Pro-Abortion Hispanic Group: Sotomayor Set Policy, Not Involved in Legal Briefs
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The president of a pro-abortion Hispanic group says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor set policy but was not involved in pro-abortion legal briefs when she was on its board of directors. Sotomayor was on the board of the group now known as Latino Justice. The organization, formerly known as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, had her on the board from 1980 to 1992. The New York Times notes that Sotomayor "was an involved and ardent supporter of their various legal efforts." Those efforts included several Supreme Court briefs arguing for unlimited legal abortions for any reason throughout pregnancy and for taxpayer funding of abortions. Cesar Perales, PRLDEF's president and general counsel, told AP that Sotomayor set policy for the group but wasn't involved in those legal briefs. "She was on the board of directors, she was not a member of the legal staff, so she was not directly involved in the legal arguments that we presented," Perales said. "Her role was to help us raise funds, set policy, hire the person who would run the organization." The Hispanic group is sending 350 pages of documents to the Senate and could send more as it combs through 300 boxes of information that could have mention of Sotomayor. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The president of a pro-abortion Hispanic group says Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor set policy but was not involved in pro-abortion legal briefs when she was on its board of directors. Sotomayor was on the board of the group now known as Latino Justice. The organization, formerly known as the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, had her on the board from 1980 to 1992. The New York Times notes that Sotomayor "was an involved and ardent supporter of their various legal efforts." Those efforts included several Supreme Court briefs arguing for unlimited legal abortions for any reason throughout pregnancy and for taxpayer funding of abortions. Cesar Perales, PRLDEF's president and general counsel, told AP that Sotomayor set policy for the group but wasn't involved in those legal briefs. "She was on the board of directors, she was not a member of the legal staff, so she was not directly involved in the legal arguments that we presented," Perales said. "Her role was to help us raise funds, set policy, hire the person who would run the organization." The Hispanic group is sending 350 pages of documents to the Senate and could send more as it combs through 300 boxes of information that could have mention of Sotomayor. Full story at LifeNews.comPro-Abortion Groups Ramp Up Efforts to Keep Abortion in Health Care Reform Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two major pro-abortion groups are ramping up their efforts to keep abortion coverage in the health care reform bill the Senate Finance committee is crafting. Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL, without ever using the term abortion, asked their members this morning to call to keep it in place. As Congress considers various bills to restructure the health care system, pro-life advocates are asking that specific language be included to exclude abortion. They say that, without such language making it clear that abortions are not covered in the government-run health care or paid for with taxpayer dollars, that the federal government or courts could include abortions. With flowery language claiming women would lose access to "reproductive health care," Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards urged her troops to blast the Senate with calls and emails demanding abortion coverage and funding. "We've feared all along that women and their reproductive health care could be the first to go when push comes to shove in health care reform," she says. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Two major pro-abortion groups are ramping up their efforts to keep abortion coverage in the health care reform bill the Senate Finance committee is crafting. Both Planned Parenthood and NARAL, without ever using the term abortion, asked their members this morning to call to keep it in place. As Congress considers various bills to restructure the health care system, pro-life advocates are asking that specific language be included to exclude abortion. They say that, without such language making it clear that abortions are not covered in the government-run health care or paid for with taxpayer dollars, that the federal government or courts could include abortions. With flowery language claiming women would lose access to "reproductive health care," Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards urged her troops to blast the Senate with calls and emails demanding abortion coverage and funding. "We've feared all along that women and their reproductive health care could be the first to go when push comes to shove in health care reform," she says. Full story at LifeNews.comACTION: Contact members of the Senate Finance Committee and urge strong support for any amendments to stop abortion coverage or taxpayer-funded abortions in the health care plan. Call 202-224-3121 or go to http://www.Senate.gov for contact information. Find a list of the committee members at http://finance.senate.gov/
