Compassion and Choices: What Did They Get for Their Big $$ in New England?

I just received word that Compassion and Choices (formerly the Hemlock Society) reports having spent $190k on lobbying and more than $65k on ads just in Connecticut.  What has happened in CT?  There were hearings on March 19th.  There was good testimony.  The pro-life people made hundreds of phone calls.

According to the CT Mirror, "The campaign for passage of an aid-in-dying law in Connecticut in 2014 ended Tuesday with a concession that the bill does not have the support in the legislature's Public Health Committee to reach the House floor."

​The New Hampshire Union Leader reported, March 6, 2014,  "The House Thursday soundly rejected legislation that would have allowed a terminally ill patient to seek a lethal prescription from cooperating physicians.  The [New Hampshire] vote against the bill was 219-66.

​In Maine recently the bill was killed in committee.

​As you know, the bill barely passed in Vermont after years of an underfunded but savvy fight on our side.  It is working so poorly - not working at all - that there is a good chance our people can overturn.

​Pro-lifers are gearing up in Rhode Island but nothing has developed yet.

​And, of course, in Massachusetts the bill died in committee last week - thanks to you !!!

C&C deals strictly with suicide/euthanasia.  They spent a quarter of a million dollars just in Connecticut. Their death lobby allies attack life at other stages.  We deal with life from conception to natural death.  We work so much harder than the death lobby because we do not have their money and our cause is just. 

Please consider a sacrificial gift to Mass. Citizens.  We must ramp up our efforts or the constant, big money assault of the death lobby will begin to win.  Once they get suicide/euthanasia in place, they will be able to kill more people at the end of life than they do now through abortion.

I can always  count on you to call, write, and educate your friends - that is why we succeed.  I know I can count on you also for much-needed financial support.

Thank you for whatever you can do! 

Bless you,

Anne

DPS: A Secret Weapon and Tomorrow's Convention

The Public Health Committee normally has 17 members.  Katherine Clark was elected to Congress and has not yet been replaced so we were able to hold back the doctor-prescribed suicide bill with our eight votes. Carl Sciortino, another member of the committee, has announced he will not run again for the House.  That leaves another opening.  Next January, when the legislature convenes, the Public Health Committee will again have doctor-prescribed suicide before it.  They will have replaced the two missing members and, possibly made some other changes.  At that point our eight votes will not be enough! We do have an ace in the hole.  We have about 40 weeks, 280 days to pray about the make-up of the committee.  Please keep the committee constantly in your prayers during that time.  Bless you! Earlier in the week, when we had to tell Assumption how many lunches we would need for the Convention, registrations were pouring in, so we over-ordered.  That means that you can register today and still get lunch.  You can register online here or call 617-242-4199. I am looking forward to hearing our wonderful speakers and our Oratory Contest winner! Anne

Did You Get It?

Our beautiful new Quarterly Magazine has arrived at member's homes.  We have been receiving compliments by the bushel!  Kudos to Editor Helen Cross and all who helped her with this new format.  We are very proud of the job she did.  We feel that the magazine format will make the important information available to more people.  I love all the pictures, which are worth you-know-what.

Mass Citizens is the oldest, largest pro-life organization in the state.  We are the only one who deals with pro-life public policy, education, and files legislation.  If you are not yet a member, I urge you to join so we can send you your copy right away. 

I want to get your magazine right out to you!

Anne

The Mayflower Compact

Today, some of the members of the Pro Life Club at Bishop Stang High School in Dartmouth came to the State House for their Student Lobby Day.  They are delightful, knowledgeable young people.  Eva and John and I had a grand time introducing them to legislation and to the State House.  In the Hall of Flags, I was able to point out especially the mural of the signing of the Mayflower Compact.  It was a great way to tell them that today is the day the HHS Mandate cases are being heard by the Supreme Court.  Our amicus brief deals especially with the tradition of religious freedom, beginning with the Compact, established in the Colonies.  Talk about civics in action!  We are so grateful to Dwight Duncan and the law students who worked with him on the brief. We still have dates open between now and the end of May for school or homeschool groups to have Student Lobby Days.  We'd love to have your students come. Anne ​

We Would Like to Feed You!

The MCFL Convention is this Saturday.  We have brought together experts on all the topics you need to know right now.  You are welcome to register at any time.  If you wish to be sure of having lunch, you must register today.  I know you will be very glad you attended! Anne PS  Reminder: your favorite high school junior or senior is welcome to participate in the Dr Jefferson Oratory Contest to win two free trips to the National Right to Life Convention or cash prizes.

