White House Official Claims Abstinence Education Could Still Qualify for Funding
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has come under heavy criticism for eliminating federal funding of abstinence education that helps teens avoid pregnancy and abortions. Now, an unnamed White House official claims abstinence education still qualified for federal funding under the president's proposed budget. "The President is deeply committed to reducing levels of teen pregnancy and believes that parents, families, communities, and the government must come together to address this issue," the official told CBN News national correspondent David Brody. However, the official admitted that much of the funding normally reserved for abstinence-only education will go to comprehensive sexual education promoting birth control and contraception that has failed to reduce abortions. "The budget increases overall funding for teenage pregnancy prevention, which may include education on abstinence, and supports programs based on research," the official said. "In the budget, 75 percent of funding in a new teenage pregnancy prevention program will be directed to programs that have demonstrated by rigorous research to prevent teen pregnancy." The Obama official told Brody that abstinence education programs could potentially qualify for funding but would have to prove their worth in what could be a subjective test against comprehensive sex-ed programs. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama has come under heavy criticism for eliminating federal funding of abstinence education that helps teens avoid pregnancy and abortions. Now, an unnamed White House official claims abstinence education still qualified for federal funding under the president's proposed budget. "The President is deeply committed to reducing levels of teen pregnancy and believes that parents, families, communities, and the government must come together to address this issue," the official told CBN News national correspondent David Brody. However, the official admitted that much of the funding normally reserved for abstinence-only education will go to comprehensive sexual education promoting birth control and contraception that has failed to reduce abortions. "The budget increases overall funding for teenage pregnancy prevention, which may include education on abstinence, and supports programs based on research," the official said. "In the budget, 75 percent of funding in a new teenage pregnancy prevention program will be directed to programs that have demonstrated by rigorous research to prevent teen pregnancy." The Obama official told Brody that abstinence education programs could potentially qualify for funding but would have to prove their worth in what could be a subjective test against comprehensive sex-ed programs. Full story at LifeNews.com New Pro-Life Ad Focusing on Adoption, Abortion to Air on American Idol Finale
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The same pro-life organization that produced a well-received advertisement on President Barack Obama and abortion has another commercial it will air on the series finale of the popular television program American Idol. CatholicVote.org, sponsored by the pro-life Catholic group Fidelis, is behind the ad, which is part of its 'Imagine the Potential' series of television commercials. The latest ad focuses on the lives of political and business leaders, sports figures, and others who all could have become victims of abortion, but, instead, were welcomed into loving families via adoption. The ad includes a song and picture of icons such as John Lennon, Nelson Mandela, Nancy Reagan, Steve Jobs, Faith Hill, Jesse Jackson, Willie Nelson and others. Professionally produced, the television ad features no voice-over, and the music plays the images of the notable public figures are revealed. It concludes with the tag line, "Life, Imagine the Potential." Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The same pro-life organization that produced a well-received advertisement on President Barack Obama and abortion has another commercial it will air on the series finale of the popular television program American Idol. CatholicVote.org, sponsored by the pro-life Catholic group Fidelis, is behind the ad, which is part of its 'Imagine the Potential' series of television commercials. The latest ad focuses on the lives of political and business leaders, sports figures, and others who all could have become victims of abortion, but, instead, were welcomed into loving families via adoption. The ad includes a song and picture of icons such as John Lennon, Nelson Mandela, Nancy Reagan, Steve Jobs, Faith Hill, Jesse Jackson, Willie Nelson and others. Professionally produced, the television ad features no voice-over, and the music plays the images of the notable public figures are revealed. It concludes with the tag line, "Life, Imagine the Potential." Full story at LifeNews.com Democrats for Life of America will hold their annual conference and Hall of Fame dinner on June 17 at the Phoenix Hotel in Washington. Meet pro-life Democrats! See http://www.DemocratsForLife. |
