LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Report: Elena Kagan Has History of Working for Pro-Abortion Judges, Politicians
• Republicans Likely Won't Filibuster Pro-Abortion Kagan, Promise Tough Hearings
• Gallup Poll Finds More Americans Pro-Life Than Pro-Abortion, The "New Normal"
• Sarah Palin Rallies "Conservative Feminists" at Pro-Life Women's Event in DC
• Florida Governor Charlie Crist Likely to Veto Bill for Pre-Abortion Ultrasound
• West Virginia Gov. Manchin Signs Bill, Women Get Ultrasound Before Abortion
• Missouri Could Become Next State to Opt Out of Abortion Funding in Health Care
• Ohio Pro-Life Group Issues 2010 Election Endorsements, Backs Portman, Kasich
• Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan Backs Internationalist Judicial Activism
• Women Deliver Conference Partners With United Nations to Promote Abortion
• Pro-Life News: Obama, Health Care, Abrotion, Kagan, China, Alaska, Specter
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Report: Elena Kagan Has History of Working for Pro-Abortion Judges, Politicians
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new report issued from a national pro-life organization shows Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan has a history of working for pro-abortion judges and politicians. Released today, a memo from Americans United for Life provides more ammunition for pro-life lawmakers to oppose her nomination.
Most political observers know Kagan worked for the Clinton administration, where she wrote a memo helping provide him political cover for vetoing the partial-birth abortion ban.
They also know she worked for pro-abortion Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. But the AUL memo digs much deeper.
The first year after Kagan graduated from law school, she clerked for federal Judge Abner Mikva, who, during an interview, stated his strong support for abortion and twisting jurisprudence to advocate it.
I think judges tend to be too separate from the political process and the body politic," Judge Mikva said in an interview. "I support the result of Roe v. Wade. When I was a member of the state legislature, I was introducing proposals to make Illinois law approximate what Roe v. Wade later on did And then, to my pleasant surprise, the Supreme Court came down with [a decision that] preempted the whole political process.
In 1988, Kagan worked as a researcher for the presidential campaign of pro-abortion candidate Michael Dukakis. Full story at LifeNews.com
Republicans Likely Won't Filibuster Pro-Abortion Kagan, Promise Tough Hearings
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senate Republicans say they likely will not filibuster the nomination of pro-abortion Solicitor general Elena Kagan to replace retiring pro-abortion Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens. However, they promise tough hearings and questions in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl, a leading member of the Senate Judiciary Committee and pro-life advocate, told CBS's "Face The Nation," he didn't expect a filibuster.
"The filibuster should be relegated to the extreme circumstances, and I don't think Elena Kagan represents that," he said.
But that doesn't mean Senate Republicans won't oppose her nomination and subject the abortion advocate to a thorough committee hearing.
"She has so little other record, this is going to be a big deal," said Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, the committee's top Republican who is also pro-life, to ABC's "This Week." program. "It's so important how she testifies. We'll be looking at her testimony because she has so little other record"
Kyl agreed, adding that Republicans want to know "whether she will lay her political beliefs aside when she's deciding cases and decide those cases strictly based upon the facts and the law of the case." Full story at LifeNews.com
Gallup Poll Finds More Americans Pro-Life Than Pro-Abortion, The "New Normal"
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Gallup released the results of a new survey confirming, for the third time in the last year, that more Americans call themselves pro-life than "pro-choice" on abortion. That's enough for the respected polling firm to say a pro-life majority is the "new normal" in the United States.
According to a May 3-6 Gallup poll, 47 percent of Americans say they are pro-life on abortion versus 45 percent who say they are "pro-choice," supporting legal abortions.
This is nearly identical to the 47% to 46% division Gallup found last July, which was down from the 51-42 percent split favoring the pro-life position last May.
Because this is the third consecutive time Gallup has found more Americans taking the pro-life position, the polling firm calls the results "a real change in public opinion."
Looking at the Gallup polling data dating back to 1995, the pro-life movement has been successful in changing public opinion on abortion -- as Gallup found a 56-33 percent pro-abortion split in 1995. That 23 percent pro-abortion majority has shifted 25 percent towards the pro-life position to the pro-life majority the movement against abortion enjoys today. Full story at LifeNews.com
Sarah Palin Rallies "Conservative Feminists" at Pro-Life Women's Event in DC
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- On Friday morning, former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin rallied hundreds of pro-life women and supportive men at a 2010 election fundraising event sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony List. Palin called for what she terms a new feminist movement led by conservative women with pro-life values.
