Saviors and safe havens
by Michelle Malkin

December 24, 2003

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
-- Last verse, "Away in a Manger"

This is a Christmas message for every mother in crisis who has abandoned
a baby -- a tiny bundle delivered in secret, stashed away in shame, and
disposed of somewhere, anywhere, to survive or die alone.

This is for the mother of Baby Liberty, a newborn girl found alive
wrapped in a white cloth at a construction site near Laytonsville, Md.,
on July 4.

And for the mother of Baby Tyler Doe, a newborn boy found alive in a
cardboard box in the back of a car in Swansea, Mass., two days after
Halloween.

And for the mother of Baby Catherine Hope, a newborn girl found dead in
a plastic shopping bag on a Brooklyn church's porch the Sunday after
Thanksgiving.

And for the mother of Baby Noel Christmas, a newborn girl found alive
wrapped in a towel on a bench behind a hospital in Easton, Md., two
weeks ago.

And for every mother-to-be who is thinking of doing something similarly
unthinkable with their unborn sons and daughters.

As a mother who has just joyously brought a baby boy into the world, I
cannot imagine your despair. I cannot fathom your horror. Those of us
with healthy children, happy marriages and doting families often take
for granted our bountiful blessings. It would be so easy to condemn you,
to pontificate about your recklessness, to attack your selfishness, to
mete out blame and shame. But not now.

During this Christmas season, in which we commemorate the birth of the
Savior, please know that you are not alone. Whether you are 14 or 40,
rich or poor, black or white, abused or confused, know that there are
countless strangers across the country praying for you and the souls of
your children.

Witness the outpouring of compassion when Baby Liberty was discovered
lying in the grass, dehydrated and bug-bitten, but otherwise healthy.
When the news broke, hundreds of people called offering to take her into
their homes. Witness the outpouring of grief when Baby Catherine Hope
was discovered on the doorsteps of the Resurrection and the Life Church.
Some 200 mourners -- cops, congregants and strangers -- turned out for
the newborn's funeral complete with honor guard and bagpipe marchers.

"Any one of us in this church -- or this entire neighborhood -- would
have done anything to help that mother and child. People have to know
this, that they're not alone, so this doesn't happen again," parishioner
Elizabeth Dodd told the New York Post.

You are not alone. That is also the message the Newborn Lifeline Network
is trying to disseminate. The non-profit group operates a 24-hour,
toll-free hotline (866-694-BABY) (866-694-2229) and a Web site at
www.newbornlifeline.com *"to prevent newborn abandonment by providing
one-stop assistance for birthmothers in crisis nationwide." Volunteers
have fielded more than 600 calls. They provide counseling and
information about infant safe haven laws that allow parents to leave
their babies in safe arms at hospitals, police stations and other
designated areas without fear of prosecution.

The first such law was signed in 1999 by George W. Bush, then governor
of Texas, after 13 babies were abandoned in the Houston area within a
year. Once the law was advertised, four babies were turned over at safe
havens in Harris County within 12 months. In Idaho, five babies have
been left at safe havens since a similar law was passed in the summer of
2001. In New Jersey, 14 newborns have been left at police stations and
emergency rooms since a safe haven law was passed three years ago.

Supporters of safe havens are asking public officials, private
businesses and the media for more help in saving the lives of innocents
by spreading word of the laws. What better time to do so than during the
celebration of a sacred event, some 2,000 years ago, when a newborn babe
found wintry refuge in a barn under the stars.

©2003 Creators Syndicate, Inc.

This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the headline was:
"Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round"
What a wonderful Christmas sentiment.
Jean

Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-roundby Michelle Malkin

December 24, 2003

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there
-- Last verse, "Away in a Manger"

This is a Christmas message for every mother in crisis who has abandoned
a baby -- a tiny bundle delivered in secret, stashed away in shame, and
disposed of somewhere, anywhere, to survive or die alone.

This is for the mother of Baby Liberty, a newborn girl found alive
wrapped in a white cloth at a construction site near Laytonsville, Md.,
on July 4.

