LifeLines is the newsletter of the Rochester Area Right to Life.  Older, complete issues in print are available in the Rochester office. These articles have been selected from the issue in print.  An index for this issue and all previous issues for this year is available.

Volume 29        Issue 2         September, 2000

Information and news
you can use
to protect and defend
lives threatened by abortion and euthanasia

Think there’s no reason for you to bother to vote?

For humanity’s sake, please think again!

PRIMARY ELECTION: Tuesday, September 12, 2000 Polls open noon to 9:00 P.M.
(only those enrolled in a party having a primary election may vote)

GENERAL ELECTION: Tuesday, November 7, 2000 Polls open 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M.

Important Voter Information

If you are a new voter, moved within a county or moved to a new county, registration/re-registration must be done.

(Following information is for Monroe County; for information about other counties’ schedules/locations, call your County Board of Elections listed in phone book)

è Register by mail by October 13^th (forms postmarked by midnight & received by October 18^th) Call your County Board of Elections for a mail registration form or pick it up in most banks, post offices, libraries, town halls, credit unions

è Register personally at any City Library, Town Hall or the County Office Building on Saturday, October 7^th, 2:00 PM – 9:00 PM or Wednesday, October 11^th, 3:00 PM -7:00 PM

For information on absentee ballots, call your County Board of Elections; in Monroe County the number is 428-3256

OFFICES TO BE ELECTED IN 2000

ABOUT CANDIDATES

Democrats Court Pro-Abortion Voters with Michelman’s Speech

On Tuesday, August 15^th, the Democratic Party made the unprecedented move of inviting the head of the nation’s largest pro-abortion group, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL), to speak from the platform at their national convention during prime-time.

"NARAL President Kate Michelman’s speech made it clear that Al Gore and the national Democratic Party think it is smart politics to be aggressively pro-abortion," said Wanda Franz, Ph.D., President of the National Right to Life Committee. "We believe pro-life voters will prove them wrong in November."

Michelman told the Democratic National Convention that: "A woman’s right to choose…could be lost in only one day – Election Day. That’s why we must elect Al Gore and Joe Lieberman."

Michelman continued:
"With the appointment of just two justices hostile to Roe v Wade, the freedom to choose will be lost.
One election is all it takes. It is that simple. This election is that serious. If he has the opportunity, George W. Bush will appoint enough Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v Wade and end legal abortion.
At every opportunity, Governor Bush has made clear his intent to restrict a woman’s right to choose. He is one of the nation’s most anti-choice governors. He won his party’s nomination on an anti-choice platform.
Amazingly, Governor Bush found a running mate even more anti-choice than he is.
Al Gore and Joe Lieberman…are pro-choice.
Al Gore and Joe Lieberman will protect a woman’s right to choose."

Michelman concluded by urging Democrats and the prime-time television audience to

"Vote pro-choice, vote for Al Gore and Joe Lieberman to be next President and Vice-President of the United States."

MORE ABOUT CANDIDATES

Presidential candidates positions

Vice-President Albert Gore has opposed the bills to ban partial-birth abortion. He has supported the full range of Roe v Wade. He has stated that, if elected president, he will use a litmus test for candidates for the federal judiciary. He will appoint only candidates who support Roe v Wade. Gore supports the Democratic platform in its strong support of "women’s right to choose," i.e. right to abortion. He has a recent history of close association with NARAL. In 1997, Vice-President Gore gave the keynote address at NARAL’s annual Roe v Wade Luncheon. He then said: "America’s women have the right to choose, and no one will ever steal that away."

George W. Bush has often said he believes partial-birth abortion should be banned. He supports the Republican platform which would overturn Roe v Wade. In appointing judges, he has said, he would appoint constitutional constructionists, i.e. those who will read the Constitution and enforce what it says. In contrast to constructionist judges are activist judges. They create their own constitutional rights, such as the right to abortion, which does not appear in the Constitution.

Alan Keyes said "work’s done"

George W. Bush was clearly the Republican presidential candidate after the March 7^th "Super Primaries." Alan Keyes continued his campaigning.

Keyes vowed to leave the GOP if Governor Bush selected a pro-abortion running mate or if the party dropped its strong pro-life language from its platform.

After Bush’s announcement of Dick Cheney as his running mate and his promise that the pro-life language would be untouched, Keyes, in the last week of July, withdrew from the race. He also endorsed the Bush-Cheney ticket and said his "work was done." Human Events; 8/4/00

Hollywood’s continuing "Hillary crush"

Hillary Clinton, a new native New Yorker, is clearly beloved in California. The low amount donors, whether in New York or California, undoubtedly exist. None should feel badly about giving just a little, for well recognized people from California have already raised $3,000,000.

