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Pro-Lifers Make Impact at NEA Teacher Convention - Some Delegates 'Shocked'
Christian Newswire ^ | July 1, 2007 | Bob Pawson

Posted on 07/02/2007 8:15:16 AM PDT by CT-Freeper

PHILADELPHIA, Penn., July 1 /Christian Newswire/ -- Seventy-five pro-life teachers, parents/taxpayers and children/students successfully picketed the NEA convention in Philadelphia on Sunday, July 1. Aged eight to eighty, they took positions on all four corners of Arch & 11th Streets, displaying high-visibility signs and posters easily seen by thousands of NEA Delegates disembarking from shuttle buses or entering and leaving the Convention Center's doorways.

Pro-lifers and delegates were interviewed by reporters and photojournalists from FOX, Philadelphia Bulletin, Washington Times, Catholic Standard & Times, etc.

Many delegates openly expressed disbelief, skepticism, and even shock, at the revelation that NEA was involved in abortion at all – much less in an advocacy role – much less pro-abortion. They were totally unaware of NEA's long-standing "Family Planning Resolution" supporting "reproductive freedom" and "all methods of family planning" – including abortion. Some refused to accept the well-documented fact that NEA is one of Planned Parenthood's primary advocates and actually co-sponsored huge pro-abortion rallies in Washington in April 2004, April 1992, and November 1989.

A few belligerent delegates verbally berated the pro-lifers, accusing them of "lying". Others thanked pro-lifers for bringing NEA's abortion activism into sharp focus. Some said they would raise the issue on the Convention Floor and attempt to have NEA totally abandon its pro-abortion agenda and activism.

Bob Pawson, National Coordinator of PLEAS and NJEA member, said, "We joined NEA for collective bargaining representation; not to be misrepresented on socio-political or moral issues like abortion, homosexuality, or who to vote for. Respect the diversity of 3.2 million members. Totally disengage NEA from the abortion issue. Become truly neutral and completely non-involved."

"The NEA leadership's pro-abortion agenda is a perverse way of supposedly protecting our jobs. Babies are our business; our only business. For NEA to condone, much less promote, killing babies in their wombs is not only a moral outrage; it's economic suicide. Abortion costs us our jobs."

NEA wants us unified for contract negotiations every few years, yet simultaneously divides us with radical, far left, extremist positions on issues like abortion. News flash: We don't feel unified. We feel betrayed. We resent having our dues monies used to subvert our personal moral values, and then being offered "thirty pieces of silver."

"I urge pro-life NEA members across America to run for union offices at all levels, including Convention Delegate. Take back our union. Join the NEA Reform Revolution."

The two-hour demonstration closed with prayer shortly after 3:00 PM.


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: abortion; christianteachers; education; nea; prolife; teachers
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1 posted on 07/02/2007 8:15:19 AM PDT by CT-Freeper
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To: CT-Freeper

Though it would never happen, I’d love to see an open roll-call vote from the NEA convention - not on their personal opinion on abortion but whether the union should play an activist role or have an official opinion or position.

In true union form, I guess more work absolutely scares the hell out of them?


2 posted on 07/02/2007 8:18:47 AM PDT by AbeKrieger (1) Border security first. 2) Repeat until #1 complete, then resume discussion.)
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To: CT-Freeper

None ever said the NEA had smart people running it.


3 posted on 07/02/2007 8:18:53 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: CT-Freeper

I'm SCHOCKED!

4 posted on 07/02/2007 8:19:20 AM PDT by Vaquero (" an armed society is a polite society" Heinlein "MOLON LABE!" Leonidas of Sparta)
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To: CT-Freeper
Seventy-five pro-life teachers, parents/taxpayers and children/students successfully picketed the NEA

Look what 75 people can do at the right place, at the right time, with the right issue.

5 posted on 07/02/2007 8:20:23 AM PDT by Greg F (<><)
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To: CT-Freeper
See also, Related to this issue...

