Big Brother of an Aborted Baby

Recently I sent an email about siblings of aborted children.  Pat replied.  There is nothing I can add except prayers.  Anne Hi Anne - this really touches me.  I was a special education teacher and one day they gave me a depressed, sad little boy who was refusing to eat.  He was not quite seven years old and up to about six months previous, he had been pretty outgoing and 'normal.' It took me two more months to sufficiently gain his trust and confidence and one day we sat having lunch (I used to take turns having one-on-one time with my kids at lunch and we often ate outdoors at school at a picnic table).    He finally opened up and confided that his mother had had an abortion because she and his father could not afford another child.   He decided he would not eat much because he feared she might abort him. How about that?  How many more kids are depressed or have other strong reactions to learning their mother had "gotten rid" of an unwanted child? Makes me cry. Love, Pat

After Tiller: PBS Pro-Abortion "Documentary"

Even on Labor Day you won't be left in peace by the pro-abs!  PBS is going to air "After Tiller."

Washington Post,  "It goes without saying that the procedure at the heart of "After Tiller" — wherein pregnancies are terminated in their third trimester, resulting in what is essentially the stillbirth of a premature infant — is at the center of a noisy, fast-moving national debate. But rather than focus on the shouting, filmmakers Martha Shane and Lana Wilson bring their cameras into the clinics themselves, where they intimately record medical professionals and their patients reaching agonizing decisions regarding the health and welfare of their would-be children, their families and themselves."

Judie Brown, American Life League, "Why are pro-life tax dollars being used to paint a sympathetic picture of abortionists who stab babies in the base of their skulls just moments before they are born?  Where is the sympathy for the babies, whose brains are being sucked out by vacuum machines by these abortionists?"

Dave Andrusko, Editor, National Right to Life News,  "The initial round of comments to the press release posted at PBS.org were almost uniformly negative. No doubt the late-term abortion apologists will rally their supporters to flood the response line.  None of that will change the ugly truth. That the lives of huge babies who are way, way past the [initial] point of being able to feel pain, are being brutally snuffed out. And that PBS is willing to give a platform to a film that glorifies the killing."

Anne Fox,  "When the media panders to pro-abortion rhetoric and the big money all goes to pro-abortion forces and their propaganda, thank goodness we have Massachusetts Citizens for Life fighting for life.  Please consider the odds and make a sacrificial investment in our life saving work right now.  Thank you in advance!"

Contacting PBS About "After Tiller"

	Some people have asked how to contact PBS to demand that they pull the After Tiller movie from their Monday night schedule.  Here are the contact forms for the two stations in Massachusetts.  Good luck!  Anne Boston: http://www.wgbh.org/about/contact.cfm Springfield: http://connectingpoint.wgby.org/contact/

If it Comes Out of the White House on Friday Afternoon, WATCH OUT!

The Obama administration has put out many versions of the HHS mandate, which requires employers to pay for medical insurance that covers abortion.  Each time they assure us that they have accommodated our beliefs.  This latest, in response to the Hobby Lobby Supreme Court decision, appears to be as unsatisfactory as the others.

Another case (like the New Buffer Zone) of the government not "getting it" when SCOTUS rules…?

See what you think. 

Anne

By JOSH LEDERMAN - Associated Press - Friday, August 22, 2014

WASHINGTON (AP) - Seeking to quell a politically charged controversy, the Obama administration announced new measures Friday to allow religious nonprofits and some companies to opt out of paying for birth control for female employees while still ensuring those employees have access to contraception.

Even so, the accommodations may not fully satisfy religious groups who oppose any system that makes them complicit in providing coverage they believe is immoral.

Effective immediately, the U.S. will start allowing faith-affiliated charities, colleges and hospitals to notify the government - rather than their insurers - that they object to birth control on religious grounds.

A previous accommodation offered by the Obama administration allowed those nonprofits to avoid paying for birth control by sending their insurers a document called Form 700, which transfers responsibility for paying for birth control from the employer to the insurer. But Roman Catholic bishops and other religious plaintiffs argued just submitting that form was like signing a permission slip to engage in evil.

In a related move, the administration announced plans to allow for-profit corporations like Hobby Lobby Inc. to start using Form 700. The Supreme Court ruled in June that the government can't force companies like Hobby Lobby to pay for birth control, sending the administration scrambling for a way to ensure their employees can still get birth control one way or another at no added cost.

