Sunday, May 31, 2009

Fr. Pavone's Timely Regular Column for June 1:


Dear Deacon John,

As I was preparing to send you my regular column, I got the news this morning that abortionist George Tiller was killed today in Wichita, KS.

Following is the statement I released this morning to the media:

"I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post-abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

"But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions."

[End of statement to media]

It should be noted that peaceful pro-life efforts in Wichita were very close to success in getting Tiller's license revoked. He was on trial recently for breaking various aspects of Kansas law related to late-term abortions. A jury acquitted him, but there were still other violations being investigated.

If in fact it comes to light that the shooting today was done for the motives of trying to stop abortion (and again, that is by no means clear), the point should not be missed that the killings of other abortionists and their staff (David Gunn – 1993; John Britton – 1994; Shannon Lowney and Leanne Nichols – 1994; Barnett Slepian – 1998) occurred in an environment in which there was a lot of frustration over the pro-abortion initiatives of President Clinton. Now, there is similar frustration regarding the Obama Presidency and its support of abortion. This is not to blame our Presidents for someone's misguided actions. But neither should we miss what may be emerging as a pattern: when hope diminishes that the government is going to do something to protect the vulnerable, the temptation to take the law into one's own hands increases.

Priests for Life has always been committed to nonviolence. (Seewww.priestsforlife.org/nonviolence). We remain committed to train pro-life activists worldwide in the spirituality and strategy of peaceful pro-life activism.

Below I share with you the regular column I was sending out this week:

June 1, 2009

Are you angry at how so many trivialize the abortion issue, whether it comes to the actions of President Obama or of Catholic institutions that honor him?

If so, my column today may help you to put your feelings into words. Please pass it along to others, too!

And when it comes to dialogue, we at Priests for Life have been engaged in dialogue according to the Church's understanding of that term since the beginning. We sit down with practicing abortionists, in the spirit in which Jesus sat down with sinners to engage in the dialogue of salvation. But at no time is dialogue supposed to trivialize the need to bring about justice for those whose rights are trampled. And that's a key point of my column…

On other matters, we're all grateful for good friends in our lives. Two of my special friends have me on their TV and radio programs this week.

One is Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR. I first met Fr. Benedict when I was a high school student. He was one of my professors in seminary and has been an important advisor to me and Priests for Life. At the time of ordination, each priest chooses another priest to "vest" him during the ceremony, that is, to assist him to put on the Mass vestments for the first time. I had the privilege of being vested by Fr. Groeschel.

On Sunday night I was on his live show on EWTN; our conversation, about the spirituality of the pro-life movement, will be re-aired on EWTN on Saturday, June 6 at 5pm ET.

Another friend is Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family. I was out to see him in Colorado Springs last week, and we taped two radio shows together about the progress of the pro-life movement. The shows will air today and tomorrow. You can get more information at www.focusonthefamily.com/about_us/broadcasts.aspx.

By the way, I was just informed that my new book, Pro-life Reflections for Every Day, will be released by Catholic Book Publishing Company on or around September 15. This book is a devotional. For each day of the year, it has a brief pro-life reflection and prayer. It will help you to nurture your pro-life commitment in a spiritual context. You may pre-order the book from us now, or make a note in your calendar for September!

Sometimes "Respect" Can Blind Us

Fr. Frank Pavone

National Director, Priests for Life

At least for the moment, Giovanni Maria Vian is editor of the Vatican's newspaper "L'Osservatore Romano." He caused a stir recently with his comments about President Obama, and by doing so, unwittingly revealed what's at the heart of the abortion controversy. Vian stated, in an interview with the newspaper Il Riformista,  "Obama has not upset the world …His speech at Notre Dame has been respectful toward every position. He tried to engage the debate stepping out from every ideological position and outside every 'confrontational mentality.' To this extent his speech is to be appreciated."

Wow. "Respectful toward every position." To put it plainly, that's nonsense. The position that is precisely excluded is the position of the unborn child…the position that demands absolute respect and protection for that child, not because we have come to some consensus about it, but because the child deserves it now, without compromise or delay.

It is the position that says it is not equivalent to every other position, and thatwe cannot 'agree to disagree' about abortion. Why not? Because when someone is carrying out violence against someone else, you don't sit back and 'agree to disagree' with the perpetrator. You intervene to stop the perpetrator and to protect the victim.

But the fact that this is the forgotten position should be no surprise, because ultimately that is the problem. The child in the womb is the forgotten member of our society.

And the tragedy of the forgetfulness that excludes these children is never more clear than when the society and its leaders who forget at the same time claim to be seeking justice for everyone, advocating for everyone, respectingeveryone, and remembering everyone.

One cannot relegate the soul, the energy of the pro-life movement just to a "position" on which one can have a civil "disagreement." The position of pro-life advocates is in a different category, because abortion itself is in a different category. We don't settle for civil disagreements about racism, segregation, genocide, terrorism or other human rights violations. It's only the human rights of that forgotten brother and sister in the womb that seem not to matter enough.

The position that sees abortion as a deal-breaker, a show-stopper, is precisely the position toward which the President is not respectful. It's the position that allowed people to vote for him, though they said they opposed abortion. Yes, abortion is evil, they admitted. It's just not a deal-breaker. It's the position that prevented so many from seeing a problem with honoring President Obama with a law degree at Notre Dame. Sure, we disagree with him on abortion. But it's not a show-stopper. We wouldn't give the degree or the platform to a racist, but this is different. It's the position that allows people to ignore the question of whether a Supreme Court nominee is for or against abortion. So what? It's not like we're putting an advocate of violence on the Court, right?

