Top 10 Pro-Life, Pro-Death States Unveiled - Where is Illinois?

Forty years and 55 million aborted lives after 1973's landmark Roe v. Wade decision, a list sizing up states in their protection and neglect of human life has been released.

Americans United for Life just unleashed its annual "Life List," to commend some states in their strides to protect the sanctity of life and to challenge others to step-up legislation protecting the innocent, preborn, and disabled.

Survey says

When AUL's analysis of the comprehensive successes of states was tallied, it determined which ones have the best on-going legal efforts to create and sustain a culture of life -- and which ones are more geared toward promoting the "culture of death."

Winning top pro-life honors this year, for the second year running, is Louisiana, followed (in order) by Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Arizona, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri, Georgia, and Virginia.

"While the 'Life List' notes legislative accomplishments from the previous year, it also takes into account each state's cumulative record in defending and protecting the lives of their citizens -- from conception to natural death," AUL states.

The worst state? Ranking at #50 as the least pro-life state -- and #1 as the most pro-death state -- is Washington State, which has claimed this abysmal position for the fourth straight year. This is the same state that is currently trying to push through a bill that would force residents to buy abortion insurance.

States right behind The Evergreen State as being the worst offenders against human life are (in order) California, New York, Vermont, New Jersey, Connecticut, Oregon, Maryland, Hawaii, and Montana. (See full listing of all states)

The wider scope

This list was compiled to do more than cast light on the most current and powerful attempts to protect life.

"This analysis … [is] laying the foundation for rolling back and reversing Roe v. Wade," said AUL president and CEO Dr. Charmaine Yoest.

And she predicts that the year 2013 will be anything other than "unlucky" when it comes to laws protecting the preborn.

"Americans United for Life has been leading the way in innovative legislation that protects women and girls from a profit-hungry 'Big Abortion' industry, bloated with taxpayer dollars," says Yoest. "I predict that we'll see a large number of bills this year that also work to protect the First Amendment freedom of all Americans who do not want to be forced into business with Big Abortion."

The pro-life organization also believes that the tides have already begun to turn in the United States when it comes to new legal protections, as 2012 wasn't far behind 2011's record-breaking year.

"The 2012 state legislative year produced significant victories for Life across the United States, building on 2011's historic progress and laying the groundwork for future victories in 2013 and beyond," AU contends. "Through its state representatives and other significant relationships with state-based allies, AUL actively worked in 39 states to enact life-affirming laws and to defeat anti-life initiatives."

Its report shows strides it has made across multiple states.

"In 2012, AUL realized several important victories for life, including the enactment of 19 life-affirming laws," the pro-life organization reports. "[This year], the most popular abortion-related legislative measures included prohibitions on government funding and insurance coverage for abortion, legislation and resolutions related to pregnancy care centers, informed consent for abortion, ultrasound requirements, restrictions or regulations on abortion-inducing drugs and so-call 'telemed' abortions, and abortion clinic regulations and other abortion-provider requirements."

And with all of the pro-abortion healthcare reform floating around from state to state during the first term of the Obama administration, pro-life advocates have been busy at work to counter different kinds of anti-life policies.

"Importantly, there was a nearly 40-percent increase in the number of measures introduced to protect healthcare freedom of conscience," AUL points out. "Moreover, as a result of a substantial increase in the number of bills related to pain management and palliative care, measures related to end-of-life issues increased nearly two-fold."

Pro-life honor roll

For the first time, AUL introduced its Life List All-Stars this year to pay tribute to five states that made key pro-life legislative contributions above and beyond the rest during their 2012 sessions.

Receiving the highest honor for last year was Arizona.

"Arizona became the first state to enact AUL's 'Women's Health Defense Act,' prohibiting abortions at or after 20-weeks' gestation based on the well-documented dangers of late-term abortions to women's health and the pain experienced by unborn children," AUL revealed in its inaugural report, which notes the strides The Grand Canyon State made. "Most improved this year was Arizona, moving from No. 14 to No. 5."

Arizona's governor is also well aware of the leaps and bounds made in her state for life.

"As a pro-life governor and former legislator, I know first-hand the crucial role AUL plays on the state level to advance the cause of protecting the unborn," said Ariz. Gov. Jan Brewer. "Without a doubt, AUL is an invaluable resource for pro-life legal guidance and educational materials. Through AUL's efforts, we are winning the battle as we encourage more mothers to make the choice for life and give a voice to those who don't have one."

