Friday, July 31, 2009

FROM LIFENEWS.COM: TODAY'S PRO-LIFE HEADLINES (Friday)




Congressional Committee Defeats Another Attempt to Limit Abortion in Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- After defeating one pro-life amendment Thursday night and adopting a phony ban on abortion funding, the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Friday afternoon defeated another amendment to limit abortion in the House health care restructuring bill. Rep. Joe Pitts, a Pennsylvania Republican, would ensure taxpayer dollars do not pay for abortions or subsidize health insurance plans that include abortion. "We want an explicit exclusion in the bill to prevent any taxpayer funding from paying for abortions," Pitts told his colleagues. "Anything else is wrong, and contrary to overwhelming popular opinion.” Though Pitts received support from most Republicans and a handful of pro-life Democrats, he could not gather enough votes to overcome the pro-abortion Democrats who control the committee. The panel voted 31-27 against the amendment. Douglas Johnson, the legislative director of the National Right to Life Committee, told LifeNews.com: "This is 'Condition Red' for the pro-life movement. Every pro-life American should communicate, loudly and clearly, his or her opposition to this Obama-backed bill, before it comes to the floor in early September." 
Full story at LifeNews.com
ACTION: Click here to see how your members of the House Energy and Commerce committee voted on the Pitts amendment and let them know your thoughts about their votes. If your member of the House is not a member of the committee, contact your representative and urge strong opposition to taxpayer funding of abortion. Call 202-224-3121 or see http://www.House.gov
Note: Rep. Skimkus voted no in order to change his vote and allow for a reconsideration of the amendment later after persuading another colleague to vote pro-life. Shimkus is a long-time pro-life lawmaker.





House Panel Adopts Amendment to Help Stop Rationing in Health Care Legislation
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A House of Representatives committee, late Thursday, approved a phony “compromise” amendment to the health care legislation it is considering. The amendment, sponsored by an abortion advocate, gave the impression that it would stop tax-funded abortions in the health care bill but, in reality, would allow it. The House Energy and Commerce Committee has been considering its version of the House government-run health care plan, H.R. 3200. Rep. Lois Capps, a California Democrat, proposed an amendment that she claimed was a "compromise" between pro-life advocates and abortion proponents. The amendment explicitly permits the Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department, pro-abortion advocate Kathleen Sebelius, to include abortion in the services offered by public option and requires abortion coverage in the government health plan if the Hyde amendment is ever reversed. HR 3200 authorizes taxpayer-funded affordability credits and he Capps amendment specifically requires taxpayer subsidies to flow to plans that include abortion, but creates an accounting scheme designed to give the impression that public funds will not subsidize abortion. The Capps amendment also requires that a plan that includes abortion be made available in every region of the country. Despite bipartisan opposition from Republicans and some pro-life Democrats on the committee, the panel approved the Capps amndment on a 30-28 vote. (Click here for vote listing.) Full story at LifeNews.com
Medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle on life issues. From abortion to assisted suicide, we are challenged in the workplace to defend our beliefs and risk our employment. The National Association of Pro-life Nurses has been here for nurses since the beginning. Join with us to protect those voices.

House Cmte Defeats Amendment to Stop Abortion Mandate in Health Care Plan
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The House committee that is considering the main House health care restructuring plan defeated a pro-life amendment Thursday night that would stop any mandate for abortion coverage. The vote saw Tennessee Rep. Bart Gordon change his vote, allowing for its defeat. The panel's vote and re-vote came along with a vote for a phony measure that abortion advocates said would stop abortion funding in the health care bill, but would actually do otherwise. Reps. Joe Pitts, a Pennsylvania republican, and Bart Stupak, a Michigan Democrat, combined for a bipartisan amendment to prevent mandated abortion coverage in the essential benefits package. The amendment said abortions could not be a required basic benefit of any government or private plan. The House Energy and Commerce committee initially approved the amendment on a 31-27 vote. However, Rep. Henry Waxman, a California Democrat who is the committee chairman, switched his vote from nay to yea at the last minute, so he could call for a re-vote later in the night. A few hours later, when Waxman brought up the amendment for reconsideration, it failed by a vote of 30-29 with Waxman switching sides along with Gordon, who has a pro-abortion voting record on other issues. Also, a Democrat who hadn't voted the first time, Rep. Zack Space of Ohio, voted against the amendment under reconsideration. 
Full story at LifeNews.com




President Barack Obama Tells NIH to Adopt Embryonic Stem Cell Research Rules
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Prescient Barack Obama on Thursday directed the National Institutes of Health to officially adopt its proposed rules to implement his decision to force taxpayers to pay for embryonic stem cell research. Obama reversed protections that prevented the funding of new research destroying human life. President Bush has kept protections in place because new embryonic stem cell research requires the destruction of unborn children to obtain their stem cells. The research has yet to help a single patient, unlike adult stem cell research -- which has helped patients with more than 100 diseases and medical conditions and which Bush supported with hundreds of millions in federal funding. Obama's decision to force funding required the NIH to adopt rules to implement it. 
In a statement, he instructed the NIH to officially adopt the rules: "I hereby direct the heads of executive departments and agencies that support and conduct stem cell research to adopt these guidelines, to the fullest extent practicable in light of legal authorities and obligations."The NIH rules received significant pro-life criticism when the agency released them earlier this month and because the Obama administration ignored the majority of public comments opposing embryonic stem cell research. Full story at LifeNews.com


