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IN THE MIDST OF A LONG BATTLE ... |
 Fiona Simpson, Member for Maroochydore, was the guest speaker at our recent Cherish Life Annual Fundraising Dinner. Fiona has been an avid proponent of pro-life values in parliament. She highlighted the fact that we are currently in the midst of a battle for people’s hearts and minds in regards to pro-life matters and that while we need to continue to fight to keep the law regarding abortion as it is, we need to fight even harder for the hearts of the general public. We can all do something, no matter how small — everyone can contribute positively to this fight. Thank you Fiona for so generously giving of your time to speak at this function.
Recently, I listened to a talk about the history of journalism. It covered a number of very interesting points, not least of which was the comment that the media often “normalises the unthinkable”. This is exactly what has happened in relation to the issue of abortion — abortion is unthinkable and yet has been normalised by the continued parroting of the clichés put forward by the pro-abortion lobbyists, courtesy of the media.
The talk also included this interesting snippet: Some time ago a group of Russian journalists visited the US. When asked to comment on what they had found re journalism in the US they commented thus “…all opinion on all vital issues across all forms of media here is the same. In Russia, we send people to the Gulag and rip off their fingernails to get this result. Here you have achieved the same without this. What is the secret?”
It seems that this is true in Australia also. Anyone reading the copious amounts of coverage given to the abortion issue in Queensland recently could be forgiven for thinking the articles may have been written at a central venue and sent forth through the different media. Censorship of pro-life views has occurred through the media largely ignoring our press releases and only publishing the opinions of those in the pro-abortion camp.
In one particular instance a short while ago, I was contacted by a reporter to speak about a particular aspect of the fallout of abortion, i.e. babies that were aborted being born alive during the mid-trimester and left to die. We spent some 20 minutes on the phone discussing this issue, however when the article appeared in The Courier-Mail, not one comment of mine appeared in it. I called the reporter to ask if it had been deemed important enough to call us for comment, why was it not important to report what we had to say? The reporter replied that while she had included my comments, the sub-editor had taken them out. This is a typical example of the difficulty of getting the media to report the issue in a balanced way. What are they frightened of? People knowing the truth about abortion?
Please help us “get the word out” about the reality of the abortion situation and come to our next Rally For Life which will be held early in 2010.
In the meantime, on behalf of all at Cherish Life, we wish you God’s blessings for a safe, happy and Holy Christmas and joyous New Year.
Teresa Martin
State President
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Give Life a Chance ... read the opinion piece in full |
We are on the threshold of change for better or for worse. It is proposed to insert the words “or medical procedure” into Section 282 of the Criminal Code. According to government comments, this is designed to give protection to doctors prescribing abortion-inducing drugs such as RU-486. If passed, what is the possible fallout from this? The TGA have already given a large abortion business licence to prescribe RU-486. What is to stop the TGA granting permission to all GPs to prescribe these death-inducing drugs? Doctors who may have opposition to surgical abortion may find themselves under pressure to become involved in these so-called medical abortions. Purely due to accessibility, more women may avail themselves of these life-destroying drugs where they can experience passing a dead baby “in the privacy of their own home”.
On the other hand, should this change to legislation not be passed, will the pro-abortion lobby ‘up the ante’ and continue to try and force the Premier to acquiesce to their demands and allow abortion up to birth as is currently the case in Victoria?
But will the pressure from the pro-abortion lobby stop there? Hardly likely if Victoria is anything to go by. It wasn’t enough to be granted legal justification to have abortion up to birth, law now decrees that doctors in Victoria must either perform an abortion or refer for one even if they are totally morally and ethically opposed to abortion. Nurses in Victoria aren’t off the hook either, they must assist with abortion procedures under threat of job loss.
Whichever way the vote falls on the insertion of those three words, the real losers are women. Women, who instead of being given support when finding themselves unexpectedly pregnant, are channelled down the abortion path. Women, who instead of having help to remove the circumstance that makes it difficult for them to birth their baby, find pressure on all sides to instead, remove the baby in a deadly fashion. Women who then find themselves crushed and broken and often, physically damaged, sometimes permanently. Women who will perhaps have robbed themselves of ever having another baby. Women, who desperately want another answer rather than to be sucked down the vortex of abortion.
Much has been put in the media of late in relation to the “hard cases” of abortion – such as the 24 year old mother who found she is carrying a spina bifida child. The reason she is considering abortion goes along the lines of “who will look after this disabled child when I die?” It seems instead of being given all the relevant information and help organisations for a child with that disability in order to help her deal with her situation, abortion has been dished up to her as the answer. Has no one told her of the many childless couples who would dearly love a baby, any baby, disabled or otherwise, to hold in their arms? As it is the unborn baby that is disabled, the mother’s life is not under threat, so why abort? Gift that child to a childless couple. An unwanted baby for one woman can become a very much wanted baby for another.
It sometimes feels there is a “seek and destroy” mission where the targets are women and their unborn babies. Women deserve better than abortion – instead of removing the baby, let’s remove the circumstance that make it difficult for that woman to birth her child.
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UPDATES ON OUR MOST RECENTLY FORMED BRANCHES
Well done to our CLQ Mackay Branch for their recent efforts at their official launch event for their newly re-formed branch. Dr Graeme Cumming, President, has been busy speaking at a number of events including some Men’s Breakfast events as well as for a men’s conference.
