Jury awards $36 million to abortion survivor in judgment against late-term abortionist

     

An Orlando, Florida, jury handed down a whopping $36,766,000 civil judgment against notorious late-term abortionist James Pendergraft (pictured below left).

There is nothing on this in the news yet. I'm going by information provided by pro-lifers who have been in the courtroom all week.

Pendergraft is a convicted felon who pro-lifers will also remember was the owner of the clinic where Baby Rowan was aborted alive and allowed to die in 2005.

The case that went to trial this week against Pendergraft resulting in that behemoth judgment was by a mother named Carol Howard, who went to Pendergraft's Orlando Women's Center on November 11, 2001, to abort her 22.3 week old baby girl, who survived.

Sidewalk counselor Patte Smith communicated with Howard in 2004 and gained access to information and court documents until Howard's attorney cut off communication. But this is how we know the backstory to today's jury decision.

Howard was single and pregnant for the 3rd time. She had one living child and had aborted the other.

The method of abortion at this stage was induction of labor and delivery. "If all went according to plan Carol Howard's infant would be stillborn," Patte wrote. "Carol paid $1300 cash to have her infant murdered. All did not go according to plan.

"According to her medication flow sheet," Patte continued, "200mg of Cytotec were administered to Carol Howard every hour beginning at 1:30pm through midnight. At 1:30am clinic worker Tanya Severance noted in her chart: '1am Patient was very upset about us not being able to give her pain meds. She left without signing release. Would not talk with us before leaving in a fit of temper…. She also thought this was taking way to[o] long.'"

In labor, Howard left the Orlando Women's Center and went to Arnold Palmer Hospital.

In the early morning hours of November 16, Howard delivered her baby daughter alive. The tiny girl weighed 1 pound, 6 ounces. The child, "JH" in court documents, was resuscitated and survived.

On May 25, 2004 Howard filed a civil lawsuit against abortionist Randall Whitney, Pendergraft, and Orlando Women's Center (Case 04CA-1202 Orange County, Florida), to provide funding for lifetime care of "JH," who was severely harmed as a result of the abortion and premature delivery.  According to court documents, the now nearly 10-yr-old girl lives with:

cerebral palsy
loss of function of left side of body
strokes/brain damage
physical, emotional & cognitive delays
lung damage & chronic lung disease &
seizure disorder

A jury awarded Howard $18,255,000 in damages against Pendergraft, with court costs against him at $462,000.

However, the judge in the called the jury back this morning, and after hearing expert testimony they awarded Howard $36,766,000.

I have no documentation on any of this yet but am working on it. However, pro-lifers have been present in the courtroom all week and taking notes, and Patte is a scrupulous record-keeper.

The press has been utterly silent on this trial all week.

Source: JillStanek.com

House Committee Votes to End Funding for International Abortion Groups

     

It's the pro-life policy that presidents have batted about since President Reagan first announced it in Mexico City in 1984.

Now, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has voted 25-17 in favor of the policy that would keep taxpayer dollars from going to international groups that promote or provide abortions. It was added to the Foreign Relations Authorization Act.

First put in place by Reagan with an executive order, the Mexico City Policy was dropped by President Clinton, reinstated by President George W. Bush, then excised again by President Obama. The effort in the House aims to take it away from presidents and make it law – although it has almost no chance of passing in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, said the State Department has been determined in its pro-abortion efforts.

"They're doing this at the United Nations, they're doing it through foreign aid programs, and through Secretary of State Clinton," he said. "So, this is a huge issue."

Source: CitizenLink

Federal Lawsuit Dismissed, Taxes to Fund Human Embryonic Stem-Cell Research

 
    

Chief Judge Royce C. Lamberth for the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., shocked life advocates today when he dismissed an ongoing case challenging federal funding of embryonic stem-cell research.

In a 38-page decision, Lamberth said that he was bound by the U.S. Court of Appeals decision to that overturned his earlier order, which found that using taxpayer funds for the destruction of human embryos likely violated a federal law, known as the Dickey-Wicker amendment.

"While it may be true that by following the Court of Appeals' conclusion as to the ambiguity of 'research,' this Court has become a grudging partner in a bout of 'linguistic jujitsu…,' " Lamberth opined. "Therefore, the D.C. Circuit's conclusion that the term 'research' in the Dickey-Wicker Amendment is ambiguous binds this Court."

The lawsuit sought to remove taxpayers from having to fund research that involved the destruction of embryos. Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund, Advocates International and Gibson, Dunn & Grutcher, LLP represented James L. Sherley and Theresa Deisher, the two adult stem-cell scientists in the case.

"It has raised awareness among the general public about the truths of stem-cell research and the fact that adult stem cells are the preferable stem cells," Deisher said. "Those moneys should be spent in ways that will benefit patients and taxpayers rather than embryonic stem-cell scientists."

Contact: Catherine Snow
Source: CitizenLink

HHS considering contraception for all

The federal government is considering a recommendation that would require health insurance companies to fully cover birth control for women.

The Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing the Institute of Medicine's report that recommends eight preventive services for women, one of which is free contraception. (See earlier story) Janice Crouse of Concerned Women for America (CWA) tells OneNewsNow the government should not force this stipulation on insurance companies because pregnancy is a healthy condition.

"You use medicine to prevent disease -- not to end a pregnancy or to prevent a pregnancy," she points out. "They are encroaching on our conscience rights as individuals, and I think it's very reprehensible. If people want to buy birth-control pills, that's their choice to do that; but they should not ask the rest of us to fund that for them."

Crouse further believes this is another example of how today's culture devalues life.

"It's another way of saying we have to do something to keep women from having babies; we have to do something for the government to have control over even the most private areas of our lives," she contends.

And the CWA senior fellow points out the irony in the fact that "all of those people who yell and scream about government staying out of people's bedrooms are the very ones who are saying, 'Oh, we've got to provide everybody with birth-control pills.'"

Crouse is also concerned that controversial, dangerous, and abortion-causing contraceptives are part of this provision.

Contact: Bill Bumpas
Source: OneNewsNow

A secret weapon against abortion

     

There's something new in the battle over abortion. However, in one sense, it's not new at all.
 
It's a secret weapon -- although it's not that secret.
 
It's organized prayer and fasting against abortion.
 
