March 2011 Archives

WAUSAU, Wis., March 30, 2011/Christian Newswire --

Today, Thomas More Society attorneys filed for an injunction to force Marathon County library officials not to censor, suppress and ban the screening of the pro-life documentary, "BloodMoney." The exhibition of the film was planned and promoted by the Wausau chapter of "40 Days for Life," which is sponsoring a 40-day vigil and public awareness campaign against abortion. The suit names library director Ralph Illick and several other defendants. Illick had cancelled the showing of the movie in one of the library's "public meeting rooms," because he alleged that showing a film on the topic of abortion would "interfere with the normal use of the library." The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, and District Judge Barbara B. Crabb has set a hearing on the injunction for Friday, April 1, at 3:00 pm Central.

"Searching the Marathon County library collection with the keyword 'abortion' produces 108 results, so how can the library director credibly say that a movie on the topic of abortion will cause a 'civil disturbance?'" asks Peter Breen, executive director and legal counsel for the Thomas More Society, which filed the suit along with local counsel. "According to the library's own schedule, public meeting rooms are used regularly for movies. Why censor this movie, which is presented by a group of local citizens who have been peacefully advocating their pro-life message without incident?"

After a letter from the Thomas More Society last Friday demanding that the documentary be allowed to be screened, library officials offered to move the screening to a closed, empty office space away from the library. "Our clients have an important message on an issue of public concern which should be heard in this public forum. They should not be forced to hide in the shadows because the government disagrees with their message."

The suit points out that the library's own policy declares that meeting rooms are to be allocated without regard to the beliefs of those using the rooms. It also cites a number of federal court decisions that reject the suppression of free speech based on the alleged response by others, also known as a "heckler's veto," and based on standards that are vague and allow government officials to determine what speech will be allowed based on their own personal preference.

GAITHERSBURG, Md., March 31, 2011/Christian Newswire --

Reece's Rainbow, a non-profit ministry dedicated to promoting the international adoption of orphan children with Down Syndrome and special needs has witnessed a surge in donation support for one particular child with Down Syndrome, strabismus, autism spectrum disorders, and a heart defect.

Andrey is 4 years old and lives in a Ukrainian orphanage. As special needs children in orphanages across Eastern Europe approach their fifth birthday, they are transferred from orphanages into institutions reserved for the mentally impaired. Many of these forgotten children regress, and many die.

While Andrey has waited 4 long years for a family to adopt him, many have come, and gone. Although there are plenty of families who long to adopt children from abroad, special needs children are infrequently atop adoption candidate lists. Of the families that are interested in adopting children like Andrey, the biggest barrier is finances.

Supporters of Reece's Rainbow, and specifically advocates of Andrey's adoption, have been fervently reaching out to other supporters to help Andrey's grant fund grow. In just two short weeks the fund has grown by 50% and donations are trickling in daily. As supporters strive to build continuing awareness, Andrey's time is getting shorter and his transition to an institution grows ever closer. More details and links for contributing to Andrey's adoption are located at reecesrainbow.org/andrey-s-14.

Reece's Rainbow advocates for children like Andrey through blogs, social networking, and word of mouth. In 5 short years, with the help of continued donations, the organization has found adoptive families for more than 500+ children with DS and other special needs around the world. More than $1 million in private donations has been disbursed in the form of adoption grants to make this possible.

Andrea Roberts, founder of Reece's Rainbow, draws inspiration from her own experience raising her son Reece who has Down syndrome. Andrea feels that children with Down syndrome invoke reflection on the beauty and innocence that a child brings to the world and that they remind us that the image of God is not confined to our earthly definitions.

Newport Beach, CA/March 30, 2011/Operation Rescue --

Family Planning Associates, one the largest abortion clinic chains in California, has closed its Newport Beach office, Operation Rescue has confirmed.

"This is an old abortion mill where pro-lifers have been sidewalk counseling and praying for decades. Its closure is an encouragement that we are winning," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

Family Planning Associates was founded by the notorious abortionist Edward Allred, who once claimed to have personally aborted at least 500,000 babies and famously stated during an interview with the San Diego Union that he wished he could set up a free abortion clinic in Mexico to "stem the tide" of illegal immigration*.

