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Prolife Groups Plan Three-Day Protest After Dems Take Power

CitizenSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 10:30:00 -0800

Without many of their own in national office, the prolife movement plans to relocate to grassroots activism and street- and abortion clinic-side protests. Beginning Jan. 21, the day after Barack Obama is sworn in, groups will hold a three-day protest in Washington, DC.

Speaking about prochoice gains in Congress and the defeat of various state-ballot measures that would limit abortion, Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, said "The hardline, divisive tactics they've used have been resoundingly rejected. . . . I'd hope some of the folks on the right, if their goal is to reduce the need for abortions, would link arms with us."

But not all those dedicated to the prolife movement are ready to join hands with their previous adversaries. Sean O'Malley, the cardinal-archbishop of Boston, and longtime civil rights activist, is concerned about Obama's record on abortion. To see what strong words he had for Planned Parenthood at the opening of the US Conference of Bishops,

All Abort? Dutch Nonprofit Bypasses Abortion Laws With Boat

LibertySugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 12:15:02 -0700

I've heard of underage drinking and avoiding taxes over international waters, but circumventing abortion laws is a new one. Women on Waves sails to countries where abortion is illegal and provides early-term abortions — legally, thanks to Dutch law, which the ship sails under.

Always a gracious guest, Women on Waves never shows up sans an invite from local women's organizations. And it's latest venture in Spain is no exception. At the request of 33 local organizations, it dropped anchor at a port in Valencia, Spain.

With government initiatives to increase protection for women and doctors performing abortions, it's not surprising Women on Waves chose Spain. Its goal is not simply to provide abortions when they would be otherwise prohibited but also to garner support for legalizing abortion. While Spain decriminalized it in 1985, it's only available in limited cases — up to 12 weeks after rape; up to 22 weeks if the fetus is malformed; and at any time if the women's physical or mental health is jeopardized.

If you ask me this boat doesn't look much safer than a back-room abortion, but I haven't seen the inside. How would you feel if it docked off the US coast?

Source

Law to Require Woman to Look at Baby Right Before Abortion

LibertySugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:00:51 -0700

Starting November 1, doctors in Oklahoma will have to perform ultrasounds and describe what they see to women about to get abortions, within an hour before the procedures. Oklahoma's ultrasound law, which also exists in some form in Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, does not make an exception for victims of rape or incest. One abortion clinic has now filed a lawsuit asking Oklahoma state court to throw the law out.

Multiple concerns add to the complexity of this law. First, many argue that making a woman meet her would-be baby before she terminates the pregnancy is cruel and a violation of her privacy. Also, the high expense of ultrasound machines means clinics unable to afford them will not be able to provide low-income women access to abortions. Finally, some see the law as the legislature replacing doctors because it prohibits a doctor from deciding what is best for the patient.

Do you think it's necessary to legislate extra considerations for a woman about to have an abortion, or should the performance of an ultrasound be left up to the doctor and the woman? Should the state try to get women to change their minds?

Source

Pregnancy-Pact City to Vote on Contraception Pact

LibertySugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:17 -0700

The school board in Gloucester, Massachusetts, the city of pregnancy-pact fame, is set to vote on a plan to distribute contraceptives to students. If passed, the schools and the students could enter a secret-contraception pact without parents knowing — in other words the schools would distribute condoms and such to students without parental consent.

Despite well-publicized rumors that 17 high school girls in the city decided to have children and raise them together, the mayor favors distributing contraceptives only with parental consent.

Most of you think that states should not require a teen to notify her parents before she obtains an abortion. Well, what about preventing pregnancy altogether — should public high schools distribute contraceptives without parents knowing?

