Rasmussen Poll Shows Zero Percent Presidential Approval Index for Barack Obama
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports finds pro-abortion President Barack Obama has what Rasmussen calls a "Presidential Approval Index" of 0. The poll found 34 percent of American voters they strongly approve of the way he is performing his role as president and the exact same number strongly disapprove. Subtracting the disapproval from the approval yields a zero percent positive rating among the Americans with the strongest feelings about the Obama presidency. "That's the highest level of strong disapproval and the lowest overall rating yet recorded," the pollster indicated. When looking at all voters, including those with less intense feelings for or against his administration and record, Obama receives an eight percent overall approval rating. "Overall, 54% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far," Rasmussen reports. "Forty-six percent (46%) disapprove." Rasmussen says economic issues, including the GM bankruptcy, have hurt Obama the most since that is supported by 26% of the public. Obama's continued pro-abortion record won't help him either and a Gallup poll already found two-thirds of the public oppose his decision to send taxpayer money to groups that promote and perform abortions in other nations, when he reversed the Mexico City Policy.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports finds pro-abortion President Barack Obama has what Rasmussen calls a "Presidential Approval Index" of 0. The poll found 34 percent of American voters they strongly approve of the way he is performing his role as president and the exact same number strongly disapprove. Subtracting the disapproval from the approval yields a zero percent positive rating among the Americans with the strongest feelings about the Obama presidency. "That's the highest level of strong disapproval and the lowest overall rating yet recorded," the pollster indicated. When looking at all voters, including those with less intense feelings for or against his administration and record, Obama receives an eight percent overall approval rating. "Overall, 54% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the President's performance so far," Rasmussen reports. "Forty-six percent (46%) disapprove." Rasmussen says economic issues, including the GM bankruptcy, have hurt Obama the most since that is supported by 26% of the public. Obama's continued pro-abortion record won't help him either and a Gallup poll already found two-thirds of the public oppose his decision to send taxpayer money to groups that promote and perform abortions in other nations, when he reversed the Mexico City Policy.
Planned Parenthood Wants Seat at Obama Health Care Table, Already Got One
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's largest abortion business wants a seat at the table of the health care debate and the bill the Obama administration and Congress will put together. However, Planned Parenthood already got one and it came during a meeting where Obama shut out pro-life groups. Planned Parenthood made the request in a new email to its supporters asking them to ask members of Congress to include the pro-abortion group. "Planned Parenthood must be an essential part of any health care reform," its president, Cecile Richards, wrote in the email. "The fact is, nobody else can speak for the women, men, and teens Planned Parenthood health centers serve quite like we can — and we need lawmakers to listen." Richards continued, "As the Obama administration and Congress work to reform our health care system, Planned Parenthood will be the leading voice speaking for countless women and families." As she said during the Obama health care meeting, Richards said abortion "is fundamental to improving our nation's health care system — and that means that Planned Parenthood must be an essential part of health care reform." The Obama administration's health care summit included the nation's largest abortion business and several other groups that take a pro-abortion position. But no leading pro-life medical groups or top pro-life organizations were allowed to attend the health care event. The Human Rights Campaign, National Council of La Raza and others that support abortion were there.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The nation's largest abortion business wants a seat at the table of the health care debate and the bill the Obama administration and Congress will put together. However, Planned Parenthood already got one and it came during a meeting where Obama shut out pro-life groups. Planned Parenthood made the request in a new email to its supporters asking them to ask members of Congress to include the pro-abortion group. "Planned Parenthood must be an essential part of any health care reform," its president, Cecile Richards, wrote in the email. "The fact is, nobody else can speak for the women, men, and teens Planned Parenthood health centers serve quite like we can — and we need lawmakers to listen." Richards continued, "As the Obama administration and Congress work to reform our health care system, Planned Parenthood will be the leading voice speaking for countless women and families." As she said during the Obama health care meeting, Richards said abortion "is fundamental to improving our nation's health care system — and that means that Planned Parenthood must be an essential part of health care reform." The Obama administration's health care summit included the nation's largest abortion business and several other groups that take a pro-abortion position. But no leading pro-life medical groups or top pro-life organizations were allowed to attend the health care event. The Human Rights Campaign, National Council of La Raza and others that support abortion were there.
