Boston rocks!

Just when it can be annoying to live in the Boston area, a story like this appears.  God bless the Gundrums, little Dominic, the family who hosted them, and the medical team at Children's.  Anne Disabled Baby Will Walk, Talk After Parents Rejected Abortion by Steven Ertelt | Boston, MA | LifeNews.com | 1/30/13 7:25 PM The Boston Globe has a report on an amazing story of a couple who rejected an abortion of their very disabled baby and are glad they did so. "Dominic Pio Gundrum was born with a rare disorder in which part of his brain was exposed," the newspaper reports. Despite suggestions to have an abortion, the parents chose not to and, following surgeries, doctors now say he will walk and talk. Mary Gundrum, 20 weeks pregnant, was excited when an ultrasound revealed that she was going to have a baby boy. Then she looked closer and said, "What's that in front of his face?" "That," the doctor replied somberly, "is a problem." The news was grim. The fetus had an encephalocele, a rare disorder in which part of the brain was exposed, covered in skin, outside the head. In this case, the brain was growing down into the roof of the mouth and protruding onto the face. If Gundrum decided to continue the pregnancy, she and her husband, Mark, were told, the baby might not make it to birth. Or he might be born, but die a few hours later. Or he might be severely disabled. Though Gundrum's pregnancy posed an extraordinary challenge, the painful decision of whether to continue a pregnancy when things go terribly wrong is one many couples face as prenatal tests become so routine and so accurate. For any parent, it is a moment of dread and anguish. The Gundrums, devout Catholics and the parents of seven other children, decided to continue the uncertain pregnancy. The decision would take them from their home outside Milwaukee to Boston, where a family they had never met opened its doors and hearts to them, and where a top-notch medical team at Boston Children's Hospital performed groundbreaking surgery to help their baby. It was a journey that led them from despair to hope, one that would test them and require deep contemplation. "We did a lot of soul-searching," said Mary Gundrum, who is 40. "I was thinking, 'That's my child. It's that simple. I'm not going to take the life of my child.'?"

Invitation to 40 Days for Life Prayer Launch

From 40 Days for Life:

We were honored to announce at the Assembly, that 40 Days has added a new location: Planned Parenthood on Commonwealth Avenue in Boston.

 

Please join us to pray for the success of the campaign and an end to abortion!

Powerful Pro-Life Prayer Launch

for

40 Days for Life Campaign

Join us for sandwiches, refreshments, and fellowship

Saturday, February 2 at 6 pm 

Marian Center Betania 2

154 Summer Street

Medway, MA 02053

 

Celebration of Holy Mass at 7 pm

Followed by Exposition of the Eucharist

Fr. Dermott Roache 

 

Pro-life Speaker

Cori Connor-Morse

(MCFL Assembly for Life Speaker) 

 

Concluding with Sending Off rite

 

Kindly RSVP by Wednesday, January 30

so we will have a count for food!

 

Call Anne at 781-769-5398

Or email annie.kane4@verizon.net

 

