The New Families Against Planned Parenthood Blog!
Posted by Eric Scheidler on Saturday, August 25th, 2007
I'm proud to announce the launch of the Families Against Planned Parenthood blog. This new service will provide a place for participants and supporters of the effort to keep Planned Parenthood out of the Fox Valley to share stories, pictures and important news.
I'm still tweaking the code, so please be patient with any awkward looking elements on the page. There are plenty of kinks to work out yet.
Soon, I'll try to get up a story about this past Saturday's awesome Rally—one of the biggest pro-life events in decades.
I've also got plans to create a page just on the news coverage of everything we've been doing, from the first Beacon News article that first "outed" Planned Parenthood's designs on the East Side of Aurora.
Until then . . .
Congratulations, Eric. What a fantastic rally. And the You Tube videos are great. You keep working and we'll keep praying. The response to the 40 Day Vigil of Prayer is astonishing. Surely the Lord will bless these efforts.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:55 pm
Lets keep the fire going! Don't forget about the Youth for Truth rally This Saturday September 1 from 1-3. The youth of the area are going to show PP that we do not want them here!
Dan Schleitwiler Jr.
August 27th, 2007 at 9:25 pm
Great to have the new blog up and running! Thanks for all your hard work! Good things are happening as a result of our prayer and witness outside the PP fortress. Yesterday (August 27) a young woman-Kristin-pulled up to offer encouragement. She had an abortion a number of years ago and regrets it to this day. She said if someone had been there as we are now she would not have had the abortion. Also, for more info on what PP tells teens, their web site teenwire.com shows what we are up against.
August 28th, 2007 at 9:28 am
Jerry brings up a good point. Does anyone know women who regret their abortion who might be willing to speak out? Or maybe even read their testimonies? Great work Eric and all the team.
August 28th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Hi, I have a question for you. Is it wrong for christians to work at planned parenthood? I know 2 women who have been members of my church for 20 years and have also worked at planned parenthood for 25 years. Although they do not work in the abortion clinic but in family planning, is it wrong? They say the clinic they work in is a funded site, so they enjoy helping people who can not afford pap smears and cholestrol testing etc. I myself have done research and know that not all of there sites are abortion sites. But I have read there mission. So is it wrong?
August 28th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Hi Marissa,
As a Catholic Nurse I could not work in any way for Planned Parenthood. If even a tiny portion of their business was abortion which it is not. Not only are they largest providers of surgical abortions but they sell all manner of contraceptives many of which are abortafacient in action and they encourage our young women and men to be sexually active prior to marriage.
A text book they give to schools to use for 10 yr olds has been judged too pronographic to be give to grown men in prison! Plus they have covered up when underaged girls are brought in for abortion by older men.Now it depends and what you consider "christan" but my faith and my medical ethics have to lead me to openly oppose PP in every way! Peace mt
August 28th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
The City Council sure got an earful tonight! God bless all of you for turning out! It was quite a spectacle!
I sometimes throw around the phrases "Brother in Christ" or "Sister in Christ" somewhat casually and they begin to lose their meaning. Tonight brought it all back to me. I was surrounded by true Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I felt our strength. our conviction, our passion. The solidarity of such a diverse group was truly inspiring!
The events of tonight reminded me of the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge. Keep the heat on folks! This fight is very winnable!
August 29th, 2007 at 12:38 am
I just read the Beacon News article regarding last night's City Council meeting and it really ticks me off
to see that the pro-abort (NOW) president gets more press lines supporting the PP mill than the majority of people rallying and speaking against it.
Beacon News is really showing it's true colors.
Whatever the case, the TRUTH will always come out!!
August 29th, 2007 at 8:07 am
I just wanted to offer some support for the Beacon. I have been most pleased with the Beacon Coverage. I think they have been quite fair. 1st- we've been getting coverage and that in and of itself is GREAT! As Eric says..good or bad- it's in the press and keeps the conversation going. Last week when Kristen Zambo gave such a "glamorous" view of PP with her front page coverage…I felt she was throwing us a bone!!! It was full of irony. She wanted to do that so we'd walk away saying "how absurd"…She is brilliant! I just know she wanted everyone to see the irony of "beautiful family waiting rooms, and posting the 13 "recovery rooms"….I placed a phone call to her and she seemed quite delighted that I saw her "strategy".
