LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Thursday, July 21, 2010
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Current Headlines
• Americans Don't Want Pro-Abortion Obama Re-Elected, Prefer Republican
• Senate Will Vote on Kagan Nomination Before August Recess, Pro-Lifers Upset
• Obama Administration Wrong to Influence Vote on Pro-Abortion Kenya Constitution
• Senate Should Defeat Defense Bill Over Abortions at Military Hospitals, Groups Say
• Pro-Life Women's Group Endorses in Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Nevada
• Pro-Life Leaders Worldwide Sign Petition Against Pro-Abortion Kenya Constitution
• Abortion Business Owner in Pennsylvania Must Close Centers for Unlicensed Staff
• Black Pro-Life Leader Says NAACP Wrong to Target Tea Party, Ignore Abortion
• California Poll Shows Voters Still Pro-Abortion, Could Impact Senate Race
• New Jersey Governor Christie Pressured to Sign Bill for Planned Parenthood $
• Georgia Voters Approve Nonbinding Abortion-Personhood Amendment in Test
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Americans Don't Want Pro-Abortion Obama Re-Elected, Prefer Republican
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new poll from the respected Quinnipiac University polling institute finds Americans don't want to re-elect pro-abortion president Barack Obama in 2012. Instead, they prefer an unnamed Republican - refering to any of several pro-life candidates who may launch presidential bids against him.
The poll finds Obama's political honeymoon has clearly ended, likely thanks in part to his aggressive promotion of abortion and abortion funding.
Obama's job approval rating has dropped to a negative 44-48 percent, his worst net score ever in the college's presidential tracking polls.
Now, American voters say 48-40 percent Obama does not deserve reelection in 2012 and they say by a 39-36 percent margin they would vote for an unnamed Republican rather than President Obama in 2012.
This compares to a 48 - 43 percent approval for Obama in a May 26 national poll by the independent Quinnipiac University and a 57 - 33 percent approval last July, just before the political firestorm created by opposition to his pro-abortion health care plan galvanized the pro-life grassroots and turned both Republicans and independents against him.
In this latest survey of more than 2,000 voters, independent voters disapprove of Obama 52-38 percent and say 37-27 percent they would vote for a Republican contender in 2012. Full story at LifeNews.com
Senate Will Vote on Kagan Nomination Before August Recess, Pro-Lifers Upset
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Now that the Senate Judiciary Committee has confirmed pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says the full Senate vote will come before the August recess. Meanwhile, pro-life advocates expressed their displeasure with the committee vote.
Reid said on Tuesday that he planned to bring Kagan's nomination up for a vote "before we leave for August recess."
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved President Barack Obama's second pro-abortion Supreme Court nominee on a largely party-line 13-6 vote yesterday morning.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, a pro-life South Carolina Republican, joined the panel's pro-abortion Democrats in voting for Kagan while his Republican colleagues opposed her.
Graham's vote took some of the suspense out of the upcoming full Senate vote because it underscores the fact that Republicans opposed to Kagan likely don't have enough votes to sustain a filibuster again her. Without a filibuster, Reid and his pro-abortion Democratic allies easily have enough votes for her confirmation.
Meanwhile, pro-life advocates bemoaned the panel's approval of Kagan to replace retiring pro-abortion Justice John Paul Stevens.
Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life Action, told LifeNews.com the vote "is clouded by outstanding questions regarding her role in manipulating the medical statements of two major organizations on partial-birth abortion." Full story at LifeNews.com
Obama Administration Wrong to Influence Vote on Pro-Abortion Kenya Constitution
by Rep. Chris Smith
Two weeks from today, millions of Kenyans will go to the polls either to affirm or reject a sweeping new constitution in a nationwide plebiscite.
In the run up to this referendum just like any other election the United States and other democracies have a profoundly important, but narrow role to play. And that is to ensure to the greatest extent possible that the plebiscite referendum is free, fair and peaceful.
Election monitoring is a hallowed process designed to protect the integrity and legitimacy of the voting process before, on the day of actual balloting and during certification of the results.
Thus the only legitimate role of the United States and other governments is ensuring that the August 4th Constitutional referendum in Kenya is free, fair and without violence.
Under no circumstances should the U.S. government take sides by supporting, facilitating and funding projects designed to identify and motivate votes for either side.
Yet that is precisely what the Obama Administration has done.
And because the proposed Constitution significantly alters existing abortion law in Kenya, expending U.S. federal funds in support of the Yes campaign is also illegal.
