Pregnancy Support Centers being Harassed (6 views) Subscribe   
  From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/11/2001 7:34 am  
To:  ALL   (1 of 40)  
 
  193.1  
 
From:  The Pro-Life Infonet http://www.prolifeinfo.org
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt <infonet@prolifeinfo.org>
Subject:   NARAL Attack on Pregnancy Centers Prompts Unified Response
Source:   Care Net; September 9, 2001

NARAL Attack on Pregnancy Centers Prompts Unified Response

Sterling, VA -- Eleven national pro-life organizations have joined to
denounce a new attack by the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Action League (NARAL) against pregnancy centers, according to Lynn Bisbee,
vice-president of Care Net.  In a recently published guide, NARAL, the
leading pro-abortion advocacy group in the United States, directs
activists to pose as fake clients and to secretly record conversations
inside pregnancy centers that promote positive alternative to abortion.
In the United States, there are nearly 2500 pregnancy centers that offer
free pregnancy services to women facing unplanned pregnancies, says
Bisbee.  NARAL's new campaign aims to weaken pregnancy centers by creating
negative publicity and laying the groundwork for lawsuits and restrictive
legislation.

"As pregnancy centers increasingly empower women to choose positive
options, it is not surprising that those who promote abortion as an easy
solution become more opposed to our work," says Bisbee.  Care Net, an
organization with over 600 affiliated pregnancy centers, is one of eleven
organizations that has joined to publish a booklet exposing NARAL's newly
orchestrated campaign against pregnancy centers.

NARAL's new guide admits that pregnancy centers are growing in strength
and are enjoying increased national credibility.  A 1998 marketing study
supported by the Family Research Council found that a substantial majority
of respondents believed that pregnancy centers had a positive impact on
the women they served. Even 86% of respondents who described themselves as
pro-choice agreed that pregnancy centers had a positive impact on clients.

To counter this trend, NARAL seeks to expose instances of improper client
treatment and possible racial discrimination.  NARAL urges activists to
conduct undercover investigations "posing as women who fear unintended
pregnancies."  NARAL also encourages activists to equip "volunteer
investigators with tape recorders so that they can secretly tape"
interactions inside the center.  Secretly recording private conversations
is illegal in several states.

As NARAL's campaign unfolds, many Care Net centers are reporting suspected
encounters with fake clients, according to Bisbee.  NARAL reports that
orchestrated undercover investigations have begun in at least two states.
In Maryland, NARAL has joined forces with Planned Parenthood in an effort
known as "The Clarity Campaign."  This direct mail campaign is designed to
mobilize up to 10,000 new activists and to expose the "anti-choice" agenda
of pregnancy centers, according to Planned Parenthood of Maryland's
website.

NARAL also urges activists to post negative flyers near pregnancy centers
or at nearby campuses. The sample flyers in NARAL's guide include blanket
accusations that pregnancy centers deceive, mislead and pressure women.
NARAL, however, does not advise activists to verify the truth of any of
these accusations before posting flyers near a particular center. These
tactics, according to Bisbee, have unfairly slandered at least two Care
Net centers.  In Cleveland, Ohio, a NARAL poster was found in front of a
Care Net center stating that the center used deceptive tactics and false
information to frighten women.  In Tacoma, Washington, NARAL posters were
taped over a Care Net center's paid advertisement at a local campus. These
posters stated that the Tacoma pregnancy center gave "medically false
information" and was "not safe."  Kim Triller, Executive Director of the
Tacoma center, responds, "Our pregnancy center offers safe medical
services and provides accurate information. It is sad and ironic that
NARAL uses such false information to attack our center."

Bisbee remains encouraged about the work of pregnancy centers, "Pregnancy
centers are making a positive difference in the lives of thousands of
women every day.  Our hope is that this situation will only strengthen the
resolve of every center to continue serving clients with excellence."

For a list of pregnancy care centers around the country, see
http://www.pregnancycenters.org

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David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/12/2001 11:25 pm  
To:  ALL   (2 of 40)  
 
  193.2 in reply to 193.1  
 
Subject:   Louisiana Abortion Facility Accused of Illegally Dispensing
Abortion Drug
Source:   Baton Rouge Advocate; September 11, 2001

Louisiana Abortion Facility Accused of Illegally Dispensing Abortion Drug

Baton Rouge, LA -- The Delta Women's Clinic expects to reopen next week at
an office in Baton Rouge but a pro-life advocate has claimed that the
abortion facility, in its previous location, illegally offered chemical
abortion drugs to a woman making a secret videotape.

Attorney Yigal Bander said the abortion business has not distributed
chemical abortion drugs, or any other drugs, illegally.

The abortion facility lost its building in a fire in July and opened
briefly last month at an office where the lease agreement prohibited
abortion procedures. Bander said the abortion business will be able to do
chemical and surgical abortions at its new site.

Pro-life advocate Richard Mahoney said a woman went to the location before
the abortion facility moved and was offered a chemical abortion drug by an
employee. The abortion drug, Mifeprex, is legal, but Mahoney claims the
way the clinic offered it to her is illegal.

The woman used a hidden camera to tape the conversation, Mahoney said.

Mahoney has provided the tape to news outlets and said he plans to give it
to law enforcement officials. However, authorities in the District
Attorney's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office and U.S. Drug Enforcement
Administration said late Monday that they had not seen the tape and were
not familiar with the allegations.

In the videotape, a woman who appears to be an employee discusses the
processes of both chemical and surgical abortions and their side effects.
She offers to give the woman the drugs for a chemical abortion that day,
but says a surgical abortion won't be possible until the clinic gets moved
into its new location.

She says that she won't be in the office over the next day or so, but if
the woman decides she wants the chemical abortion, she can meet the woman
somewhere to give her the medication.

Bander would not respond to questions about the videotape, which he said
was illegally, or at least improperly, obtained. "We don't think it's
worthy of a response," he said, adding that he has recommended some
changes to reduce the possibility of such videotapes being produced in the
future. However, Bander said, "no medications have ever been dispensed at
Delta without a doctor's approval."

Attorney Mike Johnson, who has represented women in malpractice claims
against Delta, said he contacted the state Attorney General's Office about
the videotape and was referred to federal authorities.

He said he also has been in touch with the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration.

--
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David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/12/2001 11:40 pm  
To:  ALL   (3 of 40)  
 
  193.3 in reply to 193.2  
 
Ill try to follow this information and see if I can get the video or more information from the video.

 

It is Important to Video and Record what takes place in Abortion facilities. Theses are places where radical procedures are taking place. Procedures that effect both life and health of the Mother and the Baby. They have to be held accountable to some amount of Humane treatment.

 

Pro-Life Pregnancy centers on the other hand give out Food, Clothing, Support and Love. They do not dispense controlled substances nor do they perform dangerous procedures.

 

Pro-Life Centers and Abortion centers cannot even be compared to one another.

The difference between what goes on in a Pro-Life pregnancy support center and an abortion center is like the difference between Heaven and Hell.





David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/23/2001 4:20 pm  
To:  ALL    
 
    
 
***This Post is Heavily Edited - still use caution when reading***

Source:   Phoenix New Times; September 20, 2001

Expose Reveals Abortion Practitioner Molested Women

[Pro-Life Infonet Note:  The following expose reveals the twisted
behaviors of a Phoenix, Arizona abortion practitioner who allegedly
molested numerous women. It includes some graphic sexual language that is
not appropriate for children. The names of the women who filed police
reports against abortion practitioner Brian Finkel have been changed to
protect their privacy.]

Carol awoke in her Phoenix home on the morning of March 1, 2000, dreading
the ordeal ahead.

"I'm a grown adult," she says, "and I had made an informed, big-adult
decision with my boyfriend. But it wasn't going to be easy."

The single mother, who's in her mid-30s, had decided to have an abortion.
She made an appointment with the Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic, owned and
operated by Dr. Brian Finkel. One of the nation's most visible abortion
doctors, the outspoken Finkel long has been a lightning rod in the bitter
debate over a woman's right to choose.

But Carol says she wasn't concerned about the philosophical pros and cons
of abortion. She just wanted to have the procedure done safely, so she
could get back to work as an x-ray technician at a local hospital.

Carol's boyfriend came with her to the clinic, where she signed in under
her maiden name (she's divorced) to protect her privacy. Her boyfriend
stayed in the waiting area when she stepped into the clinic's inner
sanctum.

It was in the latter, Carol says, where Brian Finkel sexually abused her,
both before and after performing the abortion.

###### . Carol also claims
the doctor instructed her to keep her breasts bared during the abortion,
which she says she doesn't remember because of an injection Finkel gave
her.

Carol says she awoke after the abortion and found Finkel #### in a manner that, to her, was sexual, not medical.

She says a female medical assistant was in the room when Finkel allegedly #### but that the doctor was alone with her when he
fondled her breasts.

Carol says she immediately told her boyfriend what had happened, then
called Phoenix police from Finkel's parking lot. Phoenix sex-crimes
detective Arthur Haduch met with her later that day, then spent the next
few months investigating the case.

#### Haduch wrote in a report
that summarized the allegations.

The investigation included a May 12, 2000, interview with Finkel.
According to Haduch's report, "I told Finkel of . . . the reported
####. Finkel states that is not happening . . . I
tell Finkel that a woman would know when her ####, and what is proper and what is not."

The doctor steadfastly denied wrongdoing, as he did in a recent interviewwith New Times.

"I don't like my integrity being challenged," Finkel told the newspaper
September 4. "I've gone out of my way to be hyper-vigilant, to protect
myself from specious allegations such as this one and others."

The "others" include five women who have made similar allegations of
sexual misconduct against the doctor to police, dating back to 1991. One of the women -- a 24-year-old Phoenix resident we'll call Julie -- told police in early 2000 that Finkel had ####, then #### during a pre-abortion examination.

Though none of the previous complaints against the doctor had resulted in prosecution, Detective Haduch concluded in a June 2000 report that, "Based on the information, Dr. Finkel has established a history of molesting his patients during his abortion procedures."

The detective recommended that the Maricopa County Attorney's Office
prosecute Brian Finkel on charges of sexual assault and sexual abuse. That office assigned its own investigator, Mark Stribling, to look into the case.

But Stribling, a retired Phoenix homicide cop, was swamped last year
working on another case involving an abortion doctor, John Biskind.
Biskind was convicted in February of manslaughter in the 1998 death of a Phoenix woman after her late-term abortion at the now-defunct A-Z Women's Center.

Stribling investigated the Finkel case when he could, and conducted his
own interviews with Carol and other alleged victims. Carol says tribling told her months ago that he'd give his full attention to Brian Finkel after Biskind's sentencing -- which was in May.

Still, prosecutors haven't sought a grand jury indictment against the
doctor.

"We are actively following up on a submittal from Phoenix police
[Detective Haduch] concerning allegations regarding Dr. Finkel," Stribling says. "That's all we're going to say publicly."

Finkel tells New Times he's stunned that authorities still are
investigating him. He blames disgruntled ex-employees, the anti-abortion movement, and confused patients for what he says is a grossly unjust situation. The doctor points out that his record is clean, despite complaints and lawsuits that ex-patients have filed against him at the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners, and in Maricopa County Superior Court.

Finkel says he never has done anything improper, during his treatment of Carol or any other patient.

"How can anyone believe her when she lied on her application about what
her real name is?" the doctor says of Carol. "There is a pattern of
criminal misconduct that I've seen in some of these [police] reports, not on my part, but on the patients' parts. . . . I find myself in a no-win situation. I'm never even alone with my patients -- never."

Finkel says some women just don't understand what a pelvic exam is: "They misconstrue professional conduct for professional misconduct. . . 
Physicians that abuse their patients in this state go to prison. I'm not going to go to prison, because I'm not doing anything wrong."

--
I am a busy gynecologist, and would never do a breast exam on any
patient, regardless of age, without a female attendant present to protect her dignity and my integrity.
--Dr. Finkel, in a February 1999 letter to
Ann Landers, about unchaperoned x-ray technicians who perform breast exams

----


One-on-one allegations of sexual misconduct that lack physical evidence
are notoriously difficult for prosecutors to prove in court. The potential case against Brian Finkel, however, has details that transcend the he-said, she-said circumstances that often hamper authorities.

Perhaps most important is that four of Finkel's ex-employees have told
authorities that they often saw the doctor touch his patients' ####
during pelvic examinations. The four said he also would regularly fondle the breasts of patients in a non-medical manner. Each of those employees have said that, contrary to Finkel's claims, he often found ways to be alone -- sometimes for five or six minutes -- with many of his prettier patients.

As for Carol, the fact that she phoned police immediately is a plus for
prosecutors. It's also important that she's not aligned with Finkel's
longtime enemies -- right-to-lifers who would love to see him crumble. 
Carol hasn't sued the doctor, nor has she hired an attorney. Instead,
after Finkel allegedly abused her, she sought therapy. She says she didn't file a complaint with the state osteopathic board against Finkel because she didn't think of it. Carol also claims she didn't know that five other women had filed sexual misconduct allegations against Finkel with Phoenix police until she recently read the report on her own case for the first time.

It turns out that those other reports contain allegations that are
remarkably similar to Carol's -- allegations that Finkel manipulated #### in a manner they claim was sexual.

The earliest complaint was filed in 1991. "Terry" told police and, more
recently, New Times, that Finkel #### during a gynecological examination. Now 37, the Phoenix woman says she went to
Finkel's clinic because it was open on a Saturday, when she wasn't
working.

"I had an infection that needed to be looked at," Terry says. "I went in, and his assistant was at the sink washing dishes or something for a long, long time. That was when this doctor put his hand down there, 
####. That's never happened to me during an exam, before or since. I was shocked. I looked directly at him, and I was about to say something, when he turned away. It was not a normal visit."

Terry says she later told her mother what had happened. The next morning, she called Phoenix police: "My thinking was, what does he do to those young girls I saw at his office, girls who are already flipped out because they're getting an abortion, and then they have to deal with that yahoo?"

Police reports confirm that a Phoenix detective interviewed Terry at the time. She says the investigator told her a criminal case against Finkel would be difficult because "it was my word against his and that the woman [medical assistant] in the room hadn't seen anything, or hadn't cared to see anything."

Terry says she also filed a complaint with the state osteopathic board.
"About eight months goes by, and I finally get a letter. They say they've spoken to Dr. Finkel, and that's it. End of story."

Terry says she no longer has that letter. Osteopathic board executive
director Ann Marie Berger says that, under Arizona law, she can't even
confirm the existence of a dismissed complaint that's more than three
years old, nor a "letter of concern" from the board to a doctor that's
more than five years old.

Phoenix police files also include allegations of sexual misconduct against Finkel in 1992, two in 1995, and the one from Julie in 2000, shortly before Carol filed her complaint.