Something so Awful...

	Aborted and miscarried babies are being burned to heat hospitals.  After you come to grips with the horror, you may think, "Thank goodness that is in England."  Then you realize whom we are following medically... What is there to say? Anne  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10717566/Aborted-babies-incinerated-to-heat-UK-hospitals.html ​

This Friday is a Very Special Day!

Friday is World Down Syndrome Day.  My thanks to Anne Marie for sharing this charming video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ju-q4OnBtNU

I would add two things: "Dear Mom, Your baby could be the MCFL Walk Baby!"

​
        Julia - 2013 Walk Baby
Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children

And: Dr Jerome Lejeune, who identified the cause of Down Syndrome, was one of the pre-eminent doctors of the 20th Century.  He tells the most amazing story, which may explain his dedication to helping people with Down Syndrome,  https://www.facebook.com/savingdowns/posts/499495096748659

"Many years ago, my father was a Jewish physician in Braunau, Austria. On a particular day, two babies had been delivered by one of his colleagues. One was a fine, healthy boy with a strong cry. His parents were extremely proud and happy. The other was a little girl, but her parents were extremely sad, for she was a Down syndrome baby. I followed them both for almost fifty years. The girl grew up, living at home, and was finally destined to be the one who nursed her mother through a very long and lingering illness after a stroke. I do not remember her name. I do, however, remember the boy's name. He died in a bunker in Berlin. His name was Adolf Hitler."

​

 

40 Days is Doing a Fabulous Job, Still Needs YOUR Help!

This year, 40 Days for Life is running from March 5 - April 13, 2014.  Already they are saving babies.  You can be part of this wonderful effort!  Below is information on the various locations.  Be sure to click on the website of the location nearest you to volunteer for whatever little, or large, time you can offer. 

Remember, "Work as if it is all up to you.  Pray as if it is all up to God."  These are great prayer opportunities. 

Anne

40 Days for Life is a peaceful, prayerful – and proven effective – pro-life campaign that has already been embraced by more than 600,000 people worldwide, saved 8,245 lives from abortion, led to the conversion of 88 abortion workers, and seen 44 abortion facilities close down for good.

40 Days for Life features three components:
1. PRAYER & FASTING: Join together with other believers for 40 days of fervent prayer and fasting for
an end to abortion.
2. PEACEFUL VIGIL: Stand for life during a 40-day peaceful public witness outside the local abortion clinic
3. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: Bring a positive pro-life message to every corner of our city through media
efforts, advocacy and public visibility

​  ATTLEBORO
http://40daysforlife.com/attleboro.htm
Four Women, Inc.
150 Emory Street
Attleboro
Contact: 40DFLAttleboro@comcast.net

      BOSTON
http://40daysforlife.com/boston.html
Planned Parenthood
1055 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston
Contact: Rita Russo 781-762-4391 or rita.a.russo@gmail.com
​
   HAVERHILL
http://40daysforlife.com/haverhill.html
Merrimack Valley Women's Health
288 Groveland Street
Haverhill
Contact: Paula Lahti, pblahti@hotmail.com

​        LYNN
http://40daysforlife.com/lynn.html
North Shore Women's Health Center
480 Lynnfield Street
Lynn
Contact: Cori Connor-Morse, cconnorcpa@aol.com

​        SPRINGFIELD
http://40daysforlife.com/springfield.html
Planned Parenthood
3550 Main Street
Springfield, Massachusetts
Contact:40daysWM@gmail.com

​    WORCESTER
http://40daysforlife.com/worcester.html
Planned Parenthood
470 Pleasant Street
Worcester
Contact: Pauline Morris, 508-425-3087 or prolifeworcester@townisp.com

​

2 Down, 1 to Gooooooo

Besides H - 1998, Doctor-Prescribed Suicide going to study committee yesterday, HB - 2092 also went to study.  This was the perennial bill to lower the age of consent for abortion to 16.  We testified, let the legislators know the position of MCFL, and posted our position.  We didn't feel it was necessary to take your time to do more than that because the legislators remember that Shannon O'Brien handed Mitt Romney the Governorship when she announced she favored lowering the age. You won't believe what is happening with H - 3793, the teach-children-how-to-get-an-abortion-without-their-parents- knowing-bill.  Because it has already been to the floor (remember, it was set to be voted on Jan 15th until we pushed it back into the Ways and Means Committee), it does not have to be reported out today.  The committee actually has until the end of the session (probably July 31st) to decide what to do with the bill.  We'll have to be sure they know we haven't forgotten about it. Again, thank you, thank you for all you do! Anne P.S. If we are going to keep succeeding, we must be informed and motivated.  Please come to the MCFL Convention on March 29th at Assumption College in Worcester.  You can get details and register here.

