October, 2010

MATC referendum will further embryonic stem cell research

  • October 29, 2010
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For Madison voters, a $133.8 million referendum awaits their Yes or No vote on November 2. If approved, the referendum will allow Madison Area Technical College “to raise taxes on area property owners to fund $133.8 million in new building projects and upgrades to MATC’s campuses throughout the region,” according to an October 25 article in The Capital Times.

The Capital Times article is vague about what, exactly, the $133.8 million will be used to fund. There is this innocuous line, “At the top of the wish list for the college’s expansion hopes is a $43.1 million health education building and clinic.”

Sounds great. Those in favor of the referendum go back to the old appeals of, “Who doesn’t want better schools? Our youth deserves the best taxpayer dollars can buy them!”

What we know is this: MATC currently does embryonic stem cell research [ESCR]. Not too many people are aware of this, as UW-Madison is mostly viewed as the big, bad lone wolf in town that does embryonic stem cell research.

A December 2, 2009 press release confirms MATC’s foray into the ESCR world, “Madison’s community college has established an advanced degree that educates students on the basics of working with human embryonic stem cells. It’s thought to be the only program at a college of this kind that offers hands-on experience with human embryonic stem cells.”

How cute… students can have “hands-on experience” killing tiny, tiny human beings. On taxpayer dollars none the less, as MATC is currently taxpayer-funded.

The MATC stem cell website has this picture of a human embryonic cell:

[Photo credit MATC] This is a photograph of an undifferentiated human embryonic cell stained with fluorescent MitoTracker Orange CMTMRos to visualize mitochondria (red). The cell is plated on a mouse embryo fibroblast (MEF) feeder layer.

This referendum will allow MATC to further its embryonic stem cell research, killing even more tiny human beings. An August 27 Rasmussen poll showed only one-third of U.S. voters approved of taxpayer-funded embryonic stem cell research. If you’re part of the two-thirds majority, let your ballot do the talking.

Why NARAL thinks you should vote for Tom Barrett

  • October 29, 2010
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Recently, NARAL Pro-Choice America solicited suggestions for a slogan to print on bumper stickers for a Washington, D.C. rally that will be held this Saturday. Read more about that on Jill Stanek’s blog here.

NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin, not to be outdone, picked up on the contest and held its own. NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin (apparently) asked people from around Wisconsin why they will be voting for pro-abortion gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett on Nov. 2.

A list of the responses NARAL found suitable for publishing (click on the image to enlarge):

None of these strike fear into this pro-lifer’s heart… and are these thought bubbles the best thing Wisconsin’s pro-abortion lobby can put out there?

If the birth control hysteria is brought up enough times, eventually it loses its shock value. That can only work in pro-lifers’ favor, since we’re all opposed to 15-year-old children receiving taxpayer-funded birth control behind their parents’ backs.

Regarding this response:
 I am a woman who supports a woman’s choice.
I am a mother who supports a woman’s choice.
I am a grandmother who supports a woman’s choice.
Candidate for governor Tom Barrett? My choice.

That sounds rather cold and uncaring. Wouldn’t it be difficult to hug your grandmother if you knew she would be in favor of your death if your conception occurred at an inopportune time?

What do “deathscorts” do on their day off?

  • October 25, 2010
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The term “deathscort” is given to the pro-abortion men and women who act as escorts for those seeking entry into abortion mills. As volunteers, these people believe they are protecting women by taking them by the hand to lead them into the abortion mills.

Affiliated Medical Services, Milwaukee’s only abortion facility usually open on Saturdays, was closed this past Saturday. This is great news, as Affiliated normally performs 10-15 abortions on a Saturday.

Two deathscorts (see picture, left) and one Affiliated Medical Services worker staged a three-person pro-abortion rally on the other side of the street, in front of a pro-life crisis pregnancy center. It is sad that their commitment to the pro-abortion cause runs so deep they feel compelled to return to the abortion mill on a day when it is closed. Pro-life sidewalk counselors attempt to minister not only to those entering the abortion mill, but also to the workers and escorts. Please keep everyone in your prayers, so that hearts may be softened.