Rita Russo

Campaign Director/Boston

617-285-4003

Jaymie the life saver and prayers for Abby

We had the most unusual Assembly for Life in our 40 years!  Thanks to Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, her family and friends it was also one of the best Assemblies we have had. As you know, we has planned to have Abby Johnson, Jaymie, the Blackstone Children's Choir, Rev. Nicholas Granitsis, Bishop Arthur Kennedy, to feature past Presidents of MCFL, and to toll the bell for those workers in the pro-life vineyard who have gone before us.  Janet Callahan did a marvelous job making all the arrangements. At 10:00 am, yesterday (Sunday) morning Abby's agent called Janet to say that Abby had a fever of 104.  We thought she had already had her baby, but she is still pregnant.  There was no way she could come.  Within the next hour Jaymie had things all arranged for a different, wonderful Assembly. We tolled the bells with Ed Boylan doing a marvelous job reading the names and the Choristers sounding the bells.  By the way, Helen Cross, our pianist and videographer also had the flu, so Ed and Ken Evans took care of taping and Ed took his usual fabulous stills.  Michael Olbash, Director of the Choir played piano. We were so fortunate to be able to have with us past Presidents Roy Scarpato, Phil Moran, Marianne Luthin, Madeline McComish, Elinor Rafferty, Anne Scarpato,and Joe Reilly as well as Kathy Healy's daughter Kathy and Ruth Pakaluk's son, Max. Rev. Granitsas opened with a wonderful invocation and then Jaymie took over.  She reminded us that it was International Holocaust Remembrance Day by playing the theme from Schindler's List on her violin (did I tell you that Jaymie is getting over the flu so couldn't do her usual singing?).  Her son,  Kyril, who is a Senior at the Newman School in Boston, played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes as he marched along the top of the balcony -  tears started. Then Jaymie had our own Cori Connor-Morse tell her story.  Many of you have been privileged to hear Cori tell of her abortion and wasted years, her repentance and forgiveness.  We know she has changed so many people who have heard her speak - more tears. Juliana Wolfe is a Seventh Grader at St. Patrick's School in Stoneham.  The Wolfes adopted her from Russia when she was three.  Her essay about her life before adoption won a prize and has been published.  She read it for us - more tears The Blackstone Children's Catholic Choir led by Michael Olbash sings Gregorian Chant, traditional hymnody, and sacred choral music with just the proper pureness of sound.  They sang beautifully - more tears. Prof. David Franks, Chairman of the MCFL Board reminded us, extemporaneously,  in rousing fashion, what each of us can do to help Mass Citizens save lives. Bishop Arthur Kennedy told us about finding in his mother's papers a letter of encouragement she had sent to Dr Joseph Stanton in 1974.  Dr Joe was the first person for whom the bell tolled, so some of the old folk teared up again.  As people dried their eyes, they agreed a good time was had by all. We have good news: Abby is scheduled to be in the area the weekend of April 13 and 14 in Framingahm and Norwood.  We'll be sending out information as the time gets closer. I will be sending you information on the Caucus in DC but I wanted to you to know right away about Abby's not being able to come. I also want to thank Margaret O'Brien, our Youth Correspondent, for her vivid, inspiring reports about the March. We all wish Abby a speedy return to good health. Thanks again to everyone, especially Jaymie, who rose to the occasion and made the Assembly great.  Anne

Margaret at the March For Life II

Hi again from Washington!   Here we are, a group of pro-lifers from Massachusetts, in line, getting ready to March For Life! The scene here is unbelievable! It is just a sea of people standing up, courageously, for life. What makes me happy is that there are tons and tons of young people, from little children, to teenagers. We are always being told that young people are all pro-abortion. What a lie! Anyone who can see this crowd would see the truth. Have to go now-the March is starting.   More later. Margaret O'Brien, MCFL Youth Correspondent

Margaret at the March For Life I

Hi, all you pro-lifers out there!   This is Margaret in Washington, DC, at the HUGE 40th annual March For Life. It's nice and cold, and a great day for a walk to represent those who have been lost to the terror of abortion.   Our delegation wanted to make sure that the politicians who are supposed to represent us actually hear the voice of the people, so about 35 of us from Massachusetts, from 5 years old and up, went to the Russell building to visit Senators John Kerry and Elizabeth Warren. Surprise! They were not in (at least that's what we were told). This was expected, since both are very anti-life. I guess they just didn't want to hear from their pro-life constituents. Nevertheless, we left them a message asking them to rethink their position. We are talking now with Senator Santorum. What an exciting day! We've still got a while before the March starts, so we're going to mingle a bit more with our other hundreds of thousands of pro-lifers!   More later. Margaret O'Brien, MCFL Youth Correspondent

Finally, something at the Inauguration worth a comment!

From FIRST THINGS:      Scalia Wears Martyr's Cap to Inauguration Monday, January 21, 2013, 10:04 PM Kevin Walsh of the University of Richmond School of Law writes: The twitterverse is alive with tweets about Justice Scalia's headgear for today's inauguration. At the risk of putting all the fun speculation to an end . . . The hat is a custom-made replica of the hat depicted in Holbein's famous portrait of St. Thomas More. It was a gift from the St. Thomas More Society of Richmond, Virginia. We presented it to him in November 2010 as a memento of his participation in our 27th annual Red Mass and dinner. Wearing the cap of a statesman who defended liberty of church and integrity of Christian conscience to the inauguration of a president whose policies have imperiled both: Make of it what you will. .

40 years today. It IS all worth it!

