Illinois Right to Life Committee
PRO-LIFE BLOG
Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 -- Show this video to your pro-choice friends Pro-life prodigy Lia Mills, whose Youtube orations have amassed nearly a million views, has set out to prove the humanity of the unborn in a new video, part of an ongoing campaign to promote the message of life. If the unborn are not human, the 13-year-old Toronto-native explains in her ten-minute address, then abortion is simply a matter of personal preference. But, she says, "if the unborn are human, then they have value and rights." I think you will find that she makes her case.
Monday, Aug 30, 2010 -- Pastor Hoye's sidewalk counseling vindicated on appeal When Oakland California passed a bubble zone ordinance, Pro-Life African-American pastor Walter Hoye, who had been effectively sidewalk counseling, was arrested under that ordinance. Unlike in Chicago where two recent arrests under the 2009 Chicago bubble zone ordinance were dismissed, Pastor Hoye was convicted in a jury trial even though video evidence showed that he had not violated the Oakland ordinance. Fortunately, Life Legal Defense Foundation (LLDF) appealed that conviction. The appellate court has now overturned this unjust conviction based on failure to properly instruct the jury on the application of the ordinance. LLDF has also filed a lawsuit against the ordinance itself as a violation of First Amendment rights. That case will be heard in October.
Friday, Aug 27, 2010 -- IL AG sides with ACLU instead of defending parental notice The ACLU brought a lawsuit against the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act of 1995 in state court, making the outlandish claim that it violated the Illinois Constitution. This action was taken after all Federal hurdles to allow the law to take effect had been cleared. After the Illinois judge ruled in favor of the law, Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office allowed the judge to offer the ACLU an open-ended injunction to prevent the law from taking effect until all appeals were completed. Recently, the Thomas More Society filed a motion that the Illinois Supreme Court take the case directly to shorten the appeal process. The Attorney General has again sided with the ACLU by opposing this motion. For an officer of the State of Illinois whose role is to defend its laws, this action to circumvent the will of the Legislature and the people of Illinois by siding with opponents of the law, who represent the interests of abortion providers, is a dereliction of duty and an outrage.
Thursday, Aug 26, 2010 -- Tribune prints a Pro-Life editorial by Steve Chapman I have found very little coverage of Pro-Life topics in the Chicago Tribune in recent months, not even inaccurate coverage. Since there is news on Pro-Life topics almost every day, it seems that the Tribune editors have decided to censure the topic(s). Thus, it came as a pleasant surprise to read a column by Steve Chapman entitled "Inconvenient facts about stem cell research". Of course, the title is ambiguous on which side of the argument Steve would be taking, but it became clear very soon that those inconvenient facts were the serious ethical issues regarding embryonic stem cell research. Hats off to Steve Chapman!
Wednesday, Aug 25, 2010 -- Fall 2010 40 Days for Life will be the largest yet Registrations are in and the upcoming 40 Days for Life will be the largest campaign to date with 238 sites in six countries participating in simultaneous campaigns from September 22 to October 31. There will be 223 locations in 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia participating, along with 9 locations in Canada, and six in Australia and Europe. Illinois will see some repeat and some new locations this time. For details, go here.
Tuesday, Aug 24, 2010 -- Obama stem cell research executive order violates current law Yesterday, U.S. district court Judge Royce Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction against Federal funding of embryonic stem cell research. Judge Lamberth's ruling came in response to a lawsuit filed by stem cell researchers who said the Obama executive order and subsequent funding from the National Institutes of Health violated the Dickey Amendment. The judge noted that imposition of an injunction required that those challenging the government's funding demonstrate a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of their arguments, so they succeeded in making that case. A more detailed analysis can be found here.
