Pro-Lifers Mobilize Against Obama

Thousands protest on anniversary of landmark abortion ruling

(NEWSER) - President Obama acknowledged the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade today by reaffirming his support for the abortion rights that ruling secured, CBS reports. “I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose,” Obama said in a statement, adding that, regardless of political persuasion, reducing unwanted pregnancies should be a common aim. Anti-abortion activists marked the anniversary with protests on the National Mall. More»

(NEWSER) - President Obama told Pope Benedict XVI yesterday that he would make every effort to reduce the number of abortions in the US, according to a Vatican spokesman. Bioethics and life issues were the focus of the men's 40-minute talk yesterday. The pontiff gave the president a booklet explaining the church's opposition to abortion and stem cell research, Reuters reports. More»

Analysts: older regs let health workers avoid certain procedures

(NEWSER) - Some doctors who oppose abortion say they’ll quit their jobs if President Obama repeals Bush regulations that allow health care professionals to refuse to perform operations that are in opposition with their beliefs, NPR reports. A Christian Medical Association report found that “90% of those surveyed said they will quit their practices before violating their conscience.” A repeal “sends a clear message: It's open season on health care professionals of conscience—discriminate at will.” More»

But despite her fear, abortion clinic worker vows to stand strong

(NEWSER) - Abortion clinic worker and activist Heather Corinna doesn’t support the Patriot Act, but the murder of Dr George Tiller appears to “fits squarely in its definition of domestic terrorism,” she writes for the Guardian. Abortion clinics have been dealing with this kind of violence and intimidation since the 1970s, and all of it—the clinic bombings, assaults on doctors, the outcries of war, and publication of providers’ home addresses—fit our government’s standard for terrorism. More»

Gay rights will come later, when it's easier: Douthat

(NEWSER) - Democrats pushed Barack Obama into the White House hoping he could end the culture wars—and when they say “end,” they mean “win,” writes Ross Douthat in the New York Times. Obama’s strategy: “Engage on abortion, and punt on gay rights.” Though he made promises on gay rights, expect him to go on ignoring them, and seeking to attract pro-life voters. More»