Where Do You Stand: Parental Notification For Teen Abortions

LibertySugar — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 13:00:09 -0700

I was flipping through my Official Voter Information Guide the other night and started reading about California's Proposition 4, which involves parental notification for minors' abortions. I took a quick poll of my friends in the room, and they were divided, so I want to know what you all think. The amendment would prohibit abortion for a minor until 48 hours after the doctor notifies a parent or legal guardian. The requirement can be waived if the minor provides, in court, clear and convincing evidence that a waiver is in her best interest. The voter pamphlet included arguments and rebuttals from both sides. Here are some excerpts (emphasis all theirs):

Argument in Favor of Proposition 4: It's time to close the loophole in California law that allows minor girls to be taken for secret chemical or surgical abortions by anyone — even an adult male who impregnated her — WITHOUT THE DOCTOR NOTIFYING ANY FAMILY MEMBER. These predators can even take girls out of school to hide their crimes. . . . Proposition 4 would require doctors to notify a parent or, in case of parental abuse, another adult family member.

Argument Against Proposition 4: A SCARED, PREGNANT TEEN who can't go to her parents can feel trapped and desperate. Instead of seeking the counseling and safe medical care she needs, she MAY CHOOSE AN UNSAFE, BACK ALLEY, ILLEGAL ABORTION, GO ACROSS THE BORDER, OR EVEN CONTEMPLATE SUICIDE. . . . If our daughters couldn't come to us, for whatever reason, the most important thing is keeping them safe. Think about it: she's pregnant, she can't go to her parents, and she's already desperate. She isn't going to go to court to reveal the most intimate details of her life to an unfamiliar judge in a impersonal courthouse.

You can read the full arguments and rebuttals here.Source

Where Do You Stand: Parental Notification For Teen Abortions

For parental notification

Against parental notification

It's complicated. I'll explain in the comments.

Obama Ad: McCain Camp Sleazy, Extreme On Abortion

CitizenSugar — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:45:21 -0700

Obama Ad: McCain Camp Sleazy, Extreme On Abortion Obama is airing a new ad in New Mexico and Ohio that defends his abortion rights record and says Republican rival John McCain backs a party platform that would deny abortions to victims of rape and incest. Obama's ad answers an independent ad campaign, financed by an anti-abortion philanthropist, that singles out Obama's efforts in the Illinois Senate to defeat the Born Alive Infants Protection Act. "Now votes taken out of context, accusing Obama of letting infants die? It's a despicable lie," Obama's ad states.

Briefing Book! Clinton and Planned Parenthood Join Forces

LibertySugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:30:49 -0700

Women's Health: Ideology ahead of science? Hillary Clinton and Cecile Richards urge women to make voices heard about proposed rule from Bush Administration to allow health workers to refuse abortion, contraception, and sterilization. — New York Times
Edwards: Does she have to go away, too? Elizabeth Edwards finally speaks out about husband's infidelity. — Radar
Palin: What do the Clintons and Palin have in common? Mutual respect for each other's political skills. —Townhall
Socialism: We're all socialists now? Republican president announces that government will spend hundreds of billions of dollars to takeover not-insignificant chunk of the economy. — Donklephant
Same-Sex Marriage: Is a religious institution trying to buy an election and change the California Constitution? Large amount of money coming from Utah, along with Mormon neighborhood canvassers, to help pass same-sex marriage ban. — Daily Kos

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Abortion Survivor Sets Sights on Obama: Too Far or Fair Fight?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:00:45 -0700

The 527, BornAliveTruth has unleashed a very pointed attack on Obama's abortion record, specific to the Illinois Born Alive Protection Act. In the ad, abortion survivor Giana Jensen looks straight at the camera and after outlining that Obama failed to oppose a law leaving babies to die after failed abortions, makes an appeal to the Senator saying, "Senator Obama, please support born alive infant protections. I’m living proof these babies have a right to live.” Obama's campaign issued a firm and immediate response to the ad, saying: The recent attacks on Senator Obama that allege he would allow babies born alive to die are outrageous lies. The suggestion that Obama -- the proud father of two little girls -- and others who opposed these bills supported infanticide is deeply offensive and insulting. There is no room for these kinds of distortions and lies in this campaign.

