Critique of The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine "Position on Physician Assisted Death"

Wesley Smith has written a critique in the Weekly Standard about the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine's "Position Statement on Physician Assisted Death." To read it visit: First, Do Harm . . .:
Smith writes:
"The American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine has just released a position statement on the issue of physician-assisted suicide, in which it abdicates its core professional responsibility. On the impropriety of permitting doctors to help kill their patients, the association has assumed a position of 'studied neutrality.'

One of the AAHPM's stated missions is to engage in 'public policy advocacy' for hospice and palliative care. Assuming a neutral stance on what may be the most important public policy controversy of our day involving dying people is both a cowardly act and a backdoor repudiation of the long-established philosophy of hospice care, which promises to respect the intrinsic value of each patient's life and to care for dying patients until their natural deaths."

National Right to Life applauds U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act

The National Right to Life Committee issued a press release concerning the Supreme Court rulnig which upheld the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act 0f 2003. It includes an interesting discussion of the legal definition of "live birth"and the legal definition of "partial-birth". For the NRLC press release click:
National Right to Life applauds U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act: A quote from the press release follows: "Writing for a 5-4 majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote, 'The Act proscribes a method of abortion in which a fetus is killed just inches before completion of the birth process. . . Congress determined that the abortion methods it proscribed had a 'disturbing similarity to the killing of a newborn infant.' . . .' The majority ruled that a general ban on the method is permissible and does not violate the general 'abortion right' enunciated in past decisions such as Roe v. Wade (1973) and Casey v. Planned Parenthood (1992)."

Supreme Court Upholds Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act

"The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on a controvertial abortion procedure Wednesday, handing abortion opponents the long-awaited victory they expected from a more conservative bench." to read more visit:
FOXNews.com - Supreme Court Upholds Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act - Politics | Republican Party | Democratic Party | Political Spectrum:

The 5-4 ruling said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act that Congress passed and President Bush signed into law in 2003 does not violate a woman's constitutional right to an abortion."

Ortho-Evra Contraceptive Patch Allegedly Responsible for Twenty- Three Deaths

One wonders why women so hate themselves that they must alter their fertility to please men. The man who expects a woman to use contraceptives is saying, "Yes I want you (for sex), but not the way God created you (fertile). I don't want to be responsible for your children, and I don't particularly care whether you are harmed by the contraceptives you use." Wake up ladies! This is not love!

Once again we have another female contraceptive that is allegedly responsible for the deaths of at least 23 women, one was actually a 14-year-old girl. I refer to the Ortho Evra Contraceptive Patch. The following quote is taken from an informative article found on No Room for Contraception:

"Serious health problems have been associated with Ortho Evra including fatal and nonfatal blood clots, strokes, heart attacks and death. From April 2002 to December 2004, over 27,974 'adverse effects' were reported by users of Ortho Evra. (2) Many of the complaints are serious, and the patch is alleged to be responsible for over 23 deaths, including the death of 14 year old Alycia Brown. (3)" To read more click the following link:
No Room for Contraception -- Oral Contraceptives and Breast Cancer Risk, Birth Control Pills And Breast Cancer, does the pill cause cancer, Breast Cancer and Oral Contraceptives, oral contraception and breast cancer, contraception abortion, redefine pregnancy, plan b, abortion, interfere with established pregnancy, contraception, birth control, selfish, ben kessler, contra-contraception, contra-birth control:

Anti-Christian Atmosphere in University's Social Work Program: WorldNetDaily: 'Toxic' environment after Christian's complaint

A lawsuit was filed against Missouri State University School of Social Work Professor Frank Kauffman by Emily Brooker. Brooker refused an assignment to lobby for homosexual adoption as it violated her religious beliefs. Brooker was charged with violating the program's Code of Ethics. She filed a lawsuit and won. The settlement included a leave of absence for Professor Kauffman. To read more visit: WorldNetDaily: 'Toxic' environment after Christian's complaint:
Afterward, an investigation of the School of Social Work was comissioned by the University 's Provost. University President Michael Nietzel wrote concerning the report, "Their evaluation of our Social Work Program is extraordinarily negative. In fact, it is as negative a review of an academic program as I have ever seen."

