A father I'd want on my side (Robert Schindler, Sr. - Father of the late Terri Schiavo)

Baptist Press ^ | 9/1/09 | Joni B. Hannigan

[wagglebee]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (BP)--I envied Terri Schiavo for her father, Bob. There were times I thought: What a waste, she doesn't know how good she has it. Not like it was her fault, but if only she knew.

But of course she knew.

From all the firsthand accounts and the vivid description of my friend David Gibbs, the attorney who fought for the right of Bob Schindler's daughter to live, Terri herself knew what it was like to feel the whiskered face of her father rough up against her cheek and tickle her until she smiled.

She knew when he walked in the room and gently took her hand in his big one and squeezed it to ask her how her day was. Her eyes had followed his bright ones, though his were tinged by the pain of having to defend his position that she deserved to be cared for until God decided her life should end.

A father's duty.

Some argued that it was her husband's duty. At first it seemed that way.

Michael Schiavo seemed tolerant of her family's visits, and even lived in their home for a while planning for her care after she suffered a neurological injury in 1990 caused by lack of oxygen to the brain. Her family visited her in various facilities. They brought her clothes. Her mom fixed her hair, put her makeup on, and took her on outings.

Then her husband seemed to grow weary. His heart was pulled to another. He had been married to Terri less than half a dozen years before Terri's collapse. Finally, there was a judge who was willing to believe him when said he thought Terri would not want to live in her condition. He asked the judge for permission to remove her nutrition and hydration, knowing it would cause her to die.

And still Terri's father and mother and sister and brother were there for her.

They appeared in court. They hired attorneys. They fought for the right to visit her, bring her comforting items, spend time in her room. The fight lasted nearly a decade.

The trips outside had stopped. No more makeup. Her window shades were pulled down and she was not allowed activities which were stimulating. She was sent to a hospice to die.

Right until the end, Bob refused to give up on his daughter.

"She's still fighting and we are going to fight to do whatever we can to save her," Bob said after the U.S. Supreme Court turned down a final appeal to hear her case on March 30, 2005. "I'm asking that nobody throw in the towel, she's fighting -- keep fighting with her."

It was 9:05 a.m., the day after her father made that statement in front of the hospice, that Terri died. Thirteen days after her nutrition and hydration had been pulled, for the third time in 15 years.

I was there for many of those 13 days. And I had been there two years before, the second time the Schindlers had fought her husband and the court when they threatened to remove her sustenance. What few people understand is that Terri wasn't hooked up to machines or anything, she simply needed food and water to live; because there was a fear she would choke, at some point she was put on a feeding tube.

In 2003 in front of the hospice in a trailer was the very first time I met the Schindlers and reported on their case. That extensive and very personal story is here: http://bit.ly/lo8Lx.

From the beginning Bob was warm and friendly, if worn. Mary was passionately sad. At one point in our interview she actually grabbed my hand and said, "Joni, I don't know if I can go through this again," referring to the court ordering Terri's nutrition and hydration to cease.

My heart broke for all of them.

I'm two years older than Terri. I was raised Catholic, but after that, most of the similarities end. I never did know the love of a father, growing up. When Bob spoke of his firstborn and both their eyes filled with tears, I could only think of how I would feel if my firstborn, my daughter, would be in such a state.

I actually called my daughter on the way to the interview. I asked her what she thought. She told me, "Mama, I would want you to do whatever you wanted because, honestly, I wouldn't know anything anyway. I would be just like a baby and you would be protecting me. So I understand."

In meeting Bob and Mary and then covering the case for two years, I realized just how deep was their love -- indeed how deep the family's love is for each other. They were protective, caring, careful and steadfast.

Bobby Schindler, Terri's brother, was always courteous and kind, though I am a member of the media. Suzanne Vitadamo, Terri's sister, was steady but painfully conscious of our constant intrusion. All of them were involved in a balancing act of giving the press what we needed, knowing they could be crucified or vindicated, depending on who was doing the reporting.

But Bob, walking the crowds at night outside the hospice, eternally hopeful, ever vigilant, wore his heart in his eyes. Every bright tear spoke of the love he had for his daughter. It was apparent his only motivation was the love of a father. He was a man protecting his family in the noblest way.

I could hardly meet his eyes outside the hospice on the day she died as he stood with Bobby and Suzanne, chin slightly quivering. His tears were palpable. The horde of media were amazingly silent and respectful as Bobby read a statement. Red eyes all around me, in our ranks of media professionals, gave me the knowledge that I was not alone in thinking many witnesses to this day would walk away with the knowledge that this was not a "happy ending."

Each time I thought about Terri's death thereafter and tried to reconcile it with God's sovereignty, I had a hard time. Especially when I considered her parents' pain.

A year later when I went to St. Petersburg to interview Bob and Mary at the office of the foundation they had established to help people in similar circumstances, I finally gained some perspective.

Walking with me to my car after showing me around the office, Bob grabbed me in a hug to say goodbye. I felt those whiskers that were said to make Terri smile despite their irritation. It made me smile in spite of the lump in my throat.

He had lost so much, and I asked him, really, how he was doing.

"You are such a Baptocatholic," he said, using the nickname he'd given me after finding out I was raised Catholic before becoming an evangelical Christian as a young teen.

He essentially told me he'd be fine, that God does have a plan and it's hard but it's was going to be OK.

