Obama Interview: I Support Abortion Conscience Clause, What Note Dame Scandal?
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a Thursday afternoon interview with members of various Catholic publications, President Barack Obama defended himself from criticism over his pro-abortion record. He said he supports a conscience clause on abortion but gave a joking response to a question about Notre Dame. According to a National Catholic Register report, Obama talked about his upcoming visit with Pope Benedict XVI and said he looked forward to taking with him about unrelated political issues. Father Owen Kearns, editor in chief and publisher of the Register, said each member of the Catholic press was allowed to ask one question and the most controversial came in regard to Obama's position on conscience clauses. Kearns told Register writer Time Drake that Obama tried to "dispel the worst" about what pro-life advocates say about his attempts to overturn the additional pro-life conscience protections President Bush put in place. "Well, I think that the only reason that my position may appear unclear is because it came in the wake of a last-minute, 11th-hour change in conscience clause provisions that were pushed forward by the previous administration that we chose to reverse," Obama said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a Thursday afternoon interview with members of various Catholic publications, President Barack Obama defended himself from criticism over his pro-abortion record. He said he supports a conscience clause on abortion but gave a joking response to a question about Notre Dame. According to a National Catholic Register report, Obama talked about his upcoming visit with Pope Benedict XVI and said he looked forward to taking with him about unrelated political issues. Father Owen Kearns, editor in chief and publisher of the Register, said each member of the Catholic press was allowed to ask one question and the most controversial came in regard to Obama's position on conscience clauses. Kearns told Register writer Time Drake that Obama tried to "dispel the worst" about what pro-life advocates say about his attempts to overturn the additional pro-life conscience protections President Bush put in place. "Well, I think that the only reason that my position may appear unclear is because it came in the wake of a last-minute, 11th-hour change in conscience clause provisions that were pushed forward by the previous administration that we chose to reverse," Obama said. Full story at LifeNews.comBarack Obama's Overseas Abortion Promotion Hurts Efforts to Help Poor in Peru
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When President Barack Obama ditched the Mexico City Policy and resumed sending taxpayer dollars to groups that perform and promote abortions overseas, he did more than just expand abortions. Obama's move has hurt groups who are helping poor people in other nations, such as Peru. Alejandro Bermúdez, a Catholic journalist who writes for the National Catholic Register, recently talked with Vatican Radio about other ramifications. He says that when Obama overturned the Mexico City Policy and opened up millions in foreign aid money to pro-abortion groups that it came at a price -- reducing the funds available to help impoverished nations. “The American international development organization, the USAID, has a significant budget. During the previous administration, most of that money because of the Mexico City Policy could not go to organizations that promote abortion," he told Vatican Radio. "And, therefore, that means that most of that money ended up going to the food for the people that is in need, shelter," he said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When President Barack Obama ditched the Mexico City Policy and resumed sending taxpayer dollars to groups that perform and promote abortions overseas, he did more than just expand abortions. Obama's move has hurt groups who are helping poor people in other nations, such as Peru. Alejandro Bermúdez, a Catholic journalist who writes for the National Catholic Register, recently talked with Vatican Radio about other ramifications. He says that when Obama overturned the Mexico City Policy and opened up millions in foreign aid money to pro-abortion groups that it came at a price -- reducing the funds available to help impoverished nations. “The American international development organization, the USAID, has a significant budget. During the previous administration, most of that money because of the Mexico City Policy could not go to organizations that promote abortion," he told Vatican Radio. "And, therefore, that means that most of that money ended up going to the food for the people that is in need, shelter," he said. Full story at LifeNews.comDocuments Show Sonia Sotomayor's Group Opposed Pro-Life Judge Robert Bork