The campaign says Obama voted the way he did because the votes were attempts to undermine Roe v. Wade. The ad will be running in New Mexico and Ohio next week and it's apparently only the first phase of the campaign. Is this a fair criticism of Obama's record made by a strong spokesperson, or misleading politics?

Abortion Survivor Sets Sights on Obama: Too Far or Fair Fight?

Too Far. The "facts" are misleading and the appeal is emotionally manipulative.

Fair fight! What better person to speak out against the direct result of Obama's record!

Other. I'll tell you what I think in the comments.

Briefing Book: Obama Goes on Offensive With Abortion Rights

LibertySugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:30:00 -0700

Abortion: Democrats on the right side of divisive issue? Obama’s new radio ad tells voters McCain “will make abortion illegal” and put the lives and health of women at risk. — Politico
Cindy McCain: How much?! Cindy McCain's Tuesday night $300,000 RNC ensemble. — Politics and Power
RNC Day 4: Are you sad it's almost over? McCain to deliver acceptance speech at 10 p.m. ET, check out full schedule. — AP
Ramadan: Worse when manufacturers of cultural and historical products get replaced by overseas workers? Made-in-China Ramadan lanterns become popular, at the price of traditional Egyptian craftsman. — Shanghaiist
eBay: Just details? Sarah Palin didn't actually sell that Jet on eBay. — Radar
Detroit: Don't let the door hit you on the way out? Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick pleads guilty to felonies, resigns as mayor. — Salon

Source

Laura Ingraham Says, "Yes!" Palin Is Being Treated Differently

CitizenSugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:25:21 -0700

I'm shaking right now, I'm so excited. I just saw Phyllis Schlafly (the political activist known for her best-selling book A Choice, Not An Echo as well as her outspoken opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment) speak at the Republican National Coalition for Life event! And though Gov. Sarah Palin was supposed to speak as well, they had a pretty good pinch hitter — Laura Ingraham. I can't believe I was in the front row. I mean, I did graduate work on the rhetoric of Phyllis Schlafly. Wow.

I have so much to say about the event, what she said, how many times Code Pink made it on stage, how they were sung from the room with "God Bless America" by a bunch of star-spangled Republicans full of love, and how well Phyllis handled it, and I will! Soon! I'm dashing off to the convention hall now, but let's just say everyone in that room today agrees that Gov. Palin is being treated differently because she's a woman — and they're fired up and ready to vote for her all the more.

I'll have more news on the Life event, the Politico panel I went to this morning, the speeches tonight and more coming soon!

Front Page: McCain Set to Announce Palin as VP, Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal, Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion

CitizenSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 08:05:56 -0700

McCain Set to Pick Palin as VP: According to sources close to the campaign, John McCain has picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin to be his running mate. A formal announcement is expected shortly at a campaign rally in Ohio. A 44-year-old mom, Palin flew overnight to an airport in Ohio near Dayton, thought to be awaiting her formal introduction.

Mexico's Court Upholds Abortion:
Mexico's Supreme Court has voted to uphold legal abortion in Mexico City, keeping the city one of only a few places in Latin America that allow abortion without limitations in the first trimester. The Roman Catholic church blasted the 8-3 decision announcing that they will redouble their fight against it.

Iraq Signs $3 Billion Oil Deal:
Iraq has signed a $3 billion oil deal with China, its first oil deal with a foreign country since 2003. The contract is pending approval by the Iraqi cabinet, but if passed work could begin on the oil field in a few months. The 22-year contract is a new version of a 1997 contract with China began under Saddam Hussein.

Source

Mexico's Supreme Court May Overturn Abortion

CitizenSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:00:12 -0700

Today Mexico’s Supreme Court is deliberating on whether or not to overturn the 2007 law that legalized abortion in Mexico City.

Primarily meant to help the city’s poorest women, who had received one too many botched abortions at illegal clinics, the law has been met with unrelenting resistance in the Catholic country. Eighty-five percent of gynecologists have declared themselves conscientious objectors, and hospital staff members have been reported as hostile and demeaning, creating unnecessary impediments for women. At right, a woman lays out pictures of women who received abortions, during a demonstration in support of the law. About 8,000 women took advantage of it last year alone.