Donations of "soft money" have come from folks well recognized by movie goers. Tom Cruise and wife, Nicole Kidman have given Hillary $10,000. The 7/20 issue of the New York Post reported Robert DiNiro and Robin Williams both in for $5,000 each. Unlikely all of these donors would comfortably attend the same parties, as in the case of Rosie O’Donnell and Jerry Springer, but both were $10,000 donors. Matt Groening, creator of "Simpsons" gave cash. Modern artists, e.g. Christo, auctioned off art to raise $54,000 for Ms. Clinton. Human Events; 8/11/00

Partial-birth abortionist Martin Haskell donated to Hillary Clinton

The co-inventor of the partial-birth abortion procedure, Dr. Martin Haskell, is a member of "Team Hillary." Federal campaign documents show that Haskell, in March, gave $250 to Mrs. Clinton’s Senate campaign. The donation amount is small, but with Haskell’s prominence in the abortion debate, it has enormous significance. "Who will defend his interests in the U.S. Senate?" said Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director of the NRLC.

Don McLagan, spokesman for GOP Senate candidate Rick Lazio called Haskell’s support for Hillary Clinton a "perfect fit." He said, "It’s an extreme procedure and she’s an extremist."

Haskell, working with the late Dr. James McMahon, pioneered the partial-birth abortion technique. "Martin Haskell, the king of partial-birth abortion, whose surgical scissors have punctured more babies’ skulls than any other doctor in the United States, knows who he is supporting.

This is the partial-birth abortion procedure done from 5 through 9 months of pregnancy:

Guided by ultrasound, the abortionist grabs the baby's leg with forceps.	The baby's leg is pulled out into the birth canal.
The abortionist delivers the baby's entire body, except for the head.	The abortionist jams scissors into the baby's skull. The scissors are then opened to enlarge the hole.
The scissors are removed and a suction catheter is inserted. The baby's brains are then sucked out and the head is removed from the womb, completing the procedure. The abortionist "said the drawings were accurate 'from a technical point of view.' " -- American Medical News (a publication of the American Medical Association), July 5, 1993, p 21. Copyright ©1995 by Ohio Right to Life. This series of sketches and the descriptions was taken from their website: www.ohiolife.org Update 4 Aug 1995 by life@infinet.com

Sen. Daniel Moynihan and former NY Mayor, Ed Koch are pro-abortion Democrats. They both have denounced partial-birth abortion as a form of infanticide. New York Post; 8/14/00

MORE CANDIDATE/ELECTION NOTES

Clinton’s opponent: Rick Lazio

Unfortunately, Lazio believes abortions should be legal. He has voted to ban partial-birth abortion, stop Federal funding of abortion and to prohibit abortions in military hospitals. Lazio, nevertheless, has maintained his overall pro-abortion stance. If his goal was to win pro-abortion supporters, he should have done better research. It is no secret that pro-abortion groups are solidly lined up behind Hillary in the Senate race. New York Post; 8/14/00

In this U.S. Senate race, there is no major party pro-life candidate.

Pro-life Jewish leaders disagree with Lieberman on abortion

Sen. Joseph Lieberman, the Democratic Vice-Presidential nominee, has a pro-abortion legislative record that contrasts with the pro-life interpretation of Jewish law expressed by some prominent Orthodox rabbis.

Lieberman has consistently voted in favor of abortion in his years in the Senate. He voted five times against a ban on partial-birth abortion. Under traditional Jewish law "a woman can have an abortion only if her physical existence is threatened, during all stages of development,"

According to Orthodox Rabbi Daniel Lapin.

Rabbi Steven Dworken, Rabbinical Council of America spokesman, made no comment on Lieberman’s specific record on abortion. He did say, as a matter of general principle, "Judaism is not pro-abortion, it is anti-abortion, except in certain instances." Usually the exceptions are understood to be limited to the "life of the mother", he said, "but some rabbis have wrongly extended them to the mental life of the mother." Human Events 8/14/00

Lieberman voting record on abortion

Douglas Johnson, Legislative Director of the National Right to Life Committee, said of Lieberman:   "He’s never supported a restriction on abortion. He’s never supported any restriction on federal funding of abortion."

Even his highly publicized vote for an amendment on parental notification was a fraud that gutted the concept, Johnson said, because "the amendment said relatives and social workers could give permission for an abortion." Prolife Infonet; 8/16/00

Cheney voting record on abortion

Governor George W. Bush’s selection of Dick Cheney as his vice-presidential nominee brought praise from pro-life supporters and condemnation from abortion activists. Carol Long Tobias, Director NRLC PAC said:

"We are extremely pleased with the selection of  Dick Cheney. Cheney had a 100% pro-life voting record during his time in office and will be a great asset to the Republican ticket."