Court to Hear Arguments on Whether an Abortion Ends Human Life - The Forum at GOPUSA

Does an abortion end a human life? The 8th Ciruuit U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis will hear a south Dakota Law requiring abortionists to tell women that their abortion will terminate the life of a living human being. Visit
Court to Hear Arguments on Whether an Abortion Ends Human Life - The Forum at GOPUSA: According to CNSNews.com " A federal appeals court will hear arguments Wednesday in a potentially groundbreaking case that -- for the first time, according to attorneys -- addresses the question of whether an abortion terminates a human being's life."

A Prayer

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds, hide me.
Separated from you, let me never be.
From the evil one, protect me.
At the hour of my death, call me.
And close to you, bid me.
That with your Saints, I may be praising you,
Forever and ever. Amen

Good Friday, April 6, 2007

Laura Ingraham to Address Pennsylvania Conservative Leadership Conference April 20

The 2007 Conservative Leadership Conference will be held in Harrisburg on Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21, 2007. Speakers include radio talk show personality Laura Ingraham, former U.S. House Speaker, Newt Gingrich and Pat Toomey President of the National Club for Growth. Registration is only $75. For further information or to make reservations visit www.paleadershipconference.org

Wesley Smith Comments on Denial of Treatment and Updates the Case of Baby Emilio in his blog " Secondhand Smoke"

Secondhand Smoke: "Ah, the power of good lawyers and public scrutiny. After going to court, attorney Jerri Ward, attorney for Baby Emilio's mother, just informed me that the Children's Hospital of Austin has agreed not to remove life support until April 10. And good for the people at the hospital for being flexible enough to continue to try and work these matters out. But note this quote from a committee member: 'This care is medically inappropriate,' said committee member Michael Regier. ..... Regier is essentially claiming that continuing to live is not a clinical benefit. "

When April 10th arrives then what?

Toddler Forced Off Life Support - Help Needed :: Futile Care :: ProLifeBlogs

" A group that practices in-house at Brackenridge children's Hospital in Austin, Texas, called the Pediatric Physicians Alliance of Central Texas, has decided that Emilio Gonzales should die. Although not all of the test results are in, and even if they were, they would not be a definitive diagnosis of Leigh's disease. Emilio Gonzales is set to have his respirator removed this Friday...
AGAINST HIS MOTHER'S WISHES! To find out what you can do to help visit:
Toddler Forced Off Life Support - Help Needed :: Futile Care :: ProLifeBlogs:

Closed New Jersey Abortion Clinic: Rusty Crochet Hooks Used to Remove IUD's - Northern New Jersey!

A New Jersey abortion clinic closed after a botched abortion nearly killed a 20 year old mother of two and left her in a coma for four weeks, failed a re-inspection by the state department of health. "State health officials found forceps encrusted in 'brownish blood-like residues,' rusty crochet hooks used to remove IUDs, and a quarter-inch of dark red dirt and debris under an exam table at an Englewood abortion clinic, according to records released Tuesday" For more details visit:
North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!:

New Jersey Abortion Clinic Fails Follow Up Investigation according to North Jersey Media Group

In late February a story broke about a New Jersey abortion clinic closed after an inspection by the New Jersey Department of Health. Beth Israel Hospital treated a woman for complications of an abortion performed at Metropolitan Medical. The twenty year old mother of two, had severe blood loss which necessitated a hysterectomy. She also had a stroke, a collapsed lung and was left in a coma for four weeks follwoing her abortion.. For links to the original articles scroll down to posts made on this blog on March 3, 2007 and March 2, 2007.

Updated information on this story follows: An Englewood abortion clinic closed by the state 12 days ago failed a follow-up investigation on Tuesday, despite assurances by the clinic that it had corrected its safety violations, the state health department announced." Visit:
North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!:

College Students: Plan to Attend Notre Dame Right to Life’s 2nd Annual Collegiate Conference April 13-14, 2007

Visit:
Students for Life of America » Blog Archive » Notre Dame Right to Life’s 2nd Annual Collegiate Conference: "The 2nd Annual Collegiate Conference is sponsored by Notre Dame Right to Life. It is inspired by Evangelium Vitae II, Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical Letter on the value of human life: I came that they may have life.

It is being held April 13-14, 2007 at the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana.

For more information please email ndconference@gmail.com or call (574)631-3066. Check for updates and speaker information on http://www.nd.edu/~prolife/conference/index.html."

