The International Planned Parenthood Federation was caught red-handed (bloody) violating a U.S. restriction on the use of United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funds for "family planning." Such funds cannot be given to groups that perform or advocate abortion as per an agreement reached last year between Congress and President Clinton. When Clinton came into office he overturned, by executive order, this restriction. Commonly referred to as the "Mexico City Policy," the restriction had been in place from 1984 to 1993 via a presidential executive order. Last year Clinton agreed to reinstate the restriction in exchange for Congress authorizing the payment of U.S. dues to the United Nations. IPPF refers to this restriction as a "global gag rule."
On Oct. 5, 2000, The Washington Times reported that, just after the General Accounting Office notified IPPF that it would be audited on May 25-26, 2000, IPPF repaid $700,000 to its USAID account. The reason IPPF returned the money was because it had illegally used the money in India and Uganda to fund two "family planning" affiliates that engage in abortion and abortion advocacy.
IPPF can't be trusted! In fiscal year 2000, it was given $5 million in USAID funds. The $700,000 used by IPPF illegally in India and Uganda represents 14 percent of the total. STOPP supporters should contact their Congressmen today and demand that IPPF be banned from getting any future USAID funds. IPPF has thumbed its nose at U.S. law and should be punished immediately.
While you're writing to Congress, include a note of thanks to Senator Jesse Helms (R-North Carolina). He's the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which dispatched the GAO to audit IPPF. It was Helms' amendment to the 1973 Foreign Assistance Act that prohibits U.S. funds from directly paying for abortion services. The "Mexico City Policy" is aimed at cutting off more indirect support of abortion.
Marc Thiessen, a spokesman for the Foreign Relations Committee, said in the Times article that there have been concerns regarding IPPF for years, and now there is proof it violated the law. The main question now is what is going to be done about it. "The Clinton-Gore administration doesn't do anything when a population-control group violates the law, even when they are caught red-handed," he said.
IPPF's director-general, Ingar Brueggemann, told the Times that the $5 million from USAID is only part of the $40 million IPPF disbursed to its 134 worldwide affiliates in 2000.
If IPPF goes unpunished, what example will that set for other groups receiving USAID funds? This is by no means a trivial question. The total international "family planning" funds available last year from the U.S. ended up being a whopping $372 million! A mid-August 2000 report from the Congressional Research Service indicated that 488 groups had "certified" that they would not use American money for abortion and 250 more groups were expected to certify (C-Fam, Oct. 5, 2000).
If IPPF is not punished, this will send a signal to the other 738 groups that the US is not serious when it puts restrictions on its "family planning" aid. These groups will be encouraged to violate U.S. policy as well, knowing that if they get caught, as IPPF was, they will still be eligible for future funds.
The only reasonable response to IPPF's violation is to cut off their funding. Otherwise, future restrictions are just window dressing. Please contact Congress today. The lives of foreign babies are at stake. Ask your representatives to keep fighting for the "Mexico City Policy" restrictions in order to prevent your tax money from promoting and providing abortions abroad.
PP abortionist gives gruesome testimony
STOPP just recently received a letter that included newspaper articles about the gruesome testimony PP abortionist Robert Crist gave during a trial in which PP challenged the legality of the partial-birth infanticide law in Missouri.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch wrote the following on May 25, 2000: "In testimony Wednesday in St. Louis Circuit Court, Crist said that it is not uncommon for second-trimester fetuses to leave the womb feet-first, intact and with their hearts still beating. He sometimes crushes their skulls to get the fetuses out. Other times, he dismembers them."
Responding to media coverage of Crist's testimony, Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Naumann said, "I doubt most Americans understand that our current public policy permits many such abortions" (St. Louis Review, June 2, 2000).
Crist also cited cases when 9- to 10-week-old fetuses were unintentionally suctioned into the suction bottle intact, still alive with their hearts beating. The point PP was trying to make is that the law in question would not only ban a late term partial-birth abortion, but also the more routine procedures used earlier in the pregnancy which can cause the death of a baby after it is born or partially born (Post-Dispatch May 26, 2000).
