Hidden Treasure

Warning: Current Healthcare Bill Could Mean You Lose Your Beloved Physician

2010-01-12T14:04:00.001-08:00

The 16,000-member Christian Medical Association, the nation’s largest faith-based association of physicians, today said that the 2,000-page healthcare overhaul bill (HR 3962) introduced in the House of Representatives last week far exceeds the need for targeted reforms, instead injecting massive government intervention that threatens the patient-physician relationship.

CMA CEO Dr. David Stevens, "This legislation is an overdose. With this massive legislation, we are getting much more than is actually needed to fix our healthcare system. What we need is a targeted reformation of areas needing reform, but this legislation is an attempt to totally transform our healthcare system into a government-run system that dictates what healthcare treatment each patient will receive.

“The legislation introduced last week is coming to a vote way too fast. We have one chance to get this right, and leaders in Congress are trying to push a bill through in a few days that will impact one-sixth of our economy. It is bitter medicine that most people don't want, and taking it fast will not change that.

“The legislation is also ineffective and will increase costs rather than lower costs. It will hurt efficiency and increase bureaucracy. It will interfere with the physician-patient relationship and lead to the delay and denial of healthcare based solely on cost.

“The legislation also has serious side effects. In a radical shift in U.S. policy, under this legislation the government will suddenly be funding abortion on demand. And if abortion advocates prevail, the government ultimately will force health care professionals to participate in abortions.

“Physicians are so upset about this takeover of healthcare that hundreds of thousands have threatened to leave medicine if it passes. Forty-five percent of all physicians polled say they’re ready to leave medicine if healthcare overhaul passes. Ninety-five percent of faith-based healthcare professionals are ready to leave medicine if their conscience rights are weakened. The bottom line for patients under this legislation is that they are much more likely to lose their physician.”

news source

2010-01-12T13:52:00.000-08:00

MEDIA RELEASE

Embargo: Immediate Release

Date: 12 November 2009

Enquiries: Dr Eva Seobi

Tel: 082 575 6278

CRISIS AS HEALTH CARE WORKERS REFUSE TO DO ABORTIONS

According to the latest Annual Report by the Western Cape Department of Health, the unwillingness of staff to perform abortions has resulted in unmanageable increases at facilities where staff are prepared to perform the procedure. Prior to the legalisation of abortion-on-demand, Doctors For Life International warned that this would happen. Health care professionals are fully aware that abortion ends the life a human being and many will therefore not participate in abortion-on-demand.

Health department head Prof Craig Househam said while the trend was worrying, it was also complex because the department could not compel staff to perform the procedure. All health care workers have a constitutional right to refuse to participate in the abortion procedure. According to him it’s even more worrying that younger staff are unwilling to perform abortions, as this could result in major problems when the older staff retired or left.

The provincial Department of Health has since raised concerns, saying that some institutions were increasingly becoming deserted due to staff refusing to perform abortions.

In a survey conducted by the South Africa Medical Journal in 1996, 82.49% of doctors said that they would refuse to perform abortion-on-demand. Of doctors in full-time government service, 94,69% said that they would refuse to perform the procedure. In another survey conducted in the Western Cape only 31.5% of doctors said that they would be prepared to do abortion-on-demand.

Sound medical science is clear that the life of a human being starts at fertilisation, when the reproductive cells of the male and female merge. The foetus’ heart begins to beat between 18 and 24 days after fertilization and brain waves can already be detected at six weeks after conception. Due to the development of the nervous system, a foetus is likely to feel pain as early as 8 weeks after conception. Doctors and nurses are acutely aware of these facts and will consequently always feel that it is morally and ethically wrong to do an abortion-on-demand.

Doctors For Life International therefore calls on the government to review the law on abortion, taking cognisance of the reality that the life of a human being starts at fertilization. No amount of political manoeuvring or efforts of governments will change these scientific facts.

Doctors for Life International, represents more than 1600 medical doctors and specialists. For more information visit Doctors For Life

The Face of Child Abuse

2010-01-05T07:54:00.000-08:00

What does child abuse look like?

When I worked at Newton General some years ago, the most dreaded film we could look at through the lighted box was a child's x-ray that showed signs of abuse-either current or previous. Current abuse was easy to spot-usually in the form of a broken bone. Previous abuse was sometimes harder to spot, but just as real. The little bone would grow back twisted sometimes from an overzealous grab that actually twisted the child's arm/bone. Or a fracture or break that grew back somewhat misaligned. Talk about anger.....if you think health care providers don't get involved with patients be present when a tech views a film of a child abuse victim. You are liable to hear words you've never heard before, spouted with a venom you'll likely never forget.

It amazed me that the same tech who was obviously angered while looking at the film documenting child abuse would proudly state at some point that they were pro-choice. Visible signs of a broken arm would outrage them but the thought of a child being dismembered and put back together in a bucket following an abortion didn't faze them.

A greater abuse is occurring right now-this very second as I type this and likely while you are reading this-all over the country. Babies are being ripped from the warmth and security of the womb by those that claim they have a choice to do so. Since when is murder a viable choice? Since when is injecting a heart with medication to make it stop beating acceptable? Or why can a human being, fully developed with arms, legs, a brain and all of it's organs be partially born only to have it's brain sucked from it's skull and it be acceptable? That is what "choice" is about. Too graphic? Too emotional? Would you rather I say it's tissue and a tiny vacuum just sucks it out and you go on your merry way? That's a lie. One the pro-choice movement wants you to believe.

Want to know what abortion is really like told from the clinic workers that perform them? It's not as benign as the media and government leaders or Planned Parenthood want you and I to believe.

So while those techs stand around the lit box complaining about the scum that twisted the 4 year olds arm, I want to complain about the scum that is pulling live, perfect babies from a safe environment and killing them. Which is the greater evil-a broken arm or a heart that is stopped?

Why Abortion Should Be Illegal

2010-01-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

Abortion is a form of murder and demeans the value of human life. When a pregnant women feels a kick in her belly, she doesn't say "Oh, the fetus kicked" or "Oh, the mass of cells that hasn't become a person kicked", she says "The baby kicked." Yes, after conception you have a real human being waiting to enter the world. Why should taking someone's life when they're in the womb be any different than taking their life when they're a baby in the crib? Pro-choice advocates claim this isn't a real baby only to justify their wrong acts in their own minds. Even if you don't believe abortion is murder, it still demeans the value of human life, since women can so callously stomp out a living being simply because they're inconvenienced.

Other birth control is readily available; thus, abortion shouldn't be a form of birth control. There are dozens of birth control methods that can keep you from becoming pregnant, including the 100 percent effective one: abstinence. Maybe if abortion wasn't available, people wouldn't be so careless in the first place.

The societal contributions of a potentially valuable human being are wiped out. What would the world be like if the mothers of Abe Lincoln, George Washington, or Thomas Edison had had an abortion? Just maybe a woman has become pregnant despite all birth control attempts because the child is destined to do something great.

Women who have abortions often suffer major psychological damage from the experience along with, in some cases, the father of the child. Many women who have abortion in their younger years end up living the rest of their lives in perpetual guilt. Even if that women doesn't consider it murder at the time, that may change as she matures. Even Jane Roe (not her real name), the original woman behind the famous court decision, has completely changed her mind on abortion. She filed a petition to have the decision overturned to help relieve the guilt of hundreds of thousands of needless deaths she blames on herself. Also, let's not forget that there are two parents of every aborted child. The father may feel just as guilty. The father may even want the child, but he has no choice if the mother chooses abortion.

The advances of genetic testing may prompt more abortions (to avoid having the non-ideal child). All of us who have or want kids imagine them growing up to be doctors, senators, sports stars, or whatever. But what would you do if you knew the child would have Down's Syndrome? What would you do if you knew the child would have an intelligence level lower than that required to enter public school? What if the child had a strong risk of schizophrenia? Would you still have the child or would you want an abortion? As genetic knowledge continues to grow, we are able to determine more and more about what a child will be like as an adult. Legalized abortion could turn babies into science experiments.

There are many couples who spend years on waiting lists trying to adopt a child. The number of couples out there who cannot have a child of their own for physical reasons are too numerous to count. The waiting list for adopting babies can be 5-10 years or more. Young women in their teens are right to be concerned that they're not ready to effectively raise a child. However, if that is the case, there are plenty of wonderful people out there who are. Not only would you be bringing a valuable life into the world, you'd also be making the dream of a childless couple come true.

The abortion decision is often made by minors or young adults, who don't have the maturity and life experiences to make good decisions. There's a good reason why we don't allow people to drink alcohol, smoke, or drive until they're a certain age. It's because they haven't matured enough to make good, sound decisions. We've all made bad decisions in our younger years that provide us with life experience to make sounder judgment in the future. The one skill that seems to take the longest time to develop is the ability to consider the feelings and needs of someone besides ourselves. Why should such a life or death decision as abortion be made by a person who probably hasn't developed that capacity?

People have the right not to see their tax dollars go to something they find immoral. Abortion is a medical procedure that must be performed by a doctor. The government contributes to many health care institutions such as Healthcare for the Homeless, Planned Parenthood, free clinics, etc. All of us who pay taxes have the right to prevent that money from going to something we consider murder.

Abortion eliminates legal rights of the unborn child. The documents of our founding fathers state that we are all entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. By legalizing abortion, we take those rights away from a future American citizen. Just because the babies can't speak for themselves doesn't mean they have no rights. If a 1-month old is murdered, it that really different than abortion as far as protecting an American's life? If a person shoots and kills a pregnant woman, shouldn't the punishment be more severe? If you legalize abortion, it would tell the courts there is no difference.

Abortion is against doctors' Hippocratic Oath. Every American doctor must take this fundamental oath, which says "First, do no harm". It threatens the very fabric of the entire medical field if doctors start using their own personal philosophies on life to decide who should or shouldn't be harmed. Whether or not you think abortion should be allowed, it cannot be disputed that a doctor is harming a living organism. Killing a human being doesn't serve any higher medical purpose and is therefore a violation of the oath.

Taken from Balanced Politics.org

The Korea Herald-"Doctors Declare War on Abortion"

2010-01-04T08:21:00.000-08:00

Read complete text here

Early this month a group of young doctors declared a war against abortion, which is illegal but rampant here.

Consisting of some 600 obstetricians in their 30s and 40s, the group tentatively named "Gynob" resolved not to comply with any abortion request that is not based on medical validity.

"Despite the huge gap between law and reality, our society has left the issue of illegal abortions long unsettled. Most abortions in Korea occur because of social and economic reasons. And all of them are illegal," they said in a statement issued on Nov. 1.

Over the resolution of doctors, the first of its kind in Korea, the Korean Catholic Church immediately issued a message welcoming the announcement while the Korean Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists with a membership of 4,000 doctors underplayed it as a minority opinion of radical doctors.

"Regardless of culture and system, it is widely considered that illegal abortion should be eradicated. However, the issue cannot be solved by making some obstetricians criminals," said KAOG in a statement.

Choi said the group had tried but failed to reach an agreement with KAOG before announcing the declaration on its own. Within Gynob, the number of members also decreased from 680 to 650 in the process of discussions.

"We know doctors would feel humiliated as they have to confess their past wrong-doings. And abortion has already been an important source of profit," Choi said.

She admitted their efforts could be meaningless without the participation of all doctors.

"If some doctors quit performing abortions, others would do more. That's why we are considering criminal charges against illegal abortions," she said.

"Yes, some of us are criminals too. If necessary, we are ready to be investigated first. We think this might be the last chance to make a change."

Returning to my first love with a BANG!

2010-01-04T07:50:00.000-08:00

After a long hiatus, in which I questioned the direction I wanted to take Hidden Treasure in, I am back to blog about and make a difference in Pro-life issues. Advocate? Maybe. Whistle blower? You bet.

