If you’ve spent any time on the internet today, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the horrific charges against Doctor Kermit Gosnell. If you haven’t, I’m going to tell you – so don’t run off to Google or Bing.
I learned who he was through a Facebook post of a friend. My first thought was “WHY isn’t the media talking about this? Why do I learn about this on Facebook?!” In a sense, I am the media. And I am talking about this.
Gosnell is on trial for allegedly performing illegal late-term abortions in Philadelphia. These procedures led to the death of one woman and seven infants. From what I have read, Gosnell performed abortions as late as 30 weeks of gestation – sometimes later. Abortions after 24 weeks are illegal in Pennsylvania, that’s around the time a fetus could survive outside the womb with appropriate medical care.
I wasn’t going to write about this. In fact, I couldn’t get through this article on The Atlantic the first time I tried to read it. But the story ate away at my brain. I felt sick to my stomach, and still do.
My mind races to thoughts of scared, young women who feel like they have no option but to visit his clinic. For me, the issue here goes beyond whether you are pro-life or pro-choice. It’s about women not having access to quality, sanitary medical care. It’s about one person murdering others and calling it “ensuring fetal demise.” It’s about women not knowing that they do have other options.
I’m sorry this post is so haphazard. My thoughts just won’t come together clearly or easily.
I can’t stop thinking about the babies he killed. Those poor babies. And their poor mamas. And the poor mamas that can’t have babies of their own that could have adopted these babies and loved them so much.
I wonder how that doctor sleeps at night.
Wow! I hadn’t heard about this at all! I had a very hard time getting past your line “… as late as 30 weeks…”. I can’t imagine feeling as there is no other choice but going to see this man. The article you linked to leaves me speechless.
The whole situation is terribly sad and equally disgusting. Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to comment.
I hadn’t heard of this at all. I so often wonder how and why the media {you know, those other media people} pick and choose what they share. This definitely should be out there, but only so justice will be served.
I am still waiting for my local news to pick up the story, sadly no lucky. It’s a mystery as to why this story isn’t being told in more places. Scary and so very sad for the women (and their families) that were involved.
Yes, I have heard about this and it makes me so sad. Everyone who is lobbying for gun control should get out and lobby against this!! It’s sad that girls feel like they have no other options!! I pray daily about abortion!
What he did was horrific. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like to be a “patient” there.
I had heard about this man earlier this week and sadly I think it was also on facebook (opposed to the papers or news)! As hard as it is to read about the horrors this man has caused, I am glad he was reported and will no longer hurt poor innocent babies and their mammaa. We put such trust in our Doctors… It is all too sad.
I agree, Natalie. It is too sad.
I didn’t realize this hasn’t been in the media – but I am pretty sure I saw it on Facebook too. I agree that it’s very sad women felt they needed to visit this man. I only hope justice is served and he isn’t let off with little more than a slap on the wrist…
Me, too. I can’t believe that his “business” operated for so many years and that he had EMPLOYEES. All of it is so mind boggling.
I feel it is a choice- but late pregnancy and deaths is unexcusable!!
The whole story is shocking to me – and the fact that it went on for years is baffling.
Oh sweet Jesus those poor women and children. How does he sleep with all the pain he has caused?
I was wondering that, too. It’s disgusting, depressing, and curious all at the same time.
Ah Lawd, this is why I don’t watch the news. Totally depressing. i know nothing that’s going on in the world, and I would like to keep it that way.
However, while on bloglovin, I did want to know who Kermit Grommit was cause the name sounds like a muppet.
People will do what they want despite what the law says. That’s how he had a functioning business and employees. There is a demand for it – sadly enough. Sorry to say, but we can stop it through legislation – simply because it’s totally not cool to tell people what to do with their own bodies (man or woman). You just can’t do it.
You wanna stop it? Figure out how to get it through someones thick skull that they shouldn’t be having relations when they are teenagers, and/or unmarried and/or immature and/or without money. Convincing them that they should be going to school to better themselves. It’s really so simple – that’s what I don’t get.
Gasp.
I agree, Lisa. I do wonder – where the heck is this man’s moral compass? How can it be that far out of whack?! My stomach turns every time I think about this. Perhaps better, more consistent education is the answer – it seems to be the answer to most of our problems.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.
I heard about this on the news the other day, and I couldn’t believe it. There are women who would LOVE to have a little baby of their own, and for that doctor to abort a baby THAT late in a pregnancy is despicable. If you don’t want your baby, give it up for adoption.
WHAT?! It was actually on the news in your area? I am shocked. I’m still waiting for our news to air the story, or our paper to share it.
Anyhow, it’s such a tough issue to talk about. What this man has done is horrific, disgusting, immoral, etc. I can’t even imagine how those women felt. It’s so heartbreaking.
i haven’t seen it on the news, but i was watching the twitter feed and informed many people that had no idea either. it still makes me sick to my stomach and i just want to say that i admire your strength in posting about it. <3
Thank you. It’s such a sad story, I really feel that more people need to know what’s going on in our country.
I can’t fathom the type of person who does this. I just can’t understand how he can call himself a doctor.
I know! It’s heartbreaking and scary. I am hoping that justice will be served.
It’s so disgusting that this has been going on for SO LONG. The guy was reported and no one ever checked up on him, so…..there are more people than one to blame for this junk. He’s an icky, horrible man. 🙁
I’m hoping that others will be charged with failing to do their job and properly investigate these complaints.