Birmingham, AL (LifeNews.com) -- The Planned Parenthood abortion business in Alabama has responded to new video footage showing one of its staff members hiding a potential case of sexual abuse. The video also shows the Planned Parenthood employee telling a woman posing as a teenager how she can evade the state's parental consent law. As LifeNews.com reported, the new undercover videoshows a staffer at a Birmingham, Alabama abortion center telling a woman who appears to be a victim of statutory rape that "we bend the rules." The Birmingham Planned Parenthood counselor tells UCLA activist Lila Rose, who pretends to be a 14-year-old statutory rape victim, that it "does sometimes bend the rules a little bit" rather than report sexual abuse to state authorities. The Planned Parenthood abortion business released a statement yesterday saying its staff normally act in a professional manner and promising an internal probe. "Planned Parenthood of Alabama provides high quality health care and takes any allegation of this nature very seriously," it claimed. "An essential part of our mission is to protect teens, and to make sure that they get the counseling and medical care they need. We will conduct an internal, fact-based review to ensure that all our high standards of care have been met," it added. Full story at LifeNews.comSupport for Sonia Sotomayor Crumbles as Pro-Abortion Bona Fides Established
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The more that the American public learns that Sonia Sotomayor may supports unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy if she is confirmed for the Supreme Court, the more they oppose her nomination. A new Rasmussen Report poll finds a plurality now oppose the Senate confirming her. The finding comes as more information is revealed about her involvement with a pro-abortion Hispanic group that filed numerous legal briefs promoting unlimited abortions. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey find a small 37 percent believe Sotomayor should be confirmed while a larger 39 percent say she should not. The rest of those polled are undecided on her nomination. Two weeks ago, the numbers were much brighter for President Barack Obama's first Supreme Court pick. At that time, 42% favored confirmation, and 34% were opposed, according to the Rasmussen poll. Democrats now favor confirmation by a four-to-one margin while Republicans are opposed by a three-to-one margin. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 23% favor confirmation, and 49% are opposed. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The more that the American public learns that Sonia Sotomayor may supports unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy if she is confirmed for the Supreme Court, the more they oppose her nomination. A new Rasmussen Report poll finds a plurality now oppose the Senate confirming her. The finding comes as more information is revealed about her involvement with a pro-abortion Hispanic group that filed numerous legal briefs promoting unlimited abortions. The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey find a small 37 percent believe Sotomayor should be confirmed while a larger 39 percent say she should not. The rest of those polled are undecided on her nomination. Two weeks ago, the numbers were much brighter for President Barack Obama's first Supreme Court pick. At that time, 42% favored confirmation, and 34% were opposed, according to the Rasmussen poll. Democrats now favor confirmation by a four-to-one margin while Republicans are opposed by a three-to-one margin. Among those not affiliated with either major party, 23% favor confirmation, and 49% are opposed. Full story at LifeNews.comCatholic University Association Drops Possible Rift With Bishops Over Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities could have started a rift with the nation's Catholic bishops but appears to have avoided it. In it's last newsletter, the association called for the bishops to withdraw their guidelines saying Catholic colleges should not allow pro-abortion speakers. Now, ACCU officials have deleted that language from its Summer 2009 newsletter. The language originally had the group saying, "ACCU's directors informally concluded that it would be desirable for the USCCB to withdraw 'Catholics in Political Life.'" "A successor document, if any, should distinguish between 'honors' and 'platforms' and should acknowledge more clearly the differing roles of campus authorities and bishop," the original language, reported on earlier this month by LifeNews.com, indicated. "Catholics in Political Life," is the document the nation's Catholic bishops adopted almost unanimously in 2004 that, in part, urged Catholic colleges and universities to not give a platform to pro-abortion speakers. "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions," it said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities could have started a rift with the nation's Catholic bishops but appears to have avoided it. In it's last newsletter, the association called for the bishops to withdraw their guidelines saying Catholic colleges should not allow pro-abortion speakers. Now, ACCU officials have deleted that language from its Summer 2009 