Good News on our Matching Funds Progress!

Thanks to every one of you who have been so generous to our year-end matching funds program!  Because of your generosity, we have only  $2,215 left to raise. I need you to know that there are more than 20,000 of you who receive MCFL emails.  Of those, about 1,100 have donated this year.  I know many others have meant to donate but just not gotten around to it.  Please click on http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/.  Any amount is so helpful!   We work really hard to stretch our donations to cover the most life-saving work possible, but there are some necessary expenses.  For instance, I am a volunteer.  I really enjoy sending you these emails which, I hope, help you to be part of the effort.  I really enjoy having people come up to me all over the state to say how much they get out of the emails. But the service we use to send these emails to you (have you ever tried to send 50 emails, let alone more than 20,000?) costs more than $2,500 a year! We count on you to help continue the work!  Please give as generously as you can. Bless you, Anne PS.  You will notice that you may also pledge, http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/  When people pledge, then we know what resources we will have during the year and can plan things like continuing to send out emails.  Thanks again!  A

We Have $3,100 Left to Match by Year-End!

Dear Friend of Life, Your Mass Citizens for Life needs your help now! We must raise another $3,100 by the end of the year in order to have the funds matched. Please help us make the most of this generous matching offer. Please support Mass Citizens today, http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/ You and I all work to protect life.  We can do it so much more effectively when we work together.  Mass. Citizens makes that possible. Right now you can double your support: Your $10 gift becomes $20, your $50 gift becomes $100, your $100 gift becomes $200, your $1000 gift becomes $2,000 Your donation to Mass. Citizens Charitable Trust is fully tax-deductible, http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/ If you prefer, you may send your check to: Mass. Citizens for Life The Schrafft Center 529 Main St, Suite 1M9 Charlestown, MA 02129 Thank you, Anne PS  Tomorrow is the Feast of the Holy Innocents.  Every year that is my day to recommit to working to protect all life.  I hope you will join me, http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/

On Christmas Carols by G. K. Chesterton

What can I add to Chesterton except best wishes for a wonderful Christmas season to you and your loved ones from the Board of Directors and Staff of Mass. Citizens! It is in the old Christmas carols, the carols which date from the Middle Ages, that we find not only what makes Christmas poetic and soothing and stately, but first and foremost what makes Christmas exciting. The exciting quality of Christmas rests, as do all the other examples I have mentioned, on an ancient and admitted paradox. It rests upon the great paradox that the power and centre of the whole universe may be found in some seemingly small matter that the stars in their courses may move like a moving wheel round the neglected outhouse of an inn. And it is extraordinary to notice how completely this feeling of the paradox of the manger was lost by the brilliant and ingenious theologians, and how completely it was kept in the Christmas carols. They, at least, never forgot that the main business of the story they had to tell was that the absolute once ruled the universe from a cattle stall.

Something We Are NOT Doing and Why

Eleanor McCullen is the main person challenging the Massachusetts Buffer Zone Law.  As you know, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on the case on January 15th and the decision will come down late May or June.  Eleanor is a former MCFL Chapter Chair and winner of one of our Banquet Awards.  She does marvelous work counseling women, mainly outside Planned Parenthood in Boston. I wanted to let you know.  Last week, we received a call at the MCFL office from CBS in DC.  One of their reporters is coming to Boston before the 15th to gather background material.  They wanted me to arrange interviews with Eleanor and me and to have him attend a "demonstration." When I checked with Eleanor, she told me her lawyers have suggested that she not talk to the press before the 15th.  Since MCFL cannot afford to buy much media, I always try to cooperate with any free media - indeed, during the presidential race in 2012, MCFL had more than 100,000,000 hits on Google. This is Eleanor's case, however.  I feel that, if she is not talking to the press until after the 15th, neither should we.  I wanted to let you know why you won't be seeing MCFL quoted.  This upcoming year is going to be very significant for all of us who work to protect life!  Thanks for all you do.  Anne NB: We need to raise $4,250 by the end of the year.  Any help you can give will be doubled.  Please help us be twice as effective.  Thanks, A.