From a summary of the November 1992 report: "[Finkel] ####

From a summary of a January 1995 report: "[Finkel] ####

From a summary of an October 1995 report filed by a 26-year-old Phoenix
woman: "[Finkel] ####

Then, on January 25, 2000, Phoenix police traced a 911 hang-up call to a residence inside city limits. According to a police report, two officers were met at the home by a distraught 24-year-old woman.

"Julie" told them that, accompanied by a girlfriend earlier that day, she had gone to Finkel's clinic for an abortion. Finkel had performed a
previous abortion on Julie a few years earlier, without incident.

This time, however, she alleged something far different.

"[Julie] said that he began to rub KY jelly on her vagina," the police
report said, "but while doing this, ####

Around this time, Finkel had given Julie a pain-killing injection that put her in a kind of "twilight sleep," but she told the police she never was completely unconscious. She recalled that a medical assistant had been present during ####.

Julie said she closed her eyes, but did hear the operating-room door open and close a few times in the next few minutes.

"She said that she then felt Finkel ####

The officers filed their report with the sex-crimes unit, but Detective
James Newhouse didn't re-interview Julie until March 22, three weeks after Carol had contacted Phoenix police about her problems with Finkel.

In her second interview, Julie conceded that she hadn't said anything to Finkel during the alleged assault. #### and said that when she opened her eyes, he was sitting onthe end of the operating table looking at her.

"She knows ####" Newhouse wrote in his report, adding that Julie was "100 percent sure" ####.

But Newhouse never confronted Finkel with Julie's allegations. Nor did he submit the case to county prosecutors for review, as Detective Haduch did after investigating Carol's allegations last year.

Instead, Newhouse's mini-investigation ended with his written notation,
"There are other reports involving Dr. Finkel that are also being
investigated."

Police won't discuss their investigations into Finkel. Says Haduch, "I
don't feel comfortable talking about the Finkel case at this time. We
submitted [the allegations involving Carol] to the County Attorney, and
it's an open investigation there, so it's up to them what happens next."

Still, Haduch's report includes potentially powerful testimony from a
number of Finkel's former employees who generally corroborate the
patients' complaints. In separate interviews, four ex-medical assistants who'd worked closely with Finkel told the detective they'd seen the doctor routinely perform what was known at the clinic as the #### improper touching of the #### during preoperative exams.

One of the ex-assistants, Crystal Sykes, also told Phoenix police last
year that Finkel often "fondled the patient's breasts to wake them from
[a] twilight sleep . . . and every one of Finkel's medical assistants knew this."

"Crystal stated mostly it was the cute patients," according to a police
report. Sykes "stated she couldn't say if Finkel would ####. Crystal said in some of the more attractive patients, Finkel would stay in the room and she would leave. Crystal stated she has re-entered the room and seen Finkel rubbing the patient's inner thighs while the patient was in the stirrups.

"I spoke with Crystal about the pelvic exam and the allegations about
Finkel ####" the report says. "Crystal stated how she felt uncomfortable about this part of the exam. Crystal said when the
patient was attractive, Finkel would find reasons to stay in the room
alone with the patients."

Sykes worked for Finkel for about 18 months in the late 1990s. She told
police she'd be willing to testify against Finkel.

Finkel says Sykes is lying, and has a vendetta against him because he
fired her.

In August 2000, Haduch found Valley resident Karen Corbett, who had worked for Finkel for 10 years. Corbett corroborated Sykes' account, and also said she and other medical assistants had told Finkel that the
breast-fondling was inappropriate. Corbett also said she'd informed the
doctor's wife, Diana -- who works part time as Finkel's office manager --
about the allegedly inappropriate fondling. However, Diana Finkel tells
New Times that, "No one ever has told me that my husband was doing
anything inappropriate during any examination. I'm sure I would have
addressed it with him immediately."

According to Haduch's police report, Corbett said, "Finkel would
particularly fondle the breasts of larger-chested women or women with
breast enhancement. I asked Karen if she had ever been out of the room and Finkel was alone with the patient. Karen said this happened numerous times."

"I asked Karen about the term '####.' Karen saw Finkel perform this
flicking. Karen had seen Finkel do this during every pelvic exam. Karen
and other medical assistants told Finkel this was inappropriate. Karen
reported she would become upset about this flicking and would look away."

The doctor dismisses Corbett's allegations, telling New Times he's "never '####' a patient for improper motive, or improper gratification. I don't want to, I don't need to, and I don't have to. Do I touch their
breasts as anything other than as a professional part of their exam? No. I have no reason to, and I am not going to.

"I've gone out of my way to make sure, No. 1, that I'm never alone with a patient. No. 2, when I take a patient to the exam room, I tell her how to prepare for an exam. I leave the room and she undresses by herself. I come back in the room with a medical assistant by my side, or one at my beck and call. I never examine a patient without a female attendant being present. No ifs, ands or buts."

Finkel suggests his accusers may have been manipulated by police as well as political opponents. "I do understand that, sometimes, law enforcement can be rather forceful in intimidating people into making statements that aren't true."

And he goes a step further: "I understand there are people in this
community who don't like the fact that I'm an abortion provider. And I
understand there are people under the color of authority who would like to make me unavailable for abortions. I've seen it in the past."

Brian Finkel has earned an excellent set of credentials since he first was licensed in Arizona as an osteopath in 1982.

He is board-certified as an obstetrician-gynecologist, and is a fellow
with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and with the International College of Surgeons. A member of the United States Air Force Reserves, Finkel served as a flight surgeon during the Desert Storm operation in 1990.

But national and local anti-abortionists long have targeted the
51-year-old Finkel as their archenemy, more than any other area abortion doctor. His name and address is listed on Internet sites controlled by radical anti-abortionists whose ilk have murdered other abortion practitioners.

To protect himself, the doctor wears a loaded handgun on his hip when he's working.

"When you're a nationally prominent abortion provider such as myself,"
Finkel says, "you have to be more vigilant than others. When you're a
lightning rod for public comment, you have to be more vigilant."

Still, he continues to embrace the limelight, and takes every opportunity to tell the world how poorly he regards most anti-abortionists. Finkel gets a ton of business, about 1,600 abortions last year, he says, or about 20 percent of all abortions performed in the state of Arizona. The doctor charges between $300 and $500 for an abortion.

"Thousands and thousands of abortions, and I get six women saying I'm
pawing at them, huh?" he says. "Give me a break."

In the early and mid-1990s, right-to-lifers led by Phoenix attorney John Jakubczyk funded about a half-dozen medical malpractice lawsuits on behalf of Finkel abortion patients. Superior Court records indicate that the doctor prevailed in each suit.

Finkel also was cleared of wrongdoing in the sole complaint now available for public scrutiny at the osteopathic board.

Filed by a Phoenix woman in August 1998, that complaint claimed Finkel had performed an abortion using unsanitary surgical equipment. The board considered the complaint at a hearing, during which Finkel alleged a "persistent pattern of misconduct on the behalf of [board] staff in order to do immediate and permanent damage to me to earn a living." The board then voted to dismiss that complaint.

Finkel tells New Times that the state board has dismissed 28 of the other 29 complaints filed against him.

The remaining one was a 1997 "letter of concern" from the board to the
doctor about wearing a gun while performing abortions.

Certainly, patients do make false allegations of sexual abuse against
their doctors. But abuse does happen, and perhaps with greater frequency than many might suspect.

Dr. Thomas Gutheil, a Harvard Medical School psychiatry professor,
recently wrote, "Although most of us would like to believe this is
relatively rare in the medical practice . . . there is a tendency to
underreport this kind of conduct. Its victims often fall into self-blaming and anger at themselves for not reacting quickly and leaving the scene."

Ann Marie Berger notes that 55 Arizona osteopaths list OB-GYN as a
specialty. She says that no one has filed allegations of sexual misconduct against an OB-GYN since she was hired in 1995.

In 1999, a survey conducted by the American Medical Association's Council on Ethics and Judicial Affairs revealed that, of 1,891 doctors who responded, a remarkable nine percent admitted to sexual contact with one or more patients.

Though the survey didn't define "sexual contact," Phoenix sex-crimes
detectives say that, in their experience, allegations of clitoral rubbing and breast fondling by doctors are rare.

One reason, says Dr. Joseph Buxer, medical director of the Women's Health Service at Good Samaritan Hospital, is that doctors always try to ensure they're not alone with patients during intimate examinations.

"A chaperone should always be present in such situations," says Buxer, who was speaking generally. "There are too many opportunities for a he-said, she-said situation to develop, whatever the motivation. You need someone to say that you weren't fooling around, that you were doing your normal job in a normal, appropriate way."

Adds Dr. Thomas Cole, dean of the Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine: "We teach that, for your own safety as well as for the safety and comfort of your patients, have someone with you when you're performing an intimate examination or awakening someone after a procedure. How can you defend yourself otherwise?"

Finkel says he always tells his patients that he may inadvertently touch their clitorises, but only briefly and not for sexual purposes. But four OB-GYN doctors tell New Times that incidental contact with the clitoris during pelvic examinations is rare, and that forewarning patients about possible touching is unnecessary.

Detective Haduch broached the subject during his investigation with Kim
Yedowitz, a supervising nurse at Scottsdale Healthcare/Osborn. His report says Yedowitz told him there is no medical reason to manipulate a clitoris during a pelvic exam.

Yedowitz told Haduch a doctor may have incidental contact with a patient's clitoris, but the patient wouldn't report it as rubbing, flicking or repeated touching. The nurse also said there's no reason for a doctor to perform a second breast examination after an abortion.

In late April 2000, Haduch informed Brian Finkel by phone about the
allegations of "inappropriate touching" of patients. His report says the doctor denied wrongdoing. Finkel referred Haduch to attorney Rosann
Johnson (who was present during Finkel's recent interview with New Times.)

Haduch's report says he gave Johnson the names of Finkel's most recent
alleged victims, as well as some details of the allegations. On May 10,
2000, Haduch and another detective met with Finkel and attorney Johnson at the doctor's clinic.

Haduch first told Finkel he wasn't under arrest, and that he didn't intend to arrest Finkel even after the interview. The doctor soon explained to Haduch that he has a nurse present in the operating room during every procedure.

Finkel said he examines his patients' breasts to see if the woman is
lactating, and to determine if she has had cosmetic surgery. (According to Finkel, abortion may be more discomforting for women with breast
implants.)

The detective told the doctor that patients were claiming he'd rubbed
their clitorises -- intentionally, in their views -- during pelvic exams. Finkel denied it.

From Haduch's report: "Finkel reports telling the patient that he might be touching their clitoris, so that the patient doesn't think he is taking advantage of them."

For unknown reasons, the detective apparently didn't mention Julie, the
woman who had made the oral sex allegations against Finkel only a few
months earlier.

Though the doctor had denied guilt, Haduch's police report concluded,
"Finkel sexually assaulted the victims by intentionally manipulating the clitoris . . . without a medical reason, and aroused the victim from her sleep by fondling her breasts. Witnesses stated this was a routine practice for Finkel. No accepted medical procedure could be found for Finkel's actions."

Carol, who filed the latest police report against the doctor, says she
hopes the County Attorney's Office seeks a grand jury indictment against Finkel.

"I'm not a shrinking-violet little girl, but I was vulnerable that day," she says, "and he took advantage of a situation to get his cheap little thrill."

Brian Finkel hired veteran Phoenix criminal-defense attorney Clark Derrick after his recent interview with New Times. But he says he plans to continue to speak up for himself.

"This is my story, and I'm sticking to it," Finkel says. "I intend to
remain just as vigilant in the future as I have been in the past . . . and to make myself available to the people of Arizona who so desperately want me, and seek me out."

A copy of this story can be found at:
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/issues/2001-09-20/feature.html/page1.html

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The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and
information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to:
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David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/23/2001 7:34 pm  
To:  ALL   (5 of 40)  
 
  193.5 in reply to 193.1  
 

Arizona Right to Life Reacts to Expose' of Phoenix Abortion Practitioner

Phoenix, AZ -- Shane Wikfors, Executive Director of Arizona Right to Life,
released the following statement in response to the Phoenix New Times
article exposing an Arizona abortion practitioner's molestation of women:

Last week "the Phoenix New Times ran a sexually explicit expose revealing
the disgusting molestations of gun-toting abortionist Brian Finkle. While
the New Times is certainly not on our side of the pro-life issue we have
to credit writer Paul Rubin for confirming what we have been saying for
years - abortionists are the most unregulated 'medical professionals' in
the health care industry."

"Without going into detail about the article, several internal sources and
clients of abortionist Finkle have confirmed he has repeatedly molested
his patients while hiding behind the faade that abortionists are always
under attack. Many of his clients have feared speaking out because he
performs abortions brandishing a gun.

"Despite continual legislative and legal efforts, abortion still remains
the most unregulated medical procedure in the state of Arizona. In 1998,
LouAnne Herron died at the hands of abortionist John Biskind. She bled to
death at his clinic while he callously attended to his own personal
affairs. In March, he was convicted and later sentenced to 5 years in
prison.

"After the death of LouAnne Herron, Arizona Right to Life and the Center
for Arizona Policy were successful in passing an abortion clinic
regulations law through the state legislature. We were also successful in
passing a parental consent law. Both laws were immediately challenged by
Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona under the leadership of Virginia
Yrun (appointed earlier this year to the state senate).

"Last month, Judge Raner Collins with the Federal District Court in
Tucson, handed us a victory on parental consent. The law was in effect for
about three days before Planned Parenthood requested and received another
temporary stay of enforcement. Late last week, Judge Collins again
continued the stay of enforcement pending an appeal to the 9th Circuit
Court. This means that Planned Parenthood is continuing to build its case
to prevent parental consent from taking effect in Arizona despite
overwhelming public support. Should the abortion industry succeed,
parental rights and the lives of young Arizona teens will continue to
remain at risk by the abortion industry.

"On Monday, October 1, Judge Raner Collins will hold a summary judgment on
our Clinic Regulations Law which provides common-sense reasonable
regulations for the abortion industry. Arizona Right to Life will be
present for the hearing as the courts again try to determine what is best
for you and your health. (Without jumping to a hasty judgment or
conclusion about Judge Collins, he has shown incredible insight and
fairness in all his hearings and I would ask that you hold him in prayer
as he continues to hear both cases.)

"Please write, call, e-mail and pray that the courts will uphold both
laws.

"Arizona Right to Life will continue to remain on the cutting edge of
legal and legislative issues only by your support and prayers. Please
continue to support our efforts as we work like David, against the goliath
abortion industry. Your financial support is always needed and very much
appreciated."

For more information, contact:  Arizona Right to Life, 77 E. Columbus
Avenue, Suite 209, Phoenix, AZ 85012, (602) 285-0063

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/27/2001 8:57 am  
To:  ALL   (6 of 40)  
 
  193.6 in reply to 193.5  
 
Subject:   New York Abortion Facility Violated Zoning Rules
Source:   Rochester (NY) Democrat and Chronicle; September 26, 2001

New York Abortion Facility Violated Zoning Rules

Brighton, NY -- A New York state Supreme Court justice has ruled that
Brighton abortion practitioner Morris Wortman is illegally occupying his
office building and the town should remove him.

