Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Mirror Mirror on the wall, who is the most powerful of them all? Nancy Pelosi or Kathleen Sebelius?  Nancy Pelosi was given the job of passing the Senate Health Bill through the House; a feat she accomplished with arcane help, as well as help from the White House. You have to give it to her, she did her job. Thirty pieces of silver certainly helped. Combine that with the Louisiana Purchase and the Corn Husker kickback, and God only knows how many other payoffs; the Bill passed.

 

Kathleen Sebelius now has the job to regulate the bill. Her office will be writing the regulations for almost every aspect of the bill. Who is the most powerful woman? Well that's for a mirror to decide. 
In the meantime, if I were to put my money on a bet, I'd say they both are. After all, Cap and Trade now has to advance and Illegal amnesty is on the books. Nancy has her hands full. Meanwhile Kathleen has a lot of regulations to write.

 

Behind every good man in the White House are two powerful women.

Trouble in Assisted Suicide Paradise

Just as there are botched abortions, statistics are now revealing that there are botched assisted suicides. What a surprise.  Newly released annual reports from Washington and Oregon in 2009, show there were 2 or 3 complications in Washington and 1 in Oregon. 

 

Compassion and Choices, a non-profit group, is the leading euthanasia group in the United States. This group sends volunteers to support and monitor patients using the law to kill themselves. They are quoted as saying, "We're concerned, because we want this to work well and properly," said Dr. Tom Preston, a retired Seattle cardiologist, who serves as Compassion's medical director in Washington.

 

Wow! I think Dr. Preston blurred the distinction between healer and killer. Hippocrates might be rolling over in his grave. After all, in the year 500 BC, he separated the role of the physician from killer to  healer. "Do no harm" might be a good thing for Dr. Preston to reflect upon.

 

What problems? Well, one patient took the lethal prescription, vomited up part of it because he had drunken 6 cans of Pepsi, his favorite drink, in the hours before taking the drug. Talk about zombies. Another case in Washington, was with a terminally ill woman, who swallowed the drug too slowly, because she kept stopping to say goodbye to the people around her. She fell asleep after drinking less than half of the full cocktail, then awakened before finally dying. The problem with the two cases, Dr. Preston said, "The patient refused to have a physician or trained Compassion volunteer present, to make sure proper procedures were followed. Compassion counsels patients not to eat 4 to 5 hours before, and to take an anti-nausea drug an hour ahead of time; not to take laxatives or ingest acidic beverages; to drink water or soda only at room temperature, and to say goodbye 1st, then drink the lethal cocktail all at once.

 

Oregon reported a patient last year, who took a record 104 hours to die. Reports are that the patient had a strong heart. Madam DeFarge would recommend we bring back the guillotine. It was certainly much more compassionate. The Queen of Hearts in Alice of Wonderland would back up M. DeFarge by announcing, "Off with their heads!" 

 

All kidding aside, this is gruesome. First of all medicine should do no harm. In the Hippocratic Oath, probably a thing of the past, a physician swears to give no deadly medicine. Why are we making suicide cosmetically compassionate? Why not treat for depression? Why are we making suicide an out for a vulnerable society? Where will it stop? Will we be having suicide clinics in schools, for kids who did not get asked to the prom? If we are a compassionate society, we take care of those who cannot take care of themselves. We don't kill them. And we don't pass laws that allow it.

Vaccine

Federal Health Authority recommended on Monday, that doctors stop giving Rotarix.  Rotarix is made by GlaxoSmithKline and was approved by the FDA in 2008. This vaccine is given to prevent Rotavirus disease.

 

The reason the vaccine is suspended, at this time, is because it is contaminated with a material from a pig virus. The FDA learned about the contamination after an academic research team, using a novel technique to look for viruses in a range of vaccines, found the material in GlaxoSmithKline's product, and told the company. The drug maker confirmed it's presence in both the cell-bank and the seed from which the vaccine is derived, suggesting it's presence from the early stages of vaccine development. The FDA then confirmed the drug maker's findings.

 

In 4 to 6 weeks the drug agency will convene an advisory committee to make recommendations and seek input on the use of new techniques for identifying viruses in vaccine.

 

"We're not pulling it from the market, we're just suspending it's use during this period, while we're collecting more information,"said Merck's spokesperson Pam Eisele. Brings to mind Sigorney Weaver's dilemma in the Alien movie, when the synthetic android told her "we're still collating", in answer to her query about how to kill the Alien.

Pam Eisele further states, "It should not be in this vaccine product, and we want to understand how it got there. It's not an easy call, and we spent many long hours

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debating the pros and cons, but because we have an alternate product, and because the background rates of the disease are not so severe in this country, we felt that the judicious thing to do was to take a pause, to really ask the critical question about what's this material in the vaccine, and how did it get there?"  

