To the Editor:
Murder may be defined as: (1) to kill a human being unlawfully and with premeditated malice, (2) to slay wantonly, torment, mutilate.
In the wake of Governor Cuomo’s highly touted New York abortion law, Virginia’s Governor Northam, apparently not wishing to be out-done, may have taken it to the next level and supported the killing of babies outside the womb. Northam stated; “a baby would be born alive and resuscitated if necessary, and then doctors and the mother could ‘have a discussion’ which, based on context, would determine whether or not the child would be killed.” (The Free Beacon.com/Jan 31, 2019) This, by definition appears to be murder. Why? When a live baby leaves the mother’s womb they become a living person and an American citizen.
The Declaration of Independence states; "all men are created equal….with a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness….to ensure these rights governments are instituted among men." The Declaration serves as the basis for our Constitution and Bill of Rights whose laws apply to a new born. A natural right to life for all citizens, including newborns, can’t be abrogated by the state.
Apparently, Northam condones abortion outside the womb. If so, by definition this is murder. An implicit malice of forethought is reflected in a failed abortion attempt. Any discussion between a mother and doctors after the baby’s birth, which includes killing, serves to confirm malice of forethought and constitutes a conspiracy to commit murder. Any subsequent killing of the child by definition includes wanton mutilation. For example, "wanton mutilation" may involve cutting the child’s spine.
Kevin Sorbo, Hollywood’s pro-life activist, described this gruesome activity practiced by Kermit Gosnell in Philadelphia stating; “Kermit Gosnell is America’s most prolific serial killer…. for more than three decades he was an abortion doctor in Philadelphia, where he delivered live, viable babies, who cried and fought for their life before he murdered them by severing their spinal cords with a scissors. He called it ‘snipping’.” (Becky Yeh, Live Action News, December 6, 2017) Mr. Gosnell serves three consecutive life sentences for his crimes.
If the Illinois legislature decides to allow the killing (murder) of babies outside the womb, the citizens of Madison County will need to decide if they will allow the murder of children. Will Madison County need to become a ‘sanctuary birth’ county?
Phil Chapman
Highland