In a letter published in the Sept. 1, 2000, issue of the St. Louis Review, the archdiocesan newspaper, Charles and Mildred Tichacek urged fellow Catholics to join in a regular rosary walk to the PP clinic at Forest Park and Boyle, where Crist plies his grisly trade. This 15-decade rosary walk is held on the third Saturday of every month, following an
8 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral Basilica. After the walk, there is benediction at the Cathedral. The Tichaceks say between 100 and 150 people regularly show up, but they say the archdiocese is large enough to produce at least 1,000. STOPP supporters in the region are urged to attend!
PP's election antics
STOPP received many calls reporting that Planned Parenthood was endorsing political candidates during the last election season. As we explained in detail in the November 2000 issue of The Ryan Report, such activities are not illegal when done via PP's political action fund, PPAF. However, STOPP supporters should keep reminding their representatives of PP's antics during the past election, and should demand that such a politically-active organization be barred from getting any of our tax dollars.
PPAF earmarked $10 million for a television and mail campaign in seven key battleground states (Florida, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington) aimed at keeping George W. Bush from becoming president. PPAF's press release stated that this was the first time in its 84-year history that PP has ever engaged in presidential politics. PPAF said it would reach 2.2 million households through voter guides and phone banks.
PPAF's presidential voter guide was incredibly simple and perfectly consistent with PP's basic three-point game plan. It listed Gore's and Bush's different positions, in its words, on:
- a woman's right to choose,
- family planning programs like Planned Parenthood that help prevent the need for abortion, and,
- medically accurate, age appropriate sex education in schools.
In addition to this national effort, state and local PP action funds in 46 states were involved in more than 700 races nationwide. PP action funds in California alone planned to spend $1 million on state, federal, and local races.
One would hope that the politicians who were targets of PP's intense political involvement during the past election would have the good sense to oppose any future measure that would result in PP getting any more of our tax money. It's up to us to not let them forget!
Now, we are not claiming that PP is directly using our tax dollars to fund its political activities. However, when the government gives $176.5 million to PP during one fiscal year (1998-99), PP doesn't have to rely on its supporters to come up with that amount of money to help fund PP's non-political activities. These supporters can then direct their gifts to the action funds, which do get politically involved. This political activity helps put more politicians in office who are likely to allocate even more of our tax dollars to PP. The way to break this cycle is to stop giving PP any of our tax money, period!
PP wins Tenn. abortion case; prolifers will seek referendum
Planned Parenthood frequently causes restrictions on abortion to be held up or completely overturned by the courts. This has happened once again, this time in Tennessee. But in this case, pro-lifers are fighting back with a long-term plan to change the state constitution by referendum. They also have a state senator who is considering using a provision of the state constitution, which would allow the legislature to oust the "judicial tyrants" from office.
In Planned Parenthood of Middle Tennessee vs. Don Sundquist, Governor, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled 4 to 1, on Sept. 15, 2000, that there is a fundamental right in the Tennessee Constitution that is stronger than the abortion rights discovered in the U.S. Constitution by the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.
The court then struck down provisions in a 1997 state law, which required informed consent and a two-day waiting period. Also declared unconstitutional was a provision that all second-trimester abortions must take place in a hospital, not a clinic. By fighting even these modest restrictions, PP has shown that its main concern is not for the welfare of women, but rather for making profits. PP, obviously, doesn't like any restriction that prevents PP from killing second-trimester babies at its own clinics.
In his 38-page dissent, Justice Mickey Barker said, in part, "Plainly stated, the effect of the court's holding today is to remove from the people all power, except by constitutional amendment, to enact reasonable regulations of abortion. Rather than leaving policy decisions regarding reasonable abortion regulation to the General Assembly, this court has converted itself into a roving constitutional convention, which sees itself free to strike down the duly-enacted laws of the legislature for no other reason than it feels they are burdensome and unwise. In so doing, the court has been unable to convincingly point to any textual or historical basis for its decision, and its holding that our Constitution provides greater protection for the judicially-created right of privacy than the federal Constitution is contrary to nearly 200 years of legal precedent."