"Oh, is that all?" "What's new about that?"
 
There's a relatively new outreach that has been organizing peaceful prayer vigils (but I repeat myself) -- around the clock -- in front of abortion clinics. It's called "40 Days for Life." They organize a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week commitment to prayer for 40 days in a row in select cities. (In rough urban areas, where it might be dangerous for a couple of praying people to be out all night, they change the 24-hours to 12-hours.)
 
David Bereit is the national director of 40 Days for Life. He notes, "We've had now eight nationally coordinated campaigns that each of those is made up of local campaigns. There have been 1,382 local campaigns that have taken place in 387 cities, and that's been in all 50 American states, as well as Canada, Australia, England, Ireland, northern Ireland, Spain, Denmark, the country of Georgia, Armenia and Belize."
 
Based in Fredericksburg, Virginia, this organization has seen incredible results since they began in 2004.
 
They claim that, so far, at least 4,313 would-be aborted babies (that they know of) have been saved from the procedure. That's 4,313 babies, presumably bringing joy to their mothers right now.
 
They claim that 53 clinic workers have had a change of heart because of the vigils and have left the abortion field as a result.
 
The most famous of these is Abby Johnson, former director of the Planned Parenthood clinic of Bryan, Texas. When she saw a sonogram of an abortion, she walked away from the business. She had no idea where to go or what to do. But she saw the pro-life people silently praying in front of the clinic she directed and sought them out. She has since written a book about her whole change of heart -- unPLANNED.
 
40 Days for Life also claims that, thanks to their efforts, 14 abortion clinics have shut down. Again, this is all because of peaceful prayer vigils, around the clock for 40 days in a row in select cities.
 
It may be just a coincidence that these clinics closed their doors during or after the 40-day long prayer meetings. On the other hand, someone once described a coincidence as a miracle where God chooses to remain anonymous.
 
Bereit noted that the time is ripe for change in America's view of abortion. "So we're seeing the abortion industry on a rapid decline right now, and if ever there were a time for people of faith and conscience to take action to do something to speak up for those that cannot speak for themselves, I really believe that time is right now."
 
There indeed may be a shift in Americans' views in this area. For example, a recent Gallup poll conducted in May 2011 found that 51 percent of Americans believe abortion is "morally wrong," while 39 percent view it as "morally acceptable."
 
When it comes to opposition to publically funded abortion, then the percentage goes ups even higher. There are many Americans who identify themselves as pro-choice, but oppose their tax-dollars' paying for it. They think, "If you want to have an abortion, that's your business -- but don't make me pay for it."
 
There are now more pro-life pregnancy centers providing free services for women with unwanted pregnancies than there are clinics where they do abortions. Bereit says, "In most communities in America there are now Christian pregnancy help centers, and there are 2,300 of these now; whereas, the abortion industry is down to 672." Of course, there are far more abortions that take place in those 672 clinics than babies that are saved in the 2,300 centers.
 
When you look in the yellow pages under abortion, it's often a mix between pregnancy centers (offering pro-life alternatives to abortion) and abortion clinics. How do you tell the difference between the two? My friend Janet Folger Porter says that's easy. Just look for the credit card logos. The abortion clinics have them; the pregnancy centers don't. One is a business; the other is charity, all funded by volunteer donations.
 
Abortion is often just about money. And lots of it. But it has been, is now, and always will be blood money.
 
Thankfully, groups like 40 Days for Life may well be helping to change the landscape in America when it comes to abortion, one prayer at a time.

Contact: Dr. Jerry Newcombe
Source: OneNewsNow

Compassion said to be key in helping those who have had abortions

     

Compassion and understanding go a long way when it comes to helping people who have had abortions.

David C. Reardon, known as an expert in the after-effects of abortion, told more than 150 people at Holy Angels Parish center in Meriden Conn. that advocates for life must reach out with love to women and men who are suffering after an abortion.

Dr. Reardon was the keynote speaker at the seventh annual St. Gerard's Center for Life Mothers' Banquet. He is the director of the Elliot Institute, based in Springfield, Ill., which describes its mission as postabortion research, education and advocacy.

Dr. Reardon, who has a doctorate in biomedical ethics from Pacific Western University, has written books and articles about the mental health effects associated with abortion.

He said that in one survey, 78 percent of women say they "would rather have their baby if they had loved ones who were supportive." He cited another survey saying that 68 percent of women are pushed toward abortion by other people. He called the pressure "social abortion."

After having an abortion, he said, women hear such comments as "that life didn't matter; your grief isn't real," he said, which makes them experience what he called "forbidden grief." For such a woman, he added, advocates for life should "wear compassion on our sleeve [and] not throw stones at her for having had an abortion."

After having an abortion, women who want to begin to heal feel trapped, he said, and afraid of condemnation.

Men also can suffer negative effects, he said, which can manifest themselves as self-destructive behavior, failed relationships, addictions to cover past pain, depression and suicide.

"We want to give them a hug and cry with them," he said. "We need to recognize that shame is a dangerous weapon. It closes doors on people who need help. Messages of hope counteract messages of despair."

Advocates for life should deal with the minds, hearts and hope of men and women dealing with the pain of abortion, he said.

Dr. Theresa Krankowski, director of St. Gerard's Center for Life in Hartford, introduced a few of the mothers whose babies were saved through the intervention of the people at St. Gerard's.

Dr. Krankowski said that the work at St. Gerard's now is aided by a new ultrasound machine, which is operated by volunteer nurses. The machine was acquired through funds from the Knights of Columbus.

She said that St. Gerard's has served 3,000 mothers and their children in the seven years of the center's existence. In addition, she said, "400 babies were saved who otherwise would've died from abortion."

She outlined other programs as well. Dr. Krankowski noted, "We're committed to the truth. We have 116 women in our chastity program. Every week, those girls are there for the message [that] your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit." St. Gerard's also provides post-abortion healing and baptism preparation programs, she said.

"We are committed to helping mothers with all they need," said Dr. Krankowski. "This is the message of true love."

Printed with permission by CNA from the Catholic Transcript, newspaper for the Archdiocese of Hartford, Conn.

Source: CNA

Report: American taxpayers provide one-third of Planned Parenthood's annual budget

     

A new in-depth report on Planned Parenthood by a pro-life group shows that American taxpayers give substantial amounts of money to the abortion provider each year.

