After spending several months and over $7 million trying to keep George W. Bush from becoming president, Planned Parenthood shifted gears in mid-December, once it became apparent that the PP favorite, pro-abort Al Gore, had lost the election. On Dec. 14, Planned Parenthood Federation of America president Gloria Feldt wasted no time, and warned Bush that "he has no mandate to interfere with any aspect of a woman's right to choose, or with access to reproductive health care."
On Dec. 21, Feldt joined fellow pro-abort Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, in a news conference where they declared themselves to be watchdogs over "anti-choice President-elect Bush" regarding his cabinet appointments. Feldt picked up on Bush's statement that he wanted to be a uniter, not a divider, and the very next day reacted to Bush's nomination of pro-life Sen. John Ashcroft as attorney general, calling the appointment "a bitterly divisive act."
Feldt continued with the same theme in a Dec. 26 op-ed in the New York Times and later on Dec. 29 during a live debate on Fox News with Judie Brown, president of American Life League. We have included a transcript of the entire debate below.
Planned Parenthood also posted a special action alert on its web site which linked to a letter PP supporters could send to the chairs of the Senate Judiciary Committee, senators Hatch and Leahy. The letter urged the senators to oppose the nomination of John Ascroft and made special mention of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. It is this draconian infringement of the free speech rights of pro-life protesters that PP is worried Ashcroft will not enforce as attorney general.
In the same letter, Planned Parenthood said Ashcroft "is one of the few elected public officials to defend and accept an award from the American Life League, a radical right-wing group opposed to all abortions for any reason." Well, PP got that last part right about ALL being opposed to all abortions for any reason. Unfortunately, John Ashcroft is also one of the few elected public officials worthy of being offered an award from American Life League.
Obviously Planned Parenthood is worried about losing the spoils it reaped during the Clinton administration. Let's hope Bush and the rest of the so-called pro-life Republicans PP attacked during the last election don't forget PP's antics. The best way to pay back this political enemy is to cut its taxpayer funding. It is not too early for STOPP supporters to begin contacting President Bush and other federal representatives to begin urging them to cut funding to PP in next year's budget. Let's not let these political leaders just hear the shrill and constant cry of members of PP's Legislative Action Network. Let's raise our voices for life in the political arena this year.
In an Oct. 31 letter to STOPP, Bush claimed he believed "that our goal, as a nation, should be that all unborn children are welcomed in life and protected in law." Let's not let him forget this.
Thompson not pro-life
Aside from John Ashcroft, there has not been a lot for pro-lifers to rejoice about regarding key presidential appointments. Even Planned Parenthood Federation of America applauded the selection of Gen. Colin Powell as the next secretary of state, saying, in a Dec. 18 press release, that he "has been outspokenly pro-choice." Other disappointing choices have been pro-abort New Jersey Gov. Christie Whitman to head the EPA and Alberto R. Gonzales as White House counsel. American Life League has pointed out that as a Texas Supreme Court justice, Gonzales voted to expand the intent of parental consent legislation with a judicial bypass loophole.
It is the appointment of Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson as secretary of Health and Human Services that has hoodwinked much of the pro-life movement. Many are touting him as pro-life, but a careful review of his record shows that he really is not when it comes to embryonic stem cell research and family planning funding, two of the very issues that he will be directly influencing as HHS secretary.
In a March 8, 1999, letter to American Life League President Judie Brown, Thompson first listed several reasons why he considers himself pro-life. These include signing legislation that provided for parental consent and informed consent before abortion. He signed a ban of partial-birth abortion and fetal homicide legislation as well as "cocaine mom" legislation designed to protect unborn children whose mothers are habitual users of alcohol or other drugs.
When he finally gets around to addressing Mrs. Brown's request that he withdraw his praise of University of Wisconsin stem-cell researcher James A. Thomson, Gov. Thompson wrote the following:
"As for the embryonic stem cell research, the work of Dr. Thomson deserves commendation. Dr. Thomson's research was conducted according to strict ethical and legal standards and offers significant potential for human life. We now have hope for life-long treatment of diseases such as juvenile onset diabetes and Parkinson's disease. By making failing hearts and organs healthy, we could reduce the need for transplants or we may be able to replace brain cells destroyed by Alzheimer's disease. Researchers may also be able to more quickly determine the possible benefits of new medicines. The potential applications and benefits of this research are enormous."