Hillary Clinton May Have Misled Congress on Brazil Botched Abortion Claims
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may have misled Congress during a hearing by claiming that she once visited a hospital in Brazil allegedly filled with women who were supposedly dealing with injuries from botched legal abortions. Clinton made the claim in an effort to bolster her pro-abortion position. The comments came during an April 22 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where Clinton responded to tough questions from pro-life Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican. Clinton gave several examples of her own personal experience visiting nations across the globe in an effort to respond to questions from Smith about how abortion advocates were using misleading definitions to create an international abortion right. "When I think about the suffering that I have seen of women around the world - I've been in hospitals in Brazil where half the women ... were fighting for their lives against botched abortions,' she told the panel. However, there is some question of whether Clinton actually saw such women at any Brazilian hospital. The National Catholic Register followed up the potential misstatement heard from Department of State spokeswoman Laura Tischler, who couldn't verify Clinton's claims. "I am unable to confirm where or when the trip she referred to in her testimony was, where specifically in Brazil she was visiting or when the trip occurred," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton may have misled Congress during a hearing by claiming that she once visited a hospital in Brazil allegedly filled with women who were supposedly dealing with injuries from botched legal abortions. Clinton made the claim in an effort to bolster her pro-abortion position. The comments came during an April 22 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where Clinton responded to tough questions from pro-life Rep. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican. Clinton gave several examples of her own personal experience visiting nations across the globe in an effort to respond to questions from Smith about how abortion advocates were using misleading definitions to create an international abortion right. "When I think about the suffering that I have seen of women around the world - I've been in hospitals in Brazil where half the women ... were fighting for their lives against botched abortions,' she told the panel. However, there is some question of whether Clinton actually saw such women at any Brazilian hospital. The National Catholic Register followed up the potential misstatement heard from Department of State spokeswoman Laura Tischler, who couldn't verify Clinton's claims. "I am unable to confirm where or when the trip she referred to in her testimony was, where specifically in Brazil she was visiting or when the trip occurred," she said. Full story at LifeNews.com Top Senator: Obama's Pro-Abortion Legal Counsel Pick Dawn Johnsen Lack Votes
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says President Barack Obama's pro-abortion selection to head the Office of Legal Counsel, Dawn Johnsen, does not have enough votes to be confirmed. If so, Johnsen could be the first pro-abortion nominee pro-life advocates may be able to stop. In that position, Johnsen, who has been condemned for comparing pregnancy to slavery, would provide legal advice to Obama and administration officials. Johnsen is a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, but she is also a longtime abortion advocate and worked for one of the leading abortion advocacy groups. She was the Legal Director for NARAL from 1988-1993. Reid said today that he is making calls to the offices of Republican senators to see if he has enough votes to stop a potential filibuster of Johnsen's nomination. Senate Democrats, virtually all of whom are pro-abortion, would need a handful of votes from Republicans to reach the 60 needed to end debate and allow a vote on confirmation. "Right now we're finding out when to do that. I've had a number of conversations with some Republicans to find out if we have a couple of Republican votes," Reid said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says President Barack Obama's pro-abortion selection to head the Office of Legal Counsel, Dawn Johnsen, does not have enough votes to be confirmed. If so, Johnsen could be the first pro-abortion nominee pro-life advocates may be able to stop. In that position, Johnsen, who has been condemned for comparing pregnancy to slavery, would provide legal advice to Obama and administration officials. Johnsen is a professor at the Indiana University School of Law, but she is also a longtime abortion advocate and worked for one of the leading abortion advocacy groups. She was the Legal Director for NARAL from 1988-1993. Reid said today that he is making calls to the offices of Republican senators to see if he has enough votes to stop a potential filibuster of Johnsen's nomination. Senate Democrats, virtually all of whom are pro-abortion, would need a handful of votes from Republicans to reach the 60 needed to end debate and allow a vote on confirmation. "Right now we're finding out when to do that. I've had a number of conversations with some Republicans to find out if we have a couple of Republican votes," Reid said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Sweden National Board of Health Rules Sex-Selection Abortions Not Illegal