Robbie George, Princeton Professor says about the pro-life position,  "Like slavery, it is a matter of natural justice. To uphold that principle and insist on it in our political practice is not to 'impose religious dogma.' It is to fulfill our basic moral obligations as a society dedicated to'liberty and justice for all.'"   Billy Donovan, MCFL Board, sent this amazing video to remind us again of why we do it:   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKyljukBE70 Thank you for all you do for life!  Anne

Generous Offer to Pro-Life Marchers--Van Rentals

Jack Vercollone of VERC Car Rental has made a very generous offer to pro-lifers trying to get to the March for Life in Washington, DC on January 25. He is offering a special deal on 15 passenger vans to assist the pro-life cause to make a good showing in DC. Here are the details he provided: Here are the details for our 15 Passenger Vans going to the March for Life. Please call one of our seven VERC Car Rental offices in order to make a reservation. When calling to make a reservation please mention that you are going to the March for Life and the rental agent will know to give you the special rate of $40 a day. The $40 a day rate includes the 15 passenger van with unlimited miles, CDW (collision insurance), tax, surcharge and free additional drivers. The renter should be over 25 years old and have a major credit card. Debit cards are accepted with proof of employment and a utility bill matching address on license. There are seven VERC Car Rental locations: Quincy          617-770-0007 Weymouth    781-331-7000 Norwell         781-659-2292 Marshfield    781-837-8372 Rockland      781-878-0888 Plymouth      508-747-1997 Middleboro   508-923-0000 VERC Car Rental web site;  www.verc.com Anyone can call if they have any questions. Thank you Thank you Mr. Vercollone! -Anne

Roe v Wade Polls - Intentionally Misleading or...

1)  You may have seen the recent Pew poll (how could you not?) claiming that 63% of the people oppose overturning Roe v.Wade, etc.  Amazingly enough only 62% knew what RvW dealt with but Pew went ahead and questioned them anyway.  You'll feel better when you read these analyses.  I think you will agree with me that they tell us we must expand our educational efforts and take nothing for granted.  This is already an education year and we now know better how to proceed!  Anne http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/01/pew_distorts_americans_views_on_abortion.html http://spectator.org/archives/2013/01/17/the-meaninglessness-of-opinion 2)  Anne Marie says: "This is Deacon Greg Kandra's (diocese of Brooklyn, NY) homily for today.  Even though it addresses specific issues for NY it should be required reading!" http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2013/01/homily-for-january-20-2013-2nd-sunday-in-ordinary-time/  Gov Cuomo's proposals define hell on earth with NY state simply the prototype. 3)  We just received this video, "A Nation rises," from John-Andrew at Blackstone films which speaks for itself: "Are we really prepared to say that we're powerless in the face of such carnage? That the politics are too hard? Are we prepared to say that such violence, visited upon our children year after year after year, is somehow the price of our freedom?" - Barack Obama on the Sandy Hook Elementary School Shootings.  Watch this excellent video on  YouTube.

March may outdraw Inauguration!

The papers are full of dire predictions about the sparse crowd at the Inauguration.  Estimates are as low as 400,000 - 600,000.  Unfortunately that doesn't mean no one likes Obama, just they don't see any reason to go to DC. The March for Life, on the other hand, is being covered already by the main stream media, who are predicting the biggest crowd ever with even more young people.  That is borne out here.  We are getting calls from regular March attendees who cannot get on their usual buses because the buses are filled with young people. The March last year had 500,000.  If the inauguration has 400,000 - 600,000 and the March has more than 500,000... Wouldn't that be amazing!  Of course, pro-lifers do have a reason to go to DC.  We will be lobbying and witnessing until the Culture of Life is restored. The blue hats have arrived.  Massachusetts will be there.