"By Planned Parenthood's own accounting, $363 million – one-third of its budget annually – comes from the American taxpayer," said president of Americans United for Life Dr. Charmaine Yoest.

"While Congress is discussing going deeper in debt and raising the debt ceiling … our government is quietly subsidizing the world's largest abortion provider with $1 million a day."

Americans United for Life says its report, "The Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood," is the result of their legal team researching more than 20 years of Planned Parenthood records, law enforcement reports, and other materials.

At a July 14 press conference in Washington, D.C. – hosted by Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-NC) and Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-Ill.) – Yoest outlined some the study findings.

In addition to taxpayers providing over $360 million annually to Planned Parenthood, the report documented that government funding of organization has doubled since 1998 – as well as the number of abortions performed.

The report claimed that the organization has committed numerous financial malpractices and human rights abuses over the last two decades. It cited failure to report criminal child sexual abuse, failure to comply with parental involvement laws and willingness to refer to substandard clinics as some of the offenses.

The report also states that Planned Parenthood has been documented as assisting people engaged in prostitution and/or sex trafficking, and has "dangerously" misused the abortion drug RU-486.

Analysis showed that Planned Parenthood has provided inaccurate and misleading information to women regarding fetal development and about abortion's health risks. The report also stated that "considerable misinformation" has been given to patients on emergency contraception, including the pill "ella".

Documentation also touched on Medicaid fraud allegedly committed by Planned Parenthood and its local affiliates. The report outlined four cases – in California, New York, New Jersey and Washington state – where Planned Parenthood affiliates have been exposed for fraudulent overbilling practices.

"American taxpayers are being forced to directly support this abortion-saturated organization which is fraught with fraud and misuse of government monies," Yoest said on Thursday.

"We are very grateful to the Members of Congress who have stepped forward today to take a stand on behalf of the American taxpayer in calling for an investigation and hearings into Planned Parenthood and its systemic abuse of federal funding."

To read the full report, visit: http://www.aul.org/aul-special-report-the-case-for-investigating-planned-parenthood

Source: CNA

Conscience Rights At Stake as HHS Considers Mandates for Abortifacients in Obamacare

     
 
NPR ran a story today on the Institute of Medicine's report to be released tomorrow which will include a list of recommended services to be covered with no cost-sharing under the Obamacare law.

But there are a few key points that NPR did not include.  The real issue is not about "birth control" as such but rather about specific contraceptives that can function as abortifacients, in particular, emergency contraceptives. This isn't a matter of opinion or political ideology.  The FDA approved label for Plan B suggests it can prevent implantation of an embryo. Moreover, the most recently approved EC, "ella", is chemically similar to RU-486 and it may destroy an embryo after it is already implanted.

Additionally, this is a question of whether the government should mandate every health plan to cover these drugs free of cost. Whatever one's position is on the issues of contraceptives, abortifacients, and such, it does not matter whether proponents of such drugs do not care about the effect on human embryos. The point is that many Americans do care, and many religious health plans would care, and that they should not be forced to violate their conscience.  Non-discrimination laws are in effect for this very reason. The IOM recommendations will potentially require people who are not in favor of these drugs to cover and participate in something they find objectionable. You don't have to agree with such objections, but at the same time people should not be forced to violate their consciences.

Here is our letter to HHS with more information.

And here is more information on ella, taken from my public comments at the second IOM meeting on January 12, 2011:

"While the FDA approved the drug application of Ella as an "emergency contraceptive," this drug is known to be chemically and functionally similar to the abortifacient drug, RU-486.  In a study published this month in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy, "the mechanism of action of ulipristal in human ovarian and endometrial tissue is identical to that of its parent compound, mifepristone."[1]

In one study of ulipristal on monkeys, 4 out of 5 fetuses were aborted.[2] On one with rats, all were aborted.[3] "[E]xisting studies in animals are instructive in terms of the potential abortive effects of the drug in humans."[4]

A recent study concluded that "it can be reasonably expected that the prescribed dose of 30 mg of ulipristal will have an abortive effect on early pregnancy in humans."[5] This is the dose of ulipristal now available as an EC in the United States.""

[1] Harrison, D, Mitroka, J Defining Reality: The Potential Role of Pharmacists in Assessing the Impact of Progesterone Receptor Modulators and Misoprostol in Reproductive Health. Annals of Pharmacotherapy January 2011, Volume 45

[2] European Medicines Agency.CHMP assessment report for EllaOne. (Doc.Ref.: EMEA/261787/2009). London,UK. www.ema.europa.eu/docs/en_GB/document_library/EPAR_Public_assessment_report/human/001027/WC500023673.pdf (accessed 2010 Dec 9).

[3] Food and Drug Administration. Mifeprex label. www.accessdata.fda/gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2000/20687lbl.htm (accessed 2010 Sept 26).

[4] Harrison, D and Mitroka, J Defining Reality: The Potential Role of Pharmacists in Assessing the Impact of Progesterone Receptor Modulators and Misoprostol in Reproductive Health. Annal of Pharmacotherapy January 2011, Volume 45

[5] Ibid

Contact: Jeanne Monahan
source: FRC Blog

Abortion group accused of misusing Hyde Amendment

     

Various pro-life groups -- American Life League among them -- are joining with Americans United for Life in calling for a government probe of Planned Parenthood.
 
AUL has submitted a 181-page report on how Congress and state governments can effectively investigate Planned Parenthood. The Case for Investigating Planned Parenthood alleges the abortion-provider "often tries to underplay the significance of abortion to its business model," pointing out abortion "has a tremendous impact" on the group's bottom line financially.
 
Jim Sedlak of American Life League (ALL) says he was not surprised with the content of the report.
 
"It was great to see it all put together," he tells OneNewsNow. "It just lays out for the congressmen why this organization is not deserving of any taxpayer money. And since we have a real deficit problem in DC, I think they ought to just cut out Planned Parenthood completely and that'll at least help a little bit towards solving the problem."
 
Sedlak says pro-life groups have proof the abortion business has violated the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits use of tax dollars for abortion. The ALL spokesman adds that the League has released a new video (right) showing how the Hyde Amendment does pay for some abortions.
 