Scott Roeder, Suspect in George Tiller Shooting Promises More Abortion Violence
Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- Although he is not affiliated with any pro-life groups and only has connections with militia organizations, Scott Roeder, who has been accused of killing late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller, is promising more abortion violence. Scott Roeder called The Associated Press from the Sedgwick County jail, where he's being held on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault related to the shooting of Tiller one week ago. "I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal," Roeder said. AP indicated he would not elaborate. A Justice Department spokesman indicated the Obama administration would take the threat seriously, although it appears more of an attempt by Roeder to get media attention than a serious estimation of plans by anyone who target abortion practitioners. Matthew Miller said "we take this matter seriously, which is why the Attorney General ordered increased protection of appropriate people and facilities last week." Even Dan Monnat, the attorney for Tiller's family said he wasn't going to respond, saying he wouldn't dignify the comment "every time he makes a hare-brained phone call." NARAL president Nancy Keenan used the Roeder comment to continue attacking pro-life group, saying Roeder's comments "continue to escalate that kind of activity, that kind of violence. Quite honestly, I think it's imperative for anti-choice groups to tone down that rhetoric and keep the more extreme elements in their movement form copying Scott Roeder." But Troy Newman, president of Operation Rescue, called Roeder "a fruit and a lunatic."
Archbishop Joseph Naumann: Scott Roeder is Anti-Abortion, Not Pro-Life
Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- The following comments are from Archbishop Joseph Naumann, the Archbishop of the Diocese of Kansas City. "I was shocked and saddened when I received a phone call ... informing me of news reports that Dr. George Tiller had been murdered while attending church that morning. On Monday of this week, I offered Mass for the repose of the soul of Dr. Tiller and for comfort and consolation for his family. I have written frequently about the evil of abortion and our responsibility as American Catholics to do everything possible to restore legal protection for unborn children. I have also expressed my profound dismay that because of Dr. Tiller’s Wichita clinic, Kansas has become the late-term abortion capital for the Midwest. It usually troubles me when the media insists on identifying those engaged in attempting to restore legal protection for the lives of unborn children as anti-abortion rather than pro-life. When I heard reporters identifying the man suspected of shooting Dr. Tiller as anti- abortion, this for once seemed like the correct descriptor. The pro-life movement is about saving lives, not taking them. It is about a profound respect for the law, as evidenced by many laboring arduously and perseveringly to reform our present public policy in order to restore legal protection for the lives of unborn children. It is about a belief in the sanctity of each and every human life. Killing those who perform abortions builds up the culture of death, because it embraces its premise that we solve problems by destroying human life rather than honoring the truth that every human being is made in the image of God."
The Vatican (LifeNews.com) -- The official newspaper of the Vatican appears to be backtracking from previous news articles that the pro-life movement has condemned because they appear to praise, or at least gloss over, the pro-abortion record of President Barack Obama. A new unsigned article addresses the controversy. "In reporting on some recent statements and initiatives of the President of the United States, L'Osservatore Romano certainly did not intend to express appreciation for his positions on ethical questions," the article says. "Obviously the Holy See and L'Osservatore Romano have been, are, and will be standing side by side with the bishops of the United States in their commitment to the inviolability of human life in whatever stage of its existence." Deal Hudson, a prominent American Catholic writer who has closely following the problems at L'Osservatore Romano, is inexorable and says the new article is insufficient. "This article from the Vatican newspaper comes nowhere near settling the controversy, which lead me to call for the resignation or removal of its editor, Giovanni Maria Vani," he wrote over the weekend. "For the record to be cleared, the Vatican newspaper, or some Vatican authority, will need to quote specific relevant passages from the paper and say explicitly those passages do not represent the Vatican's point of view. Otherwise, those quotes from L'Osservatore Romano are destined to become embedded in Obama's 2012 campaign literature."
During Funeral, Abortion Practitioner Tiller Eulogized as Improving Heaven
Wichita, KS (LifeNews.com) -- During his funeral over the weekend, late-term abortion practitioner George Tiller, who was recently shot and killed, was eulogized as improving Heaven by his supposed entrance. Hundreds of people gathered Saturday to honor Tiller and, former University of Kansas colleague Larry Borcherding, of Overland Park remarked, "Dear God, get heaven ready, because Mr. Enthusiasm is coming. Heaven will never be the same. It will be a better, better place with George in it." About 700 people filled the church sanctuary and about 200 others watched a closed-circuit television broadcast in another room. A large portrait of Tiller hung at the front of the sanctuary, and nearby was a wreath of flowers with the words "trust women," according to the Topeka Capital Journal newspaper. Some mourners wore buttons that said "Attitude is Everything," a popular Tiller phrase he worse on a button during his trial on state charges that he allegedly engaged in illegal abortions by lying about the age of the unborn child at the time of the abortion so it would qualify as legal and not past the state deadline.
