LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Thurssday, January 21, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Scott Brown Defeats Coakley for Senate, Pro-Lifers Applaud Imapct
• Obama, Democrats Regroup on Pro-Abortion Health Care After Brown Win
• Bart Stupak: Senate Health Care DOA in House, Talks Ben Nelson
• Dawn Johnson Pro-Abortion Nomination Likely Sunk With Scott Brown Victory
• Law and Order Actors Pitch Abortion in Health Care for Planned Parenthood
• Next 40 Days for Life Campaign to Target Abortion Businesses in 156 Cities
• Pro-Abortion Group Emily's List Shocked by Scott Brown Defeating Coakley
• Martin Luther King Niece Says Planned Parenthood Lying About Her Uncle
• Virginia Pro-Abortion Group Attacks Pregnancy Centers Helping Women
• Abortion Business in Louisiana Loses License for Poor Health Standards
• Terminal Sedation: Abortion for the Elderly by Taking Their Body and Soul
• Several Catholic Colleges Preparing for Extensive March for Life Participation
--> Listen to Life News.com editor Steven Ertelt's interview with Josh Brahm of Pro-Life Prodcast here. Steven and Josh talk about successes of the pro-life movement and what we can do on key issues like abortion, stem cell research and assisted suicide.
Scott Brown Defeats Coakley for Senate, Pro-Lifers Applaud Health Care Imapct
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Scott Brown defeated pro-abortion activist Martha Coakley Tuesday night in a special election for a U.S. Senate seat that became a national expression of disappointment with the pro-abortion health care bill. Leading pro-life advocates applauded the vote because of its impact on the legislation.
Brown led Coakley by 52 percent to 47 percent after 100 percent of the vote was counted from across Massachusetts. Independent candidate Joseph L. Kennedy, no related to Ted Kennedy, the late pro-abortion senator Brown will replace, received less than one percent of the vote.
Carefully noting that Brown is not pro-life on abortion -- though he supports numerous limits on abortion and opposes the pro-abortion health care bill -- pro-life advocates said the vote was still tremendously helpful.
Susan B. Anthony List president Marjorie Dannenfelser told LifeNews.com, "On the heels of last fall's victories by Bob McDonnell and Chris Christie, Scott Brown's victory is just the beginning of the consequences Congressional incumbents will face this November." "Anyone who votes to advance health care legislation that funds abortion on-demand should consider themselves on notice," she promised. Dannenfelser said the election of Brown was "no accident" and was a 'sign of the overreach" of pro-abortion President Barack Obama and his allies in Congress on the health care bill.
Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, agreed and told LifeNews.com that "Obama's and liberal congressmen's arrogance cost them something they care about -- the Senate seat once held by Ted Kennedy." Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama, Democrats Regroup on Pro-Abortion Health Care After Scott Brown Win
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The reaction to the victory by Scott Brown in the Massachusetts special Senate election is a tale of contrasts. On one hand, pro-abortion President Barack Obama and congressional Democrats are fleeing from the pro-abortion bill but, on the other, they are standing their ground saying they still want it.
Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi said Democrats will push ahead with the bill despite the clear message the Brown victory sent that Americans oppose a pro-abortion health care measure. "We will move forward with those considerations in mind -- but we will move forward," Pelosi said.
Obama warned Democrats in Congress today not to "jam" a health care reform bill through now that they've lost their filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. "Here's one thing I know and I just want to make sure that this is off the table: The Senate certainly shouldn't try to jam anything through until Scott Brown is seated," he said. "People in Massachusetts spoke. He's got to be part of that process."
But other Democrats appeared to run away from the prospect of getting a bill approved. Sen. Jim Webb, a Virginia Democrat, said the Senate shouldn't hold any more votes on health care until after Brown is sworn in as the next senator. Full story at LifeNews.com
Bart Stupak: Pro-Abortion Senate Health Care DOA in House, Talks Ben Nelson
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Bart Stupak, the leading pro-life Democrat in Congress who has led the fight against abortion funding in the health care bill, says the Senate version is dead on arrival in the House. Stupak, in a new interview, also says Sen. Ben Nelson should have held his ground on abortion funding in the Senate.
Stupak appeared on the Fox Business Network today and gave his reaction to the Senate victory of Scott Brown over pro-abortion stalwart Martha Coakley in Massachusetts.
The reaction so far from congressional Democrats has been that the House bill with the Stupak amendment is probably dead now and the only chance to save the legislation is to pass the Senate bill in the House.
But Stupak said, "I bet it wouldn't get a hundred votes." "The Senate bill, and I know leadership has flowed with the idea over the weekend that let's just take the Senate bill and just vote on it in the House floor. I bet it wouldn't get a hundred votes," he said.
