Washington D.C.- On July 4, 2019 President Donald J. Trump issued one of his best speeches, on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, beautifully detailing the American struggle for freedom, liberty, and justice for all over our 243 year history. The quote from George Washington that he shared during this speech, came at the time when the continental army was surrounded and facing insurmountable odds. They had recently declared their independence and the stakes could not have been greater. The British army was eager to crush the American resistance in its infancy.
On August 27, 1776 General George Washington stated,
“The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission.”
- Watch President Trump’s full speech: Salute To America
That American spirit of triumph over adversity in the pursuit of a brighter future for all has fueled past generations to overcome their deeply entrenched cultural grievances.
While we have come so far as a nation, there is still one class of Americans mentioned prophetically by George Washington that has even greater significance today in 2019.
- “The fate of unborn millions now depend on [our] courage and conduct.”
Bud Shaver of Abortion Free New Mexico issued the following statement after the Red Rose Rescue held in Washington D.C. on March 19, 2019,
“I appeal to President Donald Trump in hopes that he will continue to lead the charge in changing the heart of our nation so that our laws can be reformed to protect pre-born life in the womb. While we anticipate the overturning of Roe vs.Wade, we eagerly urge you to issue a presidential executive action through a Personhood Proclamation to give constitutional protection and personhood to the pre-born.”
- Watch the arrest footage and Bud Shaver’s video message to President Donald Trump
- Learn more: OVERTURN ROE: RED ROSE RESCUE IN WASHINGTON D.C.
See below a well written opinion piece that was recently published in the Albuquerque Journal by our friend and fellow pro-life activist Sid Gutierrez that emphasizes the need for personhood and protection of unborn millions, the last unprotected group in America.
Unborn the last unprotected group
(This article was published in the Albuquerque Journal on June 17, 2019)
By SID GUTIERREZ, RETIRED ASTRONAUT
The debate over abortion, interrupted by a Supreme Court decision almost half a century ago, is finally beginning anew. And it will not go away until some sort of a national consensus is achieved. Some are attempting to achieve this consensus by articulating reasoning based on science and enumerated rights in the Constitution. A quick review of videos on the Internet confirms that others have not moved beyond yelling, bullying and outright violence. Since we know the latter will not result in consensus, let’s look at the science and enumerated rights.
The science is clear. The fetus is a human being. The standard medical text “Human Embryology and Teratology” states, “Although human life is a continuous process, fertilization is a critical landmark because, under ordinary circumstances, a new, genetically distinct human organism is formed.” The textbook “The Developing Human” states, “Human life begins at fertilization.” I could add 40 more references.
Abortion-rights author David Boonin in his book “A Defense of Abortion” acknowledges, “A human fetus after all is simply a human being at a very early stage of development.”
So, if the consensus is to be based on science and morality, the decision is simple. Taking an innocent human life is immoral. There is no justification. A child is not responsible for the circumstances for her conception, so rape, incest, poverty and being unwanted are not grounds for taking a human life. Likewise, mental illness or physical deformities are not justification for killing a human being.
But Roe v. Wade was not based on morality. Justice (Harry) Blackmun claimed to base it on the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. This created a sticky situation since the 14th Amendment explicitly states, “nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” Justice Blackmun acknowledged this in Roe v. Wade when he wrote: “The (state of Texas) argue(s) that the fetus is a ‘person’ within the language and meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment. In support of this, they outline at length and in detail the well-known facts of fetal development. If this suggestion of personhood is established, (Jane Roe’s) case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the Amendment.”
This – the question of personhood – is the core issue to be resolved in this debate over abortion. All other issues are used by one side or the other to distract from the central question. Based on the words of the author of the Roe v Wade decision, if the fetus is a person, then the fetus is protected in all circumstances by the 14th Amendment.
So, the question we need to resolve and reach a consensus on is actually very simple: We know a fetus is a human being, the question is: Are all human beings persons? And if not a person, what would this human being be?
History gives us some possible answers. In the infamous Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court found a human being – a slave – to be property. During much of the early history of our country, owing to their non-person status, Native Americans were almost exterminated. But on issues of human rights, history says Americans eventually get it right. If we can agree that all humans are persons, we can resolve this divisive issue and finally bring protection to the last unprotected group – the unborn.
Sid Gutierrez is from Albuquerque, New Mexico and currently lives about 100 yards from where he grew up. He was a Distinguished Graduate of the USAF Academy with a BS in Aeronautical Engineering. He earned an MA in Management from Webster University. He is retired from the Air Force at the rank of Colonel where he flew the F-15, F-16, T-38 and many other aircraft while serving as a fighter pilot, test pilot, and instructor pilot. He joined NASA as an astronaut in 1984 and flew as the Pilot of Columbia on STS-40 and Commander of the Endeavour on STS-59. He then served in several leadership positions at a national laboratory before retiring again to become an entrepreneur and spend more time with his grandchildren and the Pro-Life ministry. He and his wife of 42 years have three children and six grandchildren. They are devoted to the Sanctity of Human Life and are particularly interested in helping single Moms who have chosen life for their children. Sid has served on the Board of a state university, several for profit companies and multiple charities dedicated to helping those in need.
