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Superbowl Score for the Tebows

nomatterhowsmall — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 10:39:30 -0500

Well, Superbowl Sunday has come and gone. Did the Tim and Pam Tebow ad live up to all the hype?

As Robin Abcarian of the Los Angeles Times put it this morning, "Boy tackles mom. That was about it...a lighthearted take on a mother-son relationship."

The Tebow's ad spots, which lasted about 30 seconds each, and featured a loving and humorous moment between Pam Tebow and her son, Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, "Timmy."

As Pam Tebow describes her "miracle baby" and ambiguously recounts of the "many times she almost lost him," suddenly Pam Tebow is tackled by her son. Popping right back up she scolds him for interrupting. After he lovingly apologizes asks, " You still worry about me, mom?" she says, "Well yeah, you're not nearly as tough as I am."

As reported in the LA Times, reaction from pro-life and pro-abortion leaders:

"Wow, this is so benign. It's a story of a mother's strength. That is the message that I saw." --Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List.

"What you see is the increasing sophistication of the pro-life movement. Focus on the Family has really been strategic. They went with the old adage 'Less is more,' and they put a positive message out there."--Charmaine Yoest, president of Americans United for Life.

"I am blown away at the celebration of the violence against women in it. That's what comes across to me even more strongly than the anti-abortion message. I myself am a survivor of domestic violence, and I don't find it charming. I think CBS should be ashamed of itself." --Terry O'Neill, president of the National Organization for Women

Not all pro-abortion groups agree with O'Neill. In response, former president of Catholics for Choice Frances Kissling said, "It's absurd to claim that this is an endorsement of violence against women. These people came across as affectionate, loving, funny and happy."

Ehem, the tackling in line with the football theme of the Superbowl, must have been the humor Focus on the Family president Jim Daly was referring too a few weeks ago. Indeed, the notion that a pro-life ad might be funny sent pro-abortion bloggers into fits of rage.

Laura Martin over at rhrealitycheck.org said, "I'm here to tell you, Jim Daly, that there is nothing funny about abortion or your vicious campaign to control women. And there never will be."

Newsflash for all you pro-aborts. You're right, there is nothing funny about abortion. Life, on the other hand, is full wonder, surprise, humor, and love. The Tebow ad wasn't about abortion, it was about family, and the joy that Pam Tebow has received through the life of her son.

To watch the ads, visit: www.focusonthefamily.com

Marjorie Debates NOW President Terry O'Neill on CNN

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:52:35 -0500

SBA President Talks about Tebow Ad on CBN News

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:47:18 -0500

Marjorie Debates Tebow Ad on Fox and Friends

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:21:15 -0500

Susan B. Anthony List President appeared on Fox and Friends this morning to debate Rebekah Spicuglia of the Women's Media Center about the Tim Tebow ad set to air on CBS during the Superbowl this Sunday.

Great job Marjorie!

Be sure to tune in this afternoon at 4:45 EST to CNN's Rick's List. Marjorie will be debating NOW President Terry O'Neill, LIVE!

Continue to show the Tebow your support at www.blockhardfortebow.com and gear up for the game on Sunday!

Paging Sarah: Journalist calls for euthanasia of disabled newborns

prolifeDC — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:07:41 -0500

…And you thought Abortion was bad, check this out via RT.com:

The article titled “Finish it off so it doesn’t suffer,” which calls for the euthanasia of disabled newborn children, has caused public outrage in Russia and has led to fierce debates in the blogging community.

In the article under question, the author says that “the killing of the newborn is in fact the same as an abortion or super-late term abortion” and calls disabled newborns “defective blanks” and “newborn idiots”. He states that depriving disabled infants of life is “true humanism”.

The Union of Russian Journalists has accused the author of the article of breaching professional ethics.

Looks like Russia has its own Peter Singer on its hands.