Republican Tennessee state senator David Fowler, a lawyer, said he may propose that the legislature vote to remove the four "judicial tyrants" by the two-thirds vote required by the Tennessee Constitution. He said, "I would hope the legislature would have enough guts and interest in the people they represent to prevent the encroachment on the legislative branch by the judicial branch" (News-Sentinel Oct. 29, 2000).
Tennessee Right to Life has vowed to push for a constitutional amendment, which would effectively reverse the decision. They must secure a two-thirds vote of the legislature before the amendment can be submitted to a statewide referendum. STOPP supporters in Tennessee can start lobbying their state representatives for both the vote on the justices and the amendment. For more details, contact Tennessee Right to Life at 877-CHOOSE-LIFE.
New president will decide 2001 USAID restriction
Last year's restriction which prohibited the use of US taxpayer money (USAID) from going to groups that perform or promote overseas abortions (see page 1) may not be in place for next year, according to a last-minute budget compromise in Congress on Oct. 24, 2000 (Associated Press).
The so-called "family planning" program funding was increased substantially to $425 million, and the decision on whether the "Mexico City Policy" restriction will apply next year will be left up to the new president. Congress decided that no money could be spent until Feb. 15, 2001. This will give the new president time to either reinstate the restriction or leave it dormant.
STOPP supporters should contact the new president and urge him to reinstate the "Mexico City Policy" restriction, by executive order, as soon as he gets into office. Also, voice your displeasure to Congress that it caved in on the issue and increased, rather than decreased, total "family planning" USAID funds.
Writing to businesses that support Planned Parenthood
Planned Parenthood likes to brag about local businesses that support its fundraising efforts. PP will often list these supporters on web sites, in its newsletter, or even in a published article or letter to the editor. Of course, this is designed to allow PP to impress upon everyone just how much it is needed and accepted by the local community.
Such lists also present STOPP supporters with a very effective opportunity to educate these businesses about the real nature of PP. Many times the people who own or work at these businesses really don't know much about PP. Often they are just reacting to the request of a customer to support a non-profit organization. STOPP supporters should write to any business that is listed by PP as a supporter. Here's a suggested form that was actually used in a letter-writing effort recently in Virginia.
You have been identified as a supporter of Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortion. Specifically, you are listed, by Planned Parenthood, as a supporter in [give name and date of publication].
STOPP International has found that many times businesses contribute to Planned Parenthood without really knowing much about Planned Parenthood. Therefore, we have included a copy of STOPP's brochure, "Why do we oppose Planned Parenthood?" You can obtain even more detailed information by visiting STOPP's web site.
We are maintaining a list of supporters of Planned Parenthood. This list is made available to local pro-lifers. We hope that you will reconsider your support of Planned Parenthood. If you are listed as a supporter of Planned Parenthood by mistake, please contact us and we will be happy to take you off the list.
Be prepared for a wide range of responses, ranging from the contrite to the irate. Some businesses may not agree with you regarding PP, but they will stop supporting PP once they know they are on your list and few of their customers complain.
A more indirect case in Deposit, New York, a few years ago, illustrates the simple power of such letters. A Deposit supermarket was printing PP coupons on its grocery bags, along with advertisements for several Deposit businesses. STOPP picketers at a clinic about ten miles away began to see a lot of girls clad in Deposit High School jackets showing up at the clinic with these coupons. One of the picketers wrote to the Deposit businesses and asked them to pull their ads from the shopping bags as long as the PP coupon was being printed. A brochure about PP was included with each letter. Very soon the supermarket just stopped printing anything on the bags, and the picketers saw a decline in Deposit girls at the regional PP clinic.
Debunking Planned Parenthood's deception
STOPP researchers Tina and Erik Whittington did a detailed analysis of a piece of PP propaganda entitled, "Family Planning: Making Families Stronger." Some of the Whittingtons' comments follow the claims (in bold) made by PP.