Stockholm, Sweden (LifeNews.com) -- The National Board of Health and Welfare in Sweden has ruled that sex-selection abortions are not illegal despite evidence that they are happening. Doctors at one hospital reported a case and some reports indicate women from Norway are going to Sweden for sex-selection abortions. The board ruled that current national law in Sweden does not prohibit abortions based on the gender of the unborn child and, as a result, they can't be stopped. According to a report in The Local newspaper, a woman in February went to the Mälaren Hospital and said she already had two girls and did not want a third. Pregnant, the woman received a an amniocentesis to check on whether the baby would have any disabilities and she also asked to learn the gender. Doctors expressed their concerns to the board to craft guidelines for how to handle future cases and Sveriges Television indicates it said sex-selection abortions are allowed up to 18 weeks into the pregnancy. In March, the Local newspaper indicated that, since gender-based abortions are against the law in Norway, some pregnant Norwegian women who are not happy with the sex of their baby are going to Sweden to have the child aborted. Full story at LifeNews.comMore Notre Dame Students Boycott Graduation Over Pro-Abortion Obama Speech
South Bend, IN (LifeNews.com) -- More graduating seniors at the University of Notre Dame are boycotting the commencement ceremony scheduled to take place this weekend featuring pro-abortion President Barack Obama. Their refusal to attend is a dramatic conclusion to what has been branded a scandal of national proportions. Students say the decision to boycott the graduation and attend alternative commencement events, including a prayer vigil featuring Father Frank Pavone, is not a political decision. "It's not a political issue; this is an issue of human dignity, and it's a Catholic issue," said Greer Hannan, a Notre Dame graduating senior. "As a Catholic university, we need to stand up for it." The evening of May 16, Bishop of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese, Rev. John D'Arcy, will lead a candlelight prayer vigil for graduating seniors and their families to pray for an end to abortion. On graduation day, in addition to the meditation ceremony with the Priests for Life leader, a large rally will be held on the South Quad of the university featuring a variety of speakers. ND Response, the student-led coalition that is planning the events, told LifeNews.com today that "Notre Dame should not be honoring a political figure who supports abortion and embryonic stem cell research." Full story at LifeNews.com Our goal is to remember each victim of today’s holocaust by granting them their own unique name. Please adopt a child into your family and grant them your last name. By naming each child we clothe them with the human dignity they deserve. Be a voice for the voiceless. http//www.supportpersonhood. |
Second International Symposium on Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Coming Soon
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- When it comes to the end-of-life issues that pro-life advocates fight, it appears momentum is on the side of those who see death as a solution for those who are considered too old or too ill. An international symposium featuring top speakers and activists hopes to turn the tide. With Washington becoming the second state to legalize assisted suicide last year and Montana potentially becoming the third soon, pro-life advocates are facing more battles across the nation. In Europe, assisted suicide and euthanasia have already been approved in some nations and England has backed down on prosecuting cases of suicide tourism. With these challenges in mind, Alex Schadenberg, the head of the Euthanasia Prevention Coalition, has assembled a powerful lineup of experts to help grassroots activists keep the "merchants of death" at bay. "This is the most important meeting that has ever been organized to combat the euthanasia lobby in America and turn back the tide," he tells LifeNews.com. "There is a growing pressure in every state in America to legalize assisted suicide." "This pressure is built upon the lies that assisted suicide is simply another end-of-life choice and it is based on the autonomy of the individual," Schadenberg says. Full story at LifeNews.com Scientists Use Adult Stem Cells to Fix Tumor Problems of Embryonic Stem Cells