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor is facing new criticism from pro-life advocates now that a group she served as a board member for has provided new documents to the Senate. A Hispanic organization that she set policy for took a strong stance against pro-life Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork. The Senate went on to reject President Ronald Reagan's high court pick in 1987 after abortion advocates subjected him to intense criticism. Sotomayor was on the board of the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund, now known as Latino Justice, at the time of the nomination. The documents reveal her group opposed Bork's nomination and called him a "threat" to the "civil rights of the Latino community." Sotomayor has already come under fire for PRLDEF's six legal briefs that it submitted to the high court aggressively promoting unlimited abortions funded at taxpayer expense. The New York Times notes that Sotomayor "was an involved and ardent supporter of their various legal efforts." The documents provide more support for that, Stephen Boyd, spokesman for the ranking Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, pro-life Sen. Jeff Sessions, told the Washington Times. "A cursory look at the limited material now in our possession raises several red flags ... as well as information indicating Judge Sotomayor's deeper-than-previously thought involvement in developing the legal positions of the organization," Boyd said. Full story at LifeNews.comAttorney General Wants Video Showing Planned Parenthood Sex Abuse Coverup
Montgomery, AL (LifeNews.com) -- Alabama Attorney General Troy king wants a copy of the full video footage activist Lila Rose took showing Planned Parenthood stuff covering up a potential case of sexual abuse. The video also shows the abortion business telling her how she could violate the state's parental consent law. The video has a Planned Parenthood staffer admitting "we bend the rules" when it comes to following state sexual abuse reporting laws. "If that tape is an accurate depiction of what’s happening, that’s very troubling," King said on Wednesday, according to the Gadsen Times. Rose, a UCLA student who is the head of the pro-life group Live Action, has taken videos of Planned Parenthood centers in Arizona and Indiana where staff engaged in the same sexual abuse coverup. Officials in those states also wanted the full footage for investigations, and King does as well. "In response to viewing the video, I've asked the chief of the investigative division to make contact with ‘Live Action’ to seek an authentic unaltered version of the tape," King said. "We have knowledge that the law may have been broken and I think we're compelled at that point to see if it has or not." Full story at LifeNews.com
Montgomery, AL (LifeNews.com) -- Alabama Attorney General Troy king wants a copy of the full video footage activist Lila Rose took showing Planned Parenthood stuff covering up a potential case of sexual abuse. The video also shows the abortion business telling her how she could violate the state's parental consent law. The video has a Planned Parenthood staffer admitting "we bend the rules" when it comes to following state sexual abuse reporting laws. "If that tape is an accurate depiction of what’s happening, that’s very troubling," King said on Wednesday, according to the Gadsen Times. Rose, a UCLA student who is the head of the pro-life group Live Action, has taken videos of Planned Parenthood centers in Arizona and Indiana where staff engaged in the same sexual abuse coverup. Officials in those states also wanted the full footage for investigations, and King does as well. "In response to viewing the video, I've asked the chief of the investigative division to make contact with ‘Live Action’ to seek an authentic unaltered version of the tape," King said. "We have knowledge that the law may have been broken and I think we're compelled at that point to see if it has or not." Full story at LifeNews.comObama Picks "Pro-Life" Catholic Sellout Douglas Kmiec for Malta Ambassador
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has named Douglas Kmiec, the Pepperdine University law professor who has become a key impediment to pro-life Catholics as the ambassador to Malta. The move is sure to spark opposition in Catholic circles given Malta's strongly pro-life stance. Kmiec became the main Catholic cheerleader for the Obama campaign during the 2008 presidential election and hisringing endorsements of the aggressive abortion advocate drew scorn nationwide. Kmiec has continued defending Obama despite his moves to force taxpayers to fund both abortions and embryonic stem cell research that destroys human life. And he has come to the defense of Office of Legal Counsel nominee Dawn Johnson, who has compared pregnancy to slavery and is a former lawyer for a pro-abortion group. He was denied communion last year during a meeting of Catholic business leaders because of his endorsement and repeated campaigning for Obama. Obama will nominate Kmiec as the ambassador to the Catholic country that is a small Mediterranean island just south of Italy. The decision requires approval from the Senate, which is expected even though his defense of Obama's pro-abortion views may cost him some votes. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has named Douglas Kmiec, the Pepperdine University law professor who has become a key impediment to pro-life Catholics as the ambassador to Malta. The move is sure to spark opposition in Catholic circles given Malta's strongly pro-life stance. Kmiec became the main Catholic cheerleader for the Obama campaign during the 2008 presidential election and hisringing endorsements of the aggressive abortion advocate drew scorn nationwide. Kmiec has continued defending Obama despite his moves to force taxpayers to fund both abortions and embryonic stem cell research that destroys human life. And he has come to the defense of Office of Legal Counsel nominee Dawn Johnson, who has compared pregnancy to slavery and is a former lawyer for a pro-abortion group. He was denied communion last year during a meeting of Catholic business leaders because of his endorsement and repeated campaigning for Obama. Obama will nominate Kmiec as the ambassador to the Catholic country that is a small Mediterranean island just south of Italy. The decision requires approval from the Senate, which is expected even though his defense of Obama's pro-abortion views may cost him some votes. Full story at LifeNews.comObama Admin Calls for Universal Access to Abortion at United Nations Meeting
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- At United Nations (UN) headquarters this week, the Obama administration continued its push for ever increasing access to legal abortion around the world. The Obama team has introduced language that has thrown a high level negotiation into a roil. The U.S. proposal calls for “universal access” to “sexual and reproductive health services including universal access to family planning.” The document under consideration will culminate in the 2009 Annual Ministerial Review, which convenes next week in Geneva. The sticking point for many delegations and what has driven apart the usual solid European bloc is the use of the word “services” in the context of “reproductive health.” Way back in 2001 during negotiations related to the ten year review of the Child Convention, a Canadian delegate blurted out “of course everyone knows ‘services’ means abortion.” Ever since, the word “services” has been a topic of hot debate. Full story at LifeNews.com
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- At United Nations (UN) headquarters this week, the Obama administration continued its push for ever increasing access to legal abortion around the world. The Obama team has introduced language that has thrown a high level negotiation into a roil. The U.S. proposal calls for “universal access” to “sexual and reproductive health services including universal access to family planning.” The document under consideration will culminate in the 2009 Annual Ministerial Review, which convenes next week in Geneva. The sticking point for many delegations and what has driven apart the usual solid European bloc is the use of the word “services” in the context of “reproductive health.” Way back in 2001 during negotiations related to the ten year review of the Child Convention, a Canadian delegate blurted out “of course everyone knows ‘services’ means abortion.” Ever since, the word “services” has been a topic of hot debate. Full story at LifeNews.comSen. Bob Casey: Abortion Shouldn't Strop Congress From Passing Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senator Bob Casey, the self-identified pro-life Democrat from Pennsylvania, is giving pro-life advocates another reason to doubt that claim. In a new interview, Casey says that making sure abortions are not covered or paid for at taxpayer expense shouldn't stop passage of a health care restructuring bill. Casey's comments in the interview with CNS News appear to put him at odds with 19 pro-life Democrats in the House who recently told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi they couldn't support any health care bill that wasn't abortion neutral. Casey said he doesn't know why Congress should debate making sure a health care bill doesn't mandate abortion coverage. “It hasn't been an impediment, and I don't expect it to be and it shouldn't be. There is no reason why in a health-care bill we have to have another debate about that issue (abortion),” the senator said. Casey later defended his own position on abortion, which has been called into question following such votes as opposing the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which stops funding of groups that promote and perform abortions abroad. “I think it is abundantly clear what my position is on the issue of abortion,” he added. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senator Bob Casey, the self-identified pro-life Democrat from Pennsylvania, is giving pro-life advocates another reason to doubt that claim. In a new interview, Casey says that making sure abortions are not covered or paid for at taxpayer expense shouldn't stop passage of a health care restructuring bill. Casey's comments in the interview with CNS News appear to put him at odds with 19 pro-life Democrats in the House who recently told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi they couldn't support any health care bill that wasn't abortion neutral. Casey said he doesn't know why Congress should debate making sure a health care bill doesn't mandate abortion coverage. “It hasn't been an impediment, and I don't expect it to be and it shouldn't be. There is no reason why in a health-care bill we have to have another debate about that issue (abortion),” the senator said. Casey later defended his own position on abortion, which has been called into question following such votes as opposing the reinstatement of the Mexico City Policy, which stops funding of groups that promote and perform abortions abroad. “I think it is abundantly clear what my position is on the issue of abortion,” he added. Full story at LifeNews.comWHO Maternal Mortality Report Presents Skews Data to Advance Abortion Agenda