August 29th, 2007 at 9:57 am
I too am perplexed with the Beacon's coverage of the city council meeting. I heard the reporter interview the NOW representative and heard her say "Planned Parenthood did everything according to policy". I interjected and said "you mean Gemini?" and no they did not. The reporter did not then question me and reported the quote exactly as stated. When did reporting someone's opinion turn into reporting a FACT. That is misrepresentation on the part of the press. When people read that they think it's true and then the same source tells the press the protesters are extremist, and wasting tax payers money. People read that too and believe it's true since it's in the papers. We need FACTS on the front page and it's their job to research accusations and report truth. So I don't always agree all press is good press.
August 29th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I read the coverage on line. This is not fair and balanced. Even if the original story was written better than this, someone with power cut out the heart. They cannot be trusted to be honest. They've proven it over several issues. I'm not saying they are necessarily pro-aborts, I'm just saying they are afraid to tell the truth, because they might offend one side or the other. They just want us 'all to get along'. Just take Denise Crosby as your example of soft,candy coated ambivalence. I don't buy the paper, but I will not let up on the 'Beconfused' style of journalism. They
August 29th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I had an e-mail exchange with Kristen Zambo this morning and I've somewhat softened in my original assessment of her. She was courteous and engaging and certainly didn't strike me a radical pro-abort. I suspect she falls in that giant group of fence-sitters that frustrates both sides of the abortion issue. Yes, her articles show some degree of bias. How much of that bias is her own and much much is due to editing and editorial influence is questionable. The MSM will never be our ally and we will never be completely happy with the coverage they give us. We can't allow ourselves to get angry about it and take it out on people like Ms. Zambo in the wrong way. We won't make any points with them by following that approach. Question them mercilessly but don't berate them. Provoke thought, not anger. Nobody likes being yelled at or called names. Think about that angry pro-abort flipping you the bird at the vigil. Did it change your mind about abortion?
August 29th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Excellent suggestions, Jeff. We need to continue to be loving and charitable. Letters and comments from the pro-aborts continue to bait us by claiming that we are a radical, harassing minority. As we respond in great numbers with firm but calm voices, I feel their impatience growing. Note the letters to the editors of the various papers that contain no facts but angry rhetoric.
August 29th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I just feel us growing stronger every day in the fight of having "that" place never opening up. I pray that all elected officials find the courage to stand up and do what is right. We could make history, and maybe positive history at that. We have stood by and have allowed God to be taked out of our schools,out of Christmas, our court rooms–did you know that when swearing to tell the truth in a court room, the Bible and God, are not present! No wonder this world is in the mess it's in, but we could change that. Lets start by not allowing "that" place to ever open, lets take back our history, values and morals, and become again, One Nation Under God! Pray does work miracles! Enough is enough, and we need to elect officials that will take a stand and also say, "enough is enough"! God Bless Us All!
August 29th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
Congrats on the new blog! I'll be sure and announce this on my site, The Blue Boar (http://theblueboar.blogspot.com), named for an inn in one of Chesterton's novels.
August 30th, 2007 at 8:23 am
I have only one word for Tuesday's City Council meeting and that is MIRACLE! I would love to have the transcript but even that would not convey the depth of steely conviction, heart felt exhortation, and breadth of concerns expressed to keep Aurora and its families safe from the evil of Planned Parenthood. I was the last speaker and my number was number 126 on the list(although a few may have had to leave). Cecil B. DeMille couldn't have orchestrated a better rendition because God chose the words and the timing. And all the other side got out of it was a cooler?! That's right; they're in the deep freeze and the only thing that will keep the chill away is TRUTH. I hope somebody recorded the crowd dropping to their knees as one good pastor led us in prayer. Stay strong Church Militant!
