Pro Life in TN

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Pro Life thoughts in a pro choice world through the eyes of a convert. I took early retirement after working in the social work and Human Resources fields but remain active by being involved in pro life education, lobbying and speaking .

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Monday, June 29, 2009



Music in Utero The Smiling Unborn Child



In 1984, a video called The Silent Scream helped change the way people think about the unborn child. The footage of an actual abortion and the fetus’s reaction reminded us that abortion involves the death of a real person.
A recent bit of footage has similar potential, only it couldn’t be more different from The Silent Scream.
The footage was part of a recent PBS special, The Music Instinct: Science & Song. The program was an exploration of, among other things, music’s “biological, emotional and psychological impact on humans.”
Part of this “exploration” included how music affects babies. If we are, as some scientists believe, “wired for music,” then babies are ideal test subjects since their reactions are, by definition, instinctual.
Part of this research involved the effect of music on fetuses. While we knew that mothers often sing to their unborn children, we weren’t sure that the unborn child could hear them.
We are now.

Ron Miller explains his views as a Christian and politician, and that the two can work in unison.


What an inspiring article...we need more politicians like him. This one question is very insightful. I hope he wins and we hear more from him.
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and yes POTUS could learn from him. It is writtern by a Christian teen from Michigan. I think he does a pretty good job.




Current communications director for the Calvert County Republican Central Committee, Ron Miller is a politician and businessman from Huntingtown, Maryland. He served in the United States Air Force from 1983-1992, attaining the rank of Captain. Miller worked for the Bush administration from 2001 to 2004, initially as Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and later as a Program Executive Officer for the Small Business Administration (SBA). He also has worked for Science Applications International Corporation and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
In 2006, Miller ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives for Maryland, but later dropped out of that race. He then announced his bid for state Senate instead. He ended up losing to Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr., but on April 9, 2009, he announced he will be running for the seat again in 2010.

If you were given one year to live, what is the overriding task you would want to accomplish before death?

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Gannett,parent company to Tennessean, in hot water over student welcome packet






Gannett is the parent company to the Tennessean who make no secret of their affection for Planned Parenthood. This surely shows they hold our young people in high regard....NOT!


MSU considers suing Gannett
Student welcome packets upset university.

Dirk VanderHart • News-Leader • June 27, 2009
Missouri State University is considering a lawsuit against the News-Leader's parent company after a Gannett Co. Inc. affiliate mailed thousands of welcome packets to area college-age students.

According to MSU attorney Clifton Smart, the packets -- which contained advertisements for local businesses -- might have amounted to trademark infringement, since they mentioned the school.
"If you use the name Missouri State University in such a way to convey that Missouri State University sent out that packet, that's trademark infringement," Smart said. "Dozens of parents thought that we sent them out that packet."
He said some advertisers who participated in the mailing believed MSU had sanctioned them, though he would not give names.
Chief among the university's concerns, Smart said, was an ad for Planned Parenthood with a condom attached. In bold type at the top of the insert are the words: "Welcome to MSU!"

Friday, June 26, 2009

Legislature breathes life into pro life movement

From Knox News
Friday, June 26, 2009
For those concerned about the right to life, the just-completed session of the Tennessee General Assembly was monumental. Major pro-life laws were enacted, facilitated by the change of leadership from Democratic to Republican, that more accurately reflect the views of the majority of Tennesseans. In fact, the liberal, pro-abortion hegemony appears to be breaking all across the United States.
A Gallup poll released in May documents the societal shift. For the first time since Gallup started asking about abortion, a majority of Americans surveyed were pro-life. Some 51 percent said they were pro-life compared to 42 percent identifying as pro-choice. Only 22 percent said abortion should always be legal, the lowest number since the mid-1980s.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Pro Life Columnist, Advocate Tim Chavez Remembered



Pro-Life Columnist, Advocate Tim Chavez Remembered as 'Voice for the Voiceless'1958-2009
"Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice justice and freedom demand. Light one candle for the wisdom to know when the peacemakers' time is at hand. Don't let the light go out, it's lasted for so many years. Don't let the light go out, Let it shine through our love and our tears."Closing anthem sung by Gene Cotton at Chavez funeral on Monday.

Pro-life Tennesseans lost a hero Thursday evening when former Tennessean columnist Tim Chavez died at the age of 50. Chavez was the first recipient of the Truth in Media Award (T.I.M.), presented in 2004 by Tennessee Right to Life. The award was given in recognition of Chavez' unparalleled advocacy and public support for legislative passage of both Tennessee's Choose Life specialty license plate and SJR 127. "There has never been another voice in Tennessee's media which so passionately or eloquently spoke of the need to protect the weak and vulnerable," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. "There's no question that Tim's consistent leadership and passionate advocacy put the matter of SJR 127 in front of the public and made it impossible for our opponents to conduct their pro-abortion efforts in secret," Harris said.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

If this wasn't so sad I would laugh


I have watched this man fight against pro life bills in the Senate and try to kill them in committee with his long winded stories that become more dramatic with each telling......but he hides behind pro life rhetoric and is a shrewd foil for Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers. The nerve to run on a pro life platform.......and get this "honor." Someone who follows this closely said it well...."I guess criteria for being a ‘Pro-Life Democrat of the Week’ includes consistently voting against the pro-life constitutional amendment each of the five times it has come before the state Senate since 2001. Actually Senator Herron has not only voted ‘no’, he has led the opposition during Senate floor debate." He will hide behind the health of the woman exception but even those marginally involved understand that this loophole opens up abortion on demand for any reason......thus his long winded dramatic stories about his twin sons and that he wanted his wife to abort rather than risk her life. He knows that twin to twin transfer had no danger to his wife but to his pre born sons. After one of his long winded dramatic retelling (AGAIN) of this story with salient facts left out...someone asked him how his sons felt now hearing that their father wanted to end their lives in the womb....he just smiled and said, they have heard the story. I talked to him after the session once and pointed out that the condition that his wife had in no way put her life in danger and the way he told the story led the listener to believe that. He just smiled and changed the subject.