Ohio Teachers May Refuse Dues Because of Union Abortion Support: Ohio Court
  Posted by monomaniac
On News/Activism 06/26/2007 11:12:22 PM CDT · 11 replies · 404+ views


LifeSiteNews.com ^ | June 26, 2007 | Hilary White
June 26, 2007 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Once Carol Katter, an Ohio teacher, had rejected the suggestion by a union official that she “change religions” in order to be able to claim the right to conscientious objection about the destination of her union dues, she took her case to court. Katter objected to the fact that teachers in Ohio must pay union dues to the Ohio Education Association (OEA), a portion of which dues goes to support abortion. Yesterday, however, an Ohio federal district court ruled as unconstitutional a rule restricting to particular denominations the right to religious-based objection to union dues....
 

Ohio Teacher Doesn't Have to Pay Union Dues Over Abortion Stance
  Posted by wagglebee
On News/Activism 06/25/2007 6:38:55 PM CDT · 17 replies · 722+ views


Life News ^ | 6/25/07 | Steven Ertelt
Columbus, OH (LifeNews.com) -- An Ohio teacher is delighted following a federal district court ruling that requiring her to pay dues to the National Education Association is a violation of her First Amendment Rights. She sued to stop being forced to fund the organization because her money would be used to promote abortion.The Ohio affiliate of the national group told Carol Katter she could only be exempt from paying union dues if she changed religions.Katter, a mathematics and language arts instructor in the St. Mary’s district, had requested and exemption after learning her dues would promote abortion."I know where...
 

FR EXCLUSIVE: Glen Greenwood - the Ohio man who beat the union regarding union dues and charity
  Posted by doug from upland
On News/Activism 11/20/2006 7:35:55 PM CST · 59 replies · 1,212+ views


nrtw.org ^ | 11-20-06 | Doug from Upland
THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE FReepers, I just had an enjoyable phone call with Glen Greenwood. He prevailed against the union thugs in Ohio after a 4-year battle. Glen works for the Ohio EPA and was forced to pay union dues that went for causes with which he did not believe. To take a "religious exemption" and give the money to charity instead of to the union generally required a person to belong to a recognized religious group such as the Quakers or Jehovah Witnesses. The union fought him with economic intimidation and even filed a counter claim against him. But...
 

6 posted on 07/02/2007 8:25:20 AM PDT by Keith in Iowa (A dyslexic, agnostic insomniac asks, "Is there a doG?")
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To: Greg F
Bob Pawson, National Coordinator of PLEAS and NJEA member, said, "We joined NEA for collective bargaining representation; not to be misrepresented on socio-political or moral issues like abortion, homosexuality, or who to vote for. Respect the diversity of 3.2 million members. Totally disengage NEA from the abortion issue. Become truly neutral and completely non-involved."

"The NEA leadership's pro-abortion agenda is a perverse way of supposedly protecting our jobs. Babies are our business; our only business. For NEA to condone, much less promote, killing babies in their wombs is not only a moral outrage; it's economic suicide. Abortion costs us our jobs."

Bob let's you know what his #1 priority is .....$ $ $

7 posted on 07/02/2007 8:27:30 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Check out this website for the National Veterans Coalition http://www.nvets.org/)
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To: B4Ranch
To be fair to Bob, he did say it was moral outrage and it is a baby-step in the right direction to changing minds and hearts about abortion.
8 posted on 07/02/2007 8:31:23 AM PDT by PLOM...NOT! (Checking in from Wisconsin)
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To: Greg F

A good point.


9 posted on 07/02/2007 8:33:22 AM PDT by labette
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To: B4Ranch

There are practical reasons to oppose abortion as well as moral ones. Same sort of argument can be made to NAACP regarding the immigration issue . . . why on earth do they not act on something that hurts the people they allege they represent. I say if they are with us, they are with us, and let them make their arguments in their way.


10 posted on 07/02/2007 8:34:41 AM PDT by Greg F (<><)
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To: labette

We should be able to put 75 people at any place in the country on any issue when it makes sense to do so. I enjoyed the Bush/Gore protests in Florida. Bring a cooler, bring a sign, enjoy the show.


