryland for Marriage Coalition Press Conference
Friday, February 24, 2011
11 a.m. (people should gather at 10:30 a.m.)
Lawyers' Mall, near the State Capitol Bldg.
Annapolis
(in case of inclement weather, go to House of Delegates Bldg., Rm. 150, Balt. City Delegation Caucus Room)

Delgate Dwyer's Press Conference
Friday, February 25, 2011
12:30 p.m.
Main lobby of Lowe House Office Bldg.
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis

The best parking for all events is at the Navy Stadium, which has a shuttle to the Capitol. You can also try off street or parking garages in the area.


CHECK OUT OUR NEW MARYLAND FOR MARRIAGE WEBSITE.

MARYLAND4MARRIAGE.COM

Maryland To Vote On Same-Sex Marriage This Week

I posted an alert on Feb 2 regarding the attack on marriage and family life in Maryland, vis-a-vis bills SB 116 and HB 55.  Go back to that link and study it closely.

Hearings were held on these measures last week.  It could well go to a vote this week.  If it passes, Governor O'Malley indicated that he would sign it. 

Let your state senator and your representatives know that you won't stand for the undermining of family life in Maryland.  On the Feb 2 page is a link that will guide you to the emails of your representatives.  Do so now!