Politics
Friday January 6, 2006
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Print- Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Has over 800 Centers Across U.S.
- Conservative Leader does Second 'Christmas' Greeting None from Liberal PM
- Campaign Life Coalition Canadian Election 2006 Web Page Available This Monday
- Ontario Library Promotes Homosexuality, Installs Syringe Disposal Units
- Indiana Bill would Make Abortion Illegal
- Priest Announces During Mass He is Gay and leaving Priesthood for "Loving Relationship"
- Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down School Choice
- Screening IVF Babies For Defects Poised to Leap to Whole New Level
- Blind Chinese Activist Beaten by Government Thugs While Under House Arrest
- Study finds U.S. High School Seniors Oppose Abortion but Support Homosexual "Marriage"
Planned Parenthood Abortion Business Has over 800 Centers Across U.S.
TODAY'S HEADLINES
WASHINGTON, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - "Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion chain, continues to push its abortion agenda through a network of more than 800 facilities nationwide," said Jim Sedlak, executive director of American Life League's STOPP International. "An exclusive new survey of all Planned Parenthood facilities in the United States reveals that the controversial abortion organization now operates 173 surgical abortion centers, 57 additional medical abortion facilities, and 595 other locations that distribute products that cause early chemical abortions."
The new report, which can be viewed on the STOPP web site, also demonstrates that 30 percent of Planned Parenthood's 825 full-service clinics are located in three states: California, New York and Texas. "The high Latino population in these states," says Sedlak, "gives a clear picture of Planned Parenthood's current target market. Since its founding in 1916, Planned Parenthood has focused its efforts and programs on minorities. From its 'Negro Project' of the 1930s to today, we see evidence that the abortion chain works hard to prevent and limit the births of minority children."
Sedlak says that one of the surprises in this year's survey was the growing number of Planned Parenthood "express clinics." Planned Parenthood websites describe these facilities by stating, "At an express health center, clients who are short on time and do not require a table examination can quickly pick up their birth control medication or get contraceptive advice."
"It appears that these express clinics serve as storefront operations where Planned Parenthood can sell its most profitable items with the least amount of overhead," said Sedlak. "Our research shows that Planned Parenthood sells a monthly supply of birth control pills for anywhere from $16 to $25, but pays just $1.50 for them. That's killer profit.
"STOPP's newest study clearly exposes Planned Parenthood's true agenda: making millions of dollars by selling sex and killing children," said Sedlak.
See the report online here:
http://www.all.org/stopp/plan2.htm
Back to TopConservative Leader does Second 'Christmas' Greeting None from Liberal PM
Still No Christmas Greeting Whatsoever from Liberal PM
By Terry Vanderheyden
OTTAWA, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Conservative leader Stephen Harper sent out a second official Christmas greeting to Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic Christians in advance of their celebration of Christmas tomorrow; Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin has yet to wish anyone Merry Christmas meanwhile.
“Many Canadian families of Orthodox and Eastern Rite Catholic faith will be celebrating Christmas on January 7th,” Harper said in a release today. “Christmas is a time to visit with family and friends, to observe rich cultural traditions, and most importantly, to celebrate the birth of Christ. It is a joyful time, and it is a time for pause and reflection.”
“As Canadians, we are all fortunate to live in a country in which the beautiful traditional observances of Eastern Christianity – traditions which date back to the very beginnings of the Christian faith – flourish so proudly,” stated Harper.
“On behalf of my wife Laureen and the Conservative Party of Canada, I would like to wish peace, health, and happiness to all Canadians who are celebrating Christmas this weekend. Merry Christmas!”
Martin, meanwhile, addressed Canadians with a generic “Holiday Message” last month, never once mentioning Christmas – a Christian holiday celebrated by an overwhelming majority of Canadians.
Campaign Life Coalition Canadian Election 2006 Web Page Available This Monday
January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Campaign Life Coalition Election 2006 Web page with the Canadian national pro-life organization’s evaluations of candidates and articles related to the life and family and other aspects of the election will be available this coming Monday.
The national pro-life organization has been working hard to assist pro-life Canadian voters with the information they need to cast a truly informed ballot this election. CLC will present voters with the records and other relevant information on incumbent MPs running again as well as questionnaire responses from MPs and many other candidates in the election.
Also related to the election, the special Election 2006 Edition of The Interim newspaper, Canada’s national pro-life, pro-family newspaper is now on line.
Look for a link to the Election 2006 page on LifeSiteNews.com on Monday.
See The Interim’s Election Issue at
http://www.theinterim.com/2006/jan/index.html
Ontario Library Promotes Homosexuality, Installs Syringe Disposal Units
By Gudrun Schultz
LONDON, Ontario, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The London Public Library responded to drug use in its Central branch by installing needle disposal units in convenient locations.