Allred retired in 2005, and sold FPA, then operating 20 abortion sites in two states, to Irving "Bud" Feldkamp III. His son, I.M. Feldkamp IV continues to operate the chain. With the closing of the Newport Beach clinic, FPA now consists of 14 surgical abortion clinics and 1 that offers only the abortion pill.

This is the 8th surgical abortion clinic to close this month.

Earlier closures include all 5 locations of Golden Gate Community Health, formerly Planned Parenthood Golden Gate, which closed due to financial difficulties after Planned Parenthood disenfranchised them due to financial mismanagement.

Also closing in March were two Pennsylvania abortion clinics operated by abortionist Soleiman M. Soli. Inspections in the wake of the discovery of Kermit Gosnell's "house of horrors" uncovered violations at Soli's "Abortion as an Alternative" clinics. Soli closed the clinics and retired rather than clean them up.

That brings the number of surgical abortion clinics to 681 nationwide, down from nearly 2,200 abortion clinics in 1991. Operation Rescue maintains a listing of abortion clinics by state at the Project Daniel 5:25 web page.

In addition, the Michigan Attorney General's office has sued notoriously troubled abortionist Alberto Hodari to close his Lathrup Village abortion clinic because it does not meet licensing requirements.

"The abortion movement is failing and the industry is imploding. Public opinion continues to move toward the pro-life position. Even the political climate is beginning to shift. The days of abortion on demand in America are numbered and each day we move closer to the time when it crumbles for good under the weight of public rejection and its own indiscretions," said Newman.

*"Doctor's Abortion Business is Lucrative," San Diego Union, B-1, col. 1 (Oct. 12, 1980).

WASHINGTON, D.C./March 28, 2011/Family Research Council --

Michael New, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Alabama, recently published a study on abortion in State Politics and Policy Quarterly, the top state politics journal in the country. The Quarterly serves as the official journal of the state politics and policy section of the American Political Science Association.

New was an adjunct fellow with the Marriage and Religion Research Institute (MARRI), a project of Family Research Council (FRC) during the summer of 2008.

The study, "Analyzing the Effect of Anti-Abortion U.S. State Legislation in the Post-Casey Era," evaluated abortion data from nearly every state over a span of 21 years, from 1985 to 2005 - a longer period than nearly any other peer-reviewed study.

New found in his study that data from both the Centers for Disease Control and the Guttmacher Institute provide solid evidence that Medicaid abortion funding restrictions, parental involvement laws and informed consent laws effectively lower abortion rates. His findings included that parental involvement laws reduce in-state abortion rates for minors by approximately 15 percent. It is part of a substantial body of academic literature showing that such laws are effective.

Of the study, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments:

"Dr. Michael New's research tells us that parental involvement laws more effectively get parents involved in their kids' lives, and reduce the number of abortions.

"Almost invariably it is a parent, not a government employee or business entity, who cares most about a daughter's well-being. This is why we strongly support commonsense laws that reaffirm parents' unique role as the decision-makers in the life of their child.

"Politicians can talk about 'reducing abortion rates,' but if they truly want to do so they will support parental-involvement legislation and defund such organizations as Planned Parenthood that perform or promotion abortions," concluded Perkins.

Read the entire report.

Read New's 2008 paper for FRC on the effect of parental involvement laws on abortion rates among minors.

March 28, 2011/Germantown, MD/Operation Rescue --

Operation Rescue and the Maryland Coalition for Life announce that an office space has been placed under lease directly across the parking lot from LeRoy Carhart's late-term abortion business in Germantown, MD.

The office will be used as a place of prayer for pro-life supporters, but will also act as a resource and referral center for vulnerable and needy pregnant women as well as post-abortive women.

The Maryland Coalition for Life will be coordinating efforts with local pregnancy care centers and a nearby physician who has offered to provide free ultrasounds to abortion vulnerable women.

Operation Rescue first discovered that Carhart had been hired last December to do late-term abortions at Germantown Reproductive Health Services. Since then Operation Rescue and has worked behind the scenes to secure the office and provide support for local pro-life groups. Operation Rescue has also worked publicly to help organize and lead protests, and provide training and encouragement to area activists.