The decision is a major victory for local pro-life advocates.

State Supreme Court Justice William P. Polito ruled that Brighton
officials failed to follow their own planning and zoning guidelines in
1999 when they approved construction of Wortman's office building at 2020
S. Clinton Ave.

Despite the decision, Wortman's abortion facility remains open for the
time being. Polito's mandate that Brighton prohibit Wortman from using the
building is on hold pending the outcome of an appeal, which Brighton
Supervisor Sandra Frankel said the town is considering.

The town has 30 days to file a notice of appeal.

Carol Crossed, a member of the local pro-life group Brighton Residents
Against Violence, which filed the lawsuit, said her "greatest hope is that
Morris Wortman would just walk away ... and that the town of Brighton
would welcome that."

Wortman referred questions to his attorney, Steve Ingraham.

"The important thing here is that Dr. Wortman's medical practice will
continue," Ingraham said. "We are obviously disappointed in the ruling,
and we believe the court was in error."

Polito's ruling stems from a lawsuit filed in January by the pro-life
group.

The lawsuit specifically challenged Brighton's decision to allow Wortman
to construct a berm behind his clinic. The group had argued that the
10-foot concrete wall was not part of the building's original
architectural plans and therefore violated town zoning laws.

Polito agreed with that and another crucial point: that the entire office
building was approved without fully disclosing to the public that the
building was intended to be an abortion facility.

Applications to the Brighton Planning Board referred to a "doctor's
office," not an abortion facility -- a distinction that should have
required a special-use permit, Polito wrote.

Brighton officials have always denied that they violated the town code.

Paul Leclair, attorney for the town, said Wortman filed all the necessary
paperwork with the planning board. He objected to the idea that Brighton
officials somehow misled the public about the office building's intended
use.

"Dr. Wortman is a well-known gynecologist in this region," Ingraham said.
"Although abortion is one aspect of his practice, it is by no means the
only function of his clinic."

Polito is a former Republican member of the Monroe County Legislature who
was vocal about his opposition to abortion during an unsuccessful campaign
in the early 1990s against pro-abortion Rep. Louise Slaughter, D-Fairport.
He was elected to state Supreme Court in 1996.

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    9/28/2001 7:55 am  
To:  ALL   (7 of 40)  
 
  193.7 in reply to 193.1  
 
Subject:   Abortion Practitioner Faces Disciplinary Action in Malpractice
Case
Source:   The Desert Sun; September 27, 2001

Abortion Practitioner Faces Disciplinary Action in Malpractice Case

**Edited**

He contended the case boiled down to who had more credibility -- him or
the woman who testified against him.

Durante maintained he is being targeted by the Medical Board for reasons
that have nothing to do with his qualifications as a physician. "There are
some anti-abortion zealots on the board," he said. "They didn't get what
they wanted -- to take my license away."

He also maintained the board still is reacting to a criminal case that
arose out of the 1996 death of a Barstow woman at one of his Southern
California abortion facilities. Bruce Steir, who worked for Durante and
had performed an abortion on the woman, was charged with murder in her
death and eventually pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Durante has had a history of problems related to his abortion business
including twice being placed on five years' probation by the state Medical
Board and losing his staff privileges at local hospitals.

In the case that triggered the May hearing to revoke Durante's license,
the Medical Board alleged Durante was grossly negligent in his treatment
of a woman after she had an abortion at one of his facilities. The woman,
who also filed a lawsuit that is still pending, suffered a perforated
uterus and bowel.

Durante did not perform the abortion but failed to properly diagnose and
treat her afterward when she complained of pain, according to the board.

Ahler determined after hearing testimony from the woman, Durante and
expert witnesses that "gross negligence, repeated acts of negligence and
incompetence were not established."

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/3/2001 9:55 am  
To:  ALL   (8 of 40)  
 
  193.8 in reply to 193.1  
 
Source:   South Carolina Citizens for Life; September 28, 2001

So. Carolina Pro-Life Group Moves Into Former Abortion Facility

Columbia, SC -- South Carolina Citizens for Life is moving its
headquarters into a former abortion facility once owned by the state's
most notorious abortionist.  "We will be sharing building space with
Bethany Christian Adoption Services and doing redemptive, life-saving work
in a building where thousands of babies once died," said Holly Gatling,
SCCL executive director.  The move should be complete by October 1.

The moving opportunity occurred when SCCL lost its lease in the building
it has occupied for nine years.  "Another tenant offered more than twice
the rent we pay and we couldn't possibly match the offer," Gatling said.
"Losing our office space was a crisis, but God presented us with an
unprecedented opportunity. The new space is better, our rent is the same,
and we are closer to the State Capitol."

Six years ago when the state's most notorious abortionist, Jesse Floyd,
died in an automobile accident, his heirs were unable to sell the abortion
facility on Barnwell Street.  The property went on the block for taxes.
At that point a Christian businessman, Dennis Yeo, bought the building and
began extensive renovations.  "The place was an unbelievable dump.  Worse
than a dump," said Gatling who saw the property several times while it was
up for sale.

"We call Jesse Floyd South Carolina's most notorious abortionist for good
reason.  He bragged about the number of babies he killed.  His own
employees went to the news media to complain about filthy, unsanitary
conditions in his office," Gatling said.  "They described how he ground up
the bodies of aborted children in the sink disposal. When he died there
were seven lawsuits pending against him."

After a local Charleston television station aired a three-part expose' of
the employees' allegations, Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, introduced
the Abortion Clinic Regulation Act.  Despite massive efforts by the
abortion industry to keep the bill from passing and being enforced, the
courts ruled this year that South Carolina's abortion clinic regulations
are constitutional.  "We are the first state in the nation with
court-approved abortion clinic regulations," Gatling said.

After extensive renovation and remodeling of the upper level of the
split-level building, Bethany Christian Adoption Services moved its
Columbia office into the space.  South Carolina Citizens for Life now will
occupy a freshly renovated suite of offices in the lower level.
Renovations to the building are continuing.

The new address is 1411 Barnwell St. Suite 3, Columbia, SC 29201. The
phone number, 803.252.LIFE (5433), will remain the same.

South Carolina Citizens for Life is the state affiliate of the National
Right to Life Committee.  "SCCL is best known for the annual Stand Up for
Life March and Rally and for our lobbying work with the State
Legislature," Gatling said.  "That is why it is wonderful that our new
office is closer to the State Capitol."

The number of abortions in South Carolina has declined by 47 percent in
the past 12 years.  "This dramatic drop correlates with the passage of
seven life-protecting bills by the General Assembly," Gatling said.  SCCL
has successfully lobbied for passage of the Parental Consent Act of 1990,
the Woman's Right to Know Act and the Abortion Clinic Regulation Act of
1994; the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997; the Physician-Assisted
Suicide Ban Act of 1998; the Safe Haven for Abandoned Newborns Act of
2000; and the Choose Life License Plate Act of 2001.  In 2001 the S.C.
House passed the Unborn Victims Bill by an overwhelming majority.  The
bill awaits Senate action.

"The generous support of pro-life people makes it possible now to save
babies in a building that was once a death camp for the unborn," Gatling
said.  "We are grateful to God and our supporters whose sacrificial giving
makes this possible."

--
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http://www.pregnancycenters.org


 





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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/23/2001 8:46 am  
To:  ALL   (9 of 40)  
 
  193.9 in reply to 193.1  
 
Subject:   South Carolina's New Abortion Regs Close One Facility
Source:   Associated Press; October 19, 2001

South Carolina's New Abortion Regs Close One Facility

Columbia, SC -- Since a federal judge ruled last month that the state's
new pro-life regulations on abortion facilities are constitutional, five
have met the new requirements and received a license. However, one has
closed and others face increasing costs associated with compliance.

That five who have complied includes three abortion facilities that fought
the new regulations in federal court, said Jan Easterling, a spokesman for
the state health department. In Beaufort, a Planned Parenthood abortion
facility qualified for the license but has since closed, she said.

The new regulations have followed a winding trail from their passage by
the state General Assembly in 1996 to U.S. District Judge Henry Herlong
Jr.'s ruling in September that they are constitutional. The 4th U.S.
Circuit Court of Appeals denied a stay filed on the behalf of abortion
facilities who say the state's new abortion laws are unnecessary and
unconstitutional.

The new regulations, which apply to facilities that perform more than five
abortions per month, set standards on such things as airflow and doorway
widths and require abortion facilities to provide all patient information
to the state. They also require a registered nurse to be on duty and that
a list of counselors, which includes clergy and psychologists, must be
provided to women seeking abortions.

Chris Jueske, chief executive of South Carolina Planned Parenthood, said
the pro-abortion organization had complied with the regulations. The
group's abortion facility in Beaufort has since closed. "The regulations
were a contributing factor," he said.

The new regulations had increased costs for Planned Parenthood's facility
that does abortions in Columbia, but Jueske will have no estimates of how
much it has increased for at least six months.

"It has clearly increased our operating costs, and we have increased our
prices. However, our prices have not gone up as much as our costs, and
we're trying to cut costs elsewhere without further price increases," he
said. Planned Parenthood has increased its charge for a first-trimester
abortion from $380 to $395 over the past few months, he said.

When the rules were passed by the General Assembly, the state had 10
abortion facilities, Easterling said. Since then, two abortion
practitioners who owned a total of four clinics in the state have passed
away and their offices have closed, she said.

For more information, contact:  South Carolina Citizens for Life, PO Box
5865, Columbia, SC 29250, (803) 252-5433

--
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http://www.pregnancycenters.org


 





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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/29/2001 8:55 am  
To:  ALL   (10 of 40)  
 
  193.10 in reply to 193.6  
 
Subject:   Arizona Abortion Practitioner Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges
Source:   Arizona Republic; October 24, 2001

Arizona Abortion Practitioner Arrested on Sexual Abuse Charges

Phoenix, AZ -- Phoenix abortion practitioner Brian Finkel was arrested
this morning outside his Phoenix home, accused of sexually abusing at
least nine women over an 8-year period.

The arrest culminated a yearlong investigation by Maricopa County Attorney
Rick Romley, who said that "every time we thought we could wrap up the
investigation, another victim comes forward."

Finkel was arrested without incident about 8:45 a.m. at his home. A grand
jury indicted him on 16 counts of sexual abuse and one count of sexual
assault; the incidents reportedly happened between October 1993 and August
of this year.

The indictment alleges that Finkel, 51, fondled patients' breasts and
private parts. In one instance, the abortion practitioner placed his hands
over the mouth of a victim and held her against her will, the indictment
charges.

Finkel was being held on $225,000 bond. He is expected to be read the
charges at an initial court appearance today.

Phoenix police began investigating in March of 2000, when a woman reported
being abused by Finkel, and authorities found additional victims,
especially after the allegations surfaced in media reports.

"This is not an abortion issue," Romley said this morning, likening the
investigation to his office's prosecution of abortion practitioner John
Biskind for a botched abortion that killed a woman. "In the Biskind case
there was clear medical negligence. In this case, there's clear sexual
abuse."

Biskind, 75, was convicted of manslaughter in February in the abortion
death and sentenced to five years in prison.

On Monday, the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and
Surgery ordered Finkel to stop practicing medicine immediately after the
panel, which oversees osteopathic doctors, concluded that he poses "an
immediate danger to the public." The order was delayed Tuesday by a
Maricopa County Superior Court judge, who scheduled a formal
administrative hearing on Nov. 5

The physicians board had met Saturday to review Phoenix Police Department
reports of complaints against Finkel and meted out its harshest
punishment. The board disagreed with Finkel's explanation of why he
touched the women the way he did while performing abortions.

Finkel's attorney, Richard Gierloff, said earlier this week that the
allegations are "meritless" and span 10 years. One of the allegations was
dismissed by the board, he added.

Gierloff was in trial today and not immediately available for comment
about Finkel's arrest.

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/29/2001 9:00 am  
To:  ALL   (11 of 40)  
 
  193.11 in reply to 193.6  
 
Subject:   More Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Phoenix Abortionist
Source:   Arizona Republic; October 25, 2001

More Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Phoenix Abortionist

Phoenix, AZ -- Within hours of abortion pracitioner Brian Finkel's arrest
yesterday morning on sexual misconduct charges, more women came forward to
say they, too, had been victimized.

Finkel, who already has been disciplined by the state's medical board, is
accused of sexually abusing at least nine women over an eight-year period.
The arrest culminated a yearlong investigation by Maricopa County Attorney
Rick Romley, who said that "every time we thought we could wrap up the
investigation, another victim came forward."

Shortly after Romley's statement, two additional women contacted police
alleging abuse, Phoenix police Sgt. Randy Force said. Those complaints are
under investigation.

Finkel, 51, who owns the Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic abortion facility,
has said he performs about 20 percent of all abortions in the state each
year. He is being held at Durango Jail in Phoenix on a $203,550 bond. If
Finkel makes bond, he can continue performing abortions, officials said.

A grand jury indictment against Finkel lists 16 counts of sexual abuse,
including fondling patients' breasts and genitals, as well as one count of
sexual assault involving oral contact with a patient's genitals. If Finkel
is convicted, the latter charge carries a mandatory prison sentence.

The incidents took place during examinations and immediately before
abortions were performed, according to a summary of the criminal
investigation. The allegations against Finkel come not just from former
patients, but also from six former employees and one current employee. The
employees apparently watched incidents of abuse but said nothing until
after police began investigating.

Crystal Sykes, who worked for Finkel for a year and a half, told
investigators the abortion practitioner fondled mostly the "cute patients,
the black patients, or the bodybuilding patients," according to the
report.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/5/2001 7:26 am  
To:  ALL   (12 of 40)  
 
  193.12 in reply to 193.11  
 
Subject:   Complaints Against Abortion Practitioner Triple After Arrest
Source:   Arizona Republic; October 25, 2001

Complaints Against Abortion Practitioner Triple After Arrest

Phoenix, AZ -- The number of women accusing a Phoenix abortion
practitioner of sexual abuse more than tripled, a day after the doctor was
jailed for alleged misconduct with women going back eight years.

Nearly 40 women have now told authorities that abortion practitioner Brian
Finkel, 51, inappropriately touched them before or during examinations and
abortions, authorities said.

One woman who came forward after police arrested Finkel said she went to
him for an abortion in October 2000.

"He came in and yelled, 'Gown up above your chest,' " the Mesa woman said.
"I wasn't sitting close enough to the end of the table, so he grabbed my
legs and pulled me down on the table. He was very crude, militant like,
very abrupt. At that point I just wanted to get it over with and get out
of there."

She said he touched her genital area and made rude comments.

"It was very inappropriate the way he touched me," she said.

