Pro-Life Advocates Urged to Renew Efforts Against Abortion After Election Loss

Life News ^ | 11/5/08 | Steven Ertelt

[wagglebee]

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Several pro-life leaders are hoping the majority of Americans who take a pro-life position on abortion will re-charge and re-energize following Tuesday night's election defeats. They say the pro-life movement must prepare themselves to take on a pro-abortion president and renew educational efforts.

"We have long known that the work of advancing a culture of life is not a short-term project," Americans United for Life president Charmaine Yoest told LifeNews.com.

"Recall that William Wilberforce fought against the slave trade for 45 years before he ultimately prevailed in his defense of life," she said.

"In 2008, it is clear that, despite the challenges still remaining, the pro-life message is steadily gaining ground," Yoest contends. "Momentum in the states has enabled us to make significant gains in protecting women and unborn children. Young people today self-report as pro life at a higher rate than their parents' generation."

After the elections, Father Frank Pavone spoke of a "great mistake" but an "abiding hope."

"Americans have made a grave mistake in electing Barack Obama to the presidency," he said. "Yet America herself remains great and is not a mistake, which is why so many of her citizens will continue, with even greater energy and determination, to defend her founding principles."

Pavone urged the pro-life community to rally together to oppose the coming Obama administration's efforts to roll back pro-life laws.

"The pro-life movement has made significant gains in the courts and in the law in these last eight years. For the next four, the movement will work to prevent the erosion of that progress," he said.

Bradley Mattes, the director of Life Issues Institute, encouraged pro-life groups and advocates to focus on education with the reality that legislative goals of ending abortion are now stalled.

“With federal legislation no longer an option for a minimum of two years, pro-life education is absolutely central and critical to our future efforts of ending abortion," he told LifeNews.com.

"The key to countering this devastating political loss is to change the hearts and minds of Americans on abortion and related life issues. That can only be done through effective pro-life education," he added.

Troy Newman, the president of Operation Rescue said he thinks the pro-life movement will ultimately prevail.

"Yesterday's losses are just a speed bump on the road to victory for the innocent," he told LifeNews.com. "Overall, Americans are more pro-life than ever before. Election cycles tend to be cyclical, and we are confident that we will once again have our day."

"These setbacks will only energize us. The fight is on," Newman explained. "We will continue to work though every available legal means to stop abortion. The person occupying the White House will not diminish that work."

"Now is not the time for discouragement, but a time to roll up our sleeves and continue the fight, having peace knowing that the results in God's hands and, ultimately, victory is assured," he concluded.

[wagglebee]

Bishop Robert Hermann has incredible resolve on this matter.

Thread by me.

Catholic Bishop Says He Would Die Tomorrow if Abortions End as a Result

St. Louis, MO (LifeNews.com) -- While leaders of the Catholic Church met last week in Baltimore to discuss abortion and other important issues, most of the attention focused on their remarks concerning incoming president Barack Obama. But one bishop said he would give the ultimate sacrifice -- his own life -- if it meant ending abortion.

St. Louis, Missouri archdiocesan administrator Bishop Robert Hermann made the comment that is drawing worldwide acclaim.

"I think any bishop here would consider it a privilege to die tomorrow to bring about an end to abortion," he said at the meeting.

"If we are willing to die tomorrow, then we should be willing to, until the end of our lives, to take all kinds of criticism for opposing this horrible infanticide," he added...

[wagglebee]

Thanks to Nihil Obstat for the reminder about an old thread of mine.

US Largest Poinsettia Farmers among Planned Parenthood's Biggest Donors

ENCINITAS, January 16, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Many pro-life organizations use Christmas season sales of poinsettias to raise funds, but according to a US-based researcher, so do Planned Parenthood and other abortionists in the US. James Hartline, a Christian activist in California wrote to LifeSiteNews.com warning that the poinsettias decorating the churches and homes of Christians in the US could easily originate from a family-owned business that has been supporting abortion for decades.

The Ecke Ranch in Encinitas, California, supplies 70% of all of the poinsettias sold in the United States and the Ecke family is among the most generous supporters of Planned Parenthood and long-time political activists for the abortion movement. The Ecke family features prominently in the major donors list in the fall 2005 edition of the San Diego/Riverside County Planned Parenthood Newsletter.

In November 2005, the Ecke family were present at the dedication of the new Carlsbad California Planned Parenthood facility renovation for which they had donated $250,000. In gratitude for their life-long support, the facility’s directors gave the Ecke family a catered dinner to honour them for their support of abortion.

Paul Ecke, the heir to the three-generation poinsettia empire, said of his siblings' upbringing as political abortion activists, "As children, we licked a lot of envelopes, we made a lot of phone calls, we walked door-to-door to encourage people to vote.” Among those causes, he said was promoting Planned Parenthood.

In an interview today, Hartline called for a boycott of the Ecke family’s poinsettias. Hartline told LifeSiteNews.com that acting on this information could “take millions of dollars away” from Planned Parenthood in short order.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

Jim Robinson's brother Don passed away last night. Please keep the Robinsons in your prayers.

Thanks and God Bless.

Urgent Prayer Request From Jim Robinson. Sad update. Don Robinson has passed away.