"Locating an office like this across from the most notorious late-term abortionist in the country was a high priority for us. We wanted to do more than just ask women not to abort their babies. We wanted to provide them with practical assistance, spiritual guidance, and true friendship so that abortion would no longer be a consideration. This office will do all of that," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

The new pro-life center will not be a place where protests and pickets take place, but will focus on helping women and on prayer. However, hundreds of pro-life supporters will continue to maintain a peaceful First Amendment presence on the public sidewalk outside the business park where the abortion business and the pro-life Center are located.

"This Center is going to have a profound impact on Germantown by offering women a life-affirming alternative directly across the parking lot from Carhart's late-term abortion mill. The churches and the community of Germantown have really come together to make this a reality," said Michael Martelli, Executive Director of Maryland Coalition for Life.

The Maryland Coalition for Life plans to move into the new office on April 2, 2011.

The main webpage for the Center is mdcoalitionforlife.com/germantown and photos of the Center are at mdcoalitionforlife.com/officepics.

Donations are now being accepted to help with the expenses of starting this new and vital pro-life work. The Center's donation page is http://donate.KickOutCarhart.com.

ARLINGTON, Va., March 23, 2011/Christian Newswire --

National Pro-Life and Black Community Leaders responded today to Princeton University's persecution of a pro-life student who has been passing out informative literature on Black Genocide. The student advertised Maafa 21, a recent Life Dynamics movie on the history of Black Genocide, by posting flyers and hosting screenings of the movie on campus, while also passing out Human Life Review literature to educate her peers.

"My Uncle Martin wrote, 'The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sacrifice the futures of his children for immediate personal comfort and safety,'" said Dr. Alveda King, Pastoral Associate for Priests for Life. "Look around you. For every three African Americans you see, there's one who's not here because of abortion. Infinitely valuable, precious children, brothers, and sisters have been sacrificed for immediate personal comfort and safety. I say, in love, we cannot go on this way."

Day Gardner, President, National Black Pro-life Union noted, "We must face the truth no matter how painful and unsettling. Abortion kills black children at an alarming rate. We have seen the horrors of abortion in the bloody trash cans behind abortion facilities, in online abortion videos, and in the photographs of dismembered babies. We have seen the killing fields -- and we must pray and work in Christ to end the killing of God's smallest children."

"The situation occurring at Princeton University Theological Seminary is unacceptable. The fact that the school and its' students are attempting to silence an important discussion about abortion and accusing pro-life literature of being racist because it tells the truth about black genocide is outrageous," commented Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America, "Make no mistake about it, Planned Parenthood is leading a genocide in the black community. Persecuting a student and telling her that she must remain silent while her peers suffer from the violence of abortion is simply unacceptable."

Lawson Lipford-Cruz, President of Black Students for Life said, "Babies are the new 2nd class citizens. We are still being lynched, but instead of being hung in a tree, we are lynched in the womb. How is it that a helpless baby can be brutally killed then tossed aside so easily and without consequence?"

WASHINGTON, March 21, 2011/Christian Newswire--

Today, the Susan B. Anthony List , Family Research Council Action, 40 Days for Life, Students for Life of America, Concerned Women for America, Catholic Vote, LifeNews.com, American Values and Catholic Advocate launched a grassroots campaign to flood the phones of Members of Congress, asking them to defund Planned Parenthood in the Continuing Resolution (CR). From Monday, March 21 to Friday, March 25, SBA List and other members of the Expose Planned Parenthood coalition will mobilize pro-life activists to call and visit district offices and attend town hall meetings while their representatives are in their home districts, asking them to defund Planned Parenthood in the next CR.

"The momentum behind defunding Planned Parenthood is building," said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. "The message from the grassroots has been clear: the time to end taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood is right now. Whether in a short-term or long-term Continuing Resolution, defunding Planned Parenthood in this bill is a non-negotiable."

Lila Rose, President of Live Action, filmed a grassroots call-to-action in the nation's capital, announcing the Week of Action campaign. Available here, the video asks pro-life activists to join in the effort to defund Planned Parenthood of the $363M it receives in government funds each year by contacting their Members of Congress during the Week of Action.

