Not coincidentally, the Netherlands Parliament is debating whether to allow senior citizens to have assisted suicide if they are “tired of life,” part of the ever expanding Dutch culture of death. From the Radio Netherlands Worldwide story:
The lower house of parliament will debate a controversial bill that expands existing euthanasia legislation at the end of January. “I’m 81 years old and still reasonably healthy. However, if I start to decline I want to be able to determine whether not I have treatment. Hospitals are frequently a lot of pain and suffering for a few extra months of life, and I want to decide whether or not I have treatment. It is my life, after all.” That is an excerpt from one of the letters sent to politicians in the hope of convincing them that something has to be done for senior citizens who wish to end their lives. The letters are in support of a private initiative by the pressure group A Free Choice (Uit Vrije Wil) that has already attracted 117,000 signatures. The petition will be presented to the lower house of parliament’s security and justice commission on Tuesday.
…These two stories are the consequences of terminal nonjudgmentalism afflicting society and are simultaneous symptoms of a profound moral collapse occurring at varying speeds, in my view, throughout much of the West. Don’t look down. It’s a long drop.
Earlier this week, a three-judge panel of the Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals upheld a Texas law which requires that an abortionist display an ultrasound image of a mother’s unborn child before she has an abortion. This decision is being hailed by Wisconsin Right to Life, National Right to Life, and our colleagues at Texas Right to Life as a giant step in ensuring that a mother has full information about her unborn child before making a decision to kill her child.
The Texas law also requires that the abortionist allow the mother to hear her baby’s heartbeat and provide information about the development of the unborn child. According to Attorney Mary Spaulding Balch of National Right to Life, ‘This breakthrough decision from the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recognizes, in the words of the Court, ‘the physicians obligations to display the sonogram images’ of the unborn child before an abortion. In practice, an ultrasound law that does not require the ultrasound to be displayed can become almost meaningless because virtually every abortion facility will slip a waiver form into the stack of papers mothers are asked to sign.” Laws similar to the Texas law passed in North Carolina and Oklahoma are also being challenged in court.
Pro-abortion groups argued in court that requiring abortionists to display ultrasounds and heart beats violates their free speech rights by “compelling speech.” This argument was rejected by the court which noted the plurality opinion by the Eighth Circuit in the 1992 Planned Parenthood of SoutheastPennsylvania v. Casey decision which concluded that “the giving of truthful, nonmisleading information ‘which is relevant…to the decision’ did not impose an undue burden on the woman’s right to an abortion.’”
The pro-abortion spin is that ultrasound laws are “cruel.” Why is it “cruel” to give women complete information about the child she is about to destroy? But then, pro-abortion groups always object to any requirements or restrictions on abortion and have never met an abortion they would stop.
This morning’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had a wonderful front-page story about Green Bay Packer Ryan Pickett, wife Jennifer, and their six children (one in utero). Ryan and Jennifer Pickett serve as Trustees of the Wisconsin Right to Life Veritas Society media campaign. The Picketts attended the 2010 and 2011 Green Bay Veritas benefits and immediately offered their help. They are especially concerned about the high number of African-American abortions.
The story reveals the “soft” side of a fierce defensive lineman. Ryan Pickett, in person, displays much heart and depth of soul. He is a gentle man who loves family, life and humanity. Jennifer is the talker — delightful and passionate. They are expecting their sixth child! It is an honor to know them and feel their deep compassion for the unborn. They are excellent role models for a beautiful, loving family. Bravo, Ryan and Jennifer.
A progression of events in UK is bringing the country closer to legalizing doctor-prescribed death. Just a few years ago, the House of Lords defeated a measure to legalize. Not able to accomplish legalization in Parliament, proponents have turned to other means. A highly-publicized lawsuit was successful in that prosecutors were ordered to publish non-prosecution guidelines. Two years ago, landmark guidelines were established essentially telling prosecutors they could use discretion in determining who should be prosecuted for assisting a death. Police still investigate cases, but there have been no prosecutions under the new guidelines.
Now an “independent” Commission on Assisted Dying (a term used and favored by proponents of doctor-prescribed death) has issued a one-sided, recommendation in favor of legalization. The Commission finds the situation which does not allow doctor-prescribed suicide “very distressing” for families, “uncertain” for health workers and a “deeply challenging burden” for police and prosecutors. The Commission recommends that legal death be available for patients who are at least 18-years old, are “terminally ill” and who have only 12 months to live. As with all measures supported by proponents, “safeguards” will be implemented to protect patients.
Here is the reality. Safeguards don’t work and are widely ignored in places where doctor-prescribed death is legal.
In Oregon, almost all suicide deaths are facilitated by Compassion and Choices, the largest promoter of doctor-prescribed suicide. A report released in 2008 reveals that 26% of Oregon patients were depressed but were not offered the psychiatric evaluation required by law.
Also in Oregon, Barbara Wagner was denied chemotherapy drugs under the Oregon Health Plan, but was offered prescribed death even though she didn’t ask for it.