Even worse he introduces bills he knows are really intended to masquerade his real position or that he knows will be struck down by his friends in the ACLU as unconstitutional and does it only to provide cover for his real agenda. I personally have more respect for Rep. Sherry Jones and Senator Beverly Marrerro who are pro choice and don't try to hide it from anyone. This man is a charlatan.....but he opposes smoking?? So Dems for Life honors him??? Go figure.



PRO-LIFE DEMOCRAT OF THE WEEK: State Senator Roy Herron
Roy Herron is a Tennessee politician and a member of the Tennessee State Senate for the 24th district, which encompasses Benton, Decatur, Henry, Henderson, Lake, Obion, Perry, Stewart, and Weakley counties. He was first elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives in 1986 to fill Governor Ned McWherter's seat. He served in the House in the 95th through 99th Tennessee General Assemblies and has served in the Senate since the 100th General Assembly. He is floor leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus and the chair of the Select Committee on Children and Youth. He is also a member of the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee, the Senate General Welfare, Health and Human Resources Committee, the Senate Government Operations Committee, the Joint Tenncare Oversight Committee, the Joint Select Committee on Education, and the Joint Committee on Charitable Gaming.

Lila Rose helps TN with undercover sting.......

Any doubt that the younger generation is coming up pro life??.....



Tennessee legislators passed a law Thursday that threatens to strip Planned Parenthood of over $1 million in federal grant funding. Under the new statute, local community health clinics will be given priority for Title X family planning funds instead of Planned Parenthood.
Live Action Films says that the move was inspired by undercover videos by the group from a Planned Parenthood clinic in Memphis released earlier this year. The videos show a counselor urging a 14-year-old girl to lie about the age of the 31-year-old "boyfriend" who impregnated her so she can obtain a secret abortion.
“We are very happy that Tennessee legislators saw the harm Planned Parenthood is doing to little girls and took the necessary steps to ensure that the organization's negligence will no longer receive preferential treatment when taking our tax dollars,” said Lila Rose, president of Live Action and the UCLA student who went undercover in the videos.
This is the second state this year in which Live Action videos showing abuse cover-up at Planned Parenthood prompted public officials to revoke taxpayer subsides. In California, after a community member alerted the Orange County Board of Supervisors to more of Live Action’s undercover videos of Planned Parenthood counselors agreeing to protect adult-child sexual relationships, the Board in March refused to renew Planned Parenthood’s $291,788 contract with the county.
The undercover videos are part of the Mona Lisa Project, a multi-state expose that documents Planned Parenthood's willingness to repeatedly violate mandatory reporting laws for statutory rape in order to obtain secret abortions for young girls. The Memphis video is the 5th video released in the series so far. See all videos here.“We will continue to expose Planned Parenthood for endangering the lives and well-being of young girls in service of its abortion-first mentality,” said Rose. “It is our hope that other elected officials will soon follow the examples of Orange County and Tennessee in seeking to de-fund Planned Parenthood of all public subsidies for their lawless activity.”

Monday, June 22, 2009

My Chance...moving song from Nashville Jaimie Thietten


This is a Nashville connection. Excellent song that will certainly move you. We are proud to have this pro life song out there. Jaime tells of her own infertility and her wish for those who are considering abortion to consider adoption.



Check out Jaime's link here.


"My Chance", received the "Song of the Year" award at this year's Momentum Award ceremonies in Nashville on March 28. (Click "Video" menu button to view.) This is a second win in this category for Jaime, who received Song of the Year for "Reckless Love" in 2007, along with 2007 Female Vocalist of the Year.



Abortion and the brazen careerist.


This is a sad but interesting blog about a "brazen careerist" as she calls herself...tells about two abortions with two different boyfriends and her thoughts and feelings along the way. Why I found this interesting is that she does not even consider that she is not killing a baby. She does not go down the road of clump of cells or potential life...She knows she is but applies her own logic as one would sit down and logic out whether or not this was the right time to buy a new car.
I think this shows that we have become a nation with no right and wrong and no sanctity with human life. I can do it because I am bigger and stronger and I am woman etc...... I want what I want when I want it. How did we go this far?


People think abortion is such an easy choice–they say, “Don’t use abortion as birth control.” Any woman who has had one will tell you how that is such crazy talk. Because an abortion is terrible. You never stop thinking about the baby you killed. You never stop thinking about the guy you were with when you killed the baby you made with him. You never stop wondering.


So the second time I got pregnant, I thought of killing myself. My career was soaring. I was 30 and I felt like I had everything going for me – great job, great boyfriend, and finally, for the first time ever, I had enough money to support myself. I hated that I put myself in the position of either losing all that or killing a baby.


But also, here I am with two kids. So I know a bit about having kids and a career. And I want to tell you something: You don’t need to get an abortion to have a big career. Women who want big careers want them because something deep inside you drives you to change the world, lead a revolution, break new barriers.
It doesn’t matter whether you have kids now or later, because they will always make your career more difficult. There is no time in your life when you are so stable in your work that kids won’t create an earthquake underneath that confidence.