PP claims "family planning prevents unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion."
Wrong! Even a report from Planned Parenthood's Alan Guttmacher Institute concerning 10,000 women who had abortions stated 57.5% said they were using a contraceptive the month they became pregnant. In a similar study in 1987 the figure was 51.3%. The highest percent was in teenagers (S. Henshaw, Family Planning Perspectives, Vol. 28, No. 4, July/Aug. 1996; Why Can't We Love Them Both, by Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Willke).
PP claims "federally funded family planning programs do not, and never have, paid for abortions."
Wrong! Title X money, which Planned Parenthood receives, pays for contraceptives, some of which are abortifacient. Therefore, Title X money pays for abortions. Title XIX, which Planned Parenthood also receives, pays for Medicaid abortions for "medical reasons." It is only common sense that when you give money to an organization for a specific task, it frees up all of its other funds to do all of its other tasks.
PP claims "Americans overwhelmingly believe that abortion should be legal."
Wrong! According to a Los Angeles Times survey of 2,071 Americans this past summer, only 43% surveyed support Roe, more than half say abortion should be illegal, and 57% consider abortion murder ("Americans Narrowing Support for Abortion," Los Angeles Times, June 18, 2000).
PP claims, "We fight for family planning because it is essential to the health and self-determination of women and their families, the same reason Margaret Sanger founded Planned Parenthood more than 80 years ago."
Wrong! Although family planning includes pelvic, breast, and screening exams, family planning in the form of contraception is not essential to the health of women. The various hormonal contraceptives carry with them serious side effects and the potential of damaging a woman's fertility both temporarily and permanently.
Margaret Sanger did not found PP for the protection of women's health. Her reason was to spread birth control: "Birth control itself, often denounced as a violation of natural law, is nothing more or less than the facilitation of the process of weeding out the unfit, of preventing the birth of defectives or of those who will become defectives" (Woman and the New Race, Chapter 18).
Missouri sues its own health dept. over PP funding
On Sept. 28, 2000, the Missouri State Supreme Court heard opening arguments in a case where the state is suing its own health department because its director, Maureen Dempsey, illegally approved funding to Planned Parenthood of Kansas and Mid-Missouri.
The case stems from a 1999 state law that excludes organizations that offer or promote abortion from getting state money for family planning. Lawmakers who drafted the law said their intention was to block PP from state funding. But Dempsey decided that PP was eligible for $150,000 in fiscal year 2000, because PP claimed it had separated its abortion and family planning services (Yahoo U-Wire Oct. 3, 2000).
PP is flouting the law by setting up two separate corporations, one for abortions and one for family planning. But the law is very specific about what it considers "separate." Jordon B. Cherrick, the special assistant attorney general who is defending the state's restrictions, said PP is violating the law's specifications because its St. Louis abortion clinic and its family planning clinic share the same trademark name, "Planned Parenthood," as well as the same building, entrance, waiting area, expenses, employees, and salaries.
The case currently before the Missouri Supreme Court is an appeal of the Cole County Circuit Court ruling that PP was indeed in violation of the law and was required to repay the money it received from the state. The Missouri Supreme Court's decision could take up to six months.
Peter Brownlie, president of PP of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, said that PP has been receiving state funding since 1993, but the Kansas City chapter has had to do without the $630,000 it normally receives each year (Digital Missourian, Sept. 27, 2000).
STOPP supporters should urge their state representatives to follow Missouri's example and be very specific in closing any loopholes that PP might try to exploit to flout the law.
PP teen theatre in Missouri and Florida
Peter Brownlie, president of PP of Kansas and Mid-Missouri, blamed the court case discussed above for the demise of PP's interactive teen theatre troupe. Apparently PP planned to use Missouri family planning tax dollars to fund a director and a troupe of eight teen actors as "educators." Brownlie says that if PP can recoup its lost funds by reversing the lower court decision on appeal, it would be interested in reviving the theater group (pitch.com Nov. 2, 2000).