It's time for the blindness to end. If abortion is murder, let's act like it.


FromLifeNews.com: Other Pro-Life News Today


White House Says Obama Comfortable With Sonia Sotomayor's Abortion Views
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a lengthy press conference late Thursday, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs fielded more than 40 questions about where Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor stands on the issue of abortion. Gibbs reiterated that President Barack Obama did not ask Sotomayor directly about her abortion views but talked enough about legal theory with her that he feels comfortable with her abortion stance. "In their discussions they talked about the theory of constitutional interpretation, generally including her views on unenumerated rights and the Constitution and the theory of settled law," he said. "He left very comfortable with her interpretation of the Constitution being similar to that of his, though the bulk of the conversation was about her approach to judging."Gibbs largely ducked questions about Sotomayor's abortion views or her position on a so-called "right to privacy" that has been used to validate abortion. He retreated to his boilerplate language saying that Obama and Sotomayor have essentially the same outlook on the Constitution. "He felt comfortable that they shared a philosophy on that interpretation ... [of] the living document of the Constitution of the United States of America," he added. Full story at LifeNews.com


Abortion Advocates Point to Supreme Court Brief Showing Sotomayor Backs Roe
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With both sides of the abortion debate desperate to get their hands on anything that would give an indication of where Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor stands on abortion, abortion advocates are pointing to a Supreme Court brief written 20 years ago as evidence she's alright for them. In the late 1980s, Sotomayor, then an attorney and not yet a federal judge, sat on the board of directors of a group now called Latino Justice. While sitting on the board, the group, called the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund at the time, filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court urging support for abortion. The brief came in the Webster v. Reproductive Health Services case where the high court did not overturn Roe but did allow a Missouri state law limiting abortions to pass constitutional muster. The PRLDEF sided with other abortion advocates and essentially argued that Hispanic women would be discriminated against if the Supreme Court overturned Roe and abortion were prohibited. The brief claimed women would resort to illegal abortions should that happen. Full story at LifeNews.com

Pro-Abortion Senator, Ex-Law Partner: Sonia Sotomayor Will Support Roe v. Wade
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As advocates on both sides of the abortion debate wonder where Sonia Sotomayor may come down on the controversial Roe v. Wade case, a former law partner and the top pro-abortion member of the Senate have no doubt that she will side in favor of upholding the decision allowing more than 50 million abortions. Sotomayor, whom pro-abortion President Barack Obama named to the Supreme Court to replace retiring pro-abortion Justice David Souter, has little in the way of an abortion record. However, Sen. Barbara Boxer, who has long been one of the top abortion advocates in the Senate, says she has little doubt Sotomayor will back abortion. "I feel as comfortable as I could possibly feel," Boxer told the Washington Post. Someone who can make a more certain prediction is George Pavia, senior partner in the law firm that hired Sotomayor as a lawyer before her days on the bench. He told the Post there is no doubt Sotomayor is pro-abortion. "I can guarantee she'll be for abortion rights," Pavia said.Full story at LifeNews.com


Obama' Pro-Life Apologists: Covering up His Pro-Abortion, Pro-ESCR Record
by Robert P. George
Three months into President Obama’s first term, one of his most prominent pro-life opponents, Robert P. George, engaged in a debate with one of his most prominent "pro-life" supporters, Douglas W. Kmiec. The article below is adopted from George's remarks, which called for candid speech onObama's abortion recordOne does not treat an interlocutor with respect if one refuses to speak plainly. Candor, far from being the enemy of civility, is one of its preconditions. And so I will speak candidly of the points where I, as someone dedicated to the principle that every member of the human family possesses profound, inherent, and equal dignity, find myself at odds—deeply at odds—with President Obama and his administration. In my judgment, citizens who honor and seek to protect the lives of vulnerable unborn children must oppose the Obama administration’s agenda on the taking of unborn human life. Our goal must be to frustrate at every turn the administration’s efforts, which will be ongoing and determined, to expand the abortion license and the authorization and funding of human embryo-destructive research. Because the President came into office with large majorities in both houses of Congress, ours is a daunting task. But the difficulty of the challenge in no way diminishes our moral obligation to meet it. And I here call upon pro-life Americans, including those who, like Professor Kmiec, supported President Obama and helped to bring him to power, to find common ground with us in this great struggle for human equality, human rights, and human dignity. Full story at LifeNews.com


White House Faith Office Holds Meeting on Adoption, Pro-Life Group Invited
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- White House officials with the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships hosted a meeting on Wednesday to discuss ways to promote adoption. Although the meeting involved one prominent pro-life organization, it doesn't dispel thepro-abortion record President Barack Obama has compiled. Kelly Rosati, a mother of four adopted children and the head of the Sanctity of Human Life department for Focus on the Family, was invited to attend the meeting. She says, in comments to the organization's newsletter CitizenLink, that the meeting was designed to "talk about how to better serve the needs of kids in foster care." “The Obama administration is really listening and wanted to know from those on the front lines what could be better done to serve the kids in America’s foster care system," she explained. Rosati went as far as saying that White House officials expressed their appreciation for the programs Focus on the Family has supported to increase the number of adoptions. Full story at LifeNews.com




