China’s Stolen Children: Chinese Children Treated As Goods

[This posting links to video footage. Rather than skip my backbreaking post altogether, you could go directly to the video by clicking here.]

China’s One Child Policy is truly evil and unimaginable in consequences. The unseen horror of millions of abortions, the majority sex-selective, which directly result from the policy is by far the greatest evil. But there are countless untold evil spin-offs, such as the kidnapping and trafficking of over 70,000 Chinese children annually.

The Taipei Times of Taiwan today released a story of this horrendous trade in human beings which treats children as mere goods. It’s a heartbreaking tragedy which further devastates China’s society. Entitled Where's our child? the headline reads

In China, 190 children are stolen every day to full the demand for sons. Brokenhearted parents trying to find their loved ones face retaliation from traffickers and government intransigence.

The article goes on

If 190 people were dying every day from the same illness, you'd call it an epidemic. And that's exactly what it is, except nobody really wants to talk about it. Especially the Chinese government.

The government doesn't want to talk about it because it's a short step from fully acknowledging the kidnappings to having to address why they're happening. Which means entering dangerous territory - a root cause of such large numbers of children being snatched is the fact that having a son in China is a necessity. He carries the family name, he is the child who will provide for his parents as they age.

The One Child Policy has resulted in prohibitive family-planning laws in China: prospective parents must have a birth permit before conceiving and urban families must pay a fine for flouting the one-child rule. If you haven't had an abortion to get rid of your female child (although it is now illegal), how can you be sure to get a son? Sometimes the only choice seems to be to buy a stolen child, gender already determined.

The article tries to paint a picture of the corruption in Chinese society which fuels this kind of tragic injustice.

If you were caught buying a child in the UK, you would be charged with child trafficking. Yet in China - as incongruous as it may seem - while it is illegal to abandon, steal or sell a child, it is not necessarily illegal to buy one. CCTV, a government-sponsored news outlet, recently reported that "Under the current law for families that adopt trafficked children, if they have not abused the children, and have not obstructed the rescue operations, the law enforcement can choose not to press charges, not to pursue further. Many parents of missing children find that unacceptable."

Parents of stolen children are immediately on the back foot; the law is essentially non-punitive, so child traffickers can justify their actions - they are simply supplying a demand that is not, in itself, a crime. Except, of course, it is. People buying a child have no guarantee that the child was willingly given up by his parents. And when the motivator for providing that child is money, reassurances mean nothing. A boy can fetch around US$900 which is a lot of money for one "job," when you consider that a skilled production worker in China earns US$1,700 a year.

The Taipei Times story makes reference to a new documentary filmed on the subject. The documentary was filmed by True Vision and from the True Vision website, we get more information on this very controversial film.

True Vision's latest film, China's Stolen Children is as the centre of a growing controversy over China's attempts to ban it. According to the Sunday Times the Chinese Embassy in London is seeking an injunction to prevent the film being shown, the Embassy has also complained to Ofcom and written to the Channel Four Board.

The film follows the parents of 5 year old Chen Jie as they desperately search for their kidnapped son, one of up to 70,000 children kidnapped and sold in China every year as a result of the One Child Policy. It includes secretly shot footage of a trafficker buying a one year old boy in a park, and negotiating the sale of the child to a couple in a hotel room.

View the video of this awful tragedy here.

The New Aristocracy of Human Dignity

S. Michael Craven, Christian Post guest columnist, writes a insightful piece entitled “What is Normal” in today’s Christian Post.

It’s about human dignity, Down Syndrome, disabilities, and a new comparative basis for human dignity, one divorced from Judeo-Christian foundations.

Here’s something to pique your interest.

Recently, while wandering through my local grocery, I turned the corner, heading up the cereal aisle. I had no more walked ten feet when I caught the attention of a stranger – a young man in his mid-twenties – walking toward me. Upon seeing me, his face lit up and a smile spread from ear to ear. I smiled in return, his pace quickened and he marched straight over to me and with a welcoming voice said, "Hello, how are you?" I stopped, we exchanged a few friendly words and then after a hardy “goodbye,” he moved on to greet the next person similarly.

Within a moment, an elderly couple followed, keeping an eye on the young man who, I quickly surmised was their son. The grinning mother said, "He's very friendly!" I laughed, that was an understatement! I stood there silent for a moment, my spirit energized by this unusual and yet most human of encounters.

This young man was very different from me as I don't normally greet the strangers I meet each day in such a friendly and familiar manner. His congenial nature was heartwarming and he seemed to have a sincere appreciation for other people simply because they were - well - people. This man was, simply stated, better than I. Oh, he was different; he had Down syndrome but as a human being, he was still better than I. He loved without reservation or condition; he did not judge others based on what they looked like or what they were wearing; he understood the gift of human touch and kindness and was ready to share this gift with everyone he could. He was not the least bit self-conscious much less self-absorbed. There was no guile in this man. He was far closer to innocence than those of us who are "normal."

Read the rest of the article here.

[image source: This is a photo of Kayla. You may see more pictures of Kayla and read about her on her Mom's blog, Big Blueberry Eyes.]

Healing From Abortion Through The Power Of Jesus Christ

Here’s a YouTube video telling the powerful story of how one young woman who experienced abortion found forgiveness, healing and a passionate ministry—all through the Great Physician!

h/t BigBlueWave

Pro-Life News Bytes September 28, 2007

Yesterday’s Newsbytes report turned out to be true and now the victim’s mother, Eileen Smith has come forward in order to keep her daughter's abortion death from being "swept under the rug." Her 22-year old daughter, Laura Hope Smith, died on September 13, 2007, during an abortion done by Rapin Osathanondh at Women Health Clinic in Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Abortion Victim's Mom Comes Forward

Operation Rescue comments on the sad circumstances surrounding this death.
Abortion Death Reported In Massachusetts

This story is not going to pass away easily. The Bishops of Connecticut have approved the administration of the morning after pill Plan B for rape victims at the four Catholic hospitals in the state.

