Governor's Race 2006: Where Do The Candidates Stand On Abortion?Sue Cirba, The Pro-Life Reporter Spring 2005

We know where Governor Rendell stands on abortion. We knew it before he was elected. On the evening of his primary election victory in 2002, gubernatorial candidate Ed Rendell introduced a small and select group of people he felt obliged to acknowledge. One of those persons was Kate Michelman, President of the National Abortion Rights Action League(NARAL) the fiercest proponent of abortion in the country. "This little lady behind me," stated Rendell, "who Philadelphia may not be too familiar with-but she was a true saint, Kate Michelman of NARAL." Rendell is blatantly pro-abortion, as he openly acknowledged the involvement of pro-abortion leaders in his campaign and has taken campaign contributions from pro-abortion organizations like NARAL.

While the gubernatorial primary election is still a year away, William Scranton and Jeff Piccola, Republican candidates for Governor, addressed a Pennsylvania Leadership Conference breakfast held April 16 in Harrisburg. Scranton made no overtures whatsoever to the pro-life movement. Apparently his stance has not changed since his days as Lt. Governor when The Centre Daily Times of State College printed an interview which revealed the extent of Scranton’s support of abortion. Mr. Scranton stated in the March 3, 1985 piece, "I am not one of those who supports a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. I just don’t think you can or should....My position on this issue is clear and it isn’t going to change or turn around, so that’s part of the baggage that comes with me and if they want to make it an issue, it becomes an issue...but I think there are more pressing problems that are of more legitimate interest in Pennsylvania." Garnett Biviano, President of the Pa. Pro-Life Federation in 1985 commented in an article in Lifelines: "A more pressing issue than life or death of a human being? What is more pressing than that?" It will be interesting to see if Mr. Scranton changes his position when facing two pro-life challengers.

Jeff Piccola expressed interest in conservative and religious issues at the Leadership Conference Breakfast. A January 18, 2005 article on GrassrootsPa.com reported State Senator Jeff Piccola (R-Dauphin) had been "on the wrong side of the abortion issue"..."According to High Street Communications’ Dean Quellette, who is currently consulting Piccola’s likely run for the Governor’s mansion, Piccola has had a gradual change of heart on the contentious issue and is now unequivocally pro-life." Piccola’s growing involvement in his church, with issues like stem cell research, as well as a "personal pregnancy-related experience within the family," have influenced his change of heart. Piccola voted pro-life on Pennsylvania’s fetal homicide bill in 1997.

Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steeler Hall of Fame receiver came out assertively as pro-life in a recent television interview. When asked about his views on abortion, without hesitation Swann said he was pro-life. Draft Swann for Governor (www.draftswann.com) lists ten reasons to support Lynn Swann. Reason five states he is "A conservative: Pro-Life, Pro-Sportsman, Pro-Family."

The Governor’s race influences pro-life policies throughout the state, and makes a huge difference in the presidential election. Numerous visits to PA by President Bush and John Kerry in 2004 (including visits to downtown Scranton and Lackawanna County stadium) attest to that fact.

Columbia/Montour Pro-Life Group Activities

The Columbia/Montour Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life is collecting books, videos, CD’s and DVD’s for an upcoming media sale to offset the cost of the booth at the Bloomsburg Fair. Anyone from Columbia or Montour county wishing to donate media materials should contact lifeissues@hotmail.com for further information. Also volunteers are needed to man the booth at the Bloomsburg Fair September 24 until October 1 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Interested persons should send their contact information (e-mail address or phone number) to lifeissues@hotmail.com and it will be forewarded to chapter leaders.

Scranton Times-Tribune "Casey" Ad Controversy Snowballing

On Aug. 8 an article " Why is Bob Casey Smiling?" was posted on this blog. A revised version "PA Politics: Why is Bob Casey Smiling?" was sent to American Chronicle in the Aug. 8 opinion section and grassrootspa.com who posted a link to it.