New Poll Shows Just 41 Percent Favor Sonia Sotomayor for Supreme Court Post
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new Rasmussen poll finds just 41 percent say they favor adding appeals court judge Sonia Sotomayor on the Supreme Court. The Senate is expected to vote on her confirmation next week -- and will likely confirm her -- to replace retiring pro-abortion Justice David Souter. Leading pro-life organizations oppose the Sotomayor nomination because they say she will likely advocate abortion on the high court. The Rasmussen telephone survey of Americans finds 41 percent believe Sotomayor should be confirmed, while 37 percent oppose her confirmation. A large contingent of those polled, 21 percent, aren't sure whether the Senate should confirm the woman who would become the first Hispanic on the high court. There’s been little change in voters’ views of Sotomayor since the end of her Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings nearly two weeks ago. At that time, Rasmussen found 43 percent favored her confirmation and 39 percent were opposed. Full story at LifeNews.com




England MP to Introduce Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide After Purdy Ruling
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- Following a House of Lords rulingthat Debbie Purdy's husband can take her to Switzerland for an assisted suicide without facing prosecution, a British MP plans to introduce a new bill in Parliament. The measure would legalize assisted suicide in England and follow nations like the Netherlands and Belgium. David Winnick, Labour MP for Walsall North, said he planned to enter the lottery with a private member's bill. He told the London Daily mail his bill would be "a measure whereby assisted dying could take place in this country." "The question arises from yesterday's decision - should we recognize cases such as Debbie Purdy, should we change the law, should people have to go abroad?" he said. In their ruling, Lord Hope, sitting with Lords Phillips, Brown and Neuberger and Baroness Hale said their decision was not meant to open the door to legalizing assisted suicide, but to clarify and interpret the current law prohibiting suicide tourism. But Paul Tully, the general secretary of the pro-life group SPUC, said the House of Lords is disingenuous. 
Full story at LifeNews.com

Abortion Drug Has Killed 29 Women, European Maker Tells Italy's Government
Rome, Italy (LifeNews.com) -- The world may never know how many thousands of women have been injured, or even killed, by the dangerous RU 486 abortion drug. The best worldwide guess is that 13 women have been killed as a result of the mifepristone abortion pill, but the maker of the drug in Europe is saying 29 women have died. If the information given to the Italian Pharmaceuticals Agency (AIFA) by European abortion drug maker Exelgyn is correct, then twice as many women have died from the abortion drug globally than the pro-life community has thought. Currently, eight women have died from using the RU 486 abortion drug in the United States, two in England, and one each in Canada, Sweden and France. But, according to a report by the Italian news agency ASCA, Exelgyn provided the figure of 29 women dying from the abortion pill to the Italy Ministry of Health, which, in turn, gave the information to the AIFA drug regulatory agency. Meanwhile, Eugenia Roccella, the subsecretary of the Italian health office, also reportedly confirmed the figure she received from Exelgyn to L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper. Full story at LifeNews.com



British House of Lords: Debbie Purdy Can Escape Law on Assisted Suicide Tourism
London, England (LifeNews.com) -- The British House of Lords on Thursday issued a ruling allowing Debbie Purdy, a Briton who wants her husband not to go to prison for taking her to a Swiss euthanasia center, to escape a national law. The law allows for the prosecution of family members who talked loved ones out of the country for an assisted suicide. Under current English law, which has rarely been enforced, anyone assisting in a suicide could receive as much as 14 years in prison for doing so. British law covers a person who "aids, abets, counsels or procures" the suicide of another person. The High Court and the Court of Appeal had previously ruled that the Director of Public Prosecutions is not required to issue a public prosecuting policy on suicide tourism. Without such a public policy, Purdy can't know if her husband will face legal judgment after he takes her for an assisted suicide. The House of Lords ruling requires the DPP to issue guidance on when he will or will not prosecute those who criminally assist suicide. The judgment directs that the new policy should cover "a case such as that which Mrs Purdy's case exemplifies."Full story at LifeNews.com



Catholic Bishops Ask Congress Not to Fund Abortions in Health Care Reform Plan
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- With members of the House and Senate rejected amendment after amendment to stop taxpayer funding of abortions in the Congressional health care plans, the nation's Catholic bishops have written a second letter imploring elected officials to do something. The Catholic bishops say they are behind efforts to reform the health care system, but they say it must not be done on the backs of unborn children. Cardinal Justin Rigali, chairman of the Catholic bishops’ Committee on Pro-Life Activities, wrote a letter Wednesday that is now becoming public. He urged lawmakers in the House to change H.R. 3200, the main House ill for a government-run health care system, to retain longstanding policies stopping taxpayer funding of abortion. Cardinal Rigali reiterated criteria for “genuine health care reform” set forth by Bishop William Murphy, chairman of the bishops’ Committee on Domestic Policy, in his letter to Congress on July 17. He described health care as “a basic right belonging to all human beings, from conception to natural death” and said that “the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is working to ensure that needed health reform is not undermined by abandoning longstanding and widely supported policies against abortion funding and mandates and in favor of conscience protection.” Full story at LifeNews.com




