Bill Baird: Pioneer says birth control battle had a cost

Newsday: Decades of activism for birth control and abortion rights cost him a marriage, and the trust of most of his children, Baird said. It also left him with barely enough income to get by. The lecturer who once netted $3,000 a speech said he poured the money into court cases, and running clinics that gave abortions to poor women.

. . . Baird also claims some feminists and pro-abortion rights forces have tried to discredit him or downplay his contributions. "There were very few men who came out and championed the women's movement," Joyce Berkman, a history professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst, said last week. "And to have him champion their sexuality was suspicious."

Related:

Bill Baird: A Genius at Getting Free Publicity (NRLC commentary)

Abortion-Rights' Scorned Prophet; Hated by Both Sides, Bill Baird Raises Hackles, Not Funds (1993 NYTimes article)

PepsiCo denies accusations on link to aborted fetal cells

PepsiCo denies accusations on link to aborted fetal cells - Washington Times: Pepsi spokesman Jeff Dahncke also denied speculation that sweeteners developed by Senomyx had been used in the recipe for Pepsi NEXT, a low-calorie cola with 60 percent less sugar than a standard Pepsi. The drink is being launched this week.

Ms. Vinnedge called the PepsiCo denial “pure deception.” She found HEK-293, a “human embryo kidney” cell line produced from an aborted fetus in the 1970s, in more than 70 Senomyx patents, all related to flavor enhancers.

Related: Helpful explanation from Jill Stanek

'via Blog this'

What we can learn from Kony 2012

CCBR: [C]ognitive dissonance plays a large role here. People are far more likely to get involved with stopping an injustice that they play no part in. It’s easy to get angry at Joseph Kony, because it is wildly unlikely that any of us will ever be guilty of his heinous crimes. It is far more likely that we will be involved somehow in an abortion, whether it be as a perpetrator, bystander, or simply a silent assenter. Directing our anger at someone like Joseph Kony seems a safe outlet for righteous indignation.

. . . When we see the success of other campaigns, it should strengthen our resolve to be better spokespeople. While we can recognize the hypocrisy inherent in a population inflamed against child-torture while willing to silently assent or actively endorse a more widespread practice right here at home, that instead should spur us to be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves. The Kony campaign is exposing the injustice, showing us pictures of mutilated children and graphically detailing the horrors being inflicted upon these innocents. They are confronting the culture, tirelessly petitioning the politicians while at the same time educating the public by going to the schools, speaking at universities and taking their message to the streets. They are making their message impossible to ignore.

And so must we. We have a much harder road ahead of us. We are not battling foreign demons, but our own cultural demons. Charity starts a home, yes, but many people would prefer to look elsewhere. Quite simply, we must make sure that they do not. We must make sure that they cannot. When I see a campaign with the success of Kony, it leads me to one conclusion: We have to work harder.

The Other Invisible Children – The Spirit of Kony is Alive In America Also

Many of the people who are getting involved with Invisible Children refuse to confront the invisible victims of the abortion holocaust. Bryan Kemper enumerates their excuses:

I don’t want to get involved with a political issue.
I know it is wrong but it is not for me to tell someone else what to do.
At least they won’t have to grow up in this world.
Abortion is inevitable, so we might as well keep it safe and legal.
We don’t know the parents’ situation; maybe they can’t afford a baby.
That is cool that you stand up, I just have other things I am called to do.
I don’t want to judge anyone.
The fetus is not “really” alive yet.
We just need to talk about Jesus, instead of political issues.
I can’t deal with abortion; it depresses me to think about it.
Abortion is too controversial; I don’t want to offend anyone.
I don’t believe in legislating morality.

These excuses are used not only by pro-choice people, but also those who claim to be pro-life or Christian. "They just don’t want to be vocal about it. The problem is that abortion is seen as controversial, and the Invisible Children project is not."

The Abortionist's Wife

The Abortionists Wife « Stand True Christ Centered Pro-life: The abortionist’s wife pulled up next to the [40 Days for Life] vigil participant, rolled down her window and asked, “How are you doing?” The surprised volunteer answered, “Good! How about you?”

She responded, “I just wanted to tell you that I so appreciate what you do and how you are always so nice and respectful.” That simple response turned out to be the opening line in a very lengthy conversation.

'via Blog this'

Shareholders Demand Pepsi Stop Using Aborted Fetal Cells

Pepsi Shareholders Demand It Stop Using Aborted Fetal Cells | LifeNews.com: Pepsi shareholders have filed a shareholder resolution with the Securities and Exchange Commission and PepsiCo demanding that the company has been contracting with a research firm that uses fetal cells from babies victimized by abortions to test and produce artificial flavor enhancers.

