LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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Current Headlines
• GOP Senator: Obama Will Use Supreme Court Pick to Promote Radical Agenda
• Obama Administration to Force Taxpayers to Fund More Embryonic Stem Cells
• Tape of Abortion Center Not Reporting Sexual Abuse Goes to Kentucky Officials
• Pro-Life Women's Group Backs Carly Fiorina vs Pro-Abortion Barbara Boxer
• Oklahoma Senate Overrides Veto of Pro-Life Bill for Pre-Abortion Ultrasound
• Swiss Suicide Tourism Group Dignitas Dumped Urns of Remains in Lake Zurich
• Canadian Government Doesn't Promote Abortion at G8 Meeting in Halifax
• Kenya Government Won't Change Pro-Abortion Draft Constitution Before Vote
• Mississippi Legislators Want Bill to Opt Out of Abortion Funding in Health Care
• Abortion Will Not Solve Child Rape Problem in Mexico Sexual Abuse Case
• South Carolina Legislators No Shows for Hearing on Pro-Life Abortion Bill
• Judge Allows Attorney for Pro-Life Notre Dame Protestors to Get Info
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GOP Senator: Obama Will Use Supreme Court Pick to Promote Radical Agenda
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a preview of he upcoming battle over a Supreme Court nomination, the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee says in a new interview that he expects pro-abortion President Barack Obama to use the nomination to advance his radical agenda.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, a pro-life Alabama Republican, talked with ABC News and said Republicans expect to use the nomination as a chance to talk about the proper role of judges.
The expectation is that Republicans will not be able to stop the confirmation of Obama's nominee, who is expected to support abortion, but they will use the media attention to go after Obama for appointing radical judges who legislate from the bench in the manner the Supreme Court did in the Roe v. Wade decision that allowed 52 million abortions.
"It's pretty clear to me that President Obama sees judges as allies in an effort to promote an agenda he thinks is best for the country," Sessions said. "And a lot of people see it that way -- he's just part of that movement."
"And that's not law. That's not law -- that's politics. And it's a poison in our legal system, and the American people are not happy about it. They see it for what it is, and they don't think that courts ought to be there to rubber-stamp President Obama's or anybody's agenda," Sessions told ABC News.
Sessions added that Republicans on the Senate judicial panel will likely quiz the nominee on issues related to the government-run health care bill Obama signed that includes massive taxpayer funding of abortions. Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama Administration to Force Taxpayers to Fund More Embryonic Stem Cells
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Obama administration announced today that American taxpayers will be forced to fund more research involving embryonic stem cells obtained by destroying human life. The National Institutes of Health announced today that four additional lines will be funded.
Those are above and beyond the lines the Obama administration funded previously.
While embryonic stem cell research has never been tried in humans because of significant problems in animals -- injections of the cells cause tumors and are rejected by the immune system -- adult stem cell research has already been used to help patients with more than 100 diseases or medical conditions.
NIH Director Francis Collins said the agency would make a formal announcement later today, but he talked with the Washington Post beforehand.
"Many people who had been working on these lines, and concerned about whether they would be able to continue to work with these lines, will now be reassured that their research can now go forward," Collins said.
Dr. David Prentice, a senior fellow with the Family Research Council and former Indiana State University and Indiana University School of Medicine professor, emailed LifeNews.com about the decision.
"It's interesting that after years of whining about those original lines, that there was such anxiety about getting them approved instead of all the newer lines they wanted. Still, it's sad that their myopic obsession remains on the poorest stem cell science--embryonic stem cells--and not on the patients and the real success and hope with adult stem cells," he said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Tape of Abortion Center Failing to Report Sexual Abuse Goes to Kentucky Officials
Louisville, KY (LifeNews.com) -- The undercover videotape showing another abortion business caught covering up a potential case of sexual abuse of a minor is heading to Kentucky officials. A Louisville, Kentucky abortion center is the latest caught on tape ignoring sexual abuse of a child and giving misleading abortion counseling.
Commonwealth's Attorney R. David Stengel, State Attorney General Jack Conway, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services all received copies of the tape.
Last week, Live Action, a pro-life group led by college students, released another in a long line of videos showing problems at Planned Parenthood and other abortion centers nationwide.
The new footage showed EMW Women's Surgical Center and has Lila Rose and actor Jackie Stollar, who posed undercover as a minor telling the staff that she was 14-years-old and impregnated by her 31-year-old "boyfriend".
The group informed LifeNews.com today that it sent full footage, some 34 minutes of recordings, of their undercover investigation to Kentucky authorities.
In media reports following the release of the footage to the public last Wednesday, the abortion center admitted that an abused child report was not filed and that its staff "would never report it at that point" to authorities because of a lack of information.
