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Congress Receives Irrefutable Evidence of IRS Harassment of Pro-Life Organizations

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Photo Credit: thomasmoresocietyToday, the Thomas More Society offered over 150 pages of analysis and evidence to the House Ways and Means Committee about repeated IRS harassment of pro-life organizations. At the request of Congressman Aaron Schock (R-IL), Thomas More Society President Thomas Brejcha, Executive Director Peter Breen, and Special Counsel Sally Wagenmaker, prepared the legal memorandum with solid evidence of IRS harassment of pro-life organizations dating back to 2009.

The memo details the history of IRS misconduct in the cases of three organizations represented by the Thomas More Society. The abuse dates back further than the now publicized 2010 complaints and extends beyond the IRS’s recently exposed Cincinnati office to also include the tax agency’s California operations in the charges of blatant bias.

The IRS office in El Monte, California, began harassing Christian Voices for Life of Fort Bend County, Texas in 2011. In a series of questions penned by Exempt Organization Specialist Tyrone Thomas from the California office, the IRS asked a series of unwarranted questions ordering Christian Voices for Life without any foundation, to explain its content, message, and prayers as if they were engaging in highly offensive or criminal behavior.

Read more from this story HERE.

Gallup Poll: 58% of Americans Oppose All or Most Abortions

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Photo Credit: Life NewsWith the murder trial of abortion practitioner Kermit Gosnell in full swing, a new Gallup poll of Americans nationwide find well over half oppose all or virtually all abortions.

Gallup’s annual Values and Beliefs poll, conducted May 2-7, find 58 percent of Americans want either all or almost all abortions illegal — with 20% saying it should be illegal in all circumstances and 38% favoring it in only in a few circumstances.

Just 39 percent of Americans support all or most abortions remaining legal, with only 26% of Americans favoring legalized abortion under any circumstances (the position of Planned Parenthood and President Barack Obama) and 13% favoring legality under most circumstances.

The poll also showed varying groups of Americans also strongly oppose abortions and want it illegal in all or most circumstances. Some 59 percent of men and 57 percent of women want all or most abortions illegal as do 57 percent of young Americans under the age of 34. Republicans want all or most abortions illegal on a 78-21 percentage point margin while 59 percent of independents and even 43 percent of Democrats oppose all or most abortions.

Read more from this story HERE.

NAACP Sues Black Pro-Lifer Who Exposed It’s Pro-Abortion Views

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Photo Credit: Life News

The NAACP has filed a countersuit against a black pro-life leader who exposed its pro-abortion views in an article appearing at LifeNews.com.

In February, the NAACP threatened to sue LifeNews.com and Ryan Bomberger, a LifeNews blogger (left), for a column that took the civil rights organization to task over its abortion position. The NAACP is upset about a column Bomberger wrote at LifeNews titled, “NAACP: National Association for the Abortion of Colored People,” which notes the organization’s 44th Annual Image Awards.

Following the piece, the NAACP sent Bomberger, the director of the Radiance Foundation, and LifeNews a threatening letter claiming infringement on its name and logo for including it in the opinion column. The letter accuses Bomberger and his group, the Radiance Foundation, of “trademark infringement” over an ad campaign that exposes the NAACP’s pro-abortion position.

Stating that while “you are certainly entitled to express your viewpoint, you cannot do so in connection with a name that infringes on the NAACP’s rights,” the letter demands a response within a self-imposed time period.

Read more from this story HERE.

Abortionist's Case Raises Troubling Questions

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Photo Credit: Washington Examiner

Until late last week, almost nobody outside of Philadelphia or the pro-life activist community had heard of Gosnell or his trial, which began two weeks ago. The New York Times had one story at the start of the trial in March, and then nothing.

Conservative media critic Mollie Hemingway of the blog GetReligion spent a good part of last week asking reporters who normally cover such issues why they were clamming up on this trial. Washington Post writer Sarah Kliff, who covers abortion extensively, responded that she didn’t cover “local crime.”

Many conservatives noted that the Newton, Conn., school massacre and the killing of Trayvon Martin could be described as “local crime,” yet they warranted national media attention. Why not an alleged serial-killing abortionist?