newsletter. The language originally had the group saying, "ACCU's directors informally concluded that it would be desirable for the USCCB to withdraw 'Catholics in Political Life.'" "A successor document, if any, should distinguish between 'honors' and 'platforms' and should acknowledge more clearly the differing roles of campus authorities and bishop," the original language, reported on earlier this month by LifeNews.com, indicated. "Catholics in Political Life," is the document the nation's Catholic bishops adopted almost unanimously in 2004 that, in part, urged Catholic colleges and universities to not give a platform to pro-abortion speakers. "The Catholic community and Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles. They should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions," it said. Full story at LifeNews.comWisconsin Abortions Drop for Fifth Straight Year, Set Record for Lowest Since Roe
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Wisconsin declined for the fifth straight year last year and now stand at their lowest total since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. State health officials reported today that 8,229 babies were aborted in 2008, which is 40 fewer than in 2007. Abortions have now declined for the last five years and the last time the state passed the 10,000 mark was in 2003. Wisconsin Right to Life director Barbara Lyons tells LifeNews.com that the efforts of pro-life groups and pregnancy centers are working. She said that the drop wasn't as much as the previous report because two abortion centers that were closed remained open throughout 2008. “Although the percent drop was less that 1% in 2008, any drop is significant following the 14% decrease in 2007 fueled by the closing of two abortion clinics for seven months in that year," she said. "Those two clinics, in Appleton and Milwaukee, were open for the entire year of 2008.” Full story at LifeNews.com
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Wisconsin declined for the fifth straight year last year and now stand at their lowest total since the Roe v. Wade decision in 1973. State health officials reported today that 8,229 babies were aborted in 2008, which is 40 fewer than in 2007. Abortions have now declined for the last five years and the last time the state passed the 10,000 mark was in 2003. Wisconsin Right to Life director Barbara Lyons tells LifeNews.com that the efforts of pro-life groups and pregnancy centers are working. She said that the drop wasn't as much as the previous report because two abortion centers that were closed remained open throughout 2008. “Although the percent drop was less that 1% in 2008, any drop is significant following the 14% decrease in 2007 fueled by the closing of two abortion clinics for seven months in that year," she said. "Those two clinics, in Appleton and Milwaukee, were open for the entire year of 2008.” Full story at LifeNews.comMinnesota Abortions Drop for Second Straight Year, Lowest Total Since 1975
St. Paul, MN (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Minnesota fell for the second straight year in 2008 and a leading pro-life organization credits a program helping provide resources and support for pregnant women. The Minnesota health department reports 12,948 abortions in 2008, down 895 from the 2007 level. The report indicates abortions declined among nearly all ages of women and girls, except those 40 and older where it increased slightly. Most abortions were done on women who were not married at the time and one in seven were done on married women. Scott Fischbach, the director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), talked with LifeNews.com about the decline. He said abortion numbers fell for the second straight year following the launch of the Positive Alternatives grant program and he credits the grant program for reducing abortions since its inception. “This report demonstrates that Positive Alternative is working for women and their unborn babies,” he said. Full story at LifeNews.com
St. Paul, MN (LifeNews.com) -- The number of abortions in Minnesota fell for the second straight year in 2008 and a leading pro-life organization credits a program helping provide resources and support for pregnant women. The Minnesota health department reports 12,948 abortions in 2008, down 895 from the 2007 level. The report indicates abortions declined among nearly all ages of women and girls, except those 40 and older where it increased slightly. Most abortions were done on women who were not married at the time and one in seven were done on married women. Scott Fischbach, the director of Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL), talked with LifeNews.com about the decline. He said abortion numbers fell for the second straight year following the launch of the Positive Alternatives grant program and he credits the grant program for reducing abortions since its inception. “This report demonstrates that Positive Alternative is working for women and their unborn babies,” he said. Full story at LifeNews.comGoogle AdWords Disallows Advertising for Abortion Businesses in Several Nations
