Posted on 01/23/2002 5:22:14 AM PST by ArGee
On Tuesday, January 22, 2002, Argee, Teacup, proud2bRC, firebrand, ELS, stand waite, mudpuppy, and teacup met one another before the March for Life in Washington D.C. There was also a youngster whose screen name was, I believe, Catherine the Great, but she didn't write it down and I could be mis-remembering.
I offered to start a thread where we could post comments, pictures, whatever. This is that thread.
For my own comments, I have four thoughts.
Post away.
Shalom.
Sorry I had to scoot out on all of you, but I wanted to get near the front of the march in order to make it to see Rick Santorum, which I did. I also heard Arlen Specter via cell phone.(Blecchh)A pro-life physician got up and asked him a few questions, he basically did his typical dodging act, saying he is personally opposed but that oppositon should be dealt with in the family, and is not a matter for government. He then stated that the Supreme Court had made a decision, and that they are the highest authority. What happened next made my day. The doc informed him that God was the higher authority. Well Mr. Specter musn't have taken his congeniality pills, because he lost it on the good doc. He started the relationship with God and the concept of him is so personal... blah... basically what he said was "How dare you question me, and it's none of your damn business!" His tone said it all!
Concerning the atmosphere, I heard people discussing how next year it will probably be like a picnic, and that was not meant in a complimentary sense. My mom has attended March for Life for about the last 12 years, she also stated that things have changed. Not having marched before, I had no idea what to expect, or how people would behave.
I must say that law enforcement were polite and helpful, and I didn't see any disruptive behavior. I also didn't see any protesters, not one. I would imagine they were kept at a safe distance. I did hear that they were to have held a prayer vigil in front of the Supreme Court.
I must say I was struck by the sheer number of the participants. My mom and a friend that has attended previous years, encouraged me to turn around briefly and look behind on the way up to the Capital. It was unbelievable!
I hope everyone else had a great day, but I have to say that this gal is still a wee bit tired.
As a Pennsylvanian, if he really said this then he needs to be canned. We don't need a Senator who doesn't know the Constitution. Our system of checks and balances put all three branches of government in place so they could watch each other. None is higher than the other. Each has a function, and part of that function is to keep the other two in line.
In Roe v. Wade and later rulings the SCOTUS has overstepped its bounds. The only reason they have gotten away with it is that the executive and legslitave branches haven't held it to account. If Santorum doesn't understand that particular responsibility of his branch, he needs to go do a job that he does understand.
On another front, I wish the doc had asked Santorum if he feels the same way when he hears a child screeming for mercy while being beaten by his parents. Either the womb houses a baby or it doesn't. That's a matter of fact, not of opinion. And it is therefore a public policy issue, not a private issue.
Now, where's teacup with those pictures?
Shalom.
I'll blame this new WinME OS. Yeah, that's the ticket.
I respect Rick Santorum. I've never been able to figure out how Arlen Specter could get elected.
I hope Rick will forgive the slip, if he's a FReeper. I'll probably have to send him a campaign contribution or something.
But we need to remind these people that SCOTUS is not the highest authority in the US government. We have three branches, neither higher than the other. That nonsense about SCOTUS being the highest authority would make them a ruling cabal. It has got to be attacked every time it is brought up.
Shalom.
Pubmom, you are so cute! Catherine the Great, is are such a doll. 2bRC; firebrand; ELS; stand watie; mudpuppy; you are all such troopers. Oh yeah, let's not forget Mudpuppy's son was with us too, what a sweetie.
Mudpuppy, Els, and Firebrand and I all stayed together during the march. There were so many speakers, including, B-one Bob Dornan, and many others.
Firebrand and Els, were interviewd by a New York newspaper, Woo Hoo!.
I took pictures. As soon as I can download them, I will post them.
The walk was long, and there were sooo many people there. I have never seem so many people gathered all in one place in my life. I'm telling you all this because you won't see this covered my your local news. At least, not to the extent of the event's size. Pictures will be posted tonight for sure.
I did see the pro-abort protesters. I shouted over the heads of the crowd to them that they had gotten off at the wrong Metro stop. People around me laughed, but it was supposed to have a deeper meaning too. I pray for them now and for all pro-abort people that they will understand the call to repentance before it's too late.
The March was smaller than last year's, probably because the Inauguration drew a larger crowd. It was icy cold and damp last year, but yesterday it was so warm we had to take our jackets off, until the shadow of the Washington Monument passed over us---then we had to put them back on.
