LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Saturday, March 27, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Battle Over Supreme Court May Follow Fight Against Pro-Abortion Health Care
• White House Visitor Logs: Obama Had Pro-Abortion Leader at Christmas Party
• States Move to Opt Out of Abortion Funding Under Pro-Abortion Health Care Law
• New Court Ruling Shows Folly of Obama Executive Order on Abortion Funding
• Americans Don't Think President Obama Should be Re-Elected, Back Republican
• Pro-Abortion Group Emily's List Starts Web Site to Support Speaker Nancy Pelosi
• Bart Stupak Faces Re-Election Battle From Both Sides: Pro-Life and Pro-Abortion
• Charlie Crist Was Pro-Abortion in 1998, Video Surfaces as Rubio Debate Comes
• Pro-Life Groups Join Forces for New International Outreach Combating Abortion
• March for Life Europe to Become a Historical and Significant Pro-Life Event
• Georgia Senate OKs Bill to Stop Race-Based, Sex-Based, or Coerced Abortions
• Kansas Health Department Shows Abortions Drop 9%, Due to Pro-Life Factors
• Pro-Life News: Patrick Kennedy, Rick Santorum, Louisiana, Abortion, Wisconsin
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Battle Over Supreme Court Pick May Follow Fight Against Pro-Abortion Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With the fight against the pro-abortion health care bill in Congress over and attorneys taking the cause to courts, pro-life advocates may not have much time to rest before the next battle begins. There is talk that pro-abortion Justice John Paul Stevens may retire and open up a seat on the Supreme Court.
Should Stevens step down in the coming weeks, the question will be whether President Barack Obama wants to spend more of what little political capital he has remaining.
He could opt for a far-left pro-abortion nominee to keep the seat in line with Steven's philosophy and position as one of the members of the five-justice pro-abortion majority supporting Roe v. Wade.
Or, Obama could opt for a middle of the road choice -- someone who would likely support keeping 52 million abortions legal but without an extensive left-wing resume or reputation that would encourage a filibuster.
Although he hasn't yet announced his intentions, ongoing health issues, advancing age and his decision to hire just one attorney for the Supreme Court's October session (justices typically hire four) has speculation rampant that he will step down after 35 years on the top bench.
The New York Times reports today that the Obama administration is taking covert steps to prepare for his resignation, to not appear to be pushing for Stevens to retire or showing its hand that his stepping down is a foregone conclusion. Full story at LifeNews.com
White House Visitor Logs: Obama Had Pro-Abortion Leader at Christmas Party
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The White House released a new set of visitor logs today and they revealed President Barack Obama invited Nancy Keenan, the head of the pro-abortion group NARAL for one of the Christmas parties it hosted on December 14. The logs show Keenan and the president of Planned Parenthood getting big access.
Obama hosted a part with 661 total people at the "Holiday Reception" party honoring Christmas and other holidays in mid-late December.
Keenan received an invitation to the event, which took place during the late afternoon and evening hours.
But that was hardly the only time Keenan has been to the White House since Obama took it over in January 2009. In total Keenan has been a guest at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue a total of 10 times during Obama's 13 months in office.
Keenan primarily enjoys celebrations and ceremonial visits with the president -- as she also appeared at a luncheon in January 2009 celebrating Obama's election and a cocktail party on February 18, 2009.
The NARAL leader made her way to the White House again in March when Obama signed the executive order to force taxpayers to pay for embryonic stem cell research and she appeared at a May event to tout the confirmation of the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. Full story at LifeNews.com
States Move to Opt Out of Abortion Funding Under Pro-Abortion Health Care Law
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The new pro-abortion health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law contains massive abortion funding and promotion. But, states legislatures can decide to opt out of making their residents pay for abortions and some states are already moving ahead with legislation to do so.
Charmaine Yoest, the president of Americans United for Life, told LifeNews.com about the opportunity states have despite the pro-abortion law.
"The new law explicitly allows states to pass laws prohibiting qualified health plans offered through the Exchanges in their states from offering abortion coverage," she said today.
She indicated responses from federal and state legislators have been pouring into her organization's offices.
"We've already heard from legislators in Delaware, Georgia, and Kansas who want to get this legislation passed in their states."
Yoest said the pro-life attorneys at Americans United for Life stand ready to assist state legislators and pro-life groups to move legislation forward. Full story at LifeNews.com
New Court Ruling Shows Folly of Obama Executive Order on Abortion Funding
by Matt Bowman
A federal decision issued this week illustrates the danger of believing that the President's executive order on health reform will prevent federal funds from being used on abortion.
Some members of Congress say that they voted for the health reform law because the President s executive order directs Health and Human Services, in some narrow ways but not in others, to refrain from spending federal money on abortion. Pro-lifers instead contend and abortion advocates agree that the order does not and cannot change the statute s approach to abortion funding.
