Me, a Guest on Hardball?

Penny on "Hardball" with Chris Matthews? Lately, I have been thinking about the question of abortion and Roe v. Wade. It sprang up again when his bishop suggested that Patrick Kennedy (a practicing Catholic) not take communion because of his vote against life issues. Chris Matthews pressed the bishop on a recent episode of Hardball to state how much jail time he would give the woman who'd had an abortion. The bishop stammered and stalled and couldn't come up with a definitive answer.

I have always been a staunch prolife advocate. From the moment of conception until natural death I have always believed that human life should be held sacred; but this discussion gave me pause and I imagined how I'd respond if I were on the hot seat.

Matthews: (To the camera) Tonight's guest is Penny, a sixth grade math teacher from St. Clare of Assisi School (Turns to me, goes straight for the jugular.) If Roe v. Wade were overthrown today, how much jail time should the woman receive?

Me: Uh. . .

Matthews: You're a math person, you can count.

Me: Well, none . . .

Matthews: What's the point? Why have laws if you're not going to enforce them?

Me: Uh. . . (I don't think as fast as he does)

Matthews: Isn't it true that you have no real answers? But if Roe v. Wade were repealed today, some right wing zealots, probably Sarah Palin, would lead the charge and throw anyone who has ever had an abortion in jail for life?

Me: Sarah Palin?

Matthews: I have a video from Jon Stewart. Roll clip. (Video clip from the Daily Show presented humorously jabbing Sarah Palin) (Back to Matthews). Didn't she have a son with Down's Syndrome? Should she receive communion?

Me: Sarah Palin? (Clearly, I don't think as fast as Matthews. I am confused by line of questioning).

Matthews: As a practicing Catholic, Miz Henrikson how can you vote Republican when they are for the death penalty?

Me: Death penalty?

Matthews: Dick Cheeeeeney would give women who have abortions the death penalty, wouldn't he?

Me: I don't think that's true. . .anyway, I am against the death penalty, too. But I think if we take one life issue at a time, look at the most defenseless. . .

Matthews: Cheeeeeney shoots people in the face for sport! I'll give you a chance to speak.

Me: Uh, it's Cheney (Chain-y). I think you purposefully mispronounce his name to demean the man. (I want to say it makes Matthews look like an ass when he does this-and he does this all the time--but I bite my tongue.) I am an independent. I've voted Democrat, I've voted Republican, I've even voted for Ross Perot. Yes, I regret voting for Perot but my point is, I will vote for the persons that I believe will protect life. I believe it is our most pressing issue.

Matthews: Would you deny Patrick Kennedy communion?

Me: I am not his bishop.

Matthews: Answer my question.

Me: I understood that the bishop made a suggestion. It is up to Kennedy to decide whether he should receive communion.

Matthews: So you won't answer my question? (Matthews turns from the camera). Next up. . . Barack Obama on GQ's latest cover. . . makes me tingle all over! Be back!

~

If Matthews would let me speak, if I could untie my tongue, here's what I'd say:

Abortion advocates have cleverly framed the abortion debate as a religious issue. In a broad-minded culture such as the United States of America, no one wants to dismiss or discriminate against anyone, least of all because of religious beliefs. This American spirit gives birth (how ironic) to the most prevalent argument from those who would uphold Roe v. Wade, that is, the stance that "personally I am against abortion but I don't feel that I have the right to inflict my beliefs on anyone else."

Some believe that this stance exonerates them from any culpability in the matter. But really, it is a false premise. If you wouldn't have an abortion because you believe that the embryo is a human life, isn't it equally wrong for another person to have an abortion?

I contend that the sanctity of human life is a social issue. Consider the fact that there are now operating in our country, forces who do not believe that Americans are worthy of life; whose sole mission is to kill as many Americans as possible, based on their religious beliefs. Should our laws apply to them? Couldn't we just as easily say, "I personally wouldn't kill an American but I don't feel that I have the right to inflict my religious beliefs on someone else?"

The point being, if we want to keep America open and free, we must hold all human life sacred, not because of religious beliefs, but despite them.

Regarding handling an overturn of Roe v. Wade, the good bishop was clearly unprepared, but there are steps that could be taken to address what legal chaos might follow.

First, begin with an educational program. For years abortion advocates have fought to keep the truth about the reality of abortion off the airwaves. While news organizations will show photos and videos of the dead and maimed bodies in war-torn areas of the world, they refuse to show photos or videos of abortions . . . the process and the result. I believe that if people really understood that pregnant women are not growing tumors inside the womb, but human life, the instance of abortions would drop like a hot rock. In association with this, journalists and celebrities should stop using the term "bump" to indicate a pregnancy. A bump is something that must be removed. A baby is sacred.

Second, while Matthews took prosecution of the "doctors" (using the term lightly here because true doctors are sworn to protect and defend life) off the table with the bishop, I think it's where prosecution should be focused. Abortion is a big money-making business. If abortionists were out of business, the trade would dwindle . . . it's kind of like the silversmiths who found themselves out of work in St. Paul's time.

Third, mercy, there are at least two victims in every abortion. There is the unborn child and the mother. While an abortion might be a short-term answer for an unplanned pregnancy, the effect on the woman in the long term is significant. Along with this-for those women who find themselves with an unplanned pregnancy-support and genuine help in caring for or finding a family for their newborn infant is critical.

Anyway, thanks Chris! It was great having this opportunity to chat with you!