"Everyone's talking about Plan B, Plan B is dead. We're not passing the Senate bill, so you best come up with Plan C now," he told Fox News.
Stupak also gave Fox News his impression of Nelson's decision to cave in on allowing abortion funding in the Senate bill. "Throughout the process, I talked a number of times to Senator Nelson. I never really saw his final proposal until maybe the day before they voted on it. And I encouraged him just to hold tough," he recalled. "He should have held on that principle." Full story at LifeNews.com
Dawn Johnson Pro-Abortion Nomination Likely Sunk With Scott Brown Victory
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The election of Scott Brown has significant consequences on the promotion of a government-run health care bill that funds abortions. But his victory in the special Senate election in Massachusetts also has a bearing on key pro-abortion nominations from President Barack Obama. The nomination of Dawn Johnsen to a key Justice Department position will likely be greatly affected.
Johnsen, a law professor at Indiana University, is a former legal counsel for the pro-abortion group NARAL whom Obama tapped to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel.
Republican lawmakers had opposed Johnsen over her rabidly pro-abortion position and because of other political issues, such as terrorism. With Brown making a strong anti-terrorism platform a part of his campaign, political observers suggest Johnsen's nomination is likely dead.
Johnsen originally found herself the subject of a Republican filibuster supported by a couple of Democrats, but when pro-abortion Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter caved in to a Democratic primary opponent and flip-flopped to supporting her, the Obama administration signaled she would be renominated.
In comments to Roll Call, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska said he didn't think Johnsen's nomination stood much of a chance now. He previously cited her pro-abortion record as a reason for opposing her. I don't know if it'll be brought up, he said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Law and Order Actors Pitch Abortion in Health Care for Planned Parenthood Video
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Four actors form the acclaimed television series Law and Order: Criminal Intent have recorded a new video endorsing the nation's largest abortion business, Planned Parenthood. They specifically endorse its efforts to force Americans to pay for abortions in a government-run health care plan.
Actors Eric Bogosian, Vincent D'Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, and Julianne Nicholson lend their faces, voices and names to the pro-abortion effort.
"Americans were promised that, under health care reform, no one would lose benefits we currently have. So why should women be left behind?" the actors say.
Their comments fly in the face of the language of the current bills in Congress, where the Senate measure actually changes currently law (the Hyde amendment) and makes it so taxpayers are required to pay for abortions unless their states opts out of abortion funding. Full story at LifeNews.com
Take action: Share your thoughts with the actors that participated in this ad. Their contact information - Eric Bogosian: eric@ericbogosian.com, 212.501.3201 or http://www.twitter.com/bogosiana / Contact Vincent D Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Julianne Nicholson at http://www.nbc.com/contact/general
Next 40 Days for Life Campaign to Target Abortion Businesses in 156 Cities
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The next 40 Days for Life grassroots pro-life prayer campaign begins in February and the national organization has hopes that it will be the biggest event in its history. Though the election of Barack Obama and the threat of pro-abortion health care is omnibus, David Bereit says he has hope.
He tells LifeNews.com he believes the pro-life movement is seeing an outpouring of support at what some may consider a bleak time.
"While many see a time of darkness this week as the United States marks the 37th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court ruling that imposed abortion on America, and as the U.S. Congress deliberates legislation that could lead to dramatic increases in taxpayer funding for abortion, I see a time of great hope," Bereit says.
Local pro-life advocates in some 156 cities from coast to coast, along with four Canadian provinces and three Australian states, are willing to, as Bereit says, "step out in faith" to take on abortion centers in their backyards.
The coordinated international campaign begins February 17 and runs through March 28. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Abortion Group Emily's List Shocked by Scott Brown Defeating Martha Coakley
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Emily's List is quite possibly the most well-funded pro-abortion political group in the country and it directs millions of dollars to its candidates. The group lined up behind pro-abortion activists Martha Coakley in Massachusetts and, today, is reeling from the Scott Brown victory.
The organization is not used to losing and its outgoing president, Ellen Malcolm, will have to live with the legacy of the final election over which she presided ending in defeat in one of the most reliable pro-abortion states in the nation.
In an email to her supporters that LifeNews.com obtained, Malcolm said her group is "deeply disappointed in the results" and it is trying to recover from its Wednesday morning daze to figure out what happened.
"EMILY's List is conducting a thorough analysis of the race to help us understand how to better help" their candidates in this year's midterm elections. "We will share the results with you as soon as we have them, but one message already is crystal clear: November promises to be a tough election and Democrats must work together to win." Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The niece of Martin Luther King Jr. is upset that the nation's biggest abortion business is once again linking itself with the civil rights leader. She says the abortion giant is misrepresenting King's receiving its Margaret Sanger Award decades ago. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America says King received the award in 1966 to recognize individuals excellence and leadership in furthering reproductive health and rights and that it is named after its founder.
