Townhall.com::The beatitudes of Rick Santorum::By Kathleen Parker

Kathleen Parker writes:
"Santorum, in other words, is one of those rare politicians who puts his money where his mouth is -- even though his usual supporters turn on him as a result. ..... If Santorum is ``too Catholic,'' he has company in his opponent, who is also a Catholic and a near-mirror image of Santorum on most of the hot-button issues. (Sue Cirba: Keep in mind folks Kathleen Parker is a member ofthe very liberal Washington Post Writer's Group...and is trying to make Casey and Santorum seem identical)

Parker Continues: Both men are pro-life and both oppose same-sex marriage, though Casey allows some slight variations. ...both support the legal protection for human life from conception, and both want to see Roe v. Wade overturned." To read the article:
Townhall.com::The beatitudes of Rick Santorum::By Kathleen Parker:

Townhall.com::The beatitudes of Rick Santorum::By Kathleen Parker and Comments:

Sue Cirba writes: "Nice try with the Casey-whitewash Kathleen, but a chasm the size of the Grand Canyon separates the two. Yes, Senator Santorum has “put his money where his mouth is” by sponsoring, co-sponsoring and promoting pro-life legislation. Santorum’s successes include The Unborn Victims of Violence Act (also know as the Lacy and Connor Law) and the Born-Alive Infants Protection Act to prevent infanticide. The brightest jewel in the crown of Santorum’s pro-life successes, is the hard-fought and won, Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act. It will end the inhuman practice of brutally aborting a viable infant who has been partially delivered. These are but a few of Santorum’s pro-life efforts.

Casey, with no pro-life legislation to his credit will likely never have any. Casey has said abortion would not be his focus in Congress. (Carrie Budoff, Unlikely Allies are Sizing Up Casey', The Philadelphia Inquirer, July 3, 2005.)" To read Mrs. Cirba's letter go to Kathleen Parker article and the comments which follow it.
Townhall.com::The beatitudes of Rick Santorum::By Kathleen Parker:

Santorum totes empty chair to debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

With less than seven weeks before the election, readers mauy be interested in articles from newspapers around the state on the two top races in Pa. Here is a sampling from this week:

"Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum carried a chair with him into the debate to emphasize his opponent's absence. Santorum answered questions for 45 minutes from '60 Minutes' co-editor Lesley Stahl during the debate in Hershey, Dauphin County, shown live on the Pennsylvania Cable Network. To read more : santorum totes empty chair to debate - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

Rendell, Swann spar over pay raises : The Morning Call Online

The Allentown Morning call reports on a debate between Rendell and Swann while Casey "has been turning down nearly all offers to appear with Santorum.".... "After his appearance, Santorum accused Casey of insulting state voters by skipping the events. ''We've not had one joint appearance before the voters of Pennsylvania,'' he said of an election that is ''one of vital importance to the country and the state.''

Casey has been turning down nearly all offers to appear with Santorum. Like Rendell and Swann, Casey and Santorum also plan two televised debates: one Oct. 12 in Pittsburgh and another Oct. 16 in Philadelphia." Rendell, Swann spar over pay raises : The Morning Call Online:

Times Leader | 09/28/2006 | Casey’s campaign tactics are sleazy, stance hypocritical

While this is not an article about a pro-life issue, it exposes casey's "values" or lack thereof,

"I just saw Bob Casey’s latest attempt to smear Sen. Rick Santorum, where Mr. Casey says that Sen. Santorum voted three times for a cost-of-living increase much like Social Security recipients receive. What makes this so funny is the fact that it was Mr. Casey who stood by and condoned the State Legislature’s 54 percent pay increase last summer." to read more visit:
Times Leader | 09/28/2006 | Casey’s campaign tactics are sleazy, stance hypocritical:

The Evening Bulletin - 9/22/06 Bob Casey's Misguided Moral Compass

"Casey accepted and delivered his talk last week entitled: 'Restoring America's Moral Compass: Leadership and the Common Good.' With Casey's controversial positions and his close ties to anti-Catholic left wing groups, his appearance revealed how his own moral compass is misguided and how he is an unprincipled leader whose words and actions cannot be trusted." To read the entire commentary visit: The Evening Bulletin - 9/22/06 Bob Casey's Misguided Moral Compass:

