In this issue:
Planned Parenthood seeking more tax dollars in Idaho
A quick look at elements of the budget Bush sent to Congress
Links to recent news items on Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood / Komen connection
STOPP speaking engagements
Life saved outside Waco Planned Parenthood abortuary
Planned Parenthood seeking more tax dollars in Idaho
The Idaho Pro-Life News Network (http://www.idahochooseslife.org/IPLNN/2005/0205/021805.htm reports that Planned Parenthood and the Idaho Women’s Network have managed to get a bill introduced in the Idaho Senate that would provide millions in new tax dollars for Planned Parenthood. Sen. Shawn Keogh (R-Sandpoint) and Rep. Margaret Henbest (D-Boise) are sponsoring SB1140 to expand “family planning services.” It calls on the Department of Health and Welfare to seek federal matching funds to establish a bigger effort aimed at providing low-income families with “family planning” services like education, contraceptives, counseling and sterilizations.
It calls for state appropriations of $221,000 in the first year, $300,000 in the second, and escalating tax money over five years. But this is just the tip of the ambitious money grab. Once the legislature sets aside the state money—they want the department to go get 90% matching federal funds. That translates into over $2 million the first year, $3 million the second and escalating millions in years out. Given the fact that Planned Parenthood of Idaho’s total annual budget is something like $1.3 million — you can see this is a huge new infusion of money with which to expand their empire. We need your help in stopping this raid on Idaho families! Members of the Senate Health & Welfare Committee will soon be considering SB1140 — the “Planned Parenthood Funding Bill.” Please call or email these legislators to express your opposition to this abuse of Idaho taxpayers!
In the Boise area, call 332-1000. Or use the toll-free number, 1-800-626-0471
Senate Health & Welfare Committee: (Click on name to send e-mail)
You can also contact these Senate leaders about the bill:
We at STOPP congratulate the members of the pro-life community in Iowa for being involved and for spotting this bill. We encourage all STOPP supporters in Idaho to immediately take action to stop the funding of Planned Parenthood in the state.
A quick look at elements of the budget Bush sent to Congress
Planned Parenthood receives over $265 million annually from federal, state and local tax money. In addition, PP tries to work closely with many government agencies to get its agenda pushed as part of the health programs, particularly women’s health programs, in the United States. Of course, Planned Parenthood is very much opposed to abstinence education, as it does not make a dime from children who refrain from all sexual activity. There are several items in the proposed Bush budget that are of interest to Planned Parenthood and, therefore, of interest to us.
- Family Planning dollars:
- Title X family planning program: Level-funded at $286 million in FY2006.
- United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA): $25 million, a $9 million decrease below FY2005. The administration has blocked the release of all UNFPA funds in fiscal years 2002 through 2004.
- International Family Planning: Cut $16 million, or 3.7% less than FY2005.
- Abstinence Education:
- Abstinence Only Education: An increase of $38 million, or 18.4%, for a total of $206 million in abstinence only until married programs. Also requests that the Department of Health and Human Services, "develop research-based standards for abstinence education curricula, and conduct a review of the consistency of messages in all federal programming for youth addressing teen pregnancy prevention, family planning, and STD and HIV/AIDS prevention."
- Health Resources and Services Administration:
- Healthy Start infant mortality initiative: Cut 4.8% below this year's level, a $5 million cut.
- Maternal and Child Health Block Grant: Level-funded, no increase, at $724 million.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program: A $48,000 or 0.02% increase above FY2005 levels to $204.5 million in FY06. This program helps fund cancer prevention programs, and provides lifesaving screening for low-income women.
- Safe Motherhood/Infant Health Program: An $11,000, or 0.02% increase over FY2005 levels. This program gathers data on pregnancy related deaths, and researches smoking during pregnancy and perinatal depression.
- Department of State:
- Child Survival and Health Programs Fund: Cut $290 million, 18.8%, from FY2005.
- HIV/AIDS: $3.2 billion for HIV/AIDS prevention activities, including $1.97 billion for the Global HIV/AIDS Initiative, a $600 million increase above FY2005.
Links to recent news items on Planned Parenthood
We present here each month links to recent stories about Planned Parenthood. (Note that many newspapers move web pages. The links below were working at time this report was initially sent.)