40 Days for Life is observed in front of Affiliated Medical Services in Milwaukee, and this is the last week of 40 Days for Life. Fourteen babies have been saved through Milwaukee’s 40 Days for Life so far this fall!

In the picture to the left, Pro-Life Wisconsin’s Virginia Zignego (left) and Peggy Hamill (right) are with Dan Miller, the Milwaukee 40 Days for Life coordinator. The vests say “Parenthood Volunteer” and are a pro-life take on the vests the abortion facility volunteers wear.

Please – join 40 Days for Life today as we celebrate the joy of life and offer women love and hope outside Wisconsin’s abortion mills. There’s only one week left! If you can’t join us, keep us in your prayers.

Cedarburg School Board votes for parental “opt-in” on sensitive sex-ed issues

  • October 18, 2010
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Last February, Governor Doyle signed Assembly Bill 458 into law as 2009 Wisconsin Act 134. The new law effectively prohibits local public school districts from adopting “abstinence-only” human growth and development programs. Under Act 134, if a school district chooses to adopt a human growth and development program it would be forced to include in its curriculum instruction on the “health benefits, side effects, and proper use of contraceptives and barrier methods.” Parents are allowed to opt their children out of the program.

Planned Parenthood lobbied heavily for this law to be passed. For a sample form to file with your school to opt your child(ren) out of sex ed, click here.

The Cedarburg School Board has responded by voting to require parents to opt their children in to the most sensitive areas of sexual education instruction:  intercourse, contraception, abortion, homosexuality and masturbation. The Department of Public Instruction may challenge this policy if they receive a citizen complaint, arguing that it may not meet the letter of the law. See the full Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article here.

The state law’s one-size-fits-all state mandate has understandably angered many local human growth and development advisory committees, comprised of parents, clergy, physicians and other area professionals, who under previous law had the freedom to craft sexual education curricula that reflected the values and goals of their communities.

Pro-Life Wisconsin is urging public school districts across Wisconsin to drop their human growth and development programs. Forcing contraceptive education and instruction into our public schools sexualizes our children. Chastity/abstinence is the only message that will protect their bodies and preserve their innocence. If a school district retains or initiates a program, we urge parents to opt their children out of the program and either teach chastity/abstinence themselves or find a private program that does.

Short of a school district fully dropping their program, we support a parental opt-in because it offers greater protection for parents and children. We applaud the Cedarburg School Board for making the best of a bad situation.

No one ever accused Planned Parenthood of being classy…

  • October 15, 2010
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The subject of Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin’s email this morning was, “WTF Scott Walker!?”

Way to keep things classy and professional, guys.

Considering PPWI’s attempts to cater to teens and young adults, their choice of language isn’t surprising – “WTF” is an acronym usually reserved for Facebook, YouTube and the like. Apparently, PPWI is incapable of crafting a message for the political arena. Or do they figure their audience is incapable of understanding such a message?

This looks like a last, desperate attempt to stir up hysteria around Walker and pro-abortion Tom Barrett. With the liberal Wisconsin State Journal‘s endorsement of Scott Walker, the writing for the Nov. 2 gubernatorial election seems to be on the wall.

Outgoing Gov. Doyle most known for his dedication to Planned Parenthood’s agenda

  • October 14, 2010
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Pro-Life Wisconsin has never shied away from (peaceful, non-violent) pro-life activism –pickets, rallies, sidewalk counseling, 40 Days for Life and so on.

Often results of our efforts are very tangible, such as the ten saved babies Milwaukee’s 40 Days for Life has been blessed with so far this fall (!!). But when there are no visible results, it can be disheartening at times.

This summer, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin flew in Cecile Richards to host fundraisers in Milwaukee and Madison for gubernatorial candidate Tom Barrett. We weren’t amazed to see that current Governor Jim Doyle was going to be receiving a “lifetime achievement award” from Planned Parenthood.

