LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Obama Approval Rating Drops, Repeal of Pro-Abortion Health Care Hits High
• Pro-Life Group Asks Senate to Postpone Hearings on Pro-Abortion Elena Kagan
• Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour Signs Health Care Abortion Funding Opt Out
• Sixth State Passes Measure to Opt Out of Some Abortion Funding in Health Care
• Britain to See Abortion Ad on TV for First Time Tonight, Legal Challenge Looms
• Woman Dies From Botched Abortion at Marie Stopes Clinic as British Ads Run
• Planned Parenthood Patient Taken to Hospital, Possible Botched Abortion Victim
• Unborn Baby Gives British Mom a Thumbs Up in Rare Ultrasound Picture
• Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood: Pro-Life People Should be Warned
• Florida Pro-Life Group Calls on Governor Crist to Sign Abortion-Ultrasound Bill
• Oklahoma Gov Brad Henry Vetoes Pro-Life Bill for Better Abortion Reporting
• Virginia Principal Placed on Leave for Distribution of Fetal Models to Students
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Obama Approval Rating Drops, Repeal of Pro-Abortion Health Care Hits New High
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll released today finds pro-abortion President Barack Obama's approval rating dropping to one of its lowest levels since he took office. Meanwhile, the percentage of Americans who want to repeal the health care bill he signed into law that funds abortions has reached a new high.
The level of support for repealing the pro-abortion health care law has shot up to a new high, the Rasmussen Reports survey shows.
The poll of likely voters finds 63 percent want to repeal the law compared with 32 percent who oppose repealing it. That tops the prior poll with a near high of 56-39 percent supporting repeal.
Prior to today, weekly polling had shown support for repeal ranging from 54% to 58%.
The new findings include 46% who strongly support repealing the pro-abortion health care law Obama signed while 25 percent strongly oppose it.
"While opposition to the bill has remained as consistent since its passage as it was beforehand, this marks the first time that support for repeal has climbed into the 60s. It will be interesting to see whether this marks a brief bounce or indicates a trend of growing opposition," pollster Scott Rasmussen said.
Meanwhile, the Rasmussen Reports poll released today shows just 44% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance. That's compared with 55 percent who disapprove.
Of the voters who have the most passionate position for or against Obama, he continues to find voter intensity against him. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Group Asks Senate to Postpone Hearings on Pro-Abortion Elena Kagan
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life organization is calling on the Senate to postpone its scheduled hearings on pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest is concerned senators won't have enough time to review her record.
That's because lawmakers may not receive reams of documents concerning Kagan's time in the Clinton administration before the anticipated June 28 hearings.
Kagan has already come under fire for urging Clinton to support a phony late-term abortion ban as political cover for vetoing the ban on partial-birth abortions.
"We are deeply concerned that the Senate Judiciary Committee will have insufficient time to review Elena Kagan's record before commencing her hearing," Yoest said in her letter. "Therefore we request that you provide whatever time is needed for members to thoroughly prepare for the hearing, even if it means postponing the hearing date," she added.
The letter, provided to LifeNews.com, is addressed to pro-abortion committee chairman Pat Leahy and Sen. Jeff Sessions, the pro-life ranking Republican on the panel.
Terri Garner, the director of the Clinton library, has said it will be "very difficult" to produce the documents needed to analyze Kagan's record by the late June hearing date.
Today, Sessions issued comments that are in line with AUL's request. He said the desire to push forward without the documents could cause a "train wreck." Full story at LifeNews.com
Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour Signs Health Care Abortion Funding Opt Out
Jackson, MS (LifeNews.com) -- Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour made his the third state to enact a law that would allow it to opt out of some of the federal abortion funding in the health care bill. Despite his executive order, President Barack Obama signed the bill that would force taxpayers to fund abortions.
States can use a provision in the legislation to avoid paying for some abortions but there's no way state's can avoid all of the abortion funding Obama approved.
Today, Barbour signed a bill, SB 3214, that takes effect immediately -- well before the abortion provisions in the health care measure come into play.
"Mississippi continues to be the safest place to be an unborn child in America today," Barbour said. "This bill ensures that taxpayers' money will not fund abortions if the health insurance exchanges are implemented under the federal health care law."
The state follows Arizona and Tennessee in having such a law on the books. Oklahoma has sent a bill that is the sixth in the nation to its governor, though it, like two others, has not been signed into law. Full story at LifeNews.com
Sixth State Passes Measure to Opt Out of Some Abortion Funding in Health Care
Oklahoma City, OK (LifeNews.com) -- The Oklahoma legislature made theirs the sixth state to pass a measure opting out of at least some of the abortion funding in the new health care law President Barack Obama signed. The legislation now moves to Gov. Brad Henry, who has frequently vetoed pro-life legislation.
