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

Doctor- Prescribed Suicide: Something to be Thankful for and an Important New Assignment.

We learned today that the Doctor-Prescribed Suicide bill, which has been waiting to go to the Assembly floor in New Jersey, will not come out of the Senate Health Committee, meaning it is dead for this session.  This is due to the work of New Jersey pro-lifers and the prayers of all of you.  What great Thanksgiving news! We also learned today that the Joint Committee on Public Health here on Beacon Hill has tentatively scheduled hearings on H-1998 for Tuesday, Dec 17th.  H - 1998 is even worse than the last DPS bill filed here.  We will all need to testify in person or in writing.  I'll let you know as plans become definite but please be sure to save the date. Best to you and yours for a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving from the Board and Staff of MCFL!  Anne

Ward's miraculous first year

The video of this little guy who was born 15 weeks early has gone viral.  It is featured on the liberal Huffington Post, which uses the word "miraculous".  The text points out some of the many serious dangers faced by a baby who is premature.  November is Prematurity Awareness Month.  Eva Murphy has written an excellent, well-documented paper showing that the incidence of prematurity is way up and much of the increase is caused by the mother's previous abortions.

"This issue interests Massachusetts Citizens for Life because of our concern for mothers and their babies. We have learned that prior induced abortion increases the risk of premature births. In 2007 the Institute of Medicine, a unit of the National Academy of Sciences (U. S.), published a textbook on premature birth, in which were listed fourteen "immutable medical risk factors associated with preterm birth." Third on that list is "Prior first trimester induced abortion." See http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=11622&page=625 and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Academy_of_Sciences

In 2009 two major studies (see below) confirmed added risk of premature birth among women who had undergone prior induced abortions. Both of these studies represent "settled science" because they are systematic reviews with meta-analysis.

Studies have also been conducted on the increased incidence of cerebral palsy among children born prematurely. Soon to be published (in December) is Complications: abortion's impact on women (Toronto, ON: de Veber Institute, 2013) by Dr. Angela Lanfranchi. The conclusions were based upon estimates of 15,000 very low birth weight newborn babies later diagnosed with cerebral palsy annually due to their mothers' prior induced abortions. (See http://www.deveber.org)

Another cause of premature births is incomplete cervix or cervix insufficiency. Abortion, especially the dilation and curettage method, can damage the cervix and make subsequent pregnancies at risk for prematurity. The statistics for cervix insufficiency among blacks have increased to higher rates than among other ethnic groups. See for example the Massachusetts report card from the March of Dimes (http://www.marchofdimes.com/glue/files/premature-birth-report-card-massachusetts.pdf). Black women are known to experience higher abortion rates than other ethnic groups, which would help explain the higher rate of cervix insufficiency. (See http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html.)

We urge you to become informed on this issue. If you would like more information about premature births and abortion, feel free to contact us. "

Article by Eva Murphy, MCFL Legislative Director

---------------

SOURCES:

Swingle HM, Colaizy TT, Zimmerman MB, Moriss FH. Abortion and the risk of subsequent preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Reproductive Medicine 2009; 54: 95-108.

Shah PS, Zao J. Induced termination of pregnancy and low birthweight and preterm birth: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BJOG [British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology] 2009; 116:1425-1442.

http://www.aaplog.org/media website of the American Association of ProLife Obsetricians and Gynecologists, with videos of current issues

http://www.deveber.org

'Fear mongering & brain damaged babies in Justice for Kids News Bulletin, 13 November 2013, by Brent Rooney (Msc) (http://www.justiceforkids.webs.com) Brent Rooney is Research Director, Reduce Preterm Risk Coalition (Vancouver, Canada