Read the full article here

Right to Life Celebrates Legislative Session marked by Wins



Pro-life Tennesseans ended the state Legislative session with an impressive win on a long sought priority: removal of preferential treatment for Planned Parenthood, the state's largest promoter and provider of abortion services. By strong majorities of 25-7 in the state Senate and 69-22 in the state House, pro-life legislators in both parties took action to remove language first placed into Tennessee law during the early 1970's which specifically named abortion provider Planned Parenthood as an officially recognized adjunct to state family planning services. In addition to removing the clause, pro-life legislators enacted language which mandates that the Tennessee Department of Health give priority and preference to local public health departments in the awarding of family planning funds rather than private, non-profit organizations. Tennessee Right to Life expresses profound gratitude to members of the General Assembly who supported the efforts to protect Tennessee tax payers, abortion vulnerable women and unborn children with passage of SB 470 and HB 1756."This has been a pro-life priority for many years and Right to Life is grateful for the determined legislative leadership in both houses which removed preferential treatment for this organization profiting from the practice and promotion of abortion," said Brian Harris, the organization's president. "Giving first priority to local health departments strengthens the provision of services to vulnerable populations without favoring an entity which has a significant financial interest in the success or failure of those services," Harris said. Many legislators joined together to move the bills through seven legislative committees and both legislative chambers. Some sacrificed other priorities of significance in order to see the defunding bill move forward. Particular appreciation should be expressed to Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey (R-Blountville) and House Speaker Kent Williams (R-Elizabethton) who both demonstrated courage and conviction in making pro-life matters a legislative priority this session. Additionally, prime sponsors of the legislation Sen. Jack Johnson (R-College Grove) and Rep. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) deserve enormous credit for taking the lead in moving the bills, along with House Majority Leader Jason Mumpower (R-Bristol), House Republican Caucus Leader Glen Casada (R-Franklin), Sen. Dewayne Bunch (R-Cleveland), Rep. Bill Dunn (R-Knoxville), and Rep. Donna Rowland (R-Murfreesboro) who all worked closely to shepherd the bills to passage. Sen. Diane Black (R-Gallatin) successfully sought to remove Planned Parenthood's preferential status with her amendment passed by both the House and the Senate. Tennessee Right to Life also thanks sincere pro-life Democrats whose consistent, reliable support and counsel made bi-partisan passage likely: Senator Douglas Henry (D-Nashville), Rep. Eddie Bass (D-Prospect), Rep. Curt Cobb (D-Shelbyville), Rep. Charles Curtiss (D-Sparta), and Rep. John Mark Windle (D-Livingston). The Legislature's action ends a session marked by Right to Life gains including first House passage of SJR 127, a long sought proposed constitutional amendment which would allow Tennessee legislators to restore the state's court-stricken protections such as informed consent for women considering abortion, a 48 hour waiting period and the regulation of abortion facilities in Tennessee. The resolution was sponsored by Senator Diane Black and Rep. Debra Maggart (R-Hendersonville) with strong support from Representatives Charles Curtiss, Curt Cobb, and Bill Dunn. It easily passed the Senate in March, 24-8 and the House during May, 77-21. "Tennessee is a strongly pro-life state and with new legislative leadership, the General Assembly's actions are finally beginning to mirror the majority's life-affirming views," said Harris.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Opps, did she really say baby?

This is interesting to watch.....she struggles when O'Reilly asks her repeatedly if the late term fetus has any rights but I was most interested in the slip of the tongue when she said women must choose between their baby and chemo....did she say baby!

Scared of Snowflakes


This is an interesting story with a TN tie since the couple they profiled traveled to Knoxville to do their "embryo adoption." No, they are not pro lifers, just an infertile couple who wanted children. The interesting part is the concern over the words used and the scare that words will help humanize the pre born and notice the sarcasm of being pre born again. Obviously a slam on religious beliefs....... so they are scared of "snowflakes"


Reproductive rights activists and supporters of embryonic stem cell research are watching with growing alarm. "I think it is dangerous," says Sean Tipton, spokesman for the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. "It's the language of embryo adoption that helps people start equating in their minds an embryo with a child. And if you establish that legally, it becomes very important."


Read the full article here from the New York Times

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Killed during a safe, legal abortion






I heard this woman's testimony and it was very compelling. The media totally wants to ignore the safe, legal abortion that killed this healthy 22 year old. The part that I remember most is that after Laura died on his table and he finally called 911 to take her dead body away, he went into the next room to perform the next abortion. He was later found to be negligent in his care of Laura during the procedure and this is what killed her.


Photos L-R Eileen Smith and late daughter Laura

Abortionist killed: national news; Abortionist kills woman: ignored


Abortionist George Tiller's death brought an outpouring of national media headlines and Congressional condolences to his family by a resolution approved by the US House. Laura Hope Smith's death at the hands of an abortionist was and continues to be ignored, and her mother's effort to bring it to the attention of her senator was stonewalled.
"Where was the press when my daughter Laura died at the hands of an abortionist?" asks Eileen Smith, Laura's mother. A media search shows mostly news reports from nonprofit organizations, religious news and other alternative media.
Laura's death was mentioned 10 months later in one major publication, The Boston Globe, when the abortionist was indicted for manslaughter. It was six weeks before her local paper, The Cape Cod Times, mentioned Laura's death, although it sought out her mother for a two-hour interview just two days after Laura's death. Smith says the local newspaper rationalized delaying a report on Laura's death so it could corroborate it with an autopsy report.
"Since when has news been postponed in lieu of reporting facts, except in the abortion deaths of the mothers?" asks Smith. "I have to believe that it is only because the media's bias toward abortion determines what makes news," she said.
"If Laura had died falling off a bike or in a car accident, it would have been in the paper the next day," she said. "My daughter walked into that abortion facility healthy, and she left dead," Smith said.

Smith believes Tiller's death is another senseless killing in the history of abortion, adding to the 50 million untimely deaths of unborn babies, including the 60k viable babies aborted by Tiller. "His death is a tragedy, but so are all the lives that were taken by him and the lives of over 400 women who have died as a result of an abortion," said Smith.
The abortionist was indicted by a grand jury for manslaughter in the death of Laura, following an investigation by local police and the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine. The District Attorney found the abortionist's conduct to be "willful, wanton, and reckless" because he sedated Laura with level three drugs without any means of cardiac monitoring or blood pressure cuff; had no assistant who could administer sedation, monitor the patient, or assist in resuscitating her; and, "failed to timely initiate a call to 911." The board also alleged that the abortionist made false statements.
"I call on the media to report deaths like Laura's," said Smith. "If Tiller's death merits national news, so does a death at the hands of an abortionist," she added.

Monday, June 15, 2009

It now or never




Planned Parenthood Defunding BillsPass Key Committees; Full Floor Votes Likely on Tuesday or Wednesday, June 16-17
As the state Legislature rushes toward adjournment, the pro-life bills to defund Planned Parenthood were passed through three separate committees on Monday and appear headed to full votes in the state House and state Senate as early as Tuesday or Wednesday, June 16-17.
Pro-life Tennesseans have one last opportunity to voice strong support for SB 470 and HB 1756 which remove preferential treatment for Planned Parenthood in state law. At the same time, the bill gives first priority to local health departments rather than private non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood for the distribution of Title X (Title Ten) 'family planning' tax dollars.

