Speaking of…a set of brass ones! When I read the article from CNSNews.com regarding  Planned Parenthood Federation of America’s (PPFA) president, Cecile Richards, having sent a request for recipients to “Make a Mother’s Gift” to the organization, I was beyond appalled. Stunned. For a few seconds, I was speechless…and anyone who knows me knows that doesn’t happen often.

Especially considering the fact that, among other things, the PPFA is the leading provider of surgical abortions in the United States and receives more than $300 million in government grants. PPFA provides more abortions than any other provider in the U.S. In 2005 PPFA provided 264,943 surgical and medical abortions, according to its 2004-2005 Annual Report.

According to the same report, between government grants and contracts, private contributions and bequests ($212.2 million), clinic income ($345.1 million) and other sources, they received a total of $902.8 million. Approximately one-third of its revenue is from government grants and contracts.

The May 3 email from Richards follows:

"Dear Friend, Join us! Make a Mother's Day gift. My daughter, Hannah, recently wrote this for a national magazine:

'I was raised by strong women. My mom, Cecile Richards, fights daily for women's reproductive rights and social justice as president of Planned Parenthood. It's a legacy she got from her mom (my late grandma), Ann Richards, the former governor of Texas. I've learned that the most rewarding battles in life are those waged for something you truly believe in.' ...

"... As Mother's Day approaches, I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference and hope you'll join me. Happy Mother's Day."

End email.

John Jansen, co-director of Generations for Life, the youth outreach program for the Pro-Life Action League, told Cybercast News Service (CNS) he felt it was ironic that “that an organization dedicated to helping women avoid motherhood is celebrating motherhood.”

CNS stated Georgette Forney, co-founder of Silent No More Awareness Campaign (SNMAC), found irony in Planned Parenthood using motherhood as a marketing tool. They reach out to those who are in pain after their abortion and let them know help is available. They are Christians who “make the public aware of the devastation abortion brings to women and men. The campaign seeks to expose and heal the secrecy and silence surrounding the emotional and physical pain of abortion.”  Their goal is to educate the public that “abortion is harmful emotionally, physically and spiritually with lasting consequences,” and encourage those who are ready to share their stories. The actress and model Jennifer O'Neill is the National Spokeswoman for the Campaign.

Groups like the SNMAC and Ramah International speak of Post-abortion Syndrome (PAS), a form of post-traumatic stress disorder, which may not strike until years later.

I’ve known many women who would tell you how old their child or children would have been had they been born. Some, due to the abortion or complications were unable to have children. I cannot begin to tell you the guilt and despair some of these women felt. A number of them said had they really known or understood what they were doing, and the impact it would have on them, they would have made a different choice.

According to the PPFA  site, “Abortions are very common. In fact, more than 1 in 3 women in the U.S. have an abortion by the time they are 45 years old.” I would have to question those numbers. But, even if it’s close, it’s more than tragic.

On their page about “Pregnant, Now What?” the PPFA says, “Beware of so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" that are anti-abortion. These fake clinics advertise free pregnancy testing to lure women into their anti-choice agenda.” In their exegesis about “Crisis pregnancy centers”, they assert:

1.)    May perform your pregnancy tests without medical supervision. (Since when do people need a doctor to read a “plus” on a pee stick? But, most “crisis” pregnancy centers offer medical care. I am unaware of any who do not either have medical personnel involved with their organization, or have a medical clinic or physician they can send a woman to. I have no doubt that when a medical opinion is needed they procure one. Or, send the woman to a medical clinic or physician. To describe them otherwise is specious.)

2.)    Won’t give you complete and correct information about all options. (Obviously, a place that does not believe in the efficacy of abortion isn’t going to give that as an option – unless there is a real medical need for it. However, I question the veracity of this statement. There are a number of organizations such as Birthright International who are independent, interdenominational, and not affiliated with any religious or political group or public agency. They also do not ...use "scare tactics" or pressure; show abortion slides or pictures; picket or harass abortion clinics; evangelize or lobby for legislative changes or engage in the public debate on abortion.” Or, such as The Nurturing Network or Bethany Christian Services who among the many things they offer are nurturing homes, medical services, legal assistance, counseling support, financial aid, adoption services and educational and employment opportunities, and post-pregnancy help. A more inclusive list, in fact, than PPFA.)

3.)    May try to frighten you with misleading films and pictures that are designed to keep you from choosing abortion. (Oh, they show them real pictures of what actually happens to that little life they’re thinking about snuffing out. And, depending in the method and how late in the game it is, the reality is pretty gruesome. Fr. Frank Pavone, one of the most prominent pro-life leaders in the nation has posted two challenging videos on You Tube in which he demonstrates the most common abortion procedures, using the actual abortion instruments and fetal models. The first is an explanation of Dismemberment D&E Procedure. The second, a Suction Abortion Procedure. A video on Development of the Unborn Baby is doubtless another one they wouldn’t want a woman to see when contemplating an abortion. Organizations like the PPFA resist the idea of giving pregnant women ultra sound [sonograms] who seek abortion as an alternative. Because once a woman has one, she can clearly see it’s not a blob of protoplasm in there – it’s a real live human being. “Although the terms ultrasound and sonogram are technically different, they are used interchangeably and reference the same exam.” The results are seen immediately on a monitor during the procedure. There is an interesting video regard the issue of Informed Consent. The author contends that if women contemplating an abortion were shown the sonograms, were actually informed about what they were about to do, which would include the visual aspect of what’s inside, they may look at it differently. At the very least, they would no longer be able to fool themselves into thinking what they are about to abort is a blob of protoplasm…Pavone and others believe that if the American people can actually see what an abortion is, and what is going to happen and to what, they may reconsider it as an option for birth control.)