Finkel, owner of the Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic abortion facility, faces
16 counts of sexual abuse, including fondling patients' breasts and
genitals, as well as one count of sexual assault involving oral contact
with a patient's genitals.

Those counts were based on incidents investigated by police that involved
nine former patients. In addition, police had looked into five other
allegations.

But as soon as Finkel's arrest was announced Wednesday, other women began
coming forward. At least 25 other potential victims have called police,
and investigators are sifting through the calls.

"This case is still under investigation," said Bill FitzGerald, a
spokesman with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office. "We are trying to
call people on as quick a basis as we can possibly do it."

Phoenix police had received sexual abuse allegations regarding Finkel as
early as November 1992, according to the county attorney's office.

During the seven years that followed, police got several more complaints
about Finkel, but the investigation didn't go anywhere until March of last
year when a woman said Finkel fondled her genitals just before she lost
consciousness from anesthesia. When she woke, he "had his hands on her
breasts," records said.

The Maricopa County District Attorney's Office took over the investigation
about a year ago.

"I felt there needed to be a real focus on this case, and I had some very
good investigators that could handle it," Maricopa County Attorney Rick
Romley said.

It's unclear exactly how many of the earlier cases police forwarded to the
county attorney's office for prosecution, but police said at least one
case had been turned down.

"In some of the cases we looked at, we could not establish adequate
evidence to refer to the county attorney's office for charging," said Sgt.
Randy Force, a police spokesman. "But we did provide these cases for use
as prior bad acts."

Force said the bulk of cases involving Finkel were reported recently, even
though some may have occurred years ago. In some of the older cases, the
statute of limitations, which is seven years, had run out.

On Monday, the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and
Surgery ordered Finkel to stop practicing medicine because he poses "an
immediate danger to the public." However, a judge delayed the board's
order and scheduled another hearing for Nov. 5.

Finkel has denied requests for interviews, but has told investigators he
has a "rigid and structured" medical practice and will not allow himself
to be "victimized" by "these people," one report said.

Finkel admitted that he might touch a patient's clitoris during an
examination, but he "will not intentionally hurt them," the report said.

Robert Tamis, another well-known abortion practitioner in the area, said
Finkel's defense that fondling a patient is customary when performing an
abortion is unacceptable.

"In 40 years of practice in examining all types of patients, I've never
had a reason to tell a patient that I might be touching the clitoris
because I'm never near the clitoris," he said.

Tamis also said doctors need not touch a woman's breast either during or
after an abortion. Breast exams, he said, are typically done only prior to
an abortion to rule out breast cancer because. However, scientific data
reveals abortion as an agent in increasing the risk of breast cancer.

"It's unfortunate the he (Finkel) is a doctor involved in the abortion
movement because it puts a negative spin on it," Tamis said.

Six former employees and one current employee have told investigators
about inappropriate behavior by Finkel, however they did not come forward
prior to the investigation.

Dawn Normoyle used to work at Finkel's Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic
abortion facility, mostly as a counselor.

"I'm not going to stand by and watch something wrong going on," she said.
"I don't just tolerate that stuff. I just didn't know what to look for.
You don't know when you have a doctor telling you that it's correct to be
doing stuff. You have no idea exactly what they are doing until you see
it."

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/5/2001 7:31 am  
To:  ALL   (13 of 40)  
 
  193.13 in reply to 193.12  
 
Subject:   Arizona Abortion Practitioner Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Abuse
Source:   Arizona Republic; October 31, 2001

Arizona Abortion Practitioner Pleads Not Guilty to Sexual Abuse

Phoenix, AZ -- A Phoenix abortion practitioner accused of sexually abusing
his patients entered a not guilty plea in Maricopa County Superior Court
Wednesday morning.

Brian Finkel, 51, faces 16 counts of sexual abuse, including fondling
patients' breasts and genitals, as well as one count of sexual assault.
Finkel, owner of the Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic abortion facility, was
indicted last week over allegations involving nine former patients. The
alleged incidents go back to 1993.

Investigators say that more than 70 women have now come forward, claiming
that Finkel inappropriately touched them before or during examinations and
abortions. Those allegations are still being investigated.

An initial pretrial conference is scheduled for Dec. 6.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/5/2001 8:22 am  
To:  ALL   (14 of 40)  
 
  193.14 in reply to 193.13  
 
Planned Parenthood Donations Down Since 9/11, NARAL's Up

Washington, DC -- As monetary donations increase for groups dealing with
the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon, some organizations that support abortion have been "hit with
unexpected" donation shortfalls, the Chicago Tribune reports.

Planned Parenthood, for example, expects a deficit of $2 million from its
projected 2001 budget, because donations that might have come to the
pro-abortion organization are being redirected to other groups. According
to organization spokesman Molly Smith, existing donors are also "delaying
or reducing their levels of commitment."

After the attacks, the pro-abortion group canceled mailings and postponed
events scheduled for mid- and late-September.

Besides dealing with a shortfall in donations, Planned Parenthood also has
had to "modif[y]" its message during a time in which "patriotism rules."
Smith explained, "Part of our fundraising message has been that President
Bush and his administration are opposed to reproductive rights and family
planning. But right now we feel like criticism of the White House would
not be well received at a time when people want to stand together."
However, the group plans to send an email message to 50,000 donors
reminding them that Planned Parenthood "is in business and here and
committed to the future." Smith said, "We want to acknowledge Sept. 11 and
stand in solidarity as an organization victimized by terrorism for
decades."

Like Planned Parenthood, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights
Action League temporarily suspended its fundraising activities after the
Sept. 11 attacks, but unlike Planned Parenthood, NARAL has actually seen
an increase in donations.

NARAL's William Lutz said that "the tragedy had caused many people to
reassess their values and recommit to issues they cared most about. The
pro-choice community was very motivated and fundraising has actually
exceeded the goals that were set." Overall, donations to the group have
been about 5% to 10% above projections.

He added that some of the "unexpected donations" came in response to
comments made by Jerry Falwell, who blamed abortion advocatres among
others for the terrorist attacks. "Our supporters were appalled that they
used this time to push their personal agenda," Lutz said.

The recent spate of mail tainted with anthrax has posed another challenge
for the pro-abortion group, because a large part of NARAL's fundraising is
done through the mail. Lutz said he "worries" that potential donors might
be reluctant to open envelopes or that mailed solicitations could be
destroyed. In addition, the Washington, D.C.-based group "went a week
without receiving any new mail" as a result of the anthrax incidents in
the District. NARAL's mail is handled by the Brentwood postal facility
that was contaminated with anthrax after processing a tainted letter sent
to Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.)




David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/6/2001 7:18 am  
To:  ALL   (15 of 40)  
 
  193.15 in reply to 193.1  
 
Source:   Concerned Women for America; November 5, 2001

Pro-Abortion Groups Exploit Anthrax Threats, Attack Pro-Lifers

Washington, DC -- Called the "bomb scare of the '90s," 
One industry that claims to have received anthrax threats, however,
actually sought media attention, even sending press releases trumpeting
their victim status. Why would an alleged victim of threats sensationalize
what other responsible authorities are handling cautiously?

Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation seem to revel in
their claims of abortion clinics receiving anthrax threats. While there
have been hundreds of reported threats since Sept. 11, pro-abortion groups
have set themselves apart by seeking attention and using the incidents for
political and financial benefit.

On Sept. 21, Gloria Feldt, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of
America, sent an e-mail message patronizingly comparing the multiple
hijackings, knifings, plane crashes, fires and building collapses to what
"[w]e at Planned Parenthood have lived and worked for many years with."
She was referring to what abortion proponents call "violence against
clinics," which, by their definition, includes peaceful sit-ins and life
chains (where people silently line streets with signs proclaiming
"Abortion Kills Children").

The calculated campaign to label pro-life people as "terrorists" has gone
on for years. Other victims have not used the recent threats for political
agendas. We do not hear Sen. Daschle blaming Republicans for anthrax
threats or postal workers pointing a finger at disgruntled former
employees. However, many have been quick to cast aspersions upon pro-life
people with no evidence.

Who stands to gain from threats against clinics? Certainly not pro-life
people, who have been so maligned that even a major evangelical
publication concluded that pro-life groups should apologize when
unfortunate incidents happen to abortion clinics. Where are the demands
for apologies when abortionists are found guilty of manslaughter? When
mysterious fires destroy only files pertaining to malpractice suits? When
abortion groups are caught lying to congressmen to stop pro-life
legislation? When, on October 24, 2001, Brian Finkle, an abortionist in
Arizona, was arrested for sexually abusing his abortion patients?

Apparently Planned Parenthood and the National Abortion Federation believe
they have something to gain by publicizing alleged anthrax threats against
abortion clinics. Even with the now-real threat of anthrax infecting
innocent people, the abortion industry will not take the simple protective
measure of not encouraging copycats in its drive to impugn pro-lifers.
It's time to question why they ignore the corruption in their own midst,
and when they will put their clients and employees above their political
objectives.
--
anthrax threats by
telephone and mail caused buildings to be evacuated and hundreds of people
at a time were hosed off with a bleach solution. Since Sept. 11, though,
when anthrax threats went from hoaxes to reality, more people are aware
and fearful of this anonymous terror.

Government offices, health and police officials -- even media outlets who
have become victims -- have handled the recent spate of anthrax scares
with care, treating incidences seriously and with restraint. No one wants
to encourage copycats, or undue fear.

Recently Carole Simpson, anchor for "ABC World News Tonight," was
suspended for telling too much about the victim of an anthrax attack at
her network. One federal agency in D.C. was evacuated and its entire
mailroom relocated indefinitely to a building in Maryland. This was
handled discreetly. Creating panic does not benefit anyone but those who
want to instill fear.

--
We need your help. If you have never before made a donation to the
Pro-Life Infonet, please consider making one now. You can help us continue
to offer pro-life news and information to tens of thousands and to reach
out to new people with the pro-life perspective. Please consider sending a
donation for Infonet to:  Women and Children First, PO Box 4433, Helena,
MT 59604-4433. Thank you!




David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/6/2001 7:33 am  
To:  ALL   (16 of 40)  
 
  193.16 in reply to 193.1  
 
Source:   Madison (OH) Press; October 30, 2001

Ohio CPC Having Trouble Keeping Doors Open

London, OH -- Pregnant women in this central Ohio town may be left without a 
county resource -- providing free testing, counseling and supplies -- if 
sufficient volunteer help does not step forward. 

The center served as a resource center for Madison County residents -- providing free pregnancy tests, emotional support and counseling, maternity and baby clothes, items and diapers. According to board President Katie Mast, the center was also looking into adding a parenting class, abstinence training and a post-abortion support group.

After 16 years of helping pregnant Madison County Ohio women, the Pregnancy 
Care Center of Madison County is facing the possibility of having to 
permanently cease operations.

The building the center rents has changed ownership and the center was 
ordered to vacate the premises Oct. 6. Unaware of the previous owner's plans 
to sell, the center had no time to seek an alternate location. Also, the 
center's director and lone employee recently resigned.

"Without a director, with vacancies on our Board of Directors and with few 
active volunteers, we are understandably concerned about our ability to 
persevere," wrote Bruce Hooley, secretary of PCC, in a letter to supporters.

The center, funded solely through private donations, suspended operations on 
Sept. 20 and canceled an auction scheduled for Nov. 3. The center served as a 
resource center for Madison County residents -- providing free pregnancy 
tests, emotional support and counseling, maternity and baby clothes, items 
and diapers.

According to board President Katie Mast, the center was also looking into 
adding a parenting class, abstinence training and a post-abortion support 
group.

"At this time, the board has not determined whether this stoppage of services 
will be temporary or permanent," Hooley said. "We have many issues to tackle, 
including the possible relocation of the center, seeking a qualified director 
and determining our ability to attract additional board members and 
volunteers."

There is no other center of its type in Madison County. In the last two 
years, the center has provided 731 clinic visits, welcomed 243 new clients 
and helped 220 pregnant woman. For similar services, Madison County residents 
would need to travel to Marysville, Urbana, Circleville or Columbus.

Hooley asked supporters of the ministry to make their opinions known. The 
board needs commitments from volunteers for the future to gauge if it would 
be feasible to continue operations. With or without a qualified director, the 
PCC cannot continue without a much stronger volunteer base.

A meeting was held Thursday to begin compiling supporters' opinions. But, 
Mast said, with 23 supporters present, the board did not come to a consensus 
of what happens next.

With other supporters calling or writing, Mast said the board will look at 
what kind of input it received with the several issues discussed. She added 
that now is the time for supporters to step into the forefront and let the 
center hear from them.

"If people are interested, this is the time to express that," Mast said. "Our 
determination will be largely based on what we hear from the public. We do 
rely on donations and volunteers to support the center. Without those, we may 
consider dissolving and sending assets to another center."

"We're not yet in the position to make a decision," Mast said. "It was too 
difficult to make a decision in one evening." The board of directors 
scheduled a follow-up meeting for Nov. 13.

ACTION:  The Pro-Life Infonet encourages you to help keep this crisis 
pregnancy center open. Please consider sending a donation to help. If you 
have pro-life friends or family in the area ask them to volunteer to keep 
this important ministry alive. Donations can be sent to:  Pregnancy Care 
Center of Madison County, PO Box 403, London, Ohio, 43140. If you are 
interested in applying for the directorship of the center, please email the 
Pro-Life Infonet at infonet@prolifeinfo.org for more information.

--
You can make a donation on your credit card to support the Pro-Life Infonet, 
please go to http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org/creditcard

--------------------
From:  The Pro-Life Infonet <infonet@prolifeinfo.org>
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt <infonet@prolifeinfo.org>




David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    11/27/2001 8:01 am  
To:  ALL   (17 of 40)  
 
  193.17 in reply to 193.10  
 
Source:   Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life; November 21, 2001

Minnesota Abortion Advocates Attack Parental Notification

St. Paul, MN -- Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life Vice President
Marice Rosenberg announced today the existence of a memo that indicates
pro-abortion groups may be scandalously manipulating the courts in regards
to Minnesota's Parental Notification law.

The Minnesota Parental Notification law has been in effect for more than
20 years. It was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court on June 25, 1990.

"The Minnesota Parental Notification law is a good law, one that protects
young girls and allows parental involvement," said Rosenberg. "Young girls
need advice about a decision that could affect their physical and
emotional well being for the rest of their lives, and their own parents
are better qualified to give that advice than is an abortionist."

The memo, brought to MCCL's attention during a recent public hearing at
the Minnesota Capitol, was addressed to former Hennepin County Attorney
Michael Freeman from pro-abortion lobbyist Sue Rockne. The memo listed
Minnesota Supreme Court justices and included comments and question marks
concerning their position on the possibility of invalidating Minnesota's
Parental Notification law.

