by Amy Sobie / Aimee Herd reporting
Dec 1, 2005 : Elliot Institute, CWShttp://www.earnedmedia.org/elliot1130.htm
Editor's Note: While suicide, of course, is never good news, this report reveals the truth of the horrible toll that abortion takes, not only in the death of a baby, but also in the inevitable grief and guilt that can also destroy the life of the mother. It is in an effort to reveal this truth that we choose to publish this story. - Aimee Herd, BCN.
Finland's National Research and Development Center for Welfare and Health (STAKES), is the author of a study published in the European Journal for Public Health, which states that "deaths from suicide, accidents and homicide are 248% higher in the year following an abortion," among women of reproductive age 15 - 49 when compared to those who have not been pregnant in the year prior.
The 13-year study also found that a "majority of the extra deaths among women who had abortions were due to suicide. The suicide rate among women who had abortions was six times higher than that of women who had given birth in the prior year and double that of women who had miscarriages."
The report went on to state that "while the risk of death from suicide, accidents, and homicide was highest among women who had abortions within the prior year, the risk of death was lowest among women who gave birth within the prior year, who had less than half the death rate of women who had not been pregnant."
Along with that study, another was conducted over an 8-year period, on the death records linked to medical payments for birth and abortion for 173,000 women in California. Researchers found women who had an abortion were 62 percent more likely to die than those who had delivered babies.
Nov 19, 2005
Family.org - CitizenLink - FNIF News - A Plan to Steer College Women from Abortion is Introduced
November 18, 2005
A Plan to Steer College Women from Abortion is Introduced
by Kim Trobee
Act would provide $10-million to colleges and universities to assist pregnant students finish school and avoid abortion.
Women in the 18-25 year-old age range have the highest rate of abortion in the country…which pretty well describes college-age. According to studies by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 71% of 18-19 year olds and 58% of 20-24 year olds said having a child would interfere with their education or career. Tom Glessner with the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.
“You’re talking about the value of human life and we’ve become a society where we are more and more selfish, pursuing our selfish goals, our selfish ambitions and less and less thinking of other people including unborn children.”
The Eliabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Students Act of 2005 would provide $10 million in grants to encourage institutions of higher education to establish and operate services for students wanting to avoid an abortion. Linda Klepacki with Focus on the Family Action.
“It would save millions of babies per year. So many girls have no idea that this is an option. It would be such an awesome positive for college campuses.”
Glessner worries that disarray in the Senate and lack of leadership in the GOP could hinder the bill’s progress.
“I hate to be negative, but we’ve had other initiatives that I frankly, there’s no reason it couldn’t or shouldn’t pass, but it just sits around Congress with nobody really steering it through and taking a leadership role on it.”
With the Congressional session wrapping up soon, it may be next year before the Act can be put to a vote; too late for thousands of unborn babies.
Support this effort to promote the family in the public policy arena.
Copyright © 2005 Focus on the Family
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
(800) A-FAMILY (232-6459)
A Plan to Steer College Women from Abortion is Introduced
by Kim Trobee
Act would provide $10-million to colleges and universities to assist pregnant students finish school and avoid abortion.
Women in the 18-25 year-old age range have the highest rate of abortion in the country…which pretty well describes college-age. According to studies by the Alan Guttmacher Institute, 71% of 18-19 year olds and 58% of 20-24 year olds said having a child would interfere with their education or career. Tom Glessner with the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates.
“You’re talking about the value of human life and we’ve become a society where we are more and more selfish, pursuing our selfish goals, our selfish ambitions and less and less thinking of other people including unborn children.”
The Eliabeth Cady Stanton Pregnant and Parenting Students Act of 2005 would provide $10 million in grants to encourage institutions of higher education to establish and operate services for students wanting to avoid an abortion. Linda Klepacki with Focus on the Family Action.
“It would save millions of babies per year. So many girls have no idea that this is an option. It would be such an awesome positive for college campuses.”
Glessner worries that disarray in the Senate and lack of leadership in the GOP could hinder the bill’s progress.
“I hate to be negative, but we’ve had other initiatives that I frankly, there’s no reason it couldn’t or shouldn’t pass, but it just sits around Congress with nobody really steering it through and taking a leadership role on it.”
