ACLU defends only the free speech of some

In a sign of blatant hypocrisy, the ACLU of Michigan is strongly defending the free speech rights of a group which has been protesting outside a pet store.  When it comes to prolife protests, the ACLU has defended a law which created buffer zones around abortion clinics to prevent sidewalk counseling and the speech of prolife protestors. 

At the Washington Times, Robert Knight points out how the ACLU's defense of free speech is based on who is speaking.

Puppy Mill Awareness wants to “raise public awareness about the commercial puppy-breeding industry and its effects on the health and welfare of dogs and the people who purchase those dogs,” explains the ACLU in a press release. “As part of its advocacy, PMA holds demonstrations outside pet stores that sell commercially bred puppies, encouraging members of the public to adopt rescued pets, rather than purchase puppies from a store.”

Well, adoption is a wonderful thing. In fact, adoption is the option that pro-life protesters promote to women on their way into abortion clinics. That dog won’t hunt, though, for the ACLU, which filed a Supreme Court brief recently in support of a Massachusetts law prohibiting pro-life protesters from coming too close to abortion clinics.

On Jan. 15, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in McCullen v. Coakley, which involves a challenge to a Massachusetts law creating a 35-foot fixed buffer zone around abortion clinics from which protesters are barred from approaching clients and staff or giving them brochures.

The ACLU, which originally opposed the law, supports the clinic against the protesters. It’s too bad that some of the clients aren’t four-legged and having puppies instead of babies.

FULL STORY

Abortion restrictions upheld in Texas

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld abortion clinic regulations in Texas. Michigan and other states have passed updated regulations on abortion clinics in the wake of the Kermit Gosnell murder case in Pennsylvania.

A federal appeals court on Thursday upheld parts of a Texas abortion law pertaining to hospital privileges for physicians who perform abortions and protocols for abortion-inducing drugs, a decision that drew starkly contrasting reactions on both sides of the debate.....

Thursday's ruling means the provisions will remain valid in the state of Texas, until or unless the U.S. Supreme Court rules otherwise or legislators in the state act to modify the law.

FULL STORY

University of Michigan displays abortion exhibit

The University of Michigan’s women studies department is hosting an exhibit entitled “4000 years of Choice.”  The department’s web page describes the exhibit as “an exhibition of posters about the age-old practices of abortion and contraception as a means to reclaim reproductive freedom as a deeply personal and life-sustaining act existing throughout all of human history.”

That exhibits includes note cards with quotes from various abortion activists including ones which say:

“Abortion is a blessing.”

“I felt I was acting in sync with a grand tradition of women before me”

“I am 85 years old and I had 4 abortions....and I am not sorry!”

“Abortion is not the lesser of two evils.  Abortion is pro-family, pro-life, moral and good.”

“Abortion is a gift from God.”

EXHIBIT WEB SITE

Nancy Pelosi to receive award named after famous eugenicist

Tonight former Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi will accept Planned Parenthood's Margaret Sanger Award, named after their founder. Margaret Sanger was a prevalent eugenicist who believed in sterilizing and segregating people she believed had bad genes. 

Margaret Sanger once said, "organized charity is itself the symptom of a malignant social disease. Those vast complex, interrelated organizations aiming to control and to diminish the spread of misery and destitution and all the menacing evils that spring out of this sinisterly fertile soil, are the surest sign that our civilization has bred, is breeding and is perpetuating constantly increasing numbers of defectives, delinquents and dependents. My criticism therefore, is not directed at the 'failure' of philanthropy, but rather at its success." 

At Right to Life of Michigan, we believe there is no such thing as a "defective" human being.

FULL STORY

Woman dies after abortion at Ohio clinic

Recently obtained 911 records show that on March 21, 2014, a woman died after undergoing an abortion at Preterm, an abortion clinic in Cleveland, Ohio. 

Records, which were obtained through a public records request, show that at 10:59 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2014, an employee of Preterm dialed 911 and reported to a dispatcher there was a 22-year-old female patient at the clinic who was not breathing at all.

