It's a baby, not a choice

“Is This What You Mean?”

We in the pro-life community have been fed up for a long time with “public servants” who can’t seem to tell the difference between serving the public and killing the public. They mask the violence of abortion with the smooth language of “choice,” and refuse to protect the victims.

These politicians are found in both major political parties; some hold public office and others seek it. And many Church leaders have been hesitant to discipline such individuals, even though many of them claim to practice their faith.

These abortion supporting politicians get away with what they are doing in large measure because they refuse to talk about what the “choice” actually is. They try to avoid the word “abortion” altogether; but even when they use it, the word has lost practically all its meaning. Voters hear the word but are left with little or no awareness of the gruesome horror it represents.

This election season, it’s time for that to change. No matter what politicians or voters or Church officials are or are not going to do, it’s time that we who know what abortion is draw a line in the sand and give candidates and office-holders alike this challenge:

If you’re going to take a position on abortion, then you’re going to have to come clean about what it is. We are no longer going to let you obscure or trivialize the issue. Whether people agree with you or not, you owe it to them to be honest about what you’re talking about.

Therefore we issue this simple call to honesty: We will describe abortion to you, and you tell us if that’s what you’re talking about.

That’s it, pure and simple. This is not a debate, nor a threat. It’s a call to clarity, a demand for honesty. That is not partisan, nor is it unreasonable; it is not fanatical or inappropriate in any way. Nor is this about religion or morality.

We just want to make sure that we’re hearing you. When you say “abortion,” we just want to make sure we’re both talking about the same thing.

I recently posted videos on You Tube in which I describe and demonstrate the most common abortion techniques, using the actual instruments of abortion and the words found in medical textbooks and court testimony. Below you will see the links to these videos, as well as brief quotes you can use from abortionists themselves.

For example, Dr. Carolyn Westhoff testified, “In the dismemberment D&E…it is necessary to insert our forceps…and then crush the head.” (National Abortion Federation v. Ashcroft, April 2004, US District Court, Southern District of New York).

Then simply ask “pro-choice” politicians (whether they are candidates or already in public office) if this is what they mean when they say “abortion.” Yes or no. Ask it publicly. Ask it repeatedly. Ask it at town meetings, on blogs, in editorials. Those whose support they are seeking deserve to know.

Father Frank Pavone

You Tube links on the abortion procedures:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us_y9GP_-DA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBOAPleF1t0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDpcj1DUcTw



Is this really what you mean when you say you support pro-choice?


First Trimester Suction Abortion

"The physician will usually first notice a quantity of amniotic fluid, followed by placenta and fetal parts, which may be more or less identifiable." (From the medical textbook Abortion Practice – Dr. Warren Hern, p.114, in section on First Trimester Abortion).

***

“When we do a suction curettage abortion, you know, roughly one of three things is going to happen during the abortion. One would be that the catheter as it approaches the fetus, you know, tears it and kills it at that instant inside the uterus. The second would be that the fetus is small enough and the catheter is large enough that the fetus passes through the catheter and either dies in transit as it’s passing through the catheter or dies in the suction bottle after it’s actually all the way out.” (Sworn testimony given in US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Madison, WI, May 27, 1999, Case No. 98-C-0305-S), by Dr. Martin Haskell, an abortionist. He describes legal activity.)

***

Question: Can the heart of a fetus or embryo still be beating during a suction curettage abortion as the fetus or embryo comes down the cannula? Answer: For a few seconds to a minute, yes.
(Sworn testimony given in US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Madison, WI, May 27, 1999, Case No. 98-C-0305-S), by Dr. Harlan Raymond Giles, an abortionist. He describes legal activity.)

