Laura Bush Advocates Abstinence Education in Africa

LifeNews.com 6/29

Laura Bush Advocates Abstinence Education in Visit to African NationsLusaka, Namibia (LifeNews.com) -- In a visit to several African nations on a tour of the continent, First Lady Laura Bush touted abstinence education as the best way to battle the AIDS disease that still ravages the region. She spoke at a community center on the eastern outskirts of Zamibia's capital with people who are giving care to AIDS victims and their families. The trip sees Bush and daughter Jenna heading through Mali, Mozambique and Nambia. Bush told reporters abstinence "is a very important component of the program." "There are several ways in which we can reach young people," she said. "One of the effective ways is abstinence ... it brings back dignity and self-responsibility to young people."

Senate Takes Five

Family Research Council 6/28

Senate Takes Five on Title V
Thanks to our many readers who contacted their elected officials, Title V abstinence funding will live to see another day--95, to be exact. Last night, the Senate agreed to at least a three-month extension of the federal matching funds for state abstinence education programs. Despite the liberals' ambush on abstinence, leaders from both parties, including Sens. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and Max Baucus (D-Mont.), worked together to ensure that the entitlement would not expire. As we applaud our friends on the Hill for acting quickly to salvage the funds, let's remember that the battle for Title V is far from over. Although the decision has given pro-family activists a brief reprieve, it postpones what is certain to be a bitter debate for full reauthorization at the end of this fiscal year. No doubt proponents of comprehensive sex ed are salivating at the chance to eliminate the competition in September. This may be summer, but we cannot afford to take a vacation from contacting Congress. Join us in turning up the heat in support of Title V and the well-being of the next generation.

Father Fact

Higher levels of father involvement in activities with their children, such as eating meals together, helping with homework, and going on family outings, has been found to be associated with fewer child behavior problems, higher levels of sociability, and higher levels of academic performance in children and adolescents.

Source: Mosley, J., and E. Thomson. "Fathering Behavior and Child Outcomes: The Role of Race and Poverty." In W. Marsiglio (Ed.), Fatherhood: Contemporary Theory, Research and Social Policy. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1995: 148-165.

North Carolina Can't Protect Women and Babies

LifeNews.com 6/26

North Carolina Can't Protect Women as Ohio Prosecutes Bobby Cutts

Raleigh, NC (LifeNews.com) -- While Ohio authorities charge Bobby Cutts with two counts of murder for the deaths of Jesse and Chloe Davis, North Carolina officials don't have the same luxury. That's because they are one of a handful of states that don't have a law allowing two charges when a pregnant mother and her unborn child are both killed or injured. That's a big problem for authorities because they recently found the body of an eight month pregnant Raleigh woman who was killed behind a convenience store. Jennifer Nielsen's killer can be charged with her death but not the death of her unborn child. Colon Willoughby, Wake County's district attorney, told the Associated Press his hands are tied. "I don't think there's anything we can do," he said. "I try to carry out the law as it is written. The policies are decided by the legislature." The state Supreme Court has also made it difficult for prosecutors to effect justice as it decided in a 1989 case that a second murder charge can only be brought if the unborn child survives the attack against her mother and dies later as a result from the injuries.

Abortion is safer than carrying pregnancy to term!?!

Today I met with a friend of our family who happens to be the college outreach program coordinator for FEMINISTS FOR LIFE http://www.feministsforlife.org/. She told me something that I found alittle shocking. According to Cayce Utley, Planned Parenthood's website makes claims that having an abortion is safer than carrying a pregnancy to term. Being the skeptic that I am I went to their website and sure enough, this is what they say:

If you choose abortion, you will also want to compare the benefits, risks, and side effects of each of your options. For example, both medication abortion and early vacuum aspiration are extremely safe. But current data suggest that medication abortion may carry a higher risk of death than early vacuum aspiration abortion. Even so, both procedures are much safer than abortion later in pregnancy or carrying a pregnancy to term.

Let me explain the concept of blogging. A blog (short for web log) is a website that provides commentary or news on a particular subject such as food, politics, or local news; some function as more personal online diaries. A typical blog combines text, images, and links to other blogs, web pages, and other media related to its topic. The ability for readers to leave comments in an interactive format is an important part of many blogs.

I am trying to stir up some controversy here. Is anyone out there????

National Fatherhood Initiative

Fathers Day may be over, but the National Fatherhood Initiative can help you celebrate Dad all year long. To learn more about what this group that promotes all things fatherly has to offer, visit https://www.fatherhood.org/.

Through a grant from the Grace and Hope Foundation, Lois' Lodge has acquired resources to train and assist the fathers of our Lois' Lodge babies. We are seeking male volunteers to provide leadership in this area. If you are interested in becoming involved in our Lois' Lodge initiative for fathers please contact Dawn at 704-376-8550 or via email: dg_loislodge@bellsouth.net. Deb