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Search engine giant Google is apparently disallowing advertisements for abortion businesses in several nations, some of which prohibit abortions and some of which don't. There appears to be little rhyme or reason for the Google decision, which abortion advocates are blasting. Pro-abortion activist Lori Adelman corresponded with a staff member at Google who confirmed the denial of abortion advertising. While ads for abortion are allowed in many nations, such as the United States, Google appears to have banned them in several countries. While nations like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Poland protect women and children, others such as France and Taiwan allow abortions. "Last September, we reviewed our abortion ads policy in order to make sure it was fair, up to date and consistent with local customs and practices," the staffer told Adelman. "We decided to disallow ads for abortion services, such as abortion clinics, in the following markets: Germany, Poland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, France, Italy and Spain." Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Search engine giant Google is apparently disallowing advertisements for abortion businesses in several nations, some of which prohibit abortions and some of which don't. There appears to be little rhyme or reason for the Google decision, which abortion advocates are blasting. Pro-abortion activist Lori Adelman corresponded with a staff member at Google who confirmed the denial of abortion advertising. While ads for abortion are allowed in many nations, such as the United States, Google appears to have banned them in several countries. While nations like Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Poland protect women and children, others such as France and Taiwan allow abortions. "Last September, we reviewed our abortion ads policy in order to make sure it was fair, up to date and consistent with local customs and practices," the staffer told Adelman. "We decided to disallow ads for abortion services, such as abortion clinics, in the following markets: Germany, Poland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, France, Italy and Spain." Full story at LifeNews.comWhen Mother and Unborn Child Are Killed, There Are Two Victims of Violence
by Catherine Gainous
Sarah Lavato had big plans for her unborn baby boy, Isaac Ray Lavato. Those plans were destroyed when both Sarah and Isaac were brutally shot to death. The untimely ending of Sarah’s life, and the death of her baby, ignited public controversy in New Mexico regarding “fetal status” and “fetal homicide.” This act of brutality produced questions in the legislative arena as to whether or not Sarah’s case was, in fact, a double homicide.Radically liberal groups contend that since her “fetus was not viable,” it would not be considered a double homicide. The reasoning behind this thinking is that acknowledging an unborn child’s right to life would undermine the entire pro-abortion movement. Conceding a pregnant woman’s death as a double homicide would be inconsistent and would take away what the left has been working for so furiously: to enable women to get rid of their “inconvenient fetuses,” so that they will be free to live as they please. In most states, laws regarding the issue of violent acts against pregnant women focus on the harm to the woman, and the child’s rights are not considered. Full story at LifeNews.comOhio Supreme Court: Abortion Centers Can't Put Women at Risk With Abortion Drug
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday released a ruling saying abortion centers in the state could no longer put women's health at risk by not properly using the dangerous RU 486 abortion drug. At issue was a state law making sure abortion businesses follow FDA guidelines when they give out the drug. The law has been embroiled in a legal battle since an abortion business took it to court following its approval by the state legislature in 2004. It tells abortion practitioners not to encourage women to use the abortion drug vaginally, which experts say could be responsible for why the RU 486 abortion drug killed four women in California. It also says the abortion pill can't be used after the seventh week of pregnancy. The abortion drug, also known as mifepristone, has been responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen women worldwide and it has injured more than 1,200 women in the United States according to FDA figures from 2007. The FDA has placed its highest black box warning on the abortion drug because of the deaths and injuries to women and issued dosage guidelines and said it should not be used after 49 days of pregnancy. Full story at LifeNews.com
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday released a ruling saying abortion centers in the state could no longer put women's health at risk by not properly using the dangerous RU 486 abortion drug. At issue was a state law making sure abortion businesses follow FDA guidelines when they give out the drug. The law has been embroiled in a legal battle since an abortion business took it to court following its approval by the state legislature in 2004. It tells abortion practitioners not to encourage women to use the abortion drug vaginally, which experts say could be responsible for why the RU 486 abortion drug killed four women in California. It also says the abortion pill can't be used after the seventh week of pregnancy. The abortion drug, also known as mifepristone, has been responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen women worldwide and it has injured more than 1,200 women in the United States according to FDA figures from 2007. The FDA has placed its highest black box warning on the abortion drug because of the deaths and injuries to women and issued dosage guidelines and said it should not be used after 49 days of pregnancy. Full story at LifeNews.comOhio Supreme Court: Planned Parenthood Keeps Records in Abortion-Abuse Case