And for the mother of Baby Tyler Doe, a newborn boy found alive in a
cardboard box in the back of a car in Swansea, Mass., two days after
Halloween.

And for the mother of Baby Catherine Hope, a newborn girl found dead in
a plastic shopping bag on a Brooklyn church's porch the Sunday after
Thanksgiving.

And for the mother of Baby Noel Christmas, a newborn girl found alive
wrapped in a towel on a bench behind a hospital in Easton, Md., two
weeks ago.

And for every mother-to-be who is thinking of doing something similarly
unthinkable with their unborn sons and daughters.

As a mother who has just joyously brought a baby boy into the world, I
cannot imagine your despair. I cannot fathom your horror. Those of us
with healthy children, happy marriages and doting families often take
for granted our bountiful blessings. It would be so easy to condemn you,
to pontificate about your recklessness, to attack your selfishness, to
mete out blame and shame. But not now.

During this Christmas season, in which we commemorate the birth of the
Savior, please know that you are not alone. Whether you are 14 or 40,
rich or poor, black or white, abused or confused, know that there are
countless strangers across the country praying for you and the souls of
your children.

Witness the outpouring of compassion when Baby Liberty was discovered
lying in the grass, dehydrated and bug-bitten, but otherwise healthy.
When the news broke, hundreds of people called offering to take her into
their homes. Witness the outpouring of grief when Baby Catherine Hope
was discovered on the doorsteps of the Resurrection and the Life Church.
Some 200 mourners -- cops, congregants and strangers -- turned out for
the newborn's funeral complete with honor guard and bagpipe marchers.

"Any one of us in this church -- or this entire neighborhood -- would
have done anything to help that mother and child. People have to know
this, that they're not alone, so this doesn't happen again," parishioner
Elizabeth Dodd told the New York Post.

You are not alone. That is also the message the Newborn Lifeline Network
is trying to disseminate. The non-profit group operates a 24-hour,
toll-free hotline (866-694-BABY) (866-694-2229) and a Web site at
www.newbornlifeline.com *"to prevent newborn abandonment by providing
one-stop assistance for birthmothers in crisis nationwide." Volunteers
have fielded more than 600 calls. They provide counseling and
information about infant safe haven laws that allow parents to leave
their babies in safe arms at hospitals, police stations and other
designated areas without fear of prosecution.

The first such law was signed in 1999 by George W. Bush, then governor
of Texas, after 13 babies were abandoned in the Houston area within a
year. Once the law was advertised, four babies were turned over at safe
havens in Harris County within 12 months. In Idaho, five babies have
been left at safe havens since a similar law was passed in the summer of
2001. In New Jersey, 14 newborns have been left at police stations and
emergency rooms since a safe haven law was passed three years ago.

Supporters of safe havens are asking public officials, private
businesses and the media for more help in saving the lives of innocents
by spreading word of the laws. What better time to do so than during the
celebration of a sacred event, some 2,000 years ago, when a newborn babe
found wintry refuge in a barn under the stars.<<

Michelle Malkin is a syndicated columnist.

"BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the headline
was: "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful Christmas sentiment. Jean

Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. But rather
than address the fact that women need access to birth control services,
incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal services, drug rehabilitation
services, true safe havens for mother and child, right wing rant artist
Michelle Malkin wants to spend more millions promoting abandonment. The
Christmas message here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a
child, I don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why
don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take your
troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but for Malkin, since
if she doesn't know who the women are, she can continue to treat them as
unknowable abstractions.

Ron

In article <vumg5ddfi8qfea@corp.supernews.com>, Don <gimme@a~break.net> writes:
Saviors and safe havensby Michelle Malkin

Rupa, you better stock up on the vomit troughs....

<SNIP nauseating rest of original post>

KL

In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>,
"Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote:
"BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the headline was: "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful Christmas sentiment. Jean Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions.

I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles.

If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you.

- Don

Don wrote:
In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>, "Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: "BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the headline was: "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful Christmas sentiment. Jean Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions. I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles.