Gov. Thompson's comment above sounds much like Planned Parenthood's justification of such research posted on its web site. Nowhere in Thompson's letter does he say anything about the tiny human beings who are being destroyed in the process of such research. This research is immoral and can never be justified. Life begins at fertilization, and anyone who advocates research that results in the killing of human life is not pro-life.
While Planned Parenthood stated it was against the appointment of Gov. Tommy Thompson as HHS secretary, it did not protest this nomination at anywhere near the level it protested the Ashcroft nomination. In fact the Planned Parenthood web site posted the following analysis:
"Thompson has a better record on family planning. He included funding for family planning for low-income women in the Wisconsin state budget and signed a Medicaid waiver to increase eligibility for access to family planning. Thompson supported Better Futures, a teen pregnancy
prevention initiative that sought to increase effective contraception among sexually active teens."
Thompson's record on family planning funding should have been another red flag for so-called pro-life groups that have welcomed his appointment. This issue should be extremely important to STOPP supporters when they consider the huge amount of money PP gets from the federal government for so-called family planning purposes, especially from Title X (see next article).
Title X: Rust v. Sullivan
In the Oct. 31 letter that George W. Bush sent to STOPP International, Bush claims, "I will continue to oppose the use of public money to provide or advocate abortions within the United States or abroad for international family planning programs." It sounds good, until you realize that this letter was a response to a specific question to Bush whether he would reinstate the Mexico City Policy which bans U.S. international family planning funds (known as USAID) from going to organizations that provide or advocate abortion, even with their other non-USAID funds. Bush avoided a direct response to the question. Instead his response leaves open the possibility that he means he is opposed to direct funding of abortion and abortion advocacy, but not the indirect funding that the Mexico City Policy prohibits.
We dealt at length with the Mexico City Policy in the January issue of the Ryan Report. As of this writing there has been no definitive statement on this issue from the Bush camp. Hopefully, by the time you read this, Bush will have reinstated the Mexico City Policy. Here we would like to explore what could roughly be described as the domestic equivalent of the Mexico City Policy, the Title X restrictions that were upheld by the Supreme Court in Rust v. Sullivan in 1991.
The secretary of Health and Human Services issued these restrictions in 1988 during the Reagan administration. These restrictions prohibit Title X projects from engaging in counseling concerning, referrals for, and activities advocating abortion as a method of family planning, and require such projects to maintain an objective integrity and independence from the prohibited abortion activities by the use of separate facilities, personnel, and accounting records.
Planned Parenthood led the charge against these restrictions via a court challenge that put the legal status of these regulations into a state of confusion and uncertainty until PP lost the case before the Supreme Court in 1991. Planned Parenthood gets a significant chunk of Title X funds, so you can understand their vehement opposition to these restrictions that would limit their government gravy train. A July 2000 U.S. General Accounting Office audit (posted on STOPP's web site) shows that in 1998, Planned Parenthood got $52.7 million of our tax money just via Title X (it received nearly $143 million from various federal programs that year).
Clinton formally rescinded these legal Title X restrictions on Jan. 22, 1993, by executive memo to the HHS secretary. $253,932,000 has been allocated for Title X for this year. It is extremely important that President George W. Bush reinstate these Title X restrictions as soon as possible.
The Clinton memo and HHS documents indicate that changes in the regulations must comply with the Administrative Procedure Act, which provides for a period of public notice and comment. Should Bush reinstate the restrictions, STOPP supporters will be notified where to send supportive comments.
No doubt PP will mobilize its network to counter such comments and to try and block the restrictions in court. It is likely to be a tough battle, but Rust v. Sullivan already decided that such restrictions are legal. It is up to the pro-life movement to make sure they get put into practice. After eight years of dormancy under Clinton, many pro-lifers seem to have forgotten these restrictions. They have the potential to seriously cripple PP operations in the United States.