Frankenstein's Folly - Why We Need the Brownback Bill Banning Human Chimeras
by Ken Connor
Those who would defend human dignity in the face of science's relentless march towards "discovery" are once again under attack. Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA) are making headlines for introducing controversial legislation that would ban the American scientific community from developing embryos that contain both human and animal material. Dubbed the Human-Animal Hybrid Prohibition Act of 2009, the bill upholds the unique dignity of the human species and condemns human-animal hybrids as "grossly unethical because they blur the line between human and animal, male and female, parent and child, and one individual and another individual." One might think that even the most ardent disciples of science would acknowledge the problems (if not the downright creepiness) inherent in blending human and non-human genetic material, but no. Instead, critics are dismissing the grave ethical and moral concerns at stake as paranoid hyperbole and characterizing opposition to human-animal hybrid experimentation as yet another attempt to sabotage scientific progress, and thus, the betterment of mankind. Full story at LifeNews.com





Scotland Parliament Expected to Debate Bill to Legalize Assisted Suicide This Fall
Edinburgh, Scotland (LifeNews.com) -- The parliament of Scotland is expected to debate a bill this fall that would legalize the practice of assisted suicide. MSP Margo MacDonald had originally secured enough support from colleagues to introduce the measure and now it has won cross-party backing. The proposal would allow people with a progressive and irreversible illness, the terminally ill, or those who had an "intolerable" quality of life to kill themselves with the help of a doctor. Private bills at Holyrood require at least 18 signatories before they can be presented and MacDonald's bill has the support of 21 MSPs. In comments to the London Guardian newspaper, MacDonald said that her bill would allow someone like Debbie Purdy, who won her suicide tourism case at the House of Lords, to kill herself in Scotland instead of having to travel to Switzerland. Full story at LifeNews.com

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Teaching Kids to Kill Embryos



A New Generation of Stem Cell Workers

“No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth!” —President Ronald Reagan

Life Legal Defense Foundation continues to watchdog the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine and in doing so found the latest attempt to promulgate embryonic stem cell research by “educating” children.

Let us introduce you to Senate Bill 471. Titled “The California Stem Cell and Biotechnology Education and Workforce Development Act of 2009,” the purpose of SB 471 is purportedly to train up a new generation of biotechnology workers. It promotes stronger links among industry sectors, the regenerative medicine institute, and California public schools.

At the time this story was written SB 471 sits in the Assembly appropriations committee. The following is a summary of what SB 471 will invoke should it become law.

SB 471 would amend the California education code to require the state department of education, in consultation with the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and representatives of the biotechnology industry, to promote stem cell and biotechnology education and workforce development in existing programs. To this end, the act encourages collaboration between education policymakers, public agencies and industry organizations. 
Continue reading here: http://www.calcatholic.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?id=99bf23e4-7535-47df-ac5e-3f4150ed0a0b

Arcbishop Eterovic visits Bronx-based sisters serving the sick (Video)


They are called 
Servants of Mary, Ministers to the Sick and one of their convents in the United States can be found in the Bronx.

On July 29th, these Sisters received a visit from Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops. H2onews accompanied the Archbishop to the Eucharist he celebrated with these religious who welcomed him to their home.

The Servants of Mary were founded in Madrid, Spain in 1851 by St. Maria Soledad Torres Acosta. Today they are 2,000 Sisters with 128 convents spread throughout the world, who minister to the sick physically and spiritually. Their dedication to the sick and suffering is inspired by Jesus' phrase: "I was sick and you visited me" (Matthew 25:36). Their work, many times carried out throughout the night, is to accompany sick people and their families, seeing this service as a mission of love.

You Tube Videos Mock Obama and the Purveyors of Death:

Abortion, Euthanasia, and Obama's Health Care: You Tube Videos Mock Obama and the Purveyors of Death. Warning: The Politically Correct Might be O
emblem of the :en:Ku Klux Klan

Image via Wikipedia Emblem of the KKK

ffended

Satire: "The KKK supports Obama's Health care!"

WASHINGTON, July 30 /Christian Newswire/ -- Randall Terry, Founder Operation Rescue, and 30 pro-life advocates from DC and seven states filmed a "slave procession" in front of the White House, depicting tax payers as the "slave labor force on Obama's plantation." In addition, Mr. Terry posted 2 videos from his radio show, touting KKK support of Health care, and his "conversion" to wanting to kill his granny. 

"G.K. Chesterton stated: 'That which is ridiculous deserves to be ridiculed.' In that spirit, we offer these pro-abortion, pro euthanasia comic videos to mock the evildoers who are trying to make us their slave labor force. Some people will laugh, others will be heartily offended, and the KKK will say: 'Amen!'" 

Randall Terry
Founder, Operation Rescue 

1) Are we slaves on Obama's Plantation? (Filmed at the White House)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CBOXnDtuAA 

2) The KKK endorses Obama' s Health care: Abort more black babies!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hgpwz4-5Cwc 

3) Kill Granny, Save Your Inheritance, Stimulate the Economy, and Lower Health Care Costs! 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3_neh32A9s 

4) The KKK endorses Obama's Health care: YOU are the racist.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgCXMuZgROo


Thursday, July 30, 2009

Beware of COLA Scam



Many of you have probably received a mailing from the Senior Citizen League warning that there will not be a Social Security cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) for 2010.  Unfortunately, this mailing is correct; the Obama administration has announced there will not be a COLA for 2010 and might not be a COLA for 2011 and 2012 as well.  However, I do not recommend donating your money to this organization. This group has never bothered to contact me or any of my colleagues I queried; so much for the league's effectiveness.

As your Member of Congress, I am aware of the situation and am committed to protecting your Social Security benefits. 