"Abortions that they don't pay for, Planned Parenthood uses other government money to pay for programs so that it can free up money to do abortions," he says.
 
All in all with the information that has surfaced about Planned Parenthood over the past decade, Sedlak suggests it is time for Congress put the organization under close scrutiny.

Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow

Judge Rules: Catholic Charities Will Continue to Receive Children for Adoption/Foster Care Services from Illinois State

     

Today, in response to an emergency motion brought by attorneys for Catholic Charities, attorneys for the State of Illinois, Office of the Attorney General, announced in court that the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) would reverse course and resume the referral of new foster care cases to the Charities. After Catholic Charities won a preliminary injunction last week, DCFS responded by ceasing referrals of children in need of foster care and adoption services to the Charities. The Charities' emergency motion presented today sought to clarify that the status quo under the preliminary injunction included the continuation of new referrals. A copy of the emergency filing is here.
 
The emergency filing pointed out that when Judge John Schmidt entered the preliminary injunction, he ordered DCFS to continue its relationship with Catholic Charities as it stood prior to the expiration date of last year's contracts on June 30, 2011. Usual practice as of June 30 included referring children in need of care.
 
The Charities were also given leave to file a motion by Friday to amend their complaint both to add new claims and to add as a new plaintiff to the lawsuit the charitable arm of the Diocese of Belleville, Catholic Social Services of Southern Illinois.
 
The Court has given the parties until July 29 to file motions for summary judgment, with responses due one week later. Hearing on the motions remains set at August 17, 9 a.m.

Contact: Tom Ciesielka

Health Secretary Appears Before Congress, Defends ‘Rationing’ Board

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius appeared before two House committees this week, trying to testify on controversial aspects of ObamaCare.

At issue: The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) that's made up of 15 presidential appointees — a majority of whom are required to be a nonphysicians —  who have the power to analyze the financial drivers of the Medicare system, as well as determining which beneficiaries can receive care.

The Republican-led Budget Committee and the Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee on health met on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, to hear testimony from the secretary, as well as physicians, legal experts and consumer advocates.

Questions in both committee hearings centered around power, patients and payments.

Conservatives are concerned that the new health care law actually prevents congressional oversight and judicial review. A supermajority of the Senate (67 votes) is required to reject or amend IPAB recommendations. If Congress fails to act, the secretary is mandated to carry out the board's directives.

"If IPAB decides to reduce provide(rs') payments for dialysis, is it possible that some providers will stop offering dialysis?" subcommittee chairman Joe Pitts, R-Penn., asked Sebelius. "And won't that limit patient access? That's rationing."

Rep. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., ranking member of the health subcommittee, agreed with Pitts. "We don't need IPAB."

Budget Committee member Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., a former nurse, expressed her concern regarding the constitutionality of the unelected board making "recommendations" that carry the weight of law. "I have a problem with … its transparency and how this board is going to operate behind closed doors without public opinion, public comment."

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council and who testified at the health subcommittee hearing, said that IPAB "could lead not only to the death of patients, but also to the death of innovation."

IPAB and Congress are not the solution, Perkins said.

"Injecting more government into the equation only punishes patients and squeezes out the cutting-edge science that could treat them. This is just one more reason to contact your congressmen and tell them to not rest until ObamaCare is laid to rest."

Contact: Catherine Snow
Source: CitizenLink

Special Note from the IFRL President

The Illinois Federation for Right to Life (IFRL) is a statewide grassroots organization.  As an organization the IFRL encourages members to become active in the cause for life. To become a member one must donate a minimum of $3.00 annually.  A member is entitled to vote for the individual who will represent him or her as their Congressional District (CD) Director on the IFRL Board.

The elections for CD Directors are held every two years. Applications of individuals interested in running for the position of CD Director for their congressional district are now being accepted.  All candidates for CD Directors must be paid members of the IFRL and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) by August 1, 2011. Any donation to NRLC in the last year will qualify a candidate as a member of NRLC.

A CD Director is obligated to attend the quarterly board meetings of the IFRL. The board meetings are held at different locations throughout the state. The Directors are expected to support IFRL activities with an emphasis on lobbying, elections, education and fundraising activities.

Anyone interested in becoming a candidate for CD Director must submit his/her name to the IFRL office at 2600 State St. Suite E., Alton, IL. Letters must be postmarked no later than August 1, 2011. Applications may be faxed to (618) 466-4134 no later than August 1, 2011.  Please include a statement indicating membership with the IFRL and NRLC.

For Life,

Pat Conklin, IFRL President

Abortion drug RU-486 is quietly killing women across America

     

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly released a report that details the dangers for women who are considering using Mifepristone, also known as the abortion drug "RU-486." The report states that 14 women have died and more than 2,200 women have experienced serious medical problems from the drug in the United States alone. In addition, the complications of this abortion-inducing drug have led 612 women to be hospitalized, of which 339 were required to undergo a major blood transfusion and 256 suffered from a variety of infections. In spite of serious complications, this drug is continuing to be marketed as "safe" and, according to the Abortion Care Network website, "Many women feel that Mifepristone is private and more natural."

This study also reveals that abortion businesses are misdiagnosing or misusing this drug. In the face of the FDA's warning against prescribing it to "patients with confirmed or suspected ectopic pregnancy," there were 58 cases where it was given to women who had an ectopic pregnancy.

Mifepristone suppresses a woman's immune system. In some cases, fragments of the unborn child or other cells are not entirely expelled from the uterus, causing infection and complications. RU-486 can result in endometritis (an irritation of the lining of the uterus), pelvic inflammatory disease (involving the nearby reproductive organs), and pelvic infections with sepsis (a systemic infection spreading beyond the reproductive organs). The FDA classified 48 of the infections as severe infections, which "generally involve death or hospitalization for at least 2-3 days, intravenous antibiotics for at least 24 hours, [and] total antibiotic usage for at least 3 days..."

These results reinforce other findings by the FDA, which reported adverse effects associated with RU-486 in 2006. That earlier study showed 1,100 women having experienced serious medical repercussions as a result of taking this abortion drug.

Mathew D. Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law, said: "I hate to say this, but we told you so. We warned that the RU-486 abortion drug would kill and injure women. But the Obama administration and its abortion allies have lost common sense, because they are blinded to reality by their radical commitment to the holocaust. President Obama and the FDA must halt this destructive abortion chemical."