Chinese Activist Jailed For Documenting Cases of Forced Abortions Gets Visit

"The wife of a blind Chinese activist who was jailed after he documented cases of forced abortions was reunited with her husband Thursday for a 10 minute visit, the first such meeting since he was detained a year ago." for more on this story visit:
Chinese Activist's Wife to Visit Him | ajc.com:

Second Woman Sues Abortionist Reports NJ Right to Life

NJ Right to Life - Site Pages: "Gloria Mozas of Cliffside Park is also suing the clinic, claiming doctors there wrongly diagnosed her tubal pregnancy in 2003 and told her she had miscarried, when in fact, she was carrying two live fetuses. She said a doctor there performed an abortion on her, telling her he was removing dead tissue from her womb. About a week later, she said she had to undergo a second procedure to remove the remaining fetus after she developed severe internal bleeding.

She said she was heartened the state had shut the clinic down.

'I've been waiting for those doors to be locked for 3 1/2 years,' she said."

Another Woman Comes Foreward on Botched Abortion - North Jersey Media Group

Another woman who had medical problems after an abortion at an Englewood clinic came forward Friday to describe her experiences.

Christina Ruvolo, 23, of Boonton said she began to hemorrhage in the bathtub five weeks after undergoing the abortion at Metropolitan Medical Associates in May.

She said she was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors told her the abortion was incomplete.

'They didn't finish it,' Ruvolo said. 'There was a part of the baby inside.'" To read more of this story visit:
North Jersey Media Group providing local news, sports & classifieds for Northern New Jersey!: "

State Health Officals Close N.J. Abortion Mill Citing "Immediate and Serious Risks" NJ.com: NewsFlash - After 4 Weeks in Coma, Woman Sues

More evidence that there is nothing safe about legal abortion visit:
N.J.com: NewsFlash - After 4 weeks in coma, woman sues abortion clinic: "A Newark woman who said she spent a month in a coma after undergoing an abortion at a Bergen County clinic sued the facility and several doctors there on Thursday.

The lawsuit was filed in Superior Court in Essex County against Metropolitan Medical Associates, an Englewood clinic that performs thousands of abortions a year. The clinic was ordered closed last Friday by state health officials until it corrects the 'immediate and serious' risks."

FOXNews.com - World's Smallest Surviving Preemie Goes Home From Hospital - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News

To see a picture of one of the world's smallest surviving pre-mature babies visit:
FOXNews.com - World's Smallest Surviving Preemie Goes Home From Hospital - Health News | Current Health News | Medical News: "Amillia, who was just 9 1/2 inches at birth and weighed less than 10 ounces, will still require oxygen at home and a developmental specialist will follow up with her and her parents to track her neurological development."

CATHOLIC LEAGUE Leader Comments on Catholics for a Free Choice, the Ford Foundation, & House Democrats

"In 1993, and 2000, the U.S. Catholic Bishops, represented by the bishop's conference denounced CFFC as a fraud. Funded in large part by the Ford Foundation, CFFC's leader was honored by House Democrat Rosa De Lauro who last year led 55 Catholic House Democrats in a "Statement of Principles". To read more visit:CATHOLIC LEAGUE for Religious and Civil Rights:

Stem Cell Research Legislation Vote Nears- Senators Need to Hear From You

Legislative Action Alert

The U.S. Congress will soon vote on the funding of embryo-killing stem cell research using your tax dollars. The liberal media rarely tells the public that there are successful alternatives to embryo-killing stem cell research. Adult stem cells, often taken from the patient himself, have been used to treat more than seventy diseases.

Stem cells can be taken from umbilical cord blood, and in 2004, researchers found that stem cells can also be taken from amniotic fluid. It is not necessary to kill human embryos in order to find cures or new treatments for diseases. Yet on January 11th, the U. S, House of Representatives passed legislation (H.R. 3) that would mandate the use of federal tax dollars for research requiring the killing of human embryos. The vote was 253 to 174. Only 32 votes are needed to override a presidential veto.

The Senate is expected to take up the bill before the end of February. Please contact Senator Bob Casey and tell him to resist pressures from the biotech industry and the leadership of the Democrats. He needs to hear from you.

