(A3a4d) resisting the culture of death in the United States of America

The United States of America is the world's leading exporter of death. The curette and "the pill" are her main weapons of mass destruction. There is now a vigorous Pro Life Movement in the U.S.A. Some of the initiatives by this movement are supported by President George W. Bush. ******* On this date, 06-12-21, there are 110 items in this folder. ******* item 1 BUSH JUDICIAL NOMINEE PRYOR CONDEMNS ABORTION IN SENATE HEARING ******* item 2 STUDENT'S PRO-LIFE T-SHIRT GETS HIM INTO TROUBLE ******* item 3 PRO-LIFE STUDENT GROUP DENIED RECOGNITION AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ******* item 4 LISTENING TO MY HEART ******* item 5 TEXAS DIOCESE BARS PRO-ABORTION "CATHOLIC" CANDIDATES FROM CHURCHES ******* item 6 WISCONSIN RIGHT TO LIFE WORKS TO STOP TAXPAYER FUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD ******* item 7 TENNESSEE RIGHT TO LIFE FOCUSES ON REACHING BLACK AMERICANS ******* item 8 SCHOOLS COULD BE SUED FOR TEACHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY ******* item 9 PUBLIC SCHOOLS WARNED OF LEGAL LIABILITY IN PROMOTING HOMOSEXUALITY ******* item 10 PRO-LIFE GROUPS WANT FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO RECONSIDER ABORTION PILL ******* item 11 DR. DOBSON TELLS CHRISTIAN PARENTS TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS ******* item 12 "I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE" ******* item 13 VALUING HUMAN LIFE AND LIBERTY ******* item 14 MOVE GROWS TO PROTECT PRO-LIFE PHARMACISTS ******* item 15 VICTORY VIA OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMNETS ******* item 16 PRO-LIFE LAWS SHUT DOWN SOUTH CAROLINA ABORTION FACILITY ******* item 17 BUSH TRANSFERS 34 MILLION AWAY FROM UNITED NATIONS FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION (UNFPA) POPULATION CONTROL ******* item 18 RHODE ISLAND PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE DEFENDED IN FREE SPEECH CASEitem ******* item 19 MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SAYS HE WAS FIRED FOR COUNSELLING AGAINT ABORTION ******* item 20 CATHOLIC TEACHER SUES UNION FOR USING DUES TO PROMOTE ABORTION ******* item 21 HUNDREDS OF PRO-LIFE YOUTH COMING TO NATION'S CAPITAL TO DECLARE 'YOU WILL STOP KILLING MY GENERATION!' ******* item 22 ABORTION AND THE NEW GENERATION GAP ******* item 23 DARRELL SCOTT TESTIMONY ******* item 24 SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR PRO-LIFE FREE SPEECH CASE ******* item 25 GOD HEALS THE BROKEN HEARTED ******* item 26 CONGRESSIONAL LETTER SUPPORTS BUSH OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL ABORTION ADVOCACY ******* item 27 MINNESOTA CITY SETTLES FREE SPEECH ABORTION LAWSUIT ******* item 28 STANFORD UNIVERSITY FALLS VICTIM TO HUMAN CLONING FALSEHOODS ******* item 29 ARKANSAS PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES HELP VIOLENCE AGAINST PREGNANT MOM CASE ******* item 30 NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE STILL BIASED ON ABORTION-BREAST CANCER LINK ******* item 31 PRO-ABORTION CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BARRED FROM CATHOLIC TROUBLED KIDS' HOME ******* item 32 NEW JERSEY SHOULD REJECT CLONE AND KILL LEGISLATION ******* item 33 TEXAS COURT UPHOLDS LAW PROHIBITING TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS ******* item 34 HAWAII GROUP CAMPAIGNS AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE ******* item 35 PRO LIFE LEGAL GROUP ASKS SUPREME COURT TO INVALIDATE FACE LAW ******* item 36 PARENTAL RIGHTS ADVOCATE TO TESTIFY IN ALASKA'S PARENTAL CONSENT TRIAL ******* item 37 ABORTION SURVIVOR TELLS HER STORY OF STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPH ******* item 38 BISHOP TO GOVERNOR: OPPOSE ABORTION OR NO COMMUNION ******* item 39 MARYLAND LAWMAKERS SEEK STRONGER PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW ******* item 40 PROLIFE SUMMARY OF AMERICAN PRO LIFE ADVANCES ******* item 41 A PRICE TO PAY, CHURCH HAS SAID ******* item 42 STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PROTEST ROE ATTORNEY AS GRADUATION SPEAKER ******* item 43 RICO DOES NOT APPLY TO PRO LIFE PROTESTERS ******* item 44 TEXAS WOMEN'S BOTCHED ABORTION LAWSUIT BEGINS ******* item 45 WISCONSIN COMMITTEE PASSES HEALTH WORKER CONSCIENCE CLAUSE BILL ******* item 46 DISCRIMINATION SUIT FILED FOR PRO-LIFER AGAINST LOCAL ILLINOIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT ******* item 47 LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITOR REPORTEDLY UPSET ABOUT ABORTION BIAS ******* item 48 'ROE' SUES TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION ******* item 49 MOTION TO REVERSE ROE WILL PRESS AHEAD ******* item 50 A DECISION BASED ON DECEIT ******* item 51 LACI PETERSON'S MOTHER WRITES SENATORS BACKING UNBORN VICTIMS BILL ******* item 52 PRO-ABORTION POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF WOMEN ARE PRO-LIFE ******* item 53 HOUSE ADOPTS AMENDMENT TO PREVENT UNITED NATIONS FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION (UNFPA) FUNDING ******* item 54 HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVES UNBORN VICTIMS BILL ******* item 55 CALIFORNIA PREGNANCY CENTER SUES STATE FOR DENYING LICENSE ******* item 56 MISSISSIPPI ABORTION PRACTITIONERS MAY BE HELD LIABLE FOR COMPLICATIONS ******* item 57 U.S.HOUSE ELIMINATES $100 MILLION EARMARKED FOR UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND ******* item 58 THE 'LOVE' THAT WON'T KEEP QUIET ******* item 60 ARKANSAS HUMAN CLONING BAN GOES INTO EFFECT ******* item 61 PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION DISCUSSES REGULATION OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION ******* item 62 LAWSUIT ALLEGES DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HETEROSEXUALS ******* item 63 BUSH CHASTISES COLLEGES THAT DENY FREE SPEECH ******* item 64 PRESIDENT BUSH ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO NIX U.S. FINANCING FOR INTERNATIONAL ABORTION ******* item 65 U.S. COURT GRANTS ASYLUM TO WOMAN FORCED TO UNDERGO ABORTIONS IN CHINA ******* item 66 DOCTORS' GROUP TAKES PRO-LIFE POSITION ON ABORTION ******* item 67 SOUTH CAROLINA ABORTIONS DOWN 53% THANKS TO PRO-LIFE LAWS ******* item 68 CONTRACTORS REFUSE TO BUILD $6.2 MILLION PLANNED PARENTHOOD ABORTUARY ******* item 69 MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET BILL PASSES WITHOUT EMBRYONIC STEM CELL FUNDING ******* item 70 TEXAS RIGHT TO KNOW LAW TAKES EFFECT ******* item 71 US HOUSE VOTES TO BAN PATENTING OF HUMANS TO AVOID NEW SLAVERY ******* item 72 AUSTIN PLANNED PARENTHOOD BOYCOTT FORCES "UNUSUAL" ACTIONS ******* item 73 TOP STORY FOR 2003 ******* item 74 LETTER TO GOVERNOR MCGREEVEY RE: NEW JERSEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELL / HUMAN CLONING BILL ******* item 75 MORE ON NEW JERSEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELL / HUMAN CLONING BILL ******* item 76 PRO-ABORTION POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF WOMEN ARE PRO-LIFE ******* item 77 PRESIDENT BUSH WANTS ABSTINENCE PROGRAM FUNDING TRIPLED BY 2005 ******* item 78 INFORMED CHOICE AND ABORTION ******* item 79 IS PRAYER HATEFUL? ******* item 80 CALIFORNIA SCHOOL REJECTS STATE TRANSGENDER POLICY ******* item 81 DENVER BISHOP REBUKES THOSE WHO WOULD SILENCE CHRISTIANS ******* item 82 SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCHERS QUESTION JOHN KERRY ON STEM CELL RESEARCH ******* item 83 FEDERAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLAN NOT COVERING ABORTIONS ACCEPTS NEW CLIENTS ******* item 84 FAMILY SAVED BY CHRISTIANS IN COLUMBUS OHIO ******* item 85 A JEW DEFENDS THE CROSS ******* item 86 THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) MUST BE DESTROYED ******* item 87 FLORIDA VOTERS BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ******* item 88 HOUSE CONDEMNS CRITICISM OF BOY SCOUTS ******* item 89 SUPPORT OF GAYS PUSHED IN SCHOOLS ******* item 90 HARVARD PRO-LIFE STUDENTS TOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR FORCED ABORTION DUES ******* item 91 ABSTINENCE EDUCATION REDUCES OUT-OF-WEDLOCK BIRTHS ******* item 92 PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN NORTH AMERICA ******* item 93 COLLEGES PROMOTE ABORTION OVER PREGNANCY IN STUDENT HEALTH CARE PLANS ******* item 94 ABORTION PILL KILLS GIRL, PARENTS SUE ******* item 95 LOUISIANA CHOOSE LIFE PLATES ON SALE ******* item 96 NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL APOLOGIZES TO STUDENTS WHO WORE T-SHIRTS PROTESTING HOMOSEXUALITY ******* item 97 PRO-HOMOSEXUAL ORGANIZATION VIDEO WILL BE DELIVERED TO 61,000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ******* item 98 PRO-LIFE PHARMACIST SHOULD FACE REPRIMAND OVER ABORTION DRUG, SAYS JUDGE ******* item 99 REPORT ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOLUTION FROM BAPTIST MEETING ******* item 100 CONSERVATIVES COUNTER DAY OF SILENCE WITH DAY OF TRUTH ******* item 101 KINDERGARTEN FATHER ARRESTED IN MASSACHUSETTS OVER OBJECTIONS TO HOMOSEXUAL CURRICULUM ******* item 102 PRESIDENT BUSH URGES SENATE TO PASS PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ON ABORTION ******* item 103 RAPE AND INCEST VICTIMS CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON ABORTION ******* item 104 KANSAS CITY CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTRE ROBBED, TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT STOLEN ******* item 105 FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR SUPPORTING ABORTION ******* item 106 NEW CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTS SHOWS ABSTINENCE EDUCATION WORKS, PREGNANCY RATES LOWER ******* item 107 RED CROSS WANTS "GAY" BLOOD ******* item 108 PROGRESS IN THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT ******* item 109 NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN SHOCKING CASE OF "ABORTED" BABY BORN ALIVE ******* item 110 CHRISTIAN TEEN RALLY IRKS SAN FRANCISCO'S CITY FATHERS *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 1 BUSH JUDICIAL NOMINEE PRYOR CONDEMNS ABORTION IN SENATE HEARING ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Washington Times; June 12, 2003 ******* Washington, DC -- Preisdnet Bush's latest Appeals Court nominee Bil Pryor told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday that abortion is "murder" and that the court case legalizing it is "the worst abomination in the history of constitutional law." ******* It was an unusually frank statement by a judicial nominee in a confirmation process that has become highly politicized, especially on the issue of abortion. President Bush has nominated many pro-lifers to the federal bench, but the nominees usually avoid directly addressing the legality of abortion in Senate confirmation hearings because it gives abortion advocaters and the media ground to politicze the nomination. ******* Pryor, Alabama's attorney general nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, appears to be headed for filibuster based on the tenor of questions yesterday by committee Democrats and one pro-abortion Republican. ******* "Mr. Pryor has a tough road to hoe here," said pro-abortion Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat and one of the leaders of the Democratic filibusters against two other Bush nominees. "He'll get a chance to make his case, but ... this is one of the most troubling records we've seen thus far." ******* The questioning of Pryor's drew such a large crowd that the hearing had to be moved to a larger room, where spectators filled all 230 seats and stood in back and along the walls. Outside, numerous political groups dropped off reams of flyers and position statements for and against Mr. Pryor. NARAL Pro-Choice America called him "vehemently anti-choice," while the Family Research Council said liberal groups were guilty of "religious profiling" for attacking "a man of strong faith." ******* At one point, committee Chairman Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT), who is pro-life on abortion, warned an audience member who applauded Schumer's suggestion that Pryor faced an uphill battle. "We'll have no disturbances in here," Hatch told the audience member. "I'll have you removed." ******* Republicans released dozens of letters of support, several from Alabama Democrats who know Pryor personally. ******* Sen. Arlen Specter, a pro-abortion Pennsylvania Republican, interrogated Pryor about whether he thought Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court case legalizing abortion, was rightly settled. ******* "Well, I believe that not only is the case unsupported by the text and structure of the Constitution, but it has led to a morally wrong result," Pryor answered. "It has led to the slaughter of millions of innocent unborn children. That's my personal belief." ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 2 STUDENT'S PRO-LIFE T-SHIRT GETS HIM INTO TROUBLE ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Sheboygan Press; October 5, 2002 ******* When Aaron Kaat was in eighth grade, he finally got what he called a kick in the head that turned his life around. With the help of church peers, Kaat went from being a kid who ran around with the wrong crowd to a devout follower of Jesus Christ. ******* Since that pivotal moment almost four years ago, Kaat, a South High senior who is first in his class, has not been afraid to express his religious and political beliefs. But it was because of this same stance that Kaat found himself sitting in the office of associate principal Bill Klein last Friday. ******* Kaat had worn a shirt that said, Abortion is homicide, with the back stating You will not silence my message. You will not mock my God. You will stop killing my generation. ******* Kaat said he wears such shirts with strong views to use as a witnessing tool. ******* I want other people to see it so they can ask questions, Kaat said. Then I can explain my beliefs to them. ******* According to Kaat, one of his teachers told him his shirt may not be appropriate and informed Klein. According to Kaat, Klein told him that homicide is a legal term, and that by making a reference to God, it was mixing church and state. Kaat said he was warned he would face disciplinary measures if he wore the shirt to school again. ******* Kaat wore his shirt inside-out for one class period, but switched it back after further pondering. ******* I would have been giving in too easily, Kaat said. ******* Klein said the situation has been resolved and is not an issue because there was no punishment for Kaat. ******* According to the Sheboygan Area School District student handbook of student rights and responsibilities, students have a right to express themselves as long as it is not disruptive to learning. They also have a right to their religious beliefs. ******* The more we thought about it, the more we thought that it was just a political statement, co-superintendent Joe Sheehan said. ******* In determining what is inappropriate dress, Sheehan said the district goes on a case-by-case basis following district guidelines. Dress cannot contain language that is offensive, derogatory, leads to violence, disrupts learning, contains illegal substances such as drugs or alcohol or have sexual connotations, Sheehan said. ******* It (questioning student dress) probably happens a couple times a month, Sheehan said. There will probably be several more cases between now and June. ******* -- Life: A Gift of Love - $14.00 - is a five-part video series by Christian Life Resources to assist you in making important life decisions. The vignettes, include: Making Right Decisions, God Creates and Ends Life, Quality vs. Quantitative Life, The Purpose of Life, and The Role of Suffering. Call 1-800-729-9535 ask for item #386600PI. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 3 PRO-LIFE STUDENT GROUP DENIED RECOGNITION AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Cybercast News Service, UPI, Washington Times; October 10, 2002 ******* St. Louis, MO -- After mounting public pressure, the student government at Washington University law school in St. Louis may finally recognize a pro-life student group. ******* The Student Bar Association (SBA), a group that oversees student organizations, twice rejected the application of Law Students Pro-Life to become an active campus club. ******* At the center of the month-long debate was whether the pro-life group should modify its constitution, which currently condemns abortion, euthanasia and assisted suicide. After appearing before the SBA on Sept. 9, the pro-life club was told that in order to be recognized, it would have to "broaden its scope" to include a denunciation of the death penalty. ******* The second "concern" was the suggestion that the organization be revamped "to encourage and facilitate discussion of the issues as a whole, not simply the pro-life side of certain issues." The third was that the organization "should be open to those students both subscribing to and disagreeing with the political viewpoint." ******* "To be honest, I truly believe that the catching issue was the narrowness of your group's interests and goals. SBA members felt, after a lengthy discussion, that your organization was very one-sided and did not address all issues involving pro-life," SBA president Elliott Friedman wrote in a Sept. 10 e-mail announcing that the club had been rejected. ******* Infuriated that the SBA would impose such a requirement, members of Law Students Pro-Life contacted Freedom for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), a watchdog group that pressured the SBA and university administrators to reverse the decision. ******* "Essentially, Friedman and the SBA believe that if Law Students Pro-Life became a completely different student organization, it has a better chance of being allowed to exist at your university," FIRE's Executive Director Thor L. Halvorssen wrote in a Sept. 30 letter to Washington University Chancellor Mark Stephen Wrighton. The Sept. 10 statement "denies the group's right to promote the principles that it was established to uphold." ******* According to a FIRE statement, as a result of the ruling, Law Students Pro-Life has not been allowed to use the university's name, have a student group Web site, advertise its meetings on campus, or be listed in the admissions brochure. It has been prohibited from using the student group bulletin board and barred from the student group office complex. The group also has been disqualified from applying for funding despite the fact that all of its members pay WUSL's mandatory student activity fees. ******* A day after news outlets began calling law school Dean Joel Seligman and Chancellor Mark Stephen Wrighton about the dispute, the SBA scheduled an emergency meeting for Thursday evening. Seligman predicted the SBA would approve the club. ******* "I will go to the SBA meeting and tell them that this appears to be inconsistent with the general pluralism we practice around here," he said. "I hope they reconsider it." ******* At the Sept. 9 meeting, the SBA voted 27-10-1 against the pro-life group. Friedman, who did not return phone calls, wrote in the e-mail that if the club were more inclusive to other viewpoints, the SBA might be inclined to reconsider its application. ******* "The vote does not reflect the 'ideological' viewpoints of members of SBA in any way," Friedman wrote. "However, in order to be approved as a student organization which can receive funding, I think the best bet is to broaden your scope of your issue, and allow students with diverse viewpoints to become members of your group." ******* FIRE partly blames Seligman for the dispute, but he maintained it was not his position to intervene in such matters. Only after the SBA rejected the pro-life club at a second meeting in late September, did Seligman become involved. At that point, he met with members of both organizations and concluded that the sticking point was a technical matter about inviting all law students to join the club. ******* Jordan Siverd, chairman of the pro-life group, said the SBA's vote was a reflection of the group's stance on pro-life issues. ******* "Even though they denied that from the beginning, it obviously had crossed their minds," he said. ******* The club has about 20 members, Siverd said, including a few students who do not agree with the issues it advocates but want to see the campus more inclusive of those ideas. "We are here not just to serve pro-life students," he said. "We are here to serve the entire law school community to foster a more rounded-out discussion of this issue." ******* Even if the SBA approves the pro-life group at its meeting, Siverd said the incident has left an unfortunate impression about the university's supposed acceptance of a plurality of ideas. ******* "We thought when we came here that freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas was going to be welcome," he said. "It turned out that wasn't the case." ******* Serrin Foster of Feminists for Life, a pro-life organization that actively works on college campuses, said, "I am stunned and disappointed to hear that the Washington University law school is not allowing a pro-life group on campus. I know the university has an active pro-life undergraduate group." However, the constitution of the undergraduate pro-life group at Washington University states that it opposes the death penalty. ******* Leaders of major pro-life organization such as National Right to Life Committee, the Family Research Council, and Concerned Women for America said they were appalled at the treatment Law Students Pro-Life had received. ******* Ken Connor, president of FRC, said this case flies in the face of academic freedom and "exposes academics for the frauds they are." ******* David N. O'Steen, executive director of NRLC, questioned how the Washington University law school's SBA can say the pro-life group's focus is too narrow, when it recognizes a group called the Golf Club. ******* "Are they going to make the Golf Club take up basketball and hockey?" he asked. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 4 LISTENING TO MY HEART ******* "Anne Kent" ******* In 1974, I got pregnant and decided not to have an abortion. But I was pressured to have one: I recall the day my mother and older sister cornered me in my living room and literally screamed at me to get one. Of course, they thought they had my best interests at heart. But I sensed the peace of God totally surrounding me. I even remained in my church, oblivious of my condition; it was as if I had a shield over me. ******* After I delivered my daughter and was living at home, though, I became worse spiritually. After initially making the mistake of being with a man in the first place, then allowing God to become more real to me after deciding not to get an abortion, it seemed like all hell broke loose after I had her. ******* I accidentally got pregnant again in 1977, but this time, I told myself I wasn't going to go through another pregnancy. I was reinforced in my decision by my boyfriend, even though he was a pretty devout Catholic. I didn't want to kill my child; I just made a decision to be weak and not care about any of it. ******* That abortion broke me mentally, spiritually, and physically. Everything that I had been or could have been was drained out of me that day. It caused me to cry out to God and He heard me. ******* The point I want to make is that I believe that Planned Parenthood (where I got my pre-abortion "counseling") is more evil than we can understand. In Planned Parenthood there is a terrible spirit of murder, all in the name of compassion. ******* When you walk in there, you are making a statement (whether conscious or unconscious) that you are giving up a part of your life. You are making a decision not to make a conscious choice at all, because Planned Parenthood and the all abortion mills will tell you that you have NO CHOICE but to get an abortion. This is the irony of the "pro-choice" rhetoric. ******* In reality, if any woman does want to make a choice in her own mind, she will not choose abortion. But we are too influenced by what we hear from organizations like Planned Parenthood. We as women need to give ourselves more credit for who we are, rather than listen to such outside influences. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 5 TEXAS DIOCESE BARS PRO-ABORTION "CATHOLIC" CANDIDATES FROM CHURCHES ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; June 25, 2002******* ******* Austin, TX -- The Roman Catholic diocese where Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez was raised has banned him from speaking at its churches because of his support for abortion. The Corpus Christi Diocese ban also applies to John Sharp, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor. ******* Both Sanchez and Sharp are Catholics who support legal abortion but claim they are "personally opposed" to it. ******* ``That's being schizophrenic about it,'' Bishop Carmody said Monday. ``That's saying, `In my own home, I respect life, but when I'm in public office, I'm going to go with the pack.' '' ******* The Sanchez and Sharp campaigns did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday. ******* Under guidelines in effect in the south Texas diocese since 1999, Catholics who declare themselves in support of abortion cannot hold church positions or speak at any Catholic institutions in the region. ******* The issue could be important because the Catholic Church is influential in many Hispanic communities, and Democrats' chances this year may depend on their ability to attract a record number of Hispanic voters. Texas Hispanics have historically supported Democratic candidates, almost all of whom have favored abortion. ******* Republican Gov. Rick Perry takes a pro-life position on abortion. ******* Thank you for your prayers and support for the Pro-Life Infonet. We appreciate you! ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 6 WISCONSIN RIGHT TO LIFE WORKS TO STOP TAXPAYER FUNDED PLANNED PARENTHOOD ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; December 12, 2002 ******* Milwaukee, WI -- As word spread throughout the City of Milwaukee regarding a proposal to house the state's largest abortion provider in a publicly owned building, right to life supporters throughout city have vowed to put a stop to it. ******* "The taxpayers of Milwaukee own and maintain this building and we do not want Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the state, as our tenant," said Marianne Linane, of the Milwaukee County Chapter of Wisconsin Right to Life Several weeks ago, the City of Milwaukee Health Cepartment announced the development of a "community linkage" between the City and Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI). Under the plan, PPWI would occupy space at the Northwest Health Center at 76th and Mill Road, a taxpayer owned building. ******* According to Susan Armacost, Legislative Director for Wisconsin Right to Life, PPWI would use the facility to refer women to PPWI-owned abortion clinics, one of which is located in Milwaukee. "Although PPWI will not actually perform abortions at the 76th and Mill Road facility, they are notorious for their promotion of abortion and will refer women to their own profit-oriented abortion clinics to obtain abortions. This is a blatant conflict of interest that should shock the taxpayers of Milwaukee." ******* Planned Parenthood maintains that they will not be referring women for abortions from this facility. ******* "Planned Parenthood is attempting to mislead the City in order to make their presence at the Mill Road facility more palatable," said Armacost, "The fact is, PPWI will be using federal Title X funds to enter into this unholy alliance with the City of Milwaukee," continued Armacost. "Title X regulations mandate that recipients of this funding refer women for abortions. Given PPWI's penchant for referring women for abortions coupled with the Title X referral mandate, it is unbelievable that PPWI is claiming they will not refer women for abortions from this facility." ******* Linane and Armacost said Wisconsin Right to Life will be urging the Milwaukee Common Council to reject housing PPWI in any taxpayer-owned building in the city and are being aided in their efforts by taxpayers thoughout Milwaukee. ******* "Taxpayers should not be put in the position of being forced to ubsidize the facilitation of abortion and it is unacceptable for the City of Milwaukee to enter into an agreement that puts the City in the abortion business," said Linane. ******* -- The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and information. ******* To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to [email protected]. ******* Infonet is sponsored by Women and Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). ******* For more pro-life information, visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 7 TENNESSEE RIGHT TO LIFE FOCUSES ON REACHING BLACK AMERICANS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: TN Right to Life, Urban Journal; July 23, 2002 ******* Nashville, TN -- Minority women constitute only about 26% of the female population (ages 15-44) in the United States, but they underwent approximately 36% of the abortions. This rise in abortions in the minority community has resulted in a tremendous loss of life. ******* It has been estimated that since 1973 Black women have had about 10 million abortions. ******* After hearing these statistics and others like these, Nashville native Lalita R. Crenshaw decided to get involved. Her goal is to educate the black community on abortion. ******* "As an African American woman, I am increasingly concerned about the impact abortion is having on our lives, families and community," says Crenshaw. ******* For the last three months, Crenshaw has been involved with Tennessee Right to Life and her involvement with the organization has inspired Crenshaw to start an awareness group of her own. Her group, The Minority Outreach Program, is still in the organization stage, but will focus on educating the Black community on the affects of abortion. ******* Unfortunately, abortion is viewed by many African Americans as a "white problem"--particularly among men. When informed about the actual abortion statistics many are taken back by the findings. ******* Giving true information about all of the pregnancy options is one way to educate people on their choices, she said. "For too long we have been told half truths by organizations and the government about abortion and its advocates." ******* Abortion advocates have a history of focusing on black women. ******* "Planned Parenthood started in 1916 to limit the births of minority people, if people would study the documents they would find that Planned Parenthood was rooted in racism and founded by a white supremacist," stateD Akua Furlow, Executive director of the Life Education and Resources Network. ******* All of this information needs to be made readily available to people in the community. This will allow them to weigh their options and then make decisions based on the truth, not false information, she said. ******* Crenshaw and her newly formed organization seek to educate through the presentation of detailed and factual information about fetal development, experimentation, fetal pain, abortion, and alternatives to abortion. They also plan to organize and identify the pro-life population of the community nto an effective force. Crenshaw's last goal is to help build a caring, compassionate society that will recognize the real problems and offer positive alternatives and support to women and their families. ******* You can help women make positive, life-affirming choices when confronting an unexpected pregnancy. ******* Please provide a link on your web site to Pregnancy Centers Online at http://www.pregnancycenters.org ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 8 SCHOOLS COULD BE SUED FOR TEACHING ABOUT HOMOSEXUALITY ******* By Robert B. Bluey ******* CNSNews.com Staff Writer, September 06, 2002 ******* (CNSNews.com) - Two California parental-rights groups say schools that address homosexuality in their curriculum or in after-school programs face an increasing risk of being sued by parents. ******* The Pro-Family Law Center (PFLC) and the United States Justice Foundation released a report Wednesday that will be distributed to parents, school districts and the state education department. The 15-page document cites court decisions, which the groups claim could be used in lawsuits to challenge schools that seek to "normalize homosexuality." ******* "We're in the early stages of a national campaign to homosexualize American schools," PFLC attorney Scott Lively said. "Ten years ago this was not happening. We have a generation of school kids who are the official guinea pigs in a social experiment that we believe is going to have dramatically harmful effects." ******* Lively, who called the report "groundbreaking," said it gives parents an avenue to challenge schools. Once parents have the document in their hands, he wants them to distribute it to teachers and administrators. ******* The report highlights what it claims are liabilities associated with incorporating homosexuality into a student's education. It encourages schools to abandon any discussion of homosexuality. ******* Lively said lawsuits could arise from any number of factors, but overlooking parental concern is chief among the risks that schools take. ******* "Parental rights are some of the most fundamental of all rights recognized under the Constitution," he said. "Using the general principles of law and looking at the facts as we see them unfold, it's very easy to predict what's happening here. We are going to see some of these things being decided over the next few years." ******* But requiring parental permission for all discussions about sexuality, as the report suggests, carries parents' rights too far, especially when it involves after-school programs, said Wayne Besen, spokesman for the Human Rights Campaign, a homosexual advocacy organization. ******* "Parents don't have the right to stop young men and women from receiving the help they need," Besen said. "The parents themselves are often the threat. These [homosexual student] groups are there to help vulnerable people who are subject to humiliation and harassment get the services they need." ******* The Human Rights Campaign was mentioned in the report as an organization that promotes such practices in schools along with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG). ******* Officials at GLSEN declined to comment on the report and calls to PFLAG were not returned. ******* Besen said the report is the latest attempt by anti-homosexual groups to advance their political agenda. Besides, he said schools are not doing nearly enough to protect students from classmates who harass them. ******* "[Schools] should have a zero-tolerance policy," he said. "Any student who gets caught harassing a gay or lesbian student should be punished appropriately. [Schools] need to teach people they are entitled to their beliefs, but they should be tolerant to all minorities, including gay and lesbian students." ******* Lively countered Besen's arguments by claiming homosexuals exaggerate concerns about school safety to advance their own political cause. ******* "There is no problem with school safety," Lively said. "Schools have the authority to stop harassment by students, but you don't solve that problem by dividing them up into groups." ******* He suggested the best way to address the liability problems would be for schools to stop addressing homosexuality in the classroom and in after-school activities and instead to concentrate on the more traditional subjects of reading, writing and arithmetic. ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 9 PUBLIC SCHOOLS WARNED OF LEGAL LIABILITY IN PROMOTING HOMOSEXUALITY ******* MONTPELIER, August 26, 2002 (LSN.ca) - A state-wide campaign was launched today to advise Vermont school officials about the legal liabilities associated with legitimizing homosexuality in public schools. STARS Vermont, headed by State Representative Nancy Sheltra (R), has obtained the assistance of two California-based public interest law firms who have produced an advisory for schools titled "The Legal Liabilities Associated with Homosexuality Education in Public Schools." ******* The participating firms, the United States Justice Foundation of San Diego and the Pro-Family Law Center of Sacramento modeled the document on a report of the same name distributed to schools in Ohio earlier this year by Citizens for Community Values. A California version is scheduled for release in September. ******* At Representative Sheltra's request, the legal team in change of this project has drafted a Vermont version of the document. ******* For more on the project including a link to a student-opt-out form see: http://www.abidingtruth.com/pflc/parent_student/index.html ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 10 PRO-LIFE GROUPS WANT FEDERAL DRUG ADMINISTRATION TO RECONSIDER ABORTION PILL ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press, Pro-Life Infonet; August 21, 2002 ******* Washington, DC -- Pro-life groups petitioned the Food and Drug Administration Wednesday to halt sales of the dangerous abortion pill Mifeprex, saying the agency shouldn't have approved it almost two years ago. ******* The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Christian Medical Association and Concerned Women for America argued that FDA bent its own rules in approving Mifeprex, including eliminating safeguards required during the abortion pill's testing. ******* The groups called the drug dangerous for women, citing FDA's report last April of five Mifeprex users with health problems, including two who suffered ruptured ectopic pregnancies, one fatal. The FDA data also reported that another 22 women required hospitalization or another "intervention to prevent permanent impairment or damage" after taking Mifeprex during the same time period. ******* Mifeprex does not abort an ectopic, or tubal, pregnancy, and is not supposed to be given to women with that life-threatening condition. ******* The other reports included two women with infections, one fatal, and one heart attack. The FDA hasn't determined that the drug played any role in the cases. ******* The FDA said it would review the 90-page petition, which puts in official form recurring criticism from pro-life groups. ******* The petition is based on 22 months of research from the two pro-life medical groups. Using information obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests, the document chronicles how political pressure corrupted the normally objective FDA drug review process and in the process endangered the health and lives of women who use the drug. ******* "This document outlines the significant health and safety concerns that have emerged after several years' experience with RU-486," noted Dr. David Hager, a Kentucky obstetrician who assisted with the petition. "Women deserve a full and objective accounting of a drug's dangers based on sound and complete medical evidence." ******* Dr. Gene Rudd, an obstetrician and CMA Associate Executive Director, added, "As an obstetrician dedicated to protecting women's health, I am quite concerned with the physical dangers this drug can pose to women. But I am even more concerned with the personal and spiritual impact an abortion can have on women, whatever method is used. I have counseled many post-abortive patients and shared many tears of regret with women who wished they had chosen an alternative to abortion." ******* The FDA has long defended its September 2000 approval of Mifeprex (known also as RU 486), which came after four years of review, as based on sound science plus 12 years of the pill's use in Europe. To revoke approval or place new restrictions on Mifeprex, FDA would have to decide there is new evidence of risk to women. ******* Mifeprex underwent ``very rigorous'' testing and review before FDA approval and ``has proved to be a very safe and effective and acceptable drug,''said Beverly Winikoff of the pro-abortion Population Council, which holds U.S. rights to Mifeprex. ``There is no evidence to the contrary.'' ******* Carrie Gordon Earll, Bioethics Analyst for Focus on the Family, responded, "These groups have thoroughly researched the FDA's process and raised serious questions about the risks involved with taking Mifeprex. Unfortunately, it appears that this drug was pushed through the system on a fast track due to political considerations. No policy interest should ever take precedence over the safety of America's women." ******* The FDA approved Mifeprex under a fast-track policy designed for rapid approval of life-saving experimental treatments for patients with lethal diseases, such as AIDS or cancer, even when the treatments have not been thoroughly tested. ******* "Since Mifeprex may only be used on healthy mothers with healthy pregnancies, there is no way to justify approval of this drug for a life-threatening illness," said Cathleen Cleaver, Esq., spokesperson for the national Catholic bishops. "In fact, the irony here is hard to ignore: the very purpose for this drug is lethal -- to end the life of a healthy child in the womb." ******* In early 2001, Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson said he intended to explore the safety of Mifeprex. Around the same time, the White House said FDA approval of the drug would be reviewed. ******* Earll said, "That was more than a year ago. This petition gives the Bush Administration ample evidence and opportunity to begin its own investigation." ******* Only women in the first seven weeks of pregnancy are candidates for a Mifeprex abortion. Mifeprex blocks a hormone vital for embryo development and essentially withholds nutrition from the developing baby. A second drug called misoprostol causes contractions to expel the embryo. The makers of the drug, intended for use in treating ulcers, have cautioned doctors against using it to induce abortion. ******* The drug combination fails at least 5 percent of the time and causes women desevre bleeding and possible infections. ******* The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to: [email protected]. Infonet is sponsored by Women and Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). For more pro-life info visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org and for questions or additional information email [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 11 DR. DOBSON TELLS CHRISTIAN PARENTS TO REMOVE CHILDREN FROM CALIFORNIA SCHOOLS ******* COLORADO SPRINGS,CO, March 28, 2002 (LSN.ca) - In his widely heard radio broadcast today Focus on the Family's Dr. James Dobson stated "In the state of California, if I had a child there, I wouldn't put the youngster in a public school.... I think it's time to get our kids out. And I'm going to get hit for [saying] that." ******* Marshall Fritz, President of the Alliance for the Separation of School & State, congratulated Dobson and said that the public schools have become government indoctrination centers. ******* Fritz said that approximately 15,000 people have signed a Public Proclamation for the Separation of School and State and that "the Proclamation goes even further than does Dr. Dobson--it calls for the end of government involvement in education". Others who have endorsed the Proclamation, range from Dr. D. James Kennedy and Dr. Tim LaHaye to Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J., and from Rabbi Daniel Lapin to Iman Hamza Yusef Hanson. ******* The Alliance notes that others can be seen at: ******* Protestant: http://sepschool.org/VIPList.html#protestant ******* Catholic: http://sepschool.org/VIPList.html#catholic ******* LDS: http://sepschool.org/VIPList.html#lds ******* Jewish: http://sepschool.org/VIPList.html#jewish ******* Muslim: http://sepschool.org/VIPList.html#muslim ******* Support for Dr. Dobson may be sent to James C. Dobson, Ph.D., Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1049, (800) 232-6459 voice comments (719) 548-4670 fax ******* Dr. Dobson s broadcast in Real Audio is available at: http://family.org/fmedia/broadcast/ The remarks on the public schools start in minute 15 of the show. ******* If looking for it later than today, use: http://family.org/fmedia/bcpast.cfm ******* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (c) Copyright: LifeSite Daily News is a production of Interim Publishing. Permission to republish granted but acknowledgement of source is *REQUIRED* (use lsn.ca or lifesite.net). ******* NEWS TIPS to [email protected] or LifeSite News at (416) 204-1687 ext. 444 ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 12 "I DON'T HAVE A CHOICE" ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Weekly Standard; July 15, 2002 ******* by Lee Bockhorn ******* [Pro-Life Infonet Note: Lee Bockhorn is associate editor at The Weekly Standard.] ******* Last Sunday, the New York Times Magazine published a remarkably chilling essay entitled "Family Planning." Penned by an anonymous father--let's call him Mr. X--it described his family's efforts to convince his pregnant 15-year-old daughter, against her own better instincts, to have an abortion. ******* Doubtless, the Times published it as a shining example of how families should persuade pregnant teens that abortion is preferable to bringing an "unwanted" child into the world. But in many respects, the essay actually serves as a damning rebuttal of arguments commonly made by true believers in abortion-on-demand. ******* According to Mr. X, his younger daughter has been a challenge for many years. Unlike his well-behaved eldest daughter, the young one "smokes cigarettes and marijuana and doesn't care who knows," among other things. Mr. X hypothesizes that this behavior is a response to some sort of identity crisis--in contrast to the goody-two-shoes older daughter, the 15-year-old "feels she has to carve out her own identity by doing what she pleases." ******* After learning she was pregnant, the girl said she wanted to keep the child, and promised she would be a good mother. In response to this, Mr. X and his wife "freaked, and not just because of our dashed aspirations for this girl. We were too old to want to raise another baby--and we felt sure the raising would fall to us." ******* The belligerent selfishness of this statement is nothing less than breathtaking. Upon hearing that their daughter, faced with the difficult circumstance of a teenage pregnancy, nevertheless courageously desired to raise her child, Mr. and Mrs. X couldn't bear to think about how to help her cope with the inevitable challenges ahead. Instead, they worried about what a royal pain in the ass the child would be for them. As Mr. X whines later in the essay, "We felt we had been sentenced to 18 years of hard labor." ******* Faced with this, then, as Mr. X goes on to describe, the family staged an "intervention," inviting 15 female relatives and friends to the house to exhort the girl to have an abortion. Having still failed to change her mind, Mr. and Mrs. X then took her to a counseling session at Planned Parenthood. When they returned home, the parents asked the daughter what she was going to do. "I don't have a choice," she replied. She went on to have the abortion. ******* With those five simple words, "I don't have a choice," "Family Planning" effectively exposes the sham of "women's autonomy" as an argument for unfettered abortion on demand. Mr. X sniffs at the parental consent laws of his "Bible-belt state," presumably because they infringe upon such autonomy--the ability of any woman, even a minor, to make her own decision about bringing a child into the world. But in fact, his real concern is not to protect such autonomy; otherwise, why expend so much effort convincing the girl that keeping the baby will place such an undue burden on all those around her? When the woman's autonomous choice proves inconvenient for others, suddenly their reservations demand recognition. Earlier, Mr. X stated with resignation that he no longer grounded his daughter to stop her pot-smoking, because she had realized that "there was no way we could forcibly make her do anything she didn't want to do." But this doubt about his parental ability (and obligation) to alter his daughter's bad choices flew out the window when it became necessary to force her to abandon her silly desire to have her baby. ******* After the abortion, Mr. X tells us, "I realized later that I would have more to worry about if she had easily and immediately decided on an abortion. Ultimately, she did, but she struggled with her decision, and I hope she made the right one." ******* It's difficult to know where to begin parsing these two sentences. First, they merely regurgitate the argument feminist author Naomi Wolf made some years ago: namely, that abortion is