Those who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless. - Bishop Oscar Romero
As Thanksgiving approached last week, all I wanted to do was laugh at something. In keeping with the season, I recalled trusted Thanksgiving-themed episodes of two TV sitcoms that I knew would do the trick: season 5, episode 9 of both Cheers and Everybody Loves Raymond. (Coincidentally, both shows premiered extra silly 9th episodes in their respective 5th seasons, just so you know where to find them after you read this.)
Medicinal mission accomplished. Chortles, giggles and even a couple guffaws escaped our mouths as my family and I enjoyed the plots’ utter ridiculousness.
While I prepared Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, I recalled the high points of each of the two shows and acknowledged, with gratitude, the self-proclaimed pro-life actors in each one: Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton. A few years ago, Grammer told a reporter that, “If you have respect for life, and respect for choice, then you can’t take life away from an infant. . . . Little makes me angry, but injustice does.”
Heaton is even more outspoken, very frequently on Twitter and in the press. She’s got a lot of good lines as an actress. But this is one of my favorites of hers as an advocate: “I find it impossible to subscribe to a philosophy that believes that the destruction of human life is a legitimate solution to a problem that is mostly social, economic and psychological. In reality, most women ‘choose’ abortion because they believe they have no other choice.”
What is admirable about Grammer and Heaton is that they speak within — and in spite of — Hollywood. Imagine the number of fans whose minds they've changed because of their bravery! There are so few in L.A. who use their powerful voices to defend the voiceless. I’m pretty sure “minority” doesn’t even apply. Pro-lifers in Hollywood? Barely countable.
It’s easy to feel the same way if you live in Massachusetts. Pro-lifers? Here?
Of course we’re here. And because of you, and your courageous voice throughout nearly two years of the current legislative session, the original ROE Act withered. Whatever happens in the next few weeks with a similarly-written but slightly altered budget amendment, the ROE Act, unveiled in January 2019, esteemed and heralded by dozens of legislators, could not get past YOUR voice! That is the truth.
But please don’t rest just yet.
My MCFL team and I continue to keep a close watch on the state legislature and its serious consideration of the proposed amendment that would irresponsibly expand abortion in Massachusetts. Not unlike Hollywood producers, legislators are leaning on a costume, the proposed budget, to change the appearance of the ROE Act.
But they’ve failed again. You and I know what they’re trying to pass. It’s up to us to use our voices to stop them. If you have emailed or called your legislators in the last month, thank you! If you have contacted Governor Baker to ask him to veto this item once it gets to his desk, thank you! If you have not yet called him, please do so this week. Yours is the voice that matters now.
Governor Charlie Baker: 617-725-4005
There’s a chance that this amendment can still be stopped, even though many say pro-abortion legislators have a veto-proof majority.
But the first thing that needs to happen is for Governor Baker to veto it. And, like quality TV, he is more likely to tune in to this critical episode if he hears your voice.
Enjoy your week. And thank you again for all you do to speak for those who cannot be heard.
Myrna