Most of the cases of British citizens traveling to Switzerland to be assisted with death did not involve terminally ill patients, but ones with disabilities. One family took their son who was quadriplegic to Switzerland to die. The woman who brought the lawsuit regarding prosecution guidelines isn’t terminally ill but has multiple sclerosis.
Predicting the time of death as occurring in 12 months is an art form, rather than a predictable event. And, would the death occur with or without treatment?
The UK has a perfectly good law which makes assisting a death punishable by up to 14 years’ imprisonment. The non-prosecution guidelines essentially ignore the law. Outright legalization would leave patients in an even sorrier state where supposed safeguards are ignored, and those who would benefit financially from a patient’s death have extra incentives to ensure that death occurs sooner rather than later.
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s (PPFA) 2009-2010 annual report gives the following numbers:
Abortions performed: 329,445 91.2% of services to pregnant women
Adoption Referrals: 841 0.2% of services to pregnant women
Prenatal Services: 31,098 8.6% of services to pregnant women
These numbers show the stark reality of the abortion giant’s commitment to abortion. PPFA receives 46% of its $1 billion income from taxpayer dollars. Women come to PPFA for a variety of services, but in reality, its “family planning” clinics are a convenient feeder to refer women to its own abortion clinics. What a conflict of interest!
The newly-released 2009-2010 annual report of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) reveals that the taxpayer provided 46% of PPFA’s $1.048 billion 2010 income. This government revenue, which flows through grants and contracts to PPFA and its affiliates, jumped from between 25% and 33% in recent years to the 46% figure in the newest report.
PPFA explains the difference in the following note in the report: “The apparent increase in this line time (categorized as ‘Government Grants and Contracts’ in the 2008-2009 annual report) stems mainly from a change in the way revenue data are presented in this year’s report. The current report groups revenues by source (either government or non-government) rather than the manner of disbursement (income versus grants and contracts). In past reports, payments from Medicaid managed care plans have appeared as ‘health center income’ rather than ‘government grants and contracts’ because of the method of payment. Those same payments are listed as “Government Health Services Grants and Reimbursements’ this year to reflect the ultimate source of the funds.”
As summarized by Planned Parenthood expert Randy O’Bannon of National Right to Life, “In other words, taxpayer dollars have always been paying a bigger portion of Planned Parenthood’s bills than the group let on.” Perhaps the congressional investigation being conducted by a House committee prodded PPFA to come clean about actual taxpayer funding of the abortion giant.
In speculated response to the notoriety PPFA has gained as the nation’s largest abortion provider, mention of abortion is brief in the report. The report does document the performance of 329,445 abortions in 2010, which is down from the all-time high of 331,796 reported in 2009. Abortion remains as a top money-maker for PPFA.
Read the Planned Parenthood 2009-2010 annual report here.
This piece is not an endorsement of Rick Santorum for President of the United States. It is a glowing endorsement of Rick and Karen Santorum as parents and human beings.
If you have not heard, pundit Alan Colmes of Fox News made one of the most insensitive comments ever uttered a few days ago. When asked what he thought about Rick Santorum, Colmes said “Once they get a hold of the crazy things he’s said and done like taking his two-hour old baby who died right after childbirth home and played with it for a couple of hours so his other children would know that the child was real.”
At an Iowa event, Santorum was asked about Colmes and his idiotic comments. Santorum explained how important it was for his children to know they had a brother. As he spoke of this riveting experience that only parents who have lived it can understand, Karen wept openly, tears streaming down her face. How could he? How could Colmes ridicule such a touching and devastating moment? Insensitive is probably too mild a description.
Of course, Colmes eventually apologized and the Santorums graciously accepted his apology. This episode is reminiscent of all of the ugly things said about Sarah Palin’s son Trig who has Down syndrome. Some people just have a gross and distorted view of what it means to be human. They have little or no respect for human life.
Rick Santorum was the featured speaker at our Wisconsin Right to Life Education Fund dinner in 2010. Santorum literally bared his heart and soul in describing his personal journey to becoming a pro-life leader. Driving his convictions were his personal experiences with baby son Gabriel who died, and precious daughter Bella who has defied medical predictions by living well beyond her life expectancy as a child with significant disabilities. It was one of the most gripping and profound presentations ever. You can view the Santorum speech here.
Bravo Rick and Karen Santorum! You epitomize what it is to be a hero and role model for living what it means to respect human life.
If we thought Kermit Gosnell of Pennsylvania, the notorious late-term abortionist facing multiple charges, was an anomaly, try reading through what is happening in Maryland. After a grand jury investigation, authorities have taken another notorious abortionist, Steven Brigham, into custody. He is charged with five counts of first-degree murder, five counts of second-degree murder, and one count of conspiracy. Also arrested is a co-worker, Nicola Riley. Brigham has been sought by authorities for decades and has had his license pulled or suspended in five states.