It’s a good question, especially because the policy debate Gosnell stirs up could give ammunition to either side. Abortion defender Katha Pollitt, for instance, wrote after Gosnell’s arrest last year, “What fueled Gosnell’s business were the very restrictions the legislature was so keen on passing. …”

On the other side, Gosnell’s crimes are also relevant to President Obama’s abortion record. As a state senator, Obama repeatedly voted against legislation requiring hospitals to care for babies born during abortions. Such laws might somehow be used in the future to infringe on abortion’s legality, Obama argued.

Read more from this story HERE.

Paul Ryan Energizes Pro-Life Advocates with Speech Against Abortion

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Photo Credit: LifeNews

Last night, Wisconsin Congressman and former vice presidential candidate Paul Ryan energized pro-life advocates with a rousing speech against abortion that provided hope for ending the travesty someday.

In his speech at the Susan B. Anthony List gala, Ryan urged pro-lifers to be active in the battle to change hearts and minds — setting up political change down the road.

“Here’s my thinking: We need to articulate a vision — one that can attract a broad coalition,” Ryan said. “To advance the pro-life cause, we need to work with people who consider themselves pro-choice — because our task isn’t to purge our ranks. It’s to grow them.”

He urged pro-life advocates to never abandon the cause of life or accept and political truce on the issue of abortion and protecting unborn children under law.

“Our critics say we should abandon our pro-life beliefs. But that would only demoralize our voters,” he told the audience. “It’s an odd strategy, I think: the cynical ploy followed by the thumping defeat. Besides, you’re proving the critics wrong. You’re helping pro-life leaders win races across the country. You’re showing that “what convinces is conviction,” he will say.

Read more from this story HERE.

Pro-Life Democrat in USA Today Column: 'Infant Beheadings, Severed Feet' and Media Malpractice (+video)

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Photo Credit: YouTube

By Kirsten Powers. Infant beheadings. Severed baby feet in jars. A child screaming after it was delivered alive during an abortion procedure. Haven’t heard about these sickening accusations?

It’s not your fault. Since the murder trial of Pennsylvania abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell began March 18, there has been precious little coverage of the case that should be on every news show and front page. The revolting revelations of Gosnell’s former staff, who have been testifying to what they witnessed and did during late-term abortions, should shock anyone with a heart.

NBC-10 Philadelphia reported that, Stephen Massof, a former Gosnell worker, “described how he snipped the spinal cords of babies, calling it, ‘literally a beheading. It is separating the brain from the body.” One former worker, Adrienne Moton, testified that Gosnell taught her his “snipping” technique to use on infants born alive.

Massof, who, like other witnesses, has himself pleaded guilty to serious crimes, testified “It would rain fetuses. Fetuses and blood all over the place.” Here is the headline the Associated Press put on a story about his testimony that he saw 100 babies born and then snipped: “Staffer describes chaos at PA abortion clinic.”

“Chaos” isn’t really the story here. Butchering babies that were already born and were older than the state’s 24-week limit for abortions is the story. There is a reason the late Democratic senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan called this procedure infanticide. Read more from this story HERE.

Congressman: Gosnell an Abortion Predator Who Must be Exposed

By Steven Ertelt. Several members of Congress on Thursday afternoon took to the floor of the House of representatives to expose the horrors abortion practitioner Kermit Gosnell has committed and to decry the lack of media attention to them.

Congressman Marlin Stutzman, an Indiana Republican, was one of the members who spoke on the House floor this afternoon to call attention to the horrific crimes Gosnell engaged in at his Philadelphia, Pennsylvania abortion clinic.

The following is the speech he delivered and a video of it:

Read more from this story HERE.

Governor Blames the Court System For Violating Free Speech Rights; Senator says, 'This is an Outrage'

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In what is shaping up to be a major embarrassment for all branches of Alaska’s state government, Governor Sean Parnell yesterday blamed the Alaska Court System for blocking pro-life protesters and impeding their free speech rights.

He stated that, on Tuesday, “the Court System requested the Department of Administration use state vehicles to park in front of the protesters.” The Governor’s statement on Wednesday about the Tuesday fiasco acknowledged just one Department of Administration vehicle and made no mention of the Alaska Court System’s involvement in its use to block the protesters.