NOV 22, 1963 / JAN 22, 1973

When President Kennedy was assassinated on Nov 22, 1963, people were shocked and outraged that someone would kill another human being, especially the President.  They worried about the future of the country. When the Supreme Court legalized abortion throughout the country throughout all nine months for any or no reason on Jan. 22, 1973, most people did not even know it had happened.  As they found out, they were shocked and outraged that a doctor or a mother would kill a baby and that society would condone, indeed, encourage it.  They worried about the future of the country. With all due respect to President Kennedy, Jan. 22 did much more damage to this country than Nov. 22.  Instead of one deranged ideologue, we have a nation of people who have decided their own offspring are enemies to be destroyed.  That thinking has led to in vitro fertilization, cloning, a huge increase in child abuse and sexually-transmitted diseases and, in general, a country of people who have no chest (hat tip to C. S. Lewis who also died on Nov. 22, 1963). When history looks back on the 20th Century, Jan. 22 will stand out as the defining moment.  What history will say further about this country depends on us.  We must keep educating people at every opportunity in every situation, speak up, and work to elect people who value life.  More than half the people now self-identify as "pro-life" because of your work.  This is a huge shift since the '70's.  Keep up the good work - you are winning out for life!  Bless you, Anne

March for Life Buses with Overnight Stays – and Discounted (Mini)Van Rentals

41st Annual March for Life
Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Many red-eye buses are being planned across the state for the 41st Annual March for Life and those will be detailed in a future eblast.  However, there are four trips being planned that we are aware of that involve at least one overnight stay and that usually requires more advance planning.  We also have an offer for a substantial discount on van rentals for the March.  The details are below:

Departs from:  Burlington Mall
Departure Date & Time:  Mon., Jan. 20th at 10:00 PM
One-night (Tue.) stay at Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill Hotel
Return home at 5:00 PM after the March on Wednesday, arriving home around 2:00 AM
Cost: $211 per person, double occupancy (other rates available)
Contact: Theresa Gorey at 978-475-6673; Cell 978-886-2911;
email thegoreys@comcast.net or Jane Finn at 978-658-6115; Cell 978-618-5005

Departs from: Salem, MA with second pick-up at St. Margaret's in Burlington
Departure Date & Time: Tue., Jan. 21st at 6:00 AM (Salem)
Two-night (Tue. & Wed.) stay at Comfort Inn, Silver Spring, MD
Return home on Thur., Jan. 23rd arriving home early evening
Cost: $220 per person, double occupancy; $290 single
Contact: Bill Kirby at 978-821-2556 after 4:00 PM or roadruner12@hotmail.com

Departs from the following locations: Orleans, East Sandwich, Wareham, North Dartmouth, Attleboro
Departure Date and Time: Early Tue., Jan. 21st
Two-night (Tue. & Wed.) stay at Hampton Inn, Washington, DC
Return home Thursday, Jan. 23rd
Cost: adults $275 per person, double occupancy; $200 youth rate (need chaperone); $550 family rate plus $85 per child (all staying in the same room).
Contact: Vanessa Cloutier at 508-566-2884, Vin Armstrong at 508-759-7494 or Kevin Ward at 508-291-0949 Website: www.capecodbusforlife.org or www.ccbfl.org

Departs from St. John's Church, Quincy
Departure Date: Monday, January 20th
Three-night (Mon., Tue, Wed.) stay at Malvern Retreat Center in Malvern, PA (includes a Day of Retreat with Rev. Francis Conroy).
Return home, Thursday, January 23rd
Cost (including six meals at the Retreat Center): $419 per person, double occupancy; $469 single
Contact: Friends of the Unborn at 617-786-7903

VERC Car Rental would like to offer our 15 Passenger Vans, Suburbans, Mini Vans or any of our rental vehicles for $41.00 per day to any group going to the March for Life. The $41.00 daily rate is all inclusive. It includes: unlimited miles, taxes, surcharge, additional drivers, Collision Damage Waiver, Personal Accident Coverage and Travel Safe Coverage.  Reserve at any VERC Car Rental office or online at www.verc.com.  Please tell us you are going to the March for Life in order for us to apply the discounted rate.

Wednesday at the State House

Rep. Donald Humason was sworn in as a State Senator today after winning the special election to succeed fellow Westfield Republican Michael Knapik.  Mass. Citizens has been honored to work with Senator Humason when he was in the House and looks forward to working with him in the Senate!   ... Hospice and Palliative Care Awareness Month is bring celebrated by the Hospice and Palliative Care Federation of Massachusetts.  Today at the State House hospice agencies presented information and resource materials. Expected speakers included Kathy Bliss, president of the federation's board and Senate President Pro Tempore Richard Moore. Thinking about Hospice reminds me that the chances are very high that you do not have a health care proxy.  Please, please read about why you need a "Will to Live" and download the copy at https://www.nrlc.org/medethics/willtolive/  With medical care in chaos, you must protect yourself and your loved ones!  Anne