New and News about MCFL Caucus,1/22 in DC

MCFL Caucus before the March for Life Jan 22, 2014 from 9:15 to 11:15 Kennedy Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building Good food and great speakers: Prof Michael New (see excellent New article from yesterday in NRO**); Prof. Dwight Duncan; Mary Spaulding Balch, JD, NRLC; probably Prof Hadley Arkes, and Prof Michael Pakaluk.  We are waiting to hear back from some other top speakers. NB:  Many bus captains must have their reservations in by the end of the year.  Check the MCFL website for bus info. --------- **Article by Michael New: Last month, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released abortion figures for the year 2010. The data indicates that the national abortion rate continues its 20 year decline. The number of abortions performed declined by 3 percent between 2009 and 2010. This decline is fairly consistent across the country. The number of abortions went down in 36 of the 44 states that reported data to the CDC. Furthermore, there was no strong regional variation in the decline. The decline in southern states was actually slightly less than the national average. The abortion decline was nearly equal in red states and blue states. The mainstream media often fails to cover abortion trends, and whatever coverage they do provide tends to be either misleading or superficial. This year's coverage is no different. The only high-circulation newspaper to cover the 2010 abortion figures was the New York Times. They ran a brief article on November 27 contrasting the 3 percent decline in 2010 with the 5 percent decline in 2009. Unsurprisingly, the Times failed to mention that abortion numbers have fallen 18 out of the past 20 years or that the total number of abortions has declined by approximately 25 percent since 1990. Whenever the media covers abortion trends, they often cite increased contraception use as the reason for the abortion drop. The Associated Press mentioned this in their coverage of the 2010 abortion figures. However, this assertion is not supported by the data. Contraception use began to increase well before abortions started to decline. And the unintended pregnancy rate has actually increased since the mid-1990s. Interestingly, since 1990 there has been a substantial increase in both pro-life public sentiment and state level pro-life laws. However, the mainstream media has scant interest in giving the pro-life movement any credit for declining abortion rates. — Michael J. New is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Michigan – Dearborn and an Associate Scholar at the Charlotte Lozier Institute. Follow him on Twitter @Michael_J_New. MCFL YEAR-END MATCHING FUNDS DRIVE

You Can Help Save Twice as Many Lives!

Generous benefactors for life have offered to double year-end contributions to the MCFL Charitable Trust up to the amount of $8,000!  If we can raise $8,000 between now and the end of the year, we can double it to accomplish twice as much life-saving work.  Times are tough.  We approach the end of 2013 with a shortfall.  We have so many important jobs - continuing and new - that we must have the resources.  http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/ We get so many rave reviews about our emails.  I have to tell you honestly: I was amazed to find that only 5% of you email readers have actually donated to Mass Citizens for Life.   If another 5% of you would support us, we could double your donations! Today, Eva, Pat and I and many of you are at the State House to fight against the latest attempt to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide.  We are there knowing we have your support behind all our efforts.  In order to continue this fight and so many others, we need you to send your gift today to be matched, http://masscitizensforlife.org/give/ Please reply now.   Gratefully, Anne PS.  We know our web presence is increasingly important.  We now have this video to help introduce people to Mass Citizens, http://masscitizensforlife.org/why-should-i-join-mcfl/

Update on DPS hearings

MCFL 2013 Year-End Matching Funds Drive:

When we arrived at the State House, the other side was ushering in their busloads.  The Acting Governor closed the State House early afternoon for snow.  When they read off the people left to testify, we actually had more. The disability community did an amazing job.  Many of them had problems with icy sidewalks but many, many impressive people spoke.  The difference was really noticeable between the group saying "MY life, MY death, MY choice" and people who are overcoming huge challenges and are "big people" As you know the other side lies worse - much - than the pro-abs.  The government not telling them what to do, all the wonderful safeguards, people are dying anyway so it is not suicide but just choice in how to die, Oregontopia.  The new bill is much worse, but they used the same old arguments. At least one national Compassion and Choices person testified.  They had many people from out of state. I just heard from a member of the committee who says they have not decided when to vote. Thanks to each of you who testified in person or writing, who called, and who prayed.  All I can say at the moment is to keep your dialing finger limbered. Anne