Abortion Practitioner in Pennsylvania Loses Medical License Over Abuses

The Pa. State Health Department revoked the medical license of Harvey Brookman and fined him $50,000 for "unprofessional conduct" to read more visit LifeNews.com: Abortion Practitioner in Pennsylvania Loses Medical License Over Abuses

Casey and Plan B

"Plan B, a contraceptive/abortifacient, will soon be widely available for any female 18 or older without a prescription. ..... Democratic 'pro-life' senatorial candidate Bob Casey states he has no problem with this chemical abortifacient being accessed by teenage girls without the direction of a physician ('Meet the Press,' Sept. 3)." To read more of this letter printed in Sunday's The Patriot-News click here: Casey's expediency: "

'Vegetative' Woman's Brain Shows Surprising Activity

The Sept. 8 th edition of the Washington Post reported on a story about tests to determine awareness in a PVS patient.

"According to all the tests, the young woman was deep in a 'vegetative state' -- completely unresponsive and unaware of her surroundings. But then a team of scientists decided to do an unprecedented experiment, employing sophisticated technology to try to peer behind the veil of her brain injury for any signs of conscious awareness." To read the entire story click:
'Vegetative' Woman's Brain Shows Surprising Activity:

Of course those who regularly read this blog already know that some PVS patients are aware of their surroundings. Kate Adamson recovered from a stroke and persistent vegetative state and recently addressed the Scranton Chapter of Pa. for Human Life at their Prayer Breakfast
To read excerpts from Kate Adamson's Story click:
katesjourney

Casey and Santorum on Plan B

The Meet the Press Debate Between Senator Rick Santorum and Robert Casey Jr. focused on one important pro-life issue, the over the counter sale of Plan B. The so called "Emergency Conatraceptive" pill also works to cause an early abortion by preventing implantation of the new human being in the uterus of his or her mother.

From the Meet the Press Debate:
Russert: Senator Santorum, another social issue. The Federal Drug Administration has said that Plan B, the morning-after pill, can be sold over the counter to Americans 18 and older. Many in the right-to-life community have called that pill an abortifacient. Are you in favor of the FDA decision to sell the morning-after pill?
SEN. SANTORUM: No, I’m not. I, I agree that it is an abortifacient, and that, that it’s dangerous to give a dose of hormones equivalent to one third of a whole series of birth control pills to, to someone without any kind of doctor supervision........ to read more about Santorum's pro-life response and Casey's "difference of opinion" visit: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14568263/Page/8/

For the whole transcript of the debate with comments on issues from the War on Terrorism to the budget, to pro-life and other issues visit http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14568263

Don't Miss the Santorum - Casey Debate on Meet the Press Sunday Sept. 3

"It's the first debate between the two candidates and the first showdown on Meet The Press of the political season. Tune in at one of the following times on Sunday:

TV: Altoona, PA WJAC-TV, 9:00 am Erie-Meadville, PA WICU-TV, 10:00 am

Harrisburg, PA WGAL-TV, 10:00 am Johnstown, PA WJAC-TV, 9:00 am

Lancaster, PA WGAL-TV, 10:00 am Philadelphia, PA WCAU-TV, 10:30 am

Pittsburgh, PA WPXI-TV, 10:30 am Wilkes-Barre, PA WBRE-TV, 10:00 am

Radio : Allentown, PA WAEB 3:00 pm 790 AM Altoona, PA WFBG 1290 AM 2:00 pm

Erie-Meadville, PA WTIV 1230 AM 6:00 pm WOYL 1340 AM 6:00 pm
WFRA 1450 AM 6:00 pm WMGW 1490 AM 6:00 pm

Harrisburg, PA WWSM 1510 AM 5:00 pm Huntingdon, PA WHUN 1150 AM 6:00 pm

Johnstown, PA WNTJ 3:00 pm 850 AM Philadelphia, PA WPHT 1:00 pm 1210 AM

Pittsburgh, PA WKST 12:00 pm 1200 AM Somerset, PA WNTW 990 AM 3:00 pm

Wilkes-Barre, PA WKOK 1070 AM 6:00 pm"

Letters - "Christian" America and the Morning After Pill

Numerous opinions have appeared in the media recently deriding the Catholic Church with regard to embryonic research and the Plan B pill.

