Justice Department nominees signal ‘Culture of Death’ policies, critic says

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President Barack Obama / Leonard A. Leo

Washington D.C., Feb 1, 2009 / 07:55 pm (CNA).- Confirmation hearings for President Barack Obama’s Department of Justice nominees are reportedly proceeding so quickly that Republicans and outside groups are unable to make meaningful criticisms of their intense support for abortion rights and other moral issues. One critic said the nominations portend the most “Culture of Death” justice department in American history.

“We are on the brink of having the most Culture of Death, anti-family Justice Department ever,” Leonard Leo, former Co-Chairman of the Republican National Committee Catholic Outreach and Chairman of Students for Life of America, told CNA in an e-mail.

The first controversial Obama nominee is David Ogden, whose confirmation hearing for Deputy Attorney General is scheduled for next week, less than one month after his nomination. In an amicus brief for the 1992 Planned Parenthood v. Casey decision which reaffirmed Roe v. Wade’s mandating of permissive abortion laws, Ogden argued that abortion “rarely causes or exacerbates psychological or emotional problems.”

“The few women who do experience negative psychological responses after abortion appear to be those with preexisting emotional problems,” he continued.

He argued that evidence shows abortion is more likely to make women “experience feelings of relief and happiness” and claimed childbirth and childrearing or adoption may pose “concomitant (if not greater) risks or adverse psychological effects” compared to the effects of abortion.

Thomas Perelli, the nominee for Associate Attorney General, is the second person pro-life and pro-family advocates are concerned about. Perelli is best known for representing the husband of Terri Schiavo in his effort to withdraw life-sustaining treatment from the severely injured woman.

President Obama has also chosen Dawn Johnson to head the Office of Legal Counsel. Johnson raises red flags for pro-lifers because she is a former counsel to the pro-abortion rights group NARAL. The Office of Legal Counsel provides the government with opinions about the constitutionality of proposed governmental acts.

Leonard Leo told CNA that Johnson’s nomination is “absolutely stunning.”

He said that Democrats and left-wing activists had complained the office had been politicized “in an unprecedented way” under the George W. Bush Administration.

“And, now, without any debate or discussion, the Obama Administration is putting forward an absolute political zealot from one of the most Leftist groups in the country,” Leo argued.

The nominee for Solictor General, Elena Kagan, is reportedly a lesbian who strongly opposed the Solomon Amendment, which denies federal grants to institutions of higher education which forbid military recruitment or the Reserve Officer Training Corps from campus.

“A Deputy Attorney General who signed a brief in Casey dismissing the psychological harm caused by abortion. An Associate Attorney General who supported withdrawing Terry Schiavo's life-sustaining treatment. An Assistant Attorney General who was counsel to NARAL. And a Solicitor General who has actively supported homosexual rights, particularly in regard to banning military recruiters on campus,” Leo summarized.

“Could it be worse? Can you imagine the legal advice they'll be giving?”

Leo predicted that President Obama’s Justice Department may greenlight culturally radical positions on abortion funding, conscience protection issues, same-sex “marriage,” other abortion-related issues, and end-of-life issues.

“At a minimum, Republican Senators need to slow down this train,” Leo advised. “They need to ask the tough questions in hearings and afterwards. There needs to be ample time to debate, to get the nominees' opinions and commitments on key issues.”

Comments: 14

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Rosalie Dancause
Dumfries/VA/USA 02/03/2009 06:41 PM EST

As Our Lady says, prayer and fasting can even stop wars. The war on the unborn, and the coming wars on the elderly and on active Christians, are no exception. Hand-wringing accomplishes nothing.

Published by: jm
atlanta ga usa 02/03/2009 08:43 AM EST

It is a shame that so many Catholics do not know their faith.

The priests are to blame for not teaching at the pulpit,so Catholics will know the truth.

Published by: jmt23
heaven, grace, vatican city state 02/02/2009 11:50 PM EST

strap yourself in,
this is just the beginning of a nightmarish ride!

Published by: Sharon
Lititz, PA USA 02/02/2009 06:07 PM EST

Why is anyone surprised by this report? Sadly, our US Conference of Catholic Bishops must carry a huge guilt for having allowed so many Catholics to be led astray for the past 15-20 year with regard to
abortion. Even their most recent "Faithful Citizenship" document left room for liberal minded Catholics to feel that they were justified in voting for Obama. God save us.

Published by: Paula Suhr
Denver, Co, 80237 02/02/2009 03:34 PM EST

This is not a surprise to anyone who was paying any attention leading up to the election. Its a shame so many Catholics listened to the media instead of truth.

Published by: Anne
Philadelphia, PA USA 02/02/2009 03:16 PM EST

This is not a shock, anyone who is surprised did not pay attention to the campaign or do their homework. What amazes me is that MEN are describing the effects of abortion. David Ogden; what did he do read the National Enquirer or did he interview females from Hollywood. This is so sad for our country.

Published by: Agnes Cecil
R.South Africa 02/02/2009 01:53 PM EST

VENGEANCE IS MINE SAYS THE LORD. THOSE LITTLE CHILDREN CANNOT DEFEND THEMSELVES. I WILL

Published by: Karin
CA, USA 02/02/2009 01:23 PM EST

To whom can I send an email regarding an online estate planning company that is offering a free Living Will and Health Power of Attorney in conjunction with the anniversary of Terri Schiavo? I wanted to know who wrote 'Justice Department nominees signal 'Culture of Death' policies, critic says' - Thanks! Karin

Published by: Ken Ryan
San Diego, ca, USA 02/02/2009 12:57 PM EST

This is just the beginning! The autrocities of the Third Reich will seem insignificant compared to the death, damage that this regime will visit upon the world.

Published by: Nan Siep
FL 02/02/2009 12:40 PM EST

David Ogden should get his degree in psychology before he presumes to claim abortion causes most women to have "feelings of relief and happiness." One has to ask how many abortions has he personally experienced, and will he have these fellings of "relief and happiness" when he meets his maker?
He is denying the real truth that many women never recover psychologically from their abortion. The idea that they were emotionally unstable before the abortion is nonsense and insulting to many. He sounds rather foolish in his thinking and a touch mad.

Published by: Dan
Santa Fe/NM/US 02/02/2009 07:47 AM EST

This is what half the American people voted for---these picks for almost every post and under secretary were expected. 'Change has certainly come to America. As mentioned, we must pray without ceasing and focus on grassroots campaigns, and strengthen our Church and it's message of God's unconditional Love and forgivness.

Published by: Stephany Wiley
Weslaco, TX USA 02/01/2009 10:33 PM EST

One important detail that is ALMOST ALWAYS MISSING, is the public's awareness of these positions. There is little or no news about these discussions and debates. The media skirt them, thus the public remains unaware of the full scope of this presidents radical agenda on behalf of the culture of death.

All we see and read about is how great Obama is and how partisan and outdated the other party is.

The mainstream news is so distorted, and people don't seek this information.

The Church Militant better step onto the battlefield, because the Culture of death is in full attack mode.

Published by: rick
Lander WY 02/01/2009 08:46 PM EST

This is bad, and may indicate that my worst fears are becoming reality.

Published by: Joy Jasko
San Francisco, CA USA 02/01/2009 08:37 PM EST

This is such a sad situation.
It seems that the approach of the majority party is to control population growth so as to benefit those in power.

This provides many opportunities to turn to our God to beg His forgiveness and mercy.

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