With the Congressional session wrapping up soon, it may be next year before the Act can be put to a vote; too late for thousands of unborn babies.
Support this effort to promote the family in the public policy arena.
Copyright © 2005 Focus on the Family
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
(800) A-FAMILY (232-6459)
Nov 7, 2005
BODY PARTS HARVESTING
Article found at: http://www.bound4lifesd.com/
This may sound like a Hollywood horror movie, but as they say, truth is stranger than fiction.
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Dr. Robert P. George is a member of the President's Council on Bioethics.
Dr. George believes that the long-term goal of many of the embryonic researchers is "to create an industry in harvesting late embryonic and fetal body parts”.*
Imagine an industry that grows babies till they are 5 months or older and then uses their body parts for medical purposes. These researchers don't dare to openly admit to this barbaric practice because they know there would be a public outrage. Instead, their strategy is to sway public opinion by promoting the “promised benefits” of embryonic stem cell research.
Scientists are currently engaged in many types of stem cell research. The top three are adult stem cell research, nuclei transfer cloning and embryonic stem cell research.
Before we look at these types of research let review some basic biology. If you take a human egg from a mother and fertilize it with a father’s sperm, the moment the sperm cell penetrates the mother’s egg, something amazing happens. The DNA in the egg is completely and uniquely changed. DNA is kind of like a biological computer code. It’s the directions the cell’s follow to create a human being.
When the mothers egg is fertilized it becomes a human embryo. This new person now has half of the mothers DNA and half of the fathers DNA. This new little person now has a DNA code that is completely different from anyone else in the world. If you have siblings, they also share half of each of your parents DNA, but it’s not exactly the same half that you have!
In the bible it says “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”**
DNA shows that this is exactly what happens. Each child shares half of their design code from their father and the other half from their mother. It’s true, everyone in the world is entirely unique!
Stem cells are specialized cells that can become virtually any type of human cell. If your DNA instructs them to become a liver, they will. If your DNA instructs them to become a kidney they will.
In embryonic stem cell research the stem cells are taken from a human embryo. The process destroys the embryo. To date there have been no cures from embryonic stem cell research in spite of millions of dollars spent by private research corporations. California also spends 300 million dollars a year.
Another type of stem cell research is nuclei transfer cloning. All human cells consist of different parts. The place in our cells where the DNA can be found is called the nucleus. To achieve this type of cloning researchers take a human egg and remove the nuclei. That egg no longer has any DNA information. Next we take a cell from a adult human being. The egg and the adult cell are placed side by side. A small amount of electricity is run through the two cells. The two cells will fuse together into one cell. The egg now has the entire DNA from the adult cell. This egg if allowed to grow will become an exact duplicate of the adult that supplied the cell. He will be younger, but a twin of the adult cell donor.
In New Jersey, “it's now legal to create a human cloned embryo and gestate it up to the point of birth.” "If you harvest the tissues before the clone is born, you're still within New Jersey law." ***
The other type of stem cell research is adult stem cell research. One way to gather adult stem cells is to remove them from a living human adult, causing no real harm to the person donating the adult stem cells. Dr. Nagy Habib, is a surgeon who works at the London's Imperial College in Great Britain. He has taken adult stem cells from his own patients' blood and re-inserted the cells into the patients' livers. Within two months, the majority of the patients treated by Dr. Habib showed considerable improvement in liver function. Those patients who showed no improvement in their disease did not get worse.*
Clearly God is blessing adult stem cell research.
There have been about 65 successful treatments found through adult stem cell research. There have been no cures found with embryonic stem cell research. Why is the medical and research industry continuing to downplay the benefits of adult stem cell research? Perhaps Dr. George’s conclusion is true, that the ultimate goal of those in favor of embryonic stem cell research is to gradually desensitize the public to the idea of body part harvesting. May God have mercy on our nation.
We as the Church of Christ must stand against this with all we possess.
*Fetal Attraction, The Weekly Standard, Dr. Robert P. George 10/03/05.