The dual decisions mark the Obama administration's latest effort to address a long-running conflict that has pitted the White House against churches and other religious groups. The dispute has sparked dozens of legal challenges, fueling an election-year debate about whether religious liberty should trump a woman's access to health care options.

"Today's announcement reinforces our commitment to providing women with access to coverage for contraception, while respecting religious considerations raised by nonprofit organizations and closely held for-profit companies," said Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.

Yet the latest proposals will likely run up against the same objections, because they still enable employees to receive contraception through their health plans - one of a range of preventive services required under President Barack Obama's health care law.

ALS bucket challenge raises questions about embryonic stem cell research

We have all seen pictures of famous people dumping buckets of ice over their heads to raise money for ALS research ($5.5 million since the end of July) and then nominating other people to do the same.  Before you take the challenge, please be aware that one of the main beneficiaries is the ALS Association.  If you check the MCFL website,  http://masscitizensforlife.org/anti-life-research-charities/ for organizations that fund embryonic stem cell research, you will find that ALS Association certainly does. 

According to their website, ALSA.org: "Adult stem cell research is important and should be done alongside embryonic stem cell research as both will provide valuable insights. Only through exploration of all types of stem cell research will scientists find the most efficient and effective ways to treat diseases."

Project ALS, another major beneficiary, is also on our web site for funding ESCR.

John Triolo did some research to see if there are ALS organizations that do not fund ESCR.

Here is what he found:

"I called the ALS Therapy Development Institute (here:http://www.als.net/), to check on this issue and they said they do not do any research with embryonic stem cells because they think induced pluripotent adult stem cells are the best avenue to a cure.  They do not have a principled objection to using embryonic stem cells but said they understand the gravity of the issue and would be very public if they change their position so donors and potential donors would be aware.

Compassionate Care ALS (here: http://www.ccals.org/home.php) confirmed by phone that they only do care and treatment for people living with ALS, rather than research."

If you have questions about whether an organization funds ESCR, please always check http://masscitizensforlife.org/anti-life-research-charities/

Thanks to John and to you!  Anne

Alert: MCFL State PAC endorsements for 9/9 Primary!

As usual, Mass Citizens has polled and ranked incumbents and other candidates for the legislature and state offices.  The results are posted on the Mass Citizens website (CLICK HERE).  Using these results, the MCFL State PAC has endorsed/recommended many candidates.

Check the endorsements/recommendations, http://masscitizensforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Endorsements-and-Recommendations-amended21AUG2014.pdf and share the information with others in your district.

 

The FedPAC has not made any endorsements for 2014 because there are not any Massachusetts races for Congress or the US Senate which can help the cause of life.. 

 

Some of the state races are very important to restoring respect for human life.  We need to elect people who will vote pro-lfe.  Please go immediately to http://masscitizensforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2014-Endorsements-and-Recommendations-amended21AUG2014.pdf to find the pro-life candidates in your districts.

 

Doctor Prescribed Suicide, licensing abortion facilities, and  women's right to know are among the bills which will be coming up next session.  We must elect our people!  Anne

How Do Children Feel When They Find Their Siblings Have Been Aborted?

There have been been more than 55 million abortions since Roe v Wade.  Almost half of them are the woman's second or more abortion..  Probably, then, about 42 million women are post-abortive  That means abortion in 42 million families. 

We have been told that the siblings of aborted babies - the survivors - may feel guilty to have survived or scared of what might happen to them, but there is really very little out their which addresses the huge situation.  This article from the National Right to Life News is a start.  It certainly made me think! 

Anne

http://www.nationalrighttolifenews.org/news/2014/08/the-unique-pains-and-blessings-of-being-a-postabortive-sibling/

Wait 'Til You See the Dateline!

MCFL is working to require all abortion facilities in the state to be licensed.  Unfortunately horrible things can go on even in licensed facilities! 
http://www.lifenews.com/2014/08/15/planned-parenthood-abortion-doc-sexually-molested-patients-for-20-years/  

When he was in school, one of our sons had the thrill of interviewing Robin Williams.  Of course everyone is saddened by his suicide, or any suicide.  Why is it that suicide is so awful and needs to be prevented (true) except when a person has a terminal illness or a disability?  Such discrimination!  Wesley Smith addresses this, http://www.lifenews.com/2014/08/15/as-world-mourns-robin-williams-suicide-cult-pushes-homemade-suicide-kits/

Slippery slope is not supposed to be a good argument but it certainly rears it ugly head in both of these stories. 

