LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Saturday, June 12, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Kagan Ignored Medical Group's Opinion to Keep Partial-Birth Abortions Legal
• Battle Continues Against Allowing Abortions at Tax-Funded Military Base Hospitals
• Obama Approval Reaches New Low, But Leads Potential 2012 GOP Candidates
• Mike Huckabee Takes Issue With Mich Daniels' Call for "Truce" on Abortion
• Charlie Crist Vetoes Bill to Opt Out of Health Care Abortion Funding, for Ultrasound
• Pro-Abortion Boxer Leads Pro-Life Carly Fiorina in California by Five Percent
• Abortion Facility in Alabama Placed on Probation for Violations Shutting Down
• Crist Veto of Abortion-Ultrasound, Health Care Opt Out Draws Strong Condemnation
• British Government Says Most Britons Object to MSI Television Ads on Abortion
• Massachusetts Drivers Can Purchase Choose Life License Plates Soon
• Man Assaults Connecticut Girlfriend: "She is Stupid and Won't Get an Abortion"
• Nevada Personhood Amendment Backers Fail to Get Signatures for Abortion Vote
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Kagan Ignored Medical Group's Opinion to Keep Partial-Birth Abortions Legal
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Clinton presidential library today released tens of thousands of new memos authored by or mentioning Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. One in particular shows Kagan doing everything possible to provide strategy and political cover for former President Bill Clinton as he vetoed a partial-birth abortion ban.
The latest memo is particularly concerning because it has her going against a leading medical group that said it found no medical reason for a woman to have a partial-birth abortion.
During the heat of the debate in the 1990s, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said an expert panel it commissioned could find no medical reason why the partial-birth abortion procedure would ever be used to protect a woman's life or health.
Still, Clinton said he would not sign a ban on the three-day-long abortion procedure that involves the partial birth of an unborn child and the gruesome destruction of the baby's life by jabbing medical scissors into its skull unless it contained a health exception for women.
Kagan, in a December 14, 1996 memo, appeared to be upset that ACOG couldn't find any justification for Clinton's position.
This, of course, would be disaster -- not the less so (in fact, the more so) because ACOG continues to oppose the legislation, she said of the inability to discern a medical reason for the second-trimester abortion procedure.
Kagan also appears to suggest manipulating ACOG's statement to support Clinton's position.
Notes in Kagan s handwriting list suggested options for modifying the ACOG position statement including having the Clinton administration claiming a partial-birth abortion "may be the best or most appropriate option. Full story at LifeNews.com
Battle Continues Against Allowing Abortions at Tax-Funded Military Base Hospitals
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The battle is continuing over whether Congress should support an amendment that would open up taxpayer-funded U.S. military base hospitals to doing abortions. A ban has been in place for years that prevents such abortions and the last time it was lifted, military doctors refused to do abortions.
As LifeNews.com reported last month, pro-abortion Sen. Roland Burris of Illinois attached an amendment to a bill in the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The measure received a 15-12 vote, with Democrats supporting it except for Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who joined all of the committee's Republicans in opposition.
The next step in the fight is a battle on the Senate floor and abortion advocates are optimistic they have the numbers to prevent removal of the Burris amendment from the legislation.
That would take the fight to the House, where Congressman Chris Smith of New Jersey, the head of the Congressional Pro-Life Caucus, tells LifeNews.com he will strongly oppose the amendment on the House side and he expects to defeat it there.
Our military facilities should be a place of hope and healing, not intentional destruction of innocent human life, he said. This amendment will mean that as many as 260 military medical facilities worldwide will now be in the abortion business." Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama Approval Reaches New Low, But Leads Potential 2012 GOP Candidates
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has seen his approval rating fall to a new low in a new Gallup poll. Gallup now has Obama's approval rating at 44 percent and his disapproval at 48 percent -- one of just a handful of times the poll has shown higher disapproval ratings for the abortion advocate.
Despite the low marks from the American public, a new Public Policy Polling survey shows Obama still leading each of his potential 2012 challengers.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is pro-life, fares the best against Obama compared with any of the other possible Republican presidential candidates. he trails Obama 46-44 percent with the rest of the polling sample respondents undecided.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who campaigned as a pro-life candidate in 2008, trails by a slightly wider 45-42 percentage point margin.
Huckabee and Romney poll at higher levels than other potential candidates, including former presidential hopeful John McCain, who trails Obama 49-42 percent but is not expected to seek the nomination again.
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who is also pro-life, is the next strongest Republican against Obama, polling at eight percentage points behind him. Sarah Palin, the pro-life former Alaska governor, trails 50 to 41 percent and pro-life Rep. Ron Paul trails 46-36 percent. Full story at LifeNews.com
Mike Huckabee Takes Issue With Mich Daniels' Call for "Truce" on Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In what could become a preview of the 2012 presidential campaign, pro-life former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee is taking issue with Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who said this week that there should be "truce" on social issues like abortion while the economy is addressed.