Every day it seems there is more bad news for our nation's seniors.  The Obama Administration and Congressional Democrats recently announced over $500 billion in cuts to Medicare as part of their version of health care "reform."  Now there will not be a Social Security COLA for 2010.  Seniors have spent their entire working lives paying into these two programs and President Obama seems determined to pay for the young and healthy by drastically cutting the benefits of older Americans.  You have my promise that I will continue to fight these cuts to your hard earned benefits.  
 
If you or someone you know is contacted by an organization asking for your money, please do not hesitate to call my office and we will look into it on your behalf.

It is my honor and privilege to serve the people of Florida's 5th Congressional District and my offices and staff are here to provide you with any assistance you may need.


Thank you, 

Ginny Brown-Waite M.C.


FROM LIFENEWS.COM: TODAY'S PRO-LIFE HEADLINES (Thursday)




President Barack Obama Awards Abortion Advocates With Medal of Freedom
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- President Barack Obama today named 16 recipients of the 2009 Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest civilian honor that can be bestowed on its citizens. Obama's group of recipients includes abortion advocates who have repeatedly earned condemnation from the pro-life movement. In a statement LifeNews.com received, the White House said the medals were awarded to recipients who "make an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States." 
The recipients were said to have promoted "world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors" and "were chosen for their work as agents of change" and because they "have changed the world for the better."Sen. Ted Kennedy has earned pro-abortion records for decades for repeatedly voting to promote abortion, including his opposition to a ban on partial-birth abortions. yet he received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from Obama. Obama also awarded a medal to pro-abortion former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'ConnorFull story at LifeNews.com





House Panel Adopts Amendment to Help Stop Rationing in Health Care Legislation
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The House of Representatives on Thursday adopted an amendment to one of the three health care bills committees are crafting. The amendment would prevent the use of “comparative effectiveness” research methodologies as a basis for denial of benefits to patients against their will. Rationing of health care could involve cutting off lifesaving medical treatment and resulting in euthanasia. Using the “comparative effectiveness” research, other nations like Great Britain have denied medical benefits and treatments based on a patient's age, expected length of life, or of the patient’s present or predicted disability or quality of life. The House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the amendment, sponsored by pro-life Rep. Michael Rogers of Michigan, despite objections from Democrats on the panel. The current House bill the committee is considering sets up a federal center for comparative effectiveness research, which concerns Rogers. "Alarmingly the bill has no restrictions on how the federal government can use this research," he said during the debate, according to a Reuters report. "Comparative effectiveness research is about general average assumptions" rather than individuals seeking treatment. Henry Waxman, the abortion advocate who is the chairman of the committee, and several other Democrats complained about the amendment but then let it pass on a voice vote without taking a roll call. Full story at LifeNews.com
Medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle on life issues. From abortion to assisted suicide, we are challenged in the workplace to defend our beliefs and risk our employment. The National Association of Pro-life Nurses has been here for nurses since the beginning. Join with us to protect those voices.

Polls Show Pro-Abortion Barack Obama at All-Time Low, Drops on Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Three new polls all have very bad news for pro-abortion President Barack Obama and they show him at all-time lows since taking over the White House in January. The surveys also have bad news for Obama on the health care front as Americans trust him less on the thorny issue. Gallup began tracking the attitude of Americans towards the new president on January 21 and, since then, Obama hasn't experienced a lower polling result before its latest round of polling this week. Gallup shows just 53 percent of Americans approve the job Obama is doing compared with 39 percent who disapprove. Obama saw a seven-point drop in support among Hispanics and a four-point drop among white voters, but no decline among blacks. The drop in approval among Hispanics comes the week after the confirmation hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, whose nomination doesn't appear to have helped him with that growing block of voters. Gallup found younger voters and middle and upper-income voters were most likely to change from approving of Obama's job performance to disapproving compared with its last poll. Full story at LifeNews.com





House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Won't Say if Health Care Bill Should Fund Abortions
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- As members of her party ask her not to allow the approval of a government-run health care plan that funds abortions, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi won't say whether she will do so. Pelosi recently appeared on CNN’s State of the Union show and ignored a question about abortion funding. On the Sunday program, host John King asked Pelosi, “If this bill passes and there’s a public option, should that public option cover abortions?” With an answer that couldn't be deciphered, Pelosi responded, “That’s not--that’s not the issue. The issue is people go out there to--we'll be working on that issue. But that’s not the issue." King then asked Pelosi about pro-life Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak, of Michigan, who says he has 40 Democrats who will join together to oppose the health care restructuring bill unless it specifically has language that excludes abortion funding and insurance mandates. King said Stupak wants something like the Hyde amendment, that prohibits abortion funding through Medicaid. 
"Well, I don't know that – that Bart’s language is exactly that," she said. "But those – we have people who are working together to help promote health insurance for all Americans, that people will be treated the same in a public option as they are in a private option and that this issue should not be an issue, being respectful of Bart Stupak’s concerns and respectful of full reproductive health care for America’s women," Pelosi added. Full story at LifeNews.com


Ask About Health Care, Abortion, Rationing During August Congressional Recess
by Gary Bauer
It’s been a very busy time here in Washington. Fighting socialized healthcare has dominated our work in recent days. In fact, we've published more than a dozen items on the topic in this daily report in the past two weeks. We were able to stop the march of Big Government socialism for a while. But with news that the “moderate” Blue Dog Democrats have cut a deal with liberal House leaders, ObamaCare is on the move once again. The battlefield now shifts from Capitol Hill to each congressional district, and we're calling in reinforcements -- you. Yesterday, President Obama conceded that there probably won't be a vote on healthcare reform until “the end of September or the middle of October.” That means you have August to attend town hall meetings with your representative and senators, stop by their congressional offices, write letters to the editor and educate your friends and family members about the dangers of socialized medicine. Full story at LifeNews.com