The last couple of days I have run into three of my friends who have new grandchildren.  They are just head-over-heels.  There are such good people in the world.

Blessings,

Anne

MCFL abortion restrictions make ballot in many districts!

Pro-lifers have succeeded in getting the public policy question, which instructs local State Representatives to vote for a bill requiring abortion facilities in the state to be licensed and inspected, onto the November 2014 ballot in the following districts: 6th, 7th, 8th Bristol (Fall River, Freetown), 12th Hampden (Wilbraham, Springfield), 4th, 5th, 12th Norfolk (Braintree, Weymouth, Norwood), 5th Plymouth (Rockland, Norwell, Hanover), 3rd, 4th, 16th Worcester (Fitchburg, Leominster, City of Worcester). MCFL will also be filing the bill in the legislature in January.  When I dropped off the papers to the Secretary of State, the folks there were very impressed with the geographical spread of our districts - from Springfield to Fitchburg to Weymouth and Fall River , etc.

It is really exciting to think the we were able to get so many districts certified!  Braintree got the most signatures - almost 600 in one weekend.  Some people had disappointing things happen.  I think the worst was Lawrence where more than 100 people who live in the district but are not registered, signed.  The fellow at the Secretary of State's office said those people agreed with us and didn't want to admit they weren't registered.  We knew split cities would be tough.  They were tougher then tough.  The Fall River people did an amazing job getting all their districts qualified.  The Springfield and Worcester people each got one district qualified - real victories for them..

According to the Guttmacher Institute, a leading source of abortion statistics, there are forty abortion facilities in the state. This includes eighteen hospitals and six licensed clinics, leaving sixteen facilities that are not licensed or inspected. Laura Hope Smith died during an abortion at one of these unlicensed, uninspected facilities in 2007.

We are concerned that abortions not take any more victims than they already do. More importantly, having to be inspected will be a disincentive to remaining open for many facilities.

Local members of Mass Citizens will continue working through the November elections to educate people in their districts and bring them to the polls. We expect to win overwhelmingly.

The following are some of the many, many people who did yeoman's work in getting the signatures:

Jim Drummey, Sally Healy, Jean Healey, Pat Stewart, Linda and Jack Kinsey, Rosemary Reynolds, Sandra Krucharski, Mark Carron, Jamie Brunault, Peggy Bradford, Bill Allen, Bill Kelly, Deacon Tim Meagher, Eileen Dunn, Monica Silvey, Mike Cunningham, Frank Ardinger, Dave Constantine, John Martin, Mike Manze, Bill Schneelock, Tom Gaudet, Earl Sholley, Martha Donovan, Anne Hilbert, Merle Webber, Charlene Langenfield, Gail Ashey, Nancy Clark, Dennis Finn, Maryanna Heister, Eileen Krupinski, Julie Krupinski, Carol Johnston, Jackie Langloi, Pauline Morris, Marylou Petty, Julie Koss-Stephany, Chris Toloczko, Cindy Trainque, Susan Arraje, Myra Doran, Teresa Vermette.

Bea Martins says, "Mary Leite is the lady who collected 105  Without her numbers we would not have been able to turn in the number we did"

I cannot begin to express my gratitude to these people for the huge job they accomplished! 
Anne

Jail for Pro-lifers? Still time to fight.

Dear Pro-life Friend,

It's not too late!

As you know from the message I sent on Tuesday Governor Deval Patrick and his cronies have passed a New Buffer Zone Law which they want to use to silence sidewalk counselors and other pro-lifers.  Governor Patrick, a former member of Planned Parenthood's board, will do anything to protect the profits of abortion clinics—even trample on our constitutionally protected rights.

He doesn't want pro-lifers to offer our message of hope, help, and love to women in crisis.

Even though the Supreme Court overturned the last Buffer Zone law 9-0, radical pro-abortion activists have passed one that's even worse.

Under the new law, pro-lifers who "impede" people trying to enter an abortion clinic can get 5 years in jail and up to $50,000 in fines.  Worse yet, it is abortion clinic workers who will get to determine if pro-lifers are violating the law.