See a PDF of the report here.

Source: Liberty Counsel via ProLife Blogs

Web Site Documents 'Pro-Choice' Violence

     

Human Life International's (HLI's) updated web site, www.prochoiceviolence.com, provides extensive research on the surprising amount of violence perpetrated by abortionists and the proponents of "choice," compared to the relatively few violent crimes committed by "pro-life" advocates.

Dr. Brian Clowes, director of research for HLI, and lead researcher for HLI's "Pro-Choice Violence" project, had the following to say upon the launch of the site:

"If people truly understood how backwards the media narrative is regarding the supposed intolerance and violence of pro-lifers, compared to that of 'pro-choicers,' we would be having a very different conversation about abortion in our nation today. Pro-lifers should learn the truth about how peaceful their movement really is, although most know by experience; and by comparison, how many crimes are committed by abortionists and those who defend their ability to destroy innocent human life.

"The point of this project is not to demonize any person who defends the false 'right' to choose abortion, it is to set the story straight. Countless TV shows hold up an archetype of the loud, abusive, or even violent pro-lifer attacking the well-intentioned, heroic abortionist who is supposedly just trying to help women. News reports dwell on the real and sometimes fabricated crimes against abortionists, and routinely refuse to cover real crimes committed by those who either perform abortions or use violence to intimidate pro-lifers. While most pro-choice activists would not participate in such attacks, the fact that they go ignored by the media actually encourages those whose support for the violence of abortion translates into violence against those who would defend an unborn child's right to life."

The web site www.prochoiceviolence.com has several sharable documents, each focusing on a different aspect of the phenomenon of pro-choice violence. It also features a growing collection of videos in which pro-lifers are abused or attacked for their views.

Due to the graphic nature of much of the material, readers are to be cautioned.

Contact: Stephen Phelan
Source: Human Life International

Failed abortion births 'proud survivor'

     

Those who attended the recent National Right to Life Convention in Jacksonville, Florida, heard the first-hand account of an abortion survivor.
 
At this year's convention, the audience heard from many well-known speakers, including a few Republican presidential candidates. But National Right to Life (NRLC) president Carol Tobias tells OneNewsNow one of the more memorable moments was when the listeners heard from Melissa Ohden, "whose mother had tried to do a saline abortion, and Melissa survived."

In a YouTube video, Ohden shares: "I was believed to be dead. Weighing a little over two pounds, suffering from jaundice and sever respiratory distress, my future appeared to be bleak. But I was alive."

Tobias explains that "she was adopted by another family, and she now has a little girl of her own."  Olivia, her daughter, was born on April 26, 2008, "at the very same hospital where my life was meant to end," the abortion survivor reports.

As Ohden spoke about how abortion impacts generations to come, the NRLC president says one reality hit her hard. "If you have an abortion, that branch of the family tree is gone forever." She admits that she "hadn't thought of the impact, even a hundred years later, of which descendents are not here because that one life didn't make it."

As for Melissa, she believes her life "was saved for a reason," and she is proud to say, "I am a survivor."

"I am proud to say that I am fulfilling the purpose that God set out for me," she adds.

Contact: Bill Bumpas
Source: OneNewsNow

Gov't abstaining from teaching abstinence?

     

While the Obama administration has decided to prohibit teaching abstinence from marriage preparation programs for young people, a congressional bipartisan group wants that to change.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services recently authorized new grants for its Healthy Marriage Initiative and for "education in high schools on the value of marriage, relationship skills and budgeting." But one of the "unallowable activities" is teaching abstinence.
 
"In my knowledge, I have never seen anything like this inserted in a funding announcement, where a specific program that has a clear connection to the benefits of that program is prohibited," says Valerie Huber, executive director of the National Abstinence Education Association (NAEA). "So if we're talking about helping young people have the skills to develop healthy marriages later, abstinence education absolutely needs to be a part of that."

She notes a body of research that links teen sex to future divorce.

"It's really sad when the political and ideological leanings of an administration trump science, health and what's in the best interest of young people," Huber laments. "And this is what we're seeing; this is just the latest example."

She deems it troubling to prevent youth from receiving sexual abstinence education, so her group is calling for a change to the current policy so that funding for abstinence education will be included. House members have already written and signed a letter that outlines their request.

"This letter is calling for a policy change that there once again be some federal priority given to the risk avoidance abstinence message," Huber reports. "And 40 members from both sides of the aisle in the House signed this letter and sent it to the Appropriations Committee, asking the chair to make a change this year in the 2012 Appropriations Bill."

This follows last year's decision from President Obama and Congress, when all funds for abstinence education were zeroed out.

"In the entire history of federal funding for sex education, we have never seen this degree of disparity between abstinence education funding and contraceptive sex-ed funding," Huber notes.

The NAEA executive director fully supports Congress in cutting spending, and she assures that she is not advocating for an increase in funding. "What we're asking is that within that programmatic pot for sex education, there needs to be at least 50 percent of what remains in that pot, after all the debate is over, for a specific risk avoidance abstinence education program."

Huber is more interested in the policy priority than the money figure.

Contact: Bill Bumpas
Source: OneNewsNow

The Sanctity of Human Life

     

The sanctity of human life. Is it still a sacred concept or just another adage that doesn't apply in today's society?

Focus on the Family believes that human life is of inestimable worth and significance in all its dimensions, including the preborn, the aged, the widowed, the mentally handicapped, the unattractive, the physically challenged and every other condition in which humanness is expressed from conception to the grave. Without a doubt, human life is sacred. At some point in your life you may have even expressed these words in one form or another trying to explain your pro-life views. Respect for the sanctity of human life is at the center of all we do as Christians.

So what does that look like and how can we incorporate it into our daily lives?

Our Judeo-Christian tradition teaches us the sanctity of human life. The Bibles says in Genesis 1:27: "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Having been made in the image of God means so much more than receiving certain abilities and attributes. It means we actually are the images of God.

What a privilege! No other "creation" of God can say that! Each of us carries the image of the creator. We are not merely flesh and blood. Since we are image-bearers of the Living God, our lives are sacred, based on something beyond our unique characteristics and abilities. This image or likeness of God is not tangible: you can't see, touch or smell it. It's part of the mystery of life.