Unborn Baby Cut From Mother's Womb Found, Woman Who Had Child Arrested
Worcester, MA (LifeNews.com) -- The unborn baby girl who was cut from her mother's womb after someone killed her mom and stole her, has been found. Authorities have also arrested a woman suspected of killing 23-year-old Darlene Haynes, who was in the eighth month of her pregnancy, and stealing her baby. Haynes' body was found on Monday when her landlord responded to complaints from neighbors. He found her body wrapped in a blanket and shoved in a closet of her apartment. Worcester Police Sgt. Kerry Hazelhurst told reporters that the baby girl appeared to be in "fairly good health" and is at a New Hampshire hospital. Officials also say they have arrested Julie Corey, 35, of Worcester, Massachusetts, and a male companion and that the arrest was made in Plymouth, New Hampshire where police found them with the child. According to an AP report, the man was released while Corey was charged as a fugitive from justice and is set to be arraigned in district court in Concord today. 
Full story at LifeNews.com

Pro-Life Group Challenges Planned Parenthood to Debate Abortion, Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A pro-life organization has issued a debate challenge to the nation's largest abortion business to debate health care and abortion. The Family Research Council says Planned Parenthood won't fully admit that the health care bills in Congress include tax-funded abortions and insurance mandates. FRC president Tony Perkins told LifeNews.com today that he is responding to attacks from Planned Parenthood and NARAL to his group's new television commercial. The new ad, which is set to run in stations in a handful of states with lawmakers who need to be lobbied, makes it clear that the bill, as written, would expand abortion. He said, "In a letter sent today to Planned Parenthood's President Cecile Richards, I challenged her to join me in a public forum to debate the question - Does the President's health care reform plan include a mandate for taxpayer funded abortions?" "Planned Parenthood says the plan doesn't. I say, come to a debate prepared to prove it," Perkins added. Full story at LifeNews.com



Former President Bill Clinton Pens Fundraising Email for Big Pro-Abortion Group
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Bill Clinton may no longer occupy the White House, but the abortion advocate can still make use of his fundraising prowess. Clinton penned an email fundraising pitch for the big pro-abortion group Emily's List that it sent out today to its members. The email focuses on the 2010 Congressional elections and Clinton asks abortion advocates to give Emily's List money to supports it efforts to keep pro-abortion stalwarts in control of the House. 'We can't afford to lose our Democratic majority in 2010, and women -- our nation's most progressive force -- will be crucial to protecting and building upon our strength,' Clinton writes. "In 2010, EMILY's List will be critical to electing more progressive women to help President Obama make change happen." Clinton said he is happy with the results of last year's elections, which saw pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama win and more abortion advocates elected to Congress. Full story at LifeNews.com


China Sees 13 Million Abortions Annually, Most Done on Young Single Women
Beijing, China (LifeNews.com) -- China sees as many as 13 million abortions done on an annual basis, official state media are reporting today. The information is rare as the nation's family planning agency, which endorses the country's one-child policy that involves forced abortions, rarely releases such information to the public. The China Daily newspaper said the abortions are mostly done on single women who do not know much about the use of contraception. The number is likely higher as the total only includes abortions done in hospitals and does not include those abortions that occur in unregistered stand-alone centers. The 13 million abortions annually also does not include the 10 million abortion drugs that are sold annually. Wu Shangchun, a government official with the National Population and Family Planning Commission, shared the statistics with the newspaper and said half of the women who get abortions were not using any form of contraception at the time.Full story at LifeNews.com




Study: Higher Use of Detailed Ultrasounds Yields More Abortions of Disabled Babies
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new study involving researchers at Cornell University finds that a more frequent use of detailed ultrasound on women who have babies with majority physical abnormalities results in more abortions. While ultrasounds have increased a respect for the lives of unborn children and are credited with helping more than 80 percent of women choose abortion alternatives, the study shows they can be used for a destructive purpose as well. The Cornell researchers, who published their study in the Journal of Ultrasound Medicine, evaluated the impact of restrictive versus routine use of "detailed" second-trimester sonography. They reviewed records of women with pregnancies involving one unborn child who were evaluated from 2004 to 2008. The women all received a detailed examination and major structural abnormalities were categorized on the basis of whether the problem would have been diagnosed in a "basic" examination without the extensive use of an ultrasound. The study found major abnormalities in 218 of the unborn children examined by the ultrasound, and 75 of the mothers decided to have an abortion after learning they were pregnant with severely disabled babies. Full story at LifeNews.com





Italy Set to Allow Sales of Dangerous RU 486 Abortion Drug, Killed 13 Women
Rome, Italy (LifeNews.com) -- Today, the Italian government made Italy the next nation to allow sales of the dangerous RU 486 abortion drug even though it has killed more than a dozen women worldwide. The abortion pill has injured more than one thousand women in the United States alone, according to FDA figures. When Italy legalized abortion in 1978, its decision only included surgical abortions, not the kind that can be done with the controversial mifepristone pill. The Italian Pharmaceuticals Agency (AIFA) announced the decision today that, after a two year review process, the abortion drug can be sold under the name Mifegyne. The French drug company Exelgyn had sought permission to sell the abortion drug in Italy.Full story at LifeNews.com

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Terri's News Alert: More Alarming News


More Alarming News: New Study Finds Increasing Evidence of "PVS" Misdiagnosis

July 30, 2009 (The Economist)

A newly published study suggests that a lot of people who have been diagnosed as being in a vegetative state are not in one

Labels matter. Indeed, they can be the difference between life and death. Someone lying in a hospital bed labelled "minimally conscious state" will be kept on life support indefinitely. If the label says "vegetative state," however, that life support could be turned off any time. A layman might not be able to tell the difference. But a doctor can.

