Please read and respond generously with your time!

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Dear Pro-Life Friends,

There is some important breaking news to share with you- good and bad- about Planned Parenthood at 1330 West Colorado Avenue. The most recent edition of The Independent has printed a story confirming the information we heard on Tuesday of this week. We learned, after being in that location for over 3 decades, our prayers and the prayers of many others during that time have been answered. Planned Parenthood is closing its doors at the end of July.  Old Colorado City residents will finally have their neighborhood back.

Unfortunately, PP is moving its abortion mill to 3480 Centennial Blvd- a nearly new and much bigger location north of Fillmore. They are moving from 3000 square feet to over 11,000 square feet “to more efficiently handle a greater number of patients, mostly women seeking reproductive health care.” Needless to say, we are all shocked by the news. The building they are moving into used to be a Osteopathic Hospital and was purchased for $2.05 million (in cash) in February of this year. The purchase was done under the name of Majors Property LLC.

The area has been scouted out by a number of people who come to pray regularly on the sidewalk  It is going to be … harder yet to reach the moms and dads going in because of the long private drive off Centennial Blvd to get to the abortion mill. There are no sidewalks close by to even stand on. We all agree where there’s a will… there’s a way. Our ongoing witness on the Centennial Blvd. corner sidewalk is do-able, but it will take some creativity, greater perseverance and even more faithful prayer as we will have very little access to the moms and no wonderful pregnancy center across the street to take mothers that at the last minute open their hearts to life.

The closest we will legally be able to witness is nearly 200 yards away from the front door. We are sure that the increased activity on the West Colorado sidewalk over the last few years and the Old Colorado City Pregnancy Center and Prayer Chapel across the street are the reasons this new property was chosen.

We are going to need a great deal of help over the next few weeks to get the word out to the neighbors in the area:  nearby businesses, homeowners, schools, and churches.  Our plan is to blanket the area as soon as possible, going door to door, handing out information about the abortion chamber moving into the neighborhood. We also will be standing near the shopping center to the south passing out fliers to cars leaving the lot.

This is going to be a monumental effort. Will you be able to help us get the word out?  Please prayerfully consider this urgent request.  It’s a bit providential, I think, that in the Gospel, we hear about the 72  disciples Jesus sent out ahead of Him to proclaim the kingdom. He sent them out in pairs like lambs among wolves. Their mission was going to be demanding and possibly perilous. This account in Luke’s Gospel is a good reminder that discipleship requires a single- mindedness that is uncompromising. The 72 returned with jubilation, marveling that even the demons were subject to them because of the Name of Jesus. As always, if we do this with the love of God, He will reward our faithfulness.

I’m not saying we can change the course of events now because it appears Planned Parenthood purchased the building and are not just leasing space. However, we have an opportunity to shine the light of truth on PP and it’s grisly business before they change locations.They can run but they can not hide.  It is an awesome opportunity to educate people about the deception PP sells to moms who need support not abortion. I think everyone would agree if we lived in the neighborhood we would want to know that an abortion mill was moving in right down the street. I expect we will find a lot of people who will be shocked, dismayed, angered and thankful they were alerted ahead of time.

Can we count on you?  Please let me know if you can help and your availability…weekdays, weekends, mornings, afternoons. Dates to distribute have not yet been chosen yet. All is dependent on when the fliers for the homes and businesses are available, so flexibility will be important.

Please get back with me as soon as possible. I know it is going to be a tricky time with summer vacations but we will need more committed pro-lifers than ever in this new effort.  One advantage of getting the word out now is that we may inspire some new people in the nearby neighborhood to join us in  prayer on the sidewalk when the time comes.

We would also appreciate any suggestions, advice, technical help, financial support (for the banners) and most importantly, your prayers.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.
God Bless.
Stephanie
481-4355

P.S. In anticipation of all that is changing on the PP sidewalk, there will be no Introduction to Sidewalk Counseling Class as scheduled for this month.

With many thanks to James Bell of American Principles Project (APP) for stating this so succinctly (and to Thomas Peters of APP for sharing the info) … here are some features of the Senate Healthcare Bill that make it pro-abortion:

• The Senate Health Care Reform Bill spends taxpayer dollars on health care plans that fund abortions.
• The bill spends $12 billion on Community Health Centers that Planned Parenthood will be eligible to receive.
• This bill also gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius the right to declare abortion as a pre-existing condition to be covered under every health care plan in the federal exchange under the Mikulski Amendment.
• It eliminates conscience protections for insurance providers, trip-wires the direct funding of abortions to potential expiration.
• Under this bill, everyone — including men and old women — will be forced to pay at least $1 (to be raised under jurisdiction of Congress) to a fund for “reproductive rights” that will cover 100% of the cost for anyone who gets elective abortions.

James puts it in a nutshell:  “To say that the Senate Health Care Reform Bill is the greatest expansion of abortion since Roe v. Wade is an understatement.”