You see, my heart has always been with those that society deemed worthless and I have no tolerance nor compassion on those that steamroll their way over the less fortunate. I don't waste my passion or compassion there, choosing instead to be the one to pick up the pieces, apply the healing balm, and then find ways to prevent this from happening again. I've never been accused of being a trail blazer. Not sure I know how to think like they do enough to stay a step ahead. However, if you hurt or kill an innocent child, disabled person, or one of a race you consider inferior, be assured, I will be in the dust and one of the first ones you will answer to.

That said, I was enthused to see most physicians still prefer to stand by their conscientious right to refuse to do an abortion. ".....many physicians may still feel pressured to violate their own ethical integrity by referring patients
to other doctors who will perform morally objectionable practices. We need
laws that protect physicians' rights of conscience, and we need education
to encourage doctors to stand firm on strong moral and ethical principles.

"A professional has the right and even the duty to stand firm on
ethical standards. A professional by definition is someone who has
professed an oath that binds him or her to clearly stated, objective
ethical standards. When doctors hold themselves to those standards,
patients are protected. Before doctors began to swear the 'do no harm'
principles inherent in the Hippocratic Oath, patients never knew whether
their doctor would heal them, kill them or sexually abuse them.

"If it is morally wrong to perform an abortion or euthanasia, it is
morally wrong to facilitate abortion or euthanasia with a referral. Our
society has always recognized this ethical principle. It's why, for
example, we prosecute accomplices who drive the getaway car in a robbery."

Dr. Al Weir, who directs CMA's Campus and Community Ministries that
reaches students on nearly every medical school campus in the United
States, emphasizes the need for strong ethical standards and education in
medicine.

Dr. Weir noted, "Patients would be alarmed to discover that many
medical schools have quietly stopped administering oaths in which doctors
profess to upholding the Hippocratic standards that protect patients. We
seem to have gone backward in ethical history.

"Many medical students today are taught that there are no moral
absolutes, and that a doctor's role basically is to accommodate whatever
the patient wants. These students need to realize that being a professional
means holding to moral standards that are above the doctor and above the
patient.

"Ethics and morals by definition draw bright lines that you must not
cross, even if someone else is pressuring you to violate those standards.
We need more doctors who have the courage to stand by the life-honoring
convictions that have protected patients for millennia."

Read complete text here

When a Celebrity Dies the Nation Mourns, But When a Baby Dies From Abortion....

2009-07-06T12:21:00.000-07:00

Recently the nation has seen a wave of deaths of celebrities — Ed McMann, Michael Jackson, Farah Fawcett and Billy Mays. Very few people in the general public had personal relationships with these departed public icons. Yet, the intensity level of mourning that the nation has exhibited upon the news of these deaths shows that millions of people identified with these celebrities in a very personal way.

The public mourning for the death of Michael Jackson has been particularly intense. For several days after his death the news concentrated on both the details of his death and of his life. His music was replayed on both television and radio broadcasts and video images of him dancing to his music were shown over and over again to a grieving public. Likewise, the deaths of Farah Fawcett, Ed McMann and Billy Mays brought forth many special broadcasts on television to commemorate their lives.

Indeed, when a cultural icon passes away we all feel sadness. We all feel that even a part of our lives has also died, and the grieving families of these celebrities should be recipients of our prayers and compassion.

If we contrast, however, the public show of grief to these celebrity deaths with the public response to the deaths of 3,300 unborn children that occur from abortion every day we will have to make a disturbing observation about our nation.

It appears that when a celebrity dies the entire nation mourns but when 50 million unborn children die the nation pretends it didn't happen.

Abortion has since 1973 taken the lives of over 50 million unborn children. Abortion today takes the lives of 1.3 million unborn children every year. 3,300 every day. One every 25 seconds.

Where is the public mourning for these lives?

Each life taken by abortion was a unique person made in the image of God. Abortion has destroyed the lives of future doctors, lawyers, artists, authors, missionaries and others who could have contributed greatly to the quality of life we all enjoy.

Where is the public mourning for these lives?

Abortion has not only taken the lives of 50 million children but also ends the generational lines that would have followed such children had they been allowed to live. Millions of human beings who would have loved and been loved and provided so much joy and fulfillment to others will never exist because of abortion.

Where is the public mourning for these lives?

As a nation we mourn the passing of celebrities whom most of us did not know personally. But we ignore the deaths of millions because the manner in which they died is a topic that is not politically correct to bring up in social circles.

I suspect that the topic of abortion is to most Americans an uncomfortable topic that one does not enjoy discussing. Certainly, the passion of people on both sides of this issue makes for stress at your everyday dinner party. Yet, continued silence about this issue will not hide the fact that innocent lives are being taken every day.

Who is to mourn for the lives of the innocent taken by abortion everyday?

Until true public awareness of abortion and its ramifications is achieved then there will be no mourning for the deaths of these little ones. Only continued public silence will ensue.

Let us work for an America where this public silence is ended and is replaced by an outcry that will usher in a time period where every human life, born and unborn, is respected and the death of every person, whether a celebrity or an unborn baby, is mourned.

as it appears in its original format

Media Glorification of Suicide Causes British Woman to Kill Herself

2009-05-11T07:02:00.000-07:00

London, England (LifeNews.com) -- A woman in England with multiple sclerosis killed herself after watching a BBC program glorifying suicide tourism in Switzerland. That is the practice where residents of England and other European nations head to the mountain nation to kill themselves at the controversial clinic run by the pro-euthanasia group Dignitas. Angela Harrison, 44, took an overdose of drugs after watching the drama, "A Short Stay in Switzerland," that appeared on the popular British television network in January. Harrison was rushed to a hospital in her hometown of Cambridgeshire, but was pronounced dead just two days later. American bioethicist Wesley J. Smith decried the news and said it shows the problems of the mainstream media pushing the virtues of death as a solution to advancing age or medical problems. "We have discussed the suicide proselytizing in the media and popular culture here many times," Smith explained. "But this story hits the nail." During a court hearing last week, investigators showed how Angela had battled depression for several years as a result of her deteriorating condition and that she had spoken with her children frequently about the possibility of taking her life if her MS became too much to bear. Pro-life advocates have repeatedly said more must be done to treat patients' depression and pain instead of merely offering deadly drugs to take one's life. Harrison's brother told the hearing that she had been planning a cruise in the days leading up to her death but decided to kill herself after watching the BBC program. "Promoting assisted suicide--and its romanticizing in the press and entertainment media--has deadly consequences. Will that lesson be learned? No. The argument will just be made--as it has often before--that she shouldn't have had to do it alone," Smith concluded.

Kathy Ireland Gets Kudos for Speaking Out on her Pro-Life Stance on Abortion

2009-05-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- Last week, supermodel and author Kathy Ireland won kudos from the pro-life community for speaking out in a new interview about her pro-life views on abortion. Here is what she had to tell Fox News: "My entire life I was pro-choice — who was I to tell another woman what she could or couldn't do with her body? But when I was 18, I became a Christian and I dove into the medical books, I dove into science. What I read was astounding and I learned that at the moment of conception a new life comes into being. The complete genetic blueprint is there, the DNA is determined, the blood type is determined, the sex is determined, the unique set of fingerprints that nobody has had or ever will have is already there. I called Planned Parenthood and begged them to give me their best argument and all they could come up with that it is really just a clump of cells and if you get it early enough it doesn't even look like a baby. Well, we're all clumps of cells and the unborn does not look like a baby the same way the baby does not look like a teenager, a teenager does not look like a senior citizen. That unborn baby looks exactly the way human beings are supposed to look at that stage of development. It doesn't suddenly become a human being at a certain point in time. I've also asked leading scientists across our country to please show me some shred of evidence that the unborn is not a human being. I didn't want to be pro-life, but this is not a woman’s rights issue but a human rights issue. If I see someone abusing a child I am going to stand up against that, and that’s how I feel about abortion. Women are not given all the facts, they're told it is a harmless procedure and now it has turned into such a political football."

Are you pro-life? You are a terrorist then!

2009-04-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- A collection of pro-life and other groups have banded together to sponsor a newspaper advertisement and Internet-based effort calling on the removal of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. They are upset by her department sending a recent memo targeting pro-life advocates.

Napolitano's agency sent a report to police and sheriff's departments saying people who oppose abortion are likely to engage in terrorism and right-wing extremism. read full story here

How can you equate terrorism with pro-life viewpoints? That is a contradiction as one takes life and one saves life. This uneducated, maliciously slanderous Government leader has decided to go in the back door to disable pro-lifers by marking them as dangerous.

Words. Words not backed by any study or fact, yet they will determine whether pro-lifers are allowed the freedom of speech guaranteed to them by their forefathers.

Did the voters mess up that badly by giving BO the office of President? Um, yes! Yes with a capitol Y. You see, when you vote for a leader, you not only accept what he says, you embrace his belief system. If you don't, it will be forced on you. We knew all along that he was NOT pro-life. What did the average Joe-Voter think, this wouldn't matter? That he would ignore the tendency to wink when it comes to abortion and never, ever, ever do anything that supported this pro-choice beliefs? Did the average Joe-Voter really believe BO was going to bring this country together and form a peaceful union when his belief system is governed by the opposite?

Motherhood Attacked

2009-04-25T14:34:00.000-07:00

When Government is given too much power, the people lose their freedom. It seems as if I am saying this over and over and over, but unless we actually "get it", we will become victims of an overzealous system. A few recent examples:

Woozy from pain medication after a Caesarean section, swinging from joy over her newborn boy to exhaustion from the strain of delivering him, Karen Piper mentioned to her doctor that she'd been hoping for a girl. She would come to regret those words. When nurses finally told Piper she was free to leave, no discharge papers for her son were brought out. Instead, she faced a parade of inquisitive official visitors, including uniformed police, a social worker, a psychiatrist, and assorted doctors and nurses. Her baby had been placed on medical hold while government investigators considered whether Piper was fit to take Luke home to Prince George's County, the authorities said. She had failed to bond with her baby, a nurse told Piper....Like too many parents before her, Piper had fallen into the rigid, overlawyered maw of a child protection system that substitutes mandatory reporting for the judgment and human sensitivity medical professionals should exercise.

Another bill just passed that lacks common sense and interfers with the privacy and freedom of mothers is the New Mothers Mandated Mental Health Test A sweeping government policy for all new births in the United States
has just passed the House of Representatives and is now headed to the
Senate. The Mother's Act, if passed, will mandate that all new
mothers be screened by means of a list of subjective questions that
will determine if each mother is mentally fit to take their newborn
home from the hospital. Just imagine that after your child is born,
you are told that you can't take them home since a multiple choice
questionnaire wasn't answered correctly. Just imagine being told that
the only way you can take your child home is if you or your spouse
goes into treatment or on anti-depressants which we know causes
psychosis, delusions, and even homicidal thoughts. It just doesn't
make sense. Unfortunately, this bill is on a fast track--No public
debate, no public disclosure of the broad impact on our society!

As a mother, I am lucky to be beyond the stage of being confortable having children. However, this really upsets me for my future daughter-in-laws. How disturbing.

As a mother who has a son serving through the Navy and giving up everything, everything, to ensure his family remains free, this angers me. He is not doing it to ensure his future wife has tags placed on her in the post partum suite and a decision made whether they all leave the hospital a happy family ever after. He's not doing it so that our health care system can micro manage your health based on a remark you make.

Remind me just one more time....is this the change we were promised? I distinctly remember the words change and unity and forming aliances used together. So how come the only changes I see coming from the big ole white house has to do with splitting a family apart? Through the Freedom of Choice act which allows a mom to abort her unborn son or daughter, to assessing a moms mental health to see if she's fit to parent her child, I see nothing in this new change that speaks about bringing people together.

Our leaders do not proudly and boldly and with conviction state In God We Trust, anymore and they no longer care about keeping the traditional family together. We are even told there is no traditional family anymore. My heart grieves for my children and their families. Will they ever know the life I've known? Or will our wonderful change-oriented government destroy any remnents of the America we've known so far?

You are funding forced abortions in China.

2009-04-08T18:22:00.000-07:00

You are funding forced abortions in China. So am I. Not only elective abortions. Forced abortions.