The Governor’s statement yesterday not only blamed the Court System for Tuesday, but also noted that on both days in question, “employees of the Legislature parked vehicles in front of the protestors.”

Juneau has still made no comment on the alleged assault and other improper behavior, including the forced removal of a sign, that occurred on Wednesday (you can see of video of what happened HERE).

Interestingly, Alaska’s media did not report on what happened in Juneau until Friday, days after Restoring Liberty informed Alaskans about what happened. This is despite the fact that a reporter was present on Wednesday who observed the protest and questioned the participants after the alleged assault.

We have demanded an investigation into what happened on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Those who have committed unlawful and/or improper acts should be held accountable.

The Governor’s and/or Legislature’s investigation must also get to the bottom of why the Alaska Court System would direct state resources outside its jurisdiction to violate protesters’ First Amendment rights.

Here’s what one Senator said to his colleagues about this “outrage” yesterday:

This Week's House of Horrors Trial Testimony: 'It Would Rain Fetuses. Fetuses and Blood All Over the Place'

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In the continuing trial of ‘House of Horrors’ abortionist Kermit Gosnell, one of his former employees, now incarcerated, testified that “it would rain fetuses. Fetuses and blood all over the place.”

Steven Massof’s chilling testimony continued, “I felt like a firemen in hell. I couldn’t put out all the fires.”

According to LifeNews,

Massof spoke eerily in slow and deliberate manner, almost over-articulating his words. That, along with his “scuzzy” appearance made him appear creepy and –at least to this observer–somewhat revolting. He seemed to take an odd sarcastic glee in relating the illegal activities and filthy conditions under which he worked for approximately nine years.

Massof, who went to a medical school in Granada but never completed residency, was allegedly used by abortionist Gosnell to assist in the murder of babies born in failed abortions.

He also testified that the clinic performed forced abortions and identified women, such as Elizabeth Hampton (right), who would “hold down the women” who were not cooperating during the killings.

As part of a plea deal, the former employee previously pled guilty to three counts of third degree murder and dozens of federal drug charges.

As we reported previously, Massof’s former employer, Kermit Gosnell, is charged with eight murders. Witnesses have testified that Gosnell, or his employees, cut the necks of numerous late term babies delivered after abortions [warning: graphic photo of one of Gosnell’s alleged victims HERE]. Gosnell’s attorneys are claiming racism.

Video: Alaska's Department of Administration Interferes With Pro-life Protest; Gov. Parnell Responds

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Today, the Center for Bioethical Reform staged a demonstration in front of the Capitol in Juneau, Alaska. The event, intended to influence public policy by educating legislators about the horrors of abortion, started with little fanfare.

The activists erected large posters of aborted babies across from the capitol steps. At first, it didn’t seem their activities were attracting much attention. But that soon changed.

According to one participant we interviewed today, a line of trucks began to appear, some parking in the middle of the road, the others parking in the loading zone immediately in front of the capitol.

One driver exited his vehicle and apologized, stating he was just doing what he was told to do:

Several hours later, after a legislator’s staff was contacted, the vehicles were abruptly removed.

The governor should immediately investigate who gave the order to use state assets to interfere with this peaceful political protest. The use of state resources in this partisan and anti-First Amendment way is wrong and someone should be held accountable.

UPDATE: Governor Parnell’s office contacted Restoring Liberty today and emailed THIS RESPONSE.

New Pope Francis Called Abortion the ‘Death Penalty for the Unborn’

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The archbishop of Buenos Aires, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, has been selected to become the next Pope, leading the Catholic Church. Like his predecessors, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, he is a staunch pro-life advocate when it comes to abortion.

Last year, then-Cardinal Bergoglio stated, “Abortion is never a solution. We listen, support and understanding from our place to save two lives: respect the human being small and helpless, they can take steps to preserve your life, allow birth and then be creative in the search for ways to bring it to its full development.”

He once called abortion a “death sentence” for unborn children, during a 2007 speech and likening opposition to abortion to opposition to the death penalty.

In an October 2, 2007 speech Bergoglio said that “we aren’t in agreement with the death penalty,” but “in Argentina we have the death penalty. A child conceived by the rape of a mentally ill or retarded woman can be condemned to death.”

Read more from this story HERE.