Focusing on Cheney’s record as a House member from 1979 to 1989, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) Executive Vice-President said:

"Bush’s selection of Cheney vividly illustrates the stranglehold the far right has on the Republican Party, Bush’s candidacy and would have on his presidency. The fact is George W. Bush and Richard Cheney are anti-choice; Al Gore is pro-choice."

Reason for candidate interest in US Supreme Court

The two eldest Supreme Court members, Justice Stevens, 80, called "moderate" by the media, and Chief Justice Rehnquist, 75, called "far right," are expected to retire in the next 4 years. Court watchers have predicted that Chief Justice Rehnquist will retire if George W. Bush is elected President in November.

Another possible retiree in the near future is Justice Ginsburg, called "moderate." She has been undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment after surgery for colon cancer.

Gore and Cheney votes alike in U.S. House

Recently, Al Gore supporters have characterized Congressman Dick Cheney’s voting record on abortion-related issues as extreme. Gore and Cheney served together in the House for six years (1979-84). During that period, there were 17 roll calls on significant abortion-related issues. On three of those calls, either Gore or Cheney was absent. On the 14 for which both were present, they voted the same 13 times. The only exception was the 11/15/83 vote on the "Equal Rights Amendment" which Gore supported and Cheney opposed.

Given this history, what has changed? Is it the definition of "extremism" or is it Gore’s beliefs?

NEWS ‘N NOTES

"Mexico City" bill

On 7/13/00, by 206–221, the House rejected a Foreign Operations appropriations bill amendment. If passed, it would have allowed funding overseas abortion clinics/lobbyists by removing the bill’s modified "Mexico City" restrictions on funding international family planning services that perform or lobby for legalization of abortions. Area House members’ votes follow:

Pro-life legislation in Congress

Congress took is traditional summer recess through all of the month of August. Upon return in early September, they will work intensely before early October adjournment.

The House had passed numerous, major pro-life bills:
    Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act
    Unborn Victims of Violence Act
    Child Custody Protection Act
    Pain Relief Promotion Act
    Innocent Child Protection Act

Only the Partial-Birth Abortion Act was also passed by the Senate. The Senate passed it 2 votes short of the two thirds majority needed to override the expected veto. For details check www.nrlc.org/abortion/pba/index.html .

The Senate will have the opportunity to act on all other bills listed above, as well as appropriations, i.e. funding, bills. Predicting possible action, schedules or outcomes is not possible.

For more information on legislation through the end of this session, check NRLC News; August, 2000 (copy available at RARTL office) or web:    http://www.nrlc.org/news/index.html

THE LEO HOLMSTEN HUMAN LIFE COMMITTEE
OF ROCHESTER AREA RIGHT TO LIFE COMMITTEE, INC. EDUCATION FUND

WITH

BIRTHRIGHT OF ROCHESTER, FAITH HAVEN, INC., CRISIS PREGNANCY SERVICES OF ROCHESTER, FEMINISTS FOR LIFE OF NEW YORK, PROBLEM PREGNANCY HELP CENTER, PROJECT RACHEL, PROLIFE PLANNING COMMITTEE, ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE, ST. LUKE’S MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, ROMAN CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF ROCHESTER, AND THE ST. THOMAS MORE LAWYERS GUILD

CORDIALLY INVITES YOU TO ATTEND
THE FOURTH ANNUAL DINNER AND PRESENTATION OF THE

Leo Holmsten Human Life Award
To

Reverend James E. Hewes

Heroic minister of post-abortion healing for women and men
Founder and leader of Rochester area Project Rachel

Father James E. Hewes
Recipient of the Fourth Annual Leo Holmsten Human Life Award

By the vote of 12 pro-life organizations in the Rochester area, Father Jim Hewes will be recognized for his long history of pro-life work. Before his ordination in 1974, he worked as a founding member of Rochester Area Right to Life Committee as well as Birthright, which provides pregnancy counseling. In his first years after ordination, Father Hewes served at churches throughout the Rochester diocese, e.g. St. Mary’s of the Lake in Watkins Glen, St. Mary’s, Canandaigua, Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

In 1984, Father Hewes ended his 7 year term as Diocesan Human Life Commission Chairman. In the mid 80s, he was assigned chaplain at the SUNY at Geneseo. Simultaneously, he established Project Rachel in the Rochester diocesean area. This program, now vigorously running under Father Hewes’ leadership, reaches out to women who have had abortions to help them through the healing process. The programs also are open to men and other persons involved in an abortion.

Many have been surprised to learn that women seeking Project Rachel services cover a very broad age range. Father recalls women with grandchildren needing to deal with their long held, unresolved feelings about an abortion many years earlier. Although a program of the Rochester Catholic Diocese, the program is interdenominational as it involves clergy and individuals from numerous faith bases.

