<B>Was Connor a Baby? </B> A tiny body reveals the Empress NOW has no clothes.

Beverly La Haye Institute ^ | 4/22/2003 | Janice Shaw Crouse

[GrandMoM]

When the tiny body washed ashore, it was identified as a baby. When a woman's body was discovered only a mile away, the nation was gripped with the horrifying possibility that Laci Peterson had been found and that the infant found earlier was her baby, whom she had named Connor. When DNA testing identified the bodies, television networks interrupted coverage of the Iraqi war to report the double homicide of Laci and Connor Peterson. People around the world reeled with shock and grief at the brutality and callousness of the murders committed, unbelievably, on Christmas Eve.

But not everyone saw two dead bodies: Seeing instead the political implications, several leaders of the National Organization for Women (NOW), made public statements of breathtaking insensitivity, declaring that since the baby had been "unborn," authorities should not be thinking about a double murder charge. Marva Stark, head of New Jersey NOW told the Daily Record in Morristown, NJ that even though Laci had a name for Connor, "if he wasn't born, he wasn't born." Following a firestorm of outrage, NOW's national spokespersons have declined to comment on Stark's remarks and have tried to sidestep away from public censure without retracting the statements.

NOW would have us turn a blind eye to the fact that, when found, little Connor was identified as "a full-term baby." If Laci's body had not been found, and the baby had remained unidentified, who would have known that this was . . . what? A postmortem birth? And yet, without knowing that this little unidentified baby was the unborn Connor Peterson, his death would have remained a straightforward unsolved murder of an unidentified person.

The mind boggles. The eyes turn away. Who among us knew, or could comprehend, that a baby could be delivered in such tragic fashion. But think for a moment - it is not necessarily the fact of Laci's death that decreed Connor's death. Babies have been, in fact, safely delivered of dying mothers. Historically many a mother has given her own life in the process of allowing her baby to breathe the breath of life.

Let's review. A pregnant woman disappears on the day before Christmas. The nation sees pictures of her incandescent smile for four months. Television screens around the world transmit radiant pictures of her glowing "with child." We don't want to believe that she is dead; we can't imagine the kind of cruelty that would murder her and her baby.

Through the long winter of 2003, Americans and people around the world came to care about Laci Peterson and her baby; we wanted them both to be safe. When his fully-formed body was found, it underscored what most Americans already felt in their hearts -- it was especially tragic that two lives were lost so horrifically.

By turning Laci and Connor's tragedy into a political event, NOW's attitude is: don't grieve for Connor; he was a month away from being born. In the midst of our shock and horror, NOW is saying that his death doesn't count. NOW does not see this crime as an act with double impact.

Indeed, that is the problem. NOW's leaders fail to see.

Yet, there are moments in time when events come into focus; when eyes are opened; when truth is revealed. This is one of those times. NOW's reactions to the Peterson tragedy -- even their tepid sidestepping under public pressure -- show their utter disregard for the whole woman. Their agenda has degenerated into a single point: It's all about abortion, all the time. NOW has shown its true myopia.

It is clear that NOW's vision is limited to a political agenda -- abortion, abortion, abortion. Marva Stark said, "If this is murder, well, then any time a late-term fetus is aborted, they could call it murder."

In the wake of the horrifying death of a beautiful young woman and her baby, NOW raced to the microphones to talk about abortion and used callous technicalities to describe the preciousness of life. Revealing that the Empress NOW has no clothes, the national office has determined that it is not "the right thing to take a position right now." Meanwhile, average Americans, unconcerned with politics, see only the unbearable waste of life and have created a makeshift shrine in front of Laci's home. They've left candles for her . . . and there are teddy bears with cards reading, "For Connor."

Concerned Women for America 1015 Fifteenth St. N.W., Suite 1100 Washington, D.C. 20005 Phone: (202) 488-7000 Fax: (202) 488-0806 E-mail: mail@cwfa.org

[GrandMoM]

NOW=National OFFENSIVE Women

[Pete]

One way to test a world view is to hold it up to the light of reality. Does it make sense and is it consistent with what we see around us? Clearly, the world view held by NOW fails the test.

[Grymskull]

The irony of it is that the Loony left preports to be the champion of protecting children, yet includes a group that wantonly fights for the right to end the lives of thousands of these children in the name of convienence, while ignoring the aspect of "Personal Responsiblity"..

[ClancyJ]

Is a fetus human? Was what washed up on the shore human? Then it is a baby.