Also making the pro-life all-star list is runner-up Georgia, with New Hampshire, Virginia and South Carolina taking the third, fourth and fifth spots, respectively.

Source: OneNewsNow

40th Anniversary: Remember the Children

On this 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, the Republican Coalition for Life is sending people to abortion clinics to remember the day in a special way.

Dianne Edmondson, who heads the Republican Coalition for Life, notes that when tragedies take the lives of children, people often remember them by going to the site and leaving flowers, teddy bears, and handwritten notes. She points out that with approximately 600 abortion clinics throughout the nation, there are plenty of such sites.

"We'd like to encourage those who value the sanctity of life to just go to an abortion facility near them and put a teddy bear there, put a candle, balloon, something to show that the child who was aborted at that facility sometime during these last 40 years is valued and is remembered," Edmondson says.

People are also encouraged to offer a silent prayer for the victims and for the workers in the clinic. In addition, she believes the event will draw public attention to the displays.

"This is raising the awareness of the American people -- who are at least 50-percent pro-life, according to all the recent polling -- to let them know that this is where it takes place, this is where babies are killed," she tells OneNewsNow.

"And perhaps then they will take actions to make sure that they elect people who are going to do whatever they can to protect these unborn children."

Edmondson hopes thousands of people nationwide will participate and hand out the flyers available on the Republican National Coalition for Life website.

Source: OneNewsNow

Roe v. Wade: 40 Years Too Many

Right-to-life movement remains committed to helping mothers and children



As the nation observes the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court's infamous Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton decisions legalizing abortion for any reason and throughout pregnancy, National Right to Life, the nation's oldest and largest national pro-life organization, is encouraging right-to-life activists from coast-to-coast to redouble their efforts on behalf of mothers and their unborn children.

The following statement may be attributed to Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life:

Abortion-on-demand, which has claimed the lives of more than 55 million unborn children, has remained the law of the land for 40 years. Roe is a sad commentary on our society's attitudes toward women and their unborn children. Instead of helping and empowering mothers, our society funnels them to the nearest abortion clinic.

In our society, no mother should ever feel like abortion is her only option and no unborn child should ever be considered 'expendable.' Yet every year, abortion takes the lives of more than 1.2 million unborn children, leaving their mothers susceptible to emotional and physical risks – and all of this is done under the banners of 'choice' and 'reproductive freedom.'

These terms, and their deadly consequences, not only degrade women, they dehumanize all humankind. Roe is an assault on the very foundation of our country--the principle that life is the most fundamental of all human rights.

The right-to-life movement remains more committed than ever to protecting unborn children and providing compassionate, life-affirming alternatives to their mothers.

Our humanity is not defined by the atrocities that have been committed throughout history, but by the shining light of those who recognize injustice and refuse to be complicit through silence. What profoundly scares abortion supporters gives us enormous confidence in the future: young people are more and more pro-life.

As the next generation stands up for mothers and their unborn children, we know that the days of Roe are numbered.

Source: National Right to Life Committee

Planned Parenthood’s Cancer War on Women Continues 40 Years After U.S. Supreme Court Made Induced Abortion Legally Accessible Throughout Pregnancy

 
Planned Parenthood reported in its 2008 tax returns that its purpose is "[a]chieving, through informed individual choice, a U.S. population of stable size in an optimum environment; in stimulating and sponsoring relevant biomedical, socio-economic, and demographic research." [1]
 
In other words, its purpose is to assist the U.S. government in achieving its population control objectives. Its last two annual reports show it received over a billion dollars in taxpayer money between June 2010 and June 2012. [2]
 
Increased childbearing, starting before age 25, has long been known to provide significant protection against breast cancer. But, Planned Parenthood is waging a cancer war on women through its sales of induced abortions, contraceptives, abortifacients, injections, vaginal rings, skin patches, implants, IUDs and sterilizations.
 