If you know Father Hewes and his pro-life work, plan to come to the LHHL Dinner and Award. If you do not know Father or about Project Rachel, that’s all the more reason to come for this enjoyable, informative evening.

ABC denied Kevorkian interview

ABC’s 20/20 has been refused the opportunity to interview imprisoned Jack Kevorkian and two additional prison mates. Corrections Director Bill Martin invoked a state prison policy that bans any filming except for inmates taking part in prison activities.

Persistent Vegetative State (PVS)

The British Daily Mail reported that "almost half the patients said to be in a 'vegetative state' following brain damage have been wrongly diagnosed."

Doctors studied 40 patients referred to their hospital since 1992, each having been diagnosed as PVS. Seventeen of them had been misdiagnosed. "Waking Nightmare," Daily Mail, 7/18/00.

Unwanted children

Pregnancy Intention and Child Development: A very interesting study analytically reviewing previously published data was published earlier this year. The conclusion was that "the notion that unwanted pregnancy harms infant health and child development" is not valid. "Effect of Pregnancy Intention on Child Development," Demography, 2/00,

Interesting poll results

EWTN News described poll results from a Los Angeles Times poll made public 6/18/00.

US public opinion is slowly turning against unrestricted legal abortion. 43% of all Americans favor retention of Roe v Wade. In 1991, the Roe decision was favored by 56% of the public.

The poll also found 57% of Americans consider abortion a form of murder. But a majority of respondents were willing to leave the decision to the pregnant woman.

The poll results undermined two common assumptions about the politics of abortion. 1. a pro-life stance is a net benefit for a presidential contender. 2. women favor legal abortion less than men.

InMemoriam Ann Papinski (mother) Thomas P. Durkin Grandma Riley Thomas P. Durkin Kathy Boland Thomas P. Durkin

In Prayer Mary Studier In Celebration Joseph A. Infantino, M.D. (oops: retired, not deceased,) with thanks for many years of excellent care and concern for patients David & Nancy Cragg

Want to do a RARTL MEMORIAL/HONOR TRIBUTE? You are most welcome to remember a deceased loved one by making a memorial contribution to the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee Education Fund. Your tax-deductible contribution can also commemorate birthdays, new arrivals, or other special occasions.

A card in your name will be sent to the family/person you designate. The contribution amount is confidential.

Suggested Prayers

Please become a prayer partner by spending 5-10 minutes daily in prayer about life issues and RARTL. We hope this partnership will fill 24 hours of each day to have a prayer shield over the area. Please join in the following suggested weekly prayer themes that:
September 24 - More people involved in abortion seek forgiveness and reconciliation
October 1 – Doctors use the trust of their patients to encourage life-affirming choices
October 8 – All people eligible to vote register or re-register in preparation for using their right to vote
October 15 – Those people providing care to the ill/ elderly maintain patience and understanding
October 22 – Abundant blessings are received by all women who, in the child’s interest, choose adoption
October 29 – We take time to recognize and give thanks for the beauty given to us by changing seasons

Save-a-baby campaign still running

If you have not returned your campaign books or would like more, please call the office. Campaign will run until January 22, 2000.

Want a LIFE-LINES SUBSCRIPTION mailed to your home?

 New York State Right to Life Committee Convention

Featuring

Rev. Duane Motley – New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms
Denise Cocciolone – President of National Life Center
Nat Hentoff – The Village Voice
Richard Doerflinger – U.S. Catholic Conference
Dave Malutinok – President: National Adoption Council
Mark Pickup – Canadian speaker on euthanasia
Sandi Merle – Institute of Religious Values
Dr. Tony Levatino – (former abortionist) on partial-birth abortion
Alveda King – niece of Dr. Martin Luther King ….. and more

Saturday, September 23; 9 AM – 5 PM (registration: 8 AM)
Ramada Inn, 450 Nott Street; Schenectady (1-518-370-7151)

CONVENTION REGISTRATION FORM|
NAME                ADDRESS              CITY, STATE, ZIP                          PHONE

__________________________________________________________________(_____)_________
__________________________________________________________________(_____)_________
__________________________________________________________________(_____)_________
#_____Convention Tickets @ $20 each                            $_________      Return to NYSRTL

#_____Convention + Luncheon Tickets @ $35 each   $________     41 State St; Albany, NY 12207

#_____Student Convention+Luncheon Tickets @ $25 each $________

Make checks payable to NYSRTL Total $________ enclosed

Life-Lines
Official Publication: Rochester Area Right to Life Committee, Inc. Education Fund
A non-profit organization
675 Ling Road, Suite 3 - Rochester, New York 14612 - (716) 621-4690
Fax: (716) 621-6966 e-mail: alleblanc@compuserve.com www.righttoliferoch.org
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Please feel free to copy and include mention of LIFE-LINES and its sources for the information being copied.