Posted on 01/21/2009 11:18:06 AM PST by Balt
So, how many of you were aware that, in one of his last official acts before stepping down as President, George W. Bush proclaimed Sunday, January 18, as "National Sanctity of Human Life Day" for 2009. "The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent," his proclamation is reported to say.
What??? You didn't know??? Well, I'm sure it was just an innocent oversight on the part of NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX, and about 14,000 major metropolitain newspapers around the country. After all, they're journalists—they don't have any reason to withhold news.
Your PP wanted very much to let you see the text of former President Bush's proclamation. After all, we've posted other presidential proclamations here, such as President Lincoln's estabishing the fourth Thursday in November as a National Day of Prayer for Thanksgiving. So, I clicked on the link from the White House web site I had saved the day before yesterday which—the day before yesterday—took me right to it so I could snag the text; and guess what I found?
The article you are looking for is no longer avaiable. President Obama has created a new web site. It is possible the article you are looking for can be found there.
Okay, I'll bite. I clicked on the link for the new White House web site, but could find absolutely nothing unrelated to the new administration, except for the section about the history of the White House—as if George Bush never existed.
Just to be sure, I typed "Sanctify of Human Life" into the site's search engine, but there were only a few hits, the only one with the name "Bush" being about Barbara Bush expressing concern for human rights in Somalia. I then went to "Presidential Proclamations," and found only one:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.
As the "Church Lady" from Satruday Night Live would say, "Now, isn't that special." Yes, your PP could certainly find the text of Mr. Bush's proclamation somewhere else; but I want it from the White House!
My last stop at the White House web site was the "Contact Us" button, which displays a form for submitting questions or comments. It's prefaced by an introduction about how open the new administration seeks to be, and how it "welcomes your thoughts, ideas and questions"; so, I asked one: I asked whether they could forward to me the text of former President Bush's proclamation making Sunday, January 18, a "National Sanctity of Human Life Day." As soon as I get a response I'll let you know. My suspicion, however, is that the sanctity of human life is—in the words of the new White House web site—"no longer available."
Please do not send—or direct me to—Mr. Bush’s proclamation. I want it from the White House, and will accept it from no other source.
What do mean, Balt, please?
Part of the “Change” of your new president is that of a sliding scale of human worth - that all are actually not created equal. Good thing we did away with that old, useless policy!
Here is a link to the site the day it was posted. You can find the cached site via google.
Here is the text!
National Sanctity of Human Life Day, 2009
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
White House News
En Español
All human life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world. We also underscore our dedication to heeding this message of conscience by speaking up for the weak and voiceless among us.
The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My Administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing Federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence, and funding crisis pregnancy programs. In 2002, I was honored to sign into law the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which extends legal protection to children who survive an abortion attempt. I signed legislation in 2003 to ban the cruel practice of partial-birth abortion, and that law represents our commitment to building a culture of life in America. Also, I was proud to sign the Unborn Victims of Violence Act of 2004, which allows authorities to charge a person who causes death or injury to a child in the womb with a separate offense in addition to any charges relating to the mother.
America is a caring Nation, and our values should guide us as we harness the gifts of science. In our zeal for new treatments and cures, we must never abandon our fundamental morals. We can achieve the great breakthroughs we all seek with reverence for the gift of life.
The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 18, 2009, as National Sanctity of Human Life Day. I call upon all Americans to recognize this day with appropriate ceremonies and to underscore our commitment to respecting and protecting the life and dignity of every human being.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
GEORGE W. BUSH
It was also posted on FR.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.