Author Archives: maria

Planned Parenthood Shakeup: It’s All About Abortion

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Leana Wen 2 By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

The news sent shockwaves through the Twittersphere: after less than nine months on the job, the president of Planned Parenthood was being ousted.

Dr. Leana Wen tweeted on Tuesday afternoon:

I just learned that the Board ended my employment at a secret meeting. We were engaged in good faith negotiations about my departure based on philosophical differences over the direction and future of Planned Parenthood. My statement to come shortly.

But what could those philosophical differences be? It appears that, even though she consistently claimed–falsely–that “abortion is health care,” Wen was not politically aggressive enough when it came to promoting abortion.

In a letter posted on Twitter, Wen said she came to Planned Parenthood to promote health care. But the new board’s leadership has made its priority doubling down on abortion advocacy.

This is what pro-lifers have known all along. The vast majority of Planned Parenthood’s abortion center income comes from abortion. Rather than promoting “choice,” the vast “non-profit” organization promotes abortion expansion.

Abby Johnson knows this first-hand. She’s the former Planned Parenthood director whose conversion to the pro-life cause after viewing an ultrasound-guided abortion formed the basis of the movie Unplanned.

With graciousness and love, Abby reached out to Wen on Twitter following news of Wen’s departure from Planned Parenthood:

Leana, I know exactly how Planned Parenthood works and know ALL about their secret meetings. If you ever want to talk about your experience (in complete confidence), I’m here. I will help in any way I can through your transition. 

The fact is, Abby and other pro-lifers stand ready to assist anyone who has been caught up in the tragic business of abortion. So many former abortion center workers are now ardently pro-life.

I can only hope that Leana Wen will come to see that Planned Parenthood is standing on the wrong side of history–and on the opposite side of women facing challenging pregnancies.

Abortion at Heart of Kavanaugh Controversy

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Justice on Trial By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

It is all the more fascinating in the re-telling.

I am talking about the unprecedented drama that surrounded the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh as a Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court

Justice on Trial: the Kavanaugh Confirmation and the Future of the Supreme Court provides a brilliant analysis of the behind-the-scenes power struggle that accompanied the most contentious Supreme Court fight in modern history.

Authors Mollie Hemingway and Carrie Severino expertly demonstrate how a process that should be dignified and exemplary devolved into character assassination of a man who had sought to bring honor to the courts his entire professional life.

Hemingway and Severino recount this cautionary tale in vivid detail. Kavanaugh’s emotional pain during the confirmation hearings literally leaps off the page.

“Throughout my life, I’ve devoted huge efforts to encouraging and promoting the careers of women. I will put my record up against anyone’s male or female,” Kavanaugh said during his contentious hearing.

“I love coaching more than anything I’ve ever done in my whole life, but thanks to what some of you on this side of the committee have unleashed, I may never be able to coach again.”

What pro-abortion Democrats had unleashed were a series of sensational, unsubstantiated allegations accusing the judge of sexual assault when he was a teenager. The most publicized of the claims was that of Christine Blasey Ford, who charged that Kavanaugh had attempted to rape her at a teenage house party. None of the people who Ford said had been present at the party could corroborate her claims.

Addressing Ford’s claims during a dramatic Capitol Hill hearing, Kavanaugh stated, “The other night (my wife) Ashley and my daughter Liza said their prayers, and little Liza—all of ten years old—said to Ashley, ‘We should pray for the woman.’ That’s a lot of wisdom from a ten-year-old. We mean no ill will.”

Hemingway and Severino identify abortion as being a key issue at the heart of the controversy surrounding the Supreme Court appointment. They point out that, as soon as Justice Anthony Kennedy, considered a swing vote on abortion, announced his retirement, CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin tweeted, “Abortion will be illegal in twenty states in 18 months.”

As much as pro-lifers wish the tragedy of legal abortion would end today, we realize we are in this struggle for the long haul. We do not know when the Supreme Court will right a profound wrong and restore legal protection for preborn children.

One thing we do know—the vitriol and fury unleashed against any Supreme Court nominee President Donald Trump would make coarsen our culture and wound our society.

