1.37 MILLION abortions per year in the US

First, let me share some information:

The Main Reasons Women Choose Abortion (U.S.)

• Wants to postpone childbearing: 25.5%
• Wants no (more) children: 7.9%
• Cannot afford a baby: 21.3%
• Having a child will disrupt education or job: 10.8%
• Has relationship problem or partner does not want pregnancy: 14.1%
• Too young; parent(s) or other(s) object to pregnancy: 12.2%
• Risk to maternal health: 2.8%
• Risk to fetal health: 3.3%
• Other: 2.1%

Source:Bankole, Akinrinola; Singh, Susheela; Haas, Taylor. Reasons Why Women Have Induced Abortions: Evidence from 27 Countries. International Family Planning Perspectives, 1998, 24(3):117–127 & 152 As reported by:The Alan Guttmacher Institute Online

So, maybe 6% have a health reason behind them - the rest are simply an inconvenience - take a pill, use an IUD, have something slipped under your skin, but stop ending life because it's inconvenient - please. When statistics - from the CDC, not some group that might make pro-abortion fans crazy - tell us that 47% of all abortions are performed on women who have had at least one previous abortion - what does that say? That these slobs are using the death of a child as a birth control method - and that's just plain sick.

You won't find me quoting a full article very often but this one counts. A lot. For well over one million infant lives per year.

http://www.humanevents.com/article.php?id=30258

Obama's First Act as President

by Chuck Norris

01/13/2009

Barack Obama emphatically promised more than a year ago, "The first thing I'd do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act." Will he keep his word?

The Freedom of Choice Act is a sweeping bill that would abolish all pro-life regulations across the nation, from parental notification laws to bans on federal funding of abortions. The Office of the General Counsel for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops identified 13 categories of pro-life laws that would be stampeded and nullified by FOCA. As far-reaching as the decision of Roe v. Wade is into the states' jurisdictions and our lives, even it, for example, showed certain respect for state laws and limits on infringing regulations in the medical field. FOCA shows no such restraints; it nails shut the coffin on pro-life choices and safeguards.

And why has Obama pledged his allegiance to pass FOCA? Not only because he has the most passionately liberal pro-choice record of nearly any politician but also because, as he told a meeting of Planned Parenthood during his campaign, "it is time to turn the page" to a new day, when pro-life views and laws and debate on abortion are passé. And if he and the Democratic majority have their way, America will have that new day, one in which hundreds of thousands more abortions will be performed annually. (I still think it is utterly hypocritical that a president and a political party who pride themselves on providing and protecting minorities don't include the unborn among those minorities.)

The fight to pass FOCA is being waged despite a new nationwide survey revealing that about 4 in 5 U.S. adults would limit abortion's legality. About 1 in 3 would limit abortion to rape, incest or saving a mother's life. One-third also would limit abortion to either the first three months of pregnancy or the first six months. Only 9 percent said abortion should be legal for any reason at any time during pregnancy. These statistics are in stark contrast to the goals and objectives of FOCA, which would close the culture debate on abortion in an unprecedented way for any piece of legislation.

America doesn't need to "turn the page" on culture battles, such as abortion; it needs to reopen the pages of its history to our Founders' heightened views about the rights of all human beings in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution. And we need to revive and re-instill that value of humanity back into society, our children and our children's children.

Under our Constitution, the federal government should protect that right to life. But besides affirming that foundational human right, the details and debates of the laws governing abortion should be left to the states. Despite the Supreme Court's unconstitutional striking down of abortion laws nationwide in 1973 and instituting a completely unconstitutional federal right to abortion, there is still much we can do at the state level to protect human life by promoting pro-life legislation and education. That is, unless FOCA is enacted into law.

After 35 years of ceaseless controversy since the Supreme Court's ruling in Roe v. Wade, some people think that abortion is an "old" issue better dropped. But as my friend and prolific author Randy Alcorn wrote in his small book "Why Pro-Life? Caring for the Unborn and Their Mothers": "Abortion has set us on a dangerous course. We may come to our senses and back away from the slippery slope. Or we may follow it to its inescapable conclusion -- a society in which the powerful, for their self-interest, determine which human beings will live and which will die."

Abortion is not about a woman's "right to choose"; it is about a more fundamental "right to life," which is one of three specifically identified unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence (and the Constitution, through Article VII and the Bill of Rights). And it is a violation of government's primary purpose: to protect innocent life.

Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1809, "The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only legitimate object of good government." He was not, of course, writing about the America of today, with state-sanctioned and even subsidized abortion and a movement to promote the killing of the elderly through euthanasia. But he could have been. And his belief in what should be "the first and only legitimate object of government" still should stand, and that includes for the president of the United States of America. But if he and his administration won't protect the rights of the living (even in the womb), then who will? Pelosi? Reid? A left-leaning Congress?

All of our elected officials should uphold that pre-eminent objective of government and strive to get us back to the view of humanity that emphasizes the immortal worth of every human being. Without that, we never can believe that all people (including those in the womb) are created equal, that they have inherent, unalienable rights and that the protection of those rights is "the first and only legitimate object of good government."

And if our politicians won't protect unborn human life, then we must. With Sanctity of Life Sunday on Jan. 18, Obama's inauguration Jan. 20, the annual March for Life pro-life rally in Washington, D.C., Jan. 22 (the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision), and FOCA looming on the legislative precipice of Congress and the White House, now is the time to march and take action again to defend the unborn. (That's why I devoted an entire chapter to "Reclaim the value of human life" in my new cultural manifesto, "Black Belt Patriotism," and why my wife, Gena, passionately entreated for the unborn in our most recent interview, which you can watch online on GodTube.)

Please, before FOCA flies onto the congressional floor in the upcoming days, sign the online petition to fight FOCA (www.fightfoca.com), and then contact your representatives and senators to tell them how you expect them to vote on the bill. You can write to them online by simply going to http://www.capwiz.com/nrlc/issues/bills/?bill=9668701.

My note - capwiz doesn't appear to have the Bill up on it today, although I am sure that will be corrected, but go to Fight FOCA and sign the petition - don't give up on this important issue.

A Great Cause....

From Benefit4Kids:

We are once again busy planning our next fundraiser coming up January 31st 2009. This will be the 5th year for this event and they only keep getting better and better, and I promise this year will be no different! If you have been to one of our banquets before you won't want to miss this one. Tickets are still just $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for Kids (15 and under) and this includes your drinks.

This years event is once again being held at Perch Point Conservation Club in South East MI. Doors open at 4:00pm.

One of the new things at this years event will be Randy's Hunting Center www.randyshuntingcenter.com out of Bad Axe Michigan providing all the guns. If you have ever been to a banquet where Randy's was at.....you know he puts on a great display of new guns for everyone to have a chance at winning!

MANY GREAT items are already coming in also such as

An Ontario Bear Hunt

Numerous Pheasant Hunts

Couple Salmon Fishing Trips

Guided Turkey Hunt

South Dakota Goose Hunt

Plus much more to be added soon - updates can be found often here.


Contact us today to get your tickets as this event will once again sell out this year at only $20.00 a ticket! There will be NO ticket sales at the door, so get your spot today.

http://www.b4k.org/2009%20Flyer.pdf

Another great way to help us out is to sponsor a "Wish Kid Table" for only $50.00 (this does not include dinner ticket). Each table is named after a kid we have worked with in the past or are currently working with and for only $50.00 each, these tables can be sponsored to show your support to Benefit4Kids! Tables can be sponsored by:

Individuals and/or groups of friends

Groups, clubs, organizations

Businesses and corporations

Consider this option and click here to learn more: http://www.b4k.org/2009pigroasttablesponsor.htm

All the details can be found on our website at www.b4k.org.

What the heck?

David Knowles is an idiot - no doubt about it.

In so many ways.

Let me review just the ways he demonstrated to us on December 30th with the article posted at the link above.

First, he posts it under "Republicans" - which is ok, really, because that clarifies, right up front, what his little rant is about: his dislike of all things Republican - and anything he can possibly hope to portray as negative and label Republican. Dolt.

Next, he writes:

"Cha-ching! People magazine is said to be paying the unwed high school drop-out duo Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston a cool $300,000 for pics of their new baby boy, Tripp."

Which is also ok, because it shows us that he's an idiot or a liar or both, since neither one of the two young parents is a high school dropout.

Levi Johnson, aged 18, did as many young people in the United States today might considering doing - without retribution from the Left unless they are somehow remotely related to a Republican political figure - he enrolled in an apprenticeship program that promises a good career that will allow him to support his family without relying on a social welfare system. He is apparently also enrolled in correspondence course for high school completion, a common enough practice in Alaska, especially among those who are engaged in working to assist in supporting their families.

Two fine examples of such programs offered are through the University of Oklahoma and the University of Missouri.

Bristol Palin is no doubt taking a few weeks off - as any mother would following a birth - but she is reportedly enrolled in a regular high school and has taken some correspondence courses. What the Leftists rarely add to any news on the correspondence courses issue is that this is very common in Alaska - and that distance learning via computers - something that Michigan students are required by law to do at least once in their high school careers - is a "correspondence course."