Since then Carrie Budoff of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an article on the Scranton Times-Tribune Casey ad controversy. She writes: "The newly merged Scranton Times-Tribune wanted to call attention to itself with advertisements that appear this summer on TV, billboards and buses. The ads featured a mock newspaper with a banner headline 'Casey to run for Senate.' " Budoff continues..."at issue now.....is whether the ads are a harmless promotion for a business or a possible campaign-finance violation." Ms. Budoff discovered that the Lynett family, publishers of the Scranton Times-Tribune have contributed more than $120,000 to the campaigns of Bob Casey Jr. and his brother Pat Casey.

The Scranton Times-Tribune printed a story on the ad controversy on Aug. 17, "Times-Tribune Ad Riles Santorum's Supporters". Lawrence K. Beaupre, the Scranton Times-Tribune's managing editor says he came up with the promotion and the publisher had "nothing to do with the portotype."

George Lynett who publishes the Scranton Times-Tribune along with his brothers, does not deny that he and his family have made substantial contributions to the Casey campaigns, but says he and his brothers William and Edward, do not dictate daily newspaper coverage, but leave that up to Beaupre and other editors.

Republicans believe the ad campaign amounts to in-kind advertising and are attempting to discover the dollar value of the ad campaign which included television spots. Republicans are considering officially asking the Federal Election Commission to investigate whether campaign finance laws have been violated. The controversy was also the subject of conversation on WILK's Sue Henry show on August 18.

Bittersweet Time for Torres Family

Within 24 hours, the Torres family celebrated the birth and baptism of Susan Anne Catherine Torres and mourned the passing of the child's mother, Susan Michelle Rollin Torres...
Read this incredible story of love by Angela E Pometto. Visit www.catholic.org and type in Susan Torres in the site search.
"I am deeply moved by the extraordinary witness to the sacredness of life from its very beginning which the Torres family has given to our society" Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde

Why is Bob Casey Jr. Smiling?

by Susan Cirba

I wonder how much cash is in the Casey for Senate bank account right now. He must have plenty because it looks as though he’s got a whopping bill coming from the Scranton Times.
Oh, you say Bob Casey Jr. did not PAY to have his name appear in dozens of Scranton Times - Scranton Tribune newspaper ads, television ads, billboards and ads plastered on the side of Lackawanna County Colts Buses? Then how did they get there?

The Scranton Times and Scranton Tribune (the evening and morning papers respectively) recently merged into a single paper, the Times-Tribune. The ad graphics include samples of the Health, Classified, Sports, Lifestyles, and Business pages with the front page on top. What a coincidence! The front page just happens to have a headline which reads "Casey to run for Senate", with Bobby Jr.’s smiling face on front. And why shouldn’t he be smiling? Look at all the free advertising he’s gotten from his friends at the Scranton Times! Times advertisers were even nice enough to remind voters of the Terri Schiavo case, an issue Democrats believe will hurt Casey's opponent, Senator Rick Santorum in the upcoming election.

Interesting thing about that front page. It never existed except on the pages of these ads.
Casey announced his candidacy on March 3rd. or 4th . The March 4 Times story featured in the mock-up ad originally had the headline "Casey at Bat". The Saturday paper’s headline read "Casey In, Hafer Out" And the Terri Schiavo article did not appear that same weekend, but after Easter which would have been March 26 or 27.

Times-Tribune "Better Together" ads have been running in the Times and Tribune the entire months of June and July. What the actual value of this Casey promotion amounts to is anybody’s guess, but I’d say easily a million dollars or more. Ads appeared daily in the Times and Tribune before the papers merged and continued with another Casey promo in the "New" paper. Add to this a least five billboards, numerous television spots and bus ads.

The second Times ad focused on food, columnists, cartoons and Surprise! under the "Better Together" ad text is a copy of the mocked-up "Casey to run for Senate" paper.
I don’t know much about campaign finance laws but I understand politicians. If Casey won’t be paying for these ads with cash, I believe he’ll be paying for them with political favors.

