in this issue:
hot button issues: PLANNED PARENTHOOD / PRO-LIFE MEMORIAL DAY / SPECIAL EVENT
abortion: CHINA / TILLER
birth control pill: ABORTIFACIENT
planned parenthood: CONNECTICUT / KENTUCKY / OREGON / WISCONSIN
stem cell research / ethical: HEART DISEASE
vaccines: GARDASIL
reminders: LIFE CHAIN SAVING THOSE DAMNED CATHOLICS / ULTRASOUND VIDEO
reflection for prayer: 2 CORINTHIANS 9:8
hot button issues
PLANNED PARENTHOOD: A state prison in Washington refused to deliver a recent American Life League mailing, which referenced a Planned Parenthood endorsed sex education book aimed at children ages 10 and up. The mailing, sent as part of American Life League’s ongoing educational efforts, contained censored versions of pornographic images from the children’s sex education book. ALL’s Jim Sedlak noted, “It is a sad comment that material that is rightfully considered too obscene for criminals is freely distributed to our children.”
Reading: “Planned Parenthood material rejected by prison,” American Life League news release, 8/8/07
PRO-LIFE MEMORIAL DAY: American Life League’s annual day honoring the memory of the babies lost to abortion is October 1. This date is the first Monday in October, the day the U.S. Supreme Court begins its new session.
TO ORDER: The official T-shirt of ALL’s Pro-life Memorial Day 2007 is available online
SPECIAL EVENT: Colorado Right to Life, an American Life League associate group, is holding its annual Light on Life banquet in Denver on September 22. Guest speaker is Phill Kline, former Kansas attorney general, who is noted for his pro-life efforts. For reservations, call 303-753-9394.
Reading: “Light on Life banquet,” Colorado Right to Life
abortion
CHINA: In response to criticism, China is dropping “crude and insensitive slogans” promoting the nation’s one-child policy. The policy itself, however, remains firmly in place.
Reading: “China bans cruel birth control slogans,” Associated Press, 8/5/07
TILLER: The expected not guilty plea was entered on behalf of Kansas abortionist George Tiller, who faces 19 misdemeanor charges related to his late-term abortion practice in Wichita. Tiller is free on his own recognizance, but his facility remains closed. His lawyers say they’ll ask the judge assigned to the case to dismiss all charges.
Reading: “Tiller enters plea ahead of scheduled court hearing,” Kansas City Star, 8/3/07
birth control pill
ABORTIFACIENT: A unique pro-life resource is now available on the internet video service YouTube. Two short videos featuring endocrinologist Maria Kraw explain how the birth control pill can end the life of a newly-created human being in the first critical days after fertilization.
Reading: “Online video: Noted endocrinologist explains how the birth control pill causes abortion,” Life Site News, 8/3/07
Video: “Medical Consequences of Contraception – Part 1,” Dr. Maria Kraw, 5/06 / “Medical Consequences of Contraception – Part 2,” Dr. Maria Kraw, 5/06
planned parenthood
CONNECTICUT: Sexual assault charges have now been filed against the 41-year-old man previously accused of kidnapping a 15-year-old girl. When the girl was freed, she told police she had been taken to Planned Parenthood for an abortion but had not identified the father.
Reading: “Charges added in case of girl found locked in small room,” Stamford Advocate, 8/1/07
KENTUCKY: Wherever you find young people, you’re likely to find Planned Parenthood. Some 1,000 University of Kentucky students, faculty and staff are participating in a huge public service day on August 20, “contributing nearly 5,000 hours in one day of community service to 60 Lexington neighborhoods and social service agencies.” Among the sponsoring organizations: Planned Parenthood of the Bluegrass.
Reading: “Students give back in state’s largest single-day community service project,” University of Kentucky news release, 8/7/07
OREGON: A report about a new Planned Parenthood facility planned for McMinnville shows the organization’s growth tactics. A Planned Parenthood executive said there is a “need” for Planned Parenthood’s services for the area’s low-income population. As for abortion, “Administrators want time to evaluate the region and patient needs before deciding whether to offer abortion services.”
Reading: “City’s lack of services for women lures clinic,” The Oregonian, 8/3/07
WISCONSIN: A Planned Parenthood executive is defending the state’s payments to the organization as economically sound. The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports, “Chris Taylor, public policy director for Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, said it’s fiscally irresponsible to restrict access to family planning services, because it could lead to higher birth costs through Medicaid.” A state budget proposal would direct “family planning” money to county health departments rather than private clinics.
Reading: “Medicaid-paid births on rise,” Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 8/5/07
stem cell research / ethical
HEART DISEASE: Australian scientists report promising results from new procedures that treat heart patients with their own adult stem cells.
Reading: “Revolutionary stem cell treatment for heart disease,” Heartzine, 8/6/07
vaccines
GARDASIL: With much hype, Merck Pharmaceuticals lobbied state legislators to mandate its Gardasil vaccine for pre-teen girls. The company says its vaccine attacks several strains of the HPV virus, which is transmitted sexually. Critics said it would imply to young girls that premarital sex is acceptable. Now researchers say they’ve found evidence the disease can be transmitted through other means.
Reading: “New risks discovered for HPV,” Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 7/31/07
reminders
LIFE CHAIN: Mark your calendars now and check online for a Life Chain in your area. The annual event is scheduled for October 7.
SAVING THOSE DAMNED CATHOLICS: Of Judie Brown’s latest book, one reader writes, “God bless Judie Brown for having the courage to write this book! I wish every bishop could be given a copy to read prayerfully, asking the light of the Holy Spirit to guide and inspire them!”
TO ORDER: “Saving Those Damned Catholics” is available from ALL in hardcover or paperback. Call 866-LET-LIVE or purchase online.
ULTRASOUND VIDEO: “Baby Steps: Live from the womb, 16 stages of pre-birth development,” is an amazing new video from American Life League that many in the pregnancy center movement say is certain to save lives. The video features dramatic 4-D ultrasound images of preborn babies from 8 to 34 weeks development.
TO ORDER: The “Baby Steps” DVD is available from ALL for $9.95 plus shipping and handling. Call 866-LET-LIVE toll-free, or purchase online.
reflection for prayer
2 CORINTHIANS 9:8: God is able to make every grace abundant for you, so that in all things, always having all you need, you may have an abundance for every good work.