Second Trimester D&E Abortion

"The procedure changes significantly at 21 weeks because the fetal tissues become much more cohesive and difficult to dismember. This problem is accentuated by the fact that the fetal pelvis may be as much as 5cm in width. The calvaria [head] is no longer the principal problem; it can be collapsed. Other structures, such as the pelvis, present more difficulty….A long curved Mayo scissors may be necessary to decapitate and dismember the fetus…" (From the medical textbook Abortion Practice – Dr. Warren Hern, p.154)

***

“The doctor grips a fetal part with the forceps and pulls it back through the cervix and vagina, continuing to pull even after meeting resistance from the cervix. The friction causes the fetus to tear apart. For example, a leg might be ripped off the fetus as it is pulled through the cervix and out of the woman. The process of evacuating the fetus piece by piece continues until it has been completely re-moved.” (US Supreme Court, Gonzales vs. Carhart, April 18, 2007, describing the D&E procedure).

***

"Let's just say for instance we took a different view, a different tact and we left the leg in the uterus just to dismember it. Well, we'd probably have to dismember it at several different levels because we don't have firm control over it, so we would attack the lower part of the lower extremity first, remove, you know, possibly a foot, then the lower leg at the knee and then finally we get to the hip."

"And typically when the abortion procedure is started we typically know that the fetus is still alive because either we can feel it move as we're making our initial grasps or if we're using some ultrasound visualization when we actually see a heartbeat as we're starting the procedure. It's not unusual at the start of D&E procedures that a limb is acquired first and that that limb is brought through the cervix and even out of the vagina prior to disarticulation and prior to anything having been done that would have caused the fetal demise up to that point."

"When you're doing a dismemberment D&E, usually the last part to be removed is the skull itself and it's floating free inside the uterine cavity…So it's rather like a ping-pong ball floating around and the surgeon is using his forcep to reach up to try to grasp something that's freely floating around and is quite large relative to the forcep we're using. So typically there's several misdirections, misattempts to grasp. Finally at some point either the instruments are managed to be place around the skull or a nip is made out of some area of the skull that allows it to start to decompress. And then once that happens typically the skull is brought out in fragments rather than as a unified piece…" (Sworn testimony given in US District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin (Madison, WI, May 27, 1999, Case No. 98-C-0305-S), by Dr. Martin Haskell, an abortionist. He describes legal activity.)



News and Blog Links



John Smeaton, Society for the Protection of Unborn Children:
http://spuc-director.blogspot.com/2008/04/new-pro-life-video.html

Catholic Online: www.catholic.org/national/national_story.php?id=27584
Catholic Online Homepage: www.catholic.org

Catholic News Agency: http://catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=12318

OpinionEditorials.com: True Face of an Abortion by Kevin Roeten

...and one more for fun

He gets better as he goes along making these...nice to see Canada in this one.

Just a great laugh

I LOVE this guys youtube post...its nothing earth shattering but its just simply fun and wonderful and pure joy. Unfortunate title, buy hey, as Christians we live by different rules that perhaps this young man is not bound by. None the less...in a day when oil costs are rising, people are stealing and killing over a tank of gas, and all the other world sadnesses, this brings a smile...enjoy.

Missed it...

How on earth did I miss posting my son's 10th Birthday? Well, traveling home the day before kinda threw me off my thang a bit...but, here it is, better late than not at all. So my youngest is a Canada Day Baby...he loves that because he says the whole country celebrates his birthday with firecrackers and everyone has their own party at their houses for him. He's also a patriotic young man and dresses in white and red to celebrate and sings Happy Birthday to Canada too. Such a cutie. So here's to my baby who's not A baby but is MY baby...Happy Birthday John-Patrick, you are priceless. Quite the ham...but priceless.

True North Girl Strong and Free...

I wish I was still up north sometimes...that place gets in your blood...I miss the smell, the water, the pace. HHHmmmmm...I love being there.

aaaand we're back....again!

Can I just say....aaaaaaaahhhhhh.....okay, I'm good. I'm so so so relaxed its amazing. Release. Being away for 7 days, honestly, that's the first time since my honeymoon that I've seen my husband everyday all day for 7 days in a row. It was GREAT! We tubbed, ATV'd,enjoyed great company, rode tractors, shopped, almost bumped into Shania Twain, rested, relaxed, slept,enjoyed time as a family, ate, ate some more, swam, hot tubed, so all to say, wow. What a trip! Here are some highlights...

