Tough sell in Phoenix

What a tough sell Bishop Thomas Olmstead of Phoenix AZ has to convince people it was not OK to abort an unborn to save a mother’s life.

Just this one time, say his critics.  For a good reason.  We won’t bother you after that.

It’s a bad thing in itself, he says.

What the heck are you talking about? they say.  What’s this bad-in-itself stuff?  Look, Bishop, with all respect, we decide things as we go along.  Why can’t you understand that?

That’s the issue, he said or could say.  If we decide as we go, it’s paddy-bar-the-door for all sorts of things. 

I’m not in the business of legislating or making executive orders or even of judging, he might continue — except in the court of conscience, mine first of all, in fact most of all, even exclusively in this case. 

I cannot say the hell with it in this one case, this one time, for this good reason.  Once I do, why not the next time, for the next good reason? 

I become Solomon dividing the disputed baby or — God save the mark — the Warren Court setting rules for the states: Thou shalt not . . .   Etc.  Etc.

You get my drift? he might conclude.

Later: He being Olmsted, not Olmstead, by the way, as Olmstead points out in his comment below.  So instead of Olmstead when you mean the bishop of Phoenix, write Olmsted.  I may have Olmstead take my stead next time I write about the Phoenix Olmsted.  His experience will stand him in good stead.  (sic)