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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Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Pro-life blog buzz 11-11-14

Pro-life blog buzz 11-11-14

TN: Pro life amendment wins at ballot box so abortion supporters file suit in federal court to void results...


Once again, what the abortion industry could not achieve at the ballot box, they seek to achieve using the unelected judiciary.   Planned Parenthood is smarting over the fact that the power of the pulpit and grassroots activism rose to the challenge, despite being outspent nearly 3-1, endorsements of all four major newspapers , and some Hollywood celebrities to pass a pro-life amendment on November 4 th.
Following a clear defeat when Amendment 1 passed 53%-47% in Tennessee, Planned Parenthood board members and supporters filed a lawsuit  in federal court with to have the election results thrown out.   They basically want each vote hand counted, and thrown out if they voted yes on one and skipped voting in the Governor’s race. They further ask that if that is not possible, to have the election results voided and another election held.
Four amendments were on the ballot in November and they all passed. But this is the one that the abortion industry is focused on, as it is clearly driven by passion for unbridled abortion profits and not any constitutional principle.
State officials have called the lawsuit absurd, but note that the plaintiffs have filed a federal lawsuit, hoping for a more liberal audience. Planned Parenthood officials are not officially commenting, denying any connection with the suit, despite the fact that the lead plaintiff starred in one of their commercials that was named as the most dishonest of the season and is their Chair of their Board in Nashville. This is a point most media reports have ignored.  Already, Op Eds are appearing, supporting this suit from news outlets that endorsed them and clearly have egg on their face for their lack of influence.
Yes on 1 have responded to the suit, showing that even if you manage to weed out those who declined to vote in the governor’s race, the amendment still would enjoy nearly 20,000  yes votes, enough to pass.
David Fowler, an attorney and one of the members of the coalition for Yes on 1 suggested that the state Attorney General should seek sanctions against them for this specious lawsuit.
Jeff Teague, CEO of Planned Parenthood of Middle and East Tennessee, acknowledged in a post mortem that Tennessee is a pro-life state; however it is clear that they are willing to thwart the will of the people to protect their profits.

Wednesday, November 5, 2014

TN: David and Goliath battle follows biblical script....


 
 
Despite being outspent 3-1 ,  having  all four major city newspapers endorse the Planned Parenthood position, the pro-life amendment known as Amendment One  relied upon a strong grassroots effort in all 95 counties and  focused  on the power of the pulpit to win  53% to 47% in Tennessee.

Brian Harris, President of Tennessee Right to Life summed up the winning strategy that may be described as a classic David and Goliath battle.

"We recognized that we would never have the financial resources of the abortion industry so began planning long ago to build a team of advocates who could educate and organize their local communities," Harris said. That effort paid off, especially in rural regions of the state where volunteers raised funds and awareness of both the amendment and the 2000 court ruling in Planned Parenthood of Middle Tennessee v Sundquist, a decision which claimed a fundamental right to abortion.”

The previous post explained the significance of this battle, not only for Tennessee, but for the signal it would send to the rest of the country, especially the 15 other states  similarly attacked in the courts by the abortion industry. This should also encourage them to follow the lead of the Volunteer State.   Had it failed, it would have emboldened the abortion industry to attack the remaining 34 states as needed with their winning strategy of using the courts to find a right to abortion in their state constitution to effectively block pro-life legislation.

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