A Little Prayerful Ingenuity - The Great Prayer Project

efilippini — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:43:37 -0500

Defenders of Life! Looking for a way to keep a STEADY and POWERFUL assault on the plague of abortion? Look no further than a new online prayer campaign entitled:

THE GREAT PRAYER PROJECT

The basic premise is this: one full year beginning March 25, 2010 completely covered in non-stop prayer with the specific intention of ending abortion worldwide. PERIOD. It’s a rather easy setup. Simply sign up on the website and create a username and password and then you are able to go to the “Calendar” and sign up for any available time slot during the entire year. Days are broken up into 20-minute time slots and are all based on Eastern Standard Time so if you aren’t in EST, be aware that you are signing up for EST time slot specifically. Plenty of helpful hints on the website are given to help folks along in their prayer if they are a little unsure of how to fill their time slot.

March 25^th is quite an appropriate date for such an undertaking seeing as it is the feast of the Annunciation, the very day when Christ took on flesh a HUMAN PERSON inside of Mary’s womb, a sure reminder of the immeasurably precious gift within every woman’s womb.

Hats off to the creators of this project for having the zeal and conviction to pull this off! May all those fighting for life be blessed in their efforts!

Here is the link to the website: The Great Prayer Project - End Abortion

Ireland Attacked for Pro-Life Laws

derekblair — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 13:43:29 -0500

LifeNews reported this week on a shocking turn of events. Ireland was attacked today by the group Human Rights Watch for what they perceived as an affront to basic human rights. What could be this assault you ask, what basic human rights are being denied in Ireland? According to the HRW, Ireland is depriving its’ citizens of the “fundamental human” right to have an abortion.

Of course, they fail to take into account the right to life of the unborn child.

What’s even more disturbing is the fact that Ireland’s laws protecting the unborn were not set up just a few years ago, but have been a major force in their legal system since 1861. The Irish Constitution explicitly recognizes the humanity of the unborn child and states that all life must be protected, from conception until natural death.

Rebecca Roughneen, a pro-life advocate in Ireland, argued that, “Neither I, nor the majority of Irish women, need abortion to ‘enjoy’ our human rights.”

So why doesn’t Human Rights Watch look out for those that are really suffering from a lack of human rights? Those lacking the fundamental right to life? The unborn.

For more info on this story please click here

Feminists Still Furious Over Tebow Ad

nomatterhowsmall — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:43:58 -0500

This morning in the Washington Post, sports columnist Sally Jenkins had a great piece that truly sums up what has been the radical feminist response to Tim and Pam Tebow's Superbowl ad.

Refering to NOW as the "National Organization of Fewer and Fewer Women All The Time," and "The National Organization for Women Who Only Think Like Us," Jenkins simplifies the problem with all of their complaints.

"They aren't actually 'pro-choice' so much as they are pro-abortion. Pam Tebow has a genuine pro-choice story to tell...

Pam Tebow and her son feel good enough about that choice to want to tell people about it. Only, NOW says they shouldn't be allowed to. Apparently NOW feels this commercial is an inappropriate message for America to see for 30 seconds, but women in bikinis selling beer is the right one. . I would like to meet the genius at NOW who made that decision. On second thought, no, I wouldn't."

Jenkins considers herself to be pro-choice, and expresses that "surely everyone in both camps, pro-choice or pro-life, wishes the 'need' for abortions wasn't so great. Which is precisely why NOW is so wrong to take aim at Tebow's ad."

Jenkins goes on to laud Tim Tebow for his selflessness and humility, exclaiming that more Tim Tebows are exactly what this world needs, and that the likes of NOW should agree. We need more men like Tim Tebow who are unashamed to say that they respect themselves, women, and the institution of marriage, to the point that they'll "practice sexual restraint" so that women might have less need for abortion.

Jenkins believes that the women of NOW should appreciate this because even as pro-choicers, "surely everyone in both camps, pro-choice or pro-life, wishes the 'need' for abortions wasn't so great."

This is where Jenkins misunderstands NOW and the radical feminist movement. Terry O'Neill and the "National Organization of Fewer and Fewer Women All The Time" believe that women need abortion to be happy--that abortion completes womanhood. That is why NOW is so furious about Pam Tebow and her choice. They believe she choose wrong.

South Korea’s Family Drama

Leslie — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:42:59 -0500

Here’s a bit of interesting news.