To see the problems they're grappling with,

Obama Waffles on Controversial Abortion Record

CitizenSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 14:23:31 -0700

Obama Waffles on Controversial Abortion Record Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is harshly accusing a pro-life group of "lying" about his record on abortion as a Illinois state senator, despite compelling evidence on the pro-lifers' side. Obama made the aggressive attack when Christian Broadcasting Network Senior National Correspondent David Brody asked Obama about documentation the National Right to Life Committee recently obtained of a 2003 committee vote on “born alive” legislation that would have required medical officials to give life-saving care to babies who survived abortion.

Democrats Strongly Support a Woman's Choice to Keep Baby

LibertySugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:15:13 -0700

The 2008 Democratic platform has some new, pro-life-friendly language. The party's 54-page platform, set to be approved in Denver, will have a special section devoted to motherhood. The Democratic Party will make it clear that it "strongly backs a woman's decision to carry a pregnancy to term."

The Democrats don't believe the party's position on abortion has to fall squarely into one camp. The newly-framed abortion stance will be increasingly inclusive: abortion should be legal, but there should also be more programs for expectant mothers who want to keep their babies. A pastor, who identifies as an undecided pro-life Republican, helped the Democrats come up with the platform. He explained the significance like this:

Voters that this will win over are those that are looking for an excuse to vote for Obama.They just needed one signal that, if I vote for him, more babies can be saved than if we keep wrangling over whether Roe v. Wade is going to be overturned.

Meanwhile, John McCain has alarmed his base by suggesting he would pick a pro-choice VP. Do you think the Democrat's new platform makes room for Americans who oppose abortion, but want to support Obama for other reasons?

Source

State Ballot Initiatives Could Influence Presidential Campaign

LibertySugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 12:15:19 -0700

Controversial state law initiatives, set to appear on this November's ballot, could influence the debate throughout the presidential campaign, and provide national voters various litmus tests by which to judge the candidates. Research shows that initiatives do not increase turnout, but the measures are prompting Barack Obama and John McCain to take positions on hot-button issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, affirmative action, labor rights, and energy. Here is a roundup of some of the most divisive initiatives:

Abortion: South Dakota will consider banning abortion except in cases of rape, incest, or threats to a woman’s health. California will vote on parental notification (for the third time). Colorado voters will decide whether to define a “person” as “any human being from the moment of fertilization.”
Same-sex marriage: In Arizona, California, and Florida, voters will decide whether to amend the state constitutions and define marriage as between one man and one woman, like 27 other states have. McCain endorsed the proposal, while Obama says he opposes the ban.
Affirmative Action: Arizona, Colorado, and Nebraska will consider banning affirmative action, as California, Michigan and Washington have. McCain supports the ban, although in 1998 he opposed something similar. Obama opposes a ban.

To find out what voters will decide about labor and energy,

Should Contraception Be Considered Abortion?

LibertySugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:45:07 -0700

Right now Church and State aren't looking so separate in the US. Both the Catholic Church's opposition to birth control as well as the Bush Administration's similar attempt to limit access to contraception by defining it as abortion, have been openly criticized this week by contraception advocates. An open letter, written by over 50 international Catholic dissent groups, asks the Pope to lift the Church's ban on birth control. Taking out an ad in an Italian newspaper, the groups point to the important role contraception plays in the fight against AIDS, especially in poor countries. But the plea fell on deaf ears, as the Vatican quickly denounced the ad as propaganda, adding that condom policies have failed to fight AIDS.Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton wrote an open letter to her supporters, hoping to raise awareness about Bush's plan to put "ideology before science and women's health." Clinton explains that the Department of Health and Human Services wants to make it harder for women to access common forms of contraception like birth control pills, emergency contraception, and IUDs by labeling them "abortion." Proposed regulations would allow healthcare providers to refuse to provide contraception to women who need it, disproportionately impacting uninsured and low-income Americans. Source

Should Contraception Be Considered Abortion?