"We just learn to forgive. We just have to," he said, referring to a statement he had made in the office a few minutes before in which he said the timing of Terri's death was "God's will."

God has a plan. He believed that, and so do I. Goodbye, my friend. Thanks for standing up for Terri until the very end. You were, indeed, a father I'd want on my side.

Joni B. Hannigan is managing editor of Florida Baptist Witness at www.FloridaBaptistWitness.com. She covered the Terri Schiavo story extensively and her photos were used in "Fighting for Dear Life: The Untold Story of Terri Schiavo" by David Gibbs and in an award-winning documentary hosted by Joni Eareckson Tada, "The Terri Schiavo Story." A full-length version of this column can be found at http://jonibh.wordpress.com.

[EternalVigilance]

Yep. The spirit of service that all Americans should emulate.

[wagglebee]

Exactly and it is the opposite of Zero’s notion of false service and the asinine assumption that picking up litter is somehow a proper way to commemorate terrorist attacks.

[floriduh voter]

Thank you for posting the tribute to Bob Schindler. I have a picture of him in happier times. I need to find it.

[tuckrdout]

"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13

[wagglebee]

The results of past 40 Days for Life have been incredible!

Thread by Salvation.

40 Days for Life -- Record-breaking fall campaign, September 23–November 1

 

Record-breaking fall campaign … September 23–November 1

Get ready for the largest, most widespread coordinated pro-life outreach ever! More than 200 cities in 45 American states, 5 Canadian provinces ... plus Denmark ... are poised to launch 40 Days for Life campaigns.

"There will be campaigns in at least 212 communites," said David Bereit, 40 Days for Life's national director. "Last fall's campaign was conducted in 177 cities. This shows that support for the pro-life message is spreading — and that 40 Days for Life continues to have a positive international impact."

The list of fall locations is now available. Please check it, see if your city is listed, and click on the city's link for additional information about your local 40 Days for Life campaign.

Please be sure to use the box at the upper right to receive updates about how you can get involved in this prayerful outreach. Facebook member? Check out the official 40 Days for Life group.

[wagglebee]

This is all just starting to seem like a really bad movie.

Thread by Charlespg.

Patient with ulcer collapses and dies after paramedics tell her: 'Stop being a drama queen' -UK

A retired teacher died of a burst stomach ulcer after a paramedic told her to ‘stop being such a drama queen’ and failed to take her to hospital, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mother-of-three Eileen Ellis-Whitfield, 63, died just hours after an ambulance was called to her home when she fell seriously ill with chronic stomach pains. . .

[wagglebee]

Terri's murder is now being used as a precedent for policy in the UK.

Thread by me.

Many U.K. Families are Not Told When Doctors Deny Loved Ones Treatment, Report Has Found

September 15, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - According to a new report, more than a quarter of U.K. families are not told when their loved ones are taken off of life support, reports the Daily Mail. Researchers from the Royal College of Physicians and the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute in Liverpool conducted an audit of 4,000 patients put on the Liverpool Care Pathway, the end-of-life care plan that has brought 'slow' euthanasia into Britain through the back door.

The Pathway, approved by the National Health Service (NHS), allows doctors to deny "treatment," including food and water, to patients they deem incurable and put them in continuous deep sedation until they die. According to the Daily Mail, this protocol is used in 300 hospitals and 560 care homes across the country.

According to the report, 28 percent of the patients' relatives were not told that their loved one had been put on the pathway. In fact, doctors are not required by law to consult patients' families - Britain's 2005 Mental Capacity Act has given them the power to make decisions on behalf of patients who they deem mentally incapable without requiring them to heed the wishes of patients' families. Social services and police have even been called to intervene in certain cases where families attempt to save the lives of their loved ones.

Peter Millard, emeritus professor of geriatrics at the University of London, confirmed other reports that the protocol is being used to kill patients that are not actually dying. "The risk as this is rolled out across the country is that elderly people with chronic conditions like Parkinson's or respiratory disorders may be dismissed as dying when they could still live for some time," he told the Daily Mail. "Discussions about the future of patients are being bypassed; the supportive nature of hospitals has gone. We are hearing complaints from all round the country." ...

[wagglebee]

Thirty-six years, over 50 MILLION deaths and it's still not "safe". The butchers with coat hangers in back alleys had higher standards than monsters like Carhart.

Another Former Employee Says Carhart Employed Illegal Abortion Practices

Bellevue, NE (LifeNews.com) -- Another former employee of late-term abortion practitioner LeRoy Carhart has come forward saying he engaged in illegal activities at his Nebraska-based abortion business. She joins five other former workers at Carhart's abortion center who says illegal and unethical practices occurred there.

The unnamed woman has contacted the pro-life group Operation Rescue and submitted an affidavit testifying to the illegal acts she witnessed.

She also testifies that Carhart and his staff told her to commit illegal acts during her employment at his Abortion and Contraception Clinic of Nebraska...

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

Had you been on vacation or something? I just realized that I hadn’t gotten your regular “Thanks for the ping” in a week or so. :-)

[Alamo-Girl]

I’ve been around but not as much as usual - lots of company.

[wagglebee]

Nothing wrong with that.

[wagglebee]

These are some amazing young men and women!

Thread by me.

Pro-Lifers Who Exposed Planned Parenthood on Abortion Made ACORN Videos

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The political activists who masterminded the ACORN videos that are drawing national attention to the problems in the liberal organization are the same pro-life advocates who were behind a series of videos that have exposed the Planned Parenthood abortion business.

