The Third Annual Right to LIFE League National Convention, Richmond, Virginia

[PBrunsel]

Next we will endorse candidates in the upcoming elections and then close this old thing down.

Should I do that or does the outgoing Chairman have the honors?

I am no longer chairman, so you can do it. (Also, my internet is on the fritz so it would be a great help!).

[Ebowed]

Very well.  I'll suspend endorsements for a little while, as more candidates may announce soon.

In the meantime, league members are free to debate the platform and suggest changes:

The Right to Life League Platform

Preamble

We, the members and delegates of the Right to Life League of Atlasia, delcare our goal to create a Culture of Life in the Republic of Atlasia.  We seek to do this by eliminating the following practices:  abortion, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, the death penalty, and experimentation on human embryos.  We aim to have all of these things officially outlawed in the Republic of Atlasia.

The Right to Life Amendment

The Right to Life Amendment to the Atlasian Constitution will outlaw the practices of abortion, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide, the death penalty, and experimentation on human embryos.  This amendment will null and void any legislation in contrast with the amendment.

The Death Penalty

The Death Penalty is an objectionable practice that must not be used in Atlasia.  We base our objections on the Illinois Death Row Cases in 2003, where more than 30% of all Death Row in-mates were found to be innocent, as well as moral opposition of government sanctioned executions for any and all crimes.  We support a complete ban on all the capital punishment under the previsions in the Right to Life Amendment.  We support a maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole for crimes that would otherwise recieve a death sentence.

Abortion

We completely oppose the legality of abortions performed at any stage of the pregnancy, even for rape and incest.  We do not believe that unborn humans should have to die for the actions of their parents.  We believe that life begins at conception and doctors should have no right to kill a fetus or embryo, because it is a living human.  We feel that the complete banning of all abortions is necessary in the Republic.  We also support the full banning of the Ru-486 so-called "abortion pill."

Embryonic Experimentation and Research

We oppose the legality of experimentation and research on human embryos, and especially the federal funding of these actions.  The destruction of human embryos in the name of research is tantamount to murder as an embryo cannot consent.  We also strongly oppose the legality of human cloning, and support a ban on the practice.  We call for full human rights for all helpless unborn human beings.

Euthanasia and Physician Assisted Suicide

We oppose the legality of physician assisted suicide for all purposes, as well as the practice of euthanasia for consenting and unconsenting persons.  We base our objections to these practices on the following grounds: we do not believe it is right to "play God" and take someone's life away due to suffering; we do not believe the government should sanction suicide; and we must consider that any person under immense pain may change their mind: suicide is not something that can be undone.  Therefore, we oppose all efforts to legalize euthanasia and physician assisted suicide.

Schiavo Cases

As was the case in the very disputed Terry Schiavo Case, it all comes down to whether we wish to “play God” or not.  We frown upon the Florida Supreme Court Decision to let Mrs. Schiavo to starve to death, and extremely dislike the idea that she didn’t deserve life because she was “in a constant state of vegetation.”  In building a culture of life we need to protect those who some may say would be “happy" to die.  We are at odds with any ideas that any living being would “enjoy” or “deserve” death due to their status.

"Culture of Life"

This common statement used by our members simply means that we favor an Atlasia where we accept the importance of respect for human life and the great gift that human life is.  We will continue to use this term as a rallying cry for all those who strive to see that all life is protected, and not threatened, by the Republic.

Also, if you wish to join the League, here is the perfect place to state so.  For reference, here is a list of our current membership:
PBrunsel
Ebowed
Jake
Liberty
MasterJedi
KeystonePhil
MHS2002
SamSpade
Cosmo Kramer
DanielX
Ian
BrandonH
9iron
Mr. Hobbes
Dubya
Ben Meyers
Everett
Alcon
Frodo
Winfield

[Lincoln Republican]

The Platform

Abortions should be permitted where it is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.  In other words, if the life of the mother is endangered due to the continued pregnancy, the abortion should be performed in order to save the life of the mother.

[Ebowed]

Here is a version that mixes your amendment in with the current plank:

We completely oppose the legality of abortions performed at any stage of the pregnancy, even for rape and incest.  However, abortions should be permitted where it is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.  In other words, if the life of the mother is endangered due to the continued pregnancy, the abortion should be performed in order to save the life of the mother.  Regardless, we do not believe that unborn humans should have to die for the actions of their parents.  We believe that life begins at conception and doctors should have no right to kill a fetus or embryo, because it is a living human.  We feel that the complete banning of all abortions is necessary in the Republic.  We also support the full banning of the Ru-486 so-called "abortion pill."

If you think that is satisfactory, I will put the amendment up for a vote when we vote on platform changes.

[Lincoln Republican]

Here is a version that mixes your amendment in with the current plank:

We completely oppose the legality of abortions performed at any stage of the pregnancy, even for rape and incest.  However, abortions should be permitted where it is necessary to preserve the life of the mother.  In other words, if the life of the mother is endangered due to the continued pregnancy, the abortion should be performed in order to save the life of the mother.  Regardless, we do not believe that unborn humans should have to die for the actions of their parents.  We believe that life begins at conception and doctors should have no right to kill a fetus or embryo, because it is a living human.  We feel that the complete banning of all abortions is necessary in the Republic.  We also support the full banning of the Ru-486 so-called "abortion pill."

If you think that is satisfactory, I will put the amendment up for a vote when we vote on platform changes.

Where you state "We feel that the complete banning of all abortions is necessary in the Republic," should read "We feel that the complete banning of all abortions is necessary in the Republic, the exception being as noted above, that is, permitted where necessary to preserve the life of the mother."

[Ebowed]

OK, very good; I'll put that version up for a vote at the appropriate time.   Welcome to the league by the way.

[Jake]

Ebowed, is it time for endorsements to begin?

[Jake]

I resign as Right to Life League Vice-Chairman. I'm not going to waste my time with a group of ingrates which has yet to accomplish anything.

[Yates]

I wish to join this league.

[PBrunsel]

I wish to join this league.

Welcome Yates, you will be a fine member and ally to our group.

[Yates]

Thank you, my friend, PBrunsel.