**The Holy Bible New International Version, Genesis 2:24.
***Stem-Cell Bills Put On Hold , Citizen Link, Pete Winn, 10-21-05
Based on an article written by Ian Johnson, Science Correspondent for news.scotsman.com.
Nov 3, 2005
Breaking Christian News
"http://www.breakingchristiannews.com
A BILL THAT CONSIDERS THE PAIN OF THE UNBORN
by Staff reports / Aimee Herd reporting : Nov 2, 2005 : Citizen Link
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038445.cfm
The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act was considered by members of the U.S. Congress yesterday.
'This would require that a woman who is ready to have an abortion, that she is provided with information telling her about the pain that the unborn baby will feel,' explained Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio.
According to the report by Citizen Link, a professor from the St. Thomas School of Law testified, stating that the American medical community is 'behind the times' when it comes to research in this area.
Chabot added, 'Until we can get a Supreme Court that is willing to look at this issue and reverse Roe v. Wade, there are other things that we can do to help protect unborn - innocent life in this country - and this bill is one of those things.' "
A BILL THAT CONSIDERS THE PAIN OF THE UNBORN
by Staff reports / Aimee Herd reporting : Nov 2, 2005 : Citizen Link
http://www.family.org/cforum/news/a0038445.cfm
The Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act was considered by members of the U.S. Congress yesterday.
'This would require that a woman who is ready to have an abortion, that she is provided with information telling her about the pain that the unborn baby will feel,' explained Rep. Steve Chabot of Ohio.
According to the report by Citizen Link, a professor from the St. Thomas School of Law testified, stating that the American medical community is 'behind the times' when it comes to research in this area.
Chabot added, 'Until we can get a Supreme Court that is willing to look at this issue and reverse Roe v. Wade, there are other things that we can do to help protect unborn - innocent life in this country - and this bill is one of those things.' "
Oct 26, 2005
Bush Administration Defends Partial-Birth Abortion Ban
"These headlines are always an invitation to pray on behalf of the innocent life which is destroyed...without a chance to fulfill what God has dreamed for him or her. We are invited by heaven to pray on behalf of Equal justice for the unborn! Lets uphold these cases!" ~Glenn Taylor
SAN FRANCISCO, California, October 21, 2005, (LifeSiteNews.com) --- Last year, on Monday, March 29, three separate lawsuits were launched against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act signed into law on November 5, 2003. The judges in New York, Nebraska and California ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that the ban was unconstitutional. The Bush administration yesterday urged a California federal appeals court to overturn the decision in that state.
The procedure in question is carried out in the second trimester where the living fetus is partially removed from the womb, and its skull is punctured or crushed.
The Government is arguing that the infanticide type of killing is never medically necessary and therefore does not limit a woman's options for an abortion.
Planned Parenthood, however, is arguing that doctors would be intimidated into not performing any abortions if the act was reinstated.
The rulings of the appeals courts in the three jurisdictions is of great interest. The Bush administration has already asked the Supreme Court to review the Nebraska decision. The cases are adding to the interest in the abortion position of Harriet Miers who is being nominated by the Bush administration to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Bush administration defends partial-birth abortion ban. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/br...
President Bush Signs Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/nov/031105a.html
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Challenge: Continuing Coverage and Highlights http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04040503.html
db
(c) Copyright: LifeSiteNews.com is a production of Interim Publishing. Permission to republish is granted (with limitation*) but acknowledgement of source is *REQUIRED* (use LifeSiteNews.com).
SAN FRANCISCO, California, October 21, 2005, (LifeSiteNews.com) --- Last year, on Monday, March 29, three separate lawsuits were launched against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act signed into law on November 5, 2003. The judges in New York, Nebraska and California ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that the ban was unconstitutional. The Bush administration yesterday urged a California federal appeals court to overturn the decision in that state.
The procedure in question is carried out in the second trimester where the living fetus is partially removed from the womb, and its skull is punctured or crushed.
The Government is arguing that the infanticide type of killing is never medically necessary and therefore does not limit a woman's options for an abortion.
Planned Parenthood, however, is arguing that doctors would be intimidated into not performing any abortions if the act was reinstated.