Graduate student James O'Keefe is a national phenomenon thanks to his ACORN videos, but he got his start with Live Action pro-life activist Lila Rose.

With Rose, he headed a string of videos showing how staff at Planned Parenthood abortion centers would cover up potential cases of sexual abuse and statutory rape. In some instances, Planned Parenthood staff would advise Rose about how she could get around state parental involvement laws to get a secret abortion.

In one video, O'Keefe posed as Rose's 23-year old "boyfriend" and a Los Angeles Planned Parenthood staffer offered them advice on how to arrange an abortion that could cover up the alleged statutory rape.

O'Keefe is a 25 year-old Fordham university student who also took part in calls Live Action orchestrated asking Planned Parenthood local affiliates if it would accept donations form someone because they supported the abortions of black babies for racist purposes. In many cases, the staff at the centers gladly accepted the donations and appeared to agree with the motivation behind them.

The abortion center staff were more than happy to accommodate his request, with one Planned Parenthood employee saying, "for whatever reason, we'll accept the money." ...

[wagglebee]

Unfortunately, the culture of death NEVER gives up.

Thread by markomalley.

(Canadian) Euthanasia bill will be defeated

OTTAWA - Opponents of assisted-suicide and euthanasia bill C-384 express confidence the bill will be defeated if it comes to a vote this fall.

That is if an election does not kill Bloc Quebecois MP Francine Lalonde's private member's bill first. Elections in 2006 and 2008 killed Lalonde's two previous attempts to legalize assisted suicide.

"In the sense that it might happen, I'm quite confident that the vote's actually going to go the right way," said Conservative MP Rod Bruinooge, who chairs the parliamentary pro-life caucus. "On this one, there's clear lack of support in our party."

Bruinooge predicted many Liberals would also vote against the bill, as well as some in the New Democratic Party. Most of the support for Lalonde's bill will come from within her own caucus, he said. . .

[wagglebee]

No matter how they try to repackage it, the 'Rats are determined to impose death panels.

Thread by me.

Baucus Health Care "Reform" Bill Pushes Doctors to OK Rationing for Seniors

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The Baucus health care "reform" bill that is quickly becoming the potential alternative to the Kennedy bill and HR 3200 includes abortion subsidies and mandates. Additional analysis also shows the legislation includes health care rationing that would cause problems for senior citizens.

Burke J. Balch, an attorney and the director of the medical ethics center at the National Right to Life Committee, has examined the entire bill.

He points to language on pages 80-81 regarding Medicare physician payments as a concern.

"Beginning in 2015, payment would be reduced by five percent if an aggregation of the physician's resource use is at or above the 90th percentile of national utilization," the Baucus bill says. "After five years, the Secretary would have the authority to convert the 90th percentile threshold for payment reductions to a standard measure of utilization, such as deviations from the national mean."

Balch says the language clearly makes it so doctors are pushed financially into provided less care for seniors by being urged to purchase cheaper medical tests and phase out costly treatments.

"The provision penalizing doctors establishes that for at least five years, Medicare physicians who authorize treatments for their patients that wind up in the top 10% of per capita cost for a year will lose 5% of their total Medicare reimbursements for that year," he explains to CBN News' David Brody.

"This means that all doctors treating older people will constantly be driven to try to order the least expensive tests and treatments for fear that they will be caught in that top 10%," Balch adds.

"Note that this feature operates independently of any considerations of quality, efficiency, or waste if you authorize enough treatment for your patients, however necessary and appropriate it may be, you are in danger of being one of the 1 in 10 doctors who will be penalized each year," Balch adds. "Moreover, it creates a moving target by definition, there will ALWAYS be a top 10%, no matter how far down the total amount of money spent on Medicare is driven." . . .

[floriduh voter]

It is Friday evening. A bunch of freepers from the USA are together after attending Robert Schindler Sr.’s local memorial service in Gulfport, Fl. There was a lone cameraman there, the Priest who was at Terri’s Memorial before he was transferred, a bunch of their family, freepers and other Terri fighters. Pls ck terrisfight.org for a press release in case there is one. Fregards, FV

[EternalVigilance]

Thank you.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[floriduh voter]

There were Terri supporters who admired Bob Schindler so much, cherished his grace and ability to treat everyone the same.

The day the bad side tried to destroy Bob Sr. on the stand in Greer's courtroom, the baddies failed miserably. Bob nonetheless before that matter was dismissed, he was treated severely on the stand. It was a packed courtroom.

The baddies tried to destroy Bob before they got Terri.

Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation lives on. They receive hundreds of inquiries and requests. Many families are going about their business and then suddenly, find themselves in peril.

TSSF does an incredible public service and are still very grateful to everyone who joined Terri's Fight.

[Crolis]

Thanks for posting.

[wagglebee]

Michael Steele seems to be emulating Judas Iscariot at every turn.

Thread by cpforlife.org.

RNC Chairman Steele Welcoming Pro-Abortion Candidates to GOP

What's next, is Steele going to welcome gun control candidates into the party? Candidates advocating for higher taxes and spending?