Palin touted "pro-women" conservatives who are, as she described, politically engaged "mamma grizzlies" against abortion and for traditional values.
She credited the SBA List with helping launch, "an emerging conservative feminist identity" and that it is "returning the women's movement back to it's original roots."
"There's a whole stampede of pink elephants," she said about the large number of pro-life women candidates seeking statewide and Congressional offices this year.
"If you thought pitbulls were tough, you don't want to mess with mamma grizzlies," she said. "This year will be remembered as the year when common sense conservative women get things done for our country."
"Moms kinda just know when something's wrong...moms can be counted on to fight for their children's future," Palin added, after sharing her story of the birth of her son Trig, who has Down syndrome. Full story at LifeNews.com
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Florida Governor Charlie Crist Likely to Veto Bill for Pre-Abortion Ultrasound
Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Florida Governor Charlie Crist says he will likely veto a pro-life bill that helps women by allowing them a chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before an abortion. Although ultrasounds are routinely done before an abortion, abortion facilities don't always allow women to see them.
State legislators support the bill to help women obtain more information before making a decision to have an abortion.
The same bill would also make Florida the next state to opt out of at least some of the taxpayer funding of abortion contained in the health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law.
Though the measure doesn't require women to see the ultrasound -- it gives them the option -- Crist told with the Tampa Tribune as if it did.
"On two fronts it disturbs me," Crist said, according to the newspaper. "That you would force a woman to go through this procedure . . . almost seems mean-spirited. To have your government impose on you, listen to a lecture, then on top of that, you have to pay for it."
The language does not require women to view the ultrasound and gives them the ability to sign a form opting out of see one. The form also ensures abortion clinics gives women the opportunity to view the ultrasound of their baby. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact Governor Crist at: Phone: (850) 488-7146 or (850)-488-4441, Fax: (850) 487-0801 Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
West Virginia Gov. Manchin Signs Bill, Women Get Ultrasound Before Abortion
Charleston, WV (LifeNews.com) -- West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin signed a bill today that allows women to get an opportunity to see an ultrasound before having an abortion. At abortion centers, mothers don't typically have a chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before the abortion is done.
Manchin, a Democrat, signed the Ultrasound Option Bill (SB 597) into law in a signing ceremony in Charleston.
The bill passed both the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate by overwhelming margins earlier this spring. West Virginia becomes the 20th state to enact some form of provision giving women the opportunity to view an ultrasound before an abortion.
"Abortion is one of the most common, yet under regulated procedures performed in the United States," Mary Spaulding Balch, an attorney who is the director of state legislation for the National Right to Life Committee, told LifeNews.com.
"Accurate information empowers us to make informed decisions. We would never expect a person to undergo any procedure without having all possible information at their disposal before consenting. Abortion is no different. Women deserve to have all of the facts at their disposal before making the life and death decision that will affect themselves and their unborn children," Balch added. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Thank the governor at http://www.wv.gov
Missouri Could Become Next State to Opt Out of Abortion Funding in Health Care
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- Missouri could become the next state to opt out of abortion funding under the pro-abortion health care bill President Barack Obama signed into law. Arizona and Tennessee have already seen similar legislation signed into law while two other states have approved bills that have yet to be signed.
SB 793 is a bill which will prohibit insurance plans participating in new state taxpayer-funded health insurance exchanges from providing abortion coverage.
The bill also enhances the state s existing informed consent law to ensure that women receive essential information about health risks and alternatives before choosing abortion.
Today, the people of Missouri are closer than ever to a new law that prevents taxpayer-funded abortion, Mary Harned, an attorney with Americans United for Life, told LifeNews.com. This outstanding bill also contains important protections for women in the state who have a right to know that they face serious health risks when choosing abortion.
SB 793 now goes to pro-abortion Governor Nixon for consideration and he has yet to have to decide whether to sign or veto an abortion bill.
The bill also ensures that women considering abortion are provided essential information and given the option to see an ultrasound image before having an abortion -- which is something that, when used in pregnancy centers, convinces a large percentage of women to keep their baby instead of getting an abortion. Full story at LifeNews.com
Ohio Pro-Life Group Issues 2010 Election Endorsements, Backs Portman, Kasich
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- Ohio Right to Life issues its 2010 general election endorsements today with a slate of pro-life candidates led by Bob Portman and John Kasich. The endorsements for Ohio's federal and state candidates were released today and the group will announce endorsements for state legislature later.