Although the abortion chain acknowledges the risk reducing effects associated with having an early first full term pregnancy and breastfeeding, it contradicts itself by denying that abortion puts women at an increased risk for the disease. Planned Parenthood omits from its "fact sheet" most of the 71 epidemiologic studies reporting an independent link, meaning that abortion also raises breast cancer risk by leaving the breasts with more places for cancers to start. [3,4]
 
"Like Big Tobacco, the abortion industry will not inform women that induced abortion raises breast cancer risk," asserted Karen Malec, president of the Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer. "That's why we applaud legislators in seven states that have passed informed consent legislation requiring abortionists to either provide pregnant women this information before an abortion themselves or in state health department literature. [5]
 
"Planned Parenthood ought to be compelled to inform women about the breast cancer risks of abortion and the birth control pill. The World Health Organization lists combined oral contraceptives (the pill containing estrogen + progestin) as a Group 1 carcinogen that puts women at risk for cancers of the breast, liver and cervix (although it reduces risk for rare cancers of the endometrium and ovaries). [6] Two studies report a strong connection between use of the pill and an aggressive form of breast cancer - triple-negative breast cancer." [7,8]
 
Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards justifies her organization's gluttony for taxpayer funds (nearly $1.48 million daily) by claiming the organization provides health care services, but its annual reports show that between October 2010 and October 2011 it:
 
1) Performed 4,519 more abortions;

2) Provided 289,171 fewer cancer screening and prevention services; and

3) Provided 108,223 fewer breast exams and breast care services.
 
Importantly, Planned Parenthood does not provide mammograms. It refers women to other providers.
 
In December of 2011, the breast cancer group, Susan G. Komen for the Cure attempted to stop giving Planned Parenthood what its leadership called "crappy grants," according to the book, Planned Bullyhood. [9] In response, Cecile Richards and her allies in the Oversexed Left responded with lightening speed by orchestrating a blitzkrieg publicity campaign against Komen. They falsely alleged that women's health would be harmed by the loss of the grants and forced the charity to agree to resume the grants after three days.
 
"Planned Parenthood's allies in Congress and the media, however, have shown zero concern about the abortion chain's inferior and declining performance in providing cancer screening and prevention services," said Malec.
 
"It is evident from Planned Parenthood's latest annual report that Komen's original decision to terminate the grants was correct. Richards and her associates don't care about women's health. They care most about profiteering in abortion, contraceptives, abortifacients, and sterilizations, no matter how many women's lives are lost."
 
The Coalition on Abortion/Breast Cancer is an international women's organization founded to protect the health and save the lives of women by educating and providing information on abortion as a risk factor for breast cancer.
 
References:
 
1. Planned Parenthood Federation of American 2008 Income Tax Returns. Available at: <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/PPFA_FY09_Form_990_Copy_for_Public_Inspection.PDF>.
 
2. Planned Parenthood Annual Financial Report 2010-2011 and Planned Parenthood Annual Report 2011-2012 are available at: <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/annual-report-4661.htm>. Planned Parenthood Annual Report 2009-2010 is available at: <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/PP_Services.pdf>.
 
3. "Anti-choice claims about abortion and breast cancer," Planned Parenthood fact sheet, January 2012. Available at: <http://www.plannedparenthood.org/files/PPFA/Anti_Choice_Claims_About_Breast_Cancer.pdf>.
 
4. "Epidemiologic studies: Induced abortion and breast cancer risk," Breast Cancer Prevention Institute fact sheet, September 2012. Available at: <http://www.bcpinstitute.org/FactSheets/BCPI-FactSheet-Epidemiol-studies.pdf>.
 
5. "Informed consent laws," Defending Life. Americans United for Life, p. 151. Available at: <http://www.aul.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/maps-2.pdf>.
 
6. "IARC Monographs on the evaluation of carcinogenic risks to humans," International Agency for Research on Cancer, World Health Organization, "Agents classified by the IARC monographs, volumes 1-106," Group 1 carcinogens. Available at: <http://monographs.iarc.fr/ENG/Classification/index.php>.
 
7. Dolle J, Daling J, White E, Brinton L, Doody D, et al. Risk factors for triple-negative breast cancer in women under the age of 45 years. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2009;18(4)1157-1166. Available at: <http://www.abortionbreastcancer.com/download/Abortion_Breast_Cancer_Epid_Bio_Prev_2009.pdf>.
 
8. Ma H, Wang Y, Sullivan-Halley J, Weiss L, Marchbanks PA, Spirtas R, Ursin G, Burkman RT, Simon MS, Malone KE, Strom BL, McDonald JA, Press MF, Bernstein L. Use of four biomarkers to evaluate the risk of breast cancer subtypes in the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study. Cancer Research 2010;70(2):575-587. Available at: <http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/70/2/575.long>.
 
9. Karen Handel, Planned Bullyhood, Howard Books, 2012. Available at: <http://www.plannedbullyhood.com/invitation/coalition-on-abortion-breast-cancer/>.

Memorial to unborn vandalized at Illinois Catholic university

A temporary memorial commemorating the lives snuffed out by abortion was vandalized at DePaul University, a Catholic university in Illinois.