Today, my colleagues and I note with alarm, shock and dismay that the evidence gathered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Inspector General (IG) Donald Gambatesa clearly shows that the Obama Administration has funded grantees with the express purpose of identifying and mobilizing tens of thousands of yes votes. Full story at LifeNews.com
Senate Should Defeat Defense Bill Over Abortions at Military Hospitals, Groups Say
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A collection of pro-life organizations representing 30 million Americans sent a joint letter to members of the Senate today asking lawmakers to oppose the bill funding the Defense Department. They say the measure should be rejected and rewritten because it contains an amendment promoting abortions.
Months ago, Sen. Roland Burris attached an amendment to allow abortions at taxpayer-funded military base hospitals to a bill in the Senate Armed Services Committee that received a 15-12 vote.
All Democrats supported it except for Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, who joined all of the committee's Republicans in opposition.
The Senate is expected to vote on an amendment from pro-life Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi that would remove the Burris language and retain the current ban on abortions at the public military base hospitals, but the amendment will not likely be approved.
Therefore, the letter, organized under the umbrella of the Freedom Federation, urges lawmakers to defeat the bill entirely.
"Though we appreciate the importance of maintaining a strong national defense and of funding the military, members of the Freedom Federation also understand the negative impact the National Defense Authorization Act will have on the members and culture of the military, if it is passed as written," the letter, provided to LifeNews.com, says. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Women's Group Endorses in Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, Nevada
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The national pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List issued a round of endorsements today for pro-life candidates in Alabama, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Nevada. SBA List backed two women and two men who face opposition from pro-abortion women in their races for Congress.
The endorsements include Rep. John Boozman, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Arkansas against pro-abortion Blanche Lincoln.
Teresa Collett, candidate for U.S. House in the fourth district in Minnesota received an endorsement against pro-abortion Rep. Betty McCollum as did Kay Ivey, a candidate for Lt. Governor of Alabama.
Joe Heck, a candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in Nevada's third congressional district against pro-abortion Rep. Dina Titus.
SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser went through the races with LifeNews.com.
The Senate is in great need of the pro-life leadership John Boozman has proven time and again to possess. His commitment to rescind taxpayer funding of abortion in the federal health care legislation and in every aspect of federal spending is urgently needed in the coming Congress," she said.
Boozman was elected to the Arkansas U.S. House of Representatives in 2001 and he has promoted abortion alternatives by co-sponsoring and voting in favor of legislation banning partial birth abortion, expanding tax credits and other support for adoption and opposing RU-486. Full story at LifeNews.com
Pro-Life Leaders Worldwide Sign Petition Against Pro-Abortion Kenya Constitution
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With two weeks left before residents of Kenya vote on a proposed constitution that would overturn the nation's historic pro-life protections for women and unborn children, 171 pro-life leaders from 21 nations have signed a petition urging a no vote on the document.
World Congress of Families launched the petition drive and asked top pro-life advocates from across the world to sign on to the petition in support of the No campaign waged by local Kenyans against the document.
WCF Managing Director Larry Jacobs informed LifeNews.com today that his group gathered signatures from more than 170 pro-life and pro-family leaders in 21 countries.
Signers include former Arkansas Governor and 2008 presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, former Boston Mayor and Vatican Ambassador Ray Flynn, and former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.
Members of the parliaments of Britain, Australia and the European Union, and the Congresses of Poland and the Philippines signed on to the document as well.
"Kenyans are literally fighting for the hope and future of their nation -- the lives of unborn children," Jacobs observed. Full story at LifeNews.com
Abortion Business Owner in Pennsylvania Must Close Centers for Unlicensed Staff
Harrisburg, PA (LifeNews.com) -- An abortion business owner who operates a chain of abortion facilities in the northeast has been ordered by Pennsylvania officials to close his centers there because of his employing unlicensed medical workers.
Steven Chase Brigham is an abortion practitioner whose license has been suspended or revoked in five states.
Now, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports the Pennsylvania Department of Health has ordered Brigham to shut down four of his abortion centers for reportedly employing medical staff who were not properly licensed with the state -- and potentially putting women's health at risk.
The newspaper indicates Brigham's lawyer Julia Gabis is responding with the contention that the state health department is selectively enforcing the law against abortion practitioners and is putting his rights at jeopardy.
"We intend to appeal this decision to the Commonwealth Court," Gabis told the paper.
Brigham also has had problems with the IRS, where officials have filed a lien on him for failing to pay payroll taxes from 2002 to 2006 for the employees of his American Women's Services abortion centers in Pennsylvania and the six he runs in New Jersey.
Brigham was forced to give up his license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania some years ago because of botched abortions. Brigham has also lost his license in other states, yet he continues to operate a chain of abortion businesses on the Eastern seaboard.