Vote on H - 1998

	Your calls worked!  The doctor-prescribed suicide bill, H - 1998 has been sent to study committee, essentially killing it for this session!!!  Of course, it will rear it's ugly head again in January, 2015.  We'll get it then, too. You did a marvelous job.  Staff at the State House are shaking heads. As soon as we hear anything about H - 3793, I'll let you know. Thank you!  Thank you!

Correction on Bill Number for Your Calls

I am so sorry!  One of the times I told you about the dreadful sex-ed bill, I transposed the numbers.  Your calls are so important that I want to be sure you have the right numbers H – 3793 would teach children how to get secret abortions.  Call committee chair Representative Brian Dempsey at 617-722-2990 to say that H-3793 should not be reported out of committee. H-1998 is the doctor-prescribed suicide bill.  It is dangerous and poor public policy.  Call the House Chair of the committee, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at 617-722-2130 to say that H-1998 should not be reported Your calls have kept these two dangerous bills, H - 3793 and H - 1998, in committee since before Christmas!  If we can hold them off through Wednesday, they will be dead for this session. ​Everyone at the State House is talking about the pro-life calls.  Planned Parenthood and NARAL have sent out alert after alert but they just don't have the supporters to make the calls.  Compassion and Choices, the death lobby group, has spent big bucks on radio ads trying to get people to call.  We don't have the media or the money but we do have the dedicated people like you! Again, I apologize and thank you!  Anne

Final Chance to Defeat H - 3793 and H -1998 This Week!

Your calls have kept these two dangerous bills, H - 3793 and H - 1998, in committee since before Christmas!  If we can hold them off through Wednesday, they will be dead for this session. ​Everyone at the State House is talking about the pro-life calls.  Planned Parenthood and NARAL have sent out alert after alert but they just don't have the supporters to make the calls.  Compassion and Choices, the death lobby group, has spent big bucks on radio ads trying to get people to call.  We don't have the media or the money but we do have the dedicated people like you! H – 3793 would teach children how to get secret abortions.  Call committee chair Representative Brian Dempsey at 617-722-2990 to say that H-3973 should not be reported out of committee. H-1998 is the doctor-prescribed suicide bill.  It is dangerous and poor public policy.  Call the House Chair of the committee, Representative Jeffrey Sanchez at 617-722-2130 to say that H-1998 should not be reported out of committee. Both calls should be made by 11am on Tuesday morning.  If you cannot call during business hours, it is fine to leave a message.  Check here for more information on H-3793 or here for more information on H - 1998. We can defeat these bills!  It will be sweet! Anne

ORATORY CONTEST: Free All-Expense Paid Trip for Two to NRLC Convention, Cash Prizes!

On even-numbered years, Massachusetts Citizens for Life sponsors the Dr. Mildred F. Jefferson Oratory Contest for pro-life high school juniors and seniors.  This year the contest will be held simultaneously with the Mass. Citizens Convention at Assumption College on March 29, 2014 from 8:30am - 4:00pm.  Contestants will be guests of Mass. Citizens for the Convention and lunch. The Massachusetts winner goes with a chaperone to the National Right to Life Committee Convention and represents Massachusetts in the Jane B. Thompson Oratory Contest in Louisville, KY, June 26 -28.  The first and second Jefferson runners-up will receive cash prizes.  Contestants are to research, write, and present an original pro-life speech on abortion, infanticide, euthanasia or stem cell research.  The speech should address one of these topics directly.  The speech is to be 5 – 7 minutes in length.  A contestant will be disqualified if the speech is timed to be under 4 minutes or over 8 minutes in length.  We have had students finish very well nationally in the Oratory Contest and are especially proud of our Margaret O'Brien who won the NRLC Essay Contest in 2012.  We have so many wonderful young people in the state.  We encourage each and every one of you to participate.  If you have any questions, please check here or call John at 617-242-4199. This is an excellent opportunity for any pro-life youngster.  Please spread the word.  Anne

Love to Have You on the Team!