Planned Parenthood / Komen connection
Pro-Life Waco (an Associate Group of American Life league), the group that successfully fought the connection between the local Girl Scouts and Planned Parenthood, has opened a new offensive in its battle against Planned Parenthood. In a move that may have implications across the country, Pro-Life Waco is going after the Susan G. Komen Foundation to stop its funding of Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood in Waco gets $35,000 from the Komen Foundation. It is estimated that, on a national level in 2003, Planned Parenthood received a reported 21 grants totaling more than $475,000.
Pro-Life Waco has created a web site that should be useful to anyone who wants to fight the Komen/Planned Parenthood connection anywhere in the country. We encourage all our supporters to go to http://www.prolifewaco.org/Komen.htm and use the information to fight in your town.
STOPP speaking engagements
STOPP’s directors, Jim Sedlak and David Bereit, regularly give talks around the country on Planned Parenthood. Our current schedule is always posted on our web site (http://www.all.org/stopp/onroad.htm). To schedule a talk in your area, please call our offices at 540-659-4171 or e-mail us at stopp@all.org. We have the following talks coming up in the next month, please say ‘hello’ if you attend any of these talks:
- March 4, 2005 - Jim Sedlak, St. Jude's Faith Formation Center, Gates, New York
- March 4, 2005 - David Bereit, Chester County Women's Services, Coatesville, Pennsylvania
- March 12, 2005 – Jim Sedlak, Support Terri Schiavo Rally, Pinellas Park, Florida
- March 17, 2005 - David Bereit, Huron County Right to Life, Bad Axe, Michigan
- March 19, 2005 - Jim Sedlak, Fordham University Faculty Lounge, Bronx, New York
- March 31, 2005 - David Bereit, Loving Touch Pregnancy Care Center, Waterloo, Illinois
- April 2, 2005 - Jim Sedlak, Delaware RTL convention, Wilmington, Delaware
Life saved outside Waco Planned Parenthood abortuary
STOPP received the following report from an avid Planned Parenthood fighter in Waco, Texas:
Yesterday at our local Planned Parenthood abortion mill (in Waco, Texas), the faithful came to the gates of hell to stand in the gap and to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. Because of their willingness to reach out to those who find themselves in a place where they ought not be, God moved to spare the life of precious baby made in His image.
This is how it happened. As Christians were making up the hedge around Planned Parenthood, a young Hispanic man pulled up and asked our brothers and sisters, "Is there any other abortion clinic around here?" They replied, "This is the only one." He responded, "The reason why I am here is because I just found out that my sister has a 9:30 appointment to have an abortion. I thought maybe if she sees me here, she might just change her mind." He was visibly upset.
The saints gathered about him to stand with him, pray, and to trust God for a miracle. As they were seeking the Lord about this crucial situation, lo and behold, her car pulled out of the Planned Parenthood parking lot. Seeing his sister leave the young man stated, "I'm just going to wait a little while longer just in case she decides to come back."
A little later on, he received a phone call from his wife relaying the joyous news, "Your sister is at our house and she wants to keep her baby!" With tears streaming down his face he passed the message unto those who stood with him during this trial. He personally shook hands and thanked every person who cared enough to be out there for him, his sister, and her pre-born baby.
Afterwards, Pastor Ronnie had the opportunity to minister to him and give him follow-up information that will help his sister bring the baby to term.
The saints found out later that the main reason why this woman decided to keep her baby was because she didn't want to face all those people who stood on the sidewalk representing Jesus, righteousness, and the plight of her child. Praise be to God!
IN KING JESUS' SERVICE,
Rusty Lee Thomas
STOPP supporters are urged to pray for Rusty’s wife Liz Thomas. Liz has been dealing with a series of life-threatening medical problems for several months. She is in the hospital and is in and out of intensive care. Please say a prayer for Liz, Rusty and their 11 children – that God will grant them all the strength to come through their current trials.