Absolutely! Contraception facilitates the attitudes that lead to abortion.

No! Widespread contraception is the most effective way to prevent abortion.

Maybe. If the method prevents a newly conceived embryo from implanting in the womb.

Other. I'll tell you in the comments.

Sherri Shepherd: I "Had More Abortions Than I Would Like to Count"

CitizenSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:10:10 -0700

Sherri Shepherd: I "Had More Abortions Than I Would Like to Count" Sherri Shepherd might have a hard time attracting men at the club these days, but before she converted to Christianity, she led a promiscuous lifestyle. She told the black Christian women's magazine Precious Times: "I was sleeping with a lot of guys and had more abortions than I would like to count. I had very low self-esteem and just wanted to die. I felt if someone killed me, it wouldn't even make a difference. But God showed me that it would make a difference."

Bush Says No Funding For Hospitals Who Deny Pro-life Staff

LibertySugar — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0700

The Bush Administration wants any recipient of federal money given through the Department of Health and Human Services to sign a certification that they will not refuse to hire nurses or other healthcare providers who morally object to abortion or even certain forms of birth control, perhaps including the pill and emergency contraception like Plan B.

The plan would cover hospitals, clinics, researchers, medical schools, and state and local governments. The department's proposal said federal money must not "support morally coercive or discriminatory practices or policies in violation of federal law," which it says ensures that doctors, hospitals, and health plans cannot be forced to preform abortions. For more, including how it could impact rape victims,

Christian Group Wants Obama To Be Known As "The Abortion President"

CitizenSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:55:28 -0700

Christian Group Wants Obama To Be Known As "The Abortion President" The Christian Defense Coalition, who are known to shock folks from time to time, have come up with a new campaign called: "Barack Obama: The Abortion President." They are going to make clear that Obama wants taxpayers to foot the bill on abortions. They are also going to lay bare his record on abortion. They'll conduct a news conference Tuesday in front of the Hart Senate Office Building where Obama's Senate office is located.

Groups Oppose Abortion for 11-year-old in Romania

CitizenSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:55:14 -0700

Groups Oppose Abortion For 11-Year-Old in Romania Twenty church groups on Thursday urged a government committee not to allow an 11-year-old girl who was raped by her uncle to go to Britain for an abortion. The antiabortion Christian Orthodox groups also threatened to press charges if the girl were allowed to have a termination in Romania. Their position was in contrast to the official stand of the Romanian Orthodox Church, which said the decision should be left to the girl's family.

Female Bouncer Crashing India's Boys Club

LibertySugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:06 -0700

The city of Chandigarh, located in India's Punjab region, has its first female nightclub bouncer, and patrons love her. Twenty-two-year-old Amandeep Kaur, a newscaster by day and bouncer by night, is a rarity in Punjab — a male-dominated society with a disproportionate number of men compared to women. Amandeep didn't take no for an answer, when staff told her only men need apply. Now, to the surprise of her friends and family, she frisks beautiful woman patrons of the local hotspot Score, making everyone feel much safer.

An overall gender disparity crisis faces India today. Aborting female fetuses has become a widespread phenomenon. Recently, India's prime minister called the practice a "national shame." It is illegal in India for doctors to disclose the sex of an unborn baby to the parents; but the law goes generally unenforced.

Will women like Amandeep, determined to break gender stereotypes, help end India's serious, and sometimes fatal, discrimination? Or will traditions, like requiring a daughter's parents to give the son-in-law a large dowry (making a daughter a financial liability), need to change before women receive equal treatment?

Source

Citizens Start Grand Jury Investigation of Abortion Doctor

LibertySugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:28 -0700

Thanks to an 1887 law, pro-life Kansans have circumvented their prosecutors and called a grand jury to investigate a doctor they accuse of providing late-term abortions for three decades.