The bill cleared a final legislative hurdle and it will now by up to Henry to decide if Oklahoma can use the option to stop some of the abortion funding created by the new federal health care law.
AUL spokesman Matthew Faraci told LifeNews.com today he's excite by the news.
More than 70% of voters oppose the use of public funds for abortion; that s why the state-by-state opt out movement continues to gain momentum, the Americans United for Life representative said. Oklahoma s leadership on this issue serves as an example to other states looking to pass similar laws.
Thus far, the opt-out bills in Arizona and Tennessee have become law and bills in Florida, Mississippi, and Missouri are pending action by the state s governor.
The legislation has the states opting out of using state tax money to pay for abortions in state health care exchanges -- though other abortion funding in the government-run health care bill can't be suppressed by state efforts. Full story at LifeNews.com
Britain to See Abortion Ad on TV for First Time Tonight, Legal Challenge Looms
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- British television viewers will see an ad promoting abortions for the first time on TV tonight on Channel 4. However, a pro-life legal group is hoping a last-minute legal action can stop the television ads for the Marie Stopes International abortion business.
The Committee of Advertising Practice and the Broadcast Committee on Advertising Practice allowed rules changes that paved the way for the new ads.
Without the television and radio commercials, MSI has relied on magazines, taxi and bus ads, and advertising through alternative newspapers.
The ad will run on Channel 4 after 10:00 p.m. but the Christian Legal Centre informed The Sun newspaper it hopes to block what it calls an advertisement for the "destruction of human life."
"Members of the public will be enraged that such adverts are allowed to be beamed into their living rooms, especially as early as 10.10pm, when very many teenagers are around," CLC director Andrea Minichiello-Williams told the newspaper.
"Over 200,000 abortions take place each year in the UK and the figures are not falling. So-called 'family planning' is a multimillion-pound industry and should not be aided by TV advertising," she said. "The notion that the destruction of human life can be advertised freely on TV as a service to the public is outrageous."
The television commercials asks if women "are late" -- in terms of whether they missed their last period -- and advises them to call a 24-hour abortion hotline. Full story at LifeNews.com
Woman Dies From Botched Abortion at Marie Stopes Clinic as British Ads Run
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- As the Marie Stopes International abortion business begins running abortion ads on television in England tonight, news surfaces that a woman in India died from a botched legal abortion at an MSI abortion center. She is one of several women to have died recently in India from failed abortions.
According to the Republica newspaper, a woman identified as Durga Devi Khadka went to a Marie Stopes center for an abortion of her 10-week-old unborn child.
She died at the MSI facility located in Damak Municipality-15 of Jhapa district on Sunday night.
Her family members told the newspaper they blame the "shoddy" practices and abortion practitioner at the Marie Stopes abortion business. Police have detained Chitra Bahadur Karki, the owner of the abortion center, for an investigation.
The abortion death comes as MSI is running new abortion commercials on Channel 4, despite criticism from pro-life groups and a potential legal challenge.
The Britain-based abortion business Marie Stopes International announced earlier this year that it did 920,000 abortions in 43 countries in 2009. MSI indicated most of its work takes place in developing countries and in rural areas or urban slums where is says the "need" for abortion is at its greatest. Full story at LifeNews.com
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Planned Parenthood Patient Taken to Hospital, Possible Botched Abortion Victim
Naples, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A patient at a Florida Planned Parenthood abortion center was taken by ambulance to a local medical center today after what appears to have been a botched abortion. Although officials won't say if the patient had an abortion, the facility does abortions on Mondays.
Planned Parenthood of Collier County called for emergency transport today to take a patient to an area hospital.
The Naples News indicates the ambulance came at 12:50 p.m. local time and left with a patient minutes later as local pro-life advocates looked on nearby.
We had a medical call and just transported someone to the hospital for evaluation, Cherie Wilson-Watson, spokeswoman for Collier County Emergency Medical Services, told the paper.
Char Wendel, president and chief executive officer of Planned Parenthood, would not confirm if the patient was injured in a botched abortion, citing privacy laws.
I can't say that, all I know we are a medical facility and we respond to emergencies, Wendel said, according to the News. Full story at LifeNews.com
Unborn Baby Gives British Mom a Thumbs Up in Rare Ultrasound Picture
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Marie Boswell expected to get the latest information about the status of her unborn child from her physician. In a rare ultrasound picture showing her baby giving her a thumbs up, she got a progress report from the baby boy himself.