As John Paul II reminded us, faith and reason are the two wings upon which man rises to the truth. Guardian and teacher of Christianity, the Catholic Church has been both pioneer and preserver of learning throughout Her two-thousand-year history; indeed, members of Her clergy and laity are among the great names of science.

But all inquiry must respect the dignity of the human person and the good of society. Harvesting the unborn violates both, as do the disunitive and lethal effects of so-called morning after drugs. Those who countenance such abuses accede to the prevailing materialism of our time, a philosophy of self-interest at odds with the most fundamental Christian truths and moral imperatives.

Unfortunately, most Americans have successfully divorced faith from morality, reinventing God as necessary to meet their needs. Lost is the understanding that freedom follows from truth, not the unfettered exercise of will, and that fulfillment lies not in possessing, but only in the unconditional gift of self.

In the light of Catholic doctrine, it's appallingly clear that contrary to popular myth, America is anything but predominantly Christian; it is, in fact, overwhelmingly pagan. How else could a nation embrace the self-destruction of contraception, sterilization, abortion and euthanasia? Why else would it clamor for medical experiments every bit as monstrous as those once performed in Nazi death camps?

Sincerely,

John Francis Borra
Hays, KS

American Chronicle writes about the Christian Coalition

"Three disgruntled state affiliates have severed ties with the Christian Coalition of America, one of the nation's most powerful conservative groups during the 1990s but now buffeted by complaints over finances, leadership and its plans to veer into nontraditional policy areas.

'It's a very sad day for our people, but a liberating day,' said John Giles, president of the coalition's Alabama chapter, which announced Wednesday that it was renaming itself and splitting from the national organization. The Iowa and Ohio chapters took similar steps this year.

Giles said he and his Alabama colleagues have 'a dozen hard reasons' for the action but would elaborate on only one - a perception that the coalition's leadership was diverting itself from traditional concerns such as abortion and same-sex marriage to address other issues ranging from the environment to Internet access." To read more visit American Chronicle:

Has political pressure finally induced the Bush administration to betray women's health with the morning after pill?

FDA Prepares Sell-Out on Morning After Pill (MAP)
By Joseph A. D’Agostino

After resisting for years feminists determined to make high-dosage steroids available to women and girls without a prescription, it seems that the Bush Administration is about to cave in to political pressure and make the morning-after pill (MAP) accessible over the counter to those over 18. Not only will this result in the deaths of more unborn children since MAP often acts after conception, but it will seriously harm the health of women and girls who will use the now-easy-to-get MAP repeatedly. The FDA did not officially announce its decision this week, but statements from it and Barr Laboratories, the makers of the “Plan B” brandof MAP, clearly indicate the FDA’s intention to allow OTC distribution ofMAP.

No one, pro-life or pro-abortion, pro-family or pro-contraception, should favor this change. The FDA’s own experts, when MAP was approved for prescription-only sales, said that repeated use could have serious health effects on women and girls. MAP should only be used very rarely, in an emergency (thus the term “emergency contraception,” even though the latter word of that term is dishonest). By making MAP prescription-only, the FDA required women and girls to go through a doctor and pharmacist who would query their patient’s health history and steer them away from MAP if medically indicated.

This safeguard will soon be gone. Anyone over 18 will be able to walk into a grocery store or pharmacy and buy MAP any time he or she pleases, no questions asked. Can anyone doubt that many young women will end up using MAP over and over? The FDA’s experts warned of serious health consequences from such use, but could not provide solid examples since there have been no studies of repeated MAP use. No one knows what the repeated dosing with these powerful steroids might do to women’s bodies. Many women, particularly college co-eds, are likely about to find out.

If history is any guide, disastrous health effects won’t make any difference once MAP is distributed over the counter. After all, the Clinton Administration rushed the prescription-only approval of the abortion pill, RU-486, and with its fatal side effects, it has been killing mothers at ten times the rate that surgical abortion does. Yet feminists and other so-called women’s advocates don’t want RU-486’s approval revoked.

Bush’s nominee for FDA Commissioner, Acting Commissioner Dr. Andrew vonEschenbach, recently announced the re-opening of the case for OTC MAP after radically pro-abortion senators such as Hillary Clinton (D.-N.Y.) put a hold on his nomination. The message from Clinton et al was clear: Approve OTC MAP or no permanent appointment for you. It seems vonEschenbach is complying.