The reasons pro-life people oppose embryonic stem cell research were explained by Dr. Jack Willke, a national pro-life leader, who spoke at the Respect Life Prayer Breakfast in Scranton in January. Willke stated,
“In order to understand the debate over embryonic stem cells, we need to understand where we get embryonic stem cells. You take a brand new human on day five of his life, cut him or her open and take from the inside embryonic stem cells. The only way to get embryonic stem cells is to kill a new human life. This is the first reason we oppose embryonic stem cell research. The second reason is they (cells taken from human embryos) don’t work and probably never will. This is due to rejection as foreign tissue. Embryonic stem cells are foreign tissue to the patient. Infection is another reason. The woman who donated the egg may have a disease, which can be transmitted. Embryonic stem cells do not work because we cannot control the growth of the cells. They produce tumors. One patient who received embryonic stem cells died a year later of a brain tumor. An autopsy showed that the stem cells produced hair and bone cells in his brain.”

Please call Senator Bob Casey now and urge him to oppose federal tax funding of research that requires the killing of human embryos. Senator Casey’s Washington Office Phone is (202) 224-6324 or Casey’s Harrisburg Office at (717) 231-7540

Also call Senator Arlen Specter and ask him to reconsider his position of supporting federal funds for this unethical, embryo-killing research. Let him know you don’t want your tax dollars used for embryo-killing stem cell research. Senator Specter’s Washington Office can be reached by calling (202)-224-4254 or his Harrisburg Office at (717) 782-3951
If you are able to write a letter immediately, you may write to the Senators.
Senator Bob Casey - B-40 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, D.C. 20510
Senator Arlen Specter - 711 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510

For more information about stem cell research visit www.stemcellresearch.org
For a list of the seventy different conditions treated using adult stem cells visit this blog's archives. http://prolifepa.blogspot.com Click on July 2005 Archives and scroll down to July 14, 2005 “Adult Stem cell Research Successful in Treating Diseases”. There are no successful therapies from embryo-killing stem cell research.

Contacting legislatorsl a very important part of promoting respect for all human life, born and unborn.

Dr. Jack Willke Discusses Stem Cell Research at Pennsylvanians for Human Life Prayer Breakfast

Dr. John Willke, internationally known pro-life leader, author and spokesman was the principal speaker at the twenty-fourth annual Respect Life Prayer Breakfast sponsored by Pennsylvanians for Human Life. Held on Jan 27th at St. Mary’s Center Scranton, the event drew a crowd of nearly 400 people. Clergy who participated in the program included The Most Reverend Joseph F. Martino, Bishop of Scranton, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, Reverend Christopher Saad, St. Peter’s Cathedral, Reverend Steve Wilson, Hope Church, Moosic and Reverend Paul Howden, Grace Reformed Episcopal Church.

Dr. Willke addressed two issues, what takes place in the earliest days of human life and how this relates to embryonic stem cell research, and the reasons abortion is not safer than childbirth though abortion advocates make that claim .

Dr. Willke stated: " We must know about the first days of life to address the issues of abortion and embryonic stem cell research. We have learned through modern technology that sperm can get into a woman’s ovaries in al little as thirty minutes. If a ripe ovum is present conception can occur. Several million sperm attempt to fertilize the ovum, but only one will push its head through the shell of the ovum. This event creates an electrical charge around the periphery of the ovum preventing any more sperm from getting in."

Willke continued, "The sperm’s penetration is the moment of conception. In 24 hours, sometimes called the process of conception, the genetic material from the mother and father are reconstituted into a single cell. Now we have a complete human body." "When you have a fertilized egg, you have a being which is alive. This being is human, not a rabbit, not celery. This being is sexed, male or female. It is complete. Nothing is added to the single cell you once were except nutrition and oxygen." the doctor emphasized

"This is not a blueprint, because nothing is added. When you build a house you start with a blueprint, but you add bricks, mortar, wood, etc. At conception we have a complete being, either male or female from the first day. All that is needed is time and nutrition so that this new human being can grow. For the first week of life the new individual floats freely and at about one week implants into his mother’s womb and sends a chemical message that there is a passenger here. Don’t menstruate. This new passenger dominates her body until delivery, taking the nutrition he needs and he will even choose his own birthdate." said Willke.