In its never-ending quest to gobble up our tax dollars and pervert our children, PP has hit on another outrageous scheme. Like termites in a house, PP is boring into more and more aspects of our children's lives. What's next, PP sports teams?
No doubt these teen actors were seen as a means of spreading PP's perverse view of human sexuality via stage presentations at school assemblies and elsewhere.
Lest you think this is an isolated incident, Jacksonville, Florida, has the FACES Teen Theater, sponsored by PP. This 11-member troupe presents plays designed to examine issues of sexuality. Gabrielle Franks, PP's teen services coordinator, says most of the actors are paid $5.15 per hour, some a bit more (Jacksonville.com, Sept. 5, 2000). Where is this money coming from? Does the Florida program get funded by family planning tax dollars like the one in Missouri? In any case, watch out for this gimmick around the country.
Bells for babies
Over the last few years, there has been a custom that has been spreading across the United States. That custom is to ring bells on January 22 to commemorate the children who have died as the result of surgical abortion.
Each year, at noon on January 22, churches, towns and all who have bells are encouraged to ring the bell once for each of the 40 million babies killed by surgical abortion.
Your church or town can join this year.
STOPP in Wisconsin and Kansas
On a beautiful weekend in September, STOPP president Jim Sedlak traveled to Brookfield, Wisconsin, and Ness City, Kansas, to give talks at pro-life banquets.
The weekend began with Jim flying out on Friday morning and arriving in Brookfield around 2:30 p.m. Jim immediately met with three young people who produce a pro-life cable television show in Wisconsin. He taped a show for them in which he was able to cover much of the background and problems caused by Planned Parenthood.
In the evening, Jim addressed 300 people who had gathered to celebrate the work of Pro-Life Wisconsin—an associate group of American Life League. This is a wonderful organization totally dedicated to defending life without exception. Its political action committee has just finished a successful primary campaign in which the majority of the candidates it endorsed won their primaries. To win endorsement by Pro-Life Wisconsin a politician must be against every abortion without exception.
In discussions with Jim, Greg Chesmore told of a politician they had worked with who has long been opposed to abortion "except for life of the mother, rape and incest." In the last election a totally pro-life candidate ran against this politician and pro-lifers threw their support behind the totally pro-life candidate. The "exceptions" politician was upset. This year, the "exceptions" politician announced he was now totally pro-life. When the Pro-Life Wisconsin Political Action Committee asked why he had changed his position he said, "No one had ever challenged me to think through the issue. When you wouldn't support me last time, I spent a lot of time thinking about abortion, and I am now convinced that there should never be an exception." Praise God!
Jim gave a talk that evening recounting the major victories against Planned Parenthood around the country and, in particular, in Wisconsin. He recounted how, when he talked at Pro-Life Wisconsin events three years earlier, PP of Wisconsin was the largest PP affiliate in the country. Then Pro-Life Wisconsin, and other pro-lifers in the state (including Missionaries to the Pre-born) began a campaign to target PP. Over the last three years, PP of Wisconsin has fallen to the number five spot on the list of PP affiliates. They have closed down at least three clinics and, we found out after the banquet, they laid off 22 people in October.
The Pro-Life Wisconsin banquet was truly one of celebration and one in which the fruits of persistence and adherence to a totally pro-life position were evident.
The following day, Jim flew to Topeka, Kansas, and then drove five hours across the "high plains" to the annual meeting of Right to Life of Kansas—another associate group of American Life League.
Elmer Feldkamp and the leaders of RTL of Kansas held a very successful day-long conference. Jim arrived in time to attend evening Mass and to be the keynote speaker at the evening dinner.
One hundred people crowded into the local school cafeteria that evening to celebrate the fight for life and to listen to Jim's talk. He began by giving them information on the background and philosophy of Planned Parenthood and then gave them a detailed description of how PP in Kansas City is at the heart of the baby body parts business. The audience was aghast as Jim described what the scene must be like inside Planned Parenthood as a baby is aborted and then rushed immediately to a waiting technician who must harvest tissue and organs "within 15 minutes of the cessation of circulation" in the baby.