Or can he? A worrying study just published in BioMed Central Neurology by Caroline Schnakers, Steven Laureys and their colleagues at the University of Liège's coma science group suggests that perhaps he cannot-or, perhaps worse, that he prefers to use his intuition rather than the latest diagnostic techniques to tell the difference. As a result, many people may be at risk of early termination even when they show flickering signs that their consciousness has not departed entirely.

(continue reading...)

(watch Terri's response to physician asking "open your eyes"...)

Suicide terrorism using children: over 200 minors taken hostage by the Taliban

ASIA/PAKISTAN - 
Map showing the location of Swat District (hig...

Image via Wikipedia

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The war operations of the Pakistani Army in the Swat Valley, in the North-West Frontier Province, are bearing fruit. In recent days, the soldiers have come upon a terrible phenomenon of ghastly violence, which has left the public in a state of shock: over 200 children between the ages of 8 and 13 had been kidnapped by the Taliban and trained to become "baby-kamikazes," suicide terrorists to be used against the enemy and civilians.
"The children have been brain washed to the point of saying that they wanted to kill their own parents," sources from the Pakistani army said. "The Taliban taught them that the Pakistani Army is the enemy of Islam."

The Taliban prefer to use children, as they are easily influences and less likely to be arrested. Now the youth are in need of what will be a slow 

This Chinese soldier, age 10, with heavy pack,...

Chinese children soldiers during WWII. Image via Wikipedia

psychological rehabilitation and constant assistance to reconver their childhood.
The non-governmental organizations present in the area have noted that the tragic phenomenon of child-soldiers used for guerrilla war fighting is present throughout the world and is in itself a heinous crime. Using children for suicide terrorism is even worse and provokes blind violence and an absolute violation, on the part of Taliban members, of human dignity. 

 (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/7/2009)


Wednesday, July 29, 2009

END OF LIFE CONSULTATIONS:




MANDATORY END OF LIFE CONSULTATIONS

Bioethics Defense Fund encourages you to educate yourself with the summary below.
 
You can also READ pages 424-434 of the 1,017 page Obama Administration's Health Care Bill (H.R. 3200) and stay vigilant about this language making its way into compromise bills.



H.R. 3200 gives the government power to require 
mandatory "advance care planning consultations"  for Medicaid recipients to discuss future end-of-life decisions;
 (pp. 424-434).  This mandated consultation may result inactionable medical orders for future medical situations that can not be anticipated at the time the orders were written.  Read it for yourself at the link below:

The House version of the Obama Health Care Plan provides:
  • Mandatory "advance care planning consultations"  for Medicaid recipients to discuss future end-of-life decisions; (pp. 424-434)
  • Such mandated consultations must take place every 5 years ormore frequently if there is a "significant change in the health condition of the individual"; (p. 428, lines 17-25)
  • During that consultation, an undesignated physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant "may include the formulation of an order regarding life sustaining treatment"; (p. 429, lines 1-3)
  • "Order regarding life sustaining treatment" is defined as an"actionable medical order" that "is in a form that stays with the individual and [is] followed by health care professionals and providers across the continuum of care." (p. 429, line 4-16);
  • The order may indicate treatment ranging from "full treatment to an indication to limit some or all or specified interventions" including "the use of antibiotics" and "the use of artifically administered nutrition and hydration." (p. 430, lines 4-17)
What the bill does NOT say:
  • The wording of the bill does not provide that the individual must consent to the "actionable medical order regarding life sustaining treatment." 
  • The bill is also silent on whether the physician or other health professional writing the order will be your personal health care provider. 
SUMMARY: This bill's government mandated "advanced care planning consultations" would give the government unprecedented power in shaping who makes the decisions regarding your personal healthcare decisions after the age of 65.

Read these provisions of the bill for yourself here:
http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h3200ih.pdf   


Bioethics Defense Fund
Human Rights from Beginning to End
www.BDFund.org

A Euthanasia Mandate



July 29, 2009 (Washington Times)

Back on May 1, we warned you that President Obama's health care proposals could lead to bureaucrats deciding when to "pull the plug" on an individual's medical treatment. That awful day is drawing nearer.

In an April 28 New York Times interview, the president spoke of having government guide a "very difficult democratic conversation" about "those toward the end of their lives [who] are accounting for potentially 80 percent of the total health care bill out here." Those statements sounded a little creepy to us. Deciding who gets denied care at the end of life should not be dependent on government cost controls.

(continue reading....)