See the Bishops’ previous letter to the State Governor. h/t Diogenes

See the LifeSiteNews report Connecticut Bishops Allow Plan B in Catholic Hospitals for Rape - Catholic Medical Association Opposed

The Hartford Courant
Catholic Bishops In CT Will Comply With Plan B Law

The Houston Chronicle coverage
Catholic hospitals to follow Plan B law

We blogged on this story earlier today, when we received word from Patrick Hanlon, President of MUN for Life, the student pro-life club on campus at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador. Patrick calls it the death of free speech at the University.
Memorial University of Newfoundland Students' Union Denies Club Status to Student Pro-Life Group

The National Life Chain will take place once again across Canada. On Sunday, September 30, 2007, thousands of Canadians will line the streets to profess their firm belief in the value of life from conception until natural death.
Life Chain to Draw Thousands into the Streets across Canada

Our press release yesterday called on the Catholic Bishops of Canada to support the 40 Days for Life campaign in the US. Here’s a great way for readers to kick off the 40 Days for Life Campaign.
40 Days For Life—Video Style h/t Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex via Amy Welborn

Various reports throughout cities in the country on the 40 Days for Life Campaign

The Badger Herald
Pro-life group begins 40-day vigil

Lower Hudson Online
40-day anti-abortion vigil launched in Spring Valley

KXMB Bismarck, ND
Antiabortion activists holding 40day prayer vigil

WBBM780 Chicago
Prayer Vigil Held Outside Downtown Planned Parenthood...

Blogger Michelle, homeschool Mom and married to the military, reports on 40 Days for Life
40 Days for Life

Some very good postings today from LTI Blog.

Person is not the Point [Jay]
In this post by Dr. Allen Stairs at AskPhilosophers, he responds to a question about an inconsistency between objecting to capital punishment on the grounds that you may be killing an innocent person, and affirming the right to abortion though the act may be killing an innocent person.

Albert Mohler nails it when he notes a politician's defense of abortion based on privatized "faith" can't stand up to scrutiny.
God, Politics, and Politicians

Here is another episode in the ongoing saga of Ross Foti, a pro-life activist in California whose A-frame truck bears graphic images of aborted children. We blogged extensively on this story just a few days ago. Here is the latest.
Church bans anti-abortion activist

From day one, my unborn child has been under the scrutiny of practically everyone I meet in India, from my neighbour to beggars on the roadsides of the capital — each praying that my baby will be a boy.
In India they pray for my baby to be a boy!

CNA reports on Georgetown University news
WASHINGTON DC, September 27 (CNA) - The oldest Catholic university in the nation has changed its policy to permit grants to law students who intern with abortion agencies, such as Planned Parenthood.
Catholic Georgetown U. to fund student internships at abortion ...

LifeNews.com reports
Georgetown University Blasted for Funding Students’ Pro-Abortion Internships

Mark A. Sargent, dean of the law school at Villanova University in Philadelphia, explains what he did when faced with this challenge.
If Mark Sargent were Dean of Georgetown

The General Medical Council (GMC) of Great Britain ruled today that children aged 13 or more who consult a doctor for advice about contraception, abortion or sexually transmitted diseases are entitled to be treated without the knowledge of their parents.
Doctors can keep sex advice to 13-year-olds from parents

Vital Signs Blogger carries a post
Father Doesn't Know Best: Britain's Nanny State Creates New Rules for Keeping Parents Out of the Loop

BUENOS AIRES, September 27 (CNA) - Archbishop Hector Aguer of La Plata has denounced the actions of various federal and local officials, including Argentina's Minister of Justice and the Supreme Court, for conspiring to allow a handicapped girl who became pregnant through rape to have an abortion, and he warned that “the totalitarianism of the pro-abortionists hovers over Argentina like a sinister threat. Like the shadow of Herod.”
Pro-abortion totalitarianism hovers over Argentina like a “sinister threat,” archbishop warns

A new academic study disputes the argument that legalizing physician-assisted suicide is a first step in doing away with society’s weakest members. But missing from media reports on the issue is the fact that the lead author herself has advocated the controversial practice.
Study Defending Assisted Suicide Written by Assisted Suicide Advocate

Tase Him, Bro!

In this WorldNetDaily commentary, Ann Coulter whacks Columbia U for inviting and hosting Ahmadinejad. Take time to read this great exposé.
Democrats should run Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for president

Commentary by Wesley J. Smith
Remember those quaint old days when biotechnologists told us that “all” they wanted to effectuate embryonic stem cell research (ESCR) was merely access to leftover in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryos “that were going to be tossed out anyway?”
No Brakes on the Runaway Embryonic Stem Cell Research Train

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- In an interview with the CBS News program "60 Minutes" scheduled for broadcast tonight, pro-life Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas says abortion was behind all of the attacks on him during his confirmation hearings. He called the confirmation process a "high tech lynching."
Clarence Thomas: My Confirmation Hearings Were Really About Abortion

Blogger Suzanne at BigBlueWave advises readers of this video where Family Coalition Party candidate David MacDonald makes his pitch and tells what he's all about. Note Dalton McGuinty in the background.
FCP Candidate David MacDonald makes his pro-life pitch

Another good post by blogger johnonlife. He ends his post with this conclusion:
Do the pro-choice people want the abortion rate to stay the same? Or increase? Then they are not pro-choice--they are pro-abortion pure and simple. Either change your approach or change your name.
You're only as good as your information