Members of the DePaul University chapter Young Americans for Freedom put up the memorial on the morning of January 22 with permission of the school's administration. By afternoon, it had been vandalized, and videotape evidence suggested the vandalism was committed by three or four female students.

"It is a sad thing to see that liberal minded students aren't [tolerant] and don't respect the views of those who respect the lives of the unborn," said Kristopher Del Campo, chairman of the student organization that put up the display.

Source: CWN

President issues statement on 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade

President Barack Obama issued a brief statement to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that struck down laws protecting unborn human life.

"On the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we reaffirm its historic commitment to protect the health and reproductive freedom of women across this country and stand by its guiding principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters, and women should be able to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care," the president said.

"Today and every day, my Administration continues our efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, and minimize the need for abortion," he added. "On this anniversary, we recommit ourselves to supporting women and families in the choices they make and redouble our efforts to promote safe and healthy communities."

Source: CWN

News Links for January 18th

Pew survey on abortion attitudes criticized as misleading

2nd court victory for Illinois company against contraceptive-coverage mandates

Georgia Right to Life Hails 'Personhood' Milestone

Star Parker: Roe v. Wade, 40 Years Later

40 Year Anniversary of Roe vs. Wade

40 Years of Roe v. Wade Marks Four Decades of Opposition by Pro-Life's 'Godfather'

What Has 40 Years of Abortion Done to America?

Help Memorialize 55 Million Slaughtered Since Roe

Ryan Bomberger, Live Action, and Irish Pro-Life Leaders to Headline All Life is Sacred Rally in DC

Abortion Exposed -- On 2 Jumbo TVs -- At 2 Marches -- On 2 Coasts -- At the Same Time

Statement of Sandra Cano (The Former 'Mary Doe' of Doe V. Bolton) on the 40th Anniversary of 'Roe' and 'Doe'

Pro-Life Nation's New Booklet Urges a Refocusing of the Pro-Life Message

Abandoned Reveals Untold Story of the Abortion Wars: Unprecedented, Controversial Book Reveals Dynamics of Pro-Life Activism and the 40-year Injustice of Legalized Abortion

Complaint: Remodeling on Former Tiller Abortion Clinic Illegally Proceeding Without Permits

Owners of Healthcare Management Business Win Temporary Restraining Order -- Not Required to Provide Insurance Coverage for Contraception in Employer Health Insurance Plans

Caging the Human Cloning Beast

Twins Euthanized in Belgium

Euthanasia Really the Right of Kevorkians

Pro-Life Nation urges a refocusing of the pro-life message

Ben Franklin, January 17, 1706: "Of What Use is a Newborn Baby?"

Cleaning up Michigan's abortion industry

Pro-life article merely a pro-abortion tactic?

Court rules child protection laws apply to unborn babies

Miss. law on side of pro-lifers

TX deals Planned Parenthood another blow

Planned Parenthood abortion numbers rise, other services fall

Facebook abortion ads prompt call for pro-life action

Alabama Supreme Court recognizes unborn as 'children'

Irish pro-lifers rally at defining moment in abortion law

Changes to March for Life focus on engaging culture

'Religious Freedom Day' prompts renewed opposition to mandate

Generation Life spreads pro-life, chastity message among Catholic youth

Euthanasia approved for Belgian twins because of approaching blindness

US opinions unchanged on Roe v. Wade

Hobby Lobby finds short-term way to avoid fines

20,000 Russians protest ban on U.S. adoptions

Law Restricting Pro-Lifers Dismissed for Third Time

Charges leveled against a Chicago pro-lifer jailed for violating the city's bubble zone law at abortion clinics have been dismissed for a third time. A legal expert believes that's evidence the law needs to be erased from the books.

The bubble zone specifies a distance pro-life counselors must stay away from people entering an abortion clinic. Attorney Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society tells OneNewsNow that 64-year-old grandmother Anna Marie Mesia was the most recent person arrested for violating the law, this time at a north side late-term abortion clinic.

"And in this particular case, Anna Marie was not in the area where the bubble zone even applies," he says. "But that did not stop the abortion facility employees from filing the complaint, calling 9-1-1 as if it were an actual emergency, and it didn't stop the Chicago police from arresting her and booking her."

Prosecutors could not prove their case so the court had little choice but to dismiss it, and that was without even having all the evidence brought into court.