August 30th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Good Morning! I have a bit to share from the vigil site this morning…..A pastor, associate pastor and youth minister from Homewood Church in Frankfort, Il arrived to pray this early morning! Such a drive for them!They too have been reading and hearing about this monster of a clinic that arrived in Aurora. And to my delight they are planning on bringing a bus of their own youth out to the clinic next week Saturday!!!! Ahhhhhhhh…those virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity! We are so Blessed to witness God's Abundant Love and Grace at work yet again! I hope we can get them a little press, too! This is just wonderful news amidst our other battles going on…….God Bless,Jane
August 30th, 2007 at 10:51 am
I would like to encourage parents and families to not only invite their children and their children's friends to this Saturday's Youth For Truth Rally, but you can also go to your children's principal and your Church's youth ministers/youth groups, etc.
I went to my son's principal and told him about the Rally and the prayer vigil. He was already aware of it. But I did encourage him to have the whole school involved and keep everything in prayer. He thought it was a great idea. He plans to speak with the religion teachers and encourage them to keep this a top item of discussion. I also brought up the fact that the older students could be taught the dangers of Planned Parenthood so they can tell their friends to stay away. They can be a witness to their friends and begin those Pro-Life roots and watch them grow.
I told him every grade can get involved at their level. This is so close to home, that they can get a real sense of purpose and contribution to defend life.
I also contacted my parish's director of youth ministry and forwarded him the email about the Rally. He was very receptive and has plans to bring some teens on Saturday.
You can do it too!!!
August 30th, 2007 at 4:38 pm
Cathy,
Go to Catholic.com, click on radio, click on Guest Schedule and then go to 1-20-06 I believe is the date. Listen to Yvonne Florzak Seeman tell her story about having 5 abortions and now she heads Project Rachael.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:22 pm
Cathy,
I meant Sally (post#4)! Sorry.
August 31st, 2007 at 12:24 pm
The main-stream Chicago TV and Radio media has completely ignored this story - the biggest single issue in the City of Aurora right now (the second largest city in Illinois). Fox and Univision have provided some coverage but I would encourage people to call or email the other media outlets or go to their "Contact Us" web page and ask why they are not reporting the news (ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN, WBBM-Radio, WGN-Radio, WLS-Radio)? Here are the web site links to their "Contact Us" web pages.
http://cbs2chicago.com/contact
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=stationinfo&id=3354595
http://wgntv.trb.com/about/site/feedback/
http://www.nbc5.com/contact/index.html
http://www.wbbm780.com/pages/2062.php
http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_contact&catid=162&Itemid=3
http://www.wlsam.com/contactus.asp
Some of the radio stations are talk stations and you can call in while on the air and ask the question of why?
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I am a neighbor to the planned parenthood abortion clinic. I have participated in the prayer vigil, and my teenage son and I attended the Youth For Truth rally. I have also had some interesting conversations with neighbors regarding the abortion clinic. I believe in prayer and the power of our Lord to change people's hearts and lives. And I believe he is doing this. However there is one very negative component to the pro-life campaign, and that is the massive posters of baby corpses that were at the initial rally. I know your group probably feels very strongly about showing these posters. However, community feedback where I live was very negative regarding this. People who may be on the fence about abortion were very upset that their young children were exposed to this visual display. Our neighborhood comes out onto New York street and there was no warning about the posters or an
ability for families to turn around. One parent told me that his 3rd grader asked him if the people holding the signs hurt babies! Is that the message that you want to send to children? I would just ask that you would prayerfully consider this the next time you consider displaying those posters. Someone else I know likened those posters to pornography. His view was that there are visions that are not appropriate for public display to our children, and put both pornography and corpse pictures in the same league. I understand what abortion is, and I understand that some people may need that visual to come to the same understanding. However, I have a true concern for the living children in my neighborhood as well. Again, I ask that you would prayerfully consider the impact in the entire community of displaying said posters.
