April 10, 2009
Our Readers
Right to Life leaders would not invite a speaker who is not pro-lilfe
To the editor:
I have been attending the Right to Life banquet in Evansville for many years. In 2004 my husband and I had the opportunity to be the chairpersons of the banquet and get to know the great people who run this fantastic organization.
Mike Fichter was the executive director at that time. We have stayed involved over the years and have met and talked with Mary Ellen Van Dyke who is now the executive director. Mike is now the executive director of Indiana Right to Life. These two people are the most dedicated people to the cause of protecting life that I have ever met. It is their life’s work. Neither one would ever consider having someone speak at the banquet who is not pro-life.
Michael Steele made a mistake by giving an interview to GQ magazine, part of the left wing liberal print media. I can understand how they (with their pro-abortion agenda) could totally misrepresent his words. I had a letter to the editor about embryonic stem cell research totally gutted and rewritten by the Indianapolis Star’s editorial staff.
The Right to Life organization has thoroughly vetted Mr. Steele and they believe he is pro-life. Their word is good enough for me. I am proud to live in a city with two major universities that does not have an abortion clinic. This is because of the good people like Mike Fichter and Mary Ellen Van Dyke who work so diligently for life.
I am proud to buy our table every year and give our donation to Right to Life of Vanderburgh County because I don’t have to look very far to see what all they do for the unborn, their mothers and our young people who need direction in this culture of death. Why would they bring in a pro-abortion speaker and why would he come?
My husband and I will be at the banquet on April 16 and we will listen to Mr. Steele and decide for ourselves if he is pro-life. We will also give our donation to this wonderful organization so that they can continue their work for life.
- Lynn Deputy | Evansville
Questions consistency of bihop’s stance
I don’t find it hard to accept Bishop Gettelfinger’s decision not to attend the Right to Life Banquet on its face. I too am troubled by Mr. Steele’s comments about the “right” to abortion.
In the Message dated 4/3/2009 the Bishop wrote in his column of his decision not to attend the banquet because of the presence of Mr. Steele. He said in part, “ For the politically naive, be aware that I abhor political posturing and political expediency. I find them most distasteful to anyone driven by moral principles!” Sadly I find a hollow ring to his declaration.
Just last week in the bishop’s 3/27/2009 column the bishop wrote fondly of his 1989 appearance and photo with “pro-choice” Governor now Senator Evan Bayh. The Bishop says in part, “The simple picture of me in the magazine wearing the ‘Chief Teacher’ T-Shirt with Governor Evan Bayh in no way captures the Fantastic Spirit of the faithful of our diocese.”
The Bishop has not seemed to be shy about appearing with “pro-choice” politicians in the past. That, regretably, leads me to believe there may be more political expediency behind this decision to snub Mr. Steele than principle.
- Matt Ubelhor | Evansville