The caller also indicated that the patient was unconscious and receiving CPR at the time of the call, but efforts to restart respiration had been unsuccessful.

FULL STORY

Gosnell defense lawyer believes regular inspections would have kept Gosnell in line

Jack McMahon, the defense attorney for infamous abortionist Kermit Gosnell, recently spoke at a seminar at Widener University School of Law.  During his comments, McMahon said that regular inspections of abortion clinics would have prevented the horrors that occurred in Gosnell’s clinic. 

Longtime doctor Kermit Gosnell “was not a stupid man” and would have met the standards required to keep his clinic open, defense lawyer Jack McMahon said during a law school seminar on Friday........
                       
McMahon said he believes that regulators turned a blind eye to Gosnell's West Philadelphia clinic because it was providing “a cheap service” to poor, minority women.

In Michigan, the lack of regular inspections at abortion clinics before 2013 led to abortionist Robert Alexander running a “filthy” abortion clinic in Muskegon, which was only closed after a broken door led the authorities to see the horrible conditions inside.  Michigan's legislation to require abortion clinics to be licensed and inspected was opposed by pro-abortion groups in Michigan. 

FULL STORY

President of WMU's Students for Life group shares personal story on World Down Syndrome Day

March 21 was World Down Syndrome Day and the president of Students for Life at Western Michigan University posted this personal story and photo.

"This is my brother Alex and his wife Alexis. They both have Down syndrome. They went to prom together in high school and dated for years after that. They have been married now for 6 years! They both have jobs and live on their own. Women are told to have prenatal testing done and if their baby has Down syndrome that they should abort their baby because they will have no future. I think my brother shows these thoughts to be not true at all. Today is world Down syndrome day, let's pray that people can see that people with Down syndrome are just like every one of us!!!"

Bodies of aborted and miscarried children used to heat hospitals in United Kingdom

In a news item that seems more like it's out of a science fiction movie, it was revealed that thousands of babies who died from miscarriages or abortions in the United Kingdom were incinerated as garbage or used in waste-to-energy power plants. The body of a dead child should be due the same respect as the body of everyone else.

Ten NHS trusts have admitted burning foetal remains alongside other rubbish while two others used the bodies in ‘waste-to-energy’ plants which generate power for heat.

Last night the Department of Health issued an instant ban on the practice which health minister Dr Dan Poulter branded ‘totally unacceptable.’

At least 15,500 foetal remains were incinerated by 27 NHS trusts over the last two years alone, Channel 4’s Dispatches discovered.

FULL STORY

Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania works to unseat cousin of Gosnell victim

Margo Davidson is a Democrat who currently serves in Pennsyvlania’s House of Representatives.  Her cousin, Semika Shaw, was one of infamous abortionist Kermit Gosnell’s victims.  Semika tragically died in 2000 when she was 22-years-old after Gosnell perforated her uterus and sent her home.  She had two young children. 

After Gosnell was arrested, Pennsylvania’s legislature took up a bill to increase regulations on abortion clinics so clinics like Gosnell’s wouldn’t be allowed in Pennsyvlania. 

Davidson voted in favor of the abortion regulations and spoke up in favor of them, sharing her personal story.  The video of her explaining her vote is below. 



Because of her desire not to see other women killed like her cousin was, Planned Parenthood in Pennsylvania wants Davidson gone.  They’ve endorsed one her opponents in the Democratic primary because he’s willing to vote “no” on commonsense laws to regulate abortion clinics.

At the Federalist, Brandon McGinley provides his thoughts on Planned Parenthood's endorsement.

It is hard to imagine a political maneuver that more clearly lays bare the chilling motivations at the heart of America’s abortion industry.

Planned Parenthood’s tendentious tagline is: “Care. No Matter What.” But we know, of course, that Planned Parenthood doesn’t care about the nascent lives its employees destroy by the hundreds of thousands. What has become clear as the Gosnell tragedy continues to unfold, though, is just how little Planned Parenthood cares about women.