In a September 3rd interview, Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele told a surprised Columbus Dispatch reporter that he would lead the charge of pro-abortion GOP candidates if abortion is a value in their community. Columbus Dispatch Senior Editor Joe Hallett asked Steele "if there is room in the party for a pro-abortion rights candidate…"

Hallett quoted Steele's reply:

"There absolutely is, there absolutely is… The key thing right now-and I think this is true for Republicans across the country-is to have leadership that reflects the communities I live in, where we're from. As we get ready for the battles that lie ahead from this district to all the districts surrounding the state, that you're going to find those candidates emerge and rise up who reflect those values in those communities, and that's a very important step for the party to take, I think, and I'm looking forward to help lead that charge in the future."

There are two glaring problems with his statement. First, the official Republican Party Platform states: "We oppose using public revenues to promote or perform abortion and will not fund organizations which advocate it." Steele has thus flagrantly violated his own Party Platform by agreeing to fund the campaigns of GOP candidates who advocate abortion. . .

[wagglebee]

The UK seems to be basically decriminalizing assisted suicide.

Two threads by me.

New guidance on assisted suicide (UK)

Guidelines on assisted suicide law will be published by the Director of Public Prosecutions this week to clarify when people are likely to be prosecuted.

Keir Starmer QC told the BBC factors that would be considered included whether anyone helping in the suicide stood to gain financially.

He said assisted suicide would remain an offence as the law was unchanged.

Labour minister Ed Balls said he hoped Mr Starmer would "err on the side of being very, very cautious".

The guidelines for England and Wales come after a legal battle won by Debbie Purdy, who has multiple sclerosis.

The Law Lords accepted earlier this year that Ms Purdy, from Bradford, had a right to know whether her husband Omar Puente would be prosecuted if he helped her to travel abroad to commit suicide. . .

______________________________________________________________

The farewell of an assisted suicide

Before she took her own life, Pamela Weston wrote a letter explaining her reasons for ending it all. “There is nothing else I want to do. Nothing else I can do. I’m too weak, too tired. I’ve had a wonderful, happy life. Now it’s over.”

The 87-year-old distinguished classical musician and writer, who in her prime performed at the Festival Hall and for Clement Attlee at No 10 Downing Street, is the latest Briton to commit assisted suicide. She died on September 9 at the Swiss clinic, Dignitas.

News of her death comes as the director of public prosecutions (DPP) prepares to issue legal guidelines on assisted suicide in England and Wales. They are expected to remove the threat of prosecution from anyone who compassionately assists a terminally ill or chronically disabled person to commit suicide. It will remain an offence to influence them. . .

[wagglebee]

These people are monsters.

Thread by mlizzy.

Elderly Pro-life Activist Attacked, Injured in Flagstaff

Flagstaff, AZ – Just a week after Jim Pouillon was shot and killed for his public stand against abortion, 69-year old Johnny Wallace was attacked by two women as he held two non-graphic, text-only signs protesting abortion in Flagstaff, Arizona, on Saturday.

Wallace was alone in front of City Hall on the busiest street in town at the time of the attack with signs that read, “Abortion kills more black Americans in four days than the Klan killed in 150 years,” and “Life begins at conception and ends at Planned Parenthood.” Wallace was known to protest at that location every day.

Wallace was approached from behind by two women, both 48, who began by yelling profanities at him. One then attempted to take way and destroy his sign. After Wallace was wrestled to the ground, the other woman joined the attack...

[wagglebee]

This is one of the most heartwarming stories I've ever read.

Thread by me.

Down Syndrome Boy's 60-Yard Touchdown Run an Internet Hit

ST. JOSEPH, Missouri, September 21, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - A heart-warming story of true sportsmanship last week turned what might have been a dismal defeat into an extraordinary victory for both teams and everyone who witnessed Matt Ziesel's touchdown run.

Matt, who has Down syndrome, is a freshman at Benton High School in St. Joseph, Mo. Despite his disability he suits up for every football game and cheers on his teammates from the sidelines.

Last Monday night the Benton Cardinals football team was losing its game against the Maryville Spoofhounds 46-0 when, with about ten seconds left in the game, Benton coach Dan McCamy called a timeout and went to confer with Spoofhounds coach David McEnaney.

"I did come over to some confused looks. They're, like, 'Ten seconds left in the game, 46 to nothing, what is he going to do? Throw in the towel?'" McCamy told NBC Sports.

Instead, he proposed that, if they were not opposed to giving up the shutout, they let Ziesel carry the ball in what he called Matt's Play. "I don't want him touched. No physical contact, but I want it to be as real as possible," McCamy said.

"I said 'Yeah, that's fine coach. Tell him to run all the way to the end zone," coach McEnaney said. "The (Maryville) kids got on board. They were real excited about it."

The Maryville Daily Forum described the play: Following the timeout Ziesel took his spot to the left of the quarterback. The ball was snapped and Ziesel took the ball on a sweep to the right gaining speed as he went. As he raced down the right sideline, Spoofhounds defenders peeled off one after the other.

Ziesel carried the ball for a 60-yard touchdown escorted into the end zone by his teammates who wrapped him in hugs following the score.

The crowd clapped and cheered their approval, and after the game, Matt Ziesel enthused, "I scored a touchdown! 60 yards, I go for touchdown for us!"

McEnaney said the Spoofhounds gave up their shutout but it was a small price to pay in comparison to what they got in return.

"It was a great opportunity for our kids to kind of realize that while, yes, winning is a big deal, there's bigger life lessons out there," McEnaney said.

