in this issue:
hot button issues: PLANNED PARENTHOOD / PRO-LIFE MEMORIAL DAY
abortion: KANSAS
catholic bishops: OLMSTEAD
girl scouts: DISGUSTING
morning-after abortion pill: HILLARY ON THE ATTACK
stem cell research / human embryonic : NIH / OVER-HYPED
stem cell research / other: UTAH / VIACELL
supreme court: ROBERTS
terri schiavo: UPDATE
wisdom: POPE BENEDICT XVI
reflection for prayer: DOING GOD’S WILL
hot button issues
PLANNED PARENTHOOD: On its national web site, Planned Parenthood urges people to donate to Hurricane Katrina relief. The fine print on the web page then explains that all money raised will simply be used to support Planned Parenthood’s own clinics and offices, not to support any of the rescue efforts or critical services needed by storm victims in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. American Life League’s STOPP International is calling on public officials “to immediately turn off the spigot of tax dollars to Planned Parenthood.”
(Reading: “Planned Parenthood should lose tax funding after exploiting Hurricane Katrina relief,” American Life League news release, 9/7/05; “Help those affected by hurricane,” Planned Parenthood)
PRO-LIFE MEMORIAL DAY: American Life League has launched a special web site, www.ProLifeMemorialDay.com, to spread the word about the first-ever Pro-life Memorial Day on October 3. The official T-shirt of Pro-life Memorial Day is available online.
abortion
KANSAS: On September 2 the abortion facility operated by George Tiller shredded hundreds of medical documents. Witnesses claim the records were to be requested in connection with Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline’s ongoing investigation related to accusations of statutory rape and possible illegal late-term abortions.
(Reading: “Abortion clinic caught shredding documents as Kansas court considers mandating records release,” LifeSiteNews.com, 9/6/05)
catholic bishops
OLMSTEAD: Bishop Thomas J. Olmstead has set forth the guiding principles for ultimately denying a pro-abortion public figure Holy Communion. In part, he said: “So anyone who has had an abortion, or has participated in one, or euthanasia, or who would be promoting those things, or have failed to protect human life while in a position where they could protect it — such as a politician or a judge — they should not be receiving Communion. If they persisted in it after [Church teaching] was presented to them, then I think the priest or deacon should not give them Communion in that case. But we should try to make the efforts beforehand to be in conversation with them.”
(Reading: “Phoenix bishop speaks clearly on Communion for those who support abortion, euthanasia,” LifeSiteNews.com, 9/1/05)
girl scouts
DISGUSTING: The Girl Scouts USA national convention, scheduled for October 7-10, will feature pro-abortion and pro-lesbian speakers.
(Reading: “Girl scouts national conclave to feather pro-abortion, pro-lesbian speakers,” Concerned Women for America news release, 8/29/05)
morning-after abortion pill
HILLARY ON THE ATTACK: Commenting on the recent negative comments Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) has made regarding the FDA decision not to permit morning after pills to be sold “over the counter,” columnist George Neumayr writes, “The same liberals who hold hearings on vitamins and dietary supplements will sabotage hearings on the dangers of abortifacients.”
(Reading: “The abortifacient aisle,” American Spectator, 8/31/05)
stem cell research / human embryonic
NIH: The federal government recently funded a $9 million program designed to define the growth conditions and molecular characteristics required for maintaining human embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated state.
COMMENT: President Bush is clearly not opposed to this killing of human embryonic children; if he were, the grant would not have been made.
(Reading: “Mount Sinai receives NIH funding for stem cell research,” Mount Sinai School of Medicine news release, 8/10/05)
OVER-HYPED: A British scientist and professor of fertility studies warned that exaggerated claims about potential benefits of stem cell therapy could backfire.
(Reading: “Medical value of stem cells ‘over-hyped,'” The Telegraph, 9/5/05)
stem cell research / other
UTAH: Salt Lake Veterans Hospital is the site for a new clinical trial using a patient’s bone marrow stem cells and injecting them directly into the patient’s heart during open heart surgery.
(Reading: “Trial will inject bone marrow stem cells into hearts,” KSL-TV, 8/31/05)
VIACELL: ViaCell reports umbilical cord stem cells improved heart function in an in vivo model of myocardial infarction.
(Reading: “ViaCell announces publication of preclinical study demonstrating that umbilical cord stem cells improve heart function,” ViaCell news release, 8/31/05)
supreme court
ROBERTS: The U.S. Justice Foundation has prepared a well-balanced, insightful analysis of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts.
(Reading: “Legal issues: Judging the judge,” U.S. Justice Foundation, 9/2/05)
terri schiavo
UPDATE: The Justice Department has directed the civil rights office to investigate a complaint alleging discrimination and possible violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
(Reading: “DOJ Directs HHS to investigate Schiavo ADA Complaint,” Empire Journal, 9/6/05)
wisdom
POPE BENEDICT XVI: How often are the symbols of power, borne by the great ones of this world, an affront to truth, to justice and to the dignity of man! How many times are their pomps and their lofty words nothing but grandiose lies, a parody of their solemn obligation to serve the common good!
(Reading: “Way of the Cross at the Colosseum,” Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff, 3/25/05)
reflection for prayer
DOING HIS WILL: Faithful Jesus, keep me at your side. Strengthen my heart to desire to remain always with you. Grant me energy for work, strength in my weariness and refreshment at the end of my day. You are number one in my life. I want to give you all the best moments today, doing your will. Amen.