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Faith & Cultureby Rod D. Martin
January 22, 2007
Has anyone else noticed that the Roe v. Wade anniversary has been especially quiet this year?
First things first: 3,600 babies continue to die everyday in America by abortion. With the amazing advances in science we’ve seen over the past few years, showing how very developed a “fetus” (Latin for “baby”) is at an extremely early age, there’s little room for anyone to argue anymore that these deaths are any different from an infanticide involving a one-month old child. The point of Roe and Roe‘s supporters is that none of that matters: that the woman’s godlike power of “choice” should trump everything, from the father’s rights and opinions, to civilization’s historic view of the sanctity of human life, even (and especially) the life of the baby itself.
More people realize this than ever. The polling has been going our way for years. So why the quiet?
South Dakota is part of the answer. As you probably know, South Dakota defeated an outright abortion ban (which was intended as a challenge to Roe) last fall. However, all polls (including ours) showed all along that South Dakotans, despite the five-to-one funding advantage of Tom Dashle and NARAL, would have gladly passed the ban had it contained an exception for victims of rape and incest. For those who join Ronald Reagan in pointing out that an innocent baby’s life should not be taken as a sort of human sacrifice to atone for the sins of its father, I would suggest that that misses the point. A state nearly banned all abortions except the tiny minority involving rape and incest — a truly remarkable thing, astonishingly different from the mood of most people a couple decades ago.
Radical feminists realize what this means: abortion-on-demand’s days are numbered. And pushing loudly for the same old never-saw-an-abortion-we-didn’t-like agenda is a dangerous thing right now.
But the right is quiet too, and I think that’s another thing altogether. I think most of us are holding our breath. The Supreme Court may be just one vote from overturning Roe v. Wade. But it might be willing now; and depending on the President’s ability to appoint another justice before the end of his term, the entire issue may be thrown back to the states before we know it.
In other words, this may just be the calm before the storm. It’s time to gear up: we have a real shot at ending infanticide/abortion, not just in our lifetime but in the next few years.
There is much to be done: I encourage everyone to re-read a strategy piece of mine on this from several years ago which outlines some immediate needs (I would update it today to include efforts like the one in South Dakota as well). I would also encourage each of you to sign our petition demanding the Supreme Court uphold Congress’ nationwide ban on Partial-Birth Abortion.
But above all else, don’t give up the fight. Whether through prayer, adoption, political action of whatever you feel called to do, the battle is nigh. It is time for this holocaust to end.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.