"These charges in particular were also dismissed because the state said that the abortion clinic refused to allow its employees to testify to the court and refused to answer to the subpoena that we were given leave to serve on them to get the surveillance video and the pictures of the alleged incident," Breen adds.

Breen says the video and pictures would have proven Mesia was not violating the law.

Three times pro-lifers have been arrested under the bubble zone ordinance -- and three times the charges went nowhere. Breen says police need to stop enforcing the law, as it is one that needs to be repealed.

Source: OneNewsNow

Surrender the Secret - New Christian Reality Show Addresses Post-Abortion Healing

Since abortion was legalized by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade, January 22, 1973, over 54 million babies have been aborted in the United States alone. This tragedy is compounded by the emotional scars carried by women who have experienced abortions.

Between 35-40% of women in the U.S. have had an abortion. The grief and guilt a woman carries with her after an abortion can be overwhelming. Abortion has been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance abuse and suicidal attempts or thoughts. Even the Supreme Court has acknowledged that some women come to regret the choice they've made to "abort the infant they once created and sustained… severe depression and loss of esteem can follow," (Gonzales v. Carhart 550 U.S. 124, 159 (2007)). Even so, a majority of women never receive counseling or support following an abortion. One study notes that two thirds of women reported not receiving any counseling related to their abortion.

In light of the prevalence of post-abortion suffering, it is imperative that we focus on helping women heal from past abortions by showing them the love and forgiveness offered by Christ. Many Pregnancy Resource Centers and other Christian groups now offer hope for healing from past abortions through counseling and Bible studies created specifically for women who have experienced abortion. One such Bible study, Surrendering the Secret, by Pat Layton, LifeWay Press, 2008, has been widely used by counselors and pregnancy resource centers as they minister to women hurting from past abortions.

The Surrendering the Secret Bible study will be featured this month in Christian reality series, aptly titled Surrender the Secret, by the groundbreaking new internet Christian television network, Knock TV. The ten episode series premieres on January 22, 2013, marking the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. It will follow five women who tell their stories of past abortions and embark on a journey toward healing together. Surrender the Secret touches on the serious topic of post-abortion healing with grace and compassion as well as high quality production one would expect from a more established television network.

KnockTV, headed by President and CEO Geoffrey Rogers, was created to "redefine what Christian television means to America," by offering programming that is "interesting, relevant, exciting, education and what Christians want to watch." Surrender the Secret will be the first of several planned shows offered by KnockTV. You can watch the show weekly, beginning January 22, on www.knocktv.com.

We must remember that post-abortion suffering is real and prevalent in our society. It is important that we reach out to lovingly support women on their road to healing and offer alternatives to abortion. KnockTV is playing a part in bringing awareness to post-abortion suffering through "Surrender the Secret." For more resources on post-abortion healing, visit Operation Outcry, an organization established to "end the pain of abortion in America and around the world by mobilizing women and men hurt by abortion who share their true stories of the devastating effects of abortion." You can find a link to the Surrendering the Secret Bible study on knocktv.com, and learn more about post-abortion suffering by downloading FRC's resource booklet, "Post-Abortion Suffering, A Psychiatrist Looks at the Effects of Abortion."

Source: FRCBlog

Pro-Life Citizens Unite to End Abortion

"Send a message to the White House" and boldly proclaim that abortion is not acceptable in the United States.



RememberingRoe.com, in partnership with Red Envelope Day, hopes to send 1.2 million pro-life messages to the President on January 22, commemorating the 1.2 million babies aborted in the U.S. every year since 1973, when abortion on-demand became legal as a result of Roe v. Wade.

Pro-life citizens are encouraged to join this effort by visiting RememberingRoe.com and clicking the red, "Send a Message" button on the website's homepage.

Led by Heartbeat International, more than 10 pro-life organizations have united to form RememberingRoe.com, an interactive website commemorating the 40th anniversary of Roe, the insidious Supreme Court decision that has led to the killing of more than 54 million unborn children in the United States alone.

Just as Americans will never forget 9/11, the day on which nearly 3,000 lives were lost in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, so too, we will never forget Roe v. Wade, which has allowed nearly 3,300 unborn children to be aborted every day for the last 40 years.

RememberingRoe.com provides a centralized venue for the pro-life community to declare, "We will never forget." The website provides tools to share stories, post prayers, and register to join a national prayer webcast January 22 at 3 p.m. (EST).

Go to RememberingRoe.com and see how you can participate in the unique pro-life event.

Source: Heartbeat International