The library also offers information promoting homosexuality, both in literature and on their website.
Disposal units were installed in the library, in the men’s public washrooms, during December 2005. Library staff was finding used needles plugging the drains, on the floor and in the sanitary napkin disposal units.
Louis Dillon, who uses the library regularly, told the London Free Press he’s afraid the disposal units could act as a magnet for drug addicts.
“I know there is a public health issue, but I don’t think the public library is the place for this. There are too many children,” Dillon said.
The library offers numerous programs for children six years and older that do not require the presence of a parent or caregiver. Library staff offer supervision.
The taxpayer funded facility has recently been criticized for advocating the homosexual lifestyle with publications and displayed material. Vito Norejko, a library patron, wrote a letter to chief executive officer Anne Baker yesterday, objecting to the use of promotional material on gay, lesbian and bisexual literature and asking that it be categorized as “for adults only” to ensure children and youth do not have access to it.
In fact, the library’s website promotes and encourages homosexuality among teenagers.
The “teen zone” section of the library’s website offers teenagers resources on sexuality. Of the eight sites listed, four actively encourage the homosexual lifestyle.
One suggested resource is SpiderBytes, a teen sex education site. The site contains extensive information on homosexuality and encourages same-sex experimentation, telling teens to “remind yourself that same-sex experiences are normal for everyone.”
The site also offers detailed information on dealing with teen pregnancy through abortion and contains incorrect and misleading information on abortion procedures. It states that surgical procedures take 10 to 15 minutes, and involve the use of “gentle suction.”
In fact, such procedures involve the use of suction force 29 times stronger than that of a vacuum cleaner.
http://www.lifesite.net/abortiontypes/
To Contact the Mayor and City Council members to express concerns see
http://www.london.ca/_private/CityCouncil/CityCouncil.htm
To express concerns to the London Public Library, go to:
http://www.londonpubliclibrary.ca/static/85
Send mail to:
Ms. Anne Becker
Chief Executive Officer
London Public Library
251 Dundas Street
London ON N6A 6H9
Phone:
519-661-4600
Indiana Bill would Make Abortion Illegal
By Terry Vanderheyden
INDIANAPOLIS, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Illinois State Republican Troy Woodruff introduced a bill into the House there Wednesday that proposes to make abortion illegal.
Woodruff said he hopes the bill will go to committee; if passed the bill would no doubt be repealed by the courts, at which point, Woodruff said the law could go to the Supreme Court, where Roe v. Wade has not yet been challenged by the court’s new members.
“Also the people have never had an opportunity (through their representatives) to vote on the matter,” he said, as reported by the Evansville Courier & Press. The new law proposes to make abortion a Class C felony, which carries a two- to eight-year prison sentence. Woodruff added an exception for women whose pregnancy posed a risk of “substantial permanent impairment of the life or physical health of the pregnant woman.”
Chairman of the House Public Policy and Veterans Affairs Committee Marlin Stutzman said that, although “The bill is very close to my heart,” he was unsure if he would be able to schedule a hearing for the issue.
Americans United for Life ranked Indiana as 25th in the US last year for its record on life issues, according to its 2004 State Pro-Life Report Cards. The state lost points for a Supreme Court ruling in 2003 that mandated that taxpayers pay for abortions when a pregnancy creates a “serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.”
See the Americans United for Life web site:
http://www.unitedforlife.org/report_cards/report_card_intro.htm
Priest Announces During Mass He is Gay and leaving Priesthood for "Loving Relationship"
Bishop has been aware of Gale's situation for at least 2 years yet kept him in parish and refuses to criticize
By John-Henry Westen and Hilary White
MARATHON, ON, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The pastor of Holy Saviour Catholic parish in Marathon, Ontario, Rev. Scott Gale, announced to his parishioners during Masses on New Years day that he is a homosexual and can no longer stand the Church's requirement that he remain celibate. Citing his "longing for a loving relationship," Gale told his parishioners that he was quitting. "It has become increasingly difficult for me to be an official representative of a Church which does not accept and value my sexual orientation," he said reading from a 2 page letter.
Strangely, Fr. Gale has remained in his post since his announcement and is to say his last Mass this Sunday, his last day at "work." This despite the fact that local Bishop Fred Colli has been aware Rev. Gale's decision for quite some time.
According to the local paper, the Bishop gave the priest permission to tell the congregation of his decision. The Chronicle Herald reports that prior to making the announcement, Rev. Gale got permission from Thunder Bay Diocese Bishop Fred Colli who, however, advised that Gale not include too many personal details. "Not everyone who goes to church with their families wants to hear about that," Colli said.