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- In its recently released annual report on the state of global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) presents statistics that misleadingly appear to place maternal mortality on par with other global killers like malaria and HIV/ AIDS. This new approach contradicts other WHO reports where maternal mortality does not even make the top ten of global killers, ranking somewhere lower than car accident fatalities. The confusion first arises in the second table of the new report, which provides data about mortality due to maternal causes, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and injuries. All of these causes of death, except maternal mortality, are among the top ten causes of death globally; yet maternal mortality is shown in the same statistics table, as if it were comparable to the others. Even more confusing to the casual reader is that the statistics in the table for maternal mortality actually appear to be a greater cause of death than the others. Full story at LifeNews.com
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- In its recently released annual report on the state of global health, the World Health Organization (WHO) presents statistics that misleadingly appear to place maternal mortality on par with other global killers like malaria and HIV/ AIDS. This new approach contradicts other WHO reports where maternal mortality does not even make the top ten of global killers, ranking somewhere lower than car accident fatalities. The confusion first arises in the second table of the new report, which provides data about mortality due to maternal causes, HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and injuries. All of these causes of death, except maternal mortality, are among the top ten causes of death globally; yet maternal mortality is shown in the same statistics table, as if it were comparable to the others. Even more confusing to the casual reader is that the statistics in the table for maternal mortality actually appear to be a greater cause of death than the others. Full story at LifeNews.comBritish Medical Association Reaffirms Opposition to Assisted Suicide at Conference
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- The British Medical Association reaffirmed its opposition to assisted suicide at its annual conference yesterday. Despite an attempt by MPs to legalize the practice or allow so-called suicide tourism, doctors rejected a call from BMA member Kailash Chand to change its long-held views. Chand hoped to get the BMA to support a position allowing assisted suicide in cases where a patient is terminally ill and has the mental capacity to consent to killing himself. Doctors also rejected calls to support a position against prosecuting physicians who break the law by participating in an assisted suicide. The motion, which encompassed both issues, was voted down 53-45 percent. Full story at LifeNews.comFlorida Planned Parenthood Opens Abortion Centers Closed After Financial Issues
Miami, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A local Planned Parenthood affiliate in south Florida has reopened two centers that were closed last year after a former affiliate shut down following financial mismanagement. The new centers will open at their former sites in Pembroke Pines and Oakland Park and they will both start doing abortions later this year. As LifeNews.com reported in March 2008, the national Planned Parenthood abortion business closed down Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties after significant financial problems and mismanagement. The national representatives allegedly found both financial improprieties as well as medical problems at the facilities the affiliate ran. The local affiliate could not account for $440,000 of its $3 million budget and board members of the group alleged that some financial reports had been falsified. Now, Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast is re-opening two of the four closed centers. Lillian Tamayo, CEO of the local abortion business, told the Miami Herald that the national Planned Parenthood office told her it wanted the two centers opened. Full story at LifeNews.com