While we here in the United States fight to keep the government from promoting abortion through our taxpayer dollars the opposite seems to be happening on the other side of the world in South Korea.

Recently John Sudworth, of BBC News, reported that the South Korean Ministry of Health shut down its operations earlier than usual in an attempt to encourage its employees to go home and spend time with their families, hopefully making bigger ones. Why, ? because South Korea happens to have an extremely low birth rate and an aging population. According to the article even Japan’s birth rates are higher than that of South Korea’s which is astonishing.

This is seen as a serious issue by the government due to “falling levels of manpower and spiralling health care costs” as quoted in the BBC article. To counter-act decline in birth rate, this experimental, early, end-of-the-day is hoped to be repeated every month. It certainly seems that the Ministry of Health believes its staff should set the tone for the rest of South Korea in encouraging “family life.”

Another interesting little tidbit found in the article on the BBC website is that at the Ministry of Health, “Generous gift vouchers are on offer for officials who have more than one child, and the department organises social gatherings in the hope of fostering love amongst its bureaucrats.” Even money is being given to people for having children. What a turn-a-round!

Many criticize the new “Family Day”, however, stating that the government is encouraging larger families without taking into account the drawbacks to having numerous children. For instance, the cost of education and childcare is very expensive, and thus they are a major road-block, especially to the young people of South Korea interested in starting families.

But, hey, they are at least heading in the right direction. If the South Koreans want bigger families they are going to have to make it an attainable goal, the motto being, ”the bigger the better”. Yet here, while bigger families are more attainable, government seems to be promoting the opposite mantra. Instead of something along the lines of “the more the merrier,” we get, “the more, the drearier.”

Fascinating, no?

SBA President Defends Tebow Family

nomatterhowsmall — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 10:20:42 -0500

SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser recently appeared on CNS News to discuss the feminist movement's outrage over the Tim and Pam Tebow Superbowl advertisement. The ad, sponsored by Focus on the Family, will celebrate Pam Tebow's choice not to have an abortion despite advice from doctors. Pro-abortion feminist groups like NOW and the Women's Media Center have been up in arms about the ad, and are pressuring CBS to pull the ad from the Superbowl lineup.

Show your support for the Tebow family at www.blockhardfortebow.com

Marilyn Musgrave Defends Tebow Superbowl Ad

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:19:45 -0500

While in Birmingham, Alabama, CBS42 caught up with former Congresswoman Musgrave to get her opinion on the Tebow Superbowl ad controversy.

Show your support for Tim Tebow at www.blockhardfortebow.com

Women Speak Out, Southern Tour Days 2-3

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 13:42:18 -0500

What a great couple of days in the South!

Wednesday we were in Montgomery and Birmingham Alabama to join Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman, Cheryl Ciamarra of Alabama Right to Life and Focus on Life Radio, as well as Laura Peters, President of Alabama Students for Life, Joy Pinto of Her Choice Birmingham Women's Center, and Barry Robichaux of 40 Days for Life to speak out on abortion in health care reform.

Thursday, we rounded out the tour by heading to Senator Blanche Lincoln's office in Little Rock, AR. Little Rock was beautiful despite the fact that a massive ice storm was on its way, and the press conference got a ton of coverage from local media. We were lucky to be joined by Mary Pate of 40 Days for Life, and Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke, Dean of Graduate Programs at Harding University.

Unfortunately, we had to cancel the last two stops on the tour due the aforementioned ice storm. We're thinking of our friends in Hot Springs and Fayetteville, be safe!

As the health care battle continues, pro-life Americans must continue to encourage and insist that their members of Congress stay true to their pro-life values. Thank you to southern Rep.'s Charlie Melancon, Gene Taylor, Bobby Bright, Artur Davis, Travis Childers, Mike Ross, and Marion Berry who all stayed true to their constituents, both born and unborn and voted for the pro-life, pro-woman Stupak amendment. We expect these representatives to stand strong, and to be good examples for southern Senator's Mary Landrieu and Blanche Lincoln. Abortion is NOT health care and the American tax payers should not be forced to foot the bill for abortion on-demand.