Tokyo, Japan (LifeNews.com) -- Embryonic stem cells have never helped human patients in part because they produce tumors when injected as treatments in animal research. Now, Japanese scientists are relying on the more ethical adult stem cells to curb the problems associated with their embryonic cousins. Adult stem cell research, unlike studies employing embryonic stem cells, has not shown the same problem. As a result, only adult stem cells have been used to help patients with more than 100 diseases or medical conditions. In a new article in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (Vol. 18 No.1), a team of Japanese researchers eliminated the problem of tumor growth by co-transplanting bone marrow stem cells along with embryonic ones. The hoped to stop the embryonic stem cells from causing tumors when used to treat the effects of spinal cord injury in mice. Wesley J. Smith, a bioethics author and attorney, says the research into improving embryonic stem cells is unnecessary because adult stem cells already work to treat spinal cord injury patients. "Adult stem cells in human trials have restored sensation to spinal cord injury patients with both paraplegia and quadriplegia," he explained. Full story at LifeNews.com
Tokyo, Japan (LifeNews.com) -- Embryonic stem cells have never helped human patients in part because they produce tumors when injected as treatments in animal research. Now, Japanese scientists are relying on the more ethical adult stem cells to curb the problems associated with their embryonic cousins. Adult stem cell research, unlike studies employing embryonic stem cells, has not shown the same problem. As a result, only adult stem cells have been used to help patients with more than 100 diseases or medical conditions. In a new article in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (Vol. 18 No.1), a team of Japanese researchers eliminated the problem of tumor growth by co-transplanting bone marrow stem cells along with embryonic ones. The hoped to stop the embryonic stem cells from causing tumors when used to treat the effects of spinal cord injury in mice. Wesley J. Smith, a bioethics author and attorney, says the research into improving embryonic stem cells is unnecessary because adult stem cells already work to treat spinal cord injury patients. "Adult stem cells in human trials have restored sensation to spinal cord injury patients with both paraplegia and quadriplegia," he explained. Full story at LifeNews.com  At your next benefit, treat your guests to the incredible story behind the picture. Sponsors: You Choose the Fee!! To check for date availability click on the link below:http://michaelclancy.com/ |
Missouri State Senate May Move Forward With Bill to Help Stop Forced Abortions
Jefferson City, MO (LifeNews.com) -- The Missouri state Senate may soon move ahead with a bill that would help stop forced and coerced abortions after a stalemate following House approval of the bill. The Missouri House voted 115 to 43 for HB 46 and HB 434 in March, but the Senate, as was the case last year, stalled on the bill. Now, Sen. Charlie Shields has put together a group of senators working on a compromise version of the bill that would win the support of pro-life lawmakers and also pro-abortion Democrats who have been threatening to filibuster the legislation. According to a St. Louis Post-Dispatch report, the potential compromise would remove the actual ban on forced abortions -- which has, amazingly, drawn opposition from abortion advocates. Instead, the measure would include information telling women that they can't be pressured or forced into having an abortion in the list of information they receive under the Missouri informed consent statute. That's the section allowing them to receive information on abortion's risks and alternatives. The other option for the Senate is trying to gather enough votes to stop a filibuster and approve the House-passed measure without any changes and Sen. Rob Mayer, a Republican, is reportedly supporting that option since he sponsored the Senate version of the bill. Full story at LifeNews.com North Dakota Governor Hoeven Signs Pro-Life Bills on Abortion, Ultrasound
Fargo, ND (LifeNews.com) -- North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven has signed a couple of pro-life bills into law, including one that would allow mothers to see an ultrasound of their unborn child prior to an abortion. The other measure requires the lone abortion center in the state to tell women considering an abortion that it will destroy the life of an unborn child, a unique human being. The state House easily approved the ultrasound measure, House Bill 1371, on a strongly bipartisan 77-9 vote in February and the Senate signed off on the bill in April. The measure is designed to help women learn the humanity of their unborn child and to consider abortion alternatives. While most abortion businesses do an ultrasound before an abortion is done on a woman and her unborn child, that doesn't mean the mother will have a chance to see it. Rep. Bette Grande, a Republican sponsoring House Bill 1371, hopes the bill changes that. Her legislation would offer women a chance to see an ultrasound in the same way she would be able to see an x-ray prior to other medical procedures. The other measure, HB 1445, is an informed consent bill that requires the abortion practitioner to tell women that "the abortion will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being." Full story at LifeNews.com