The Bishop added: "I admire (Gale) for having the courage to say, 'This is who I am.'" The Bishop, the paper reports, also said that Gale could have remained an active priest as a gay man if he reaffirmed his commitment to celibacy.
Dr. John Shea of the Canadian Catholic Bioethics Institute took issue with the Bishop's statement. "The priest did not say who he was, but rather that he intended to live an immoral lifestyle," said Dr. Shea. "The bishop seems to be unaware of the fact that by saying he admires the actions of Fr. Gale, he is condoning the homosexual lifestyle."
However, Bishop Colli has been aware for at least a few years about the problems with Fr. Gale. In August 2003, LifeSiteNews.com reported that Gale had allowed the Toronto Star - Canada's most widely circulated newspaper - to publish a homily in which he excoriated Church teaching on human sexuality. (see the LifeSiteNews.com coverage: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/aug/03082502.html ) Rev. Gale said then that he hoped for a "re-examination of the Church's attitudes regarding homosexuality and those persons with a homosexual orientation." LifeSiteNews.com readers at the time expressed concerns to Bishop Colli regarding Fr. Gale.
Reacting to local media about the 2003 scandal, Bishop Colli said, "I'm not a controversial bishop. I try to see the good in others. I'm not going to overreact."
In answer to a request for a comment on the current controversy, LifeSiteNews.com was sent a statement from Bishop Colli which said in part, "I know that some might see this as an important event. As far as I am concerned, this issue is about a priest who has asked his bishop to relieve him of his duties and responsibilities as a priest, by accepting his resignation, so he can pursue a lifestyle that he feels is important for him." Bishop Colli added, "I have accepted his decision to resign and I sincerely hope that he will find the happiness and peace he is looking for in his life."
Dr. Shea, commented that "With his statements, the bishop seems to be facilitating the spiritual, physical and psychological harm for the poor man." Dr. Shea, a medical doctor, added, "Apart from the moral issues, the bishop's advice is quite likely to lead to illness and perhaps death, since the homosexual lifestyle is well known to contribute to sexually transmitted infection." The message that Fr. Gale needs to receive, says Dr. Shea, is that "You can't find happiness and peace if you are leading a sinful life."
The recent Vatican document on homosexuality and the priesthood states explicitly that homosexuality is gravely sinful. Such acts it says, are considered "intrinsically immoral" and "under no circumstance can they be approved." The document stated that men "who practise homosexuality, present deep-seated homosexual tendencies or support the so-called 'gay culture'" may not be ordained priests. (see the document: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccatheduc/documents/rc_con_ccath... )
To express concerns:
The Most Rev. Luigi Ventura, Apostolic Nuncio
724 Manor Ave.
Ottawa, ON K1M 0E3
Phone: (613) 746-4914
FAX: (613) 746-4786
Bishop Fred Colli:
1222 Reaume Street, Postal Box 10400 Thunder Bay, Ontario, P7B 6T8,
(807) 343-9313, Fax: (807) 343-9114
Read coverage in the Chronicle Journal: http://www.chroniclejournal.com/thunderbay/publish/article_3027.php
Florida Supreme Court Strikes Down School Choice
TALLAHASSEE, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a major blow to education reform in Florida yesterday, the Florida Supreme Court struck down the state's Opportunity Scholarship program, the nation's first state-wide school choice program. For six years, Opportunity Scholarships have enabled families to opt out of failing public schools and into better-performing public or private schools.
The Court ruled in an opinion drafted by Chief Justice Barbara Pariente that Opportunity Scholarships violate the Florida Constitution's "uniformity" clause, which guarantees all Florida students a "uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools." The Court declined to rule on a separate claim by teachers' unions and other school choice opponents that Opportunity Scholarships violate the state Constitution's Blaine Amendment.
The 5-2 ruling could force hundreds of mostly minority students out of the private schools of their choice and back into the failing public schools they left. As of last school year, African-Americans and Hispanics made up 95 percent of Opportunity Scholarship recipients. The Court is allowing the scholarships to continue throughout this academic year only.
"This ruling is a serious blow to equal educational opportunity and the schoolchildren of Florida," said Institute for Justice Senior Attorney Clark Neily, who helped argue the case before the state's High Court. "We are reviewing our legal options and will work swiftly toward a solution to keep Opportunity Scholarship children in their schools."
The Institute for Justice, the nation's leading legal advocate for school choice, represents families using Opportunity Scholarships.
"Nothing in today's unfortunate decision will stop the nationwide march toward greater educational opportunity," said IJ President and General Counsel Chip Mellor. "Just this past year, new school choice programs were passed in Utah and Ohio, and programs in Milwaukee, Cleveland, the District of Columbia, Arizona and Pennsylvania continue to flourish. That progress will continue. Because today's ruling was based on a narrow provision of the state Constitution, its effects are limited to Florida."