Free Samples of Pro-Life Pamphlets

Several pamphlets are available from Pa. for Human Life's Pro-Life Information Center, 506 Broadway, Scranton, Pa. 18505. Leaders of college, community or church pro-life groups may request a sample. Pastors may wish to order them for Bible Study groups or put them on church pamphlet racks.
Titles include:
1. The First Nine Months published by Focus on the Family "The growth patterns described in this brochure is recognized medical information, documented by scientific research. It includes photos of the unborn child taken by Lennart Nilsson reprinted from A Child is Born c. 1977."
2. Adoption: A Loving Choice - Life Cycle Books.
3. Sing a Little Louder - Heritage House - Discusses a Christian's responsibility to end the Abortion Holocaust.
4. You're Considering an Abortion: What can Happen to You? discusses abortion complications for women. Heritage House.
5. Mary's Pregnancy - Quotes from the King James Bible.
6. Mary and the Gospel of Life-(for Roman Catholics).
7. Rachel's Vineyard retreats for healing after abortion.
For a Free Sample of any of the above titles, e-mail lifeissues@hotmail.com.
Please be sure to include your name, mailing address, and zip code.

The Diaper Rebellion

What can young people contribute to a movement? Before you minimize the contributions of young people to the pro-life movement, or any movement,, read this article by Barry Farber. Farber tells of the contributions Serbian third graders made in defeating Adolph Hitler's Nazi war machine. Yes, I said third graders. It is an historical fact about World War II which didn't make it into American history books. It demonstrates the importance of standing for principle - no matter what your age. Visit: www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2005/4/25/153542.shtml

Perhaps it will make pro-life leaders work harder to involve teens in the pro-life movement. Afterall, they are on the front lines in the fight to save unborn babies from abortion. Equip them with the knowledge they need. Have your pro-life orgenization or your church sponsor a teenager or two or five, and send them to the Pa. Pro-Life State Convention on October 1, 2005 in Valley Forge, Pa. For further information visit www.paprolife.org or call 717-541-0034 to request a brochure.

Roman Catholic Bishop of Pittsburgh Reflects of the Priesthood in a Time of Great Change

Bishop Donald Wuerl of Pittsburgh reflects on the cultural changes in society over the years. Many of these changes have occurred due to the culture created by the media. It is often a culture hostile to the Christian message and way of life. The article is long but interesting and can be found at http://www.diopitt.org/wel_bishop_homilies_chrism.php

I do not want this blog to concentrate solely on political solutions to the cultural problems of abortion, infanticide, euthanasia and the attack on marriage. Therefore when I find relevant material from a religious or other source I will include that as well.

Adult Stem Cell Therapies Tested on Heart Patients, More

The Boston Globe recently printed a story called The Other Stem Cells which you can access through Do No Harm at www.stemcellresearch.org. The article discusses advances that are being made in leukemia treatments. It also reports on testing the adult stem cell's ability to grow new heart tissue.

Why does Planned Parenthood Oppose Judge Roberts?

A Planned Parenthood Federation of America press release states, " The nomination of John G. Roberts raises serious questions and grave concerns for women's health and safety." The PP press release cites an upcoming Supreme Court Case Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood which could undermine, " the ability of organizations like Planned Parenthood to challenge restrictions on abortion access". Translation: It's the bottom line; its the money. Planned Parenthood has no real concern for women's choices, their health or safety. Their only concern is their ability to make money off women who find themselves unexpectedly pregnant. These women are often fearful, vulnerable and lack the support of a responsible husband or boyfriend.

Planned Parenthood care about the millions they can make off abortion. Randall K. O’Bannon, Ph.D. has researched, written and lectured on a number of life issues including RU-486 and the activities of Planned Parenthood. According to Dr. O’Bannon,"Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading abortion chain. Statistics from their 2001-2002 Annual Report find, that over the past decade the abortion rate has been declining from 1.6 million to 1.3 million yearly. But Planned Parenthood is on a steep climb with 875 "Health Centers". Arkansas is the only state which is Planned Parenthood free. "he continued.