From the National Catholic Bioethics Center:
Most people are aware of IVF and probably know a family that has a child (or children) as the result of the procedure. They are almost certainly not aware that the widespread acceptance of IVF is revolutionizing reproduction and redefining the family, especially maternity and paternity.
The Scourge of In Vitro Fertilization - The Brave New World of Reproduction

Michael Spielman of Abort73.com reports that he’s on the road to Minneapolis for the Desiring God National Conference. Michael has been gearing up for this event for quite some time and has produced an amazing resource booklet to equip pastors and other Christian leaders on the subject of abortion. The Abort73 fall newsletter is also online.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FALL NEWSLETTER ONLINE

CLICK HERE TO READ OR ORDER THE BOOKLET ABORT73 IS DISTRIBUTING AT DESIRING GOD

Now that Kaye is about to release his latest film, a 2 1/2-hour documentary about abortion called "Lake of Fire," filmgoers might expect the director to offer up a fiery polemic. Instead, the film, which ThinkFilm is releasing Oct. 3 in New York and Oct. 12 in Los Angeles, is something else entirely.
Kaye lights fuse then lets 'Fire' burn gray

I think pro-lifers have a very good case to make for comparing abortion to the Holocaust. The reasons were enumerated here just recently. To begin with, there is the sheer number of deaths. We rehearse the statistics until we are numb.
Dire Situation in Romania: The abondoning of Orphans

A shocking story from the Sydney Morning Herald, New South Wales, Australia
Doctors looked for foetus in bin

WDIV - Detroit, MI The Local 4 hidden camera investigation showed the doctor performing an abortion for $150 in a rundown building in Detroit.
Doctor's License Suspended

Atlanta, GA (LifeNews.com) -- When pro-life advocates in South Dakota proposed an abortion ban on their state ballot last year, it opened the door to the decades-long debate within the pro-life community about the best way to end abortion.
National Debate on Pro-Life Movement Sparked by Georgia Abortion Ban

I can’t imagine why.
The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Steenson, Bishop of the Rio Grande, has resigned from the Episcopal Church and will enter the Roman Catholic Church.
Bishop Resigns From the Episcopal Church and Will Enter the Roman Catholic Church

Today, nine out of 10 Southern Baptists take a pro-life stance toward abortion, which has its roots in Judaism and the beliefs of the early church, ...
The family described as Baptist distinctive

Pastor Tony’s Place blogs this story:
A dear lady approached me after the early service and told me that it was the first time she'd heard a sermon on that topic in 30 years. Wow. The next two Sundays are on homosexuality and abortion (respect for life). ...
Recent sermon series / topics

Some Christian conservative leaders now say the global fight against Islamic extremism trumps the social issues, such as opposition to gay rights and abortion, that pushed the religious right into the political big leagues — a fight they depict as a to-the-death clash of civilizations.
Evangelical Split Seen Fueling Giuliani Bid

King, a noted anti-abortion activist, has been scheduled to speak at several venues during a tour of the state.
Alveda King to Campaign for Sam Brownback

More on the cancellation of Dr. Alveda King’s visit to a high school

From KCCI.com - Des Moines, IA
Could words like anti-abortion and abortion rights be too controversial for high school students?
Roosevelt Cancels Speech By Anti-Abortion Activist

In a striking blow against regional Planned Parenthood's case to strike down a Missouri abortion law, a federal judge issued an order on Monday finding that it is unlikely the pro-choice organization will be able to prove the statute is facially unconstitutional.
Anti-Abortion Missouri Law Clears Hurdle

A mother has sued the county coroner, claiming her dead baby was disposed as "bio-waste."
Mother Sues L.A. County, Saying Baby Disposed of As 'Bio-Waste'

A man accused of putting a sawed-off shotgun against his pregnant girlfriend's abdomen and pulling the trigger was charged Wednesday with murder and assault. The fetus died and the mother was severely wounded, St. Louis County police said.
Murder Charge Filed in Unborn Child's Death

A suspected drunk driver is now charged in the death of Sandi Stephens and her unborn child. Sandi Stephens was due to give birth this week. She was killed Memorial Day weekend, when she was six months pregnant.
Manslaughter Charges Filed in Death of Woman, Fetus

Coach Dave Asks: What Is The Church Hiding From?

Warning: Pro-Catholic bias contained in this posting.

So, with that little disclaimer in place, Coach Dave Daubenmire at NewsWithViews.com asks the question: What is the Church Hiding From?

I gather from the Coach’s lament the following one paragraph summary:

Christians are becoming, more and more, a non-factor in the culture. American voters, many of whom claim to be Christians, ARE voting their values, except their values are about the same as non-Christians. This is because today’s pastors are cowards who are not contending for the Faith. They have lost sight of the ball. Yet we can’t win without the pastors. No matter how hard the “Christian activists” fight, we cannot win without the pulpit. Can’t anyone awaken the pastors? The sun is beginning to set on America. If the Church won’t take on the Devil, who will?

Now, I wish to make some bold observations about the Coach’s remarkable column. I make these observations only because I firmly believe a united strategy against evil by Christians everywhere is required to stop horrors like “legal” child-killing and rampant sexual perversions.

I don’t know the Coach, or anything about him. I haven’t seen him on the evening news or heard much about him until recently. It’s great to know that he is a “culture warrior” and busily involved with writing columns, making speeches and who knows what else.

What quickly caught my eye about his commentary was this: When he wanted to issue a nationwide call for action, to whom did he appeal?

Dr. James Dobson.

I don’t disagree with anything the Coach said. In fact it was refreshing to hear someone say again what he said. Speaking from my experience as a former Evangelical and pastor, I think the Coach made some absolutely terrific observations and offered some keen insight.