acceptable, provided that women who have abortions experience some vaguely defined type of contrition, regret, remorse, what have you--in other words, that they at least acknowledge they are taking a life. ******* But what's more astonishing is the father's statement, regarding his daughter's "decision," that he "hope[s] she made the right one" (if something resulting from such familial browbeating can truly be called a "decision"). Whence came such sudden moral uncertainty, Mr. X? By all the criteria he has presented in the article, of course she made the right decision. After all, she's not sentencing her poor parents to "18 years of hard labor." ******* The father concludes by telling us that he still has hope for this daughter; that one day, the good little girl he once knew, who as a 4-year-old held her best friend's hand until the very end as she died of cancer, will one day return. "I know that person is in there, and someday, when the fever [of adolescence] breaks, I pray that I'll see her again." If he wasn't so morally blind, Mr. X would have realized that he had already seen her again. The girl who wanted to raise her baby and promised to be a good mother was a person who-- apparently for the first time in many years--had recognized that some things are more important than just living for the sake of one's own pleasure or convenience; that sometimes our duties to others transcend the need to "carve out an identity" by "doing what one pleases." Too bad, both for her and the child she will now never know, that her parents haven't yet learned that lesson themselves. ------------------ You can help women make positive, life-affirming choices when confronting an unexpected pregnancy. Please provide a link on your web site to ******* Pregnancy Centers Online at http://www.pregnancycenters.org ******************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 13 VALUING HUMAN LIFE AND LIBERTY ******* Source: Town Hall; July, 24 2002 ******* [Pro-Life Infonet Note: David Limbaugh, the author of this article also wrote "ABSOLUTE POWER: The Legacy of Corruption in the Clinton-Reno Justice Department."] ******* The Judeo-Christian tradition underlying Western and American civilization distinguishes itself by the incalculable value it places on human life. That is why President Bush is wise in drawing a line in the sand over the life issue. ******* Two major events in the news this week will showcase the acrimonious debate between pro-lifers and those who would devalue life. ******* The Bush Administration has indicated that it will withhold $34 million in funding for the United Nations' Population Fund because it believes the Fund helps to perpetuate a "one-child" policy in China involving compulsory abortions and sterilizations. ******* Women's groups have cried foul over Bush's funding decision, claiming that it is "an excuse for the administration to do what it's wanted to do all along - which is to defund family planning." ******* Can we all agree that "family planning" is a euphemism for "abortion" regardless, Planned Parenthood is being disingenuous. The administration will still spend the $34 million but shift it to other international aid efforts on behalf of population programs that aren't abortion-favoring. "We'll keep the funding at the same level, but we're just not going to fund people who are involved in abortions," said an official administration official. ******* But that won't satisfy Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt and her colleagues, according to the Washington Post, due to their concern that support of these other agencies could "subsidize limited family-planning approaches ... that emphasize sexual abstinence before marriage." ******* May I ask what could possibly be objectionable about programs that emphasize premarital abstinence, unless it is that they detract from the militant pro-abortion agenda? ******* Also this week, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hold confirmation hearings over Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, who President Bush recently nominated for the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The pro-abortion lobby, as usual, is pulling out all the stops in opposing Justice Owen, in the name of protecting the integrity of the judiciary. ******* Astonishingly, pro-abortion special interest groups, whose legal cause has depended on one of the most flagrant examples of judicial activism in this nation's history (Roe vs. Wade), are shamelessly opposing Owen's confirmation on the basis that she is a judicial activist. ******* These pro-abortion groups have got to be guffawing behind closed doors as they publicly pretend to abhor judicial activism, which they have vigorously defended over the years on philosophical, as well as legal grounds. ******* The truth is that Owen is anything but a judicial activist. Her judicial legacy is one of scrupulous adherence to the principle of judicial restraint. ******* C. Boyden Gray, who served as Counsel to President George H. W. Bush, systematically refutes the false charge of Owen's judicial activism in a recently published paper on the subject, in which he refers to Owen as "a restrained, principled jurist." ******* Reasonable people (at least on one side of the argument) could argue all day over the merits of the U.N. funding and the Owen nomination, but that's beside the larger point, which is that those on the other side of the argument know they are fighting a culture war. Their aim, mostly accomplished, is to supplant our system of moral absolutes with moral relativism. ******* The defining issue in this war is the value we assign to human life. If relativists prevail across the board in their contention that human life is no more sacred than all other forms of life, then the primary pillar of Western Civilization will have fallen. And that's not just some sentimental lament from a conservative columnist. ******* With the disintegration of this pillar will follow, in time, the implosion of our freedom. Why? Because in the absence of allegiance to the Biblical principle that human beings are created in God's image and entitled to dignity above other beings and forms of life, there will no longer remain any institutional obstacle to the oppression of human beings by other, more powerful ones. If humans are deemed just evolved versions of random collections of molecules, we will have removed the transcendent basis upon which our liberties depend. ******* That is why President Bush is to be applauded and encouraged for not avoiding these controversial issues. By drawing the line he has signaled that he is aware that the culture war is raging, that the value of human life is its pivotal battle and that nothing less than our liberty is at stake. And if the rest of us care about our liberty, we can't afford to sit this one out. ******* Thanks for being a part of the Pro-Life Infonet. You mean the world to us. Blessings to you and your family. -------------------- From: The Pro-Life Infonet *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 14 MOVE GROWS TO PROTECT PRO-LIFE PHARMACISTS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Focus on the Family; August 20, 2002 ******* By Steve Jordahl, correspondent ******* State and federal lawmakers are waking up to the fact that pro-life pharmacists should be protected from having to dispense abortion-causing drugs. ******* There are some laws on the books, including a federal regulation, that protect doctors from having to perform abortions. But pro-life advocates, such as Nathan Adams of the Christian Legal Society, say those laws don't cover pharmacists. ******* "There are presently, in many states, conscience clauses which are very narrow in scope," Adams said. "So, the new battleground is in areas that these conscience clauses do not generally protect." ******* Drugs of greatest concern to pro-life groups are the abortion pill, RU-486, and the so-called "morning after" pill, which pro-lifers say can cause abortions. Some pharmacists have even been fired for declining to fill prescriptions. ******* Conscience clause legislation that would allow pharmacists to refuse to Dispense abortion-inducing drugs was considered in 19 states last year. Two of those legislatures -- Arizona and Massachusetts -- passed such laws. ******* Pro-abortion groups say women will be denied their rights if pharmacists aren't forced to dispense the drugs. But Adams says conscience laws would do little to keep women from getting abortifacient drugs. ******* "It's solely an issue of convenience for them. It has nothing to do with the availability of these drugs. There's always going to be somebody willing to prescribe them simply because we have such a large market." ******* Wendy Wright, senior policy director of Concerned Women for America, added that women are not the real victims of this battle. ******* "Let's remember what it is the pharmacists are objecting to," Wright said. "They don't want to be a participant in killing another human being. That is not something that we should be forcing upon our citizens." ******* Wright sees some hypocrisy on the part of the pro-abortion advocates. ******* "It is extremely ironic that it's the community in the United States that claims to be pro-choice ... that is trying to pass laws to take away people's right to choose their actions." ******* Congress also is considering legislation that is expected to protect pharmacists. The Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4691), sponsored by Rep. Michael Bilirakis, R-Fla., has been taken up in the House of Representatives. ******* The Christian Medical Association points out that requiring pharmacists to fill all prescription requests could create a problem for drug stores that would be forced to stock every drug imaginable. ******* TAKE ACTION ******* Contact your congressman and urge him or her to safeguard pro-life pharmacists by supporting Abortion Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 4691). Call the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or see www.house.gov for specific contact information for your member. ******* Would you like to receive each Pro-Life Infonet news story individually instead of a digest format? If so, email [email protected] with the message "switch to nondigest." *********************************************************************************************************** ******* item 15 VICTORY VIA OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMNETS ******* Date: Wed, 11 Sep 2002 13:42:59 -0700 (PDT) ******* From: "brent rooney" ******* To: "brent rooney" ******* JAVA Newsletter (11 September 2002) ******* CANCER MALPRACTICE LAW SUITS WILL BANKRUPT MANY CLINICS ******* Babette Francis ( ) ******* "If pro-life groups want to reduce the incidence of abortion, they need to target the weakest link in the abortion industry. A political victory is difficult because in the US we have to convince 100 million voters. To win an emotional/social victory, we have to convince a million women who have abortions every year in the USA. But to cut off the supply, we only have to target a few thousand abortionists. They are the weakest link. ******* All doctors, and especially abortionists, hate malpractice suits. Even if they win, they lose so much valuable "aborting" time, time they have to spend with their lawyers and in court, and answering interrogatories and discovery documents. Also if a doctor has two or more cases brought against him, his insurance company becomes very restive. Our objective should be to make abortionists uninsurable, and this can be achieved by adding "failure to warn of increased breast cancer risk, and failure to advise of the protective effect of full-term pregnancy" to all existing malpractice cases ( e.g. for ruptured uterus or bowel, excessive bleeding etc. - there surely must be such cases already filed in Canada), AND TO INITIATE NEW CASES ON A NO-WIN-NO-FEE BASIS and thus force the defendants to debate the ABC risk in open court under oath. ******* Personal injury lawyers who already advertise for plaintiffs who have suffered accidents etc., could also advertise for women who have had abortions, particularly young women, and who were not warned of the ABC risk. The women do not have to have developed breast cancer - being left with increased risk merits compensation, like being left with increased risk of arthritis after an accident. ******* Post-abortion counselors should also encourage their clients to seek justice - some of these women will say "I did wrong and deserve to suffer", but they should be counseled as part of the healing process, that their wrong-doing was at least in part caused by deliberate misinformation by the abortion industry, and that in fairness to themselves and ESPECIALLY TO PREVENT THE SAME MISINFORMATION BEING GIVEN TO OTHER WOMEN who are facing unplanned pregnancies, they should seek justice. ******* In a case in Australia launched on the basis of psychological trauma (not ABC) where the judge was very pro-abortion and refused to believe the plaintiff was traumatised, thus forcing her to settle without much compensation, following the settlement the abortionist retired from practice. ******* This is an example of how even when the outcome is relatively unsuccessful, the case is so unpleasant for the abortionist that he gets out of the industry. ******* Doctors do not enjoy being labeled in open court and in the newspapers as abortionists, and they have to endure this if an abortion malpractice case is filed against them. Lots of proud mothers boast about "my son, the doctor", but no one boasts about "my son, the abortionist". ******* (end of message from Babette Francis) ******* [ Babette Francis is the director of Endeavour Forum, whose web address is: www.endeavourforum.org.au ******* email: Babette Francis ******* For more information about the Abortion-Breast-Cancer risk, visit: www.abortionbreastcancer.com ******* For information about the preterm birth risk from prior abortions, visit: www.vcn.bc.ca/~whatsup/MedicalBrief.html ******* For LIFE & against abortion-quackery, Brent Rooney (Independent Medical Researcher) 3456 Dunbar St. (146) Vancouver, Canada V6S 2C2 ******* email: [email protected] ******* [email protected] ******* web:www.vcn.bc.ca/~whatsup ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 16 PRO-LIFE LAWS SHUT DOWN SOUTH CAROLINA ABORTION FACILITY ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; July 21, 2002 ******* Greenville, SC -- Despite years of protests, one of Greenville's abortion facilities remained open. However, the cost of newly imposed state regulations passed by pro-life lawmakers finally drove the Palmetto State Medical Center abortion facility out of business, said attorney Randall S. Hiller, who represents the abortion business' owner, William Lynn. ******* "The unnecessary costs added by these regulations were financially impossible," Hiller said. ******* The closure leaves three abortion businesses in the state - the Greenville Women's Clinic, Planned Parenthood of South Carolina in Columbia, and the Charleston Women's Medical Clinic, said Chris Jueschke, chief executive officer of the state's Planned Parenthood. ******* Abortion advocates said the closing was a regrettable loss while pro-life advocates called it a victory. ******* "We're obviously sad that Dr. Lynn is leaving because he served Greenville since 1986," said Candy Kern, coordinator for the Greenville chapter of the pro-abortion National Organization for Women. ******* "It has given women two choices for abortion services in Greenville services," she said. "But women in Greenville will still need services, and those services will be filled by other clinics in Greenville, Charlotte or Atlanta." ******* Lisa Van Riper, president of South Carolina Citizens for Life, said abortions in South Carolina have declined by 47 percent in the past 10 years. ******* The closing of this abortion clinic is a continuation of that trend," she said. That decline is due to a growing concern "for prenatal life" and increasing alternatives, including adoption, she said. ******* Abortion advocates say women will now head to surrounding states for abortions. ******* "We do know already that a significant number of women from South Carolina go out of state for abortion services," Jueschke said. Statewide, he said, the number of abortions dropped 16.6 percent between 1997 and 1999 from 9,212 to 7,687. ******* Nationally, the number of abortions dropped from 1.6 million in 1990 to 1.3 million in 1997, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, potentially disproving the pro-abortion argument that abortions just move from one state to another. ******* The Greenville abortion facility had a history of legal disputes that began when Lynn and other abortion practitioners sued the state over a 1995 decision by the state legislature to change the way abortion businesses are regulated. ******* The state Department of Health and Environmental Control subsequently issued a 27-page book of regulations that required clinics to meet standards ranging from door widths to the number of recovery rooms. ******* A federal judge ruled that the common sense regulations imposed an undue burden on a woman's "right" to abortion by loading down providers with unnecessary requirements. In August 2000, that decision was overturned by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. ******* Last September, a federal judge found that the law violated "privacy rights" because it gave the state access to patients' records in reviewing medical services, according to the pro-abortion "Center for Reproductive Law and Policy". But pro-life state Attorney General Charlie Condon appealed that ruling. Lawyers for abortion providers want the 4th Circuit to rule that provision of the law unconstitutional. ******* Please consider making a donation to help the work of the Pro-Life Infonet. ******* You can send a donation to: Women and Children First, P.O. Box 523143, Springfield, VA 22152. ******* We appreciate your support. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 17 BUSH TRANSFERS 34 MILLION AWAY FROM UNITED NATIONS FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION (UNFPA) POPULATION CONTROL ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press, Pro-Life Infonet; September 30, 2002 ******* Washington, DC -- President Bush formally shifted $34 million Monday from the U.N. Population Fund, which he said tolerates abortions and forced sterilizations in China, to an American-run program meant to boost children's health overseas. ******* The administration announced the Population Fund decision in July. Bush completed the move in a memorandum Monday to Secretary of State Colin Powell. The money will now go to the Child Survival and Health Programs Fund, overseen by the State Department's Agency for International Development. ******* Critics of the decision said it was driven by politics and vowed to fight to ensure funding for the U.N. program. Pro-abortion Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY) is trying to transfer the money back to the United Nations. ******* The administration insisted that the U.N. Population Fund money was being used illegally by Chinese agencies that carry out forced abortions and sterilizations. A U.S. government fact-finding team that traveled to China in May found, ``The population programs of the People's Republic of China retain coercive elements in law and in practice.'' ******* Also, the U.S. State Department gathered evidence of "social compensation fees" in UNFPA/Chinese State Family Planning Commission (SFPC) county programs and concluded that the UNFPA is helping China to "more effectively" carry out its program of forced abortion. ******* The team recommended that the administration release up to $34 million and that ``no U.S. government funds be allocated for population programs'' in China. ******* Last week, the UNFPA has admitted that it does not monitor the 32 counties in China where it operates. ******* In July, a congressional committee of the Peruvian government charged that the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) supported the massive forced sterilization campaigns executed by former Peruvian dictator Alberto Fujimori. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Everyone that comes down the hill sees that baby on our sign. We get great comments - Thank you!" ******* Shape the Debate in your Town. Speak out for Life in your neighborhood with a Pro-life Sign or Billboard: http://www.victorywon.com/billboards.htm ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 18 RHODE ISLAND PRO-LIFE ADVOCATE DEFENDED IN FREE SPEECH CASE ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Thomas More Law Center; November 18, 2002 ******* Ann Arbor, MI -- The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in Rhode Island on behalf of its seventy-one year old client, Joseph Manning. ******* As alleged in the lawsuit, on September 28, 2002, Manning was publicly protesting against abortion outside the Women's Medical Center, an abortion clinic in Cranston, Rhode Island, something he has been doing for more than five years. ******* Manning was approached by the Cranston police and was told that he would be arrested if he did not voluntarily put away his signs that depict images of aborted babies. When Mr. Manning refused to put away his signs, the police confiscated them. ******* The Thomas More Law Center's lawsuit seeks a declaration from the federal court that Manning's constitutional rights were violated, monetary damages for the violations, and a permanent injunction to prevent further violations. ******* Handling the case for the Thomas More Law Center is Associate Counsel Edward L. White III. Rhode Island attorney, Susan Iannitelli, is serving as local counsel. ******* The Thomas More Law Center defends the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities ******* -- The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and information. ******* To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to [email protected]. Infonet is sponsored by Women and Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). For more pro-life information, visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 19 MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SAYS HE WAS FIRED FOR COUNSELLING AGAINT ABORTION ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt******* Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune; November 5, 2002 ******* Minneapolis, MN -- He had been performing ultrasounds for 15 years, and when medical technician Donald Grant saw on a patient's chart last April that she was considering an abortion, his pro-life beliefs compelled him to try to talk her out of it, he said in a lawsuit. ******* He was fired days later and is suing his employer, Fairview Health Services, for religious discrimination. ******* Grant, of New Richmond, Wisconsin, said in court papers that because information about abortion wasn't typically included on such charts, he performed his duties as an ultrasound technician without trying to dissuade anyone. He has performed ultrasounds for 15 years, and he had worked for Fairview for two years, he said. ******* He argued in the suit that Fairview could have easily accommodated his religious beliefs by not including information about abortion on forms sent to him or by transferring him to another position that doesn't involve abortion. ******* Hospital spokesman Ryan Davenport said the hospital had received copies of the suit, which was filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, but he couldn't comment on pending litigation. ****** When Grant learned that the patient was considering abortion, the lawsuit says, he said he asked her if he could pray with her. When she said yes and the two prayed, he encouraged her not to have the abortion. He then asked if he could give her name and number to a pastor. The suit says the patient wasn't offended. ******* But days later, the suit said, Grant was called into a meeting that included his supervisor and a human resources representative to address the discussion he had had with the patient. Grant said that he explained his beliefs and that the human resources director said she would review the possibility of changing a screening process for ultrasound patients so abortion information would be excluded. ******* Two hours later, the suit said, he was fired for going "outside the scope of his position." ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 20 CATHOLIC TEACHER SUES UNION FOR USING DUES TO PROMOTE ABORTION ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; March 18, 2002 ******* Springfield, MA -- A Roman Catholic gym teacher is suing local, state and national teachers' unions for requiring him to pay fees he says support abortion and birth control policies. ******* In a lawsuit filed last week in U.S. District Court in Springfield, Gerard O'Brien says the ''family planning'' positions taken by the Springfield Education Association, Massachusetts Teachers Association and National Education Association go against his religious beliefs. ******* O'Brien, who teaches gym to students with physical disabilities at different Springfield schools, says abortion is wrong and opposed by his church. He says he should not be forced to give money to groups advocating abortion rights or condom distribution. ******* He's not a union member, but he's required to pay an agency fee of about $500 a year, his lawyer said. Agency fees are reduced payments for workers who don't want to support political activity by a union beyond normal labor issues. ******* O'Brien wants to send all his fees to a charity -- something he says the SEA has allowed in the past. ******* ''Even if I pay the reduced fees to the union, it still shows an association it's still a form of speech,'' he said. ''I don't want to support the unions in any way. If I give them money for anything, it looks like I'm supporting them.'' ******* While the SEA has not taken a formal stand on abortion or birth control, it does funnel money to the state and national teachers' unions. ******* The MTA supports health education programs that include information on birth control and family planning. According to a NEA resolution, that group supports the ''right to reproductive freedom'' and ''urges the government to give high priority to making available all methods of family planning to women and men unable to take advantage of private facilities.'' ******* ''Mr. O'Brien is not anti-union,'' his lawyer, Gregory Hession, said. ''He's against paying for a union that violates his deeply held religious beliefs.'' ******* O'Brien's religious discrimination case dates back to 1985, when he first refused to pay fees to the SEA. O'Brien, a Springfield teacher since 1975, instead put the money in an escrow account which now has about $6,000. ******* But refusal to pay the fees violates the school department's policies, and O'Brien says he was suspended for one week without pay in 1995 and in 2001. His lawsuit, which also names the City of Springfield as a defendant, seeks payment for lost wages and his attorney fees. ******* Lawyers for the school system would not talk about the case, and SEA president Timothy Collins did not return phone calls seeking comment. ******* But MTA officials claim they've tried to accommodate O'Brien. ******* Laura Barrett, a union spokeswoman, said the MTA offered to let O'Brien use the money saved in escrow to cover his attorney fees and lost pay, and give whatever was left over to a charity of his choice. ******* ''We believe his case is entirely without merit,'' Barrett said. ''He's been told he can contribute to charity. We've offered to give Mr. O'Brien what he was looking for.'' ******* But O'Brien says he shouldn't use his own money to cover his personal costs. ******* ''I've been saving this money since 1987 for a charity,'' he said. ''It's an issue of principle to me.'' ******* The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to: [email protected]. Infonet is sponsored by Women and Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). For more pro-life info visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org and for questions or additional information email [email protected] ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 21 HUNDREDS OF PRO-LIFE YOUTH COMING TO NATION'S CAPITAL TO DECLARE 'YOU WILL STOP KILLING MY GENERATION!' ******* ----- Original Message ----- ******* From: "Pro-Life E-News" ******* To: "Pro-Life E-News" ******* Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2002 10:41 AM ******* http://www.usnewswire.com/topnews/temp/0107-101.html ******* To: National Desk ******* Contact: Erik Whittington of the American Life League, 703-690-2510 ******* Email: [email protected] ******* Web site: Web site: http://www.rockforlife.org ******* WASHINGTON, Jan. 7 /U.S. Newswire/ -- "Every year, more and more young people come to Washington, D.C., on the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling to stand up against the slaughter of our generation," said Bryan Kemper director of Rock For Life, a division of American Life League. "Twenty-nine years ago the Supreme Court declared war on a group of people. The very persons who survived the Roe decision are coming here to protest the pro-death Supreme Court and pray for those justices and our nation." ******* Beginning Jan. 19, hundreds of pro-life youth will be coming from all over the country to spend four days with Rock For Life, the nation's fastest growing youth pro-life organization. All these youth will be wearing Rock For Life sweatshirts that read "abortion is homicide." This shirt has become very popular with high school students, many of whom have been harassed by school administrators for wearing attire deemed "inappropriate" or even "offensive." ******* Schedule of events: -- Saturday, Jan. 19 -- Rock For Life concert, featuring Hangnail, Cool Hand Luke and Jennifer's Regret at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, 7 p.m. -- Sunday, Jan. 20 -- Candlelight prayer vigil at the Supreme Court, 7 p.m. ******* -- Monday, Jan. 21 -- Picketing and news conference at Health and Human Services 10:30 a.m.; pro-life youth rally, featuring Joe Scheidler, Judie Brown, and Bryan Kemper at the Hyatt Regency, 7 p.m. ******* -- Tuesday, Jan. 22 -- Rock For Life Concert featuring Hangnail and Cool Hand Luke on Constitution Ave. between 14th and 15th streets. The bands will lead hundreds of youth wearing "abortion is homicide" sweatshirts into the March for Life, 10:30 a.m. ******* --- Rock for Life is a division of American Life League, the nation's largest pro-life educational organization with more than 300,000 supporters. ***************************************************************************** ******* The material contained in this file is made available courtesy contributors and editors of Pro-Life E-News. ******* Copying of this material is free for non-commercial educational and research use. Unless explicitly stated, copyright of this material is owned by the author and/or sponsoring organization, and/or newswire services. ******* Check out: ******* InterLIFE: http://www.interlife.org/ ******* The Bubble Zone: http://www.interlife.org/bubble/ ******* Clinic Watch: http://www.interlife.org/clinic/ ******* The Genetic Cleansing Project: http://www.geneticcleansing.org/ ******* The Kevorkian Papers: http://www.kevork.org/ ******* The RU-486 Files: http://www.ru486.org/ ******* The Morgentaler Files: http://www.interlife.org/morgentaler/ *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 22 ABORTION AND THE NEW GENERATION GAP ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Creator's Syndicate; November 28, 2002 ******* by Maggie Gallagher ******* [Pro-Life Infonet Note: Maggie Gallagher is a nationally syndicated conservative columnist.] ******* If you want to know the deepest reason why liberals have such trouble digesting the election news, take a look at the Harper's cover story by blast-from-the-past uberliberal George McGovern. The title says it all: "The Case for Liberalism: A Defense of the Future Against the Past." ******* Here lies bared the unexamined heart of small-l liberalism: the idea of Progress (with a very big P). The liberal faith is that history, shorn of God, is nonetheless marching irrevocably in liberalism's direction. In the minds of McGovern and his ilk, liberalism equals rationality. Therefore, while the weight of tradition, taboo and religiously inspired sentiments may slow down Progress, in the end, reason (read: liberal morals and mores)will triumph. We have seen the future and it is them. Or so they imagine. ******* McGovern's essay is mainly an extended critique of Bush war policy, but he pauses to chide Bush's backwardness on another issue: "The Bush administration, in an unvarnished revival of the know-nothing spirit of an earlier age, actually withheld $34 million in family-planning funds for the United Nations (news - web sites)" because, as Colin Powell put it, the funds would allow China "to implement more effectively its program of coercive abortion." China is a country where government officials corral pregnant women, pressure them with sanctions to have abortions, and sometimes kill babies as they emerge from the womb in order to meet population targets. But to McGovern, pressuring China to reverse its coercive abortion policies is an example of unvarnished know-nothing politics. "Frankly," he sniffs, "I can't see much of a future -- for Americans or for anyone else -- in that brand of conservatism. ******* Well, George, look harder. The clearest rebuttal of the idea that the future belongs to liberalism is the abortion issue. The liberal myth of Progress assumes that, as the older generation, steeped in mystifying ancient religious taboos, gradually dies off, a new pro-abortion consensus would emerge as pols realized there was no profit in pro-life principles. ******* Instead, something remarkable and unheralded has happened. Not only is the country in general becoming more conservative in its attitudes toward abortion, but two new polls find that young people are significantly more anti-abortion than their parents' generation are. ******* In a poll of 1,009 adults conducted by Zogby International Nov. 12-14 (paid for by the Buffalo News), about one-third of those surveyed said their views on abortion had changed in the past decade. Twenty-two percent had become less in favor of abortion, compared to 11 percent who had become more in favor. Young adults were more likely than their parents or grandparents to support a total ban on abortion: One-third of people ages 18 to 29 said abortion should never be legal, compared to 23 percent for those ages 30 to 64, and about 20 percent for those over age 65. ******* A University of California, Berkeley, poll found a similar growing generation gap. Young people (ages 15 to 26) were about 10 percentage points more likely to support abortion restrictions than their elders, by a margin of 44 percent to 34 percent. They are also more supportive of prayer in school and government funding of faith-based charities than their elders. "We were surprised by the greater support among young Americans for some aspects of the conservative cultural agenda," said one of the authors. "If the youth of today maintain these positions on religious politics and abortion as the years go by, then the American public as a whole could become more conservative on these issues." ******* Polls like this show two things: There is something about targeting the unborn for extinction that does not sit well, 30 years after Roe vs. Wade. And the idea that history marches inevitably in any direction is just plain wrong ******* -- Letters From Baby Doe, by C. K. Wyand, is a new book that marks the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Read about the effects of abortion through heartfelt letters from aborted children written to their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers and grandparents. Discover how these letters fall into the hands of an abortion doctor. ******* More about this captivating fictional story at http://www.LettersFromBabyDoe.com. ******* Buy eBook or Hardcover today! *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 23 DARRELL SCOTT TESTIMONY ******* Guess our national leaders didn't expect this, hmm? On Thursday, Darrell Scott, the father of Rachel Scott, a victim of the Columbine High School shootings in Littleton, Colorado, was invited to address the House Judiciary Committee's subcommittee. What he said to our national leaders during this special session of Congress was painfully truthful. They were not prepared for what he was to say, nor was it received well. It needs to be heard by every parent, every teacher, every politician, every sociologist, every psychologist, and every so-called expert! These courageous words spoken by Darrell Scott are powerful, penetrating, and deeply personal. There is no doubt that God sent this man as a voice crying in the wilderness. ******* The following is a portion of the transcript: ******* "Since the dawn of creation there has been both good & evil in the hearts of men and women. We all contain the seeds of kindness or the seeds of violence. The death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other eleven children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers. ******* "The first recorded act of violence was when Cain slew his brother Abel out in the field. The villain was not the club he used. Neither was it the NCA, the National Club Association. The true killer was Cain, and the reason for the murder could only be found in Cain's heart. ******* "In the days that followed the Columbine tragedy, I was amazed at how quickly fingers began to be pointed at groups such as the NRA. I am not a member of the NRA. I am not a hunter. I do not even own a gun. I am not here to represent or defend the NRA - because I don't believe that they are responsible for my daughter's death. Therefore I do not believe that they need to be defended. If I believed they had anything to do with Rachel's murder I would be their strongest opponent. ******* "I am here today to declare that Columbine was not just a tragedy-it was a spiritual event that should be forcing us to look at where the real blame lies! Much of the blame lies here in this room. Much of the blame lies behind the pointing fingers of the accusers themselves. "I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expresses my feelings best. ******* This was written way before I knew I would be speaking here today: ******* Your laws ignore our deepest needs, Your words are empty air. You've stripped away our heritage, You've outlawed simple prayer. Now gunshots fill our classrooms, And precious children die. You seek for answers everywhere, And ask the question "Why?" You regulate restrictive laws, Through legislative creed. And yet you fail to understand, That God is what we need! ******* "Men and women are three-part beings. We all consist of body, soul, and spirit. When we refuse to acknowledge a third part of our make-up, we create a void that allows evil, prejudice, and hatred to rush in and reek havoc. Spiritual presences were present within our educational systems or most of our nation's history. Many of our major colleges began as theological seminaries. This is a historical fact. What has happened to us as a nation? We have refused to honor God, and in so doing, we open the doors to hatred and violence. And when something as terrible as Columbine's tragedy occurs -- politicians immediately look for a scapegoat such as the NRA. They immediately seek to pass more restrictive laws that contribute to erode away our personal and private liberties. We do not need more restrictive laws. "Eric and Dylan would not have been stopped by metal detectors. No amount of gun laws can stop someone who spends months planning this type of massacre. The real villain lies within our own hearts. Political posturing and restrictive legislation are not the answers. The young people of our nation hold the key. There is a spiritual awakening taking place that will not be squelched! We do not need more religion. We do not need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage. We do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people with basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God! ******* "As my son Craig lay under that table in the school library and saw his two friends murdered before his very eyes-He did not hesitate to pray in school. I defy any law or politician to deny him that right! I challenge every young person in America, and around the world, to realize that on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School prayer was brought back to our schools. Do not let the many prayers offered by those students be in vain. Dare to move into the new millennium with a sacred disregard for legislation that violates your God-given right to communicate with Him. To those of you who would point your finger at the NRA - I give to you a sincere challenge. Dare to examine your own heart before casting the first stone! ******* My daughter's death will not be in vain! The young people of this country will not allow that to happen!" *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 24 SUPREME COURT WILL HEAR PRO-LIFE FREE SPEECH CASE ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Cybercast News Service; November 27, 2002 ******* Washington, DC -- Pro-life advocates will be keeping a close eye on the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday when it hears a case that some law scholars say could severely restrict the free-speech rights of protesters. ******* At issue in the case is a nationwide injunction that prevents the Pro-Life Action League from protesting outside abortion facilities. The pro-abortion National Organization for Women (NOW) sued the group's president, Joseph Scheidler, and other pro-life protesters under a federal racketeering law, commonly known as RICO. ******* Last spring the Supreme Court agreed to review a decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit upholding a jury verdict that found Scheidler and other pro-life defendants guilty. They were ordered to pay $258,000 and told to stay away from abortion businesses. ******* Abortion supporters, including NOW and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), claim the lawsuit was necessary to prevent a growing number of violent incidents at abortion facilities across the county. ******* "We were trying to grapple with a nationwide campaign," said Terry O'Neill, a vice president of NOW. "Joseph Scheidler said he was the pro-life mafia. If he was going to claim to be the mafia, we were going to apply an anti-mafia law to him." ******* But American University law professor Jamin B. Raskin, a self-proclaimed abortion supporter, said he is troubled by NOW's use of RICO statutes to silence abortion protesters. Raskin accused pro-abortion groups of hyping charges of violence to target pro-life groups. Even though isolated incidents of violence involving people claiming to be against abortion have occured, Scheidler opposes the use of violence as a means to end the violence of abortion. ******* If the Supreme Court adopts NOW's view, Raskin said the case could undermine the free-speech rights of not only pro-life groups, but also other political groups and movements. ******* "This is a ridiculous expansion of federal law," Raskin said. "The expansion of RICO would be utterly divisive. It's a radical assault on civil disobedience." ******* Despite the small number of cases the Supreme Court hears each year, Wednesday's hearing in Scheidler v. NOW will mark the second time this dispute has come before the nation's highest court. ******* The justices ruled in 1994 that NOW could proceed with charges under RICO, which is typically used to crack down on organized crime. The question before the court this time is whether RICO allows courts to impose an injunction in a private civil action. ******* NARAL's deputy legal director, Sara Love, who argued the case before a federal trial court, said there is no doubt Scheidler's organization was practicing extortion tactics against abortion businesses. ******* "When you clear away all the rhetoric, this case is about extortion," Love said. "Instead of trying to extort money, the defendants tried to extort the right to control these clinics." ******* Raskin speculated if the Supreme Court adopts the same broad definition about extortion as the Seventh Circuit did, lawsuits against protesters would likely continue in greater numbers. ******* Theresa Schrempp, a Seattle attorney, agreed saying, "What's at stake is the First Amendment right of free speech. NOW is alleging that extremely minor criminal conduct -- jaywalking, trespassing, standing on the steps of an abortion clinic -- constitutes extortion under RICO." ******* The Supreme Court most likely will not rule in the case until next spring, but the justices' questions might serve as an indication of their views on the matter. ******* -- See the little cards with big impact - they go where flyers and tracts can't: http://www.victorywon.com/life_choice_cards.htm ******* "I sidewalk counsel and have noticed that when people won't take other literature, they will take these small cards. They put them in their purse or pocket, which is good because then the escorts can't take it away from them." *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 25 GOD HEALS THE BROKEN HEARTED ******* by "Denise Kalasky" ******* I was a victim of incest, one of the "hard cases" for abortion. I was raped by my father when I was 15 years old. It was not the first time, nor would it be the last. However, this time, I became pregnant. ******* One night, I became very sick and my parents took me to the hospital. I believe now that they knew I was pregnant since they took me to a different hospital than normal. The emergency room doctor discovered that, along with a very bad case of the flu, I was 19 weeks pregnant. ******* My father flew into a rage, accusing me of all sorts of things, and demanding I have an abortion. The doctor informed me that I was pregnant and asked me what I wanted. I had seen the "Silent Scream" and knew that abortion was murder. In spite of the pain and guilt I felt, knowing who the father of the baby was, it was far better to have a baby than the alternative to kill it. I refused to have an abortion. ******* My father flew into an uncontrollable rage and demanded that I consent to the abortion, or that the doctor do it with or without my permission. The doctor refused because of my wishes. My father demanded that an abortionist be found regardless of the cost. ******* Within one hour, this man arrived at the hospital, talked with my parents and decided to do the abortion, without speaking to me. I refused and tried to get off the examining table. He then asked three nurses to hold me while he strapped me to the bed and injected me with a muscle relaxant to keep me from struggling while he prepared to kill my baby. ******* I continued to scream that I didn't want an abortion. He told me, "Shut up and quit that yelling!" Eventually, I was placed under general anesthesia and my child was brutally killed. ******* I was told that an abortion would solve my problem, when it was never really the problem in the first place. I was told, "Your parents know what's best," when they obviously were only concerned about their own reputations. I was told, "You made the right decision," when I was never given a choice. More important, where was my baby's choice? ******* I grieve every day for my daughter. I have struggled to forget the abuse and the abortion. I can do neither. All I think of is, "I should have done more, fought more, struggled more for the life of my child." ******* My situation may not be common, but I know it's not unique either. The emotions and problems I've had to deal with as a result of my abortion are common. The trauma of the rape and abuse were only intensified by the abortion. The guilt of knowing my baby is dead is something I will have to live with for the rest of my life. ******* I was violated and betrayed over and over by my father, who God created to love and protect me. I was humiliated, hurt, and violated again by the abortionist. ******* I have talked with "pro-lifers" who consider my abortion acceptable, under the circumstances. I want to tell people, "If you really want to be compassionate, give this mother the opportunity to choose life for her child. If you really love the mothers who have been victimized, don't let them be exploited again by someone who will make a profit from their dead child a memory that will haunt them for the rest of their lives." ******* The next time you hear of the "hard cases," please remind people that every crisis pregnancy is difficult for the mother. If you believe these cases are hard, you're correct they are extremely hard for the mother. But if you choose abortion, it's an IMPOSSIBLE situation for the baby. ******* The mom needs love, support and understanding, not the pain of allowing herself to be violated again in order to kill her child. Regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the pain involved, that helpless, innocent child has no voice, no defense, and no chance, unless we offer real love and real compassion to the mother. ******* My abortion was over five years ago. God is still healing me, but it has been a difficult fight. Although I'm actively pro-life, very few people know my story. It's still very difficult to share with people. ******* "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) God bless you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Excerpted from "Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About their Pregnancies, Abortions, and Children Resulting from Sexual Assault." Copyright 2000, David C. Reardon, Julie Makimaa, and Amy Sobie. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 26 CONGRESSIONAL LETTER SUPPORTS BUSH OPPOSITION TO INTERNATIONAL ABORTION ADVOCACY ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; December 12, 2002 ******* Washington, DC -- [Pro-Life Infonet Note: In a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell dated December 5th, several pro-life members of Congress thanks the Bush administration for opposing international efforts to promote abortion. The letter is helpful in identifying the agenda of abortion advocates on an international scale.] ******* The Honorable Colin L. Powell U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street, NW Washington DC 20520-0001 ******* Dear Secretary Powell, ******* We write to commend you for the work U.S. delegations have done in negotiating international documents, including at the recent preparatory meeting for the Fifth Asian and Pacific Population Conference in Bangkok, Thailand. ******* It is critical that the United States remains engaged in efforts to promote education, health care, the elimination of poverty , and human rights, particularly for women and girls, while at the same time strongly resisting attempts to promote abortion as an international right. ******* We were surprised to learn that Members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a letter to you specifically criticizing the presence of a U.S. advisor at the Bangkok meeting, John M. Klink. Their personal attack on Mr. Klink would appear to be based solely on positions purportedly attributed to him during the Cairo Population Conference when Mr. Klink was a fully accredited member of the delegation of the Holy See and thus responsible for officially representing the Catholic Church's teachings at that forum. ******* To single him out in this manner, particularly attributing any remarks Mr. Klink might have made as being personal, rather than acknowledging their having been made in his official capacity, is disingenuous and smacks of anti-Catholicism. We believe this type of religious discrimination has no place in government practices and should be repudiated at every opportunity. ******* Their criticism is in any case completely unfounded given that the actions taken by the U.S. delegation, of which Mr. Klink was a member, were completely consistent with positions taken by this Administration during negotiations for the Child Summit, the World Health Assembly and the World Summit for Sustainable Development. ******* We are grateful that the Bush Administration has steadfastly refused to accept or reaffirm language in these documents that could be construed to include or promote abortion. You have been successful in modifying or clarifying offensive language related to abortion while continuing to promote women's human rights, education and health care. ******* As you know, there is a concerted effort by some governments and nongovernmental organizations to push the United States to unequivocally approve documents that contain language that could be used as a basis for recognizing abortion as a human right. According to their own documents, they see this as a way to overturn some of the President's policies with which they disagree. ******* For example, the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy (CRLP) articulated their goals in a Complaint and a Declaration filed against you and President Bush. In CRLP v. Bush the CRLP sought to overturn the President's Mexico City Policy through the courts. Their complaint spells out in detail the CRLP's strategy for using repetition of language in all UN conferences to help establish "a right to abortion in the United States and every other country on earth." ******* Point 76 of their complaint says: "... the CRLP has worked and will continue to work to guarantee that the right to abortion be protected as an internationally recognized human right by treaties ratified by the United States, international conference documents endorsed by the United States, and customary international law", ******* Point 86 says: "By working to ensure that documents produced by the United Nations international conferences support rather than oppose abortion as an internationally recognized human right, CRLP furthers its goal of establishing that customary international law protects women's right to abortion. ..," and ******* Point 88 says: "One mechanism for securing United States Senate ratification of treaties protective of abortion as a human right is to obtain ratification of such treaties by as many other nations as possible. When a critical mass of nations ratify a treaty, the United States becomes increasingly isolated in the international community and among its geopolitical allies. Moreover, generally recognized international legal norms may, if endorsed and accepted by the vast majority of nations, become part of a customary international law and thus binding on the United States even if it does not ratify or endorse those norms. Thus, it is essential to CRLP's goal of protecting abortion rights in the United States by international law that it be able to engage in unfettered political speech and advocacy to obtain ratification by foreign governments of treaties that protect abortion rights, and endorsement by foreign governments of international human rights norms that protect abortion rights." ******* The CRLP, and individuals and organizations sympathetic to their goal to promote abortion internationally, will continue to be critical of the Bush Administration's policies. ******* We thank you for sending delegations to UN meetings and conferences that promote Bush Administration policies of care for promoting women' s human rights and sustainable development while consistently rejecting hostile efforts to pressure the United States to sign documents that promote abortion. This balance is critical as the United States continues to lead with compassion in the international community . ******* Sincerely, ******* Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) ******* Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) ******* Rep. Ernest Istook (R-OK) ******* Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) ******* Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN) ******* Rep. Jim DeMint (R-SC) ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 27 MINNESOTA CITY SETTLES FREE SPEECH ABORTION LAWSUIT ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; December 12, 2002 ******* St. Paul, MN -- The city of St. Paul is settling a civil rights lawsuit filed by pro-life advocates by agreeing not to issue citations or arrest people who are legally engaging in free speech. ******* The federal lawsuit was filed this summer, when two pro-life activists were asked to leave a sidewalk in front of a St. Paul abortion facility. The lawsuit said the city rule that required a permit for such activity was unconstitutional. ******* The American Center for Law and Justice filed the lawsuit on behalf of Bonnie Holliday, of St. Paul, and Sally Kolb, of Afton. ******* For years, the two women offered advice and prayer for women arriving at the Planned Parenthood abortion business on Ford Parkway, according to the lawsuit. But when Holliday arrived Aug. 5, she said police asked her to leave the area and warned her that they would ticket her for gathering without a permit. ******* Later that day, Kolb arrived and also was asked by police to leave. She received a similar warning. The ordinance cited by police reads, "No person or organization shall use any public street, sidewalk or alley for a march, demonstration or public gathering in the city without a permit." ******* The ACLJ said the city ordinance went well beyond the city's legitimate desire to regulate parades and large-scale demonstrations. ******* The lawsuit, filed against the city and its police department, had asked a judge to declare the ordinance unconstitutional and to issue an injunction to prevent it from being enforced. ******* That likely won't be necessary as both parties have now asked that the lawsuit be dismissed. ******* The proposed settlement also requires the city attorney to review the ordinance and recommend changes to the city council to ensure it complies with the requirements of the First Amendment. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 28 STANFORD UNIVERSITY FALLS VICTIM TO HUMAN CLONING FALSEHOODS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Weekly Standard; December 23, 2002 ******* by Eric Cohen and William Kristol ******* Truth, famously the first casualty of war, is now falling victim to the latest skirmish in the biotech wars. Euphemism and doublespeak are the order of the day, and not because of timid politicians or shameless propagandists, but, shockingly, because of the eagerness of a leading university to embark on human cloning research. ******* Earlier this week, Stanford University announced the creation of a $12 million research center that would, among other things, produce cloned human embryos for biomedical research. This research--which its advocates now call "nuclear transplantation to produce human pluripotent stem cell lines"--involves the insertion of a person's DNA into an enucleated human egg. This produces a living, dividing, developing human embryo--a genetic copy or clone of a living individual--which researchers plan to destroy in order to extract its stem cells. ******* Over the past few years, such cloning experiments have been the subject of widespread public debate. In July 2001, the U.S. House of Representatives passed, by more than 100 votes, a ban on all human cloning, including the procedure now embraced by Stanford. In July 2002, the President's Council on Bioethics recommended a four-year moratorium on the production and use of cloned human embryos for biomedical research, so that the nation might debate the moral and scientific issues fully and fairly before deciding whether or not to cross this moral boundary. ******** Stanford's announcement is important: In a country still weighing the significance and moral dangers of taking the first steps toward human cloning, a major research university has decided to plunge ahead. Stanford seems to believe that the question of whether to harvest and exploit cloned human embryos--and perhaps eventually cloned human fetuses -- is one for scientists and internal university review boards, not citizens and their democratic institutions. ******* Yet the Stanford scientists apparently can't decide whether to proceed brashly, as triumphant benefactors of mankind whom Congress cannot stop, or with serpentine guile, hiding what they are doing by describing it in terms impenetrable (and misleading) even to an ethically concerned public. So far -- as multiple statements, press conferences, and news stories attest -- they have done both. They have lied. They have misled. And they have sown confusion. ******* On December 10, the Associated Press reported: "Stanford Reveals Human Embryo Clone Plan." Claiming the story was "incorrect," the university immediately issued the following statement: "Creating human stem cell lines is not equivalent to reproductive cloning. The first step in the process of creating a stem cell line involves transferring the nucleus from a cell to an egg and allowing the egg to divide. This is the same first step as in reproductive cloning. However in creating a stem cell line, cells are removed from the developing cluster. These cells can go on to form many types of tissues, but cannot on their own develop into a human." ******* A few hours later, the AP story--same author, different spin--had been changed: "Stanford to Develop Human Stem Cells." The same day, Stanford's spokeswoman told the Washington Post, "We're not cloning embryos, and we're not going to clone embryos." The problem, however, is that this is not true. The "developing cluster" described in Stanford's own statement is an embryo. It is uniquely desired by scientists because it is a cloned embryo. And if implanted into a woman's uterus, it could develop into a cloned human child. ******* For clarity on this matter, we need turn to no other authority than the head of Stanford's new center, Dr. Irving Weissman himself. ******* In January 2002, Weissman chaired a National Academy of Sciences panel that issued a report on the "Scientific and Medical Aspects of Human Reproductive Cloning." The report called for a moratorium on the production of cloned children, while also describing the scientific promise of "nuclear transplantation to produce stem cells"--what most people at the time were calling "therapeutic cloning." ******* The report put it this way: "The experimental procedures required to produce stem cells through nuclear transplantation would consist of the transfer of a somatic cell nucleus from a patient into an enucleated egg, the in vitro culture of the embryo [emphasis added] to the blastocyst stage, and the derivation of a pluripotent ES cell line from the inner cell mass of this blastocyst." In other words: To get the stem cells, you have to produce and destroy a cloned human embryo. ******* In February 2002, Weissman testified before the President's Council on Bioethics. He reaffirmed that the entity produced by transferring a nucleus into an unfertilized egg would grow "to form the blastocyst stage of embryo development, the pre-implantation embryo." And he agreed that such a cloned blastocyst destined to be disaggregated for its stem cells would be identical to the cloned blastocyst required to initiate a pregnancy--that is, to initiate the gestation of a cloned human being. ******* By Weissman's own definition, what Stanford announced earlier this week was, in fact, its intention to pursue embryonic cloning, even as the university simultaneously denied what it was doing. A calf does not cease to be a calf because we have produced it for veal. A cloned embryo, produced for its stem cells, does not cease to be an embryo. ******* Fearing public backlash, the university decided to muddy the waters even further. It released yet another statement saying that its researchers would not pursue embryonic cloning right away, but that they might do so in the future, and that in any case Weissman does not believe that producing cloned embryos by nuclear transplantation is really embryonic cloning at all. More doubletalk from one of our leading institutions of higher learning. ******* If we are to have sound public deliberation about these weighty matters, universities and scientists owe us spin-free speech about what they are doing. ******* Even more important, we need public debate and political leadership -- from the president, in Congress, and in the states. President Bush, when he announced his decision on federal funding for embryonic stem cell research in August 2001, declared, "We have arrived at that Brave New World that seemed so distant in 1932, when Aldous Huxley wrote about human beings created in test tubes." ******* Today, one of our leading universities is poised to take us further down that dehumanizing road. Our elected leaders need to intervene--now, not later--by enacting at least a moratorium on such morally questionable experiments. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 29 ARKANSAS PRO-LIFE ADVOCATES HELP VIOLENCE AGAINST PREGNANT MOM CASE ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; December 13, 2002 ******* Little Rock, AR -- The Arkansas Supreme Court granted a petition by pro-life advocates Thursday to present arguments in the first case challenging the state's Fetal Protection Act, adopted three years ago to prosecute violent criminals with two crimes when they kill or injure both mother and child in an attack on a pregnant woman. ******* Arkansas Right to Life will be allowed to present arguments in the criminal case against Lonnie Beulah, who was convicted of first-degree murder under the 1999 law in the death of a pregnant woman's unborn child. On appeal, Beulah claims the 1999 law is unconstitutional. ******* "It gives us the opportunity to present evidence to the court where cases involving acts similar to Arkansas' have been justified," said Rose Mimms, executive director of Arkansas Right to Life. ******* Jeff Rosenzweig, a lawyer for Beulah, said his client reserved the right to appeal his conviction on murder and battery charges in pleading no contest. Beulah was sentenced to 40 years. ******* Beulah and three others were charged after the beating of Shiwona Pace resulted in the death of her baby Aug. 26, 1999. Pace was days from giving birth when she was attacked. The case was the first brought under the 1999 law, which allows murder charges if an unborn child in at least the 12th week of gestation dies because of a violent crime. ******* Rosenzweig said the appeal challenges whether the state could properly define a baby as a person to meet the state's homicide statutes, and said the law might contradict the Roe and Doe Supreme Court decisions that legalized unlimited abortion. Also, Rosenzweig said, the law is vague. One provision seems to apply to a baby in any stage of development, while another applies to a 12-week-old unborn baby. ******* "We're saying that makes it constitutionally void for vagueness," Rosenzweig said. "Is an 11-week-old fetus covered? One part of the statute says 'yes' and another part says 'no.' Those are the challenges." ******* Asst. Atty. Gen. David Raupp disagreed."I understand (the law) plain enough that I don't think anybody would have to guess at its meaning." ******* In the criminal case, Erik Bullock was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Prosecutors said Bullock hired the other three to beat Pace, who was his girlfriend. ******* Eric Beulah, the brother of Lonnie Beulah, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and first-degree battery, while Lonnie Beulah and Derrick Witherspoon pleaded no contest. All three are serving 40-year sentences. ******* Arkansas is one of 27 states that have laws targeting violence against pregnant women. Mimms said she will point out that challenges to similar pro-life laws in Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Louisiana and Arizona were denied by those state's courts. ******* In January, a Utah judge upheld that state's 1983 law, denying defense attorneys' argument that the baby - about 14 weeks old when its mother was killed - was not a person because it could not have survived outside the womb. ******* -- Anne, from Rochester Right-to-Life saw an ad for The Christian Singles Info-exchange here on the Pro-life Infonet, and decided to dig a little deeper. ******* The result of her findings is a new web-page: http://www.righttoliferoch.org/wcsi.htm. ******* This page is fun to read, even if you are not single! To go directly to the Christian Singles website, click: http://www.christian-singles.org. ******* Memberships make a great Christmas gift. Call: 1-800-869-2500. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 30 NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE STILL BIASED ON ABORTION-BREAST CANCER ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer; December 16, 2002 ******* Chicago, IL -- The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer reported today that the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has published new statements about research examining the relationship between abortion and breast cancer on a web page posted November 25, 2002. The page is entitled "Early Reproductive Events and Breast Cancer." ******* This action comes after serious accusations of scientific misconduct were leveled at the agency during a four year period by more than two dozen members of Congress and six medical experts, including congressman Dave Weldon, M.D. and former Congressman Tom Coburn, M.D. [1] ******* After reviewing the NCI's new statements, Karen Malec, president of the women's organization, commented that: "The NCI's failure to identify abortion among its list of risk factors for breast cancer and its continued omission of critical facts represent a form of gross scientific misconduct designed to mislead women about the safety of abortion. The agency continues to conceal the evidence that connects the delayed first full term pregnancy effect with abortion, an effect that has been universally recognized by medical experts since 1970. [2] Moreover, the biological and epidemiological evidence implicating abortion as an independent risk factor for breast cancer is staggering, but the anti-information NCI erroneously asserts that 'the data have been inconsistent.' What risk factor, other than abortion, could have as much evidence amassed against it, but still be excluded from the NCI's list of risk factors? Thousands of women will lose their lives because the NCI's uncaring bureaucrats evidently lack political courage." ******* "It is heartening, however, that the spectacularly flawed study, Melbye et al. 1997, is not being used to disprove 29 studies reporting risk elevations," continued Mrs. Malec. [3] "It's encouraging that the NCI did not mislead women by confusing the effects of miscarriage with that of induced abortion which creates the false impression that these different biological events are one in the same. The agency also dropped its blatant lie that the study, Tang et al. 2000, found evidence of report bias." [4] ******* The lead author of the 1996 review and meta-analysis of the worldwide research [5], Joel Brind, Ph.D., reviewed the November web page and commented that, "It's a step in the right direction, but it is clear that this is temporary until the agency convenes a workshop on this subject. It remains to be seen whether they will really put in information that is useful to the public about abortion and breast cancer." ******* Malec concluded that, "The NCI's long-standing practice of lying and omitting crucial pieces of information makes it crystal-clear that women can't rely on the agency's self-interested bureaucrats, the nation's politicians and cancer organizations to protect their lives. This barefaced scientific misconduct will not stop until women demand to be told the truth. Women must become activists in order stop the lies and protect their health, as well as the health of their sisters and daughters." ******* The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is an international women's organization founded to protect the health and save the lives of women by educating and providing information on abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer. ******* References: 1. http://abortionbreastcancer.com/Public_Policy.htm 2. MacMahon et al. (1970) Bull Wld Health Org 43:209-21. 3. Melbye et al. (1997) N Engl J Med 336(2):81-5. 4. Tang et al. (2000) Am J Epidemiol 151:1139-43. 5. Brind et al. (1996) J Epidemiol Community Health 50:481-96. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 31 PRO-ABORTION CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR BARRED FROM CATHOLIC TROUBLED KIDS' HOME ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press; December 19, 2002 ******* Sacramento, CA -- Democratic Gov. Gray Davis was barred Thursday from playing Santa Claus at a Catholic home for troubled children because he is a astrong abortion advocate. ******* Despite a 20-year tradition of California governors delivering Christmas gifts to the St. Patrick's Home for Children, the school's director said Davis wouldn't be allowed on school grounds unless he asked forgiveness for and disavow his views on abortion. ******* ``We don't let any pro-abortion people in our grounds here,'' said Monsignor Edward Kavanagh, director of the home since 1952. ``He should get his life together and he should change his whole philosophy on the unborn.'' ******* Davis instead invited children from the home to the state Capitol to fetch their gifts. ******* ``He's entitled to his point of view and I'm entitled to mine. I'm unapologetically pro-choice and I'm not changing my position,'' Davis said. ``Having said this, the tradition is about children, not grown-ups. I didn't want the kids to be disappointed.'' ******* Since 1981, state officials have provided about a dozen children each year at the rehabilitation home with gifts from their wish lists. Former governors -- including Jerry Brown, a Democrat who supported abortion -- have visited the school to deliver the gifts. ******* This would have been the first year Davis carried out the tradition. He has not been personally going to the Sacramento school, aides said, because he usually spends the holidays in Los Angeles. ******* ACTION: You can contact St. Patrick's Home for Children at [email protected] ******* -- You can help the Pro-Life Infonet by becoming a monthly donor during 2003. Your monthly gift of $10, $50 or more will help us continue to reach tens of thousands of pro-life advocates with timely news and information. Contact [email protected] if you would like to help us out next year. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 32 NEW JERSEY SHOULD REJECT CLONE AND KILL LEGISLATION ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; December 15, 2002 ******* by Marie Tasy ******* [Pro-Life Infonet Note: Marie Tasy is the Director of Public & Legislative Affairs for New Jersey Right to Life.] ******* On September 12, the NJ Senate voted to approve S240, a bill that allowed public school students to refuse to dissect, vivisect, incubate, capture or otherwise harm or destroy animals or any parts thereof as part of a course of instruction. Amendments were added to add a living organism that is invertebrate to the definition section. The bill passed by a vote of 37-0 with Senators Codey, Buono and Vitale among those who voted in support of the legislation. Why is it pertinent to mention this fact? Because these same Senators are the sponsors of legislation that would allow this very type of experimentation on living embryonic human beings. The legislation, S1909/A2840 says it should be the public policy of the state of New Jersey to allow such harmful and deadly research and sets the stage for subsequent legislation to fund it. ******* S1909/A2840 permits research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells from excess human embryos stored at in vitro fertilization clinics and includes "somatic cell nuclear transplantation" which is known as therapeutic cloning. The objective scientific facts documented by 100% of the experts in the field of human embryology are that the life of a human being comes into existence at fertilization. These objective scientific facts are available to anyone who wishes to locate them in human embryology books at their local libraries. The only way to obtain embryonic stem cells is to kill the living human embryo. ******* During Christopher Reeve's November 25 testimony before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens committee, he asserted that the New Jersey bill limits research to unfertilized eggs and does not include cloning. A quick read of the bill demonstrates that this assertion is false. Perhaps it was Reeve's and the sponsors' intent to use the term "unfertilized eggs" to make the legislation more palatable, but using this term is, at the very least, false and misleading. Injecting new DNA into an "egg," constitutes cloning by somatic cell nuclear transplantation and the immediate product of this cloning is a new innocent living human being - who will be allowed to grow in vitro and then have his/her cells and organs dissected and removed. ******* Reeve and others argue that embryos, which are left over or frozen from IVF treatments, are going to be discarded and die anyway, so why not use them for the good of science. This argument is ethically flawed even if it were proven that embryonic stem cell research could cure disease, an assertion that is not supported by definitive proof. This is tantamount to saying that because a human being is terminally ill, we should dismember them and extract their spare parts because they are going to die anyway. It would assign a prisoner on death row the same fate. Most recently, an organization called Snowflake Adoption has begun offering traditional adoption methods to find homes for abandoned embryos. This organization finds couples that are willing to adopt and have implanted left over or frozen embryonic human beings to bring these children to term. Clearly, this is a far superior and humane alternative to harmful research, which always results in the death of the embryonic human being. ******* While it is true that embryonic stem cells have not helped a single human being, the same cannot be said of adult stem cells. Alternative forms of stem cells using umbilical cord blood, bone marrow, placenta, neural, muscle, fat, skin and tissues of the spleen, pancreas and other organs are already curing human illnesses and have been documented in numerous scientific publications. Embryonic stem cells are known to proliferate uncontrollably and can be dangerous. Because they are "embryonic," they are foreign to adult bodies. Contrary to claims made by Christopher Reeve, attempts to use embryonic stem cell on adults - even when cloned from the patient - leads to mutation, tumor formation and tissue rejection. The reason for this is because the donor egg's mitochondria contain the donor's genetic material. Research using adult stem cells, by contrast, avoids issues of rejection and cancer formation, and has the clear advantage of being able to use the patient's own cells to repair any illness or disease. ******* S1909/A2840 relies on undue and unproven expectations created by certain high profile individuals, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and hospital corporations who, with the help of various elected officials, promise amazing cures using embryonic stem cells to those with various afflictions. This is a cruel hoax, which exploits the desperation of individuals and families dealing with disease and illness, and diverts valuable time and resources that should be directed at more superior methods of research proven successful through the use of adult stem cells. ******* Anytime we destroy the life of a human being for the potential benefit of others, whether that human being is in the early dawn of life or the twilight of life, we are all degraded. That is why S1909/A2840 must fail. Emotional rationalization cannot be the determining factor in deciding what is right and what is wrong. Scientific advancement must be guided by the principle that laudable goals do not justify immoral means. On November 21, 2002, the European Parliament of the United Nations, by a large majority, voted in favor of a total ban on human cloning, including the method covered under S1909. The European Parliament added an amendment to its report on life sciences and biotechnology which said, "The European Parliament solemnly reaffirms that the life and dignity of all human beings, whatever their stage of development and state of health, must be respected and is opposed to any form of research or use of life sciences and biotechnology that runs counter to this fundamental principle; repeats its insistence that there should be a universal and specific ban at the level of the United Nations on the cloning of human beings at all stages of formation and development and urges the Commission and Member States to work towards this end." Here in the United States, leaders in the U. S. Senate are poised to join the House of Representatives in passing the Brownback bill, which will ban all forms of human cloning, both reproductive and therapeutic. If the European Parliament of the United Nations, and the United States Government are vigorously opposed to therapeutic cloning and have taken steps to ban it, why would the state of New Jersey pursue this foolhardy and wasteful strategy only to have it superseded by a federal law? ******* The sponsors have politicized this issue and paraded out Christopher Reeve to sway public opinion with distortions and false promises of curing "Superman" and other maladies through this misguided legislation. Sadly, individuals afflicted with disease and illness are not the ones who stand to benefit from embryonic research and therapeutic cloning. The beneficiaries will be big biotechnology, pharmaceutical companies and medical institutions, who, contrary to popular opinion, are not driven by the search for cures but by their desire to use human embryos in research like drug testing and to experiment with new IVF techniques including the artificial manufacture and genetic engineering of human beings. ******* In conclusion, it should never be the public policy of our state or federal government to permit the deliberate destruction of one living human being for the potential benefit of others, nor should our government fund such harmful, unethical research. Let us instead move forward with aggressive research on adult stem cells. The only hope for a cure. ******* -- We help more than 25,000 people each week find pregnancy help and information. Every month, women choose life because of Pregnancy Centers Online. Please consider a link to us on your web site at http://www.pregnancycenters.org ***************************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 33 TEXAS COURT UPHOLDS LAW PROHIBITING TAXPAYER-FUNDED ABORTIONS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Associated Press, Pro-Life Infonet; December 31, 2002 ******* Austin, TX -- The state os Texas is not constitutionally obligated to pay for abortions for poor women, the Texas Supreme Court ruled Tuesday. ******* The 8-0 ruling, with one abstention, upheld a pro-life state law that prohibits the use of state Medicaid money for abortions except in cases of rape or incest or when the mother's life is in danger. It also held that the state has a legitimate interest in promoting childbirth over abortion. ******* "This was an attempt by abortion advocates to subvert the will of the people of Texas," said Denise M. Burke, staff counsel of Americans United for Life. "Texas's decision to use taxpayer money to fund only limited types of abortions is in direct compliance with federal requirements, principally the Hyde Amendment." ******* The state rules are patterned after the federal Hyde amendment that prohibits public funding of abortion. ******* The Texas court overturned a lower court ruling, and rejected a 1998 lawsuit filed by abortion practitioners and facilities who said the state should pay for abortions for poor women suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, epilepsy and other complications that may present health risks during a pregnancy. ******* The restriction is unfair to women, because men on Medicaid cannot be denied any ``medically necessary'' procedure, argued Bonnie Scott Jones, a lawyer for the pro-abortion New York-based Center for Reproductive Law and Policy. ******* "The term 'medically necessary abortion' is just another way of saying 'abortion on demand' or abortion for any reason," said Burke. "The U.S. Supreme Court has defined 'health,' within the context of abortion, so broadly that the term 'medically necessary' would include women who are suffering from stress, who are simply having an overly emotional day, or who have limited budgets, not just women whose health or life is actually threatened by a pregnancy." ******* Attorneys for the state contended the law does not discriminate against women. ``It's only those women who make that ultimate choice to have an abortion who are treated differently,'' Jeff Boyd said. ******* The Supreme Court's opinion stated that the law is neutral on matters of gender because it simply denies money for treatment not covered by federal money. ******* The court also rejected claims by abortion advocates that refusal to fund such abortions violated the Texas Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). ******* -- We help more than 25,000 people each week find pregnancy help and information. Every month, women choose life because of Pregnancy Centers Online. Please consider a link to us on your web site at http://www.pregnancycenters.org ****************************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 34 HAWAII GROUP CAMPAIGNS AGAINST ASSISTED SUICIDE ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Honolulu Advertiser; January 7, 2003 ******* Honolulu, HI -- After last year's near passage of a bill to legalize the grisly practice of assisted suicide, a group of healthcare providers and pro-life advocates are launching an early campaign against the issue. ******* Members of the Hawaii Partnership for Appropriate and Compassionate Care gathered yesterday to express their opposition to assisted suicide, saying it will detract from efforts to care for the terminally ill and sufferers of intense pain and will victimize the elderly, sick and disabled. ******* The partnership, a project of the Hawaii Medical Association and the pro-life Hawaii Family Forum, has spent about $40,000 on an ad campaign. ******* "Legalization of physician-assisted suicide is the wrong answer," said Kenneth Zeri, president and chief professional officer of Hospice Hawaii. "The answer is, we relieve the suffering. We don't kill the sufferer." ******* It is unclear whether an assisted suicide bill will be introduced this session, which begins Jan. 15. Former Gov. Ben Cayetano introduced the legislation last year, and Gov. Linda Lingle has said she opposes the idea. Pro-life groups made the 2002 governor's race a referendum on assisted suicide as Lingle opposed it and her opponent favored the anti-life practice. ******* Last year's bill passed the state House 30-20. It failed in the Senate by a 14-11 final vote on the last day of the session after significant lobbying by pro-life organziations. ******* We help more than 25,000 people each week find pregnancy help and information. Every month, women choose life because of Pregnancy Centers Online. Please consider a link to us on your web site at http://www.pregnancycenters.org ****************************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 35 PRO LIFE LEGAL GROUP ASKS SUPREME COURT TO INVALIDATE FACE LAW ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; January 8, 2003 ******* Washington, DC -- In what could be a momentous national case for pro-life activists, the U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to strike down the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act ("FACE"), which has been used by police and pro-abortion organizations across the nation to suppress and intimidate pro-life demonstrators. ******* FACE, which was signed into law in 1994 by then President Bill Clinton, purports to prohibit someone from using "force," the "threat of force," or "physical obstruction" to "intimidate" or "interfere with" a person seeking "reproductive health services" [read "abortion"]. This law carries with it severe criminal and civil penalties. ******* The Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm, has asked the Supreme Court to take the case and hold FACE unconstitutional because Congress lacked the constitutional authority under the Commerce Clause to enact this law. According to the Law Center's petition, FACE does not regulate economic activity; rather, FACE is aimed at conduct that is traditionally regulated by the States through their police powers. ******* Relatively recent Supreme Court cases have called into question Congress' authority to enact laws pursuant to the Commerce Clause. For example, the Supreme Court invalidated the Gun-Free Schools Zone Act in United States v. Lopez in 1995 and the civil remedies provision of the Violence Against Women Act in United States v. Morrison in 2001. In doing so, the Court refused to adopt an expansive view of Congress' Commerce Clause authority. Rather, the Court sought to reinvigorate the distinction between what is truly national and what is truly local. The Court focused on the noneconomic, criminal nature of the activity regulated by these laws and found Congress lacking authority to regulate in these areas. Likewise, FACE, by its very terms, attempts to regulate non-economic, intrastate criminal conduct that has nothing to do with commerce and is traditionally of local concern. ******* According to Robert Muise, associate counsel for the Thomas More Law Center, "Federal and state law enforcement agents, as well as Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion organizations, have used this federal law to suppress the free speech rights of peaceful, pro-life demonstrators. We are hopeful that the Supreme Court will take this very important case. " ******* The case began in June of 2000, when federal law enforcement agents, operating at the behest of Planned Parenthood, threatened to use FACE against Ann Norton, a fifty-seven year old grandmother who was doing nothing more than handing out literature on the public sidewalk outside of a Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The federal agents claimed that because passing motorists had to stop their cars at the edge of the entrance to the abortion facility in order to retrieve pro-life literature from Norton, her conduct was obstructing access to the facility in violation of this law. ******* Norton contacted the Thomas More Law Center and the Law Center immediately filed a federal civil rights lawsuit seeking to enjoin the enforcement of this law. The federal trial court judge denied Norton's request for a preliminary injunction, and the Court of Appeals in Cincinnati, Ohio, affirmed the trial court's ruling. Norton is now seeking review in the Supreme Court. ******* -- Pro-Life Yard Signs. ABORTION KILLS CHILDREN. Witness to the conscious of your community by a sign, only $2 each (10 or more). Three day delivery, and free shipping on larger orders. Contact http://www.TenCommandments.faithweb.com, or http://www.yardsigns.org or call 1-877-210-5266 (anytime). One yard sign will be seen by thousands of people each week. Use economical and effective advertising using a durable plastic yard sign, that will take outside weather for two years. ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 36 PARENTAL RIGHTS ADVOCATE TO TESTIFY IN ALASKA'S PARENTAL CONSENT TRIAL ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; January 9, 2003 ******* Washington, DC -- Eileen Roberts, the Founder and President of Mother's Against Minors' Abortions will testify on January 22, 2003, on the 30th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade in favor of Alaska's Parental Consent Law. ******* Eileen founded MAMA in 1987 when her then 14-year-old daugher underwent an abortion without her knowledge. Her daughter suffered physical and emotional consequences from a botched legal abortion in the state of Virginia. To add insult to injury, the Roberts' were responsible for their daughter's follow-up care in the amount of over $27,000. ******* Eileen will share her story at this trial. Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion organizations claim that Parental Consent and Notification Laws hurt young adolescent girls rather than assist them. ******* "If parents are responsible for their daughter's physical and emotional consequences from abortion, then they should have the right to know before hand and give consent for this life and death decision", Eileen stated. ******* Eileen has also testified on Capitol Hill in favor of the "Child Custody Protection Act" which will make it a federal offense to transfer minors over state lines to evade parental notification laws. She also has testified throughout the country since 1987 in support of parental consent and notification laws. She worked closely with the General Assembly for 4 years which passed a parental notification law in Virginia in 1997, which then Governer and now Senator George Allen signed into law. ******* Mothers Against Minors' Abortions serves as a collective voice for parents and teens to help restore parental rights and to protect minors from the harms of abortion. ******* Today, Eileen Roberts serves as the Executive Director of the appahannock Pregnancy Help Center in Fredericksburg, Virginia. ******* -- Would you like to receive each Infonet story as a separate email? ******* Contact [email protected] and include the message "switch to non-digest." ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 37 ABORTION SURVIVOR TELLS HER STORY OF STRUGGLES AND TRIUMPH ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: New Hampshire Union Leader; January 22, 2003 ******* Some kids don�t know when to quit. Gianna Jessen never learned how. ******* By her own account she came into this world under extraordinary circumstances, having already suffered brain damage due to oxygen deprivation. She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy by doctors who would later be amazed that she could sit up, much less walk. At 25, she walks with a pronounced limp and admits to frequent and unexpected falls. She doesn�t mind telling audiences she has gotten rather good at it over the years. ******* �After 25 years of falling, you learn how to fall,� she said at St. Joseph Cathedral in Manchester, where she was anything but a �flop.� The talented singer and songwriter from Nashville, Tenn. sang some devotional songs, then told her story as the keynote speaker during a pro-life rally that was part of a weekend- long �Triduum for Life� sponsored by the Respect Life Office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Manchester. ******* �This will not be a sad story, this will be a story of triumph and victory,� she said early on in her narrative. She has been on the speaking circuit since her early teens, telling her story with, literally, a missionary zeal. But for the grace of God, she might be counted in the world only as a number, one of the 40 million or so infants who have been aborted since the Supreme Court�s Roe v. Wade decision was handed down 30 years ago today. Jessen was, indeed, aborted. But stubborn and determined soul that she is, she lived anyway. A quarter of a century later, she is still going strong. ******* �And still talking about it,� she said, suggesting a possible title for a sequel to the biography that was published several years ago: �Gianna: Aborted and lived to tell about it.� ******* Her mother was 17 years old and 7� months pregnant when she had a saline abortion at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Los Angeles. In the saline method, a highly concentrated salt solution is injected throughout the abdominal wall into the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby. The solution poisons the infant, causing convulsion and, in about an hour�s time, death. In most cases, the woman goes into labor 24 hours later and delivers the dead baby. The solution usually burns the skin off the infant, resulting in the delivery of the �candy-apple baby� often seen in pro-life literature. ******* That photograph is accompanied by a remarkable understatement on a page published by the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children. Concerning the level of pain likely suffered by the saline-aborted fetus, the society suggests the following: �The contortion on the face of this baby, after the burning of the skin by the salt solution, may be an indication of what the infant has endured.� ******* Somehow Jessen was spared that fate. Her mother went into labor well ahead of the expected delivery time, though long after her baby was supposed to be dead. Gianna was born alive, weighing slightly more than two pounds. The abortionist had gone home for the night and the nurse on duty took the newborn to a hospital where she was placed in an incubator. ******* �If the abortionist had been there, he would have ended my life, either though strangulation, or he would have left me there to die,� said Jessen, who counts it a miracle that she survived the saline treatment. �I should be completely burned, I should be blind, I should be dead.