The effort comes on the heels of a successful 13-district SBA List "Women Speak Out: Defund Planned Parenthood" bus tour conducted between March 7 - 11, which rallied pro-life grassroots activists across IA, IL, OH, PA, NY, Ri and NH. SBA List Project Director Marilyn Musgrave and Live Action President, Lila Rose led tour stops including press conferences with local pro-life leaders, thanking Members who voted for Rep. Mike Pence's amendment to defund Planned Parenthood in the Continuing Resolution (CR) and targeting those who voted against the measure.

The tour was a part of a larger $200k grassroots campaign including radio and television ads thanking Members for their votes to defund Planned Parenthood. Overall, the Expose Planned Parenthood grassroots effort to defund Planned Parenthood has drawn more than 1.2 million contacts to Congress through e-mails, phone calls and petitions.

NEW YORK, March 17, 2011/Christian Newswire --

Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed Introduction 0-371A on Wednesday, March 16, even after admitting he was unsure whether the bill was constitutional. The legislation will impose harsh and potentially unconstitutional restrictions on privately funded pregnancy care centers across the five boroughs of New York City.

Similar legislation restricting private pregnancy centers was enacted in Baltimore City in the fall of 2010, but it was struck down by U.S. Federal Judge Marvin J. Garbis on January 28, 2011. Judge Garbis ruled, "The Court holds that the Ordinance violates the Freedom of Speech Clause of Article I of the Constitution of the United States and is unenforceable. Whether a provider of pregnancy-related services is 'pro-life' or 'pro-choice,' it is for the provider -- not the government -- to decide when and how to discuss abortion and birth-control methods.

An ordinance enacted in Montgomery Co. Maryland was partially struck down by U.S. Federal Judge Deborah K. Chasnow on Tuesday of this week. The court issued a temporary injunction preventing the county from enforcing the requirement that pregnancy centers post signage that constitute vague, government sanctioned speech. The court will also consider additional arguments before ruling on a part of the law that requires the centers to post that a medical professional is not on staff.

"There is no abortion exception to the First Amendment," said Mark Rienzi, lead counsel for the Montgomery County Maryland Centro Tepeyac Women's Center and a law professor at Catholic University of America's Columbus School of Law. "The court was right to issue this order. The county has no business taking over the walls of pro-life pregnancy centers to tell women to go seek help elsewhere."

"The government cannot create special speech rules just because people want to talk about pregnancy choices. And it certainly cannot target pro-life speakers for special sign requirements and fines while leaving speech by abortion clinics entirely unregulated. This new regulation violates every core principle of free speech law," he said.

The most recent Maryland federal court ruling buoyed the hopes of pro-life advocates in New York and across the nation. "Today, the pro-life movement received both sweet and sour news affecting the speech regulation of pregnancy care centers in New York City. The sweet news is another victory out of Maryland where a federal judge has struck down the majority of a law regulating pregnancy centers in Montgomery County," stated Chris Slattery, founder and President of Expectant Mother Care / EMC Frontline Pregnancy Care Centers.

"The sour news is New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg signed the most oppressive speech regulation bill against pregnancy centers in US history. Bill 0-371A requires 10 different disclosures in both English and Spanish. These disclosures are required to be made in person, in advertising, in signage, and on the phone. These regulations only apply to pro-life pregnancy centers and clearly aim on regulating just one side of pregnancy service providers. This bill additionally bans reporting to police child molestation, child prostitutions, and child trafficking," continued Mr. Slattery.

The American Center for Law and Justice plans to file suit in federal court on Monday, March 20, 2011 on behalf of Expectant Mother Care and Chris Slattery. The suit will be based on constitutional challenges of the 1st and 14th amendments and will incorporate the two federal court decisions from the Maryland ordinances.

"The ACLJ is geared up and ready to file suit on the unconstitutional Introduction 0-371A. It is a shame the Mayor himself admitted the law may be unconstitutional. He has chosen to subject the taxpayers of New York to a lawsuit rather than postpone the signing to determine if the legislation is actually legal and constitutional," commented ACLJ Attorney Tiffany Barrans.

African American leaders across New York and the region are equally concerned and dismayed by Mayor Bloomberg's signing of Bill 0-371A.

"The obvious collusion of the New York City council and those that advocate the abortion industries interest is clearly seen in the passing of bill 371. It's also obvious that the sponsors and supporters of this bill feel that the abortion rate among African Americans is not high enough and women who choose to give birth to their babies should have limited resources," said Rev Clenard H. Childress, Jr., Northeast Director of LEARN (www.blackgenocide.org).

