file: /pub/resources/text/ProLife.News: pln-0415.txt ---------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Life Communications - Volume 4, No. 15 September, 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) Across the Pond: An Eyewitness Report from Cairo I just returned from International Population and Development Conference (IPCD) in Cairo. I suspect, from what little I have so far seen and heard, that the press in the U.S. missed the point by a pretty wide margin. The opposition there was so thick you could feel it. Not just from Egyptians themselves [anyone hear about this from the Western Press?] but from virtually every representative of any southern-hemisphere non-governmental organization that was not under contract with the international aid network. Muslims, Catholics, Orthodox Christians, developing country feminists, Marxists, civil libertarians, Pan-Africanists, etc. all took basically the same position as the Vatican on the issues of population control and development. There were more than a few amusing moments when the "big-shots" got caught off guard. A Jamaican reporter based in London went to every press conference and asked the same question. Every time, he got a different answer/evasion. He simply wanted to know if it wasn't true that a period of rapid population growth has not historically preceded development in every industrial country of the world; if Africa did not in fact need to multiply its people ten times over to reach the population density of Europe; and if the same institutions that support population control programs are not undermining development with their financial policies being imposed on the southern hemisphere. Finally, they got so paranoid that the literally pulled the plug on his microphone during the Q&A session. Then there were the embarrassing questions like - `if the program of action demands that all family planning campaigns stress voluntarism, what are they going to do to stop forced birth control in China?' It should come as no surprise that their answer was "nothing," wrapped in fancy words, of course. - Elizabeth Mufeedah [ A disturbing news piece from Cairo concerns the needless arrest of three pro-life Americans at the IPDC on the authority of Undersecretary of State Tim Wirth. Please request the resource file "DesperateMeans.wan" for more information. Various U.S. Media sources report that "the Vatican" was successful in getting _most_ of the abortion language removed from the IPDC _Program of Action_, and even a statement to the effect the abortion is not to be used as a means of birth control. But then no matter what the _program of action_ from this conference says, there will be another one forthcomming - and guess who's hosting the next one? Beijing, PRC. Ed.] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2) The Domestic Front: In these United States *Florida mother shoots unborn baby* A Florida woman has been charged with murder for allegedly killing her 6-month-old fetus by shooting herself in the womb. She claimed she shot herself and her child because she didn't have enough money for an abortion. Her baby girl, wounded in the wrist from the shooting, was delivered March 27 by emergency Caesarean section. After a week, the baby girl's underdeveloped kidneys began to fail and she died April 11. The mother, Kawana Michele Ashley, 19, was charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter. Ashley, who has a 3-year-old son, was turned down for an abortion at a St. Petersburg clinic because she did not have enough money. Area clinics said an abortion performed 20 weeks into pregnancy can cost $1,300 to $1,800. Faced with this refusal, Ashley threatened to shoot herself - and according to court records, she fired a .22-caliber pistol into the right side of her womb. Police delayed the charges because of the complications of the case. However, Florida law states that a viable fetus _is_ considered a person, clearing the way for a manslaughter charge. The third-degree murder charge is based on a death resulting from an illegal act: In this case, an illegal abortion. *Supreme Court says content counts* In the recent _Madsen v. Women's Health Center_ decision, the US Supreme Court allowed most of an injunction that prohibits pro-life speech within 36 feet of an abortion clinic. This included upholding sections of the injunction that clearly would have failed traditional content-neutrality and viewpoint-neutrality tests. In his dissent from the case, Justice Anthony Kennedy, not normally a pro-life supporter, accused the Court of sacrificing the First Amendment right to free speech on the altar of abortion. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3) ProLife Profile: Media Associates Resource Coalition (MARC) Media Associates Resource Coalition: A New Organization to Match Skills With Pro-Life Needs A group of media professionals who have taken a stand against abortion have combined their talents to provide a personnel referral and networking service to help pro-family and pro-life organizations develop more effective communication and educational campaigns. Media Associates Resource Coalition (MARC), a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, began operating in 1992 and is already expanding to provide national service. Through personal contacts, advertisements and news releases the organization is identifying pro-life and pro-family artists, photographers, musicians, writers, graphic designers, broadcasters, computer specialists, marketing and public relations professionals and others in the communication arts and technologies. These individuals, called Media Associates, are interested in working with or providing professional services to local pro-life and pro-family organizations. With the support of these individuals, many groups gain access to equal and fair publicity and more effectively promote