 

Dr Fauci Director of the National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases at the National Institute of Health said: "A substantial amount of the DNA was found in the vaccine". But, he stressed, "There is no evidence that it causes any disease ... there is no evidence that it ever does anything."

 

What? No evidence! Injecting DNA from an animal into a human baby? We just found out about it. I'm sure there are going to be health repercussions. Hopefully we will not turn the next generation into baby piglets.  Remember Burke, in Aliens?  "It's just a bad call Ripley." 

IRS

In a new analysis by the Joint Economic Committee and the House Ways & Means Committee, some disturbing news has surfaced. There's a lot more to the Health Care Bill than the President and the Democrats let on. One might even think that individuals are trying to save their dollars, while the government is busy spending them.

 

New tax mandates and penalties will cause the greatest expansion of the Internal Revenue Service since WW II. After all, it's our Internal Revenue agents, that are going to be checking up on individuals, families and companies to make certain they are in compliance with the mandate for health care insurance. 

 

Scores of new federal mandates in 15 different tax-increases, totaling $400 billion are soon to be imposed on the American public.

 

Families and business will be forced to reveal further tax information to the IRS in order to comply with health care.

 

An estimated 16,500 IRS agents are needed to police the American public. Whatever happened to no taxation without representation?

Excuse From Exec Director Dems for Life

I usually don't go off the deep end, but the following statement left me laughing ...

 

                                                                Statemkent Of Kristen Day

                                                Executive Director Of Democrats For Life Of America

 

"Democrats for Life of America (DFLA) applaud President Obama for his bold leadership in agreeing to an Executive Order that bans taxpayer funded abortions in the health care reform bill expected to pass the House this evening."

 

"We are proud to support this historic health care legislation. President Obama's Executive Order shows that when we work towards common ground in Washington we can do the people's business and end the gridlock. By working with House Leaders and the White House, DFLA shows how the pro-life Democrats are a key and growing constituency."

 

"Hubert H Humphrey best stated it when he said, " ... the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the needy and the handicapped."

 

They have to be kidding! They knew all along, that an Executive Order is meaningless once a bill is passed. Federal Law supercedes any Executive Order. Any lawmaker, who voted for the Senate Bill, voted to require federal agencies to subsidize and administer health plans that will pay for elective abortion. This vote undermines long-standing pro-life policies. The Senate Bill is riddled with provisions that will result in federal subsidies for private insurance plans that cover abortion ( some of which will be administered by the federal government), direct federal funding of abortion through Community Health Centers.

 

It was a sell-out. Actually, the English martyrs went to the gallows because they served their God, not their King. In the secular world, Dorian Grey, who sold his soul to remain forever young, had nothing on this statement of selling your soul. Thomas More and his companions had more moral courage.  

 

House Passes Health Care Bill

National Health Care Bill Passes The House   The US House of Representatives gave final approval to a massive health care restructuring bill, which was strongly opposed by every major pro-life national group and the Catholic Conference of Bishops. The House vote was 219 to 212 in favor of the bill. All 219 votes in favor were cast by Democrats. The opposing (pro-life votes) 178 were cast by Republicans and 34 by Democrats. Because the Senate already approved the bill on December 24, 2009, it will go straight to President Obama for his signature. This is expected on Tuesday March 23rd.    The margin for victory was an agreement between Representative Bart Stupak (D-MI) and President Obama on the Health Care Bill. As you may know, Representative Stupak has always been in favor of national health care. His opposition was federal funding of abortion. He had a small coalition of Democrats, who were in favor of national health care, but opposed to federal funding of abortion. When an agreement was reached, between Representative Stupak and the President, the Democrats changed their vote to support the Senate National Health Care Bill.   The agreement was reached through a promise of an Executive Order, by President Obama. This Executive Order was issued for political effect; it changed nothing. It did not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill. The president cannot amend a bill by issuing an Executive Order; because the federal courts will enforce what the law says. Both President Obama and Representative Stupak knew that.    The order did not correct any of the 7 objectionable pro-abortion provisions in the Senate Health Care Bill. The order did nothing at all to mitigate abortion related problems with the Senate Health Care Bill. It will create dangerous regulatory mandate authorities, revise Indian health programs, and create pools of directly appropriated funds, that are not covered by existing restrictions on abortion funding. Nor could the order correct the omission of the necessary conscience protection language, that had been included in the House Health Care legislation last November.    Professor Robert Destro, a Professor of Law and former Dean of the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, and an expert on abortion related litigation, sent lawmakers a letter explaining why the bill opened the door to direct federal funding of abortion in Community Health Centers. In his letter, Professor Destro clearly explained why the statutory language will govern.    Regarding the new program to provide tax-credits to purchase private insurance, the Executive Order merely tinkered with the formalities of a bookkeeping scheme, under which federal subsidies will pay for plans that cover elective abortion.  This is a break from the long-standing principle of the Hyde Amendment.      The Illinois Delegation voted primarily along party lines, except for Representative Daniel Lipinski (D-3), who voted no on the health care bill, because he knew it still covered abortion. Please take some time to hold your Representative accountable for their vote, and be sure to thank all who voted