Mike Ziesel, Matt's father and a high school athletic director, told Fox 4 News, "The people at Maryville were terrific. Our fans have always been supportive.

"Like any school in our conference, or in the area, you want to win. But to see those kids do what they did and their coaching staff, our coaching staff, collaborate on something like that was a feel good situation.

"You hear the loud cheering and see the support they give him. It's a sign of real sportsmanship and that winning is not the most important thing, or shutouts are not the most important thing," Mike Ziesel said.

The touchdown touched the hearts of everyone at the game, and since coach McCamy posted the video to YouTube the day after the game, it has been viewed almost 300,000 times.

The final score of the game was 46-6 in favor of the Spoofhounds, but on that extraordinary Monday night, everybody won.

Watch the YouTube video here. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ylwXOxKb7I)

[wagglebee]

Kmeic has gone off the deep-end.

Thread by me.

Douglas Kmiec Calls Obama's Pro-Abortion Stance: "My Catechism Come to Life"

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In a new interview that is certain to upset pro-life Catholics, dissident Catholic professor Douglas Kmiec continues to claim that pro-abortion President Barack Obama takes a pro-life view.

He says he was so excited talking about abortion with Obama during the campaign that he said Obama's views made him think his candidacy was "my catechism come to life."

Kmiec, a former Pepperdine University law professor whose covering up Obama's pro-abortion views during the election drew a rebuke from Denver Archbishop Charles Chaput, receive a reward from Obama by being named as the ambassador to Malta. . .

[Saundra Duffy]

“There is nothing else I want to do. Nothing else I can do.”

She could have spent her last days praying for others. How selfish.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[floriduh voter]

Does the GOP never want those who left to return to the GOP?

[floriduh voter]

Why are so many abortion mills in black neighborhoods and why do so many black politicians embolden planned parenthood in the hood? Shame on Steele. He can’t walk the walk.

[wagglebee]

This is disturbing in every imaginable way.

Thread by Free ThinkerNY.

Abortion Addict Confesses 15 Procedures in 16 Years

Irene Vilar worries that her self-described "abortion addiction" will be misunderstood, twisted by the pro-life movement to deny women the right to choose.

Her book, "Impossible Motherhood," which will be released by Other Press on Oct. 6, chronicles her own dark choices: 15 abortions in 16 years, much of it as a married woman.

As press on the book has begun to leak out, Vilar -- a literary agent and editor --- says she has already sensed "an inkling of hatred."

Vilar has scheduled only closed-door interviews and will not do a book tour. At the urging of her husband, they have made sure all public property records do not reflect her name, so she cannot be targeted at their home.

"I am worried about my safety and the hate mail," she told ABCNews.com in a telephone interview as her home-schooled children were at work on a painting project. . .

[wagglebee]

It is way past the time when the Vatican needs to address the apostate clergy in America.

Thread by NYer.

Abortion in Health Care "Way Beyond my Field": Cardinal Mahoney

September 23, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - In a recent interview with CNSNews.com, Cardinal Roger Mahoney declined to answer a question about whether or not he agreed with Cardinal Justin Rigali that the Obama health care bill should include language explicitly excluding any public funding of abortion. "This is way beyond my field," the cardinal responded.

"My field is immigration," said Mahoney, who is the archbishop of Los Angeles. "I really haven't kept up on that, and I spend all my time on this other. You have to get somebody who spends time on that."

When asked whether he believed abortion should be funded under the health care bill, Cardinal Mahony said: "No, but that's what the president said, too, so."

Cardinal Rigali, the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' pro-life committee, has spoken out against Obama's healthcare plan as currently formulated, due to the fact that it would use taxpayer money to pay for abortions. . .

[wagglebee]

More of Zero's "common ground" on infanticide.

Thread by jmcenanly.

Holdren says Constitution backs compulsory abortion

Obama science czar John Holdren stated in a college textbook he co-authored that in conditions of emergency, compulsory abortion would be sustainable under the U.S. Constitution, even with Supreme Court review.

WND has obtained a copy of "Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment," published in 1977 and co-authored by Holdren with Malthusian population alarmist Paul R. Ehrlich and Ehrlich's wife, Ann. As WND reported, the authors argued involuntary birth-control measures, including forced sterilization, may be necessary and morally acceptable under extreme conditions, such as widespread famine brought about by "climate change."

To prevent ecological disasters, including "global warming," Holdren argued the U.S. Constitution would permit involuntary abortions, government -imposed sterilizations and laws limiting the number of children as steps justified under the banner of "sustainable well-being." ...

[wagglebee]

If "Father" Jenkins had an ounce of integrity he would personally apologize to and beg forgiveness from each of the these men and women he is persecuting.

Thread by me.

Notre Dame Pro-Life Efforts a "Mockery" While Pro-Life Protesters Face Charges: ND Law Prof

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, September 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - University of Notre Dame law professor emeritus Charles Rice has issued an open letter to University president Fr. John Jenkins this week, criticizing the school's attempts at reconstructing a pro-life facade while still refusing to request leniency for the dozens of pro-lifers arrested for protesting the Obama scandal in May.

 

"As long as you pursue the criminalization of those pro-life witnesses," wrote Rice, "your newest pro-life statements will be regarded reasonably as a cosmetic covering of the institutional anatomy in the wake of the continuing backlash arising from your conferral of Notre Dame's highest honor on the most relentlessly pro-abortion public official in the world."