"The issue is whether or not a former elected official and/or a prominent
lobbyist for the abortion industry are scandalously trying to manipulate
the justice system to remove the right of parents to be involved in their
children's lives," said Rosenberg. "To invalidate this law would be
extreme; to strike down this law using unethical means would be even more
extreme, and a scandalous action."

The Minnesota Parental Notice law originally passed in 1981 by
overwhelming margins in both the House and the Senate.  It ensures that
the legal parents of their minor daughter must be notified of her pending
abortion at least 48 hours before the abortion takes place. A court bypass
procedure is also available.

Rosenberg asked the media to obtain a copy of the memo, release it to the
public and investigate the issues involved.  "It is quite unethical for a
judge to indicate how they feel about an issue prior to a case being
heard," she said. "The parents of this state are depending on the media to
shed light on these developments concerning parental rights."

--
Roe v. Wade:  28 Years of Life Denied
http://www.roevwade.org




David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    1/21/2002 8:34 pm  
To:  ALL   (18 of 40)  
 
  193.18 in reply to 193.12  
 
Subject:   Jury Questioned in Abortionist's Murder Case
Source:   The Oklahoman; December 5, 2001

Jury Questioned in Abortionist's Murder Case

Oklahoma City, OK -- Questioning of potential jurors in the murder trial
of an Oklahoma City abortion practition turned Tuesday to abortion. John
Baxter Hamilton, 53, is on trial in Oklahoma County District Court for the
Valentine's Day death of his wife, Susan, at their Quail Creek home.

Abortion isn't expected to be an issue in the trial. Yet potential jurors
Tuesday were questioned about their beliefs concerning abortion.

Hamilton owned the Oklahoma Women's Clinic abortion facility.

Defense attorney Mack Martin told jurors Hamilton performed hundreds of
abortions. The defense attorney wanted to know the strength of the jurors'
abortion views, both for and against.

"Some people believe so strongly they couldn't give John Hamilton a fair
trial," Martin said. "Is there anything that would deny John Hamilton a
fair trial?"

The majority of potential jurors were women and opposed abortion. They
said their abortion beliefs would not affect their decision on whether
Hamilton is guilty or innocent.

The third day of jury selection is expected to begin today.

Hamilton has been in jail without bail since he was arrested the day of
the slaying. He denies he killed his wife.

The nude body of Susan Hamilton, 55, was found lying in blood on the
master bathroom floor. She had been strangled and beaten to death.

Investigators said she gouged her neck with her fingernails as she tried
to grab at the man's necktie that was around her throat. Another necktie
was found under her head. Her face was smashed repeatedly into the title
floor of the bathroom, police said. She had suffered three blows on the
left side of her head from a blunt instrument.

Assistant District Attorney Connie Pope and Martin questioned jurors about
their ability to handle looking at gruesome photographs of the victim.

On Tuesday, potential jurors described Hamilton as appearing to be tired,
solemn, unhappy and a man in pain. Martin asked them to describe
Hamilton's state of mind after watching the defendant since the trial
began Monday.

"A man in a bad situation. The criminal case dictates that," one potential
juror said.

"I'm sure he is going through pain in his life whether he is innocent or
not," another said.

Hamilton has lost about 15 pounds since his arrest almost 10 months ago.
His cheeks are pale and sunken. He looks as if he has aged.

--
You can help women make positive, life-affirming choices when confronting
an unexpected pregnancy. Please provide a link on your web site to
Pregnancy Centers Online at http://www.pregnancycenters.org




David A. Brown
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    1/21/2002 8:36 pm  
To:  ALL   (19 of 40)  
 
  193.19 in reply to 193.18  
 
Subject:   Testimony Begins in Abortion Practitioner's Murder Trial
Source:   The Oklahoman; December 11, 2001

Testimony Begins in Abortion Practitioner's Murder Trial

Oklahoma City, OK -- A young woman was seconds away from being sedated for
an operation on Valentine's Day when the anesthesiologist and nurse
learned John Baxter Hamilton wasn't at the hospital.

"The syringe was attached to the IV and ... was getting ready to push the
tube ... she would be out," Sarah Cox, a registered nurse, testified
Monday in Hamilton's first-degree murder trial.

Cox was testifying in Oklahoma County District Court about the morning of
Feb. 14, when Hamilton, a gynecologist and obstetrician who also performs
abortions, was late for ry at Mercy Health Center.

Prosecutors are trying to prove Hamilton beat and strangled to death his
wife, Susan, at their Quail Creek home between two surgeries the doctor
had scheduled that morning.

If convicted, Hamilton could face life in prison with or without the
possibility of parole.

Susan Hamilton, 55, was strangled with a necktie. Her face was smashed
into the tile floor and her head was crushed with a blunt instrument.

Cox, a nurse in the surgical department, testified Hamilton had requested
to start his 9 a.m. surgery early.

Hamilton was paged by a nurse when his patient was ready for surgery at
8:50 a.m. Hamilton did not arrive for another 50 minutes, Cox said.

"We had the patient at a critical state at the time," Cox said. "She
wasn't asleep. She was sedated. A nurse and a doctor had to physically
stay with her."

Cox and Michelle Vitamvas, a surgical department nurse, testified the
anesthesiologist was mad when Hamilton finally called, saying he would be
late and not to let the patient go to sleep.

When the defendant arrived, he did not give an explanation as to why he
was late, Cox said.

Cox described the abortion practitioner as being more talkative than
normal during the surgery. She said he took the time to explain to a
student nurse about anatomy and the disease process.

"I remember, I thought, 'This is odd,'" Cox said.

Cox testified she lost respect for Hamilton during surgery that morning
because he whistled at her when he wanted her to move a light. She said
the doctor was rude to not call her by her name.

"I took offense at him whistling at me to get my attention," Cox said. "I
informed him I had a name. He just went ahead and asked me to move the
light."

Dr. Donald Rahhal, the defendant's surgical partner that morning and
friend for 25 years, said he and Hamilton had a 20- second conversation
after he arrived late.

"He said he was trying to get a Valentine's present for his wife but he
ran out of time," Rahhal said.

Records from New Leaf Floral admitted as evidence in the trial showed
Hamilton bought $158 worth of flowers on Feb. 12, two days before his wife
was killed. The flowers were to be picked up by noon on Valentine's Day.
The flowers were never collected.

Rahhal testified it was "good medical procedure" for a doctor to be there
with the anesthesiologist in the event there were problems with a sedated
patient.

He said Hamilton acted normal during the 30-minute surgery.

"All I could say he functioned normally that day," Rahhal said.

Questioning about the stress Hamilton was under allowed attorneys to bring
up before jurors that Hamilton had drawn criticism for performing
abortions from members of the community.

Local pro-life advocates strongly opposed his abortion facility, Oklahoma
Clinic for Women. Testimony noted that Hamilton would park at a nearby
Wal-Mart and get a ride to the abortion facility for security reasons when
he performed abortions on Tuesday and Thursday nights.

Prosecutors don't believe the abortion issue had anything to do with the
slaying. They claim the Hamiltons were having marital problems.

Previous testimony has asserted that Susan Hamilton, 55, suspected her
husband of 14 years of having an affair with a patient who was a topless
dancer after she found excessive telephone calls to the woman on the
doctor's cell phone bill. The defendant and the stripper deny they were
having an affair.

Testimony also has asserted the victim felt her husband destroyed the
trust in their marriage when he paid for his son's car repairs without her
knowledge.

On Monday, Hamilton closed his eyes as prosecutors played a tape of the
911 call of him out of breath and begging for help for his wife.

The defendant also turned his head from the television monitor on the
defense table as prosecutors showed bloody photographs of his wife on
their master bathroom floor.

--
The Pro-Life Infonet is a daily compilation of pro-life news and
information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to:
infonet-request@prolifeinfo.org. Infonet is sponsored by Women and
Children First (http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org). For more pro-life
info visit http://www.prolifeinfo.org and for questions or additional
information email ertelt@prolifeinfo.org




David A. Brown
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   From:  123four   1/24/2002 5:01 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (20 of 40)  
 
  193.20 in reply to 193.19  
 
Well, I guess if a person could crush 
the skull of a helpless baby, he could 
do the same for others. Very sad. 
  
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From:  Adrasteia & Lyrk (ToilnTrouble)   1/28/2002 1:44 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (21 of 40)  
 
  193.21 in reply to 193.1  
 
They're being harassed? Awww... are they being blown up? 
Or burned down? Are the workers there being mowed down by gunfire in the streets? No? Well, good... it would take a special kind of hatred to do something like that. 
  
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  From:  Adrasteia & Lyrk (ToilnTrouble)   1/28/2002 1:48 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (22 of 40)  
 
  193.22 in reply to 193.2  
 
The abortion clinic 'lost it's building in a fire', eh? 
I wonder how that happened? Dentist's offices don't regularly burst into flames... I wonder why it happens to 
Abortion Clinics? 
  
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  From:  StevenJn316   1/28/2002 3:34 pm  
To:  Adrasteia & Lyrk (ToilnTrouble)   (23 of 40)  
 
  193.23 in reply to 193.22  
 
Dentist's offices don't regularly burst into flames... I wonder why it happens to Abortion Clinics? 
_____________________________________________________________________ 
REGULARLY BURST!!?? 
Do you have even the slightest bit of statistical evidence to back up your claim here? Have you even even taken five minutes to see how often dentist or other medical offices have fires compared to how often abortion clinics do. Or do you just offer hype as fact, hoping the audience will be gullible enough to agree blindly. 

As an insurance agent I can tell you there is ZERO difference in premium rate between insuring a building where abortions are performed as opposed to other medical buildings for fire, vandalism and the like. As opposed to insuring buildings of higher risk to fires (such as chemical, manufacturing etc.). 

That is because there is NO GREATER chance of an abortion clinic being damaged than any other medical building. Does an occasional wacko burn one down. yes. It is called arson and guess what, it happens to other medical buildings as well - for a variety of reasons. 

Why don't you post us a link to backup statistically with details the number of abortion clinics that were bombed or torched in 2001 in the USA, and make sure to compare it with dentist offices. I will forward to the insurance company actuarial staff of the firms I represent and show them where they should be charging more money to such "high-risk" occupancies.
 
  
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  From:  Adrasteia & Lyrk (ToilnTrouble)   1/29/2002 1:58 am  
To:  StevenJn316   (24 of 40)  
 
  193.24 in reply to 193.23  
 
A more useful stat would be how many dentist's offices are firebombed every year. 
  
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From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/3/2002 3:56 pm  
To:  ALL    
 
    
 
From:  The Pro-Life Infonet www.prolifeinfo.org
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt infonet@prolifeinfo.org
Subject:   New York Atty General Backing Down on CPC Attacks
Source:   Cybercast News Service; January 31, 2002

New York Atty General Backing Down on CPC Attacks

Albany, NY -- The New York attorney general's office is seeking to
extinguish a firestorm sparked by an investigation into 24 crisis
pregnancy centers statewide.

Beginning Jan. 4, Eliot Spitzer's office began issuing subpoenas to
several New York City crisis pregnancy centers, which have been in
existence since the early 1980s, offering women a variety of abortion
alternatives.

Spitzer's spokesman, Darren Dopp, said that allegations that the attorney
general's investigation is trying to intimidate or close down the
pregnancy centers are simply untrue. What Spitzer is trying to do, Dopp
said, is to ensure the centers are following proper protocol in its
advertising and services.

"We are definitely not seeking to close down any facility," the spokesman
said. "Should we find a problem we would work with the facilities to bring
them into compliance.

"Just as our previous attorneys general, we would see if this is a
problem, and bring them into compliance ourselves, but if need be, we will
accomplish this through a court order," he said.

Dopp also said the attorney general's office appreciates the work the
centers do, but Spitzer is obligated to look into the allegations made
against the centers.

"We are aware that the facility does provide services that many people
view as valuable," the spokesman said. "And we think it is valuable, too."

The investigation was instigated by several complaints, most notably one
involving a pregnant girl on Long Island who was allegedly held in a
crisis pregnancy center against her will, so that she could be confronted
by her father and the family's pastor.

Spitzer's office claims the investigation into the crisis pregnancy
centers is to determine whether they are practicing medicine without a
license and enticing pregnant women into their facilities with deceptive
ads.

Seven subpoenas were issued to pregnancy crisis centers in and around New
York City, with a Feb. 1 deadline for the centers to provide the attorney
general with copies of all advertisements, Web site addresses, services
provided, staff who provide the services, training materials, blank forms
and records of all agreements made.

The deadline has since been extended to Feb. 15, as "a demonstration of us
trying to recognizing that we might create a burden on some of the
facilities," Dopp said. "We always try to work in good faith with anyone
who works in good faith with us."

The investigation has sparked outrage from many pro-lifers nationwide.
Over 7,000 signatures have been gathered for a petition being sent to
Spitzer, asking the attorney general to lay off the centers.

Bishop Henry J. Mansell of the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo joined the fray
Jan. 22 on the anniversary of the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision,
telling pro-lifers to be "watchful" as to whether Spitzer will treat
planned parenthood and abortion facilities in the same way as the
pregnancy crisis centers.

"We want to be sure that similar examination is being made of the abortion
clinics," Mansell said.

The bishop added that the investigation may be part of a national campaign
"to intimidate and to harass people who are in crisis pregnancy centers."

Slattery echoed the bishop's sentiment, saying that abortion clinics are
"the ones that need to be investigated" and that they "have had free ride
in this state for too long."

Dopp said such an investigation would be implemented if, and when, there
were complaints about the facilities.

"Should there be a complaint about the [abortion clinics] we would
obviously review that complaint and act accordingly," he said. "The key
issue is that the Planned Parenthood facilities are regulated very closely
by the state health department. They are medical facilities that are
inspected with some regularity."

Spitzer has also been accued of being in collusion with the pro-abortion
lobby, in particular the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action
League (NARAL), in the investigation of the pregnancy centers.

On NARAL's website, the group features a program in which they ask women
to take part in a study "to expose the true nature and tactics of
deceptive crisis pregnancy centers."

Spitzer was once asked to speak at a NARAL function, and was given a
political contribution of $2,800 by the group. Dopp said that Spitzer's
past dealings with NARAL have in no way influenced the direction of the
investigation.

"We try to do things in a non-partisan way, and we try not to use our
office to advance political agendas," Dopp said. "I don't know how $2,800
contribution affects the policy of the state's attorney general's office
in the New York State Department of Law.

"We have never talked to [NARAL] about this particular subject, and they
never have come in and said this is a priority so please do it," he said.
"We do not act in that way."

Dopp said the investigation has been severely misunderstood and overblown
to be an attack on the pro-life movement.

"We have a preliminary investigation underway and we have developed some
indication that there could be a problem at some of the centers," he said.
"In the end, if we find a remarkable smoking gun what are we going to do,
we are going ask them to work with us to bring them into compliance.

"It is terribly frustrating, in the end we wish people would judge us by
[what] the outcome is, not the request for information," Dopp concluded.

