LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Monday, June 15, 2009
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Pro-Life Members of Congress Stand Up to President Obama's Abortion Agenda
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- They gave it a valiant effort last week, but pro-life members of the House failed to stop President Obama's international abortion agenda. They couldn't overpower the support for H.R. 2410, the Foreign Relations Authorization bill. Despite Rep. Chris Smith's best efforts, his colleagues approved the legislation 235-187 effectively breaking ground on a massive new effort to promote abortion abroad. Through the Office of Global Women's Issues, the State Department will have even more resources at its disposal to export the President's abortion agenda. As Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) told the chamber, "...[B]beyond these extraordinary increases (a single year increase of 35% in the State Department's basic salary and operations), this legislation does a disservice to the values of the millions of Americans who cherish the sanctity of life. We deserve a foreign relations budget that respects our pocketbooks and our values. This does neither." Eighteen Democrats crossed over to vote with Republicans against the bill. After the final votes had been cast, the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus took a turn on the House floor to blast the public funding of abortion in the D.C. Appropriations bill. Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio) led the charge, which included Congressmen Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), prFutcileo-life Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper (Penn.), Reps. Joe Pitts (R-Penn.), and Chris Smith. These stalwart women and men did an outstanding job of communicating a compassionate pro-life message.
LeRoy Carhart Will Begin Training Staff in Nebraska to Do Late-Term Abortions
Bellevue, NE (LifeNews.com) -- Nebraska-based late-term abortion practitioner Leroy Carhart said he will begin training his staff to late-term abortions in addition to the second-trimester ones he already does at his Omaha-area abortion center. Until now, Carhart had performed late-term abortions only at George Tiller's center in Wichita, Kansas. However, with the shooting death of Tiller, Carhart has taken it upon himself to replace Tiller and become the leading center of late-term abortions in the central United States. Tiller was shot and killed at his church 12 days ago, and Tiller's family said it plans to close his abortion business. Attorney General Jon Bruning, a longtime pro-life advocate, told Nebraska media he's not happy about the plan. "I'm disgusted and I'm saddened, and I hate it that he's here in Nebraska and I hate it that he's in America," Bruning said. "I mean, this guy is one sick individual." Carhart said some of the staff from Tiller's clinic may help him with the training in Bellevue.
Journal of Critical Care Medicine Pushes Futile Care Theory as a Social Duty
by Wesley J. Smith
The Journal of Critical Care Medicine, has long supported Futile Care Theory–the putative right of doctors to refuse wanted life-sustaining treatment based on their values as to the quality of the patient's life. This imposition is justified as being beneficial to the patient–even if it directly contravenes the patient's desires–and to protect physician autonomy. But the real agenda is health care rationing and imposing a duty to die– sooner rather than later–based on social policy. This agenda has now been tabled in a new article in the JCCM, on the matter, "Medical Futility, Personal Goods, and Social Policy," by Lisa Day, RN, PhD (May 2009, Vol. 18, No. 3). Day writes, "The ultimate question is: Should anyone have the right to the treatment demanded by the patient in the hypothetical advanced directive? In certain circumstances,should the provider's responsibilities to the larger community override her or his responsibilities to the individual patient? These are questions that should be debated in larger social forums rather than at the bedsides of individual patients." Make no mistake: This is an opening gambit to create a dual–and sometimes conflicting–mandate for physicians; one to patients, but the other to "society." It is the end of professionalism because it will force the physician into divided loyalties. Indeed, if we look back in history at the awful crimes committed in the name of medicine, the skids to horror were greased by transforming physicians into fiduciaries for society as well as to their patients. And in this approach, is born a duty to put yourself out of our misery.
Terri Schiavo's Family Condemns Media Referring to Her as Brain Dead Corpse
St. Petersburg, FL (LifeNews.com) -- It is not always clear whether or when Stephen Amidon is speaking in his own crude voice, or if he is regurgitating the prejudice of Charles Pierce in his review of Pierce's book: Idiot America: How Stupidity Became a Virtue in the Land of the Free. But what is clear is that families caring for their brain injured loved ones have more compassion and understanding for the disabled than these two authors. "To refer to my sister, Terri Schiavo, someone with a profound brain injury, as a 'brain dead . . .corpus,' is not only patently false but it is vulgar and offensive to her and to all people living with disabilities," stated Terri's brother, Bobby Schindler. Sadly, it is people like Amidon and Pierce that repeatedly write and publish these kinds of articles having no regard for the pain it causes people with disabilities, as well as the parents and families of people who are in these types of brain injured conditions. "It is no wonder we are seeing a growing acceptance to kill people like Terri because of such shameful displays of intolerance for our most vulnerable and defenseless American citizens," added Schindler. The review came in the June 9 edition of the New York Observer.