Actually, there is more in common with needle exchanges and baby dumps than not.
At least needle exchanges aren't government funded policy responses to IV drug
use.

If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you.

You're the anti-religious agnostic/atheist guy re-posting treacly "savior"
Christmas pablum articles, not me. You must have a pretty strong gag response.

Ron


- Don

In article <3FECEF21.B8E653D6@earthlink.net>,
Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote:
Don wrote: In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>, "Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: "BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... > This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the > headline was: > "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful > Christmas sentiment. Jean Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions. I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles. Actually, there is more in common with needle exchanges and baby dumps than not. At least needle exchanges aren't government funded policy responses to IV drug use.

There are plenty of government-funded needle exhange programs.
If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you. You're the anti-religious agnostic/atheist guy re-posting treacly "savior" Christmas pablum articles, not me. You must have a pretty strong gag response.

They're willing to put in the effort. I'm not.

- Don

Don wrote:
In article <3FECEF21.B8E653D6@earthlink.net>, Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: Don wrote: In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>, "Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: > "BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message > news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... > > This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the > > headline > was: > > "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful > > Christmas sentiment. Jean > > Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. > But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth > control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal > services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for > mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to > spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message > here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I > don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why > don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take > your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but > for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can > continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions. I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles. Actually, there is more in common with needle exchanges and baby dumps than not. At least needle exchanges aren't government funded policy responses to IV drug use. There are plenty of government-funded needle exhange programs.

On this, you're right, I was wrong. There are scattered municipally-funded
needle exchanges. Most needle exchange programs, however, are privately
funded, due to a ban on federal funding.
If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you. You're the anti-religious agnostic/atheist guy re-posting treacly "savior" Christmas pablum articles, not me. You must have a pretty strong gag response. They're willing to put in the effort. I'm not.

Malkin is a soldier on the frontlines against teaching kids about
contraception, and against women accessing contraceptives. She believes in
abstinence-only classes, period. It's no surprise that she backs baby
dumps, they're her idea of birth control. If she had her way, you'd be a
dad or celibate. You can have her.

Ron


- Don

In article <3FECFE62.55DE7F48@earthlink.net>,
Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote:
Don wrote: In article <3FECEF21.B8E653D6@earthlink.net>, Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: Don wrote: > In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>, > "Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: > > > "BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message > > news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... > > > This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the > > > headline > > was: > > > "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful > > > Christmas sentiment. Jean > > > > Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. > > But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth > > control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal > > services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for > > mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to > > spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message > > here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I > > don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why > > don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take > > your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but > > for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can > > continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions. > > I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles. Actually, there is more in common with needle exchanges and baby dumps than not. At least needle exchanges aren't government funded policy responses to IV drug use. There are plenty of government-funded needle exhange programs. On this, you're right, I was wrong. There are scattered municipally-funded needle exchanges. Most needle exchange programs, however, are privately funded, due to a ban on federal funding.

Explain to me how needle exchange funding is somehow under the perview
of the Constitution. It's clearly a state/local issue. Of course, you
could make the argument that the federal government is involved in all
sorts of activities that are contrary to the word and intent of the
Constitution, but that hardly is persuasive when it comes to encouraging
yet another violation of the Constitution. It was a huge blow to liberty
in this country when the courts, executive and legislative branches of
the federal government banded together to unilaterally invalidate the
10th Amendment.
> If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you. You're the anti-religious agnostic/atheist guy re-posting treacly "savior" Christmas pablum articles, not me. You must have a pretty strong gag response. They're willing to put in the effort. I'm not. Malkin is a soldier on the frontlines against teaching kids about contraception, and against women accessing contraceptives. She believes in abstinence-only classes, period. It's no surprise that she backs baby dumps, they're her idea of birth control. If she had her way, you'd be a dad or celibate. You can have her.

Reproductive issues, as opposed to reproduction, should be up to
parents. It's ludicrous that the government should be teaching
abstinence, condoms, IUDs, The Pill or abortion. That's between a kid
and his parents, not a kid and the government.