FROM LIFENEWS.COM: TODAY'S PRO-LIFE HEADLINES (Wednesday)




House Democrats Reach Deal on Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill, Fall Vote Expected
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Democrats in the House of Representatives have reached a deal on a health care bill that had the backing of party leaders but opposition from moderate members. The new deal paves the way for a committee vote this week, but a full House vote is not expected until the fall. With the Senate also waiting until after the August Congressional recess to vote on its health care restructuring bill, pro-life advocates have more time to generate support for amendments to the bill or opposition if those changes fail to materialize. The pro-life movement opposes the government-run health care plan as the bills in Congress currently stand. There are dual concerns that the bills would promote taxpayer funding of abortions and insurance coverage mandates and other concerns that it would lead to health care rationing for seniors and the disabled. Lawmakers in both the House and Senate have proposed more than 30 amendments to the bills and pro-abortion Democrats have opposed those amendments each time. Full story at LifeNews.com





National Pro-Life Group: Sonia Sotomayor Will Back Abortion on Supreme Court
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Should the Senate confirm appeals court Judge Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court, they will be adding another abortion advocate to its ranks. That's the gist of a new letter the National Right to Life Committee sent members of the Senate in an attempt to defeat her nomination. Yesterday, Sotomayor received a 13-6 vote from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of her nomination to replace retiring pro-abortion Justice David Souter. With a vote in the full Senate expected as early as next week, NRLC wants senators to know the kind of nominee they will be considering and the potential ramifications of adding her to the Supreme Court. The National Right to Life letter acknowledges that "Sotomayor has encountered little in the way of abortion-related litigation, either at the district court or the court of appeals" during her tenure as a judge. "Yet, there are many troubling indications that Ms. Sotomayor believes that it is the proper role of the U.S. Supreme Court to construct and enforce constitutional doctrines on social policy questions," the letter explains. NRLC notes that Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision in 1973 that allowed virtually unlimited abortions, "was imposed by seven Supreme Court justices" in "an exercise in judicial legislation." "The evidence indicates that Ms. Sotomayor approves of the Roe ruling and approves of the type of judicial activism that produced it," the letter says. Full story at LifeNews.com
Medical professionals are on the frontlines of the battle on life issues. From abortion to assisted suicide, we are challenged in the workplace to defend our beliefs and risk our employment. The National Association of Pro-life Nurses has been here for nurses since the beginning. Join with us to protect those voices.

Pro-Life Group Runs "Harry and Louise" Ad Against Pro-Abortion Health Care Bill
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A national pro-life organization has launched an advertising campaign in five select states to warn about the pro-abortion dangers associated with the health care restructuring plans in Congress. The Family Research Council says the bills could mandate abortion coverage and taxpayer-funded abortions. During a live webcast Tuesday night, which FRC officials tell LifeNews.com 49,000 pro-life advocates viewed, FRC president Tony Perkins unveiled a new television ad. The ad features an elderly couple reminiscent of the famous Harry and Louise ad that targeted the Clinton health care plan. "And to think that Planned Parenthood is included in the government-run health care plan and spending tax dollars on abortions," a man says to his wife. "They won't pay for our surgery, but we are forced to pay for our abortions." The commercial will run in five states, including Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Alaska, Louisiana, and Nebraska and is meant to generate calls and emails to members of the House and Senate. Full story at LifeNews.com





Obama Science Advisor John Holdren Also Said Newborn Baby Net Fully Human
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- John Holdren, the Science Czar chosen by pro-abortion President Barack Obama, has already come under criticism for backing population control and forced abortions. Now, new information is appearing showing Holdren didn't believe that newborn infants are fully human. Holdren co-wrote a 1973 book ,“Human Ecology: Problems and Solutions," with infamous population control advocate Paul Ehrlich in which his view supporting forced abortion appears. Holdren's office laterdenied he held those views. In another manuscript, Holdren also says a newborn child “will ultimately develop into a human being” if properly fed and socialized. “The fetus, given the opportunity to develop properly before birth, and given the essential early socializing experiences and sufficient nourishing food during the crucial early years after birth, will ultimately develop into a human being,” Holdren wrote. Obama chose Holdren to become the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Full story at LifeNews.com


Catholic Groups Questioned About Support for Pro-Abortion Health Care Bills
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Three Catholic organizations are facing questions from pro-life advocates for their support for the current health care restructuring bills in Congress. Although Catholics traditionally support expanded health care coverage, they also hold fast to pro-life teachings against abortion. That generate an inherent conflict whereby a government-run health care bill Catholic groups may normally endorse is generating opposition because there are no protections on abortion. As currently written, both he House and Senate bills pave the way for taxpayer-funded abortions and insurance mandates on abortion. Yet, Catholic Charities USA, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Catholic Health Association have banded together to promote the legislation. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and Catholic Charities USA sent out an action alert asking members to contact their legislators immediately. Full story at LifeNews.com




Opposition Builds to Sonia Sotomayor, Democrats Getting Fewer GOP Votes
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Now that the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor moves to the full Senate from the Senate Judiciary Committee, opposition is building to her nomination. Senate Democrats are acknowledging that more lawmakers oppose her bid for the Supreme Court. Sen. Bailey Hutchison, who is battling pro-life Gov. Rick Perry in the Republican primary for governor next year, announced her opposition today. Hutchinson said "her judicial philosophy is an area of great concern to me." "I am also concerned about her statements in a speech that the Federal appellate courts are where policy is made. I believe judges should interpret the law, not make it," she said. Richard Burr, a pro-life North Carolina senator, also announced his opposition. "I am concerned with Judge Sotomayor’s ability to adhere to long-standing case precedent and apply the law according to a strict interpretation of the Constitution. I am troubled by her decisions in cases where she appears to have relied on something other than well-settled law to come to a decision," he said. 
Full story at LifeNews.com

