LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Monday, November 16, 2009
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Current Headlines
• Obama Will Remove Abortion Funding Ban From Health Care Bill, Advisor Says
• Senate Health Care Bill Will Likely Fund Abortions, Stupak Amdt Would be Killed
• New Polls Show More Americans Don't Want Government-Run Health Care Bill
• Americans Don't Trust Most Pro-Abortion News Reporters on Bringing the News
• New Catholic Bishop Replaces One Who Stood Up to Notre Dame on Obama
• Northern Ireland Abortions Rise Slightly in New Figures According to Health Dept
• British Pro-Life Group SPUC Calls for Investigation of Double Suicide Case
• University of Calgary Students See Bogus Abortion-Trespassing Charges Stayed
• Planned Parenthood Arizona Names New Board Members, Some With Colleges
• Obama Administration Ignored Second Tip on Scott Roeder Harming George Tiller
• Nevada Abortion Advocates File Lawsuit to Stop Signatures for Personhood Amdt
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Obama Will Remove Abortion Funding Ban From Health Care Bill, Advisor Says
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Top Obama advisor David Axelrod on Sunday confirmed what pro-life advocates already suspected would happen. He said President Barack Obama will work with congressional Democrats to remove the abortion funding ban the House approved in its version of the government-run health care bill.
Axelrod says that, because the Stupak amendment allegedly goes beyond the status quo under the Hyde amendment (which bans abortion funding under Medicaid), Obama will make sure the amendment is yanked during the conference committee. That's the part of the legislative process that will occur if and when the Senate approves its own health care bill, which will likely start debate with abortion funding.
"The president has said repeatedly, and he said in his speech to Congress, that he doesn't believe that this bill should change the status quo as it relates to the issue of abortion," Axelrod said today on CNN's State of the Union program.
"This shouldn't be a debate about abortion. And he's going to work with Senate and the House to try and ensure that at the end of the day, the status quo is not changed," he added. "I believe that there are discussions ongoing to how to adjust it accordingly."
Axelrod said that an agreement with ruling Democrats in Congress to remove the ban on taxpayer funding of abortions "can and will be worked through before it reaches his desk." Full story at LifeNews.com
Senate Health Care Bill Will Likely Fund Abortions, Stupak Amdt Would be Killed
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Senate is gearing up this week for what will likely be its first battle on a government-run health care bill that is expected to fund abortions. As the first vote comes, analysis from one top pro-life lobbyist makes it clear a Stupak-type amendment has little chance once a vote to allow debate takes place.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had been waiting to unveil his bill until the financial analysis came back and, when it was more expensive than he thought, Reid reworked the bill.
The measure is expected by pro-life groups to contain phony language that appears to ban abortions but won't. Reid officials have said the Nevada lawmaker is currently polling his caucus in a manner similar to Speaker Nancy Pelosi in an attempt to gauge what kind of abortion language to include.
The bill's introduction, and a first difficult vote requiring 60 votes to allow debate on a government-run health care bill in the Senate, are expected early this week. Reid needs 60 votes to get approval of the "Motion to Proceed" -- expected to receive a vote on Tuesday -- and a defeat would be a major step back for the government-run health care bill.
The vote is important because pro-life advocates will not likely be able to ban abortion funding once the debate begins -- which makes it appear the best and only pro-life strategy in the Senate is to kill the bill. Full story at LifeNews.com
New Polls Show More Americans Don't Want Government-Run Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new Gallup poll shows more Americans don't want government-run health care, which will likely end up funding abortions. More Americans now say it is not the federal government's responsibility to make sure all Americans have healthcare coverage (50%) than say it is (47%). This is a first since Gallup began tracking this question, and a significant shift from as recently as three years ago, when two-thirds said ensuring healthcare coverage was the government's responsibility. Gallup has asked this question each November since 2001 as part of the Gallup Poll Social Series, and most recently in its Nov. 5-8 Health and Healthcare survey. There have been some fluctuations from year to year, but this year marks the first time in the history of this trend that less than half of Americans say ensuring healthcare coverage for all is the federal government's responsibility. The high point for the "government responsibility" viewpoint occurred in 2006, when 69% of Americans agreed. In 2008, this percentage fell to 54%, its previous low reading. This year, in the midst of robust debate on a potentially imminent healthcare reform law, the percentage of Americans agreeing that it is the government's responsibility to make sure everyone has health insurance has fallen even further, by seven points, to 47%. Half of Americans now say this is not the government's responsibility. The views of Republicans and independents who lean Republican about the government's healthcare role are almost a precise mirror image of the views of Democrats and independents who lean Democratic.