So Long Self

This is the song my daughter and her bestest estest friend ever sang together at their grad...

I'm so done

I don't like to be one who wishes days away, because I do love being in the moment...truly present in each second of each moment I'm blessed with. But I'm close to done now. Sara's grad was lovely. Simple, sweet, beautiful. All the people she loves were there for her in one way or another, if not in physical presence their phone calls and best wishes were obvious to her. She is a loved and blessed girl. And our Marineland trip was as usual, fun...rainy, stormy even, but still a hoot. Finally this week I wrap up Little Spirits and Long Range Planning for Enoch and then the boys are off to Mosport...girl weekend and of course packing and readying ourselves for North. This years north trip is particularly welcome. I'm so ready to just stop...you know be still and know HE is God type of stop. What a welcome way to begin my summer. I love teaching, but I'm really ready to rest now. I'll recharge and be ready for another year of going and what not...but for now, I'm done.
This is the song for grad this year...it was on our powerpoint and just summed up the whole deal. Loved it!

Girls Retreat...

It was spectacular...we loved it. Learning about God's plan for purity and how we're not alone in that decision. Isn't wonderful that God is such a gentleman that He would desire His daughters to be humble and pure? So good.

The Biggest Distraction of all...

Welcome Michi...the biggest distraction to school ever. He is living with us until he gets his Rabies shot at which time he'll be moving to my mother in loves house where he'll become the worlds best mouser! I'm convinced keeping this cat inside is cruel. He needs the wide wide world...can't you tell by looking at him that he's a mountain lion? He thinks he is anyway. He hunts and attacks our 14 year old cat Murmel. Murmel hates Michi.

A Little Fashion Show

Sara is walking down the runway with her Gramma holding the crazy patch pillow she made for her as a gift (we missed the picture of her wearing the hoodie she made) and Dad has the honor of escorting his baby girl down the runway wearing the dress she made for her grade 8 graduation. Clutch the pearls, I nearly fainted.

...and we're back!!!

Sorry about the long absence my friends. Its been a long go of planning a preparing for our churches first Girls Purity Retreat. A tonne of work and time and effort sustained only by the Holy Spirit was put forth by a team of amazing hard working women and it was a joy and honor to be in their company. Some pics to share and also a quick mention that it is my 1 Year Blogaversary. So happy year to me!
We also celebrated my daughters piano recital and her fashion show where she modeled the dress she will wear to her grad 8 graduation. Wonderful! So enjoy the pics and I'll stay closer as we slide into the homeschool finish line and on to celebrate with grad! Wahoo! Friday is our last day!

A Prayer Request

Dear Praying Friends,
Re: Girls Purity Retreat St. Joseph Church, Grimsby, May 30 – May 31 2006

In just two short weeks we will be hosting our first Girls Purity Retreat for high school aged girls. We are very excited about this event. Our schedule is packed with fun and inspiring activities and talks. Three university-aged young women will be coming to share from their life experiences. Our event closes with a mother daughter tea, and a purity commitment ceremony. It’s going to be life changing.
As a praying friend, you have a significant part to play in this as you pray over the girls and this event. We need your prayers. Join us as we pray
That we would reach our capacity number. That not one girl, or her mom, would be missed.
Against any distractions that could come at critical moments of understanding and decision.
For a profound, transforming, permanent work of the Holy Spirit that will sever every evil plan of the enemy and set these girls on a path of victory and purpose.
That they will go back to their communities spreading the fire and message of purity.
For physical and spiritual protection as they leave this event – that the Truth received would not be lost.
For a deep hunger for God’s Word and a passionate pursuit of Christ’s likeness.
For great boldness and courage to share their faith in the midst of this generation.
For the organizing team and speakers, and the provision of every resource need.

God bless you and thank you for your prayer support!

“We are meant for so much more than we often realize. It’s difficult to believe that an act as simple as a breath of prayer can have some kind of cosmic import, a place in the grand scheme of things. He is ever inviting you and me to join Him on this amazing adventure, to live life – day in and day out – on the edge of holy expectancy.”

