What's the agenda with Internet petitions & other ‘prolife' groups?

In this time of technological advances, the internet is being used more and more to gather information, get up-to-date news, and to communicate with loved ones. Although the internet can be an indispensable tool, it can also be used by people and groups that are looking to take advantage of others. Right to Life of Michigan has discovered that certain groups who call themselves "prolife" are sponsoring web sites that ask for visitors to sign a petition. These petitions usually have to deal with hot issues like overturning Roe vs. Wade, banning human cloning or stopping partial-birth abortion.

These petitions usually ask for a name, e-mail address, and full street address. Although some of these petitions are used by reliable prolife groups, other petition web sites are sponsored and owned by organizations that claim to be prolife but don't participate in activities that further our communities' efforts to save the vulnerable.

Some organizations will use your information to put you on their mailing list so they can ask for donations, which may or may not go to good use. Other organizations will sell your name and addresses for profit to other companies or organizations who have nothing to do with the prolife cause, so they can attempt to sell you their products or services.

Right to Life of Michigan has worked tirelessly since its inception to provide legal protection to those who are threatened by the culture of death. We have helped to pass life-saving legislation, elect prolife lawmakers, and educate the state of Michigan on the importance of life issues. Right to Life of Michigan has a reputation of being one of the most organized and efficient prolife groups in the country. Unfortunately, not every organization that calls itself "prolife" is working to advance the goals of our movement. Many are looking to take advantage of concerned citizens who are trying to make a difference and save lives. Since most members of the prolife community are good-hearted, trusting individuals, they are seen as prey for individuals and organizations who would take advantage of their trust.

So the next time you're surfing the net, make sure that the petition you are thinking of signing is sponsored by a reliable group that you trust.

What about groups promoting the "Life at Conception Act"?

One mailing by the "National Pro-Life Alliance," promoting the "Life at Conception Act," made the remarkable claim, "The Supreme Court itself said in Roe: ‘once Congress establishes the personhood of unborn children, they must be protected by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution . . .'" But no such quote regarding CONGRESSIONAL authority to define personhood actually appears in Roe vs. Wade, or in any other Supreme Court decision.

Of course, new U.S. Supreme Court justices might bring new perspectives to bear on such issues. Supreme Court justices are nominated by the President and require a majority of the Senate. If a Supreme Court nomination was filibustered, it would require 60 votes to end the filibuster.

In the current U.S. Senate, there are at least 55 senators (out of 100) who support Roe vs. Wade.

Thus, at this time, there are not enough votes in the U.S. Senate to pass legislation to ban abortion or to declare personhood for the unborn. Our work and resources need to remain in our state to continue to elect prolife legislators, a prolife governor and educate our public on the value of the unborn.

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