STOPP International's Ryan Report July 2005
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Behold the Lord, Jesus Christ, who tries so hard to get our attention
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In this issue:
Planned Parenthood launches attacks on Judge Roberts
Planned Parenthood fighting for gay marriage
Planned Parenthood redesigns teenwire.com
Ohio prosecutor says PP violated spirit of parental notification law
IPPF in Guatemala offers expanded services
Planned Parenthood expanding in Idaho
Planned Parenthood organizational and facility changes
Recent Planned Parenthood news item links
STOPP speaking engagements
Planned Parenthood cancels fundraisers in Bryan, Texas
Planned Parenthood closes Oceanside, California medical abortion facility
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Pro-Life Memorial Day, October 3, 2005
Planned Parenthood launches attacks on Judge Roberts
What happens when the president of the United States nominates someone for the Supreme Court that is, by all accounts, a brilliant, reasonable man who is expected to strictly interpret the Constitution and not use the bench to make law? Planned Parenthood comes unglued.
Planned Parenthood is up in arms that Judge John Roberts — a man reportedly of religious conviction and a respected legal mind — would ever be considered for the nation’s Supreme Court. Just hours after the nomination was announced, Planned Parenthood’s interim president, Karen Pearl, issued a statement that said, in part, “"The nomination of John G. Roberts raises serious questions and grave concerns for women's health and safety. It is particularly troubling that Roberts went on the record calling for Roe v. Wade to be overturned when he served as a lawyer for the government. Only a nominee committed to protecting women's health and safety should be confirmed by the Senate."
STOPPERS all across the country should use this opportunity to show just how extreme Planned Parenthood really is. Any proposed justice who will not fight to expand PP’s killing of children is simply not acceptable to them. Clearly, it is PP and its allies who have the “litmus test” for Supreme Court nominees. American Life League is creating a petition to the Senate to demand a fair hearing for Judge Roberts. We will send you the link to the petition as soon as it is available.
Planned Parenthood fighting for gay marriage
Planned Parenthood in Wisconsin has joined a coalition of groups specifically working to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and civil unions. Chris Taylor, legislative director of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and political director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Wisconsin, spoke at a rally opposing the amendment and was clearly identified in a July 3, 2005 article in the Wisconsin State Journal as representing Planned Parenthood on the issue. Planned Parenthood is as far from mainstream America as you can get.
Planned Parenthood redesigns teenwire.com
The very first story on the website that day was “Am I Gay? My First Girl Crush.” It was a story promoting lesbian sex for teens. The girl began the story stating: “I first figured out that I like girls when I was 18. I had spent the evening bonding with a new friend, and suddenly I was slapped with the realization that, more than anything, I wanted to lean over and kiss her.” As part of the story, the teen girl describes her exploring of her sexual feelings:
“After the wish-to-kiss incident, I slowly began to see that some of the cute women I knew really did attract me. I bought a book of lesbian fiction. I tried to picture myself kissing a girl, and then fooling around a little, and then (oh, blush!) fooling around a lot. I found friends who were lesbian, gay, and bisexual, too. It was a relief to learn that they had gone through a similar process and had the same questions and fears. Little by little I worked it out in my own head.”
And what was Planned Parenthood’s advice to teens who are questioning whether or not they should be involved in sinful sexual practices? Here is the last paragraph of the article: “Whatever conclusions you come to, make peace with them. Whether or not you like same-sex smooching isn't really the issue — the most important thing is to be comfortable with who you really are and what will bring you closer to love and happiness.”
Ohio prosecutor says PP violated spirit of parental notification law
While stating that Planned Parenthood did not violate the letter of the law and, therefore cannot be criminally prosecuted, Ohio’s Hamilton County prosecutor, Joe Deters, said PP clearly violated the spirit of the law and that its actions were not moral.
Deters investigated Planned Parenthood of Southwest Ohio for performing an abortion on a 14-year-old girl without her parents' permission or consent. Planned Parenthood never contacted the girl's parents, Deters said. "All Planned Parenthood did was ask how they could notify her parents, and she gave them her boyfriend's cell phone number. That's it," Deters said. The “boyfriend” was actually the girl’s 21-year-old soccer coach. He has since pleaded guilty to seven counts of sexual battery involving the girl. He was sentenced in October to three years in prison.