The abortion business says it works in the tradition of Dr. King s call for equity in health care and to correct problems in the health care system that disproportionately affect people of color.
Planned Parenthood says King accepted the award, saying, "We had confidence that when we awakened the nation to the immorality and evil of inequality, there would be an upsurge of conscience followed by remedial action."
But Alveda King, his niece, tells LifeNews.com today that's just not the case. Full story at LifeNews.com
Virginia Pro-Abortion Group Attacks Pregnancy Centers Helping Pregnant Women
Richmond, VA (LifeNews.com) -- Last year, the Baltimore city council passed a new law that targets pregnancy centers that help women but don't do abortions. The prediction that this would result in proposing additional laws targeting crisis pregnancy centers has come to pass with a new proposal in the Virginia legislature.
The Virginia affiliate of NARAL held a press conference today to announce new legislation designed to intimidate women who go to pregnancy centers for help and options counseling.
The bills (SB 188 and HB 452) seek to remove the funding stream available to pregnancy centers via the purchase of Choose Life license plates.
This harmful legislation seeks to require a new state regulation of all pregnancy centers such as requiring the placement of a sign outside of the center stating, that it does not perform or refer women for abortions, that it does not provide or refer women for contraception, and that the facility is not required to maintain medical confidentiality or medical records in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).
The bill would require state officials to collect a sample of all materials distributed at the center for analysis and potential criticism. Full story at LifeNews.com
Abortion Business in Louisiana Loses License for Poor Health, Safety Standards
New Orleans, LA (LifeNews.com) -- The Louisiana health department yesterday revoked the medical license of an abortion business for failure to comply with the Louisiana's abortion facility standards. Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals officials yanked the license of the Gentilly Medical Clinic for Women.
DHH Secretary Alan Levine indicated the license revocation came after the abortion center failed to comply with several state regulations protecting the health and safety of women.
Levine noted the Gentilly Medical Clinic for Women abortion center operated without a trained nurse on staff, without a site-specific Louisiana controlled dangerous substance license, and without a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration controlled substance registration. All three are required for an abortion center in Louisiana to be run with proper approval from the state health department.
"Louisiana law is very clear on the requirements to maintain a safe medical environment for women seeking abortion services, said Levine, according to WWLT. We have a duty to ensure women have safe choices for the services they are legally entitled to," he continued. "This clinic has been in clear violation of our state s health standards and we cannot allow Louisiana citizens to get inadequate or unsafe care."
Terminal Sedation: Abortion for the Elderly by Taking Their Body and Soul
by Mary Ann Kreitzer
I spoke to a friend this morning whose father was murdered by terminal sedation (aka "palliative" care). Her father suffered from Alzheimer's and his mind was pretty well gone, but physically he was in great shape. He and his wife lived with one of my friend's children who took him for a long walk every day and knew how to manage all his grandfather's moods. They were good buddies. My friend lived nearby and spent as much time as possible visiting her parents and enjoying her father's company.
But the rest of the family (including my friend's mother who had power of attorney) decided to put him in a nursing home where he was difficult to control because he wanted to be released. My friend told me that every time she went to visit him he was trying to escape -- pulling at every door and even the bookcases looking for a way out. Three nursing homes and several months later he pretty much gave up.
When she went to see him he would be sitting in a wheelchair slumped over and drooling. He got an infection and ended up in a hospital "palliative" ward where he was denied food, water, and antibiotics. Within several months, he went from an elderly man who was walking two miles a day with his grandson, to dead from dehydration and terminal sedation. It was Terri Schiavo and Hugh Finn without the publicity. Full story at LifeNews.com
Several Catholic Colleges Preparing for Extensive March for Life Participation
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Catholic college and universities have historically been very involved in the national March for Life and this year will be no exception. On Friday, students from several Catholic colleges highlighted by the Cardinal Newman Society, will be involved in the pro-life event.
Patrick J. Reilly, the president of CNS, a Catholic educational watchdog group, told LifeNews.com today he's pleased with their high level of participation.
These faithfully Catholic institutions are genuinely dedicated to building up the Culture of Life and are beacons of hope for Catholic families and students," he said.
He said their involvement is a reason why they were included in the Newman Guide his group prepares and distributes to help parents of prospective Catholic college students find the right university for their needs.
"Colleges in The Newman Guide are recommended for their commitment to a strong Catholic identity, so it is no surprise that many of them have delegations coming to the March for Life," he said. Full story at LifeNews.com
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