FOLKS, please phone or email your Congressman!!!  Urge them to stand up for the sanctity of life, and to STOP Federal funding of abortion (click here for phone #’s of US Representatives for the state of CO).

LAST UPDATED 3/14/2010: With H/T to Connie Pratt, President of Colorado Citizens for Life — many thanks for the Pro-Life Resolution files, and for sharing how to be an effective PRO LIFE voice in our state Caucus!

Eighty percent of success is showing up.
– Woody Allen

March 16 is the day to show up! That’s the day that the Colorado Caucus & Straw Poll will be held in precincts throughout Colorado — and our caucus is where the nomination process begins.  By attending your neighborhood caucus, you have an opportunity to elect delegates who will designate PRO LIFE candidates at the county and state assemblies.

FOR MORE INFO:

• How do I know if a candidate’s PRO LIFE? You might examine an incumbent candidate’s voting record at web sites such as OnTheIssues.org or Vote Smart, since actions speak louder than words.
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  PPCFL has also asked the 2010 candidates for federal, state and El Paso county positions to respond to our Pro-Life Questionnaire.  We are sharing with you their responses, as an additional aid in your decision making.

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  And if you have a chance to talk with the candidate before or at the caucus, feel free to use the PPCFL Pro-Life Questionnaire to help clarify the candidate’s pro-life stance.

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  NOTE: The questionnaire is in Adobe (.PDF) format.
  If Adobe Reader isn’t installed on your computer, click
  to download it.

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• How does Colorado’s election process work? Learn more at Colorado State Publications Library.
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• What’s my home precinct? Use the Registered Voter Search to access your voter record.  Make note of your 10-digit precinct number.
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• Where’s my precinct caucus? That depends on your party affiliation.  To find your caucus location, click on the (Republican) or (Democrat) button in the table below.
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• OK, I’m in the door! What will happen now? The agenda for your caucus should include these items:
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  1)  Elect a caucus chair to conduct the caucus meeting

  2)  Elect two precinct committee people to organize precinct activities for the next 2 years

  3)  Elect delegates/alternates to the party assemblies:  county, congressional, state, etc.

  4)  Propose and vote on resolutions which, if passed, will be sent on to higher assemblies.

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• How can I be an effective PRO LIFE voice during the caucus?
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  1)  When the chair opens the floor for nominations for delegate and alternate, promptly nominate yourself or another in attendance whom you know is pro-life.  (If you wait too long to do this, someone may move that the nominations be closed.)

  2)  When nominations cease, say you’d like to hear those running for delegate/alternate both name the candidates they support and mention the issues they think are most important.

  3)  When it’s time to vote, vote ONLY for the people who have expressed a strong commitment to life…even if there are additional delegate/alternative slots available.

  4)  If pro-lifers are elected to these slots (a good sign you have a pro-life majority at your caucus), tell the chair you’d like to propose a resolution.

  5)  Distribute the copies of the Pro-Life Resolution (Click here for DEM or REP version) you’ve brought with you, read it aloud, and then say “I move the adoption of the resolution.”

  6)  When all caucus business is done, wait for an official motion to adjourn before leaving.

Dear Friend for Life,

As expected, President Obama and his ideological allies have announced their plan to ram through the House of Representatives the incredibly anti-life Senate bill they passed in the wee hours of Christmas Eve.

It doesn’t matter to these people that Americans overwhelmingly oppose Obamacare because they do NOT want federal funding of elective abortion.

It doesn’t matter to them that Americans do NOT want the radical Medicare cuts and diminished medical services that will inevitably lead to rationing.

It doesn’t matter to them that Americans do NOT want to violate the precious conscience rights of ethical doctors and nurses committed to “do no harm.”

Aiming for a March 20^th vote (or March 21 — admin), Obama et al are twisting arms, making deals, and offering bribes…like the just-announced federal-judgeship for Scott Matheson, whose brother, Rep. Jim Matheson, was originally a ‘no’ vote.

United with pro-life groups across the country, we’re fighting to ensure crucial decisions about your health care and coverage remain in your hands, not turned over to bureaucrats.

But all of us, now, must speak up one more time… and with one message!

So even if you’ve contacted your Member of Congress about this in the past, we ask you – at this critical time – to make another call RIGHT NOW.

Strongly urge your Representative to OPPOSE the Senate health care bill.

Say you think it would be inexcusably irresponsible to vote for this awful bill based on feeble and unpersuasive promises about some other bill that might — or more likely, might not — be enacted at some point later on.

For Life,
Connie Pratt, President
Colorado Citizens for Life

Rep. Diana DeGette   (202-225-4431)
Rep. Jared Polis   (202-225-2161)
Rep. John Salazar   (202-225-4761)
Rep. Betsy Markey   (202-225-4676)
Rep. Doug Lamborn   (202-225-4422)
Rep. Mike Coffman   (202-225-7882)
Rep. Ed Perlmutter   (202-225-2645)

P.S. If the Representative’s staff person insists that the bill does not allow federal funding of abortion (a now-familiar ploy), politely point out that you have access to detailed information which proves it does.  Then, share the information from our recent PPCFL Blog Post!