My Dear Pro-Life Friend,

 

Most of you who receive my Mass. Citizens emails are not yet officially members.  Our valued members are vital to the effectiveness of our programs. It is the commitment of members to the Mass. Citizens Mission that allows us to continue to fight to protect life through education, legislation, and political activity. I sincerely hope we can count on your support.

Joining now will ensure that you receive uninterrupted member benefits such as our beautiful new Quarterly Magazine, discounted admission to the MCFL Annual Convention, and of course, you become a voting member who helps decide the direction of the organization.  Mass. Citizens is uniquely positioned to work to protect life in this state.

​Support from our members has allowed us to educate more than 10,000 young people every year for forty-one years, to run the Respect Life Walk to Aid Mothers and Children, the Massachusetts Caucus before the March for Life, the Assembly for Life at Faneuil Hall, the Convention, Student Lobby Days, the Summer Academy, and the Banquet, to name a few of our activities.

​Our members provide the support necessary to assure excellence and continuity for our Mission. I hope that you will decide to join us in our efforts to protect life from conception to natural death.  

Sincerely,

Anne 

PS: You'll be hearing from me shortly about the sex-ed and doctor-prescribed suicide bills.  The committees will be voting any day and we have a few more efforts to make.

 

"Life begins at birth, maybe, but it's not relevant to abortion discussion..."

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, has always reminded me of Dorian Gray.  Jorge Ramos, of Fusion, tries and tries to get her to say when life begins.  After stating it is irrelevant to the abortion discussion, she finally admits that her children were alive after birth.  This'll get you hot under the collar on a cold day!  Anne http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/372236/planned-parenthood-president-when-life-begins-not-really-relevant-abortion-debate ​

Kudos to the Massachusetts Republican State Committee and the Coalition for Marriage and Family!

NB - there is an action item at the end of this email - thanks, Anne

Congratulations to the Republican State Committee for their courageous defense of life!

On Tuesday night, the Committee adopted a pro-life platform, saying the party will "affirm the inherent dignity of human life."  "We believe that every instance of abortion is tragic," the platform reads. "We advocate policies that will assist a woman during a crisis pregnancy."

Not only is this the right decision, it is the pragmatic decision.  Looking at the elections in the last few cycles, it is obvious that pro-life Republicans have been winning their races while those who take  pro-abortion positions have been losing - across the board.

The Coalition for Marriage and Family had scheduled a lobby day at the State House yesterday.  At the last minute we all learned that the death lobby (Compassion and Choices) also planned to be at the State House yesterday.  The press, of course, gave them a lot of coverage, saying there were "two dozen" people and that they are spending a lot of money on ads and calls.  Pro-family people were right there to counter the falsehoods of the death lobby.

H - 1998 goes farther than any prior wording.  A person can request the lethal dose and take it all on the same day and doctors are forced to participate no matter what their position.  C&C had the nerve to claim this is popular in the state!

So far, those of you who are constituents of members of the Joint Committee on Public Health have been calling your legislators.  You have done a great job and really impressed the committee.  It is very unusual for us to call legislators who are not our own but now is the time for every one of us to call the committee chairs to urge them not to report out H-1998.  It is bad public policy

House Chair,  Jeffrey Sanchez, 671-722-2130
Senate Chair, John Keenan, 617-722-1494

Dwight Duncan Opinion Piece, Boston Globe, Our Amicus Brief

Dwight has an excellent editorial in the Sunday Globe, http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/03/02/hobby-lobby-case-our-legal-history-favors-religious-freedom/lzxcgvMJ5fQKhzdWxyeDkP/story.html  He lays out the historical arguments for religious liberty in this country that are in the amicus brief he filed on our behalf in the Hobby Lobby case before the Supreme Court.  The Court will hear arguments on Mar 25th and we'll hear Dwight speak about the whole thing at the MCFL Convention on March 29th,  http://masscitizensforlife.org/2014-mcfl-convention-register-online-now/ We are very grateful to Dwight and to the ten law students from the University of Masachusetts Law School and Boston College Law School who helped him prepare the brief.  It is very exciting for us! Anne ​

Pro-Lifer Wins "Bell-Weather" Congressional Race!