The debate over OTC MAP continues to be surrounded by obvious lies. One is that MAP is contraception, not abortion. But scientists agree that the Morning After Pill often stops an already-conceived child from implanting, making it something other than contraception—and something that kills. Another obvious lie: MAP is safe for the woman using it. Yes, the FDA’s experts concluded that MAP is safe, but no one has studied the effects of repeated use, and the FDA’s experts warned that repeated use could be seriously harmful.

Yet another lie is that MAP will only be accessible to adult women over the counter. Anyone possessing passing familiarity with American society knows that young teenagers have easy access to cigarettes and alcohol, which are supposed to be sold only to adults. Why should anyone think the Morning After Pill will be different?

Boston Globe columnist Ellen Goodman often provides an excellent summary of all the lies of the left. In a typically dishonest column August 10, she not only claimed that MAP is contraception that prevents abortion and thus pro-lifers as well as pro-abortionists should favor it, but she condemns “the truly bizarre"' idea offered by opponents such as the Concerned Women for America, that a predator or rapist could ‘buy the drug in order to cover up his abuse.’” Goodman ridicules this very likely proposition.

Many underage girls are having relations with adult boyfriends. These men, guilty of statutory rape, often transport their victims for abortions, which is one reason why the Child Custody Protection Act is needed. Soon, MAP will be as near as the corner drug store, and who can doubt these men will buy it and pressure their young teen girlfriends to take it repeatedly, whenever standard “protection” was not used or failed? After all, these fellows haven’t exactly demonstrated their great concern for the well-being of the fair sex, have they?

And how old are these guys? Men 25 or older sire more children of school-age California girls than do boys, according to congressional testimony from Professor Teresa Stanton Collett of the University of St.Thomas School of Law in Minnesota. Nationally, two-thirds of teen mothers have boyfriends over 20. And among California girls 15 or younger who give birth, the boyfriends are usually 6 to 7 years older. That’s right—the father of a 15-year-old’s child is usually at least 21. Thanks to Hillary Clinton and a craven FDA, he will soon be able to legally pickup a package of the Morning After Pill to go with the 12-pack he will use to get his teen girlfriend drunk.

“Politicians are trying to push FDA approval through with strong-arm tactics that have no place in evaluations of women's health and safety. ..,” Christian Medical Association (CMA) Executive Director Dr. David Stevens said today. “This move by the FDA appears to be based on political expedience and ideology rather than science. It makes no medical sense to offer over-the-counter access to a powerful hormonal drug when lower doses of those hormones in contraceptives require a physician's prescription.” There is still hope that von Eschenbach will make the right decision.

Joseph A. D'Agostino is Vice President for Communications at the Population Research Institute Visit their Website: www.pop.org
_________
(c) 2006 Population Research Institute. Permission to reprint granted. Redistribute widely. Credit required.

Thanks to Mr. D'Agostino for use of this article. To learn more about the work of the Population Research Institute visit www.pop.org. Or to subscribe to their Weekly E-Mail Briefing please visit http://pop.org/subscribe-weekly.cfm

Federal Legislation - Legislative Action Center

"WASHINGTON (Updated August 3, 2006) -- Despite a 65 to 34 vote in the U.S. Senate on July 25 to pass a bill to prohibit transporting minors across state lines for abortions in violation of parents' rights, the Senate Democratic leadership immediately erected a procedural roadblock in an attempt to kill the bill." To find out what you can do to help visit:
Federal Legislation - Legislative Action Center:

To learn more about the Child Custody Protection Act (S.403) and protecting parent's rights visit National Right to Life's page on parentalnotification. Visit: Parental Notification

Catholic Charismatic Conference August 4,5,and 6 at the University of Scranton

Catholic Charismatic Renewal of the Diocese of Scranton will hold its annual Conference August 4,5, and 6 at the University of Scranton, Scranton, Pa. This year's speakers include Father Benedict Groeschel, Maria Vadia, Father Trevor Nathasingh, a convert to Catholocism from a Hindu/Muslim background, and Alex Jones.

Father Groeschel is the Director of the Office of Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York. He formed the Community of the Franciscan Friars of the renewal, has published, books and tapes, and is a familiar face on Catholic television. Father Groeschel founded Good Counsel Homes for single mothers and their children in New York City. Father Groeschel speaks at the Saturday, afternoon Penance Service and is homilist for the SundayLiturgy. For futher information or to register call 570-344-2214.