We need to fight back!

In my last message on this subject I asked you for a gift of $10, $20, or $30 to help fund our efforts to fight the New Buffer Zone in the public square, in the legislature, and in the courts.  Your help is vital and there is still time to give. 

Please, if you have not yet given CLICK HERE to contribute and stand up for the rights of the unborn and pro-lifers. 

I know I can count on you. 

Thank you for all you do for Life.

Anne

Beautiful Tribute to Our Dear Ray Flynn

Flynn Resolution PR.pdf

NEW BUFFER ZONE: Jail for pro-lifers?

ATTENTION:  This is an important update on MCFL's efforts to fight the New Buffer Zone.  Please read this email to the end.

Dear Pro-Life Friend,

By now I'm sure you've heard the news.

The Abortion Clinic Buffer Zone is back and pro-lifers are again under threat.

Deval Patrick and his cronies want to put your pro-life friends in jail.

Massachusetts' Governor, Attorney General, and Planned Parenthood have conspired against the constitutionally protected rights of the citizens of the Commonwealth.  They hastily passed a New Buffer Zone law that would allow them to put pro-life sidewalk counselors in jail for up to 5 years for trying to educate women in crisis.

We can't let them get away with it.  I need you to stand with me for the rights of sidewalk counselors and other pro-lifers (CLICK HERE).  We need the resources to fight in the public square, in the legislature, and in the courts.

A gift of $10, $20, or $30 from you would make a big difference in this struggle.  Please help.

As you know, The Supreme Court overturned by a 9-0 vote the old Buffer Zone, which forced sidewalk counselors and people who wanted to pray and give witness to stand at least 35 feet away, even on public property.

After years of pointing to the controversial Roe v. Wade ruling as the basis of their policy, anti-life activists are refusing to accept a unanimous decision as settled law. As soon as the ruling came down, Deval Patrick and Martha Coakley promised to find a way to circumvent the ruling and get their free-speech restrictions back in force.

Now they've passed a law which will allow them to throw pro-lifers in jail for 5 years and fine them $50,000 for simply trying to exercise their rights to free speech and assembly. 

It's up to us to stop them.  Together we can do it but you are needed!  CLICK HERE to support our efforts.

Under the new law, sidewalk counselors, people praying in front of abortion clinics, or even those simply standing a silent witness so that the victims of abortion are not forgotten are potentially subject to arrest and draconian criminal and civil penalties if they are deemed to be "impeding" access to an abortion clinic.

These are good, compassionate, peaceful people who are there to help women. These are our friends, neighbors, and fellow churchgoers—perhaps you are one of them yourself. I am. Governor Patrick is threatening them, you, all of us, with prison if we don't shut up.

Under the new law, police may move any group accused of impeding clinic access to at least 25 feet away from the entrance, thus preventing them from offering hope, help, and love.  Anyone who violates this New Buffer Zone, can be arrested, fined, and/or jailed.  For a second offense the penalties become huge and draconian.

Worse yet, determining who is "impeding" access, and what constitutes a new "violation" is largely left up to the abortion clinic's staff.

That's right, the people who perform and live off abortions will be the ones deciding if the people standing up for unborn children and their mothers are breaking the law!

Governor Patrick wants to put a weapon in the hands of abortion clinics.  He wants to bully pro-lifers into keeping silent. A former board member of Planned Parenthood, he knows that these actions will lead to more abortions.

Make no mistake, this law poses a real threat to pro-lifers and to the babies and women they are trying to help.

I need you to decide now to support MCFL's efforts to take back our right to stand up for the unborn and their mothers.  CLICK HERE to fund our effort.  Your gift of $10, $20, $30, or whatever you can afford will go a long way toward helping

Pro-abortion activists know that the work of pro-lifers reduces the number of abortions and hurts the profits of Planned Parenthood and other abortion mills.  Governor Patrick, the former board member of Planned Parenthood, will do anything to prevent that.

We need to keep standing up for the rights of the unborn.  If we are to do that, we must also stand up for the constitutionally protected rights this New Buffer Zone law is trying to take from us.

Your immediate gift of $10, $20, $30 or whatever you can afford is needed to fund our efforts to fight this terrible law in the courts, in the legislature, and in the public mind (CLICK HERE).