Your One-Two Punch to Defeat Doctor-Prescribed Suicide Bill

Dana tells us that Tuesday, 12/17, the day of the hearings on doctor-prescribed suicide, is the feast of St Lazarus.  How appropriate! There are two distinct avenues to keeping this bill from coming out of committee: 1) Anyone can testify or submit testimony.  If you have not already asked Eva to register you on Monday or submitted written testimony, please do that right now, emurphy@masscitizensforlife.org or press "reply" 2) Constituents (only) must call legislators (list below) on Monday to say that H-1998 is dangerous and poor public policy**.  Tell your legislator not to report out H -1998.  When you call, be sure the person taking the message knows you are a constituent and gets your address.  If the aide tries to assure you that your member is opposed to H - 1998, explain that you concern is that it not be voted out of committee. House members: Chair, Jeffrey Sanchez (617-722-2130),  Vice-Chair, Jason Lewis (617-722-2017),  Ruth Balser (617-722-2396),  Christine Canavan (617-722-2575),  Carolyn Dykema (617-722-2210),  Christopher Fallon (617-722-2430),  Denise Garlick (617-722-2070),  James Lyons (617-722-2014),  Keiki Orrall (617-722-2090),  Carl Sciortino (617-722-2013),  Cleon Turner (617-722-2090) Senate members:  Chair, John Keenan (617-722-1494),  Vice-Chair, Marc Pacheco (617-722-1551),  Donald Humason (617-722-1415),  Joan Lovely (617-722-1410),  James Timilty (617-722-1222) ** background information http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/2013-2014-legislative-agenda/doctor-prescribed-suicide-back-again/ http://masscitizensforlife.org/beginning-end-of-life/euthanasia-and-doctor-prescribed-suicide/

FLASH: Pro-Death Forces Swamping the Statehouse

Anne just called from the Statehouse.  The pro-suicide lobby is busing people to the Public Health Committee hearing on H.1998, the so-called '"aid in dying" bill.  This piece of legislation would legalize Doctor-Prescribed Suicide if it passes and the death lobby is trying to stack the deck to get the bill out of committee.  We need to stop them.

Listed below are the names and phone numbers of the Public Health Committee members.  If you are a constituent please call their office, RIGHT AWAY, and let them know that you do not want H.1998 to get out of committee.

House members: Chair, Jeffrey Sanchez (617-722-2130),  Vice-Chair, Jason Lewis (617-722-2017),  Ruth Balser (617-722-2396),  Christine Canavan (617-722-2575),  Carolyn Dykema (617-722-2210),  Christopher Fallon (617-722-2430),  Denise Garlick (617-722-2070),  James Lyons (617-722-2014),  Keiki Orrall (617-722-2090),  Carl Sciortino (617-722-2013),  Cleon Turner (617-722-2090)

Senate members:  Chair, John Keenan (617-722-1494),  Vice-Chair, Marc Pacheco (617-722-1551),  Donald Humason (617-722-1415),  Joan Lovely (617-722-1410),  James Timilty (617-722-1222)

It is so important that we stop this awful bill now while we have a chance.  We all worked extremely hard to prevent Question 2 from passing last year and we need to protect that victory by keeping Doctor-Prescribed Suicide from making it to a vote in the legislature.  Please, if you are a constituent, call the committee and let them no not to let Doctor-Prescribed Suicide (H.1998) out of committee.  Let the person you talk to know that you are a constituent and give them your information.

Please, call now.

Yours truly,
John Triolo
Director of Communications

Hearing on H - 1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide. Good News and, Potentially, Very Bad News...

