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Reflections on NRLC 2015: Part Two

Jul 14, 2015

By Dave Andrusko

These seven pro-lifers made registering for NRLC 2015 easy and quick.

These seven pro-lifers made registering for NRLC 2015 easy and quick.

Yesterday, in Part One, I wrote more about specifics and only a little about what can be called the tone or the atmosphere of the 45th National Right to Life Convention. Today, in Part Two, I’d like to offer a more impressionistic view. It starts with what might seem like a small thing; it wasn’t.

When we arrived at the airport, I called the woman who was to pick my wife and me and two others up and take us to the hotel. She told me in a very nice way to be sure not to come out before she arrived: it was stiflingly hot. And when we got into her car, she handed us each a bottle of water.

Right then and there we had a preview of Louisiana Right to Life hospitality which was bathed in a matter-of-fact, low-key consideration and kindness. It started before we actually arrived at the convention and extended through the wonderful Saturday night closing banquet.

That very Wednesday night, my wife and I attended the annual meeting of the Association for the Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change. This yearly gathering of pro-life scholars is an added treat for those of us who are able to make it to the convention before the official Thursday morning kickoff.

I took copious notes on “Perinatal Hospice: The Pro-Life Alternative to Abortion,” and three other related talks– “The Psychological Toll Taken by Abortion Due to the Diagnosis of Fetal Anomaly,” “The Parent Experience of Perinatal Hospice Support ,” and “A Lifetime of Love in the Womb: Our Journey with Anthony.” Alas, there are in my suitcase which arrives today. I will write about this powerful and meaningful meeting later this week.

To jump ahead to the closing Banquet for just a second, the winner of the National Right to Life Oratory Contest was Safieyatu “Safie” Lamin of Rhode Island. She gave her award-winning speech. As they say, you could have heard a pin drop.

As Maria Gallagher put it yesterday, “this insightful student began by talking about the violence against blacks that has made headlines—then segued into the topic of black genocide caused by abortion. With young leaders like this, the nation will be in good hands.”

Official NRL Convention photographers: Bill and Mary Ellen Molitor.

Official NRL Convention photographers: Bill and Mary Ellen Molitor.

Earlier that morning, at the Prayer Breakfast, we heard from cast members from the hugely popular “Duck Dynasty” show: “Miss Kay” (the matriarch of the family), her son, Alan Robertson, and his wife Lisa. Lisa’s testimony about her own abortion was incredibly moving and when the family signed books after the breakfast, the line was long.

We wrote about the Presidential candidates’ forum both last week from the convention and yesterday. Let me add only this very telling remark from Ben Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life:

The Bench is so deep with pro-life candidates [referring to the seven pro-life Republicans who appeared in person or sent a video], the other side’s bench is short. …We are on the right side of history.

Remember that the next time you read some account making fun of the Republican Party for having so many candidates running for President (with one exception, all of whom are strongly pro-life). Look at the Democrats’ candidates, few in number and resoundingly pro-abortion.

Having a deeply flawed candidate as the front-runner and presumptive nominee–and a short bench– somehow is a strength? Please.

Just one other important point. I moderated a panel on “The art of pro-life persuasion.” My trio of speakers were dazzlingly insightful, bursting with energy, and hilariously funny.

Between my wife, Lisa, and myself, we went to a great many workshops. That combination of penetrating insights combined with humor and energy was everywhere.

Why do I mention this? Simply because, while there is no “one size fits all” (the subtitle of our workshop), if there is a common denominator to pro-life persuasion it is to treat deadly serious topics with the soberness they most assuredly deserve but in a manner that ultimately lifts spirits and inspires grassroots pro-lifers to reach new heights.

The pro-abortion “answer” is literally and figurative a dead-end.

The pro-life answer is “Choose life, so that you and your children may live.”

Editor’s note. If you want to peruse stories all day long, either go directly to nationalrighttolifenews.org and/or follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/daveha

Categories: NRLC
Tags: NRLC 2015