Federal Ban on Abortion at 20 Weeks

As you know, ten states have passed bans on abortion after 20 weeks based on the irrefutable scientific evidence that babies feel pain by that time.  Last week Sen Lindsay Graham introduced a federal ban.  I have been saving articles but I think this video of NRLC Senior Legislative Counsel Susan Muskett's appearance on "Hardball with Chris Matthews" on November 8, http://on.msnbc.com/HHyK4B is more instructive.  For once time ran out on them!  Go Susan! Watch for more news on this.  Anne

Parental Consent Laws Lead to Lower Teen Female Suicide Rates

	Brent Rooney is a researcher in Canada.  Periodically he sends me a gem.  I have to share this one with you!  Even just reading the abstract will get you thinking about all the teens who would be saved if we went back to being "old-fashioned."  Thanks for all your good work!  Anne http://espe.conference-services.net/resources/321/2017/pdf/ESPE2010_0630_paper.pdf

New Pro-Life State Senator! And Other Election Information

Pro-Life State Representative Donald Humason (R) has been elected to replace Pro-Life State Senator Michael Knapik (R) in the 2nd Hampden and Hampshire District.  This is an amazing win for the babies!  We look forward to continuing to work with Senator Humason. The MCFL Federal PAC is making thousands of phone calls this week urging pro-lifers in the 5th Congressional District to call Frank Addivinola (R) to offer to help him.  The PAC endorsed Addivinola in the primary.  He is a real out-in-front pro-lifer.  His opponent, Katherine Clark (D), has a 100% pro-abortion record.  Jack Rowe, PAC Chair, encourages all of you, whether or not you live in the 5th, to call Addivinola at (617) 826-9944. I want to thank all of you who made phone calls for Ken Cuccinelli for Governor in Virginia.  Cuccinelli lost in a "nail biter."  Consider: the Republican National Committee barely helped him.  He had no money for ads and was, therefore, not in the media at all during the last two weeks of the campaign.  In the meantime, Terry McAuliffe, Clinton hack, spent millions of dollars attacking Ken as hating women, etc.  And a third party candidate, financed by the Dems, got 7% of the vote.  Ken has done a marvelous job as Attorney General.  It will be very good for our efforts if he stays in politics. Thanks for all you are doing to help elect pro-life candidates!  Anne

Baby Clothes, White Crosses, and Great News About Pro-Life License Plates

If you are having a baby shower for a pregnancy resource center, I recommend these racks.  They are decorative, people love to hang their donations and admire them, and packing the clothes is easy.  Five are available. Students at Holy Cross made 100 white crosses, representing babies who have died through abortion, for pro-life displays. If you would like to borrow the clothing racks or crosses, press reply. And great news about Choose Life License plates!.  Here is the ranking of the specialty plates.  We are about to pass the Celtics!  Please go to your local Registry - now! Anne 1 Cape and the Island 44,703        10 Fish and Wildlife 5,918 2 Red Sox 37,437   11 Breast Cancer 5,480 3 Right Whale 31,527   12 Conquer Cancer 3,666 4 United We Stand 18,530   13 Celtics 3,441 5 Patriots 17,619   14 Choose Life 3,310 6 Children's Trust 12,265   15 Blackstone Valley 1,966 7 Bruins 9,902   16 Mini Fenway 1,371 8 MSPCA 9,402   17 Basketball Hall of Fame 995 9 Fallen Firefighters 7,759   18 Olympics 848

Kudos to Cardinal O'Malley!