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday released a ruling saying that a Cincinnati Planned Parenthood abortion business doesn't have to give up records an attorney is seeking in a case involving accusations that it ignored suspected sexual abuse against a teenager who sought an abortion. Cincinnati attorney Charles Miller is requesting Planned Parenthood medical records to prove his contention that the abortion business engaged in a pattern of abuse by failing to report to state officials cases of statutory rape. Instead, it did abortions on the girls, who were victims of sexual abuse. The case was brought by Cincinnati-area parents whose minor daughter had an abortion at a Planned Parenthood facility without her parents' knowledge after being sexually abused by her adult coach. The parents allege that Planned Parenthood failed to comply with the statute requiring reports of known or suspected child abuse as well as Ohio's parental consent statute. In a split decision, the Supreme Court said Planned Parenthood could not be forced to turn over the confidential medical records of other minor girls who had abortions even though any identifying information would be redacted. The court also ruled that the case could continue even though it denied the request for the records. Full story at LifeNews.com
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- The Ohio Supreme Court on Wednesday released a ruling saying that a Cincinnati Planned Parenthood abortion business doesn't have to give up records an attorney is seeking in a case involving accusations that it ignored suspected sexual abuse against a teenager who sought an abortion. Cincinnati attorney Charles Miller is requesting Planned Parenthood medical records to prove his contention that the abortion business engaged in a pattern of abuse by failing to report to state officials cases of statutory rape. Instead, it did abortions on the girls, who were victims of sexual abuse. The case was brought by Cincinnati-area parents whose minor daughter had an abortion at a Planned Parenthood facility without her parents' knowledge after being sexually abused by her adult coach. The parents allege that Planned Parenthood failed to comply with the statute requiring reports of known or suspected child abuse as well as Ohio's parental consent statute. In a split decision, the Supreme Court said Planned Parenthood could not be forced to turn over the confidential medical records of other minor girls who had abortions even though any identifying information would be redacted. The court also ruled that the case could continue even though it denied the request for the records. Full story at LifeNews.comNorthern Ireland Health Department's Abortion Guidelines Challenged by Pro-Lifers
Belfast, Northern Ireland (LifeNews.com) -- The abortion guidelines the Northern Ireland health department released in March are drawing a challenge from a pro-life group. Pro-life advocates say the guidelines, which explain the rare circumstances when abortions can be legally done, could be used to legalize abortions through the back door. Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of Great Britain, does not allow abortions and make them available only when the life of the mother is at risk. The new document says abortions can be done for two reasons: to "preserve the life of the woman" or if a physician determines continuing the pregnancy will impose "a risk of real and serious adverse effect on her physical or mental health which is either long-term or permanent." The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, a pro-life group that operates in Great Britain, challenged the guidelines in court and its challenge has been accepted. Full story at LifeNews.com
Belfast, Northern Ireland (LifeNews.com) -- The abortion guidelines the Northern Ireland health department released in March are drawing a challenge from a pro-life group. Pro-life advocates say the guidelines, which explain the rare circumstances when abortions can be legally done, could be used to legalize abortions through the back door. Northern Ireland, unlike the rest of Great Britain, does not allow abortions and make them available only when the life of the mother is at risk. The new document says abortions can be done for two reasons: to "preserve the life of the woman" or if a physician determines continuing the pregnancy will impose "a risk of real and serious adverse effect on her physical or mental health which is either long-term or permanent." The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, a pro-life group that operates in Great Britain, challenged the guidelines in court and its challenge has been accepted. Full story at LifeNews.comEncourage Friends to Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