Judie Brown and Gloria Feldt debate on Fox News Live
The following transcript, courtesy of American Life League's media department, is of a debate between ALL's president, Judie Brown, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America's president, Gloria Feldt. This debate was broadcast live on the Fox News Channel on Dec. 29, and concerned the nomination of Sen. John Ashcroft for attorney general.
Bridgitte Quinn (news anchor): "President-elect George W. Bush picking Sen. John Ashcroft as attorney general -- it has created quite a stir among pro-life groups. Judie, let me start with you. It is my understanding that you believe that Planned Parenthood is trying to 'demonize' John Ashcroft. Is that right, if so why?"
Judie: "There is an incredible amount of rhetoric flying around about Sen. John Ashcroft, and the fact of the matter is that organizations like Planned Parenthood -- which are totally dedicated to the aborting of children as young as one moment old and as old as nine months old -- truly do not want to see anyone, in any presidential administration, that has any respect for the lives of these tiny babies, whose lives begin at conception. So, what will happen here is that we will see an all-out effort to tar and feather John Ashcroft with hyperbole that has nothing to do with the man's record; has little to do with his actual saying on the matter of abortion; and has nothing whatsoever to do with what he may or may not do if he is nominated to the post."
Bridgitte: "Are you [Gloria] trying, as an organization, to, as Judie says, 'tar and feather' him?"
Gloria: "President-elect Bush promised to unite the nation. The appointment of John Ashcroft to be attorney general is a bitterly divisive act."
Bridgitte: "Why [Gloria]?"
Gloria: "Because the majority of Americans believe individuals -- women, and their doctors, their families -- not the government, should decide to make personal decisions about childbearing. Now, Planned Parenthood's mission is to make sure that women have reproductive health care/reproductive choices, and that it's women, their families, and their doctors who make this choice -- not the government. John Ashcroft does not want that to be the case."
Bridgitte: "Do you [Gloria] believe his [Ashcroft's] views are extreme?"
Gloria: "I believe John Ashcroft's views are not within the mainstream of American thinking. After all, the majority of Americans voted pro-choice in this election. We should not forget that."
Bridgitte: "Judie, are they [Ashcroft's views] in the mainstream?"
Judie: "Good heavens! First of all, the majority of Americans do not believe that an expectant mother has the right, whether legal or not, to terminate the life of her child. Abortion kills people; it is an act that destroys a human being."
Gloria: "That is Judie's view. That's Judie's view and she's entitled to that."
Judie: "No, no! It's scientific fact we are dealing with, and Planned Parenthood has denied scientific reality for years and years, and will continue, rhetorically, to attack anybody who focuses attention on the fact that abortion kills a baby."
Gloria: "Understand that these are medical and moral decisions. They are personal decisions about childbearing. There is nothing more fundamental than being able to decide for yourself what to do, whether and when to become pregnant. Because children are so precious."
Bridgitte: "On a very practical level, are you [Gloria] and Planned Parenthood going to have a lobbying effort in Congress to defeat the nomination of John Ashcroft?"
Gloria: "John Ashcroft is a clear and present danger to the reproductive health and rights of American women; therefore, Planned Parenthood will indeed be educating and mobilizing those majority of Americans who do believe that this should be up to individuals and not the government."
Bridgitte: "And Judie, what will your group be doing?"
Judie: "Well, first of all, we'll be exposing Planned Parenthood. And Planned Parenthood's concern is that there's a clear and present danger, perhaps, to their income. If Gloria truly believes that children are truly precious, then why in the world does her organization claim to be the world's leading proponent of abortion, an act that kills these children, who, she says, are so precious?"
Bridgitte: "We are obviously getting into a debate about abortion."
Judie: "Well, what else is there to talk about?"
Bridgitte: "On a practical level, what changes do you think John Ashcroft might affect, if he is in office as attorney general?"
