The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Justice Pick at Odds with Family Values

By Doug Carlson - Feb 10, 2009 - 9

Suppose someone who has defended the pornography industry before the courts, provided legal counsel to the leading abortion organization, and advocated for the homosexual lifestyle was nominated to the second highest post in the U.S. Department of Justice. Suppose no longer.

David Ogden, a man who owns that dubious track record, is the current nominee of President Obama to serve as deputy attorney general. In that position, Ogden would “advise and assist the Attorney General in formulating and implementing Department policies and programs.” Such a role is hardly one of hands-off overseer.

His potential confirmation could endanger family values in a number of areas—not the least of which are policies to protect children and others from sexual exploitation. Throughout his legal career, Ogden has pushed repeatedly for a loosening of pornography restrictions, representing Playboy and Penthouse—two of the pornography industry’s biggest purveyors.

He has opposed filters for public library computers, claiming a constitutional right for adults to access pornography. He has sued the federal government to spend taxpayer dollars on a Playboy publication in Braille at the Library of Congress. And he has opposed child Internet protection laws, arguing for the “right” of pornographers to peddle their filth without verifying that their models are over 18. To say Ogden has been soft on pornography and child exploitation cases would be a gross overstatement.

He’s been no better on the issue of abortion. He has said, “The right to secure abortion is fundamental.” His past clients include abortion-supporting groups such as the National Organization of Women and People for the American Way, not to mention the nation’s No. 1 abortion provider, Planned Parenthood. In 1992, he wrote an amicus brief for the American Psychological Association defending a so-called constitutional right to abortion in the landmark Supreme Court decision Planned Parenthood v. Casey.

And on the issue of parental rights, Ogden has fought against laws to require parental notification before performing abortions on minors—even as young as 14. He stated that “the decision to abort is one that a reasonable person, including a reasonable adolescent, could make.”

Souring this already unsavory legal background even further, the nominee for deputy attorney general has also indicated he favors adopting foreign law into our judicial system. He raised the specter of this view in a court brief he co-authored for a death penalty case. Such a move would place international dicta on par with the U.S. Constitution in our courts.

He also supports homosexual rights, as well as full inclusion of homosexuals in the military. And his list of philosophical flaws could go on. On countless family issues, his abhorrent views contrast sharply with the positions of most Americans.

Ogden pled his case last week before the Senate Judiciary Committee, and tried to cover his tracks. We’re not convinced. The committee is expected to vote on his confirmation anytime, with the full Senate voting just a few days later. Ogden’s record should be evidence aplenty that he is no man to assume the No. 2 spot in the Justice Department.

If you agree, please tell your senators to oppose the confirmation of David Ogden. If your senator serves on the Judiciary Committee, he or she especially needs to hear from you.

Further Learning

Learn more about: Family, Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Children, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality, Pornography, Life, Abortion, , Citizenship,

• Subscribe
• Donate
• Feeds
• Internships

Recently

• Partner with the Psalm 139 Project to Save Lives
• ERLC’s Land Sends Letter to Congress Opposing Health Care Reform Bill
• Land: GOP wins send reminder to D.C.
• This Is It! Urge Representative to Oppose Health Care Takeover
• This Is It! Urge Representative to Oppose Health Care Takeover