Pro-Life Wisconsin peacefully and prayerfully protested both of Planned Parenthood’s fundraisers. You can view pictures here. Other than pro-life blogs and pro-life news sites, not much made the press about the fundraisers or Pro-Life Wisconsin’s presence there. Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin wasn’t happy about our protests, as we found out when PPWI sent an email to supporters, encouraging them to make a donation in Pro-Life Wisconsin’s name.

So it was a bit of a surprise to read The Capital Times yesterday and see the paper’s “final report card” article on Gov. Doyle’s time in office. The opening paragraph:

Of all the offenses listed against Doyle’s time in office – the lack of respect shown for his fellow lawmakers, the ethical questions, the raiding of the transportation fund, etc – a dig about “the handful of protestors” made the opening line. The reporter who wrote the article did not speak to us at the protests, nor were pictures taken by anyone other than Pro-Life Wisconsin, but somehow The Capital Times felt qualified to put our numbers down for a “handful.” As far as Planned Parenthood’s attendees – we counted. A rather unimpressive total of 160 for the Madison event. Somehow that qualifies as “hundreds.”

To all of you who join us in protest or prayer, thank you! Gov. Doyle, Planned Parenthood and The Capital Times, it appears, are watching. We must stand as a witness.

Would you eat dinner on Planned Parenthood placemats?

  • October 12, 2010
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Today on its Facebook page, Planned Parenthood Federation of America highlighted an “educational” effort by Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota [PPMNS].

PPMNS is encouraging the use of… Planned Parenthood placemats for the dinner table.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s 2007-08 annual report lists 305,310 abortions performed in 2007. That’s 305,310 children who should be eating dinner with their parents.

Add this to the list of tasteless things Planned Parenthood has done – such as gift cards to be used for abortions, its “Choice on Earth” Christmas campaign, and so on.

Do parents really need Planned Parenthood’s suggestions on how to communicate with their children? Parents’ skin should crawl at the prospect of Planned Parenthood at the dinner table. Would you lose your appetite when you saw something red?

Planned Parenthood’s effort to increase communication between parents and children is ironic at best. Planned Parenthood’s desire for parental communication ends at the doorstep of its abortion facilities. Planned Parenthood has consistently made headlines for covering up purported statutory rape, opposing parental notification laws and pushing birth control to teens and preteens.

Pro-life marathon runners

  • October 11, 2010
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Here’s another way to publicly show your pro-life spirit, get some exercise and have fun in the process – run a marathon!

Last week, we told you about Julie and Paul Frank, who were planning to run the Chicago Marathon in support of Pro-Life Wisconsin. Read more here.

The Chicago Marathon was this past Sunday, and the Franks finished for the second year in a row! The picture to the left is of Julie and Paul Frank after they finished the 26.2 mile marathon.

Here’s what Julie Frank had to say:
I was so inspired to hear many other runners compliment me on my shirt, which stated “Running for the Unborn.. Pro-Life Wisconsin.” They really helped keep me going! One man even stated that he thought there were no pro-life people in Wisconsin and he was glad to see one! I thank God for the opportunity to do this.

18,986 abortions in 34 years

  • October 10, 2010
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Today’s Wisconsin State Journal features a follow-up article focusing on the Women’s Fund. Read it here.

The sole purpose of the Women’s Fund is to pay for poor women’s abortions. At the time of the August 22 printing, the Women’s Fund had paid for 18,986 abortions in 34 years. Read the original article here.

Anne Nicol Gaylor, administrator of the Women’s Fund, claimed in today’s article the fund has taken in $50,000 in the past six weeks.

Last Thanksgiving, Gaylor wrote a fundraising letter to donors stating, “Of the 632 women the fund has helped so far this year, 147 were teenagers. Of these, nine were only 13 years old, and one, not yet a teen, was just 12!”