It doesn't matter whether you are pro-life or pro-choice on this issue. No one can support forced abortion, because it is not a choice.

What do I mean by “forced abortions”?

Here are a couple of examples from the U.S. Department of State China Report, released on Feb. 25: “In March [2008] family planning officials in Henan Province reportedly forcibly detained a 23-year-old unmarried woman who was seven months pregnant. Officials reportedly tied her to a bed, induced labor, and killed the newborn upon delivery.

“In April [2008] population-planning officials in Shandong Province reportedly detained and beat the sister of a woman who had illegally conceived a second child in an attempt to compel the woman to undergo an abortion.”

read full story here

Words of Wisdom on the Net

2009-03-30T11:02:00.000-07:00

I make no concessions in stating my opinion regarding where our Government belongs and doesn't belong in relation to "the people's" private affairs. Too much gov't is happening too fast and for those who say they never saw it coming, consider the recent rumblings your cue that rain is on the horizon. Here are some things recently written on the Net regarding current political decisions:

Did anyone hear about the Natasha Richard's case, because the medical in Canada is GOVERMENT ran, they did not feel it was "cost effective" to do a CT scan for her which could have saved her life. Another good example of what big brother can do and will do when they have all the power we are handing them. I wonder what the dumbnuts would say when its their family member and the cost isn't effective enough to save one of their family members life?? Each day we give more and more away and more example of why we shouldnt but they continue to steal our rights.

Are you seeing a bigger lie unveiled? I'm talking about the so called "Stimulus Spending Plan" whose name should be changed to "Government Take Over". What better example of what I said earlier that "He who owns most of your debt, owns and controls you!" By calling for the resignation of the CEO of GM the govt has really overstepped, excuse me BO -- has been names specifically for this. I realize that there should have been guidelines for the usage of the monies, but really, the money never should've been offered in the first place. Help with reorganization, advice perhaps, but not all this money. And then to tell Chrysler that they have to "force-merger" with Fiat is another issue. They didn't do what they were supposed to do before the first hand out, why do they thing they'll do it now? Again, why does the govt think they have this right? If they can do this with private businesses, then they can do this with states and other areas as well. Some govt involvement is good and okay, but not when the govt begins to take over and becomes or takes on the appearance of a dictator. GM and the others didn't bend with the market and the wants of their customers. They continued to produce vehicles that people didn't want and won't buy. Why else are they stuck with so many unsold vehicles for the first time since the Great Depression? Toyota stated that they would flood the car market with their hybrid cars and make them affordable -- they did, and they met the needs of the general public. They're still very solvent. Lesson to learn.

It's no secret that Americans are in credit card debt up to their eyeballs. To what can we attribute this colossal "living beyond our means" phenomenon? I don't think it's because we've had too many emergencies, and that's why we all have credit cards, right? It's because we don't ever want to feel poor. Let me define the term, "feeling poor." It's a sad, sorry feeling of inferiority. It's that feeling you get when faced with an invitation to join all of your rich co-workers for a chi-chi lunch, and you've got $8.43 to last until payday. It's that feeling you get when you see a commercial for the coolest car on earth and all you have is a 10-year old clunker. When you feel poor, the worst thing you can do is spend money. Sure, that might make the feeling go away for a time. But as soon as you realize you've plunged yourself deeper into debt and made your situation worse, you'll feel even poorer. It's a vicious cycle that comes to no good end. I have a better idea. Stop feeling poor in the first place.

There's a storm abrewin'. What happens when good, responsible people keep quiet? Washington has forgotten they work for us. We don't work for them. Throwing good money after bad is NOT the answer. I am sick of the midnight, closed door sessions to come up with a plan. I am sick of Congress raking CEO's over the coals wh ile they, themselves, have defaulted on their taxes. I am sick of the bailed out companies having lavish vacations and retreats on my dollar. I am sick of being told it is MY responsibility to rescue people that, knowingly, bought more house than they could afford. I am sick of being made to feel it is my patriotic duty to pay MORE taxes. I, like all of you, am a responsible citizen. I pay my taxes. I live on a budget and I don't ask someone else to carry the burden for poor decisions I may make. I have emailed my congressmen and senators asking them to NOT vote for the stimulus package as it was written without reading it first. No one listened. They voted for it, pork and all.

So the PC Commies are at it again by taking the name of the Freedom Tower in New York back to One World Trade Center. You would think that this country never had an attack on its soil by the way people act today. What's it gonna take? Why do they continue to cower to the enemy? I am proud of this country and my rights as an American citizen. I am NOT apologetic for what I believe in and I will continue to call spade a spade and not be afraid to speak my mind! This country has gone back to pre 9/11 mentality and that is so dangerous.

Yea we got change,,from the chosen one!,, just taking rights away right and left.. and the dimwits think it's soo cool...gees..,, lets see,, no lobbiest?, no pork earmarks? going to pull the troops out? humm NO...,Bring in new people in washington? NO.. Looks like he has just brought in the old Chicago gang, and Clintons people..,, ahaha,, and he is taking ammo away.,, humm, and lets not forget charter schools yep he put a stop to that.., has taken guns away from pilots in the cockpits..that a change..for the worst!,,oh and lets not forget taking the signing bonus away from our military..(not that is change he really must be proud of) so anyway I've just touched on little things he has done in 2 months..off the top of my head..Yea, Change.. feels warm and frizzy..like I stuck my finger in the electric plug.LOL

If you as a reader, can find many bloggers that say positive things about decisions made by our gov't lately, let me know. I've burned the midnight oil trying to find a few (besides the Washington posse) that are optimistic. This is not a rant against one person, but against a collective group of leaders that infringe on our freedoms as a country by repeadily deciding more gov't=answers to all problems. The gov't does not belong in many of the places it invites itself. Washington, Lincoln and Adams would fight tooth and nail to protect "we the people" if alive today.

Where are the real men? Where are the leaders and decision makers we can be proud of? Where are those patriotic to American history and the people that have lived, worked and worshipped here for centuries? It appears from the direction our leaders are taking, what we have known to love and cherish for centuries will soon become nothing more than words in a history book.

This says it all!

2009-03-28T19:59:00.001-07:00

Hidden Treasure Wins an Award

2009-03-25T15:08:00.001-07:00

Our first ever award, Honest Scrap, thanks to Ricks World is something I get to brag, actually brag about. Since I can't pat my own back, I'll just say kuddos to you, the reader, for reading Hidden Treasure. It's nice to know my passion is being read about by others.

The requirements of this award:

“This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.”

“When accepting this auspicious award, you must write a post bragging about it, including the name of the misguided soul who thinks you deserve such acclaim, and link back to the said person so everyone knows she/he is real. Choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that you find brilliant in content or design. Or improvise by including bloggers who have no idea who you are because you don’t have seven friends. Show the seven random victims’ names and links and leave a harassing comment informing them that they were prized with Honest Weblog. Well, there’s no prize, but they can keep the nifty icon. List at least ten (10) honest things about yourself. Then pass it on!”

Ten honest things about Mary:
1. I can't function without coffee.
2. I live to read.
3. I love home schooling our son.
4. I would like to believe I am an activist, but I have too many passions to minimize my focus on just one agenda. Thus, the blog.
5. If I want to be really bad, I'll drink Dr. Pepper and eat a cupcake loaded in frosing.
6. I would love to have lunch with Abe Lincoln.
7. I look up to each of my siblings because I believe they all have awesome gifts.
8. I was fortunate enough to marry my best friend.
9. I'll eat anything with cream cheese in it.
10. I'd run an orphanage if finances allowed.

Ok. So here are 7 blogs I find brilliant:
Get Big Ideas
Cary
DG
Blog in the Now
Jump Start Kids
Author Margaret Daley
Vaccine Awakening

Talk About Pre-Meditated Murder

2009-03-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

Woman Forces Daughter to Have an Abortion, Dumps Body of Baby in the Trash

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (LifeNews.com) -- A Florida woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a case involving her forcing her teenager daughter to have an abortion. Tonuya Rainey, 38, allegedly obtained drugs from an abortion center to make her daughter have an abortion and then threw the body of the unborn child in the trash....WFOR-Ch. 4 reported that she reportedly did not want her 16-year-old daughter to give birth, so Rainey obtained abortion pills and gave them to her daughter. An assistant state attorney said in a police report that the daughter "said to her mother she wanted to keep the baby."
read full story here

Some Things are Sacred and Should Never be Used as Part of a Joke. Never.

2009-03-20T16:22:00.003-07:00

Appearing on "The Tonight Show," the president told host Jay Leno he'd been practicing at the White House's bowling alley but wasn't happy with his score of 129. Then he rolled a gutter ball by quipping: "It was like the Special Olympics or something."

The audience laughed, but the White House quickly recognized the blunder.

And then later: WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama has apologized to the chairman of the Special Olympics for his late-night talk show quip equating his bowling skills to those of athletes with disabilities.

Atleast he apologized. I'll give the guy that. But for someone so eloquent and poised, this is a slap to those involved with the SO or have a loved one that is considered "special". I remember in the 70's the band Chicago belted out "Make me Smile" for a Special Olympics commercial. The participants weren't exploited but instead, their smiles lit up the screen as the announcer invited the viewer to join in the fun. I never forgot those smiles.

Maybe that is why this bothers me. Watch a "special" person. Their smile lights up the world. How in world could you say anything against them? To err is human and to ask forgiveness proper. To not repeat the offense? Priceless.

Peace

2009-03-20T13:41:00.000-07:00

I wonder what world peace would feel like. It's the only thing that no one has ever experienced. It requires an agreement among all people not to hurt each otehr. Each of us can try to live in peace in our daily life. By intentionally relating to others in positive ways, we can increase the possibility of peace. In my experience, people who are peaceful generate a more peaceful environment. That is why I love clowning; it transforms the environment.

World peace starts within each of us. ~Patch Adams MD

Obama Admin Sends UN Population Fund $50 Million, Abortion Backers Want More

2009-03-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The American economy is in turmoil but the Obama administration sent a $50 million check yesterday to the United Nations Population Fund. That's the pro-abortion group that has been accused of supporting and working in concert with Chinese family planning officials.

There, the Chinese population control program has relied on forced abortions, involuntary sterilizations and other human rights abuses to enforce its rule that most couples may have no more than one child.

The Bush administration had withheld the funds because of the UNFPA-China population control program ties, but Obama signed a bill reversing those limits...

read full story here

Population control? Hand in hand with pro-abortion views here on our own soil?

If you ever thought this would never happen here in the good ole USA, think again. It has. Already.

When are we going to look down at our ruby slippers and realize this ain't Kansas anymore?

Economics of Abortion

2009-03-16T07:08:00.000-07:00

Can America Survive the Abortion Boom? For 15 years, Dennis Howard has been warning of the economic impact of abortion. Today he estimates its toll as costing our economy $35 trillion in lost GDP and over 51 million precious lives. You can help stop this decline by making your voice heard. Join our Campaign for Life today

Home Schooling Mom Loses Right

2009-03-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

Although this ruling goes against the NC Supreme Court's ruling defining homeschools as private schools and although this family is protected by law, they may not see a reversal since they can not afford an attorny. Here's the story.

March 12, 2009, Raleigh, NC - As reported by WorldNetDaily.com, on Friday, March 6, Judge Ned W. Mangum stripped Raleigh resident Venessa Mills of her right to homeschool, and ordered her three children to enter public school.

read

Mills was forced to defend her right to homeschool during divorce proceedings brought on by her husband's unfaithfulness. Mr. Mills admitted, under oath, to repeatedly committing adultery. Even with abundant evidence showing the Mills children are well adjusted and well educated, Judge Mangum ruled overwhelmingly against Mrs. Mills on every point. He stated the children would do better in public school despite the fact that they are currently at or beyond their grade level. Evidence showed two children tested several grades ahead.

When issuing his verdict Judge Mangum stated his decision was not ideologically or religiously motivated. However, he told Mrs. Mills public school will "challenge the ideas you've taught them."

