FROM
THE PRESIDENT'S KITCHEN TABLE
Dear Readers, It got a real workout running carpools, errands, and traveling to Wheeling,
WV for family visits especially when my mother-in-law was dying. For six
years it kept us safe during our monthly trips to UVA to remind our first
two college kids where they came from while they tested their wings in
pagan territory. Due to my bumper stickers it suffered coffee and raw
egg attacks and three shattered back windows, the last in 1999 the day
of the March for Life. But even in retirement, it continues to serve.
Last month I ordered several ClinicWorker.com kits from Life Dynamics,
the boldest and most effective national pro-life group in the country
in my humble opinion. The poster reads, "Clinic workers protect yourselves.
Report sexual harrassment, income tax evasion, medicaid fraud, insurance
fraud" and lists the website. I cut the poster in half and mounted
it on stiff board to make a sun visor for my windshield. Now when I work
at the pregnancy center I leave the new van at home and drive my old wagon.
I park in front of the abortion mill next door and post the sign in the
window.
The first week, within 45 minutes there were two police officers and
three clinic workers circling the car. Then they adjourned to the mill
to consult. Soon an officer, having checked the registration, was in our
waiting room asking for me by name. They also called my home to ask why
my car was parked in front of the "woman's clinic." The officer
requested I come outside. Our conversation went something like this:
Officer: I'd like to search your car.
Me: You have no right to. I don't like to encourage you to overstep
your bounds. You have to have probable cause .
Off: The probable cause is the fertilizer in the back. It could
be a bomb. [Yes, he really said it!]
Me: That's ridiculous! A tree in our yard was struck by lightening
and we're trying to save it. But I have nothing to hide and I'll let you
look, even though I know you have no right to do so. [I went in to get
my keys, returned, and opened the back. The officer picked up the bag
of fertilizer and looked under it.]
Off: I can see there are no wires and it isn't a bomb. The clinic
finds your sign offensive and would like you to move your car.
Me: These spaces aren't reserved. The abortionist parks his car
[a Lincoln] in front of our office. And what's really offensive is the
sound of their suction machines ripping up little babies. We listen to
that all day. No, I won't move the car. If they don't like it they can
get here early and fill the spaces.
Then I described two of their recent victims who ended up in our office.
The abortionist perforated one woman's uterus necessitating a total hysterectomy
and transfusions to replace 90% of her blood. She's 22 years old. The
other had massive infection from baby parts left inside to rot. She returned
to the mill complaining she still felt pregnant and wanted a sonogram.
They refused until she forked out another 50 bucks. During the test the
nurse's eyes "got real big." She told her not to go to the emergency
room, but come back later to see the "doctor." Fortunately the
woman did go to the ER where they prescribed antibiotics to control the
massive infection before they could do anything else.
While I spoke to the first officer the second came out of the mill. He
said he had no opinion about abortion and was just doing his job. I replied
that wouldn't get him a pass on judgment day. Police in Nazi Germany used
that excuse to defend putting Jews on the cattle cars. I told them my
brother is a policeman in Baltimore so I have a particular appreciation
for them. They've been put in the middle and need conscience-clause legislation
to protect their rights. The conversation ended amicably. The officers
were always polite. Later I bought a locked gas cap for my car and refilled
the front tire that was almost flat.
I really enjoy my new van, but my old wagon is a wounded vet from the
abortion wars and I love that car! To get your own ClinicWorker.com kit,
go to Life Dynamics' website at www.ldi.org
or call 1 (800) 800-LIFE. Then take the sign to an abortion mill and prick
consciences.
A new year is a good time to reflect on the old and the new so my topic
this issue is cars. We bought a new van last year to replace my old 1990
station wagon. With 205,000 miles, the wagon just wasn't reliable even
with a rebuilt engine. But I have a special affection for that car which
I placed under the protection of St. Joseph since I spent so much time
praying there.