Pro-lifers Thank Rep. Gene Taylor

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 12:48:11 -0500

The whole SBA List team is back in the office after a long week traveling throughout the beautiful south.

Check out this clip from our time in Hattiesburg, MS. Thanks again to Ame' Karoly and William Carey Students for Life, Anne Hurt of Bethany Christian Services, Nancy Osborn and Anne Kathryn DeViney, all wonderful pro-life activists! You ladies were great and Congressman Taylor will be inspired and warmed by your kind and encouraging words.

Reconciliation Spells Trouble for the Unborn

derekblair — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:15:48 -0500

Reconciliation Spells Trouble for the Unborn You would think by now that Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Barack Obama would have gotten the message from Massachusetts, the most pro-Democrat state in America. Americans in Massachusetts voiced their view on the Senate Health Care Reform Bill by electing Republican Scott Brown, who ran a campaign saying that he would stop the bill. It should be obvious to our Congress that America does not want this bill. It would seem, though, that Democratic leadership has gone deaf and have instead come up with a new plan to pass the Senate Health Care Reform Bill called reconciliation, or the “nuclear” option. Reconciliation is a process where a budgetary bill can be passed with only 51 votes in Senate, which is what Democrats hope to do to pass the pro-abortion Senate Health Care Reform Bill. If this were to happen it would be a tremendous blow to the pro-life movement. Put simply, if passed, the bill would spend federal dollars, your tax money, on health care plans that fund elective abortions. This would result in the greatest expansion of abortions since Roe v. Wade. In spite of the fact that repeated polls indicating that Americans reject this pro-abortion legislation have been confirmed by a huge upset in Massachusetts, it would seem that Pelosi, Obama, and Reid will attempt to do whatever it takes to force us to accept “their” version of healthcare -- a version that is pro-abortion and unwanted by America.

Women Speak Out Southern Tour Kickoff!

nomatterhowsmall — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:21:36 -0500

What a great day! We had two amazing press conferences today, starting in gorgeous Baton Rouge, Louisiana. So many incredible pro-life women came out, including Bobbie Jones and Cynthia Labutka, both regional coordinators for Silent No More, Cindy Collins, the International Director of Operation Outcry and founder Lousiana Abortion Recovery Alliance (www.laabortionrecovery.com), Dorothy Wallis, the President & CEO Caring to Love Ministries, and April Altazan of the Louisiana Family Forum. Bystanders, supporters, and several police officers (who were very nice!) stood by as these women thanked Congressman Charlie Melancon, of Louisiana's 3rd district, for his pro-life Stupak vote and expressed their disappointment in Senator Mary Landrieu for her votes against Life in health care reform. It was a gorgeous morning in Baton Rouge.

From Louisiana, it was on to Hattiesburg, Mississippi to meet up with Anne Kathyrn DeViney and Nancy Osborn, both local pro-life activists, Anne Hurt from Bethany Christian Services, Ame' Karole, the president of William Carey Students for Life, and finally Meghan Fink, a junior at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Hattiesburg. The testimony of these women was so moving! We hope to see you again soon, ladies.

We're in Montgomery, Alabama tonight and tomorrow will be at the State capital to meet with Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman and Cheryl Ciamarra, of Alabama Right to Life and Focus on Life radio.

Come out to join us!!!

www.sba-list.org/tour

Millions Will See Pro-Life Ad During Super Bowl

ProudAmerican93 — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:15:49 -0500

Tim Tebow with his mother Pam

UPDATE -- BLOCK HARD FOR TEBOW! Read the story and go to our "Block Hard for Tebow" page to show your support for Tim Tebow!

    Pro-family organization Focus on the Family has produced a commercial that it plans to air during the Super Bowl, the biggest football game of the year that is watched on TV by tens of millions.

   While Focus on the Family has not confirmed the content of the ad, it is expected to feature the story of college football star Tim Tebow. The Associated Press reported this week that the ad will feature the theme of “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life”.