And allow me to ask - so what? How's it any of your business, Mr. Knowles? Why do these two young people have to put up with your continued, pointless and vindictive scrutiny?

"Congratulations to the proud parents."

You don't mean that, you mean-spirited little hypocrite - and everyone knows it. Your fans applaud it - they welcome your attempts to hurt a pair of young people who made a mistake but are stepping up to the plate and acting responsibly. You're not kidding anyone, though, just so we're clear. We all know there isn't a congratulatory bone in your body for these young parents or their innocent son.

"Though, like Andrew Sullivan, I have to wonder about the mixed message of selling baby pictures to a supermarket mag while keeping quiet to the likes of the AP:"

"The governor's office said it would not release information because it considers the baby's birth a private, family matter."

Now that's just plain funny, to be honest - these young parents, who could obviously use the financial boost to finish their educations and begin their young lives together with their newborn son don't have anything to do with the governor's office and the governor's office was absolutely justified in refusing to answer questions about private family business.

The parents of young Tripp are both 18 years of age - able to make a contract, earn money and keep it, care for their child as they see best, and can do so without input from either the governor's office - even if one considers the governor is Tripp's grandmother - and even more so, without input from bitter little Left-wingers like David Knowles.

And I had a wonderful day...

Everyone should have one just like this every once in a while.

Gary Sinise

On the topic of men and women in the Armed Forces:

'As tired as I might get sometimes, and I do, it is nothing compared to what they go through day-after-day with the price they are so readily willing to pay.'


Read more.

SNOW DAY!

Woo-hoo - seventeen days of no work bliss!

Detroit is so screwed....

Man, oh, man....

In short, we have a mayor removed from office and stuffed in jail, an auto industry in the crapper, a pro football team that can't pull out even one game in the season, our two newspapers are talking about cutting home delivery back to three days a week and Detroit Public Schools faces takeover by the state as it fires its Superintendent of Schools and Detroit's murder rate - 47.3 per 100,000 in 2006 - flip-flops as being the highest in the nation from year to year. Detroit has also been ranked as the most miserable city in the United States.

Impressive, eh?

Hulu?

What the heck is Hulu?

You seriously need to check this out - tons of videos, tv shows, all kinds of videophile stuff.

I'm watching Alfred Hitchcock episodes right now - it was my favorite show when I was much, much younger - and it still holds up today.

Very clean streaming, no stutter, etc. It's free, of course, or I wouldn't be babbling on about it. There are brief ads - and none I've run across were near as loud and obnoxious as tv. Great fun - try it.

Detroiters Truly Do Create Their Own Problems...

Which one are the voters of Detroit most proud of (after KK, of course)?

The guy who (allegedly) can't keep his hands off his employees or this woman, Wayne County Commission Chairwoman Jewel Ware, who has hired seven convicted felons:

• Kwasi Akwamu, who earned as much as $82,900 as director of commission affairs. He pleaded guilty to assault with intent to murder and weapons charges in 1988. He quit when his record came to light.
  
• Terrance Dortch, who made $35,828 as a legislative staff assistant. He was convicted of second-degree murder and a felony firearm charge in 1992. He took another job before the controversy.
  
• Sherri Johnson, a legislative aide who made $10 an hour. She was convicted of larceny in 1990. She quit when her record came to light.
  
• Eltha McClendon, who made $34,000 as a legislative staff assistant, was convicted of larceny in 1991. Her aka is Patricia McClendon. She is on administrative leave.
  
• Demetrius Jones, whose aka is Vincent Tubbs, has convictions including armed robbery in 1992 and kidnapping in 1983. He was a legislative aide who earned $10 an hour.
  
• Tino Jarod Odum, a community outreach specialist for Ware, earns $10 an hour. He was convicted of armed robbery and a felony firearm charge in 1992. His contract was not renewed in early 2004.
  
• Edward James, a legislative aide who earned $16.50 an hour, convicted of home invasion, armed robbery and firearm charges in 1992.
  Source: Wayne County records

Wayne County Commission Chairwoman Jewel Ware, in the last few weeks before the county's auditor general is set to release a report on her hiring practices, said Terrance Dortch and Kwasi Akwamu - two who spent time in jail with her husband - are being singled out for unfair treatment (poor babies).

"It is very unfortunate and unfair about what has happened to Terrance and Kwasi," Ware said recently.

"Their past criminal background should not prevent their employment with the county." Now mind you, they didn't actually work for the County - they were allegedly no-show employees, which is just the problem here. Ware hired them, they did no work for the County, although they did, of course, turn in time sheets and get paid. For what, one wonders?