11 posted on 07/02/2007 8:36:17 AM PDT by Greg F (<><)
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To: CT-Freeper
Bob Pawson, National Coordinator of PLEAS and NJEA member, said ... "The NEA leadership's pro-abortion agenda is a perverse way of supposedly protecting our jobs. Babies are our business; our only business. For NEA to condone, much less promote, killing babies in their wombs is not only a moral outrage; it's economic suicide. Abortion costs us our jobs."

I never looked at it from that perspective. That is a really profound statement. 40,000,000 fewer students.

But be very afraid to explore the resons behind the NEA stand much deeper ... could those be 40,000,000 of the "wrong kind" of student for example and they feel themselves well rid of them? Shudder. When you ponder why the NEA elites are in favor of abortion, you find yourself in a very dark and sinister place.

12 posted on 07/02/2007 8:51:29 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Brian J. Marotta, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub, (1948-2007) Rest In Peace, our FRiend)
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To: B4Ranch
No, I think he was pointing out the paradox of their stand, not looking for $$$. It is a labor union, after all, purportedly looking out for its members’ livelihood.
13 posted on 07/02/2007 8:54:10 AM PDT by NonValueAdded (Brian J. Marotta, 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub, (1948-2007) Rest In Peace, our FRiend)
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To: CT-Freeper

As long as there is a NEA there will be their support for al lthings left-wing. It’s the commie union thing.


14 posted on 07/02/2007 8:55:38 AM PDT by vpintheak (Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked. Prov. 25:26)
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To: All

I’m shocked that they’re shocked. Didn’t they ever watch a vampire movie? Getting into bed with the democrat party is no different than inviting a vampire into the home. Or inviting the mob to become a business partner.


15 posted on 07/02/2007 9:21:38 AM PDT by DPMD (dpmd)
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To: CT-Freeper
A few belligerent delegates verbally berated the pro-lifers, accusing them of "lying". Others thanked pro-lifers for bringing NEA's abortion activism into sharp focus. Some said they would raise the issue on the Convention Floor and attempt to have NEA totally abandon its pro-abortion agenda and activism.

I could accept that as a gut reaction to "extremist" protesters. However the protesters should make the remark, "I understand your reluctance to take my word for it BUT if you look into this (provide some sources and let them take the initiative) and find that the NEA is doing what I claim, what course of action will you take?"

16 posted on 07/02/2007 9:55:30 AM PDT by weegee (If the Fairness Doctrine is imposed on USA who will CNN news get to read the conservative rebuttal)
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To: B4Ranch
I feel Bob’s point is an excellent one. There are many, many reasons to oppose abortion. In debating the issue with my pro-abort friends, I always find that arguments against abortion with the most traction are the ones which deal with the long term socio-economic impacts abortion causes on society as a whole. Correlating the long term economic benefit/survival of members of a union in relation to abortion strikes at the very heart of the purpose of unionizing in the first place.

Well crafted argument, Bob. Keep up the good work.

17 posted on 07/02/2007 10:13:32 AM PDT by theanonymouslurker
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To: theanonymouslurker

“Well crafted argument, Bob. Keep up the good work.”

I agree. This is a truly good argument, one that even a Liberal can understand. Everyone should put this argument in their arsenal.

Economics can turn heads, even those filled mush.


18 posted on 07/02/2007 10:56:11 AM PDT by TexanToTheCore (If it ain't Rugby or Bullriding, it's for girls.........................................)
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To: theanonymouslurker

I have a problem with people who don’t understand that contrary to the publics wishes, a baby is a baby from the moment the sperm enters the egg. Not four hours, not four days and certainly not four months later.

I never had any nightmares about killing Viet Cong but I would probably lose my mind to know that I had intentionally killed a baby.

If you need to put a socio-economic value on babies, does the little fella need a Social Security number before you can do so?


19 posted on 07/02/2007 11:26:38 AM PDT by B4Ranch (Check out this website for the National Veterans Coalition http://www.nvets.org/)
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To: CT-Freeper

They done us proud.


20 posted on 07/02/2007 11:29:27 AM PDT by Saundra Duffy (Romney Rocks!)
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