NOTE:  Among other things, the bill contains — buried deep within its 2400 pages — a provision for $7 BILLION (Mr. Obama wants $11 BILLION) for community health centers or CHCs.  Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion chain, already gets $350 million of our taxes.  Yet it meets the CHC criteria!

• Be firm, but not angry. Ask questions, and ask for a response. Be persistent.

• Include your other health care concerns in your message.  Many of you have already received massive amounts of information and opinions on this legislation. Your concerns may be more than the pro-life issues that are the reason for this alert.

The most effective means of contact will also be the most time consuming: a hand-written letter! Send your letter by snail-mail to their Washington offices.

In Colorado, address your letter(s) to:

Sen. Mark Udall or Sen. Michael Bennet
U.S. Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

And in the Pikes Peak area, our U.S. Congressman is:

Rep. Doug Lamborn
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Explain your concerns for the health and lives of the vulnerable, as well as how your personal health care and that of your family may be adversely affected. Ask questions, such as:

1. Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that uses my tax dollars to pay for abortions?
2. Will you oppose any healthcare reform bill that, in any way, promotes euthanasia?
3. Will you oppose any such bill that limits my access to healthcare or medicines recommended by my doctor?
4. Will you guarantee that any healthcare reform bill passed by Congress will always allow me to choose my own doctor?

Expect to receive a “form letter” reply to your first contact, such as a recent e-mail response from Michael Bennet, which included this sentence: “As the Senate continues to consider reform of our health care system, I will keep your thoughts in mind.”

Write a second letter, responding to the elected official’s letter. You want to know exactly how he will vote on upcoming healthcare bills that contain unacceptable conditions. Let him know that you’re also referring to amendments that may be considered that have those conditions that may have been deleted from the main piece of legislation.

Finally, write a third letter, letting the congressman or senator knows your reaction to their second response.

Please keep in mind – handwritten letters may actually be read by your senators or representative. Congressional aides or office staff normally handle all other correspondence.

The purpose of our survey is to ask questions that clarify what candidates understand about the sanctity of human life and the duty of and restrictions on the authority of government. The reasoning behind the questions follows:

1. Do you consider yourself Pro-Life?
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   This self-evaluation question had all positive responses, even from a candidate who stated that babies do not become members of the human family until they are born and that there is no contradiction between being pro-abortion and pro-life.

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2. Do you agree with the following statements?
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   • The primary duty of government is to protect the inalienable right to life given by the Creator.
   • And, the U.S. Constitution states that no person can be deprived of his right to life except by due process of law. Thus, no government has the authority to declare any part of the human family to be non-persons.

   This two part question sets forth the basic pro-life position: Government has the duty to protect the inalienable right to life of every person; it does not have the authority to declare any part of the human family to be a non-person.

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3. Is the sanctity of human life a foundational principle, or is it one among many issues of equal importance?
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   If it is the duty of government to protect the right to life; than it must be a foundational principle. If the sanctity of human life is just an issue, it is not the primary duty of government.

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4. Does your stand on the sanctity of human life take precedence over loyalty to your political party?
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   Again, if the duty of government to protect the right to life is a foundational principle it must take precedence over loyalty to a political party. If the party takes precedence, then the sanctity of human life is just an issue and not a duty of government to protect.

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5. Would you endorse a pro-choice candidate who is running against a pro-life candidate?
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   This is the rubber-meets-the-road question. A politician can be theoretically pro-life and answer the previous three questions correctly, but this is a question regarding action.If a politician cannot answer with a “no” here, it is usually because he will always vote for his party’s candidate, putting party loyalty before the sanctity of human life. He may also make references to other beliefs or issues, which reduces the sanctity of human life to being just another issue, not a foundational principle and thus not a duty of government.

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6. At what stage of development did we become persons?
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   An answer other than “single cell”, “at fertilization”, or “at conception ‘ indicates that the candidate believes government has the authority to declare some members of the human family to be non-persons.

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7. Do you want Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton to be overturned?
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   These are the Supreme Court decisions in which the Court overstepped its authority and declared babies in the womb to be non-persons.

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8. Will you support a pro-life constitutional amendment, state and/or federal, upholding the sanctity of life from single cell stage of development* to natural death?
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   A state constitutional amendment, like the personhood amendment on the Colorado ballot this year, might give the Supreme Court the opportunity to overturn Roe v Wade and Doe v Bolton. The only sure way to preserve everyone’s right to life is to pass a Federal Constitutional amendment, ensuring that no branch of government tries to deny any part of the human family’s right to life.

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9. Will you support federal and/or state efforts to ban:
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   • Late term abortions?
   • Embryonic stem cell research?

   This last two-part question is again probing the candidate’s understanding of the humanity of the preborn child at all stages of development.

   Late term abortions are hideous, akin to infanticide. Embryonic stem cell research murders a little one at the very beginning of his or her life. It is also hideous.