Judie: "First of all, I think that those questions have to be asked of the attorney general if he survives the nomination process and when a case or question comes before him. Let us not forget, he will be sitting in a cabinet with other people who are totally dedicated to abortion -- Thompson and Whitman."
Gloria: "The attorney general will argue the administration's position to federal courts. Roe v. Wade and Griswold v. Connecticut, which guarantees the right to childbearing privacy, hangs by a one-vote thread."
Bridgitte: "And we are hanging by a thread. We need to take a break. Ladies thank you very much for being here."
Bettendorf update
Ryan Report readers are familiar with the battle in Bettendorf, Iowa, against the establishment of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic there. STOPP supporter Charlie Burke sent this picture to us. It is a billboard that pro-lifers have erected across the street from the PP Bettendorf abortion mill. A similar sign has been erected near Hwy. 61 and Hwy. 30 near Dewitt, Iowa. Charlie asks that we "please say a prayer that these signs will change the hearts and minds of those young girls planning abortion."
STOPP spoke with Susan Priest of the Life and Family Educational Trust for
an update on the latest news from Bettendorf. The first surgical abortions
at the PP clinic took place on Sept. 26. A group of pro-lifers pray every day the PP clinic is open (Monday through Friday and every other Saturday) and all day on surgical abortion days (every other Tuesday). Pro-lifers estimate that from Sept. 26 until the first week of January, 45 abortions have been committed. Often women leave the building tearful.
Besides the signs and prayful presence, the good people of Bettendorf are also well on their way to establishing a crisis pregnancy center right across the street from the PP abortuary. The Life and Family Educational Trust has raised half of its $1.1 million goal for the pro-life Women's Choice Center, which will offer counseling and abortion alternatives.
The parking lot for the center was completed in January and a temporary office trailer should be on the site, ready to go, in February. The ground breaking for the permanent structure should take place this spring, with the hopes of completing the project for a grand opening on Sept. 26. This will be the first anniversary of the first surgical abortion death at the PP clinic.
The Life and Family Educational Trust is asking STOPP supporters to pray for the success of this project. If you would like further information, you can contact the Life and Family Educational Trust at P.O. Box 58, Bettendorf, IA 52722. Their phone number is 319-332-0475.
May God bless all of the faithful Bettendorf pro-lifers whose steadfast commitment to life is a fine example for pro-lifers nationwide.
STOPP continues its front-line effort
STOPP International's president, Jim Sedlak, and national director, Ed Szymkowiak, continue to take the message about Planned Parenthood to communities throughout the United States.
Last fall, Jim completed a speaking tour of Texas and Iowa. In addition, Ed has spoken to groups of pro-lifers from New Hampshire and New York.
Jim began his Texas tour with a stop in the Catholic Diocese of Amarillo. The head of the diocese, Bishop John Yanta, is a long-time friend of STOPP's. This was the fourth time Jim has spoken for the bishop.twice when Bishop Yanta was an auxilliary in San Antonio, and twice in Amarillo.
Jim's talk took place during a diocesan pro-life day in Groom, Texas. The day started with Mass at the local parish church, during which Bishop Yanta gave a talk on the sanctity of human life and the evil of contraception. Benediction followed Mass.
Afterward, there was a mile-and-a-half procession with the Blessed Sacrament from the church to the largest cross in the western hemisphere. This cross was erected in Groom, alongside Interstate 40, by a private individual. The cross receives many visits each day from truckers and has become a focal point for many diocesan activities.
It was a cold, windy day in Groom and the pro-life event was attended by many young people. As the crowd shivered at the site of the outdoor cross, Bishop Yanta insisted that Jim give his talk first. He told Jim, "what you have to say is very important and I do not want people leaving without hearing you."
Jim gave a talk directed specifically to the many young people present. He opened by asking all people present who had been born after 1972 to come forward and gather near the cross. About 60 people came forward.
Jim then told them that they were the abortion survivors.that they had been born at a time when their parents could have legally aborted them. Then Jim told them the statistic that seemed to send shock waves through the crowd.
"A terrible tragedy happened on the way to this rally," Jim told them. "One-third of the young people who were supposed to be here could not make it. They were killed in their mothers' wombs."