Understanding what happens to every human being in the very first days of his or her life is only part of what we need to know about the debate over embryonic stem cell research. Dr. Willke told his audience, "In order to understand the debate over embryonic stem cells, we need to understand where we get embryonic stem cells. You take a brand new human on day five of his life, cut him or her open and take from the inside embryonic stem cells. The only way to get embryonic stem cells is to kill a new human life." He continued, "This is the first reason we oppose embryonic stem cell research. The second reason is they don’t work and probably never will. This is due to rejection as foreign tissue. Embryonic stem cells are foreign tissue to the patient. Infection is another reason. The woman who donated the egg may have a disease which can be transmitted. Another reason why embryonic stem cells do not work is that we cannot control the growth of the cells. They produce tumors. One patient who received embryonic stem cells died a year later of a brain tumor. An autopsy showed that the stem cells produced hair and bone cells in his brain."
" Adult stem cells are safer and more efficent. Adult stem cells treat over seventy different conditions. For example, an eighteen year old girl who was paralized went to Portugal for treatment. They took stem cells from the lining of her nose and put them into her spinal cord. She is walking. There was no rejection, no infection and they don’t produce tumors." Dr. Willke
reported. His statements about the safety of abortion vs. childbirth will be included in a later post.

Pro-Life Comic Umbert the Unborn on the Stem cell Issue - Culture of Life

Gary Cangemi's pro-life comic strip Umbert the Unborn has a series on stem cell research beginning Feb. 1st that you won't want to miss. To see Umbert the Unborn visit Culture of Life

National Geographic Channel TV Schedule - In the Womb: Multiples: Thursday, January 18th -[TV-PG]

From: http://prolifepa.blogspot.com The National Geographic Channel on Multiple Pregnancies gives testimony to the humanity of the unborn as viewers are able to watch the babies interact with one another.

National Geographic Channel TV Schedule - In the Womb: Multiples: In the Womb: Multiples [TV-PG]:
Thursday, January 18, 2007, at 8p.m. and 11 p.m. (Check your local listings)

Egg and sperm meet and spark a perilous journey of fetal development, but what if there are two, three or even four along for the ride? In the Womb: Multiples, a two-hour world premiere special, utilizes groundbreaking technology to take viewers into theextraordinary world of twins, triplets and quadruplets as they develop in utero. The special follows the stories of three expectant mothers from conception to birth and travels inside the womb to see the tiny fetuses begin to interact with each other.
"

Dr. Jack Willke to be Principal Speaker at Pennsylvanians for Human Life, Scranton Chapter's Prayer Breakfast. March for Life Details Announced.

The Scranton Chapter of Pennsylvanians for Human Life will memorialize the 34th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s infamous decision to legalize abortion-on-demand by participating in the March for Life in Washington D.C. on January 22nd . A rally is scheduled for noon on the mall and then proceeds up Constitution Ave. to the Capitol and Supreme Court. Locally a Respect for Life Prayer Breakfast will be held on January 27th in support of the right-to-life for all human beings, born and unborn.

We invite all who believe the constitutional principle "that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life…" to gather in Washington and seek an end to the practice which has resulted in the death of more than 50 million unborn children.

Chartered buses will leave for Washington from the Keyser Oak Plaza in Scranton and Marywood University at 6:30 a.m. and will return at approximately 11 p.m. The cost for the trip is $30.oo for adults and $15 for students. Student sponsors are welcome. To make reservations contact Joe Zadzura at 344-0271 or Anne Domin at 842-9653.

Dr. John C. Willke, president of Life Issues Institute and the International Right to Life Federation, will be principal speaker at the annual Respect Life Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, January 27 at 9 a.m. at St. Mary’s Center 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton. Reservation deadline is Jan.23 and may be made by contacting Joe Alinoski at 876-4087.

Dr. Willke is a past President of the National Right to Life Committee and was an early pioneer of the right to life movement. He helped found the International Right to Life Federation 22 years ago and remains its president. He is also president of Life Issues Institute based in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Willke are authors of the book, video, power point and slide set, Abortion, Questions and Answers: Why Can’t We Love Them Both and seven editions of their classic books beginning with Handbook on Abortion in 1971, being the most widely read books in the world presenting the scientific case for the unborn. Dr. Willke has also authored other books on abortion, euthanasia and the field of human sexuality. Their works have been translated into 30 languages.

Dr. Willke practiced medicine in Cincinnati, Ohio for 40 years, where he was on the senior attending staff of the Providence and Good Samaritan hospitals.

Kate Adamson on Catholic Television in NorthEast PA

A re-broadcast of the 2006 Respect for Life Prayer Breakfast with Kate Adamson will be shown on Catholic Television (Cable Channel 12 or over the air on channel 7) on Tuesday, January 10th at 8:00 p.m. Ms. Adamson suffered a double brain stem stroke. She was unable to communicate and was diagnosed in a "persistent vegetative state" but could hear and remember all that was going on around her.