For example, it’s a sad fact that the (few) Christian activists the Coach speaks of are extremely busy pushing back against a culture that threatens at any moment to swallow up Christianity. I’m not sure how much time these activists have to likewise keep their pastors accountable in the course of their battle or whether that is even a part of their strategy. But nevertheless, Evangelical America is now so fractured and weakened that the Coach, distressed over its current state, wisely sought out a spokesman in an effort to remedy the situation, and his choice for that spokesman was Dr. James Dobson. Well, it seems like a tall order but no doubt Dr. Dobson has great experience in his field.

I noticed the Coach capitalizes the word “church” when he refers to the Body of Christ as a whole. This is somewhat unusual today because Evangelicals, in the longstanding tradition of their Protestant forefathers, wish to distinguish their doctrine and their assemblies from those who gather in the name of the ancient Church.

The Coach’s column asks, “What is the Church Hiding From?” Perhaps he really means, “What are Evangelicals Hiding From?” Ironically, could the answer partly be, “The Church?” Are Evangelicals hiding from the Church?

Considering that Christians of all stripes are being progressively forced into the same ever-shrinking small corner by our corrupt culture let me immediately propose two things for the Coach and the Evangelical community:

1. Acknowledge the Church—the first step towards a solution, bringing about real, not imagined, unity. This step will restore essential credibility to the Church and allow for the possibility of a real pursuit—a renewal—of the Church’s primary focus, as noted by the Coach: The Great Commission. Step 1 takes us to the all important place where each one of us knows that we are in agreement, on a precise and comprehensive level, with classical Christianity.

2. Engage Church hierarchy on the level of accountability to Church teaching. As I see it, this has always been the fatal weakness in the Church. The Magisterium of the Church is that pure kernel of divine DNA, the pearl of greatest price, but as long as the Church hierarchy fails in its duty to both teach it and model it in its fullness, countless souls will be on their way to a Christless eternity and the society subjected to such failure will continue to steadily corrupt itself. Therefore, Christians must always take aim and push back where pushing back will accomplish real results for God—and for society.

Yes indeed, the Coach is on to something important here. Exactly who is going to awaken the pastors?

It is us—you and I and the Coach.

But first things first. United we stand—divided we fall. It’s not THE solution, but it is the first step. And then we can’t be so busy fighting the culture that we fail to hold Church leaders—particularly the Bishops—accountable.

Even Dr. Dobson is not up to leading such a crusade.

40 Days For Life--Video Style

A great way to kick off the 40 Days for Life Campaign.

Amy Welborn reports that Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex blog has provided a link to a 40 Days for Life video.

From Cosmos-Liturgy-Sex:

Travis at Catholic Tube will, as part of the 40 Days for Life Initiative, be running videos about abortion and pro life issues. Here is the kick off video for 40 days for life.

Memorial University of Newfoundland Students' Union Denies Club Status to Student Pro-Life Group

Just received the following by email from Patrick Hanlon, President of MUN for Life, the student pro-life club on campus at Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador:

**********

Friday, September 28, 2007

PRESS RELEASE

The Death of Free Speech at Memorial University of Newfoundland: MUN Students' Union disallows pro-life group

On Wednesday, September 26, the Memorial University of Newfoundland Students' Union Board of Directors (MUNSU) met for its regularly scheduled meeting. One of the highlights of the agenda was the proposal to ratify, or give official club status to, Memorial University of Newfoundland Students for Life (MUN for LIFE). When it came to this point the meeting, everyone was hesitant to speak. The chair asked for a motion to approve and one was not tabled. A motion to deny was put forth and the flood gates holding back the conversation opened wide. Every speaker, except for one, identified themselves as pro-choice and echoed the comments of the previous speakers. The motion to deny ratification passed nearly unanimous. MUSNU signaled the death of free speech on a university campus.

The dominate arguments brought by MUNSU personalities to deny MUN for LIFE their rights were 1) MUNSU is a local of the pro-choice Canadian Federation of Students (CFS) 2) MUNSU could not ratify a group in opposition to its beliefs.

If MUNSU only ratifies groups that it agrees with, why is it that an assortment groups with competing ideologies are listed on their website. For example, there are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and Pagan groups. There are Progressive Conservative, Liberal, and New Democratic groups. Surely, MUNSU can not agree with every one of these groups. If MUNSU can grant ratification to these groups, it should be able to allow MUN for LIFE its democratic and university rights to free speech.

If CFS is an obstacle, why it is that a number of other CFS locals have pro-life groups? A small example of these would be the Universities of British Columbia, Toronto, Dalhousie, Carleton, and Saskatchewan. Once again, MUNSU is grasping at straws for excuses to silence the voice of the pro-life movement. MUN for LIFE members have paid CFS and MUNSU union dues and must now be granted their rights to free speech and association.

In November 2006 the Carleton University Students' Association passed a motion to silence pro-life student groups on their campus. As a result, Carleton Lifeline's ratification was placed in jeopardy. A heated debate, which attracted national media coverage, ended in Carleton Lifeline's membership increasing and work continuing.

Patrick Hanlon, the President of MUN for LIFE, is encouraging his fellow union members and all concerned individuals, regardless of their position on life issues, to demand MUNSU to immediately reverse the decision made at the September 26 meeting. If this decision is not reversed, a dangerous precedent is set in place for MUNSU, and other Student Unions in Canada, which would allow the silencing of any other group that a union wishes not to have democratic and university rights.