Daniels also said he "didn't know" if he would sign an executive order overturning one President Barack Obama issued forcing taxpayers to fund groups that perform and promote abortions overseas.
Today, Huckabee released a statement to Politico saying he took exception to the "truce" comment.
He said pro-life issues "are not bargaining chips nor or they political issues. They are moral issues."
"I didn't get involved in politics just to lower taxes and deficit spending though I believe in both and have done it as a governor. But I want to stay true to the basic premises of our civilization," he said.
"Apparently, a 2012 Republican presidential prospect in an interview with a reporter has made the suggestion that the next president should call for a 'truce' on social issues like abortion and traditional marriage to focus on fiscal problems," Huckabee continued. Full story at LifeNews.com
Charlie Crist Vetoes Bill to Opt Out of Health Care Abortion Funding, for Ultrasound
Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Florida Governor Charlie Crist has vetoed a pro-life bill that would both opt the state out of some of the abortion funding in the health care law Obama signed as well as allow women a chance to see an ultrasound before an abortion. Crist hinted at the veto beforehand, so his decision is not unexpected.
Although ultrasounds are routinely done before an abortion, abortion facilities don't always allow women to see them.
State legislators supported 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 and have it follow Arizona, Tennessee and Mississippi.
Crist said the legislation "presents an inappropriate burden on women seeking to terminate a pregnancy."
Crist said that while people hold strong opinions on abortion, "personal views should not result in laws that unwisely expand the role of government and coerce people to obtain medical tests or procedures that are not medically necessary."
Yet, a 2008 legislative survey found that, of Florida's 62 licensed abortion businesses, 51 already require ultrasounds before first-trimester abortions.
And Section 390.0111 of the bill, line 512 states: "The woman has a right to decline to view the ultrasound images after she is informed of her right and offered an opportunity to view them." Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Abortion Boxer Leads Pro-Life Carly Fiorina in California by Five Percent
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- The first poll coming out of California following Tuesday's primary election, where pro-life candidate Carly Fiorina is taking on stalwart abortion activist Sen. Barbara Boxer, shows Fiorina trailing by five percent. The race will likely become one of the marquee battles for the pro-life movement in 2010.
The new Rasmussen Reports poll shows both Boxer and Fiorina received small bumps in their numbers after the Tuesday election.
Now, its survey of likely voters has Boxer picking up 48% support over Fiorina s 43% and another 5 percent support another candidate while five percent are undecided.
Support for both nominees is at its highest level so far this year as the last poll conducted before the primary election had Boxer with a 45 to 38 percent lead over Fiorina.
"Before the Republican Primary, Fiorina was running worse than primary opponent Tom Campbell, a former congressman. But Fiorina came up strong on Tuesday, picking up 56% of the vote over Campbell s 22%," Rasmussen notes.
Boxer, who is seeking a fourth six-year term, has yet to reach the 50% level of support in the general election -- a critical mark for incumbents. Full story at LifeNews.com
Abortion Facility in Alabama Placed on Probation for Violations Shutting Down
Montgomery, AL (LifeNews.com) -- The Beacon Women's Center, placed on temporary probation in 2007 after health problems state inspectors encountered, will close down permanently next week. The abortion business announced on its web site that it is now closed and seeing follow-up patients until June 18.
The Beacon Women's Center and Reproductive Health Services abortion business in Montgomery and the New Women All Women Health Care in Birmingham saw their licenses downgraded to probationary status in 2006.
The actions against the abortion centers came after state health officials found significant concerns at the Summit Medical Center abortion center in Birmingham.
The abortion facility there was permanently closed in June 2006 after state health officials found numerous violations, including a nurse there giving the abortion drug to a woman with severely high blood pressure who needed medical attention.
The woman later gave birth to a stillborn baby because the drug is only allowed for use in the early parts of pregnancy.
Following the incident at Summit, the state began inspecting the state's other abortion facilities, which led to finding problems at the other two.
"We are thankful that yet another abortion clinic has closed. This illustrates again three things we know to be true about abortion clinics: Clinic regulations work. Abortionists don't heed regulations. Inspections close abortion mills," said Operation Rescue president Troy Newman. Full story at LifeNews.com
Crist Veto of Abortion-Ultrasound, Health Care Opt Out Draws Strong Condemnation
Tallahassee, FL (LifeNews.com) -- State legislators, pro-life groups, and Governor Charlie Crist's pro-life opponent in the Senate race are all outraged about today's veto of a bill that would allow women to see an ultrasound of their unborn child before an abortion and would protect the state of Florida from paying for some abortion funding under the Obama health care law.