What has emerged is a picture of a clearly liberal judge imposing his beliefs and striking down traditional values. Mangum, a Democrat appointee, disregarded the facts of the case in favor of his own agenda. Such anti-conservative prejudice is increasingly legislated from the bench, and appears to be encouraged by the Democratic Obama administration.

Robyn Williams, friend and homeschool mother of four was present at the proceeding. "I have never seen such injustice and such a direct attack against homeschooling," said Williams. "This judge clearly took personal issue with Venessa's stance on education and faith, even though her children are doing great. If her right to homeschool can be taken away so easily, what will this mean for homeschoolers state wide, or even nationally?"

On March 24th lawmakers in North Carolina will be reminded of the sheer number of homeschoolers in their state. As students and their parents descend on the capitol, organizers of the Capital Fest 2009 field trip will show they have a voice in North Carolina legislation regarding education.

Because this involves a divorce, the HSLDA will not be getting involved.

Robyne Williams is rallying homeschoolers from across the nation to fight back to defend their rights as Americans to educate their children. She feels the judge has been given a free hand to impose his opinions and needs to reexamine his decisions. Please check Robyn's blog for on going details on North Carolina case number #08CVD17753.

Contact these officials to express your outrage at Venessa Mills' right to homeschool being taken away. Three short emails or phone calls could be the difference for these kids, and many more like them.

You can reference the case number: #08CVD17753

Judge Mangum's Supervisors

Judicial Standards Commission
P.O. Box 1122
Raleigh, North Carolina 27602
919-831-3630

North Carolina State Legislators

NC Senate-Neal Hunt (R)
919-733-5850
Neal.Hunt@ncleg.net

NC House-Ty Harrell (D)
919-733-5602
Ty.Harrell@ncleg.net

North Carolina Governor

Governor Bev Perdue
Office of the Governor
20301 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-0301
Phone: (919)733-4240
Fax: (919)733-2120
Email her through this site:
Governor

"The public wants universal (health care) coverage"

2009-03-10T07:45:00.000-07:00

That is the headline I read today. Is this author nuts?

Ok. Let's say that is true. I think it's a great idea for everyone to have access to health care no matter what their financial status. But will Big Brother allow a universal coverage without strings attached. HECK NO!!

As it is now, if you participate in any of the governments programs, there are clauses, restrictions and must do's and don'ts. Red tape stretches a long way. I don't like my say-so being over-ridden because I participated in an universal program. But it will happen. Your highly personal health history is already being passed around to anyone who wants to see it like an "I love you" note written in a second grade classroom. I don't know about you but that bothers me.

Will this universal system be available for those who need it, or mandatory, even if you currently have coverage? Will I have a choice, because taking away my choice when it concerns my health coverage is taking away my freedom. Taking away my voice on any matter is taking away my freedom.

Consider a mom who tends to be a naturalist. She believes in minimal meds for her family, believing more in the power of prayer and foods to heal as they did before our great health system convinced us we couldn't get better without them. So someone in her family-say her child-is diagnosed with cancer. She decides that the overwhelming research on chemo is accurate-chemo destroys good cells making a recurrence almost guaranteed. She declines the chemo while under the care of our new universal health care system. Because she is under Big Brothers watchful eye, her child is removed from her home because it is decided she is an unfit mother for not allowing Big Brother to use chemo on her child. The child is then subjected to the chemo anyway, while living in a foster home or juvenile facility. Google child protection under the UN and you will see in every other country that subscribes to universal health care this is a REALITY. The price for having a universal system is a loss in decision making, a loss in rights, a loss in ownership. Is it worth it?

If the public really wants universal coverage, we'd better be willing to lose our freedoms in the process. Of course everyone wants a fair society, but be careful. Under our power hungry system, they aren't as interested in fairness as much as power over the individual. The government is suppose to be subjected to us, not the other way around.

Right?

2009-03-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

Infanticide update: Abortion provider arrested posted at 11:20 am on March 4, 2009 by Ed Morrissey

Last month, I posted about a case of infanticide from a botched abortion in Miami, which resulted in a civil suit filed by the mother against the clinic and the suspension of their license. Yesterday, Miami police arrested the woman who literally threw away a live infant — but not for murder. At least at the moment, Belkis Gonzalez only faces charges of practicing medicine without a license and tampering with evidence:

An abortion clinic owner is accused of delivering a live baby during a botched procedure and then throwing the infant away.
Belkis Gonzalez, 42, was arrested Tuesday and charged with practicing medicine without a license and tampering with evidence, both felonies, said Ed Griffith, a spokesman for the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office. If found guilty, Gonzalez would face at least a year in prison and up to 15 years.
The teenage mother, Sycloria Williams, has filed a lawsuit alleging that Gonzalez knocked the infant off the chair where she had given birth, and then scooped the baby, placenta and afterbirth into a red plastic biohazard bag, and threw it out.
The clinic’s doctor, Dr. Pierre Jean-Jacque Renelique, had been scheduled to perform the procedure, but Williams went into labor after being given drugs to dilate her cervix and waiting for hours for Renelique to arrive, the suit said. The doctor has said he had been on his way to the Hialeah clinic when he was called to treat another patient who was bleeding.

Of course, murder charges could come later, but it seems rather disturbing that these are the only charges filed at the moment. Gonzalez is being held on $50,000 bail pending a hearing this morning, and in the absence of stronger charges will probably win a bail reduction. The charges seem to indicate that Miami only considers the live infant valuable only as evidence of Gonzalez’ performance of medical procedures without certification, rather than a live human being killed through her direct actions.
In any event, if this doesn’t show that infanticide really does occur, it’s hard to say what will convince people like then-state Senator Barack Obama. When denying infants like Williams protection, Obama declared to the Illinois legislature that this never happens, despite hearing testimony that it happened regularly in his state:

[T]he only plausible rationale, to my mind, for this legislation would be if you had a suspicion that a doctor, the attending physician, who has made the assessment that this is a nonviable fetus and that, let’s say for the purposes of the mother’s health, is being — that — that labor is being induced, that that physician (a) is going to make the wrong assessment and (b) if the physician discovered, after the labor had been induced, that, in fact, he made an error, and in fact this was not a nonviable fetus but, in fact, a live child, that the physician, of his own accord or her own accord, would not try to exercise the sort of medical procedures and practices that would be involved in saving that child.
Now, if — if you think that there are possibilities that doctors would not do that, then maybe this bill makes sense, but I — I suspect and my impression is, is that the Medical Society suspects that doctors feel that they would already be under that obligation[.]

No, abortionists do not feel that obligation, as people like Jill Stanek testified from direct, personal experience. In fact, they feel an obligation to make sure an infant dies in this procedure, whether inside or outside of the womb. Their industry depends on it. (via Jonah Goldberg at The Corner)
read full article here

Getting a bad rap for handling it all wrong

2009-03-04T05:47:00.000-08:00

Chris Matthews is afraid of the acts of terrorism from pro-lifers Even though he later went back to say "verbal terrorism", and I don't agree with the concept in which he said it, I can understand why he said what he said.

Last October, I wrote a letter to a would-be abortion clinic bomber. Let me remind you of that letter.

Dear Wanna-be bombers,
You don't like abortion-you think it's unfair to the innocent. You are right. You believe abortion providers are murderers. You are right. You believe abortion clinics should be flattened. You are right.

Although your heart is in the right place, that does not excuse your potential decision to blow up a clinic.

Are you nuts? You cry "murder" yet want to lower yourself to their level and do the same. You say it's not really the same because they aren't innocent. True. But murder is murder. Quit trying to justify it.

You feel you are doing God's work by condemning these murderers. Don't fool yourself. You are not doing God's work. He is pro-life and would never tell you to take the life of another. In fact, he says to love your enemy and do good to them. Not quite the passage you wanted, huh?

You claim he would want an eye for an eye. Perhapes you are right. Let's follow scripture and hold those bad guys accountable by bombing their clinic. Wait-before you make your plans, be sure you are following ALL OF SCRIPTURE. The same scripture that says an eye for an eye also says men shouldn't take a razor to their hair. (no cutting your hair. How's the length there?) You also aren't suppose to lie (uh-oh. I know you've told atleast a white one) or commit adultry (according to statistics, over half of you have) and you are to keep the sabbath day holy. (what are your plans on Sunday?) You can't pick and choose the scriptures you want to adhere to in the name of God while blatently blaspheming others.

Look. You're not helping the cause by trying to get rid of these guys by blowing up their clinics. It just makes the rest of us pro-lifers look like idiots. Find a way to channel that zeal in a constructive way instead of destructive. I feel what you feel. Alot of us do. We don't think it's right either. But there is a way to do things. Lowering yourself to their playing field is not that way.

So put down those explosives, go to Starbucks for a Mocha Frappacino, and rethink this thing.

~Mary

Pro-lifers have to get stronger with their argument and stop using so many picket signs and explosives to be heard. It's not helping. It's not changing a thing.

Here is what we know works:
Showing an ultrasound to each potential abortion victim of their baby and referring to it as a baby-not product of conception or tissue of some sort.

Prayer. We are seeing more and more doctors and nurses and clinic workers coming out of the industry saying they can't do it anymore. The nightmares and realities of taking a life on demand for the sake of the mothers convenience is tearing away at their conscience.

Here is what we know doesn't work:
Bombing clinics
Protesting outside of clinics-(it just delays the inevitable)
Using blowhorns to "preach" on the cornors of clinics

Being loud-mouthed and judgemental regarding any issue doesn't sway people-it annoys people. By doing these things, you aren't being a fool for God, you're just plain being a fool. We need to think before we act. And I don't think we would be out of line to use compassion instead of finger-pointing blame to get their attention.

I take offense to being referred to as a terrorist because I am pro-life. So watch what you do-your actions as a pro-lifer are reflected on me.

Reality Check

2009-03-04T05:40:00.000-08:00

If we are to ever make a difference in the world, we can't be afraid of it. Sometimes, the very people that need us are the ones we shy away from. And the logbook of excuses can get long. Check out this post before I walk all over it. If you talk the talk, make darn sure you are walking the walk. 'nuf said.

President Obama Starts Process of Removing Doctors' Protections on Abortions

2009-03-03T05:12:00.001-08:00

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The White House quietly announced on Friday that President Barack Obama is starting the process of overturning protections President Bush put in place to make sure medical staff and centers are not forced to do abortions. The move is the latest that will add to Obama's growing pro-abortion record.

The Bush conscience rules were intended to educate those in the medical field as well as the general public about the rights of medical personnel to treat their patients in accordance with their conscience free from discrimination or intimidation.

They also give health care professionals recourse to the HHS Office of Civil Rights and a way to press charges in the event they experience discrimination."

There are two sides to every argument and is magnified in the area of abortion-pro-lifers fight adamently for the unborn and pro-choicers fight adamently to protect the rights of the mom. Each side is entitled-removing the right and wrong aspect for a moment-to have their opinion. When GW was in office, he wanted to ensure that if a medical facility or health care provider didn't want to do abortions, they were entitled to act according to their conscience. They could choose-and isn't that-again barring the right/wrong aspect for a moment-what America is about?

The current administration under BA wants to change that. For once in history, we are coming to a point where there won't be two sides to the arguement. You can say you are pro-life, but if you are a health care provider or health care facility, it won't matter. If BA has his way, no matter what your opinion is, you will no longer have a choice. You will no longer be able to act on your own will or according to your conscience. You would be forced to provide abortions or be shut down.

Is this what "change" is about-removing the freedom to have an opinion even if it is different? Is this what "yes, we can" meant all along-yes, I can do what I want but you can't? When you make an issue so hotly debated as abortion one sided by law, that reeks of removing a fundamental freedom.

And that, is just wrong.

read full story here

Boston Catholic Hospital System Yields to Pro-Abortion FOCA Before it Happens

2009-03-03T05:04:00.000-08:00

"Abortion advocates have yet to re-introduce the radical Freedom of Choice Act in this Congressional session, but the effects of the pro-abortion bill are already taking hold. That's because one Catholic hospital in Boston has agreed to go back on its pro-life policies in a merger that ultimately promotes abortion.