IT PASSED

I used to live in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, and I was working in the downtown area when Jimmy Johnson quit/was fired from his job as coach of the Dallas Cowboys, shortly after coaching the team to their second straight Super Bowl victory. The headline on the Dallas Morning News was only two words, in large bold letters that filled the top half of the front page:

IT'S OVER

One was tempted to wonder if the headline referred to a single man's employment with a local sports team, or Armageddon.

In the event, it wasn't the end of the world after all, and the Cowboys returned two years later under another coach to make three championships in four years.

The passage of the healthcare bill is a moment in American history which I believe will stand with the Dred Scott v. Sanford decision, the passage of the "Great Compromise" of 1850, and of course, Roe v. Wade.

Congressman Bart Stupak, on whom the hopes of so many were pinned, proved that he was a Democrat first, and pro-life second, if ever. He accepted a deal whereby President Obama promised to do with an executive order what the Congress refused to do by amendment: prevent federal funding of abortion:

The National Right to Life Committee quickly issued a scathing statement disputing Stupak's claim.

"The executive order promised by President Obama was issued for political effect. It changes nothing," the group said. "It does not correct any of the serious pro-abortion provisions in the bill."

The powerful Catholic bishops weren't on board, either.

"Without seeing the details of the executive order, our conclusion has been that an executive order cannot override or change the central problems in the statute. Those need a legislative fix," Richard Doerflinger, associate director of the bishops' conference's Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, said in an interview.

The bishops contend that the legislation before the House Sunday allows federal funding of abortion.

The bill tries to maintain a strict separation between taxpayer funds and private premiums that would pay for abortion coverage. No health plan would be required to offer coverage for the procedure. In plans that do cover abortion, beneficiaries would have to pay for it separately, and those funds would have to be kept in a separate account from taxpayer money.

Moreover, individual states would be able to prohibit abortion coverage in plans offered through a new purchasing exchange. Exceptions would be made for cases of rape, incest and danger to the life of the mother.

Abortion foes contend that the separation of funds is an accounting gimmick, and in reality taxpayers would be paying for abortion because health plans that cover abortion would be getting federal money.

Obama's executive order, the product of frenzied 11th-hour negotiations involving Stupak's group and members of the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, orders federal officials to develop guidelines to carry out the segregation of private and public funds. The order also sets out a mechanism aiming to ensure that community health centers cannot use federal funds for abortions, another concern for the Stupak group.

Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., an abortion-rights supporter, said she thinks current law and the language in the health care bill go too far in restricting access to abortion. But DeGette said she doesn't have a problem with the executive order because "it doesn't change anything." [Emphasis added.]

The deal was also sweetened with a $725,000 grant for three airports in Stupak's district.

Can anyone really imagine that the president whose first executive order was to abrogate the Mexico City Policy and provide federal funding for abortion providers overseas is going to enforce an executive order alleged to prevent funding of abortion in this country?

If you are pro-life, but prefer to vote Democratic, the passage of the largest expansion of abortion access since Roe v. Wade should be disturbing to you, especially if you, like me, were counting on Bart Stupak to stick to his guns. The Republican Party, while far from perfect on our issues, now stands as the only credible game in town for any possibility of advancing pro-life legislation, or opposing pro-abortion legislation like this healthcare bill. Anyone who thought otherwise should have had their eyes opened to the truth of this point last night.

Here in Lake County, our two Congressional representatives, both supporters of abortion rights, split on this bill along party lines, with Mark Kirk (R-10th District) voting nay, and Melissa Bean (D-8th District) voting aye, despite a series of demonstrations outside her office, including one in the snow this past Saturday, which took place literally as she was announcing her decision to vote yes (look for me at the 1:24 mark):



As with the Cowboys and their coach, this is not the end of the world. It is a setback, to be sure. But while education and prayer remain important weapons in our arsenal, I think that the lesson to take from this defeat is that pro-life people must not neglect politics and political action in fighting against abortion in our country.

(Cross-posted to Thoughts of a Regular Guy.)