[CindyDawg]

How sad. Prayer for Jim and his family.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[wagglebee]

It has certainly been a rough year for Jim and his family.

[Alamo-Girl]

Indeed, it certainly has. I join in lifting Jim and all the family up to God for His peace and blessing and guidance.

[wagglebee]

Amen.

[Dante3]

Strickland’s claims just aren’t credible as has been pointed out previously.

[wagglebee]

This is just surreal, next they will be putting coupons on pizza boxes.

Thread by NYer.

Planned Parenthood Issues Christmas Gift Certificates: Give the Gift of Abortion

IN (LifeNews.com) -- In what could easily become the most offensive Christmas offer ever a Planned Parenthood affiliate is offering Christmas gift certificates. Purchasers can use them to give the gift of abortion even though the group claims that's not its purpose or intent.

"Looking for an unusual, yet practical gift this holiday season? Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) is now offering gift certificates for services or the recipient's choice of birth control method," the abortion business says.

The gift certificates can be purchased in increments of $25 online at the group's web site or for any amount at some of PPIN's 35 statewide facilities.

While PPIN president and CEO Betty Cockrum says they can be redeemed for contraception, birth control and legitimate medical services like breast exams and Pap tests, they can also be used to pay for abortions...

[wagglebee]

Heather Lavers

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we can thank our Lord for saving Heather Lavers.

Thread by me.

Ohio Man Protects His Wife From Starvation and Dehydration Euthanasia Death

Toledo, OH (LifeNews.com) -- A case involving some similarities to that of Terri Schiavo has ended in success as an Ohio man has been able to protect his wife from a similar starvation and dehydration euthanasia death. Robert Lavers won a legal decision in his desire to protect his disabled wife.

Lavers sought to protect his spouse, Heather Lavers, who went into a coma after suffering a heart attack in September and had been receiving medical care, nutrition, and hydration at a Florida hospital not far from her and her husband’s home.

Robert Lavers' sister-in-law succeeded in having the court name him as guardian Tuesday when she withdrew her application for guardianship. As a result, health Lavers won't have her nutrition and hydration removed.

Joel Kirkpatrick, an attorney who worked with the pro-life law firm Alliance Defense Fund, told LifeNews.com he's elated at the result of the case.

“Everyone deserves a chance to recover. We are pleased that Heather will be given this chance,” said Kirkpatrick. “Robert Lavers is the rightful guardian of his wife and simply desires to take care of her. He did not want a death sentence for Heather.

...

[wagglebee]

Please keep Snugs, her father and whole family in your prayers.

Thank you and God Bless.

Asking for prayer for Snugs' father who is very ill

Our dear friend, Snugs, from across the sea in the UK, is going through a very tough family crisis.

Her beloved Dad, Bryan, has had serious abdominal surgery and is struggling mightily in the hospital.

They're fearful that, unless he can muster the strength to cough and get his lungs working normally again, his condition will soon gravely deteriorate.

Snugs is such a dear soul who has been so kind to so many here at FR, and has SO many FRiends here.

I know she would appreciate it so very much if you would add her Dad, Bryan, to your prayers.

Lord, bring him comfort and the strength he needs to get through this post-surgical phase, guide his medical team, be with him and his loving daughter, our dear FRiend, Snugs. Bless her with wisdom to make the proper medical decisions for him. Hover near Bryan and Snugs with Your loving comfort.

[wagglebee]

Haleigh Poutre Update

Unfortunately, this monster will get a maximum of five years for his barbarity.

Stepfather guilty in abuse case

SPRINGFIELD - A Hampden Superior Court jury Wednesday found Jason D. Strickland guilty of permitting a serious brain injury to be caused to his stepdaughter Haleigh Poutre in a case that drew national attention and caused an overhaul of a state agency.

Following 10 days of testimony about blood samples, beatings and cigarette burns and three days of deliberations, the jurors reached their decision. They did not find that Strickland caused Haleigh's injury, but simply that he permitted it to occur.

The crime carries a maximum sentence of 5 years in state prison. Had Strickland been convicted of causing the brain injury, the maximum sentence would have been 15 years. In all, the jury found Strickland guilty of five of the six charges against him...

[BykrBayb]

As I began to read your post, I saw an unfamiliar name, Heather Lavers. Before I could read further, I got that sinking feeling that she was another in the never ending list of victims and intended victims of the culture of death. I am so relieved to learn she’s out of harms’ way. I am so sick of the death merchants’ constant attack on vulnerable people. And I am especially thankful to be outside the grasp of the death mongers.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[wagglebee]

Both Lauren and now Heather were lucky enough to have relatives who decided that ALL life is precious.

Guardianship Battle Begins In Schiavo-Like Case

Judge Grants Man Time In Wife's Guardianship Case

[BykrBayb]

This book is on my Christmas wish list. It’s also on my Christmas shopping list. :-)

[wagglebee]

This book is on my Christmas wish list. It’s also on my Christmas shopping list. :-)

Be sure to let Alamo-Girl know, some of the FR oldtimers turned out to be RINOs, but FReepers like Alamo-Girl, JimRob and a bunch of others deserve our undying gratitude for making Free Republic what it is today.

Happy Thanksgiving!

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!