LifeNews.com reported on the veto and, since then, the reaction to his has been incredibly strong -- with numerous statements condemning it.
Once again, Charlie Crist has put politics ahead of principled policy-making. Not only would this commonsense measure have provided women with vital information as they make a critical decision, but now Governor Crist s veto also clears the way for taxpayer funding of abortion in Florida," Republican Senate candidate Marco Rubio said.
"This veto will now make it harder for Florida to fight Obamacare, since the bill would have enabled our state to opt out of the abortion coverage mandate in the federal health care law," he added. Full story at LifeNews.com
British Government Says Most Britons Object to MSI Television Ads on Abortion
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Thousands of Britons have objected to the television commercials the Marie Stopes Institute abortion business ran on television last month. The official count of respondents in the day following the commercials found 98 percent of those who took the time to lodge their reaction were opposed to the ads.
British television viewers saw an ad promoting abortions for the first time on television on Channel 4.
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 had relied on magazines, taxi and bus ads, and advertising through alternative newspapers.
Yesterday in Parliament, Lord Alton of Liverpool asked the British government what response it has received since the commercials aired.
Lord Shutt of Greetland, deputy chief whip in the House of Lords, indicated that, as of May 26, 603 pieces of electronic correspondence have been received from members of the public about the MSI commercials and MPs have received five more. Of the total received, 607 oppose the showing of television advertisements for abortion.
John Smeaton of the British pro-life group SPUC responded to the figures.
"The Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport , has the power to insist that Ofcom controls advertising in this area," he said. "We call upon him to intervene immediately." Full story at LifeNews.com
Massachusetts Drivers Can Purchase Choose Life License Plates Soon
Boston, MA (LifeNews.com) -- Massachusetts drivers will have the chance to show their support for life, adoption and helping pregnant women by purchasing Choose Life license plates for their vehicles. The Registry of Motor Vehicles says they will be available through the RMV web site by the end of the month.
The plates, which show a mother and her baby, started arriving at local RMV branches today.
They are a culmination of the work of Merry Nordeen, a state resident who began the effort in 2006 to bring Choose Life license plates to the Bay State.
Massachusetts already has plates that promote environmental, sports, and charitable causes and Nordeen, having read about the Choose Life license plate in other states wanted one of her own. After finding that Massachusetts did not have the Choose Life license plate, she decided to head up the effort to get one here.
To get the plates in Massachusetts, Nordeen's group needed 3,000 state residents to complete a registration form and pay $40 to the Motor Vehicles department for the plate. Full story at LifeNews.com
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Man Assaults Connecticut Girlfriend: "She is Stupid and Won't Get an Abortion"
Waterbury, CT (LifeNews.com) -- A Connecticut man was arrested on Wednesday after telling police he punched his girlfriend multiple times because she refused his request to get an abortion. This case comes as another in Memphis has a former police officer facing trial over allegations he killed his mistress after she refused his abortion demand.
Arturo Rojas, 41, reportedly punched his girlfriend in the stomach repeatedly because she would not get an abortion.
The Waterbury Republican American newspaper said Rojas was arrested Wednesday night after his girlfriend told police she was attacked despite her status as a pregnant woman three months along.
Office said the woman was shaking and crying when they arrive on the scene after she called 911. Rojas reportedly hung up the phone when she tried repeatedly to dial for emergency help, the paper indicated.
Rojas eventually left and came back to the woman's apartment as police were investigating.
He admitted assaulting his girlfriend over her refusal to get an abortion, saying, Yeah, I (messed) that (woman) up. She is stupid and won't get an abortion. Full story at LifeNews.com
Nevada Personhood Amendment Backers Fail to Get Signatures for Abortion Vote
Carson City, NV (LifeNews.com) -- Nevada is the latest state where supporters of a personhood amendment failed to get enough signatures to qualify their ballot effort for a vote. Supporters had also been fighting a court ruling saying the amendment should not appear before voters on the November ballot.
Backers needed to obtain 97,002 signatures to put the issue before voters but Keith Mason of Personhood USA said they didn't get enough support to do so.
"We are committed to coming back to Nevada," Mason told the Las Vegas Review Journal newspaper. "We are building support for 2012."
Mason claimed internal poling showed Nevada voters would support the amendment at the polls if they had a chance to vote on it even though 63 percent of Nevada voters in 1990 passed a ballot amendment supporting abortion.
Abortion advocates in Nevada filed a lawsuit seeking to stop pro-life advocates from gathering petitions and Mason blamed them for the inability to secure enough by the deadline to qualify for the ballot. Full story at LifeNews.com
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