The auditor general is investigating claims that Dortch and Akwamu were no-show employees who collected county salaries to work for Ware's husband and their former prison-mate, Jesse Long-Bey, at his resort in Idlewild in northern Michigan. The investigation - which will scrutinize payroll records of the commission's 72 staffers - emerged after an anonymous letter was widely circulated that included the claims.

Ware denies wrongdoing, saying some workers pitched in at the resort, Morton's Motel, on their own time. Sure, sure, sure - makes perfect sense to me - how about you?

Most of the felons hired by Ware apparently did not cause problems, but as a for instance, one staffer's contract was not renewed after allegations arose of missing checks from the commissioner.

Are there really not enough people, decent, honest, law-abiding citizens, in Detroit that Ware feels she needs to hire murders and armed robbers? Perhaps not, since her choice in spousal material, currently known as Jesse Long-Bey, aged 59, and born Jesse Beverly Long, was convicted at least a half-dozen times from 1970-87 on charges ranging from manslaughter to forgery, from burglary to carrying a concealed weapon. He used aliases of Bobby Earl Gaines, Rufus Gaines, Rufus Dudley and Clarence Dudley, according to police records. His last conviciton, for manslaughter, in 1987, saw him serve ten years. He is currently out on bail, awaiting trial for check-kiting. If convicted (again!) he faces a possible 14 years in the penitentiary.

Since leaving prison, Long-Bey has worked as a city editor for the Michigan Citizen. The Web site for J&J Associates, the consulting firm owned by Long-Bey, says he left that job, worked for the city and has been hired as a consultant during campaigns for the former mayor turned felon and currently incarcerated, Kwame Kilpatrick, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and for various statewide ballot initiatives. The site lists its only other employees as Akwamu (the alleged no-show employee and felon who did time with Ware's husband) - supposedly a writer, photographer and graphic designer -- and Tim Johnson, who makes $85,000 a year as the commission's spokesman, as a "marketing communications and community relations specialist."

Long-Bey also lobbied on behalf of Synagro Technologies Inc. - the sludge-hauling giant - for a city contract that is now being probed by the FBI. Agents are investigating whether city officials accepted cash to approve the deal last year. Ware's husband, convicted felon a half-dosen or more times over, testified twice before the City Council on that deal and was quoted in the Detroit News as saying he was "disappointed" he didn't receive work for his efforts.

Ware's chief political rival, Commissioner Burton Leland, who has been speaking out against Ware's practices, is apparently having issues of his own. One of Ware's newest hires, a former cop, accused him of assault. Leland acknowledged touching the officer, but called it "male bonding" and nothing more.

Wake up, Detroiters - look around. Your city is exactly what the majority of voters fashioned it into.

Citizens Outscore the Folks We "Trust" to Run the Government...

But don't worry - neither group even got a 50% on the test.

WASHINGTON (AFP) – US elected officials scored abysmally on a test measuring their civic knowledge, with an average grade of just 44 percent, the group that organized the exam said Thursday.

Ordinary citizens did not fare much better, scoring just 49 percent correct on the 33 exam questions compiled by the Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI).

"It is disturbing enough that the general public failed ISI's civic literacy test, but when you consider the even more dismal scores of elected officials, you have to be concerned," said Josiah Bunting, chairman of the National Civic Literacy Board at ISI.

"How can political leaders make informed decisions if they don't understand the American experience?" he added.

The exam questions covered American history, the workings of the US government and economics.

Among the questions asked of some 2,500 people who were randomly selected to take the test, including "self-identified elected officials," was one which asked respondents to "name two countries that were our enemies during World War II."

Sixty-nine percent of respondents correctly identified Germany and Japan. Among the incorrect answers were Britain, China, Russia, Canada, Mexico and Spain.

Forty percent of respondents, meanwhile, incorrectly believed that the US president has the power to declare war, while 54 percent correctly answered that that power rests with Congress.

Asked about the electoral college, 20 percent of elected officials incorrectly said it was established to "supervise the first televised presidential debates."

In fact, the system of choosing the US president via an indirect electoral college vote dates back some 220 years, to the US Constitution.

The question that received the fewest correct responses, just 16 percent, tested respondents' basic understanding of economic principles, asking why "free markets typically secure more economic prosperity than government's centralized planning?"

Activities that dull Americans' civic knowledge include talking on the phone and watching movies or television -- even news shows and documentaries, ISI said.

Meanwhile, civic knowledge is enhanced by discussing public affairs, taking part in civic activities and reading about current events and history, the group said.

What they don't know will hurt us.