Monday, Aug 23, 2010 -- Changing laws to prevent euthanasia seems unlikely Below is my response to the daughter who is trying to save her mother from death by euthanasia, as requested by her sister and facilitated by hospice: The current legal situation was created by laws passed in 1990 to 1991 in most states. That is when laws creating advance directives were passed. The two documents established were the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care. There was controversy at that time about the implications of these laws. Most Pro-Life organizations opposed these laws because of the issue of defining nourishment through a feeding tube as medical treatment, and other concerns. Unfortunately, the Catholic Church leadership ultimately supported these laws so the bill sponsors were able to obtain the votes to enact the laws. Now we see the abuse of this provision expanding further and further. Was your mother eating by mouth or was she using a feeding tube? If she was eating by mouth, that shows just how far this abuse has already gone. Can she express herself that she is hungry and wants to eat? Some hospices are getting taken over by people with the "right to die" agenda. They are destroying the original mission of hospice which was never to hasten death nor artificially extend life. In one similar case to your mother's, the guardian tried one hospice that refused to remove the feeding tube so they moved on to another hospice where they were willing to do the dirty deed. It turns out that the default language adopted for the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care in most states was provided by the "right to die" movement. That is why the wording of those default documents is so dangerous, especially with regard to issues such as denying nourishment. Those documents can be interpreted as stating that the patient wants to be denied nourishment "because they do not want their life to be artificially prolonged." Since Pro-Life organizations recognized the implications of the laws passed in 1991, a number of organizations, including Illinois Right to Life Committee (IRLC), created life-affirming versions of the durable power of attorney for health care, and warned that no one should sign a living will. IRLC is still conveying that message today. We just updated our version of the durable power of attorney for health care (called the Patient Self-Protection Document) again to cover the issue of organ donation. At the same time, I added a statement emphasizing the importance of selecting an agent who has a truly life-affirming viewpoint. Having an agent who thinks like your sister destroys any protection offered by even a well-written durable power of attorney for health care. In today's culture changing the laws is very unlikely. Trying to share the word of warning about living wills and directing people to life-affirming durable power of attorney for health care documents is about all that we can do. The prediction that euthanasia would follow legalized abortion has become true.
Friday, Aug 20, 2010 -- The practice of euthanasia by omission gets more blatant I learned about the following tragic situation by email this week from a woman who finds herself helpless to save her mother after her sister, who has guardian power, decided all nourishment should be stopped. Her first email stated: My mother is 92 years old, has dementia and suffered a stroke in January which left her with both physical and speech impediments. However, she is still able to respond to me, answer my questions, smile, squeeze my hand, and speak some words. She is not in any outward pain. My sister, her guardian, decided last week to remove all nourishment from my mother. I believe that this is ethically and morally wrong - do you have any suggestions on what I can do to stop this action? I know that time is critical. Thanks I referred her to the Thomas More Society for help, but legal steps work too slowly in such cases where urgent intervention is needed, assuming there is any willingness to agree that denying nourishment is actually a problem. Today, I received this update: Bill, I visited my mother today. She laughs with me, talks to me in her garbled way and holds my hand tight. This is so unfair to her. She actually seems more alert, since they stopped feeding her. Not sure if that is her will to live. I said to her you are a strong women - she responded, "Oh, I am not so sure about that." Most of the time she only speaks in slurred speech from the stroke that they never treated, in the spirit of hospice. These words came out clear as day.... I don't understand why our laws don't protect people against this. The Thomas More Society contacted an attorney in Will County. We have been in contact; I really hope that something can be done, but it has been 12 days without nourishment. This is so difficult to watch. I think that there is a place for hospice, but it has hurt my mom more than helped her. Thank for your help. I appreciate it.
Thursday, Aug 19, 2010 -- Choose Life effort continues but without a core team member Renewed efforts to obtain optional Choose Life license plates in Illinois have just begun. Look for details at Illinois Choose Life. Tragically, Joe Walsh, who has been heavily involved in this effort from the beginning in 2002, will not be available after his untimely death yesterday. Condolences can be sent to Joe's wife, Carol, at 718 Meadow Lane, Libertyville, IL 60048.
Wednesday, Aug 18, 2010 -- Future premature birth risk after abortion admitted Abortion advocates keep claiming that the dangers from abortion are almost non-existant. Thus, they accuse pregnancy care centers of misleading women when they provide information about the higher risk of premature birth in future pregnancies or mental risks from post abortion trauma. Who actually has scientific evidence on their side? Has there been a
departure from the silence? Dr. Jay Iams, a professor and vice chairman of the
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Ohio State University, wrote a report in the American Journal
of Obstetrics and Gynecology on caring for women prior to pre-term birth. In
this report Iams writes, "Contrary to common belief, population-based studies have
found The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists (AAPLOG) observed that Dr. Iams writes "contrary to common belief" because "the association is systematically ignored or severely downplayed by the established authorities in our country. It is not mentioned under complications of induced abortion in any ACOG literature we know of. It is not generally taught. It is denied by default." Given such a cover-up, it becomes exciting news when such an admission appears in a major medical journal. Still, AAPLOG takes issue with Iams calling the increased risk "very small." AAPLOG noted, "There are currently 114 studies in the literature all showing a statistically significant association between induced abortion and subsequent pre-term birth. And just about none to the contrary." Typically, these studies reveal about a 35% increased risk for pre-term birth after one abortion and at least a 90% increased risk after two.