National Academies of Science: Abortion Linked to Premature Birth Problems

"A new report from a committee of the National Academies of Science finds that a first-trimester abortion, the most common abortion procedure, is linked to an increasing risk of premature birth. " For more on this report click:
National Academies of Science: Abortion Linked to Premature Birth Problems
What do you want to bet the March of Dimes, which exists to discover the causes of premature birth, will criticize the report?

President Vetoes H.R. 810, the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005" - Text of President's Speech

"I am returning herewith without my approval H.R. 810, the 'Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005.'
Like all Americans, I believe our Nation must vigorously pursue the tremendous possibilities that science offers to cure disease and improve the lives of millions. Yet, as science brings us ever closer to unlocking the secrets of human biology, it also offers temptations to manipulate human life and violate human dignity. Our conscience and history as a Nation demand that we resist this temptation" For the Text of President Bush'e Speech regarding H.R. 810 click:
President Vetoes H.R. 810, the "Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005":

Bob Casey's Twisted Interpretations of Being Pro-Life :: :: ProLifeBlogs

"this interview excerpt (printed in full on the liberal blog My DD) clearly reveals that Casey's pro-life convictions are weak, inconsistent and ranking far lower in his priorities"
Bob Casey's Twisted Interpretations of Being Pro-Life :: :: ProLifeBlogs:

Stem Cell Research, Liberal Bias, and The Other Iraq

The liberal media infuriates me. Right after President Bush's veto of the life-destroying, embryonic stem cell research bill, local media in northeast Pa spoke only of the President's veto of "stem cell research". I believe this is a deliberate effort to confuse the issue in the mind of the public. Of course national networks ABC, NBC, and CBS did the same and worse even showing footage of the March for Life saying "right to lifers" did not agree with Bush's veto!.

One thing pro-lifers have to realize is liberals slant the news on every issue. Here is a different issue illustrating the same fact. Liberals want us to believe the effort to liberate the Iraqui people is a complete waste of our time and American lives: that the Iraqui people are savages who will never live in peace. They paint all Iraqui people with the same brush. I came accross this web site about Iraqui Kurdistan and was surprised by it. At the same time I was not surprised because I know how the liberal media distorts the truth to advance their agenda. So for those who want to learn something about Iraq that is not found on the nightly news visit: Kurdistan - The Other Iraq

Studies Support Research Showing Adult Stem Cells Can Mimic Embryonic

Studies Support Research Showing Adult Stem Cells Can Mimic Embryonic: "the University of Louisville reports that studies have confirmed its research showing adult stem cells can mimic the properties of embryonic ones."

President Bush Directs Govt. to Find Embryonic Stem Cell Research Alternatives

President Bush Directs Govt. to Find Embryonic Stem Cell Research Alternatives

Pro-Life Groups Ask President Bush to Veto Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill

"With the Senate approving a measure to use federal taxpayer dollars to pay for embryonic stem cell research, pro-life groups are urging President Bush to veto it.

“Taxpayers deserve to have their money fund a proven medical practice that has boasted real results, rather than subsidizing immoral embryonic stem-cell research that, to this day, has not yielded results,' Lanier Swann, of Concerned Women for America, said." To read more visit:
Pro-Life Groups Ask President Bush to Veto Embryonic Stem Cell Research Bill

Visit the Pro-Life Booth At the Lycoming County Fair now through July 22, 2006

The Susquehanna Valley Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life sponsor a pro-life booth at the Lycoming County Fair now through July 22nd. So if you plan to attend the fair, stop by. "We man the table every day now from 11 am - 9 pm. We have free balloons with prolife messages for the kids, free pens and sale items such as precious feet pins, prolife bracelets, magnetic car ribbons, all kinds of literature, fetal models and we also have a drawing on a doll from Adelyns and a drill. ..... We have a changing table for those who need to change their little ones, etc. and more."
For Information on directions to the Lycoming County Fair Visit: PSACF - Fair Details

Misguided, Anti-Catholic and Just Plain Evil

Our Catholic readers won't want to miss the column "Misguided, Anti-Catholic and Just Plain Evil" by the President of Human Life International: Spirit & Life