However, one center's director Chris Slattery doesn't buy it, and says he
and his supporters have no intention of backing down from the fight.

"They seem to be backing off from their rhetoric because of the outpouring
of support for [the] centers from across the country," Slattery said. "We
are still extremely disturbed by [the] attack, and will not be deterred
from launching a vigorous legal and public relations defense.

--
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Infonet, please go to http://www.womenandchildrenfirst.org/creditcard



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/19/2002 9:24 pm  
To:  ALL   (26 of 40)  
 
  193.26 in reply to 193.18  
 
Source:   Cybercast News Service, Buffalo News; February 14, 2002

NY Crisis Pregnancy Centers Launch Counterattack Against AG

New York, NY -- With Friday's deadline looming for New York crisis pregnancy
centers to hand over subpoenaed materials to the state attorney general's
office, eight of the pregnancy centers are launching a counterattack.

Eight of the nine subpoenaed centers are filing their own lawsuits against
Attorney General Eliot Spitzer in county courts statewide, asking judges to
quash the subpoenas.

"The efforts of the attorney general are unwarranted, unnecessary and
illegitimate, and ultimately they will fail to ... uphold their attempts to
quash our First Amendment free speech," said Chris Slattery, head of
Expectant Mother Care, one of the centers served with the subpoenas.

The Crisis Pregnancy Center of Western New York, one of 24 such centers in
the state being targeted by Spitzer, is striking back with a lawsuit seeking
to quash the attorney general's subpoena.

Anne F. and Brian W. Downey, local attorneys representing the Crisis
Pregnancy Center on a pro bono basis, filed the lawsuit Monday in State
Supreme Court.

"We're seeking to quash the subpoena and end this investigation," Anne Downey
said. "The subpoena is broad, sweeping and illegal, a violation of our
constitutional rights."

Three national organizations - Heartbeat International, the National
Institute of Family and Life Advocates, and Care Net - have called on Spitzer
to withdraw his subpoenas, calling the investigation unfair and unfounded.

The president of the Catholic League questioned whether Spitzer is
pro-Catholic or anti-Catholic, noting that the attorney general has defended
the religious rights of other groups.

"Now his dealings with Catholics are on the line," William Donohue said. "We
will soon know what makes him tick. If he treats crisis pregnancy centers the
way he treats abortion clinics, Catholics will be grateful."

Lawsuits have already been filed in Utica and Buffalo, but others were
expected in Long Island, Queens and Manhattan Thursday.

Spitzer began issuing subpoenas Jan. 4, claiming the pregnancy centers "may
have violated one or more ... statutes by misrepresenting the services they
provide, diagnosing pregnancy and advising persons on medical options without
being licensed to do so, and/or providing deceptive and inaccurate medical
information." Although the centers are pro-life, they advertise their
services only as "abortion alternatives."

Originally, the centers were expected to provide copies of all
advertisements, website addresses, services provided, staff who provide the
services, training materials, blank forms, records of all agreements made,
and a list of all persons who received any service from the clinics by Feb.
1. However, that deadline was extended to Feb. 15.

The ninth crisis pregnancy center, Birthright of Victor, N.Y., has been quiet
about whether it plans to furnish the information subpoenaed by Spitzer's
office. No one at Birthright could be reached Thursday.

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/19/2002 9:35 pm  
To:  ALL   (27 of 40)  
 
  193.27 in reply to 193.19  
 
Source:   Indiana Right to Life; January 4, 2002

National Theater Chain Rejects Pro-Life Ads in Indiana

Indianapolis, IN -- Two Kerasotes movie theaters in Indianapolis have
stopped running Indiana Right to Life's paid ads prior to the start of
movies, reportedly due to comments by some moviegoers.

The ads simply featured a toll free number women can call for free,
confidential assistance when facing crisis pregnancies.  The same theaters
consistently ran Planned Parenthood advertisements through the summer of
2001.

Kerasotes Theatres has 522 screens in 81 theatres located primarily in the
midwestern and upper midwestern regions of the United States, including
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri and Minnesota.

ACTION:  Please contact Kerasotes Theatres to protest their removal of
Indiana Right to Life's pregnancy help ads. E-mail your comments to
Kerasotes corporate offices at dkerasotes@kerasotes.com or
tjohnson@kerasotes.com. You can also mail a letter to Kerasotes Theatres,
Attention: Tim Johnson, 224 N. Des Plaines, Chicago, IL 60661,
312-775-3160.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/19/2002 9:57 pm  
To:  ALL   (28 of 40)  
 
  193.28 in reply to 193.18  
 
Subject:   Oklahoma Abortion Practitioner Sentenced for Murder
Source:   The Oklahoman; January 8, 2002

Oklahoma Abortion Practitioner Sentenced for Murder

Oklahoma City, OK -- Abortion practitioner John B. Hamilton was sentenced
today to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the murder of
his wife on Valentine's Day. Hamilton, 53, also was ordered to pay $11,104
for the cost of his incarceration in the Oklahoma County jail.

It is the first time an inmate in Oklahoma County has been ordered to pay
for his stay.

The move stems from a 1999 statute that allows a judge to assess the cost
of incarceration for people confined in the county jail. Costs can be
recovered for "booking, receiving and processing out, housing, food,
clothing, medical care, dental care and psychiatric services," the statute
states.

By statute, 85 percent of the money will be used to reimburse the Oklahoma
County jail. The district attorney's office, a victim's compensation fund
and the court clerk's revolving fund will each receive 5 percent.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/19/2002 10:00 pm  
To:  ALL   (29 of 40)  
 
  193.29 in reply to 193.18  
 
Subject:   More Charges May be Filed Against AZ Abortion Practitioner
Source:   Associated Press; January 8, 2002

More Charges May be Filed Against AZ Abortion Practitioner

Phoenix, AZ -- More charges may be filed soon against a Phoenix abortion
practitioner already indicted on sexual abuse and sexual assault charges
involving his patients.

Maricopa County Attorney Rick Romley said more than 100 additional victims
have come forward since the original nine made their accusations against
abortion practitioner Brian Finkel.

Finkel, is the owner of the Metro Phoenix Women's Clinic abortion
facility, remains in jail, pending $203,000 bond.

The accusations involve inappropriate touching by him during examinations
and abortions at his Phoenix abortion business. One accusation is about
him performing oral sex on a patient without her consent.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/19/2002 10:27 pm  
To:  ALL   (30 of 40)  
 
  193.30 in reply to 193.25  
 
Subject:  Michelle Malkin:  Attack on NY CPCs is Wrong
Source:   Town Hall; January 11, 2002

Attack on NY CPCs is Wrong
by Michelle Malkin

This is not an effort to protect the public. It's payback to the abortion
monopoly. NARAL wants the government to crush growing competition by
private, faith-based pregnancy centers that are winning over women's
hearts and saving babies' lives.

New York State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, a loyal water boy for
pro-abortion groups, has launched a crackdown on crisis pregnancy centers.
This is a direct assault on the front lines of compassionate conservatism.

An estimated 3,000 crisis pregnancy centers offer abortion alternatives
nationwide. Most are non-profit and affiliated with Catholic charities.
Radical feminists, who push abortion as the only acceptable choice, call
these life-affirming pregnancy centers "deceptive." The National Abortion
and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) sells a guide to sabotaging
the centers' missionary work. Spitzer, a Democrat, promised NARAL three
years ago that his tax-subsidized "reproductive rights unit," staffed by
abortion activists, would carry on the campaign.

He delivered. According to Chris Slattery, the founder of Expectant Mother
Care, which provides the most comprehensive crisis pregnancy services in
New York City, Spitzer issued subpoenas last Friday to pregnancy resource
centers in Staten Island and Manhattan demanding documents related to
their services. Spitzer's office refused to provide me with any
information on his legal maneuvering, but more subpoenas are expected.

Spitzer's move "is a triple attack on the First Amendment -- on our
freedom of assembly, religion and speech," Slattery told me. Why now?
"This is a politically motivated witch hunt in an election year for Eliot
Spitzer," Slattery said. According to online campaign finance data,
Spitzer has received $2,900 from New York's NARAL political action
committee over the past three years.

This is not an effort to protect the public. It's payback to the abortion
monopoly. NARAL wants the government to crush growing competition by
private, faith-based pregnancy centers that are winning over women's
hearts and saving babies' lives.

NARAL and its allies accuse the centers of "luring" women under false
pretenses. But, as required by law, the advertising of crisis pregnancy
centers makes clear that they do not offer abortions or abortion
referrals. With typical condescension, NARAL leaders argue that anxious
women thumbing through the Yellow Pages might not understand the plain
disclaimer. Interesting how these feminist champions of letting women
control their bodies have such little trust in women's minds.

Crisis pregnancy center volunteers assist their clients not by might nor
by power, but by the Lord's spirit (Zechariah 4:6). These centers provide
free pregnancy tests and discuss all options, including adoption, abortion
and parenthood. Unlike abortion mill propagandists who refer to unborn
babies as "uterine material," crisis pregnancy counselors are upfront
about abortion's physical and psychological damage.

The centers also help expectant mothers of all races, religions and income
levels with a wide range of services -- from shelter, nutritional
guidance, and parenting classes, to drug abuse, AIDS, and domestic
violence counseling, legal assistance, adoption, and post-abortion
therapy. An increasing number of crisis pregnancy centers are converting
to licensed medical clinics, which offer ultrasound and Doppler
screenings, and other health services. The Life Choice Project, sponsored
by the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), provides
ultrasound equipment and training, technical assistance and insurance to
such clinics.

In New York City, Expectant Mother Care offers 3-D sonogram technology
that provides a powerfully persuasive window to the womb. The center has
also teamed up with the director of obstetrics and gynecology at Our Lady
of Mercy Medical Center in the Bronx -- where there are more abortions
than live births -- to provide prenatal and postnatal care, pro-life
counseling and hospital referrals.

NARAL and company are doing their best to discredit those who promote a
culture of life through peaceful means. NARAL's California chapter
recently succeeded in shutting down one Bay Area crisis pregnancy program,
First Resort, which had teamed with Kaiser Permanente and boasted a 99.3
percent client satisfaction rate.

In New York and elsewhere, the abortion lobby will continue to drag crisis
pregnancy centers through costly court proceedings. Meanwhile, Planned
Parenthood and the government-backed abortion empire continue their
business of massive human disposal fraudulently marketed as a fully
informed "choice." Where are those who pay lip service to compassionate
conservatism when the movement's foot soldiers need help?

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/26/2002 9:19 pm  
To:  ALL   (31 of 40)  
 
  193.31 in reply to 193.20  
 
Subject:   SC Atty General Asks NY Atty General to Stop Attack on CPCs
Source:   Associated Press; January 14, 2002

SC Atty General Asks NY Atty General to Stop Attack on CPCs

Albany, NY -- South Carolina's pro-life attorney general is calling on his
pro-abortion counterpart in New York state, Eliot Spitzer, to drop an
attack against New York crisis pregnancy centers.

Attorney General Charlie Condon of South Carolina said he believes that
the centers provide "outstanding'' assistance to women facing unplanned,
unwanted or difficult pregnancies.

"The centers soothe the pain, relieve the suffering and ease the trauma of
women who are hurting,'' Condon said in a letter, dated Friday, sent to
Spitzer.  "Those who operate the centers freely give of themselves with a
helping hand and a loving heart.''

However, Spitzer has launched an inquiry after receiving complaints from
women who have sought services at crisis pregnancy centers in New York,
Spitzer spokesman Darren Dopp claimed Sunday. While Dopp declined to
provide other details of the inquiry, other sources said Spitzer's
investigators are seeking to learn if the centers misleadingly promise
reproductive services with the intention of identifying women who want
abortions and trying to change their minds.

Dopp said the New York attorney general's office contacted Condon's office
after learning of Condon's letter to see if the South Carolina prosecutor
had information he could share about crisis pregnancy centers in either
South Carolina or New York.

"It became evident they did not, they admitted they did not,'' Dopp said.
"It appeared to take on the dimensions of a political exercise rather than
one law enforcement official trying to help another law enforcement
official. That's a regrettable situation.''

Condon is vying with a host of other prominent Republicans for the
nomination to challenge pro-abortion South Carolina Gov. Jim Hodges.
Condon is also locked in a court fight with Planned Parenthood in South
Carolina over the state's right to issue a "Choose Life'' license plate
for motor vehicles.

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information. To subscribe, send the message "subscribe" to:
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/26/2002 9:23 pm  
To:  ALL   (32 of 40)  
 
  193.32 in reply to 193.20  
 
From:  The Pro-Life Infonet www.prolifeinfo.org
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt infonet@prolifeinfo.org
Subject:   NY Crisis Pregnancy Center Finds Additional Legal Support
Source:   Cybercast News Service; January 15, 2002

NY Crisis Pregnancy Center Finds Additional Legal Support

New York, NY -- One of the New York crisis pregnancy centers under attack
by the state's attorney general now has big-name pro-life legal
representation.

The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) will fight on behalf of
Expectant Mother Care, a New York City-based organization that operates
five pro-life crisis pregnancy centers. According to the ACLJ, the
investigation by the office of N.Y. Attorney General Elliot Spitzer is
"clearly a case of discrimination and harassment."

Spitzer's office has issued subpoenas to several crisis pregnancy centers
in New York, demanding that they divulge before Feb. 1, the names of all
staff members and their credentials, as well as the training materials,
policies and procedures used to counsel pregnant women.

According to Vincent McCarthy, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, "the subpoena
is designed to intimidate our client and stifle their pro-life message."
He added that the Virginia-based ACLJ would "challenge the subpoena
aggressively in court."

Darren Dopp, Spitzer's spokesman, said the investigation is the result of
complaints filed by some women who had asked the crisis pregnancy centers
for help. Spitzer's office had no further comment when contacted Tuesday.

South Carolina Attorney General Charlie Condon has also injected himself
into the controversy, writing a letter to his New York counterpart in
which he called Spitzer's probe an "ill-advised course of action." In the
letter, Condon also endorsed the pregnancy centers for their "outstanding
work" and "great service to their communities."

Condon is running for South Carolina's Republican gubernatorial
nomination.

"Crisis pregnancy centers soothe the pain, relieve the suffering and ease
the trauma of women who are hurting," Condon wrote in his letter to
Spitzer. "Those who operate these centers freely give of themselves with a
helpful hand and a loving heart."

Condon wrote that Spitzer's investigation might not only destroy a
non-profit program that helps many women each year, but will discourage
communities from volunteering to help those in need.

"Quite often, just meeting next month's rent or paying bills is a
difficult task," Condon wrote. "Experiencing the heavy hand of the
government investigation and facing the hassle of government subpoenas is
undoubtedly a frightening experience for these individuals.

"That kind of one-sided power will inevitably discourage community service
and volunteerism," he wrote. "I would respectfully request you to reverse
your position and refocus your efforts."