In one particularly disputed clause, the order directs HHS not to disperse $11 Billion in community health center funds for abortion, even though the statute directs those funds to include comprehensive Ob/Gyn care while containing no restriction that the money not fund abortion. The funding is so massive that it could give away every abortion in America for free for 18 years.
But a Massachusetts judge s decision this Monday illustrates the folly of trusting an executive order on abortion over an unlimited statute. The case of the ACLU v. Sebelius involves Congress Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
Since 2001 the Act has ordered HHS to spend about $10 million yearly to expand benefits and services to victims of severe forms of [sexual] trafficking. HHS agreed, however, to disperse the money in such a way that the money could not be spent on abortion or contraception. Full story at LifeNews.com
Americans Don't Think President Obama Should be Re-Elected, Back Republican
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- New polls are showing Americans don't believe pro-abortion President Barack Obama should be re-elected. One has Obama tied with a generic Republican candidate while another has former presidential candidate Mitt Romney faring well against Obama in a potential 2012 matchup.
Upset by the passage and signing of the pro-abortion health care bill, pro-life Americans are looking forward to both the 2010 midterm elections and the next presidential contest.
Spurring their excitement for real change in the pro-life direction, a new Quinnipiac University poll conducted March 16-21 finds 41 percent would support the Republican candidate and 40 percent would back Obama if the election were held today.
The poll found 9 percent of voters wanted to know the Republican nominee before answering and another 9 percent were undecided.
The poll also found 48 percent said Obama didn't deserve to be re-elected compared with just 40 percent who said he did (with 11 percent undecided). Independents don't believe he deserves re-election by a 53 percent to 33 percent margin, with 15 percent undecided -- which portends poor results for Obama and his pro-abortion allies in November. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Abortion Group Emily's List Starts Web Site to Support Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Sensing Americans are so fed up with the pro-abortion health care bill that they may be inclined to support enough pro-life Republican candidates in November to boot pro-abortion Rep. Nancy Pelosi from her position as Speaker of the House, a pro-abortion group has started a web site to support her.
The web site is also a reaction to a successful online fundraising effort the Republican Party sponsored.
Through Twitter, the GOP raised well over $1.2 million with its FirePelosi web site, featuring party chairman Michael Steele saying, "Let's start getting Nancy ready for the firing line this November."
Stephanie Schriock, the new Emily's List president, emailed her pro-abortion supporters today, responding, "I have something to say about it: Nancy, we've got your back."
"We've all been proud to watch Speaker Nancy Pelosi take the lead not only as the first woman speaker, but as one of the strongest and most effective speakers in our nation's history. We know how effective she is -- and the GOP knows it, too," Schriock said in launching the new StandWithNancy.com web site. Full story at LifeNews.com
Bart Stupak Faces Re-Election Battle From Both Sides: Pro-Life and Pro-Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Congressman Bart Stupak's decision to trade his vote and those of his colleagues for the pro-abortion health care bill in exchange for a dubious executive order isn't winning him any friends. Advocates on both sides of the abortion debate are targeting him for defeat in November.
Stupak first faces a primary election challenge from a hardcore abortion advocate who, today finds herself getting national support from NARAL.
Connie Saltonstall has taken direct aim at the formerly respected pro-life Democrat and said Stupak, has been more interested in promoting his own personal agenda than in representing the people of Michigan s First District.
Saltonstall already has an extensive resume in local government and the boost from NARAL will give her additional exposure and financial support to take on Stupak.
"Over the last several months, we've been forced to witness Rep. Bart Stupak s despicable attempts to hijack health-care reform because of his extreme anti-choice agenda," NARAL president Nancy Keenan said today an in email LifeNews.com obtained. Full story at LifeNews.com
Charlie Crist Was Pro-Abortion in 1998, Video Surfaces as Rubio Debate Comes
Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The first debate in the highly-publicized and contentious Florida Republican Senate primary is coming this weekend. As both candidates prepare to face off on Fox News on Sunday, the campaign of Marco Rubio is unveiling new footage of Charlie Crist showing him taking a pro-abortion position.
Although Crist claims a pro-life position today -- saying he's strongly pro-family and pro-life and has made these issues a priority throughout his career of public service.
Yet, he's upset pro-life advocates with weak abortion positions and supporting embryonic stem cell research.
The video appears to show Crist flip-flopped at some point in his career or isn't taking a candid position with voters about having once supported legal abortions.
The footage the Rubio campaign provided LifeNews.com today shows Crist engaged in a debate with Sen. Bob Graham during a Senate campaign. Florida voters see a younger Crist passionately articulating his views for abortion.
Asked by the late Meet the Press host Tim Russert if he would support a constitutional amendment banning abortions, Crist responded with the standard pro-abortion line the 1998 debate: "No, I would not. I think this is a very personal decision. And I think it is a decision that a woman should make and have the right to make after consulting with her family, her physician, and her clergy. But not her government." Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Groups Join Forces for New International Outreach Combating Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Three pro-life groups are joining together for a new global outreach aimed at combating international efforts to expand and promote abortion. The Gospel of Life Ministries (GOL), Life Issues Institute, and Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI) are working together.