Click Here to Contact Your State LegislatorsIn Support of HB1756 and SB470!
In the state Senate, SB 470 sponsored by pro-life Senator Jack Johnson (R-College Grove) is likely to be brought to the Senate floor for debate and vote as early as Tuesday, June 16. Please thank Senator Jack Johnson and pro-life Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey for their focused leadership and support in making this pro-life bill a legislative priority.

Click Here to Urge Key Senate Members
to Vote Yes on SB 470!
Sen. Charlotte Burks (D-Monterey)
Sen. Lowe Finney (D-Jackson)
Sen. Ophelia Ford (D-Memphis)
Sen. Roy Herron (D-Dresden)
Sen. Doug Jackson (D-Dickson)
Sen. Eric Stewart (D-Belvidere)
In the state House, HB 1756 sponsored by pro-life Representative Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) still must be passed through the Calendar and Rules Committee and, if successful, will be scheduled for a full House vote either Tuesday or Wednesday, June 16-17. Please thank Rep. Joey Hensley, pro-life House Speaker Kent Williams and Majority Leader Jason Mumpower for their leadership and support in making this pro-life bill a legislative priority.
Click Here to Urge Key House Membersto Vote Yes on HB1756!
Rep. Stratton Bone (D-Lebanon)
Rep. Ty Cobb (D-Columbia)
Rep. Dennis Ferguson (D-Kingston)
Rep. George Fraley (D-Winchester)
Rep. David Shepard (D-Dickson)
Rep. Les Winningham (D-Huntsville)
This protective legislation is strongly supported by Tennessee Right to Life and is urgently needed following the recent release of undercover videotape showing a Planned Parenthood abortion counselor in Memphis directing a "14 year old" to lie to a judge regarding the age of her "31 year old" boyfriend. The shocking scandal highlights Planned Parenthood's aggressive marketing of abortion and their willingness to violate laws requiring the immediate reporting of suspected sexual abuse of children to public officials.

Boy or Girl....the answer could be deadly



New Zealand has announced a new gender test that can predict the sex of your baby as early as 8 weeks. There is much consternation and chatter because the unspoken motivation is to have an early abortion if the gender does not meet your requirements. At first I thought why is everyone upset now! No one asks why you want to have the abortion, just pay the money the reason is not important to anyone.
But what is happening is that it allows an earlier and easier (?) cheaper abortion if the sex does not match up. Never mind false positives....just get rid of him/her and try again. It goes along with our total disregard for life and the cheapness of it all. I want what I want after all.

I just returned from a church conference where this was a point of some discussion and shock. This is what happens when we ignore the abortion issue. We slide quickly down the slippery slope. The quality of life trumps the sanctity of human life.

Look at this website here.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Never thought about their rights

We certainly know that POTUS would never have nominated her if she were anything but pro abortion. But she never even considered the rights of the unborn!

"When I asked if an unborn child has any rights whatsoever, I was surprised that she said she had never thought about it," he said. "This is not just a question about abortion, but about respect due to human life at all stages -- and I hope this is cleared up in her hearings." Read the full story here from LifeNews.

Perseverance .......

Much appreciation and gratitude to Karen and Brian who may get tired but never quit.

You are doing it!

Your prayers, calls, emails and contacts are moving the defunding bill to the top of the legislative agenda and on toward passage! That’s the GREAT news; the down side is that we can’t let up now…

Today’s update is that we faced delays again in both the House and the Senate. However, the morning started with the Health Department finally providing their proposed amendment language which was, in large measure, something TRL can live with. There are some items deleted that we want re-inserted but sponsor Sen. Jack Johnson promises to make his best effort to have them added as friendly amendments on the Senate floor.

I believe, too, that it can be accomplished. Action in the senate was delayed late this evening when it became clear that the scheduled Finance committee would not make their 3 p.m. meeting, nor would they be prepared to meet by 9 p.m. due to the long sub-committee meetings and enormous list of bills still needing to be heard. So Senate finance is re-scheduled for first thing in the morning and SB 470 is supposed to be at the top of the meeting agenda.

Update in the House is, first of all, that Rep. Joey Hensley was deeply encouraged and touched by the outpouring of support from TRL members and leaders. Thank you (!) for really taking action in a dramatic way. Karen and I could’ve cried as his assistant began playing phone messages of encouragement and reading out the names of those having emailed overnight. Little did she know that so many of the emails came from committed chapter leaders and officers, but Karen and I knew. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

When Rep. Hensley brought the bill to House Budget sub this morning, he agreed to accept the Health Dept. language. He was clearly bolstered by the emails and handled belittling attacks from Rep. Johnny Shaw, Jimmy Naifeh, and Gary Odom with class. (Rep. Shaw wanted to know ‘why he was doing this’ to which Rep. Hensley responded “because hundreds and thousands of Tennesseans are concerned that our tax dollars are funding entities that perform abortion.” Shaw retorted “who are these people? I don’t get these emails….” Well, of course not, Rep. Shaw, you’ve made your pro-abortion commitments so clear that trying to influence you would be a waste of time and energy… Rep. Hensley offered to bring copies of the emails for Rep. Shaw and others to see….

http://tnga.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=26&clip_id=1629 click on HB 1756


The budget sub-committee successfully added the amendment after House Speaker Kent Williams spoke in support and made clear that his will is for the bill to move forward. This can only be in response to prayers and hundreds of contacts to legislators. Even days ago the Speaker was not committed to muddying the final days of session with such a ‘partisan and emotional’ matter.

Because no fiscal note had yet been drawn up to determine the state’s cost to implement the defunding bill, HB 1756 had to be scheduled for the next meeting of the sub-committee (either Monday or Tuesday.) Opposition is fierce with Lois DeBerry, Gary Odom and others speaking strongly and stridently against pro-lifers. (Rep. Shaw also mocked Rep. Hensley today claiming that he may be a doctor but he’s clearly never been in a crowded public health department…. ‘people are going to die waiting for care because of this bill’ ?!?!?!?) Especially after passage of SJR 127, they are going to do everything in their power to kill the bill and have said so.

Only a continued strong show of support statewide from pro-life constituents is going to hold them back. As Karen and I left the Legislature tonight, Senator DeWayne Bunch thanked us for staying the course and urged that we keep the pressure on. He agreed that chances for passage look good right now but in the frantic last hours of the session, anything can happen. I know that pro-life Rep. Bill Dunn and many other stalwart legislative leaders agree..