Americans Don't Trust Most Pro-Abortion News Reporters on Bringing the News
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Most voters trust themselves more than either Congress or President Obama when it comes to the economy, but they have way more confidence in themselves when it comes to the news media. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that 85% of U.S. voters trust their own judgment more than the average reporter when it comes to the important issues affecting the nation. Only four percent (4%) trust the average reporter more. Eleven percent (11%) aren't sure. Ninety percent (90%) or more of voters ages 40 to 64 trust themselves more than the average reporter. In part, this is because just 23% of all voters say the average reporter is about the same as they are ideologically. Fifty-three percent (53%) think the average reporter is more liberal than they are, while 16% say more conservative. Two-out-of-three voters (67%) say most reporters when covering a political campaign try to help the candidate they want to win. Just 21% say most reporters try to offer unbiased coverage. These findings are identical to those found throughout last fall's presidential campaign. Just before last November's election, for example, 68% of voters said most reporters try to help the candidate they want to win, and 51% believed they were trying to help Democrat Barack Obama. Just seven percent (7%) thought they were trying to help his Republican opponent, John McCain.
New Catholic Bishop Replaces One Who Stood Up to Notre Dame on Obama
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- The Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese announced the appointment of a new bishop Saturday. Bishop D'Arcy made an "historic announcement" at St. Matthew's Cathedral in South Bend Saturday afternoon. D'Arcy, 77, submitted his resignation as required by the Vatican when he turned 75-years-old. Pope Benedict XVI appointed on Saturday Bishop of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania as his replacement. During the course of his career, D'Arcy has not shied away from issues that concern him. Earlier this year, he refused to attend graduation ceremonies at Notre Dame after the university bestowed an honorary degree on President Barack Obama, who supports abortion. In 1992, he also refused to attend Notre Dame's graduation when pro-abortion former New York senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was supposed to receive a medal. D'Arcy said he was adhering to a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' stance against honoring those who act against the church's fundamental moral principles. D'Arcy, who urged Catholics not to engage in "unseemly" protests on campus, made good on his pledge to stay away from the graduation, while deciding at the last minute to attend what he called a "prayerful" graduation alternative organized by ND Response, a student-led group.
Northern Ireland Abortions Rise Slightly in New Figures According to Health Dept
Northern Ireland (LifeNews.com) -- Legal abortions carried out in Northern Ireland averaged almost two per week last year, according to the Department of Health. Official figures released in response to an assembly question asked by SDLP MLA Pat Ramsey revealed that 92 women had abortions in 2008. Seventy nine women underwent an abortion in Northern Ireland the previous year. Abortion is illegal in Northern Ireland, except when the mother's life is at risk. In May, a Department of Health report revealed that 1,173 women had traveled to England to have an abortion last year, in comparison to 1,343 for 2007. Pro-life campaigners are currently mounting a legal action in an attempt to quash government guidelines on abortion in Northern Ireland which were published in March this year. The campaigners claim the guidance issued to health professionals is misleading and legally inaccurate. Liam Gibson of SPUC Northern Ireland commented: "Even a slight increase in the number of abortions is a matter of grave concern since every abortion means the death of a child."
