The Philadelphia Gosnell Trial – Where the Water Get’s Muddy – Media Focus Taking Center Stage – Puts Story in Forefront – What of Women’s Health and Safety – Nationwide?

There is a trial taking place in Philadelphia – one Kermit Gosnell, an abortion clinic doctor, is being accused of performing late term abortions, so late that the children, born alive, were technically “beheaded”. It is a story that is, for all intents and purposes, horrifying – no matter which side of the “abortion “issue one stands on – the details emerging from the case, are disturbing to the point of nausea. How anyone could perform a procedures described as follows: “The clinic's practice of "snipping" the spines of babies born live during abortion procedures. “ and respond when asked if they knew it was “murder”. - "No, I didn't," said Williams, 44, who told the Philadelphia jury hearing Gosnell's murder trial on Tuesday that the doctor's "standard procedure" was to "ensure fetal demise." is beyond comprehension.

The fact that Media outside of the Philadelphia Area is under attack for ignoring the trial – is not incomprehensible. If a story does not receive national coverage, then it is most likely due to the “deluge” of news released on a daily basis. However, pressures from “pro-life” activists, who have seen coverage on Fox News, are pushing a narrative that the story was intentionally shoved under a rug.

Now, the media is responding more to the accusation, and less to the trail content. If one “Goggles” Philadelphia Abortion Trial, one finds a million excuses – and apologies included from news media across the spectrum. It is not that the on-line versions of what might be considered “liberal” publications did not run the AP stories on the trial in March, as evidenced by a search of the Springfield Republican’s, Masslive.com, those that are considered more “conservative” had the same coverage, The Boston Herald’s site, Boston Herald.com had the same AP coverage, and nothing else in their archives indicated a focus on the Philadelphia trial. – Apparently, not everyone watches Fox News, including some Moderate Conservatives who happen to be pro-life. Go figure.

Not one to defend the MSM (Mainstream Media), in this case, perhaps a good percentage of the media outside of Philadelphia simply missed the story, or the magnitude of the “horrors” (the typical headline associated with the clinic) of what had taken place. However, by covering the lack of attention paid by the media to the case, they are, now covering the story - with excuses as to why they did not cover it in the first place. This blogger did not respond to this particular story, as it was not in the “spotlight” or something that was in one of the areas of interest – and this blogger is pro-life – anti-death in any form, which allows more than a little leverage to the national and out of state media, who are now responding.

In reading the details, the fact that some view the coverage of this story as a national assault on the pro-choice movement, is insane – the story should offend anyone – anti or pro – given the fact that since Roe vs. Wade, the promise of safe, legal abortions has been set in cement in this nation. The real question should be – why was this clinic, and possibly hundred of similar clinics around the country – not inspected regularly? Looked at once in a blue moon? – No one would want to go to a family medical practice, if it had a record of filth that this “women’s clinic” apparently had. As to the doctor, it goes to the individual who would make a decision to perform late-term abortions – that feels a child born alive, is to be treated no better or worse than an unwanted litter of kittens. As any animal lover might, the thought of what happens to millions of unwanted animals is heartbreaking. Yet, in the case of an unwanted child, the thought of what this particular “provider” did (and had his staff help willingly), is beyond heartbreaking. The fact that abortion, as a procedure is apprehensible aside, the willingness to murder, should be the focus here, along with the cover up, the accomplices, and the fact that this practice could be taking place elsewhere should be on the forefront of everyone’s mind – pro-or anti choice. It is the morality of the issue, certainly, but more important, the physical and psychological damage done to women – in the name of “choice” that should be in the forefront. How, one must ask themselves, would those women, who, understanding they were anesthetized during the procedure, reading about this story today, cope with the fact that they were implicit in the horrific murder of their child? Understanding that most women seeking an abortion are under the impression, that what they carry is truly nothing more than a “blob” not yet determined to be an actual “human”. That is the mantra that is taught, and bought, hook, line and sinker. Somewhere in the back of one’s mind, there is that nagging suspicion, that having an abortion is killing, and those that feel that way, may find themselves after the procedure suffering years of guilt, anxiety, and depression.

There are laws in certain states that mandate a woman receive counseling as well as have an ultrasound in order to fully weigh the pro’s and con’s of the decision. This should be a standard – if a women feels, after seeing a child on an ultrasound, that it is not in her best interest to have the procedure – so be it. With laws like this in place, it would help to eradicate what can only be termed as infanticide.

The media, alternatively beating it’s breasts in apology for not cover the story, and defending themselves from the accusations, are, at the least, covering the story in some kind, however, the focus should be on what steps can be taken, nationally, to protect women who feel they must resort to this particular procedure, no matter their background. It should be a women’s health issue as well as a murder trial, and there should be a whole lot of screaming from women’s rights activists on this subject – certainly with all the hoopla spouted from these same groups regarding access to safe, legal abortions.