I was interviewed by a New York publication. The reporter liked my sign, which maybe you will see later when Teacup gets the photos up. He took my name and where I had come from ("I'm the only pro-life woman on the Upper West Side," I told him) and also ELS's name and hometown.
ELS and I went to the Susan B. Anthony reception in the Rayburn Building, and then headed for Union Station. I fell asleep almost immediately and didn't wake up till Princeton Junction.
It was so wonderful to spend time with all of you. I hope we will have more chances to meet in the future, and more chances to help in this important cause.
Photos later
It was so great to be surrounded by so many pro-life people. I didn't see any anti-lifers, but the people with the gruesome photographs got a bit annoying, since they were basically preaching to the choir.
OK, next year I'll get my act together and meet some of you guys - because I'll be there again!
I went with my Mom, my sister, my uncle, and 2 cousins. We saw our grandmother and another cousin at the court believe it or not!
I only saw 3 pro-aborts. very heartining.
My favorite part was when once of the speakers was talking about how all the pro-life bills have been blocked by the Clintons and said "those people have moved on" I got to yell and scream just like at Dubya's inauguration! It was also wonderful to see so many kids about my age! I thought every kid was a liberal!
and it was great to finally meet the freepers. Now that my Mom knows your all normal people she'll relax a little *G*
I was also near the back of the march. Did you see a guy in a blue sweatshirt with the U.S. flag on the front (my only pro-life gear)? I marched with the Franciscans that had that portable sound system for a while.
I finally had to leave the march right after it went past the capital building. Unfortunately, I never could find any detailed information on the march, and had told my wife I would probably leave D.C. around 3:00. She was home with a sick daughter and I really had to leave to go help out. I'm sorry I missed W. but not sorry I missed that RINO Specter. I'm also sorry I didn't get to meet you.
Shalom.
Awesome to personally meet great FReepers in person and to stand up for LIFE - my son and I enjoyed your company!....
...but sad that we had to be there at all.
The amount of young people there always amazes me. I pray they can help right the wrong that this nation has allowed.
It must be a terrible feeling to know that your generation has suffered through an almost silent holocaust....millions dead
on the alter of immorality and materialism.
I admit that I can't look at those graphic pictures of mutilated babies...it makes me sick and sick at heart.
I hope to be alive to celebrate the day when we can March For Life and the OVERTURN of Roe vs. Wade.
That will be a joyous day!
It was great to meet you.
Shalom.
This year I attended a much smaller walk in Los Altos, California (a little bit north of San Jose and south of San Francisco). This was an annual event the local Catholic Church does (for the record, I'm not Catholic).
The pro-abortion extremists this year came out in force to cause havoc and parallel our march. Some on our side were too nervous to go on with the original plan to march to city hall, not wanting to risk confronation with the extremists since the pro-aborts had planned on merging with our crowd. Half of our group decided not to back down and continued with the original route while the others just walked around the church area.
With only half of us, we only had half the numbers of the pro-aborts who were chanting their usual inane chants. The Catholics did their prayers with the rosary beads thing. Since I'm not Catholic, my sign focused more on the civil rights of the preborn, although some of the Catholics' sign echoed the sentiment. We got near the city hall but turned back toward the church at the end and let the pro-aborts do their thing.
There was plenty of media coverage present and one station that I saw did quite a thorough job covering the event (KTVU-Channel 2)
As you all know, I am not a Catholic but I have great respect for the Church.
I also know that there are some valid points of contention between the Catholics and the Protestants. I don't ask the Church to give up her position, but she must know those points exist.
That said, do any of you see a problem in a unity event like the national March for Life with people loudly praying the Rosary, holding placards asking Mary to pray for us, etc.? I do not mean to call into question the validity of the Rosary or asking Mary to pray for us. I think I understand the Church's position on both and do not wish to argue it. But Catholics must know that such things make non-Catholics uncomfortable. Wouldn't it be reasonable to focus on the ties that bind all of us together rather than loudly proclaim our distinctives?
And I don't even want to think about how the Jewish pro-lifers felt about many of the signs proclaiming Jesus.
Just to be sure everyone here understands. I'm not asking anyone to denounce their beliefs. I'm just wondering about the wisdom of proclaiming every one of them when the people of G-d are finally unified on something.
I'm interested in your comments.
Shalom.
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