Brigham operated a “secret” late-term abortion clinic in Maryland, even though he had no license to practice medicine in the state. Taking advantage of Maryland’s lax abortion laws, Brigham would start the abortion procedure by dilating a woman’s cervix in New Jersey, where he was not authorized to perform abortions beyond the first trimester. The woman was then told to drive to Maryland where the abortion could be completed.
The Maryland investigation began after a botched abortion in 2010. An 18-year-old woman almost died after suffering a ruptured uterus and injured bowel following her abortion. According to the Associated Press, “[A]nd rather than call 911, Brigham and Riley drove her to a nearby hospital, where both were uncooperative and Brigham refused to give his name, authorities said.”
Here’s where a Gosnell comparison emerges. Authorities went to Brigham’s abortion clinic which “revealed a freezer with 35 late-term fetuses inside, including one believed to have been aborted at 36 weeks, authorities said,” the AP reported. Like Gosnell, Brigham kept babies he aborted. For what purpose, only he knows. Both men belong in jail for the horrendous harm done to women and children. Kudos to authorities who are cracking down on these monsters.
Twelve New Jersey nurses have won a smashing victory against their employer, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, which established a policy in September telling nurses working in the Same Day Surgery Unit they must assist in abortions. The nurses were “repeatedly threatened that they must assist abortions or be terminated,” according to Matt Bowman of the Alliance Defense Fund who served as the attorney for the nurses.
Bowman was engaged when the nurses rebelled and fought for their jobs and their conscience rights. The nurses took the hospital to court where a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order in November ordering the hospital to stop all training, procedures and performances related to abortion. This week, the nurses reached an agreement with the hospital that allows them to keep their jobs and not have to assist with abortions.
Bowman says the settlement is a huge victory. “It is a victory because the hospital finally agreed to obey the law and not force our clients to do any work on abortion cases in violation of their beliefs. The hospital agreed not to penalize our clients in any way because they choose to not help abortions, according to their legal rights. The hospital is required to fully staff all abortion cases so that our clients would never be needed for those cases, and the hospital cannot use pro-abortion staff to replace our clients or reduce their hours.”
Shortly after the 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion decision, Wisconsin passed a law protecting the conscience rights of medical professionals and facilities who did not want to participate in the performance of abortions. Many other states followed suits as did the federal government. The proponents of abortion, in their attempts to make abortion “mainstream” have wanted to force participation. The net effect would be that pro-life people would just not enter the medical field.
Kudos to the twelve nurses who had the courage to stand up to their employer, and to Matt Bowman who expertly defended them.
Just in time for Christmas, National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins has approved still more human embryonic stem cell lines (hESC lines) for taxpayer funding. Today’s NIH approval brings the total number of human embryonic stem cell lines at the federal trough to 142.
This approval was not all that surprising. The four new lines, from the University of Queensland, Australia, were recommended for approval by the “Stem Cell Working Group” at the December 9, 2011, meeting of the Director’s Advisory Committee. The Stem Cell Working group had also voted not to approve six lines from China.
The four new hESC lines that have been approved are not for clinical use, however. Subsequent to the meeting and before the latest approvals, NIH also approved two other hESC lines, from Mt. Sinai Hospital in Canada. Those two lines are also restricted:
NIH-funded research with this line may only be conducted at Mount Sinai Hospital and “other Canadian laboratories affiliated with the Canadian Stem Cell Network for further research or potential clinical use.”
These latest approval come a little over two months after Collins’ last approval. The line, “HUES PGD 14,” was created by Harvard University from a female embryo. According to the information provided on the NIH website:
“The embryo from which this hESC line was derived was determined through preimplantation genetic diagnosis to be affected with Spinal Muscular Atrophy.”
This highlights the point made by Dr. James Sherley and Dr. Theresa Deisher in the ongoing Sherley et al. v. Sebelius et al. case that there is a continued demand for more embryo destruction and more hESC lines. As evidenced by the steady growth, the current NIH guidelines continue to provide an incentive for additional human embryo destruction.
That October addition came less than three weeks after Collins had approved three more human embryonic stem cell lines for taxpayer funding. Two of the three new lines from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center appear to have chromosomal abnormalities, as well as to be from the destruction of full siblings (having the same mother and father).
In August Collins approved four hESC lines for the embryonic stem cell registry. They are sold by the company BioTime, Inc., which had two other hESC lines approved on June 2, 2011.
Details of the embryo destruction and hESC derivation (including from siblings)) were published by ESI and Sydney IVF workers in 2007, around the time that ESI abandoned its schemes for therapies based on hESC. BioTime subsequently acquired ESI in 2010.
While NIH continues to waste more taxpayer funds on destructive embryo research, adult stem cells are the only stem cell treating patients, with more and more published evidence accumulating every week.
Published scientific evidence over the last few months shows effectiveness of adult stem cells in helping patients with angina pain, aggressive multiple sclerosis, enlarged hearts, systemic sclerosis, and creating new windpipes, to name just a few examples of adult stem cell successes.
Dr. David Prentice, Senior Fellow for Life Sciences at Family Research Council
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