Brad McBurney, spokesperson for Condon, said the attorney general heard
about the New York investigation from an article published Jan. 8.
McBurney said Condon wrote the letter to ensure that Spitzer heard both
sides of the issue concerning crisis pregnancy centers.

"Attorney General Condon wanted to make sure that Spitzer was not hearing
just one side of the story on crisis pregnancy centers, because we know
from our efforts to assist crisis pregnancy centers here in South
Carolina, that the other side of the fence, the pro-abortion side is
adamantly opposed to those centers, and see them as threats," McBurney
said.

"We wanted to make sure General Spitzer got some accurate information as
to what those crisis pregnancy centers do and the types of folks that
volunteer their time there."

McBurney said the South Carolina attorney general witnessed, first-hand,
the work done at crisis pregnancy centers, after an unrelated legal
victory left the state with $400,000 to be spent on women's health and
education. State officials decided to split the money evenly between
rape/domestic violence centers and crisis pregnancy centers. Each South
Carolina crisis pregnancy center was allotted $13,000.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/26/2002 9:24 pm  
To:  ALL   (33 of 40)  
 
  193.33 in reply to 193.21  
 
Subject:  ACLJ on Defending New York Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Source:   American Center for Law and Justice; January 15, 2002

ACLJ on Defending New York Crisis Pregnancy Centers

New York, NY -- The American Center for Law and Justice, an international
public interest law firm that specializes in pro-life litigation,
announced today that it will challenge a subpoena issued by the New York
Attorney General's office and defend a pro-life counseling center in New
York City that has been targeted by state officials in what is being
called an investigation into whether the centers dispensed medical advice
to women without being licensed to do so.

"This is clearly a case of discrimination and harassment," said Vincent
McCarthy, Senior Counsel of the ACLJ, which represents Expectant Mother
Care. "The subpoena is designed to intimidate our client and stifle their
pro-life message. It is disappointing to see the state's top law
enforcement officer target counseling centers in an attempt to censor and
silent their message. The constitution guarantees our client First
Amendment protections to communicate with women and to let them know there
are alternatives to abortion. This investigation is an attempt to
eliminate the pro-life message and clearly violates the constitution. We
will challenge the subpoena aggressively in court."

The ACLJ is serving as lead counsel in representing Expectant Mother Care,
one of five organizations in New York City that has been subpoenaed by the
state attorney general's office. The subpoena demands the names of staff
and their credentials, training materials and copies of all policies and
procedures pertaining to client referrals by February 1st.

McCarthy said Expectant Mother Care has done nothing wrong.

"Our client has complied with all state and federal laws regarding the
operation of a counseling center," said McCarthy. "This issue is much more
than just a medical one - it involves an often traumatic decision for
women who are pregnant. Our client is permitted to convey a message to
women that there are alternatives to abortion. Counseling is
constitutionally protected speech and it is wrong to single out these
centers and attempt to eliminate the pro-life message."

McCarthy said the ACLJ would challenge the subpoena in court and defend
the Expectant Mother Care center as the investigation continues.

The American Center for Law and Justice, an international public interest
law firm, specializes in constitutional law and litigation involving the
issue of life. The ACLJ is headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    2/26/2002 9:27 pm  
To:  ALL   (34 of 40)  
 
  193.34 in reply to 193.33  
 
Subject:   Pro-Life Display Stolen Off Charlotte Church Lawn
Source:   Charlotte Observer; January 15, 2002

Pro-Life Display Stolen Off Charlotte Church Lawn

Charlotte, NC -- Someone stole 44 crosses that were part of a pro-life
display on the lawn of a south Charlotte church over the weekend.

The crosses - each meant to represent 100 of the nearly 4,400 unborn
children aborted in the United States every day - disappeared from St.
Vincent DePaul Catholic Church overnight Saturday, said church member
Diane Hoefling.

"(The display) was disturbing, but it's supposed to be," said Hoefling,
who helps with the annual display, called the Cemetery of Innocents. "The
purpose was to get people to think."

For seven years, the church has erected the 3-foot-by-4-foot wooden
crosses during January, the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S.
Supreme Court decision that, along with Doe v. Bolton, legalized unlimited
abortion. Church members made them.

The Rev. Mark Lambrich saw the crosses, which were lit by a spotlight,
when he walked his dog near the church off Park Road about 9:30 p.m.
Saturday night. They were gone when he went outside the next morning.

Hoefling reported the theft to Charlotte-Mecklenburg police, who say they
are investigating but have no suspects.

Hoefling said the church will build new crosses to continue its tradition,
but probably won't have them ready before the end of the month.

--
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    3/23/2002 4:47 pm  
To:  ALL   (35 of 40)  
 
  193.35 in reply to 193.25  
 
This development seems to be part of a nationwide campaign by NARAL
(National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) to close down
what they term "fake clinics." (NARAL has published a guide, "Unmasking
Fake Clinics.") This may be the best evidence yet that centers, especially
those using ultrasound, are having a significant effect in discouraging
abortions.

Lynn Bizbee of CareNet, a national network of about 600 centers, told
MassNews that the availability of ultrasound exams has greatly increased
the number of abortion-vulnerable women visiting centers. She said it is
too early to have a good handle on the success of ultrasound programs, but
that CareNet has a study underway which may provide reliable numbers in a
year or so.

MassNews reported in May 2000 that Planned Parenthood claimed that 50% of
women going to their abortion clinics have received ultrasound exams, yet
of these women (obviously "abortion-minded" if they are at PP), only 5%
decided to keep the pregnancy. Dr. Keroack explained this strange
phenomenon: Abortion clinics prohibit the patient from viewing her own
ultrasound.

Centers that decide to "go medical," offering ultrasound or other medical
services (such as a medical diagnosis of pregnancy), must be very careful
to comply with all state, federal, and OSHA regulations. Glessner has
estimated the cost of converting to medical clinic to be $50,000. His
organization helps centers wishing to convert with legal advice and, in
some cases, acquisition of ultrasound equipment. Massachusetts is among
the handful of states with very complicated requirements, he says.  Dr.
Keroack said that AWC does have medical clinic status.

If compliance could possibly be seen as lacking in the smallest detail,
the pro-abortion forces are ready to strike.

They understand the impact to a mother of seeing the baby in the womb.
These pictures have a powerful effect on anyone who sees them. In one
well-known case, the "silent scream" of a baby meeting its death during an
abortion is credited with transforming a veteran abortion doctor, Bernard
Nathanson, into a pro-life crusader. His documentary film has become a
pro-life classic.

The director of a small center in Massachusetts told MassNews that she was
wary of making the conversion (to ultrasound). Her concern is not just the expense, but a
fear of the powerful pro-abortion activists.

In early January 2002, the New York attorney general launched an attack on
Expectant Mother Care, which runs five centers in the New York City area.
Subpoenas were served stating that the "A-G has a good faith belief that
the entities named may have violated one or more statutes by
misrepresenting the services they provide, diagnosing pregnancy and
advising persons on medical options without being licensed to do so,
and/or providing deceptive and inaccurate medical information."

Centers in Massachusetts may be targeted soon, both those with and without
ultrasound.

This development seems to be part of a nationwide campaign by NARAL
(National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League) to close down
what they term "fake clinics." (NARAL has published a guide, "Unmasking
Fake Clinics.") This may be the best evidence yet that centers, especially
those using ultrasound, are having a significant effect in discouraging
abortions.

You can help women make positive, life-affirming choices when confronting
an unexpected pregnancy. Please provide a link on your web site to
Pregnancy Centers Online at http://www.pregnancycenters.org



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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    3/23/2002 5:17 pm  
To:  ALL   (36 of 40)  
 
  193.36 in reply to 193.31  
 
Source:   Los Angeles Times; February 3, 2002

Abortion Facility Shut Down in Hollywood

Hollywood, CA -- Health and law enforcement officials shut down what they
called an unlicensed abortion facility in West Hollywood, and are
investigating whether the owner practiced medicine without a license.

Edgar Ruiz, 42, charged $200 in cash for abortions and catered to
uninsured women, according to sheriff's and county health department
officials. Ruiz told authorities he is licensed in his native Nicaragua,
but does not hold a medical license in this country.

Sheriff's Sgt. Steve Opferman, of the Health Authority Law Enforcement
Task Force, said Ruiz's abortion facility drew "women wanting something
cheap and discreet, something that wouldn't leave a paper trail." Ruiz
told investigators that he has run Centro Medico Para La Mujer for four
years in a medical building on Santa Monica Boulevard near the Hollywood
Freeway.

Officials learned of the facility, which they say was not licensed as a
health clinic, after a womancomplained to county Supervisor Gloria
Molina's office Nov. 30 that the abortion practitioner had botched an
abortion on her.

The woman's sister suspected the abortion facility was not licensed.
Molina alerted the Department of Health Services.

An undercover sheriff's deputy then visited the clinic posing as a
patient, and Ruiz allegedly offered to perform a pelvic exam on her.

Authorities arrested Ruiz on Tuesday, seized hundreds of patient files and
padlocked the abortion facility.

His bail was set at $1 million. Investigators asked the district
attorney's office to file felony charges against Ruiz, alleging that he
practiced medicine without a license with the risk of great bodily injury.

They argued that an abortion is, by nature, a dangerous procedure,
Opferman said.

But prosecutors declined to file felony charges Thursday afternoon, saying
investigators had not presented enough evidence to support them and had
not had time to go through the files seized.

Because the law requires arrestees to be arraigned or released within 48
hours, Ruiz was scheduled to be released.

"None of those [patient] files have been looked at," said Sandi Gibbons, a
spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.

"A lot of work needs to be done."

Investigators acknowledged that Ruiz paid a licensed physician to attend
at least some of the abortions at the business, working with Ruiz.

That was the experience of the only alleged victim authorities have
identified so far, a woman who was at the abortion facility for a
follow-up visit when investigators arrived with search and arrest
warrants, according to Opferman and deputy health officer Don Ashton.

Investigators said the task force will seek patients identified in Ruiz's
files to gather more evidence.

County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, who held a news conference Thursday
morning to announce Ruiz's arrest, said he was concerned that Ruiz will
leave the country.

Opferman and Ashton said they were concerned that Ruiz might open another
abortion facility somewhere else.

Authorities asked anyone treated by Ruiz to call (800) 427-8700. To report
an illegal abortion facility, call the county health department at (213)
989-7039.

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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    3/23/2002 5:19 pm  
To:  ALL   (37 of 40)  
 
  193.37 in reply to 193.35  
 
Source:   Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; February 2, 2002

Another NY CPC Subpoenaed in Pro-Abortion Attack Probe

Rochester, NY -- Pro-abortion New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer has
included a Rochester, NY-area crisis pregnancy center in his
politically-motivated statewide investigation.

Birthright of Victor, New York recently received one of 11 subpoenas
served on centers that offer alternatives to abortion.

The subpoenas began two to three weeks ago, most of them to pregnancy
centers in and around New York City. Birthright of Victor received its
subpoena this week. Birthright officials said they don't know why.

"It's a very broad-based investigational subpoena," said Cathy Baker, the
organization's New York state regional consultant. "If there was something
that happened at the Victor office, it should be revealed to us and then
we can respond to that."

Officials with the Attorney General's Office said the investigation aimed
to safeguard consumers seeking help in handling a pregnancy and to end
so-called "deception" at crisis pregnancy centers. They also want to make
sure such facilities are not practicing medicine without a license.

The investigation was prompted by supposed complaints or "evidence
developed from other means," said Darren Dopp, a spokesman for the
Attorney General's Office.

It has struck a nerve in the pro-life community, including some who accuse
Spitzer of pandering to the abortion advocates.

In Buffalo, Roman Catholic Bishop Henry J. Mansell said in the diocesan
newspaper Western New York Catholic that the investigation "appears to be
something of a plan across the country to intimidate and harass people in
crisis pregnancy centers."

"If that's what it is, then we have to speak out."

Anne LeBlanc, president of the Rochester Area Right to Life Committee,
questioned what Spitzer was specifically searching for.

Crisis pregnancy centers are "in the phone book under 'Alternatives to
Abortion.' How deceptive can that be?" LeBlanc said. "It is well known
that if you want an abortion you go to Planned Parenthood. If you want an
abortion, why would you go to a place that offers alternatives? It's
really a case of the customer looks for what the customer wants."

One director of a Rochester pregnancy center that hasn't received a
subpoena declined comment, saying she feared that her center would become
the subject of an investigation if she did.

Baker said her organization had nothing to hide. Birthright has provided
counseling services since 1968 and has nearly 500 offices in the United
States and Canada.

Birthright of Victor is run entirely by volunteers, and the lead volunteer
was "bewildered" by the investigation, said Baker.

Baker said the organization would comply with the subpoena. But, she
added, the gathering of records "takes away from the work we're doing."

Pro-abortion groups applauded the investigation.

"We certainly think this is an issue that does need to be looked at," said
Peter Slocum, vice president of Family Planning Advocates, a statewide
coalition of Planned Parenthood affiliates and abortion facilities based
in Albany. "It's an issue of appropriate health care."

Some women receive incomplete or misleading information at crisis
pregnancy centers, he claimed.

Spitzer extended the deadline for responding to the subpoenas until Feb.
15.

About 100 crisis pregnancy centers operate throughout the state, and more
subpoenas are possible, said Dopp.

"We hope to work with them to bring them into compliance," he said. "We're
not seeking to close down any facility."

The investigation was not politically motivated, Dopp claimed. Spitzer, a
Democrat, received support from pro-abortion groups in his election bid.
However, Dopp said Spitzer was adhering to the principles of consent
orders issued by previous attorneys general, including Dennis Vacco, a
pro-life Republican.

--
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David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/5/2002 7:11 pm  
To:  ALL   (38 of 40)  
 
  193.38 in reply to 193.31  
 
Source:   Associated Press, Newsday; April 4, 2002

New York City Finalizes Abortion Training Requirement

New York, NY -- Beginning in July, obstetrics and gynecology residents in
the city's public hospitals will be routinely trained to perform abortions
under a program backed by pro-abortion Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Abortion training, which previously was an elective in the four-year
OB-GYN residency program, will be mandatory for residents, except those
who opt out for moral or religious reasons, said Dr. Van Dunn, senior vice
president for medical and professional affairs at the city hospital
agency.

Dunn said most residency programs nationwide do not require abortion
training and offer it instead as an elective.

Lori Hougens, a spokeswoman for the New York State Right to Life
Committee, said it was ``horrible'' to consider abortions as part of
mainstream health care.

``We aren't supposed to let doctors take life. We're supposed to be able
to trust doctors to be saving people,'' Hougens said. ``They're trying to
steer the consciences of residents and make it just a normal thing for
them to do.''

"The routine training of doctors to be abortionists is reprehensible," she
said.