'via Blog this'

Youth to Gather in Los Angeles for International Pro-life Conference

Youth from Around the World to Gather in Los Angeles for International Pro-life Youth Conference - Christian Newswire: Survivors of the Abortion Holocaust and Ireland's Youth Defence will host the first ever International ProLife Youth Conferenceto take place in the United States. Young people everywhere are invited on November 11-13 in Downey, CA to take on new levels of pro-life outreach and to meet with internationally recognized pro-life leaders.

'via Blog this'

The Day After The Silence; The Pro-life Generation Spoke Loud and Clear Yesterday

Bryan Kemper, who is (I believe) the originator of the Pro-Life Day of Silent Solidarity, blogged movingly about his impressions of yesterday's activities. These young students will inspire you.

"Another thing that struck me this year was how many first-time participants we had who were taking on this day alone. I read about how nervous they were as they walked into school not knowing if anyone else would be taking the vow of silence or how their friends would react to their stand. 

"Many of these kids faced some heavy persecution from both their peers and school faculty as they went through the day. Students told me about dirty looks, rude comments, eye rolls and outright harassment — and this was from teachers. They talked about how other students would make comments about how they should have been aborted or how stupid pro-life was, but no matter what they faced they took a stand and shined a light in their schools.

"While there were stories of harassment there were also many stories of solidarity and support from unexpected places. One student told me about how one of the most popular boys in school read her flyer and then joined her for rest of the day. Others talked about how they brought a whole roll of duct tape to school and by the end of the day it was depleted from the number of kids who joined them.

"Many students bring literature and other educational tools to school with them to help educate their classmates with the truth about abortion. With today’s technology and tools like smart phones and iPads it is easy to show people the truth without using words." 

See more photos on Facebook.

Pro-life memorial targeted by township

A pro-life monument to honor victims of abortion erected on private property in southern Ontario has been targeted by township officials who say it violates zoning and signage regulations. The group behind the pro-life initiative has until October 10th to remove the monument or face legal action. LifeSiteNews

Reports: blind Chinese pro-life activist Chen Guangcheng may be dead

Reports: famed blind Chinese pro-life activist Chen Guangcheng may be dead | LifeSiteNews.com: According Chinese human rights organizations there are ominous reports emerging from China about the fate of the blind lawyer, who has suffered years of imprisonment and persecution for his outspoken position against China’s brutal one-child policy.

According to Radio Free Asia, Chinese authorities detained a group of at least nine human rights activists trying to visit Chen Guangcheng. Voice of America cited villagers as saying, “Chen is dead already.”

Nonprofits and elections

Although nonprofits in the United States can engage in a variety of election related activities, such as voter registration drives and lobbying, they face different restrictions than individuals and other types of corporations. A good place to start understanding election and campaign activities for nonprofits is the Internal Revenue itself (first link below). 

• Election Year Activities and the Prohibition on Political Campaign Intervention for Section 501(c)(3) Organizations
• Permissible Election Activities Checklist. 
• Protect Your Nonprofit with 501(h) Election
• Speak for Yourself: Nonprofit Advocacy Toolkit

Peaceful Paris demonstration disrupted by pro-aborts

About 30 pro-lifers outside a Paris hospital separated into two groups because of a massive counter-demonstration. They were pelted with eggs, several banners and personal effects were stolen, and a freelance photographer who arrived on the scene later was attacked by two or three persons who tried to snatch her camera; she was protected by the police.

The smallest group of seven pro-lifers spent about 45 minutes on a small band of sidewalk with their backs to the hospital railings and separated from the counter-demonstrators by riot police. The police charged twice to prevent the counter-demonstrators from closing in. The pro-life group was then moved several hundred yards, but refused to go any further despite the police telling them that their safety could not be guaranteed.

“Babies are being killed in this hospital, we can well take a few risks,” said Dr. Xavier Dor, the leader of the group. The group was able to pray a full rosary before leaving the scene under police protection. LifeSiteNews

Abortion protesters picket middle school of clinic owner’s daughter

A small group of pro-lifers stood outside Robert Frost Middle School in Rockville, MD, on Thursday, holding a banner that showed the name of Todd Stave, his photo, his phone number, and the words “Please STOP the Child Killing.” He is part-owner of a facility that houses abortionist LeRoy Carhart's Germantown Reproductive Health Services.

Defend Life Director Jack Ames said that his group organized the protest at the school because it was a “very good public venue.” The part owner of Germantown Reproductive Health Services, Ames said, should not be allowed to “hide under this cloak of anonymity.”There were also two protesters holding banner-sized photos of aborted fetuses at both sides of the entrance to the school driveway the first day of school. Stave's daughter is a 6th grader at the school. LifeSiteNews

Editor: May I just say for the record that this is a bad, stupid, dumb, awful, misguided, wrong idea. Maybe it goes without saying.