New United Nation's Treaty Obama Favors Targets Disabled Unborn With Abortion
by Cliff Kincaid
President Barack Obama’s much-anticipated pro-United Nations treaty campaign has been launched with a White House ceremony declaring support for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with DisabilitiesBut despite the title and language of the treaty, including the affirmation of a “right to life,” it is doubtful whether the treaty would protect the rights of unborn children with disabilities, such as those with Down syndrome. Through its affirmation of “sexual and reproductive health"-a phrase that clearly means access to abortion and abortion rights-the treaty also supports abortion, even though it has been estimated that over 90 percent of pregnancies in the United States with a diagnosis of Down syndrome are terminated through abortion. This controversial aspect of the seemingly non-controversial treaty has been completely ignored in the many stories hailing Obama’s endorsement of the “legally binding” measure. However, it explains why a pro-abortion administration would support such a measure. This treaty, for the first time in history, establishes an international right to abortion. Full story at LifeNews.com



Pregnant Woman in Massachusetts Killed, Unborn Child Taken From Her Body
Worcester, MA (LifeNews.com) -- A pregnant women in Massachusetts was apparently killed on Monday and the assailant in the incident killed Darlene Haynes purposefully because she was pregnant. The attacker stole Haynes' unborn child after slicing open her womb following the attack. Haynes, 23 and who was eight months pregnant at the time, was discovered on Monday wrapped in a comforter in her second-floor apartment. A search is underway both for the baby who was taken from her and for the killer who is responsible for her death. Roberto C. Rodriguez, the ex-boyfriend of the slain woman and the father of the unborn child, told news agencies on Wednesday that he is devastated by the news and hopes authorities apprehend the assailant quickly and that the baby is found safely. “Turn yourself in or keep running,” he said. “The Lord is going to catch up to you. Drop the kid off. Drop the kid off at a hospital.” Full story at LifeNews.com


Mormons More Likely to Take Pro-Life View on Abortion Than Evangelicals
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A new survey by the Pew research forum finds that Mormons are more likely to take a pro-life view against abortion than the public in general and members of other religions. The Pew poll also finds Mormons have more conservative views as a whole and are more likely to back the Republican Party. The recently-released Pew survey and analysis compared Mormons to various religious groups and Americans as a whole. Pew found the general population learned slightly in favor of keeping abortions legal, which contrasts with five polls taken in April and May showing a pro-life majority or movement in the pro-life direction. Mormons, however, had a very strong pro-life position. Fully 70% say abortion should be illegal in most or all circumstances, compared with 42% among the general population, Pew found. They are also more pro-life (70-61 percent) than evangelical Christians.Full story at LifeNews.com




Terri Schiavo Documentary Wins More Awards, Schindler Family Helps Disabled
St. Petersburg, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The Terri Schiavo Story, a highly-regarded documentary on the life and euthanasia death of the disabled Florida woman, continues to rack up new awards. Meanwhile, the Schindler family continues to help disabled patients whose lives are threatened by doctors or families. Schiavo was killed in a painful starvation and dehydration euthanasia death over the course of nearly two weeks when her former husband won a court order to kill her and the documentary presents facts that the mainstream media distorted. Earlier this year the Terri Schiavo Story won the 2009 Jubilee Award at the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Now, the film has won the 2009 Crown Award for Best Documentary at the ICVM conference (International Christian Visual Media). In addition, the Dove Foundation, known for their high standards in family entertainment and their "Family Approved" Seal, has given "The Terri Schiavo Story" its highest rating of five stars. Full story at LifeNews.com





IRS Postpones Case Against Pro-Life Pastor Who Endorsed McCain Over Obama
Minneapolis, MN (LifeNews.com) -- The Internal Revenue Service has postponed a case against a pro-life pastor in Minnesota who endorsed John McCain over pro-abortion presidential candidate Barack Obama. Pastor Gus Booth of Warroad Community Church participated in a special event during the election. A group of pastors issued endorsements for McCain in late September as a part of an effort to overturn a decades-long rule prohibiting endorsements from the pulpit. Aided by the pro-life law firm Alliance Defense Fund, they say the rules violate their free speech rights. More than 33 pastors across the United States were involved in the endorsement effort, including Booth. Booth told his congregation, “We need to vote for the most righteous of candidates. And it doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure that out. The most righteous is John McCain.” Full story at LifeNews.com


Norma McCorvey, of Roe v. Wade, Tells Pelosi to Stop Pro-Abortion Health Care
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Norma McCorvey, the former Jane Roe of the infamous Roe v. Wade case that allowed unlimited abortions, visited the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to urge the Congressional leader to support efforts to make the health care bills in the House abortion neutral. McCorvey joined with two dozen pro-life advocates at Pelosi's office on Tuesday but got no further than an aide and was not able to meet with Pelosi herself. After getting the aide to write down a note meant for Pelosi, McCorvey spoke with the media and said Pelosi should not receive communion because she is a pro-abortion Catholic. "[Pelosi] shouldn't be allowed to take communion," the recent Catholic convert said. "What I said was that Nancy Pelosi, since I'm a Catholic [like Pelosi], should not receive Holy Communion because she's pro-abortion and she doesn't deserve to receive the Holy Eucharist since she believes in killing children," McCorvey added. Full story at LifeNews.com

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