New Zealand Court of Appeal Says Abortion Lawsuit Must Go to High Court
Wellington, New Zealand (LifeNews.com) -- The New Zealand Court of Appeal today dismissed the appeals of the Abortion Supervisory Committee and Right to Life, which are disputing a court ruling it is allowing abortions for unlawful reasons. The Abortion Supervisory Committee is contesting a ruling saying it is allowing abortions for mental health grounds that don't qualify. In June 2008, High Court Judge Forrest Miller wrote there was “reason to doubt the lawfulness of many abortions authorized by certifying consultants." The committee appealed the ruling and filed papers with the appeals court saying there is no evidence to justify Judge Miller's conclusion. The agency also disputed Judge Miller's decision to put the agency "on notice" of apparent non-compliance and saying he had the power to review the decisions by the agency's consultants allowing the disputed abortions. Right to Life of New Zealand cross-appealed and asserted the unborn child's legal right to life because Judge Miller did not go as far as Right to Life wanted to say that an unborn child has a right to life. The Court of Appeal said the case was outside its jurisdiction and the parties must return to the High Court for a declaration on the powers of the ASC as intended by Parliament. Full story at LifeNews.com
Wellington, New Zealand (LifeNews.com) -- The New Zealand Court of Appeal today dismissed the appeals of the Abortion Supervisory Committee and Right to Life, which are disputing a court ruling it is allowing abortions for unlawful reasons. The Abortion Supervisory Committee is contesting a ruling saying it is allowing abortions for mental health grounds that don't qualify. In June 2008, High Court Judge Forrest Miller wrote there was “reason to doubt the lawfulness of many abortions authorized by certifying consultants." The committee appealed the ruling and filed papers with the appeals court saying there is no evidence to justify Judge Miller's conclusion. The agency also disputed Judge Miller's decision to put the agency "on notice" of apparent non-compliance and saying he had the power to review the decisions by the agency's consultants allowing the disputed abortions. Right to Life of New Zealand cross-appealed and asserted the unborn child's legal right to life because Judge Miller did not go as far as Right to Life wanted to say that an unborn child has a right to life. The Court of Appeal said the case was outside its jurisdiction and the parties must return to the High Court for a declaration on the powers of the ASC as intended by Parliament. Full story at LifeNews.comSpain Govt to Allow Over-the Counter Sales of Morning After Pill at Pharmacies
Madrid, Spain (LifeNews.com) -- The government of Spain announced Monday that the western European nation is the latest to allow over-the-counter sales of the morning after pill. The government also approved sales of the Plan B drug with no age restrictions -- meaning teenage girls could purchase the drug without a doctor visit or parental input. Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said the morning after pill does not cause an abortion, even though the drug can cause an abortion in some circumstances. "It's an emergency method for dealing with unplanned and unexpected sexual relations without protection," she claimed, according to an AP report. "We don't want it to become another means of contraception." The government issued the order because the morning after pill is currently freely available in some regions of Spain while it requires a prescription in others. The government order requires pharmacies to make the drug available for purchase without a doctor's visit. "The aim is to make it available to anyone who wants it without any difficulty," Jimenez said. Full story at LifeNews.com
Madrid, Spain (LifeNews.com) -- The government of Spain announced Monday that the western European nation is the latest to allow over-the-counter sales of the morning after pill. The government also approved sales of the Plan B drug with no age restrictions -- meaning teenage girls could purchase the drug without a doctor visit or parental input. Health Minister Trinidad Jimenez said the morning after pill does not cause an abortion, even though the drug can cause an abortion in some circumstances. "It's an emergency method for dealing with unplanned and unexpected sexual relations without protection," she claimed, according to an AP report. "We don't want it to become another means of contraception." The government issued the order because the morning after pill is currently freely available in some regions of Spain while it requires a prescription in others. The government order requires pharmacies to make the drug available for purchase without a doctor's visit. "The aim is to make it available to anyone who wants it without any difficulty," Jimenez said. Full story at LifeNews.com