The rulings of the appeals courts in the three jurisdictions is of great interest. The Bush administration has already asked the Supreme Court to review the Nebraska decision. The cases are adding to the interest in the abortion position of Harriet Miers who is being nominated by the Bush administration to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor
Bush administration defends partial-birth abortion ban. http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/br...
President Bush Signs Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003 http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2003/nov/031105a.html
Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Challenge: Continuing Coverage and Highlights http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/apr/04040503.html
db
(c) Copyright: LifeSiteNews.com is a production of Interim Publishing. Permission to republish is granted (with limitation*) but acknowledgement of source is *REQUIRED* (use LifeSiteNews.com).
Oct 22, 2005
Goal of "One Montgomery"- Black and White Churches Functioning as One
"This is a good model! How good and pleasant it is when diverse races (brothers) can dwell together in Unity. God bless this, and let it sweep across America!"~ Glenn Taylor
http://www.breakingchristiannews.com
by Jim Brown, Jenni Parker/Teresa Neumann Reporting : Oct 21, 2005 : Agape Press
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/202005a.asp
"Predominantly black and predominantly white congregations are being challenged to share a meal together and pray with one another on a regular basis."
Montgomery, Alabama, the "cradle of the civil rights movement, is in the news again, but this time it has nothing to do with racial rioting, a la the 1960's. Quite the opposite. Dubbed the "One Montgomery" movement, at least two churches in the area are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bus boycott set off by Rosa Parks' arrest by promoting racial harmony through the Body of Christ.
The citywide movement is being led by Fresh Anointing International Church, a mostly black congregation, notes an Agape Press report, and First Baptist Church, a mostly white congregation. Reportedly, the two churches have already distributed 10,000 black and white wristbands bearing the words "One Montgomery" and also plan to make 10,000 black and white crosses for people to place in their yards as symbols of Christian unity.
"When the world comes to Montgomery, it would be fantastic if the international media -- which will be looking for stories -- will see thousands of black and white crosses all over this region," explains First Baptist Pastor Jay Wolf. "And those crosses will activate what Jesus said in John 12:31 -- 'If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself.'"
The goal of the One Montgomery movement, Wolf notes, is to have black and white churches functioning as one and striving for racial reconciliation and harmony. "It's our goal to make a statement about racial reconciliation and pray that it will be catalytic to revival," he says.
As part of that effort, predominantly black and predominantly white congregations are being challenged to share a meal together and pray with one another on a regular basis, notes reporters Jim Brown and Jenny Parker.
As to some isolated criticism that the focus on black-white racial reconciliation is too narrow and not inclusive, Wolf points out, "Of course, the issue in Montgomery is not between Hispanics or Orientals; the demographics [in Montgomery] would be black and white." If black and white churches can function together under the banner of the cross, he asserts, then "the other issues will take care of themselves."
Pastor Kyle Searcy, the black pastor spearheading the effort alongside Wolf, prays that reconciliation will open the door for revival. "I really do believe that God is waiting for His body, His church, to come together a lot more, and a lot of the things that He's going to do in terms of the great harvest and in terms of massive revival in this country are going to be predicated upon us coming together as one."
Says Searcy, "I believe One Montgomery is the foundation of what God wants to do in every city of the United States."
http://www.breakingchristiannews.com
by Jim Brown, Jenni Parker/Teresa Neumann Reporting : Oct 21, 2005 : Agape Press
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/202005a.asp
"Predominantly black and predominantly white congregations are being challenged to share a meal together and pray with one another on a regular basis."
Montgomery, Alabama, the "cradle of the civil rights movement, is in the news again, but this time it has nothing to do with racial rioting, a la the 1960's. Quite the opposite. Dubbed the "One Montgomery" movement, at least two churches in the area are preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bus boycott set off by Rosa Parks' arrest by promoting racial harmony through the Body of Christ.
The citywide movement is being led by Fresh Anointing International Church, a mostly black congregation, notes an Agape Press report, and First Baptist Church, a mostly white congregation. Reportedly, the two churches have already distributed 10,000 black and white wristbands bearing the words "One Montgomery" and also plan to make 10,000 black and white crosses for people to place in their yards as symbols of Christian unity.