I know I can count on you to stand up for the unborn and for the rights of pro-lifers.

Please, act quickly; we need funds soon to continue our efforts.  (CLICK HERE to donate)  Working together, we can win this important fight.

Thank you for all you do for Life.

 

Yours truly,

Anne

How Is Haleigh Doing?

Here is good news with some pertinent points by Wesley Smith at National Review Online!

Also, please note that we can stop holding our breath.  Remember, last Jan 14, the awful sex-ed bill, which would have codified Maria Talks and taught children how to get abortions behind their parents' backs, was on the House floor at the State House waiting to be voted on?  Your phone calls pushed it back to committee (something I had never heard of before).  Your calls kept it there.  The session has ended with no further action.  You rock! 

Anne


August 3, 2014 5:26 PM
Haleigh's New Life After State Wanted Her Dead
By Wesley J. Smith

It's been awhile since I have written of Haleigh Poutre. Some may recall that she was an abused child beaten into a sustained unconsciousness by her step father.

Adding near-killing to her injury, within days of being diagnosed, doctors decided she would never get better and the state sought court permission to make sure she died "with dignity" by having her respirator and feeding tube removed.

Happily, just before the deed was to be done, she awakened. From my 2006 NRO article, "Danger Zone:"

Within a week or so of the beating, her doctors had written her off. They apparently told Haleigh's court-appointed guardian, Harry Spence, that she was "virtually brain dead." Even though he had never visited her, Spence quickly went to court seeking permission to remove her respirator and feeding tube.

The court agreed, a decision affirmed recently by the supreme court of Massachusetts. And so, no doubt with the best of intentions, a little girl who had already suffered so much was stripped by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts of even the chance to fight to stay alive. If she didn't stop breathing when the respirator was removed, which doctors expected, she would slowly dehydrate to death.

Then came the unexpected: Before "pulling the plug" on Haleigh, Spence finally decided to visit her. He was stunned. Rather than finding a little girl with "not a chance" of recovery, as doctors had described Haleigh's condition to him (as reported by the Boston Globe), Haleigh was conscious. She was able to give Spence a yellow block when asked to by a social worker and respond to other simple requests.

Not only did Haleigh awaken, but she learned to eat on her own and began rehab and school.  Now, she has a real, loving family. From the Boston Globe story:
The minister winds up his welcome to some 400 people, and soon lyrics flash karaoke-like on a large screen. A spirited Christian pop song, "Blessed be Your Name," fills the Westfield Evangelical Free Church. In the back row, a young woman, sitting in a wheelchair next to her adoptive parents, lights up.

Though she can't read all the words, she sways to the music and claps her hands, the nails painted pink with white polka dots. She loves cheerful tunes and a crowd, and on this Sunday, she has both. Keith and Becky Arnett could have predicted that Haleigh, 20, would brighten at this part of the service. She entered their lives as a 14-year-old foster child, then known as Haleigh Poutre, who had been at the center of a passionate end-of-life court battle. Her singular story of abuse, compounded by government lapses, drew national media attention. It remains one of the darkest chapters in the state's child-protection system.

The case caused MA to reform its laws. But have the bioethical values that led to this almost killing changed? From what I observe, no. Indeed, they have gotten even worse.

Think about this. Think about it hard: The "quality of life ethic" pushed vociferously in mainstream bioethics–and almost implemented by state bureaucrats–came very close to killing Haleigh by dehydration. It would have happened had it not taken the procedure months to get MA Supreme Court permission.

And now think about this: If euthanasia had been legal, she could have been lethally injected with not enough time to recover. And don't think that will never happen if society swallows the hemlock. Child euthanasia and medicalized killing of children already happens in the Netherlands and Belgium.

It is a very dangerous thing to create a invidious categories of people denigrated by medical technocrats as having lives not worth living–or paying for.

So, the next time a bioethicist argues that we must dehydrate a child or other cognitively disabled person to death in "their best interests," remember Haleigh Poutre. Sometimes doctors are wrong. Sometimes "miracles" do, indeed, happen. If we are to err, it should be on giving life a chance.

You'll Want to Know

Please read the tragic story about this beautiful young pro-life family.  Near the end it tells you how you can help. 