Jim also told them about the profits made by Planned Parenthood and the amount of taxpayer money the organization receives. He pointed out that PP makes money on its sex education programs (paid for by taxpayer or corporate money), then makes tremendous profits from the sale of birth control products. When the products fail, PP makes a profit from the abortions, and PP then makes money from rent or other fees paid to it by companies that harvest baby body parts. Last year, all this amounted to a PP profit in excess of $125 million.
Jim finished his talk by asking all attendees to take time at home to read the gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 10. This is the part of Matthew's gospel where Christ tells His apostles how to spread His word. Jim says that is our job because Planned Parenthood stands for everything that is against God's word. As Jim pointed out to the attendees, "If people believe the Word of God and live accordingly, Planned Parenthood could not exist."
Our work is not only to fight against abortion, but also to spread God's Word. If we do that, we cannot fail. "He who persists to the end, will win" (Matthew 10).
Michigan bill targets PP
Jacqueline Morrison, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Southeast Michigan (PPSEM), fumed against Michigan House Bill 5934 in a Detroit Free Press op-ed, "Local Comment: Destroying Planned Parenthood," on Sept. 22, 2000. This bill would make it a state policy to give priority to awarding "family planning" funds to groups that do not perform, refer for, or advocate "elective" abortion.
Morrison claims "under the bill, PPSEM stands to lose about 30 percent of its total budget, over $600,000." She charges that the bill was introduced under a "falsehood" that PP uses state "family planning" money to support abortion. She also said the bill was specifically introduced to defund PP.
State Rep. Mark Jensen (R-Grand Rapids) introduced the bill on June 21, 2000, and it was referred to the Committee on Children and Family Services. The bill is very specific in defining what constitutes "public advocacy" of abortion. This includes:
- lobbying for legislation that
expands the availability of
elective abortion,
- endorsing or recommending the defeat or election of a candidate based upon that candidate's
position regarding elective
abortion either directly or via
a political action committee,
- engaging in litigation that seeks
to overturn laws that regulate
elective abortion.
"Elective abortion" is defined by the bill as not including the use of drugs and devices intended for use as contraceptives. The bill further defines "elective abortion" as not including cases that necessitate "the termination of the woman's pregnancy to avert her death."
It should be noted that this bill talks about giving funding priority to groups that do not engage in abortion-related activities. If no such group applies, and PP does, the state will have no alternative but to give the money to PP. Thus, the Michigan bill is not as strong as the Missouri law discussed previously.
Supporters of the Michigan bill must do three things. First, they must eliminate the exceptions in the definition of "elective abortion" which allow loop-holes for the killing of some unborn children. Second, obviously, they must get the bill passed. Third, they need to get as many Natural Family Planning groups as possible to apply for family planning grants. If NFP groups apply, they will have priority over PP in getting the grants, and every dollar a NFP group gets will be a dollar PP doesn't get. For more information, contact Rep. Jansen at 517-373-0840 or mjansen@house.state.mi.us
Bishop Yanta prays for PP partygoers
The Most Rev. John W. Yanta, bishop of Amarillo, Texas, led 40 faithful Christians in the Rosary outside of the gates of the exclusive Citadel Community in Amarillo on Sept. 22, 2000. Inside the community, at the home of a PP supporter, the "Friends of Planned Parenthood" were holding their annual party to honor ten longtime contributors and to increase membership.
Bishop Yanta is no stranger to readers of the Ryan Report. He has been an outstanding champion for life and opponent of PP. Joining the bishop on Sept. 22 were fourth degree Knights of Columbus, dressed in full regalia, and holding a large picture of baby Malachi, a 21-week-old pre-born child found dead at an abortion facility. PP partygoers had to face the reality of what PP does to children.