   Tebow, 22, is the quarterback for the University of Florida college football team. He is widely considered among the best college players in the country, setting several records and winning the prestigious Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the best college football player in the country.

   Tebow’s story began in 1985, when his strongly pro-life Christian parents were on a missionary trip in the Philippines. But Pam Tebow, his mother, contracted dysentery, a potentially fatal infection of the intestine caused by a parasite in a contaminated food or drink.

   Treatment for the infection would require strong medications that doctors said would cause irreversible damage to her unborn baby, so she was urged to abort him. But Pam refused and hoped that because of her strong Christian faith her son would be born without the severe disabilities the doctors predicted.

   Pam was right, and Tim was born a healthy baby boy on August 14, 1987. Her son is now considered a top pick for the 2010 NFL draft.

   Since so many people (up to 100 million) watch the Super Bowl each year, the price of buying airtime for commercials is huge – often hitting as much as $2 or $3 million for a 30-second ad. Focus on the Family confirmed that it has bought airtime for four ads: three right before the game and one during it. Focus on the Family spokesman Gary Schneeberger said the money for the commercials came from generous donors who made special gifts for the project, many of them stretching beyond their typical donation amounts.

   Now, CBS, the network which will air the Super Bowl this year, is facing pressure from pro-abortion groups such as the Women’s Media Center, National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority, and others to reject the ad.

   “An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year – an event designed to bring Americans together,” Jehmu Greene, president of the Women’s Media Center, told the Associated Press.

   CBS officials told the AP they have approved the ad for airing and promised they would block “issue-oriented” content from airing.

   In a press conference on Sunday, Tebow defended the ad, saying, “I know some people won't agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe,” he said. "I've always been very convicted of it (his views on abortion) because that's the reason I'm here, because my mom was a very courageous woman. So any way that I could help, I would do it.”

   Today, SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser also defended the ad, blasting hypocritical pro-“choice” groups for not respecting Pam Tebow’s decision to choose life.

    “NOW and company are losing their grip as their pro-abortion position sinks in public opinion. I had no idea NOW leaders were such experts on sports. Missed that part of their mission.

    “What is real here is their desperation to keep full information from women. Shouldn't the ‘pro-choice’ position respect Pam Tebow’s decision to choose Life? What is the worst case scenario in allowing the ad to air? Women are exposed to an example of sacrifice for the sake of an unborn child. NOW needs to explain where the harm and threat to women and children is here.”

   Focus on the Family president and CEO Jim Daly said in a statement that comes at a time when “families need to be inspired.”

    “Tim and Pam share our respect for life and our passion for helping families thrive,” he said. “Focus on the Family is about ... strengthening families by empowering them with the tools they need to live lives rooted in morals and values.”

    Good for CBS – we applaud them for having the courage and integrity to allow pro-lifers the same rights to free speech that pro-choicers get from the media. As you may recall, last year, NBC refused to air a pro-life ad from the pro-life organization Fidelis under its CatholicVote umbrella. The ad, which has almost 2 million views on YouTube, asks what would have happened had President Barack Obama been a victim of abortion.

    God bless CBS and God bless Tim Tebow! He will inspire countless Christians and aspiring athletes to stand up for what is right!

Block Hard for Tebow!

Support the ad and thank CBS for their decision to air it by contacting Sean McManus, president of CBS News & Sports, at sjmcmanus@cbs.com or 212-975-4321.

To see the SBA List statement on the ad controversy, click here.

To see news articles about the ad, click here.

To see the LifeNews.com story about Tim Tebow’s birth, click here.

To see the LifeNews.com story about the ad, click here.

Southern Women Speak Out: Abortion is Not Healthcare

prolifeDC — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:34:54 -0500

Kicking off the second week of SBA’s ‘Women Speak Out’ tour, pro-life women are putting the pressure on Southern local and congressional leaders to get on board with America’s pro-life majority who all agree: Abortion is not healthcare!

Former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO) will be on the road hosting events with local pro-life leaders in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Arkansas. Marilyn and others will be putting pressure on Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) among many other federal and local representatives – and thanking other pro-life leaders for their YES votes on the pro-life Stupak Amendment. (For a full list of SBA’s 8-city southern swing, click here.)