Call To Prayer

                                       

Having endeavored to make every human effort possible, to defeat the Senate Health Care Bill, we recognize that this battle is, as it always has been, is in God's hands. In Colossians 3:23-24, we read:  "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being. Do it for the Lord rather than for men, since you know full well that you will receive an inheritance from him as your reward." 

 

In humility, we join with Phyllis Schafly in calling our people to join in prayer. Phyllis relates: "In the midst of our current battle against the looming government takeover of 1/6 of the US economy, I would like to take a few moments to recall an inspiring story from my days fighting against the Feminists Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Unlike our present battle, all the powers that be, were against us back then - both Houses of Congress, 3 presidents (Nixon, Ford & Carter) all of the First Ladies, all of the Hollywood celebrities, 99% of the media and even a large percentage of the American public."

 

"The day of the most crucial vote on ERA in the Illinois Legislature was very dramatic. We had done all we could to line up the votes, but we knew we were two votes short." That's when Almighty God brought victory. She continues: "We had two votes from two Chicago Legislators, who had never voted with us before." And so in the remaining days and hours, before the most crucial vote Congress will ever pass, I ask you to pray that Our Lord intercedes in this battle for the future of our nation, and that the truth, once again, prevails."

 

We join with Phyllis Schafly and ask everyone to join us in prayer. The Senate version of the Health Care Bill, will be the broadest expansion of tax-payer funding of abortion, our country has ever seen.  

 

                                                               PSALM 120

                                              I life up my eyes toward the mountains;

                                              whence shall help come to me?

                                              My help is from the Lord who made 

                                              heaven and earth.

                                                 

 

 

 

Attorney General Lisa Madigan Claims IL Constitution Contains Right to Abortion

 

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), on March 15th, once again sought to challenge the Illinois Parental Notice of Abortion Act in Cook County Court. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan, recently claimed that the Illinois Constitution contains a right to abortion. To that effect, the ACLU have questioned whether the law violates the Illinois Constitution's guarantees of privacy and due process, and the state constitutional ban on gender discrimination. The Thomas More Society, in response, maintains that there is no right to abortion in the Illinois Constitution. Thus, the ACLU's latest challenge to the Illinois Parental Notice Act is baseless.

 

The ACLU, which has already lost in federal court, must now prove in the Illinois state court, that the Illinois Constitution of 1970 guaranteed a right to abortion, that was even stronger than the federal abortion right upheld in Roe v Wade, which as handed down in 1973.

 

Now, instead of defending the Illinois Constitution, whose Framers clearly left the issue of abortion to the legislature, Attorney General Lisa Madigan, has tossed the Constitution aside and conceded to the ACLU on this key issue of parental notice. Thomas Brejcha, President & Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Society stated, "Illinois parents have a right to know before their kids are taken for abortions. If the Attorney General won't defend the parental notice law vigorously, we will do so, until the day when there are no more secret abortions performed on Illinois children."  

 

Illinois has long been the dumping ground for abortion. All 5 neighboring states have parental notice or consent laws on their books. It is well known, that teens then cross into Illinois to have their abortions, because Illinois has no enforced parental notification.

 

 

Ethics in Organ Transplant

A federally funded project has begun. It wants to expand organ donation by obtaining kidneys, livers and possibly other body parts from car accident victims and other urgent-care patients. This project hopes to expand organ donation into emergency rooms across the United States.

 

The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) has given a $321,000 grant at this time, to 2 emergency departments at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Presbyterian Hospital and Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh. Both hospitals have immediately begun to identify donors among fatality patients, preserving their organs to facilitate transplant teams who can then rush in and retrieve them. At this date, no usable organs have been obtained by either hospital.

 

"This is about helping people who have declared themselves to be donors, but die in a place where donation is currently not possible," said Clifton W. Callaway, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, who is leading the project. "It's also about helping the large number of people awaiting transplants, who could die waiting because of the shortage of organs."

 

Critics are leery of this program, as it brings a questionable form of organ procurement into an ER environment, where doctors are suspected of preying on dying patients for their organs. "There's a fine line between methods that are pioneering and methods that are predatory," said Leslie M. Whetstine, a bioethicist at Walsh University of Ohio. She further states, "This seems to me to be in the latter category, It's ghoulish."  

 

Up until now, organs have been obtained for transplants in the Untied States from patients who are 1st pronounced dead in a hospital after complete cessation of brain activity, known as brain death, is carefully determined.  Now, due to increasing numbers of people dying each year while awaiting organs for transplant. the federal government is promoting this new alternative that involve a surgeon's taking within minutes from patients whose hearts have stopped, but have not been pronounced "brain dead".

More to follow...............................