Animal rights activists mimic pro-lifer tactics

On July 26, 2011, two exhibits were set up in our nation's capital: one opposing abortion, the other against animal suffering. Both displays sought to engage the public -- Created Equal with Defend Life on Embassy Row, and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) on the Washington Mall. The similarities between the efforts were striking:

• Both placed photos of their cause in the public square in order to spark debate. 
• Both staff their exhibits with people trained to stimulate conversation. 
• Because of their use of images, both are seen as outside the mainstream in their own movement. 

But, there are also key differences between animal rights efforts and Created Equal:

• Animal rights groups are seen as politically correct. Their message is generally welcomed by the mainstream, while those who stand against the slaughter of preborn children are politically incorrect. We face a battle with society's gatekeepers they do not. 
• Because most animal rights activists are evolutionists, they equate animal life to human life. We believe in a creator and oppose killing preborn humans because "all men are created equal” and made in the image of God. 

Animal rights advocates, like many successful reformers of the past, are astute enough to learn the history lessons that some in the pro-life movement seem to ignore: that a picture is worth a thousand words. Click HERE to view pictures of PETA's display. Click HERE to see photos of Created Equal on tour with Defend Life.

Biotech company using aborted fetal cell lines to test its flavor enhancers

Children of God for Life is calling on the public to boycott products of major food companies that are partnering with Senomyx, a biotech company that produces artificial flavor enhancers, unless the company stops using aborted fetal cell lines to test their products.

In 2010, the pro-life organization wrote to Senomyx CEO Kent Snyder, pointing out that moral options for testing their food additives could and should be used. But when Senomyx ignored their letter, they wrote to the companies Senomyx listed on their website as "collaborators" warning them of public backlash and threatened boycott. Food giants Pepsico, Kraft Foods, Campbell Soup, Solae and Nestlé are the primary targets of the boycott, though Senomyx boasts other international partners on their website.

Senomyx notes their collaborators provide them research and development funding plus royalties on sales of products using their flavor ingredients. “What they do not tell the public is that they are using HEK 293 – human embryonic kidney cells taken from an electively aborted baby to produce those receptors”, stated Debi Vinnedge, Executive Director for Children of God for Life, a pro-life watch dog group that has been monitoring the use of aborted fetal material in medical products and cosmetics for years.

UPDATE: Within hours of the press release, Children of God for Life received notice from Campbell Soup that they have severed their ties with Senomyx. Stated Juli Mandel Sloves, Senior Manager of Nutrition & Wellness Communications at Campbell Soup Company, "We are no longer in partnership with Senomyx. This fact was discussed during the Senomyx conference call with its investors earlier this month." If you choose to write to Campbell Soup, please thank them for their decision. Mmmm good!

Students for Life of Michigan Activism & Training Weekend

Students for Life of Michigan Activism & Training Weekend - Eventbrite: College students from across the state come together to engage in a weekend of pro-life activism and leadership training. This event is unique because students have the opportunity to share ideas and connect with other Students for Life clubs all while promoting life on Grand Valley's campus.

In the training portion of the weekend, students will learn skills such as recruitment, event planning, and fundraising. The focus of the this year's training is to help Students for Life clubs transition leadership and plan for a successful fall semester. Come and make a difference for life in the Grand Valley community and get to know other students who share your passion for life.

SFLA, Live Action, & Expose Planned Parenthood Coalition Launch Unprecedented Social Media Campaign

Last night, Students for Life along with the members of the Expose Planned Parenthood Coalition launched a massive grassroots social media campaign on a critical webcast to federally de-fund Planned Parenthood. By launching a grassroots campaign on the coalition website and using the newest pro-life grassroots mobilizer, AbolishAbortion.com, the Coalition will be engaging pro-lifers of all ages to organize, unite, and activate online.

Listen to the full webcast here.

Abolishabortion.com will allow users to register on the site and link their Facebook and Twitter accounts with the “Status 365″ feature. This feature will automatically change the user’s Facebook or Twitter status message once per day with a fact about why America should de-fund Planned Parenthood.

Competing bus tours

The Women Speak Out bus tour made its first stops today in Iowa in an effort to raise grassroots support for encouraging the Senate to follow the House’s lead in revoking taxpayer funding for the Planned Parenthood abortion business. The Susan B. Anthony List-sponsored 13-district bus tour is led by former Colorado Rep. Marilyn Musgrave and Live Action President Lila Rose.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood quickly got on the road with its own bus tour.

Liberal groups defend Planned Parenthood

Groups defend Planned Parenthood - Kate Nocera - POLITICO.com: Liberal groups -- Media Matters, People for the American Way, the NAACP, Sierra Club -- are banding to come to the defense of Planned Parenthood in the wake of the recent controversy over videos taped inside clinics. Conservative groups say the films provide more than enough evidence for Congress to immediately defund the women’s health centers.

Do We Know How to End Abortion?

For 38 years, pro-life men, women, and children have gathered in Washington, D.C. to protest the killing of innocent preborn children. Once again, the Genocide Awareness Project was present to represent the victims of abortion and share lessons from historical social reform.