The dusty state statute only asks ordinary citizens to gather enough signatures, before they call a grand jury to investigate an alleged crime. A 15-member grand jury is now investigating Dr. George Tiller, thanks to the prosecutor-not-needed mechanism.

Active citizens have begun to use the statute, long ignored, to investigate abortion clinics, as well as stores selling explicit videos and magazines. Leaving polarizing issues like abortion aside, I could imagine this law invigorating citizens to get involved in their community and set an agenda that may differ from the prosecutors. Of course, civically active individuals don't always accurately represent the community as a whole.

Should communities reserve this sort of people's justice for only the most necessary cases, like government corruption and abuse of power? What sort of reaction would citizens have if politicians tried to repeal the statute?

Baby Survives Abortion, Living Healthy Life

LibertySugar — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

A baby thought to be terminated eight weeks into the pregnancy has survived. The parents are an English couple who chose to have an abortion because their first son had died from a kidney disease, and their second was born with serious kidney damage and is currently living with one kidney.

Jodie, the mother, says that she was taking birth control when she became pregnant with Finley. After the abortion procedure, she felt flutters in her stomach and returned to the doctor to find out she was in fact 19 weeks pregnant.

Because the abortion happened so early in the pregnancy, and the fetus was so small, the doctors missed it. At first Jodie was angry, but she decided to give her son a second chance at life.

The baby was born with minor kidney damage, and is expected to live a normal life. Finley truly has some determination to live — considering he beat out birth control and an abortion. Is this story a miracle, or a tragedy?

Source

Whose Message Is Planned Parenthood Looking to Abort?

CitizenSugar — Sun, 11 May 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Sometimes Liberty and I get tired of listening to ourselves talk — luckily there are a lot of smart folks running around Sugar HQ. Colleenb just blogged about her complicated relationship with Planned Parenthood and who they're out to get in this campaign. Take a peek and see what she had to say:

Young women love to love Planned Parenthood; I hate to hate it. But I do. Sort of. I feel terrible about it.

I find them so brazenly one-sided — and I agree with them! I've donated money. I've been an postabortion counselor. I even open their emails. With subjects like "I [Heart] My Cervix," wouldn't you? And now I am getting real mail. They just sent me my latest assignment in the course of being a uterus owner: Ensure America knows John McCain's position on women's health.

Of course, in the language of progressive politics, "women's health" roughly translates to "will I still be able to get an abortion? Legally." So where does John McCain stand?

To find out,

Legal or Not, Italian Doctors Say No to Abortion

LibertySugar — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 10:00:49 -0700

Nearly 70 percent of Italian gynecologists refuse to perform abortions. Taking refuge in the "conscientious objection" clause of the abortion law, doctors are increasingly denying abortions, making it difficult for women to find a provider.

Abortion has been legal in Italy since 1978; but there has been a recent surge in doctors refusing to conduct them. Between 2003 and 2007, the percent refusing rose from 58.7 percent to 69.2 percent. Around Naples the number is 83 percent, and in Sicily 84.2 percent.

Between 2006 and 2007, the number of legal abortions decreased 3 percent to 127,000, and illegal abortions also went down to around 15,000.

The Vatican, a strong political force in Italy, loudly opposes abortion. According to estimates, around 87 percent of Italians identify as Roman Catholics; but only 36 percent are practicing.

Does the morality clause significantly compromise the law legalizing abortion? What do you think is behind the recent surge in "conscientious" doctors? What sort of pressure does it put on the doctors that do provide the legal procedure?

Source

MLK Jr's Niece Says Planned Parenthood Is "Black Genocide"

CitizenSugar — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 15:45:47 -0700

Dr. Alveda King is among a group of prolife black leaders demanding an end to federal funding for Planned Parenthood citing what she calls Planned Parenthood's "racist agenda." Here's what she said:

Planned Parenthood is definitely a racist organization — they have a racist agenda. Since 1970, there has been something like 50 million abortions. About 17 million of those have been blacks. It's black genocide. They are killing our people and fooling us.