So, that’s the wrap up from a busy but exciting day for TRL and pro-life efforts in Tennessee. Again, our next steps are: Senate Finance Committee on Thursday morning and, upon passage, scheduled for Senate floor debate early next week.

House budget sub-committee at their next meeting to be announced for either Monday or Tuesday. If passed as amended, it will go to House Finance (our toughest challenge), and then, if successful, on to calendar and rules and scheduled for a House floor debate and vote next week.

Should we succeed in the senate but fail in the House, there is still an opportunity to attempt attaching the language as a separate amendment to the state budget. But that would be extraordinarily difficult and would only be in effect for the one year of the budget period. As a stand alone bill, though, SB 470 / HB 1756 becomes pro-life state law and can only be changed by drafting a new bill to change it by pro-abortion legislators.

I hope this has been helpful. We need to keep generating contacts---urging friends and family who have not yet spoken out, to do so. The easiest way is to direct them to the www.tnrtl.org homepage where they can find prepared talking points and their own legislators’ emails. Anyone wishing to join us in the halls next week, let me know. Even if you can only come for an hour or so, we can make sure that you make contact with your legislators and personal visits will dramatically help to underscore the significance and priority of this matter for pro-life Tennessean.

And if you have questions, let me know. Once again, my deepest thanks for the many ways you are helping to move this forward. Should we win, ours will be one of only several known states where Planned Parenthood has been beaten back and put where they belong: at the end of the line. Let’s keep our eyes on the prize and do everything we can to bring this home next week…

Toward that Goal,
Brian

P.S. Statewide email alert will be going out in the next day or so. Please do what you can to forward to church lists, home school and personal email groups. Our goal is new contacts into the legislator’s offices every day until they adjourn….

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Some things need to be defended

I always listen to him. He is not pro life yet......

Abortion as a religious freedom issue


Okay, don't tell me infanticide is the next step...as Fr. Frank Pravone calls it fourth trimester abortion. The Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice is scary enough...Now Carhart calls abortion and infanticide a religious freedom issue. Peter Singer already has said that the parents should have up to 30 days following birth to check out the child and see if they want him/her(sorta like buyer's remorse, I guess) and decide to terminate if the child has defects. (Like a warranty?) Destroy don't fix. You know with rationed healthcare coming our way this does not sound so extreme, does it?

This is what LeRoy Carhart said at the memorial service for George Tiller. Carhart is another late term abortionist. Read the full article here.


Speaking earlier at an afternoon news conference organized by the coalition, which encompasses 40 denominations and religious groups, he said the matter of whether to have a child is "a religious freedom issue" that revolves around a woman's right to decide according to her beliefs whether to bear a child, he said.

"God gave that fetus a 'guardian ad litem' when he chose the mother that fetus is born with," he said. "That mother, I feel, has been charged by God to make the right choices for that child during its unborn and early born years."

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Will another cool million go to Planned Parenthood?


I was downtown today to help with the lobbying efforts...I am very concerned that the tactic is to stall and let the clock run out which is a victory for Planned Parenthood. For two years now we have heard, we will get them next year. Well Lila Rose handed us a gift with her undercover video of Planned Parenthood in Memphis. People are up in arms about sending our tax money to Planned Parenthood instead of the local health departments. I
am amazed that the Health Dept. can just say that in Davidson and Shelby counties, we don't want to do this so send the money to Planned Parenthood! Time for a change in management in the Health Department!
Truly the scenario is to stall saying there is an amendment coming and it just does not get done and therefore wait until next year.
How many hours were spent debating and fighting over guns in restaurants.....but not time for this? The people are rightfully upset.


Pro-Life Sponsors Delayed As Pro-Abortion Legislators Undertake Stall TacticsHouse and Senate Leadership Committed to Moving Defunding Bill
In what may be acknowledgement that momentum for passage is growing, Democratic legislative leaders today sought to buy time while delaying committee debate and passage of HB 1756 / SB 470. As introduced, the bill would effectively defund Planned Parenthood by requiring that first priority for distribution of public grants for women's health and family planning services be given to local public health departments rather than private non-profit organizations. When pro-life state Rep. Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald) stood this morning before the House Budget Sub-Committee, pro-abortion Chair Harry Tindell (D-Knoxville) urged delay of debate until an unexpected amendment could be received from lawyers for the TN Health Dept. Unfortunately, these lawyers have helped to lead the effort to squelch HB 1756 and SB 470.Pro-abortion state Representatives Gary Odom (D-Nashville) and Jimmy Naifeh (D-Covington) chimed in to vocally oppose movement of the pro-life bill. Ultimately, Rep. Hensley agreed to delay hearing of the bill until Wednesday, June 10.Likewise, when pro-life Senator Jack Johnson (R-College Grove) came before the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon, pro-abortion Senator Joe Haynes (D-Nashville) asked for an additional delay in order to speak with officials of the Davidson County Health Department whom claim not to want the additional government funding. Like his congenial colleague in the House, Senator Johnson reluctantly agreed to the delay with a condition that the bill will be debated and voted upon during Wednesday's meeting. Clearly, pro-abortion officials from the Governor on down, are hoping that the clock will run out on the Legislative Session. Pro-life leadership in both chambers, however, appear increasingly committed to making the defunding of Planned Parenthood a priority before the end of session which could come in a matter of days. Lt. Governor Ramsey has publicly and vocally led the effort to bring the matter before the Senate. House Speaker Kent Williams who presided over the passage of SJR 127 earlier this session, was present in the House Committee Room this morning, apparently prepared to vote in favor of the defunding bill if a tie vote needed broken.
With all this in mind, please follow up with contacts to your own state Representative and your own state Senator. Remind them of the grave significance of HB 1756 / SB 470 (the 'Planned Parenthood bill.') Ask specifically for their help to get the bills to the floor of the House and Senate.
Click Here to Contact Your State LegislatorsIn Support of HB1756 and SB470!Concerned pro-life supporters should also thank Legislative leaders Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey and House Speaker Kent Williams for their commitment to moving this important safeguard forward. Urge their continued effort to fully fund local public health providers rather than controversial private non-profit organizations such as Planned Parenthood. As the session draws to a close, Tennessee's pro-life majority has a watershed opportunity to demonstrate principled pro-life leadership that will be an encouragement to the rest of the nation. Let's press on together and ensure that HB 1756 / SB 470 makes it across the finish line!