Does Planned Parenthood care about "choice"? Not if you mean real choices-you know, the ability to choose between alternatives. Women who go to Planned Parenthood will get a sales pitch for abortion and the statistics bear that out. Dr. OBannon cites statistics from 2001, where 213,026 abortions were performed at Planned Parenthood centers, and only 15,016 women were prenatal clients, 1,151 women were referred for adoption (only two per clinic) and PP served only 282 infertility clients. O’Bannon reported, "Ninety-three percent of women who go to Planned Parenthood receive abortions".

Ann Coulter Not Pleased with Roberts Nomination

I wonder how often Ann Coulter finds herself opposing the same judicial nominee as Planned Parenthood and NARAL PCA? Ms. Coulter of course is concerned that stealth candidate Roberts is not conservative enough while the alphabet soup of abortion, PP and NARAL PCA oppose him, well..., simply because he was nominated by George Bush. Both groups had their websites up and ready weeks in advance to oppose whomever the President nominated. Don't miss Coulter's July 20 column www.anncoulter.org and to all you pro-lifers out there don't ever let me hear you say "NARAL Pro-Choice America", because we all know it really stands for National Abortion Rights Action League, Please Choose Abortion.

Bush Nominates John Roberts for Supreme Court

President Bush this evening announced his nominee for the Supreme Court and introduced judge John G. Roberts Jr. to a waiting nation. The Drudge Report this evening posted three articles on Judge Roberts, including his remarks after his nomination. (see www.drudgereport.com)

Judge Roberts was listed on the National Abortion Rights Action League's list of potential noninees to the Supreme Court, as "hostile" to "women's reproductive rights", that is, the right to kill their own unborn children by abortion. Of course no such right can or ever has existed morally speaking. Pro-life Americans are asked to look to pro-life sources for information as the mainstream liberal press is likely be hostile to this nominee and twist the truth if necessary in order to kill his chances of being approved by the Senate. In a brief filed before the Supreme Court in 1991, in Rust V. Sullivan, Roberts asked the U. S. Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Three Bills Before the U.S. Senate

I received an e-mail from Fiona Swiney which follows. Please contact your U.S. Senators.

There are three major bills coming before the Senate this week.

The first bill is The Human Chimera Prohibition Act of 2005, S1373. This bill would ban the creation of human/animal hybrids (i.e. cross breeding humans and animals at the gamete level) and chimeras (mixing humans and animals at the cellular level). Such research, unless stopped would interfere with the very essence of our humanity, it would blur the line between humans and animals. In China e.g. scientists at the Shangai Second Medical University fused human cells with rabbit eggs in 2003. In Great Britain and also at ACT in Minnesota, cow eggs have successfully been injected with a human nucleus, the Mayo Clinic has pigs with human blood flowing through their veins, and in Stanford University, Irv Weissman has been granted permission to produce a mouse with a full human brain. According to Dr. Patrick Dickson humonkeys are within our capability. Monkeys and humans have 97% of genes in common so if the right 1.6% were transferred from a human to a monkey we could produce a monkey more human than animal. Some medical chimerical activity is ethical and has been successfully used for many years e.g. pig valves are often successfully used to repair faulty heart valves, however when one goes to the reproductive level, one changes the very essence of that species and when one does that at the human level one reduces humanity to the animal level.

The second bill under consideration is S471, a proposal to fund embryonic stem cell research with taxpayer’s money. Embryonic stem cell research can find no funding in the private sector because no cures have been found using human embryos and so the biotechnologists are going after public money with a vengeance. In contrast, ethical, adult stem cell therapy has 56 cures to date. Let's just clarify the difference between destructive embryonic and ethical adult stem cells. An embryo is a newly conceived child. It has all 46 chromosomes necessary to grow into a unique human being. This newly conceived child is destroyed in order to retrieve the embryonic stem cell. Everything else is an ADULT stem cell - umbilical cord blood cells, placenta cells, bone, pancreas, fat, skin etc. Whenever a human being is experimented on, that person should have a reasonable chance of medical improvement as a result of the experiment. No human being should be destroyed for the sole purpose of benefiting another. According to Judy Brown of American Life League "Whether the innocent human being is a few hours old or nine months old, an act that intentionally kills him is always intrinsically evil."