She went on to say:

There are more Planned Parenthood clinics in black neighborhoods, because there is an artificial demand, which was created by Planned Parenthood. We were told by Planned Parenthood that abortion, which is actually murder, is therapeutic.

Stemming from the investigation of an incident where a UCLA publication successfully donated money to Planned Parenthood to be earmarked for black abortions, last month the National Black Pro-Life Union (which includes King for America and is led by King) sent letters to organizations including the NAACP, the ACLU, and members of Congress calling for termination of federal funding of Planned Parenthood. The government funding currently exceeds $300 million a year.

The issue could be personal for King as well. To see how,

On the Newsstand: Evangelical Minister is Pro-Choice

LibertySugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 10:00:24 -0700

Americans have been having the same abortion debate for decades. But, the latest issue of Newsweek profiled an Evangelical minister with an unlikely position. Minister Adam Hamilton thinks abortion should be legal and available, and that it might actually be necessary in rare situations.

In his book "Seeing Gray in a World of Black and White" Hamilton explains that as a Christian minister his duty is to support people no matter what they chose. He urges passionate pro-choice and pro-life supporters to unite around common ground, and work together to decrease the number of abortions. To see how this issue affects him very personally,

Government-Funded Health Website Blocks Abortion Info

CitizenSugar — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:00:18 -0700

A US government-funded medical information site that calls itself as the world's largest database on reproductive health has secretly begun to block searches on the word "abortion," hiding the nearly 25,000 search results available. People heading to the site looking for information would be hit with this exchange:

Search: Abortion
Answer: No records found by latest query.

The site is run by Johns Hopkins University and funded by USAID, a federal office that provides health-care funding to developing nations. In 2001 President Bush revived a Reagan-era policy that denies funding to nongovernmental organizations that perform abortions or "actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations."

Info seekers can learn all about "Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy-Induced Hepatotoxicity among Ethiopian HIV-Positive and Negative Patients," with a quick click, but will have to preform complicated search engine gymnastics to try to access the abortion information (Try entering terms like: Fertility Control, Postconception.) To see the reason behind the censorship,

Supreme Court Says Abortions in Jail, A-OK!

LibertySugar — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:00:47 -0700

Yesterday, the US Supreme Court chose to allow prisoners to receive abortions. By rejecting an appeal, the Supreme Court let stand the Arizona court ruling that pregnant inmates have a constitutional right to be transported to abortion sites.

The ACLU sued an Arizona county sheriff for refusing to drive pregnant inmates to get abortions, unless the inmates obtained a court order. The ACLU argued that a woman in prison does not lose her right to an abortion any more than she gives up her right to have a child.

Behind the sheriff's policy was an Arizona law that prohibits spending public funds on non-life saving abortions. The Arizona court said that because zero tax money was spent on the actual abortion procedure, the transport did not violate the law.

Do you think the Supreme Court is leaning pro-choice, or is the Court just waiting to overturn Roe v. Wade with a broader case?

Source

Headline: Ron Paul Heats Up Anti-abortion Rally

CitizenSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:00:40 -0800

At an anti-abortion rally yesterday in DC marking the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision, presidential candidate Ron Paul caught in a YouTube video, said the following,

The Constitution protects all life. Unless we resolve this tremendous moral dilemma, just think, today, a baby, one minute before life, deserves protection, and one minute after life, we still pretend it's called murder.

This revelation coincides with a big, perhaps surprising, endorsement for Ron Paul, from "Roe," now a staunch abortion opponent, named in the decision Roe v. Wade. In her endorsement, "Roe" (real name Norma McCorvey) said,

I support Ron Paul for president because we share the same goal, that of overturning Roe v. Wade. He has never wavered."

The endorsement sparked varied reactions from Paul supporters, as many are drawn to the candidate because of his positions against the Iraq War and favor of civil liberties, but may not be aware of the candidates stance on social issues like abortion.

Source