file: /pub/resources/text/ProLife.News: pln-0413.txt ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Communications - Volume 4, No. 13 August, 1994 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This newsletter is intended to provide articles and news information to those interested in Pro-Life issues. All submissions should be sent to the editor, Steve . ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1) The New World: UNITED STATES *Abortions Down in America, and abortion proponents complain* The report from the non-profit (and adamantly pro-abortion) Alan Guttmacher Institute said 1.529 million women had abortions in 1992, 80,000 fewer than in 1990. This represents a 5% drop in the number of abortions performed in the United States. The 1992 level, based on a 1993 survey of abortion providers, is the lowest since 1979, when just under 1.5 million abortions were performed in the United States. This still leaves American women with the highest abortion rate in among the developed nations. Of all the states, New York had the highest abortion rate, with 46.2 abortions per 1,000 women aged 15-44, followed by Hawaii, Nevada and California. Abortion proponents picked up on this statistic, and used it to claim that abortions are down because they are less available. The Guttmacher study went on to blame the drop in abortions on the drop in the number of abortion facilities in different places in the US, noting that states with large rural populations - Arkansas, Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Utah and Wyoming - all lost between 20 percent and 40 percent of their abortuaries from 1988 to 1992. The study also made a point of mentioning that North Dakota lost two of its three abortuaries, joining South Dakota as a state with only one place where women can get abortions. Economic factors that favor larger and/or subsidized clinics were not mentioned. However, there are many other factors which could attribute for the decrease in abortions, such as the gradual aging of large segments of the U.S. female population. Stanley Henshaw, one of the Guttmacher study's authors, mentioned this fact, noting that the resulting lower fertility would result in fewer abortions. In a similar vein, a study by the New York-based non-profit Corporation for Reproductive Health Research and Analysis presented evidence that there has been an improvement in the use of contraceptives in the US - which certainly would help to push the abortion rate down. The emphasis that the Guttmacher study and the press coverage received all seems to be on the drop in the number of abortion providers, not the reduction in abortions. The points being emphasized make it sound as if a drop in the number of abortions is a bad thing, and something that needs to be corrected, especially by further protection of the abortion industry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) Around the Globe: BELGIUM, the UN and the PRC *Chineese Women To Serve as Guinea Pigs for New Belgian IUD* The World Health Organization (WHO), thrilled by the invention of an Intra- Uterine Device (IUD) with a lower complication rate, invited Belgian Ghent University Professor Hendrik Van Kets to take his new device to China for testing. In a not-surprising move, these western researchers have received the go-ahead to use women in China to verify their tests on a large scale. Van Kets happens to sit on the WHO steering committee on contraception. "They will try to convince people to use it on a large scale, to confirm the results of our tests," said Professor Walter Parewijck, a member of the Ghent research team involved in developing the new abortifacient device.Parewijck added that the tests in China would last at least one year. The PRC is known for its draconian family policies, particularly of forcing women to have abortions and undergo sterilization. "This IUD is frameless and smaller - it causes less pain and bleeding... and is more effective (against pregnancy)," said Parewijck. The new frameless IUD consists of a surgical propylene filament covered with copper sleeves and with a knot at one end which is anchored into the top of the uterus by a gynecologist. Parewijck said that "Because there's no frame in this [IUD], the complication rate from pain and bleeding is much less." After five years of tests, The new abortifacient device, called the Gyne Fix was found to have a removal rate of 3.6 percent , almost half that recorded in conventional IUDs. Removal is done when the device causes pain and bleeding. In the Belgian tests, Gyne Fix has shown a pregnancy rate of 0.8 percent and a physical expulsion rate of 0.3 percent, much better results than with current IUDs. IUD's operate not by preventing conception, but rather by preventing the developing child from implanting in the uterine wall, thus causing the death and expulsion of the child. It has been noted that of women worldwide who use artificial birth-control, 5 to 10 percent rely on IUDs. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) The New World: THE LOUISIANA STANDOFF *Louisiana threatened with loss of $4 Billion in Medicaid* On Wednesday, 17 August, Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia denied an emergency request by Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards and other state officials to lift a lower court order that requires the state to pay for abortions for victims of rape and incest, or give up four billion dollars in Federal Medicaid. Louisiana state law prohibits the use of tax money to buy abortions other than in the case where the mother's life is threatened. Essentially, the federal courts are forcing Louisiana to do one of two things: Either pay for abortions against its own law, or to shut down its medical assistance to the poor, due to the withdrawl of federal funding. Four other states - Arkansas, Colorado, Montana and Michigan - also are under similar court orders to follow Clintons new Medicaid rules. The controversy being played out in Louisiana stems from the October passage of the Hyde Amendment, and President Clinton's executive order which followed. The federal Hyde Amendment similarly banned the use of federal money for abortions except to save a woman's life until last October, when Congress amended the law to include cases of rape and incest. In May, after President Clinton issued and executive order compelling the States to pay for abortions permitted by the Hyde Amendment, the Clinton administration warned a number of states they could lose their Medicaid funding if they did not comply. Louisiana's policy was promptly challenged by the Hope Medical Group for Women, which provides abortions in Shreveport, Louisiana. An abortionist and a low-income woman who became pregnant as a result of rape and sought a Medicaid-financed abortion. U.S. District Judge Marcel Livaudais in New Orleans heard this case, and on July 28th ruled that Louisiana must follow the federal rule as long as it accepts federal Medicaid funds. The case is Edwards vs. Hope Medical Group for Women, A-124. "The Hyde Amendment merely limits the use of federal funds to pay for certain abortions; it clearly does not require the states to pay for any abortions," Louisiana Attorney General Richard Ieyoub wrote. It seems that no federal officials seem to belive this. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) The New World: MONTREAL *Canadian Doctors want Nothing to do with Euthanasia* Canadian doctors meeting in Montreal, Quebec, have taken a strong position against euthanasia. At the Canadian Medical Association's annual convention on August 16, delegates ignored a draft paper from their own ethics committee recommending that doctors act according to their individual consciences. Instead, they voted 93-74 in favour of a much stronger resolution that doctors "specifically exclude participation in euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide." West Vancouver, British Columbia doctor Daniel McCarthy who proposed the resolution, said its success will provide clear guidelines for lawmakers and the general public. "The public need not have fears that physicians are going to get sucked into euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide," McCarthy said, "and the legislators cannot proceed with granting it or legalizing it under the assumption that physicians will participate....the healers of Canada... should not be represented as the killers of Canada." Ontario Medical Association health policy director Dr. Ted Broadway was disappointed with the vote, arguing that the decision to end a life should rest with the doctor and his patient. And ethics committee chairman Dr. Douglas Sawyer argues that even though doctors have voted against euthanasia, the issue will not go away. But Quebec Corporation of Physicians president Dr. Augustin Roy was pleased with the vote. He said euthanasia should not be legalized, because "it is not the role of physicians. We're there to help relieve their pain, but never to kill them.... my patients must know that when they see me coming down the hall... [it's] to provide care and not make the last visit to see them." Protesters outside the meeting agreed with the doctors' decision. They carried placards saying "No to Medical Killing" and "Doctors are for Healing, not Killing." CMA president Richard Kennedy says there is no question the vote will have an effect on lawmakers and politicians. The issue has been a divisive one in Canada, acerbated by terminally ill British Columbian woman Sue Rodriguez' highly publicized effort to have a doctor end her life. In September 1993, the Canadian Supreme Court voted 5-4 against doctor-assisted suicide. - Julian Smith ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Survey Says... YOUTH SUPPORT LIFE Gallop Youth Surveys indicates that though teens appear to be evenly divided about whether they favor abortion, the vast majority of these same young people do not approve of abortion. The analysis states: "When it comes to approval, the numbers drop even more. While some teens favor abortion rights in the abstract, many of them do not favor abortion itself." Also, statistics indicate that the youth felt that when a teenage girl 16 or under becomes pregnant, 59% rated abortion as a "poor" option while only 4% rate it as an excellent option. The survey gave strong credence to the case that educational activities, such as those conducted by ACL and other pro-life groups, can really have an impact on producing pro-life indiviuals. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6) Late Submission: Peaceful Picket of Milwaukee Abortionist Approximately 150 abortion protestors gathered during a torrential downpour for a one-hour picket outside the home of Milwaukee abortionist Paul Seamars located at 1053 Waterville Road in Oconomowoc, MI. The Town of Summit Police Chief James Race said the event went "smoothly." Over 11 officers from surrounding communities set up a police line around Seamars' property and a command center of at least 6 police and fire vehicles was positioned nearby in a location unobservable by the protestors. The Aug. 18 event was sponsored by Missionaries to the Preborn. "We are here to tell the neighbors of Paul Seamars what he does for a living and that is kill innocent boys and girls," stated MTP spokesperson Jane Schmidt. The only incident at the event was a strange one: one arrest, with no charges: Robert Braun, of West Allis, was arrested for carrying a picket sign with a stick, according to a witnesses. He was detained in jail until 12:00 PM the following day and then was released without being charged. Braun claims the police were unable to cite an ordinance or law that warranted his arrest or that prohibited his sign. Future pickets, sponsored by Citizens For Life, are planned for Sept. 7 and 8 outside of Planned Parenthood located at 302 North Jackson Street in Milwaukee. For more information on these events or how to participate, contact Tim Ruchti <74002.3147@compuserve.com>. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) What Works: Explain the Ads... One of the most devastating ads against the pro choice position is the new AT&T add showing an expectant mother putting the telephone to her womb so her husband can hear the baby. In the background, we see a sonongram of the fetus moving around and kicking. He looks human and acts human, therefore he should be provided with full protection of the law. There's also the case of what happens during an abortion. The child is forcibly dismembered. I wish a sharp lawyer would make a case that abortion is tantamount to a botched birth resulting in death. People get very queasy when faced with the particulars of what actually happens during an abortion. - Lou Nunez ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) Announcements "Mercy killing. Doctor-assisted suicide. The right to die." Euthanasia proponents promote death as the answer to suffering and want doctors to have the freedom to 'help' patients die. Beginning Sept. 5, joing 'Family News in Focus' for a powerful series of reports on *Euthanasia: The Right to Die or the Right to Kill?* "Family News in Focus" is carried on many Christian radio stations nationwide. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9) New On-Line Resources: There have been a few recent additions to our archives: "FACE - Some Responses" Conservative and Liberal opinions opposing the passage of the FACE (Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances) law. Contains lots of good quotes. Includes the ACLU's response on the constitutionality of FACE. [ Ask for "FACEResponses" ] "Better Dead than Fed?" This NR article gives the story of Michael Martin, a brain-damaged 51 year old man who is the center of a legal controversy over the use of feeding tubes. Though able to respond, the courts have declared Martin mentally incompetent, and sided with his wife and her request to have his feeding tube removed. [ Ask for "DeadThanFed.nr" ] "Comparison of medical abortion with surgical vacuum aspiration" Scottish Medical Researchers' comparison of women's preference for surgical vs. chemical abortive methods. Includes some interesting references on the frequency of abortions in the UK, particulalry that only one-third of abortions are in the first nine weeks, at least in England. [ Ask for "BrMedJournal.sept93"] "The Media List" This is a current list of email addresses for common Radio, Newspaper and other media contacts in the United States. Very useful for sending press releases and letters to editors. [ Ask for "MediaEmailList" ] "The College Right-to-Life Handbook" The 1985 edition of the College Right-to-life Handbook. This book is a practical guide and a handy resource for anyone trying to start a pro-life group on a college campus, written by a college pro-lifer who has helped dozens of college right-to-life groups get started. Some of the resources in the appendix are a bit dated. In four files. [ Ask for "Intro+TOC.CRTLM", "Section1.CRTLM", "Section2.CRTLM", and "Appencicies.CRTLM" ] This is also available as a single, 145-pp Postscript file, suitable for printing [Ask for "CollegeRTLMan.ps"]. "Now's the time to defend our borders" Discusses the importation of RU 486 into the US and the targets for a nationwide boycott of involved drug companies. Includes a list of products to boycott as well as a list of addresses of the CEOs of these drug companies to write letters to explaining you are participating in a boycott. [ Ask for "RU486boycott.fof" ] "An open letter to President Clinton, Population Enrichment vs. Population Control" This letter (actually a full page paid advertisement in the _New York Times_) advises against the current position of the US with respect to the Cairo conference. Among the many noteable signers are Michael Novak, Gov. Bob Casey, Ralph Reed, Bowie Kuhn, and Sargent Shriver. [Ask for "OpenLetter.nyt"] To request any of the above items, please send a list of items by title to the editor, eg.: "Please send v4n7, BethanyHotline, ItsTooLate" To request a copy of the list of available resources, please ask for "v4Topics". These and other on-Line resources are also available via the World Wide Web at URL "http://www.pitt.edu/~stfst/pln/AboutPLN.html, or via anonymous from or in the directory "/afs/pitt.edu/public/users/s/t/stfst/pln". Comming Soon: _The College Right-to-Life Handbook_!! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10) Reader Comments *ProLife Bands* Dear Steve and fellow prolife netsurfers: I'm a new subscriber to the expanded list (I'm an Internet ProLife Journal holdover) and I'm really excited to be a part of this group. I'm sure many of you have heard through various media outlets about pro-abortion and AIDS benefit concerts and albums (Rock for Choice, etc.), but little or nothing about pro-life benefit projects of the same kind. Until a week ago, I wasn't sure they even existed, but THEY DO. Last weekend I talked to a few exhibitors at the "Summer Praise '94" festival in Burbank, CA and discovered that there are indeed a few groups that get together to put on "Rock for Life" concerts. There is even a group that sets up an information booth at the Lollapalooza festivals every year. The prolife movement really seems to have taken a beating lately, but we have a tremendous opportunity to help girls and women in crisis pregnancies and their unborn children by raising money for crisis pregnancy centers and generating POSITIVE publicity through these kinds of fundraisers and benefit concerts. Here in California (and elsewhere), the "Walk for Life" is quickly becoming an annual tradition, and we can begin to expand on this idea through "Rock for Life" and "Dance for Life" projects. In order to do this, we need to forge an alliance among prolife organizations, prolife artists in the music industry, and their fans (yours truly included). If anyone out there is interested in becoming involved in this facet of the prolife movement, or if you have information or experience in this sort of thing, please contact me. I'm not part of an organization or company, but I would very much like to be (recent college graduate). I'm especially interested in working with locals (Southern California). - Brenda McCormick Tujunga, CA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote of the Month: "We shouldn't advertise something we know to be a poison and a killer." - Dr. Joycelyn Elders, US Surgeon general who opposes tobacco advertisements but supports government-sponsored condom ads and the importation of RU-486. _USA Today_, Feb 25, 1994 +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Credits: | | 4 - Sources are the Toronto newspapers for Aug. 17, 1994. | | 5 - American Collegians for Life Info Bulletin V1 N6, August 11, 1994. | | Many thanks to reader Steve Ertelt, ACL Newsletter Editor. | | 6 - From _The Christian Interpreter_ press release dated Tue., August 23, | | 1994. P.O. Box 25318 Milwaukee, WI 53225 FAX:(414) 255-0220 VOICE: | | (414) 442-1120 Many thanks to reader Tim Ruchti. | | 8 - Euthanasia Radio Special via Landon Cox and "The Focus On The Family | | List" . | |QOM - Many thanks to reader Eric Ewanco. | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ Anyone desiring information on specific prolife groups, literature, or help with problems is encouraged to contact the editor. For those on the web, there is a preliminary WWW page available at URL