Patriots' Game, Assembly... I need your help for Assembly

It works out beautifully that the Patriots play this Sunday and then, we hope, in the Super Bowl two weeks from then - leaving January 27th for the Assembly for Life.  We are so excited to have Abby Johnson, Jaymie Stuart Wolfe, the Blackstone Valley Youth Choir, Rev. Nicholas Granitsas Pastor, First Congregational Church, Revere, and Bishop Arthur Kennedy, Auxiliary Bishop of Boston, as well as the bells tolling for our fallen pro-life heroes. I need to ask you a big favor.  Would you please help publicize the Assembly?  The link below is an 8 1/2 by 11 poster.  Would you please print out some copies and post them around locally?  I know we will be getting calls the week after from people who are crushed that they missed Abby Johnson.  I am hoping the posters will remind them.  Thanks very much! Anne http://massprolife.com/mcfl_main/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/2013-Assembly-for-Life-Flyer.pdf

More than 8 in 10 Americans favor significant abortion restrictions

This article, published by the Knights of Columbus, on the Marist poll commissioned by the K of C reports very ensouraging findings.  You may click on the actual poll at the end of the article.  Happy Jan 10th!  Anne Poll Finds More than 8 in 10 Americans Favor Significant Abortion Restrictions Nearly 6 in 10 Americans View Abortion as Morally Wrong Four decades after the Supreme Court's controversial decision in Roe v. Wade legalized abortion throughout the United States, a new KofC-Marist Poll shows that more than 8 in 10 Americans (83 percent) favor significant restrictions. The poll reveals that support for significant abortion restrictions has increased by four points since last year – rising from 79 percent to 83 percent. Of the 83 percent who support significant restrictions on abortion, 10 percent believe abortion should never be permitted; 12 percent believe abortion should be allowed only to save the life of the mother; 34 percent would restrict abortion only to cases of rape or incest, or to save the life of the mother; and 27 percent would limit abortion to – at most – the first three months of pregnancy. Just 11 percent would allow abortion at any time, while 6 percent would allow it during the first six months of pregnancy. "After four decades of legalized abortion in this country, Americans have had ample time to understand that abortion has terrible consequences, said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Carl Anderson. "They understand abortion's true legacy – a child loses life, and parents lose a child. And after witnessing the effects of abortion for the past 40 years, Americans are not legally or morally comfortable with that legacy. It is time for our country to chart a new course on this issue – a course that protects both the mother and the child." The survey also found that nearly 6 in 10 Americans (58 percent) believe abortion is "morally wrong." And 84 percent of Americans say laws can protect both mothers and unborn children. "For years polls have found that Americans divide on labeling themselves as pro-life or pro-choice," said Lee Miringoff of The Marist Poll. "By asking more detailed questions about their specific views on abortion, we have been able to go beyond those labels to get a more complete picture of what Americans actually think about this issue." The newly released survey is the latest in a series of polls commissioned by the Knights of Columbus and conducted by The Marist Institute for Public Opinion. This KofC-Marist Poll data was gathered via a telephone survey of 1,246 adults residing in the continental United States and has a margin of error of ±2.8 percentage points. Data were collected from December 4 through 6, 2012.  Complete results of poll: http://www.kofc.org/un/en/resources/communications/marist_poll_abortion_122012.pdf

Generous Offer to Pro-Life Marchers--Van Rentals

Jack Vercollone of VERC Car Rental has made a very generous offer to pro-lifers trying to get to the March for Life in Washington, DC on January 25. He is offering a special deal on 15 passenger vans to assist the pro-life cause to make a good showing in DC. Here are the details he provided: Here are the details for our 15 Passenger Vans going to the March for Life. Please call one of our seven VERC Car Rental offices in order to make a reservation. When calling to make a reservation please mention that you are going to the March for Life and the rental agent will know to give you the special rate of $40 a day. The $40 a day rate includes the 15 passenger van with unlimited miles, CDW (collision insurance), tax, surcharge and free additional drivers. The renter should be over 25 years old and have a major credit card. Debit cards are accepted with proof of employment and a utility bill matching address on license. There are seven VERC Car Rental locations: Quincy          617-770-0007 Weymouth    781-331-7000 Norwell         781-659-2292 Marshfield    781-837-8372 Rockland      781-878-0888 Plymouth      508-747-1997 Middleboro   508-923-0000 VERC Car Rental web site;  www.verc.com Anyone can call if they have any questions. Thank you Thank you Mr. Vercollone! -Anne

Court Upholds MA Buffer Zone. Rienzi Will Appeal.