The city's program was initiated by the National Abortion and Reproductive
Rights Action League, which met last year with Bloomberg and the other New
York City mayoral candidates.

NARAL promoted the idea because the number of abortion practitioners is
shrinking and the program could make abortion more available nationwide,
since one in seven doctors is trained in New York City, said Kelli Conlin,
executive director of NARAL's New York office.

``You do not want to have second-rate medicine ever practiced,'' Bloomberg
said recently. ``These are procedures that are allowed by law and we're
going to make sure that the doctors are trained appropriately.''

Roughly 150 OB-GYN residents rotate through eight of New York City's 11
public hospitals each year. Doctors in the public hospitals perform about
6,500 abortions a year, Dunn said.

"This is all very hard to talk about because people have such strong
feelings on this issue," said Dr. Benjamin Chu, president of the Health
and Hospitals Corp. "But, women have to have a choice, and if they're
going to go through with this, we have to do it well. We have to do it
safely, using the most modern techniques."

Chu said the hospitals corporation is searching for financial donors to
pay for the enhanced training, publicly backed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg,
as early as this fall.

Thomas Conway, the Chairman of New York State Right to Life, told the
Pro-Life Infonet it would be difficult to take the abortion training
proposal to court because of the conscience clause for docotors who wish
to excuse themselves.

About 100,000 abortions are performed annually in New York City. Of those,
6,500 procedures are performed at the city's public hospitals, making the
Health and Hospitals Corp. one of the largest public-hospital abortion
providers in the country.

ACTION:  Contact Mayor Mike Bloomberg with your thoughts:

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg
City Hall
New York, NY 10007
(212) 788-9600
FAX (212) 788-2460

You can also send an email message to Mayor Bloomberg using the form at:
http://www.ci.nyc.ny.us/html/mail/html/mayor.html


For more information, contact:  New York State Right to Life, 41 State
Street, Suite 611, Albany, NY 12207, (518) 434-1293.

--
Please consider making a donation to help the work of the Pro-Life
Infonet. You can send a donation to:  Women and Children First, PO Box
4433, Helena, MT 59604-4433. We appreciate your support.




David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
  
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From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/5/2002 7:17 pm  
To:  ALL    
 
    
 
Source:   Seattle Times; March 30, 2002

Planned Parenthood Hires Methodist Pastor as Full-Time "Chaplain"

The Family Research Council also takes issue with Planned Parenthood's
characterization of having broad-based religious support.

"The Catholic church, the largest Christian denomination in the country,
and the Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest mainline
Protestant denominations in the country, are against abortion," Wood said.

Numerous other Protestant denominations including the Missouri and
Wisconsin Lutheran Synods, the Assemblies of God, Wesleyan Church, Church
of the Nazarene, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal Church,
Bible and charasmatic churches, and other denominations
all take strong pro-life positions.

Seattle, WA -- The Rev. Monica Corsaro doesn't look like a stereotypical
minister. With her choppy blond hair, thick-rimmed hipster glasses and
chunky black shoes, the Methodist minister won't even cop to her actual
age ("30-something" is all she'll admit) because, she says, she constantly
has to fight for respect.

Now this unconventional-looking minister has become a chaplain in what
seems, at first blush, to be one of the most unlikeliest of places:
Planned Parenthood.

Corsaro was recently appointed Planned Parenthood's "chaplain" for the
state, making her the first full-time, statewide chaplain for the national
abortion business.

As such, she will provide "pastoral counseling" to women seeking abortions
and abortion facility staff, act as liaison with the religious community
and lobby for abortion. She will play a pivotal role in the pro-abortion
organization's public-relations battle against what its leaders claim is a
false perception that most religious organizations are opposed to Planned
Parenthood.

In fact, despite significant religious opposition by the Catholic Church
and numerous protestant denominations, for instance, Planned Parenthood
has a long history of working with religious organizations, its directors
claim.

The portrayal of religion's position on abortion has been "distorted
because of the heated and very vocal nature of the real extreme
anti-choice members of the clergy," said Robert Harkins, executive
director of the Washington state Planned Parenthood.

The outspoken Corsaro seems suited to such a controversial position.
Raised in a liberal Methodist household in Geneseo, Ill., her pivotal
moment came while attending Illinois State University. A friend asked her
to attend a pro-life rally with a conservative Christian group. Meanwhile,
other friends were protesting the rally.

Feeling like she didn't fully belong in either group, Corsaro asked
herself: "Why can't I be pro-choice and pro-faith?"

"Why am I here with my political friends who can't stand Christianity, and
why are my Christian friends on the other side?"

After receiving a master's degree in divinity from the Iliff School of
Theology at the University of Denver, she served as associate minister at
Audubon Park United Methodist Church in Spokane, where she also chaired
the local Planned Parenthood's clergy advisory committee. Most recently,
she served as minister of community outreach at University Temple United
Methodist Church in Seattle's University District.

In January, Methodist Bishop Elias Galvan appointed Corsaro to the Planned
Parenthood chaplaincy. The Methodist Church's official position is in
support of abortion.

Corsaro said she was raised with the belief that God believes in each
person's ability to make choices -- including "choices about one's body."

Most women who have a spiritual crisis at Planned Parenthood have "already
made the decision to have an abortion but believe God will send them to
hell," Corsaro said. "I try to focus on telling them 'God loves you, too.'
" In her counseling, she claims she tries to lead the women to make
decisions on their own, without badgering them.

However, pro-life advocates say there's no way a Planned Parenthood
chaplain can be objective -- especially in light of the fact she lobbies
for abortion.

"This is a minister who, from the get-go, agrees with Planned Parenthood's
philosophy," said Genevieve Wood of the Family Research Council. "We would
encourage women to seek counsel from their own ministers, not just take
Planned Parenthood's word for it."

The Family Research Council also takes issue with Planned Parenthood's
characterization of having broad-based religious support.

"The Catholic church, the largest Christian denomination in the country,
and the Southern Baptist Convention, one of the largest mainline
Protestant denominations in the country, are against abortion," Wood said.

Numerous other Protestant denominations including the Missouri and
Wisconsin Lutheran Synods, the Assemblies of God, Wesleyan Church, Church
of the Nazarene, Christian and Missionary Alliance, Pentecostal Church,
Bible and charasmatic churches, and other denominations
all take strong pro-life positions.

But while Corsaro's appointment is the first time Planned Parenthood has
established a full-time chaplaincy, it stresses longtime support from some
religious groups for abortion.

In the 1940s, mainline churches and synagogues played a crucial role in
popularizing family planning, said the Rev. Tom Davis, chair of the clergy
advisory board for Planned Parenthood Federation of America. In the 1960s,
before abortion became legal, more than 1,000 ministers and rabbis formed
an effort to help women obtain illegal abortions.

Today, Planned Parenthood has clergy serving on its boards and clergy
advisory boards -- both nationally and locally. Most affiliates have
clergy members who volunteer as chaplains.

"It's important to have someone (on staff) who can speak as a person of
faith, speaking from her faith, for people of faith," Corsaro said. "And
it's important to have a religious voice for choice."

ACTION:  Pro-life Methodists are encouraged to register your complaints
about the appointment of a Corsaro to become the Planned Parenthood
"chaplain." Contact:

Pacific Northwest Conference
United Methodist Church
Attn:  Elias Galvan
2112 Third Avenue, Suite 300
Seattle, WA, 98121
(206) 728-7462 or (800) 755-7710
FAX (206) 728-8442
Bishop@pnwumc.org

--
You can help women make positive, life-affirming choices when confronting
an unexpected pregnancy. Please provide a link on your web site to
Pregnancy Centers Online at http://www.pregnancycenters.org


--------------------
From:  The Pro-Life Infonet <infonet@prolifeinfo.org>
Reply-To:  Steven Ertelt <infonet@prolifeinfo.org>




David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 
From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/5/2002 7:20 pm  
To:  ALL    
 
    
 
Source:   Houston Chronicle; March 24, 2002

Planned Parenthood Admits "Judge Shopping" for Teen Abortions in Texas

White said she would like to see the law modified to allow that
notification be made to another adult, such as a friend's parent or a
counselor. Pro-life organizations oppose such provisions because they
allow abortion facilities to have "counselors" on hand that press for the
abortion and keep the parents in the dark -- thereby gutting the intent of
the law

Houston, TX -- Abortion facilities seeking to perform abortions on teenage
girls in Texas are abusing the judicial bypass of the state's
recently-passed parental notifcation law by taking their cases before
sympathetic judges in counties outside the home jurisdiction of the
abortion facility and the teen.

Abortion facilities are avoiding courts in Harris and Dallas counties and
turning to judges in neighboring Bexar and Travis counties.

Harris and Dallas, the state's two most populous counties, have all
Republican judiciaries. The majority of judges in Travis County are
Democrats, and the Bexar County judiciary is almost evenly split between
the two parties.

"Court shopping makes sense," said Peter Durkin, director of Planned
Parenthood of Houston.

Harris County has had 19 cases filed since the bypass provisions went into
effect in January 1999. Dallas County has seen 13 cases. That compares
with Bexar County, where courts have handled 191 cases, and Travis County,
where judges have considered 110 cases.

The 1999 pro-life law requires abortion practitioners to notify the
parents or guardians of girls younger than 18 before performing abortions.
Minors who believe that such notification would put them at risk of child
abuse and who can demonstrate that they are sufficiently informed and
mature can ask a judge to bypass the requirement.

The United States Supreme Court has mandated such bypass provisions in
parental notification laws. Even with them, similar laws in other states
have reduced abortions. Texas statistics show a decline in teen abortions
since implementation of the law.

The Texas Department of Health provided information on payments it made to
10 large urban counties in response to a public information request by the
Houston Chronicle. The state pays attorney fees and other court costs when
a minor files a bypass petition.

The state Health Department reported that it paid $379,505 in 579 cases
between Jan. 1, 1999, and March 8, 2002.

The state payments are the only source of information about the secretive
judicial procedure. The Texas Supreme Court, which implemented the bypass
provisions of the 1999 notification law, decided not to collect statistics
on bypass cases.

Rebecca White, a senior vice president with Planned Parenthood of Houston,
said many of the 82 judges in Harris County who could hear the bypass
cases received financial support from Steven Hotze, a pro-life doctor who
takes an active role in local judicial races supporting pro-life
candidates.

"The Harris County judiciary for a minor seeking an abortion would not be
the friendliest place to go," said White.

Pro-abortion state Rep. Debra Danburg, D-Houston, agreed and said area
teen-agers should not have to travel across the state to get a fair
hearing.

However, pro-life state Sen. Florence Shapiro, who authored the parental
notification act, said it specifically allows minors seeking a judicial
bypass to file their petition in any county, regardless of the minor's
residence.

"Although I have not reviewed these statistics, it appears the minors
seeking a judicial bypass are following the letter of the law," said
Shapiro, a Republican.

The number of minors willing to present their cases in Harris County has
declined since the law went into effect. In the first eight months of
1999, there were 12 cases. In the next 12 months, six cases were heard.
Since last Sept. 1, there has been only one case filed in Harris County.

State District Judge Mark Davidson, who serves as administrative judge for
Harris County, said he is surprised by the low number of cases in a county
with millions of residents.

"Judges in this county will follow the law," Davidson said. "To the extent
there are judges who may disagree with the law or think no minors should
ever get an abortion, I'm confident those judges will follow the law."

The Republican Party of Texas, in its state platform, "calls for the
electoral defeat of all judges who through raw judicial activism seek to
nullify the Parental Notification Law by wantonly granting bypasses to
minor girls seeking abortions, and thereby thwart the will of the Texas
Legislature and people."

However, Davidson said the fact that minors are taking their cases to
Bexar County, where about half of the judges are Republican, shows "it's
not a fear of Republicans or a preference for Democrats."

Pro-life groups say the notification law is working and point to state
Health Department statistics that show a 20 percent decline in teen
abortions in 2000, the initial year the law was in effect.

"We're thrilled that it dropped so much after only one year," said Joseph
Pojman, director of Greater Austin Right to Life.

Planned Parenthood of Houston counselors claims it advises girls to inform
their parents if at all possible.

"For the kind of young women this law was geared toward, it's probably
accomplishing what it was designed to do -- encourage those young women to
involve their parents," said White. "Where it really is not working is for
kids from nontraditional families, for homeless kids and kids whose
parents are in prison."

White said she would like to see the law modified to allow that
notification be made to another adult, such as a friend's parent or a
counselor. Pro-life organizations oppose such provisions because they
allow abortion facilities to have "counselors" on hand that press for the
abortion and keep the parents in the dark -- thereby gutting the intent of
the law

Some Houston-area teens may be turning to Fort Bend County, which had only
two cases in the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2001, but has had seven since
Sept. 1.

Rita Lucido, a Houston lawyer who represents teen-agers in bypass cases,
said smaller counties can sometimes offer more flexibility in handling the
petitions, which must be decided by the end of the second business day
after the petition is filed.

"Some girls may learn it is more convenient and less difficult
administratively to do it in other counties," said Lucido.

Susan L. Hays, a pro-abortion Dallas lawyer, said after filing a few cases
in Dallas County she now avoids that jurisdiction.

"We've run into too many judges who won't follow the law," said Hays, a
founder of Jane's Due Process, a statewide pro-abortion organization that
recruits pro-abortion lawyers to obtain abortions for teens.

Hays said some minors might file in a smaller county near Dallas but that
others are going to Austin and San Antonio, where the judges are not
pro-life.

"Sure, there's traveling going on. There's also word of mouth. People go
to court where they think they will get a fair hearing," said Hays.

Hays said in deciding where to file a petition, she also considers which
intermediate appellate court would hear an appeal of a bypass denial. She
said the appeals courts in the Dallas and Houston areas are more pro-life
than others.

Nine bypass cases have reached the Texas Supreme Court, which has upheld
denials in all but one case.

State District Judge John Specia of Bexar County, who helped write the
rules for the judicial bypass proceedings as a member of a Supreme Court
advisory committee, said he is "astonished" at the low number of filings
in Dallas and Harris counties.

Specia said he doesn't know why so many petitions are being filed in Bexar
County, because information about individual cases is sealed.

"We have no idea where the children are coming from. We wouldn't be able
to tell how many are from Bexar and how many are from outside the county,"
said Specia, a Republican.

Specia said Bexar County employs a specially trained staff person who
makes sure that the deadlines in the law are followed. "We're careful to
make sure that the young person involved is treated fairly and
sensitively," said Specia.

Teresa Collett, a professor at South Texas College of Law who monitors the
parental notification act, said the secrecy surrounding the bypass
petitions makes it difficult to tell how the law is working. Collett said
reporting how many petitions are granted and how many are denied by
various courts, as is done in other states, would not compromise the
minor's confidentiality.

"Often the argument is made that either courts are complete roadblocks or
rubber stamps. I don't think the intent of the Legislature is that they be
either one," said Collett.

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David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
 

 
