Oh Barrack!

Three days after his being officially put into office, US President Barrack Obama overturned an eight-year ban on US government funding for family planning organizations which carry out or facilitate abortion overseas, according to a White House official.

This is very saddening and a very big setback to us working for the abolition of abortion. I felt as if he stabbed me right through my heart! Liberals will of course support and take advantage of this re-emergence of their cause. But anti-abortion groups will again have their hands full in trying to turn back this move by the undoubtedly popular new US president. I am particularly confused because he had said a lot of times that he is against abortion.

I am sure, because of his popularity and charism, he would "get away with it". I was not able to watch his inauguration but seeing it on papers and television accounts and hearing about it on air, I believe that he is one who can do things, no matter how unpopular they maybe. His speech on "hope" was full of hope. Though they were lacking much with concrete actions to make that hope a reality. Nevertheless, America and the world are proud of President BO. Change, as he had promised, began right with him. Changes would really happen the way he makes decisions with alacrity. Unfortunately, not all changes are acceptable and good. This one on abortion is certainly hard to swallow.

I give President BO the benefit of the doubt. Maybe, where he grew up exposed him to the good benefits abortion can give to many. Maybe he saw the difficulties experienced by those who were deprived of this "solution". Maybe he sees it as an effective response to promiscuity which the present generation had find hard to control. Maybe he is beset by what are happening to other countries (including the Philippines) because of lack of funds for abortion. Maybe he had heard of the miseries of people from people who may have not given him the true and complete picture. Maybe this is temporary and later he would be open to other arguments and experiences which would show that abortion is not a solution but a crime. Maybe those responsible around him would be courageous enough to tell him the truth. We continue to hope. President BO gave us a lot of hope. Personally, I saw in him a very credible, influential, authoritative, and powerful individual. With the presidency his, these characteristics had found an effective instrument. But not without same dangers. The presidency can also be an instrument for evil. Let us hope he is discerning enough to see it!

Let us pray for President BO!