The third bill up for a vote is S658 the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005 which would ban human cloning. Senator Specter and the biotech industry would like to tell us that there is a difference between reproductive cloning and therapeutic cloning (somatic nuclear transfer). However, the fact of the matter is that first of all a human being is created asexually, and afterwards, depending on whether the clone is placed in a womb or a Petri dish for experimentation, the clone becomes either a reproductive clone or a therapeutic clone. The latter would just make a lab rat of the cloned person, killing him in the early stages of life, using the body as raw materials for experiments.

Those who respect human life are asked to please contact your senators and let them know that:
1. You support The Human Chimera Prohibition Act of 2005 S1373.
2. You oppose The Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2005 S471.
3. You support The Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2005 S658.

Senator Rick Santorum 202-224-6324Senator Arlen Specter 202-224-4254

Fiona Swiney
Thanks for the information Finoa! Sue Cirba

Sandra Day O'Connor is NOT a Moderate

Arlen Specter proposed this week that Sandra Day O'Connor might be persuaded to stay on the Supreme Court a year or two more if she were named Chief Justice. Newspapers and magazines on the left praised O'Conner and labeled her a moderate.

Another attempt to rewrite history? Ms. O'Conner reaffirmed Roe v. Wade in Planned Parenthood v. Casey in 1992 and voted for partial-birth abortion in 2000 in Stenberg v. Carhart. A majority of Americans oppose partial birth abortion. A Gallup-CNN-USA Today poll conducted in October 2003 found that even among "young adults" ages 18-29 seventy-seven percent favored a ban on partial-birth abortion.

Partial-birth abortion is a brutal procedure where an unborn baby of five or six months gestation or older is pulled feet first from the womb, stabbed in the base of the neck with scissors and his or her brain is suctioned out. Anyone who would support such a practice cannot be considered a "moderate". A ghoul perhaps, but not a moderate.

Fortunately by the week's end Chief Justice William Rehnquist announced he would stay on the court as long as his health allows.

Adult Stem Cell Research Successful in Treating Diseases

This week Michael Fox and others testified before Congress about the "need" for embryonic stem cell research. Yet the most successful work to treat and cure Parkinson’s disease and a whole host of other diseases is being done with ADULT STEM CELLS, and STEM CELLS OBTAINED from UMBILICAL CORD BLOOD. There is NO NEED to kill new human life in order to cure disease.
Whether you are pro-life or simply fiscally conservative you have good reason to oppose embryonic stem cell research. When we talk about adult stem cell research, we are talking about results not just "promise". Adult and adult-type stem cell research does not kill new human life and it has already resulted in numerous treatments and successful human therapies for the following diseases

Stroke
Brain Cancer
Retinoblastoma
Ovarian Cancer
Merkel Cell Cancer
Testicular Cancer
Lymphoma
Acute Lymphobolastic Leukemia
Acute Myelogenous Leukemia
Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia
Multiple Myeloma
Myelodysplasia
Breast cancer
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Renal Cell Carcinoma
Various Solid Tumors
Scleromxredema
Multiple Sclerosis
Crohn’s Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Juvenile Arthritis
Systemic Lupus
Polychondritis
Systemic Vasculitis
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
X-Linked Hyperimmunoglobuline-M Syndrome
Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Syndrome-X1 1
Juvenile Myelomonocytic Leukemia
Sjogren’s Syndrome
Behcet’s Disease
Myasthenia
Red Cell Aplasia
Autoimmune Cytopenia
AngioimmunoblasticLymphadenopathy
with Dysproteinemia
Osteogenesis Imperfecta
Sandhoff Disease
Corneal Regeneration
Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Primary Amyloidosis
Limb Gangrene
Surface Wound Healing
Heart Damage
Parkinson’s Disease
Spinal Cord Injury
Sceroderma
Hurler’s Syndrome
XLinked Lymphoproliferative syndrome
Sickle Cell Anemia
Sideroblastic Anemia
Waldenstrom’s Macroglobulinemia
Aplastic Anemia
Amegakaryocytic Thrombocyclopenia
Chronic Epstein-Barr Infection
Fanconi’s Anemia
Diamond Blackfan Anemia
Thalassemia