He was also taken to task for employing Harvey Walter Brookman, who did abortions at a State College abortion facility known as State College Medical Services and at the Erie abortion center known as American Women's Services under Brigham's employ. Full story at LifeNews.com
Black Pro-Life Leader Says NAACP Wrong to Target Tea Party, Ignore Abortion
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The NAACP has voted to repudiate supposedly racist elements within the Tea Party Movement, but it has taken no action to combat abortion and how it targets black women and unborn children. That concerns one black pro-life leader who says the NAACP's priorities are misplaced.
Day Gardner, the head of the Black American Pro-Life Union, says she is surprised the NAACP spent so much time on something so unimportant.
"Surely, [NAACP president] Benjamin Todd Jealous knows (as we all do) that there will always be a few nutty people out there who live on the fringes of every organization including both the Democratic and Republican parties," she told LifeNews.com on Monday.
"For the NAACP to actually take the time and energy at their national convention to focus on what a few people may or may not have said to a few other people is totally ridiculous," she added.
But Gardner said the bigger issue is why the NAACP is ignoring abortion.
"If anyone dares to oppose President Obama on anything at all--like the big bailouts, the trillion dollar debt amassed since he took office, joblessness, forced Obamacare or the fact that he supports using our hard earned tax dollars to kill unborn children by abortion--they risk being labeled racists," she said.
"The TEA Party movement is not about race--it actually transcends race. Tea Partiers are young, old, black, white and in between. They are disappointed, angry and just plain sick and tired of the downward spiral of the United States--especially since Obama took office," she added. Full story at LifeNews.com
California Poll Shows Voters Still Pro-Abortion, Could Impact Senate Race
Sacramento, CA (LifeNews.com) -- California voters are overwhelmingly pro-abortion says a new Field Poll that could have an impact on the upcoming Senate race between pro-life Carly Fiorina and pro-abortion Sen. Barbara Boxer. According to the new survey, more than 70 percent of Californians support legalized abortion.
The Field Poll says that number has remained steady -- with anywhere from 66 percent to 71 percent of Golden State voters saying they support abortion since it began polling on it in 1987.
"It's established public opinion," Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo said. "Even a majority of Republicans support a pro-choice position here in California."
The survey found 49 percent of California residents want no changes to the existing status of abortion, which is allowed for any reason throughout pregnancy -- though they were not informed of this fact.
Another 22 percent want to make abortions easier to obtain, 24 percent want to make it harder to get an abortion and 5 percent have no opinion.
The poll was conducted for the Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper and other California media outlets.
The newspaper says the poll could have a bearing on the Senate race and said Boxer campaign manager Rose Kapolczynski said today she thinks Fiorina is out of the mainstream. Full story at LifeNews.com
New Jersey Governor Christie Pressured to Sign Bill for Planned Parenthood $
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is coming under pressure to sign a bill that would restore the family planning funds his administration cut from the state budget because of deep economic troubles. The money flows in part to Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion business.
The funds go to 58 family planning clinics but Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion chain, runs 29 of the facilities.
Although the tax money doesn't directly fund abortions, Christie thinks there's little reason to send the abortion centers $7.5 million when the state currently faces an $11 billion deficit.
Christie's state budget removed the millions in funding for the abortion businesses but Democrats, in June, voted to restore the health and family planning services via a supplemental funding bill that is on his desk.
Today, the Star-Ledger newspaper has released an editorial pressuring Christie to sign the legislation restoring the funding.
"Gov. Chris Christie is standing in the way of restoring funds to state family planning services, and for no good reason," it claims. "Christie's opposition to the funding has won him praise from abortion opponents, but that s a phony issue: no state funds are ever used for abortion." Full story at LifeNews.com
Georgia Voters Approve Nonbinding Abortion-Personhood Amendment in Test
Atlanta, GA (LifeNews.com) -- Georgia voters were presented with a what-if of sorts when they went to the polls on Tuesday to participate in Democratic and Republican primary elections. Voters cast ballots on a non-binding version of the personhood amendment that would prohibit abortions if upheld in court.
The amendment would alter the Georgia State Constitution and say the "right to life is vested in each human being from their earliest biological beginning until natural death" and that right should be protected by law.
In all 46 counties where the amendment was presented it passed with about 75 percent of the vote.
Georgia Right to Life officials say the results are proof that the amendment has a good chance of passing if ever put before voters throughout the entire state in a general election situation.
"There is no question that the people of Georgia would pass a Personhood Amendment," says Dan Becker, president of the organization. "The ball is now in the Legislature's hands to allow the people a voice on the most pressing human rights issue of the 21st century -- deny them at your own peril."
However, because of the non-binding status, abortion advocates and the media did not weigh in on the amendment and those pro-life groups concerned about its fate in the courts did not explain why they think other strategies are needed to stop abortions. Full story at LifeNews.com
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