##########

Patrick Hanlon
MUN for LIFE President
709-579-1500 MUNforLIFE@gmail.com

*********************************

To respectfully contact the MUNSU executive and voice your opposition to the decision:
James Farrell, External Director, munsu@munsu.ca
Bradley Russell, Student Life Director, studentlife@munsu.ca
Stella Magalios, Campaigns Director, campaigns@munsu.ca
Stephanie Power, Advocacy Director, advocacy@munsu.ca
Nick Eisnor, Finance Director, finance@munsu.ca
Phone: 709-737-7633
Fax: 709-737-4743
Mail: MUNSU, Suite 2000 - University Centre, MUN, St. John's, NL A1C 5S7

To respectfully express your concerns to the university administration:
Dr. Axel Meisen, President and Vice Chancellor of MUN, president@mun.ca
Dr. Lilly Walker, Dean of Student Affairs and Services, lwalker@mun.ca

You may carbon copy or send best wises to:
Patrick Hanlon, MUN for LIFE President, MUNforLIFE@gmail.com

*********************************


MUN for LIFE
munforlife@gmail.com
(709) 579-1500 or 877-997-LIFE
P.O. Box 5427
St. John's, NL A1C 5W2


WE BELIEVE THAT:
-human life begins at conception;
-the right to life is a fundamental human right, and all other rights depend
on it; and
-all human beings share this right equally from conception to natural death.


The university should be a place for open dialogue and freedom of speech. It is a place where the ideas and values of our society take root. Therefore, MUN for LIFE has a duty and a right to be an active group on campus.

Where's Your Dolly? An Autobiographical Sketch On Abortion

Blogger Lee Harding, Regina, SK, writes a short and touching autobiography on his near experience with abortion. His posting illustrates what’s at stake every time a child’s life is “legally” snuffed out.

**********

My Life is a Blessing

My mother was on the psychiatric ward while I grew in her womb in 1974. Her live-in relationship with my abusive and criminal father was over while her pregnancy meant new hurdles. Public shame for having a baby out of wedlock was one thing. A bigger question was how she could live as a single mom without a high school diploma.

The medical professionals counseled her to abort. In her heart, Mom wanted me. But she was vulnerable, and, so was I.

Elsewhere, her own mother was losing sleep. Grandma dearly loved the seven children she raised and was distressed over her daughter's impending abortion.

The night before the scheduled abortion, Grandma had a dream so vivid she thought she was awake. She saw my mother as a little girl, playing with a doll. In the next scene her head was down, her arms empty. "Where's your dolly?" asked Grandma.

With tears in her eyes, the little girl looked up and said, "They took it away!"

With shared resolve, my grandparents made the two-and-a-half hour drive from their little town to see my mom in Regina. Grandma wept so long, my grandpa couldn't bear it any longer. "I'm going to put you in the hospital if you don't stop crying," he said.

After they finally made it to the hospital, Grandma asked my mom, "Do you want to have this baby?"

"Yes," she said.

With that, Grandma told the doctor, "This abortion is not going to happen."

"But it's been approved by the board," the doctor protested.

"You can't play God and neither can I," Grandma said. "C'mon Debbie, we're going home with our baby!"

So they took us home. A few days before Christmas, my mom returned to the hospital she left—to give me birth. True to their word, my grandparents took me after ten days and later adopted me. Grandma called me her little lamb and always said I was a gift from God. I stole Grandpa's heart as well.

My birth mother still lives in Regina and has been married for many years, though not to my father. Now that I'm a married parent myself, my mom likes to take my little daughter out for walks in the stroller. She's looking forward to my next child arriving in March. My birth father and his family also have a place in my life and count me a blessing.

Every once in awhile, as I reflect on the joy I have brought to my family, I'm horrified by the thought I could have been aborted. It's not just that I would never have seen the light of day. It's the void in my family where I was supposed to be, and the haunting grief they would still carry.

God is my only consolation when I grieve for the millions aborted in Canada in my lifetime. I count Him big enough to save the souls of the unborn and heal the hurts of the living.

[Source]

H/T Robert A. Jason

Pro-Life News Bytes September 27, 2007

Reports are coming out of Massachusetts that a 22-year old woman died on September 13, 2007, from hemorrhaging caused by an abortion obtained at Women Health Center in the Cape Cod town of Hyannis. The abortionist responsible for the death is reportedly Rapin Osathanondh, who made headlines in 2001 for threatening to murder five hospital nurses in a fit of rage over misplaced paperwork.

Abortion Death Reported in Massachusetts

"After 34 years of abortion on demand through all nine months of pregnancy, it is time to rethink pro-life strategy," said Law Center attorney Robert Muise, who has criticized the pro-life movement's "lethargy."

Pro-Life Movement Urged to Agree on a Unified Strategy
Vote Life, Canada! says Amen to the Thomas More Law Center’s analysis and advocates that Canada also break out of its apathy.

John Pacheco, candidate for Ottawa West Nepean, posts on his election site a link to a YouTube video. It tells one parent’s heartbreaking story of her 14-year-old daughter’s serious side effects to Gardasil, which are now threatening her physical and mental health.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTvAneWBZs

Vote Life, Canada! looked into the controversy surrounding the Gardasil vaccine and issued this report and a follow-up post.

Scott Klusendorf of Life Training Institute continues his series of posts on Francis Beckwith’s new pro-life apologetic “Defending Life.”

Beckwith #7: Problems with Thomson's 'Equal Reasonableness' [SK]

He also notes that National Review has just published its own take on “Defending Life.”

An "election guide" by Toronto Catholic Charities published on the website of the Archdiocese of Toronto directs Catholic voters in the upcoming October 10 election to see as their "primary concerns" government funding of programs, affordable housing, and poverty. Conspicuously absent from list are abortion and euthanasia.

Top Election Concerns for Toronto Catholic Charities: Gov't Funding, Affordable Housing, Poverty

Whatever happened to the hope that Archbishop Collins was supposed to bring to the Archdiocese of Toronto? Catholic Bishops are letting Canada down at every turn and seem content to let the Unborn perish.