A big thanks to our local pro-life leaders who will be joining Marilyn!

Listen: WORLD Interview with Marjorie Dannenfelser

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 16:14:58 -0500

Check it out!

Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser sat down with Marvin Olasky, the editor in chief of WORLD magazine, to talk about her role as president and chairman of the board of the Susan B. Anthony List.

WORLD mag is featuring a podcast of the interview on their website today.
Click here to listen!

VIDEO: Rep. Franks Remembers Unborn on 37th Anniversary of Roe

prolifepolichicks — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:12:34 -0500

Abortion Clinic in Youngtown, OH Closes After 34 Years

nomatterhowsmall — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 15:16:00 -0500

Last week, the Susan B. Anthony List's "Women Speak Out: Abortion is NOT Health Care" press tour stopped in Canfield and Youngstown, Ohio to meet with AMAZING pro-life women in the area and to encourage Rep. Charlie Wilson to vote pro-life on health care reform.

More exciting news for Youngstown as LifeNews reported this week that the Mahoning Women's Center, an abortion clinic that has been open in Youngtown for 34 years, is permanently closing down.

The women of Youngstown will still have great crisis pregnancy centers to turn to, as noted by LifeNews!

Pregnancy Help Center
4845 Market Street
Youngstown, OH 44512-2100

If you're there to make a donation, or to take advantage of the wonderful services, be sure to say hi to our friend Sally Dubinski, the Director of Pregnancy Help Center!

Virtual March on Washington

nomatterhowsmall — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:55:16 -0500

Can't make it to DC for the March for Life this friday? Check out www.VirtualMarchForLife.com !

Thousands Protest Abortion in Houston

derekblair — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:48:10 -0500

Reported on: Houston Chronicle

Thousands of pro-life activists gathered in Houston, TX to protest the building of a new Planned Parenthood building. Protesters came out claiming that the building was an abortion “super-center” due to its large size of six stories tall and with 80,000 square feet in room.

The protest was held on Martin-Luther King Jr. day due to the protesters arguing that the building was being built in a primarily minority based area.

The crowds, estimated at around five thousand, covered a wide variety of groups. From students to seniors, poor to rich, and even individuals who had once had an abortion.

One woman, Shawna Kimbrough explained, “I’m here to stand with the next generation so that they don’t make the same mistakes that we made.”

Record Number of Pro-Life Students to Attend Conference

ProudAmerican93 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:33:44 -0500

A record number of pro-life youth have signed up to attend this year’s Students for Life of America conference.

SFLA, the largest pro-life students’ organization, has been holding a national conference in Washington, D.C. annually for 22 years. Attendance at the conference has exploded in the past few years, with over 800 students from over 100 different universities attending last year.

This year’s conference is being held all day on Saturday, January 23^rd at Catholic University in Washington. SFLA Executive Director Kristan Hawkins told LifeNews.com she is expecting a record number of attendees from more than 20 states and three countries.

“The overwhelming response of students to this year's conference is very exciting,” Hawkins said.

She adds: "Recent polls have indicated that more and more Americans are identifying themselves as pro-life and the number of students we have attending the conference this year only reinforces the sentiments many of us hold in the pro-life movement - that the nation is waking up and seeing abortion in the true light it is."

The conference includes speakers from more than two dozen different pro-life organizations, both political and non-political. Marjorie Dannenfelser and Joy Yearout of the SBA List will be speaking about the health care debate and media outreach, respectively.

This year’s 2010 Defender of Life Award will go to Phyllis Schlafly, the prominent pro-family conservative and founder of the Eagle Forum. Mrs. Schlafly will be the keynote speaker at the conference.

The 23^rd Annual Students for Life of America National Conference will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Reserve spaces have just been opened up but time is limited. Register here.

For more information on the conference, click here.

For more information on Students for Life of America, click here.

For the LifeNews.com article, click here.

Message from STAM: March for Life 2010

nomatterhowsmall — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:04:18 -0500

Headed to the March for Life 2010?