CLQ Redcliffe/Northern Suburbs branch recently held a joint event with the CLQ Caboolture Branch. This raised awareness in their adjoining local areas and was quite successful. Redcliffe/Northern Suburbs also held a garage sale which raised substantial capital for them to proceed with efforts planned for 2010.
Caboolture Branch manned a CLQ stand at the Caboolture Show just one week after they formed earlier in the year – well done! They also covered a large number of religious services on Sanctity of Life Sunday giving out brochures and selling “Precious Feet” pins.
CLQ Nambour held their first AGM celebrating a year in operation. They are also busy planning their events for 2010.
TOOWOOMBA BILLBOARD — APPEAL FOR CLEANING/COATING FUNDS
Toowoomba Branch of CLQ has had for many years a pro-life billboard on private property at Hattonvale facing the highway. Unfortunately this billboard is occasionally the target of those who do not hold to our life values. Dr Donna Purcell, President of that branch, is requesting donations towards the cleaning and protective coating of this billboard to minimise any possible future attacks. Please forward your donation to her at 7 Trousdel Court, Toowoomba clearly marked “billboard donation”.
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GOOD NEWS!
(Excerpt from Lifenews.com 11.11.09)
Bryan, Texas — Planned Parenthood officials have failed in their bid to silence a former abortion center director who quit working for the abortion business on 6 October 2009 after seeing an ultrasound of an abortion. PP had pushed for a restraining order on Abby Johnson and a pro-life group that helped her conversion. Johnson had been the director of the Planned Parenthood centre in this southeast Texas city that is home to Texas A&M University.
Planned Parenthood officials hit both Johnson and the Coalition for Life with restraining orders requiring them not to disclose information about the abortions done at its facility. District Judge J.D. Langley issued a ruling today saying Planned Parenthood did not provide sufficient evidence that Johnson breached a confidentiality agreement concerning identity of an abortion practitioner who works at Planned Parenthood.
EUTHANASIA NEWSFLASH
Good news — against all odds, the line against euthanasia has been held in South Australia!
Ann Bressington, whose amendments to the bill were defeated, absented herself from the final vote. David Ridgway, who had declared himself in favour of the bill only a few weeks ago, voted against the bill (reportedly for very moving, personal reasons). The end result was 11-9 against the bill.
Well done to our South Australia pro-life colleagues!
Cherish Life Queensland Inc would like to congratulate Tony Abbott on becoming leader of the federal Liberal Party.
CLQ Inc is a non-party political organisation that promotes politicians of any party who stand for our pro-life values and Tony Abbott has been on the forefront in pro-life issues on a number of occasions. Congratulations Mr Abbott — you have stood to protect the unborn thus far in your political career, and we trust that this continues. |
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Making the most of every opportunity ... |
During the year, we strive to get our press releases, opinion pieces and letters to the editor published in the print media. While this may not always meet with success, here is an opinion piece by Cherish Life State President Teresa Martin that did make it in to The Courier-Mail in March, prior to the Queensland state election.
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Rachel’s Vineyard Retreats Brisbane — Healing after Abortion
Weekend retreats are offered throughout the year. For dates, cost and venues, please contact Lisa on
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or phone (07) 3376 7078 (Leave a message if it goes to voice mail) Further retreat details are on the website www.rachelsvineyard.org.au
RALLY for Life 2010
Queens Park, Brisbane.
March For Little Feet — May 2010
Please contact Graham and Liz Preston of Right to Life Australia on (07) 3892 5349.
International Federation of Right to Life Associations conference, Sydney, 29th May 2010
Details of this international conference will be made available closer to the date.
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Two-thirds support abortion law change ... NOT! |
 On 14 September, The Courier-Mail ran an article proclaiming “almost two-thirds of Queenslanders support the decriminalisation of abortion, according to an exclusive Galaxy opinion poll.” They cited 800 responses in total (64% believing abortion should be legalised, 31% disagreeing, and 5% uncommitted).
The Courier-Mail conducted an interactive poll with the story for the readership to participate in. Dwarfing their original poll group of 800, this public poll (sampled as of 26 October — 6 weeks later) recorded quite the reverse with 10,130 responses showing 28% in favour and a whopping 71% against the legalisation of abortion.
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Saving lives? That’s impressive stuff for spare change. |
 It’s a small thing for you, but it means a world of difference for the smallest of us.
Out of sight and out of mind ... not unlike the abortion issue for most Australians. Yet there are so many tremendous opportunities available for Cherish Life to take advantage of. It’s no lie that the only thing holding us back is the level of finances we have available to tackle the job with. That’s the only restriction we have.
Please remember to bank or EFT the contents of your Cherish Life money box. Every little bit helps. Should you wish to drop off the contents, please contact our office for a ‘drop off’ person in your local area (most areas covered). |
On Saturday, 19 September, Cherish Life Queensland Inc. joined with several other pro-life organisations to sponsor a 15 cm x 8 column colour ad in The Weekend Australian against late-term abortion.
While Cherish Life is obviously opposed to all abortions at any stage of pregnancy, an opportunity presented itself to highlight the hypocrisy of society in turning a blind eye to late-term abortion, by virtue of a cover story in The Weekend Australian Magazine the previous week on how premature babies are being saved as young as 23 weeks.
The ad (above), which appeared on Page 8 in the first section of the paper, was seen by 885,000 readers.
It was initiated by the Australian Christian Lobby and also was sponsored by NSW Right to Life, the Australian Family Association, Family Voice Australia and the World Federation of Doctors Who Respect Human Life. |
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