As President Trump stated, “On behalf of our nation, I want to apologize to Brett and the entire Kavanaugh family for the terrible pain and suffering you have been forced to endure. Those who step forward to serve our country deserve a fair and dignified evaluation, not a campaign of political and personal destruction based on lies and deception.

“What happened to the Kavanaugh family violates every notion of fairness, decency, and due process,” the President said.

And, one could add, fairness, decency, and due process are also all violated under the abortion regime created by the High Court.

Cable TV Commentator’s Arguments for Legal Abortion Melt Away

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newborn babe arms outstretched By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

The arguments made by pro-abortion advocates can melt away quicker than a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream on a sweltering July day.

Take, for instance, the defense of legal abortion posed by cable television commentator Tomi Lahren.

In her book Never Play Dead, Lahren dismisses the pro-life point of view as a merely religious objection to the practice of abortion.

Speaking of those who would like to see the U.S. Supreme Court overturn the tragic U.S. Supreme Court ruling known as Roe v. Wade, Lahren claims they are engaging in an enterprise that would be “unconstitutional” “because we don’t legislate morality. We don’t nominate people to that position (Supreme Court Justice) just to carry out our religion.”

But in truth, the life issues cannot be narrowly defined as being a question of religion. Atheists can be pro-life. The case against abortion can be made on many legitimate grounds: scientific, Constitutional, and legal.

It does not take a divinity degree to recognize the fact that life begins at conception, that the moment of fertilization is a life-giving act which merits legal protection for the unique individual created.

You do not have to belong to a place of worship to understand that a person’s heart starts beating 24 days after conception and brain waves can be detected 44 days post-conception.

It is an act of intellectual engagement, not religious fervor, to argue that our founding fathers saw the right to life as a pillar of a stable society.

This is not to say that religion cannot be a motivator in seeking justice—certainly it was for modern day heroes such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But it is simply wrong to claim that people who recognize the inherent rights of children in the womb are somehow forcing their religion on other people.

Lahren rails against putting justices on the High Court to “interpret your religion.” That is not the position of the mainstream pro-life movement. Pro-lifers advocate an interpretation of the Constitution which is based on what that sacred document actually says, rather than what pro-abortion zealots wish it said.

Reason and common sense are key planks of the pro-life platform. They were back before Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, and they continue to be today. And that is why the pro-life case is so persuasive, generation after generation.

Encouraging a Dialogue for Life!

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Stephanie Gray By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

I remember a friend asking me a series of questions long ago. The question-and-answer session helped to cement my pro-life views and ultimately led me to advocacy for pregnant women, children, people with disabilities, and the frail elderly.

As pro-lifers, we need to ask questions of those who believe they hold a “pro-choice” position on abortion. I am not talking a “60 Minutes”-style inquisition. I am speaking about questions which gently lead to understanding and eventually the truth.

This technique is brilliantly on display in the book Love Unleashes Life by noted pro-life speaker Stephanie Gray. Gray has shared her intelligent, well-reasoned rationale for life with audiences around the world. Gray is a staunch advocate for asking a number of questions to ascertain why a person is accepting of abortion and helping that individual to realize the rightness of the pro-life position.

This technique strikes me as being especially important in these times. For instance, is a person with a “pro-choice” position really for abortion up to the moment of birth? Do they oppose any and all limits on abortion, or do they see circumstances in which abortion should be restricted? Once apprised of the milestones in the development of an unborn child, such as a heart beating as early as 24 days after conception, do they see the humanity of the child in the womb?

The pro-life movement thrives on human connection. We must be prepared to reach out–even to people who may be initially hostile to our message. The more we can learn about how they arrive at their viewpoint, the more we can hone our argumentation to get to the crux of the issue.

It is possible to speak civilly about abortion. People such as Stephanie Gray prove it everyday. Why not follow their impressive lead?

Micro-Preemie Babies Show the Importance of Defending Life

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sleeping baby By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

She came into the world at the tender age of 26 weeks’ gestation–just two weeks past Pennsylvania’s late-term abortion limit.

At birth, she weighed a scarce pound-and-a-half–approximately the same weight as a block and a half of butter.