I apologize - I don't know how to get rid of the Daily Mail tabloid stuff but I wanted to get the story right to you. 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2712722/Pregnant-mother-four-unborn-child-die-shes-stung-bees.html

Bless you,

Anne

NEW BUFFER ZONE: 35 HEROES

The New Buffer Zone, with its potential to be worse than the one that went down 9 - 0, will be signed into law this week.  The Senate passed it unanimously.  The House had a role call.  The stalwarts, who stood up for a woman's right to receive hope, help, and love, deserve our thanks.

1.  Please check the list to see if your representative is a Hero.  If so:
2.  Call to say "thank you!"
3.  Remind a few neighbors to call.

NB: Only representatives are on the list.
~For roll calls, all the Democrats are listed in alphabetical order then all the Republicans, so I have listed them that way.
~All the phone numbers are 617-722 followed by the individual number.  Given my poor typing skills, I have listed only the last four numbers next to the Representative's name.
~You may notice that some of the Reps have the same phone number.  They share offices and numbers.  Just ask for your person.
~The asterisk (*) means the person spoke and/or offered amendments on our behalf.  It is good to mention that in your message.

The most important thing we can do is to thank legislators who vote with us!

Thank you!

Anne

Brian Ashe, 2090
Bruce Ayers, 2230
Stephen DiNatale, 2676
Paul Donato, 2040
Colleen Garry, 2380
Wayne Matewsky, 2090
Jim Miceli, 2460
Thomas Petrolati, 2255
Angelo Puppolo, 2430
John Rogers, 2092
Dennis Rosa, 2396
Walter Timilty, 2230
Matthew Beaton, 2488
Nicholas Boldyga, 2810
Leah Cole, 2430
* Vinnie deMacedo 2100
* Geoff Diehl, 2810
* Shawn Dooley, 2810
Peter Durant, 2060
Ryan Fattman, 2460
Kimberly Ferguson, 2263
*Paul Frost, 2489
* Sheila Harrington, 2305
Brad Hill, 2100
Randy Hunt, 2396
Brad Jones, 2100
Kevin Kuros, 2460
* Marc Lombardo, 2460
* Jim Lyons, 2014
Shaunna O'Connell, 2305
* Keiko Orrall, 2090
George Peterson, 2100
Betty Poirier, 2100
Todd Smola, 2240
David Vieira, 2230

Arizona Botched Execution Caused by Doctor-Prescribed Suicide Drug!

When I heard about the execution in Arizona that took two hours of suffering, I knew they used the same drugs that the pro-death lobby is pushing for Doctor-Prescribed Suicide but I couldn't believe that was true.  You probably had the same reaction.  Well, sure enough, it is - the drugs over which the press and courts are having conniptions are the same as the "death with dignity" drugs!  Wesley Smith confirms this in a brief, very useful article, http://www.nationalreview.com/human-exceptionalism/383690/another-cruel-and-unusual-death-dignity-wesley-j-smith

I plan to use this information the next time DPS comes up (or any time I can bring it up)

Anne

Press Release: Arizona "Botched" Execution Uses Same Drugs as Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Arizona "Botched" Execution Uses Same Drugs as Doctor-Prescribed Suicide

Charlestown, MA - July 25, 2014   

Contact Anne Fox, 781-449-1774

The recent "botched" execution in Arizona used the same drugs as those recommended for doctor-prescribed suicide. We now know that they do not cause "death with dignity" but what appeared to be an agonizing, prolonged death of almost two hours.

In 2012, Massachusetts voters defeated efforts to legalize doctor-prescribed suicide. Advocates filed a bill in the 2013/2014 legislative session and will bring it up again in 2015.

"We urge the legislature and the general public to remember this 'cruel and unusual punishment' when considering doctor-prescribed suicide again and not inflict it on the most vulnerable of Massachusetts' citizens." stated Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, the state's oldest and largest pro-life organization.

###

Press Release: Senate President Misspeaks on Abortion Facilities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Senate President Misspeaks on Abortion Facilities 

Charlestown, MA - July 25, 2014

Contact: Anne Fox, 781-449-1774

Senate President Therese Murray falsely claimed in a WATD-FM interview yesterday that "…abortion services…they're few and far between"  at the facilities covered by the new Buffer Zone replacement law, according to the State House News Service.  Murray was discussing the New Buffer Zone Bill when she made the statement that these facilities "...are not abortion areas."