"When the world comes to Montgomery, it would be fantastic if the international media -- which will be looking for stories -- will see thousands of black and white crosses all over this region," explains First Baptist Pastor Jay Wolf. "And those crosses will activate what Jesus said in John 12:31 -- 'If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to Myself.'"
The goal of the One Montgomery movement, Wolf notes, is to have black and white churches functioning as one and striving for racial reconciliation and harmony. "It's our goal to make a statement about racial reconciliation and pray that it will be catalytic to revival," he says.
As part of that effort, predominantly black and predominantly white congregations are being challenged to share a meal together and pray with one another on a regular basis, notes reporters Jim Brown and Jenny Parker.
As to some isolated criticism that the focus on black-white racial reconciliation is too narrow and not inclusive, Wolf points out, "Of course, the issue in Montgomery is not between Hispanics or Orientals; the demographics [in Montgomery] would be black and white." If black and white churches can function together under the banner of the cross, he asserts, then "the other issues will take care of themselves."
Pastor Kyle Searcy, the black pastor spearheading the effort alongside Wolf, prays that reconciliation will open the door for revival. "I really do believe that God is waiting for His body, His church, to come together a lot more, and a lot of the things that He's going to do in terms of the great harvest and in terms of massive revival in this country are going to be predicated upon us coming together as one."
Says Searcy, "I believe One Montgomery is the foundation of what God wants to do in every city of the United States."
Oct 16, 2005
Norma McCorvey, "Roe" of Roe V. Wade, now Pro-Life Will Challenge Her Former Attorney
Christine Melchor / Aimee Herd reporting (Oct 14, 2005) "I did not know what an abortion was!"
According to Christine Melchor, Executive Director of the Houston Coalition for Life, Norma McCorvey, the now Pro-Life "Roe" of Roe v. Wade, will give her testimony and will publicly challenge her former lawyer, Sarah Weddington to address her unanswered questions regarding the landmark case. This challenge will be issued during a press conference at 6:30 PM on Saturday, October 15, 2005 on the public property outside of the Hilton Post Oak (formerly the Doubletree) 2001 S. Post Oak Blvd in the Galleria during the Planned Parenthood Annual Fundraiser at which Weddington is the keynote speaker.
Norma McCorvey said, "In 1972, Sarah Weddington argued in the courts, presumptuously on my behalf, that women should be allowed to obtain a legal abortion. The courts did not ask whether I knew what I was asking for. The abortion decision that destroyed every state law protecting the rights of women and their unborn babies was based on a fundamental misrepresentation. I had never read the affidavit and I did not know what an abortion was. Weddington and the other supporters of abortion used me and my circumstance to urge the courts to legalize abortion without any meaningful trial which addressed the humanity of the baby, and what abortion would do to women… My real interests were not their concern."
McCorvey added, "As the class action plaintiff in the most controversial U.S. Supreme Court case of the twentieth century, I only met with the attorneys twice. Once over pizza and beer, when I was told that my baby was only 'tissue.' The other time at Coffee's office to sign the affidavit. No other personal contacts. I was never invited into court. I never testified…. The entire case was an abstraction."
Christine Melchor, Executive Director of the Houston Coalition for Life, stated, "I urge any woman considering abortion to be skeptical of whether the abortion industry is really looking out for her best interests. Norma McCorvey knows from her experience being used by supporters of abortion and through working in the industry herself that these people continue to exploit women to further their financial and personal agendas."
Melchor will also challenge Planned Parenthood's CEO, Peter Durkin, to address unanswered questions regarding the true agenda of Planned Parenthood, deceptive information promoted by his organization, and startling facts that it has covered up.
Over one hundred concerned citizens from all over will be participating in a protest on the public right-of-way in front of the fundraiser and awaiting a response to their long-standing concerns.
The Houston Coalition for Life is a 501 (c )3 organization which represents Houston Area churches and thousands of individuals dedicated to ending abortion ….peacefully and prayerfully.
Oct 12, 2005
"A VOICE IS A VOICE NO MATTER HOW SMALL"
Equipping Conference for Children, Parents and Children's Pastors
October 27-29
Fort Mill, SC
with Lou Engle, Lenny La Guardia, Heather Clark, Jennifer Toledo, Shara Pradhan and others!
ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 2126, Garden Grove, CA 92842-2126 USA
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Friday, October 7, 2005
THE LARGEST MASS GRAVE IN AMERICA?
By Rich Buhler
Special to ASSIST News Service
LOS ANGELES (ANS) -- Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the sealing of what many regard to be the largest mass grave on American soil. (Pictured: Rich Buhler).
There isn’t anything that points you to the site in the Odd Fellows cemetery in East Los Angeles. You have to search for it, but it’s there on the east side of the grounds marked only by a flat gravestone that says “IN MEMORY OF THE 16,500 PRECIOUS UNBORN BURIED HERE. OCT 6, 1985.”
The story that led to the burial came to light in February of 1982 when workers opened a large shipping container that had been repossessed from the owner of a medical lab in Southern California. It was filled with buckets of the results of thousands of abortions.
Los Angeles county supervisors faced a dilemma about what to do with the remains and a feminist lawsuit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that they couldn’t be buried with religious ceremony because that would be taking sides in the abortion debate.
But on October 6, 1985, the date of the burial, there was a crowd of us who had independently come to do what the county could not do: honor the lives and mourn the deaths of the children being laid to rest.
I had the privilege of being one of those who participated in the service that day and it was an overwhelming experience as we stood at the graveside of thousands of children who by that time would have been three years old and playing in the Southern California sunshine.
During the ceremony, County Supervisor Michael Antonovich read a telegram from President Reagan. In it Mr. Reagan likened the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion to decisions that upheld slavery prior to the Civil War. He said, “Once again a whole category of human beings has been ruled outside the protection of the law by a court ruling which clashed with our deepest moral convictions."
That telegram got fresh national attention during the confirmation debate around John Roberts’ nomination to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. As associate White House counsel in 1985 he was asked to review the text of President Reagan’s statement.
For several years, the grave of the babies was unmarked because of conflict over what to say on a gravestone. I had the privilege of again being a part of the service that later dedicated the memorial marker.
In my remarks I speculated what the demographics might be of the children buried there. If they were representative of the nation as a whole, about 8,000 of them were boys and 9,000 were girls. Had they lived, 1,600 of them would have been left handed, nearly 4,000 of them Catholic, 2,300 Baptists, and more than 160 Episcopalians.
About 1,600 would have become teachers, more than 13,000 high school graduates and more than 3,500 college grads. Nearly 2,000 would have been executives, 1,600 in sales, and a little more than 2,000 would have been professionals.
These are woefully unscientific numbers, but illustrate the fact that these children were not the medical equivalent of amputated limbs or surgically discarded cartilage. Until abortion intervened, every one of them was alive in safety of their mother’s wombs and had beating hearts. Some of them were old enough that you could have seen whether they had grandpa’s dimple or momma’s nose. Where the comparison with the national population breaks down the most is with race. Because of the locations of the clinics where their abortions took place a disproportionate number of the children were minorities.
Yesterday, I paused to think about the children buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. I try to drop by and visit their grave whenever I can. Not only to remember them but the more than 100 million other babies who like them have been the deprived of the opportunity to experience birth and life but who unlike them do not have a grave.
Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: danjuma1@aol.com
Friday, October 7, 2005
THE LARGEST MASS GRAVE IN AMERICA?
By Rich Buhler
Special to ASSIST News Service
LOS ANGELES (ANS) -- Yesterday was the 20th anniversary of the sealing of what many regard to be the largest mass grave on American soil. (Pictured: Rich Buhler).
There isn’t anything that points you to the site in the Odd Fellows cemetery in East Los Angeles. You have to search for it, but it’s there on the east side of the grounds marked only by a flat gravestone that says “IN MEMORY OF THE 16,500 PRECIOUS UNBORN BURIED HERE. OCT 6, 1985.”
The story that led to the burial came to light in February of 1982 when workers opened a large shipping container that had been repossessed from the owner of a medical lab in Southern California. It was filled with buckets of the results of thousands of abortions.
Los Angeles county supervisors faced a dilemma about what to do with the remains and a feminist lawsuit that went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court ordered that they couldn’t be buried with religious ceremony because that would be taking sides in the abortion debate.