Planned Parenthood doesn’t care about women like Semika Shaw. They are political inconveniences whose memory must be blotted out. And public figures who speak out for those victims—even their own family—are enemies who must be suppressed. Make no mistake about it: The campaign against Margo Davidson is a campaign to erase the memory of Kermit Gosnell from Pennsylvania politics.

FULL STORY

Police search northern Indiana abortion clinic after abortionist delayed reporting statutory rape

Police in Indiana searched the abortion clinic of George Klopfer on Wednesday looking for evidence after Klopfer detailed reporting the statutory rape of a 13-year-old who received an abortion at his clinic. 

Detectives from the St. Joseph County Special Victims unit served a search warrant Wednesday at the South Bend clinic where Dr. Ulrich "George" Klopfer provides abortions and other services, the county prosecutor's office confirmed.

St. Joseph County in northern Indiana borders Michigan and Klopfer's abortion clinic in South Bend is where some women living in southwest Michigan may go for abortions. 

FULL STORY

Moving video features people with Down Syndrome replying to worried pregnant woman

Tomorrow, March 21st, is World Down Syndrome Day.  The below video features 15 people with Down Syndrome replying to the concerns of a pregnant woman carrying a child diagnosed with Down Syndrome.

Unable to defend his radical position on abortion, Congressman Gary Peters is offended Right to Life of Michigan copied and pasted his comments

In a sad attempt to avoid talking about his radical position on abortion, Congressman Gary Peters is attacking Right to Life of Michigan and feigning outrage because we copied and pasted a quote from his Facebook page.

Here’s the comment Congressman Gary Peters made on January 22, 2014:

Today is the 41st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, which is an essential protection for women to make health care decisions for themselves and their families. But today, in Michigan, special interest groups have restricted access to women's health care and made health coverage even more expensive for our families. As the father of 2 daughters, I want to make sure that critical health care choices are accessible, affordable, and protected.

Peters is clearly talking about abortion. Abortion is the only thing that Roe v. Wade protected. The special interest groups he’s referring to are clearly prolife organizations like Right to Life of Michigan. We copied and pasted the final sentence of his post into our web site.

For some reason, Peters believes that copying and pasting his own words is offensive. If Congressman Peters is offended by his own words, then maybe he shouldn’t have written them. 

Or maybe Congressman Peters no longer believes abortion should be "accessible, affordable, and protected?"  If he's changed his position, he should let people know.

In a press release, Peters further claims that Right to Life of Michigan is “distort(ing) his support for women’s health care.”

That’s an odd claim considering we merely pointed out his radical record of pro-abortion votes and his advocacy for abortion and assisted suicide using his voting record and things he has said.

Michigan prolife students explain why they're prolife

At the recent Students for Life of Michigan Activism and Training Conference, prolife students posed with messages sharing why they're prolife.  View a video of their messages below.



You can also view pictures from their event here.

We're so grateful to have so many great prolife students in our state.

Unnamed pro-abortion group sets up phony online petition

Instead of doing the hard work of gathering actual signatures to overturn Michigan’s Abortion Insurance Opt-Out, an unnamed pro-abortion group has set up an online petition at Watchdog.net which misleads visitors into thinking that signing the online petition can help overturn Michigan’s law.

The web site states:

If we can collect enough signatures for a public referendum on the "rape insurance" measure, we can put this awful legislation up for a statewide vote. But we only have 90 days to do it. Let's get those signatures and take Michigan back from the GOP!

I SUPPORT A PUBLIC REFERENDUM: I oppose the "rape insurance" law that denies women equal rights and invades their privacy. I urge Michigan officials to put the measure to a statewide vote.

This is done so the unnamed pro-abortion group can get names and e-mails. Signing an online petition in no way can overturn a law in Michigan.

So far only around 44,000 people have signed the online petition which doesn’t require signers to even be from Michigan.  More than 315,000 signatures from Michigan voters were turned in by NO Tax for Abortion Insurance petition drive.