The nation's Catholic bishops have warned that one of the dangerous effects of FOCA is that it could result in shutting down Catholic hospitals that do not want to allow abortions on site.

"Only a few days ago, maybe eager to cozy up to the Obama administration and Sebelius, Caritas Christi announced a joint venture with the Centene Corporation to join a state-mandated health-insurance program that would include coverage for abortion and contraceptives -- what the Catholic hospital system calls 'confidential family-planning services," he explained.

Hudson says FOCA may not become law, but he sees the Obama administration as doing everything possible to implement it and to frighten Catholics hospitals like Caritas.

"Although the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) has not yet been introduced, the strategy of the Obama administration appears to be pursuing the equivalent outcomes of FOCA without passing FOCA itself," he says."

Either the pro-abortion heat has turned up too high for this Boston hospital, or, it is just revealing it's true colors, so to speak. Either way, for a Catholic hospital to turn on its heels and defy the core of its belief system is disturbing.

read full story here

What kind of world do YOU want?

2009-03-02T19:50:00.000-08:00

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, commited citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." ~Margaret Mead

Are You my Daughter?

2009-02-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

Hidden Treasure was developed to be a voice for those that don't have one, for whatever reason. It is to be an advocate for mankind, because I believe, in a nutshell, everyone has value. As corny as it sounds, I believe in the value of a person, more-so than that of the dollar or any other investment. When you invest in another person, you can change the world. It is with that sentiment, I want to change Rick and Heather's world.

Rick is a loving, caring father who had no choice but give up his daughter for adoption when she was young. He was told it would be in her best interest. Now, many years later, he is searching to find her. He told his emotional story Friday on his blog and is hoping someone, anyone, will help locate Heather.

In the meantime, sites such as Look at the Details has picked up the story and is helping Rick "put feet" to his story. "Today, Rick is on a mission. He is trying to find his daughter whom he hasn’t seen in 19 years. Today he needs the help of media outlets. While his blog is rapidly rising on the web, it does not have the legs yet to reach a wide audience. This is a human story. It’s a story we can all relate to. It’s a true story, and as real as it gets."

As a Hidden Treasure reader, I am appealing to you to keep this story circulating until Rick and Heather are reunited. If you've ever asked, "What could I do to help someone else?" this is your chance. Share his story. Blog about Rick and Heather and link to his site if you can. Pray. Take some sort of action, no matter how small or large, to do your part in this endeaver. This is one time we can use the web to make a positive impact in someone else's life.

Thank you in advance for whatever it is you do, and please, leave a comment here or on Rick's page to let him know you are working with him to find Heather.

Good Luck, Rick!!

UPDATE SUNDAY FROM RICK-I have found her. She sent me a message! Thank You All.

2009-02-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom. What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it.

Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931

Thanks to Cary for this reminder.

Johnson Views Pregnancy as Slavery

2009-02-24T17:02:00.000-08:00

"With his appointment of Dawn Johnsen, a former NARAL attorney, as the Assistant Attorney General for the Office of the Legal Counsel, pro-life advocates already know they are getting an abortion advocate in the position. But, Johnsen goes further and views pregnancy as slavery.

McCarthy says that Johnsen's view of pregnancy as slavery wasn't just an off-the-cuff remark.

"It was her considered position in a 1989 brief filed in the Supreme Court," he explains, and the legal papers she filed concerned a Missouri law banning taxpayer funding of abortions.

In the papers, Johnsen said that any restriction that makes abortion less accessible is, in her view, tantamount to “involuntary servitude” because it “requires a woman to provide continuous physical service to the fetus in order to further the state’s asserted interest [in the life of the unborn].”

In effect, a woman “is constantly aware for nine months that her body is not her own: the state has conscripted her body for its own ends.” Such “forced pregnancy,” she contends, violates the Thirteenth Amendment, which prohibits slavery."

Read Full Story Here

Because you like to quote historical laws that this country was built on, I have one for you, Miss Johnson. From the Declaration of Independence-
" We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness."

So should the people of the United States abolish the current system-including your new position-and create a new one, because that is, word for word what the Declaration of Independence says. I wish the newbies to Washington that love to carry around their new-found power beneath newly instituted laws would read, actually read, the laws that proceeded their arrival to Washington. Oh. Shame on me. No one in Washington actually reads anything anymore. They just act.

Well here is a dare. A double dare. I double dare anyone in Washington serving this country under an elected title to read the Declaration of Independence and then explain how you can take a paycheck from the people of the United States and not uphold the laws we built this country on.

I am not anti-government-just patriotic. If the forefathers of our wonderful country instructed us that we the people, have the right to alter or abolish a disfunctional government, what the heck are we waiting for?

In the meantime, Miss Johnson, you are doing a dis-service to young women all across the country by referring to pregnancy as slavery. That sort of negative remark does nothing to help either the pro-life or pro-choice agenda. It just distorts the truth. From one woman to another, use your influence to the better of the country. Your kind of politics ain't working.

What is the greatest crisis facing our health care system?

2009-02-22T13:51:00.000-08:00

You may say pharma-companies dictating treatments. Or by far the cost of any health care coverage. In a nutshell, this is to me the greatest crisis:

"For safety-net hospitals, maintaining a balance between serving the poor and staying financially viable has always been tough, say the authors of a national study, "but it is becoming even more so in a marketplace that is becoming more competitive and profit-driven." Some are attempting to attract insured patients by building, renovating, and advertising specialty services, according to the study. But these and other steps to bolster the bottom line could threaten the hospitals' mission, the study warns."

Are Dr's offices and clinics and hospitals "allowed" to make profits? Why even ask this question when other service providers, as in a waitress or hairdresser not only gets paid but also a tip on the side. Yet, most Americans when asked, object to physicians and clinics and hospitals making a profit. When you consider the money they have spent to woo you, the patient, into their place of service, they have to recover that somewhere. For a health care institute to make a profit-that doesn't bother me.

But here is where we need to assess where the line gets drawn. What if helping the poor and indigent infringes on that profit? Do you decline serving them? Do you offer minimal care to prevent a loss in profit? Or do you turn them away with the exception of life saving procedures?

It depends on if you view health care as a service or a business. If you look at it from a coat and tie aspect only, you will most likely offer minimal treatment and maintain the profit margin. If you look at it from a sympathetic view, profit won't matter because this person holds value just as the dollar does.

In corporate America, the line is being changed everyday and what should be Basic Humanity 101-treat all mankind fairly regardless of race, color, financial status or insurance coverage-has become a decision made for financial reasons only. Health care providers claim they are taking it on the chin, but lets get real. It's the poor in urban America that take the greatest hit. Trying to get quality health care is becoming a joke. And a joke, at that, where most institutions can control the punchline. No one, ever, should have to go without quality health care.

Hey, if nothing else, take all this money dedicated to research and put it to use today to cover procedures for those that can't afford it. Instant gratification. Isn't that what we are about? Help someone today instead of running some bogus research that never helped in the end. How much money has been donated for cancer research and honestly, has it found one cure? We should be focused on prevention instead of treatment and we wouldn't need all of that research. (But, oops! That's impossible since the cancer industry is a money maker.)

I don't believe I speak of a Utopian system when I ask American health care providers to consider the poor when it's a choice between service or profit. Or has that become obsolete already?

Obama Will Likely Pick Pro-Abortion Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Health Secretary

2009-02-18T19:49:00.000-08:00

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- White House officials say President Barack Obama will name pro-abortion Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who has been criticized for refusing to limit late-term abortions, as the Secretary of the Health and Human Services Department.

Once official, her selection would add to Obama's growing pro-abortion record as president.

Obama advisors notified the media late Wednesday that the president has settled on Sebelius as his top choice for the position, though he has not made his decision official.

read me

The key is summed up in the first line: "....who has been criticized for refusing to limit late-term abortions...."

Chinese Forced Abortion Opponent Denied Medial Release From Prison, Beaten

2009-02-17T08:50:00.001-08:00

"Chen Guangcheng, the blind attorney who is one of the leading opponents of the population control program in China, was not allowed an early release from prison on medical grounds. Chen has been in prison on a bogus four-year sentence on trumped up charges after he spoke out against the program."

read article in full context here

It appears as if the freedom of speech our current administration is seeking to take from us has been taken from those in other country's that speak out against wrong. Especially if that involves going against the government. It seems to me the basic right of each and every human being is being stripped away no matter where you live. First off, you are denied the right to life. It's called pro-choice. And then if you actually make it to see the light of day, you are the governments project, as they spy on you through their medical database. And then you are theirs if you enter a public school classroom as they begin programming you to think and act as they do. As an adult, if you exercise freedom of speech, well, BO has a plan for that,too. Just shut down all talk radio and silence the opposing opinions. Pretty shallow thinking to not allow others an opposing opinion or access to other options. Don't we call those individuals, control freaks? I'm just saying.......

If you deny them access to your body (via abortion) or your medical records (via this new medical release database hidden behind our extra $13 a week stimulus money) or your morals (via thinking for yourself as opposed to being another programed citizen) you are a threat and any remaining freedoms are taken as you are hauled off to jail under bogus charges. What disturbs me is that although this happened over-seas, it is a sad state of our mentality. If we oppose, we are bigoted and intolerant, punishable by imprisonment. Doesn't that mirror our current administrations mentality? Again, I'm just saying.....

We can't say we never saw this coming. Those in third world countries with no access to The Weather Channel can say they never saw the tsunami coming and that would be accurate. Americans can never say they had no warning regarding what is in store for this country over the next 4 years. Plenty was exposed prior to the election, but some chose to let that fall on deaf ears.

“Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom.” ~John Adams

It wouldn't hurt to include a few political leaders in that class.

I'm just saying......

Planned Parenthood at it again! Tsk Tsk.

2009-02-13T17:35:00.000-08:00

The student-led nonprofit, Live Action, has provided the full, unedited footage from a recent investigation of a Tucson Planned Parenthood clinic to the offices of the Arizona Attorney General and the Pima County Attorney. The tapes show Planned Parenthood covering up a reported case of sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl, and were made public last week on Live Action's website, Live Action

In the footage, a Tucson Planned Parenthood counselor tells a Live Action investigator, posing as a pregnant 15-year-old, how to hide her sexual relationship with a 27-year-old man. The counselor, identified in the video as "Araceli," cautions the girl not to bring her 27-year-old "boyfriend" to the judicial hearing required to obtain an abortion without the consent of her parents.

Even while promising an "internal review," Planned Parenthood of Arizona has offered no public apology nor acknowledged any wrongdoing.

Read full story here

Obama not upfront on abortion measure

2009-02-13T17:28:00.000-08:00

Certainly we aren't surprised. The evidence was rampant while President Obama was campaigning that pointed to his pro-choice, even pro-late term abortion support. As Peter Feldman reports "After only a few days in office the president has in a single hidden moment trashed American morality, the personal beliefs of the majority and has taken money from the American people to pay for abortions not only in this country but in others as well." Read the full article and then answer this question, are we, as Americans, ok with this? If not, why aren't more people saying so? It's not good enough to talk about it around the dinner table. Being an arm-chair politician means nothing. It takes courage to stand up and call this what it is: "It reeks of a godless communistic governing style". Atleast Feldman calls it the way it is.

2009-02-13T17:21:00.000-08:00

There has been a pause in my posting information on preserving life, but that is all it was. A pause. I have not decided to abandon my efforts to bring the cruelty of the inhumane act of abortion, or neglect or abuse to the front. In fact, over the past couple of months, my passion has grown. Hang tight. I am back to provide all the information you need to know in the fight against indifference!

World Orphans-A Year-Round Solution

2008-12-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

This time of year is notorious for exposing the generous side of people. I always argue that we shouldn't only care about giving food at Thanksgiving and Christmas but year-long. We shouldn't only care about the homeless and orphaned at Christmas, but year-long. I propose that with a generous and open heart, you read the following and purpose that maybe, because this particular problem exists all year, we should be doing something to help-year round.