Rachael's Vineyard Retreats

If you are suffering from the after-effects of an abortion, come and experience the healing love of Jesus Christ at a "Rachael’s Vineyard" weekend retreat November 4-6, 2005, at St. Gabriel’s Retreat Center, 631 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA. Sponsored by the Diocese of Scranton, the weekend retreat combines discussions, spiritual exercises the Sacrament of Reconcil-iation, a Memorial Service and a Mass of Resurrection. Participation is strictly confidential and offers an opportunity to experience God’s love, forgiveness, and compassion. For information contact OPM/Pro-Life office 207-2228 or Barbara Slack at Catholic Social Services, 207-2283. The cost is $100 for meals, private room and all retreat materials. Financial assistance is available. In the Allentown Diocese, a retreat will be held July 15-17. Contact Mary Ann Dunn at 866-372-2435.

Rashida Jolley Releases CD with Abstinence Message

In 2003, I had the pleasure of meeting Miss Rashida Jolley, who was a speaker at the Pa. Pro-Life Convention held in Scranton. In addition, Rashida electrified teen audiences at the three local schools where she appeared: North Pocono Middle School, Carbondale Area and Lackawanna Trail. She encouraged the students to plan for their future, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Happiness, healthiness, and success all hinge on our self-esteem, self-control and self-motivation."

"She asked, Why is it on soap operas nobody gets a sexually transmitted disease? Pamela Anderson, and Janet Jackson both have sexually transmitted diseases."
"Would you give anyone your ATM card?" she asks. "NO!" the students answered. "Why would you give anyone your body? Your bodies are more valuable than money." Rashida at age 15 decided to save sex for marriage. She talks to students all over the U.S. about the physical, emotional and social consequences of sex before marriage. At each school Rashida sang for the students and was greeted with the enthusiasm teens have for rock stars.

Now Rashida has released a hit EP Promoting Abstinence. LOVE IS NOT A GAME is a fresh approach to inspire, inform and motivate teens through good music with a positive message.
A former Miss District of Columbia 2000, Rashida competed in the Miss America pageant where she was a finalist for the quality of life award. For more information on Rashida Jolley write to lifeissues@hotmail.com.

Will Fuhrman Book Expose Euthanasia Movement Ties To Schiavo Case?

Former LA police detective Mark Fuhrman has recently released a book on the Terri Schiavo case. It probably has been out for less than two weeks. In a radio interview with Sean Hannity, Fuhrman called for a grand jury investigation of the Terri Schiavo case. On July 8th the Orlando Sentinel reported that a prosecutor asked by Gov. Jeb Bush to investigate Terri Schiavo’s collapse 15 years ago said there was no evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Bush spokesman Jacob Di Pietre reported, "This is the end of the state’s involvement in the case." Call me suspicious, but I can’t help wondering if the investigation was concluded before the Fuhrman book, Silent Witness: The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo’s Death had a chance to stir up the same people who were outraged about her starvation and dehydration in March. The 2008 Presidential election is not that far away, Presidential aspirations seem to run in the Bush family, and it just wouldn’t be prudent to re-open that can of worms!

Terri Schiavo, a disabled woman, was dehydrated to death, at the request of her husband over the objections of Terri’s parents. Terri left no written document concerning her wishes. Her death is the result of greed, pride, judicial activism and the "success" euthanasia activists have had in Florida for two decades. Euthanasia activists prefer to call themselves "right-to-die" activists. (It seems the word "euthanasia" still leaves a bad taste in the mouths of Americans old enough to remember World War II.) The goal of American euthanasia activists is to advocate the killing of the sick, and handicapped as is currently practiced by the Dutch, but to couch it in terms of "mercy" and "compassion". I’m hoping Fuhrman’s book will tie many of the principal players in the Schiavo case to the euthanasia movement.