"This abortion center does not get to choose when to report abuse of a child," Live Action president Lila Rose told LifeNews.com. "Kentucky law states that child abuse must be reported immediately and after clinic staff was clearly told about the abuse scenario, they failed to report or even ask the appropriate questions." Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Women's Group Backs Carly Fiorina Against Pro-Abortion Barbara Boxer
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- A national pro-life women's groups has issued an endorsement for California U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina. She is running against Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is seen as the leader of the pro-abortion forces in the Senate and who has sponsored legislation to advance abortion.
Today, the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund announced its endorsement of Fiorina in what has become a close election against Boxer.
SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser told LifeNews.com her group is excited to weigh in on the race.
"We've been waiting for Carly Fiorina for a long time--in fact, since the day Barbara Boxer was elected to the U.S. Senate," she said. "Senator Boxer is one of the most aggressive champions of abortion rights and is endorsed by EMILY's List."
Although there has been some question from the quarters of Republican primary opponent Chuck DeVore about Fiorina's pro-life credentials, Dannenfelser confirms the businesswoman is pro-life.
"From a pro-woman, pro-life perspective, there could be no greater contrast. She embraces and advances the rights of women and unborn children, following in the footsteps of the earliest women in politics," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Oklahoma Senate Overrides Veto of Pro-Life Bill for Pre-Abortion Ultrasound
Oklahoma City, OK (LifeNews.com) -- The Oklahoma Senate today joined the state House in overriding vetoes by Governor Brad Henry of two pro-life bills that would help limit abortions. One measure allows women a chance to see a pre-abortion ultrasound of their unborn child while the other prevents wrongful death lawsuits.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 36-12 Tuesday to override the Henry veto of a bill allowing women to see an ultrasound before having an abortion -- which helps as many as 80 percent of women choose life.
The Senate voted on the same bipartisan margin to override Henry on a second bill that respects babies with disabilities by disallowing wrongful-life lawsuits that claim a baby would have been better off being aborted and that a physician should have suggested an abortion.
Both override votes received just enough votes, 36, to obtain the supermajority threshold necessary to overcome the governor's vetoes. As a result of the votes, both pieces of legislation will now become law. Full story at LifeNews.com
Swiss Suicide Tourism Group Dignitas Dumped Urns of Remains in Lake Zurich
Zurich, Switzerland (LifeNews.com) -- The infamous suicide tourism organization Dignitas is drawing fury from Swiss people and government officials after it was discovered it dumped 300 urns of remains of victims into Lake Zurich. Police have launched an investigation after the urns were found at the bottom of the lake.
The large rusty orange colored urns were lying in a "big heap" officials said and the bore the mark of the cremation service Dignitas employs, the London Daily Mani newspaper reports.
Divers from a rescue service discovered the urns by chance while looking for a piece of their boat that fell into the lake and reported them to police.
Swiss law makes it illegal to dispose of a large number of urns without a commercial disposal license. The newspaper indicates offenders face fines up to 50,000 Swiss Francs (almost $46,000 US) and a prison sentence of up to three years.
"It is against the law to dump in this quantity. We have filed a criminal complaint against unknown persons for disturbance of the dead," Environment Agency spokesman Bollack said, according to the Daily Mail. "The retrieved urns are now with the police and are being kept in a place respecting their dignity."
Dignitas founder Ludwig Minelli would not issue a comment in response to the newspaper's request for one. Full story at LifeNews.com
 On April 29th Wisconsin Right to Life will be tweeting LIVE from heir Annual Education Fund Dinner featuring Senator Rick Santorum. Make sure you log onto Twitter and search for #wrtlsantorum after 6:30pm to receive LIVE comments and reactions from former Senator Santorum s keynote address. |
Canadian Government Doesn't Promote Abortion at G8 Meeting in Halifax
Ottawa, Canada (LifeNews.com) -- The Canadian government will not add the promotion of abortion to the list of initiatives designed to promote women and children's health at the G8 meeting. A top government spokeswoman confirmed that Canadian officials are open to promoting family planning, but not abortion. International Cooperation Minister Bev Oda said the government would consider funding family planning measures such as the use of contraceptive methods.
"Canada's contribution to maternal and child health may involve various interventions, including family planning, which includes the use of contraceptive methods. The details remain to be determined; however, Canada s contribution will not include funding of abortions, she explained.
Oda said, "We're not debating abortion; we're clarifying family planning."
"The government of Canada agrees with the internationally-accepted definition of family planning, as agreed to by the World Health Organization, UN and G8 development agencies," she said, which excludes abortion. "This includes a woman's ability to space and limit her pregnancies, which has a direct impact on her health and well-being, as well as on the outcome of each pregnancy." Full story at LifeNews.com
Kenya Government Won't Change Pro-Abortion Draft Constitution Before Vote
Nairobi, Kenya (LifeNews.com) -- The Kenya government will not make any further changes to the proposed Constitution citizens will vote on this summer that overturns the nation's ban on abortions. The Kenya Cabinet met on Tuesday and, afterwards, said politicians and church leaders opposed to the constitution will have to live with the document.