4.)    Will lie to you about the medical and emotional effects of abortion. (No, I think it is the folks at places like PPFA that lie – they minimize the emotional and physiological repercussions, giving the sense that it is essentially has no more impact that getting a tooth pulled or “like having your tonsils out." If it had no residual impact there would be no need for organizations like SNMC or Rachel’s Vineyard Ministries or the dozens of other organizations dedicated to dealing with the trauma, both short and long term, of abortion.)

5.)    May tell you that you are not pregnant even if you are, to fool you into continuing your pregnancy without knowing— the delay would make abortion more risky and keep you from getting prenatal care. (I would have to see real proof on this. Not anecdotal evidence from PPFA. From women, once frightened and scared because they believed they were pregnant, or were pregnant)

6.)    May discourage you from using the most reliable methods of birth control. (Again, I would have to see real proof on this issue. These organizations are not trying to get woman pregnant – only to deal with the repercussions of it.)

But, of course, “If you need help, call your local Planned Parenthood center.” After all, in their opinion, they offer the best help and the only real sane way to look at things.

Their site on “Pregnant, Now What?” Does offer some good advice, however. Aside from its characterization of pro-life crisis centers, it offers a fairly good run-through of one’s options and the things to consider when pregnant. It also offers a cursory view on abortion and the types of abortion. However, they state, “Abortions performed later in pregnancy may be more complicated but are still safer than labor and delivery.”

Safer? In whose mind? And, on what level? For the most part, we’re not talking about people here who don’t have access to medical attention and who have to give birth on the streets or in the fields. This isn’t Africa or the 18^th century. Such a statement makes it clear what their agenda is. And, sounds like statistical manipulation to me.

All these issues make the Mother’s Day request for funds from the PPFA even more egregious.

CNS also reported that in another e-mail, Richards shared "some reflections on Mother's Day" by asking recipients to combat efforts to stop the federal government from giving Planned Parenthood the more than $300 million a year under its Title X family planning program, and “in particular the campaign spearheaded by the conservative Family Research Council.”

"The extreme right-wing Family Research Council (FRC) will deliver petitions to the White House with the express goal of totally defunding 'groups like Planned Parenthood,'" she wrote. "What's worse ... the Bush Administration ... will be inside to receive them with open arms."

Tony Perkins, FRC President said, "Allegations of fraud, reports of statutory rape cover-ups, the documented racism of several state branches, and clinic deficiencies are pushing leaders' support for Planned Parenthood to the brink. If President Bush agrees, U.S. funds would no longer be used to promote and facilitate abortion… Instead, federally-supported 'family planning' clinics would be completely separate from abortion services.”

Perkins felt maybe “then Richards would stop and reflect on what Mother's Day truly means to millions of would-be moms who, because of her clinics, will never hold the child whose life ended inside the clinic walls."

Perhaps Richards should listen to some of the women who had abortions. From Peggy in Tennessee,” … This abortion would meet my needs of the moment. It would be the solution to my family’s financial burdens, and my personal energy and convenience concerns. 

But in my heart and soul I knew that it was wrong. The abortion that I chose to have not only murdered my innocent baby, it damaged me physically, mentally and spiritually. It was not a solution to my problem. 

Because of the physical damage I had to have a hysterectomy 3 months later. 

The guilt and shame of allowing my child to be murdered made it much easier to use and abuse myself in many other ways.” 

Or from Lillian, “My boyfriend was abusive…Unfortunately, nothing my boyfriend could have done to me would compare to what that abortion clinic did to me. I made my appointment and went to my local Planned Parenthood for my abortion…The workers were very ineffectual and not very nice at all…I told her [a nurse] I was having second thoughts… I lost consciousness for a while, when I came too, the procedure was already underway.

… As he [the doctor] worked, he said to me, "This is best for you… All I could think about was how I could ever atone for the murder of my child. I heard the sucking of the machine as he worked I swear I could hear my baby's soul crying as it was torn apart.

… Those awful people forced me to have an abortion against my will. The minute I expressed any doubts about my abortion, they took steps to make sure they got my money from me.

I have never forgotten that awful experience. I tried to sue the clinic but, I was told that I didn't have a case because I had been given a lot of paperwork to sign and one page granted the permission to sedate me during the procedure if needed. One of the side effects of the sedative they used was mild hallucinations. There was also no proof that I had asked for the abortion to stop.

It has been five years and I have not forgotten it or stopped feeling guilty. Last year, suffering severe depression from the abortion, I tried to kill myself using my antidepressants. I asked for the abortion to stop, but I walked into that clinic and made the appointment. The clinic would help with the abortion, but they offered no help for my regret and depression afterward. I have looked to my church and I still feel unforgiven. I looked to psychology to help me with the guilt and they just gave me drugs. Finally, I decided that maybe if I tried to help other women and girls, I might be able to get redemption. Everyone needs to know that abortion mills are dangerous. Women and girls need to think through their decisions very carefully because their very souls are in danger.

No matter the circumstances, there is always a better choice than abortion. Help is available. I didn't ask for help because I was scared for my safety and I didn't think my family would help. I thought they would be mad at me for getting pregnant out of wedlock, but they would have helped me if I told them.  I was just so confused that I didn't think I had anyone in whom I could confide. But there is help out there. Don't make the same mistake I made.”