Editor, Times-Union: What sort of man would allow a dying infant to be thrown into the trash? Illinois residents know. And, we should, too. Most Americans have never considered what happens to babies who accidentally survive abortion procedures. In recent past, nurses assisting during abortions were often instructed to place infants inadvertently born alive into the hazardous waste unless parents intervened. Because of this shocking practice, a bill titled “Born Alive Infant Protection Act” was introduced to the Illinois state legislature in 2001. It would enable hospital personnel to provide minimal comfort for the infants until they died. Seemed like a no-brainer. Who would oppose this bill? Even former U.S. Senator, Hillary Clinton, supported a similar federal born-alive bill. Yet, one Illinois state senator fervently argued against its passage. He contended it interfered with the civil rights of doctors and parents. The bill was reintroduced in 2002 … this same senator maintained the law would be a burden on women and physicians. In 2003, this senator chaired the Illinois Health and Human Services Committee. When the born-alive bill was presented the third time, he simply refused to call it for a vote. By 2004, he was busy pursuing a U.S. Senate seat. With his opposition removed, Illinois lawmakers passed the Born Alive legislation in 2005. The actions of this senator reflect his soul. Imagine: If he can justify withholding comfort to dying infants, how might he regard the terminally ill? The aged and infirmed? The unwanted and imperfect? We will soon find out because that former Illinois senator is President Barack Obama; he who brought us Obama-care. Read about Obama’s argument against born-alive legislation in the April 2008 edition of Citizen Magazine (www.CitizenLink.com) and learn more at www.jillstanek.com Debra Zawlocki South Whitley, via e-mail