Australia Pro-Life Group's Fetal Development Program Barred From Public Schools
Sydney, Australia (LifeNews.com) -- An educational program created by an organization with ties to pro-life groups in Australia and the United States was endorsed by the NSW Education Department for use in public schools. But since the links were raised by the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, the department has banned the group from visiting schools and announced a review of the processes that led to its approval. The Wonder of Life (Before Birth) was approved by the NSW Department of Education and Training in March to be taught in years 5 and 6 as part of the personal development, health and physical education curriculum. However the program's creator, Bruce Coleman, has bee involved in pro-life groups. Coleman is a former executive director of NSW Right to Life, a member of the management committee of Fred Nile's Christian Democratic Party, and an unsuccessful CDP candidate at the 2004 election. In an interview with the Herald, Mr Coleman said the program was "very much biology", that he "doesn't get involved in the politics at all" and does not mention abortion "in the primary context" because it is "not appropriate". However, when abortion is raised, he responds by "explaining to them the value of life. I just state clearly that abortion is the taking of an unborn life", he said. A spokesman for the Department of Education and Training said it was reviewing how the program was approved.
Pro-Life Group Hosts Viewing of Follow-Up to Acclaimed Movie Demographic Winter
Washington, DC (LifeNews.cm) -- This Wednesday, the Family Research Council will host the first public preview of Demographic Bomb, the explosive new sequel to Demographic Winter. Come and be a part of our special screening at FRC headquarters (801 G Street, NW, Washington, D.C.) at 11 a.m. on June 17. Bomb picks up where Winter left off, exploring the devastating impact of the population control movement and what it means to the world's financial crisis. Starring experts like Dr. Allan Carlson, Larry Jacobs, Don Feder, Pat Fagan, Christine Vollmer, and Austin Ruse, the movie explains how "demography is destiny." Register today by calling 800-225-4008 or by logging on to www.frc.org. Refreshments will be served. For those who can't attend in person, FRC will be streaming a live webcast, but call and RSVP as well. Please note that because of copyright laws, this is a one-time showing. Don't miss your opportunity to be part of the first audience and tell them you saw this announcement on LifeNews.com.
Pro-Life New Zealand Group Condemns Introduction of IntelliGender Test Kit
Wellington, New Zealand (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-Life New Zealand is disappointed to hear that the American designed product IntelliGender test kit will be coming to New Zealand as soon as June 22. As LifeNews.com reported, the kit could be used in sex-selection abortions. ProLife New Zealand is concerned that this will lead to an increase in the number of early abortions, the group told LifeNews.com in a statement. There is concern that women will make abortion decisions based on the sex of the child. If women wait and view the ultrasound, research from the US indicates that a high percentage of abortion-minded women will go ahead with the pregnancy. The group is encouraging women to instead wait a few weeks for their free ultrasound if they wish to learn the sex of their unborn child. "The reliability of this test is in question, with only a 90% accuracy rate," PLZ director Andy Moore said. "It is the first step towards abortions on the grounds of sex selection in our country." Moore added: "The current law only allows abortions on the mental health grounds," he says. "How then can the health authorities allow abortions when the women involved may only want to terminate because they are pregnant with a child of a particular gender they don't want?" The group is calling on Minister of Health Tony Ryall to ensure that this product is not allowed to be sold.
Northern Ireland Pro-Life Group Blasts Family Planning Assn Film on Abortion Law
Belfast, Northern Ireland (LifeNews.com) -- Bernadette Smyth, the director of the Northern Ireland pro-life group Precious Life, isn't happy with a new film on abortion law in Northern Ireland put together by the Planned Parenthood Federation and the Family Planning Association. "The fpa has long been campaigning for abortion-on-demand to be legalized in Northern Ireland. This is their latest stunt but they are fighting a losing battle," she told LifeNews.com. "The fpa are claiming that the Assembly is in a state of denial about abortion and does not listen to the people of Northern Ireland. However, it is in fact the fpa who are in a state of denial about abortion. They deny that abortion kills babies and hurts women." Smyth continued, "The Assembly does listen to the people of Northern Ireland. In October 2007, the Assembly accepted 120,000 petitions against abortion from the people of Northern Ireland, before passing a motion opposing any attempt to make abortion available in Northern Ireland. The fpa are once again trotting out the myth that two thirds of people in Northern Ireland support abortion. This is not true. The fpa are basing this figure on the results of their own survey which found 428 people - two thirds of the 690 people they questioned - supported abortion. This can hardly be described as 'two thirds of the people of Northern Ireland.'"
Minnesota Pro-Life Group Celebrates 41 Years of Promoting Right to Life
St. Paul, MN (LifeNews.com) -- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life last week celebrated 41 years of dedication to protecting and defending human life. Many hearts have been changed, protective laws passed and lives saved due to the tireless labor of MCCL volunteers and contributors throughout the decades. "I am so proud of the dedicated, compassionate work of our grass-roots members," said MCCL Executive Director Scott Fischbach. "MCCL is one of the most effective pro-life organizations in the nation, thanks to these activists. They are steadily transforming our state's culture to one that respects and protects all innocent human life at every stage." The pro-life group has taken a three-pronged approach to advancing its pro-life mission. First, citizens are continually educated on the threats to human life posed by abortion, euthanasia, infanticide and embryo-killing experiments. People are then mobilized to become active pro-life citizens who in turn work to educate others and to support passage of lifesaving laws. Third, MCCL members work to establish legal protection for vulnerable lives. From a handful of pro-life activists in 1968, MCCL has grown to include more than 70,000 member families and 240 chapters across the state.