As a result, medical professionals whisked her into the neonatal intensive care unit, hoping that against all odds she would survive.

Twenty-two years later, she returned to the NICU to thank the nurses who had helped save her life. She also came to give confidence to parents whose precious babies are living in the NICU.

A local Pennsylvania television station chronicled the woman’s incredible story of survival. The feature came at a time when the Governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Wolf, has pledged to veto any and all limits on abortion.

It’s not hard to see how schizophrenic our society has become. On one hand, health care professionals are working round the clock to save infants who are born prematurely.

At the same time, Democratic Presidential candidates are defending legislation that would allow babies of the same gestation to be aborted.

This dichotomy cannot continue forever. At some point, our law will reflect the truth that every human life–no matter what her age or stage of development–deserves protection.

Modern technology has produced the miracles that allow babies to survive at ever earlier stages. It’s well past time for the law–and our politicians–to catch up with medical progress.

Mother Seeks Censure of Pro-Abortion Lawmaker

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Ashley Garecht

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

She had come seeking justice–not for herself, but for her daughters and their friend.

Ashley Garecht recently came to the state Capitol in Harrisburg, PA to do what she said was her job–advocating on behalf of her children.

You might not know Ashley’s name, but chances are you saw her face–trying to speak rationally and calmly to an out-of-control lawmaker in a video that went viral.

PA State Representative Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) recorded himself berating and harassing Ashley, her teenage girls, and their friend. The group had been quietly praying outside a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood facility known for its shoddy safety record.

Sims even offered a bounty to anyone who would identify the teenagers and reveal their home addresses. In a separate video, he used the same tactics to try to intimidate an older woman who was simply exercising her First Amendment rights by peacefully praying in front of the abortion center.

Sims has failed to personally apologize to Ashley, her daughters, their friend, and the unidentified older woman.

But Ashley–along with many people both in Pennsylvania and around the country–want to see Sims held accountable for his actions. They are supporting a resolution, sponsored by state Representative Jerry Knowles (R-Schuylkill, Berks, and Carbon Counties), which would formally censure Sims and take away his committee assignments.

At last county, House Resolution 387 had nearly 40 co-sponsors. But so far, House leadership has been reluctant to take up the cause–despite the nearly universal condemnation of Sims’ behavior.

And so Ashley made the rounds of the Capitol, meeting lawmakers in leadership, hoping to hold Sims to account. The odds might be stacked against her, but she is willing to try–for the sake of the young people that Sims badgered–and for all young people struggling to be heard above the din of a culture which tolerates, and at times even celebrates, abortion on demand.

Action Item: If you live in PA, please call and email your state Representative and urge him or her to support HR 387. 

The Brian Sims Saga Continues

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Brian Sims

By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

The saga surrounding pro-abortion Pennsylvania state Representative Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia) continues.

If you’ll recall, Sims made national headlines when he harassed a trio of teenagers and an older woman praying outside a Philadelphia Planned Parenthood facility. He immortalized the encounters by videotaping and posting them himself.

He even offered a bounty to anyone who would provide the names and addresses of the women he harassed.

His social media faux pas sparked a massive rally of more than 1,000 people who jammed the street in front of the abortion facility where the harassment occurred.

Following a national uproar, Sims issued a video “apology” which seemed to offer little in the way of real regret.

A Philadelphia television station is reporting that Sims made another attempt at an apology this week. But it does not appear that the women he harassed were present at the meeting at which the subsequent apology occurred.

Sims disgraced his office with his shameful behavior toward women. I myself encountered his dismissive attitude toward women when I sent him a questionnaire to document his views on the life issues. His response?

“Get a life, Maria.”

Now, a number of Sims’ colleagues are telling him to get a new job. They want to take away his committee assignments for his outrageous mistreatment of women.

If you live in Pennsylvania, please encourage your state representative to urge Rep. Sims to resign. It would be a just resolution of a dark episode in Pennsylvania politics.

 

The Future of the Pro-Life Movement is in Good Hands

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Katy Schriner completes internship

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

I know that the future of the pro-life movement is in good hands because of Katy.