Catherine Davis of the National Black Prolife Coalition commented. "As was the case when the law allowed the pursuit of slaves into 'free' territories the abortionists now pursue any baby that escapes its' net through unconstitutional laws similar to that just passed in New York City, Council Bill 0-371A. New York's Mayor, radical feminists and organizations like Planned Parenthood who style themselves as champions of women clamor for unfettered abortion at all costs, giving woman no choice but to terminate the life of her child. Shame on the City Council. Shame on the Mayor. Shame on New York City," (www.blackprolifecoalition.org).

In closing, Mr. Slattery stated, "For the past 26 years, EMC Frontline has provided real choice for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. We have provided free sonograms, prenatal care, transitional housing, monetary assistance, and even job training in some cases. NYC is attempting to say our strategic alliances with 10 medical clinics and doctor's office is inherently deceptive despite state law which allows these very types of alliances and off-site sonograms programs. We pledge to fight this bill with all means necessary to protect the rights of women and pre-born babies."

March 14, 2011/Topeka, KS/Operation Rescue --

If women are dying at abortion clinics, the public should have a right to know. However, when a an abortionist told the Kansas Legislature that 5 women had died from abortions in Kansas in the past 5 years, neither the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBHA) nor the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDH&E) could or would verify.

"Because we cannot get a straight answer out of the state agencies who should know, Operation Rescue is filing a formal complaint with Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt asking him to fully investigate this claim and bring to justice the abortionists that are killing women in Kansas," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

The KDH&E immediately denied a request under the Kansas Open Records Act by Operation Rescue for information about the abortion-related maternal deaths, and would not even confirm or deny the number.

The KSHBA did not immediately deny the request made to their agency, but within minutes of receiving it KSBHA Executive Director Kathleen Seltzer Lippert e-mailed Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger with extensive reasons why they may not be able to confirm Hodes' allegation.

According to Lippert, abortion facilities must report patient deaths to the KSBHA, however, if they manage to get the dying woman to the hospital before she expires, the abortionist need not report anything. Oddly, hospitals and extended care facilities are not required to report abortion-related maternal deaths to the KSBHA.

Vital statistics made public by the KDH&E for 2009 indicate there were 28 "maternal deaths" in Kansas since 2005 that could include at least some abortion-related deaths, according to definitions used in Kansas. Grouping the abortion deaths with other pregnancy-related deaths gives an unclear picture of abortion safety (or lack thereof) in Kansas.

Abortionist Herbert Hodes told a state legislative committee of these patient deaths last week during his testimony in opposition to a bill that would tighten clinic regulations and place abortion clinics under greater oversight.

Hodes runs an abortion clinic in Overland Park, Kansas, along with his daughter, Traci Nauser, who is also an abortionist. Together, they offer abortions up to 22 weeks.

Hodes once sued the state in Federal Court over an opinion issued by former Attorney General Phill Kline that indicated abortion clinics were subject to mandatory child sex reporting laws. That case was ultimately thrown out on a technicality after the reporting law was amended.

During that case, Hodes asked an Assistant Attorney General to define "protect," when asked if he believed the state had an interest in protecting children. His testimony ended abruptly when questioning about Hodes' willingness to follow Kansas law was stopped by his attorney, who ordered him not to respond on the grounds that it might incriminate him.

His attorney had reason to be concerned. A staff member at Hodes' abortion clinic was caught in an undercover phone sting conducted by Life Dynamics, Inc., advising a caller, who represented herself to be a 14-year old girl who was having sex with a 22-year old man, to go to the nearly Planned Parenthood office, with a guarantee that she could get an abortion and/or birth control pills to avoid Kansas parental notification laws.

Hodes is a member of the National Abortion Federation, a group of abortion clinics that has been known to harbor among the worst abortionists in the nation, including convicted Arizona abortionist Brian Finkel, who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for raping and otherwise sexually abusing over 100 of his abortion patients. Recently, the NAF has been criticized for not reporting Pennsylvania abortionist Kermit Gosnell after one of their members found gross violations at his clinic. Just months later, Gosnell's clinic was raided by police, who discovered filthy conditions along with the remains of newborn babies that had been murdered by Gosnell and his unlicensed staff. He faces the death penalty for the murder of 1 patient and 7 newborn babies.