September 2nd, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I was the day captain for today and I have to say it was an awesome day. Overall I was out at the site for about 7 hours throughout the day and each time I left it was very hard to leave. There was the quiet prayer time early in the morning, then almost the entire congregation from New Horizons Church showed up for prayer service. There was the pro choice lady that stopped to talk on her bicycle for 20 minutes and began by asking me if I believed men should be permanently castrated and referred to the baby in the mom's womb as a 'tumor'. I felt priviledged to be able to witness to her for 20 minutes, but God was just beginning at that time. Later in the day, as several children stood holding signs and telling passersby that Jesus loved them, a lady stopped to say that she felt having children there was disgusting and that we needed to stop judging women. We had the priviledge of speaking with the lady for 45 minutes and God was moving because before she left, her entire demeaner had changed. During the course of the conversation, we discovered a women who had been hurt by a man and was living with the pain of that and trying to make sense out of it. She left understanding why we were there and with an understanding that we are trying to help women. Please pray for her, we planted seeds we hope will grow and I have a real strong belief that God is working on her heart. There were more stories today than I can count. Even though I had some trouble filling the hours, there always more people there than scheduled - sometimes 30 or 40 more. There was the carload of nuns that showed up, and the family from Itasca, the guy who lives in the neighborhood who came to pray and two lovely young men from different churches in Aurora that I had the priviledge to pray with. The children counted 286 car honks in support of our effort as they held up signs for 2 hours, and a few hecklers. The worst of which was an adult woman who told the group of children that they "should have been aborted". We told the children to continue to tell the people how Jesus loves them because the meaner they are, the more they are hurting and need God's love. It's 10:30pm and the day is almost over. I can only say, that if you are needing inspiration or want an appointment to do God's will,go stand and pray for a couple of hours. God is doing wonders each day and touching people's hearts all over this city. I thank God for allowing me to be present to witness the miracles he is performing every day.
September 2nd, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Maureen,
There has been Pro's and Con's about showing the graphic pictures of abortion. I myself think there are times when the pictures need to be shown and times when they should not be shown.
For instance, I like the idea of showing the pictures on college campuses. The target age group is definitely old enough to handle the pictures. I have held these signs during a few Summer Truth Tours. At times when people had stopped at the light, I saw some people look at the signs at their eyes would tear up. I knew these people where either involved in having an abortion or they advised someone to have an abortion or someone they knew had an abortion.
Fr. Pavone shows these pictures on his Priests For Life website. There are thousands of people who wrote to him on his site and told him the pictures changed them from being Pro-Choice to Pro-Life.
http://www.priestsforlife.org/resources/abortionimages/graphicspraise.htm
Pro-Life Action League lists comments to objections to showing the graphic pictures…
http://www.prolifeaction.org/truth/objections.htm
Jill Stanek brings up the case of Emmett Till for a case to use the graphic pictures…
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/947446/posts
Anyhow I do agree if we can someone keep young children from seeing the graphic pictures, then we should do that. During recent Truth Tours there have been warning signs before entering the zone where the graphic pictures are used.
There have been many recent threads of debate about whether or not to use the graphic pictures at Catholic.com, then click on "Forums", then click on "Social Justice". You will see some very long interesting debates on the subject.
Mike
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:08 am
I just posted a few new videos from the city council meeting and the candlelight vigil. They are on my website (http://www.myspace.com/sidewalkcounseling), but you can access them directly too:
Aurora city council - video clips and pics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjOsEz9glI4
Candlelight prayer vigil - video clips and pics:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPoKtolGNnA
I also posted some of the individual speeches from the city council meeting… I added many of them to my myspace page, but you can find them on Youtube with a search for "aurora city planned parenthood".
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:49 am
I have to say I am opposed to PP being in my town because I don't believe the girls/women getting the abortions have been fully informed of what is growing inside of them. There are known cases where women have not followed through with their first intentions of ending a pregnancy because they were given the opportunity to hear the heartbeat of the fetus. Looking at a website like http://www.pregnancy.org/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment1.php#week10 may deter mothers from ending their pregnancy as well.
I have tragically lost three WANTED pregnancies and would love to take the baby of a woman who changes her mind from abortion to adoption. God wanted and created that unborn child, possibly not to be raised by the natural mother but by another.
I am praying that the facility not be able to open in Aurora or anywhere else.
Annie
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:38 pm