You SHOULD be! Every pro-life American needs to be in Washington, D.C. next Friday, January 22, 2010 to be counted.

Each year, we rally in Washington to remind the nation of the horrible mistake that was Roe v. Wade. This year, the march takes on more importance than ever, while we are in the midst of fighting the threat of the largest expansion of government-backed abortion since 1973.

Everyone in the Stop the Abortion Mandate (STAM) Coalition hopes to see you there!

Women Speak Out: DAY 3

nomatterhowsmall — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:02:48 -0500

Wednesday was an early morning. After spending the night in Erlanger, KY, we hit the road early for Cincinnati--such a beautiful city!

We set up shop outside of Cincinnati landmark, Carew Tower where Rep. Steve Driehaus has his district office. We were joined by State Senator Shannon Jones from Ohio’s 7th Senate District, Paula Westwood, Executive Director of Cincinnati Right to Life, and Jennifer Giroux, Executive Director and CEO of One More Soul. These women are inspirational to the pro-life movement!

From Cincinnati, it was CLEAR across the state of Indiana to Terre Haute. Thank goodness it was sunny, and warm by our standards after 2 very cold days. We were outside of Rep. Brad Ellsworth's office with Mary Ellen Van Dyke, the Director of Vanderburgh County Right to Life in Evansville, IN, Sharon Carey the President of Wabash Valley Crisis Pregnancy Center, and also Jennifer Buell, the President Wabash County Right to Life. We thanked Rep. Ellsworth for his Stupak vote but insisted:abortion is not health care.

Last but not least, it was on to the gorgeous Indiana State House in Indianapolis. After miraculously finding a parking spot on Indy's bustling streets, we met with Sue Swayze, lobbyist for Indiana Right to Life, Sally Williams the President of Urban Life Matters, and Mary Dougherty of Right to Life of Indianapolis. It was also a pleasure to have the support of Indiana State Rep. Jackie Walorski and a half dozen other stalwart, pro-life state representatives.

Women Speak Out: DAY 2

nomatterhowsmall — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:34:44 -0500

What a great day this was! We started out in Cleveland and although parking was a little tricky, we got to meet with the Molly Smith, Executive Director of Cleveland Right to Life and Diane Stover, the Director of North East Ohio Values Voters. Rep.'s John Boccieri and Tim Ryan MUST vote no on any health care bill that funds abortion!

From Cleveland it was nice drive out to Toledo, OH where Marilyn stood up in front of Rep. Marcy Kaptur's office with Ann Barrick the Toledo Director of 40 Days for Life, and Dr. Ana Thompson. (Thank you for all your prayers, ladies!)

Finally, it was a hike, but we made it all the way over to South Bend, IN by 3:30 to stand outside of Rep. Joe Donnelly's office. It was a honor to hear from Mary Akre, the South Bend 40 Days for Life coordinator, Mia Reini, a volunteer with The Gabriel Project, Mary Forr, Student and Vice President of Notre Dame Right to Life, as well as Theresa Thomas, freelance Catholic writer/mother of 9 and some of her lovely daughters!

Women Speak Out: Abortion is NOT Health Care DAY TWO:
Cleveland, OH--Toledo, OH--South Bend, IN

Women Speak Out: DAY 1

nomatterhowsmall — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 00:51:56 -0500

So, after two days on the road, we've finally gotten a chance to catch our breath, and upload our pictures!! The Susan B. Anthony List has been on the road in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana with former Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave (R-Col.) and what an adventure it has been!!

Check out the great supporters we had on Monday in Pittsburgh and Erie, PA, as well as Youngstown, OH. Despite the snow and freezing cold weather, we had a ton of SBA List members and other pro-lifers out to join us!

Women Speak Out: Abortion is NOT Health Care DAY ONE:
Pittsburgh, PA--Youngstown, OH--Erie, PA

Thank you so much to Georgette Forney, native Pennsylvanian, co-founder of Silent No More and President of Anglicans for Life who joined us for the entire day, as well as Amy Scheuring, Executive Director of the Women's Choice Network, a affiliation of crisis pregnancy centers in Pittsburgh.