their cause. To network pro-life media professionals with local organizations, MARC is developing and managing a computer archive of information about media artists and communication specialists who agree to consult, advise and in many cases volunteer their professional services to pro-life and pro-family groups in their own communities. Media Associates don't have to hold a particular belief, be a member of any church or political party, or be affiliated with any organization or group to serve. They only have to believe that abortion on demand is abhorrent and ethically, medically and constitutionally indefensible. Currently MARC is expanding the referral service to all 50 states and is searching for individuals whose careers or creative interests are in all media, communications, art, and technology fields. Individuals who wish to receive more information should contact: Jean A. Elmore, Executive Director Media Associates Resource Coalition, Inc. P.O. Box 5100, Zionsville, IN 46077-5100 Phone and FAX: (317) 873-6649 [ Based on a phone conversation with Mrs. Elmore, they are looking for computer and networking volunteers too... Please consider contacting them...] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4) Long Distance for Life? Most everyone in the US knows about the big contenders since the breakup of the "death star" AT&T: MCI, Sprint, and of course, AT&T. People ask about deciding on long-distance phone services because both AT&T and MCI donate funds to causes and organizations which advocate positions with which they disagree entirely. For example, this is AT&T, one of those firms that doesn't support Planned Parenthood explicitly: > AMERICAN TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH (AT&T) > > CEO: Robert E. Allen > Address: 32 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10013-2412 > Telephone: (212) 387-5400 > Products: Telecommunications, information, and management > Sales and rank: $63,089,000,000; 5 > Contributions: $31,946,736 (from the AT&T Foundation) > Distribution: Education (49%); Health and Social Action (34%); Arts and > Culture (15%); Public Policy (1%); International (1%) Some AT&T Fund Recipients: * Children's Defense Fund ($50,000) * Trilaterial Commission ($10,000) - an international organization working to support the New World Order * Gay Men's Health Crisis ($25,000) - supports gay/lesbian issues, AIDS advocacy, condom distribution * NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund ($25,000) * National Council of La Raza ($50,000) - a liberal hispanic organization * National Puerto Rican Coalition ($20,000) - a liberal organization supporting Puerto Rican concerns and advocating Puerto Rican statehood * National Women's Law Center ($15,000) * NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund ($10,000) * Women's Research and education Institute ($20,000) - provides the government and other organizations with "information" supporting women's issues (including abortion) * Women and Foundations/Corporate Philanthropy ($5,000) Sources: - Letter dated November 10, 1992, Corporate Secretary Sam A. Gronner and responded with information from the AT&T Foundation. - _AT&T Corporate Citizenship: A Work in Progress 1990-91 Report, 990-PF_ (AT&T Foundation copy loaned for use). So is there a Pro-Life response to this? You bet! And more than one! *AmeriVision Communications* Seizing a chance to take a moral stand and open new fund-raising channels, more than 1,200 organizations identified with the religious right have signed on to promote _LifeLine_ - the nation's first long-distance service "built on Biblical values and centered around the Lord Jesus Christ." Call it Dial-A-Doctrine. _LifeLine_ donates 10 percent of its long-distance billings to organizations that oppose abortion, homosexual rights, and pornography, and that espouse the pro-family agenda of the religious right. AmeriVision Communications, which created _LifeLine_, was founded five years ago in Oklahoma City by Carl Thompson and president Tracy Feeny. Over the last year, it has grown fivefold and has more than $12 million in annual gross billings. "Our vision is to sign up 3.5 million customers in the next five years and put $84 million back into the Kingdom of God," said Thompson, 46. Interested in finding out what _LifeLine_ is about? Call 1-800-493-2002. *Telenational Communications* One of the fastest growing telecommunications companies in the United States, Telenational has a reputation for quality, low cost service. Telenational is important because they offer the "Long Distance Fund" in which consumers have 8% (less taxes) of their phone bill donated to National Right to Life. This comes at no cost to you - as it is simply a deduction from part of your monthly payment. They also have an exciting feature in their residential program that charges you in six second increments rather than full minutes. This saves you additional money. Currently National Right to Life uses Telenational. If you have ever called them, you know of their sophisticated, well-performing phone system. NRLC figures that the average monthly phone bill is around $25. From that $25, NRLC receives $2, and if 50,000 people took advantage of this it would provide an extra $100,000 per month in revenue for National Right to Life. For more information on Telenational, call them at 1-800-886-FUND. They will be able to answer your questions and give you all the information you need. Also, you may ask them for a special business package for long-distance services for your commercial use. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5) Announcements: *24th bi-annual PaIFL College Pro-Life Convention - Oct. 7-9* at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA. Hear experienced pro-life speakers, attend practical, college-oriented workshops, learn what works on other campuses, meet new friends, and have a great time - all for $17. Registration includes Saturday's meals, convention materials, and housing. Bring another $10 to buy the convention T-shirt: "The Top Ten Reasons to be Pro-Life." Pre-pay before Oct. 1st and the fee is only $14. For more information contact Darlene Dreyer (610) 758-0104, Tim Burns (412) 676-2224 or Rebecca Sicree (814) 867-6263. Rebecca may also be reached at If you anticipate transportation problems, call the IFL at (814) 867-6263 ASAP to see if rides can be arranged with other pro-lifers comming to the convention. Outside donations to help defray convention and transportation costs are always appreciated. Please write "Intercollegiate Federation for Life" at IFL Box 10664, State College, PA 16805. *Write for Life Contest* Metro Right to Life is sponsoring the first annual "write for life" contest. The submission must be an article published in a secular, non-religious publication (other than a right-to-life publication) and must communicate the pro-life message in a thought-provoking manner. First prize is $10,000, second $3,000, third, $1,500 and ten prizes of $100. Articles and inquiries may be submitted to Metro Right to Life, Write for Life, 9001 Arbor St., Suite 104, Omaha, NE 68124-2064; phone (402) 399-0299. Or contact Ms. Joyce Swaney at (412) 429-8574 for a copy of the announcement. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7) Reader Questions: PLNews Reader Feedback Requested: Commentary and criticism is requested for a proposed more aggressive glossary of terms for pro-lifers to use in the ongoing struggle. The glossary is based on identification of the philosophy of "Abortionism" as detailed in a companion article. If you would be interested in reviewing these items please send email to , or ask for the files "Abortionism.lem" and "AbortionismGlossary" from the editor. - Your feedback would be much appreciated. Al Lemmo ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8) New On-Line Resources: *United Nations Population Documents On-Line* Do you have access to a Gopher server? Or the Web? I found the UN Gopher, and they have some stuff from the recent IPDC, and there's sure to be more. The gopher to look at is: . Look at their "other UN and related Gophers" directory and then look for POPIN or from Mosaic: and if you don't have access to gopher... there is a 'mail-enabled' interface to information on this Gopher. To receive instructions on how to use it, send a message to: . A message will be sent back with the main menu on this Gopher. Particular items may be retrieved by replying to that message with an 'x' next to the requested item. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- There have been a few recent additions to our archives: "Feminazi, Tim Wirth Team up to have Rescuer Arrested" A little-reported news piece about the groundless arrest of a member of Operation Rescue, a journalist and a lawyer at the IPDC Conference in Cairo, Egypt. The arrest was apparently made on the order of Undersecretary of State Tim Wirth, in consultation with the VP of the National Organization of Women. [ Ask for "DesperateMeans.wan" ] "Let Them Eat Contraceptives" A (mostly) tongue-in-cheek satire of the modern-day Malthusians; This becomes a little more pointed in light of the recent IPDC held in Cairo, and the neo-malthusian policies that many Western nations tried to force on poorer nations. If you are interested in a little population sick-humor, please read on.... [ Ask for "MalthusianDining.bao" ] "Free Advice" - Commentary on Democracy and Population Control, from the third-world perspective. [ Ask for "FreeAdvice.bao" ] "US House of Representatives Email Addresses" Public email addresses for members of the U.S. House of Representatives, as of July, 1994. [ Ask for "USHouseEmail.94" ] "Abortionism - America's New Established State Religion" In-depth commentary on the destructive philosophy of abortionism, and how it pervades American society and has gained special protection from the government. [ Ask for "Abortionism.lem" ] "A Glossary of Terms Essential to Understanding the Abortion Controversy" Terms common to the abortion controversy, and definitions (some humorous) that highlight the destructive philosophy of abortionism. [ Ask for "AbortionismGlossary" ] To request any of the above items, please send a list of items by title to the editor, eg.: "Please send v4n7, SciForLife.Jan94, ClintonCare.frc" 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". ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote of the Month: "My parents, who are pro-life liberals, have their car covered with bumper stickers advocating causes ranging from saving whales to ending nuclear power to promoting disarmament to supporting Palestinian statehood. Yet it is only their antiabortion stickers that get routinely torn off." - Stephen Zunes +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | Credits: | | 2 - Florida sources included a 12 Sept. AP and _Florida Today Newspaper_ | | (Melbourne, Fl) reports. Many thanks to readers Sean Smith, and Jim M..| | Supreme Court sources include the 9 September 1994 _Washington Watch, | | v5n9 published by the Family Research Council. | | 3 - Many thanks to reader Phil McLane. | | 4 - _LifeLine_ Information is largely from a Steve Goldstein article that | | appeared around Aug.4,1994 in the Duluth, MN _Knight-Ridder Newspapers_| | Many thanks to reader Chris Miller. Telenational and AT&T information | | thanks to Steve Ertelt. | | 5 - Announcements taken from _The Pro-Life Collegian_,September, 1994, | | newsletter of the Intercollegiate Federation for Life, PO Box 10664 | | State College, PA 16805. | |QOM - Many thanks to reader Bob Tatz. Quoted from _The Washington Post_ | | June 14, 1994 | +-----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ 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 at