Right after I sent you the information on O-care's abortion secrecy clause and the bill sponsored by Congressman Chris Smith, this information came about a letter Cardinal Sean has sent to Congress in his capacity as Chair of the USCCB Committee on Pro-Life Activities.  The link to the letter is below.  You can see that Cardinal Sean really nails it.  "H.R. 3279 does not affect the ACA's underlying abortion problem, which is the subject of other legislation we support such as the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (H.R. 7)," Cardinal O'Malley said. "The new bill addresses only this unprecedented policy of government-enforced secrecy. Health plans will have to report on their coverage of abortion, and on the extra payment they charge to cover abortions.  Only then will Americans be enabled to make an informed choice of a health plan for themselves and their families that does not violate their moral and religious convictions. This should be a point of agreement between lawmakers who consider themselves both 'pro-life' and 'pro-choice.'  Any claim of 'choice' is empty if the law conceals the facts needed to make that choice.  Please co-sponsor H.R. 3279 and help enact it into law." To send the same message to your Congressman and U S Senators:  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/massachusetts-congressional-delegation/  Thanks, Anne Full text of letter: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/abortion/upload/Cdl-OMalley-Abortion-Insurance-Disclosure-Bill_11-1-13.pdf

Obamacare's Abortion Secrecy Clause

According to NPR - hardly a pro-life organ - the O-care website, Healthcare.gov, does not have any information on what plans do or do not cover abortion.  The administration has lied all along about abortion coverage.  http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2013/11/01/242174176/which-plans-cover-abortion-no-answers-on-healthcare-gov We know they require coverage but they still won't admit it.  Cong. Chris Smith (R-NJ) has filed a bill that would address O-care's secrecy clause by requiring health plans to disclose whether they cover abortion, http://blog.heritage.org/2013/10/18/house-bill-would-address-obamacares-abortion-secrecy-clause/ We certainly are fortunate to have Chris Smith!  Anne

You Can Have a National Impact

Next Tuesday's election for Governor of Virginia has huge implications for us! The way Virginia goes in 2013, so goes the nation in 2014! Ken Cuccinelli, a father of seven, is being relentlessly attacked by Terry McAuliffe and Planned Parenthood for his unwavering defense of unborn children and their mothers. Planned Parenthood just announced last week that they are dumping another $1 million into the race. Because Ken has been a true leader for our cause as both a State Senator and as Attorney General, they are desperate to keep him out of the Governor's mansion. If Planned Parenthood wins this race, they'll be emboldened. They'll continue to smear our pro-life candidates nationwide with their bogus "War on Women" rhetoric. If pro-lifers win this race, we'll be able to make the case that being a pro-life champion is a political asset, and show that voters are rejecting the alleged "War on Women" narrative. You can actually make calls into Virginia this weekend and Monday. You can call fellow pro-lifers who are not currently planning to vote. Your call can get them to the polls. Sign up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Q1rIb5sVIO5VEbRQqBF3eaPt9N6Z6965Bsld_9Nz0sk/viewform Cuccinelli has come from behind in the last few days and has a really good chance. I know you are a mover and shaker! Anne

93 Million People in Jeopardy!

We pro-lifers knew in 2009 that the proposed legislation which became O-care would do four things: 1) fund abortion, 2) cause rationing,  3) result in denial of care, and 4) slash conscience rights.  We spent a great deal of effort and funds to educate the public.  As things have unfolded, our worst predictions have materialized. I haven't emailed about the horrors because the mainstream media has been covering them.  This article from Forbes is definitely worth passing on, however.  There are 316 million people in the US and 93 million of them will lose their insurance.  Hard to grasp! http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/10/31/obama-officials-in-2010-93-million-americans-will-be-unable-to-keep-their-health-plans-under-obamacare/ Last night, just before the Magnificent Game, I saw a headline saying there were protesters at the President's healthcare talk at Faneuil Hall.  I thought how good to have them protesting O-care!  It developed they were protesting because they think Obama has not done enough about climate change.  Only in Boston!  Anne

Texas Abortion Law Gutted? Don't They Wish!

The new Texas abortion law goes into effect today.  It was challenged in court.  The Newton Tab gloated, " Texas abortion law gutted" You might want to read what really happened.  Note that the 20 week limit and abortions having to be done in surgical facilities are now law.  Also, Gov Perry plans to appeal.  Anne AP: New abortion restrictions passed by the Texas Legislature are unconstitutional and will not take effect as scheduled on Tuesday, a federal judge has ruled. Alec Torress at National Review: Two Texas Abortion Restrictions Overturned By Federal Court, 20-Week Ban Unaffected LifeNews: Texas Judge: Planned Parenthood Can Put Women at Risk From Dangerous Abortions Washington Post: Everything you need to know about the Texas abortion law battle (includes opinion and video) How Appealing links to more coverage and the text of the opinion.