My pal Alan writes

Howdy Mark,
Ran across an article and link on the Yahoo homepage that lets you send Pres. Obama an email message. Maybe the legions of movers and Shea-kers can overwhelm the White House.

(FWIW here’s my letter)

Mr. President,
First of all, congratulations on your election. May God bless, guide and protect you and your family.
The issue of abortion has divided this nation for many years. Your position is clear and well-known.
I would like to (*oops, meant to say “ask you to…”*) respectfully consider this issue from the standpoint of civil rights. You, as an African-American, are certainly keenly aware of the profound importance of civil rights, especially the most basic civil right of all, the right to life.
Is it truly just to deny an entire class of people, those whose umbillical cord has not been cut yet, that most basic and preeminent right? And, does it really make sense to presume, by default, that a person’s civil rights are conferred by the cutting of that cord?
Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of these questions.

I’m dubious he will budge an inch. But I love the letter.