LifeNews.com Pro-Life News Report
Thursday, June 9, 2011
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Current Headlines
Top Stories
• Poll: Majority of Americans, Young Adults Say Abortion Wrong
• Top Newt Gingrich Staffers Quit, Gov. Rick Perry May Run
• Planned Parenthood Funding a Litmus Test for 2012 Elections
• Senators Letter Backs Indiana Planned Parenthood De-Funding
More Pro-Life News
• Man Who Tried to Force Abortion at Gunpoint Gets 13 Year Sentence
• Republicans Stall Vote on Pro-Abortion Appeals Court Nominee
• Pro-Abortion Rudy Giuliani Reportedly Considering 2012 Bid
• Right to Life Convention Features Fred Barnes, Abby Johnson
• International Telemed Abortions Used to Circumvent Pro-life Laws
• Use Telemedicine to Save Lives, Not Subject Them to Abortionsy
• Nation Needs New Gettysburg Address: Stop the War on the Unborn
• Alabama Senate Passes Fetal Pain-Based Abortion Ban
• Pro-Abortion Attacks on Pregnancy Centers Show Their Success
• Seattle NPR Station Subject of Complaint Over Abortion Story
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Poll: Majority of Americans, Young Adults Say Abortion Wrong
A third poll in the last three weeks has results showing a majority of Americans are opposed to abortion and say that it is morally wrong. That s what a new survey from the Public Religion Research Institute finds.
Based on interviews with 3,000 adults, PRRI finds that Americans, regardless of generation, believe abortion is morally wrong but young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 agree with that conclusion as well. They do so even though the poll found they are supportive of same-sex marriages. While there is a generation gap on that issue, there is not one on the issue of abortion.
Millennials strongly support gender equality and rights for gay and lesbian people, the survey said, according to AP. However younger Americans are no more supportive of abortion rights than the general population.
Abortion is just a different kind of issue, even for those who support it, PPRI pollster Robert Jones said, according to AP. It s not the kind of issue that one celebrates.
Leslie Kantor, national director of education for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America abortion business, told AP: For young adults, the vast majority know someone in their life who is gay. There s no comparable coming out process related to abortion even though by age 45 one-third of American women will have had one.
In fact, most Americans under the age of 40 have grown up with legalized abortion. They have seen the damage abortion does to women, they have seen how it has destroyed an entire generation of people their peers and their brothers and sisters. That is part of the explanation of why polls over the years have shown young Americans to be one of the most reliably pro-life. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/poll-majority-of-americans-young-adults-say-abortion-wrong/
Top Newt Gingrich Staffers Quit, Gov. Rick Perry May Run
In what could be a sign he may withdraw from the presidential race, several top staffers for the Republican presidential campaign of former House Speaker newt Gingrich resigned en masse Thursday afternoon.
Gingrich 2012 campaign manager Rob Johnson quit along with top strategists Sam Dawson and Dave Carney, and spokesman Rick Tyler quit as well. Meanwhile consultants Katon Dawson in South Carolina and Craig Schoenfeld in Iowa tendered their resignations as well. They quit because they wanted to promote what they told Politico would be a different vision for the campaign.
Although sources have told several media outlets Gingrich plans to stay in the race, the mass resignation of his top staffers would deal the pro-life former congressman a massive blow as he tries to overcome what has been an inauspicious start to the race. Gingrich botched the rollout of his campaign and quickly upset Republicans by attacking Rep. Paul Ryan over his plan to reform Medicare. Gingrich was late in apologizing for the attacks, that undercut his support with conservatives and led some observers to predict he would definitely not become the nominee.
We just had a different direction in which we wanted to take the campaign, one source said.
UPDATE: Gingrich has responded via a post on his Facebook wall: I am committed to running the substantive, solutions-oriented campaign I set out to run earlier this spring. The campaign begins anew Sunday in Los Angeles. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/top-newt-gingrich-staffers-quit-gov-rick-perry-may-run/
Planned Parenthood Funding a Litmus Test for 2012 Elections
Taxpayer funding of the Planned Parenthood abortion business is quickly becoming a litmus test for Republican candidates seeking the GOP presidential nomination in 2012. Funding has taken center stage as one of the top pro-life issues.
With the House of Representatives passing a bill to yank taxpayer funding from the abortion group, states like Indiana following suit, and a renewed focus on the abuses at Planned Parenthood where undercover investigations have shown covering up of sexual abuse and aiding sex traffickers in getting abortions for their victims cutting Planned Parenthood funding is something one pro-life leader told Politico is a must-have in any candidate s resume.