Jim explained that those killed were possibly the young people's friends,
relatives or future husbands or wives. He extolled them to work to put an end to the slaughter so that future generations would not suffer the same fate as those of their generation.
After the Groom event, Jim flew to South Texas for speaking engagements at Texas A&M. The main talk was given in the campus theatre where Jim and former abortion clinic operator Carole Everett addressed the crowd on the evils of abortion and Planned Parenthood.
This talk was interesting because a contingent of Planned Parenthood employees and members of the local NOW group attended and sat together in a row.
Jim gave his normal talk on the history of Planned Parenthood and the anti-child, anti-family, anti-God roots of the organization. He stressed the profit motive at Planned Parenthood, enumerating how PP makes money from its sex education programs. Then, when kids experiment with the sex PP has told them about, makes additional money from its sale of birth control products. Then, when the birth control fails, PP makes money from surgical abortions. Finally, PP makes money from organ retrieval companies who rush the aborted baby to the retrieval room and remove organs within 15 minutes of the baby.s death.
The Planned Parenthood people in attendance did not refute any of these claims. They chose instead to ask a couple of innocuous questions.
Following the formal theater presentation, Jim met the next day with many of the Texas A&M students. One outstanding event was a gathering of Aggies for Life. These pro-life A&M students gathered in a spot on the campus where, traditionally, students gather to remember Aggies who have died. On this day, each student wore a black, long-sleeve sweat shirt. On the front of the sweatshirt was a large, white number. The numbers Jim saw ranged from 400 to 450. On the back of the sweatshirt was a name, the words "aborted at" and the address of the local PP abortion facility.
Jim was told the students found out that 450 babies had been aborted during the last year at that PP facility. So, each number represented one of the aborted babies. They gave the babies names and wore the shirts as a reminder to their fellow students of what was happening just a few blocks from the campus.
The impact of the bold white lettering on the black sweatshirts was dramatic. STOPP recommends that pro-lifers all across the country adopt this same technique when dealing with your local PP abortuary.
One surprising development during the meetings with the A&M students was that many of them were simply not aware of the rescue movement. Many of these young students are relatively new to the pro-life movement, and they simply do not know about rescues. It is important for those of us who have been in the movement for 15 or 20 years or more to pass on the heritage of our movement. Young pro-lifers need to be told of the sacrifices made by those who have gone before them.sacrifices that are the reason that abortion has never been accepted by the general public in this country and why, in the year 2000 (27 years after Roe v. Wade), abortion was still a major discussion in the presidential election.
Following the events at Texas A&M, Jim traveled to Austin to be the speaker at the Austin Right to Life annual banquet. This was a gathering of several hundred active pro-lifers in the Texas state capital.
Jim was warmly received and gave a talk that centered around the many victories that have been achieved over Planned Parenthood. He told the audience of the decline in the number of PP affiliates, the decline in the number of PP clinics, the decline in the number of states in which PP operates, the decline in the number of volunteers at PP and the shrinking number of attendees at PP sex education programs. Jim described how PP now must fight to open every new facility.often spending years getting a clinic open.
They were told, of course, that all is not rosy with the fight against PP. It is doing more abortions and is getting more government and private money than ever before. But the signs are there that the organization is beginning to feel the pressure of years of anti-Planned Parenthood activity.
Members of Austin Right to Life were encouraged to renew their own efforts against Planned Parenthood. It was pointed out that Missouri had stopped giving money to Planned Parenthood, and that the same could happen in Texas.
Jim left Austin and flew to Sioux City, Iowa, to speak at the annual conference of Iowans for Life. Jim had been in Sioux City previously, giving talks on Planned Parenthood and advising local pro-lifers on their battle with a new abortion facility opened by PP.
Jim gave the keynote talk at the conference that was attended by about 100
dedicated pro-lifers from around the state.
In this talk, Jim emphasized the religious nature of the fight against Planned Parenthood. He extolled his audience, as he does every opportunity he has, to read and follow the Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapter 10.