Tuesday, Aug 17, 2010 -- The Chicago bubble zone fails again for Planned Parenthood Just two weeks after dismissal of charges against the first person arrested under the Chicago bubble zone law, the same result has occurred in the second case. Peter Breen of the Thomas More Society represented David Avignone, an MBA student at Loyola University Chicago, who was arrested on July 8 while standing outside Planned Parenthood’s Near North Side clinic. “We are pleased that for the second time, the City of Chicago has dismissed the false charges of disorderly conduct against a man who was properly and legally exercising his First Amendment rights on the public way,” said Breen.
Friday, Aug 13, 2010 -- Another unscientific, politically-driven FDA approval Tragically for women, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) today approved HRA Pharma’s “ella” for sale and distribution in the United States, as a new drug billed to be an advanced form of "emergency contraception." The FDA ignored serious issues about the drug’s safety and lack of sufficient testing. They acted based on political expediency rather than science to approve ella, which is little more than a chemical abortion drug similar to RU-486. By allowing ella to be marketed to the public as contraception, the FDA is allowing women to be deceived about the abortifacient action of ella.
Thursday, Aug 12, 2010 -- First Amendment rights restored in Washington, D.C. Public property in Washington, D.C. became private property at the whim of Planned Parenthood, but when challenged by Pro-Lifers who had been praying and sidewalk counseling on that public sidewalk for years, the attempt fell apart. The District of Columbia Office of the Attorney General has concluded that the location is, in fact, public property and is available for use by the public. Planned Parenthood's fence and "no trespassing" sign will not prevail.
Wednesday, Aug 11, 2010 -- Planned Parenthood picks up more corporate supporters It always baffles me how businesses can support organizations that are responsible for reducing their potential future customers. Any consumer business that supports Planned Parenthood seems very short-sighted to me, but they keep doing it. Here is the latest information. Life Decisions Intl keeps track of these illogical donations and encourages boycotts of those businesses. They have achieved many successes in ending corporate donations to Planned Parenthood, but new companies keep joining the ranks, and some obstinently refuse to stop facilitating the elimination of their future customers through abortions at Planned Parenthood.
Tuesday, Aug 10, 2010 -- To hot to handle even for Planned Parenthood Planned Parenthood has been identified in multiple states for overbilling the government for birth control services, violating state laws on mandated reporting and parental notification, and offering customers inaccurate medical information to sell them abortions. Apparently, there are still cases where local affiliates create too much trouble even to remain within this unethical Planned Parenthood business model. Based on a Bay Citizen report last week, Planned Parenthood Golden Gate (PPGG) will lose its affiliation with Planned Parenthood Federation of America for "not meeting our standards for administrative and fiscal management." The potential risks must be really significant to eject an affiliate that operates seven clinics in the California market where "comprehensive" sex education is in full operation and potential customers for Planned Parenthood's services are in great supply. PPGG says it will continue operations at each of its seven locations so Planned Parenthood Federation of America will lose presence in the region for at least some time. PPGG has a history of outrageous advertising aimed at promoting contraception to teens and attacking its opposition.
Monday, Aug 9, 2010 -- IVF in U.S. facilitates sex selection when banned overseas In vitro fertilization (IVF) for sex selection has become a booming business in the U.S. One provider is proud of having customers come from 147 different countries. Sex selection is banned in some of those countries and not available in others. This practice shows how IVF turns children into property to be customized at the whim of the owner, rather than human beings due dignity and respect.