In a stinging dissent, Justice Kenneth Bell wrote, "This ruling is such a radical departure from Florida precedent and common sense that the opinion appears both nakedly political."
"There's nothing left to do now, but to fight to save school choice however we can," said Angela Mack, a mother of six in Miami with two children using Opportunity Scholarships to attend the well-regarded Lincoln-Marti school. "My kids would be devastated without these scholarships. They will not go back to the public school they left. If they can't finish school at Lincoln-Marti, they will drop out."
See the full ruling online:
http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/pub_info/summaries/briefs/04/04-2323/Filed_01...
Screening IVF Babies For Defects Poised to Leap to Whole New Level
Children identified with potential to develop particular disease usually aborted
By Gudrun Schultz
GREAT BRITAIN, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) –Screening unborn babies for birth defects is poised to leap to a whole new level. Research by British scientists suggests it will soon be possible to screen human embryos for thousands of genetic disorders.
In most cases, current screening techniques are carried out on babies conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF), before the child is implanted in the womb. In such cases, a child carrying a recognized genetic disorder is “discarded.”
The new procedure builds upon existing methods of testing babies, conceived in vitro, for disease before they are implanted in the womb. These advances in genetic screening are limited to children conceived through IVF techniques.
A study issued by the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows improved estimates of birth defect frequencies in the U.S. population. The study has provided more accurate estimates of the rates of 18 major birth defects.
While the study states that the purpose of improving estimate accuracy is to help prevent birth defects, in fact pre-natal screening for disorders usually results in death by abortion for the children who are identified with the potential to develop a particular disease. In the U.S. 90% of all children with Down’s syndrome are aborted. In Canada the number is 85%.
While present testing methods have been able to identify close to 150 disorders, there are about 6,000 disorders caused by single-gene mutations that could potentially be identified with new technology. Currently, scientists can only test for known variations of genetic mutations, such as cystic fibrosis, and then only if the particular strain has been previously identified.
Having a genetic potential for a certain disease in no way means certain development of the disorder. Many people in full health carry in their genes potential for disease that never develops.
Research has shown that IVF babies have a dramatically increased likelihood of carrying birth defects. Recent studies from the United States, Finland and Australia, to name a few, show as high as 40% incidence of genetic disorders in IVF babies.
In October 2005, Health Canada spokesman Bill Maga said the department plans to introduce genetic screening to IVF clinics in May 2006.
The New Eugenics: Latest Advance in Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis Extolled
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2004/jan/04012910.html
Genetic Screening of Embryos to be “Regulated” by Health Canada
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/oct/05100504.html
42% of IVF Ova Carry Genetic Abnormalities New Studies Show
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/oct/05101905.html
Blind Chinese Activist Beaten by Government Thugs While Under House Arrest
By Hilary White
DONGSHIGU, January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Chen Guangcheng, the lawyer who has been under house arrest since September for exposing forced abortion and infanticide in his home province, was beaten by club-weilding thugs outside his home.
“China is lawless,” the blind 34-year-old activist told Reuters by telephone. “They're worried I will expose more of their crimes.”
Chen has been confined to his home in Dongshigu, a farming village in Shandong province, with up to 30 club-wielding men - believed to have been hired by local authorities - stationed outside the door, since September 6. Reuters news agency reports that only Chen’s older brother is allowed to visit him and he and his wife have been denied medical treatment.
Chen has been confined to his house and his communications with the outside world have been curtailed. His phone line has been cut and Reuters said that only a power failure made it possible for Chen to communicate with them by cell phone on Friday. Government authorities normally have his mobile phone jammed.
Study finds U.S. High School Seniors Oppose Abortion but Support Homosexual "Marriage"
By Hilary White
CLINTON, N.Y., January 6, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - According to a national poll, U.S. high school seniors regard abortion as morally wrong but have little objection to giving homosexual unions legal equivalence to normal marriage. The majority of the senior graduating class this year will be eligible to vote by November 2006.
Hamilton College Sociology Professor Dennis Gilbert and his students conducted the national Youth Hot Button Issues Poll. They found that of one thousand high school seniors, three-quarters favor legal recognition of same-sex relationships, either as marriage or civil union and 63 percent would allow homosexual partners to adopt children.
Though the majority polled said that even a woman who is poor and unable to bear the financial burden of childrearing should not have a legal right to abortion, 60% said that the Supreme Court should preserve the Roe v. Wade decision that made abortion legal.
Two thirds of those polled said parental consent should be required for girls under age 18 seeking abortions and 70% of girls polled said they would not consider abortion if they became pregnant while in high school.
The poll, which has a margin for error of 3%, was conducted in conjunction with Zogby International and was funded by the Clinton, New York College’s Arthur Levitt Public Affairs Center.
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