According to the NAF's own statistics, abortion-related maternal deaths occur once in 160,000 abortions. Kansas has an estimated average of 10,300 abortions per year since 2005. Five years ago there were 4 abortion clinics in the state. Since 2009, there have been 3.

"God forbid that we should discover that we have a 'house of horrors' here in Kansas where women are apparently dying in secret at a rate nearly 16 times the apparent national average," said Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

"Five deaths among so few abortion clinics in five years is an appalling statistic with criminal implications. We have seen abortionists go to jail in other states for killing one woman during an abortion. Five deaths is unheard of. Lives are literally at stake. We call on Attorney General Derek Schmidt to get to the bottom of this for the protection of women and to bring the perpetrators to speedy justice."

Read letter of complaint to KS Attorney General

We've been following the challenging case of Baby Joseph and the advocacy of Bobby Schindler and Fr. Frank Pavone on the child's behalf.

"Baby Joseph is a frightening example of how vulnerable patients suffer when the dignity of their life is not respected," said Bobby Schindler, spokesperson for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network. "We urge as many people as possible to join us this weekend to support this family in their effort to simply bring their child home to die naturally."

It looks like their efforts were successful.... FoxNews broke the story:

The baby who was hours from being pulled off life support at his Canadian hospital has been rescued by the national director of Priests For Life.

Joseph Maraachli, 13 months old, who is currently kept alive by a respirator and was recently denied a transfer to a Michigan hospital to undergo a tracheotomy, is en route tonight to the U.S. with Fr. Frank Pavone, the director.

Maraachli will be taken to a hospital that specializes in caring for children.

Update from Twitter:

I am with Baby Joseph right now in the USA in ambulance en route to hospital... He is doing GREAT! - @frfrankpavone

Here's a related video that was posted a few weeks ago:

PORTLAND, Ore., March 9, 2011/Christian Newswire --

The recent plan by the Ethiopian government to slow international adoption by 90% has triggered a call to action by All God's Children International (AGCI), the Portland based non-profit adoption and orphan care agency. Working with the Joint Council on International Children's Services, AGCI is encouraging everyone who cares about the welfare of children to sign the online petition.

"Only 4,000 of the 5 million Ethiopian orphans are adopted worldwide each year, and with this delay many of these children will spend an extra 5 to 7 years living in institutions," reports Hollen Frazier, AGCI's Executive Director. "Our prayer is that through an outpouring of support for these children, this proposed change will be reversed. It only takes a minute to sign the online petition to offer your signature of hope for these voiceless orphans."

AGCI is seeking community support in three ways:

1. Sign The Petition

2. Share: Spread the word to family members, adoptive parents, classmates, and everyone you know! Post, forward and share via Facebook, Twitter, and blogs. Include it in your email blasts, church bulletin, and announce it at community events.

3. Have you adopted from Ethiopia? Send up to 3 photos and 50 words or less with what you would like the Ethiopian Ministry of Woman's Affairs to know about your child to advocate@jointcouncil.org by Sunday, March 13th.

The orphan crisis continues to grow, with current estimates putting the number at over 150 million orphans in the world today. In Ethiopia last year, while 2,500 lives were being touched through adoption to the United States, an additional 1.2 million vulnerable children and individuals received assistance from these adoption service providers.

BOSTON, March 8, 2011/Christian Newswire --

All Girls Allowed invites all praying believers to join together for 40 days of reflection and petition for the oppressed in China.

For the Lenten Season, AGA, a non-profit organization devoted to restoring life, value and dignity to girls and mothers in China, will guide members through a 40 day journey of discovering God's heart for mercy, women, girls, life and justices.

Interested individuals and churches will sign up to receive daily emails or Facebook updates that contain Scripture, reflection and focused prayer. Weekly themes include "Old and New Testament Women of Faith," "Mercy and Justice," and "God's Special Love for Women."

This year, Lent comes at a time of great danger for Christians, human rights workers and women in China. The recent crackdown on humanitarian workers seems to have been brought about by rumors of a peaceful "Jasmine Revolution." Those who oppose the country's policy of forced abortions and sterilizations for women have faced beatings, detainment and imprisonment.