Liberals want the government to hector children about birth control (an
obviously bad idea), and then they wring their hands when what's being
taught isn't what *they* had in mind.

Get the goverment out of the bedroom! Right, Ron?

- Don

Don wrote:
In article <3FECFE62.55DE7F48@earthlink.net>, Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: Don wrote: In article <3FECEF21.B8E653D6@earthlink.net>, Ron Morgan <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: > Don wrote: > > > In article <M5RGb.7190$lo3.4087@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.n et>, > > "Ron Morgan" <rhyzome1@earthlink.net> wrote: > > > > > "BabySafeHaven" <babysafehaven@aol.com> wrote in message > > > news:20031225210811.01689.00001394@mb-m18.aol.com... > > > > This ran as the lead column in the Boston Herald today. And the > > > > headline > > > was: > > > > "Moms in cirsis need a savior all year-round" What a wonderful > > > > Christmas sentiment. Jean > > > > > > Moms in crisis need crisis help, not advice on how to abandon. > > > But rather than address the fact that women need access to birth > > > control services, incest and rape counseling, pre and post natal > > > services, drug rehabilitation services, true safe havens for > > > mother and child, right wing rant artist Michelle Malkin wants to > > > spend more millions promoting abandonment. The Christmas message > > > here is, "I am a middle class woman who has attained a child, I > > > don't understand infant abandonment and I don't want to, so why > > > don't you just deposit your baby at the nearest hospital and take > > > your troubles somewhere else." No name, no blame, no shame, but > > > for Malkin, since if she doesn't know who the women are, she can > > > continue to treat them as unknowable abstractions. > > > > I'll bet you're in favor of giving addicts clean needles. > > Actually, there is more in common with needle exchanges and baby > dumps than not. At least needle exchanges aren't government funded > policy responses to IV drug use. There are plenty of government-funded needle exhange programs. On this, you're right, I was wrong. There are scattered municipally-funded needle exchanges. Most needle exchange programs, however, are privately funded, due to a ban on federal funding. Explain to me how needle exchange funding is somehow under the perview of the Constitution. It's clearly a state/local issue. Of course, you could make the argument that the federal government is involved in all sorts of activities that are contrary to the word and intent of the Constitution, but that hardly is persuasive when it comes to encouraging yet another violation of the Constitution. It was a huge blow to liberty in this country when the courts, executive and legislative branches of the federal government banded together to unilaterally invalidate the 10th Amendment.

If they all did it together, then it's not unilateral. I suppose you could
petition the Flat Earth Society to take this issue up... I'm sure your parents
made sure you weren't innoculated with the polio vaccine when you were a kid
because it was distributed under an unconstitutional federal program. Why don't
you call the CDC and let them know that due to constitutional violations, their
services are no longer needed (start the Twilight Zone theme....)
> > If you don't see the hypocrisy in your positions, I can't help you. > > You're the anti-religious agnostic/atheist guy re-posting treacly > "savior" Christmas pablum articles, not me. You must have a pretty > strong gag response. They're willing to put in the effort. I'm not. Malkin is a soldier on the frontlines against teaching kids about contraception, and against women accessing contraceptives. She believes in abstinence-only classes, period. It's no surprise that she backs baby dumps, they're her idea of birth control. If she had her way, you'd be a dad or celibate. You can have her. Reproductive issues, as opposed to reproduction, should be up to parents. It's ludicrous that the government should be teaching abstinence, condoms, IUDs, The Pill or abortion. That's between a kid and his parents, not a kid and the government.

It's ludicrous that the government teaches civics, since there's a direct
conflict of interest, but hey. That's why I homeschooled my kids until they got
sick of it.
Liberals want the government to hector children about birth control (an obviously bad idea), and then they wring their hands when what's being taught isn't what *they* had in mind

Beats me, I'm not a liberal. Liberals are pussies.
Get the goverment out of the bedroom! Right, Ron?

Although public high schools are generally designed to keep kids off street
corners and out of bedrooms, they aren't intechangable.

Ron


- Don