Pro-Life Catholic Group Responds to New Study Showing More Catholic Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new study conducted by Amy Adamczyk, assistant professor of Criminal Justice at City University of New York, found that female students at private, religious schools and colleges are more likely to have an abortion than their public school counterparts. The study found women at Catholic institutions had abortion rates similar to students at other religious institutions in the study. “This dangerous anti-life trend at Catholic educational institutions confirms what Pope Benedict XVI has reiterated many times, that there is an underlying crisis of faith among young people that is not being adequately addressed even by Catholic educators,” said Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society. Adamczyk’s findings echo a CNS-sponsored study published in November 2008 and titled “Behaviors and Beliefs of Current and Recent Students at U.S. Catholic Colleges.” The CNS study found that most Catholic colleges have little positive impact on the faith and values of students. In particular, CNS reported that nearly 1 in 5 students at Catholic colleges knew another student who had or paid for an abortion. Reilly says Pope Benedict has spoken out on these problems.
Chinese Scientists Find Pigs Offer New Adult Stem Cell Research Source
Beijing, China (LifeNews.com) -- Chinese scientists have given cells from adult pigs the ability to turn into any tissue in the body, just like embryonic stem cells. They hope the breakthrough could aid research into human disease, and the breeding of animals for organ transplants for humans. It may also enable the development of pigs that are resistant to diseases such as swine flu. The study appears online in the Journal of Molecular Cell Biology. Lead researcher Dr Lei Xiao, of the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, said many other attempts had been made to transform adult cells from animals such as pigs into "pluripotent" stem cells, but they had failed. He said: "Therefore, it is entirely new, very important and has a number of applications for both human and animal health." Dr Xiao's team reprogrammed cells taken from a pig's ear and bone marrow, using a cocktail of chemicals introduced into the cells via a virus. Tests showed that the reprogrammed cells were capable of becoming any of the cell types that make up the three layers in a developing embryo.
Attorneys Challenge Arrests of Pro-Life Advocates at University of Notre Dame
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life legal group has hired an attorney to defend about 70 people arrested on misdemeanor trespass charges while protesting President Barack Obama's visit to the University of Notre Dame. The American Center for Law and Justice hired attorney Tom Dixon to represent those arrested during anti-abortion protests leading up to and during Obama's commencement speech last month. Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes was among about 40 who appeared before a St. Joseph County magistrate on Wednesday to plead not guilty. Most of those charged are not from Indiana. Dixon has asked the court for 30 days to file written briefs seeking dismissal of the charges. The Thomas More Society, another pro-life legal group, is also participating in the case.
Louisiana Pro-Life Advocates Continue Battle for Conscience Clause Legislation
Baton Rouge, LA (LifeNews.com) -- Louisiana H.B. 517, by pro-life Rep. Bernard Lebas, has been under sustained attack with false and deceptive claims being spread by abortion advocates. Rep. John Bel Edwards used outrageous arguments advanced by these groups. The Edwards amendments severely damaged the bill, providing that only healthcare providers in the public sector are entitled to conscience protection for a limited amount of procedures. This leaves out private individuals and faith-based health care organizations that provide a significant amount of health care services to the people of Louisiana. In the Senate Health and Welfare committee this past Wednesday, Senator Cheryl Gray Evans sided with Planned Parenthood and company by stripping the pro-life amendments that would have restored H.B. 517 to a pro-life posture. Confusion reigned in the two hour committee hearing with Planned Parenthood representatives making outrageous allegations that the bill allows "racist medicine," and the ACLU alleging that conscience protections could lead to a situation where Muslims would try to impose Sharia law. To avoid the bill coming out of committee with bad amendments, Rep. LeBas voluntarily deferred H.B. 517 until next week so the committee members could be briefed on the actual provisions of the bill and the need to remove the Edwards amendments picked up in the House. Pro-Life groups are seeking calls to Senate Health and Welfare members to oppose any pro-abortion weakening amendments to the bills.