There is something wrong with this world when an article about a abortion-funding charity inspires a donor to write a check for $10,000.  How exactly does a 12-year-old child’s abortion cause someone to whip out their checkbook?

What Gaylor fails to grasp is how far-reaching her actions are. Does Gaylor also provide for post-abortion counseling? Does Gaylor work to ensure that 12-year-olds are removed from the situation that resulted in their underage pregnancy?

What happens in the world when a life is ended before it has begun outside the womb? A gap exists forever, in more ways than we know.

Elizabeth Garibaldi, head of the La Crosse 40 Days for Life, has spoken openly about learning she was adopted as she was caring for her dying mother. Her birth mother was 14 when she had Elizabeth.

Pro-Life Wisconsin encountered a similar situation last February. The best friend of a 15-year-old girl called our office in a panic looking for pro-life crisis pregnancy counseling. The teen’s mother was pushing her daughter to have an abortion. Having been pregnant herself at 16, the mother said she did not want her daughter to wind up with the same mistake – as a teenage mom. Thanks to the efforts of a pro-life pregnancy counselor and the courage of the baby’s paternal grandparents, a little boy celebrated his one-year birthday this summer with his adoptive family.

This May, Pro-Life Wisconsin and 40 Days for Life of Madison held a pro-life baby shower for a family who chose life for their baby, after a sidewalk counselor intervened outside Planned Parenthood.

There are stories like this all around the country.

If Elizabeth Garibaldi’s mother had contacted the Women’s Fund for money to pay for an abortion, where would 40 Days for Life in La Crosse be today? These and so many more are the faces Anne Nicol Gaylor is intent on exterminating – people that have an opportunity to do something, be someone, have children, live life. Why is Anne Nicol Gaylor so intent on ridding the world of poor women’s babies?

The follow-up article also references legal action taken against the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel due to a pro-life opinion column the paper printed. Not surprisingly, the Women’s Fund, like most pro-abortion activists, is also in favor of stifling debate. As does NARAL, the Women’s Fund is only in favor of “choice” when it comes to killing babies. Read more about NARAL’s attempt to censor the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel here.

Is Life Chain too graphic for a nine-year-old?

  • October 8, 2010
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We received another email this week that provides an opportunity for discussion. This email concerns Life Chain, which occurred across the country last Sunday:

Upon returning to La Crosse today from some time away with my family, I was greeted by hundreds of people holding signs on Losey Blvd. Many of these signs said “Abortion Kills Children.” In my car were my children, ages 9 and 5, both of whom can read. While I wholeheartedly support your freedom to champion your views, which you and your organization obviously believe in passionately, I must question your methods.

My 9 year old immediately asked me what “abortion” was. As a parent I would have preferred to have this discussion at a time of my choosing. As it was I got to explain it to a child frightened by your confrontational signs. She was not emotionally nor intellectually ready for that discussion, particularly after being convinced that something she hadn’t heard of was out there waiting to kill her. Of course my 5 year old, who misses nothing, also was able to obtain this new information in the closeness of our car. It feels as if your mission of protecting children doesn’t apply to mine.

Our response:
Life Chain does not use graphic aborted baby pictures. So the signs this family encountered were peaceful, non-graphic signs simply stating, “Pray to end abortion” or “Abortion Kills Children.”

What is the purpose of rallies such as Life Chain?
- There is strength in numbers. Imagine how impressive it is to see “hundreds” of young people, families, elderly and so on standing in prayer for the preborn;
- Gathering in prayer in Christ’s name can only bring about good;
- Evangelization;
- It is important to make people think. Only when America sees abortion will America end abortion.

Would you rather confront people with the reality of what is happening in our world – 1.5 MILLION babies are aborted in the U.S. alone every year – or ignore it, due to the possibility of offending someone?

We choose to confront people with that reality. This is our world, and if we want to leave it a better place, we need to stand up for what we believe in. If pro-lifers hide in their homes, nothing will be changed. Babies will still be aborted, women will still be hurt and lives will still be destroyed.

Is the below picture too graphic?

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