 Being made in the image of God provides us as humans with direction and guidance regarding how we treat one another. Men, women and children should be respected, regardless of their mental capacity, physical ability, faith (or absence of faith) or social position. These people may or may not exhibit attributes of God, but that doesn't determine their worth. Their value is established on the basis of the nature of God, who is the perfect example of dignity and holiness.

The sacredness of human life is not based on accepting Jesus Christ as Savior. Every human life, Christian or not, has inestimable value because each life is created in the image of God. Each human spirit is a mirror image of the likeness of Yahweh. This is not just reserved for Christians, but extends to all members of the human family.

How do we define human dignity?

Human dignity is innate, bestowed upon us by God. It's not based on our ability to care for ourselves or even the competence to complete the task. Dignity is not a concept that can be forfeited, so being dependent on others cannot cause us to lose our dignity.

 Our culture's failure to honor human dignity is evidenced in words like "quality of life". People would rather die than continue living with a disability. Dependency is looked upon as the ultimate weakness. From that attitude comes the press for cultural acceptance of solutions such as euthanasia, instead of giving compassionate care to those who cannot care for themselves.

A common fear among the disabled or terminally ill is that of becoming a burden. No one is immune to this fear. We can restore human dignity through our witness of caring for each other, even in our times of dependence and need. The challenge is before us. We need to reestablish the Sanctity of Human Life ethic in our generation and we must begin with the church. Even as Christians, we fail to comprehend the value of every human life because we cease to look at each other in awe.

Our view of one another should be as breathtaking creatures, embodying a touch of the Creator Himself. Churches must lead the way by teaching the truth about the value of life from a biblical worldview.

So how can you help restore the Sanctity of Human Life ethic?

Begin the restoration in your own heart! Routinely examine your heart for attitudes that violate the spirit of the Sanctity of Human Life ethic. It can take on many forms including disdain for someone we don't know based on his or her appearance, a negative comment made under our breath or impatience with a slow driver. The sins of superiority, contempt and slander are far more frequent and easier to hide than the physical crimes of assault, rape or murder.

We need to teach the next generation a respect for all human life. Parents should teach their children through word and deed. Together we can restore the beauty and reverence our Creator intended by restoring dignity to humankind.

Contact: Carrie Gordon Earll
Source: CitizenLink

Notre Dame seminar explores alternatives to embryonic research

     

Top medical experts at a University of Notre Dame conference this week are insisting on better alternatives to embryonic stem cells, and pushing for more research in the adult stem cell field.

"We think that it is crucial that ethical alternatives to embryonic stem cell research be pursued," Notre Dame law professor O. Carter Snead told CNA June 29.

The current seminar, "Workshop on Adult and Non-embryonic Stem Cell Research," is being held on campus through July 2, and features authorities who hail from schools such as Columbia University as well as pontifical academy members.

"Our elite scholars, across a variety of disciplines – science, engineering, law, and arts and letters – are enthusiastically committed to pursuing" other approaches to embryonic stem cell research, Snead said. 

He noted that this week's conference will zero in on discussing adult and what he called alternative – or non-embryonic – stem cell research by exploring developmental biology as it relates to ethics, theology, philosophy and law.

Snead said that the seminar has the backing of the Office of the President as well as several other university departments. 

"As the premier American Catholic research university, Notre Dame is ideally suited for this work," he said.

The law professor said that Notre Dame is also able to contribute to the debate by affirming the Church's commitment "to the equal dignity of every human being." 

Snead said that "as a matter of basic justice, we do not participate in any research that depends on the use and destruction of embryonic human beings." 

The "good news is that there are many fruitful avenues of inquiry that do not involve such practices." 

The university workshop comes as some U.S. lawmakers are attempting to give legislative support to President Obama's 2009 executive order allowing federal funding for research using discarded embryos from fertility clinics.

Although a federal appeals court upheld the order earlier this year, is still faces a legal obstacles. The Department of Justice recently asked a U.S. district judge to end a pending lawsuit against the order.

The embryonic stem cell legislation is sponsored by Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colo.) and Rep. Charlie Dent (D-Pa.). Rep. DeGette is slated to present the bill at the Craig Rehabilitation Hospital in Denver next week.

Source: CNA

Kansas Set to Become First Abortion-Free State, Court Hearing Set Friday

Planned Parenthood was denied an abortion license today. All three abortion clinics seek a restraining order to stay in business.

    

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment today denied an abortion license to Planned Parenthood in Overland Park under a new law set to go into full effect on Friday, July 1. Planned Parenthood filed suit to block the implementation of the new safety regulations within minutes of being denied a license.

Earlier, Aid for Women in Kansas City was notified that they would not be granted a license based on information provided in their application. Father-daughter abortionist team Herbert Hodes and Traci Nauser cancelled their scheduled inspection this week and instead filed suit against the law. Aid For Women joined in that suit yesterday.

When asked about the new abortion safety regulations, Hodes told the Associated Press, "We're doomed."

Yesterday, Operation Rescue discovered that Federal Magistrate K. Gary Sebelius had been assigned to hear the court challenge filed by Hodes. Sebelius is the husband of HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who, as Kansas governor, vetoed similar abortion safety rules and actively worked to protect abortionists from accountability under the law. Operation Rescue immediately called for his recusal. In a speedy victory, Sebelius filed to recuse today along with presiding Judge Richard D. Rogers.

The case has been reassigned to Clinton-appointee Judge Carlos Murguia, with whom a hearing has been scheduled for Friday. All three clinics are seeking a temporary restraining order against the law. Operation Rescue plans to attend the hearing.

"Through our many years of experience, Operation Rescue has found that abortion clinics and the abortion staff hate being regulated and inspected. It is no surprise that these shoddy abortion clinics refuse the most basic standards like wash sinks, proper medications on hand, and emergency resuscitation equipment," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

"Abortion providers are far from heart surgeons. They represent the worst the medical community has to offer. If the last three abortion clinics in Kansas cannot comply with the new safety laws then they should do us all a favor and close up shop forever.

"A review of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment records shows that not one single abortion has ever been performed on a woman in Kansas to save her life. It is a fact that abortion is a purely elective procedure for mothers to terminate their pre-born children's lives" Newman said in closing.