If we are to be successful in the fight against Planned Parenthood, we must always remember that we are not fighting for ourselves, but for God's Truth. In Matthew 10, God tells us how to spread His word, and that is exactly what is needed to defeat PP.
When you read Matthew 10, you will find out that you are called to shout from the rooftops what you have heard in secret. You will be heartened to know that God will not only watch over you, but, when you are called upon to speak, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to say. You will discover that persistence is what is asked of you as God says directly: "He who persists to the end will win." And, you will discover the wonderful promise of Matthew 10. Jesus tells you, "Whoever proclaims me before man, I will proclaim him before my Father in heaven."
(Editor.s note: While we were preparing this issue of The Ryan Report, we received the latest PPFA annual report. In our next issue we will bring you our annual special report, which will summarize PP's activities and give you the latest and most complete information on PP -- available exclusively from STOPP. In the May issue, we will tell you more about STOPP's front-line activities, including several successful talks by Ed Szymkowiak. If you want either Ed or Jim to speak in your town, call Rozann at 540-659-4171.)
Success in Manchester, N.H.
Last month we told you about the opposition New Hampshire Right to Life was mounting against a new Planned Parenthood clinic in Manchester, N.H. This month we are happy to report that NHRTL achieved a significant victory over PP at a zoning board meeting that was held on Jan. 3. Here are some excerpts from the Jan 4. Manchester Union Leader:
The Manchester Zoning Board of Adjustment last night overturned the building permit for a Planned Parenthood clinic in the North End. The decision came shortly before midnight and followed arguments against abortion, questions whether the clinic is a medical office, and the ever present issue of standing.
"I think we.re still going to be in court," said former New Hampshire Right to Life president Barbara Hagan, but she said the board did the right thing in voting against the building permit.
Jennifer Frizzell, spokesman for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, said her group was obviously disappointed. "We feel like they succumbed to public political pressure rather than follow the law," she said.
Since the controversy arose over the clinic, its description as an office building for practitioners has been a key point. Attorney Richard Fradette, who represented several neighbors of the clinic, early on termed it a misstatement of fact or a misrepresentation. And Zoning Board member Andy Verville drew the biggest applause during the night when he questioned, "Doesn.t the fact that this board was misled at the very beginning come into play?"
Fire officials limited capacity to 147 people in the meeting room. The overflow was accommodated in the office of City Clerk Leo Bernier with a speaker hook-up. Initially six uniformed police were on hand. Pro-life lawyer Brian Fuscione was thrown out when he tried to address the board twice during the public testimony.
The board took nearly three hours to decide whether it would even hear the case and voted against hearing the initial challenge which was brought by Hagan and Rep. Kathy Souza. But the board decided to grant standing to neighbors Howe, Riley and Howe accounting firm and Sagamore Street resident Paul Harvey and others. Fradette had real estate experts and neighbors say the clinic would lower property values in the neighborhood. "I just feel it is going to be a life sentence of pickets," said Ken Scarpetti, who lives at 16 Sagamore St. "What family is going to buy my house?" he asked.
Representatives for the landlords, however, said a Planned Parenthood clinic meets the definition of medical offices and had several Planned Parenthood officials testify about what services are currently available at Planned Parenthood.
Twenty-one people spoke toward the end of the meeting either in support of the clinic or against it. Pro-lifers criticized Planned Parenthood as an advocacy group that makes money off of abortion. "In this building they will be shredding babies to pieces," said Hillsborough County leader Betty Breuder.
STOPP congratulates NHRTL for this wonderful victory. Betty Brueder informed us that there was a lot of prayer support going on for this meeting as well. Let's all thank our Lord for answering those prayers. This type of zoning battle has become quite common regarding new PP clinics. STOPP supporters facing a new PP clinic in their region should check the zoning laws, variances, and building permits for possible violations or misrepresentations. Be sure to get as many people as you can to contact zoning board members and attend any public hearings. And above all, don.t forget the prayers!
