They say one of the best evaluations of a person, especially in politics, is to know their mentors and understand who inspires him. When it comes to President Barack Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, one of his inspirations is the author of Roe v. Wade, the high court case that ushered in an era of 58 million abortions.
According to a New York Times report, Garland’s inspiration is clear: Justice Harry Blackmun.
As the former legal counsel to the Mayo Clinic, Blackmun appeared to have fell victim of the fallacy that thousands of women died from botched illegal abortions prior to Roe. He viewed the illegality of abortion as a threat to good medical practice, despite the fact that women have been killed and injured by abortion since legalization.
As the Times reports, when Blackmun’s Supreme Court papers were released, Garland praised the author of the infamous abortion decision.
For example, while Judge Garland has not often dealt with social issues, at a 2005 book event, he reportedly described the release of the papers of the late Justice Harry Blackmun — the author of the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights decision — as a “great gift to the country.”
Phillip Jauregui, the president of the conservative Judicial Action Group, said that remark sent an alarming signal to social conservatives. “The fact that he would use those words to describe Harry Blackmun’s papers is cause for concern,” he said.
Leading pro-life groups are calling on the Senate not to hold a confirmation vote on Garland, who they believe would become another pro-Roe vote on the Supreme Court.
SIGN THE PETITION: Do Not Allow a Vote on Merrick Garland
“The Supreme Court nomination should be left to the next president. There should be no Senate hearing on any Obama nominee,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Staver continued, “The Senate Judiciary leaders have vowed not to hold any hearings on President Obama’s nominee. We need to hold them to this promise and support them in this resolve. An Obama nominee will set the Supreme Court in a direction that for decades with disregard the Constitution and the rule of law. The future of America is at stake.”
“While Obama has the right to put forth a nominee, the Senate has the right to deny confirmation. The Senate must exercise its duty and leave the nomination to the next president,” concluded Staver.
The pro-life group Operation Rescue has announced its opposition to President Barack Obama’s nomination of Judge Merrick Garland to replace Justice Antonin Scalia on the U.S. Supreme Court.
“Millions of lives hang in the balance of each ruling on abortion put forth by the Supreme Court. I refuse to support any nominee – Republican or Democrat – that will not renounce Roe v. Wade and commit to restoring legal protections to the pre-born,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue.
The Republican-controlled Senate leadership has pledged not to confirm any nomination for the Supreme Court made by Pres. Obama in this election year. The Judiciary Committee, which would be responsible to hold confirmation hearings for Garland, has vowed not to convene hearings for Obama’s pick.
“I strongly urge the members of the Judiciary Committee to hold fast to their promise, for the sake of the future of our country and the future of our posterity,” said Newman. “The Senate Republican leadership cannot afford to break this important promise to their conservative, pro-life base, if they expect us to vote for any of them ever again.”