Federal appeals court again upholds Mass. abortion clinic buffer zone law By Martin Finucane, Globe Staff 1/09/13 A federal appeals court has again upheld the buffer zone law for Massachusetts abortion clinics, saying that the regulation protects the rights of patients while, at the same time, allowing others to express their opinions. "Few subjects have proven more controversial in modern times than the issue of abortion," the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit said in its ruling today. "The nation is sharply divided about the morality of the practice and its place in a caring society. But the right of the state to take reasonable steps to ensure the safe passage of persons wishing to enter health care facilities cannot seriously be questioned. "The Massachusetts statute at issue here is a content-neutral, narrowly tailored time-place-manner regulation that protects the rights of prospective patients and clinic employees without offending the First Amendment rights of others," said the opinion, written by Judge Bruce M. Selya, who heard the case, along with two other judges. The appeals court ruling affirmed a decision by US District Judge Joseph L. Tauro last February. Mark L. Rienzi, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, said they expected to appeal the decision to the US Supreme Court. "The same rules have to apply to all speakers. The government cannot put peaceful pro-life speakers in jail, but give Planned Parenthood free rein on the same sidewalk," he said in a statement. The law creates a 35-foot fixed buffer zone around the driveways and entrances of clinics. The lawsuit, Eleanor McCullen et al v. Martha Coakley et al, was brought by seven people who regularly engaged in antiabortion counseling outside the three clinics. "We are pleased that the court has once again upheld the Commonwealth's buffer zone law which provides safe access to reproductive health care facilities while preserving freedom of expression," Attorney General Martha Coakley, whose office defended the law, said in a statement. "We have always believed, and the court agreed, that the buffer zone leaves open the opportunity for civil engagement on public areas around these facilities while ensuring that patients and health care providers can safely access these facilities." The challenge to the law was the latest in a series. "This case does not come to us as a stranger," the appeals court said, leading off its decision. The court twice upheld an earlier version of the law, in 2001 and 2004. After the Legislature revised the law in 2007, the appeals court upheld it again in 2009. More challenges were launched in Tauro's court. Tauro rejected them, but the plaintiffs appealed, leading to the court's decision today. Martin Finucane can be reached at mfinucane@globe.com

Two Spectacular Reasons to be in DC on the 25th

One of Megan McCrum's little sisters co-made this video, Dance D C, which is taking the city by storm.  Megan is the Program Director for the marvelous NRL Academy at the National Right to Life Committee.  Matt Hanafin attended the Academy last summer and learned so much. If the 40th Anniversary, honoring Miss Nellie Gray, the March itself, meeting our new legislators, or our fabulous Caucus aren't enough to make you want to be in DC on Jan 25th, Dance D C will.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC-BomrJHHo WATCH YOUR EMAIL FOR AN UNBELIEVABLE OFFER! The wonderful pro-life owner of a car rental company just let me know that he is offering to rent 15 Passenger Vans for $40 per day to D C for any of you going to the March.  This 40th anniversary price, which includes free mileage, taxes, fees & CDW (insurance) is about 75% off the normal rate. I'll let you know the contact info, etc. as soon as possible.                                                                                                                                                      This is so exciting!  Anne PS, That is $2.67 per person per day.

Another Baby in the Womb Grabs the Doctor's Hand - See the Picture. Yes You Can Shop at Hobby Lobby

Remember that wonderful picture of Baby Samuel grabbing the doctor's hand during surgery?  It was amazing as was the story of its impact on photographer Michael Clancy who shared it with us at the Assembly for Life in 2010.  This picture of Nevaeh Atkins, taken prior to her cesarean delivery, has gone viral. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=574138265946664&set=a.222484704445357.77909.220633694630458&type=1&theater¬if_t=photo_comment As you know, the administration is depriving the Christian company, Hobby Lobby, of their religious rights and freedom by forcing them to comply with the HHS Mandate.  Hobby Lobby has decided to pay $1.3 million a day rather than pay for abortion and free contraception in their medical insurance plan. You can read the position of Hobby Lobby here.  http://hotair.com/archives/2013/01/05/hobby-lobby-ceo-open-letter-honoring-god-is-more-important-than-turning-a-profit/ Hobby Lobby is also the group that bought the site of the Northfield Mount Herman School in Northfield, MA in order to donate the land for a Christian school.  Last week H L donated the 217 acres to the National Christian Foundation.  That seems to be typical for Hobby Lobby!  http://www.charismanews.com/us/35118-hobby-lobby-donates-mass-campus-to-christian-foundation There is actually a Hobby Lobby store in Rhode Island (945 Bald Hill Road, Warwick, 401-821-5100)  and they also have an on-line catalog, http://www.hobbylobby.com/catalog/catalog.cfm, so you can show your support for them if you wish. You may have wondered: Nevaeh is "Heaven" spelled backwards.  Anne

Time Cover: Abortion Activists Losing - must read!