Miami, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A local Planned Parenthood affiliate in south Florida has reopened two centers that were closed last year after a former affiliate shut down following financial mismanagement. The new centers will open at their former sites in Pembroke Pines and Oakland Park and they will both start doing abortions later this year. As LifeNews.com reported in March 2008, the national Planned Parenthood abortion business closed down Planned Parenthood of South Palm Beach and Broward Counties after significant financial problems and mismanagement. The national representatives allegedly found both financial improprieties as well as medical problems at the facilities the affiliate ran. The local affiliate could not account for $440,000 of its $3 million budget and board members of the group alleged that some financial reports had been falsified. Now, Parenthood of South Florida and the Treasure Coast is re-opening two of the four closed centers. Lillian Tamayo, CEO of the local abortion business, told the Miami Herald that the national Planned Parenthood office told her it wanted the two centers opened. Full story at LifeNews.comOhio Decision Helping Planned Parenthood Hide Abortion-Rape Coverup Blasted
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life advocates are blasting an Ohio Supreme Court decision released Wednesday that they say helps Planned Parenthood coverup an abortion it did on a girl who was a victim of statutory rape. The state high court said a Cincinnati Planned Parenthood abortion business doesn't have to give up records. The records are part of a case involving accusations that it ignored suspected sexual abuse against a teenager who sought an abortion. Brian Hurley, the attorney for the girl and her parents, told LifeNews.com he disagrees with the court's decision. He said the decision "allows Planned Parenthood, under the pretext of protecting privacy rights, to prevent anyone from reviewing its redacted records to determine the truth of what many people believe is Planned Parenthood's policy and practice of violating its duty to report suspected or known sexual abuse of minors." "We believe that the protection Ohio provides to its sexually abused children has been significantly weakened and parents' rights to protect their children from abuse have been undermined. We agree with Judge Donovan's assessment that the decision is neither just nor reasonable," he continued. Full story at LifeNews.com
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Pro-life advocates are blasting an Ohio Supreme Court decision released Wednesday that they say helps Planned Parenthood coverup an abortion it did on a girl who was a victim of statutory rape. The state high court said a Cincinnati Planned Parenthood abortion business doesn't have to give up records. The records are part of a case involving accusations that it ignored suspected sexual abuse against a teenager who sought an abortion. Brian Hurley, the attorney for the girl and her parents, told LifeNews.com he disagrees with the court's decision. He said the decision "allows Planned Parenthood, under the pretext of protecting privacy rights, to prevent anyone from reviewing its redacted records to determine the truth of what many people believe is Planned Parenthood's policy and practice of violating its duty to report suspected or known sexual abuse of minors." "We believe that the protection Ohio provides to its sexually abused children has been significantly weakened and parents' rights to protect their children from abuse have been undermined. We agree with Judge Donovan's assessment that the decision is neither just nor reasonable," he continued. Full story at LifeNews.comPopular European Singer Cheb Mami on Trial for Forcing Girlfriend to Have Abortion
Paris, France (LifeNews.com) -- Popular European singer Cheb Mami is on trial today in France and charged with forcing his girlfriend to have an abortion. Known as Prince of Rai, Mami, whose real name is Mohammed Khalifati was apprehended by Interpol agents after he fled to his native Algeria for more than two years. Mami faces 10 years in prison and a $210 000 if found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, a 43-year-old magazine photographer. He skipped bail and fled to Algeria in 2007 after being charged with counts of causing bodily harm, sequestration and issuing threats against his former partner. The forced abortion incident saw Mami's former manager Maurice Levy, who Mami says organized the attempt to get the girlfriend to have an abortion, also charged in the incident. Full story at LifeNews.com
Paris, France (LifeNews.com) -- Popular European singer Cheb Mami is on trial today in France and charged with forcing his girlfriend to have an abortion. Known as Prince of Rai, Mami, whose real name is Mohammed Khalifati was apprehended by Interpol agents after he fled to his native Algeria for more than two years. Mami faces 10 years in prison and a $210 000 if found guilty of assaulting his former girlfriend, a 43-year-old magazine photographer. He skipped bail and fled to Algeria in 2007 after being charged with counts of causing bodily harm, sequestration and issuing threats against his former partner. The forced abortion incident saw Mami's former manager Maurice Levy, who Mami says organized the attempt to get the girlfriend to have an abortion, also charged in the incident. Full story at LifeNews.comEncourage Friends to Sign Up for Free Pro-Life News From LifeNews.com