Doug Kmiec Pushes False Claim Abortions Increased Under President Bush
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- During a debate on Thursday between pro-life Princeton University professor Robert George and pro-Obama apologist Douglas Kmiec, Kmiec continued the false notion that abortions increased during the tenure of pro-life President George W. Bush. During the debate, held at the National Press Club, Kmiec went further than those who suggested abortions rose under Bush. He also claimed that abortions rose under the first President Bush. However, as University of Alabama professor Michael New explains in a new op-ed on National Review Online, Kmiec's contention is inaccurate. "Data from both the Center for Disease Control and the Alan Guttmacher Institute indicate that abortions fell during the first Bush presidency," he explained. "And the most recent data from both sources indicates that abortions were falling during the administration of George W. Bush." "Indeed, between 2000 and 2005, data from Guttmacher indicates that the number of abortions fell by 8.1 percent and data from the CDC indicates that abortions fell by 2.9 percent," New writes. Full story at LifeNews.com


Mainstream Media Challenged on False Notion Obama Supports Pro-Life Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A myth is cropping up in some mainstream media news reports that President Barack Obama supports a Congressional bill known as the Pregnant Women Support Act. The legislation, spearheaded by Democrats for Life of America, is a bill that combines abortion limits and help for pregnant women. However, Obama, though he is getting disingenuous credit for calling for common ground on abortions, has never officially endorsed the legislation. Jack Smith, a writer at the Catholic Key Blog, has noticed the problem and points to a recent article by John Allen at NCR that misreported that Obama supports the bill. Commenting on a controversial article in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, that has caused controversy for its playing down Obama's pro-abortion record, Allen wrote that the author "also argued that Obama's support for the Pregnant Women Support Act" represents a 'rebalancing' of his abortion policies 'in support of maternity.'" Smith notes, "L'Osservatore did not say the president supported the Pregnant Women Support Act and I pointed that out to Allen. He went back to the Italian paper and confirmed I was correct. No correction was ever made to the article however." Full story at LifeNews.com


National Right to Life Convention Focuses on Obama's Pro-Abortion Agenda
Charlotte, NC (LifeNews.com) -- Every year the National Right to Life convention presents an opportunity for pro-life advocates to immerse themselves in the latest information on abortion and bioethics topics. This year, Right to Life will focus on stopping the pro-abortion agenda of President Barack Obama. The 37th annual National Right to Life Convention, held this year in Charlotte, North Carolina at the modern Blake Hotel, features more than 70 workshops with experts on topics ranging from Planned Parenthood, abortion and politics to euthanasia and assisted suicide. NRLC convention director Jacki Ragan tells LifeNews.com that the convention is a one-a-year "chance to meet and talk with like minded people from across the nation." At the same time, pro-life advocates will get the tools they need to make a different in the political arena, where legislation and elections results in decisions affecting countless unborn children. "The bottom line is this, if you are interested in actively working to stop the abortion agenda, then you need to be at the convention,' Ragan says. Full story at LifeNews.com


British Pro-Life Group Opposes Amendment to Bill Legalizing Assisted Suicide
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- A British pro-life group is worried that an amendment to the Coroners and Justice Bill in the House of Lords would have the effect of legalizing assisted suicide. Britain has been the next place for euthanasia advocates to promote their agenda by legalizing assisted suicide and targeting the elderly and disabled. The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, which also opposes euthanasia and assisted suicide, told LifeNews.com Friday that pro-life advocates need to speak out about the amendment. 
"Despite the government saying that they did not want such an amendment attached to the Bill, it has been tabled by Lord Alderdice," SPUC explains. "Although the amendment has little chance of success, it is very important that it is strongly opposed at the committee stage debate, which is scheduled for 9th and 10th June," the group adds. ACTION: MPs can be contacted by email via http://www.spuc.org.uk/lobbying/email or by telephone through the House of Commons switchboard number 020 7219 3000. You can also write to MPs at House of Lords, London SW1A 0PW. Full story at LifeNews.com




Nebraska Legislature Approves Abortion-Ultrasound Bill, Model for Other States
Lincoln, NE (LifeNews.com) -- The Nebraska legislature on Friday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would allow women considering an abortion to first see an ultrasound of her unborn child. The idea behind the bill is to help women learn of the humanity of their unborn child in a way abortion centers don't normally reveal. With a strongly bipartisan 40-5 vote, the unicameral legislature signed off on the bill and Governor Dave Heineman has pledged to sign the measure into law. Mary Spaulding Balch, an attorney at the National Right to Life Committee who handles state legislation, told LifeNews.com that the bill will help women and reduce abortions and that it is a model for other states. "Ultrasound technology has made tremendous advancements and provides a window to the womb that allows mothers to see their unborn children in real time," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com



Wisconsin Budget Has Planned Parenthood Funding, None for Pregnant Women
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle and the majority Democrats in the state legislature are coming under fire for a budget that doesn't reflect pro-life values. It features funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business and a revocation of funding for poor pregnant women who may be considering an abortion. Doyle presented the budget to the legislature in February and, this week, the Joint Finance Committee approved it and sent it to the full legislature to consider. The budget proposes $5.4 million for Wisconsin Planned Parenthood. Although the money is technically slated to be used for family planning, it frees up funds that Planned Parenthood can use to promote and perform abortions. As LifeNews.com has reported, the Doyle budget also removes health care coverage for poor pregnant women and their unborn children. Wisconsin had been one of a dozen or more states that had taken advantage of the Unborn Child Rule. Full story at LifeNews.com

George Tiller was a Mass-Murderer, says Randall Terry -- We Grieve That he Did Not Have Time to Properly Prepare his Soul to Face God

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Image by Rocky Mountain News Photos via Flickr


George Tiller was a Mass-Murderer, says Randall Terry -- We Grieve That he Did Not Have Time to Properly Prepare his Soul to Face God

WASHINGTON, May 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, led protests against George Tiller's late-term abortion clinic in Wichita in 1991.

Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue states, "George Tiller was a mass-murderer. We grieve for him that he did not have time to properly prepare his soul to face God. I am more concerned that the Obama Administration will use Tiller's killing to intimidate pro-lifers into surrendering our most effective rhetoric and actions. Abortion is still murder. And we still must call abortion by its proper name; murder.

"Those men and women who slaughter the unborn are murderers according to the Law of God. We must continue to expose them in our communities and peacefully protest them at their offices and homes, and yes, even their churches."

Randall Terry is available for comment at 904-687- 9804

Christian Newswire

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You Cannot Murder People and Call it Pro-Life

You Cannot Murder People and Call it Pro-Life -- 'Stand True' Denounces the Murder of Abortionist George Tiller

TROY, Ohio, May 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Stand True denounces the murder of abortionist George Tiller this morning in Wichita, KS. "We cannot kill people in the name of pro- life." said Bryan Kemper, President of Stand True. "Answering the violence of abortion with more violence will not serve the babies or help the pro-life movement in any way."

While Stand True is committed to ending the killing of innocent children through abortion, we are committed to non-violent, peaceful action. The pro-life movement cannot take the law into their own hands and turn to vigilantly justice.

We are praying for the family of George Tiller and those in his church while he was shot. We know that healing can come through Jesus and pray those involved in the abortion industry will turn to Christ.

Bryan Kemper, President of Stand True is available for comment - 540-538-2581

Stand True is a Christ centered youth pro-life organization committed to educating, activating and equipping this generation to stand for life - www.standtrue.com



Fr. Pavone on Tiller Killing



STATEN ISLAND, New York, May 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director of Priests for Life, issued the following statement upon hearing this morning of the killing of abortionist George Tiller:

"I am saddened to hear of the killing of George Tiller this morning. At this point, we do not know the motives of this act, or who is behind it, whether an angry post- abortive man or woman, or a misguided activist, or an enemy within the abortion industry, or a political enemy frustrated with the way Tiller has escaped prosecution. We should not jump to conclusions or rush to judgment.

"But whatever the motives, we at Priests for Life continue to insist on a culture in which violence is never seen as the solution to any problem. Every life has to be protected, without regard to their age or views or actions."

Priests for Life is the nation's largest Catholic pro-life organization dedicated to ending abortion and euthanasia. For more information, visit www.priestsforlife.org.

Christian Defense Coalition Condemns Shooting of Dr. George Tiller


News Conference in front of Supreme Court on Monday, 10 AM

WASHINGTON, May 31 /Christian Newswire/ -- Christian and pro-life leaders will hold a news conference in front of the US Supreme Court on Monday, June 1, at 10:00 A.M. to discuss the impact the shooting of Dr. George Tiller will have on the pro-life movement and the Supreme Court.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Washington, DC based Christian Defense Coalition is presently available for comment at 540-538-4741

Rev. Patrick Mahoney, national pro-life leader, former national spokesperson for Operation Rescue, had just completed leading two weeks of prayer vigils in Wichita during the trial of Dr. Tiller.

Rev. Patrick Mahoney condemns the shooting of Dr. George Tiller.

Operation Rescue Denounces The Killing of Abortionist Tiller

Operation Rescue Denounces The Killing of Abortionist Tiller

May 31st, 2009

Wichita, KS - It has been learned today that George Tiller was shot and killed while entering his church on Sunday morning, May 31.

Operation Rescue releases the following statement attributable to Troy Newman, President:

We are shocked at this morning's disturbing news that Mr. Tiller was gunned down. Operation Rescue has worked for years through peaceful, legal means, and through the proper channels to see him brought to justice. We denounce vigilantism and the cowardly act that took place this morning. We pray for Mr. Tiller's family that they will find comfort and healing that can only be found in Jesus Christ.

________________________________

About Operation Rescue® 

 
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation.  Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America.  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. Click here to support Operation Rescue. 

________________________________
Web site: 
www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org


Saturday, May 30, 2009

President Barack Obama's Pro-Abortion Record: A Pro-Life Compilation


This document can be found permanently at http://www.lifenews.com/obamaabortionrecord.html

 
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The following is a compilation of bill signings, speeches, appointments and other actions that President Barack Obama has engaged in that have promoted abortion before and during his presidency. While Obama has promised to reduce abortions and some of his supporters believe that will happen, this long list proves his only agenda is promoting more abortions.

Post-Election / Pre-Inauguration

November 5, 2008 - Obama selects pro-abortion Rep. Rahm Emanuel as his White House Chief of Staff. Emanuel has a 0% pro-life voting record according to National Right to Life.

November 19, 2008 - Obama picks pro-abortion former Sen. Tom Daschle as his Health and Human Services Secretary. Daschle has a long pro-abortion voting record according to National Right to Life.
November 20, 2008 - Obama chooses former NARAL legal director Dawn Johnsen to serve as a member of his Department of Justice Review Team. Later, he finalizes her appointment as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Legal Counsel in the Obama administration.

November 24, 2008 - Obama appoints Ellen Moran, the former director of the pro-abortion group Emily's List as his White House communications director. Emily's List only supported candidates who favored taxpayer funded abortions and opposed a partial-birth abortion ban.
November 24, 2008 - Obama puts former Emily's List board member Melody Barnes in place as his director of the Domestic Policy Council.