The controversy surrounds the arrest and charge of trespassing imposed on 88 pro-lifers who traveled from across America to peacefully witness against the University's honoring of President Obama, who issued the commencement speech and received an honorary law degree on May 17 of this year. 

Individuals carrying pro-life messages - including images of aborted children, a large cross, and images of Mary - were singled out for arrest, while several other trespassers with pro-Obama or pro-Notre Dame signage were not arrested.

Dr. Rice criticized Jenkins' Chief of Staff Frances Shavers' claim that the protesters were simply arrested for trespassing as disingenuous. 

"Those 88 defendants were on the other side of the campus, far removed from the site of the Commencement," Rice wrote.  "They are subjected by Notre Dame to the criminal process because they came, as individuals, to Notre Dame to pray, peacefully and non-obstructively, on this ordinarily open campus, in petition and reparation, as a response to what they rightly saw as a facilitation by Notre Dame of various objectively evil policies and programs of Notre Dame's honoree, President Obama." ...

[floriduh voter]

Just call him Jenkins. Father he’s not.

[wagglebee]

Prayer continues to save lives.

Threads by Salvation and me.

40 Days for Life -- Pray to End Abortion

The 40 Days for Life campaign is firmly rooted on a foundation of prayer and fasting. To help maintain focus on the Lord and stay in tune with His guidance, we have prepared a series of daily devotionals — one for each of the 40 days of the fall 2009 campaign.

We fervently believe that prayer and fasting will end abortion, and your prayers are very much needed and appreciated. Please follow the links below to read and meditate upon these brief reflections.

Printable versions are available; please click the link at the bottom of each devotional.

Prepare: September 22 Day 1: September 23 Day 2: September 24 Day 3: September 25 Day 4: September 26 Day 5: September 27 Day 6: September 28 Day 7: September 29 Day 8: September 30 Day 9: October 1 Day 10: October 2 Day 11: October 3 Day 12: October 4 Day 13: October 5 Day 14: October 6 Day 15: October 7 Day 16: October 8 Day 17: October 9 Day 18: October 10 Day 19: October 11 Day 20: October 12

Day 21: October 13 Day 22: October 14 Day 23: October 15 Day 24: October 16 Day 25: October 17 Day 26: October 18 Day 27: October 29 Day 28: October 20 Day 29: October 21 Day 30: October 22 Day 31: October 23 Day 32: October 24 Day 33: October 25 Day 34: October 26 Day 35: October 27 Day 36: October 28 Day 37: October 29 Day 38: October 30 Day 39: October 31 Day 40: November 1 Day 41: November 2

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Baby Saved on First Day of 40 Days for Life Campaign

September 24, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - You know 40 Days for Life is off to a great start when there's a report of a baby saved from abortion -- at a pre-campaign kickoff event!

The 40 Days for Life team in St. Louis began a day of preparation prior to the campaign with prayer at a local church, followed by more prayer on the sidewalk in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion center -- prayer that was joined by more than 100 people.

At the St. Louis kickoff rally that evening, "we sang, prayed and had a chance to meet many new people," said local coordinator Brian Westbrook. "God truly blessed us with an exciting night."

But the excitement was just beginning. At the end of the long day, Brian went home, checked his e-mail and found this message:

"I just wanted to let you know that today just before we left the clinic, as we were wrapping up and praying together, one of the sidewalk counselors came over and let us know that a couple who had gone into the clinic in the morning had just left and decided to keep their baby. So praise God, I believe that's the first fruits of what's to come over the next 40 days."

Brian said, "What an incredible start to these 40 Days for Life. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us this fall. Keep praying and fasting and one day we will see an end to abortion."

Positive reports from kickoff events and news stories about 40 Days for Life are pouring in from across North America as the campaign is getting off to an incredible start in over 200 locations. . .

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

Archbishop Raymond Burke has written a fantastic editorial on the fight for life.

Thread by NYer.

Reflections on the Struggle to Advance the Culture of Life

It is clear that we are experiencing today a period of intense and critical struggle in the advancement of the culture of life in our nation. The administration of our federal government openly and aggressively follows a secularist agenda. While it may employ religious language and even invoke the name of God, in fact, it proposes programs and policies for our people without respect for God and His Law. In the words of the Servant of God Pope John Paul II, it proceeds "as if God did not exist" (Pope John Paul II, Post-synodal Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles laici, "On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World," 30 December 1988, no. 34).

At the same time, there is a lack of unity among those dedicated to advance a culture which respects fully the gift of human life and its origin in procreation, that is, in the cooperation of man and woman with God through the conjugal union and through education in the home which they have formed by marriage. Recent statements, occasioned by the Rites of Christian Burial accorded to the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy, have manifested profound disagreement and even harsh criticism among those who are publicly committed to the Gospel of Life.

As we share the same commitment to foster respect for human life and the integrity of marriage and the family, I wish to offer some fundamental reflections on how to advance the culture of life in our nation. The reflections are not comprehensive. It is my hope that, in some small way, they may help us both to address more effectively the Gospel of Life to the political leadership of our nation and to draw together in greater unity with all who are truly dedicated to promote the respect for human life and the integrity of the marital union and its fruit, family life. . .

[wagglebee]

Maybe Zero should try to explain again how he's not like Hitler.

Thread by kellynla.