Mike Gonidakis, on behalf of the Ohio Right to Life PAC, told LifeNews.com that Ohio voters will likely send pro-abortion members of Congress a resounding wake-up call this November.
"Based upon the failed leadership in Congress and the collective abandonment of the will of the people relating to the pro-abortion federal health care vote, Ohio Right to Life enthusiastically and proudly endorses a strong pro-life congressional slate," he said.
He added, "Ohioans are united regarding the belief that our Congress needs a wake-up call and this November we will deliver a resounding message with the election of new members to Congress to include: Rob Portman, Steve Chabot, Jim Renacci, and Tom Ganley." Full story at LifeNews.com
Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan Backs Internationalist Judicial Activism
by Terrence McKeegan, J.D.
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- On Monday, President Barack Obama announced the nomination of Elena Kagan to the position of Associate Justice on the United States (US) Supreme Court.
Based on a review of the rather meager writings and public statements by Kagan, a picture still emerges of a liberal activist whose sympathies for foreign law raise serious questions about how she would follow the US Constitution if she is confirmed.
During her Senate confirmation hearings last year to become US Solicitor General (the attorney that represents the US government before the Supreme Court), Kagan was asked about her view of the role of consulting foreign law in statutory interpretation.
Kagan responded by saying, "At least some members of the Court find foreign law relevant in at least some contexts. When this is the case, I think the Solicitor General's office should offer reasonable foreign law arguments to attract these Justices' support for the positions that the office is taking."
As the first female Dean of her alma mater, Harvard Law School, Kagan played a lead role in revamping the first year curriculum that made international/comparative law mandatory, which is especially noteworthy given that the law school no longer requires students to take a constitutional law class. Full story at LifeNews.com
Women Deliver Conference Partners With United Nations to Promote Abortion
by Samantha Singson
New York, NY (LifeNews.com/CFAM) -- Next month in Washington, DC, abortion advocates will team up with UN agencies and corporate sponsors to host the Women Deliver 2 conference. A follow-up to the first conference held in London in October 2007, next month s meeting is shaping up to be a bigger money grab than its predecessor.
According to the conference website, "There is just enough time, if the world commits funding now, to achieve MDG 5, which they claim requires an additional US$10 billion annually by 2010 and US$20 billion by 2015."
Women Deliver argues while donor funding for maternal, newborn and child health has increased significantly in the past few years, from US$2.1 billion in 2003 to almost US $3.5 billion in 2006, it remains far below the total funding needs. Women Deliver organizers are stressing that the $30 billion is needed from governments and the international community "to provide essential services to all women in developing countries to meet MDG 5 (Improve Maternal Health) by 2015."
Originally founded as an initiative of the abortion advocacy group Family Care International (FCI), Women Deliver has morphed into a separate organization, though still based at FCI headquarters in New York. Full story at LifeNews.com
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Pro-Life News: Obama, Health Care, Abrotion, Kagan, China, Alaska, Specter
Obama Administration Begins Legal Defense of Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Obama administration has begun the legal defense of the pro-abortion health care bill against one of the many lawsuits filed against it. In this first case in which legal papers were filed, government lawyers told the court that the Obama administration believes the federal government has the power to force citizens to obtain health care insurance.
First TV Commercial Hits Supporting Pro-Abortion Supreme Court Pick Elena Kagan
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The first television commercial has hit the airwaes in support of pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. The ad from the Coalition for Constitutional Values, a liberal advocacy group, began on Tuesday touting President Barack Obama's nominee to replace pro-abortion Justice John Paul Stevens and Obama plays a prominent role in it.
Pro-Abortion Group Endorses Democratic Senate Challenger Sestak Against Specter
Harrisburg, PA (LifeNews.com) -- The pro-abortion group NARAL has endorsed the pro-abortion Democratic challenger seeking to obtain the party's nomination for the U.S. Senate seat in Pennsylvania.
Chinese Farmer Kills Family Planning Official for Forcing Wife to Have Abortion
Beijing, China (LifeNews.com) -- A Chinese farmer allegedly killed a family planning official in China's Jilin province and injured her two minor children, after she forced his wife to undergo an abortion.
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Recuses Herself From Parental Notification Lawsuit
Juneau, AK (LifeNews.com) -- An Alaska Supreme Court justice has recused herself from a case involving a lawsuit the Planned Parenthood abortion business filed against the parental notification on abortion amendment pro-life advocates want to be able to vote on in the November elections.
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