Recently, Jenna Howard from World Orphans shared with me what World Orphans does world wide, and most importantly, why they do it. She also shared how both individuals and churches can get involved. I am pleased to pass on this information to you.

HOW I GOT INVOLVED?
My dedication and heart stems from a choice I myself could not make- being adopted. Christ, in His mercy and grace, had a plan to place me right in the middle of my brother and sister (also adopted) and into the arms of my God-loving parents. I should have taken that as a hint that abandoned and orphan care would forever be something dear to my heart BUT not until these recent years have I really turned my ear to hear God’s calling for my life. My earnest desire is to serve God while serving His children. I believe my calling, having once been orphaned, is to help as many orphaned and abandoned children as possible to experience, to know as I did, God’s same real and abounding love for them.

How did I find World Orphans?
Once again it was no choice I made. God, in His all knowing power, led World Orphans to find me. My family is dear friends with the Executive Vice President of World Orphans, Mike Vinson and his family. I had begun to volunteer by helping his wife plan an event for World Orphans and finally met Mike. He mentioned that they were looking for help and asked me to pray and consider moving from Texas to Colorado. Long story short, God moved my heart. I moved with faith and assurance and begun my work in this passion filled and God led organization. I now have the opportunity and privilege, as the Director of Public Relations for World Orphans, to open up new windows and swing wide the doors to this able country and cry out for the need of God’s children. Each day I am reminded that that as we have been called to receive a child and by so doing bring him up in the likeness of Christ, we are glorifying God. Not only is it a command it is also a gift and a blessing from God that he uses as instruments to show His love to these children. (Matthew 18:2-6 ESV)

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY “EACH CHURCH, EACH CHILD, EACH COMMUNITY”?
It’s not just about hundreds of homes, in dozens of countries, rescuing thousands of children. We at WORLD ORPHANS are focused on specific outcomes. We look at expected and actual outcomes for three targets – church, child and community – and according to two categories – physical and spiritual.

Outcome goals are individualized and enumerated for each project, but the following are example categories of outcomes that are measured.

Sample: Physical Outcome Indicators
TARGET
CATEGORY
EXAMPLE OUTCOME INDICATORS

Each Child
Education
Standardized national tests (comparison)
Basic skills assessments
Graduation
Integration/Transition
Trade skill assessments
Job placement rate
Health
Vaccinations
Hygiene Testing
Domestic Adoption/Foster Care
Number and percentage
Each Church (Internal)
Involvement with children
Increase in member volunteerism (hours)
Giving for children’s program
Numerical increase
Each Community (External)
Criminal activity
Elimination of child incarceration
Attraction to church
Increase in points of contact
Visitation to church
Increase Appreciation of church
Approval rating (Informal surveys)

WHAT IS JOURNEY 117?
“Do not follow where the path leads.
Rather, go where there is no path and leave a trail.”
-Anonymous

‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,
and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father,
full of grace and truth.’
- John 1:14

World Orphans’ Journey 117 is a movement. A movement of the global church responding to the biblical call to witness the hope and love of the Gospel. A movement of people who,

are learning to do right,
are seeking justice,
encouraging the oppressed,
defending the cause of the orphan,
and pleading the cause of the widow!
adapted from Isaiah 1:17

Journey 117 is not about a trip or an event- it’s about a lifestyle. It’s about a choice. It’s about dying to self and following the risen Christ. Living as he did. Loving as he did. It’s about rescuing orphans and strengthening churches so that all people will know the real and tangible love of the Father!

Praise the LORD, all you nations;
extol him, all you peoples.

For great is his love toward us,
and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 117

Journey 117 is your path towards expressing the passions of your heart through the work of your hands. Serve with churches all over the world as they rescue orphans, serve widows, and witness to un-reached communities in word and action.

Life is a Journey, a journey with an eternal destination. Journey with World Orphans and be a part of changing the course of someone else’s destination- forever.

Briefly describe the problem World Orphans addresses and the solutions they offer. What are some of the more pressing issues World Orphans sees?
THE PROBLEM? The number of children in the world that have lost their mother or father, are parentless, or have been abandoned…now exceeds 143 million. This absolutely staggering number is almost equivalent to one-half of the total population of the United States. Can you imagine if one out of every two Americans was a child living on the streets, living in absolute hopelessness and despair?
Chronic disease, bloodshed, horrific natural disasters, severe poverty, famine, unsanitary water sources, restrictive population controls, and societal devaluation of female children, have all contributed to this global tragedy of monumental proportions.

In the Past Hour…

Ø 1,625 children were forced to live on the streets by the death or abuse of an adult
1,667 children under the age of five died from malnutrition and vaccine-preventable diseases
115 children became prostitutes
66 children under 15 were infected with HIV
257 children were orphaned because of HIV/AIDS

Most children are UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN and are…
Sleeping on concrete beds and rancid garbage piles every night – streets, sewers, dumps… Scavenging amongst human waste and excreta for rotting morsels and scraps to eat… Huffing glue and other substances in order to numb the cold, hunger, pain…and shame … Prostituting themselves for basic food and shelter… Trafficked and sold into sexual bondage, even at five years old and younger …Abused and brutalized by sexual predators, local gangs, corrupt police officers, and slum lords… Victimized by HIV/AIDS-infected men who believe that sleeping with young virgins can cure the disease. Recruited into lives of thievery, smuggling and drug dealing…Abducted to serve as child soldiers or the sex slaves of soldiers
Exploited as child laborers or slaves in sweatshops… Executed by local businessmen and officials who view them as a dirty pests interfering with trade and commerce… Sacrificed in occult/witchcraft rituals… Robbed of childhoods; Robbed of self esteem; Robbed of innocence; Robbed of hope

The Solution?
First know this:

1.) There are not enough FOSTER FAMILIES and COMMUNITY NETWORKS to be the solution.

2.) Large INSTITUTIONAL ORPHANAGES are not the solution

CHURCH-BASED HOMES are the best solution.

WORLD ORPHANS partners with indigenous churches, not just to construct buildings, but to create loving family homes that:

-Are smaller-scale group care environments with high care-giver ratios.
-Are owned and run by compassionate believers.
-Are fully integrated into the church and community.
-Are Christ-focused in meeting physical, emotional, educational and spiritual needs.

Let’s Compare:

The United Nation’s thorough publication on orphaned and abandoned children, Children on the Brink (UNICEF, 2004), outlines the major problems with the prevailing model of orphan rescue and care, institutional orphanages…

“Traditional residential institutions usually have too few caregivers and are therefore limited in their capacity to provide children with affection, attention, personal identity, and social connections that families and communities can offer.”- Children on the Brink (UNICEF, 2004)

IN WORLD ORPHAN’S HOME…

Smaller-scale settings: Multiple caregiver families live with children placed in smaller groupings. Our homes are typically comprised of 8 to 12 children, not the 100 to 1,000 child capacities seen in most institutional models. For instance, a World Orphans church partner caring for 100 orphans would provide 10 homes with 10 children each with a live-in family.

Higher caregiver ratios: Unlike traditional orphanages, where it is not uncommon to see one caregiver for every seventy-five children, our homes are comprised of “family communities” with healthy caregiver ratios.

Church community: Our homes are an integrated part of the broader church community that cares for the children. The children therefore receive additional love, care and encouragement from a compassionate group of church members and volunteers.

“Institutional care tends to segregate children and adolescents by age and sex and from other young people and adults in their communities. Instead of encouraging independence and creative thinking, institutional life tends to promote dependency and discourage autonomy. For many adolescents, the transition from life in an institution to positive integration and self-support as a young adult in the community is difficult. They lack essential social and cultural skills and a network of connections in the community.”- Children on the Brink (UNICEF, 2004)

IN WORLD ORPHAN’S HOME…

Educational integration and connection: In most cases, our children are educated with the children of the surrounding community…their community.

Church integration and connection: Our children are part of the churches that oversee the homes on their properties. They interact and play daily with the children of church members as well as the youth and adults that attend the church. They attend and participate in church services and activities throughout the week.

Transition integration and connection: Our children receive skills and transitional training. Unlike institutional orphanages, they are afforded many more opportunities for transition as church members step in to recommend and offer them employment when they are ready to leave the home.

“Institutionalized orphans who suffer the loss of family identity and sense of community belonging are at greater risk of losing future support networks than orphans in foster homes or other community settings.” Many traditional orphanages are located away from the children’s community of origin, within large buildings constructed on free land donated by the government. They are isolated and alone, sequestered from the rest of society. “It takes a village….” Many developing world social structures have always believed that children don’t just belong to parents but to the community. To remove from the community is to remove them from their identity.- Children on the Brink (UNICEF, 2004)

IN WORLD ORPHAN’S HOME…

Community connection: The local church is the community! Our children are placed in church-based homes right in their community. They are not moved away. They stay connected to their peers and neighbors through schooling, church and community activities. They remain and belong.

“For children who slip through the extended family safety net, arrangements preferable to traditional institutional care include foster placements, local adoption, surrogate family groups integrated into communities, and smaller-scale group residential care in homelike settings.”- Children on the Brink (UNICEF, 2004)

IN WORLD ORPHAN’S HOME…

Homes: Our children are placed into church-based homes, not orphanages.

Foster Care: Our children are effectively “fostered” by live-in families, supplemented by widows as additional caregivers.

Adoption: Unlike children in institutional orphanages that have little connection to the community, our children are constantly in contact with church families. Families that have never considered adoption and who would have never thought to drive out to see the children in the institutional orphanages, now are constantly immersed in church activities with the orphaned and abandoned children in the church home. These same families can now picture individual children becoming part of their families. In short, World Orphans’ church-based homes actually enhance the exposure, opportunity and probability of child adoptions.

IN WHAT COUNTRIES DO YOU SERVE?
Ø Africa
Ø Southeast Asia
Ø East Asia
Ø Central Asia
Ø Latin America
Ø Eastern Europe
Ø India
Ø Middle East

HOW CAN CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUALS GET INVOLVED?

FIRST AND FOREMOST: PRAYER

Whether you are a church, individual, family, bible study group, previous donor, first time donor, business or even a blogger that found our organization prayer is needed. Pray that the Lord continues to work through us to reach the lost, the abandoned, and the fatherless. Pray for the children who are hungry, cold, and scared of what the next minutes of their life will be. Pray for protection against the enemy and say prayer of praise and thanks for the children that have been found and are being taken care of.

SECOND: If you feel God’s calling, give. There are many ways you can do this:

Donations

You can give as a one-time donation or you can give on an ongoing basis. I must stop you here and inform you a majority of the employees here at World Orphans are support raised. We DO NOT believe that when a person gives a dollar, for example, that any percentage of that dollar should be used for our office and salary needs! When you give a dollar to World Orphans that dollar goes straight into the building of a home, feeding the children, providing mosquito nets etc. With that said the employees here are also trusting in the Lord’s time and provision to provide for them and their families and if you have a heart for one of our employees and would like to give Bless You and Thank You! Each of our employees have blog in which they discuss their passion and why World Orphans, previous trips, and just little tibbits about themselves

Paul Myhill: President and Adoptive father Paul Myhill

Michael Vinson: Executive Vice President Michael Vinson

Scott Vair: Vice President of Projects and Adoptive father Scott Vair

Rod Vestal: Vice President of Mobilization Rod Vestal

Alan Hunt: Director of Church Relations & Advocacy Alan Hunt

David Ochoa- Director of Children Ministry
David Ochoa

Billy Ray- Regional Director- Middle East Billy Ray

B.J. Murrey- Regional Director- Central America BJ Murray

Jenna Howard- Public Relations Director Jenna Howard

Serve alongside us in our Journey 117

Join us on a short or long term mission team trips. Help serve those in need and aid the abandoned, defenseless, and fatherless. This will radically alter the way you view the world and grow in your faith journey.

Interested in going on a World Orphans Journey 117 Mission trip?

Click the link and it will take you to our 2009 trips coming up.