Bosworth was stunned by the ultrasound photo of her 20-week-old unborn baby giving her the popular sign when everything's all right.
"It was really funny," the 35-year-old mother said of the ultrasound picture she had at Wythenshawe Hospital, near her home in Manchester.
She told the London Daily Mail newspaper, "I went to the scan with my friend and my mum and we were all just laughing. He was giving us the thumbs up, it was just so clear."
"We couldn't believe it. I have big hands, but nothing on the scale of his," she told the newspaper. "We're thinking he might make a good goalkeeper. I've never seen a scan like this before - but we love it."
"I've been keeping it in a book because I want to show it to him when he is older," she added. Full story at LifeNews.com
Susan G. Komen and Planned Parenthood: Pro-Life People Should be Warned
by Hannah Carter
Like many families, my grandmother and great-grandmother both had breast cancer. The issue of wanting to fight what harms your family or friends is noble. So when I tell people that I do not support Susan G. Komen an organization that exists to fight breast cancer , I normally get the look of one: why would you abandon your family or two: oh there goes one of those extremist.
However, my reasons are not that extreme, but rather principled.
I'm sure many of you reading this article have also been confronted with the issue of if I m pro-life then how can I support an organization that supports the nation s leading abortion provider. Hopefully, the following principles can shed some light on how to respond sympathetically, yet firm with why you cannot wear pink, or join the race, or all the various ways that Susan G. Komen is supported. Full story at LifeNews.com
Florida Pro-Life Group Calls on Governor Crist to Sign Abortion-Ultrasound Bill
Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Florida Right to Life is calling on Governor Charlie Crist to not veto a pro-life bill that helps women by allowing them a chance to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before an abortion. The bill is coming under heavy attack from abortion advocates and the media, which is misrepresenting the legislation.
State legislators support the bill to help women obtain more information before making a decision to have an abortion.
Though the measure doesn't require women to see the ultrasound -- it gives them the option -- Crist, pro-abortion groups and media outlets claim it does.
Carrie Eisnaugle, the president of Florida Right to Life, sent a letter to Crist asking him to sign the legislation.
"I am writing to request that you allow HB 1143 to become law," she wrote.
"This bill will help women considering an abortion, by giving the woman more information regarding the procedure she is considering and what it will do. I know many women who regret their abortion, because they later found out the truth about the baby developing inside them," the letter says. Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Contact Governor Crist: Phone: 850-488-7146, Fax 850-487-0801, or write him at Charlie.Crist@MyFlorida.com
Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry Vetoes Pro-Life Bill for Better Abortion Reporting
Oklahoma City, OK (LifeNews.com) -- Over the weekend, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry vetoed an abortion reporting bill meant to help the state reduce abortions. Henry, who has a mixed record on signing pro-life laws and already vetoed this year a bill to allow women to see an ultrasound of their baby, disagreed with the legislature.
The Senate voted 32-11 to approve House Bill 3284, dubbed the "Statistical Abortion Reporting Act" and the House approved it on an equally lopsided 88-8 margin.
HB 3284 provides for the reporting of abortions performed in Oklahoma, the reasons abortions are sought, and the complications that result.
The measure has the support of pro-life groups as Tony Lauinger of Oklahomans for Life told LifeNews.com previously: "Knowing why women seek abortions may make it possible to solve underlying problems. The reporting of complications will allow an assessment of the untested claim that abortion is 'safe.'" Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Complain to Governor henry at http://www.gov.ok.gov/index.php
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Virginia Principal Placed on Leave for Distribution of Fetal Models to Students
Norfolk, VA (LifeNews.com) -- A Virginia principal was placed on administrative leave for distributing tiny plastic models of unborn children to help the students at Oakwood Elementary learn about the development of a baby before birth. Oakwood Principal Sheila Tillett Holas distributed the models to students in third, fourth and fifth grade.
Holas was placed on leave on Friday and, according to the Norfolk Pilot newspaper, would not respond to interview requests.
Also in response, the Virginia ACLU sent a letter to Superintendent Stephen Jones blasting Holas and saying Holas was also engaging in other activities that it said inappropriately promoted religion.
School division spokeswoman Elizabeth Thiel Mather told the newspaper, "The principal is on administrative leave because the superintendent felt it would be best for the school while the investigation is ongoing."
"It's a serious incident, a serious allegation; you don't want to let it linger," she said.
Mather did not know whether Holas or another school official was responsible for distributing the dolls, but told the newspaper students received them last Fall and that a parent reported her child getting a model within the last month.
Jones issued a memo to the city council on Friday promising a thorough examination of the situation. Full story at LifeNews.com
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