Today, they announced a new united effort to save the lives of unborn children from abortion and advance a culture of life worldwide.
The Gospel of Life Ministries is integrating the work of the Parliamentary Network for Critical Issues (PNCI), previously a project of Life Issues Institute, into its mission. Its goal will be to equip pro-life advocates to engage in the political process and ensure that elected and appointed officials uphold their obligations to protect life.
GOL and PNCI will synergize their efforts to promote respect for the inviolable dignity of life and help religious and elected leaders around the world defend laws and policies which recognize the sanctity of life when confronted by new unprecedented pro-abortion pressure.
The effort is critical as United Nations personnel and pro-abortion groups ramp up efforts to get pro-life nations to reverse their laws or weaken them. Full story at LifeNews.com
March for Life Europe to Become a Historical and Significant Pro-Life Event
by Bryan Kemper 
Brussels, Belgium (LifeNews.com) -- I am in a small office right around the corner from the European Union Headquarters with a handful of students who are frantically working to organize the first ever March for Life Europe. These students are all volunteers who have dedicated months of their lives to shine the light of truth and life here in Brussels.
I came with a small team from Stand True and Survivors to speak and work to make this March for Life a success. Our team is out on the streets right now with a high school student from Brussels passing out fliers and posters, talking to the youth in parks and train stations. They are walking up to groups of youth anywhere they can find them, sharing the message of life and inviting them to the March.
We started our journey at the Third Annual Student Pro-life Conference in Scotland where we were able to hear amazing pro-life talks and connect with pro-life youth from around the world. We were present to promote the Survivors Pro-life Summer Camp and the Stand True Summer Mission Trip. Full story at LifeNews.com
Georgia Senate OKs Bill to Stop Race-Based, Sex-Based, or Coerced Abortions
Atlanta, GA (LifeNews.com) -- The Georgia state Senate today approved a bill that would make it illegal to do an abortion when it is done because a baby is a certain race, gender, or because the mother was coerced into having one. Senator Chip Pearson was the sponsor of SB 529, which cleared the chamber on a 33-14 margin.
The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act would apply to abortion "the same standards of nondiscrimination" that govern employment, education, government and housing, its sponsors say.
The bill provides enforcement of the existing law regarding the Women's Right to Know and it gives women who have been coerced into having an abortion they don't want the opportunity to bring suit against abortionists who violate Georgia law.
Catherine Davis, director of minority outreach at Georgia Right to Life, told LifeNews.com the bill is needed because abortions target black women.
"According to the CDC, of the 38 states that report, Georgia is currently leading the nation in abortions in the black community. African-Americans make up 30% of the population and 59% of the abortions," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Kansas Health Department Shows Abortions Drop 9%, Due to Pro-Life Factors
Topeka, KS (LifeNews.com) -- The Kansas Department of Health & Environment released its preliminary report today on the status of abortion in the state in 2009. The figures show the number of abortions on the decline, which a statewide pro-life groups says it due to a number of pro-life factors.
In 2009, there were 1,170 fewer total abortions (9,472, down from 10,642) than the year prior -- down nearly 9 percent.
The reductions were fewer from out of state (447) than from Kansas (773) and were distributed over all parts of pregnancy when an unborn children is killed in an abortion.
Kansans for Life legislative director Kathy Ostrowski told LifeNews.com today that her group attributes part of the decline to the closing of George Tiller's late-term abortion center midway through the year.
In fact, abortions done after 21 weeks of pregnancy dropped from 323 to 121 in 2009. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life News: Patrick Kennedy, Rick Santorum, Louisiana, Abortion, Wisconsin
Patrick Kennedy Says Abortion Funding "Not a Moral Question" in New Interview
Providence, RI (LifeNews.com) -- Congressman Patrick Kennedy is back at it again upsetting pro-life Catholics after he feuded with his bishop previously. In a new interview with CNS News, he said making taxpayers fund health care plans that include abortion coverage is not a question of morality but a matter of health -- public health.
Rick Santorum Making More Moves for Possible 2012 Presidential Campaign
Des Moines, IA (LifeNews.com) -- Former Sen. Rick Santorum is planning his second trip to Iowa in less than a month, fueling further speculation that the Pennsylvania Republican is seriously eyeing a run for the White House in 2012.
Louisiana Lawmakers Working on Ultrasound Before Abortion Act to Help Women
Baton Rogue, LA (Lifenews.com) -- The following update comes from Louisiana Right to Life: We are tremendously excited about the "Ultrasound Before Abortion Act" authored by Senator Sharon Weston Broome and supported by Governor Jindal.
Wisconsin Man Accused of Spiking Girlfriend's Drink to Cause Forced Abortion
Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- A Wisconsin man is accused of secretly lacing his girlfriend's drinks with veterinary drugs in order to end her pregnancy in an abortion against her will.
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