We all know that abortionists in the 1960’s "shopped" for cases that would advance their agenda of the legalization of abortion on demand and the public acceptance of that practice. Euthanasia advocates have been doing the same since the 1980’s. The Schiavo Case was another attempt to further advance their agenda. Many of the principal players in the Schiavo case are connected to the euthanasia movement.

Michael Schiavo’s attorney George Felos has written a book and in addition to some very strange ideas, appears to have a morbid fascination with death. A National Review Online article by Eric Pfeiffer (www.nationalreview.com/comment/pfeiffer200503301030.ASP) cites an instance where Felos believed his thoughts nearly caused a plane crash. And in his first "right-to-die" case, Felos believes he used "conscious evolution" to communicate with Estelle Browning, an unconscious woman. Felos claims they shared a "soul touch" as their spirits left their respective bodies and spoke to each other where Browning’s soul supposedly told Felos she wanted to die. The quote Pfeiffer cites from Felos’ book is priceless! Why wasn’t such nuttiness exposed by the mainstream press? All they had to do was buy his book and read it!

As Terri slowly suffered the effects of starvation and dehydration, the Florida Legislature and Governor Jeb Bush, both instrumental in getting Terri’s feeding tube reinstated in 2001 and 2003 were unsuccessful at adopting legislation to save Terri in 2005. Governor Jeb Bush believed he had run out of legal options. Others disagreed. Meanwhile the Florida Senate considered another bill to save Terri. This time, President of the Senate James King, blocked the legislation from proceeding to the Senate after the House had passed a bill that would have reinserted Terri’s feeding tube. Why? King was also a euthanasia activist. King sponsored a Death with Dignity Law in 1988. He admitted yielding to public and political pressure to support Terri’s Law in 2003 but wouldn’t do it again. King stated, "I don’t want anything on the floor in that Senate that is going to give platform to people who want to roll back the hands of time.....All of a sudden I’m facing a bill or bills that can dismantle what I consider to be my legacy"!
Dr. Ronald Cranford, a Minnesota neurologist and "expert witness in right-to-die cases" who testified in the Terri Schiavo case, determined Terri’s condition was hopeless. That’s not really surprising once you learn Cranford has represented the United States at The World Federation of Right to Die Societies held June 7-10, 1990 in Maastricht, Holland in addition to other euthanasia conferences.

But it is Judge Greer that I have questions about. Three times he ordered Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube removed. Greer never appointed a permanent guardian ad litem for Terri to represent her interests while her parents and husband Michael battled over Michael’s fitness as her guardian. Why was Judge Greer hellbent on starving Terri Schiavo? Why wouldn’t Greer release Terri to the care of her parents and siblings? I hope Fuhrman’s book sheds some light on Greer’s role.

Terri Schiavo was dehydrated to death, at the request of her husband over the objections of Terri’s parents and this is OK with the state of Florida? Incapacitated patients have a right to life and should not be starved or denied treatment, simply because they do not measure up to someone’s "quality of life" standard. Jeb Bush may think the Schiavo case is over, but for the sake of the sick and elderly who spend their last days at a hospice run by the likes of Attorney Felos I hope someone investigates further.

Breast cancer in America has increased by 50%
since abortion was legalized in 1973.
Twenty-four published studies worldwide show a link between abortion
and breast cancer, particularly the abortion of a first pregnancy.
Don’t just take our word for it.
Before you choose,
read about the link between abortion and breast cancer.
For free pamphlets on the abortion-breast cancer link, e-mail lifeissues@hotmail.com

include your name, mailing address, city, state and zip code.

Mark Fuhrman book on Terri Schiavo Out Now

With the complete cooperation of Terri Schiavo's parents and siblings, as well as their medical and legal advisers, famed LAPD detective Mark Fuhrman interviews experts and witnesses to answer questions about Terri Schiavo’s collapse, her medical records, the marriage of Terri and Michael Schiavo, and much more. The book can be found in bookstores now or through Amazon.com

Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to Retire

Justice Sandra Day O'connor intends to retire from the Supreme Court. Her resignation letter to President Bush states, "It has been a great privilege indeed to have served as a member of the court for 24 years." Her resignation will take effect when a successor is confirmed.
Nancy Keenan of the National Abortion Rights Action League called O'Connor, "someone who put reason ahead of ideological fervor". Planned Parenthood President Karen Pearl called her, "a discerning, conscientious, and moderate judge." TRANSLATION: SHE VOTED FOR ABORTION!