We will bring it to the forefront in every way that we can, Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, told Politico. This is our number one policy focus and we re treating it as a litmus test. If any Republican nominee can t summon the courage to call for Planned Parenthood to be de-funded, that s a serious problem.
Candidates wanting the nomination for president or those who voted against de-funding Planned Parenthood in Congress like pro-life Democrats Bob Casey of Pennsylvania, Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Joe Manchin of West Virginia should beware. The SBA List, combined with the efforts of groups like the National Right to Life Committee and Americans United for Life were successful in defeating several lawmakers who voted for the Obamacare bill that contained loopholes allowing abortion funding. The three Democrats, and others, will face strong opposition in 2012 from pro-life groups as they seek re-election.
Obama has made it a presidential level issue by being willing to shut down the federal government over Planned Parenthood s taxpayer funding, Dannenfelser said. Now, he s willing to revoke all Medicaid funds to Indiana. He has made this a top drawer issue.
It s an effective grass-roots motivator that has incredible intensity, she told Politico, referring to a poll SBA conducted in April showing a majority of Americans don t want their taxpayer dollars going to groups that do abortions. If you re a member who voted the wrong way on this, you re pretty nervous. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/planned-parenthood-funding-a-litmus-test-for-2012-elections/
Senators Letter Backs Indiana Planned Parenthood De-Funding
Twenty-eight members of the U.S. Senate signed a letter they released today to President Barack Obama s Medicaid Administrator, Donald Berwick, defending Indiana s ban on taxpayer funds going to abortion providers such as Planned Parenthood.
The letter outlines how Indiana s law is consistent with the federal Medicaid statute, and defends the rights of states to manage their own Medicaid programs consistent with the wishes of their constituents. Recently, Berwick s office issued a letter to Indiana threatening to cut off Medicaid funding if it follows through with enforcement of its new law de-funding Planned Parenthood and that letter went out to 49 other states threatening to revoke their Medicaid funding if they follow Indiana s lead.
The letter, orchestrated by Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah and which LifeNews.com received, reads, We disagree with your narrow interpretation of Title XIX of the Social Security Act and believe this represents a significant departure from Medicaid s longstanding practice of having the states not the federal government set reasonable standards for qualified providers.
While the Indiana law does not change the family planning benefits offered to beneficiaries, it may change where certain services can be received and with good reason, the letter continues.
The letter cites a recent memorandum from the Indiana Attorney General filed for the state in its defense of the law from the lawsuit the Planned Parenthood abortion business filed against it. The letter indicates Planned Parenthood of Indiana mixes the federal and state taxpayer funding it receives with its other income and revenue in a way that co-mingles abortion funds with funds meant for family planning. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/senators-letter-backs-indiana-planned-parenthood-de-funding/
Man Who Tried to Force Abortion at Gunpoint Gets 13 Year Sentence
An Ohio man who police say allegedly tried to force his pregnant girlfriend at gunpoint to have an abortion has been charged under the state s unborn victims law and sentenced to 13 years in prison for the crime.
Dominic L. Holt-Reid, 28, was indicted on six counts including attempted murder, kidnapping, improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle, carrying a concealed weapon and having a weapon under disability. Holt-Reid was arrested and charged after he tried to make his partner, Yolanda Burgess, 27, keep a scheduled appoint for an abortion she decided to go back on after further thought. The young woman has since delivered the child, who is healthy.
Police found him in the parking lot behind the Founder s Women s Health Center abortion facility in downtown Columbus.
The Associated Press indicates the sentence handed down today came after prosecutors informed the court that Holt-Reid lacked remorse. He was sentenced to five years for attempted murder, five years for abduction and three years for the involvement of a gun in the crime. The judge rejected arguments from Holt-Reid s attorney that he was involved in far less involved crimes and that he should have received a lighter sentence.
Sgt. Rich Weiner, a Columbus police spokesman, told the Columbus Dispatch newspaper that Burgess and Holt-Reid have another child together. They said the couple were in a vehicle dropping their child off at school when Holt-Reid became angry after Burgess refused to keep the abortion appointment slated for this morning. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/man-who-tried-to-force-abortion-at-gunpoint-gets-13-year-sentence/
Republicans Stall Vote on Pro-Abortion Appeals Court Nominee
Republicans stalled the vote on Steve Six, a pro-abortion federal appeals court nominee President Barack Obama put forward who formerly served as the Attorney general for the state of Kansas.