"The season of Lent is a beautiful time to meditate on the gift of freedom we have because of Christ's sacrifice," says Brian Lee, Executive Director of All Girls Allowed. "Our team has chosen to give up a few minutes every day to pray for those still in chains, whether spiritual or physical. Because of the One-Child Policy, girls and mothers are still enslaved."

"For those with a plan, Lent is an exciting time of anticipation and prayer, and this daily guide is a great addition to your devotional time," says Lee. "For those not sure what to give up or how to pray, subscribe to this prayer guide. Challenge yourself to give up time -- a few minutes a day -- and join us to pray for girls and mothers in China!"

All Girls Allowed was founded by Chai Ling, two-time Nobel Peace Prize Nominee and former chief student leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square Democracy Movement. Visitors to AGA's website can send a Baby Shower Gift to ensure a baby girl has a chance at life, sponsor an orphaned girl's education, sign a pledge to support girls' value, and find resources about the One-Child Policy.

WASHINGTON, March 7, 2011/Christian Newswire --

The Expose Planned Parenthood Coalition will host its second webcast tonight (March 7, 20110, beginning at 9:00 (Eastern Time). The goal is to educate and inspire activists throughout the country so the great pressure currently being felt by the Planned Parenthood hierarchy may continue.

Webcast participants will receive the most up-to-date information about what is going on in Washington, D.C., with special emphasis on efforts to keep taxpayer dollars out of the hands of Planned Parenthood. Moreover, participants will be made aware of plans that will continue the great work that is underway.

Featured speakers during the "For Such a Time as This" webcast will include Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, And Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind. Participants will also hear from leaders in the pro-family movement, including:

• Lila Rose of Live Action


• David Bereit of 40 Days for Life


• Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council


• Marilyn Musgrave of the Susan B. Anthony List


• Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life of America


• Wendy Wright of Concerned Women for America


• Abby Johnson, the former Planned Parenthood director and author of Unplanned

From Jill Stanek:MSNBC host Cenk Uygur comments on the Ohio bill that would forbid abortions as soon as a baby's heartbeat can be detected:

Now, we reached out to the fetus to see if he or she wanted to come on the show, but it did not say anything, because it does not have a mouth. But if it could talk, I'm pretty sure it would say, could you please get out of my mother's uterus.

Considering the gravity of the discussion, this is rude at best.

March 1, 2011/LiveAction --

Live Action, the new media pro-life group responsible for recent undercover videos showing Planned Parenthood aiding and abetting child sex trafficking, has teamed up with Students for Life of America, the nation's largest pro-life youth organization, to launch a pro-life YouTube video contest for youth who want show why Congress must de-fund Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider.

The contest is open to all high-school and college-age youth (14 to 25). Video entries must be under 5 minutes long and should explain why Congress must de-fund Planned Parenthood of its $363 million in taxpayer subsidies. The deadline for entry is Monday, March 7th at midnight. The top video will win a $1000 prize, a runner-up will receive $500, and Third Prize will receive a Survivors Pro-Life Training Camp Scholarship ($400 value).

"America's youth see the corruption inside Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry," said Live Action president Lila Rose. "Visual media is a powerful tool to expose the injustice of abortion from Planned Parenthood's aiding and abetting of sex trafficking to its violent destruction of the ultimate victim of abortion, the unborn child. This generation is eager to use visual media to communicate the truth about abortion."

Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America (SFLA), says the contest helps show that America's future is pro-life: "A majority of Americans are now pro-life, and this is in large part because of a new pro-life generation of young people speaking up for the victims of abortion who cannot speak for themselves. This generation will see the end of abortion in America, and they want to get started right now - de-funding Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider. There are simply no excuses why Congress should continue funding Planned Parenthood for a single day longer."

Instructions on how to enter are at Studentsforlife.org and ExposePlannedParenthood.net websites.

Long famous for her aggressive advocacy of abortion, Catholics for a Free Choice founder Frances Kissling surprised a few folks with her op/ed column for the Washington Post last weekend. The reason for the surprise is certainly hinted at by the title of her article: "Abortion Rights Are Under Attack -- Pro-Choice Advocates Are Caught in a Time Warp."