Standing with you “on the edge of holy expectancy” for this generation.
Girls Retreat Organizing Team

Trinity Sunday/Communion Day

What a great day for a Communion. God opened the floodgates of rain on this spring day and we celebrated. My Cathecism class was wonderful. After weeks and weeks of preparation, they did a truly wonderful job. I was so proud. Like a momma bird hovering over her baby's. What a wonderful day. And on Trinity Sunday too. It really doesn't get much better than this.

Happy Mothers Day

Watch to the end for a beautiful blessing!

Finally Free, Home at Last

OTTAWA - Brenda Martin is finally a free woman.


Martin was released from a Kitchener prison Friday after being granted full parole. She had been held at the Grand Valley Institution for Women since returning to Canada last week after spending more than two years in a Mexican prison on fraud charges. Sitting in the passenger seat of longtime friend Debra Tieleman's car, Martin told reporters she'd been on pins and needles all day.
"When they finally called, actually when two guards came to the house, and (said) 'Your parole officer wants to see you,' I said 'Oh my God, maybe I'm getting out!"'
She thanked the "three heroes" in her life: her mother, Marjorie Bletcher; Tieleman; and a journalist who followed her plight.
Martin said she was headed to see her mother in Trenton, Ont.
"I'm just going to relax with my mom, and probably cook dinner for my mother and my stepfather."
Carol Sparling, a spokeswoman for the National Parole Board, said Martin is a first-time federal offender sentenced to a non-violent offence.
"Those offenders are reviewed with only one criteria, which is if there is reasonable likelihood of them committing a violent offence," she said.
"The board found that was no evidence in violence in this case and directed full parole release."
Parole documents cite a 1993 conviction for drunk driving but don't consider it germane to her current case.
A Mexican court found Martin guilty last month of involvement in a scam run by her ex-boss, former Edmontonian Alyn Waage.
A Mexican judge sentenced her to five years in jail and ordered her to pay a fine.
She has steadfastly maintained she knew nothing of Waage's fraud scheme, which bilked 15,000 investors out of nearly US$60 million.
Waage was arrested in 2001 and is serving out a 10-year sentence at a low-security federal prison in Butner, N.C.

Found a little...long way to go.

I found some motivation, the sun came out, I opened a window and just jumped in. And I do feel better which makes me want to keep going. I love it when my house smells fresh and feels clean. It's a 'good thing'. What cleaning products are you using these days? Making the switch to 'green' or staying with old faithful? I'm into products that don't make you wear gloves. Love that! So what's making your houses fresh?

I need some motivation

My house is a bomb and I need to tidy up...but it's grey and cloudy and I'm not in the mood. Ever happen to you guys? I'm just blahhh. I know I'll feel better when its done, its just starting. Blahh. What gets you going? What helps you get the blahh into submission? Blahh blahh blahh...blahh.

Okay, this is how much God loves me!