Holdren: Sterilize Welfare Recipients

Obama science czar John Holdren stated in a college textbook that compulsory, government-mandated "green abortions" would be a constitutionally acceptable way to control population growth and prevent ecological disasters, including global warming, because a fetus was most likely not a "person" under the terms of the 14th Amendment.

Holdren further suggested government-mandated population control measures might be inflicted in the United States against welfare recipients, writing on page 840: "There has been considerable talk in some quarters at times of forcibly suppressing reproduction among welfare recipients (perhaps by requiring the use of contraceptives or even by involuntary sterilizations). This may sadly foreshadow what our society might do if the human predicament gets out of hand." (Parenthesis in original text.)

As previously reported, WND has obtained a copy of the 1970s college textbook "Ecoscience: Population, Resources, Environment" that Holdren co-authored with Malthusian population alarmist Paul R. Ehrlich and Ehrlich's wife, Ann. The authors argued involuntary birth-control measures, including forced sterilization, may be necessary and morally acceptable under extreme conditions, such as widespread famine brought about by "climate change." ...

[wagglebee]

Zero now considers honesty a crime.

Thread by me.

White House Threatens to Prosecute Private Medicare Companies for Warning Seniors of Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 25, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The Obama administration has aroused a fierce First Amendment controversy after threatening companies selling private Medicare coverage not to tell their customers that current health care legislation would result in benefit cuts - or else face a lawsuit.

The administration and Senate Democrats justify the move by saying the claim, spread by at least one such company, is patently false. Yet some say the administration is the one twisting the facts to help the unpopular legislation: critics note that even the head of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office agrees that the legislation would mean a loss of senior benefits.

The general warning came after the Department of Health and Human Services launched a probe against the insurance giant Humana earlier this month after it sent out a mailing warning of the possible cuts.

"As we continue our research into this issue, we are instructing you to immediately discontinue all such mailings to beneficiaries and to remove any related materials directed to Medicare enrollees from your Web sites," the HHS Centers for Medicare and Medicaid told health insurance companies in a notice Monday. . .

[wagglebee]

It won't be long before the culture of death starts using the term "worthless eaters" again.

Thread by me.

A life not worth living?

New guidance has been issued to clarify the law on assisted suicide in England and Wales - but it offers no guarantees against prosecution.

Instead the Director of Public Prosecutions has spelled out the range of factors that will be taken into account when deciding on cases.

The move has been welcomed by 33 year old Kelly Taylor from Bristol who is terminally ill.

In 2005 she tried to starve herself in the hope she would end her pain.

"I think the new guidelines are a breakthrough, as it gives people the knowledge when and where they're going wrong and when they could be prosecuted. It also gives people like me greater patient choice." ...

[wagglebee]

The Fall 40 Days for Life campaign is underway.

Faith has done a wonderful job with the daily threads for a long time, everyone please bump the threads when you have a chance.

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - Day 1 - PRAY to END ABORTION!

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 2 - 45 MILLION BABIES ABORTED - PLEASE PRAY TO END ABORTION

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 3 - PLEASE SAY A PRAYER FOR ALL THE UNBORN

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 4 - PLEASE TAKE 60 SECONDS TO SAY A PRAYER FOR THE UNBORN!

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 5 - Please pray for every precious unborn child.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

Eventually a state WILL grant personhood rights to the unborn and the Supreme Court will be forced to address the holocaust they created.

Threads by Lesforlife and EternalVigilance.

"New push to define 'person' and outlaw abortion in the process"

A new push to define 'person' and to outlaw abortion in the process.

Some abortion foes think the rationale for Roe vs. Wade is vulnerable. They're trying to amend state constitutions -- including California's -- to define personhood from conception. . .

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CALIFORNIA PRO-LIFERS LAUNCH HUMAN RIGHTS AMENDMENT PETITION CAMPAIGN

Washington, DC – California has joined the race to recognize human rights and personhood for all human beings from the biological beginning of development.

The state’s most outspoken pro-life advocates submitted the California Human Rights Amendment to Attorney General Jerry Brown following a press conference Monday in Sacramento.

“The preborn, while demonstrably alive and demonstrably human, are not protected ‘persons’ under our state constitution,” said Lila Rose, the 21-year-old student pro-life activist, president of Live Action and cosponsor of the amendment. “Our laws must protect each person’s basic human right to life, from the beginning of his or her life until the end.”

The push is backed by the California Civil Rights Foundation, a coalition of pro-lifers including Rose and sponsor Walter Hoye, the pastor arrested and imprisoned in 2008 for standing in silent witness outside an abortion mill.

“The California Human Rights Amendment recognizes that valuing human life is fundamental to life itself,” Hoye said at the press conference, “and is the cornerstone of peace and prosperity for any society.”

Hoye and Rose were joined by Judie Brown, president of American Life League and Keith Mason, founder of PersonhoodUSA.

The activists stressed that personhood fulfills the dream of the civil rights movement.

“The injustice of denying the personhood of whole classes of human beings is an injustice that cannot go unchallenged,” Brown said. “Now is the time for justice. Nothing less is acceptable in a republic based on the principle of equal justice for one and all.” . . .

[wagglebee]

Washington state is going out of its way to push death.

Thread by me.

Washington State Quickly Taking First Place in Promotion of Assisted Suicide

Live in Washington State? In a crisis? Suicidal?

Call 911.

Then what?