Every once in a while, the mainstream media has to recognize reality.  The Time Magazine cover says it all.  You'll really enjoy Steven Ertelt's take below.  A Happy New Year to us, one and all. Anne Shocking Time Magazine Cover: After 40 Years, Abortion Activists Losing by Steven Ertelt | Washington, DC | LifeNews.com | 1/3/13 12:28 PM   The mainstream media will get around to covering abortion this month as the nation marks 40 years of legalized abortion for any reason throughout pregnancy via Roe v Wade. Time magazine has released its issue, which comes to a shocking conclusion. The cover article makes the case that the pro-abortion side is losing the abortion debate,saying, "40 Years Ago, Abortion Rights Activists Won an Epic Victory With Roe v. Wade. They've been losing ever since." The article makes the pro-abortion case that, while abortion is still legal, it is increasingly difficult to access thanks to the closing of so many abortion clinics and pro-life laws that help women by giving them additional information and alternatives. The magazine also contains an article from Emily Buchanan of the pro-life women's group Susan B. Anthony List that rebuts what has become the modern talking point for Planned Parenthood and other abortion defenders — that abortion is about protecting women's health, some excerpts of which appear below: From its early beginnings, feminism was a young women's movement. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Alice Paul, Charlotte Lozier and so many others began their suffragist work in their 20s. These women — the original feminists —understood that the rights of women cannot be built on the broken backs of unborn children. Anthony called abortion "child murder." Paul, author of the original 1923 Equal Rights Amendment, said that "abortion is the ultimate exploitation of women." So the pro-life movement hasn't changed the meaning of feminism, as has been suggested. It was the neo-feminists of the 1960s and '70s who asked women to prize abortion as the pathway to equality. Pro-life feminism has captivated a new generation of young women who reject the illusion that to be pro-woman is to be pro-choice. Gallup polling showed that among18-to-29-year-olds, there was a 5% increase in those labeling themselves"pro-life" between 2007–08 and 2009–10. The past few years have seen the emergence of young leaders like Kristan Hawkins of Students for Life of America, who is responsible for organizing more than 675 pro-life groups on college campuses across the nation, and Lila Rose of LiveAction, whose undercover video work has forced the abortion industry to confront and amend practices it cannot defend, as well as dozens of other future leaders who have assisted our organization as staff members and interns. Not only does this young generation of pro-life women shun the notion that abortion somehow liberates women; it views abortion as the civil- and human-rights cause of our day. Abortion is an injustice that permeates our society. Forty years after Roe v. Wade, we realize that a third of our peers are not here to share our progress and our hopes. It is our loss as well as theirs. Our fight transcends elections and legislative battles because our fight is in our hearts. This is why, 40 years after Roe, our movement is still growing. We won't give up; we can't give up. Our fight is for life.

Children of Men - not a hearty start to 2013

In the early '90's British writer P. D. James, known for her literary detective stories, published  a novel, Children of Men.  Suddenly, there are no children in the world.  For no definitive reason, a few years prior, babies had stopped being born.  People have had to leave the country and band together in a few cities, self- imposed euthanasia is obligatory, etc.  The thought of how society got there and the implications for the world are mind-boggling and, unfortunately relevant.  I can't help but think of James' vision when reading the news these days. We know things are strange when people are not having babies until they are actually old.  Here is a proponent examining the physical ramifications, which are not limited to the next generation. http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/magazine/110861/how-older-parenthood-will-upend-american-society?page=0,4 Pregnancy complications are twice as high for women who were born prematurely.  The most significant cause of prematurity is previous abortion followed by multiple births many of which are the result of "reproductive technology".  We cause women to be born prematurely, they have problems with their pregnancies which cause their babies to have problems and on and on. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120924142440.htm And there is a male fertility crisis. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2243155/Male-fertility-falls-France--UK-Sperm-counts-fall-rapidly-diet-lifestyle.html As we begin our second 40 years, the problems have never been starker or the need for our commitment greater. Success for you and your goals in 2013!  Anne