O’Connor wrote the opinion in Planned Parenthood v. Casey with Justices Kennedy and Souter which upheld the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. In the Planned Parenthood v. Casey, O’Connor and company struck down the provision in Pennsylvania’s law requiring spousal notice. Thus, fathers are denied the right to be notified of a wife’s intent to abort their child.

Pro-abortion organizations have been preparing for the resignation of a Supreme Court Justice for long time. Their web sites are ready with blank pages for Judicial Nominees which have yet to be named. They have asked their supporters to join "rapid response" teams. Let us hope pro-life people have been doing the same. If you would like to be placed on an e-mail alert list to be notified of upcoming judicial nominations, and pro-life legislation, send your e-mail address to lifeissues@hotmail.com Also, please include the name of pro-life organization to which you belong.

Doctor: Terri Schiavo Not Blind When Killed

A doctor who has been nominated for a Nobel Prize in medicine says that euthanasia victim Terri Schiavo was not blind when she died after 13 days of starvation and dehydration.

Dr. William Hammesfahr, a Florida neurologist, is raising objections to some of the autopsy results for Schiavo. "Unlike the constant drumbeat from the husband, his attorneys, and his doctors, the brain tissue was not dissolved, with a head of just spinal fluid," Hammesfahr said. "In fact, large areas were 'relatively preserved.'" Hammesfahr added, "The autopsy results confirmed my opinion ... that the frontal areas of the brains, the areas that deal with awareness and cognition, were relatively intact."

From the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation Online News

Young Women and Cervical Cancer

In the past three years, I have met three young women with cervical cancer. These women are all in their twenties. Approximately 20 million people are currently infected with the Human papillomavirus and 10 of the 30 identified genital HPV types can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is supposed to be a rare occurrence but the three women I've recently met would lead me to believe otherwise. One of these women was under the "care" of Planned Parenthood for birth control. I don't know about the other two. So much for birth control preventing the spread of STD's!

My question is directed to parents of young girls. Are we really doing our girls a favor by allowing them to date at age 12 or 13? Are three or four more years of sexaul experiences a benefit or a hazzard? What about the maturity level of a 12 year old when it comes to sound decision making? When I was a teenager the rule was no dating until you are sixteen. Other parents had similar rules for their daughters. I set the same rule for my four daughters and was informed by each of them that they were the only ones in the school (a small Caatholic school) who had such a rule. The mother who took her daughter to Planned Parenthood for birth control and now faces losing that daughter to cervical cancer probably wishes she did things differently.

There are resources for parents who want to encourage their children to practice abstinence. A good start is a pamphlet series by Heritage House on sexually transmitted diseases. Contact Heritage House at 1-800-858-3040 to order. Request a catalog as they have other abstinence resoures.

Please pray for these young women and their babies.

Terri Schiavo Foundation

The Terri Schiavo Foundation which was created to save the life of the woman who was starved and dehydrated by order of the Florida Courts, will continue to operate to work to save the lives of other disabled Americans. While the web site is being revamped, a posted statement from the Schindler Family concerning Terri's autopsy results is worth reading. Visit
www.terrisfight.org/statement.html . Rarely will the media report from the Schindler's perspective. According to the Schindler's statement, the medical examiner's report "confirms THAT TERRI WAS NOT TERMINAL, THAT TERRI HAD NO LIVING WILL, THAT TERRI HAD A STRONG HEART AND THAT TERRI WAS BRUTALLY DEHYDRATED TO DEATH."

What has Social Security to do with Abortion?

Check today's Umbert the Unborn comic strip on www.catholic.net and see. Click on the Culture of Life.