"I think (Planned Parenthood) was grossly negligent in the spirit of it," Deters said of the notification process. "It's very disturbing to see the willingness of that organization in this case to exhibit almost an anxiousness to be willing to perform an abortion."
The girl's parents have filed a civil suit against Planned Parenthood.
IPPF in Guatemala offers expanded services
The Guatemala affiliate of International Planned Parenthood Federation, Asociación Pro Bienestar de la Familia de Guatemala (APROFAM), recently was honored by the United Nations “for the difference their work on population issues has made to the health and quality of life of people around the globe.” In presenting the award, Deputy Secretary-General Louise Fréchette, said “APROFAM is the leading non-governmental provider of reproductive health services in Guatemala, and we honour it for its outstanding work in providing family planning assistance, reproductive health education, and sexual health counseling and training to low income families in Guatemala. APROFAM has undertaken scientific investigations on population and development, and has disseminated socio-demographic data to develop and maintain a strong information base for population policies and programmes. We also congratulate APROFAM for innovation and diversification. Using a modern business model and integrated health management systems, APROFAM has extended its work to include cardiology care, X-rays, dentistry, and laboratory services that produce test results for local physicians, as well as clinical staff. APROFAM has boosted the efficiency of processing medication and contraceptive orders, and nearly doubled the volume of clinical service visits.
In the early 1990s, PPFA president Pamela Maraldo tried to convert all PP clinics in the United States to “full service” clinics — offering a full range of health care. The United States affiliates rebelled against this plan.
Planned Parenthood expanding in Idaho
Dedicated STOPPERS in Idaho sent the following report:
With the help of Boise wealthy "do-gooders," Planned Parenthood has launched a new program called "Planned Parenthood Without Walls." This strategy will allow Planned Parenthood to open new satellite offices around the state, using office space from local doctors, with cheaper overhead.
Planned Parenthood sought $21,000 from a group of liberal women calling themselves, "Idaho Women's Charitable Foundation" to finance new operations in Canyon County and McCall. They received half of their request — which we suspect means a new assault on the families and children of Canyon County. But this new strategy means virtually every Idaho community must prepare for an aggressive campaign to seduce our children. The woman's group includes such luminaries as Velma Morrison, former Idaho Supreme Court Justice Cathy Silak, Jane Oppenheimer and Alice Hennesey.
All those in Idaho who want to get involved in stopping this Planned Parenthood expansion and helping PP to decide to leave the state entirely, should contact David Ripley at Idaho Chooses Life. David can be reached at 1-877-341-LIFE or by e-mail at director@idahochooseslife.org.
Planned Parenthood organizational and facility changes
California – Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties CLOSED its Oceanside medical abortion facility after protests by pro-lifers caused problems with landlord (see story below).
California – Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside Counties OPENED a new medical abortion facility at 1820 Marron Road, Suite 110, Carlsbad, CA 92008, phone: 760-757-7905
South Dakota – Planned Parenthood is moving its clinic in Rapid City into smaller offices located at the backside of the Baken Park shopping center on West Main Street. New expanded office hours will be: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month.
Recent Planned Parenthood news item links
Each month we present here links to recent stories about Planned Parenthood. (Note that many newspapers move web pages. The links below were working at time this report was initially sent.)
STOPP speaking engagements
STOPP’s directors, Jim Sedlak and David Bereit, regularly give talks around the country on Planned Parenthood. Our current schedule is always posted on our web site (http://www.ALL.org/STOPP/onroad.htm). To schedule a talk in your area, please call our offices at 540-659-4171 or e-mail us at STOPP@ALL.org. We have the following talks coming up; please say ‘hello’ if you attend any of these talks:
July 28, 2005 – Jim Sedlak, Protest PP Teen Savvy Event, Dallas, Texas
July 31, 2005 – Jim Sedlak, Lufkin for Life, Lufkin, Texas
Planned Parenthood cancels fundraisers in Bryan, Texas
The battle against Planned Parenthood in Bryan-College Station, Texas has been going on for many years. The local Coalition for Life has been spearheading the opposition and has been so effective that former PPFA president Gloria Feldt once called Bryan “the most anti-choice place in the nation.” Now, word comes that Planned Parenthood is hurting so much for community support in Bryan that it cannot even run a successful fundraising event in the area.