Major PP setbacks in Michigan
Planned Parenthood is fuming in Michigan after several major losses in the state legislature in December. The Detroit News (12/20/00) reported that the legislature passed a package of bills prohibiting abortion from being covered under basic health plans. Under a proposed law, health plans would offer such coverage as an optional rider that could be purchased by customers separately at additional cost.
The legislation passed the state senate, 24 to 10, and passed the state house, 65 to 35. Under the law, insurance customers would also be reminded that there are no parental consent laws in Michigan.
Republican Rep. Lauren Hager sponsored the bill, saying that many insurers and employees object to automatic abortion coverage in insurance plans. "It's not health coverage, because it's not healthy for the baby," she said. Ed Rivet, from Michigan Right to Life, added that the new law allows those opposed to abortion to "avoid paying for a medical procedure that violates their moral views."
In a surprise move, Gov. John Engler vetoed the bill on Jan. 9. But Hager cautioned against reading too much into the veto. "I respect the governor's judgment that there were some problems," Hager said. "But I fully expect to reintroduce the bills, and I hope that we can correct them."
Ed Rivet of Right to Life of Michigan said the veto method used by Engler -- returning the bills to the legislature rather than vetoing them outright --
signaled a willingness to work on amendments (Detroit Free Press 1/10/01).
Predictably, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan opposed the legislation (it will cut into their baby-killing business). PP public affairs director Judy Karandjeff said, "We.re definitely becoming distinguished as the most anti-choice state in the nation."
The National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League echoed PP's concerns and has declared Michigan, along with Louisiana and Texas, to be "a legislative danger zone" for "anti-choice" legislation.
Other pro-life measures in Michigan include a bill that would cut all or part of the several million dollars of government family planning funding going to PP (see Ryan Report, Jan. 2001, p. 6) and an informed consent law mandating that women using the Internet to obtain state-mandated abortion information can only receive the information from the state health department web site.
STOPP supporters nationwide are urged to get their state representatives moving on passing legislation similar to that in Michigan. STOPP congratulates Rep. Hager and pro-lifers in Michigan for taking steps to dismantle the culture of death in their state.
Join the fight
As this issue of the Ryan Report illustrates, there is a major struggle going on in this country. That struggle involves ordinary citizens taking action against the organizational giant known as Planned Parenthood.and winning!
Many of you who read this report are already involved in the fight against PP. To you, we say thank you.
This issue of the Ryan Report is being mailed to over 85,000 homes in the United States and also to pro-lifers in 26 foreign countries. Can you imagine the impact if we all joined together in a concerted effort to defeat PP?
STOPP is ready and willing to work with anyone, anywhere, to fight the Planned Parenthood empire. We offer the most extensive web site on Planned Parent-hood. Visit www.stoppinternational.org and learn the truth about the organization and the methods that are effective in defeating its agenda.
STOPP's national director, Ed Szymkowiak, has years of experience in effectively fighting Planned Parenthood. Ed serves as an on-the-phone consultant to many groups and is ready and willing to assist you with suggestions and resources.
As we begin the 21st century, now is the time to work together to defeat one of the most evil organizations of our day. Join with STOPP and you can save babies. lives and protect your teenagers from Planned Parenthood.
This month's action items
- As the national administration changes, renew your efforts to influence your elected representatives. Insist that they be truly pro-life and put an end to abortion.
- Educate your elected officials to the truth that family planning does not prevent abortion; it is abortion.
- Let your local politicians know that they do have the right to restrict the location of abortion facilities through zoning laws. Although PP sometimes finds judges who overturn legal zoning restrictions (as they did in Bettendorf), there are many more judges who recognize that communities do have the legal right to enact impartial zoning ordinances.
- Follow the example of .Aggies for Life. and use white lettering on black sweatshirts to humanize and personalize the babies who die at your local Planned Parenthood abortuary.
- Resolve to fight Planned Parenthood in your community
in 2001. Form a group or redirect an existing group. Get
information on PP and schedule a STOPP speaker. You can
save babies' lives.
- Please pray that God will raise up an army against Planned Parenthood. Pray, also, that we at STOPP will always seek
to find God.s will and then have the courage to do it.
- Read Matthew, Chapter 10.