Special Congressional election in Florida; District evenly split; $11 mil spent; Pro-abortion, Pro-Obamacare Democrat with all kinds of political experience; Pro-life, Anti-Obamacare Republican with none; National press noting the Dems are trying out their Nov 2014 strategies and must win; Media calling this bell-weather for November http://www.politico.com/story/2014/03/david-jolly-alex-sink-florida-special-election-2014-104543.html#ixzz2viCwa3Fe Whadda ya know - good guy wins!  New Congressman David Jolly is a real pro-lifer.   This is what our friend Andrew Bair had to say about the candidates before the election, http://www.lifenews.com/2014/02/21/florida-congressional-election-pits-pro-life-david-jolly-vs-pro-abortion-alex-sink/ Take heart, dear friend!  Anne ​

You Need to Be There!

This year's Convention will be March 29th at Assumption College in Worcester from 8:30am - 4:00pm.

We'll be covering those life issues that are in the forefront today: Doctor-Prescribed Suicide with Henry Luthin and Sex-Ed Curriculum with Linda Thayer.

Dwight Duncan will discuss the amicus brief he has filed in our name at the Supreme Court on behalf of Hobby Lobby.

Fr. Christopher Mahar will discuss what definitions of death we can trust.

Dr. John Howland will explain cautions with Massachusetts MOLST, Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment.

Dr. Paul Carpentier will bring us up-to-date on what he is doing to help couples with fertility problems and give us the best arguments for using ethical methods.

After the death of Laura Hope Smith on the Cape and the Gosnell convictions, it is obvious there are problems with abortion facilities.  Dr. Angela Franks will speak on their abuses and Planned Parenthood.

The featured speaker is Rai Rajos, the Hispanic Outreach Director for National Right to Life.

You may register at http://masscitizensforlife.org/2014-mcfl-convention-register-online-now/.  You'll see that there is discounted pricing for MCFL members.  Call the office at 617-242-4199 if you're not sure if your yearly dues are up-to-date.

I'm looking forward to hearing these wonderful speakers and seeing you!

You will be very happy that you came!

Press Release

Charlestown, March 3, 2014               For Immediate Release                                             contact: Anne Fox 781-449-1774 An out of state group is trying to buy legislation in Massachusetts!  According to extensive news coverage, the out of state group Compassion and Choices brought 24 people to the State House last week to announce that some of them were hired, some were from out of state, and that they planned to spend a lot of money in the state to pass H - 1998, a new doctor-prescribed suicide bill.  They tried to claim that the public was with them. Just over a year ago, the voters in the state defeated Question 2, which would have legalized doctor-prescribed suicide.  Early polls showed the public favoring the Question, but, as people learned more details, public opinion changed and the Question was defeated.  Polls showed the public was concerned about the fact that there was no counseling for depressed people, that doctors say a six months prognosis is often wrong, and that there could be pressure from insurance.  The Mass. Medical Society and Hospice opposed the Question. The new bill, H - 1998 has the same dangers as Question 2 and has added these: a person can request the lethal dose, get the prescription, and take the dose all in one day and a doctor who does not want to prescribe a lethal dose is required to find someone who will, thus being forced by law to be complicit. According to Anne Fox, President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, "The voters of Massachusetts have spoken.  When they know what is involved in doctor-prescribed suicide laws, they reject such laws.  We resent out of state money trying to pull strings in our state"

Press Release

Charlestown, March 3, 2014               For Immediate Release                                             contact: Anne Fox 781-449-1774 An out of state group is trying to buy legislation in Massachusetts!  According to extensive news coverage, the out of state group Compassion and Choices brought 24 people to the State House last week to announce that some of them were hired, some were from out of state, and that they planned to spend a lot of money in the state to pass H - 1998, a new doctor-prescribed suicide bill.  They tried to claim that the public was with them. Just over a year ago, the voters in the state defeated Question 2, which would have legalized doctor-prescribed suicide.  Early polls showed the public favoring the Question, but, as people learned more details, public opinion changed and the Question was defeated.  Polls showed the public was concerned about the fact that there was no counseling for depressed people, that doctors say a six months prognosis is often wrong, and that there could be pressure from insurance.  The Mass. Medical Society and Hospice opposed the Question. The new bill, H - 1998 has the same dangers as Question 2 and has added these: a person can request the lethal dose, get the prescription, and take the dose all in one day and a doctor who does not want to prescribe a lethal dose is required to find someone who will, thus being forced by law to be complicit. According to Anne Fox, President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, "The voters of Massachusetts have spoken.  When they know what is involved in doctor-prescribed suicide laws, they reject such laws.  We resent out of state money trying to pull strings in our state"