November 30, 2008 - Obama named pro-abortion Sen. Hillary Clinton as the Secretary of State. Clinton has an unblemished pro-abortion voting record and has supported making unlimited abortions an international right.

December 10, 2008 - Obama selects pro-abortion former Clinton administration official Jeanne Lambrew to become the deputy director of the White House Office of Health Reform. Planned Parenthood is "excited" about the selection.

December 10, 2008 - Obama transition team publishes memo from dozens of pro-abortion groups listing their laundry list of pro-abortions actions they want him to take.

Pro-Abortion Presidential Record - 2009


January 5, 2009 - Obama picks pro-abortion Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine as the chairman of the Democratic Party.

January 6, 2009 - Obama chooses Thomas Perrelli, the lawyer who represented Terri Schiavo’s husband Michael in his efforts to kill his disabled wife, as the third highest attorney in the Justice Department.

January 22, 2009 - Releases statement restating support for Roe v. Wade decision that allowed virtually unlimited abortions and has resulted in at least 50 million abortions since 1973.

January 23, 2009 - Forces taxpayers to fund pro-abortion groups that either promote or perform abortions in other nations. Decison to overturn Mexico City Policy sends part of $457 million to pro-abortion organizations.

January 26, 2009 - Obama nominee for Deputy Secretary of State, James B. Steinberg, tells members of the Senate that taxpayers should be forced to fund abortions. Nominee erroneously says limits on abortion funding are unconstitutional.

January 29, 2009 - President Obama nominates pro-abortion David Ogden as Deputy Attorney General.

February 12, 2009 - Obama nominates pro-abortion Elena Kagan to serve as Solicitor General.

February 27, 2009 - Starts the process of overturning pro-life conscience protections President Bush put in place to make sure medical staff and centers are not forced to do abortions.

February 28, 2009 - Barack Obama nominates pro-abortion Kathleen Sebelius to become Secretary of Health and Human Services.


March 5, 2009 - The Obama administration shut out pro-life groups from attending a White House-sponsored health care summit. Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business, made the invitation list as did other pro-abortion groups.

March 9, 2009 - President Barack Obama signed an executive order forcing taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research.

March 10, 2009 - Obama announces the creation of a new foreign policy position to focus on women's issues. He names Melanne Verveer, an abortion advocate, to occupy the post.


March 10, 2009 - Reverses an executive order to press for more research into ways of obtaining embryonic stem cells without harming human life. The order Obama scrapped would have promoted new forms of stem cell research.

March 11, 2009 - Obama signed an executive order establishing a new agency within his administration known as the White House Council on Women and Girls. Obama's director of public liaison at the White House, Tina Tchen, an abortion advocate, became director of it.

March 11, 2009 - Obama administration promotes an unlimited right to abortion at a United Nations meeting.

March 11, 2009 - Obama administration officials deny negative effects of abortion at United Nation's meeting.

March 17, 2009 - President Barack Obama makes his first judicial appointment and names pro-abortion federal Judge David Hamilton to serve on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals.

March 26 - President Obama announced $50 million for the UNFPA, the UN population agency that has been criticized for promoting abortion and working closely with Chinese population control officials who use forced abortions and involuntary sterilizations.


April 7 - The Vatican has rejected three Obama ambassador nominees because of their positions in favor of abortions.

April 7 - Obama has named pro-abortion law professor Harold Hongju Koh as the top lawyer for the State Department.

April 7 - Put more abortion advocates on his White House advisory council for faith-based issues.


April 8 - Obama nominee for assistant attorney general for legislative affairs, Ron Weich, is pro-abortion.

April 14 - Obama administration releases document that claims pro-life people may engage in violence or extremism.

April 17 - Obama administration releases the proposed guidelines that implement his decision to allow taxpayer funding of embryonic stem cell research that involves the destruction of human life.

April 23 - Refused to appeal a ruling requiring the FDA to allow 17-year-old girls to purchase the morning after pill without either a doctor visit or parental involvement beforehand.

April 27 - Obama's women's ambassador Melanne Verveer touted Obama's decision to send $50 million to the United Nation's Population Fund.

May 5 - Details emerge about a terrorism dictionary the administration of President Barack Obama put together in March. The Domestic Extremism Lexicon calls pro-life advocates violent and claims they employ racist overtones in engaging in criminal actions.

May 8 - President Obama releases a new budget that allows the Legal Services Corporation to use tax dollars to pay for pro-abortion litigation.

May 8 - President Obama's new budget calls for taxpayer funded abortions in the nation's capital.

May 8 - President Obama's budget eliminates all federal funding for abstinence-only education.

May 15 - Appointed pro-abortion New York City health commissioner Thomas Frieden as head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

May 17 - During his commencement speech at Notre Dame, Obama deceived listeners into thinking he wants a conscience clause, promoted embryonic stem cell research and misstated his pro-abortion record.

May 26 - Appoints appeals court Sonia Sonotmayor as a Supreme Court nominee. Sotomayor agrees that the courts should make policy, such as the Roe v. Wade case. Sotomayor is later opposed by pro-life groups and supported by pro-abortion groups and those who know her say she will support abortion on the high court.

Friday, May 29, 2009

Terri's News Alert

May 29, 2009

This Saturday, May 30, 2009 America's Lifeline will be airing from the Second International Symposium on Assisted Suicide!

