Extremism as the excuse

By Judie Brown

Words are powerful tools — tools that can be used for both good and evil. Words can inspire. Words can hurt. And words can be twisted. Today's commentary examines the words of men who intended to inspire and offer hope in a time of great tragedy. Yet their words were twisted and used for evil. Read on for Judie Brown's insights.

First it was Missouri Senate candidate Todd Akin who defended the lives of innocent preborn children created during the vicious act of rape. Now it's Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock who has done the same — and the media is going nuts.

USA Today reports: "Asked whether abortion should be allowed in cases of rape or incest, Mourdock said during Tuesday's debate, 'I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realize that life is that gift from God. And, I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something that God intended to happen.'"

And while it is clear to pro-life Americans that both of these men have taken positions consistent with their pro-life philosophy, it is not so with the mainstream media. CNN, among others, has labeled such statements as forms of extremism, going so far as to opine, "Indiana voters will get to decide if Mourdock's comments are consistent with their commonsense approach to politics and problem-solving."

This single sentence defines the challenge facing American pro-life activists and educators during the coming months and years. This sentence defines the killing of some preborn children as consistent with a commonsense approach to politics. At the same time, those of us with consistent positions in defense of the innocent are relegated to the category of fringe folks — people to be avoided at all costs because our views are inconsistent with public opinion.

This is indeed the perspective we must accept as typical as we move forward to restore the culture to one that respects moral sanity while it rejects evil regardless of the perceptions of those who are preaching immoral tenets as the status quo. Even though these folks appear to be in control of the public conversation at the moment, men like Akin and Mourdock are making it possible for the glimmering lights of truth and reason to shine through.

We are obligated to grasp these opportunities and expand on the teaching moments they provide. By sharing simple, humane explanations that defy the illogic of pro-abort apologists, we will appeal to those who see beyond the "issue" to have a glimpse of the human baby.

Every time we help another person realize what the act of abortion does to someone as human as we are, we take one more step toward the culture of life. We plant seeds of fact that defy the hysterics of our opponents.

An extremist is a radical who possesses a rabid rhetoric that is designed to instill fear, uncertainty, and instability among those who are not well grounded in facts. This is the role into which CNN, many other media, and more than a few politicians have willingly stepped in an effort to protect decriminalized abortion at all costs. And if that requires lies and misleading statements, so be it they say.

Oh really? Well we say no! Now is the time to meet the real victim of abortion and to understand that whether he is created during a violent act such as rape or incest, in a petri dish, or through the loving embrace of a couple, he is an individual who possesses every shred of integrity that you and I do.

Extremism is a practice, an excuse for defending the indefensible; being pro-life on the other hand is a prudent, sensible way of living life to the fullest. We have the advantage; let us use it.

© Judie Brown