The hearings of the Health Care Committee on H-1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide are Tuesday, Dec 17th from 10am to 1pm in Room A-1 at the State House.  This Committee functions differently from the one with which we usually deal.  You can actually get in, present your testimony, and be through in a timely fashion (see below). Also, Pro-Life Senator Hedlund has left the Committee.  He is replaced by Pro-Life, newly-elected Senator Humason, so that is good news. The bad news is that the Committee is seriously considering letting H - 1998 go to the floor even though not all the members favor the bill.  That means we have to work twice as hard!!! You need to know that H - 1998 is much worse than Question 2.  There is no waiting period.  If a doctor or facility will not write a prescription, they must find another doctor or facility to write the prescription. These people lost the ballot question but will never go away. Please 1)  Read http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/2013-2014-legislative-agenda/doctor-prescribed-suicide-back-again/ http://masscitizensforlife.org/beginning-end-of-life/euthanasia-and-doctor-prescribed-suicide/ 2)  Plan to testify on the 17th or to submit written testimony.  Stress that this is dangerous and poor public policy.  Pick one or two of the things that strike you as really dangerous and write your testimony around them If you are able to testify, Eva can register you the day before.  You can be on a panel, and present your testimony with no hassle.  Email Eva Murphy at emurphy@masscitizensforlife.org by Monday, the 16th to have her register you.  If you are not able to testify in person, please submit your testimony, before Tuesday, to jeffrey.sanchez@mahouse.gov and john.keenan@masenate.gov.  If you prefer, you may send it to Eva and she can submit it for you. I know next week is the week before Christmas - just the time for the death lobby to get H - 1998 out of Committee.  We cannot let that happen! Anne

A Pro-Life Congressman from MA? Vote on Dec 10th!

The following message is from John Rowe, PAC Chair: "The election to replace Ed Markey in the 5th Congressional District is next Tuesday, Dec. 10th.  Frank Addivinola (R) is a 100% pro-lifer with potential to be a pro-life leader in Congress.  You can help to elect Frank whether or not you live in the district! Of course, if you live in the district, you must vote for Frank and get everyone you know to vote for him. If you do not live in the district, please check the towns listed below.  Contact at least one person you know in the district and get them to vote. The 5th has a high percentage of pro-lifers.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to be represented by someone who is committed to life! VOTE FRANK ADDIVINOLA, DEC 10TH" 5th District Malden, Melrose, Medford, Arlington, Ashland, Belmont Cambridge, Ward 3, precinct 2A W4, p2,3 W6,7,8,9, W10 p1,2 Framingham, Holliston, Lexington, Lincoln, Natick, Sherborn, Stoneham Southborough, Sudbury p 1a, 2,3,4 Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Winchester, Woburn, Revere, Winthrop

Hearings on H - 1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

The hearings of the Health Care Committee on H-1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide are definitely on for Tuesday, Dec 17th from 10am to 1pm in Room A-1 at the State House.  If there are a lot of people, they may extend the time. There are 18 committee members.  Three of them are definitely with us and another is a possibility.  The rest take pro-abortion positions but are unknown on DPS.  This is a finger-in-the-dike operation.  The dike will not break this week, but... This session the bill did not get out of committee in Maine and Connecticut.  In NJ it is out of committee but will not be voted on. Vermont passed DPS in May.  It is a complete mess up there with the hospitals all opted out.  Almost every doctor practices at a hospital and is paid by the hospital, no pharmacists will participate.  So far, no one has used DPS and our people are hoping to repeal.  The situation is so bad that the lobbyist working on our side in Vermont has asked to address the MA committee on the 17th. You need to know that H - 1998 is much worse than Question 2.  There is now no waiting period.  If a doctor or facility will not write a prescription, they must find another doctor or facility to write the prescription.  These people lost the ballot question but will never go away. What can you do? Please 1)  Read http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/2013-2014-legislative-agenda/doctor-prescribed-suicide-back-again/ http://masscitizensforlife.org/beginning-end-of-life/euthanasia-and-doctor-prescribed-suicide/ 2)  Plan to testify on the 17th or to submit written testimony. Stress that this is dangerous and poor public policy.  Pick one or two of the things that strike you as really dangerous and write your testimony around them If you cannot get to the State House by 10am, we can sign you in.  Just reply to this email telling us to sign you in. Advent is a wonderful season.  I hate to break in on it, but what better way to prepare for the Christ Child than to work to protect His vulnerable brothers and sisters. Thank you, Anne