Also, so many lovely women to thank in Youngstown, OH. It was a pleasure to meet Sally Dubinski, of the Pregnancy Help Center, Judy Welsh of Women United for Life, Melinda Knight from the Diocese of Youngstown Pro-Life Office, and Natalie Wardle, Youth Minister from St. Stephen’s.

In Erie, we were so lucky to meet Melanie Brewer, Chair of the Erie County Young Republicans. (Erie wins for COLDEST stop on the tour--those Erieites are tough!)

What Does the Catholic Church Really Think?

nomatterhowsmall — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:45:24 -0500

In the midst of all of the recent action in Congress on health care reform, there has been just a little confusion about where the Catholic Church stands on the health care reform bills.

First, the New York Times reported that the Catholic Health Care Association supported the Senate Bill despite its allowance of taxpayer-funded abortion. Yet just three days later the CHA president, Sr. Carol Keehan, stated, ‘The Catholic Health Association has not endorsed the health legislation that was passed by the Senate . . . . nor did it endorse the Casey compromise language that was later opposed by the bishops’ conference.” But as InsideCatholic.com reported, Keehan’s statements are indeed confusing, because they contradict what she said in the past. Whether or not the CHA supports the Senate bill, they don’t speak for the Catholic Church.

And so the confusion runs deeper, as reports on the stance of the USCCB were misrepresented by various news sources. Though the Bishops rightly supported the language of the Stupak amendment, they have made clear time and time again that they do not endorse the House bill as a whole, and certainly do not endorse the Senate bill that allows taxpayer-funded abortion. Indeed, the USCCB has labeled the bill “deficient,” and has promised to "work vigorously to incorporate into the final legislation our priorities for upholding conscience rights and ... prohibitions on abortion funding."

To make it unequivocally clear: the Catholic Church is still standing up for the rights of the most vulnerable members of society, the unborn, over and above lesser concerns.

The Coalition Needs YOU!

nomatterhowsmall — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:25:57 -0500

Urgent message from the STAM coalition!

Pro-lifers need to keep the pressure on Congress, especially as representatives start to head back from their holiday recess. Catching up with your congressmen while they are in their home district offices could be the reinforcement they need to stand up for their pro-life constituents.

Check out this awesome January ToolKit from the Stop the Abortion Mandate (STAM) coalition site.

The ToolKit gives you everything you need to help prevent Washington D.C. bureaucrats and abortion industry lobbyists from using GOVERNMENT FUNDS to pay for abortions and bailout the failing abortion industry!

January ToolKit Includes:

    * Instructions for how to arrange a visit to your Congressman or Senator’s district office, including sample call script
    * A one-page summary about Government Funding of Abortion
    * Questions to ask your Congressman or Senator
    * Sample Letters to the Editor
    * General Q&A about Abortion Funding in Health Care

There is still time to meet with your Congressmen and Senators at home in their district offices before they return to D.C. and continuation of the health care battle. Tell them before they leave home, you oppose government funding of abortion! Along with the majority of Americans.

New Rasmussen Poll Results

nomatterhowsmall — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 14:08:00 -0500

The results are in and abortion is still losing. LifeNews reported the latest Rasmussen Reports poll results released over the weekend. Survey continues to say that the majority of Americans want abortion funding banned from any health care bill.

According to Rasmussen, 53% of Americans favor a ban on abortion coverage in any health insurance plan that receives federal subsidies.

Add this to the list of continuing proof that Congress ought to slow down and listen to the American people on this issue. Abortion funding is not popular, even among those people who strongly support the current bill in Congress. 47% versus 40% of those who support the bill also oppose taxpayer funded abortion.

Of the poll results Rasmussen had this to say:

“This dynamic is unique to the abortion issue. On every other part of the plan, there is more support among those who favor the overall legislation than among those who oppose it.”

Abortion continues to be the driving wedge issue in the health care debate. When the Representatives and Senators return to work next week, let’s hope they’ve been paying attention. The majority, pro-life Americans are continuing to demand that any health care proposal protect the lives of the unborn!