The facts contradict her claims.  In 2012, Planned Parenthood facilities alone performed 11,870 abortions in Massachusetts.  Their clinic in Boston, which has been the focus of most of the testimony and discussion concerning the bill, performed 6,899 of those.  The Boston clinic does abortions three days a week.  That is more than 44 abortions each of those days - one abortion every ten minutes.  Forty-four abortions a day in one facility is hardly "few and far between."

Planned Parenthood in Worcester, Springfield, and Women's Health Services in Brookline each perform about 16 abortions per day every abortion day.  Approximately 5,228 other abortions performed in Massachusetts in 2012 were done in hospitals or other free-standing clinics impacted by the Buffer Zone, such as Four Women in Attleboro, which performed 2,018.

According to Anne Fox, President of Massachusetts Citizens for Life, "President Murray has every right to advocate for a bill.  As an elected official, particularly as the leader of the Senate, she has an obligation to stick to the facts.  Massachusetts Citizens for Life calls on Senator Murray to issue a correction admitting that the new bill is designed to protect abortion clinics and only abortion clinics."

 Massachusetts Citizens for Life is the oldest and largest pro-life organization in the state.  An affiliate of National Right to Life, MCFL has been working to restore protection to life at all stages for more than forty-one years.

###

New Buffer Zone: House Vote

The House voted 116 - 35 in favor of the New Buffer Zone.  House members, led by Jim Lyons, worked valiantly to amend/delay the bill but the juggernaut was in.  Kudos to Jim, Keiko Orrall, Vinnie DeMacedo, Geoff Diehl, Paul Frost, Shawn Dooley, Sheila Harrington, and Marc Lombardo. I'll let you know as soon as we have the roll call. Let's see how fast the other places that have/had Buffer Zones follow Massachusetts over the Constitutional cliff.  Anne

Boston Magazine, Decent Coverage of Buffer Zone and MCFL Billboard!

	I think you will find this article worth reading.  Anne http://www.bostonmagazine.com/news/blog/2014/07/15/buffer-zones-legislation-filed-billboards/ -

New Buffer Zone Law - What Happened Yesterday

Yesterday: the hearings at the State House on the proposed new Buffer Zone, the Judiciary committee reported it out favorably, and the Senate passed it!

For the first four hours we heard:
Places that do abortions are "health centers."
"Reproductive rights" are a primary constitutional right.
All pro-lifers are violent and threatening.
The lovely counselors who spoke are aberrations.

Planned Parenthood employs a huge number of people in the state who all drone on about their abuse by pro-lifers.  No legislator picked up on the pro-lifers' demands for pictures or videos of the alleged incidents.

When the pro-lifers had a chance to speak:
Eleanor McCullen - and all the counselors who were there - did an outstanding job, explaining that it would be counter-productive for her to behave badly.  Other impressive counselors were on Bill Cotter's panel.  Rod Murphy, Nancy Clark, and Lee Crowley all from Worcester, Jean Healey, and Eric Anthony all spoke eloquently about counseling.  Faith Tendo also came from Worcester to tell about her experience being helped by Problem Pregnancy.  Maureen Vacca and Rita Russo testified.

Phil Moran, the local lawyer for the McCullen win, compared the new zone to the penalty box where the counselors would always be.  State Representatives Jim Lyons and Marc Lombardo spoke.  Jim pointed out that these same people say "The Supreme court has spoken" about Roe v Wade.  Now they have no use for the Court.  Marc stated that this proposed law is so outrageous that it will definitely be appealed and cited the costs in time and money that will be associated with the appeal - the McCullen case has already cost many millions.

Pat Stewart, MCFL Executive Director, gave impressive testimony citing 20 actual laws that already cover blockading, harassing, etc.

Committee Members Keiko Orrall and Sheila Harrington asked excellent questions.  They and Colleen Garry were the only committee members who voted against sending the proposed legislation to the Senate.

As fast as they can get it through the House and signed, Massachusetts will have a law which is worse than the old Buffer Zone.  It effectively creates a 25-foot zone and the penalties are scary - $50,000 and three years in jail.  The legislature is in the process of disrespecting the Supreme Court and penalizing law-abiding citizens.  I do think all the other places that have suspended their Buffer Zones will pass laws like this one.  At least Massachusetts will have company in its foolishness.