Don't forget to tune into America's Lifeline on Talk Radio 860 WGUL this Saturday, May 30, at 3pm, ET. America's Lifeline is also streamed worldwide via the internet at Talk Radio 860 WGUL. For those outside the Tampa area, simply log onto terrisfight.org and click on the 860 TALK RADIO LOGO button.

Terri's Foundation is co-sponsoring the Symposium, which will host some wonderful speakers including: Rita Marker, Wesley J. Smith, Diane Coleman, Stephen Drake, Dr. William Toffler, Dr. Bob Orr, Dr. Mark Mostert, Ian Dowbiggin, Randy Richardson, Alison Davis, Dr. Peter Saunders, Colin Harte, Lionel Roosemont, Nancy Valko, Alex Schadenberg and many more.

Bobby Schindler will be attending the Symposium and will try and interview many of the people and speakers that will be attending the Symposium.


So join us this Saturday at 3 PM, ET on Talk Radio 860 WGUL for America's Lifeline!

America's Lifeline is hosted by Sheila Liaugminas, former Time magazine reporter and a previous host on the popular radio show The Right Questions and Issues and Answers on Relevant Radio. The program will be co-hosted by Bobby Schindler and Suzanne Vitadamo, directors of Terri's Foundation and brother and sister of Terri Schiavo.

Can you help?

Click on the icon to make a donation to Terri's Foundation. Thank you!





Operation Rescue releases a video urging opposition to Sotomayor based on Obama's statements.

Obama's Own Words Indicate Sotomayor Is Radically Pro-abortion

May 29th, 2009

Washington, DC - Many questions have been swirling since the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court about her views on abortion.

"Those questions can be easily answered by looking at Mr. Obama's own words. He is unequivocal in his vows to appoint a radical abortion supporter to the bench," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman. "Don't be fooled by a few of Sotomayor's decisions that seemed favorable to the pro-life cause. Those decisions were based on rules of law unrelated to the issues of personhood for the pre-born or if Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided."

Operation Rescue has released a video that shows Obama's determination to appoint an abortion extremist to the nation's highest court.

Obama is seen stating in reference to a potential Supreme Court nomination, "There will always be people, many of good will, who do not share my view on the issue of 'choice.' On this fundamental issue, I will not yield and Planned Parenthood will not yield."

"There's no doubt that Sotomayor has been hand-picked by President Obama to rubberstamp his abortion policies that are way out of step with the American people's position on abortion," said Newman. "If she did not share his radical abortion views, you can bet she would not have been nominated."

Recent polls show that only 7% of the American people agree with Obama's support for late-term, third trimester abortions.

"Americans must begin to contact their senators now and oppose Sotomayor and her far left legal agenda," said Newman.

Click to contact your senator.

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About Operation Rescue® 

 
Operation Rescue is one of the leading pro-life Christian activist organizations in the nation.  Operation Rescue recently made headlines when it bought and closed an abortion clinic in Wichita, Kansas and has become the voice of the pro-life activist movement in America.  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. Click here to support Operation Rescue. 

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Web site:
www.operationrescue.org

E-mail: info@operationrescue.org


SBA List Announces First Youth Pro-Life Video Contest!


Attention Young

Pro-Lifers!



The SBA List is pleased to announce we have extended the deandline to enter Lia's Challenge, our 1st Youth Pro-Life Video Contest! Students now have until June 5th to enter for the chance to win a $1000 scholarship.

Earlier this year, 12 year-old Lia Mills wrote a speech about abortion for a school contest. Since it was posted on YouTube, it has been viewed over half a million times! That’s because in today’s world, the greatest advocates of the pro-life movement are its youth—young voices with fresh and unique perspectives and the power to change hearts and minds.
Respond to Lia’s Challenge: create a 2-5 minute pro-life video on the topic of your choice—get creative. Two winning contestants will win a $1,000 scholarship, and their video will be featured in a Susan B. Anthony List online campaign.
Already we have seen some amazing entries, but there is still a chance for you to get involved. The deadline has been extended until June 5th, 2009.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out some of the wonderful videos already posted as video responses on our Lia’s Challenge YouTube page.
Visit www.sba-list.org/contest for an official entry form and contest rules.
Spread the word! Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and fellow church members about Lia’s Challenge. Winners will be announced later this month.
Thank you for your partnership in the cause of Life.
For Life,
Marjorie Dannenfelser
Susan B. Anthony List President
703-875-3370
www.sba-list.org
Check out the SBA blog: www.suzyb.org