A dispatcher sends crisis negotiators who, if they follow the suggestions provided at a recent negotiators' training session, could help you consider "all options." If you're eligible, you may be referred to friendly volunteers who will help you find a doctor willing to prescribe a deadly drug overdose.

Just take the prescription to a pharmacy. Have it filled by a pharmacist who hands it to you with instructions to "take this with a light snack and alcohol to cause death."

But what if the pharmacy has opted out of participation in assisted suicide?

Not to worry.

Washington pharmacies are required to fill your prescription.

And what if you're not "qualified" for assisted suicide under Washington's Death with Dignity Act?

No sweat. There's help for you, too. Exit International, an equal opportunity death facilitator, has just established its North American headquarters in Bellingham, WA.

Enter the twilight zone that is Washington State. . .

[wagglebee]

40 Days for Life continues to save lives!

Threads by Faith and me.

38 Babies Saved Since Beginning of 40 Days for Life Campaign

September 28, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - While Jackie was praying at the 40 Days for Life vigil in Greenland, New Hampshire, a car slowly pulled up in front of the clinic. The driver rolled down the window and said, "I don't know what you're doing here; but whatever it is, it's working!" The driver went on to say the abortion center had let employees go because business was off.

All Jackie could say was, "Praise God for victories!"

The staff at yet another abortion center has shrunk by at least one. But this wasn't a layoff. This was a clinic nurse who walked out and quit!

Angela of the 40 Days for Life team in Granite City, Illinois, said the abortion facility nurse came out and hugged her. "Thank you for praying for me," she told Angela. "Your witness has been powerful to me. This is my last day! I'm going off to do what real nurses should be doing." With that, she walked to her car and drove away.

This is the second abortion worker to quit during this 40 Days for Life campaign!

And yes, there are amazing stories to share about babies saved from abortion as well.

Thus far in this fall 40 Days for Life campaign, we've received reports of 38 mothers who changed their minds and chose life. And of course, those are just the ones we know of! . . .

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Please bump Faith's threads when you are able.

40 DAYS for LIFE - Day 6 - YOUR PRAYERS FOR THE UNBORN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

40 DAYS FOR LIFE - DAY 7 - WHO WILL STAND FOR THE UNBORN IF NOT YOU AND I?

[wagglebee]

The travesty of Zero's defilement of Notre Dame continues.

Thread by me.

Judge in Case of Arrested Notre Dame Pro-Lifers is Married to Pro-Abortion ND Professor

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, September 28, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The attorney representing the pro-lifers arrested while protesting Obama at Notre Dame today repeated his request that the judge in the case, who is married to a pro-abortion Notre Dame professor, be removed from the case.

Attorney Tom Dixon's motion provides detailed support for his assertion in a previous recusal motion that there exists sufficient actual and perceived bias that Judge Jenny Pitts Manier, the judge assigned to the "ND 88" case, is required by Indiana state law to recuse herself in the matter. Dixon states that ever since Judge Manier has known her husband, Professor Edward Manier, he has been a well-known and outspoken advocate of the pro-abortion position.

As his views were well-known and have largely defined his identity at Notre Dame, Dixon argues, it seems implausible that Judge Manier could claim to be unaware of his views on the "ND 88" case, which stem from "the single biggest controversy in the history of the University of Notre Dame."

The case surrounds the arrest of 88 pro-lifers from across America who were charged with trespassing after peacefully witnessing against the presence of President Obama at Notre Dame The university awarded Obama with the commencement speech and an honorary law degree on May 17 of this year. Arrestees were singled out for carrying pro-life messages onto campus - including images of aborted children, a large cross, and images of Mary - while several other trespassers with pro-Obama or pro-Notre Dame signage were allowed to roam the campus.

Dixon argues that the career of Judge Manier's husband at Notre Dame was largely defined by the very same controversies which prompted the pro-lifers to travel across America to ultimately land in the St. Joseph County court room. In Indiana, a judge must recuse himself or herself from a case in the event of actual or perceived bias. . .

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

The left must cringe when they see these stories.

Thread by Steelfish.

A Child is Born: Photographs Of The Foetus Developing In The Womb

When Lennart Nilsson's pictures of developing embryos were published in Life magazine in 1965, they caused a sensation. Within days, the entire print run of eight million had sold out. More than 40 years later, the photographs have lost none of their power

Five weeks. The embryo is approximately 9mm long. A face develops, with openings for the mouth, the nostrils and eyes . . .

[Steelfish]

Thanks for the pings

[wagglebee]

This is just repulsive.

Thread by me.

Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Methodist Churches Ask Senate for Abortion Funds

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A coalition of mainline Protestant churches have authored a letter to members of Congress asking them to make certain the health care bills they are considering contain taxpayer funding for abortions. The letter comes from a group of churches that have long advocated the pro-abortion position.

Under the umbrella of the Religious Institute, the church denominations and more than 1,100 pastors and church staff from the denominations endorsed the letter.

The letter calls abortion a “morally justifiable decision” and opposed any amendments to the House and Senate bills, which current contain massive abortion funding, to strike that taxpayer-financing.

“Already, federal policy unfairly prevents low-income women and federal employees from receiving subsidized [abortions]," Rev. Debra W. Haffner, executive director of the Religious Institute complained.

The letter added that she doesn't want more abortion funding bans in place and complained that additional "restrictions" on abortion funding constitute a "serious moral injustice.” ...