A pro-lifer in attendance commented, "This child received honor and dignity from the Knights. As I stood there I kept thinking of the words of our Lord, 'as you do it unto the least of these, you have done it unto me.'" As the sun set, Bishop Yanta closed with a special prayer for the repentance of those involved in the abortion industry.
STOPP encourages Knights of Columbus around the country to follow the example of these faithful Knights in Amarillo. Also, STOPP supporters can thank Bishop Yanta for his continued outspoken stance against PP by writing to him at 1800 N. Spring St., P.O. Box 5644, Amarillo, TX 79117-5644.
Study shows large graphic pictures are effective
The previous story is a good example of how large graphic signs have been used effectively to show the truth about PP. The use of such signs is, however, a source of at least some debate among pro-lifers. Some people use them all the time, some avoid picketing if graphic signs are being used, and some make a point of placing warning signs in advance of any such display.
A study summarized in the July 2000 issue of Life Issues Connector indicates that such signs are indeed effective in shifting a pro-abortion position of the viewer.
A Genocide Awareness Project (GAP) was conducted at the University of Cincinnati by the Center for Bio-ethical Reform. Twenty large 6-foot by 13-foot pictures were displayed in the central commons area. The pictures displayed moments in the history of human genocide, including graphic depictions of the Holocaust and of racist lynchings. These photos were compared with the genocide of abortion using equally graphic pictures of dismembered babies. Signs warned approaching people of the display ahead.
Life Issues Institute commissioned the services of an experienced polling firm to measure the pro-life opinion of students before and after the GAP event. Life Issues Institute wrote, "The results show that there was a shift from a consistent pro-abortion position toward the broad middle undecided group among this category of female students [under 25]. The overall shift demonstrated a decrease in pro-abortion attitudes and a net increase in pro-life attitudes."
The institute urges that more research be done but did say that it was "cautiously optimistic" about the GAP approach. Of course, many STOPP supporters have been using such methods for some time, and have already come to a similar conclusion.
An additional point this story makes, albeit indirectly, is that college campuses are great places to bring the pro-life/anti-PP message. If you have a campus nearby, please consider doing some education there. There is a concentration of young men and women on campuses who, often times, are bombarded with the pro-abortion philosophy. PP tends to be very active on college campuses as well.
Bishop says PP idea is 'rather paranoid'
The following is an excerpt from an Associated Press story posted on Oct. 17, 2000. It contrasted a recent pro-abortion rally in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that had an attendance of 85 people, with a pro-life rally two weeks earlier that had an attendance of about 5,000.
"Sunday's turnout was due to poor advance media coverage and concerns over retribution," said Carolyn Woodley, regional manager for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota and South Dakota.
But Bishop Robert Carlson of the Sioux Falls Catholic diocese said it more likely was due to lack of support.
"They say South Dakota is the most pro-life state in the nation, so the small crowd doesn't surprise me," Carlson said. "As for the idea of retribution, it sounds rather paranoid to me.
"I've found that South Dakota people always treat me with a great amount of respect, even when they disagree with me."
Indeed, Planned Parenthood only has two clinics in South Dakota. Hopefully it will soon replicate North Dakota in being totally PP clinic free. But the PP insinuation that pro-lifers would seek retribution on attendees of the pro-abortion rally is not only paranoid, it is down right ridiculous. Thanks to Bishop Carlson for countering PP's lame excuse with a dose of the truth!
This month's action items
- Ed Szymkowiak is available to give talks in your community in 2001. To schedule a talk, call 540-659-4171 and ask for Rozann.
- Urge your state legislators to follow Missouri's example and pass a law that restricts PP's ability to qualify for state funds.
- Contact your U.S. representatives and urge them to punish IPPF for illegally using USAID funds.
- Contact the new president and urge him to reinstate the restriction on giving U.S. tax dollars to groups promoting foreign abortion.
- It's not too late to make plans to join the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Monday, January 22. Call 202-543-3377 or e-mail info@marchforlife.org for more information.
- Send a tax deductible donation today to help us keep fighting Planned Parenthood.
- Pray that God will lead us in our work and that we will always have the courage to do His will.
