'We Thank God for This Victory'

by Dr. James Dobson The US Supreme Court handed down an incredibly important ruling on Wednesday, April 18 upholding the ban on partial birth abortion, which had been signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003.

We thank God for this victory that affirms the value of human life and puts an end to the Naziesque barbarism known as partial birth abortion. A majority of Justices have recognized what most Americans have long known: There is no constitutional right to slay a healthy, nearly born baby by stabbing it in the back of the head and vacuuming out its brains, all without even anesthetizing the child.

This ruling concludes a long legislative and judicial struggle outlawing this procedure. Legislature to ban it was first introduced in Congress in 1995. It was passed three times and twice vetoed by then President Clinton. The third passage died in conference committee, facing a third inevitable Clinton veto.

We applaud the Court for joining President Bush and Congress in declaring that a civilized society must not condone such compassionless and hideous acts against human beings. In the year 2000, the Supreme Court struck down a similar NE law, just as Sandra Day O'Connor voted with the majority in declaring that law unconstitutional.

President Bush was reelected in 2004 and appointed Justice Samuel Alito to replace Justice O'Connor. The United States Senate at that time more conservative than today, confirmed Justice Alito. He voted with the majority this week to uphold the partial abortion ban.

This ruling reminds us that elections matter. President Bush's appointment of Samuel Alito provided the swing vote to protect this law. If John Kerry were President, partial birth abortion would still be legal in the land. In fact he voted against the ban six times as a Senator.

However, if Justice Alito were before the United States Senate for confirmation today, it's quite possible that he would not make it to the bench. With this ruling, the Supreme Court has taken the scalpel out of the hands of the abortionist, who would brutally puncture the skulls of babies who are inches and moments away from birth.

Let me end with this deeply felt comment. One man, President Bill Clinton, preserved the legality of partial birth abortion when it was struck down three times by Democrats and Republicans alike. As a result, this procedure, which is one part abortion and three parts infanticide, continued unchecked for 12 more years. Bill Clinton's legacy will forever be stained by the blood of precious babies who were subjected to unimaginable horror.

By contrast, one man — President George W. Bush, the most pro-life President in the United States history — has acted to protect children from the barbarity of partial birth abortion. I applaud the President for nominating two pro-life Justices to Court and for having the courage and conviction to stand firm for human life.

Press Release: Focus Action Applauds High Court’s Stand for Life