New web page discusses Congressman Gary Peters' position on abortion

When it comes to protecting babies as they prepare to be born, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters has a 0% voting record in Congress as scored by National Right to Life Committee. This includes Congressional votes AGAINST a ban on sex-selection abortion, AGAINST legislation to prohibit abortions after 22 weeks on pain-capable children in Washington, D.C., and AGAINST an amendment to prohibit federal funding of abortion and federal subsidies for insurance coverage of abortion. When given the opportunity, Peters does not protect the most vulnerable members of the human family.

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Associated Press called out for bias on abortion issue

At the Federalist, Mollie Hemingway asks if the Associated Press can be trusted to cover the abortion issue fairly while documenting a number of cases of national AP reporters were biased in their coverage.  She discusses a recent article in which prolifers were accused of saying things they didn’t say, the lack of coverage on abortionist Kermit Gosnell, the large amount of coverage given to Susan G. Komen/Planned Parenthood controversy and how prolife legislation is framed.

The Associated Press is a good journalism brand that is being tarnished by shoddy coverage of the pro-life movement even as coverage of pro-choice activists and their arguments could not be more favorable. Let’s hope some higher-ups recognize the need to fix this problem. If there aren’t reporters who can cover both the pro-choice and pro-life movements fairly, perhaps the AP can hire some reporters who can balance out reporters David Crary and Philip Elliott, who seem to be struggling in their efforts to fairly cover pro-life activists and the larger movement. Without better journalism at the national level, it may be difficult to encourage the same in the local bureaus.

FULL STORY

Gosnell assistant sentenced to 5-10 years for her role in death of patient

Sherry West, an assistant to convicted murderer and former abortionist Kermit Gosnell, was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison for her role in death of Karnamaya Mongar.  Mongar died while receiving an abortion at Gosnell clinic. 

West pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges, admitting that on Nov. 19, 2009, she administered some of the Demerol overdose that killed Karnamaya Mongar, 41, during an abortion at Gosnell's Women's Medical Society clinic.

West also admitted that, after accompanying the comatose Mongar and her family to a hospital emergency room, she lied about what happened and destroyed or altered Mongar's medical records.

FULL STORY

West pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges, admitting that on Nov. 19, 2009, she administered some of the Demerol overdose that killed Karnamaya Mongar, 41, during an abortion at Gosnell's Women's Medical Society clinic.
West also admitted that, after accompanying the comatose Mongar and her family to a hospital emergency room, she lied about what happened and destroyed or altered Mongar's medical records.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20140314_Gosnell_assistant_gets_5-10_years_in_patient_s_death.html#lotAz3f3q9I6ovak.99

West pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and other charges, admitting that on Nov. 19, 2009, she administered some of the Demerol overdose that killed Karnamaya Mongar, 41, during an abortion at Gosnell's Women's Medical Society clinic.
West also admitted that, after accompanying the comatose Mongar and her family to a hospital emergency room, she lied about what happened and destroyed or altered Mongar's medical records.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/news/breaking/20140314_Gosnell_assistant_gets_5-10_years_in_patient_s_death.html#lotAz3f3q9I6ovak.99

Abortion Insurance Opt-Out law brings transparency for all, peace of mind for many

A subtle yet significant change is happening in Michigan which will bring transparency to all and peace of mind to many with health insurance policies. On March 14, 2014, the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out law takes effect. This law was made possible by the dedicated prolife volunteers who collected signatures to initiate the legislation and Michigan legislators who voted to ensure no person is forced to fund the deliberate taking of an innocent human life in the name of health care.  

So what will happen when the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out law takes effect on March 14? The sun will rise and Michigan will join 23 other states that have opted out of abortion being a standard part in health care policies offered through the national health care exchanges. Michigan will also join nine other states that have opted out of abortion as a standard part of private health care plans.

 

Right to Life of Michigan President Barbara Listing said, "Let's be honest. Michigan citizens do not want to pay for someone else's abortion with their tax dollars or insurance premiums. Michigan's experience with Medicaid has clearly shown that tax funding for abortion leads to more abortions."

The Abortion Insurance Opt-Out initiative has always been about who desires abortion coverage and who will pay for it; the law has nothing to do with the legality of abortion. With the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out law in place, both transparency and peace of mind is realized for those who have health insurance. After March 14, any health care policies purchased or renewed will not include abortion unless a separate rider is obtained. In addition, if an employer private plan includes an abortion rider; all employees must be informed of the rider's provisions. 