Although the draft contains language advocating the right to life for unborn children, it contains a section with a health exception that essentially opens the nation to unlimited abortions throughout pregnancy for any reason.
The Daily Nation newspaper indicated the government released a statement saying it was too late to make further changes before the July vote.
"After the review the Cabinet concluded that it was practically impossible at this stage to amend the Constitution of Kenya or Constitution Review Act in order to accommodate concerns expressed by Christian Church leaders and others," it said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Mississippi Legislators Want Bill to Opt Out of Abortion Funding in Health Care
Jackson, MS (LifeNews.com) -- Legislators in Mississippi nearly joined those in Arizona and Tennessee in getting a bill to the governor that would opt the state of out of some of the abortion funding in the new health care law. The bill President Barack Obama signed into law contains massive abortion financing with tax dollars. On Saturday, the Mississippi House almost sent to the governor its bill to help shield taxpayers from paying for at least some of the abortion funding.
Lawmakers voted 75-32 for the measure, but Rep. Rufus Straughter, a Democrat, held the bill on a procedural motion that could allow more debate. As a result, the House must vote tomorrow on final passage on the legislation before it can get to pro-life Gov. Haley Barbour, who is expected to sign it.
"I don't think our current law speaks to this," said Rep. Toby Barker about the need to pass the bill.
Rep. John Hines, a Jackson Democrat, was among the pro-abortion lawmakers to oppose the measure. Even though it only had to do with making state residents pay for abortions, she argued it on grounds the bill would make abortions illegal. Full story at LifeNews.com
Abortion Will Not Solve Child Rape Problem in Mexico Sexual Abuse Case
by Colin Mason and Steven W. Mosher
There is no tragedy that the abortion movement does not seek to turn to its own advantage.
Consider the case of a young girl in Quintana Roo, Mexico, who was raped by her supposed stepfather and impregnated at the tender age of 10. After the girl's mother belatedly notified the authorities, she is now, at nearly 18 weeks of pregnancy, receiving proper medical care. The offending rapist has since been arrested.
We should all decry the horrific sexual abuse that led to this pregnancy. But the abortion movement, led by radical feminists, wants to go further. They claim that the girl should be given an abortion, even though the Mexican state in which she lives, Quintana Roo, forbids all abortions after 90 days gestation. The underlying problem here, they insist, is that Mexican girls are not properly informed of their right to an abortion in case of rape before 90 days gestation, and that they are not allowed to receive one after that point. According to them, Mexico's abortion laws must be relaxed. Full story at LifeNews.com
| Looking for a pro-life speaker for your next banquet, conference or convention? LifeNews.com editor Steven Ertelt is a low-cost speaker who can entertain and educate your audience as well as help you with a fundraising pitch if necessary. He can also speak on any pro-life topic. For more information, email news@LifeNews.com. |
South Carolina Legislators No Shows for Hearing on Pro-Life Abortion Bill
Columbia, SC (LifeNews.com) -- Members of a South Carolina legislative panel failed to show up for a planned hearing on a bill for a 24-hour waiting period before an abortion. The hearing was a joint one featuring both House and Senate members who were supposed to meet to work out the differences in bills from each chamber.
But AP indicates just one House member showed up, much to the chagrin of Sen. Kevin Bryant, who said the bill is too important for such games.
Rep. Greg Delleney authored the bill and he told AP that senators are either being disingenuous or not communicating with legislative staff about the meeting place and time. He said the conference committee would need to be rescheduled.
The House wants the 24-hour waiting period so women have a greater chance of considering abortion alternatives, but the Senate doesn't agree.
In March, the state Senate passed what South Carolina Citizens for Life called troubling amendment to the waiting period bill. The House refused to agree with the Senate, so the bill went to the conference committee. Full stories at LifeNews.com
Judge Allows Attorney for Pro-Life Notre Dame Protestors to Get Info
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- In a major ruling--which ultimately could prove decisive for the defense--St. Joseph County Indiana Superior Court Chief Judge Michael P. Scopelitis lifted a stay order that barred lead defense attorney Tom Dixon from pursuing discovery from Notre Dame officials.
Dixon represents the 88 pro-lifers who peacefully assembled against the Catholic university's decision to honor the vehemently pro- abortion President Barack Obama.
By allowing discovery, Judge Scopelitis authorizes Dixon to pursue testimony under oath from said officials who were key decision makers in the arrest of the ND88.
It will also allow him to subpoena documents that may shed light on the college's apparent inconsistency regarding the arrest and prosecution of other groups and individuals participating in similar on-campus events.
"The lifting of this stay on discovery is very significant," said Tom Brejcha, president and chief counsel of the Thomas More Society. Full stories at LifeNews.com
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