Katy, who was our fearless intern at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, graduated from Penn State University earlier this month. Her future is bright–and so is her outlook about the pro-life movement.

When Katy started with us earlier this year, she admitted she had a learning curve. By the end of the internship, she had become an eloquent spokesperson for the pro-life cause.

Katy’s accomplishments are many, and they are all the more remarkable because she wasn’t given much of a chance by doctors early in her life. You see, Katy has autism, and medical professionals told her mother that Katy would have limited communication, and would have to live in an institution.

Katy’s mother was determined to see her daughter reach her full potential. She did not accept the predictions of naysayers. And, as a result of her perseverance and that of her daughter, Katy is well-equipped to take on any challenge that comes in her path.

Katy is especially sensitive to those who would deliver a death sentence to babies with a disability. As someone who has autism, the issue of aborting children with learning disabilities is very personal to her.

So many young people such as Katy are courageously making a stand for life. That means we can expect the pro-life movement to not only survive, but to thrive, for generations to come.

 

Town Hall Meetings Bring Life-Saving Information to Local Communities

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Bonnie Finnerty, Education Director, addressing crowd at the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s Town Hall tour.

By Maria Gallagher, Legislative Director

Audible gasps filled a meeting room not far from the battlefield of Gettysburg. The assembled crowd was reacting to the news from New York, where pro-abortion Governor Andrew Cuomo had signed a bill allowing abortions up to the moment of birth.

Many in the crowd had come to find out how to prevent Pennsylvania from becoming another New York, as far as the life issues are concerned. They listened attentively, applauded often, and inquired how they could sign a petition to Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf, urging him to protect innocent children from harm.

Gettysburg was the first stop in the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation’s popular Town Hall Tour. It will be followed next week with stops in Altoona, Pittsburgh, Erie, Hazleton, and Bethlehem (where pro-abortion Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders recently held his own Town Hall event).

The presentations are jam-packed with important information about promoting life in the culture, in the state Capitol, and in local communities. After the Town Hall in Gettysburg, people crowded around the information table, eager to pick up fact sheets to share with others–especially women facing challenging pregnancies.

We’ve been holding these Town Halls for years now, but there was something especially significant of beginning this year’s tour in Gettysburg. The city is synonymous with defending the soul of the nation–and isn’t that just exactly what pro-lifers are doing today, amidst tremendous challenges from politicians defending late-term abortions and failing to erect legal barriers to infanticide.

In his famous Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln stated that all men are created equal. The pro-life movement believes the same. And because of that dedication to equality, pro-lifers defend life from the very moment of conception to the instant of natural death.

In the immortal words of Lincoln:

The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

To learn more about our Town Hall tour, visit www.paprolife.org .

Let’s Respond to the Hatred of Late-Term Abortions with Love

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sleeping baby

 By Maria V. Gallagher, Legislative Director

The headlines happen to be filled with hatred for humanity this week.

One news story notes that the Governor of North Carolina has vetoed a bill to stop infanticide.

Another breaks the news that a Presidential candidate, Democrat Pete Buttigieg, defends abortions up to birth, calling it “a personal decision.”

It seems horrific enough that Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision which legalized abortion, has led to abortions during all nine months of pregnancy. But the fact that politicians are defending the practice seems incomprehensible.

Make no mistake–late-term abortions and infanticide are vile hate crimes against both mother and child. They are brutal, ghastly, and painful–and should not be permitted in a civilized society.

How can we respond to these atrocities? What can we say when a candidate dismisses late-term abortion as just another choice, as if it were as simple as asking for more caramel in your latte?

We can begin by contemplating the words of slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, who famously stated, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”

We must respond to the darkness and despair of abortion and infanticide with the light of life-giving options. We need to redouble our efforts to reach out to pregnant women facing challenging circumstances. We must recommit ourselves to educating people about the painful truths about abortion and infanticide.

We need to show public officials how deep and how wide our love is for preborn babies and their mothers and fathers. We need to gently but courageously remind candidates of this fundamental truth: all human life is precious and deserves protection, no matter what the circumstances.

We need, in the end, to demonstrate why pro-life is indeed pro-love.