Prior to 2005, Planned Parenthood ran two fundraising events a year in the community — one in the spring and one in the fall. This year, Planned Parenthood cancelled its spring fundraising event at the last minute. Now, word comes from Bryan that PP has called off its fall fundraiser as well. Thus, Planned Parenthood has not been able to pull off a single fundraising event in Bryan during 2005! Planned Parenthood of Houston and Southeast Texas told callers that they currently plan to have only one fundraiser in Bryan in 2006.
Congratulations to Marilisa Carney and the faithful supporters of the Coalition for Life in Bryan.
Planned Parenthood closes Oceanside, California facility
The Planned Parenthood of San Diego and Riverside County medical abortion facility in Oceanside, California, has closed as of June 16 due to pressure from local pro-lifers. Howard Putnam (of CC Oceanside) led a group of men to picket outside the office each Monday. The group had been informed earlier by another business owner nearby that Planned Parenthood was losing their lease because of the problems the abortion clinic had brought to the area.
Although the Oceanside Planned Parenthood did not offer surgical abortions, it did offer medical abortions (the abortion pill known as RU 486).
Putnam and his group began to focus on the Oceanside office after Planned Parenthood’s late-term abortion mill in Encinitas closed in 2003 for the same reason. He plans to move his group to the new Planned Parenthood office that has just opened in Carlsbad. All three locations are in North San Diego County.
Pro-Life Memorial Day – October 3, 2005
Mark your calendars for October 3, 2005 — Pro-Life Memorial Day
The gruesome toll of dead babies has moved past 46 million since 1973 and many in the pro-life movement have felt that we, as a movement, should set aside a day to remember the babies who have died.
We have many events to draw pro-lifers together and to get our message to specific individuals. The March for Life is the movement’s effort to annually let our elected leaders in Congress know that we will be there lobbying and fighting for the lives of babies as long as abortion is allowed to happen. The Day of the Unborn occurs on March 25 to remind us of the personhood of babies from fertilization. The Life Chain and various Respect Life activities remind us of the humanity of the preborn and our need to protect them. But, many pro-lifers have noted, we have not had a day set aside where the entire purpose was simply to memorialize the babies who have lost their lives.
This year, American Life league will coordinate a nationwide effort to establish such a day. It will be called the Pro-life Memorial Day and it will take place on the first Monday in October – October 3. This date was picked because it is traditionally the first day of the annual session of the United States Supreme Court. It was the Supreme Court that decriminalized abortion in 1973 and it is fitting that Pro-life Memorial Day occurs as the Supreme Court opens its new term. This is planned to be an annual event. The day will have a historical significance this year as it will be the day the new Supreme Court will first meet. It will be a proper day for us to remember all the babies that have died and to pray that God will inspire the Court in its new term to put an end to the slaughter it began.
As part of the planning for this event, American Life League has designed an appropriate shirt and signs that can be used by pro-lifers all across the nation as we gather in solidarity to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. Shirts can be ordered at: http://stores.yahoo.com/americanlifeleague/prolmemdayts.html (note: all orders must be received by September 25, 2005)
As part of this event, STOPP is encouraging every opponent of Planned Parenthood to gather on that day outside of your local Planned Parenthood facility and remember the babies. Can you imagine the effect when Planned Parenthood employees, in each facility it operates across the country, look out their windows that day and see pro-lifers all wearing the same shirt and all remembering the babies? It will be an event that will rock their foundations.
We ask you all to plan on holding memorial services outside of PP on that day and to let us know what you have planned. This is a rare opportunity for you to do something in your town that will be part of a nationwide effort to remember the babies.
See you all outside of Planned Parenthood on Pro-life Memorial Day, Monday October 3, 2005.
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©2005 American Life League’s STOPP International. Copies may be made if attribution is given. The Ryan Report is named for John A. Ryan, T.O.P., who was one of the first to speak out against Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.
Action Item: The Ryan Report is made possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. Please consider supporting STOPP with a tax-deductible gift. To contribute securely online using your credit card, please visit www.all.org/stopp/support.htm. Of course, you can always mail a contribution to: STOPP International, P.O. Box 1350 Stafford, VA 22555. Thank you!