After a bill to legalize assisted suicide in California failed again in the state legislature, euthanasia advocates are creating a new assisted suicide counseling service. Their goal is to provide help and information for people who want to commit suicide in a less direct manner that gets around state law.

California Group Will Do Assisted Suicide Counseling After Bill Failed

Father Frank Pavone and the National Pro-Life Religious Council respond.

Propaganda from pro-euthanasia study: "Those who received physician-assisted dying … appeared to enjoy comparative social, economic, educational, professional and other privileges."

Euthanasia Critics Challenge Pro-Euthanasia Study Research Methods

National Black Pro-Life Union is joining all pro-life groups in celebration at the announced closure of Alternatives, an abortion clinic in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The facility was closed by the Health Department in June after an inspection revealed filthy conditions that included blood-stained carpets and rusty surgical instruments.

Former Miss Atlantic City Comments on Closing of Filthy New Jersey Abortion Mill

The latest evidence of UNFPA's involvement in the promotion of abortion comes in the annual report of the Center for Reproductive Rights (CRR), a non-profit pro-abortion law firm located in New York which is active in trying to change abortion laws around the world. According to the Center's most recent annual report, UNFPA was one of their largest financial contributors last year, donating as much as $50,000.

UN Population Fund Still Denies but in Fact Very Much Does Fund Abortion Advocacy

More on the UNFPA from Vote Life, Canada! here.

A Republican presidential candidate is promoting legislation designed to deter women from choosing to have their unborn child killed in the womb.

Brownback's ultrasound bill seeks to better inform women seeking abortion

Mark Crutcher of Life Dynamics has a new posting on his blog.

The Scam of Moral Irrelevance

Yesterday’s NewsBytes reported that one of Alveda King’s talks was cancelled. Today we discover the reason was that it was too moral—and we all know morals are something the public schools are not allowed to teach, right?

Alveda King Canceled by Des Moines Principal -- Talk Was Too "Moral"

School officials respond.

Cellular phone company Verizon Wireless and top pro-abortion group NARAL have been feuding over the ability of the organization to use its system to send out text messages to its membership with alerts and updates. Verizon initially refused to allow NARAL to use its network but higher officials reversed the decision.

VERIZON WIRELESS WILL ALLOW PRO-ABORTION GROUP'S TEXT MSGS AFTER FEUD

Idaho Chooses Life is after the Bishop to stop a scandal involving a high profile nun.

Christian Newswire/ -- "We issue a public call for Idaho's Catholic Bishop, Mike Driscoll, to intervene quickly and forcefully in the brewing scandal involving Sister Helen Prejean," Sister Prejean is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at an event to raise money for the Idaho ACLU on Friday, September 28th.

ICL Urges Bishop Driscoll to Intervene

The Arizona Supreme Court let stand a state appeals court ruling making Maricopa County officials take pregnant inmates for abortions.

Arizona Supreme Court Rules County Must Take Inmates for Abortions

The leading Northern Ireland pro-life group Precious Life has taken out newspaper ads across the region asking pro-life people to contact the members of the Legislative Assembly and urge them to oppose abortion. The campaign urges pro-life advocates to sign petitions and distribute more.

Northern Ireland Pro-Life Group Lobbies MLAs to Oppose Abortion

A new poll finds that black pro-life voters are more likely to support Republican candidates than African-American voters overall, but that they still tend to vote for Democrats. The survey also found that blacks and Hispanics are more likely to oppose abortion and embryonic stem cell research than white Americans.

Poll Shows Black Pro-Life Voters Still Largely Support Pro-Abortion Candidates

Press Release: Vote Life, Canada! Calls Canada's Catholic Bishops To Join 40 Days For Life Campaign

Distributed to the media and posted today to the Vote Life, Canada! website:

Vote Life, Canada! Calls on the Catholic Bishops of Canada to Join their Fellow US Bishops in Supporting the Nationwide 40 Days for Life Campaign Aimed at Ending Abortion

Contact: Eric Alcock, President, Vote Life, Canada! 709-773-0700

Toronto, ON September 27/Christian Newswire—Vote Life, Canada! is looking with great hope and anticipation at the intensive 40 Days for Life campaign which kicked off yesterday in the US and which focuses on 40 days of prayer and fasting along with peaceful vigil at abortion facilities.

“This nationwide endeavour,” says Eric Alcock, President of Vote Life, Canada! “will bring publicity and healing to the violence of abortion and is the largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in American history.”

The campaign runs from Sept. 26 through Nov. 4 and about 90 cities in over 33 states have signed on. Organizers of the 40 Days for Life project, which incorporates grassroots educational outreach, report remarkable results from similar campaigns already undertaken in 9 cities around the country.

Alcock took special note that Catholic Bishops have joined with other Christian leaders throughout America in promoting this event.

“In a recent letter to Archdiocese of Baltimore pastors, Cardinal William Keeler urged support for this initiative. Cardinal Keeler pointed to John Paul II’s papal letter The Gospel of Life and asked his priests to share this truth by promoting and participating in a national, ecumenical effort called Forty Days for Life,” reported Alcock.

Alcock believes that the Catholic Bishops of Canada should likewise endorse this campaign and urge their parishes and pro-life organizations to quickly join in the effort by contacting 40 Days for Life through their website www.40daysforlife.com/ or by email at info@40daysforlife.com or phone 1-804-852-2979.

“Here is a unique opportunity for Canada’s Catholic Bishops to show vision and leadership in bringing about an end to the tragedy of abortion in Canada. A nationwide, curbside effort to invoke conversion, forgiveness and prayer for participants, providers and supporters of abortion could very well turn the tide of legalized child-killing in our nation,” enthused Alcock.

Alcock hopes the Catholic Bishops will pave the way for a “piggyback” prayer effort in Canada and perhaps even coordinate with campaign leaders to formally organize Canada’s own 40 Days for Life in the future.

