NOTES FROM THE NEWS:
Illinois parental notification law put on hold again
According to Chicago Public Radio, a restraining order upheld in circuit court has once again delayed enforcement of the lllinois law requiring doctors to notify parents that their teen daughter is seeking an abortion. The delay is in effect until at least January when the judge expects to hear briefs from both sides before determining whether the law should stand. Attorney Lorie Chaiten represented the American Civil Liberties Union in court. She says notifying parents about an abortion should be a matter of choice for Illinois teens.
Helena, Montana Resident Reflects on "Pro-Life" Survey Robo-Call
In a letter to the editor of the Helena Independent Record, Helena resident Betty Lovelady writes:
“Do you consider yourself pro-life?” That was the question I was asked by a robo call poll. I found myself in the position of having to say, “No,” although that is far from the truth. I knew they were really asking, “Are you against abortion?”
However, since I was raised a pacifist and have protested every war in my lifetime, I consider myself pro-life. I am also against capital punishment, another example of being pro-life. I believe in the teachings of Jesus: “Love your enemies; feed the poor; take care of the widows and orphans; return good for evil.” All of these, in my opinion, are pro-life.
It is indicative of the sickness of our culture that the only lives that some people are interested in are those not yet born, who are not yet any more than potential human beings. As an ex-social worker and juvenile probation officer, I have seen the scars, both physical and emotional, of many unwanted children who would have been better off never to be born to young or dysfunctional parents.
Betty Lovelady
Helena
New York Times compares contradictory statements by Senators on health reform issues
An article in the NYT reveals just how confused the health reform debate has become, as various Senators make completely contradictory claims about the substance of the health reform bill released last week.
For example, Senator Kirsten Gilibrand (D-NY) states:
This bill will provide coverage for more than 94 percent of Americans — 98 percent when accounting for the elderly population.”
Meanwhile, Senator Chris Bond (R-MO) asserts:
“The bill still leaves 24 million Americans without insurance.”
See the article for the full range of mixed messages.
Atlanta Journal Constitution Opinion Piece Argues Against Stupak
An opinion piece in the Atlanta Journal Consitution by Cynthia Tucker compares the debates around breast cancer and abortion in health reform and asks why we don't understand the role abortion plays in health care:
[U]nlike the advocates for breast cancer treatment, proponents of reproductive rights battle a problem of perception. No one argues that breast cancer is a disease requiring treatment. Pregnancy, however, provokes a wide range of reactions — and the decision to end one stirs controversy, sometimes among family and friends. Despite the fact that abortion remains a legal medical procedure, its opponents would argue that it doesn’t constitute legitimate health care.
That view springs from ignorance or callousness (or both). Let’s say a 40-year-old mother of three finds herself unexpectedly pregnant again. Since she suffers severe hypertension, her physician advises her against taking the pregnancy to term because she’d risk a stroke or worse. That’s not medical care?
Robert Kennedy banned from receiving communion
Roman Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin has banned Rep. Patrick Kennedy from receiving Communion, the central sacrament of the church, in Rhode Island because of the congressman's support for abortion rights, Kennedy said in an interview by the Associated Press published Sunday in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
The decision by the outspoken prelate, reported on The Providence Journal's Web site, significantly escalates a bitter dispute between Tobin, an ultra orthodox bishop, and Kennedy, a son of the nation's most famous Roman Catholic family.
According to Kennedy, the bishop told him that being refused communion was his penalty for not being "a good practicing Catholic because of the positions that I've taken as a public official," particularly on abortion.
OTHER NEWS:
November 23
Just When You Thought It Was Safe: 3 Potential Obstacles to Health-Care Reform AlterNet
Steve Pagliuca woos female support Boston Herald
Define pro-life Helena Independent Record
Opposing Claims Cloud the Debate on an Overhaul New York Times
Baltimore to be center of abortion debate Baltimore Sun
Abortion in Tanzania: guardian.co.uk
Research by U of A student on HIV in Africa gaining attention Edmonton Journal
Pregnant, and in need of help Washington Post
Support is stigmatised and scarce guardian.co.uk
Access to birth control guardian.co.uk
November 22
Women's Reproductive Health Is Not a Social Issue Truthout
Report: Rep. Kennedy says RI bishop has told him not to take communion over ... Minneapolis Star Tribune
Hijacked health bill The Virginian-Pilot
Ben Nelson: No Health Care if No Change in Public Option and Abortion Funding ABC News
Providing stable home well worth adoption's stresses, parents say Grand Island Independent
Applause for adoptions Omaha World-Herald
November 21
HOW I SEE IT: Abortion continues to destroy lives Culpeper Star Exponent
US bishops assert their authority Washington Post
Catholic debate: Health care vs. abortion Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Pollster Celinda Lake: Where Women Really Stand on Health Care Politics Daily
Stupak Fires Back At GWU Study, Says Abortion Amendment No Bit Thang TPMDC
Bishops raising holy hell on abortion New York Post
Teen: Flint doctor forcibly terminated pregnancy Chicago Tribune
Senate Approves Motion to Debate Health Care Bill With Massive Abortion Funding LifeNews.com
National Adoption Day Glens Falls Post-Star
Sexual ignorance revealed by British poll TopNews United States
World's First Vaginal Birth Control Ring Launched in India MedIndia
November 20th
Keep religion out of health-care reform Augusta Free Press
Senate's First Health Care Vote Saturday, Pro-Life Democrat Holds Abortion Key LifeNews.com
Catholic Bishops: Pro-Abortion Senate Health Care Bill "Worst We've Seen Yet" LifeNews.com
Christian Leaders Release Manhattan Declaration for Pro-Life, Conscience Rights LifeNews.com
Faith-Based Challenges Show a New Rift in the GOP U.S. News & World Report
Everyone is pro-life Kansas City Star
Africa: Growing Use of Cellphones for Family Planning AllAfrica.com
Dying for children guardian.co.uk
Bishops opposed to clinic giving out abortion pill Radio New Zealand
Report: Women can do with fewer Pap tests Lawrence Journal World
Why We Care America Magazine
NARAL Pro-Choice NY Rips Rudy For Gillibrand » New York Daily News
Let women keep their abortion coverage Atlanta Journal Constitution
Christian leaders take issue with laws Washington Post
Sarah Palin on Trig: 'I Thought, God ... How in the World Would I Handle This?' ABC News
President Obama Again Attacks Stupak Amdt, Backs Pro-Abortion Senate Bill LifeNews.com
The Ridiculous Catholic Manifesto Pledging to Ignore Gay Marriage + Abortion Laws Queerty
White House at odds with bishops over abortion AP
Health Care Reform: Catholics and Abortion Coverage PBS
The Globe, Scott Brown, and abortion The Phoenix
Abortion Activist Judge Hamilton Confirmed with Help of Ten Republican Senators Lifesite
Parental Notification Teen Abortion Law On Hold Until New Year The Huffington Post
Catholic Bishops Fund Abortion The New American
Why the Healthcare Bill Will Include Taxpayer-Funded Abortions Human Events
McEntee: The abortion debate returns, again Salt Lake Tribune
Catholic Bishops Confront Senate Bill New York Times
Secretary Sebelius Celebrates the Tenth Anniversary of National Adoption Day ABC News