Contact: Troy Newman, President, Cheryl Sullenger
Source: Operation Rescue

Adult Stem Cell Researchers File Brief Asking Federal Court to Grant Their Pending Motion for Summary Judgment and Finally Ban Federal Funding of Illegal, Unnecessary, and Unethical Research on Human Embryos

The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia is now set to resume proceedings following the United States Court of Appeals' April 29 ruling vacating the District Court's August 23, 2010 preliminary injunction ruling. The parties' pending cross- motions for summary judgment are now pending before the District Court.

    

Today, on behalf of the adult stem researchers it represents, the Jubilee Campaign's Law of Life Project and their co-counsel at the Alliance Defense Fund and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, following a second remand from the United States Court of Appeals, filed its "supplemental brief" asking the United States District Court to provide summary judgment on each of their clients' claims based on the National Institute of Health's clear violation of two separate laws: (1) the Dickey-Wicker Amendment that bars federal funding of any "research in which" human embryos are "knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death;" and, (2) the Administrative Procedure Act that prohibits a government agency, from patently ignoring or prejudging public comments submitted in opposition to unlawful agency action, like NIH has been and is doing in this case.

The case began almost two years ago when, in response to President Obama's March 9, 2009 Executive Order, the NIH published and noticed for public comment regulatory guidelines allowing federal funds to be used for the first time for the creation of new stem cell lines (hESC) requiring the destruction of living human embryos. Before these guidelines became law the Law of Life's General Counsel, Sam Casey, with his co-counsel Tom Hungar of Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, representing the DO NO HARM Coalition, formally filed over 140 pages of legal and scientific comments objecting to what many people saw as the grossly irresponsible use of public funds to support research which is illegal, unnecessary, and an unethical breach of long-standing Congressionally-acknowledged principles barring such human subject experimentation. When NIH patently ignored and prejudged these comments and approximately 30,000 other comments and commentators opposing federal funding of destructive human embryonic stem cell research, the on-going legal action was required.

LOLP's General Counsel, Sam Casey, who has been arguing the issues in this case for more than decade said: "Each time grant-awarding officials and federally funded scientists support or engage in hESC research, living human embryos are 'knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death,' in violation of the federal law known as the Dickey-Wicker Amendment. The federally sponsored hESC research that the Guidelines support inevitably creates a substantial risk -- indeed, a virtual certainty -- that more human embryos will be destroyed in order to derive more hESCs for research purposes. Indeed, Dr. James Sherley, one of the plaintiffs in the case, today filed a supporting declaration demonstrating that the NIH Guidelines are in fact currently having just such a destructive impact in violation of the federal prohibition against such conduct set forth in the Dickey-Wicker Amendment that was again reauthorized by Congress at the beginning of this year."

"The NIH chose to ignore both our DO NO HARM et. al. Comments, as well as approximately 30,000 other comments -- 60% of those received in the mandatory guideline review process -- which raised serious and highly relevant questions about the ethics and scientific merits of hESC research," said Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher partner, Tom Hungar, Mr. Casey's cocounsel. Hungar added, "the challenged NIH Guidelines clearly violate the Dickey-Wicker Amendment, but NIH's decision to turn a blind eye to tens of thousands of comments demonstrating that hESC research can't be justified even under the government's own criteria means that the NIH's guidelines were promulgated in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and must be struck down for that reason as well."

After the NIH took any real consideration of the merits of hESC research "off the table" during its pre-ordained review process, effectively pushing a very specific and controversial policy despite laws designed to prevent exactly that action, the Law of Life Project and its co-counsel were left with no recourse but direct litigation, and the hope that the judicial system will ultimately rectify the injustice the NIH continues to unlawfully perpetrate at the taxpayers' expense. Since that time, after going to the Court of Appeals the first time in 2009 to establish their clients' "standing" to assert their claims, and a second time in 2010 unsuccessfully defending a preliminary injunction entered by the District Court on the strength of only the first of their three claims for relief, Casey says, "the Law of Life Project is now right back where it wants to be -- respectfully asking the United States District Court on all the grounds filed in its pending motion for summary judgment (and in its opposition to the government's claims) to bring an end to this illegal, unnecessary, and unethical misuse of federal taxpayer dollars."

Contact: Samuel B. Casey
Source: Jubilee Campaign

Sweeping Pro-Life Provisions Go Into Effect Today in Indiana

     

Indiana Right to Life is hailing today as the date on which sweeping pro-life policies passed by the Indiana legislature in HEA 1210 and HEA 1474 will go into full effect, marking the most significant improvements to Indiana's abortion law in nearly four decades.

"These are monumental advances in state policy that place Indiana on the leading edge of national efforts to curb abortion," states Indiana Right to Life President and CEO Mike Fichter.

Highlights of the new Indiana policies that go into effect today include:

Women must be informed that human physical life begins at fertilization.
 
Indiana will opt-out of abortion coverage in any state health exchange required under the new federal health law passed by Congress in 2010.
 
Pain-capable children beginning at 20-weeks gestational age will enjoy enhanced protections.
 
All abortions on girls under the age of 14 must be reported to child protective services within three days of the abortion in order to facilitate prompt investigation into child sexual abuse.
 
Women must be informed that abortion may increase the risk of infertility, infection, or hemorrhaging.
 
Doctors who do abortions in Indiana must have local hospital admitting privileges, provide medical licensing numbers, and provide emergency contact information to women having abortions.
 
Women considering abortion must be informed about Indiana's safe haven law that allows for mothers who decide to carry their children to term but are unable to care for their children to leave them with safe haven providers such as local police without criminal repercussions.

Two additional provisions of HEA 1210 have been enjoined by a federal judge, including the removal of all state-directed funds from businesses that do abortions and a requirement that women be informed about an unborn child's ability to feel pain. Indiana Right to Life is confident that both of these provisions will be upheld by the courts and will eventually go into effect.

Fichter notes that Indiana Right to Life will be monitoring abortion businesses to ensure compliance and will work with government agencies and local prosecutors to report any suspected non-compliance.