Alcock reports that the 40 Days for Life prayer vigil is a quiet prayerful presence. No graphic signs are allowed and every participant must sign a ‘Statement of Peace,’ which gives rules for maintaining a law-abiding, respectful vigil.

The 40DaysForLife website explains the 40-day time frame is drawn from examples throughout Biblical history where God brought about world-changing transformation in 40- day periods.

Visit www.votelifecanada.ca and http://votelifecanada.blogspot.com/ updated regularly!

Pro-Life News Bytes September 26, 2007

Suzanne at Big Blue Wave directs readers to an interview with Family Coalition Party leader Giuseppe Gori on TVO.

VIDEO: FCP's Giuseppe Gori interviewed by TVO's Steve Paikan

LifeSiteNews reported yesterday on an amazing story, ready made for our Canadian setting. The story is a powerful vindication of the strategy of using graphic images to show the horror and truth of abortion. Be sure to reads this story.

500 Centre of Bioethical Reform explicit abortion billboards had a powerful effect [on abortion law in Slovakia.]

Slovak Health Ministry Revokes Hospital Abortion Law in Face of Effective "Right-to-Life" Campaign

Heartofsong83 posts voting strategy on Free Dominion. Vote Life, Canada! disagrees with respect to EVER voting for a politician who is not qualified as truly pro-life. Would you ever consider voting for a politician who supported terrorism under certain conditions? Think about it.
Ontario Election 2007: Why we should vote pro-life

The Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship (LCF) is calling on Christians to rally outside England’s Houses of Parliament this October in a show of opposition to abortion on the 40th anniversary of the Abortion Act.

h/t Vital Signs Ministries

A controversial plan to pay new parents in Newfoundland and Labrador is being misinterpreted, according to Progressive Conservative Leader Danny Williams.

Baby bonus part of a bigger population-growth plan: Williams

See Vote Life, Canada’s previous coverage also.

Christian Newswire reports that Operation Rescue is celebrating today the announced closure of Alternatives, an abortion clinic in Atlantic City, New Jersey, that was closed by the Health Department in June after an inspection revealed filthy conditions that included blood-stained carpets and rusty surgical instruments.

Filthy New Jersey Abortion Mill Surrenders License, Moves Out

Last year over 2 million students in the U.S. took part in See You at the Pole (SYATP) - a student-organized, student-led gathering at the school flagpole where students will pray for their school, friends, teachers, government, and nation.

Will You Be at the Pole?

Also see
Alliance Defense Fund memo

STOPP carries a report of the 40 Days for Life campaign in their Wednesday Report and lists participating cities.

“Today marks the beginning of the 40 Days for Life. All across the United States, pro-lifers will be praying at abortion centers from September 26 through November 4. Many of the 40 Days for Life events are taking place at Planned Parenthood facilities.

40 Days for Life protests at Planned Parenthood

More details at the 40 Days for Life web site

www.40DaysForLife.com

LifeSiteNews coverage

Abortion Centers in 80 Cities in 33 States to be Prayerfully Picketed for 40 Days Starting Tomorrow

LifeNews.com

National 40-Day Pro-Life Prayer Campaign Begins at Abortion Centers

From California Catholic Daily

“The largest simultaneous pro-life mobilization in history”

One of our recent posts concerned a ridiculous NJ Supreme Court decision. An appeal has been launched.

Trenton: Abortion Malpractice Appeal

Asbury Park Press also covers the story

Woman in Abortion Case Asking Court to Reconsider Ruling
NJ.com coverage

Lawyer wants high court to reconsider abortion ruling

For perspective from a “poor-choicer,” a radical feminist weighs in on the New Jersey decision. She says

This case is one of a series of attempts to turn “informed consent” into a platform for divisive and fundamentalist views on women’s reproductive choices.

Getting "Informed Consent" Right

Here’s a blogger named “shadowmyth” who is definitely all for population control. Warning: I know nothing about this blogger so I can’t vouch for the content of the site but I did quickly read her posting. Typical uninformed shallow arguments but maybe the reader can use the posting to look further into the controversy surrounding the subject.

Stop Having Children

Christian blogger and self identified philosopher Todd H Dow discusses Dawkins on abortion. He says Dawkins’ logic is seriously flawed. See what you think.
Dawkins Day 7: The Slippery Slope of Abortion

From The Christian Post

Only 16 percent of non-Christians aged 16 to 29 years old said they have a "good impression" of Christianity, according to a report released Monday by The Barna Group. A decade ago, the vast majority of Americans outside the Christian faith, including young people, felt favorably toward Christianity’s role in society.

Study: Christianity No Longer Looks Like Jesus

CAN reports on a columnist for a Ugandan newspaper who has called on the government of the East African country to ignore the Catholic Church's views and get on with the business of legalizing abortion.

Columnist stirs controversy in Uganda by calling for legalization ...

Two pieces of news about Alveda King, former Georgia legislator and niece of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

According to LifeNews.com a public high school in Iowa is drawing criticism from the pro-life community after it canceled a scheduled talk with pro-life advocate Alveda King.

Iowa School Cancels Pro-Life Talk With Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's Niece

The Bradenton Herald carries a very positive report on King’s visit in Florida.

Alveda King brings message against abortion to Bradenton

A protest was staged outside a Florida Baptist church last week as it hosted a pro-family summit attended by some of the nation’s most prominent conservative Christian leaders.

At the summit Leslee Unruh from the National Abstinence Clearinghouse shared about her group's efforts to ban abortion in South Dakota.

Pro-Family Summit Faces Opposition

Related previous coverage

Evangelicals to Kick Off Pro-Family Summit

In yesterday’s NewsBytes we reported on BigBlueWave’s posting on Religious conservative vote is becoming an electoral factor in Canada.