The Senate Judiciary Committee was slated to vote on Six s nomination to serve on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals but pro-life St. Charles Grassley of Iowa exercized his right under the rules to delay the vote one week. That gives pro-life advocates more time to drum up opposition to his nomination.
Also today, Penny Nance, the CEO of Concerned Women for America, a pro-life women s group, came out with a new statement saying it strongly opposed Six s nomination because of his abortion advocacy. She cited his interference with an investigation of the Planned Parenthood abortion business.
In October, 2007, District Attorney Phill Kline filed 107 charges including 23 felonies, against the Planned Parenthood abortion business for allegedly violating state law. Kline alleged the abortion business potentially engaged in illegal abortions and violated state record-keeping laws by changing abortion data in an attempt to cover up late abortions done outside Kansas law.
After Kline filed the charges, Six, who was appointed by pro-abortion ex-Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (now the Obama Secretary for Health and Human Services), placed a gag order on a state judge who allowed Kline access to Planned Parenthood abortion files needed to prove his case. Anderson was told not to comply with the District Attorney s subpoenas by Six s office even though two judges determined that the files show probable cause that the abortion business violated state abortion laws and falsified medical records. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/republicans-stall-vote-on-pro-abortion-appeals-court-nominee/
Pro-Abortion Rudy Giuliani Reportedly Considering 2012 Bid
Rudy Giuliani, the pro-abortion former New York City mayor, is reportedly considering a bid for the Republican nomination for president despite faring poorly the last time around.
Although pro-life Republican voters rejected the pro-abortion but otherwise well-regarded New York City mayor for the GOP nomination in 2008, Rudy Giuliani is reportedly considering a second run. Giuliani s 2008 presidential campaign won him just one delegate, as he failed to resonate either in conservative Iowa or South Carolina or more moderate New Hampshire. Although he was seen as leading the polls as late as the end of 2007, Giuliani fizzled when the pro-life Republican voters who dominate primary and caucus campaigns showed up to the polls.
In January, he appeared to throw cold water on the idea.
So far I haven t found any political advisors to round up, Giuliani said in an appearance on MSNBC, adding, of course I keep [running] in the back of my mind.
But Bill Kristol of The Weekly Standard, a conservative publication, says two reliable sources inform him Giuliani intends to run for the GOP nomination for president in 2012. He may throw his hat in the ring soon. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/pro-abortion-rudy-giuliani-reportedly-considering-2012-bid/
Right to Life Convention Features Fred Barnes, Abby Johnson
National Right to Life s annual convention, Bringing America Back to Life, will be held June 23-25, at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront in Jacksonville, Florida. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/right-to-life-convention-features-fred-barnes-abby-johnson/
International Telemed Abortions Used to Circumvent Pro-life Laws
A pro-abortion website is targeting women in pro-life countries like Poland, Ireland, Malta and others for distribution of the abortion drug, RU-486. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/international-telemed-abortions-used-to-circumvent-pro-life-laws/
Use Telemedicine to Save Lives, Not Subject Them to Abortions
In May 2010, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards visited Cedar Rapids to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Planned Parenthood of East Central Iowa. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/use-telemedicine-to-save-lives-not-subject-them-to-abortions/
Nation Needs New Gettysburg Address: Stop the War on the Unborn
Not far from where I live, along the lovely landscape of south central Pennsylvania, lies the hallowed ground of Gettysburg, site of a landmark battle. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/nation-needs-new-gettysburg-address-stop-the-war-on-the-unborn/
Alabama Senate Passes Fetal Pain-Based Abortion Ban
The Alabama state Senate followed the state House in passing the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which protects unborn children capable of feeling pain. The bill bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy as a result. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/alabama-senate-passes-fetal-pain-based-abortion-ban/
Pro-Abortion Attacks on Pregnancy Centers Show Their Success
North Carolina legislators approved a bill today that pro-life groups support to help women obtain information about abortion s risks and alternatives they may not otherwise receive before an abortion. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/pro-abortion-attacks-on-pregnancy-centers-show-their-success/
Seattle NPR Station Subject of Complaint Over Abortion Story
The Vitae Foundation filed a complaint with the Washington News Council (WNC) today about a story NPR Seattle affiliate KUOW ran on April 13. http://www.lifenews.com/2011/06/09/seattle-npr-station-subject-of-complaint-over-abortion-story/
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