� ******* She spent her infancy with a foster mother named Penny, a rather remarkable woman in her own right. �Over the course of her life she�s cared for 56 children considered unadoptable. Eventually, Penny�s daughter, Diane, adopted Gianna. It was Diane who found the child�s natural mother and learned the details of Gianna�s birth. ******* Jessen was present when President Bush signed the Born Alive Infants Protection Act into law in Pittsburgh last summer. So was Jill Stanek, the nurse who was fired from Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Ill. after testifying before Congress about an aborted infant left to die in the hospital�s laundry room. Jessen has also told her story at congressional hearings, before church groups, youth outreach programs and on college campuses. She has even begun to get speaking engagements in public schools, where she seems likely to create some controversy, and even legal battles over church-state separation, by her vocal witness to the �loving power of Jesus Christ.� ******* She is, however, familiar with struggles, in her own life and those she has read about in the Bible. Like Jacob, the patriarch of Israel, she recalls a time in her own life of a spiritual wrestling with God and of saying, �I will not let you go until you bless me.� ******* Jacob, too, walked with a limp. ******* -- Reach 40,000 pro-life leaders and activists with your message. Contact [email protected] ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 38 CALIFORNIA BISHOP TO GOVERNOR: OPPOSE ABORTION OR NO COMMUNION ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Subject: Source: Sacramento Bee; January 23, 2003 ******* Source: Sacramento Bee; January 23, 2003 ******* Sacramento, CA -- Sacramento Bishop William K. Weigand, leader of 500,000 Catholics in Northern California, called on Gov. Gray Davis on Wednesday to renounce his support of abortion or stop taking Holy Communion. ******* Speaking at a morning Mass on the 30th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, Weigand told congregants at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament that Davis should refrain from taking communion while he continues to support abortion. ******* "As your bishop, I have to say clearly that anyone -- politician or otherwise -- who thinks it is acceptable for a Catholic to be pro-abortion is in very great error, puts his or her soul at risk, and is not in good standing with the church," Weigand said. "Such a person should have the integrity to acknowledge this and choose of his own volition to abstain from receiving Holy Communion until he has a change of heart." ******* Receiving Holy Communion is one of the most sacred rites in the Catholic faith. Weigand said afterward that "in general, we do not refuse communion to anyone; we try to instruct people as to when it would not be appropriate." ******* Russ Lopez, a spokesman for Davis, said the bishop was "trying to make an example and that's sad. But Governor Davis has said repeatedly that he is proud of the legislation he has signed giving women the right to choose. He will not back down." ******* Lopez criticized the bishop for "telling the faithful how to practice their faith." ******* Lopez said that Weigand's comments could alienate members of the Catholic Church who support abortion. "There are a lot of Catholics who are pro-choice. Does the bishop want all Catholics to stop receiving Holy Communion?" asked Lopez. "Who's going to be left in church?" ******* Weigand said Wednesday evening that he did not contact the Vatican before deciding to publicly chastise the governor. He acknowledged that he was motivated by Davis' response to a challenge by a Sacramento parish priest before Christmas, and by a doctrine by Pope John Paul II criticizing politicians who say they are good Catholics but support abortion. ******* Weigand's homily quoted from the papal doctrine released in advance of the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. "Those who are directly involved in lawmaking bodies have a grave and clear obligation to oppose any law that attacks human life," he said. ******* At the Mass, Weigand praised Monsignor Edward Kavanagh, who last month told Davis' staff that the governor was not welcome to deliver gifts to St. Patrick's Orphanage. (The children received their gifts from Davis at the Capitol.) Kavanagh asked Davis to renounce his pro-abortion views before visiting. ******* The governor's response to Kavanagh was blunt: "I'm unapologetically pro-choice and I'm not changing my position." ******* Weigand said Wednesday evening that the confrontation forced him to confront Davis. ******* "Ever since the little incident last month, people have been asking questions. They asked 'how can a Catholic be in good standing and still hold that point of view?' I'm saying you can't be a Catholic in good standing and hold that point of view. The governor's position is very public and contrary. ... You can't have it both ways." ******* In a press release Wednesday marking the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Davis administration claimed credit for California being "the most pro-choice state in America." ******* The governor is an active Catholic. He and his wife, Sharon, attend Mass in Southern California. The Davises, who were married originally in a civil ceremony presided over by former state Supreme Court Chief Justice Rose Bird, were married again in the late 1990s in the Catholic Church for their 15th wedding anniversary. The ceremony recognized the marriage in the church's eyes and allowed Davis to resume taking communion. ******* "He goes to church and he says his prayers and that's good," said Weigand. "But he's been aggressive on this issue, even boastful. I'm just trying to clarify that he is not in line with the Catholic Church on an issue that the Pope has said is the most important issue of our day." ******* -- Find pro-life books, materials and merchandise at Life Cycle Books. Go to http://www.lifecyclebooks.com ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 39 MARYLAND LAWMAKERS SEEK STRONGER PARENTAL NOTIFICATION LAW ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Washington Post; January 24, 2003 ******* Annapolis, MD -- Pro-life state lawmakers in Maryland say they will push legislation making it more difficult for minors to have abortions without notifying a parent and are hoping to garner the support of newly-elected Gov. Robert Ehrlich. ******* With the election of the first Republican governor in 36 years, pro-life lawmakers are mindful that their chances of passing pro-life legislation are vastly improved and say they do not want to overreach. About 30 strategists from both parties gathered yesterday to plot their course in a political landscape that shifted dramatically with the November elections. ******* "Everything we do, we're doing with the governor in mind," said Sen. Nancy Jacobs (R-Harford). "We want to put something on his desk that he can sign." ******* Jacobs and other lawmakers are keeping their plans under tight wraps and have not yet filed any bills, but several said that a top priority will be toughening the state's parental notification law. Ehrlich has indicated that he could support such legislation, and lawmakers said they are keeping his office apprised of their thinking. ******* "We are talking to leadership, and the governor is part of leadership," said Senate Minority Whip Andrew P. Harris, a Republican who represents Baltimore and Harford counties. ******* Ehrlich spokesman Paul E. Schurick said the governor is generally supportive of parental notification but could not comment until he sees a specific bill. ******* Maryland's law is unique in that it allows an abortion practitioner to bypass parental notification requirements. Other states require minors to go before a judge before bypassing parental notification, as mandated by the Supreme Court. ******* Richard J. Dowling, who as the representative for the Maryland Catholic Conference has helped organize the pro-life strategy sessions, called Maryland's law a fraud. ******* Parents should be able to help their children through a difficult time, he said, and should not be cut out of the loop "because an abortion doctor who has probably never seen the girl before and probably won't see her again can decide she is mature enough to make the decision on her own." ******* Planned Parenthood claims that most girls seeking abortions do tell their parents. But for those who can't, said Wendy Royalty of the Maryland chapter, judicial bypass laws represent an undue burden, forcing them to navigate a complicated legal system and causing emotionally wrenching delays. ******* Abortion rights advocates are already gearing up for a fight, which they expect will include attempts to stop taxpayer-funded abortions through the state's Medicaid program. Though Ehrlich included the money in his budget, it can be gutted without his approval. An attempt last year came one vote short of passage. ******* -- Reach 41,000 pro-life leaders and activists with your message. Contact [email protected] ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 40 PROLIFE SUMMARY OF AMERICAN PRO LIFE ADVANCES ******* INTERVIEW ******* U.S. Pro-life Movement Stays Young Family Research Council's Pia de Solenni Views the Scene WASHINGTON, D.C., JAN. 24, 2003 (Zenit.org).- Young people are now the heart of the pro-life movement in the United States, says an analyst on life issues.On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion, Pia de Solenni, a fellow of the Center for Human Life and Bioethics at the Family Research Council, outlined for ZENIT the prospects for the U.S. pro-life movement.De Solenni was awarded the Pontifical Prize of the Academies by John Paul II in 2001. ******* Q: There are fewer abortions in the United States,and a more-or-less pro-life Republican Party controls Washington now. Yet the culture of death is being institutionalized elsewhere -- note the Stanford University research center that aims to rely on human cloning. Where is the country going on the pro-lifeissue? ******* De Solenni: Thirty years after Roe v. Wade was decided, almost every American knows someone who has had an abortion or has been somehow involved in an abortion. As a result, pro-life issues are becoming mainstream.Studies consistently show that Generation Y -- 8 to 23 years [old] -- is decidedly a pro-life generation which understands the decision to complete a crisis pregnancy as a confident and brave thing to do.Single parenthood, for better or for worse, has lost the stigma once associated with it. Prime-time shows basing story lines on unplanned/inconvenient pregnancies generally do not even include the option of abortion -- see NBC's "Friends" and MTV's "Real World." A recent Wirthlin Poll shows that 68% of the American public supports protections on the lives of the unborn. Last week's CNN/USA Today poll showed 70% of Americans support a ban on partial-birth abortion as well as other abortion regulations. Now we need to harness this pro-life shift in public opinion so that institutions like Stanford understand that any endeavor which does not respect the dignity of every human life will not be supported or tolerated. The voice of the more than two-thirds majority needs to be heard by donors and supporters at every institution, including Stanford University. Each person has the opportunity to make his or her voice heard within their various communities. All we have to do is seize that opportunity. ******* Q: What are the prospects for abortion restrictions in the new Congress?******* De Solenni: We are cautiously optimistic. There are five pro-life legislative priorities facing the 108th Congress:First, a ban on all forms of human cloning. President Bush has clearly stated that he opposes all forms of human cloning. Similarly, Senate Majority Leader [Bill] Frist has said that he will support a complete ban. Last March the House passed a complete ban on cloning. Unfortunately, the legislation never moved to the Senate and, hence, the process had to start over in this new session of Congress. The ban has already been introduced in the House where it is expected to pass. Then it remains to be seen if Senate leadership and the White House will be able to get it passed in the Senate.Second, a ban on partial-birth abortion. This legislation passed in both the House and the Senate twice during the Clinton administration. It was vetoed both times by President Clinton. If it comes to a vote, we expect that it will pass, as it is a bipartisan issue with overwhelming support from both Republicans and Democrats.Third, the Abortion Non-Discrimination Act. This legislation would protect doctors and medical institutions from being forced to offer abortion services. It has passed in the House before. We expect it to pass again. However, as with all of these bills, the question is whether or not we have Senate leadership which can generate positive results.Fourth, the Child Custody Protection Act. This would prevent someone who is not the parent or guardian of a minor from taking her out of state -- and into a state where neither parental consent or notification are required -- for an abortion. In effect, it protects young victims of sexual abuse from the adult men who prey on them. This bill has also passed in the House and is expected to pass again. But we need Senate action to make it effective.Fifth, the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. This legislation makes clear that when a pregnant woman is the victim of assault and her unborn child is injured or killed, that unborn child is also recognized as a victim in our legal system. This, too, has previously passed in the House, but never made the Senate floor.Pro-life Americans must hold their elected representatives accountable to the pro-life views of those whom they represent -- that is, write, call, fax and e-mail them. None of these bills explicitly attacks the "right" to abortion, but they would protect those who could be affected by abortion. These views are far from extreme. Beginning with our families, friends and daily contacts we need to communicate that these are mainstream views. Generation Y gets it, the rest of us can learn from them. ******* Q: How has 30 years of abortion affected the country's psyche? Its family life? Relations between the sexes? ******* De Solenni: There's been an undeniable increase in domestic abuse and family breakdown. Sexuality has come to be expressed in almost exclusively masculine terms. Motherhood has been divorced from feminine sexuality -- and identity.But coming out of this all are a new pro-life generation and movement that are motivated because of their lived experience. Every one of us has experienced the culture of death and the denial of authentic femininity and masculinity.More than simply knowing the moral rules, so to speak, we have learned them through our experiences. It's the school of hard knocks. It hurts, but it's working. The culture of life will be built on our experiences and our refusal of the culture of death. ******* Q: Where do you see young people on the pro-life issue? ******* De Solenni: They're the heart of it. Every one of them survived Roe v. Wade just by being born. They know that 42 million of their American brothers, sisters and friends are missing. Their commitments to pro-life values, including abstinence and chastity, witness the fact that they have not forgotten a single one of the 42 million dead. Young people are developing a unique ability to be in the culture without being suffocated by it. They are mainstreaming positions that have wrongly been labeled extreme, conservative, etc. ******* Q: What was the biggest mistake of the U.S. pro-life movement? The biggest disappointment? The biggest success? ******* De Solenni: Like probably every human endeavor, the U.S. pro-life movement has at times given into egoism and disunity. We were committed to winning, but we took awhile to become seriously professional about our work.As the movement grows, we're losing our rough edges and we're honing our skills to win the game. The fact that abortion is still an extremely divisive issue even after 30 years shows that the movement has been very successful.We haven't given up and we're not giving in. I think, too, we've advanced because we've been able to start communicating that we're just as concerned about women as we are about their unborn children. ******** ----------------------------------------- This email was sent using FREE Catholic Online Webmail. ******* Please tell your family, friends and children about COL Webmail! http://webmail.catholic.org/ ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 41 A PRICE TO PAY, CHURCH HAS SAID ******* -----Original Message----- ******* From: Pro-Life E-News [mailto:[email protected]] ******* Sent: Tuesday, January 28, 2003 7:54 AM ******* To: Pro-Life E-News ******* http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/5994653p-6951687c.html ******* This story is taken from politics at sacbee.com. ******* Ads to blast officials, like Gov. Davis, who back abortion rights. ******* By Jennifer Garza -- Bee Staff Writer - (Published January 26, 2003) ******* Bishop William K. Weigand last week gave Gov. Gray Davis a choice: Follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church or face religious consequences. By doing so, the Sacramento-area bishop stepped to the forefront of an emerging national campaign to hold Catholic politicians accountable for their stance on abortion. ******* At a mass Wednesday commemorating the anniversary of Roe v. Wade -- the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion in the United States -- Weigand called on the governor to "have the integrity" to stop receiving communion until he changes his position favoring abortion rights. ******* It's a challenge other Catholic politicians soon will face. ******* Over the next few months, the American Life League, one of the country's largest anti-abortion organizations, will target other Catholic politicians and make a similar ultimatum. ******* "A lot of Catholics have had it with these politicians," said Joe Giganti, director of media relations for the Virginia-based American Life League. "They want to be Catholics on their own terms. They do not have the right or ability to do that. ... They are bringing scandal to the church." ******* In a campaign that Giganti says is the first of its kind in America, the group will sponsor ads in newspapers giving the names of Catholic politicians who favor abortion rights and their bishops. The group is calling on the bishops to deny these politicians communion until they change their ways. ******* The first ad -- labeled the "Deadly Dozen" -- will focus on high-profile U.S. senators, including Ted Kennedy, Tom Daschle, John Kerry and Barbara Mikulski. The second phase of the campaign will target governors, and Davis will be at the top of that list, Giganti said. ******* Giganti's group had not contacted Weigand before his rebuke to Davis, but Giganti said "we were thrilled" with the bishop's remarks. ******* "We are very proud and very happy with what he's done. This is what we are asking bishops to do, to stand up for what is right," Giganti said. "By saying what he did, he became a leader on this issue ... a lot of people are watching to see what happens next." ******* Others, however, were not thrilled with the bishop's remarks. ******* "I think the church is trying to distract from its own problems," said Bob Mulholland, a senior adviser to the state Democratic Party. Mulholland, a Catholic, said Weigand and other church leaders should not start reprimanding anyone publicly. ******* "The church has lost credibility with me," he said. ******* Weigand is leader of the 500,000 Catholics in a diocese that stretches from Solano County to the Oregon border. His remarks drew both praise and criticism from area Catholics. ******* "The bishop is doing what is right. We are very lucky to have him," said Mary Felton of Cameron Park, one of many who e-mailed The Bee applauding Weigand. ******* "I think the bishop should stop making moral judgments about other people and look at (the church's) own problems," wrote Sam Harrington of Sacramento, referring to the sex abuse scandal that has rocked the church the past year. ******* Some people felt the issue of communion is too personal to raise in public. ******* "This is something that should have been done between the bishop and the governor," said Mary Larkin of Clarksburg. ******* Communion is one of the most sacred rites in the Catholic faith. Catholic doctrine holds that the bread and wine received during the sacrament literally are changed into the body and the blood of Christ during the Mass. Only those who are "free of sin" or at peace with God and themselves are to receive communion. In practice, parishioners generally are allowed to follow their own conscience in deciding whether to receive the sacrament. ******* "Cutting someone off from the sacraments is pretty drastic," said Ted Jalen, chair of the political science department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who has written extensively on religion and the politics of abortion. "What you are essentially saying is that you are no longer a full-fledged member of the church." ******* Giganti's group is calling on bishops to deny the sacrament to Catholics who favor abortion rights. Weigand, however, did not go that far. He said he would not deny communion to Davis but instead wants the governor to abstain from receiving communion "of his own volition." ******* In an interview, Weigand said two incidents prompted him to challenge the governor during last week's Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in downtown Sacramento. ******* The first was a run-in between Davis and Monsignor Edward Kavanagh, who oversees St. Patrick's orphanage in Sacramento. Shortly before Christmas, Kavanagh refused to let the governor distribute gifts to the children of St. Patrick's unless he changed his views on abortion. Davis refused and the gifts later were given to the children at the Capitol. Weigand said he wanted to publicly show his support for Kavanagh. ******* A 19-page document from the Vatican, released Jan. 16, also influenced the bishop's decision to rebuke the governor. In the "Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith," the pope stated that Catholic politicians must uphold church teachings on bioethics and other issues guided by moral law, such as euthanasia and abortion. ******* Weigand said one of the most important reasons he spoke out is that he wanted to address recent questions from parishioners about the Davis-Kavanagh incident. As the shepherd of the diocese, Weigand said, he needed to deal with these concerns. ******* "People wanted to know how the governor could remain a Catholic in good standing and still have those policies," said Weigand. "I said he can't be." ******* Weigand also said he has tried repeatedly over the past four years to talk to the governor about his abortion-rights policies but has been rebuffed. "I just want to sit down and talk with him and explain the teachings of the church." ******* Longtime church watchers say Weigand's remarks to Davis are in accordance with church law but wonder how effective a national campaign challenging Catholic politicians will be. ******* "Bishops can tell people they're not living up to the requirements of their faith," said James Walter, director of the Bio-Ethics Institute at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. "But I think they stand a chance of a backlash. ... People may think they crossed the line between separation of church and state." ******* This is what happened in 1989 after a San Diego bishop banned an assemblywoman from taking communion because she favored abortion rights. Many disagreed with the bishop's action, and Democrat Lucy Killea went on to win an upset victory that has been credited to that reaction. ******* There may also be a difference of opinion about the governor within the Catholic Church. Davis and his wife regularly attend Good Shepherd Church in Beverly Hills. Good Shepherd pastor Colm O'Ryan did not return calls from The Bee requesting an interview, nor did his bishop, Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony. ******* However, in an interview with San Francisco's Faith, a Catholic publication, O'Ryan said he was not bothered by Davis' abortion rights stance. ******* "Oh, no," he was quoted as saying in Faith's February 2003 edition. "He's a very private person. He's a very faithful Catholic. He and his wife come to Mass very faithfully when they are in town." ******* O'Ryan said that his own stance toward the governor was "judge not and you shall not be judged." ******* About the Writer --------------------------- ******* The Bee's Jennifer Garza can be reached at (916) 321-1133 or [email protected]. ******* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Copying of this material is free for non-commercial educational and research use. Unless explicitly stated, copyright of this material is owned by the author and/or sponsoring organization, and/or newswire services. ******* Check out: InterLIFE: http://www.interlife.org/ ******* The Bubble Zone: http://www.interlife.org/bubble/ ******* Clinic Watch: http://www.interlife.org/clinic/ ******* The Genetic Cleansing Project: http://www.geneticcleansing.org/ The ******* Kevorkian Papers: http://www.kevork.org/ Pro-Choice Violence: ******* http://www.prochoiceviolence.com/ The RU-486 Files: ******* http://www.ru486.org/ The Morgentaler Files: ******* http://www.interlife.org/morgentaler/ ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 42 STUDENTS AT UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON PROTEST ROE ATTORNEY AS GRADUATION SPEAKER ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Tacoma Tribune; February 13, 2003 ******* Tacoma, WA -- Students at University of Washington Tacoma are upset that the lawyer who successfully argued Roe v. Wade before the U.S. Supreme Court will be this year's commencement speaker. ******* Sarah Weddington is a former Texas legislator, a former Carter administration official and an author who speaks frequently on effective leadership. But to concerned UW students, she will always be associated with the 1973 Supreme Court case that legalized abortion. And they worry her speech will politicize a ceremony meant to honor their hard work and accomplishments. ******* "We're faced with this choice: Should I go to my own commencement if it can be construed that I support what she represents?" said senior Pete Reeves. ******* Reeves was one of about 20 students who attended a campus forum on the controversy Wednesday. Many of those who attended were unhappy with the university's choice of speaker for the June 13 commencement. ******* "I've worked a very long time to get where I'm at at this commencement exercise," said senior Angie Olson. "We're going into this not knowing how much of a political agenda is going to be levied against a captive audience." ******* "I don't want my family remembering my commencement as, 'Oh, the abortion lady spoke,' " added senior Christy Donahue. ******* Some were especially upset that UW administrators did not consult students about the commencement speaker, as they have in the past. ******* Steve Smith, UW Tacoma's associate director of student services, said the decision to invite Weddington was made last August after Chancellor Vicky Carwein and others met Weddington at the Museum of Glass opening in July. ******* Smith said he's seen Weddington speak, and claims she's dynamic. He also thought a nationally known speaker would raise the campus' profile. ******* Smith said student involvement in the decision would have been desirable. But in August, he said, it's difficult to find students on campus. ******* Smith announced Weddington would be the commencement speaker the day before the Jan. 22 anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision. But he said he the timing was a coincidence and that he did not intend it to be an endorsement of Weddington's views. ******* UW officials will hold a second forum at in Keystone Auditorium. Smith said he was surprised by the student reaction and said the university will review its policies on selecting commencement speakers. ******* ACTION: To air your views on the matter, contact: Vicky Carwein, Chancellor University of Washington, Tacoma 1900 Commerce Street, Tacoma, WA 98402-3100 (253) 692-5646; FAX (253) 692-5649 ******* or Steve Smith; Co-Director for Diversity and Minority Affairs Phone: (253) 692-4404; FAX: (253) 692-4414 E-mail: [email protected] ******* -- The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to [email protected]. Infonet is sponsored by Women and Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). For more pro-life information, visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 43 RICO DOES NOT APPLY TO PRO LIFE PROTESTERS ******* � 2003 The Associated Press ******* The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that federal racketeering and extortion laws were improperly used to punish aggressive anti-abortion protesters, lifting a nationwide injunction that barred people from interfering with clinic business. ******* The court's 8-1 ruling applies to protests of all sorts, not just at abortion clinics. ******* Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist, writing for the majority, said that when protesters do not "obtain" property, they cannot be punished under federal extortion laws. ******* The court's ruling is a victory for Operation Rescue, anti-abortion leader Joseph Scheidler and others who were ordered to pay damages to abortion clinics and were barred from interfering with their businesses for 10 years. The ruling ends that injunction. ******* Rehnquist said their protest activity did not qualify as extortion. ******* That outcome had been sought by activists like actor Martin Sheen, animal rights groups and even some organizations that support abortion rights. They argued that protesters of all types could face harsher penalties for demonstrating, if the court ruled otherwise. ******* The demonstrators had been sued in 1986 by abortion clinics in Delaware and Wisconsin and the National Organization for Women, which contended that racketeering and extortion laws should protect businesses from violent protests that drive away clients. ******* They accused the groups of blocking clinic entrances, menacing doctors, patients and clinic staff, and destroying equipment during a 15-year campaign to limit abortions. The demonstrators were ordered to pay about $258,000 in damages. ******* Rehnquist said there is no dispute that abortion protesters interfered with clinic operations and in some cases committed crimes. ******* "But even when their acts of interference and disruption achieved their ultimate goal of 'shutting down' a clinic that performed abortions, such acts did not constitute extortion," he wrote. ******* The punishments were meted out under provisions of the 1970 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, known as RICO, and the Hobbs Act, a 1946 law aimed at crushing organized crime. The Hobbs Act makes it a crime to take property from another with force. ******* Justice John Paul Stevens filed the only dissent. He said the court was limiting the scope of the Hobbs Act and limiting protection of property owners in its "murky opinion." ******* The Supreme Court has previously said that the Hobbs Act should be read broadly, he said. ******* "The principal beneficiaries of the court's dramatic retreat from the position that federal prosecutors and federal courts have maintained throughout the history of this important statute will certainly be the class of professional criminals whose conduct persuaded Congress that the public needed federal protection from extortion," Stevens wrote. ******* Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote separately to say that the court was "rightly reluctant" to extend the reach of the RICO law, which allows prosecutors and private groups to seek hefty penalties. ******* The issue dates back to the 1980s when large groups of anti-abortion demonstrators used aggressive tactics to disrupt clinics. In 1998, a jury in Illinois found demonstrators guilty of dozens of violations, including four acts involving physical violence or threats of violence. ******* The court did not address a related issue in the case over whether the racketeering law gives individuals the right to ask a federal judge to stop a disputed activity. The law is most often used by federal prosecutors to go after organized crime figures, alleged conspirators and other criminals. ******* The cases are Scheidler v. National Organization for Women, 01-1118, and Operation Rescue v. National Organization for Women, 01-1119. ******* � 2003 The Associated Press ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 44 TEXAS WOMEN'S BOTCHED ABORTION LAWSUIT BEGINS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; April 10, 2003 ******* Houston, TX -- A hearing to certify a class action lawsuit by women injured by abortion against the State of Texas, State Department of Health, and the Texas Medical Disclosure Panel will be held Friday afternoon. ******* Women who have been injured by abortion in Texas filed suit against the State for failing to enforce existing abortion facility regulations to protect the health of women seeking abortions. A hearing will be held on whether the class action can proceed. ******* The Plaintiffs are women who sought and received abortions in Texas and received a variety of physical and emotional injuries, including ruptured uterus, sterility, severe guilt and depression. Women will be available to reporters, though some names will be kept confidential. ******* The suit alleges that the State of Texas: fails to require abortion providers to give enough information for informed consent; fails to adequately investigate unlicensed abortion facilities; fails to adequately inspect and examine licensed facilities; fails to cooperate with other State agencies attempting to prosecute illegal activity in abortion facilities; fails to prevent the unauthorized practice of medicine by unlicensed individuals in abortion facilities; and fails to require abortion clinics to report child abuse which has resulted in pregnancy. ******* The Texas Justice Foundation President, Allan Parker, commented on the lawsuit by saying: "Instead of protecting women, the State wants to protect itself by having this lawsuit dismissed." ******* Several of the women were injured by abortions performed in abortion facilities by non-licensed personnel, including non-doctors. One of the plaintiffs is the mother of a minor child who was under medical care for depression, but who obtained an abortion without her parents' consent resulting in a significant increase in the child's mental illness, including required hospitalization. ******* Abortions are being performed in an illegal manner and which do not adequately protect the health of women. These women injured by abortion are seeking protection for women's health. ******* The legacy of one of America's greatest Presidents is under attack! There are many revisionists that are trying to remove Ronald Reagan's pro-life legacy from history! His great book, Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation is back in print! Get your copy now. It's a wonderful gift for any pro-lifer or Reagan fan! The new edition is updated, and includes essays by Wanda Franz, President of NRLC; the Honorable William Clark, former National Security Advisor and the man called "spiritually closest to Reagan;" and Brian Johnston, Western Director of NRLC. Available for $12 or 2 for $20 at http://www.californiaprolife.org/reagan/reagan.htm or call 1 800-924-2490. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 45 WISCONSIN COMMITTEE PASSES HEALTH WORKER CONSCIENCE CLAUSE BILL ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; April 23, 2003 ******* Madison, WI -- On a vote of 8 to 1, the Assembly Labor Committee today approved Assembly Bill 67, legislation to protect the conscience rights of health care professionals in a number of specific situations. Authored by Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville), the legislation is considered to be the most significant step forward in this area in over 30 years. Sen. Carol Roessler (R-Oshkosh) is the State Senate leader on this issue. ******* "We are so appreciative of Rep. Hundertmark's tremendous leadership on this issue," said Susan Armacost, Legislative Director of Wisconsin Right to Life. "Her legislation would protect Wisconsin's doctors, nurses, pharmacists, medical students and others from losing their jobs or being sued because they refused, on moral or religious grounds, to participate in abortion, assisted suicide, euthanasia and unethical research. The ethical issues surrounding activities that demean the sanctity of human life are increasing for health care professionals. Ten years ago, the main ethical issue for right to life health care professionals was abortion. But today, there are many more, including unethical research that requires the death of living human embryos. This legislation is truly forward looking and will serve health care professionals in good stead for years to come." ******* Armacost also had high praise for Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), Chair of the Labor Committee. "Rep. Nass dealt with AB 67 in an extremely fair and timely manner. He is committed to the passage of well drafted legislation and we commend him for his diligence in this regard." ******* Voting for the passage of AB 67 were Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-West Bend), Rep. Steve Nass (R-Whitewater), Rep. Dan Vrakas (R-Hartland), Rep. Steve Wieckert (R-Appleton), Rep. Jean Hundertmark (R-Clintonville), Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald (R-Beaver Dam), Rep. Wayne Wood (R-Janesville) and Rep. Terry VanAkkeren (D-Sheboygan). The sole opponent of the measure was Rep. Christine Sinicki (D-Milwaukee). ******* "We thank the members of the Committee who voted for this much needed legislation and look forward to Assembly action on the bill," said Armacost. ******* -- The legacy of one of America's greatest Presidents is under attack! There are many revisionists that are trying to remove Ronald Reagan's pro-life legacy from history! His great book, Abortion and the Conscience of a Nation is back in print! Get your copy now. It's a wonderful gift for any pro-lifer or Reagan fan! The new edition is updated, and includes essays by Wanda Franz, President of NRLC; the Honorable William Clark, former National Security Advisor and the man called "spiritually closest to Reagan;" and Brian Johnston, Western Director of NRLC. Available for $12 or 2 for $20 at http://www.californiaprolife.org/reagan/reagan.htm or call 1 800-924-2490. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 46 DISCRIMINATION SUIT FILED FOR PRO-LIFER AGAINST LOCAL ILLINOIS HEALTH DEPARTMENT ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; May 29, 2003 ******* Rockford, IL -- The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest law firm, today filed a federal lawsuit in Rockford, IL against the DeKalb County Health Department on behalf of a former employee who was denied a promotion because of her pro-life religious beliefs. ******* "The issue here is very clear - you cannot deny an employee a promotion because of that employee's religious beliefs," said Francis Manion, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which filed suit against the health department. ******* "It is clear that our client was denied a promotion solely on the basis of her sincerely held religious beliefs that abortion was not an appropriate alternative to an unwanted pregnancy. The county acted in a discriminatory manner and not only violated our client's constitutional rights but also violated a specific state law that prohibits employers from punishing employees who refuse to participate in activity that violates their conscience. This is a very important case designed to protect the religious beliefs of employees - especially health care workers." ******* The ACLJ today filed suit in U.S. District Court in Rockford, IL on behalf of Faith Moncivaiz, a former employee of the DeKalb County Health Department in DeKalb, Illinois. Moncivaiz worked as a part-time secretary for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, one of five programs within the Maternal Child/Health Division of the DeKalb County Health Department. ******* After two years on the job, she applied for a promotion in August 2002 for a full-time secretarial position in the WIC program. The suit contends that during the interview, Jean Zucher, the coordinator for support services, asked Moncivaiz if she spoke both English and Spanish, and if she would be able to translate for another program - the Family Planning program - the option of abortion as an option for an unwanted pregnancy. ******* Moncivaiz found this questioning unusual since she had applied for a secretarial position - not a translator or interpreter - in the WIC program, which focuses on the nutritional health of women and children - not the Family Planning program. Moncivaiz told Zucher that she would find it difficult to translate information in promoting abortion because of her moral and religious beliefs opposing abortion. ******* The suit contends that one month later Moncivaiz was told that she did not get the promotion because of her stand on abortion. Further, the suit contends that Zucher told Moncivaiz that she would be expected to uphold the view of the Health Department regarding abortion - even on her own time outside work. ******* According to the complaint, Moncivaiz was told that she was at least as qualified as the candidate who was hired, but would not get the full-time job because of her views on abortion. ******* Moncivaiz continued to work as a part-time secretary for the WIC program in the health department until she resigned in March 2003. ******* The suit names as defendants the DeKalb County Health Department and three supervisors. The suit contends the health department violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act. ******* The Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act states that it is unlawful to discriminate against any person who may be hired, promoted, or transferred ". . .because of such person's conscientious refusal to receive, obtain, accept, perform, assist, counsel, suggest, recommend, refer or participate in any way in any particular form of health care services contrary to his or her conscience." ******* The suit requests unspecified damages as provided by law for loss of income and benefits as well as mental distress and anguish. ******* -- We make it easy for you to contribute to the Pro-Life Infonet using your credit card. Point your web browser to https://secure.entango.com/donate/pE6bLWyec4s to make a donation online. To make a contribution via PayPal, email [email protected] for details. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 47 LOS ANGELES TIMES EDITOR REPORTEDLY UPSET ABOUT ABORTION BIAS ******* From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Reply-To: Steven Ertelt ******* Source: Pro-Life Infonet; May 29, 2003 ******* Los Angeles, CA -- On Wednesday, a web site called the L.A. Observer ran a copy of an internal memorandum from an Los Angeles Times editor to a staff writer. If this is accurate, and no proof has been provided one way or the other at press time, this is an amazing admission by the mainstream media. The L.A. Observer web site credits the memo to managing editor John Carroll. It appears below: ******* To: Section Editors ******* Subject: Credibility/abortion ******* I'm concerned about the perception---and the occasional reality---that the Times is a liberal, "politically correct" newspaper. Generally speaking, this is an inaccurate view, but occasionally we prove our critics right. We did so today with the front-page story on the bill in Texas that would require abortion doctors to counsel patients that they may be risking breast cancer. ******* The apparent bias of the writer and/or the desk reveals itself in the third paragraph, which characterizes such bills in Texas and elsewhere as requiring "so-called counseling of patients." I don't think people on the anti-abortion side would consider it "so-called," a phrase that is loaded with derision. ******* The story makes a strong case that the link between abortion and breast cancer is widely discounted among researchers, but I wondered as I read it whether somewhere there might exist some credible scientist who believes in it. ******* Such a person makes no appearance in the story's lengthy passage about the scientific issue. We do quote one of the sponsors of the bill, noting that he "has a professional background in property management." Seldom will you read a cheaper shot than this. Why, if this is germane, wouldn't we point to legislators on the other side who are similarly bereft of scientific credentials? ******* It is not until the last three paragraphs of the story that we finally surface a professor of biology and endocrinology who believes the abortion/cancer connection is valid. But do we quote him as to why he believes this? No. We quote his political views. ******* Apparently the scientific argument for the anti-abortion side is so absurd that we don't need to waste our readers' time with it. ******* The reason I'm sending this note to all section editors is that I want everyone to understand how serious I am about purging all political bias from our coverage. We may happen to live in a political atmosphere that is suffused with liberal values (and is unreflective of the nation as a whole), but we are not going to push a liberal agenda in the news pages of the Times. ******* I'm no expert on abortion, but I know enough to believe that it presents a profound philosophical, religious and scientific question, and I respect people on both sides of the debate. A newspaper that is intelligent and fair-minded will do the same. ******* Let me know if you'd like to discuss this. John -- Please consider a donation to support the work of the Pro-Life Infonet. You can send a donation to: Women and Children First, PO Box 5422, Helena, MT 59604-5422. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 48 'ROE' SUES TO OVERTURN ROE VERSUS WADE DECISION ******* ----- Original Message ----- ******* From: Robert A Jason ******* Sent: Tuesday, June 17, 2003 7:22 AM ******* To view the entire article, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33113 ******* Tuesday, June 17, 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------ By Art Moore ------------------------------------------------------------------ ******* Posted: June 17, 2003 1:00 a.m. Eastern ******* The woman known as "Roe" in the historic Supreme Court case that legalized abortion is filing a motion in federal court today to overturn the 1973 decision. The Roe v. Wade ruling should be set aside because of changes in law and new research that make the prior decision "no longer just," argues Allan E. Parker, Jr., lead attorney for the San Antonio, Texas-based Justice Foundation. ******* NORMA McCORVEY ******* Parker is representing the former "Jane Roe," Norma McCorvey, who has the right to petition for reopening the case because she was party to the original litigation. ******* McCorvey announced in 1995 she had become a Christian and now has a pro-life ministry called Roe No More. ******* I long for the day that justice will be done and the burden from all of these deaths will be removed from my shoulders," McCorvey said in a statement. "I want to do everything in my power to help women and their children. The issue is justice for women, justice for the unborn, and justice for what is right." ******* McCorvey will ask for a reversal of the judgment today at the Dallas federal court. ******* In an interview with WorldNetDaily two years ago, McCorvey said she was "used" by pro-abortion attorneys in their quest to legalize the procedure. ******* Seeking an abortion at the age of 21, McCorvey made up a story that she had been raped. She was put in touch with two attorneys who aimed to challenge the Texas abortion statute. ******* "Plain and simple, I was used," she said. "I was a nobody to them. They only needed a pregnant woman to use for their case, and that is it. They cared, not about me, but only about legalizing abortion. Even after the case, I was never respected � probably because I was not an Ivy League-educated, liberal feminist like they were." ******* NEW EVIDENCE ******* Parker notes the Supreme Court has overturned its own precedents, citing the 1997 Agostini v. Felton decision in which the high court used a post-judgment motion by a party to overturn two 12-year-old precedents. ******* The legal question in the case, he said, is, "Is it just to continue giving Roe v. Wade future application?" ******* He asserts three major arguments for reopening and overturning the case: The Roe v. Wade decision deprived women of protection from dangerous abortions and exposed them to a much greater risk of being pressured into unwanted abortions. Studies, he says, indicate between 30 and 60 percent of abortions result from the pregnant woman submitting to pressure from her male partner, parents, physicians or others. ******* Parker will present affidavits from more than 1,000 women who testify having an abortion has had devastating emotional, physical and psychological effects. This is 1,000 times more evidence than presented in the original case, he says. Also, new scientific evidence indicates abortion is associated with more physical and psychological complications for women than were known about in 1973. In contrast, there have been no scientific studies measuring any significant benefits abortion has produced in women's lives. ******* While the question, "When does life begin?" was treated as an unanswered philosophical question in 1973, "an explosion of scientific evidence on human life" since then "conclusively answers the question that life begins at conception," Parker argues. ******* Under a 1999 law, Texas provides for any woman's unwanted child from birth to 18 years of age with no questions asked, which means women should no longer be forced to dispose of "unwanted" children by ending a human life, insists Parker. Forty states have similar "Baby Moses" laws. "The result of granting the motion would be to set aside and annul Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, its companion case," Parker explained. "This would return the issue of protecting women and children to the people with Baby Moses laws serving as a safety net." ******* Parker and McCorvey will appear at a press conference in Dallas today along with women who will testify to abortion's harmful effects in their lives. ******* The testimonies of those women will be the "convincing factor" in this case, Parker believes. ******* "What we really need is an open-minded judge who will consider the evidence," he told WorldNetDaily. ******* The first decision will be whether or not to grant a hearing based on the evidence submitted, he said, noting opposing groups may attempt to intervene. ******* His team has asked for a three-panel judge. ******* "If granted, there is a direct appeal to the Supreme Court," Parker said. ******* OMINOUS WARNING ******* Meanwhile, a leading abortion-rights group, NARAL Pro-Choice America Foundation, has launched a $3 million ad campaign to warn of a day when the Supreme Court overrules Roe v. Wade. ******* The group says the campaign coincides with recent passage of the partial-birth abortion ban by Congress and potential retirements by Supreme Court justices. ******* "Together these spots serve as a stark reminder of what could happen if we don't stop this tidal wave of anti-choice activity that is emanating right out of our own White House," said NARAL Pro-Choice America President Kate Michelman in a statement. ******* NARAL TELEVISION AD ******* One 15-second television commercial opens with ominous music and a woman who looks in horror at a newspaper headline that reads: "Abortion outlawed, Court overturns right to choose." ******* The ads have begun airing on cable channels but will be shown on broadcast stations in three key states in two weeks. Iowa, Wisconsin and Oregon were chosen because they were narrowly decided in the 2000 presidential election. ******* During the 2000 presidential election campaign, then-President Bill Clinton said he expected Roe v. Wade to be overturned if George W. Bush won. ******* "If Gov. Bush gets elected, he'll appoint judges more like the ones appointed by the ... Reagan and Bush administrations," Clinton said in a National Public Radio interview. "And if they get two to four appointments on the Supreme Court, I think Roe v. Wade will be repealed." ******* Speculation has arisen in the last several years about departures by Chief Justice William Rehnquist, 78, Sandra Day O'Connor, 73, and John Paul Stevens, 83. ******* Rehnquist has been the focus of most of the attention. But his recent decisions to hire staff for the court's next annual term, beginning in the fall, and to schedule an important hearing Sept. 8 suggest he will not be leaving soon. ******* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- � 2003 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Moore is a news editor with WorldNetDaily.com. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 49 MOTION TO REVERSE ROE WILL PRESS AHEAD ******* Date: Mon, 23 Jun 2003 20:07:37 -0700 ******* Subject: Elliot Institute News, Vol 2 No 6 June 24, 2003 ******* An Email Publication from the Leader in Post-Abortion Research ******* Vol.2, No. 6 -- June 24, 2003 ******* Visit us online: http://www.AfterAbortion.Info ******* The campaign to overturn Roe v. Wade will press ahead, despite a judge's decision to dismiss a motion asking the Supreme Court to revisit the 1973 decision legalizing abortion. ******* Attorneys for Norma McCorvey � the former "Roe" of the U.S. Supreme Court case legalizing abortion � say that they will ask a judge to reconsider his decision to dismiss McCorvey's request for another look at her case. ******* On June 17, McCorvey had filed a "motion for relief from judgment" asking the court to look at new evidence that abortion harms women and reconsider their ruling that legalized abortion. ******* Federal District Judge David Godbey ruled on June 19 that too much time had passed since the 1973 decision and that "it is simply too late now, thirty years after the fact, for McCorvey to revisit that judgment." ******* As a party to the original litigation, McCorvey had the right to ask the court to look at new evidence and changes in the law that make the ruling "no longer just," said Alan Parker of the Texas- based Justice Foundation, which is handling her case. ******* If the Supreme Court were to grant the motion, the result would be "to set aside and annul Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton, its companion case," Parker said. "This would return the issue of protecting women and children to the people with Baby Moses laws serving as a safety net." ******* "Baby Moses" laws are laws in Texas and other states allowing the state to assume responsibility for unwanted children. One of the factors in Roe was that women were burdened with caring for unwanted children, a condition that no longer exists in Texas and other states with similar laws. This is one of the arguments for overturning Roe that Parker hopes to present before Godbey. ******* If Godbey refuses to reverse his decision, made with extraordinary swiftness only two days after the motion was filed, the motion will be appealed to a higher court. ******* YOU CAN HELP! ******* The Justice Foundation is planning to press ahead with other cases in their attempt to get the Supreme Court to overturn Roe. They have already collected more than 1,000 affidavits from post-abortive women in support of McCorvey's motion to overturn Roe � the largest ever collected body of sworn evidence about the negative affects of abortion. They are encouraging other women who are post-abortive to file affidavits as well, which will be added to the evidence for other cases. You can find out how to do this by visiting the web site at www.operationoutcry.org ******* The legal documents, scientific research, and other supporting information, including some of the affidavits, are also available on the site. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 50 A DECISION BASED ON DECEIT ******* by Patrick J. Buchanan ******* June 23, 2003 ******* Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision that created a woman's right to an abortion, was the most controversial of the last century. It divides us yet. ******* Any nominee to a federal appellate court or the Supreme Court who does not swear allegiance to Roe is disqualified in the eyes of the Democratic Party. To Democrats, ensuring a woman's right to abort her child has become a tenet of their party, a reason for its existence, an article of their faith. ******* But what if Roe v. Wade was based on fraud, deceit and lies? ******* Comes now a woman who knows as surely as anyone whether that explosive charge is true. That is Jane Roe herself, the Texas woman whose plight and plea persuaded the high court to strike down every state law restricting a woman's right to abort her child. ******* Who was, and is, Jane Roe? She is Norma McCorvey, and she has just filed a petition in a Dallas federal court, as the litigant in Roe v. Wade, to have the 1973 ruling overturned. ******* McCorvey contends that when she was a 21-year-old street person, she was ignorant of what abortion meant, made up her story about being raped, and was deceived and used by her lawyers. Those lawyers, McCorvey says, told her that the baby inside her was "tissue." ******* After Roe v. Wade came down, McCorvey became the Rosa Parks of the feminist movement. And because of her fame, she was regularly offered jobs at the abortion mills. What she witnessed inside them changed her heart. ******* Here is an excerpt from the affidavit McCorvey just filed, describing what it was like in the "clinics" where she held the hands of women being aborted, as they dug their nails into her palm: ******* "But the most distressing room in the facility was the 'parts room.' Aborted babies were stored there. There were dead babies and baby parts stacked like cordwood. Some of the babies made it into buckets and others did not, and because of its disgusting features, no one ever cleaned the room. The stench was horrible. Plastic bags full of baby parts that were swimming in blood were tied up, stored in the room and picked up once a week. ******* "At another clinic, the dead babies were kept in a big white freezer full of dozens of jars, all full of baby parts, little tiny hands and feet visible through the jars, frozen in blood. The abortion clinic's personnel always referred to these dismembered babies as 'tissue.'" ******* This is a scene straight out of hell. Recoiling from it, in 1995, McCorvey became a Christian and resolved to do what she could to overturn the decision that has permitted 40 million unborn to be butchered, their tiny torn bodies discarded in the fashion described above. ******* Aiding McCorvey is human-rights lawyer Allan Parker, founder of the Justice Foundation. Parker is constructing a case much like the one Thurgood Marshall built in Brown v. Board of Education Marshall argued that in the 57 years that had elapsed since Plessy v. Ferguson, evidence had mounted to show that segregation did demonstrable harm to black children in public schools. Based on that evidence, and new advances in social science, Marshall argued, Plessy should be overturned. ******* Using the affidavit of McCorvey, Parker is calling for Roe to be reversed, whole and entire, on the following grounds. ******* First, Roe deprived women of all protection from the dangers of abortion. Parker provides affidavits from 1,000 women who testify to the physical, psychological and emotional damage they suffered as a result of their abortions, damage of which they were never made aware. The harm and horrors of abortion were not considered in 1973. Now they are known. ******* Second, tremendous strides have been made in medicine and science to enable the Rehnquist court, better than the Burger court of 1973, to decide with certitude when life begins. ******* Third, the issue of a women's right to privacy and not to have to care for an unwanted child has been addressed by Texas. Under a 1999 law, Texas will provide an upbringing for every child, up to 18 years of age, no questions asked of the mother, whose privacy will be protected. ******* As the facts have changed, and the situation has changed, and the thinking has changed, and the original Roe decision was based on claims rooted in deceit and lies, Roe should be reconsidered. ******* That is Parker's case. It is a compelling one, as compelling as the story of Norma McCorvey, a brave women seeking to right a horrible wrong that was done, in some measure, because of her. On Friday, a Dallas federal judge threw out McCorvey's plea. But, undeterred, Allan Parker intends to take it the next step, and ultimately to the Supreme Court, where it belongs. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 51 LACI PETERSON'S MOTHER WRITES SENATORS BACKING UNBORN VICTIMS BILL ******* by Steven Ertelt LifeNews.com Editor ******* June 26, 2003 ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Sharon Rocha, the mother of Laci Peterson, who was found dead after her body and that of her unborn son conner washed up on a San Francisco shoreline, recently wrote to Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln encouraging her to support the Unborn Victims of Violence Act. ******* The bill, similar to pro-life laws in more than two dozen states, gives federal prosecutors extra tools to hold criminals accountable when they kill or injure an unborn child. The House recently passed the legislation and the Senate is expected to take it up following the July 4th recess. ******* Rocha faxed letters to several members of the Senate this week, including Lincoln and Democratic leader Tom Daschle, supporting the legislation. Rocha sent her letter to Lincoln because the Senator, who occasionally votes pro-life, has questioned the need for the pro-life law. ****** "When a criminal attacks a woman who carries an unborn child, he claims two victims, and 27 states recognize the unborn child as a separate crime victim -- including your own state -- and the Texas Legislature has just approved a strong bill as well," Rocha wrote in her letter. "My own state, California, has recognized unborn victims of homicide since 1970." ******* Lincoln responded to Rocha's letter with a statement saying she favors additional charges for criminals who attack pregnant woman, but she opposes the bill's aim of recognizing an unborn child under law as an additional victim. ******* Rocha told the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette that Lincoln's "single-victim" approach would be a "painful blow to those, like me, who are left alive after a two-victim crime, because Congress would be saying that Conner and other innocent victims like him are not really victims -- indeed, that they never really existed at all." ******* Pro-life groups say they hope undecided senators will be persuaded by the support from the Peterson family. ******* "We can only hope that Senator Daschle, Senator Lincoln, and certain other senators who have been obstructing the Unborn Victims of Violence Act, now will heed these moving personal appeals from this woman who lost both her daughter and her grandson in a brutal two-victim crime," Douglas Johnson, legislative director of National Right to Life, told LifeNews.com. ******* The family of Laci Peterson had already endorsed the legislation -- having written a letter to members of the House of Representatives before it passed the bill. ******* "As the family of Laci Peterson and her unborn son, Conner, this bill is very close to our hearts," the Peterson family wrote in a letter to the bill's Republican co-sponsors, pro-life Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA) and pro-life Sen. Mike DeWine (R-OH). ******* "During these past two weeks we have considered various ways we could pay tribute to Laci and Connor. When we heard about this bill, we immediately thought of placing a request to have it named Laci and Connor's law in their memory," the letter said. ******* Hart and DeWine have begun referring to their legislation as "Laci and Conner's Law." ******* President Bush has indicated he will sign the bill into law if passed by the Senate. Pro-abortion groups oppose the legislation. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 52 PRO-ABORTION POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF WOMEN ARE PRO-LIFE Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A recent poll conducted by the pro-abortion Center for the Advancement of Women found something the authors didn't expect: a majority of American women take a pro-life position on abortion. ******* Life Cycle Books is North America's premier source of pro-life and abstinence before marriage educational materials. For the lowest prices and widest selection of materials - including over 300 items exclusive to us - visit our web site http://www.lifecyclebooks.com or call us at 1-800-214-5849 for a free copy of our 48 page printed catalog. ******* Please consider a donation to support the work of LifeNews.com. You can send a donation to: LifeNews.com, PO Box 5422, Helena, MT 59604-5422. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 53 HOUSE ADOPTS AMENDMENT TO PREVENT UNITED NATIONS FAMILY PLANNING ASSOCIATION (UNFPA) FUNDING ******* Subject: LifeNews.com Report 7/16/03 #3020 ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" ******* LifeNews.com Report Wednesday, July 16, 2003 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ******* [Looking for a convention or banquet speaker? Contact [email protected]] ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, July 15, 2003, agreed with President Bush's decision to cut off funding from the United Nation's Population Fund (UNFPA). Pro-life lawmakers accused the UNFPA of involvement in and tolerance of forced abortions and sterilizations in China. The House voted 216-211 in favor of a pro-life amendment that restores the Kemp-Kasten law prohibiting taxpayer funding of population control programs that involve coercion. Click here to see how your member voted and contact that person to express your thanks or displeasure. http://clerkweb.house.gov/cgi-bin/vote.exe?year=2003&rollnumber=362 http://www.lifenews.com/nat41.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 54 HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE APPROVES UNBORN VICTIMS BILL ******* Subject: LifeNews.com Report 7/16/03 #3020 ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" ******* LifeNews.com Report Wednesday, July 16, 2003 ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Legislation that would offer additional protection to pregnant women and unborn children who are victims of assault passed its first hurdle on Tuesday. The House Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee passed the Unborn Victims of Violence Act 6-3. The vote followed a heated debate between pro-life and pro-abortion lawmakers. The measure may be taken up by the full House Judiciary Committee next week. If not, it may not receive a hearing until after the August Congressional recess. http://www.lifenews.com/nat40.html ******** Life Cycle Books is North America's premier source of pro-life and abstinence before marriage educational materials. ******* For the lowest prices and widest selection of materials -- including over 300 items exclusive to us -- visit our web site http://www.lifecyclebooks.com or call us at 1-800-214-5849 for a free copy of our 48 page printed catalog. ******* The National Catholic Register is your antidote to the secular press. It is a weekly newspaper designed to build up the Kingdom of Christ in society, promote the Culture of Life and honor the teachings of the Church. Indeed, "You are what you read," subscribe today: http://www.ncregister.com (subscribe link on left). *Please enter promotion code Q77219 to help LifeNews.com receive a donation from your subscription. ******* Comments or questions? Email us at [email protected]. Copyright � 2003 LifeNews.com. All rights reserved. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 55 CALIFORNIA PREGNANCY CENTER SUES STATE FOR DENYING LICENSE ******* from http://www.lifenews.com/state41.html ******* El Cajon, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A California pregnancy care center has filed suit in federal district court, contending it is being discriminated against because it offers pregnant women the "choice of life" for their babies. The Pregnancy Care Center of El Cajon, near San Diego, has been fighting for the past two years for a clinical license, but has been consistently denied one by the state of California. The lawsuit also notes that the state has ignored a number of violations of the law by a local Planned Parenthood agency. Planned Parenthood is the nation's largest abortion business and considers crisis pregnancy centers to be a threat to its livelihood. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 56 MISSISSIPPI ABORTION PRACTITIONERS MAY BE HELD LIABLE FOR COMPLICATIONS ******* from http://www.lifenews.com/state40.html ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Under a proposal that may be floated at the state legislature next year, abortion practitioners would be held financially accountable for the medical complications that arise following an abortion. Those who performed abortions should be required to pay for the cost of medical treatment of complications, Pat Cartrette, the Executive Director of Right to Life of Jackson, told LifeNews.com. "Mississippi Medicaid has been billed almost $2 million to treat 670 women for complications following abortion for the five and a half years for which we have data. This is an average of two to three women per week and this matches what is reported to us from emergency rooms," Cartrette explained. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 57 U.S.HOUSE ELIMINATES $100 MILLION EARMARKED FOR UNITED NATIONS POPULATION FUND ******* From: "Austin Ruse -- C-FAM" ******* FRIDAY FAX ******* July 18, 2003 ******* Volume 6, Number 30 ******* In a stinging defeat for the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the US House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to remove all $100 million in proposed funding for UNFPA from the US foreign aid bill, despite a massive lobbying campaign carried out on Capitol Hill by UNFPA�s American allies. ******* The House vote was extremely close, 216-211, but still appears to show a significant shift in opinion regarding the legitimacy of UNFPA. The last full House vote on UNFPA was in 1999, during which UNFPA received a majority of support, 221 to 198. ******* According to Representative Christopher Smith (R-NJ), a co-sponsor of the amendment to remove the UNFPA funding, continuing revelations of UNFPA�s involvement in coercive population control programs, especially in China, have undermined US political support for the agency. Speaking during debate this week, Smith asserted, �since 1979, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has been the chief apologist for China�s coercive one-child-per-couple policy...the women of China are being oppressed with great impunity by their government.� ******* Smith continued, �This debate is all about coercion. I would hope that my friends who support abortion would realize that coercion, whether it be forced sterilization or forced abortion, is an unconscionable act; and when it is done with impunity by the Chinese government with their partner, the UN Population Fund, we need to disassociate ourselves from that kind of activity....I would hope that we would stand with the women of China who are being oppressed by their government and with their partners in these crimes against humanity, the UN Population Fund.� ******* In July, 2002, President Bush decided to withhold $34 million from UNFPA because of its ties to coercion. In order to render UNFPA eligible for renewed US funding, the House International Relations Committee in May attempted to weaken a long-standing US human rights law, called the Kemp-Kasten amendment, that forbids US support for coercive population control programs. 22 Democrats and 1 Republican voted for an amendment proposed by Joseph Crowley (D-NY) that sought to create a legal distinction between direct and indirect support for coercion. According to the Crowley amendment, only �direct� support for coercion would remain illegal. Since UNFPA does not carry out the coercion in China, itself, UNFPA should therefore receive the $100 million. This legal maneuvering did not prove convincing to the full House on Tuesday. ******* When President Bush announced his 2002 decision against UNFPA, he was roundly condemned on editorial pages for being �anti-women.� However, UNFPA and its allies have so far remained silent about Tuesday�s House vote. UNFPA has yet to publicly acknowledge the decision, even though it represents a potentially crippling blow to the agency�s finances. ******* UNFPA�s pro-abortion supporters in the House are expected to maintain their fight to refund the beleaguered agency. ******* Copyright � C-FAM (Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute). Permission granted for unlimited use. Credit required. ******* Catholic Family & Human Rights Institute 866 United Nations Plaza, Suite 427 New York, New York 10017 Phone: (212) 754-5948 Fax: (212) 754-9291 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.c-fam.org ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 58 THE 'LOVE' THAT WON'T KEEP QUIET ******* BreakPoint with Charles Colson ******* Commentary #030729 - 07/29/2003 ******* Homosexuality was once called "the love that dare not speak its name." Nowadays, it won't keep quiet. Hardly a day goes by that doesn't bring fresh evidence of the increased social acceptance of homosexuality. ******* The recent Supreme Court decision that overturned Texas's law against sodomy is only one more example of this trend. Justice Kennedy's statement that such laws reveal a "bias" against homosexuals reflects this growing acceptance. ******* It isn't only the courts. Following on the success of "reality" television shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, Bravo announced its take on dating shows: Boy Meets Boy. Once again, a contestant will choose from many potential suitors. Only this time, all of the show's participants will be men. ******* Viewers of this year's Tony Awards witnessed a kiss between two male winners and heard a speech about how gays should be allowed to marry. These events led New York Times columnist Frank Rich to call the "gay rights movement" a "juggernaut." ******* Well, he's right, but the question Christians need to ask is, "How did we get here?" The answer lies in our changing beliefs about sex and personal autonomy. ******* Historically, sex served two important purposes: procreation and promoting spousal unity. While these may not have always been honored in the observance, no one doubted that these were the purposes of sex. ******* What's more, it's important to note that this belief went beyond purely personal concerns and had social implications. Society had an obvious interest in the birth of children and the stability of the families that raised them. The well being and perpetuation of the community depended on this institution. ******* But all of this changed with the sexual revolution. Instead of serving moral and social purposes, sex's overriding purpose was to bring pleasure to those having sex. We see that in all of the literature and all of the discussions through the sexual revolution years. Within that worldview, it became difficult, if not impossible, to judge the morality of any sexual act between consenting adults. Once you determine consent, there is nothing left to say. ******* This suits our culture's obsession with personal autonomy perfectly. It's not just that people want to be free to do as they please, they want to live their lives without any scrutiny at all, especially in sexual matters. In this context, merely suggesting that something is wrong is a form of "coercion" and, thus, prohibited. ******* It's these attitudes, and the worldview that produces them, that have fueled the gay-rights movement. It rolls on because it resonates with what many Americans believe. And that means that the only way to slow it down is to change the terms of the debate: to once again establish that we are not lower than the animal species, that sex is not for recreation�it is for procreation. ******* As Jennifer Roback Morse, the eminent Stanford economist, has argued so eloquently, we must recapture this understanding of the natural order of sex's purpose in our culture. Christians have to step forward and make this case. And until we do, there will be no stopping the gay rights "juggernaut." ******* Copyright (c) 2003 Prison Fellowship Ministries ******* THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. ******* "BreakPoint with Chuck Colson" is a daily commentary on news and trends from a Christian perspective. Heard on more than 1000 radio outlets nationwide, BreakPoint transcripts are also available on the Internet. ******* BreakPoint is a production of The Wilberforce Forum, a division of Prison Fellowship Ministries. ********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 59 THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PEDIATRICIANS MAKES PRO LIFE STATEMENT ******* Date: Sun, 20 Jul 2003 02:37:39 EDT ******* Subject: LifeNews.com Report 7/20/03 #3023 ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" ******* ---------------------------------------- For news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ---------------------------------------- ******* [We appreciate your donation to support the work of LifeNews.com. You can send a donation to: LifeNews.com, PO Box 5422, Helena, MT 59604.] ******* Blountville, TN (LifeNews.com) -- A new association for pediatric doctors has formed and is taking a pro-life position on abortion. The American College of Pediatricians (ACP) statement on abortion upholds the "inviolability of all human persons from conception to natural end" and recommends that "elective abortions not be performed. "The position of the new organization, founded last fall, is markedly different from that of the American Academy of Pediatrics. The new group was founded in part as a response to the unwillingness of the AAP to oppose abortion. According to Joseph Zanga, M.D., president of ACP, the group issued its statement at this time because of legislation banning partial-birth abortion, which passed Congress and will soon go to President Bush for his signature. "We'd like the White House and the bill's sponsors to know that ACP supports this legislation and would like it to go further," Zanga said. http://www.lifenews.com/nat47.html ********************************************************************************************************************** item 60 ******* ARKANSAS HUMAN CLONING BAN GOES INTO EFFECT Little Rock, AR (LifeNews.com) -- Arkansas has joined the list of states that have opted to ban human cloning. The ban, which goes into effect this week, outlaws producing a living organism at any stage of development that is genetically virtually identical to an existing or previously existing human organism. Advocates of embryonic stem cell research maintain that it could hold the key to curing many conditions, but pro-life activists maintain that there is little evidence to suggest that such research will yield significant results. Under the Arkansas law, human cloning would be considered a felony, punishable with prison sentences as long as ten years and fines as high as $10,000. According to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, five states have bans on human cloning for any purpose. http://www.lifenews.com/state49.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 61 PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION DISCUSSES REGULATION OF IN VITRO FERTILIZATION ******* CULTURE & COSMOS ******* August 12, 2003 ******* Volume 1, Number 2 ******* The U.S. President�s Council on Bioethics met recently to consider two working papers, one of which suggests that the widespread use of in vitro fertilization for infertile couples may need federal regulation. Commissioners noted that no federal regulation or oversight now exists for a procedure that has produced hundreds of thousands of human embryos, most of which will die, either on their own or through scientific experimentation. ****** Specifically the papers, written by the professional staff of the Council, found �assisted reproductive technologies� (ART) in the U.S. to be in a state of disarray. The papers found that �there is no�oversight of how the new biotechnologies�affect the well being of the children conceived with their aid, egg donors, or gestational mothers� and that �there are no limits on what one can do to or with an embryo, so long as one is privately funded.� ******* Numerous recent scientific journal articles have reported that children born of IVF also face health risks far beyond the risks faced by children born in the natural way. According to a 2002 New England Journal of Medicine study, IVF babies run roughly double the risk of birth defects, and another study from The Lancet states that they are three times more likely to develop neurological disorders, including cerebral palsy, than babies conceived naturally. Likewise, research published in the Journal of Urology (2003) showed that there is an approximate sevenfold increase in the incidence of certain urological/genital defects in children born through IVF. ******* The Council paper outlined four primary suggestions on how the U.S. government could regulate �assisted reproductive technologies,� including instituting a new regulatory agency, granting new authority to existing regulatory agencies, implementing specific legislative action, and/or utilizing government funding as a regulatory lever. ******* Possible regulation of IVF would cause a heated debate in the pro-life world. Some would see federal regulation of IVF as implicit approval of a practice that the Catholic Church and others find morally and scientifically objectionable. Others will see value in an incremental regulatory approach to something that may be objectionable but still enjoys widespread support. ******* There are currently over 400,000 frozen embryonic persons lying in stasis in liquid nitrogen tanks in the U.S. The creation and storage of frozen embryos, caused largely by IVF, leaves these embryos open to being used for experimentation and death. ******* The President�s Council on Bioethics was founded a year ago in order to explore the science, law and ethics related to the various bioethics questions facing the US government, primarily stem cell research and cloning. ******* Copyright � Culture of Life Foundation. ******* Permission granted for unlimited use. Credit required. ******* Culture of Life Foundation, 1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington DC 20005 ******* Phone: (202) 289-2500 ******* Fax: (202) 289-2502 ******* E-mail: [email protected] ******* Website: http://www.culture-of-life.org ******************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 62 LAWSUIT ALLEGES DISCRIMINATION AGAINST HETEROSEXUALS ******* From: "Linda Harvey" ******* From Christian legal organization, Liberty Counsel in Orlando: ******* Sent: Wednesday, August 13, 2003 12:15 PM ******* Subject: Lawsuit Challenges Nations First Homosexual Public School ******* Lawsuit Challenges Nation's First Homosexual Public School As Unlawful New York, NY - Today New York State Senator, Ruben Diaz, Sr., along with a parent representing her four children under the anonymous name of "Doe", filed a lawsuit in the New York Supreme Court challenging the legitimacy of the nation's first "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth" (LGBTQ) public school, known as the Harvey Milk School. The children attend several poor, failing and under-funded public schools. The Plaintiffs are represented by Liberty Counsel attorneys, Mathew D. Staver and Rena Lindevaldsen. ******* A few weeks ago, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the City authorized 3.2 million dollars to establish the Harvey Milk School as the first publicly funded LGBTQ school in America. The money diverted to the School was taken from the capital expansion funds, and thus much needed capital expenditures for needy schools have suffered. ******* About 84% of the children served by the New York School System are racial minorities. Fifty-five percent of 3rd through 8th graders failed the state reading exams, and 65% of 3rd through 7th graders failed the math exams. In some schools, as many as 95% of the students fail basic competence evaluations. This year New York's highest court found the schools "deficient" in learning, lacking "sound basic education," and reported that the infrastructure was in poor shape with leaky roofs, lack of heating, and other hazardous conditions. Despite the pitiful status of the education system and the lack of funds, the City took 3.2 million dollars away from these minority student schools and diverted the money to fund a school that discriminates based on sexual preferences where heterosexuals are not welcome. ******* The lawsuit challenges the validity of the public school. New York Chancellor Regulation A-830 requires an equal education opportunity and prohibits discrimination based on "sexual orientation." Thus the School, which discriminates against heterosexuals, violates the Regulation. New York law also allows taxpayers to challenge public expenditures. The suit claims the expenditure is an unlawful use of tax dollars to finance a LBGTQ school in light of the lack of funds for needy schools. The suit also points out that New York law guarantees the right to receive a quality public education, and the establishment of a homosexual-only school violates the equal protection rights of school children attending poor, failing schools and under-funded public schools. ******* Staver commented, "New York City officials robbed from the poor, under-funded minority schools to pay for a homosexual school. Rather than providing a "model" to the nation, New York City officials have provided a blueprint of what not to do. This wasteful use of tax dollars must be stopped." Lindevaldsen concluded, "As one who attended law school in Brooklyn, the City's actions are an affront to all New Yorkers, and indeed to all Americans." ******* Allied with the ministry of the Alliance Defense Fund for legal strategy, litigation training, and case funding. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 63 BUSH CHASTISES COLLEGES THAT DENY FREE SPEECH ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2003 18:46:30 EDT ******* Targeting campus speech codes ******* By David Limbaugh ******* Hallelujah! Someone in authority is finally fighting back against political correctness. The Bush administration has warned campus thought-control bullies that it is monitoring their imperious tactics. ******* The Washington Times' George Archibald reports that Gerald A. Reynolds, assistant secretary for civil rights has sent a long overdue brush-back letter to college and university officials concerning their odious and oppressive campus speech codes. ******* These codes, which are as un-American as they sound, prohibit certain kinds of "offensive" speech, such as "any language that may be deemed sexist, racist or homophobic, or may be found offensive by any minority group." Some have estimated that as many as 90 percent of American universities have adopted such codes in one form or another. ******* The stated purpose of these regulations is to foster a peaceful educational environment by preventing "harassment" of certain protected groups. But this phony rationale is no longer going to fly under the Bush administration. ******* In his letter to university officials, Secretary Reynolds stated that universities would not be allowed "to regulate the content of speech" under the guise of preventing "harassment." Speech, said Reynolds, does not onstitute "harassment" just because it offends someone. "In order to establish a hostile environment, harassment must be sufficiently serious (i.e., severe, persistent or pervasive) as to limit or deny a student's ability to participate in or benefit from an educational program," wrote Reynolds. ******* Reynolds couldn't be more correct. In reality speech codes are merely an excuse to justify censorship of certain disfavored student speech. The Times' Archibald quotes Wendy McElroy, a research fellow for the Independent Institute of Oakland, California as saying, "University campuses are strongholds of left-liberalism where constitutionally protected rights, such as freedom of speech and religion, are routinely violated." Most victims, McElroy points out, are "students who are male, white, conservative, openly Christian or from affluent families." ******* And Erich J. Wasserman, Executive Director for the Philadelphia-based Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), observes that "Speech codes are tools that administrators use to quash speech they do not agree with, and to punish students and faculty members for expressions they do not agree with." ******* Some campus codes are more draconian than others. One at Tufts University contained the usual buzzwords, prohibiting "demeaning or derogatory slurs, name-calling and using words or negative images associated with a group on signs to create a publicly hostile environment." ******* But the Tufts code included an additional provision that prohibited "attributing objections to any of the above to the 'hypersensitivity' of others who feel hurt." This clause was aimed at creating a separate offense for criticizing alleged victims for their hypersensitivity. In other words, certain speech wasn't the only fundamental right that was obliterated, but also the right to defend oneself against these charges. ******* What could be more hostile to civil liberties than to forbid a student from offering mitigating evidence in his own defense, such as that he didn't intend anything offensive and that the victim might be overreacting? But if you go that route at Tufts, you risk compounding your offense. ******* It is extremely gratifying that the administration has decided to contradict the politically correct dogma and to stand up against the tyranny of certain megalomaniacal liberal professors. Many of them are unreconstructed '60s radicals who went from protesting on campuses, as outsiders, to controlling them, as insiders. ******* Many of them protested with an unprecedented degree of self-righteous sanctimony and have never been taken to task for their behavior or some of its deleterious consequences. To the contrary, society has glorified them and showered them with unceasing accolades. Now, as adults, they harbor the same degree of moral certainty and the same lack of moral foundation. ******* As the establishment they are even more dangerous than they were as radicals because their power has corrupted them. They are like spoiled children – who were never reprimanded (and were even praised) for their misconduct – who have finally grown up. They are misfits with badges of authority. In their closed world they interact mainly with likeminded peers who teach from likeminded texts and permit no dissent or original thinking from their students who are objects of their indoctrination. They can protest indignantly that their aim is to prevent bullying, but they are the ones who are administering the real bullying and the students are their victims. ******* Perhaps this little missive from Secretary Reynolds will not get much fanfare, but it should, because it's a significant first step toward breaking the liberal stranglehold on American campuses. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 64 PRESIDENT BUSH ISSUES EXECUTIVE ORDER TO NIX U.S. FINANCING FOR INTERNATIONAL ABORTION ******* From: "D.Fernandes" ******* Subject: FW: LifeSite Daily News - Tuesday September 2, 2003 ******* WASHINGTON, September 2, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - U.S. President George W. Bush issued an executive order Friday expanding the Mexico City policy which banned the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) from funding international groups which perform, counsel or lobby for abortion. The order expands the directive to include U.S. monies coming from the U.S. Department of State. ******* The order will apply to nongovernmental organizations such as International Planned Parenthood Federation but does not include multilateral organizations that are associations of governments, nor to funds allocated to the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 (Public Law 108-25). ******* See the White House memorandum on the order: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/08/20030829-3.html ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 65 U.S. COURT GRANTS ASYLUM TO WOMAN FORCED TO UNDERGO ABORTIONS IN CHINA ******* From: LifeSite News [mailto:[email protected]] ******* SAN FRANCISCO, September 2, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Federal Appeals Court ruled unanimously Friday to grant political asylum to a Chinese woman who was forced to undergo two abortions in China. With its ruling the court overturned a denial of asylum by the Board of Immigration Appeals. ******* The Washington Times reports that congressional testimony has shown that since the enforcement of China's one child policy in 1981, numerous women have faced coercive abortion, sterilization or IUD insertions. A 1996 law grants refugee status to 1,000 people annually if their country imposed them with forced population control. ******* See the Washington Times coverage: http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20030830-104701-4963r.htm ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 66 DOCTORS' GROUP TAKES PRO-LIFE POSITION ON ABORTION ******* Date: Mon, 6 Oct 2003 01:52:40 EDT ******* from LifeNews.com Report 10/6/03 #3087 and "Steven Ertelt" ******* Tucson, AZ (LifeNews.com) -- The American Association of Physicians and Surgeons, at its 60th annual meeting, has approved a pro-life resolution stating that the Hippocratic Oath does not allow doctors to perform abortions. The new platform "clearly opposes" abortion and recognizes the "teachings of the major religions of the world have [also] opposed abortion of a developing human child until very recent times." "The purpose of abortion of a human child is to destroy the life of the child, in contradistinction to other terminations of pregnancy to save the life of the mother, in which an attempt would also be made to save the life of the child," says the AAPS resolution. ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 67 SOUTH CAROLINA ABORTIONS DOWN 53% THANKS TO PRO-LIFE LAWS ******* Date: Mon, 29 Sep 2003 02:20:43 EDT ******* Subject: "LifeNews.com Report" ******* LifeNews.com Report Monday, September 29 ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ******* Columbia, SC (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions continued their 15-year decline in South Carolina as new figures from the state show abortions going down during 2002. Since 1988, abortions have dropped a whopping 53 percent. Mary Glover, statistician for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, said the number of reported abortions in 2002 was 6,574. That is 440 fewer abortions than occurred in 2001 -- a 6 percent decrease. Pro-life groups were elated by the news. "We attribute this success to the faithful work of the pro-life grassroots network, to pro-life legislators, to the wonderful crisis pregnancy centers, and to the untiring message of our state's moral educators," said Holly Gatling, Executive Director of South Carolina Citizens for Life. The abortion number peaked at 14,333 in South Carolina in 1988. Since then, the state legislature has passed a number of pro-life laws that, combined with the educational efforts that took place to pass them, are credited with cutting the number in half. http://www.lifenews.com/state161.html ************************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 68 CONTRACTORS REFUSE TO BUILD $6.2 MILLION PLANNED PARENTHOOD ABORTUARY ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2003 05:39:51 EST ******* [concrete-foundation contractor Danze] compares the building of an abortion clinic to construction of a concentration camp during the Holocaust. "We can't just look the other way," he said. "We can't just take the blood money and run." - Sacramento Bee, 11-15-03 ******* This story will not get the attention that the recent CBS boycott over the Reagan trashing, but it once again shows what a dedicated individual and a little organization can do! We have a real uphill climb here in California to protect the unborn, but stories like this should encourage us to persevere. ******* The January 22nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision is just around the corner and you can get information on this year's Teens for Life events at www.Project33.org. Please check it out and plan to attend if you can. This year there is a massive outreach to Churches, youth groups and Christian schools in Northern California so if you have contacts there, please encourage them to participate. ******* Finally, thanks to a very generous donor, Cherish has designed special brochures for the sidewalk counselors available in English and Spanish. You can view, and even download, them at www.CherishCA.com. These full color brochures are also helpful for school outreach projects. Printed brochures are provided for just the cost of shipping to those volunteers and organizations that can put them to good use. If you need some, let me know via a return E-mail or at the number below. ******* John E. Stoos, VP Cherish California's Children(916) 451-5660� -------------------------------------------------- ******* BOYCOTT STOPS ABORTION CLINIC PROJECT ******* http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Southwest/11/14/abortion.boycott.ap/ Web CNN.com[enhanced by Google] [U.S.] ******* Friday, November 14, 2003 Posted: 5:46 PM EST (2246 GMT) [Chris Danze, president of the Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life Association, organized the boycott.] ******* AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Weeks into the project, the contractor hired to build an abortion clinic hit a brick wall: Plumbers and carpenters would not work for him. Drywall installers and heating subcontractors would not do business with him. Cement suppliers for miles around would not touch the job. ******* He had been hit with a boycott organized by abortion foe and construction-industry executive Chris Danze. ******* The builder finally quit the job this month, stopping the clinic project in its tracks, in what national Planned Parenthood officials said was the first such boycott they have ever seen. ******* Danze, a 48-year-old who has protested outside clinics, compares the building of an abortion clinic to construction of a concentration camp during the Holocaust. ******* "We can't just look the other way," he said. "We can't just take the blood money and run." ******* The decision by Browning Construction Co., one of the state's largest contractors, to pull out of the project stunned Planned Parenthood, which denounced the boycott and said it will press on with construction to discourage similar tactics elsewhere. ******* The privately funded $6.2 million clinic was set to open next fall. It would be Planned Parenthood's first Austin clinic to offer abortions, and the fourth licensed abortion provider in Texas' capital city. The clinic also would provide health care for women and men, including gynecological services, AIDS testing, vasectomies, cancer screening and contraceptives, Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Danielle Tierney said. ******* Danze, an owner of Maldonado & Danze Inc., a concrete-foundation contractor, oversaw a telephone and letter-writing campaign urging more than 750 Austin- and San Antonio-area businesses not to provide supplies or services for the project. He recruited contractors to join what he called the Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life Association. ******* Soon, contractors were flooded with phone calls from the public warning them to stay away from the clinic project or face losing business. ******* Texas Right to Life, which claims 75,000 members, called contractors to thank them for not working on the project and to offer to share the companies' names with the anti-abortion group's members, spokeswoman Elizabeth Graham said. ******* Churches got involved, too. "When churches started asking me for lists of people who were working on the project, that's when we turned the corner," Danze said. ******* Danze said hundreds of subcontractors agreed to boycott the project, though not all of them said whether they were anti-abortion. Some simply did not want to get involved in a controversial project, he said. ******* Planned Parenthood said the boycott was waged through "intimidation and harassment." ******* Tierney said one subcontractor, whom she would not identify, received more than 1,200 calls from around the country -- many to his home -- warning him not to participate. "This is not a simple demonstration of free speech rights," she said. ******* James Browning, who runs San Antonio-based Browning Construction, said he got a polite call from Danze warning him about the boycott. Groundbreaking on the clinic was held in September, and over the next six weeks, the project ground to a halt. ******* "I never thought so many different trades would join in," Browning said. ******* Among those boycotting were contractors in lumber, cement supply, foundation building, plumbers, heating and air-conditioning, windows, hardwood floors, roofing, insulation, landscaping and fencing, Danze said. ******* By the time Browning pulled out, clearing and excavation and some of the underground plumbing had been done, but the foundation had not been put in. ******* Planned Parenthood expects resistance whenever it builds an abortion clinic, but most of the hurdles come during the permit-issuing process. ******* The organization said it would act as its own general contractor and complete the project. Tierney said it is too soon to say whether the setback will increase costs or delay the clinic's opening. ******* Tierney said Planned Parenthood has received calls from other contractors who want to help. She would not name them. ******* Danze said he will track down any new contractors on the project and have scouts check the construction site three or four times a day. ******* "This is going to be a battle," Danze said. "God does not want this thing built." ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 69 MASSACHUSETTS BUDGET BILL PASSES WITHOUT EMBRYONIC STEM CELL FUNDING ******* Date: Fri, 21 Nov 2003 01:58:00 EST ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" and "LifeNews.com Report" ---------------------------------------- For news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ---------------------------------------- ******* Boston MA (LifeNews.com) -- A provision in the Massachusetts Senate's economic stimulus plan that would have allowing taxpayer funding for stem-cell research in the state was removed from the final version yesterday sent to Governor Mitt Romney. Pro-life groups were concerned when lawmakers earlier inserted the pro-funding language into the bill, without proposing it as separate legislation for an up or down vote. “Burying what is recognized as a highly controversial issue in a piece of legislation would have been deceptive and dangerous. If approved, the bill would have nullified existing law and given a blank check to the biotech industry for human experimentation without a word of public debate," Marie Sturgis, Executive Director of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, told LifeNews.com. http://www.lifenews.com/bio148.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 70 TEXAS RIGHT TO KNOW LAW TAKES EFFECT ******* Date: Fri, 5 Dec 2003 13:00:17 -0800 (PST) ******* From: "brent rooney" ******* To: Jana Huband ******* Subject: Re: New Texas RTK booklet ******* On Wed, 3 Dec 2003, Jana Huband wrote: ******* Dear Brent, ******* You can find the final version of Texas' Women's Right to Know booklet at www.tdh.state.tx.us under "A Women's Right to Know Act," and you can download the pdf version. The language about the risk of preterm delivery can be found on p. 17. I am so thankful to you for your assistance in providing evidence for this section. Your work is key to our cause! ******* Blessings, ******* Jana ******* Dear Jana (Texas Justice Foundation), ******* You are welcome and thank you and the Texas Justice Foundation for exposing abortion-quackery. Perhaps you are well aware of the brilliant book Women's Health after Abortion (E Ring, I Gentles) published by the Deveber Institute. ******* This book is a very readable summary of the major risks of elective abortion and would be a perfect EXHIBIT in your legal challenge to 'Roe v Wade' ( order via www.deveber.org ); this is the first book ever to give wide exposure to the very credible claim that there are thousands of North Americans with cerebral palsy due to their mom's prior elective IA. ******* Keep up your truly outstanding work for WOMEN and the UNBORN. The new Texas Women's Right to Know booklet will, of course, have the indirect effect of encouraging law suits against IA clinics. ******* For LIFE, Brent ******* P.S. Deveber Institute: Bambi Rutledge -Director- ******* DVI Barrie Deveber ******* DVI Elizabeth Ring-Cassidy ******* DVI Prof Ian Gentles ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 71 US HOUSE VOTES TO BAN PATENTING OF HUMANS TO AVOID NEW SLAVERY ******* Date: Tue, 09 Dec 2003 07:32:03 -0800 ******* From: "Austin Ruse -- Culture of Life Foundation" ******* Dear Colleague, ******* Today we report on a solid victory for life. Yesterday, the US House of Representatives passed legislation to ban the patenting of human "organisms." Incredibly the biotech industry opposed the measure. ******* Spread the word. ******* Yours sincerely, Austin Ruse, President ******* A little-noticed House of Representatives vote yesterday on patent law may prove to be a profound victory for the fight for the Culture of Life in the United States. ******* In a 242 to 176 vote, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 2799, the Federal Year 2004 Commerce-Justice-State appropriations bill. Imbedded within the 1000-page bill is an amendment introduced by Dave Weldon (R-Fl) banning any governmental right to process and issue patents of "human organisms" such as human embryos (including those created in itro) and cloned humans. ******* The amendment, added to the bill in July of this year, consists of a brief statement that "None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this act may be used to issue patents on claims directed to or encompassing a human organism." ******* Advocates of the ban on the patenting of humans argue that such patents would violate the 13th amendment of the Constitution, which prohibits �slavery or involuntary servitude,� since the patented humans would be legally owned by others. In fact, the US Patent Office (USPTO) has advanced this argument at least since 1987, when it decided that "a claim directed to or including within its scope a human being will not be considered patentable subject matter�[since] the grant of a limited, but exclusive property right in a human being is prohibited by the Constitution." ******* In addition, the proponents of the ban contend that human life would be transformed into a commodity to be commercialized if such patents were issued. As Lori Andrews, director of the Institute for Science, Law and Technology at the Illinois Institute of Technology stated in a recent Chicago Tribune opinion piece, "This obscure question of patent law will have a profound impact on the type of society our children will grow up in. If patents on human embryos are allowed, then biotech companies will market babies with certain traits just like Perdue markets chicken or Ford markets sport-utility vehicles." ******* The biotech industry, represented by BIO, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, contends that the amendment goes much further than the 1987 US Patent Office decision, and that it will stop potentially live-saving medical research. Bio argues that if such a ban were passed, it would prevent patents on cell lines, genes, living organs, and stem cells, which "sets a dangerous precedent and stifles research." ******* However, Weldon argues that BIO opposes all regulations, including the USPTO regulation. According to Weldon, �My amendment has exactly the same scope as the current USPTO policy, and cannot be charged with the radical expansions of policy that BIO and its allies claim. In reality, BIO opposes this amendment because it opposes the current USPTO policy as well, and has a better chance of nullifying this policy in court (or having courts reinterpret it into uselessness) if it lacks explicit support in statutory law. This goal is apparent from BIO's own �fact sheet� opposing the amendment. There BIO argues that human beings should be patentable, if they arise from anything other than �conventional reproduction��In other words, humans should be seen as �inventions� and thus be patentable on exactly the same grounds as animals are now.� ******* Andrews thinks BIO is driven by considerations of hefty potential profits. �What, then, is BIO's real agenda? Perhaps where others of us see smiling babies, BIO sees dollar signs. With more than 4 million births a year in the United States, the market for genetically enhanced embryos might be as lucrative as that for Prozac or Viagra.� ******* Copyright � Culture of Life Foundation. ******* Permission granted for unlimited use. Credit required. ******* Culture of Life Foundation ******* 1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000 Washington DC 20005 ******* Phone: (202) 289-2500 ******* Fax: (202) 289-2502 ******* E-mail: [email protected] ******* Website: http://www.culture-of-life.org ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 72 AUSTIN PLANNED PARENTHOOD BOYCOTT FORCES "UNUSUAL" ACTIONS ******* Date: Mon, 15 Dec 2003 02:28:32 EST ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" and LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report ****** Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) -- Some pro-life businesses are turning to advertising to help prevent a multi-million-dollar abortion center from opening in Austin. Texas Contractors and Suppliers for Life took out a full-page ad in the Austin American-Statesman newspaper in an effort to stop Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion operation, from building in the Texas town.� The advertising follows an extensive boycott campaign launched by the contractors in order to put a halt to the building project. As a result of the effort, the main contractor, Browning Construction, pulled out, forcing Planned Parenthood to serve as its own contractor. "I know that seems a little bit unusual, but these are unusual times that call for unusual tactics," Danielle Tierney, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood, said. But the contractors’ pro-life group is hoping economic pressure will force Planned Parenthood to give up the building project. "Hopefully Planned Parenthood will decide it's not worth it, and sell the property to someone else," Chris Danze, the organizer of the group, said. Planned Parenthood officials have admitted they do not know when construction will resume on the project.� Ground-breaking occurred in September, but, as the boycott campaign began to intensify, construction slowed.� "What we weren't prepared for was our general contractor to pull out of the project six weeks later," Tierney said. http://www.lifenews.com/state260.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 73 TOP STORY FOR 2003 ******* From: "Surrey Mechanical" ******* Date: Tue, 16 Dec 2003 00:23:49 -0800 ******* My vote for top story of 2003 goes to Judge Roy Moore,for his courageous stand to refuse removal of a Ten Commandment monument from the rotunda of the state judicial center. All other Pro-Life and Family stories and events are symtoms of an abandonment of our Judeo -Christian Heritage. Adherance to the 10 commandments was the basis of our laws and all our problems today are directly related to Governments and judicial tyranny perverting truth and justice in our land. It is time that people of Faith stand up, like Judge Roy Moore did, if we are to stop this madness that is threatening to destroy our Christian Heritage and our society. ******* Gerhard Herwig, 10266- 124'A' Street, Surrey,BC., Canada,V3V-4W6 ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 74 LETTER TO GOVERNOR MCGREEVEY RE: NEW JERSEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELL / HUMAN CLONING BILL ******* Dear Governor McGreevey, ******* I read this bill and am immensely upset and saddened by it. ******* I'm the father of two diabetic daughters and one man who should be tempted to support this bill. I do not support it. ******* This bill, if it becomes law, would allow the creation of human beings and then allow the extraction of stem cells or other body parts from them. In the process the newly conceived children would die. The stem cells and other body parts are then put into other human beings. This is simply technological cannibalism. ******* Bernard Lonergan, a Canadian Basilian, said that evil has it's own logic. ******* The United States of America, as well as a large portion of the world, accepted contraception, which then spawned the acceptance of abortion, whose offspring is cannibalism. ******* When reduced to the bottom line, the words in the preamble of the bill are simply an attempt at seducing naiive Americans and others by false promises and unrealistic hopes. ******* Surely you must know by now that adult stem cell research has shown not only true promise but real success in treating a number of different health disorders while embryonic stem cell research has cost taxpayers a lot of money and has produced no significant beneficial results. ******* The main objections to this bill are ethical ones. In the bill the words pertaining to ethical consideration are just words without substance. The best historical precedent that comes to mind is the phrase "strictest ethical considerations" in Germany's National Socialist law permitting euthanasia. The procedures then developed and used to euthanise 300 000 Germans were the same ones used to exterminate 6 000 000 Jews and another 6 000 000 others. ******* The bill, as it is written, opposes human cloning. However, your acceptance of the bill, it's enactment into law, and the logic of evil would result in the acceptance and legalization of human cloning. ******* The more we give in to evil the less able we are to stop it's advance. ******* Please veto this diabolical bill. ******* Frank Wagner ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 75 MORE ON NEW JERSEY EMBRYONIC STEM CELL / HUMAN CLONING BILL ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Sat, 20 Dec 2003 22:36:26 EST ******* Frank, a great letter to the governor and you have two diabetic daughters. I hope he reads it and is swamped with mail. You are so right about adult stem cells and the good they have already accomplished, whereas embryonic stem cells, so far, have done more harm than good. ******* Dr. Frank ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 76 PRO-ABORTION POLL SHOWS MAJORITY OF WOMEN ARE PRO-LIFE ******* Date: Thu, 25 Dec 2003 23:21:09 EST ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" and LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report ******* for news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ******* Pro-Abortion Poll Shows Majority of Women Are Pro-Life Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A recent poll conducted by the pro-abortion Center for the Advancement of Women found something the authors didn't expect: a majority of American women take a pro-life position on abortion.Only one-third (30%) say abortion should be generally available. Fifty-one percent took a pro-life position saying abortion should be illegal (17%) or restricted only to the rare cases of rape, incest or to prevent the death of the mother (34%). Faye Wattleton, president of the group, bemoaned the results of her own poll. "There is significant and growing support for severe restrictions on abortion rights," Wattleton said. The poll also found that keeping abortion legal was the next to last most important priority for women. "The poll clearly demonstrates that after 30 years of legal abortion, too many women know the truth -- either personally or from a friend or relative," explained Feminists for Life President Serrin Foster. ******* http://www.lifenews.com/nat13.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 77 PRESIDENT BUSH WANTS ABSTINENCE PROGRAM FUNDING TRIPLED BY 2005 ******* Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2004 02:20:30 EST ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" and "LifeNews.com Report" ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In his State of the Union speech last night, President Bush asked that funding for federal abstinence programs be doubled now and tripled by 2005. Bush has been praised in the past for increasing funding for abstinence efforts to reduce the incidence of teen pregnancies and abortions. "We will double federal funding for abstinence programs, so schools can teach this fact of life: Abstinence for young people is the only certain way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases," Bush said. Bush's proposal would increase abstinence program funding from $80 million a year to more than $270 million in 2005. The proposal met with positive response from pro-life organizations and pro-family groups. James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, said he was "pleased" that Bush "has unashamedly endorsed abstinence education and programs as the single best way to prevent our children from paying the awful price that sexually transmitted diseases extract from those who are sexually active outside the bounds of marriage." The president said that Americans need to be more willing to present the abstinence message to young men and women. ******* http://www.lifenews.com/nat291.html ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 78 INFORMED CHOICE AND ABORTION by Cal Thomas ******* From: [email protected] ******* Sent: Tuesday, January 27, 2004 5:42 AM ******* The 31st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade last week was played out with familiar theatrics. "Thousands" marched against abortion in the cold streets of Washington. In the evening, believers in the morally obtuse cult of "choice" chose a warm hotel ballroom in which to celebrate their success in reducing a baby to a meaningless blob with no intrinsic value. ******* There are hopeful signs that the pro-life movement is starting to win the abortion war that has divided the country for more than three decades. The number of abortions in America declined from about 1.03 million in 1992 to 854,000 in 2000, a reduction of more than 17 percent. The drop is due to a number of factors, including thousands of centers that offer material, spiritual and medical help and information to women who experience unplanned pregnancies, an improved economy and state legislation that requires women to receive more information than they have been getting before an abortion can be performed. ******* It is this last development that has created a large window of opportunity for the pro-life movement. "Choice" presupposes access to information so that people know what it is they are choosing. We have truth-in-labeling and lending laws that require food manufacturers and financial institutions to disclose the contents of what they are selling (be it food or a loan). Laws also require auto dealers to put informational stickers on the cars they sell. But in still too many instances, a woman can get an abortion with fewer informational requirements than for any other surgical procedure. ******* A new study suggests that information may be the key to reducing the number of abortions. Many women testify following an abortion that they would have made a different choice had they been presented with more information. Taking data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the Heritage Foundation concludes that states that have adopted "informed consent" laws influenced the decline in the number of abortions performed in America during the 1990s. ******* The Heritage analysis, by Michael J. New, Ph.D., found that in 1992 virtually no states were enforcing informed consent laws. By 2000, 27 states had informed consent laws in place. In 1992, no states banned or restricted "partial-birth" abortions. By 2000, 12 states had bans or restrictions on the procedure. In 1992, 20 states were enforcing parental involvement statutes. By 2000, 32 states enforced such laws. ******* Because most women who regret having had abortions say they would have made a different choice if they had been given more information, state legislatures and Congress should be focusing on providing that information. From requirements that the pregnant woman see a sonogram picture of what she is about to abort, to information about alternatives, places to live and free baby clothes, furniture and counseling, laws should give women at least as much information as that required in the supermarket, the bank and the automobile showroom. ******* Politically, this is a win-win for everyone except those who want to keep women ignorant. No one is taking away "a woman's right to choose." The woman is simply receiving additional information so that her choice will be fully informed. To those who claim such legislation implies women are ignorant and can't be trusted, the reply should be, "Fine, let's remove labels from bottles, packages and cans; let's not require banks to provide women with information about loans; and let's take those stickers off the windows of new and used cars. Women are smart enough to figure out these things on their own." ******* The Heritage analysis also reveals that pro-life candidates made considerable and lasting gains in state legislatures during the 1990s. Informed consent laws are the ticket to even greater gains at the state and federal levels. Abortion cannot and will not continue as it has because it is anti-human. To celebrate the horrible 1973 judicial decision that has produced a baby holocaust is to divorce ourselves from what our eyes can see and our ears can hear if they are given a chance. ******* Opposing informed consent laws makes the "pro-choicers" censors, a position that will drain away political support. Proposing and supporting more information for women will be good for women and the harvest of new life that will result. ******* �2003 Tribune Media Services ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 79 IS PRAYER HATEFUL? ******* From: "Robert A Jason" ******* Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2004 09:26:06 -0500 ******* Democrats call Republican's prayer 'hateful'. ******* Lawmaker's entreaty in state House denounced 'alternative lifestyles' ******* � 2004 WorldNetDaily.com ******* A prayer offered by a Republican member of the Arizona state House of Representatives has offended a group of Democratic lawmakers who claim it was partisan, disrespectful and divisive. ******* The Arizona Republic reports Rep. Doug Quelland of Phoenix delivered the controversial prayer � which was based on one offered in the Kansas House of Representatives in 1996 � to open the House session Monday. It takes aim at multiculturalism, welfare, abortion and "alternative lifestyles." ******* Rep. Wally Straughn of Phoenix led offended Democrats in filing an official protest. ******* Here is what the Republican lawmaker prayed: ******* "Heavenly Father, we come before you today to ask your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know your word says, 'Woe to those who call evil good,' but that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and inverted our values. We confess that: ******* "We have ridiculed the absolute truth of your word and called it pluralism. ******* "We have worshiped other gods and called it multiculturalism. ******* "We have endorsed perversion and called it alternative lifestyle. ******* "We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. ******* "We have neglected the needy and called it self-preservation. ******* "We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare. ******* "We have killed our unborn and called it choice. ******* "We have shot abortionists and called it justifiable. ******* "We have neglected to discipline our children and called it building self-esteem. ******* "We have abused power and called it political savvy. ******* "We have coveted our neighbor's possessions and called it ambition. ******* "We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it freedom of expression. ******* "And we have ridiculed the time-honored values of our forefathers and called it enlightenment. ******* "Search us, O God, and know our hearts today; try us and see if there be some wicked way in us; cleanse us from every sin and set us free. ******* "In the name of your son, the living Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen." ******* Straughn subsequently protested: "Pursuant to House Rule 20, we, all the members of the House Democratic Caucus, protest the lack of respect that was shown the members of this body and the citizens of Arizona during the opening prayer on Jan. 26, 2004. ******* "The opening prayer is the one opportunity during each day that we can come together as a body. The opening prayer should unite us, not divide us. ******* "But the prayer on Jan. 26, 2004, was divisive. It was a pandering, mudslinging, name-calling political statement. It was hateful and mean-spirited. It was undignified. ******* "The citizens of Arizona deserve better. We are diverse. We have unique perspectives. And our unique voices should be respected. Especially during the opening prayer, as members of this body we must set aside our differences and show respect for Arizona in all of its diversity." ******* Pastor Joe Wright of the Central Christian Church in Wichita, Kan., stirred similar controversy in 1996 when he gave the opening prayer at a session of the Kansas House of Representatives. Wright's prayer has circulated on the Internet since that time. ******* As WorldNetDaily reported, last year, The Rev. George Dillard III of Peachtree City Christian Church near Atlanta served as guest chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, praying a similar prayer. ******* The Rev. Daniel Coughlin, the House chaplain, at the time said he "got feedback [from members] that [the prayer] was judgmental." ******* In his prayer, Dillard asked God for "leaders who will seek your truth � who accept that a lie is a lie and not spin; that it is immorality and not an alternative lifestyle; that it is murder not a procedure; that it is stealing and not creative accounting; that rebellion is rebellion no matter what name we give it." ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 80 CALIFORNIA SCHOOL REJECTS STATE TRANSGENDER POLICY ******* Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004 13:30:47 -0600 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* Please pray for these courageous people. ------------------------ ******* Mon, Mar. 15, 2004 ******* The Miami Herald ******* http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/nation/8188400.htm ******* WESTMINSTER -- A small school district has refused to recognize a state law banning discrimination against transsexuals, a decision that could cost it millions of dollars in state and federal funding. ******* Three of five trustees on the board of the Westminster School District in Orange County said they oppose the rules because they are Christians. ******* The current policy does not reflect a state regulation prohibiting discrimination based on ''perceived'' gender, including people who consider themselves transsexual. The three say the law allows young children and staff to immorally redefine their sexual identity. ******* Their stance could force state and federal agencies to withhold up to $40 million, two-thirds of the budget. ******* Copyright 2004 Knight Ridder. All Rights Reserved. ----------------------- Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 81 DENVER BISHOP REBUKES THOSE WHO WOULD SILENCE CHRISTIANS ******* Date: Fri, 22 Oct 2004 07:18:05 -0700 ******* From: "Austin Ruse -- Culture of Life Foundation" ******* Dear Colleague, ******* You must give the attached column from today's New York Times by the Archbishop of Denver the WIDEST POSSIBLE DISTRIBUTION. ******* Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, ecclesiastical advisor to the Culture of Life Foundation, has published a stinging rebuke to all those who seek to silence Christians in the current political debate. This important column can also be read as a sharp criticism of the abortion position of John F. Kerry. ******* Spread the word. ******* Yours sincerely, Austin Ruse, President Culture of Life Foundation ******* http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/22/opinion/22chaput.html?oref=login ******* FAITH AND PATRIOTISM by CHARLES J. CHAPUT ******* Published: October 22, 2004 ******* Denver � The theologian Karl Barth once said, "To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world." ******* That saying comes to mind as the election approaches and I hear more lectures about how Roman Catholics must not "impose their beliefs on society" or warnings about the need for "the separation of church and state." These are two of the emptiest slogans in current American politics, intended to discourage serious debate. No one in mainstream American politics wants a theocracy. Nor does anyone doubt the importance of morality in public life. Therefore, we should recognize these slogans for what they are: frequently dishonest and ultimately dangerous sound bites. ******* Lawmaking inevitably involves some group imposing its beliefs on the rest of us. That's the nature of the democratic process. If we say that we "ought" to do something, we are making a moral judgment. When our legislators turn that judgment into law, somebody's ought becomes a "must" for the whole of society. This is not inherently dangerous; it's how pluralism works. ******* Democracy depends on people of conviction expressing their views, confidently and without embarrassment. This give-and-take is an American tradition, and religious believers play a vital role in it. We don't serve our country - in fact we weaken it intellectually - if we downplay our principles or fail to speak forcefully out of some misguided sense of good manners. ******* People who support permissive abortion laws have no qualms about imposing their views on society. Often working against popular opinion, they have tried to block any effort to change permissive abortion laws since the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. That's fair. That's their right. But why should the rules of engagement be different for citizens who oppose those laws? ******* Catholics have an obligation to work for the common good and the dignity of every person. We see abortion as a matter of civil rights and human dignity, not simply as a matter of religious teaching. We are doubly unfaithful - both to our religious convictions and to our democratic responsibilities - if we fail to support the right to life of the unborn child. Our duties to social justice by no means end there. But they do always begin there, because the right to life is foundational. ******* For Catholics to take a "pro-choice" view toward abortion contradicts our identity and makes us complicit in how the choice plays out. The "choice" in abortion always involves the choice to end the life of an unborn human being. For anyone who sees this fact clearly, neutrality, silence or private disapproval are not options. They are evils almost as grave as abortion itself. If religious believers do not advance their convictions about public morality in public debate, they are demonstrating not tolerance but cowardice. ******* The civil order has its own sphere of responsibility, and its own proper autonomy, apart from the church or any other religious community. But civil authorities are never exempt from moral engagement and criticism, either from the church or its members. The founders themselves realized this. ******* The founders sought to prevent the establishment of an official state church. Given America's history of anti-Catholic nativism, Catholics strongly support the Constitution's approach to religious freedom. But the Constitution does not, nor was it ever intended to, prohibit people or communities of faith from playing an active role in public life. Exiling religion from civic debate separates government from morality and citizens from their consciences. That road leads to politics without character, now a national epidemic. ******* Words are cheap. Actions matter. If we believe in the sanctity of life from conception to natural death, we need to prove that by our actions, including our political choices. Anything less leads to the corruption of our integrity. Patriotism, which is a virtue for people of all faiths, requires that we fight, ethically and nonviolently, for what we believe. Claiming that "we don't want to impose our beliefs on society" is not merely politically convenient; it is morally incoherent and irresponsible. ******* As James 2:17 reminds us, in a passage quoted in the final presidential debate, "Faith without works is dead." It is a valid point. People should act on what they claim to believe. Otherwise they are violating their own conscience, and lying to themselves and the rest of us. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 82 SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCHERS QUESTION JOHN KERRY ON STEM CELL RESEARCH ******* From: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Sat, 30 Oct 2004 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A group of 57 scientists and researchers are questioning presidential candidate John Kerry's claims about the promise of embryonic stem cell research. The letter follows criticism of Kerry's statements by two leading newspapers. Saying that Kerry has made the promotion of the controversial research "the centerpiece" of his campaign, the researchers said they were "alarmed" that Kerry would "misrepresent science," and "make exaggerated claims" about the potential benefits of using embryonic stem cells. The researchers took issue with Kerry's saying that those who oppose embryonic stem cell research putting "ideology" before science. "[I]t is no mere 'ideology' to be concerned about the possible misuse of humans in scientific research," the letter said. "To equate concern for these [human] beings with mere �ideology� is to dismiss the entire history of efforts to protect human subjects from research abuse." The letter goes on to say that the statements Kerry has made concerning the possible treatments from embryonic stem cell research "reach far beyond any credible evidence, ignoring the limited state of our knowledge about embryonic stem cells and the advances in other areas of research that may render use of these cells unnecessary for many applications." *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 83 FEDERAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLAN NOT COVERING ABORTIONS ACCEPTS NEW CLIENTS ******* From: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* FEDERAL HEALTH CARE INSURANCE PLAN NOT COVERING ABORTIONS ACCEPTS NEW CLIENTS ******* Peoria, IL (LifeNews.com) -- A new pro-life health care insurance plan allowed by the Bush administration for federal employees that doesn't pay for abortions is now accepting new clients. Enrollment opened Monday for a group of Illinois employees who can opt into the new plan as it begins a trial run. Announced in September, the new plan is run by a Catholic insurer, OSF Health, and will not pay for abortions, contraception, artificial insemination or sterilizations. It is part of a trial program sponsored by the $1 billion initiative to encourage faith-based groups to participate in social welfare programs. Pro-life groups support the idea, saying it gives pro-life federal workers an alternative. "I see it as allowing the individual government employee to exercise their moral judgment and to follow their moral conscience in terms of how they want their benefit dollars spent,'' Philip Karst, executive director of the Illinois Catholic Health Association, told the Chicago Tribune. OSF Health, based in Peoria, will offer health plans to 4,000 eligible workers in 27 counties in central and northern Illinois. The number of people qualified to participate in the plan will expand after this trial run. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 84 FAMILY SAVED BY CHRISTIANS IN COLUMBUS OHIO ******* Fom: "Patrick Johnston, D.O." ******* date Sun, 7 Nov 2004 ******* Dear friends, ******* I think many of you will find this encouraging. Anywhere from fifteen to thirty Protestants have joined a few dozen Catholics out in front of the Capital Care Women's Clinic, an abortion clinic close to the campus of Ohio State University. Three women who were there Saturday - Nancy from New Beginnings Church of God in Warsaw, Beth from Perry Chapel in Coshocton, and Cindy from Belville - drive about an hour to get there. We stand outside with our anti-abortion signs, praying, pleading for couples to repent and keep their child. About thirty "Clinic Volunteers" and a Security Guard named Dave are the recipients of most of our preaching and exhortations. Nancy, Beth, and Cindy begged a black woman who was headed for the clinic doors to reconsider, to not kill her baby, and they pleaded with the man that was with her to repent and care for his child. The black woman just shook her head and walked inside, sheltered from our cries by the Volunteers who were skilled in distracting troubled mothers from our calls and our signs. The three pro-life women felt a special burden to pray for this black woman, and so they did. ******* An half an hour later, the black couple walked out of the clinic and headed for their car. Nancy asked her, "Did you do it? Did you get an abortion?" ******* The black woman just shook her head and mumbled, "I couldn't do it." ******* The three women rushed toward her with tears of joy in their eyes and embraced her. The man that was with her came over and some of the men shook his hand and encouraged him. One of the pro-lifers put an hundred dollar bill into his hand to help him care for the child. With their permission, we laid hands on both of them, and prayed for their baby and their family. They thanked us, and got in their car to leave. ******* It was at this time that I realized that the Security Guard, Dave, was about five feet away from us! In the excitement, we did not realize that we were on the property of the abortion clinic! Those of you who have experience ministering in front of an abortion clinic know that, whatever you do, you don't go on the property of an abortion clinic! Dave had come over to scoot us off the property, but when he saw that we were praying for the couple, he let us finish praying. I sensed a tenderness in his heart toward us that I had never felt there before in my three years ministering at this clinic. I was able to witness to him like never before. ******* Please take a moment and pray for Dave, for this young black family, and for Capital Care to close down in Jesus name! Nothing is too difficult to those who believe. If you don't live close to an abortion clinic, don't let that discourage you. Find the nearest one that's open on a Saturday, and make it a family outing! Nancy, Beth, and Cindy drove an hour to get to the clinic, but, boy, are they glad they did! ******* For "the least of these, ******* Patrick Johnston www.prolifephysicians.org www.rightremedy.org *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 85 A JEW DEFENDS THE CROSS ******* From: [email protected] and [email protected] ******* Date: Wed, 17 Nov 2004 06:28:13 EST ******* By Dennis Prager http://www.jewishworldreview.com ******* Here is a description of the seal of Los Angeles County. ******* There are six small panels, three going up and down each side of the seal's central figure. ******* Top left: engineering instruments. ******* Middle left: a Spanish galleon. ******* Bottom left: a tuna representing the fishing industry. ******* Top right: oil derricks. ******* Middle right: the Hollywood Bowl, along with two stars representing the movie industry and one small cross. ******* Bottom right: a prize cow. ******* The central figure, the largest object on the seal: Pomona, the Roman goddess of gardens and fruit trees. ******* Anything disturb you enough to demand that the seal be redesigned? ******* Probably not. For the overwhelming majority of millions of citizens of Los Angeles County over the past 50 years, this seal has aroused no opposition. But a few months ago, someone with a magnifying glass at the American Civil Liberties Union discovered that the smallest item on the seal was a cross. And in its aim to expunge any trace of Christianity and God from American public life, the ACLU brought this fact to the attention of the five Los Angeles County supervisors. The three liberals on the board were equally horrified, and voted within days to erase the cross and redesign the seal, which now depicts a building with no Christian symbol in place of the cross. ******* When I learned of the impending vote of the county supervisors, I asked Los Angeles listeners to my national radio show to join me in a protest at this rewriting of Los Angeles County history. Which is what it was — in the official words of the county, the cross represented "the influence of the church and the missions of California." Los Angeles was founded by Catholics who also gave the county its Christian name. ******* About 2,000 people showed up on a workday morning, many of them non-Christians, including atheists, Buddhists, and a fair number of Jews, including non-Orthodox Jews and Orthodox Jews wearing yarmulkes. It was probably the first time in history that Jews have banded to protect the Christian cross. It is an achievement of which the ACLU should be proud. Its devotion to secularizing what has always been a Judeo-Christian society is helping to unite Judeo and Christian as nothing ever before has. ******* The ACLU and its three allies "Supervisors Gloria Molina, Yvonne Brathwaite Burke, and Zev Yaroslavsky" probably did not know what a whirlwind they would stir among the majority of people living in Los Angeles County, whatever their race, ethnicity or religion. Like most people on the Left, they dismissed opposition to erasing God and Christianity from the public square as the work of a fanatical fringe of Christians. Perhaps the recent presidential election is beginning to make them aware that at least statistically speaking, it is they, the aggressively secular, who are the fringe group. ******* I am asked why, as a Jew, I have led this fight to keep the cross on the county seal. ******* I have three responses. ******* First, I fear those who rewrite history. ******* As I noted in a previous column on this subject, when I was a graduate student at Columbia University's Russian Institute, I learned that a major characteristic of totalitarian regimes is their rewriting of history. As a famous Soviet dissident joke put it: "In the Soviet Union, the future is known; it's the past which is always changing." Given the relationship between changing the past and totalitarianism, those who love liberty ought to be frightened by the ACLU and the Board of Supervisors. ******* Second, I fear intolerance. And the move to expunge the singular Christian contribution to an American county and city is intolerant to the point of bigotry. No religious Christians, despite their deep opposition to paganism, ever objected to the pagan goddess that is many times larger than the cross. I have found over and over that most Christians who preach faith are more tolerant than most leftists who preach tolerance. Third, and most important, I fear the removal of the Judeo-Christian foundation of our society. This is the real battle of our time, indeed the civil war of our time. The Left wants America to become secular like Western Europe, not remain the Judeo-Christian country it has always been. But unlike the Left, I do not admire France and Belgium and Sweden. And that is what the battle over the seal of America's most populous county is ultimately about. It is not about separation of church and state. It is about separation of a county from its history. And it is about separation of America from its moral foundations. ******* In 1834, 99 years before Adolf Hitler and the Nazis came to power, the great German poet Heinrich Heine, a secular Jew, predicted what would happen if Christianity ever weakened in Germany: ******* "A drama will be enacted in Germany compared to which the French Revolution will seem like a harmless walk in the park. Christianity restrained the marshal ardor of the Germans for a time, but it did not destroy it; once the restraining guard is shattered, savagery will rise again . . . the mad fury of the berserk of which Nordic poets sing and speak." ******* That is what this American, this Jew, and millions of others believe is at stake in the Left's attempt to impose a redesign of the Los Angeles County seal and thereby redesign America. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 86 THE AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION (ACLU) MUST BE DESTROYED ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Sun, 21 Nov 2004 ******* To view this item online, visit http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=41492 ******* Wednesday, November 17, 2004 ******* By Joseph Farah ******* © 2004 WorldNetDaily.com ******* Most Americans just laughed and shook our heads in disbelief years ago when a handful of extremists began systematically targeting the Boy Scouts as a "subversive organization." ******* But over time, because most Americans didn't fight back, didn't marginalize the extremists, didn't speak up proudly and stand behind the Boy Scouts, it is this outstanding civic organization that has taken a beating. ******* The decision this week by the Defense Department to accommodate the American Civil Liberties Union at the expense of the Boy Scouts illustrates the way our country is being reshaped by the worldview of the extremists. ******* In case you missed it, the Pentagon has agreed to warn its bases not to sponsor Boy Scout troops in appeasement of the ACLU and end a 5-year-old lawsuit that had charged the government with improperly supporting a group promoting belief in God. ******* Our founding fathers must be spinning in their graves today. ******* If you take the ACLU and other extremists supporting its agenda at their word, you have to believe this fight is about "tolerance." ******* They maintain they oppose the Boy Scouts because of their "intolerance" for people who don't embrace their values. And, in the name of "tolerance," the ACLU and those who consider the Boy Scouts "subversive," have no tolerance for the Boy Scouts or anyone else who disagrees with them. ******* The ACLU is never going to change. It is an anti-American organization. It is a group that seeks to destroy all that makes America a unique experiment in freedom. It is an organization in league with all of America's enemies. It is an organization that hates God, hates what is right, decent and morally upright. It is an organization in league with the Devil, as far as I am concerned. ******* And the ACLU is an organization that needs to be isolated, exposed for what it is, recognized for what it is and destroyed if necessary. ******* Instead, because most Americans have a live-and-let-live attitude, we "tolerate" the ACLU. We wink at it. Maybe we laugh at it. But the ACLU and its allies continue to push our society, to transform it, to remake it in its own twisted image. ******* The Boy Scouts have been targeted by the ACLU and the homosexual activists because the Boy Scouts have been uncompromising in their views and standards. The subversives hate that. They hate when people stand up for what's right. ******* When it becomes dangerous to stand up for what's right in America, you know we're in trouble as a nation. ******* Let me ask you a question: Would you rather live next door to a family that hosts a Boy Scout troop or a family of homosexual activists? Would you rather live next door to a family of people who attend church or synagogue every week, or would you prefer to live next door to the local head of the ACLU? ******* What's so scary about the Boy Scouts? ******* A Boy Scout pledges to be trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. ******* A Boy Scout vows to keep himself physically strong, morally straight and mentally alert. ******* And because of these characteristics and goals, the Boy Scouts today are under siege, and are the latest target in the Culture War. ******* When you see an institution like this under attack, it should set off an internal warning that our very way of life "not just the Boy Scouts" is threatened by an organized, well-funded conspiracy. I know many do not like that word "conspiracy," but no other synonym in the English language is appropriate in this context. ******* Think about it. ******* There are people in our society today who believe that it is unconstitutional for citizens to act on their moral judgments, such as the view that homosexuality is wrong. They believe that the state has the right coercively to dictate matters of conscience. ******* As these enemies of freedom, morality and responsibility see it, the Boy Scouts do not have the right to assert their First Amendment rights. ******* And they are succeeding. As incredible as it may seem, they are winning this Culture War. The establishment press is their ally. The entertainment industry is their ally. The federal government is their ally. The schools are their allies. The foundations are their allies. The apostate churches and synagogues are their allies. Now, even the U.S. military has become their ally. ******* It's time to reframe the debate. That's the only way our civilization, as we know it, can survive. It's time to tell the truth. It's time to stand up for decency. ******* That we now live in a world in which it is dangerous to stand up for trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness, friendliness, courteousness, kindness, obedience, cheerfulness, bravery, cleanliness and reverence should be a warning to us all. ******* The stakes are high. ******* I, for one, am taking a public stand in favor of the Boy Scouts. I like what they stand for. Even though I have never been a Scout or involved with the organization (as a father of five girls), I consider their goals and objectives beyond reproach. ******* I guess it's time to add me to the enemies list. I support the Boy Scouts – unequivocally, unabashedly, unashamedly. The Boy Scouts personify the kind of world in which I would like to live and raise my family. ******* If this is the new dividing line in our society, let the barricades be erected. I'm not retreating – not another inch. ******* Who's with me? ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 87 FLORIDA VOTERS BACK CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ON PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ******* Date: Wed, 24 Nov 2004 ******* From: "Elliot Institute" Elliot Institute News Vol 3, No 10 ******* Visit us online: http://www.AfterAbortion.Info ******* Floridians voted on Nov. 2 to pass a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to require abortion businesses to notify parents if their minor daughter is seeking an abortion. The amendment passed with the support of 64.7 percent of voters, while 35.3 percent opposed it. ******* The measure, known as Amendment 1, does not create parental notification but clears the way for the legislature to put such a law in place. The Florida Supreme Court blocked two previous attempts by the state legislature to implement parental notification, but the voter-approved amendment overrides the Court's decisions. ******* Opponents of the bill had argued that parental notification puts girls at risk of abuse if their parents find out they are pregnant. However, pro-life advocates have pointed out that abortion is often used as a tool to cover up and continue sexual abuse by hiding the evidence. ******* Last year, a judge ruled that Planned Parenthood of Arizona was negligent for failing to report performing an abortion on a 13-year-old girl who was impregnated by her 23-year-old foster brother. The girl's lawyers argued that the clinic should have reported the case because the girl was too young to consent to the abortion under Arizona law and that she was subjected to further abuse and a second abortion because of the clinic's negligence. ******* Research has also shown that teens are more likely than older women to report feeling pressured into abortion and to see the abortion experience as stressful, and that they are at higher risk of suicide and other emotional problems after abortion. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 88 HOUSE CONDEMNS CRITICISM OF BOY SCOUTS ******* From: [email protected] View Contact Details ******* Date: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 ******* By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer ******* WASHINGTON -- The House on Saturday commended the Boy Scouts and condemned legal efforts to limit government ties to the group because of its requirement that members believe in God. ******* A nonbinding resolution, passed by a 391-3 vote, recognized the 3.2 million-member Boy Scouts for its public service efforts. But the main thrust of the debate was what the House Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., said were the "strident legal attacks" on the group. ******* The Pentagon agreed last week to tell U.S. military bases around the world not to directly sponsor Boy Scout troops. The warning resulted from legal challenges to government relations with a group that bans openly gay leaders and compels members to swear an oath of duty to God. ******* The American Civil Liberties Union and others say that direct government sponsorship of such a program amounts to discrimination. ******* The Pentagon's ruling does not prevent service members from leading Boy Scout troops on their own time. Also, Boy Scouts still can meet on areas of military bases where civilian organizations are allowed to hold events. ******* Rep. J.D. Hayworth, R-Ariz. said the ACLU's challenge was a "nuisance lawsuit" and he was urging Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to reconsider the Pentagon's position. ******* "Scouting values, military values, citizenship values, a respect and reverence for a creator are not a violation of the doctrine of church and state," said Hayworth, who was an Eagle Scout. ******* The measure's sponsor, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said Congress would work "to defend the Boy Scout's ability to continue the fine work that they have done for nearly a century." ******* Voting against the resolution were Democratic Reps. John Dingell of Michigan, Barney Frank of Massachusetts and Lynn Woolsey of California. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 89 SUPPORT OF GAYS PUSHED IN SCHOOLS ******* Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* By George Archibald, The Washington Times, Wed., Dec. 1, 2004, Page A3 http://www.washtimes.com/national/20041130-102740-4303r.htm ******* Civil liberties and homosexual rights advocates have renewed their push for community programs to bolster support in schools for homosexual youths, just weeks after voters repudiated same-sex unions in 11 state referendums. But in northeastern Kentucky, parents and students have defied the Ashland-Boyd County school district's "mandatory anti-harassment workshops," part of an agreement with the American Civil Liberties Union to allow the Gay-Straight Alliances student group to meet in school buildings. Hundreds of students opted out of the tolerance training video, and another 324 students did not show up for school the day it was shown. The ACLU has threatened to file for a court order to enforce attendance. ******* Joseph Platt, a Cincinnati lawyer representing parents, said "mandatory training on tolerance for homosexuals violates the right of conscience of parents and students who believe such behavior immoral." In Charlotte-Mecklenburg County, N.C., a lengthy cover feature in Charlotte Parent, a widely circulated shopper magazine, has brought indignant protests from churches and private schools associated with the Greater Charlotte Association of Christian Schools. Titled "Parenting a Gay Child," the feature offered a sympathetic account of youngsters with "same-sex attraction" and advocated community "support services and education" on behalf of homosexual children. The article supported the view of homosexual interest groups that same-sex unions are comparable to heterosexual marriage. ******* Van Wade, president of Christian schools association and headmaster of Carmel Christian School in Charlotte, said, "The article was very one-sided and accommodating" toward homosexuality. "No one ever said, 'Let's talk about the moral issues that are involved.' " Mr. Wade said the 55,000-circulation magazine should have given alternatives to support parents "who want to help children live godly lives and pursue sexual abstinence." The feature listed only names, addresses, telephone numbers and Web sites of a half-dozen pro-homosexual support groups. ******* Thomas K. Crowe, executive pastor of Charlotte's First Baptist Church, told the magazine in a letter he provided to The Washington Times that he believed sexual preference is "an unhealthy choice/preference.. that can be corrected. There are organizations and helpers available to teens and adults to live healthy lives in tune with God's plan for men and women." ******* Charlotte Parent is distributed free of charge at 800 locations. Christian leaders have said they would withdraw their advertising and ask that the magazine not be delivered again. Church criticism was not unanimous. David Hains, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, told the Charlotte World that the diocese "doesn't find the article objectionable." ******* Karen E. Conroy, the magazine's editor and author of the feature, declined to comment but said she would address criticisms in the December issue. ******* William J. Maier, vice president and psychologist in residence for Focus on the Family in Boulder, Colo., said, "There is no proof that homosexuals are 'born gay' or that homosexuality is a 'fixed,' unchangeable condition," according to the American Psychiatric Association. "No child is 'born gay'; the notion is scientifically absurd." ******* Ron Schlittler, executive director of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays, said such positions perpetuate "baseless fears and misguided claims about [homosexuals], such as the tired notion that they must 'recruit.' " Such fears are "exploited by those who wish to portray our family members and friends as some sort of danger." ******* Charlotte-Mecklenburg public schools do not permit counselors to discuss sexuality with their students. Also, groups that encourage and support youths who embrace homosexuality are prohibited from advertising their activities on school property. As a result, three years ago one such group, Time Out Youth, listed by Charlotte Parent, started a "We Are Your Gay Youth" billboard campaign along busy Charlotte streets with contact details for further information. ******* Copyright � 2004 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. ******* Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America, www.missionamerica.com *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 90 HARVARD PRO-LIFE STUDENTS TOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR FORCED ABORTION DUES ******* from: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Fri, 10 Dec 2004 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* Boston, MA (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life students at Harvard University renewed an annual effort on Monday to promote a rebate the prestigious college offers for a partial refund of their University Health Services fee that is used to pay for abortions. Members of Harvard Right to Life placed notes in student mailboxes and set up tables on campus, as they have done in past years. The purpose of the effort, according to HRL President Catherine Roche, is to let students know that they can get a small, but symbolic rebate from the university if they don't want their student fees used to pay for abortions. �I don't feel that people should have to spend their hard earned money on something that they oppose,� she said. "The main point of the project is to give people a choice as to how they spend their money and let them know we have a right to make this choice," Roche explained. The rebate dates back to 1994 when then-student Daniel Choi found information on the university funding abortions buried in a student handbook. Though there is no abortion facility on campus, Harvard's student health insurance pays for pregnant students to obtain abortions at off-campus abortion businesses to the tune of $350-$575 per abortion. The abortion subsidy has existed for about 20 years. *********************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 91 ABSTINENCE EDUCATION REDUCES OUT-OF-WEDLOCK BIRTHS ******* Date: Sat, 11 Dec 2004 ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) Making a sexual abstinence pledge leads to a reduction in out-of-wedlock births, according to a report released last week by the Heritage Foundation. Women who promise to save sex until marriage "are about 40 percent less likely to have a child out of wedlock when compared to similar young women who do not make such a pledge," said Heritage Foundation researcher Robert Rector. The report suggests that the results are valid even when other aspects of the women's lives are considered, which leads the Foundation to believe that abstinence-education programs can "reduce teen pregnancy and out-of-wedlock child bearing." The Heritage Foundation based its report on data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, also known as "Add Health," which has been tracking the behavior of 12,000 teens since 1994, surveying them about various aspects of their lives, including whether or not they took "a public or written pledge to remain a virgin until marriage." Most of the teens surveyed have now reached ages 19 to 25. According to the Heritage Foundation report, 29 percent of women who did not make a pledge to save sex for marriage had a child out of wedlock, compared to 14 percent of those who did make such a pledge. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 92 PERSECUTION OF CHRISTIANS IN NORTH AMERICA ******* From: Devvy, NewsWithViews.com, via "Robert Jason" ******* Date: Sat, 18 Dec 2004 ******* CHRISTIANS CHARGED IN PHILADELPHIA SHOULD SUE THE PROSECUTOR AND THE STATE ******* "Whereas the glory of Almighty God and the good of mankind is the reason and the end of government, and, therefore government itself is a venerable ordinance of God...[there shall be established] laws as shall best preserve true Christian and civil liberty, in opposition to all unchristian, licentious, and unjust practices, whereby God may have his due, and Caesar his due, and the people their due, from tyranny and oppression." The Great Law of Pennsylvania April 25, 1682, was the first legislative act of Pennsylvania. ******* "THE CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE" TURNS ON BIBLE BELIEVERS? ******* On October 10, 2004 eleven individuals demonstrated at a homosexual event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Four of these Christians now face the wrath of a local prosecutor who appears to be completely ignorant of the law and the rights of these demonstrators. He also appears to be drowning in political correctness referring to Biblical scriptures as "fighting words." These individuals range in age from 17 - 72. The event was dubbed 'Coming Out Day Outfest' and hosted by homosexuals who call themselves "Pink Angels." ******* The facts as they are known: These Christian protesters were told by a Philly police officer who was there that they could stay because they were on a public sidewalk and therefore, movement throughout the event was lawful. A short time later, they were rounded up like criminals. According to Michael Marcavage, founder of Repent America who led the event, videotapes of the arrests clearly shows the "Pink Angels" disrupting the event, not the other way around. None of the homosexual "Pink Angels" were arrested, only the Christians. ******* The charges against four of these protesters are criminal conspiracy, possession of instruments of crime, reckless endangerment of another person, ethnic intimidation, riot, failure to disperse, disorderly conduct and obstructing highways. Three felonies, five misdemeanors and possible jail time of 47 years. The "ethnic intimidation" charge comes out of Pennsylvania's so-called "hate crimes" law which added a new "victim" category for "sexual orientation." ******* Judge William Austin Meehan presided over the preliminary hearing this week in Philly's Municipal Court. I think this statement best sums it up: "First, symbols of Christianity are removed from the public square; now, Christians are facing 47 years in prison because they preached the gospel in the public square. Stalin would be proud," said Brian Fahling, American Family Association Center for Law and Policy senior trial attorney. ******* In this bizarre demonstration of open hatred and bigotry against Christians in this country, the Philadelphia city prosecutor, Charles Ehrlich, went so far as to verbally attack the defendants as "hateful." Judge Meehan agreed. Shame, shame on him. These aren't "public servants," they are public serpents and petty little bureaucrats who think they're running some sort of Inquisition. ******* Denounce God and we'll throw you in jail quickly instead of just bankrupting you and then throw you in prison! My, how things have changed: ******* "Our laws and our institutions must necessarily be based upon and embody the teachings of the Redeemer of mankind. It is impossible that it should be otherwise; and in this sense and to this extent our civilization and our institutions are emphatically Christian." United States Supreme Court 1892, Church of the Holy Trinity v United States ******* Instead, what we now have are Godless bigots running government at all levels. James Madison, known as the Father of the U.S. Constitution said, "Religion [is] the basis and Foundation of Government". June 20, 1785. He also wrote, "We have staked the whole future of American civilization, not upon the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of mankind for self-government; upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves, to control ourselves, to sustain ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God." ******* The Pennsylvania State Constitution opens with: WE, the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, grateful to Almighty God for the blessings of civil and religious liberty, and humbly invoking His guidance, do ordain and establish this Constitution. ******* Section 3 deals with Religious Freedom: ******* "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their own consciences; no man can of right be compelled to attend, erect or support any place of worship or to maintain any ministry against his consent; no human authority can, in any case whatever, control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship." ******* The prosecutor here, Charles Ehrlich, is violating the constitutional rights of these defendants. Their conscience dictates that they go forth to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and educate others that God has commanded sodomy violates His law and in fact, plainly states that men or women who engage in sex with the same gender are performing an abomination. Maybe the prosecutor should charge God with a "hate" crime? We all know the why and what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah. Maybe the prosecutor should charge God with inciting a riot? ******* If I were one of these defendants, I would have already slapped the prosecutor and the state with a civil rights case for violating my rights. I would also charge them with a hate crime: bigotry against their religious beliefs. I couldn't find anything about recalling judges, district attorneys or prosecutors in the Pennsylvania State Constitution, but I hope the people in the Philadelphia area remember this whole putrid episode when Judge Meehan and Charles Ehrlich come up for reelection. ******* As for this mentally ill prosecutor charging that Biblical scripture is "fighting words," I guess what he's saying is that anyone who reads the Bible or utters passages from it, pulpit to the sidewalk, should now be charged with inciting a riot or a "hate crime." The question of carrying signs while protesting that denounce sodomy are constitutional. One case the defendants might look at is Cannon v City and County of Denver, United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, July 12, 1993, in favor of two women picketing near an abortion mill: ******* "We are convinced that here the message on the signs did not amount to fighting words under the Supreme Court's standards....Furthermore they played an important role in the exposition of ideas. We hold therefore that the rights of the protesters to picket on the public sidewalks in front of the clinic with signs was a clearly established constitutional right at the time of the 1998 arrests in question." ******* Hate crime laws must be wiped off the books ******* As far as these so-called "hate crimes" laws, they are nothing but knee jerk reactions by politicians to please their cash paying customers who help get them get elected. If I were a defendant, I would file suit challenging Pennsylvania's "hate crime" laws, the same as was successfully done in Georgia this past October. As James B. Jacobs and Kimberly Potter so concisely and articulately state in their book, Hate Crimes: Criminal Law & Identity Politics, hate crimes is a "socio-legal category which represents the elaboration of an identity politics now manifesting itself in many areas of the law." I highly recommend every American - especially the defendants in this case and their lawyers - read this book. ******* The First Amendment reads: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances." KKK wackos are allowed to stand on the public sidewalk and spew their stupidity. Religious bigots are allowed to stand in the public square and declare their stupidity. But, Christians exercising their First Amendment right to carry banners proclaiming the word of God - which the prosecutor has labeled "instruments of crime" - result in their arrest and serious criminal charges brought against them. Something is very wrong here and it's about time the people stood up and said, NO MORE. ******* Sexual "orientation" is just word games ******* The issue of "sexual orientation" is just another bogus play on words implemented by the homosexual/lesbian crowd back in 1992 when they were losing the Amendment 2 battle in the State of Colorado. Once it was pointed out to the voters that this politically favored group preferred (as in "sexual preference") to practice such perverted and toxic sex acts, the so-called leadership of the homosexual/lesbian lobby switched from "sexual preference" to "sexual orientation" and that is how the newly minted "sexual orientation" came about. ******* We are once again back to whether or not a group of individuals who choose to perform certain sex acts should have special rights. As I have pointed out in numerous columns, there isn't a scintilla of credible evidence that homosexuals and lesbians are genetically predisposed in any sense of the scientific world towards their behavior. Including 'sexual orientation' into these politically motivated "hate crime" laws is just another layer of protecting a class of people who aren't entitled to any special rights. ******* Where are the churches? ******* Where is the outrage from churches in this country? The silence is just as deafening as it was when the Bush Administration allowed the gangsters in the IRS to shut down the Indianapolis Baptist Temple several years ago. Every pastor and minister within a thousand miles should be taking up a collection for these defendants to pay their attorneys and taking themselves to Philly to protest on behalf of these Godly individuals. Pastors, ministers and Catholic priests should be surrounding the prosecutors office demanding that all charges be dropped against these Americans who have dared to exercise their First Amendment rights. ******* Where are these men of the cloth when this kind of attack against God and Christianity is going on? Have they become so subservient and cowardly to the federal government because they're all 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations that they prize their tax exempt status more than they do defending the righteous? ******* Is it any wonder Americans are so spiritually starved in this country they have abandoned the churches by the millions? Is it any wonder so many Americans gag at these so-called "evangelical religious leaders" who think more of the expensive suit they don every Sunday morning for their television extravaganzas than finding the courage to stand up to tyrannical government at every level? ******* It doesn't surprise me and that's why I wrote my Where Have All the Men Gone column two and a half years ago. Where have all the men gone that they will not stand up and defend those whose only crime is spreading the word of God and trying to help those who have adopted the homosexual death style to turn away from it before they kill themselves and others with their immoral behavior? My advice to ministers and pastors in this country: Don't be surprised if one day you become the victim of some trumped up government charge to crush your First Amendment rights and no one shows up to help or stand by your side. ******* As Mel Gibson said in the movie, The Patriot, one day the war will come to your front door. ******* � 2004 Devvy Kidd - All Rights Reserved ******* Sign Up For Free E-Mail Alerts ******* E-Mails are used strictly for NWVs alerts, not for sale -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Devvy Kidd authored the booklets, Why A Bankrupt America and Blind Loyalty, which sold close to 2,000,000 copies. Has been a guest more than 1600 times on radio shows, ran for Congress twice and is a highly sought after public speaker. Devvy is a contributing writer for www.NewsWithViews.com Devvy's web site is: www.devvy.com; is sponsored by El Dorado Gold; e-mail is: [email protected] ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 93 COLLEGES PROMOTE ABORTION OVER PREGNANCY IN STUDENT HEALTH CARE PLANS ******* From: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Mon, 20 Dec 2004 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* Columbia, NY (LifeNews.com) -- When it comes to providing support to students facing an unexpected pregnancy, far too many colleges are failing to make the grade. That's the assessment of Feminists for Life, which says that some university health plans, such as Yale University's, provide coverage for abortion but not for giving birth. "When students receive positive results on a pregnancy test, campus health clinic staff too often say �I'm sorry' and automatically refer women to abortion clinics," said Serrin Foster of Feminists for Life. "Women need to know the rest of their choices, including single parenting, married parenting, and adoption options." At Harvard, pro-life students can get a small rebate from the university if they don't want their student fees used to pay for abortions. Meanwhile, at Columbia University, a nurse practitioner told the student newspaper that most Columbia students who become pregnant choose abortion. It's that kind of mindset that Feminists for Life is trying to change. Foster notes that schools regularly address �other challenges students face, like depression and sexually transmitted diseases, but bury the fact that there are pregnant and parenting students who need support." The group's college outreach program was inspired by a former board member who shared her story of pregnancy during grad school. "Without housing, day care or maternity coverage, it didn't seem like I had much of a free choice," the woman told Foster and the Feminists for Life board. As a result, the woman miscarried under the stress. "That story haunted me. We had to do something," Foster said. ******************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 94 ABORTION PILL KILLS GIRL, PARENTS SUE ******* Date: Tue, 28 Dec 2004 ******* From: "Austin Ruse -- Culture of Life Foundation" ******* Dear Colleague, ******* Holly Patterson took the new abortion pill and then, in intense pain, died. Her parents are suing the drug matter and Planned Parenthood, the gang who gave it to her. ******* Spread the word. ******* Yours sincerely, ******* Austin Ruse, President, Culture of Life Foundation ******* PARENTS OF ABORTION DRUG VICTIM SUE DRUG COMPANY AND PLANNED PARENTHOOD ******* The parents of a young woman whose death was linked to the abortion pill Mifeprex have filed suit against the drug's maker for wrongful death and product liability. Holly Patterson, who died at the age of 18 in September of 2003, is the third woman since the drug's 2000 approval to die in connection with taking Mifeprex. ******* On Sept. 10, 2003, only a month after turning 18, Patterson took Mifeprex, also called mifepristone and RU-486. Four days later she had her boyfriend take her to the emergency room because of heavy bleeding and cramps. She told her parents the pain was from severe menstrual cramps. She was released by the hospital after being given pain medication. Three days later on Sept. 17, she returned to the hospital where she experienced intense pain and bleeding and then died. Patterson's autopsy determined her death was "due to endomyometritis (inflammation)" caused by "therapeutic, drug-induced abortion." ******* A spokeswoman for Danco Laboratories, the maker of the abortion pill, said, "no causal relationship between the use of the Mifeprex regimen and the unfortunate death of Ms. Patterson has been established." Mark Crawford, the lawyer representing Patterson's parents said the suit is not intended to cause media hype. "I haven't filed this thing to get publicity. It's filed because there's been some wrongdoing on the part of the drug manufacturer and drug sponsor here in not getting the warning out." ******* Officials with the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) believe the potential for Mifeprex to cause significant harm to those who take it to be so serious that on Nov. 15 they strengthened the warning label that comes with the pills. "The new warnings to health care providers and consumers include changes to the existing black box on the product to add new information on the risk of serious bacterial infections, sepsis, and bleeding and death that may occur following any termination of pregnancy, including use of Mifeprex," according to an FDA statement. ******* A New York Times story reported that in addition to the three deaths linked to the drug, the F.D.A. has received 676 reports of problems. Among those were 72 cases of blood loss requiring transfusions and 7 cases of serious infections. According to the story the stronger warning label was a step in the right direction for Patterson's father but more steps should be taken. "Holly did not die in vain," said Patterson's father. "I'm not convinced this drug is safe and I still think it should be banned.'' ******* Some leaders in the pro-life community believe that regardless of the final verdict the case could be significant. Information about Mifeprex that becomes public as a result of the pre-trial investigation may prove to be embarrassing to the drug maker. The lawsuit also names Population Council; Planned Parenthood of Golden Gate, where Patterson received the medicine; the doctor who treated Patterson; and the operators of the hospital where Patterson died. None of the organization would provide comment. The amount of money sought in the suit was not specified. ******* Culture of Life Foundation, 1413 K Street, NW, Suite 1000, Washington DC USA 20005 ******* Phone: (202) 289-2500 ******* Fax: (202) 289-2502 ******* E-mail: [email protected] ******* Website: http://www.culture-of-life.org ******************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 95 LOUISIANA CHOOSE LIFE PLATES ON SALE *******From: The Pro-Life Infonet ******* Source: Associated Press; October 31, 2002 ******* Baton Rouge, LA -- Louisiana begins selling license plates with a pro-life message on Friday, a spokeswoman for the state Office of Motor Vehicles said. ******* The Legislature passed a law making the license plates bearing the message "Choose Life" available in 1999. However, a lawsuit brought by pro-abortion activists, delayed the sale. ******* Early in October, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block sales of the plates while it decides whether to hear an appeal by abortion rights activists. ******* U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval Jr. of New Orleans ruled in August 2000 that the plate amounted to viewpoint discrimination because it "restricts the forum to only one view -- that being the view of the state." ******* But a federal appeals court dismissed the suit, leading to the pending Supreme Court appeal. ******* Michelle Rayburn, spokeswoman for OMV, said the plates go on sale Friday. She did not know how many orders the state had received. ******* Like other specialty plates, the "Choose life" plate costs $25 more a year than a regular license plate. Money raised by the plate is earmarked for organizations that help mothers choose abortion alternatives. ******* State law also stipulates that none of the money raised by the program can go to groups that counsel women to seek an abortion or that offer referrals to abortion facilities. An advisory council with representatives from three prominent pro-life groups -- the American Family Association, the Louisiana Family Forum and Concerned Women for America -- decides how to spend the money raised. ******* The "Choose life" plate has a picture of a baby wrapped in a blanket in the beak of a brown pelican, the state bird. The Legislature overwhelmingly defeated a bill authorizing a pro-abortion specialty license plate. ******************************************************************************************************************** ******* item 96 NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL APOLOGIZES TO STUDENTS WHO WORE T-SHIRTS PROTESTING HOMOSEXUALITY ******* June 15, 2004 ******* By Monte Mitchell, Winston-Salem Journal ******* http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ2FW SJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031776058391&path=!localnews!education& s=1037645509111 ******* Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2004 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* Board makes apology to Watauga students, principal for suspensions ******* BOONE - School board members apologized yesterday to three Watauga High School students and the principal who suspended them after the students wore T-shirts with anti-homosexual messages. ******* The students wore the shirts April 21 as a protest against a student-led Day of Silence meant to call attention to problems faced by lesbian, bisexual and transgender youth in schools. ******* Principal Gary Childers acted in good faith to follow board policy in suspending the students, but the system's policy was unconstitutionally broad, said Andy Reese, the chairman of the Watauga County Board of Education. ******* The one-day suspensions will be expunged from the students' records, he said. ******* "The board apologizes to Mr. Childers and these students for this unfortunate incident," Reese said. ******* The Day of Silence is coordinated through the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, which has nearly 70 chapters across the United States and national headquarters in New York. ******* GLSEN estimated that a record 300,000 students at schools, colleges and universities in all 50 states participated in this year's Day of Silence. Between 10 and 25 students participated at Watauga High School. The Day of Silence was not sanctioned by the school. ******* Mark Austin, then a junior at Watauga, wore a T-shirt that included the handwritten messages, "Homosexuality is sin (Leviticus 18:22)," "Hell is REAL (Revelation 21:8)," and "Jesus is the Answer! (Romans 10:9-10)." ******* Seven other students who wore T-shirts with varying messages, including "God made Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," were also told by administrators that the shirts violated the school dress code that prohibits messages that are offensive to religion or gender. ******* Five of the students changed their clothes as administrators asked. When Austin, and students Ashley Kaylor and Ashley Greene would not, they were suspended. ******* The students have since been represented by the American Family Association Center for Law and Policy, a law firm based in Tupelo, Miss. ******* Michael DePrimo, the center's senior litigation counsel, said that the suspensions were a classic case of school officials overreacting to peaceful student speech on a controversial issue. ******* "The Supreme Court made clear long ago that students do not shed their constitutional rights at the schoolhouse gate," he said in a statement. ******* Yesterday afternoon, DePrimo said that a settlement agreement was awaiting signatures. The settlement would prevent a lawsuit from being filed on behalf of the students by the American Family Association. ******* The board also voted unanimously to change the dress code to include language that certain banned items must be "plainly offensive" and "disruptive." ******* Childers was one of several principals who said that they would like to talk more about the guidelines. ******* "Maybe what's needed is not so much revision to policy, but training for administrators," he told the board. ******* About 25 people attended the meeting, many of them there on other business. During public comment, one person spoke to the board. ******* No apology was necessary, said Robert Muffoletto, the father of a Watauga High student and an associate professor of education at Appalachian State University. ******* "By apologizing, we're saying we're wrong," he said. "I think we need to educate our students to be tolerant and value diversity." ******* .. Monte Mitchell can be reached in Wilkesboro at (336) 667-5691 or at [email protected] C 2004 Winston-Salem Journal. The Winston-Salem Journal is a Media General newspaper. ----------------------------- Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 97 PRO-HOMOSEXUAL ORGANIZATION VIDEO WILL BE DELIVERED TO 61,000 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 ******* "We Are Family" Video To Be Delivered To 61,000 Elementary Schools March 11 ******* WAFF pulls information from web site following AFA article ******* If you have children or grandchildren in elementary school, you need to know about a new video being sent to 61,000 elementary schools. The "We Are Family" video will be delivered on March 11. It is produced by the We Are Family Foundation (WAFF), a pro-homosexual organization. Homosexual organizations have long used the schools to promote homosexuality. ******* When AFA alerted supporters about the video in our January AFA Journal, WAFF threatened to sue AFA for exposing the pro-homosexual content on WAFF's Web site. WAFF attorneys threatened to sue us unless we recanted our statements, removed the article from our Web site, and issue an apology to WAFF. We refused. Thus far, WAFF has not sued AFA, primarily because they had no cause. ******* The AFA Journal article focused on a video project involving the 1970s hit song, "We Are Family", co-written by WAFF's founder, Nile Rodgers. The video features over 100 characters from children's television. A teacher's guide will accompany the DVD to encourage discussions after children view "We Are Family". The video will also air over the Disney Channel, PBS and Nickelodeon on March 11. ******* Under the guise of promoting tolerance for other categories such as race, gender, age, disabilities, etc., the WAFF Web site openly promoted homosexuality as a normative lifestyle. There was a "Tolerance Pledge" that encouraged signers to pledge respect for homosexuality, and work against "ignorance, insensitivity and bigotry". ******* While everyone should promote tolerance, a promotion of homosexuality should not be thrust on little children and unexpecting parents. It is absolutely wrong for schools to be used to promote the homosexual lifestyle. ******* While there is nothing questionable in the video itself, the site included a teacher's guide to use with the children to discuss the video that aggressively normalized same-gender attraction and same-sex marriage. There was also a recommended reading list for children and adults that included such illustrated children's books as the lesbian tome, "Heather Has Two Mommies", which discusses artificial insemination, and "Daddy's Roommate", which included an illustration of two men in bed together. ******* The WAFF Web site ran a list of "allies" that virtually ran the gamut of homosexual advocacy groups: Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation; Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network; Human Rights Campaign; National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians & Gays. ******* Following publication of the AFA article, the controversial materials on the WAFF Web site were immediately removed from public access. The only exception was the tolerance pledge, which was altered from its original format. Evidently WAFF did not want parents to know what was on their site and in the teacher's guide. ******* A good school system will always work with parents, not against them. We encourage parents to find out what, if anything, will be going on in their schools in connection with the "We Are Family" video. ******* AFA is recommending that parents take the following simple steps, always ensuring that communications with school officials be conducted in a polite and civilized manner: ******* If you are concerned, here are things to do: ******* 1. Ask another parent or a small number of parents to join you. Contact your school's principal. Ask him or her if they plan to show the "We Are Family" DVD at school. ******* 2. Ask if the teacher's guide will be used in facilitating any discussion, and ask for the opportunity to review the teacher's guide. ******* 3. Ask very specifically if the subject of homosexuality will be brought up by teachers or discussed if brought up by a student. ******* 4. If the school assures you that homosexuality will not be discussed, thank them politely. If you are informed that homosexuality will or may be discussed, ask for permission to sit in on the discussion. Invite other parents to attend with you. A good school will welcome involvement of parents. ******* Should you have problems with your school, or if you would simply like to tell us about your experience in dealing with this issue, e-mail us at [email protected]. ******* Sincerely, Don ******* Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman American Family Association ******* P.S. Please forward this to other parents of elementary school children. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 98 PRO-LIFE PHARMACIST SHOULD FACE REPRIMAND OVER ABORTION DRUG, SAYS JUDGE ******* From: "LifeNews.com" LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report 3/2/05 #3423 ******* Date: Wed, 2 Mar 2005 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- A judge ruled Monday that a pro-life pharmacist in Wisconsin should be reprimanded for refusing to fill a customer's prescription because he believed the drug causes abortions and violates his moral beliefs. Administrative Law Judge Colleen Baird suggested that pharmacist Neil Noesen have his license restricted for two years for the July 2002 incident, in which he refused to fill the birth control prescription of a University of Wisconsin-Stout student. Noesen also would not transfer Amanda Phiede's prescription to another pharmacy. Judge Baird said Wisconsin law prohibits pharmacists from actions that pose a "danger to the health, welfare or safety of a patient or public.'' The Wisconsin Pharmacy Examining Board will issue a final decision in the case in April and is under no obligation to follow Judge Baird's recommendation. Noesen's attorney, Krystal Williams-Oby, opposed the ruling and said it was an imposition on Noesen and other pharmacists who have moral objections to dispensing drugs that can cause abortions. "It is very unfortunate that a decision would be issued holding a pharmacist to a standard that has never been articulated by the Pharmacy Board. My client, who has strong conscientious objections to dispensing certain medications, did not violate any regulation or statute," Williams-Oby said. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 99 REPORT ON CHRISTIAN EDUCATION RESOLUTION FROM BAPTIST MEETING ******* Date: Sun, 20 Jun 2004 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* From Exodus Mandate: ******* DEAR FRIENDS OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND EXODUS MANDATE: ******* (Report from Indianapolis, June 13-16) - Our family attended the SBC [Southern Baptist Convention] as observers. Two members of our ministry, Houston Attorney, Bruce Shortt and T.C. Pinckney, Brig General USAF ret, Alexandria, VA, former 2nd Vice President of the SBC, sponsored the now famous SBC Christian education resolution for Baptists to pull their children out of public schools and only home school or put their children in Christian schools. This has become a major national news story in both the Christian and secular media. Millions are reading about and discussing this issue now. Stories have appeared for six weeks in hundreds of newspapers all over the USA. ******* Bruce Shortt and T.C. Pinckney have done hours of interviews on Christian or secular radio talk shows and in the print media. T.C. Pinckney was a guest on ABC National News on June 15. The story has been on television in both local and national markets. ******* With respect to the print media literally thousands of stories have been printed on the resolution. I have given some similar interviews too. We estimate 1/3 to 1/2 million people received information through e-mail, many of whom are Christian leaders. ******* The official SBC media was generally negative about the resolution while the outside print media, Christian and secular gave significant support. The resolution received notable endorsements such as WORLD MAGAZINE (Joel Belz), the BOSTON GLOBE (Jeff Jacoby), the WASHINGTON TIMES (Cal Thomas) and WALL ST JOURNAL (Diana West). Having gotten the support of such opinion leaders as these no one can now claim the "Exodus Mandate" message is not taken seriously. Also, Michael Smith, President of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), sent out an endorsement to the HSLDA e-list. It was personally gratifying as well as helpful to be endorsed by the premier home school organization in the nation. ******* Our discussion of the media would not be complete if I did not mention Joe Farah, Publisher, and writer, Ron Strom of WORLDNETDAILY.COM. Ron Strom's article on May 4 was the first major story on the resolution. All our supporters need to know that the early coverage by WORLDNETDAILY.COM was responsible for much of the remaining media picking up the SBC resolution story. ******* The resolution was introduced on the floor on June 16 but failed to pass. With the resolution being introduced on June 16, we have definitely advanced the "K-12 Christian education football" by creating a major national debate in the churches over the necessity for Christian families to home school or place their children in Christian schools. We have challenged the churches, pastors and Christian leaders, and not just in the SBC, that they must begin to provide K-12 Christian education services for their families and memberships. We have wounded the government school giant and things will never be the same again. ******* The warning has sounded forth. A trumpet has been blown in Zion and a new banner has been raised for the body of Christ. As for the SBC Annual meeting, the issue we raised was the only truly controversial matter under consideration. We learned the morning of June 16 when resolutions were to be voted on that a total of 6 resolutions had been submitted concerning education. This was over 20% of all resolutions submitted. Only 8 resolutions were sent to the floor for consideration and none of the education resolutions were submitted to the floor by the Resolutions Committee. Given the level of controversy, it is not surprising that the Committee did not report any resolutions out dealing with education. Nevertheless, despite the efforts to prevent a discussion of our resolution before the body of SBC messengers, T.C. Pinckney and Bruce Shortt made an effort to amend another resolution decrying the secularization of American culture. This amendment contained the core of the original Pinckney/Shortt resolution and fit well with the secularization resolution since we feel Christian families sending their children to government schools is a prime cause of the secularization of both the Church and American culture. The debate lasted about 15 minutes before the 8,500 messengers whether Christian children should be in government schools. The amendment offered by Pinckney failed to pass. ******* Please continue to support and pray for us as these developments from Indianapolis and elsewhere unfold over the next few years. Although the SBC resolution failed to pass on June 16, it was a major news story and partial victory that it was introduced and discussed. It was not a defeat for our cause as millions have heard our message and 100,000's will respond and join with us in the future because of the leadership of Bruce Shortt and T.C. Pinckney at the SBC in Indianapolis on June 16. We have defined the real issue for Christians now and our efforts are driving the education debate nationally and the culture of the Church. ******* The theological trajectory for the SBC on K-12 Christian education is good as so many of the young pastors and families are either home schooling or supporting Christian day schools. While it was impossible to be exact we estimate that 25-30% of the SBC messengers were supportive of our agenda and goals. We made many new friends. ******* Our prayer is that Psalm 126 and Psalm 46:4,5 would be fulfilled with the children over the next few years. We trust that the Lord will prosper the Exodus Mandate Project and the growing number of allied ministries, churches and organizations who are advocating K-12 Christian education through home schooling or thoroughly Christian schools as the standard for all Christians and a key to the revival of our families, churches and our nation. Brethren, pray for us. ******* 1 Corinth 16: 9. Blessings. ******* In His grip, E. Ray Moore, Jr., Chaplain (Lt.Col.) USAR ret ******* www.Exodusmandate.org ******* FRONTLINE MINISTRIES, PO Box 12072, Columbia, SC 29211, tele (803) 714-1744_____________________________________________________________ Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 100 CONSERVATIVES COUNTER DAY OF SILENCE WITH DAY OF TRUTH ******* Date: Fri, 15 Apr 2005 ******* From: "Mission America" and www.cnn.com ******* 'Day of Truth' supporters believe homosexuality is wrong ******* NEW YORK (AP) -- Irked by the success of the nationwide Day of Silence, which seeks to combat anti-gay bias in schools, conservative activists are launching a counter-event this week called the Day of Truth aimed at mobilizing students who believe homosexuality is sinful. ******* Participating students are being offered T-shirts with the slogan "The Truth Cannot be Silenced" and cards to pass out to classmates Thursday -- the day following the Day of Silence -- declaring their unwillingness to condone "detrimental personal and social behavior." ******* The driving force behind the Day of Truth is the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian legal group that has opposed same-sex marriage and challenged restrictions on religious expression in public schools. The event is endorsed by several influential conservative organizations, including the Christian ministry Focus on the Family and the Southern Baptist Convention's Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. ******* Mike Johnson, an Alliance Defense Fund attorney from Shreveport, Louisiana, said organizers were unsure how many students would participate in the Day of Truth, but expressed hope it would grow in coming years as more people learned about it. ******* Johnson said the event is meant to be "peaceful and respectful," but made clear it is motivated by belief that homosexuality is wrong. "You can call it sinful or destructive -- ultimately it's both," he said. ******* The event is designed as a riposte to the Day of Silence, which began on a small scale in 1996 and is now observed by tens of thousands of students annually at hundreds of schools and colleges across the country. ******* Most Day of Silence participants go through the school day without speaking -- a tactic for drawing attention to the isolation and harassment experienced by many gay students. ******* Since 2001, Day of Silence observances have been coordinated by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a New York-based organization that also has worked to support gay-straight alliances at high schools across the country. ******* Kevin Jennings, GLSEN's executive director, said he doubted the Day of Truth would gain a following and stature of any significance. ******* "The Day of Silence was an event conceived of by students themselves in response to a very real problem of bullying and harassment they saw on their campuses," Jennings said. "The Day of Truth is a publicity stunt cooked up by a conservative organization with a political agenda; it's an effort by adults to manipulate some kids." ******* Underlying the dueling events is a fundamental disagreement over the rationale for the Day of Silence. GLSEN and its allies say the silent protest is specifically targeting harassment of gay students, while the Alliance Defense Fund and other conservatives say GLSEN's agenda is to broaden national acceptance of homosexuality. ******* "No one is for bullying and harassment," Johnson said. "But that's cloaking their real message -- that homosexuality is good for society." ******* Echoing the stance taken by defense fund lawyers in several court cases, Johnson said teachers and students critical of homosexuality have been pressured to stifle their views while at school. They cite the case of a San Diego-area high school student, Chase Harper, who was disciplined last year for refusing to change out of a T-shirt that read, "Homosexuality is Shameful." ******* "We wouldn't have come up with the Day of Truth if Christian kids hadn't been silenced in the first place," Johnson said. "The public school is part of the free market of ideas -- if the other side is going to advance their point of view, it's only fair for the Christian perspective to present their view, too." ******* The Alliance Defense Fund is anticipating that some students who try to participate in the Day of Truth may be admonished by school staff. Its resource kit includes a hot-line number, with attorneys on call to provide legal advice about free-speech rights on school grounds. ******* Jennings said GLSEN had no ambitions to keep schools free of all criticism of homosexuality. ******* "There always should be a place in our schools for respectful differences of opinion -- we don't expect everyone to agree, or even to like each other," he said. ******* But he questioned whether the Alliance Defense Fund and its allies were committed to constructive dialogue. ******* "I don't think they believe in pluralism," he said. "They feel they have the truth and everybody else should buy into it." ******* According to GLSEN, 84 percent of gay and lesbian high school students experiences verbal harassment on a regular basis at school, and 40 percent experience physical harassment. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ******* Find this article at: http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/04/13/dueling.days.ap --------------------- Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 101 KINDERGARTEN FATHER ARRESTED IN MASSACHUSETTS OVER OBJECTIONS TO HOMOSEXUAL CURRICULUM ******* Date: Thu, 28 Apr 2005 ******* From: "Mission America" ******* Lexington, Mass., father of 6-year-old arrested and taken to jail over objections to homosexual curriculum in son�s kindergarten class. ******* Demanded that school inform him and allow child to opt-out; superintendent refused. ******* LEXINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS, APRIL 27. Lexington parent, David Parker, was arrested today by the Lexington Police for �trespassing� at his son�s elementary school during a scheduled meeting with the principal and the city�s Director of Education over his objections to homosexual curriculum materials and discussions in his son�s kindergarten class. ******* At the meeting, Parker demanded that the school inform him when homosexual subjects are to be discussed with his son, and allow his son not to be included in such activities. He said he would not leave until his request was granted. The Principal and the city�s Director of Education both refused his request. They then telephoned the Superintendent of Schools who also refused. Police were called, who told Parker that unless he left the school he would be arrested. ******* Statement by David Parker(April 27, 2005): �I, David Parker, am the father of a kindergarten student at Estabrook Elementary School in Lexington, Massachusetts. Since the beginning of this school year, my wife and I have learned that school materials and discussions about gay-headed households/same-sex union issues have been exposed to the children. There are definitive plans to increase the teacher/staff/adult mediated discussions of these subjects. ******* �We have officially stated on many occasions�to the Lexington school administration�a request that we be notified when these discussions are planned, and want our 6-year-old opted out of such situations when arising �spontaneously�. ******* �Our parental requests for our own child were flat-out denied with no effort at accommodation. In our meeting on April 27, I, insisted that such accommodation be made and refused to leave the meeting room. I was informed that I would be arrested.� ******* Parker will be arraigned on Thursday, April 28, in Concord District Court at 9 am. �This is an unbelievable outrage,� said Brian Camenker, a friend and Newton, Mass. parent. �It�s where last year�s same-sex �marriage� ruling has brought us.� ******* For more background information, see www.Article8.org. ******* Contact: Brian Camenker, Article 8 Alliance 781-899-4905 ----------------------------- Mail service for Mission America provided by American Family Online www.afo.net ******* Mission America www.missionamerica.com ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 102 PRESIDENT BUSH URGES SENATE TO PASS PARENTAL NOTIFICATION ON ABORTION ******* From: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Sat, 30 Apr 2005 18:34:01 -0400 (EDT) ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Bush doesn't comment on every bill that emerges from one chamber of Congress, but he's making a public effort to get the Senate to vote on and approve a measure backing parents' involvement in a teenager's abortion decision. He favors a bill that will uphold state laws requiring parental notification or consent but prohibiting anyone other than a parent from taking a teen to another state for an abortion. Bush said the law would "protect the health and safety of minors by ensuring that state parental involvement laws are not circumvented." "The parents of pregnant minors can provide counsel, guidance and support to their children and should be involved in these decisions," Bush said. "I urge the Senate to pass this important legislation and help continue to build a culture of life in America." After the House overwhelmingly passed a parental involvement on abortion measure Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said he hopes to be able to bring up the measure for a Senate vote this summer. ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 103 RAPE AND INCEST VICTIMS CALL FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS ON ABORTION ******* Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 ******* From: "Elliot Institute" ******* tional & Health Desks ******* SPRINGFIELD, IL (June 23, 2004)-- A group of women who have experienced pregnancies resulting from rape or incest are petitioning Congress and state legislatures to hear their stories, saying women who become pregnant from sexual assault don't want or need abortions. ******* The petition comes on the heels of a Defense Department appropriations amendment by Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) that would authorize federal funding of abortions for military personnel who become pregnant from sexual assault. ******* The petition from the Ad Hoc Committee of Women Pregnant by Sexual Assault (WPSA) asks federal and state legislators to "hold public hearings at which we and other women who have become pregnant through sexual assault will be invited to discuss our unique needs and concerns." ******* WPSA was formed after the publication of "Victims and Victors: Speaking Out About Their Pregnancies, Abortions and Children Resulting from Sexual Assault," a book of personal testimonies collected from women who have experienced a sexual assault pregnancy. The group says that pregnant sexual assault victims have been either ignored or misrepresented by politicians and the media because of the polarizing effects of the national abortion debate. ******* "In most cases, it is only in the context of highly divisive debates over abortion that we are discussed," the petition reads. "In virtually every case, the people who claim to be defending our interests have never taken the time to actually listen to us to learn about our true circumstances, needs, and concerns." ******* Kathleen DeZeeuw, who became pregnant after being raped as a teen and gave birth to a son, Patrick, wrote in Victims and Victors that she feels "personally assaulted and insulted every time I hear that abortion should be legal because of rape and incest. I feel that we're being used to further the abortion issue, even though we've not been asked to tell our side of the story." ******* WPSA members say that because women who have actually been pregnant following sexual assault have never been given a forum to describe their real experiences, public policies fail to offer pregnant sexual assault victims the care and support they need. Instead, public funding for abortions following rape or incest may give women, their family members, and health care providers the false impression that abortion is proven to be helpful in these circumstances. ******* Scientific research on the matter is scarce. According to David Reardon, Ph.D, an editor of Victims and Victors and author of numerous studies on post-abortion complications, there are actually no published studies that have demonstrated any therapeutic benefits of abortion, either in general or in the specific case of pregnancies resulting from sexual assault. ******* "Those who favor abortions have simply assumed that abortion will produce benefits," Reardon said. "But the women who have actually been in these circumstances who have come forward are more likely to report that their abortions deepened and aggravated the psychological trauma they had already experienced as sexual assault victims. Abortion is not a cure-all." ******* WPSA member Arlene Anzalone, who had an abortion after being raped at the age of 26, says that "slowly but surely," more women are being open about their abortions and the pain they experienced as a result. "I believe that as each of us who are willing to speak out comes forward to talk about this issue, there will be more to come," she said. ******* Nearly 200 women submitted letters or testimonies for Victims and Victors, making it the largest sample of information ever collected from women who have experienced a sexual assault pregnancy. In an analysis of the submissions included in the book, 88 percent of those who had abortions said they regretted their abortions and that abortion only compounded the trauma of the sexual assault Only one woman reported no regrets, while the remainder of the women either made no statements regarding their abortions or were uncertain if their lives would have been better or worse than if they had not had abortions. By contrast, none of the women who carried to term said they subsequently regretted their decisions to give birth. ******* Heather Gemmen, a WPSA member whose eight-year-old daughter, Rachael, was conceived in a rape, says that talking about her experience has helped her find healing. ******* "It's because I came out that I have restoration," Gemmen said. "When you're raped, you suddenly become part of a secret club you didn't know existed. And I don't want this club to be secret anymore. I want to help other people voice their pain." ******* Reardon believes the time for hearings has come. "If Senator Boxer truly cares about women who become pregnant from sexual assault, she will be the first to join this call for hearings. Giving these women a chance to tell their side of the story is long overdue." ******* ### ******* Contact: Amy Sobie, (217) 525-8202 ******* Additional signers are welcome to call the above number. ******* ACTION STEP ******* Persons who support public hearings to allow women who have become pregnant following sexual assault to testify about their experiences are encouraged to call ******* * Senator Barbara Boxer at (202) 224-3553 or via http://boxer.senate.gov ******* * Senator Bill Fritz at (202) 224-3344 http://frist.senate.gov/ ******* * Speaker of the House J. Dennis Hastert (202) 224.3121 http://www.house.gov/hastert/ ------------------------------------------------ Complete Petition reprinted below] ------------------------------------------------ Petition to Congress and State Legislators ******* from the Ad Hoc Committee of ******* Women Pregnant by Sexual Assault (WPSA) ******* We, the undersigned, having each experienced a pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, hereby petition the U.S. Congress and individual state legislatures to hold public hearings at which we and other women who have become pregnant from sexual assault will be invited to discuss our unique needs and concerns. The reasons for such hearings are set out below. ******* Every year, legislators, judges, and other policy makers discuss the problems of women who have become pregnant as a result of sexual assault. These discussions take place without ever first soliciting our input. In most cases, it is only in the context of highly divisive debates over abortion that we are discussed. In virtually every case, those people who claim to be defending our interests have never taken the time to actually listen to us to learn about our true circumstances, needs, and concerns. ******* We are deeply offended and dismayed each time our difficult circumstances are exploited for public consumption to promote the political agenda of others. This is a grave injustice. In pursuing their political agendas, these exploiters have reduced our concerns, needs, and circumstances to a crude caricature. ******* Those who claim to represent our interests have never sought our authorization to represent us. They do not know us, understand us, or truly care about us. Just as we were once used, without our consent, to gratify the sexual desires of others, so we continue to be used, without our consent, to gratify the political goals of others. ******* Only we who have actually experienced a sexual assault pregnancy truly understand the trauma, fears, concerns, and needs of our sisters who are, or will someday become, pregnant as a result of rape or incest. ******* Each year, thousands of women will face this experience. Unless society at large begins to listen to us today, these other women will, like us, face great difficulty in finding authentic understanding and help. ******* The issue of sexual assault pregnancies is both delicate and complicated. Even women who have been sexually assaulted but did not become pregnant can only speak in terms of their own fears rather than their actual experience. Only women who were or are pregnant by sexual assault can knowledgeably testify about this experience. ******* Our experiences are varied. Many of us carried our pregnancies to term. Some of us raised or are raising our children, while others placed our children in adoptive homes. Others of us had abortions. In some cases, we freely chose abortion. In many other cases, we felt pressured to abort by family members, social workers, and doctors who insisted that abortion was the "best" solution. For many the abortion caused physical and emotional trauma equal to or exceeding the trauma of the sexual assault that our abortions were supposed to "cure." ******* We are the only ones who can bear witness to our real experiences and our real needs. How long will you refuse to listen to us? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Signatories 1. Arlene Anzalone (MI) 2. Eleanor Attonito (NJ) 3. Diana Conley (OH) 4. Sue B. Evans (LA) 5. Heather Gemmen (CO) 6. Virginia Greene (AL) 7. Jeanette Himko (PA) 8. Sarah Hoover (HI) 9. Mary V. Hopkins (MI) 10. Dorcas O. King (WY) 11. Suzanne L. Maurer (HI) 12. Laurie McDevitt (IL) 13. Susan Renne (TX) 14. Louise Simmons (VA) 15. Cynthia Speltz (MN) 16. Patricia Storms (CA) 17. Kay Ziblolsky (WI) 18. Diane (RI) 19. Gloriann (CA) 20. Helene (IL) 21. Lisa (CA) 22. Marie (CA) 23. Maura (WA) 24. Ruby (BC) 25. Shirley (CO) 26. Jane Doe # 1 (OH) 27. Jane Doe #2 (KS) 28. Jane Doe #3 (OS) ******* There are three levels of signatories to this document: public (willing to publicly testify or be interviewed using their true identities, and identified with their full names); semi-private (willing to testify or be interviewed under various terms, possibly with a requirement for anonymity, and identified by first name only); and anonymous (identified as a "Jane Doe," due to personal or familial concerns that require privacy). ******* Contact with the above named persons, upon authorized agreement, may be initiated through the Elliot Institute, (217) 525-8202. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The above news release, along with other news on recent studies related to abortion complications, is posted at www.afterabortion.info/news ********************************************************************************************************************* ******* item 104 KANSAS CITY CRISIS PREGNANCY CENTRE ROBBED, TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT STOLEN ******* Date: Tue, 29 Jul 2003 01:59:09 EDT ******* Subject: LifeNews.com Report 7/29/03 #3030 ******* From: "Steven Ertelt" ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit www.LifeNews.com ******* [We have two logos you can use to link to LifeNews.com on your web page. To get them, go to http://www.lifenews.com/LifeNewsHelp.html. Use either on your web site to link to LifeNews.com. Thanks!] ******* Kansas City, KS (LifeNews.com) -- A break-in has delayed the opening of a crisis pregnancy center in Kansas City, Kansas. Thieves robbed the Pregnancy Resource Center of a phone system, televisions, and a VCR that would have been used to show educational videos to women facing unintended pregnancies. "It's disappointing, but we've just got to move on and get past it," said Deborah Schilling, the center's director. Schilling, in an interview with LifeNews.com, said she's been helping to man a smaller center in Kansas City for the past two years, but that the need for pregnancy counseling is so great in the area that she felt the need to expand. For months, Schilling and volunteers have been working to open a new, larger center. "The break-in is just one more obstacle the group must overcome." ******* http://www.lifenews.com/state57.html ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 105 FORMER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER BLASTS DEMOCRATS FOR SUPPORTING ABORTION ******* From: [email protected] ******* Date: Sun, 6 Nov 2005 ******* Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Former President Jimmy Carter yesterday condemned all abortions and took his party to task for its strong pro-abortion position. He said his Christian faith compels him to oppose abortion because it takes a human life. ******* "I never have felt that any abortion should be committed -- I think each abortion is the result of a series of errors," he told reporters over breakfast at a Washington hotel. The comments came while senators across town were meeting with Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and debating whether his position on abortion should compel them to oppose his nomination. ******* "These things impact other issues on which [Mr. Bush] and I basically agree," the former president said of his abortion stance. "I've never been convinced, if you let me inject my Christianity into it, that Jesus Christ would approve abortion." ******* Carter said leaders in the Democratic Party have hurt it because of their insistence on a rigid pro-abortion stance within the party and for party leadership positions. "I have always thought it was not in the mainstream of the American public to be extremely liberal on many issues," Carter said, according to a Washington Times report. "I think our party's leaders -- some of them -- are overemphasizing the abortion issue." ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 106 NEW CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL REPORTS SHOWS ABSTINENCE EDUCATION WORKS, PREGNANCY RATES LOWER ******* From: "LifeNews.com" ******* Date: Tue, 14 Dec 2004 ******* For news updated throughout the day, visit LifeNews.com. ******* A new report from the Centers for Disease Control shows abstinence-only education is working as fewer teens are having sex and that the age in which young people begin having sex is on the rise. Teen pregnancy rates are also on the decline. The report showing fewer teenagers engaging in sexual relations, "Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing, 2002" found that declines were particularly large among males age 15-19. While 55 percent of teenage boys in that age range say they were sexually active in 1995, only 46 percent say they were in 2002. Compared to a similar review in 1995, teenagers are putting off having sex and the average age of the first time has risen. In fact, the report shows that abstinence education has been so successful that the total number of teens abstaining from sex before marriage nearly achieves 2010 targets previously set. In those targeted projections, abstinence educators hoped for rates of 90 percent for teens under age 15 and 75 percent for teens among 15-17. "It's hard to argue with numbers. Abstinence education is reaching kids where they're at and helping them to make healthy choices for their futures," said Leslee Unruh, president of the Abstinence Clearinghouse. In 1991, 62 of every 1,000 American girls ages 15 to 19 gave birth and a decade later, the teen birth rate fell to 43 per 1,000. ************************************************************************************************************************ ******* item 107 RED CROSS WANTS "GAY" BLOOD ******* From: Paul Cameron via Robert A. Jason ******* Sent: Tuesday, May 09, 2006 ******* Researcher Warns Red Cross: Don't Pollute the Blood Supply ******* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Contact: Dr. Paul Cameron, 303.681.3113, cell 303.886.1947 ******* Colorado Springs, CO, May 8: Dr. Paul Cameron -- Chairman of Family Research Institute, a Colorado-based think tank -- warned the American Red Cross that the organization's plan to allow homosexuals to donate blood will cost lives. On March 9, the Red Cross, the American Association of Blood Banks and America's Blood Centers jointly petitioned the Food and Drug Administration for permission to allow homosexuals to donate blood, a practice that has been forbidden for decades. ******* "No one knows what new disease is coming our way via gay sex",? said Dr. Paul Cameron. "Rectal sex is an almost perfect way to transmit blood-borne germs. In addition to HIV, you can get Chagas, malaria, syphilis, West Nile and even salmonella from donated blood. No test is 100% accurate, and what we don't know often kills us. HIV was once brand new; so was hepatitis C. Foreign travel and sex with foreign nationals is more frequent among gays, assuring that their blood will never be safe."? ******* Cameron, who successfully campaigned in the early 1980s to get gay blood barred from blood banks, said, "I don't know why the Red Cross and other nonprofits care more about gay rights than protecting the nation's health. Blood banks should do all they can do to assure the safety of their product -- period. The nation's blood supply is not the place to promote social causes." ******* "This is a redo. In 1976, the blood banks knew that hepatitis B was more prevalent among gays. But rather than discriminate by barring them from being donors, the nonprofit blood banks set us up for AIDS and the deaths of thousands from homosexual-donated blood followed. That they would risk contamination of the blood bank from new pathogens and the death of additional thousands to promote homosexuality is unconscionable."? ******* Dr. Cameron recommended that Congress take three actions immediately: ******* 1) Pass legislation mandating that blood banks exclude any male who has had sex with a male since 1977 and exclude anyone who has engaged in IV drug use or participated in prostitution since that date. ******* 2) Include in this legislation a provision that blood banks henceforth be subject to product liability like any other business. Blood banks make billions of dollars every year selling our blood. If their source of income were on the line, they might be less inclined to risk the public health in deference to gay rights. ******* 3) Currently there is no penalty for lying to a blood bank about sex and IV use. Since lives are at stake, Congress should make this offense a felony. ******* "This move on the part of the American Red Cross and allied organizations is the result of pressure by the gay rights movement",? Cameron said. "The federal government must not permit this dangerous abandonment of sound health policy."? ********************************************************************************************************* ******* item 108 PROGRESS IN THE PRO-LIFE MOVEMENT ******* From: "GOPUSA News Update" ******* Posted by Bobby Eberle, April 27, 2006 ******* With the heated debate regarding immigration and the ongoing frustration being felt by grassroots conservatives on issues such as government spending, now is a good time to highlight an issue where progress has actually been made. The efforts in the pro-life movement by committed social conservatives have resulted in a number of legislative successes. More importantly, these efforts are changing the American perception of the issue and moving us closer to embracing a culture of life. Part of the progress is due in large part to the efforts of President George W. Bush. President Bush has been an ally of the pro-life movement from the moment he took the oath of office. Still in his first year as president, Bush addressed the nation and called for a ban on new embryonic stem cell research. President Bush also ended federal funding for abortion counseling and signed Lacy and Conner�s Law which treats the violence against a woman and her unborn child for what it is: violence against two human beings. ******* In addition, when we talk about Roe v. Wade, we naturally turn our attention to the United States Supreme Court. It is in that arena � that of judicial nominations � where, but for one oversight, President Bush has excelled. Even some liberal judicial scholars have gone on record saying that Roe v. Wade was poorly determined. Given one or two more nominees to the Supreme Court who see the Constitution for what it is and who do not legislate from the bench, there is growing optimism that Roe v. Wade will one day be overturned. ******* A look at abortion statistics is another reason to see hope. Although a tragic 1.3 million abortions are still occurring each year, the numbers have declined steadily from the early 1990s. As Rod D. Martin notes in America: Choosing Life?, �Vast numbers who were �pro-choice� before the partial-birth abortion debate have come to see the pro-life light, and � for the first time since Roe � a clear majority of America�s women reject the idea of a legal �right� to kill one�s own child.� And now we have South Dakota and the recent pro-life legislation which bans all abortions in the state except when the life of the mother is at risk. Assuming the South Dakota law is challenged all the way to the Supreme Court, which is almost a certainty with organizations like NARAL and NOW ready to turn loose their armies of attorneys, America could be on the verge of turning the tables on the abortion culture once and for all. ******* As Martin noted in his column, USA Today recently did a story on the implications at the state level if Roe v. Wade were to be overturned, and the results of their study show that only sixteen states would likely enact laws which would provide for abortion-on-demand services (or as USA Today puts it, sixteen states would likely �protect abortion access�). Twenty-two states would move pro-life legislation forward to restrict abortions. Twelve states are �in the middle� according to the USA Today story. ******* Add the twenty-two states together with the toss-ups, and as Martin describes: [T]his two-thirds of America�s population is just four states shy of the 38 necessary to change the United States Constitution, recognizing babies as fully human just as the 13th Amendment recognized blacks. With progress seen in so many states, now is the time to keep the momentum going. In states that that have parental notification, we must push for parental consent. In states with parental consent, we must push for legislation such as South Dakota�s new law. As Martin notes: The USA Today map suggests an immediate state-by-state strategy, pushing the envelope relentlessly, protecting preborn life �to the maximum extent consistent with federal law� in the words of several states� pro-life constitutional amendments, designed to trigger upon Roe�s demise. ******* Pro-lifers should fight right now for these �Unborn Child Amendments� everywhere they can, and for laws like South Dakota�s as well. Win or lose, just fighting the fight will rally the troops, force pro-abortion groups onto defense � spending precious time and treasure just to stay even � and raise the public awareness necessary for future, ultimate victory. ******* By going one step at a time, and never falling back, we can eventually reach our goal of having a nation which not only respects but honors all innocent human life. Some 44,000,000 children have lost their lives since 1973 due to abortion. We owe it to their memories to continue the fight. ********************************************************************************************************* ******* item 109 NEW DETAILS EMERGE IN SHOCKING CASE OF "ABORTED" BABY BORN ALIVE - By Cheryl Sullenger ******* Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2006 ******* Hialeah, FL � In a case where a baby was reportedly born alive then intentionally killed by abortion clinic workers in July, prosecutions hinge on the results of a soon to be released autopsy report. ******* Facing second-degree murder charges are abortion clinic co-owners Belkis Gonzalez and Siomara Senises, who were working in the clinic on July 20 as an 18- year old girl arrived at the abortion clinic at 9:30 AM to complete a late-term abortion that had been started the previous day. Further details have surfaced as Operation Rescue has obtained a copy of the Dade County search warrant that led to the discovery of the badly decomposed body of a female baby in the later stages of gestation. ******* According to the affidavits used to obtain the search warrant, an anonymous caller notified police that a baby had been born alive at a Hialeah, Florida, abortion clinic, but was intentionally killed by Gonzalez and Senises. The first search of the clinic on July 22 yielded no remains. However, the mother�s medical records were impounded along with a blood sample obtained from a pink recliner in the recovery room where the young mother allegedly gave birth. ******* Mother tells police her baby was born alive ******* The affidavit indicated the baby�s mother, referred to as the �Complaintant,� was interviewed by police and told them that she gave birth at approximately 2:30 PM on July 20 after spending over five hours in labor at the clinic without having seen a doctor. ******* According to the affidavit, �The Complaintant observed the baby moving and gasping for air for approximately five (5) minutes. The staff began screaming that the baby was alive; at which time, Ms. Belkis Gonzalez cut the umbilical cord, threw it into a red bag with black printing. Ms. Gonzalez then swept the baby, with her hands, into the same red bag along with the gauze used during the procedure.� ******* It should be noted that neither Gonzalez nor Senises are licensed medical doctors. ******* Caustic chemical speeds decomposition ******* On July 28, during a second call, the informant told police that the baby�s body had been placed in a red plastic biohazard bag along with the caustic chemical chloride and tossed onto the roof of the clinic for the expressed purpose of causing the accelerated decomposition of the body in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence of the crime. The body lay on the roof for eight days in the sweltering Florida summer sun. ******* During that call, the informant indicated to police the baby�s body had been retrieved from the roof and was then inside the clinic. Police arrived with a search warrant and discovered by dead baby�s remains. ******* Autopsy awaited ******* Authorities await the autopsy findings that could prove the actual age of the baby and if indeed the child was born alive. In Florida, it is illegal to do abortions in clinics after 24 weeks when the baby is considered to be viable. Clinic personnel say the baby was 22 weeks gestation, but at least one pro- life source who has been closely following this case believes that the baby could have been much older based on the reported weight of the remains discovered at the abortion mill. If the baby is found to have been older than the 24-week limit, additional charges of illegal late-term abortion could be added. ******* Also anticipated in the autopsy report is any physical evidence that the baby was born alive, such as the presence of air in the lungs. However, due to the severe decomposition of the body, results may not be conclusive. ******* Possible BAIPA prosecution ******* In addition to charges of second degree murder and possible illegal abortions, Gonzalez and Senises may face the first ever prosecution under the Federal Born Alive Infants Protection Act, (BAIPA) a law passed to protect babies born alive during abortions. ******* Abortionist MIA ******* As for the abortionist who was supposed to be on duty that day, it is uncertain what charges might face him. According to reports, Haitian immigrant Pierre Renelique was contacted by Senises when the patient reported to the clinic at 9:30 AM complaining of discomfort. He never answered his page in the five ensuing hours prior to the baby�s birth. Reports are conflicting as to whether he ever showed up at the clinic that day. ******* �We have seen cases in other states where this behavior would be considered patient abandonment. If that is the case, Renelique should loose his medical license,� said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. ******* Fading from memory ******* But pro-lifers worry that the best evidence in the case has been destroyed and are concerned that the mother�s word and that of the informant may not be enough to convict Gonzalez and Senises in a court of law. ******* Police seem interested in seeing this case move forward, indicating that the clinic workers should have called for an emergency transport and sent the baby to the hospital, but prosecutors are not so sure. At issue may be the baby�s gestational age. Assistant State Attorney Kathleen Hoague told reporters, �There are lots of questions that medically I don't have the answer to yet. You're talking about a fetus that could be aborted legally.� ******* �In the end, it really does not matter how old the baby was,� said Newman. �If she was born alive, as the mother and the police informant say she was, then that baby deserved every protection under the law that any other person has, regardless of her age. The only difference would be the extra criminal charge if she had passed 24 weeks.� ******* �I don�t understand why there would be any equivocation in this case,� he continued. �If a litter of puppies had been tossed in a bag and thrown up on a roof to die, no one would rest until the perpetrators were brought to justice.� ******* In the meantime, public outrage over the incident has cooled. ******* �It will be tragic if these people walk,� said Newman. �This case, while shocking to the public when it was first reported, is already fading from the public�s memory. That little baby girl, who lived for five precious minutes, deserves better than to have her murder swept under the rug and forgotten because the manner of her birth is controversial.� ******* Back in business ******* Meanwhile, A Gynecologists Diagnostic Center, located at 3671 West 16th Ave. in Hialeah, where the incident occurred, remains closed by authorities pending further investigation. However, the same individuals, Gonzalez, Senises, and Renelique, continue to operate at another abortion mill just 3 miles away. ******* �Why close one abortion mill in the interest of public safety, then allow the same people to continue to engage in the exact same activity just down the street? This whole ordeal hasn�t slowed them down at all, and I think that reflects a failure in the system that is supposed to protect the public from dangerous practitioners,� said Newman. �These people are just laughing at law enforcement right now. They are getting away with murder, and they know it.� ******* Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro- life Christian organizations in the nation. Its activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates. ******* Operation Rescue email: [email protected] phone: 800 705-1175 web: http://www.operationrescue.org ******************************************************************************************************** ******* item 110 CHRISTIAN TEEN RALLY IRKS SAN FRANCISCO'S CITY FATHERS ******* FromAgape Press via Mission America ******* http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/3/302006b.asp ******* By Ed Thomas, March 30, 2006 ******* (AgapePress) - An estimated 25,000 youths showed up last weekend for a "Battle Cry" rally in San Francisco -- and then became the latest targets to receive a resolution against them by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. ******* "Battle Cry" is a coalition of 30 groups that is attempting to turn today's youth away from the lure of popular culture and toward Christ while they are still teenagers. But on the day of the rally in the City by the Bay, opposing protesters took to name-calling, in one instance chanting the phrase: "Christian fascists, go away! Racist, sexist, anti-gay!" ******* In addition, both the rally and related protest caught the attention of City Hall, which adopted a resolution criticizing both as "acts of provocation" by an "anti-gay" pro-life organization. Democratic State Assemblyman Mark Leno, talking to the counter-protesters, referred to the Battle Cry rally as a "fascist mega-pep rally," and said the Christian teens involved in the rally should "get out of San Francisco." This in a city that has long been touting the importance of "tolerance" to support the homosexual movement. ******* Ron Luce, founder of the ministry Teen Mania and whose group helped to found Battle Cry, appeared afterward on the Fox News show O'Reilly Factor, during which he made it clear that the rally was nothing close to the picture portrayed. "We're not mean," Luce says, "and if you look at the video clips of that rally, they're very kind and they're praying -- and it was pretty startling to see such a violent response." ******* According to Luce, it was the first time one of his meetings was officially condemned. He says Battle Cry is helping youth to use one of the most important tools for culture change in America -- one he says the political Left has employed best up until now. "Whoever raises their voice in culture is the one who shapes culture," the ministry leader says. ******* In the coming weeks, similar rallies -- with the intent to change the culture by battling for the hearts and souls of the current teen generation -- are set in Detroit (April 7-8) and in Philadelphia (May 12-13). ******* -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ed Thomas, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online. ******* � 2006 AgapePress all rights reserved. ******* This e-mail is from Mission America, and is intended for educational purposes only. ********************************************************************************************************

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The following warning is a prophetic message given to me, Frank Wagner, in November of 1974. ******* LISTEN TO THE CRY OF THE ABORTED CHILDREN. THEIR CRY IS NO. THEIR CRY IS A CRY OF TERROR. HEED THEIR CRY. ******* This prophecy is now being fulfilled. ******* For details about the source, meaning and fulfillment of this prophetic message go to ******* http://ca.geocities.com/fwagner4/index.html ******* email me at *** [email protected] ***