Thursday, May 28, 2009

FROM LIFENEWS.COM: PRO-LIFE HEADLINES

White House Says Obama Did Not Ask Sonia Sotomayor About Abortion Stance
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A White House official has told reporters that pro-abortion President Barack Obama did not ask Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor about abortion during her pre-nomination interview. Although Sotomayor reportedly spent several hours interviewing with the president, abortion did not come up. “The president doesn't have a litmus test and that question was not one that he posed to her,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters, according to a CNS News report. Despite Gibbs' comments, pro-life advocates viewed Obama as having a clear litmus test on Supreme Court appointments. During a November, 2007 debate with Democratic primary candidates, Obama confirmed he would only back pro-abortion Supreme Court picks. "I would not appoint somebody who doesn't believe in the right to privacy," he said. Also, an unnamed White House official has confirmed to CNN that Obama's appointment of Sotomayor was done with the idea of influencing pro-abortion Justice Anthony Kennedy. Kennedy is now considered the lynchpin on the high court vis-a-vis abortion and has voted to both uphold Roe but also to allow legislative limits, such as his opinion upholding the national ban on partial-birth abortions. "[Obama] was very struck, when he met with her, about how thoughtful she was as a judge," the White House source said. "He believed she had a precise approach to cases that would be effective in winning over Kennedy when possible." Full story at LifeNews.com
Sotomayor Voted to OK Asylum for Spouses of Women in China Forced Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As advocates on both sides of the abortion debate look for any indication of how appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor will decide cases on abortion if she is elevated to the Supreme Court, another abortion case on which she issued a decision is coming into play. Sotomayor is known to have written a decision upholding the Mexico City Policy, the provision preventing taxpayer funding of groups that promote and perform abortions overseas and which President Barack Obama overturned. She also ruled in a case concerning pro-life protesters and overturned a lower court decision that went against them. Now, a third abortion case has surfaced from July 2007 in which Sotomayor wrote a dissenting opinion differing from the majority of the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in a political asylum case. "The majority clings to the notion that the persecution suffered is physically visited upon only one spouse, but this simply ignores the question of whom exactly the government was seeking to persecute when it acted," Judge Sonia Sotomayor wrote. "The termination of a wanted pregnancy under a coercive population control program can only be devastating to any couple, akin, no doubt, to the killing of a child," she wrote. "The harm is clearly directed at the couple who dared to continue an unauthorized pregnancy in hopes of enlarging the family unit." Full story at LifeNews.com


President Obama Names Vatican Ambassador Who Backed Pro-Abortion Pols

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has nominated an ambassador to the Vatican, but the potential diplomat has supported pro-abortion politicians, including Obama himself. Obama has nominated Catholic college professor Miguel Diaz, who reportedly is pro-life but has compromised his views by backing Obama and others. Diaz is a theology professor at St. John's University and the College of Saint Benedict in Collegeville, Minnesota. The nomination will likely cause heartburn for pro-life advocates because Diaz served as a member of Obama's Catholic advisory board during his presidential campaign. That someone like Diaz can claim to follow the pro-life teachings of the Catholic Church and assist an abortion advocate in becoming president won't go unnoticed as the Senate confirmation process takes place. Obama isn't alone in earning Diaz's support, as he also endorsed pro-abortion Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius and her nomination to become Obama's health secretary.
Meanwhile, Diaz is a member of the speakers bureau for the fake pro-life Catholic organization Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, a pro-Obama front group that was repeatedly criticized during the presidential election for deceiving voters on Obama's pro-abortion position. Full story at LifeNews.com

 
Poll Shows Initial Support for Sonia Sotomayor, First Republican Will Vote No
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Gallup has released the first poll concerning the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, who has a relatively unknown abortion position, to replace retiring pro-abortion Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. President Barack Obama, who is pro-abortion, nominated the appeals court judge earlier this week. Asked to rate Obama's choice, Americans gave him generally supportive ratings with about 47% rating the nomination as "excellent" or "good," 20% rating it "only fair," and 13% rating it "poor." Another 20 percent of Americans had no opinion yet on the Sotomayor nomination. The results are based on a one-night poll conducted Tuesday, the same day Obama officially announced Sotomayor as his choice to replace the retiring Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. In other news, pro-life Republican Sen. Pat Roberts is the first Senate Republican to indicate he will oppose Sotomayor's nomination. KCMO radio talk show host Chris Stigall, in an interview with Roberts, noted how Republicans appear to be scared to oppose Sotomayor. "Well, I'm a Marine and nothing much scares me, I do not plan to vote for her," he said, according to a Politico report. Full story at LifeNews.com

Pro-Abortion Religious Activist Blasts Obama's Abortion "Common Ground" Call
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Not everyone on the pro-abortion side of the debate is supportive of President Barack Obama's supposed call for common ground on the issue of abortion. Reverend Carlton Veazey, the head of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, called the call "troubling."
Even though Obama has crafted a staunchly pro-abortion record as president, for abortion advocates like Veazey, there can never been common ground on abortion because it should be an unfettered right. "My experience of 13 years in the pro-choice movement is that 'common ground' has become another term for compromise on reproductive choice," he wrote in an editorial at a pro-abortion blog. "In other words, achieving common ground will be accomplished by diminishing the ability of women to make decisions about abortion, whatever the personal cost. That's unacceptable." "It's unacceptable for even one woman to suffer in order for opponents of abortion to be appeased," he claimed. Veazey wrote that "calming controversy and tempering anger over an issue that has become political" was not worth backing down from the position that abortion should be legal throughout pregnancy for any reason. Full story at LifeNews.com



Vatican Newspaper Gives Obama 2012 Campaign Msg With Pro-Life Compromise
by Deal Hudson
The 2012 Obama campaign message to Catholics has already been written. Here it is, conveniently laid out by the official Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, and its editor, Giovanni Maria Vian:

"[President Obama] is not a pro-abortion president." -- Giovanni Maria Vian, in an interview with a Vatican analyst from the Italian daily Il Riformista / "The president invited Americans of every faith and ideological conviction to 'work in common effort' to reduce the number of abortions." -- L'Osservatore Romano, on President Obama's May 13, 2009, speech at the University of Notre Dame

For President Obama's Catholic outreach effort, this is a dream come true. Obama's Catholic advisers have received a virtual Vatican imprimatur on his abortion reduction message to Catholics. The Obama campaign, the Democratic National Committee, Catholics United, and Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good will trumpet this message loudly and in unison. Full story at LifeNews.com