Bittersweet moment for Operation Rescue


I totally agree....we wanted to see Tiller closed through peaceful and legal methods or best of all a change of heart like Bernard Nathanson or Carol Everett.


This is a bittersweet moment for us at Operation Rescue. We have worked very hard for this day, but we wish it would have come through the peaceful, legal channels that we were pursuing. We believe we were very close to seeing disciplinary action taken against Tiller’s license that would have closed this clinic through due process,” said Newman.

Read full article here

Monday, June 8, 2009

Top 10 Myths vs. Facts on Abortion

Myth 1 - Abortion is legal only during the first 3 months of pregnancy.Fact 1 - Abortion is legal during all 9 months of pregnancy.

Myth 2 - Abortion is legal because the Constitution says so.Fact 2 - Legal abortion is the fruit of judicial activism. It has been imposed upon the country by judges.

Myth 3 - Most Americans agree with current U.S. abortion law.Fact 3 - The vast majority of Americans strongly disagreewith it.

Myth 4 - Abortion is rare in the U.S.Fact 4 - The U.S. has the highest abortion rate in the western world.

Myth 5 - Most abortions in the U.S. are done for health reasons or because of rape or incest.Fact 5 - Most abortions in the U.S. have nothing to do with these reasons.

Myth 6 - Abortion is good for women.Fact 6 - Women suffer physically and psychologically after abortion.

Myth 7 - Abortion is beneficial to modern society.Fact 7 - Abortion has a negative impact on communities and society at large e.g. more children are now born out of wedlock than in and there is a high correlation between out of wedlock child bearing and a host of negative social indicator such as poverty and crime.

Myth 8 - The more people have access to contraception, the fewer abortions there will be.Fact 8 - More contraception lead to more sexual behavior more unintended pregnancies and more abortion.

Myth 9 - I can be personally opposed to abortion but still be pro-choice.Fact 9 - That is impossible. If you are pro-choice you support the right to kill innocent human beings.

Myth 10 - Abortion does not take the life of a human being.Fact 10 - Every abortion takes the life of a human being.

Catholic Church Opposes Susan G. Komen Abortion Funding Support





NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS

For Immediate Release: Monday, June 08, 2009

Contact: Donald O’Connor, Spokesman, 870-2885, dsoconno@Comcast.Net

Subject: Catholic Church Opposes Susan G. Komen Abortion Funding Support.

The following statement is made today by Donald O’Connor spokesman for Chattanoogans for Life.

“Chattanoogans for Life applauds yesterday’s June 7, 2009, editorial by the East Tennessee Catholic, the bi-weekly newspaper published by Bishop Richard F. Stika, Catholic Diocese of Knoxville. The East Tennessee Catholic is mailed to all registered Catholic families in East Tennessee. Catholics in the Chattanooga Deanery of the Diocese of Knoxville began to receive their newspapers in Saturday’s mail.

“The editorial, by the paper’s editor, Mary C. Weaver, gives the reasons for opposing Susan G. Komen donations that fund Planned Parenthood, America’s largest abortionist.

The editorial is on page 3 http://www.dioceseofknoxville.org/userfiles/june7.2009.pdf

And, the editorial is also published on the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville web page.

http://www.dioceseofknoxville.org/?news=3720&menu=1462&level=1

“The editorial states: “Sometimes our consumer purchases have moral implications

“A couple of weeks ago while grocery shopping, I reached for a package of Perdue chicken. I was hungry and looking for some boneless, skinless chicken breasts I could throw on the George Foreman grill for a quick lunch. But then I spotted a familiar pink-ribbon emblem. The sticker on the package proudly proclaimed that Perdue was a sponsor of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I made a mental note—here’s yet another consumer brand I can no longer buy—and chose another product.

“Don’t I see the value of supporting breast-cancer research? Of course. But I cannot in good conscience support an organization that makes grants to Planned Parenthood, the largest abortion provider in the United States.

“I wrote about Komen twice in 2006 (online at bit.ly/13gcN4 and bit.ly/nuBND), and at the time I pointed out that “despite funding ‘many worthwhile breast-cancer programs,’ as Right to Life of Indianapolis puts it, the Komen Foundation also funds abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood. . . . This is no secret, as grant recipients are listed on the foundation’s website, komen.org. Further, the foundation’s founder, Nancy Brinier, has served on the Planned Parenthood of Dallas advisory board.”

“A couple of readers responded, saying that Komen grants to Planned Parenthood are not used to pay for abortions but rather to provide services such as mammograms. This is true—but supporting any program conducted by that organization means assisting the organization as a whole. This assistance also enhances the public image of Planned Parenthood, enabling it to deflect criticism of its core business—aborting babies—by focusing on the public services it provides.

“When I mentioned to a friend recently that I was planning to write about Komen again, she told me that the organization is now trying to combat criticism about its links with Planned Parenthood. Sure enough, there’s an entire page on the Komen website now to answer those who object to the connection.

“One document makes the statement that “while Komen affiliates provide funds to pay for screening, education, and treatment programs in dozens of communities, in some areas, the only place that poor, uninsured or under-insured women can receive these services are [sic] through programs run by Planned Parenthood.”

“It is very true that Planned Parenthood is overrepresented in poor and minority neighborhoods. This is logical, given the organization’s legacy. Planned Parenthood’s founder, Margaret Sanger, was a noted eugenicist and racist who believed the “unfit” should be discouraged from “breeding like weeds,” as she wrote in her essay “We Must Breed a Race of Thoroughbreds.”

“The Planned Parenthood document cited above also quotes two Catholic ethicists who see no moral problem with supporting Komen. This puts me in mind of Shakespeare’s adage that “the devil can cite Scripture for his own purpose.” In any case, I do not find these ethicists’ arguments compelling.