This change brings both transparency and peace of mind. Policy holders in Michigan will know whether or not their health insurance plan includes abortion.

Listing said, "Abortion is not true health care - abortion kills a living, developing human being. March 14 is a good day for Michigan."

Prolife event at Oakland University featured in student paper

The Oakland Post, the student paper at the University of Oakland, published a story about an event sponsored by the students for life group at the university. 

Michelle Schmidt, director of client services at Problem Pregnancy Center, came to Oakland University to share her personal experience on abortion impacting her life.......

After the abortion Schmidt developed Ashmeran’s Syndrome.

“Asherman’s Syndrome is something I developed as a side effect of my abortion,” Schmidt said. “It’s a scarring that’s caused by the knife used during the abortion. I had five surgeries over ten years to repair the damage done to my body at a cost of about $14,000.”

At age 22, Schmidt became pro-life and never looked back.

Throughout her career at Problem Pregnancy Center Schmidt has seen over 8,000 women from all types of backgrounds.

FULL STORY

Little difference in how men and women feel about abortion

You've often heard that abortion is a "women's issue." Did you know that polling routinely shows little difference between men and women on abortion?

A CNN poll last week found 58% of Americans think abortion should be illegal in all or only legal in a few circumstances. Gallup asks that question every year and in 2013, 59% of men and 57% of women gave the same response.

CNN poll finds most Americans oppose unrestricted abortion

The latest CNN poll on abortion confirms past polling. 58% of Americans think abortion should be illegal or legal in only a few circumstances. Only 27% of Americans support the status quo of Roe v. Wade making abortion legal for any circumstance. The poll also found 56% of Americans oppose taxpayer-funded abortions. 

FULL STORY

Warren Buffett gives millions every year to abortion advocates and abortion funds

Warren Buffett is one of the world’s richest men and a recent review of his foundation’s grants finds that he is likely the world’s biggest financial supporter of abortion including giving $40 million to Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.

In 2011, his foundation gave more than $115 million to pro-choice groups, with a large portion of that going to groups that fund abortions rather than merely doing education or advocacy.......

In addition to funding general women’s health organizations and some political groups, Buffett gives generously to organizations that use their funds specifically to help women pay for abortions.

For instance, STBF gave more than $21 million in 2010 to the National Abortion Federation Hotline Fund. That organization’s 990 says its mission is “to ensure that women have the information and resources they need to access quality abortion care.” It also “provides case management services to women with special needs and limited financial assistance to subsidize care for low-income women,” per its 990 from 2012 (the latest year accessible).

In 2012, the NAF Hotline’s annual revenue was a little more than $26 million, per GuideStar. In other words, Buffett’s foundation made a donation almost the size of an entire year’s revenue to one of the country’s more prominent national abortion funds.

FULL STORY

Michigan mother shares photos of 12-week-old miscarried child

Lara Price was 12 weeks, 5 days pregnant when she tragically miscarried her son Noah.  She has shared photos of Noah with Right to Life of Michigan and other prolife organizations in the hopes that the images of Noah’s beautifully formed tiny body could help persuade women to choose life.

Take part in our 2014 Youth Infographic Contest

Are you ages 13-22? Do you have some artistic talent? Do you want to send a prolife message that thousands will see?

Right to Life of Michigan Ed Fund is sponsoring a Youth Infographic Contest. Submissions are due in July and finalists will be shared on our Facebook page and voted on through our website!

LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUTH INFOGRAPHIC CONTEST

DOWNLOAD THE 2014 CONTEST RULES AND APPLICATION FORM

Remember to register for Legislative Day

RLM's Legislative Day is fast approaching. The deadline for registration is this Tuesday, March 4.

This year's program will be packed with information that shows how, together, we are building a culture of life by enacting prolife laws. Be part of this dynamic, grassroots event.

The featured speakers will be Brad and Jesi Smith.     

MORE INFORMATION ON LEGISLATIVE DAY