Friday, Aug 6, 2010 -- Ducking for cover from medical regulators How many cases of abortion providers violating standard medical practices and regulations are needed to establish how dangerous these so-called doctors are to women? Abortion practitioners Shelley Sella and Susan C. Robinson have dumped their Kansas medical licenses, placing them outside the disciplinary jurisdiction of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts. After the murder of notorious late-term abortionist George Tiller, these two abortionists moved to New Mexico to continue as late-term abortion practitioners there. They can now escape any consequences of their violations of Kansas restrictions on late-term abortions. Their decision came after the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts said it would discipline another Kansas practitioner for violations. Crossing state lines provides cover for dangerous abortion providers. Another case came to light just a few weeks ago. Why can't state medical boards cooperate more effectively to protect the public from shoddy medical services?
Thursday, Aug 5, 2010 -- A very bad day for defense of human life There are currently just not enough Pro-Life U.S. Senators. In the end Elena Kagan, a very radical, anti-life Supreme Court nominee, was confirmed by a vote of 63-37. Kagan's background suggests she will be a strong advocate for abortion, including government funding. She is also likely to support euthanasia and assisted suicide, and be willing to deny conscience rights.
Wednesday, Aug 4, 2010 -- Bubble zone law charges dismissed, but no news coverage Last year at the urging of abortion providers, the Chicago City Council passed a bubble zone ordinance to "prevent intimidation of women seeking abortions" because of "aggressive protestors" who often come to Chicago abortion facilities. The first arrest under the ordinance occurred over nine months later on July 3, 2010. However, yesterday the charges on which that arrest was based were dismissed because the actions of Joseph Holland did not violate the ordinance. He was standing in place and praying near the door to Planned Parenthood at 1200 N. LaSalle. A deathscort considered his position to be reserved for her so she demanded that he move. When Joe just continued to pray, Planned Parenthood called the police and Joe was arrested. The ordinance creates an eight-foot bubble zone around anyone approaching within 50 feet of the entrance of a medical facility unless that person gives permission to interact with someone who moves into the zone. Unfortunately for the deathscort and the arresting officer, the door does not receive a bubble zone under the ordinance. Does this dismissal of charges from the very first arrest under a controversial new Chicago ordinance seem newsworthy? Apparently, the major Chicago newspapers and television news organizations do not think so. This dismissal of charges received no coverage in the Chicago media.
Tuesday, Aug 3, 2010 -- Virginia lawsuit against health care law to proceed Virginia passed a law to prevent its citizens from being required to purchase health care coverage under the provisions of the Federal health care bill. After President Barack Obama signed the health care bill into law, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli immediately filed a lawsuit to defend Virginia's law. That lawsuit was joined by additional states. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) filed a motion to dismiss the Virginia lawsuit. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson ruled today that the lawsuit filed by the state of Virginia against the health care law can go forward. He denied the motion filed by DHHS. "While this case raises a host of complex constitutional issues, all seem to distill to the single question of whether or not Congress has the power to regulate -- and tax -- a citizen's decision not to participate in interstate commerce," Hudson wrote. "Given the presence of some authority arguably supporting the theory underlying each side's position, this court cannot conclude at this stage that the complaint fails to state a cause of action."
Monday, Aug 2, 2010 -- Another highly promising adult stem cell treatment advance Do you think it would be significant if adult stem cells could be used to regenerate a limb joint? Well, so far it has only been done with rabbits. Researchers fabricated an anatomically correct 3-dimensional bioscaffold infused with the protein growth factor TGFß3, and implanted the scaffolds into rabbits that had their forelimb thigh joint removed. Four weeks later, rabbits that received the protein-laden scaffolds were able to resume normal movements, like rabbits with normal functional joints. This research was published in The Lancet by Prof. Jeremy J. Mao and his team at Columbia University Medical Center, along with colleagues from the University of Missouri and Clemson University. The published results actually show two new findings: regenerating a limb joint for the first time, with the animals resuming normal function with the new joint, and also the regenerated limb joint being created from the animal’s own endogenous stem cells, not stem cells that are harvested and manipulated outside the host’s body. That part about "endogenous stem cells" means that the rabbit's body supplied the stem cells in response to the protein growth factor TGFß3 without any outside intervention to prepare stem cells and then implant them. Might that approach suggest that a new barrier has been broken in ways to encourage adult stem cells to perform with less outside intervention?
|