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life legal group has hired an attorney to defend about 70 people arrested on misdemeanor trespass charges while protesting President Barack Obama's visit to the University of Notre Dame. The American Center for Law and Justice hired attorney Tom Dixon to represent those arrested during anti-abortion protests leading up to and during Obama's commencement speech last month. Former Republican presidential candidate Alan Keyes was among about 40 who appeared before a St. Joseph County magistrate on Wednesday to plead not guilty. Most of those charged are not from Indiana. Dixon has asked the court for 30 days to file written briefs seeking dismissal of the charges. The Thomas More Society, another pro-life legal group, is also participating in the case.
Louisiana Pro-Life Advocates Continue Battle for Conscience Clause Legislation
Baton Rouge, LA (LifeNews.com) -- Louisiana H.B. 517, by pro-life Rep. Bernard Lebas, has been under sustained attack with false and deceptive claims being spread by abortion advocates. Rep. John Bel Edwards used outrageous arguments advanced by these groups. The Edwards amendments severely damaged the bill, providing that only healthcare providers in the public sector are entitled to conscience protection for a limited amount of procedures. This leaves out private individuals and faith-based health care organizations that provide a significant amount of health care services to the people of Louisiana. In the Senate Health and Welfare committee this past Wednesday, Senator Cheryl Gray Evans sided with Planned Parenthood and company by stripping the pro-life amendments that would have restored H.B. 517 to a pro-life posture. Confusion reigned in the two hour committee hearing with Planned Parenthood representatives making outrageous allegations that the bill allows "racist medicine," and the ACLU alleging that conscience protections could lead to a situation where Muslims would try to impose Sharia law. To avoid the bill coming out of committee with bad amendments, Rep. LeBas voluntarily deferred H.B. 517 until next week so the committee members could be briefed on the actual provisions of the bill and the need to remove the Edwards amendments picked up in the House. Pro-Life groups are seeking calls to Senate Health and Welfare members to oppose any pro-abortion weakening amendments to the bills.
Texas Legislative Session Ends With Pro-Life Successes, Disappointments
Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) -- The following end-of-session legislative report comes from Texas Alliance for Life: "The 140-day Texas legislative session ended on June 1 with mixed results for pro-lifers. Here are some of the successes: Funding for treatments and research involving umbilical cord adult stem cells will continue at $5 million for two years. Meanwhile, all attempts to fund or legitimize human cloning or embryonic stem cell research were defeated. The Alternatives to Abortion fund was increased from $5 million to $8 million for two years. All attempts to attack pro-life pregnancy resource centers and Gabriel Projects were defeated. Attempts to remove conscience protections for health care providers were defeated, as were attempts to limit the free speech rights of churches and issue organizations to educate the public about how candidates stand on issues. But there were disappointments: Despite overwhelming support in both chambers, the Choose Life license plate bill died on the last day along with the TxDOT reauthorization bill to which it had been amended. The ultrasound bill died near the end, a victim of a five-day filibuster, not related to the life issue, orchestrated by some members of the House Democratic Caucus. The bill to create the Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Consortium died in the House as time ran out in the final days, even though TAL's "Put Patients First" campaign helped to win unanimous support in the Senate. Planned Parenthood continued to be eligible for millions in tax funding for "family planning" services that include referrals for abortion."
Austin, TX (LifeNews.com) -- The following end-of-session legislative report comes from Texas Alliance for Life: "The 140-day Texas legislative session ended on June 1 with mixed results for pro-lifers. Here are some of the successes: Funding for treatments and research involving umbilical cord adult stem cells will continue at $5 million for two years. Meanwhile, all attempts to fund or legitimize human cloning or embryonic stem cell research were defeated. The Alternatives to Abortion fund was increased from $5 million to $8 million for two years. All attempts to attack pro-life pregnancy resource centers and Gabriel Projects were defeated. Attempts to remove conscience protections for health care providers were defeated, as were attempts to limit the free speech rights of churches and issue organizations to educate the public about how candidates stand on issues. But there were disappointments: Despite overwhelming support in both chambers, the Choose Life license plate bill died on the last day along with the TxDOT reauthorization bill to which it had been amended. The ultrasound bill died near the end, a victim of a five-day filibuster, not related to the life issue, orchestrated by some members of the House Democratic Caucus. The bill to create the Texas Adult Stem Cell Research Consortium died in the House as time ran out in the final days, even though TAL's "Put Patients First" campaign helped to win unanimous support in the Senate. Planned Parenthood continued to be eligible for millions in tax funding for "family planning" services that include referrals for abortion."