World Orphans

For more information please call or contact Rod Vestal- Vice President of Mobilization (719) 487-1700 Rodv@worldorphans.org

CHURCHES

World Orphans is committed to mobilizing Churches through international Church-to-Church partnerships.

Want to learn more about how your church can engage international orphan ministry in a practical and tangible way?
For more information please call or contact Alan Hunt-Director of Church Relations & Advocacy

at (214) 636-3887 Alanh@worldorphans.org

ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERS

World Orphans values the power and effectiveness of organizational partnerships and actively works with US and internationally based mission agencies, great-commission, and Para-church organizations to strengthen and plant churches through the gospel witness of caring for orphans in least-reached communities around the world.

Interested in learning more about developing an organizational partnership with World Orphans?

Call or Contact Michael Vinson- Executive Vice President at (719) 487-1700 or mike@worldorphans.org

Give the gift of death this Christmas season

2008-12-05T04:46:00.001-08:00

Put down that glass of egg nog and set the sugar cookie on a napkin, if this doesn't turn your stomach, you are beyond reach.

"Looking for an unusual, yet practical gift this holiday season? Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) is now offering gift certificates for services or the recipient's choice of birth control method," the abortion business says.

The gift certificates can be purchased in increments of $25 online at the group's web site or for any amount at some of PPIN's 35 statewide facilities.

While PPIN president and CEO Betty Cockrum says they can be redeemed for contraception, birth control and legitimate medical services like breast exams and Pap tests, they can also be used to pay for abortions.

"Why not buy a loved one a gift this holiday season that they really need," Cockrum says in a press release LifeNews.com obtained. "The gift certificates are also a wonderful idea for that person in your life who puts everyone else first."

"Please join Planned Parenthood of Indiana and give the gift of health this holiday season," she adds.

According to Chrystal Struben-Hall, PPIN's vice president, buyers of gift certificates can give the gift of death, too.

She confirmed to WISH-TV that they can be used for abortions, even though that's not the intended purpose.

"They really are intended for preventative healthcare. We decided not to put restrictions on the gift certificates so it's for whatever people feel they need the services for most," she said.

ok. Last I knew, paying a hit man to contract and kill someone was illegal, yet, we can give gift certificates that cover the cost of taking the life of a baby. I don't get it. Well, yes, I do. $$$$$$$$$

If there is profit in murder, it's ok.

How is this a "wonderful idea for that person in your life who puts everyone else first"? If you put others first, you won't be standing in line waiting for an abortion. So inconsistant. And so nice to say the certificates can be used for birth control or PAP's or other tests. Nice cover up.

I wonder why we sit in silence and shake our heads at organizations like PP without doing anything concrete. Well, here is my message for PP. Read it and weep.

Dear Planned Parenthood,

Merry Christmas! It is the time of year we celebrate Christ's birth. I realize you try to butcher the word Christmas because it contains his name and is based on his birth and that causes quite a bit of conflict for you. And discomfort. So sorry. I also realize your agenda from the beginning has been to offer abortions, cleverly concealed in your birth control services. Now, you offer gift certificates for abortions clothed in the seemingly good intentions of womens health care.

You have no shame. I am not politically correct-there are a few of us still left out there. Abortion, which is murder, is wrong. There still is a right/wrong standard that most go by, even if you don't. You can justify what you do all you want, but at the end of the day when you lay your head on your pillow, you amount to nothing more than a murderer. The greatest success pro-lifers have is when a doctor throws down his gloves and says he can't do it anymore-when the guilt overcomes him and he is no longer able to continue murdering. So my friend, I will keep praying that your doctors and nurses, even the appointment secretary, endures such guilt that they run for the door and never return.

During this Christmas season, may the truth be revealed in an unmistakable way to each one of you.

~Mary

See full article here

2008-11-15T18:50:00.000-08:00

Abortion AfterCare Links

Taking Matters in His Own Hands

2008-11-15T18:44:00.000-08:00

U.S. diocese critical of priest's Obama comments

COLUMBIA, South Carolina-- A Roman Catholic priest in South Carolina should not have told parishioners who voted for President-elect Barack Obama to refrain from taking Holy Communion because of his pro-abortion rights stance, the church's senior officer in the state said today.

Earlier this week, Newman said in a letter to parishioners at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Greenville that they are putting their souls at risk if they take Holy Communion without first doing penance for voting for the Democrat.

"Our nation has chosen for its chief executive the most radical pro-abortion politician ever to serve in the United States Senate or to run for president," Newman wrote, referring to Obama by his full name, including his middle name of Hussein.

C'mon. You can't fault the guy for trying.

Ok-this really angers me!

2008-11-15T18:37:00.000-08:00

Florissant woman gets 10 years for putting her newborn in a St. Charles trash bin

Why does she get 10 years for dropping her infant off in a dumpster-and she didn't know it was alive, by the way-yet, President Elect Barack Obama voted three times in favor of Live Birth Abortion, which leaves babys born alive to just lay where they are placed to die? This is outrageous.

What is the difference? What*is*the*difference? Explain why one is illegal and punishable and the other is ok?

Inconsistant.

And it angers me.

Tears in a Bottle

2008-11-15T08:46:00.001-08:00

Sylivia Bambola's moving book Tears in a Bottle will be an eye opening read regarding the abortion business industry and post-abortion syndrome.

Paperback 320 pages
Multnomah Publisher
$2.99

Abortion Changes You

2008-11-11T14:23:00.000-08:00

"New York City, NY (LifeNews.com) -- A subway advertising campaign in New York City reaching out to men and women who suffer from abortions or experienced the pain of an abortion through a loved one is yielding results. The woman behind the campaign said thousands have responded with their own post-abortion grief and agony.

The campaign relies on the tag line "abortion changes you" and the ads have been seen by hundreds of thousands of New York subway riders during the past month.

To date, more than 1,400 New Yorkers have responded by visiting the Abortion Changes You web site."

Read Me
Abortion Changes You.com

Finally!!

2008-11-11T14:14:00.000-08:00

It's been almost 10 years since I stood before our little church on a Sunday morning* and proclaimed that other countries were using adult stem cells in research and successful surgeries and that embryonic stem cells weren't necessary. Finally, someone else is taking this to task and hopefully, The Vatican can do what this girl couldn't.

"So far, embryonic stem cells are of no use, and there has been no cure. The cells that instead have a positive value are umbilical cord and adult stem cells," Barragan, the president of the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Health Care Workers, said in the remarks at a Vatican news conference."

*I used to give pro-life updates once a month at our church and had come across the information regarding adult stem cells being used from the nose in successful surgeries.

2008-11-07T19:59:00.000-08:00

States That Offer Ultrasound Option

A consultant at a top central London Hospital has been charged with trying to abort a woman’s baby - against her will.

2008-11-07T19:56:00.000-08:00

Edward Erin, 43, who worked at St Mary's Hospital in Paddington is said to have slipped a poison into a cup of tea at the home of Bella Prowse, 32, on February 2 this year.

Second attempt

Just five days later he is accused of carrying out a second attempt to abort Prowse's baby at the hospital. He has since been suspended following his arrest.

He was charged at Camberwell Magistrates' Court with two counts of "attempting to unlawfully administer a poison or other noxious thing".

He was also charged with "procuring poisons or other noxious things, namely Diclofenac and Methotrexate, knowing they were intended to be unlawfully used or employed with intent to procure the miscarriage of Bella Prowse".

He will enter a plea at Inner London Crown Court on December 1.

Miss Prowse gave birth to a healthy boy a month ago.

source

All I Want For Christmas is.........

2008-11-07T19:51:00.000-08:00

Planned Parenthood's Christmas Wish List for Obama Includes Forced Abortions

Read Me

Barack Obama's Abortion Position Could Result in Closing Catholic Hospitals

2008-11-03T11:33:00.000-08:00

"For the first time, abortion on demand would be a national entitlement that government must condone and promote in all public programs affecting pregnant women," the Catholic official explained.

Michael Moses, a top attorney for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, adds that the language of FOCA is so far-reaching that it will remove any conscience clause measures from state laws that protect doctors, hospitals and medical professionals who don't want to be involved in abortions.

Moses' reading of the proposed legislation is that if abortion is a fundamental right that can't ever be infringed, then every hospital and medical center must do abortions -- including Catholic and other religious or private hospitals that object to do them."

Read Me

Voters Sound off on the Importance of being Pro-Life

2008-11-03T07:45:00.000-08:00

From this site

"Without the right to life, what matters? If a mother can kill her own child, what’s there to keep you from killing me or me you? Abortion is war on the unborn who are discriminated against because of their dependency on their own mothers. Obama’s slogans are foolish nonsense. He is such a false prophet. What kind of hope is it that allows the barbarism of abortion on demand?"

"If the mainline Christians think that they can lump abortion in with the many other social justice causes as being no greater than say feeding the poor (like for instance former Amb RAY FLYNN), they are only fooling themselves. If Abel’s blood cried out from the grave and God heard it, do you not think he hears the cry of 40 million babies whose lives have been snuffed out, in the name of choice? They as well as the rest of us will be held accountable for what we did to the least of our brothers. We are our brother’s keeper. We cannot run away from that fact even if we are a minister, catholic priest,fundamentalist etc…. as Pope John Paul II so aptly put it ” a nation that kills its own children, is a nation without HOPE.”

"Mr Obama,
Since life apparently has no meaning for you, please take some medical instruments and dismember your daughters. What’s the difference between a newborn baby and a 10 year old baby - hey, maybe even a 47 year old whiner who is a wannabe president.

If Christians vote for this man, they will get exactly what they deserve.
May God have mercy on America."

It's Not in Your Head

2008-11-02T13:46:00.000-08:00

If you've had an abortion and are struggling with the aftermath, it's not all in your head. Read Me

Post Abortion Syndrome is real. Confide in a friend and let them know what you are going through. If you have no one, email me through the link on my profile page. I will find someone to walk you through the recovery.

It's not all in your head.

It's 911 Everyday

2008-10-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

Susannah blogged:
"As we sit here at our computers, viewing this screen, a life-size representation of Sarah Heath Palin hangs from a noose in the eaves of Chad Morrisette’s house in West Hollywood, CA. This kind of display is very, very dangerous, friends. It speaks to the character of those who erected it, yes, but that’s not all. It’s getting national attention, and sinking into the collective consciousness of our nation.

Yes, recent death threats against Senator Obama were vile, & the offenders are right where they belong – in jail. The authorities in whom we place our public trust are handling the threats justly; the public would not have it if they didn’t. And yet, the public is watching Mr. Morrisette & draws the only conclusion it can. While threatening Mr. Obama is a crime, this murderous display against Mrs. Palin is okay. It is tolerable. It is an acceptable paradigm of soft violence toward her, and women."

Her entry made me think, once again, about the inconsistencies in our country. Sometimes they are blatent, sometimes vague. Thanks to bloggers like Susannah, we are coming to a point where we can hold this nation accountable. It is with a heavy heart I applied some of this thinking to 911.

911 was terrible. We lost so many lives in so little time. I didn't snort or grunt one bit when I found out we were starting a war against terrorism. It was needed. We can't allow anyone to come into our country and take American lives needlessly like that. I don't believe anyone in the country disagreed with the fact 911 was tragic and somebody needed to answer for it.

Keeping that same logic, where is the war on abortion? If 911 was a senseless loss of lives, what about the lives lost daily at the hands of doctors because of the conscious decision of the mothers to be? If women are entitled to chose, why aren't terrorists? Why declare a war against one group and wink at the other? As a mom, how would I explain that one is wrong and punishable but the other is a choice and an American right?

Inconsistant.

Where are the task forces designed to seek and destroy the idea of "choice"? Where are the silent candle light vigils for the aborted? Where are the monuments? Where is the compassion? We somehow have compassion and sadness and anger for those lost on 911, but brush off the innocent lives lost daily in hospitals, clinics and back-alley operations.

This is not a dig against the way President Bush handled 911 or against those who lost loved ones on that day. Instead, this is a cry to take that same resolve to not let it happen again and apply it towards abortion. Each lost life counts-no matter what the age. If it had a beating heart, we should all mourn the silencing of such. We should not fear terrorists when we do the same thing to our own people.