But on October 6, 1985, the date of the burial, there was a crowd of us who had independently come to do what the county could not do: honor the lives and mourn the deaths of the children being laid to rest.
I had the privilege of being one of those who participated in the service that day and it was an overwhelming experience as we stood at the graveside of thousands of children who by that time would have been three years old and playing in the Southern California sunshine.
During the ceremony, County Supervisor Michael Antonovich read a telegram from President Reagan. In it Mr. Reagan likened the Supreme Court decisions legalizing abortion to decisions that upheld slavery prior to the Civil War. He said, “Once again a whole category of human beings has been ruled outside the protection of the law by a court ruling which clashed with our deepest moral convictions."
That telegram got fresh national attention during the confirmation debate around John Roberts’ nomination to be the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. As associate White House counsel in 1985 he was asked to review the text of President Reagan’s statement.
For several years, the grave of the babies was unmarked because of conflict over what to say on a gravestone. I had the privilege of again being a part of the service that later dedicated the memorial marker.
In my remarks I speculated what the demographics might be of the children buried there. If they were representative of the nation as a whole, about 8,000 of them were boys and 9,000 were girls. Had they lived, 1,600 of them would have been left handed, nearly 4,000 of them Catholic, 2,300 Baptists, and more than 160 Episcopalians.
About 1,600 would have become teachers, more than 13,000 high school graduates and more than 3,500 college grads. Nearly 2,000 would have been executives, 1,600 in sales, and a little more than 2,000 would have been professionals.
These are woefully unscientific numbers, but illustrate the fact that these children were not the medical equivalent of amputated limbs or surgically discarded cartilage. Until abortion intervened, every one of them was alive in safety of their mother’s wombs and had beating hearts. Some of them were old enough that you could have seen whether they had grandpa’s dimple or momma’s nose. Where the comparison with the national population breaks down the most is with race. Because of the locations of the clinics where their abortions took place a disproportionate number of the children were minorities.
Yesterday, I paused to think about the children buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. I try to drop by and visit their grave whenever I can. Not only to remember them but the more than 100 million other babies who like them have been the deprived of the opportunity to experience birth and life but who unlike them do not have a grave.
Rich Buhler is an author, speaker, broadcaster, and founder of TruthOrFiction.com.
** You may republish this story with proper attribution. Send this story to a friend.
Oct 11, 2005
God Continues to show us that "True Mercy" is Needed in Life Issues~Glenn Taylor
Italian Coma Victim Awakens After Two Years, Says He Heard Everything
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 5, 2005
Rome, Italy (LifeNews.com) -- A man who had been placed in a coma for two years as a result of an automobile accident recently awoke and told doctors and his family that he heard and understood everything going on around him during the time.
Salvatore Crisafulli, a father of four, describes his case as a "miracle" proving that lost causes are not hopeless.
"The doctors said that I wasn't conscious, but I understood everything and I cried in desperation," Crisafulli, who is 38, told Italian media outlets Thursday.
Although the situations are not entirely similar, Crisafulli's brother Pietro called the recovery "an Italian Terri Schiavo case."
He emerged from the coma three months ago and began speaking recently -- his first word was "Mamma."
The news comes at the same time as a national bioethics committee in Italy put forward guidelines saying that incapacitated patients should be provided normal medical care, including food and water.
"To feed an unconscious patient through a tube is not a medical act," the committee's president, Francesco D'Agostino, said, according to a Reuters report. "It's like giving a bottle to a newborn baby who can't be nursed by its mother ... And then we reflect on the Schiavo case. The woman was left to die of starvation."
"My brother speaks and remembers. I don't expect that he will be like he was, but it's already a miracle," Pietro told the Italian Corriere della Sera newspaper. "And to think that some doctors said that it was all useless and that he would be dead in three, four months."
(This shows that this kind of recovery is possible... However, after speaking with a highly qualified UVM Medical Department Head, I was informed that "he clearly was not in a coma, otherwise he would not have heard and understood what was happening around him. He was in a "locked in syndrome", a rare neurological condition that is diagnosable on careful examination." ~Glenn Taylor)
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