Those seeking to deny that "thing" its identity to further their right to kill their own sons or daughters should look at what they are becoming - monsters that only want to kill their own flesh and blood. Is this the best they can find for a life goal?

All of this because they do not want to take responsibility for their actions prior to the making of a "mass of tissue", a "fetus", a "baby".

Makes one very proud.

[Pharlap]

The NOW position will be spelled out in its friend of the court brief: The "father" chose to abort the late term fetus (prematurely named Connor). The right to abortion is the paramount right. Therefore, in this instance, the "father's" intent outweighs the intent of the mother (who had chosen to take the fetus to term). The "father", using self help, took matters into his own hands. The fact that the mother died was unfortunate (a form of collateral damage, so to speak). Therefore, the court should dismiss all charges against the "father" as he was merely exercising his Supreme Court granted right to the abortion, and as the death of the mother occurred during the procedure, it must be viewed as accidental.

Furthermore, NOW will be running new abortion ads this summer with Scott Peterson as its man of the year.

[Diamond]

In as much as you reveal the insane, twisted, evil "logic" of N.O.W. you also reveal the perverion of the Supreme Court itself, which decreed in Roe v Wade that only licensed physicians can kill pre-natal children with impunity.

Cordially,

[belle99]

I'm betting that NOW is going to directly or indirectly represent Scott in court...when they spoke up against the double homicide charge there was a severe backlash...so they will try to covertly make sure the double homicide doesn't stick.

[Grymskull]

I support Male abortions.. but not to that extent...

[Ancesthntr]

Marva Stark said, "If this is murder, well, then any time a late-term fetus is aborted, they could call it murder."

Well, she got one thing right.

The simple fact is that, at the very least, a fetus that has passed the point of viability outside of the womb (probably around 5 months after conception) IS human, IS worthy of society's protection. What it is before then is open to theological debate, but after viability there is no question EXCEPT FOR PRO-ABORTION IDEOLOGUES.

The pro-abortion folks have (thankfully) lost either way with this case. If they said nothing, than someone would raise the issue of murder for a late-term baby. On the other hand, what they have done in this case is even worse for their cause - they now appear to be the heartless monsters that they have always been. It is just a tragedy that a double murder like this was needed to demonstrate this fact.

[moodyskeptic]

For three months, I winced at the extreme coverage this particular murder was getting in the mainstream press. Enough already. Then, this incredible new twist. Baby Conner could turn out to be the most important newborn in the new millennium. The pivot point on the abortion question, the first event to touch the hardened hearts of the Left. The mental image of this poor baby floating in the bay next to his mother will haunt the dreams of proChoicers for generations.

Millions of souls will be saved by this tragic murder.

[reformed_dem]

"if he wasn't born, he wasn't born."

I believe she actually said "Was IT born, or was IT unborn." Or something similar. But she used the word "it" instead of "he".

[AuH2ORepublican]

"Millions of souls will be saved by this tragic murder."

---

God willing, that will be the case.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

Somebody explain this to me...according to this N.A.G., my daughter was not a baby on 6/5/98 but she was on 6/6/98 when she was born, and my son was not a baby on 9/4/02 but he was on 9/5/02 when he was born, even though both were born at 39 weeks or later? What were those movements in my stomach, what were those images on the ultrasound, and what were those little heartbeat like noises on the monitor? They were babies from the moment they were conceived, and I want someone to convince me otherwise.

And why does N.A.G. suppose they speak for all women? I'm not for men beating on women, but...

[Pharlap]

I agree. But, NOW will argue that, at one time in his youth, the "father" thought about being a doctor. And, after all, we know that with those of NOW's ilk its the thought that counts.

[GrandMoM]

I'm betting that NOW is going to directly or indirectly represent Scott in court

....which would further brand them "BABY KILLERS"!!!!!!!

[HIDEK6]

"If this is murder, well, then any time a late-term fetus is aborted, they could call it murder."

Bingo.

You are correct, sir.

Exactamundo.

I admire your clear thinking.

How could you figure that out?

[jhw61]

Excellent! I love Dubya too.

[Charlie OK]

Furthermore, NOW will be running new abortion ads this summer with Scott Peterson as its man of the year.

Sounds like a job for Registered! Please, Registered!

[He Rides A White Horse]

I'm betting that NOW is going to directly or indirectly represent Scott in court...

I'm betting that they'll run from this like a cockroach from a flashlight.

[He Rides A White Horse]

They'll simply count on the fact that Laci and Conner will disappear from the public eye when the next sensational story supercedes it, and continue their 'work'.