However, Kissling's motives for writing the piece are pretty obvious for those that have followed her well-paying career as a heretic and abortion advocate: 1) She is a sincere and energetic zealot for abortion. And 2) She loves the spotlight. Both motives were served by the article.

True, there were a few of Kissling's colleagues who were ticked off by the article, people like Maryland's former head of NARAL Karyn Strickler, a hardcore enthusiast who has championed partial birth abortion as a good and necessary thing. She interpreted Kissling's criticism of the pro-choice movement as "a total sell-out" that must be rejected. "Under not [sic] circumstances should pro-choice advocates give into the kind of surrender that Kissling champions."

Read the rest here

Update: Petition to Save Baby Joseph

Baby Joseph Maraachli's family has rejected an offer from the London Health Sciences Centre to transfer the young infant boy home and remove the breathing machine there. The family continues to plea with the hospital to give their son a tracheotomy and to let them care for him at home.

Bobby Schindler and Brother Paul O'Donnell, representatives for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network, will be traveling to Canada to advocate for Baby Joseph and his family. They will be joined by Pat Mahoney of Christian Defense Coalition along with human and disability rights groups and faith organizations from Canada and the United States. The following events are planned in support of the family's cause to bring Joseph home to care for him:

• Saturday, March 5th - 12:00-2:00 pm Prayer Gathering, London Health Sciences Centre's Children's Hospital in London, Ontario
• Saturday, March 5th - 4:00-6:00 pm Rally, location to be announced
• Sunday, March 6th - 1:00-3:00 pm Prayer Gathering, London Health Sciences Centre's Children's Hospital in London, Ontario

"Baby Joseph is a frightening example of how vulnerable patients suffer when the dignity of their life is not respected," said Bobby Schindler, spokesperson for the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network. "We urge as many people as possible to join us this weekend to support this family in their effort to simply bring their child home to die naturally."

Last week Bobby Schindler traveled to Canada to meet with Joseph's family and offer the support of the Terri Schiavo Life & Hope Network.

If you have information on a medical facility that would accept baby Joseph on a transfer please call the Life & Hope Network at 1-855-300-HOPE (4673).

From Mark's Blog:

It is easy to understand why America's death merchants go berserk whenever someone shows the graphic images of abortion in public. After all, they are smart enough to know that abortion - like any other form of killing - is a lot easier for the public to stomach if no one sees it but the killer. So they put up this facade of compassion and whine that seeing these pictures could inflict emotional trauma on women who've had abortions.

Unfortunately, a certain number of pro-lifers have even bought into this nonsense and are now imploring the rest of us not to use these pictures. Never mind that graphic images turned public opinion against the Vietnam War. Never mind that, for the last fifty years, graphic images have been distributed worldwide to show the horrors of Nazi Germany. Never mind that they are routinely used to document the realities of slavery, lynching, animal abuse, child abuse, spousal abuse, drunk driving and the list goes on and on.

Read the rest here....

The Tennessean ran a puff piece today complete with talking points from Jeff Teague, the CEO of Middle and East TN Planned Parenthood. I always heard that reporters were lazy and rejected that notion, but today I am rethinking that. Jessica Bliss, the reporter or the "I was told to write the story" answered the phone. I told her I called to ask some questions about sooooo many things in her article that showed that she regurgitated basic talking points given to her and that with just a little checking on her part ...like even from PP's own research and reporting Guttmacher Institute, she could have presented a balanced article. Well hey, she probably thought this is an easy gig and what have you got against an easy assignment??

Especially interesting was when I asked her if she had heard anything about the widespread scandal of PP spanning 11 states including TN that was at least partially responsible for the defunding push.

She said she had heard something about it but not viewed any of the videos. She seemed unaware of this defunding push. I also asked why she posted a pix of recent walk for choice and no coverage of the protest on Valentine's Day at PP. She was unaware of that. Now that is not her fault. The media release that went to the Tennessean who as always ignores it. Hey they don't even cover the large annual Rally for Life.

I asked her how she found people to give an opposing opinion to the PP talking points and she said off of Facebook. Okay?? .......no independent research??....no digging for the facts...no discussing it with anyone who may have this information readily available because they follow this closely?? Just the talking points and Facebook!!?? Duh??? Journalism used to be mean so much more...