If these ideas bother you, they should. We should get a little uncomfortable when we are inconsistant. When the smoke is cleared, and we see the raw reality of our double standards, it should sting like a fresh skin scrape. Nurse that scrape and it becomes new skin, healed to the point of never knowing it existed. I can only hope one day our country comes to the realization that we need to open the wound of indifference, clean it out, and let it heal. We can become a nation that has compassion on all life. Maybe if a few more Susannah's will step up to the plate, we can get the job done!

Negative Actions Rarely Produce Positive Results

2008-10-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

abortion clinic bombing scare

Dear Wanna-be bombers,
You don't like abortion-you think it's unfair to the innocent. You are right. You believe abortion providers are murderers. You are right. You believe abortion clinics should be flattened. You are right.

Although your heart is in the right place, that does not excuse your potential decision to blow up a clinic.

Are you nuts? You cry "murder" yet want to lower yourself to their level and do the same. You say it's not really the same because they aren't innocent. True. But murder is murder. Quit trying to justify it.

You feel you are doing God's work by condemning these murderers. Don't fool yourself. You are not doing God's work. He is pro-life and would never tell you to take the life of another. In fact, he says to love your enemy and do good to them. Not quite the passage you wanted, huh?

You claim he would want an eye for an eye. Perhapes you are right. Let's follow scripture and hold those bad guys accountable by bombing their clinic. Wait-before you make your plans, be sure you are following ALL OF SCRIPTURE. The same scripture that says an eye for an eye also says men shouldn't take a razor to their hair. (no cutting your hair. How's the length there?) You also aren't suppose to lie (uh-oh. I know you've told atleast a white one) or commit adultry (according to statistics, over half of you have) and you are to keep the sabbath day holy. (what are your plans on Sunday?) You can't pick and choose the scriptures you want to adhere to in the name of God while blatently blaspheming others.

Look. You're not helping the cause by trying to get rid of these guys by blowing up their clinics. It just makes the rest of us pro-lifers look like idiots. Find a way to channel that zeal in a constructive way instead of destructive. I feel what you feel. Alot of us do. We don't think it's right either. But there is a way to do things. Lowering yourself to their playing field is not that way.

So put down those explosives, go to Starbucks for a Mocha Frappacino, and rethink this thing.

~Mary

In Case You've Forgotten the Real Issues......

2008-10-28T13:16:00.000-07:00

An Alternative

2008-10-28T08:19:00.000-07:00

Georgian Abandons 12-year old Son At Nebraska Hospital

2008-10-28T07:35:00.001-07:00

See full story

"Most states let parents and guardians drop off children up to a month old at hospitals or other safe institutions, but Nebraska's law is the only one in the country that allows caregivers to abandon children as old as 18 without fear of prosecution."

(A perfect opportunity to ask again, why is it ok to abandon children in this country?
Abandonment through Live Birth Abortion)

Back to the story:
"The Georgia woman, who was raised in Nebraska, told the Journal Star her son was first suspended from school in the first grade for various infractions, and by the 5th grade he was flunking school, stealing, lying to and defying adults, including his probation officer."

In a society where we make medical and technilogical advances daily, we can't come up with a way to help these kids, making the only alternative abandonment? Where is the support this mom needs? Whether it's through the community or local church, this desperate mom needed help to avoid having to give up her child in this manner.

Maybe the church will look at this and re-examine their youth programs a little closer. Maybe the community can ask what they can do to get more involved.

Abandonment is never the answer. We, as a society, failed this mom. Shame on us.

Pro-Choice???

2008-10-28T07:30:00.000-07:00

"But have you ever considered what each side says about themselves? Take for example those who call themselves “pro choice.” They call themselves pro choice because they want you to believe that they have the woman’s best interests at heart. But the truth is that to believe in this kind of choice, you must also believe that every murderer, thief, rapist and child molester has a right to act upon their choices and that victims are just out of luck."

Full text here.

Know what your candidate believes! Especially when it comes to pro-life issues!

2008-10-25T12:12:00.000-07:00

"The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act. That's the first thing that I'd do." -- Senator Barack Obama, speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, July 17, 2007

View Freedom of Choice Act in its entirety here

Obama and Born-Alive Infants-who's telling the truth?

It is of this bloggers opinion that promises matter little when parallelled with actions. Don't believe a word your candidate says. Do the research. Let his history dictate who he is, not his words. What did mama always say? Actions speak louder than words.

If Kate Can Do It, You Can, Too!

2008-10-25T10:08:00.001-07:00

You just found out you're pregnant. Anything but joy and exhilaration fill you. You are scared. Maybe you're a single mom-to-be. Maybe you are in a financial crunch and this is the worst thing that could happen right now. Maybe your career was just getting ready to take off and now look. Your less-than excited reaction could be based on anything. The fact is, you are stuck with this situation that you didn't plan for, can't provide for and are looking at the alternative.

Before you seek to end this pregnancy, let me introduce you to Kate. She, too, faced pregnancy and encountered road blocks along the way. As a nurse, her career was going along smoothly. Once pregnant, she found herself on bed rest and ultimately in the hospital for the later part of the pregnancy. She would eventually give up her job. Her husband lost his job shortly before delivery, even while she was hospitalized. Emotionally, financially and physically taxed, the day of delivery came and things intensified.

Kate gave birth via c-section to 6 babies at one time. Her worries for their health were multiplied by 6. Her financial uncertainty was multiplied by 6. Although married, the task of caring for the newborns (and three year old twins at home) was 6-fold and Kate found she had to delegate alot of their care to volunteers. How to diaper, clothe and provide other necessities was multiplied by 6. Yet, Kate was strong in her resolve to trust that God would provide.

Her story gives inspiration to anyone facing an insurmountable circumstance but especially those that are facing an unplanned pregnancy. There are options if you can't provide. There are answers for those that just can't raise a baby right now. Ending a life for convenience is never an option. When your life is interrupted with the news of an unplanned pregnancy, entertain the possibility that no matter what brought that child into existence, their life matters. Planned or not.

Kate's frustrations were multiplied by 6. The challenges she faced were, at times, unrealistic. Yet she found a way to see the purpose in the sextuplets being her children and embraced the hope that things would work out and made the mental decision to trust that each day would take care of itself. If Kate can, you can, too.

By the way, Kate's life has also been enlarged with the love of children 6-fold. There are silver linings to every hard situation.

If you are pregnant and are seeking to end it because it is an impossibility for you, please read Multiple Blessings before making the final decision. And if you are a believer, don't count God out. He's never let any of his children down.

$$$$$$The Business of Abortion$$$$$$

2008-10-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

• Abortion is a $90 billion plus industry.[25]

• So-called "counseling" in Planned Parenthood clinics is really marketing, providing few facts and is heavily biased in favor of abortion.[25]

• Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) was started by a racist, Margaret Sanger, who drew upon writings from socialists and eugenicists. She even published articles from Adolf Hitler's director of eugenic sterilization, Ernst Rudin, and spawned "The Negro Project," her strategy for eliminating the black population. [She] believed in removing what she called "the dead weight of human waste.[38] "In the last week of July 2002, a lawyer in Missouri filed a federal lawsuit against PFFA for their failure to fully inform women about abortion. The lawyer also agreed that PP is a racist organization that targets minority women.[31]

• "If a girl decides to carry her baby to term, . . . clinics don't make any money. They make money only if she has an abortion. So, inevitably, clinics put pressure on women to abort." — Carol Everett, who once owned and operated four lucrative abortion clinics.[25]

• "Nita Whitten, who once worked in an abortion clinic, says she was trained by a professional marketing firm in how to sell abortion over the phone. The main tactic abortion clinics use is fear. The phone operator asks the girl how late her period is and then tells her, 'You're pregnant.' Not 'You might be pregnant,' but 'You are pregnant.' When a girl calls, Nita says, the object is not to help her; it's to 'hook the sale.'"[25]

• After the abortion, the girl is given free birth-control pills since, on the pill, she's more likely to be sexually active. But since young people often do not remember to take pills consistently, there's a good chance the girl will return to the clinic pregnant again. As Carol Everett puts it, "birth control sells abortions. Abortion is a business. A big business that uses slick marketing tools."[25]

• PPFA is consistently critical of abstinence education as a solution for sexual health and behavior issues, while promoting so-called "safe sex." According to PPFA's website, Condoms are an effective, inexpensive form of birth control."[34]

• A recent study by the independent testing service of Consumers Union, as reported in Consumer Reports magazine, February 2005, evaluated the performance of 23 kinds of latex condoms.[34]

• It's not surprising that the condom types distributed by PPFA that were tested finished 14th, 22nd, and 23rd (out of 23 types tested). In fact, the PPFA condoms that ranked 22nd and 23rd were the only condoms rated "poor" on strength.[34]

• Ineffective condoms generate more repeat business for the PPFA.

• [In addition] the US Food and Drug Administration found that in typical use for just one year, condoms failed 14 percent of the time in preventing pregnancy. This pregnancy prevention method is far from effective. What's more, there is not sufficient evidence that condoms protect against the spread of some STDs, including the human papilloma virus. HPV is not only incurable, it is also the fastest spreading STD in America and has consistently been linked to cervical cancer.[34]

See Pregnant Pause.org

The Wisdom of Elmo

2008-10-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

This morning on Sesame Street, Elmo explained "All grown ups came from babies."

I couldn't help but wince when I heard that. How ironic that these same grown ups sometimes "choose" to take the life of a baby. We must be the only species that murders our own.

Taking Sides

2008-10-23T11:22:00.001-07:00

Do we really need a clarification memo circulating in hospitals on the topic of abortion?

From the article:
"The two documents have drawn Sanford into the heated campaign surrounding Initiated Measure 11, which would ban most abortions in South Dakota. But a spokeswoman for Sanford made clear that the health system isn't taking sides."

Why are we afraid to "take sides?" Afraid of offending someone? Trying to be politically correct? Or just trying to insure the hospital stays out of the red-I mean, isn't abortion a business? It's time someone "takes sides".

200,000 Silent Pro-Life Students Lend Voice to Unborn

2008-10-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

"God really rocked the halls of my school today!" she (Bethany Ervin) reported on the Stand True Ministries Web site.

But not all the stories included a positive response. Many students who joined the silent protest at their schools said they were mocked and teased by teachers, other students and even sport coaches.

Kendra said one teacher belittled one student's silence, saying, “Don’t worry. I wont talk to you because you’re a Christian. I only talk to atheists.”

Read complete story here.

New Navajo Law Provides Breastfeeding Rights

2008-10-23T11:13:00.000-07:00

My Way News reports Navajo lawmakers have passed a measure requiring employers on the reservation to provide a place for working mothers to breast feed. Click link for complete story.

Yeah, baby!!!

2008-10-22T12:00:00.001-07:00

Let Me Live

2008-10-21T10:43:00.001-07:00

2008-10-20T10:11:00.000-07:00

It's not about when a formation of cells becomes a person as much as it is about what that life will become.

2008-10-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

If a woman throws her baby in a dumpster, she is arrested and locked up for abandonment. Why is this, live birth abortion, ok?

This is not so much against Senator Obama, although I have my questions about why he would vote in favor of this act of murder three times. How am I suppose to expect him to protect my son who is in the Navy or my father who is a disabled senior citizen when he can't protect an innocent baby? I am disturbed that we have come to a point in history that we think it's ok to give birth to live babies and let them sit in a room alone until they die. What part of our human mind allows us to justify this? This is not about abortion, but everything to do with murder. No matter where you stand on the abortion issue, you can not call this abortion when a living, breathing baby is born into the hands of a doctor-who takes the oath to "....first do no harm".....and allowed to just........die.

How can we justify our inconsistency to allow babies to lay in a room alone until they die but we arrest a mom for placing a baby in a dumpster to die?

As one viewer put it, "That made me cry and sick to my stomach. Why has this not been made public through the media?"