You know those moments that happen in your life that are so incredibly sweet that they're like a hand picked moment between you and God? Well I just had a weekend of Divine Appointments with God. I just love Him so much because He cares so much about the details of our lives. On Friday, my daughter and I left our Homeschool Event a little later than I planned (hard to tear away from those things...) and I still had to stop and pick up snacks. The plaza I went to is crazy hard to pull into traffic going left, so I was stuck there for a while waiting, feeling later and later. I prayed out loud,"God just please make a break in the traffic so I can get out of here." And I'm not kidding you, the very next car stops and lets me go. God is so good. We get to the conference which was at the University of Waterloo and we stayed in the dorms. What a neato experience that was for my daughter and I. We loved it! Not the comfyest sleep but didn't matter, it was the funnest ever. The next day (Saturday) was the best part of the conference only the biggest bummer for me was no coffee. I love coffee. Not more than God, but man, I really love coffee. So there I am, brewing a coffee headache (it amazes me that I only drink one a day unless its a celebration or a really small cup, but I still get a headache if I don't have one...hmmm) and I'm sitting in the bleachers (but Jenny saves the day and blesses us with some chairs, thanks Jen!) kind of grumbling about not having coffee and again, I just sort of pray a simple little prayer, "Lord I would just love a coffee." Nothing. That's okay cause God is still good. I see people coming and going all day with their coffee's and its bugging me but God is bigger than coffee so I don't really care alot. We have lunch and I'm getting ready to settle in for the after noon, my headache is still there and I'm not perky happy but content to hear the afternoon message when this complete stranger comes up to me with a tray full of coffee, Tim's no less, and says, "I just bought too many coffee's would anyone like one?" And she looks right at me. There are 1200 people in this place and she comes up to ME. She's not even sitting near me so she doesn't know my coffee circumstance. I jumped out of my skin saying yes yes yes, because even though she paid for it, God just bought me coffee!!! It was the best coffee I ever had. I actually wept. Because it wasn't at all about the coffee, it's simply that God loves me that much that He would bring me a coffee. But it doesn't end there. The day just kept getting better. The afternoon door prizes were being announced and my daughter silently prayed, "God, don't let me win the CD, but if I win the Bible I will give it to my best friend Sandra." And don't you know, the very first name called in the Bible draw was my daughters. And then about 5 names later, my name was called for a Bible. They thought we were sisters...I loved that. Honestly, I was just saying thank you Jesus over and over. Because now, He rewards my daughters faithfulness, and then amplifies it by giving us 2 Bibles. What an incredible day. God is so faithful and cares about the simple little details. More than ever, I'm in love with my God. I know I'm His favorite. And so are you, and you and you and you. Isn't that so great? To honestly say your the favorite and not be at all puffed up in anyway bragging, because its true. God is just that good!

Images

Well here's a good conversation. My strangerfriend at Aduladi&Co. offers a great commentary to make you go hmmmmm on her blog post from yesterday. Is it okay to look at images of Christ in the new covenant even though the old testament covenant still applies. But by the blood of the lamb we have a new promise so how far do you press it? As a Catholic woman I find myself really thinking on this because we are loaded with images in the Catholic church. And I honestly love them. I'm visual so that part of me is fed well with so much to look at. So my take on this is that as long as I'm not making an image INTO God, then having a picture of Jesus should be okay. If we get all legalistic about it then we should probably not wear crosses either. And I really don't want to give up my cross jewellery. I love it, but its not a god to me and none of it has power. And too, watching The Passion Of The Christ, really puts into perspective what he suffered. Until that movie I never really 'got' it. So as a tool to deepen my faith, seeing that movie helped. So then, gazing on the face of Christ, weather in my minds eye or through the eye of someone else, if in a desire to grow in faith, has to be okay. Am I justifying too much? I pray for the mind of Christ because scripture tells me to do so. Is that cheating? I don't think so. I love how St. Thomas Aquinas says it: Religious worship is not directed to images in themselves, considered as mere things, but under their distinctive aspect as images leading us on to God incarnate. The movement toward the image does not terminate in it as image, but tends toward that whose image it is.[St. Thomas Aquinas, STh II-II, 81, 3 ad 3.]. Regarding idols we find this...2113. Idolatry not only refers to false pagan worship. It remains a constant temptation to faith. Idolatry consists in divinizing what is not God. Man commits idolatry whenever he honors and reveres a creature in place of God, whether this be gods or demons (for example, satanism), power, pleasure, race, ancestors, the state, money, etc. Jesus says, 'You cannot serve God and mammon.'[Mt 6:24 .] Many martyrs died for not adoring 'the Beast'[Cf. Rev 13-14.] refusing even to simulate such worship. Idolatry rejects the unique Lordship of God; it is therefore incompatible with communion with God.[Cf. Gal 5:20 ; Eph 5:5 . This site www.newadvent.org has a neat description of the issue too. But sadly as I poked around the web, there is alot of anti-catholic stuff out there. It's a hard subject to tackle and my friend Angel said it best, its not a salvation issue. Its more about living in Victory. Trying as best we know how to live a life for Christ, that he would be blessed by and that would show who he is by how we live.