British Pro-Life Group SPUC Calls for Investigation of Double Suicide Case
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- A leading anti-euthanasia group has called for an apparent double suicide case to be investigated. The BBC has reported the deaths of Dennis and Flora Milner of Newbury, Berkshire and their alleged suicide note. Paul Tully, general secretary of SPUC Pro-Life, commented: "The police should investigate the circumstances of this couple's apparent suicide to establish whether any other person was involved in the deaths. We would like them to look into issues such as possible social or financial pressures the couple might have been under. We will be writing to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) urging him to ensure that the matter is fully investigated. It seems anomalous that the dead couple expressed gratitude to doctors for keeping them alive for 'at least 25-30 years', when it is reported that they didn't want to become dependent on the care of other people. Naturally, the information that is publicly available is limited. The BBC's report did not state whether the couple themselves gave any reason for ending their lives. The couple apparently said they thought suicide was a 'human right', but not why they wanted to take this step. We will look carefully at the reporting of this suicide to see whether it is being conducted in line with guidelines for journalists which are designed to help avoid copy-cat suicides by vulnerable people. If people think that they can make a splash in the national media in this way, it could encourage others to kill themselves as a way of highlighting their pet cause - which would be a tragic and probably futile exercise. The National Suicide Prevention Strategy seeks to reduce the incidence of suicide, and guidelines for journalists have been issued to minimize the negative impact of reporting."
University of Calgary Students See Bogus Abortion-Trespassing Charges Stayed
Calgary, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- University of Calgary pro-life students will continue prominently displaying graphic comparisons of abortion to genocide after Crown prosecutors stayed trespassing charges against them. In what Campus Pro-Life (CPL) and its supporters are calling a victory for freedom of speech, the news came two days before the case against six club members was to go to trial. No reason was given for staying the charges, but club treasurer Alanna Campbell said the charges -- laid about a year ago -- were ridiculous. "They recognized it was kind of silly to try their own students with trespassing on their campus," said Campbell. She also said the university was never able to tell them which bylaws or regulations CPL violated in refusing to turn inwards large photos graphically depicting abortion, while also comparing it to atrocities like the Rwandan genocide and the Holocaust. Since last November, CPL has outwardly displayed the Genocide Awareness Project twice, most recently as late September despite the looming court date. U of C officials haven't said how they'll approach the club's display, only that they'll "take some time to reflect on this development." Six University of Calgary students pleaded not guilty in March to the bogus trespassing charges. They were arrested in February and charged after they set up a pro-life display college officials initially allowed but said they didn't want shown. When UC officials warned members of Campus Pro-Life that they had to restrict their own pro-life display, the students refused to comply.
Planned Parenthood Arizona Names New Board Members, Some With Colleges
Phoenix, AZ (LifeNews.com) -- Planned Parenthood of Arizona has added new board members, some of which come from colleges and universities in the state. Here is an overview of some of them, who are potential boycott targets. Dr. Illana Addis is the section head of General Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Arizona. Emily Chang was named the Notre Dame Law School Woman Graduate of the Year in 2001 and is now an Arizona attorney. Mary Ehret is currently a master docent at the Phoenix Art Museum. Anna Maria Harper has served on the Pima County Crime Victim Compensation Board. Dorlee Henderson is working at Northern Arizona University as an Academic Advisor. RoJean Madsen serves as a board member for both the Yavapai Symphony Guild and the Prescott Free Clinic. Joan McGregor is currently a professor of Philosophy in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Arizona State University. Dr. Eric Reuss practices in Scottsdale. Kathleen Vandervoet is an advisor for a high school community service club.
Sacramento College Student Body President Back After Pro-Life Display Fight
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- Sacramento City College's Associated Student Government agreed Thursday to vacate its "suspension" of the student body president after he was subjected to an illegal recall election for refusing to censor a pro-life group's display on campus. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund Center for Academic Freedom representing Steve Macias issued a cease-and-desist letter to college officials on Nov. 5. Unsatisfied, some ASG members have begun impeachment proceedings against Macias in the wake of the failed recall. "Respecting people's First Amendment rights is worthy of praise, not punishment," said ADF Litigation Staff Counsel David Hacker. "The recall election against Steve was wrongly motivated and flawed. The entire process against him began because he stood up for the free speech rights of a pro-life group. In their haste to punish him for that stand, ASG members did not follow the law. Though we are pleased that they recognize this problem and reinstated Steve as president, we are disappointed with the ongoing and apparently relentless attempt to punish him by seeking to impeach him from office." Macias informed ADF attorneys that he refused to censor a pro-life group's display on the grounds that ASG had already approved the group to participate in the school's Constitution Day and that censoring them would violate the group's First Amendment rights. ASG then subjected him to a recall election. An attorney for the school has informed ADF attorneys that Macias will retain his office and that the recall election results are void.
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