The Seniam Report

I recently had the chance to see a new film titled, 3801 Lancaster:  American Tragedy, at the Convention and Athletic Complex here in Indiana, PA.  I highly recommend this film to be seen by parents, high school students, pregnant teens, and anyone else that may be considering the possibility of abortion for whatever their reasons.

This film exposes one of the most tragic cases that took place in Philadelphia, PA over recent decades.

After attending the preview, seeing the film, and listening to the public’s questions, I realized this film is actually a story within a story, a tragedy within a tragedy, all based on actual facts and unfortunately actual lives of an unknown number of real people.  But, not just the lives of the pregnant women walking into this clinic at 3801 Lancaster, but also the effect on the lives of those around them.

The film, winner of The Justice Film Festival, praised by Anderson Cooper and Eric Metaxas a New York Times Bestselling Author, and has been a topic on CNN, Fox News Insider, and World Magazine, is a story of greed, murder and cover up.  Filmed by David Altrogge-Writer/Director, Jennifer Brown-Producer and Michael Hartnett-Cinematographer,  it may sound like a fiction movie made for one of today’s television NCIS series, but folks, this isn’t fiction, it’s real, it happened, which is why I decided to make this story the topic of my blog this week.   I encourage every parent with sons and daughters of any age, your friends, and friends of friends to check the listings on the 3801lancaster.com website and attend a preview near you.  The eye opening information will help to better guide you, your children, friends, or others, in checking and finding safer abortion clinics, rather than those throughout our country like this one at 3801 Lancaster, or the Planned Parenthood facility in Wilmington, Delaware.  Legislatures and state agencies permit abortion butcher shops such as these to remain in operation because of the politics surrounding abortion.

So what is this film, 3801 Lancaster:  American Tragedy, about?  I’m not going to try to paraphrase a summary of this film.  I’ll let the words of the filmmaker tell you.

“Six years ago, Dr. Kermit Gosnell was known in west Philadelphia as ”the good doctor.” Today, he sits behind bars, convicted of three counts of first degree murder.

How did this beloved doctor become one of the most hated and controversial figures of the decade?

In February of 2010, the Philadelphia Police Department and the FBI raided the offices of Dr. Kermit Gosnell, a respected physician and late-term abortion provider in West Philadelphia. The doctor was suspected of selling prescription drugs illegally. However, what investigators discovered upon entering the clinic was unthinkable.

Blood stained floors. A feral cat roaming the hallways and examination rooms. Fetal remains in the staff food freezers. A row of jars containing severed feet. As investigators began interviewing employees, they learned that Dr. Gosnell employed a tactic that he called “snipping.” Women who came in for late-term abortions would be induced, live babies would be born, and then Dr. Gosnell would kill the babies by severing their spinal cords with scissors.

Through exclusive interviews with detectives, crime scene investigators, journalists, victims, and Dr. Gosnell himself, “3801 Lancaster: American Tragedy” tells a story of violence, greed, and a cover up that shook the nation.

In April of 2013, the Kermit Gosnell trial was drawing to a close. Although Gosnell plead not guilty, the defense had yet to call its first witness. It was widely believed that Gosnell would take the stand in his own defense and everyone wanted to know: in the face of such a mountain of evidence how can Gosnell maintain his innocence?

And then on April 24th, the announcement was made. The defense rested. Kermit Gosnell would not take the stand.

A year later, the filmmakers behind 3801 Lancaster: American Tragedy received a letter. It read “If you are able to consider that my particular circumstances are exemplary of a larger and more important issue, you will have my full attention and cooperation….Sincerely, Kermit Barron Gosnell”

Over the next year and a half, Gosnell gave the filmmakers unprecedented access. The interviews, which took place between February and September of 2015, were a revelation. Nothing was off limits – his childhood, medical school, the trial, even the “snippings.” Gosnell candidly discussed it all.

In 3801 Lancaster: American Tragedy Kermit Gosnell finally takes the stand and answers the question: “How can you maintain your innocence in face of the evidence?”

                                                                        Copyright 2016 3801 Lancaster LLC

 

But that is one of the stories within the story, one of the tragedies within the tragedy.  The filmmakers also cover the cover up by legislature in Harrisburg and state and local agencies, over two decades, that neglected or determined not to get involved due to  political issues concerning and surrounding the subject of abortion.  They chose to turn their backs rather than risk losing votes or their good public impression.  Their political careers were more important than stopping the murders of infants, subjecting the lives of other young girls and women to barbaric practices the risk of fatal infections or contracting STD’s due to improper medical equipment and facility sterilization and procedures.  This is the other story within this story.

I don’t know how those in Harrisburg or in any state legislation that obtained evidence such as negative facility inspection reports, complaints, reported deaths and witnesses willing to come forward to recount the gruesome ordeals and monstrous acts they were subjected to, could even consider the consequence of either doing the jobs they were voted in to do or ignoring the situation altogether for fear of losing political power and positions by taking a stand due to “abortion” being controversial in politics and religion.

In my opinion, closing these inferior abortion slaughterhouses isn’t a question whether anyone is for or against abortion.  Shutting down abortion clinics such as Dr. Gosnell’s is about the state and local agencies performing the functions they were designed for…creating high standards for the safety of every patient in every clinic.  Taking action to cease these type operations,  if these standards are not met, should have taken priority.   Our state and local government agencies failed and officials tried to rationalize their failure on the grounds that abortion is a top of the list political issue, when the problem here isn’t about “abortion.”  The problem was the inferior facilities, untrained staff, and a doctor putting the lives of girls and women at risk, of murder, and money.  The problem was compounded by state officials that were/are more concerned about their own political careers rather than performing what they were elected to do and are just as guilty as Dr. Gosnell as far as I’m concerned.  All involved with the cover up should have been impeached and imprisoned in the next cell to Gosnell.  They many not have committed the crimes, but they were made aware of them, knew of the situation and did nothing to stop them.  Guilty as charged.

My purpose and message in my blog today is asking everyone to please, please check the website I gave above and see this film.  Invite others to attend a preview with you, discuss it with others, and bring attention to this situation.  It exists, it’s real, make others aware that these type of clinics and facilities are out there.  God forbid you or anyone you love or care about ever find themselves in a situation to have to utilize an abortion clinic.  Check them out thoroughly, check the credentials of not only the doctors, but also of the staff performing and working there.  Make sure they are trained and certified, and most of all, ask to see the facilities before making any decision to utilize their services, and never go alone.

Furthermore, there are viable alternatives to abortion.  So many couples, not able to have children,  would be so thankful to adopt and raise your baby and willing to possibly assist in providing for your care.  Here again, beware of bogus adoption lawyers and facilities and check them out thoroughly the same as any abortion clinic.

 

I’d like to thank the filmmakers, David Altrogge, Jennifer Brown, and Michael Hartnett for their excellent work on creating this documentary on such an important subject matter and providing the story of this tragedy.  The insight of your story uncovers reality in our world today not only of the inept facilities, but also the corruption and  injustice in the political aspect of our society as well as shedding light on the physical and mental anguish of the victims before and after their ordeals.  This is one story, a real story. How many other stories, similar or the same, haven’t been heard yet or still being neglected or subject to political cover ups?

What’s your opinion?

Seniam Nevets

The Seniam Report is an Opinion and Discussion blog posting a new topic eachMonday.  Please take the time to voice your Opinions and Comments by scrolling to the bottom of the page.                                                                           Suggestions are always welcome.  Submit to:  seniamnevets@gmail.com
Follow The Seniam Report and receive the weekly opinion and discussion topic in your email.

Thank you.