Saved Lives
Article Last Updated: Monday, October 10, 2005 - 12:09:41 PM EST
Roger Belcher of New Oxford holds an anti-abortion sign during the "Life Chain" vigil on the square of Gettysburg Sunday afternoon. Belcher is a member of Cross Keys Freewill Fellowship Church. (Evening Sun photo by Dick Bloom)
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10/10/2005
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Abortion protest peaceful
Annual vigil stays quiet, but many have new Supreme Court nominee on their minds.
By SETH GOLDSTEIN
Evening Sun Reporter
Under an overcast sky more than 50 protesters stood quietly along the square in Gettysburg, praying for an end to abortion.
Helen Hornbake, the coordinator of the local protest, said the National Life Chain event, held every year in October, aims to bring church members from across the nation to sidewalks and public areas for a quiet protest.
"This is not a type of protest that's controversial," she said. "It's a peaceful hour of prayer."
Tourists Valerie and Greg Burmaster, from Pittsburgh, agreed the protest wasn't like the ones they are used to seeing at home.
"I work in downtown Pittsburgh and the abortion people usually stand outside the building with pictures of aborted babies and scream at the top of their lungs," Valerie Burmaster said. "In comparison this is peaceful. Whether you agree with them or not, they are exercising their rights. It's strength in silence."
One issue on the mind of many at the protest was Harriet Miers, President George Bush's nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U. S. Supreme Court. Many conservatives have expressed reservations over her nomination.
Hornbake said she's not sure what she thinks about Miers.
"The president has asked us to trust him on his choice, but I need more information before I can decide," she said.
Like Hornbake, Anne Kovell of Gettysburg said she's unsure if Miers is the right choice.
"I'm concerned because she doesn't have any judicial experience," Kovell said. "I feel she's a good person and I'm hoping that she has good common sense."
Whoever is appointed to the court, Kovell said she doesn't think the justices will do anything with the abortion issue.
"It's too sensitive a subject," she said. "It will go on, like it has all these years."
Tyler Mummert of Hanover said that although he doesn't know much about Miers, he's a big Fox News fan and takes a lot of stock in what Bush believes is the right choice.
"I trust the president," he said. "He's making his decision with his views in mind."
Mummert said the issue of abortion is a very sensitive topic for him.
"My mother gave birth to me two days after she turned 16," he said. "She could have chosen to abort me, but she didn't. I came today to take a stand for something I believe in. If you don't stand for something, you could fall for anything."
Mummert said, ultimately, Miers will be dealing with many more issues than just abortion.
Father Bernardo Pistone, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Gettysburg, said he's for a Supreme Court that is in favor of life "from womb to tomb." This term the court is also hearing the case of Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law.
Greg Burmaster said he thinks Miers is flying under the radar right now.
"She might not have the intellectual credentials that some would like, but I think she's a viable candidate," he said. "She's not a known name, but that doesn't mean she won't be an asset to the country."
Roger Belcher of New Oxford holds an anti-abortion sign during the "Life Chain" vigil on the square of Gettysburg Sunday afternoon. Belcher is a member of Cross Keys Freewill Fellowship Church. (Evening Sun photo by Dick Bloom)
OTHER ARTICLES IN THIS SECTION
10/10/2005
- Six southwestern municipalities seek joint plan
- Passion for apples leads to Apple Princess title
Abortion protest peaceful
Annual vigil stays quiet, but many have new Supreme Court nominee on their minds.
By SETH GOLDSTEIN
Evening Sun Reporter
Under an overcast sky more than 50 protesters stood quietly along the square in Gettysburg, praying for an end to abortion.
Helen Hornbake, the coordinator of the local protest, said the National Life Chain event, held every year in October, aims to bring church members from across the nation to sidewalks and public areas for a quiet protest.
"This is not a type of protest that's controversial," she said. "It's a peaceful hour of prayer."
Tourists Valerie and Greg Burmaster, from Pittsburgh, agreed the protest wasn't like the ones they are used to seeing at home.
"I work in downtown Pittsburgh and the abortion people usually stand outside the building with pictures of aborted babies and scream at the top of their lungs," Valerie Burmaster said. "In comparison this is peaceful. Whether you agree with them or not, they are exercising their rights. It's strength in silence."
One issue on the mind of many at the protest was Harriet Miers, President George Bush's nominee to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the U. S. Supreme Court. Many conservatives have expressed reservations over her nomination.
Hornbake said she's not sure what she thinks about Miers.
"The president has asked us to trust him on his choice, but I need more information before I can decide," she said.
Like Hornbake, Anne Kovell of Gettysburg said she's unsure if Miers is the right choice.
"I'm concerned because she doesn't have any judicial experience," Kovell said. "I feel she's a good person and I'm hoping that she has good common sense."
Whoever is appointed to the court, Kovell said she doesn't think the justices will do anything with the abortion issue.
"It's too sensitive a subject," she said. "It will go on, like it has all these years."
Tyler Mummert of Hanover said that although he doesn't know much about Miers, he's a big Fox News fan and takes a lot of stock in what Bush believes is the right choice.
"I trust the president," he said. "He's making his decision with his views in mind."
Mummert said the issue of abortion is a very sensitive topic for him.
"My mother gave birth to me two days after she turned 16," he said. "She could have chosen to abort me, but she didn't. I came today to take a stand for something I believe in. If you don't stand for something, you could fall for anything."
Mummert said, ultimately, Miers will be dealing with many more issues than just abortion.
Father Bernardo Pistone, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Church in Gettysburg, said he's for a Supreme Court that is in favor of life "from womb to tomb." This term the court is also hearing the case of Oregon's physician-assisted suicide law.
Greg Burmaster said he thinks Miers is flying under the radar right now.
"She might not have the intellectual credentials that some would like, but I think she's a viable candidate," he said. "She's not a known name, but that doesn't mean she won't be an asset to the country."