Blogger bigcitylib speculates on the rising threat of Canada’s new Evangeliban! [I don’t know what to expect from this site regarding language, etc.]

The Rise Of The Canadian Evangeliban?

We blogged on the story in the Ottawa Citizen yesterday and today. Suzanne at BigBlueWave has some commentary as well.

Abortion supporters complain about long wait times in Ottawa

Vicki Saporta of the National Abortion Federation chimed in with a short post. Maybe she has more since then.

Women Face Long Wait Times for Abortion Care in Ottawa

Good post by Joe H on the Defend Life blog.

When Archbishop Amato called abortion "terrorism with a human face" in April 2007 he caused me to think: How is abortion terrorism?

Abortion: The Real Terrorism

Very interesting background story on a Cedar Rapids resident Alice Dahle who has a “living passion for CEDAW.” National Right to Life has outlined their objections to CEDAW. Now if someone could actually succeed in winning Alice over to the human rights issue of the Unborn, we’d have a fighter on our side.

CEDAW Is Living Passion for Iowa Women's Activist

NBC South Florida wrote a nice story on Archbishop Dionisio Guillermo Garcia Ibanez, named earlier this year to lead Catholics in Santiago, Cuba's second-largest city. They covered a good deal of ground and reported that abortion in Cuba remains free and readily available.

Cuban Archbishop: Religious Freedom Slowly Spreading On Island

Blogger papabear at The New Beginning linked to a speech by Denver Archbishop Charles J. Chaput published in First Things magazine. Looks real interesting. We should have more bloggers working on this one.

Renewing the Church, Converting the World

Vote Life, Canada! has had much to say in recent weeks about Amnesty International’s recent decision to advocate for abortion worldwide.

This development is a few days old but nevertheless good for the record.

Catholic schools to cut ties with Amnesty
LifesiteNews.com also carried a report yesterday on this.

Australian Archdiocese Directs 328 Catholic Schools to Withdraw Support from Amnesty International

Blogger Sotto Voce

Australian Archdiocese Directs 328 Catholic Schools to Withdraw ...

I’d like to write a lot more about this subject but I already have. Too many Catholic Bishops love to talk about the role of faith in society but then don’t really expect Catholics to take it seriously. It’s sickening. Words are cheap.

Faith and religion have a necessary and significant role to play in the development of government and social policy, Archbishop Donald W. Wuerl of Washington, D.C., told local Catholics gathered for the annual Los Angeles Catholic Prayer Breakfast Sept. 18.

Faith plays necessary role in society, says archbishop

More reaction on Archbishop Burke’s stance of denying Holy Communion to Catholics, including politicians, who live in mortal sin. By the way, it’s extremely rude and disrespectful to Catholics to characterize the Body and Body of Jesus Christ in terms of “wafer” and “wafer wars.” Get a life.

'Wafer Wars' heat up: Archbishop pressures clergy to deny ...

Did I miss this one from the National Post on September 13, 2007?

Abortion and mental health: The link we cannot ignore

On this topic, Dr. Paul Ranalli had a letter to the editor published today in the National Post Re: Depression And Abortion Not Linked. He exposes yet another confused poor-choicer.

(CNSNews.com) - The Miller Brewing Company, a sponsor of this weekend’s homosexual “leather” street fair in San Francisco, has asked to have its logo removed from an advertising poster that has offended some Christians. The advertisement portrays Christ and the disciples as half-naked sado-masochists.

Disgusting. Thanks to those who expressed outrage.

Miller Brewing Pulls Logo From ‘Last Supper’ Advertisement

From LifeNews.com

Pope Benedict XVI met with the new ambassador from Nicaragua to the Vatican on Monday and congratulated the Central American nation for recently renewing its ban on abortions.

Pope Benedict XVI Congratulates Nicaragua on Keeping Abortion Illegal

Also from LifeNews.com

A new poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports finds that the issue of abortion is important to a strong majority of voters and that it is one of the handful of issues in a troubling election year for Republicans that could boost their chances to retain the White House.

Poll Shows Abortion Important to Voters, Helpful to Republican Candidates

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. A good lesson here for pro-lifers on the subject of free speech.

Maybe someone will blog on this.

Rhode Island College settles suit over abortion-rights signs

An attorney who helped a prominent activist against forced abortions in China has been arrested following the dissemination of a letter he wrote to Olympic officials criticizing the Asian nation's human rights situation.

Attorney for China Forced Abortion Activist Detained After Olympic ...

For the next two days, The Center for Bio-Ethical Reform will be in Omaha, driving large trucks painted with graphic images of aborted fetuses.

Pro-Life Group Drives Message Across Omaha

If you’re looking for truth about sexuality and abortion, don’t call on the RCRC. The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice was founded in 1973 by clergy and lay leaders from mainstream religions “to safeguard the newly won constitutional right to abortion.” Take a look at the conclusions from a book written to examine the RCRC and its activities [posted on the Priests for Life website.]

The clergy at this meeting sounds an awful lot like representatives from RCRC.

UW’s Spiritual Youth for Reproductive Freedom hosted a panel called Religious Views on Reproductive Choice, in which Rabbi Jonathan Biatch and the Rev. Alvaro Nova talked about their religions’ stances on abortion and sex education.

Religion debates abortion

Teacher dismissed from Catholic school for “public participation in the procurement of abortions” now ranting against pro-lifers from the stage.

“Fired for Immorality”

Blogger and Deacon Greg Kandra discusses a conference which could help men dealing with the psychological trauma of post-abortion reality the way Project Rachel -- the post-abortion healing ministry of the Catholic Church Thorn founded -- has helped women.

Reclaiming fatherhood: men and abortion