“Here’s an additional fact to keep in mind: as I learned recently, the Komen organization also supports embryonic-stem-cell research. The website of the Archdiocese of St. Louis offers a detailed explanation (available here: bit.ly/sm1S9) on why the archdiocese cannot support or encourage participation in Komen events. It’s well worth reading.

“Komen’s corporate sponsors will remain on my blacklist. You can view the entire list online here: www.komen.org/partners/partners.sponsors.html.

“Finally, if you wish to help defeat breast cancer, the Bioethics Defense Fund website lists other several organizations, including the American Cancer Society, that also fund breast cancer research. Here’s the list: www.bdfund.org/breastcancerorgs.asp
Chattanoogans for Life also opposes the diversion of scarce cancer research funds away from genuine scientific research for use in non-scientific activities such as abortion.

We urge all people to use the peaceful processes of our free democracy to use science and only science as the basis for cancer research funding.

Sunday, June 7, 2009

Defund Planned Parenthood NOW





Look how much time our legislators spent on guns in bars....they must not let the clock run out without addressing this.

Monday, June 8, 2009


Dear Legislator:

As the budget is debated and the session moves toward adjournment, there remains an unsettled matter of grave significance to Tennessee's pro-life citizens: the awarding of $1.1 million tax dollars to the nation's foremost promoter and provider of abortion, Planned Parenthood. If no action is taken immediately by Pro-life legislators, the agenda of this radical non-profit will continue to be funded with our tax dollars and with your approval.

As introduced, HB 1756 directs that first priority for disbursement of Title X grants for women's health care and family planning services shall be given to local health departments, rather than private non-profit organizations. As Rep. Hensley has stressed, this proposal strengthens the effectiveness of local public agencies across the state which, without exception, are already providing the important and necessary non-abortion services funded by the Title X appropriations. If the services are already being provided by 95 local health departments, why should a controversial, private organization receive tax-funded appropriations in order to duplicate services already being provided by reputable local and state agencies?

During lean financial times, HB 1756 offers the Tennessee Legislature a unique opportunity to direct limited resources toward entities that are most accessible to the at-risk populations targeted for service with Title X funds. By directing these funds to state and local health departments rather than private organizations, the bill also protects this stream of federal funding by ensuring that all applicable laws and guidelines are being met.

Addressing the argument that some health departments may not want the additional $1.1 million dollars in funding, Tennessee Right to Life has communicated with several members of Nashville's Metro Council and can report a great willingness to accept the additional Title X monies. As elected officials responsible for approving and funding the local health department's budget, there is sincere concern as to why their health department would be represented to the Legislature as potentially rejecting these badly needed funds.

In every way, the provisions of HB 1756 allow the Tennessee Legislature to better serve low income women and families with streamlined medical care while strengthening the network of public health providers throughout the state. HB 1756 is modeled after a successful statute in Ohio which has never been challenged in court and is still enforced. Additionally, Tennessee's pro-life legislators can lead the way to direct funding away from controversial and political organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the same entity which has initiated aggressive efforts to block and strip away all of Tennessee's legal protections for women, unborn children and their families.

For all of these reasons, Tennessee Right to Life strongly supports the purposes and policies outlined in HB 1756. On behalf of Tennessee's pro-life majority, we urge your careful consideration and your support of any means necessary to prioritize these tax dollars for public---not private---agencies and organizations.

Toward that Goal,
Brian Harris, President
Tennessee Right to Life

Nothing to add

Friday, June 5, 2009

Safe and Legal

Safe and legal "late term" abortions anyone? These are photos from Dr. Cathcart's abortion mill in NE. He certainly does not spend any of his earnings on aesthetics does he? Wait, are those outdoor toliets in the second pix or hazardous waste bins??


Thursday, June 4, 2009

TN Defunding Planned Parenthood....

Nashville, TN (LifeNews.com) -- The Tennessee legislature is expected to vote next week on state budgets bills with an amendment that would cut funding to the Planned Parenthood abortion business. As the legislature reaches its time wall, Planned Parenthood is still in line to receive more than $1.1 million tax dollars.
Rep. Joey Hensley, and Sen. Jack Johnson, both Republicans, are sponsoring their respective budget bills, House Bill 1756 and Senate Bill 470, that are drawing support from Tennessee Right to Life.
The bills are scheduled for committee hearings in the House Budget Subcommittee on Monday and Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.
Right to Life spokesman Ed Albin told LifeNews.com the current language in the bills "provide the opportunity for our tax dollars to fund women's health programs through local public health departments rather than controversial organizations such as Planned Parenthood which perform and promote abortion."
Albin said the amendment is needed following the recent release of undercover videotape showing a Planned Parenthood abortion counselor in Memphis directing a "14 year old" to lie to a judge regarding the age of her "31 year old" boyfriend.
"The shocking scandal highlights Planned Parenthood's aggressive marketing of abortion and their willingness to violate laws requiring the immediate reporting of suspected sexual abuse of children to public officials," he says.
The footage shows a Planned Parenthood staffer telling activist Lila Rose to lie about her potential sexual abuse so she could get an abortion.
Rose sent the raw footage from the Memphis undercover investigation to District Attorney Bill Gibbons for review.
According to the District Attorney Office spokeswoman Jennifer Donnals, "Gen. Gibbons has assigned one of the prosecutors in our Grand Jury section to review the video to determine if the matter warrants any further investigation."
Rose went to the Planned Parenthood's Memphis Health Center undercover and told a counselor that a supposed boyfriend twice her age impregnated her and that she wanted an abortion without her parents knowing.
Tennessee Code 37-1-605 requires health professionals to report suspected cases of sexual abuse of minors to law enforcement immediately.
Instead of notifying officials about the apparent sexual abuse, a Planned Parenthood counselor tells Rose on camera that she doesn't want to continue the line of conversation about the sexual abuse.
"Look, if we keep on this conversation, I'm gonna have to talk to my manager and yeah, [your boyfriend]'s gonna get in trouble," the staffer says. "And please don't say that I told you this."
When Rose tells the counselor she thinks her boyfriend will get in trouble if her parents find out, the counselor advises Rose to lie about the man's age when speaking to a judge in order to obtain a bypass of Tennessee's parental consent law for abortion.
"Don't mention it. Just say you have a boyfriend 17 years old...whatever," the staffer says.
ACTION: Go to this web site to ask your members of the Tennessee legislature to vote for the budgets and cutting Planned Parenthood funds.
Related web sites:Tennessee Right to Life - http://www.tnrtl.orgNew Video - http://liveaction.org/memphis

PETA jumps on the pro life bandwagon




Well I am not a huge PETA fan because I think they are over the top but I do have to give them credit for creativity in getting their message across. But an animal is not a child (human being) with a soul.





KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- An animal rights group is now tying its latest advertising campaign to Sunday's slaying of abortion provider Dr. George Tiller.

The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is launching a billboard campaign that's bound to ignite new controversy.
At first glance, the PETA billboards might make you think the issue was abortion, but the ads are actually promoting animal rights and vegetarianism. In this case, the terms "pro-life" and "pro-choice" are referring to whether or not you choose to eat meat.
"PETA has often made controversial comparisons and will continue to do so because it's really important to get what goes on behind the scenes of animal suffering into the forefront," PETA's Holly Beal said."The right-to-life issue is at an all-time high right now, and we want people to look at an animal's rights, and each time they sit down to eat, they can stop animal suffering by what they choose to eat."
Critics said comparing eating meat to aborting a child is going too far.
"While this might leave a bad taste in people's mouths, animal suffering should as well, too," Beal said.
PETA said they intend to have the new billboards posted soon in Wichita. Kansas City may also get some of the ads, if the budget allows.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Pregnant girl hires someone to attack her

Wow! She is charged with murder when she pays someone to beat her up at 7 mos. gestation but she can legally hire a dr. to do this....
Prosecutors charge pregnant girl in beating case
6 days ago
VERNAL, Utah (AP) — Prosecutors say a 17-year-old girl allegedly paid a man to beat her up so she would have a miscarriage.
The fetus survived the alleged beating, and the girl and the alleged attacker face criminal charges.
The girl, who was seven months pregnant, is charged in juvenile court with criminal solicitation to commit murder. She appeared in court Wednesday, and was ordered to remain in a juvenile detention center.
Prosecutors say the girl paid 21-year-old Arron Harrison, of Naples, $150 to beat her up after her boyfriend threatened a break up if she didn't get rid of the fetus.
Court documents say Harrison allegedly brought the girl to his home on May 20, where he is accused of striking her and biting her, leaving bruises on her stomach and a bite mark on her neck.
Court papers say her fetus survived.
Harrison is charged with attempted murder.
John Beaslin, Harrison's court-appointed attorney, told The Associated Press Thursday that he had no comment.
Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, http://www.sltrib.com
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

What does the pre born child feel during an abortion?



If only we could hear the screams.......

The neural pathways are present for pain to be
experienced quite early by unborn babies.”
– Steven Calvin, perinatolo gist, University of Minnesota.
Scientific evidence suggests abortion is
excruciatingly painful for the unborn child.

“At 20 weeks, the fetal brain has the full complement
of brain cells present in adulthood, ready and waiting
to receive pain signals from the body, and their
electrical activity can be be recorded by standard
electroencephalography (EEG)”

– Dr. Paul Ranalli, neurologist, University of Toronto. Read the full article here.


Is there something to here to learn?


by David Fowler

President

Family Action Council TN


The murder yesterday of abortionist George Tiller has been roundly condemned by every pro-life organization that I can think of, and rightly so. Murder is murder whether the person is still in the womb or has survived the womb. We join in that condemnation notwithstanding our opposition to some of horrific forms of abortion practiced by Dr. Tiller. But there may be a deeper lesson for us to learn as we consider this act of violence and the growing tendency toward violence in connection with those who are political opponents.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Read and be of good cheer...we have truth on our side


Ten Reasons Why the Pro-life Movement is Winning

by Fr. Frank Pavone, M.E.V.

We are closer to achieving our goal of winning the fight to end abortion and restoring protection to children in the womb than the mainstream media is reporting. To help you see the truth of that statement and to inspire you to renew your commitment to the fight, here are ten signs that point to the fact that the end of abortion in America will come sooner than you may think. Of this much I am certain, we will not have to wait for the next generation to plan and carry out victory celebrations. That will be our task.

This does not mean that you can relax or take anything for granted. Just the opposite, in fact. The closer we get to victory, the harder the other side will fight to keep abortion legal and the more hostile they will become. Still, we now know the key weaknesses of the abortion movement ... as well as the pro-life dynamics that the other side can do nothing to stop. So be of good cheer and stout heart! We have the devil of abortion on the ropes. And here are ten signs that point to our eventual victory.

Sign 1: The survivors

The surest sign of our ultimate victory is the strong and ever-growing involvement of young people in all aspects of the fight to end abortion. And if you ask them why they’ve joined our fight, they will tell you: “It could have been me!” In speaking up for the unborn, the youth of America are also speaking up for themselves. This is an awareness and motivation that abortion advocates can do nothing to stop. And as a result, our pro-life movement receives a new strength and motivation each day from these survivors.

Sign 2: The flow of conversions

Another reason for confidence is simply to look at the flow of conversions. In which direction does it go? It goes from pro-abortion to pro-life. There is, for example, an international organization of former abortion providers called the Society of Centurions. These men and women – to whom I have the privilege of ministering – once served as doctors, nurses, technicians, security guards, and other roles to operate abortion mills. Now they have repented of their killing and become pro-life. Some of them – like Dr. Bernard Nathanson and Norma McCorvey – have high-profile testimonies. But most of them try to get on with more normal lives in the privacy of their own communities.

Since when, however, have you heard of an organization of former pregnancy resource center directors who have repented of saving babies and are now pro-abortion? It just doesn’t happen. With the notable exception of politicians – individuals notorious for abandoning their principles in exchange for votes or praise from media elitists – the flow of conversions is in one direction ... and that is from death to life.

OReilly covers the Tiller murder up front


O'Reilly did not shy away from covering this story and he put it right out there. I especially liked his follow up with Juan Williams who is pro choice and Mary Katherine Ham. I am sick of hearing from NPR that pro life people need to back off and tone down their rhetoric. We never advocated violence of any kind. We are advocating against violence...that's what pro life is all about. No violence to either the born or pre born.

Followers