Thank goodness I got to go to our Summer Academy afterwards (more in another email).  The wonderful speakers and students restored me.

Anne


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New Buffer Zone hearing TOMORROW!

Late afternoon yesterday, Planned Parenthood's new Buffer Zone bill, (SD) 2106, was filed.  The Judiciary Committee will take testimony tomorrow, Wednesday, at 10 am in Gardner Auditorium.  We expect testimony will not go much past three.  Obviously, they will vote to report it out as soon as the testimony is over. We need to prepare to testify.  This bill is worse than the one just overturned.  Our lawyers say that, in order to appeal successfully, we need a lot of testimony on the record.  That is where we come in. We need to say the law is not needed, that Massachusetts has not arrested anyone outside a clinic in at least 20 years.  Most of all we need to say that this new law is so scary we would be afraid to go near a clinic to try to help a woman.  You can read the law at  http://masscitizensforlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/New-Buffer-Zone-Bill.pdf                If I "detain" a woman to give her literature, I could face big fines and jail.  Who decides if I am detaining?  It looks as though the people in PP could decide.  The state looked dumb when it passed the unconstitutional Buffer Zone.  It will look totally deranged when it passes this new one. Please plan on 10 am in Gardner Auditorium. For once it will be okay to arrive a bit late. Individuals have three minutes to speak and members of panels (3 or 4 people) have two minutes each. I will let you know any new developments.  If you are not able to testify in person, please prepare something written to email to the House Committee Chair before 9 am in the morning, Christopher.Markey@mahouse.gov As always, mighty thanks! Anne

NO NEW BUFFER ZONES: CALL YOUR LEGISLATORS

Don't you feel like saying, "What about 9-0 don't you understand?"

As you know, the AG, the Governor, and Planned Parenthood (or the other way round) plan to pass new laws.  The fact that the Supreme Court said there are already laws on the books, that Massachusetts was forced to admit at SCOTUS testimony that they have not had to enforce these laws; that new laws will probably end up at the Court again wasting much time and taxpayer money, doesn't seem to matter because these people are demagoging.

Each of us must call our State Senator and our State Representative ASAP!  The message is:
The Supreme Court ruled against the Buffer Zone 9-0
There are already laws on the books to keep driveway, sidewalks, and entrances clear.
If a person defies the laws, an injunction can already be brought against him or her.
There is no need for any new laws. 
Please do not spend your time and our taxes on unnecessary laws that will most likely just end up before the Supreme Court again

To make the calls:
After you are on:  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-informed/legislation/
If you know the names of your State Senator and State Rep, click onto State Senate and State Representatives for their phone numbers

It you do not know the names of your legislators click onto Look Up Your Legislator and Contact Information.
We have bowled them over with calls before.  We can do it again! 

Anne

NB: When you call, be sure to give your name and the fact that you are a constituent!
Calls or personal visits are the way to go - emails can be ignored


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Press Release: MCFL Billboard Campaign to Defeat New Buffer Zones

For Immediate Release      Contact Anne Fox, 617-242-4199
Boston, July 14, 2014








Statement by Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life:

"These MCFL Billboards on the corner of Cambridge and Bowdoin Streets, in the middle of many government buildings, which are viewed by 60,000 people every day, remind the legislators and their constituents that the Supreme Court ruled unanimously (9 - 0) that the Massachusetts Buffer Zone was unconstitutional. 

"There are already laws against blocking driveways or entrances; there are laws against harassment, and injunctions are available against persons who violate existing laws.  Massachusetts does not need any new laws.  During testimony before the Court in January, Jennifer Miller, Assistant Mass. Attorney General, admitted that the state has not enforced any of these laws for more than a decade.

​"Massachusetts Citizens for Life urges the legislature to let law enforcement apply existing laws before writing any new ones.  Let's not waste the time of the legislators and the tax money of the citizens to end up before the Supreme Court again."

The Best Gift My Grandson Ever Gave Me

	Ray Flynn just sent out this article - in the Huffington Post, no less.  It is a wonderful read.  We are so fortunate to have Ray on our team! Anne http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ray-flynn/handicapped-grandchild-_b_5567517.html?utm_hp_ref=fifty&ir=Fifty Click on Billboard picture to donate