Medical Professionals Deserve Conscience Rights on Abortion, Bioethics Practices
by Wesley J. Smith
We live in a culturally diverse society in which people vary greatly in their moral beliefs about the importance of human life. These profound differences are most bitterly expressed in the medical context, particularly with regard to issues such as abortion, physician-assisted suicide, embryonic stem cell research, and other life and death policies and procedures. Some of these practices - specifically abortion and assisted suicide - contravene explicit provisions of the Hippocratic Oath (at least as it has been understood traditionally). Yet today, physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals whose moral beliefs prevent them from participating in these legal but ethically controversial acts, find themselves under increasing pressure to either violate their consciences or be driven out of their careers. Until recently, dissenting medical professionals have been protected by so-called "conscience clauses" that permit them to opt out of performing abortions or participating in assisted suicide (where it is legal) without professional consequence. But in recent years, legislative proposals have been filed that would require all professionals participate in such life-terminating procedures if asked by a patient, or be complicit in them by referring the requesting patient to another doctor who will do the deed. Full story at LifeNews.com

Al Pacino May Star in Movie Glorifying Assisted Suicide Advocate Jack Kevorkian
Hollywood, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Actor Al Pacino is reportedly in current negotiations to star in a new HBO Films movie glorifying the life of assisted suicide crusader Jack Kevorkian. The retired pathologist became the scourge of the nation when he embarked on a campaign claiming to kill more than 125 people in assisted suicides. Kevorkian took advantage of the state of Michigan not having a direct assisted suicide ban and never served a day in jail until he went further by killing a patient. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film will "trace his rise as he builds his infamous 'Mercy Machine,' conducts his first assisted suicide, and starts a media frenzy with his epic legal battles." Adam Mazer is the author of the script, which is loosely based on "Between the Dying and the Dead: Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Assisted Suicide Machine and the Battle to Legalize Euthanasia" by Neal Nicol, an acolyte of Kevorkian's. Full story at LifeNews.com


Catholic Pro-Life Group: Pro-Abortion Commencement Scandals Up in 2009
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life organization that serves as a watchdog for Catholic colleges and universities says the number of commencement scandals involving pro-abortion graduation speakers and honorees rose in 2009. The Cardinal Newman Society says 11 Catholic colleges joined the University of Notre Dame in violating the guidelines of the nation's Catholic bishops.
The pro-life group says the figures mark a "troubling reversal" of the recent decrease of Catholic commencement scandals form the seven that took place in 2008, which itself was down from 24 in 2006. "It is a very sad development, to see so many Catholic colleges and universities joining Notre Dame in their disrespect for Catholic morality and for the U.S. bishops," CNS president Patrick Reilly told LifeNews.com. "The bishops" policy against such honors and platforms is crystal clear and is only the bare minimum expected of Catholic institutions," he said. The 2009 commencement scandals occurred despite the unprecedented public opposition of 83 U.S. bishops to the University of Notre Dame's honor for pro-abortion President Barack Obama at commencement. None publicly supported Notre Dame's action. Full story at LifeNews.com



International Activists Push Abortion at UN With So-Called Maternal Health Rights
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- Abortion rights advocates at the United Nations (UN) are pursuing a new approach,  one that avoids mention of abortion, promotes a right to maternal health, and seeks to enforce "reproductive rights"norms among UN member States. The reason for the shift seems to be an increased confidence among activists and UN officials that they have secured or are close to securing a new international right to abortion. According to statements by Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and others, their confidence has been boosted by winning legal cases, most notably in Colombia where the 2006 constitutional court’s decision to liberalize abortion was based upon the activist's interpretation of UN treaties. By creating a new "right" to maternal health over the next several years, advocates can consolidate gains while avoiding scrutiny by opponents. Then, once they are confident the new right is established, they can assert the claim that abortion is part of the new international obligation. Full story at LifeNews.com

University of Wisconsin Staff May Have to Participate in Late-Term Abortion Care
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- University of Wisconsin health officials have responded to a series of ads Wisconsin Right to Life is running about how UW will be doing late-term abortions at the Madison Surgery Center. In an email to employees, UW officials say they may be forced to participate in the abortions or follow-up care. The Wisconsin Right to Life ads have been exposing information contained in internal emails between various UW officials regarding the late-term abortion plan at the Madison Surgery Center. The emails were obtained through an open records request. Now, Wisconsin Right to Life has obtained an email sent yesterday by Pete Christman, UWMF Executive Director to various UW officials regarding Wisconsin Right to Life's most recent ads appearing in the Wisconsin State Journal. "Christman's email yesterday to his squeamish colleagues attempts to quell their discomfort but instead, he has reinforced the facts that we have been bringing to the publics attention," Wisconsin Right to Life legislative director Susan Armacost told LifeNews.com. Full story at LifeNews.com
 

UN Committee Claims Nicaragua's Pro-Life Laws on Abortion Violate Torture Treaty
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- The United Nations (UN) committee charged with monitoring compliance with the Convention Against Torture has declared that Nicaragua's full protection of fetal life violates the country's obligations under the Convention. This is the first time this committee has reviewed Nicaragua since that government outlawed abortion for any reason three years ago. The torture committee is the fourth UN committee to pressure Nicaragua with respect to its laws protecting unborn life, joining the committees charged with monitoring the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Critics are increasingly concerned with what they view as the politicization of the treaty monitoring system by committees charged with oversight. Neither the Convention Against Torture nor any other UN treaty mentions abortion, and it was not contemplated when such treaties were negotiated and ratified that countries were committing themselves to altering domestic legislation on abortion. Full story at LifeNews.com