Exceptions to abortion?

By Addia Wuchner, Executive Director of Kentucky Right to Life

Once again, abortion is in the headlines, with the emphasis on whether there should be exceptions for rape and incest. I was asked to comment by the Lexington Herald-Leader.

How surprised I was to see my exact words, when the story was published! Perhaps the HL is trying to be more inclusive in its reporting on the abortion issue?

Please look online (kentucky.com) for the entire article.

Wuchner: ..."the humanity of the child is not lessened by the circumstances of their conception.”
“Let me be clear, the gravity of sexual offenses such as rape or incest should never be in question. Unfortunately, during this governor’s race, I have watched the Beshear campaign spending thousands of dollars to put forth commercials and ads using this extremely personal and traumatic situation to commercialize the issue into political volley,” Wuchner wrote. “I find this political commercialization insulting to women and victims of such seriously grave offenses as they are about political sport and used for political gain.”

Wuchner said leaders should instead examine “the impunities that contribute to the continued perpetuation of sexual violence in our communities and in our culture.”

The National Republican Party Platform states the following about abortion:

The Fifth Amendment: Protecting Human Life

The Constitution's guarantee that no one can "be deprived of life, liberty or property" deliberately echoes the Declaration of Independence's proclamation that "all" are "endowed by their Creator" with the inalienable right to life. Accordingly, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to children before birth.

We oppose the use of public funds to perform or promote abortion or to fund organizations, like Planned Parenthood, so long as they provide or refer for elective abortions or sell fetal body parts rather than provide healthcare. We urge all states and Congress to make it a crime to acquire, transfer, or sell fetal tissues from elective abortions for research, and we call on Congress to enact a ban on any sale of fetal body parts...

We support the appointment of judges who respect traditional family values and the sanctity of innocent human life. We oppose the non-consensual withholding or withdrawal of care or treatment, including food and water, from individuals with disabilities, newborns, the elderly, or the infirm, just as we oppose euthanasia and assisted suicide.

MUCH more is written to show respect for LIFE. PLEASE read the Platform here.

Recently, our Attorney General and candidate Daniel Cameron noted that, when Governor, should the Legislature bring him a bill with exceptions, he would sign it. As governor, with a Republican majority, he would let their decision stand. In an ad to confront Beshear's attack ad on the rape issue, he explains how very different Beshear's stand is on abortion.

Regarding the Democrat stance, the GOP Platform points out:

The Democratic Party is extreme on abortion. Democrats' almost limitless support for abortion, and their strident opposition to even the most basic restrictions on abortion, put them dramatically out of step with the American people. Because of their opposition to simple abortion clinic safety procedures, support for taxpayer-funded abortion, and rejection of pregnancy resource centers that provide abortion alternatives, the old Clinton mantra of "safe, legal, and rare" has been reduced to just "legal." We are proud to be the party that protects human life and offers real solutions for women.

Ten years ago the KRTL sent a young lady, Emily Johnson, to compete in the National Right to Life Oratory Contest. Her topic was Pregnancy from RAPE. She won the national competition! Please listen to her arguments.