Contact: Contact: Cathie Humbarger
Source: Indiana Right to Life

Court: Conception is beginning of human life

     

Although a federal judge has temporarily suspended an Indiana law that defunds the state's Planned Parenthoods, an important aspect for the pro-life movement is included in the ruling.
 
Even though the overall decision is disappointing for pro-lifers, the order upholds a key provision that requires women to be informed that physical life begins when a human egg is fertilized by a human sperm.

"No one should be allowed to decide that a human innocent life is worthless," contends Alliance Defense Fund attorney Steven H. Aden. "Abortionists have done this by telling women that a pre-born baby is just a batch of cells instead of what he or she actually is -- a human being.
 
"This law ends that deception in Indiana," he continues. "All the court did was recognize the indisputable fact that a biological human life begins at conception. It is false to say anything else."

He says the ruling simply recognizes a biological fact, and he points out that the court disagreed with Planned Parenthood's argument that the statement is misleading. Meanwhile, the Indiana attorney general's office is expected to appeal the decision, which allows Medicaid funds to continue flowing into the coffers of abortion-providers.

Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow

Abortion warning labels

    

Students for Life wants the federal government to adapt its tobacco labeling policy to address abortions.
 
The government intends to require that graphic pictures be displayed on tobacco product labels by next fall, for example showing a dead body or diseased lungs.

"Why doesn't the pro-life movement get this? Why is it that we can't show a woman before she can have an abortion what exactly abortion is going to do," questions Kristan Hawkins, executive director of Students for Life of America (SFLA). "Why is it that the FDA, the U.S. government, is forcing cigarette manufacturers to put these warning labels on cigarettes, but they won't tell women what an abortion really is?"

She says the government even refused to require warning labels on the abortion drug Ella before it was approved last summer, when there are known dangers.

"So, we're trying to expose the hypocrisy in saying, 'If you're going to force cigarette manufacturers to put graphic images on every single pack of cigarettes, you should do the same thing with abortion,'" Hawkins adds.

SFLA has set up a website where people can sign a petition that will be sent to federal officials to encourage them to include graphic images and warning labels at abortion facilities and mandate that they be displayed and given to patients before any abortion procedure begins.

Contact: Charlie Butts
Source: OneNewsNow

IFRL CD Elections 2011

    

The Illinois Federation for Right to Life (IFRL) is a statewide grassroots organization.  As an organization the IFRL encourages members to become active in the cause for life. To become a member one must donate a minimum of $3.00 annually.  A member is entitled to vote for the individual who will represent him or her as their Congressional District (CD) Director on the IFRL Board.

The elections for CD Directors are held every two years. Applications of individuals interested in running for the position of CD Director for their congressional district are now being accepted.  All candidates for CD Directors must be paid members of the IFRL and the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) by August 1, 2011. Any donation to NRLC in the last year will qualify a candidate as a member of NRLC.

A CD Director is obligated to attend the quarterly board meetings of the IFRL. The board meetings are held at different locations throughout the state. The Directors are expected to support IFRL activities with an emphasis on lobbying, elections, education and fundraising activities.

Anyone interested in becoming a candidate for CD Director must submit his/her name to the IFRL office at 2600 State St. Suite E., Alton, IL. Letters must be postmarked no later than August 1, 2011. Applications may be faxed to (618) 466-4134 no later than August 1, 2011. Please include a statement indicating membership with the IFRL and NRLC.

For Life,
Pat Conklin, IFRL President

The Fetus and Federal Regulations

     

The Code of Federal Regulations is an almost sure-fire antidote to insomnia.  If boredom were a commodity, the Code would be its biggest resource.

The arcane and involved language of the Code is one reason why so few people read it.  Yet within its myriad pages are the rules that govern government itself – how laws are applied, how legislation is to be understood, and even how words used in federal regulations are to be interpreted.

Some of those words are more important than others, and those that deal with the very nature of human personhood are, perhaps, the most important of all.

In the October 1, 2009 edition of the Code, we read that "Fetus means the product of conception from implantation until delivery."

There we have it: an unborn child is merely the "product of conception," conception itself evidently needing no interpretation (that it takes place through the sexual union of two image-bearers of God is, apparently, irrelevant).

What are we to make of this "product?"  This collection of cells and blood and tissue stored within the veil of human flesh?  Here's what David said of this "product," this "fetus," this creature:

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained;
What is man that You take thought of him,
And the son of man that You care for him?
Yet You have made him a little lower than God,
And You crown him with glory and majesty! (Psalm 8:3-5)

From conception onward, this "fetus" has all the same DNA as every reader of this piece.  What are the criteria for its humanness?

Is it less human because of its size?  If so, then anyone shorter than someone else is less human, as well.

Is it less human because of its development?  If so, then anyone with a physical or mental disability is less human than those more physically or mentally advanced.

Is it less human because it is dependent?  If so, then any child is less human than the parents on whose support she depends for food, clothing, shelter, etc.

And so it goes through whatever other comparisons can be summoned: Intelligence, appearance, etc.  What changes at time of "delivery," per the Federal Registry, is not the personhood of the child but his place of residence.  He lives nine months within his mother's womb, and the remainder of his life outside it.

Even the term "fetus," used as a medical euphemism by those unwilling to confront the unborn child's humanness, is telling if rendered honestly.  "Fetus" is Latin for "offspring" or "young while still in the womb." Those who persist in its usage for the purpose of dehumanizing that to which they refer cannot avoid the potency of language itself.

Sometimes euphemisms have their place.  Saying that someone is "all foam, no root beer" is a pleasing way of conveying that the individual referenced is full of talk but has no substance or seriousness.  Yet language, however we might use it to obscure, can never fully hide that which it described.

To this point, the German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his landmark work Ethics, wrote,

Destruction of the embryo in the mother's womb is a violation of the right to live which God has bestowed upon this nascent life. To raise the question whether we are here concerned already with a human being or not is merely to confuse the issue. The simple fact is that God certainly intended to create a human being and that this nascent human being has been deliberately deprived of his life.

The language of the Code of Federal Regulations is tedious.  Its impact on American public life is profound.  But its artful obfuscation of that which is most compelling of all – what it means to be human – is unsuccessful.

A fetus is a baby is a person is a human being.  No euphemism can hide that truth – and you can take that to the bank.

Contact: Rob Schwarzwalder
Source: FRCBlog