Mayor John Cooper, Planned Parenthood of Tennessee to Host Informational Forum

Medical and Legal experts will discuss the impact of new laws governing reproductive freedom on Nashville residents

Metro Nashville Press release, August 4, 2022 - The Office of Mayor John Cooper and Planned Parenthood of Tennessee and North Mississippi will host a forum on Thursday, August 11 to discuss how the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade impacts Nashvillians. Medical and legal experts will provide critical information about how residents can access the information and resources they need as new laws governing reproductive freedom in Tennessee go into effect.

Nashville Post-Roe Forum Event Details

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Tennessee Right to Life Endorses Michelle Foreman

 

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America is one of only five countries that allows for elective, late-term abortions in the third trimester?

 

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A Knoxville Planned Parenthood clinic was totally destroyed by an early morning fire on Friday. No one was injured.

 Rod's Comment:

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Both oppose abortion, but differences emerge on the issue among GOP candidates in Tennessee's US Senate race

The Tennessean today reported the position differences between Bill Hagerty and Many Sethi on the question of abortion. The Tennessean referenced a statement Hagerty made last Tuesday at First Tuesday. I was at this luncheon and while the Tennessean did not name the group, the "Republican gathering" the Tennessee mentioned was First Tuesday. The Tennessean reports:

Addressing the crowd, Hagerty said, "I hate the thought of abortion in any case."

Noting that he and his wife, Chrissy, have four children, Hagerty added, "Situations like rape and incest and the life of the mother I think are ones that I would look at as possible exceptions."

Although Hagerty was not pressed further on the issue by the audience, he later elaborated on his position in an interview with The Tennessean and The Tennessee Journal.

"I think it's a very challenging situation — the situation of rape or incest," he said. "It's terrible. I think it's a very infrequent situation. And were it ever to come up, I hope to make sure that it's one of the least frequent thing that ever happens and that other alternatives are made available to people.

The Tennessean writes this about Sethi:

Asked Tuesday, Sethi said the only exception he would consider for abortion would be in cases in which the life of the mother is in jeopardy.

"I also believe that those are the rarest of cases and usually you can save both the mother and baby," he said.

In terms of exceptions for cases of rape and incest, Sethi said the issue was personal. "I've taken care of patients who were conceived (after) rape," he said, adding he is opposed to such exceptions.

To read the full Tennessean report follow this link.  

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The Fetal Heartbeat Bill will not withstand a constitutional challenge and does not deserve to pass.

In a yesterday blog post, I gave a "Hallelujah" to news that the Tennessee state House had advanced the Fetal Heartbeat Bill, that would ban abortion after the detection of a heartbeat and make it a crime for a doctor to perform such abortions.  I spoke too soon.

The bill is almost certainly a bad bill that will not withstand a legal challenge. That is the view of David Fowler of The Family Action Council of Tennessee (FACT).  Fact is a social conservative advocacy organization that has been in existence for over twelve years.  David Fowler is an attorney and served 12 years in the State senate and is Executive Director of the organization.  FACT is the organization that is the force behind much of the pro-life, pro-marriage and pro-family legislation that passes in the Tennessee legislature. Fact also fights in court to defend those position and to beat back progressive overreach.  There is no one more pro-life than David Fowler. If David Fowler says the bill is a bad bill, I believe it.

Yesterday in a blog post titled "Is the Fetal Heartbeat Bill Viable?," David explained why the Fetal Heartbeat Bill is a wasted effort and almost certainly likely to be overturned in the Courts. He explains that in the last abortion bill that went before the Supreme Court, the court laid out what the Court would look for in future cases in order to consider a challenge to the precedent of Roe v. Wade. David says this legislation addresses none of those points.  He said if he served in the State legislature he would have been one of those who would have abstained from voting for the bill. I recommend you read his article.

I understand wanting to take a stand for life, but it does no good to pass a bill when you know before it is ever passed that it will be overturned in the Court. David, in his article, does not argue for doing nothing but says the legislature needs to build an arguable rational for any anti-abortion bill they pass that will provide some grounds to defend it in the courts.

I know some pro-life advocates can be very passionate and to save the lives of unborn children is something to be passionate about.  There is however a difference between being passionate and irrational.  On Facebook, I have seen some pro-life advocates denouncing those representatives who abstained on the bill and calling for those people to be primarried. Those who abstained showed courage in resisting popular passion and doing something that would feel good but accomplish nothing.  It is good to be principled and passionate, but if not tempered by a little pragmatism it is wasted energy.

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Fetal Heartbeat Bill Passes in Tennessee State House

The Tennessean: Tennessee House of Representatives passes controversial fetal heartbeat bill

Tennessee Star: BREAKING: Fetal Heartbeat Bill Passes in Tennessee State House with 65 Ayes, 21 Nays and 7 ‘Present Not Voting’


Glen Casada on Facebook: Proud to announce that we have just passed the heartbeat bill in the House. If destroying an eagle’s egg is a federal crime, then stopping the heartbeat of another human being is certainly, at the very least, a crime against humanity. #TNleg is #ProLife!

Life New.com: Tennessee House Passes Bill to Ban Abortions Once Unborn Baby’s Heartbeat Begins 

To read the bill, see how legislators voted and to track the bill's progress, follow this link:  HB0077.

My Comment:

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Planned Parenthood, the only abortion provider left in Nashville, suspends abortion services

Planned Parenthood, the only abortion provider left in Nashville, suspends abortion services 

The Tennessean -  The only remaining abortion clinic in Nashville has ceased offering abortions, instead referring patients to clinics hundreds of miles away in Knoxville and Memphis. 

Rod Williams' comment: 

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Every life has meaning- so does every vote. Make yours count.

From Tennessee Right to life:or

For a list of candidates who stand strong on life issues, click here or visit www.vote4life.org

Lives are being saved because of your investment in the election of sincere pro-life legislators and the passage of protective pro-life state laws. Children and moms are being spared the grief of an abortion decision because of positive public education programs in churches, campuses, and community events where friendly Right to Life volunteers share facts, alternatives to abortion, and opportunities for involvement in the pro-life movement. Speaking of facts, did you know: 4 abortion facilities have closed in Tennessee since 2012 7 facilities remain which advertise and perform surgical and/or chemical (RU 486) abortions The facilities are in Bristol (1), Knoxville (2), Memphis (3) and Nashville (1) In 2016, 9,732 abortions were sought by women residing in our state 85% of women and girls seeking abortions are unmarried 38% of abortions are sought by women having had 1 or more previous abortions Thanks to you and the work of fellow pro-life Tennesseans, we have the strongest pro-life legislature and laws at any time since Roe v Wade. Required informed consent for women and girls considering an abortion and a mandatory 48-hour waiting period help to ensure that every woman has fuller knowledge about the age and development of her unborn child as well as public and private agencies available to assist her. Upon her request, she must also be given the opportunity to view the ultrasound image of her child.  You can help keep these public policies by returning pro-life super-majorities to the Tennessee state House, state Senate, and Tennessee's Congressional delegation. In addition, Tennessee must have a Governor with the demonstrated commitment and capability to stand without fail for life.

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U.S. Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Pro-Abortion Challenge of Pro-Life Amendment 1

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Unanimous Decision Upholding Amendment 1 Stands Today, 

From Tennessee Right to Life - Monday, October 1, the U.S. Supreme Court has announced they will not take up the pro-abortion legal challenge of Pro-Life Amendment 1.

“Today’s announcement is cause for great celebration among Tennessee’s pro-life movement,” said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. “This is the culmination of many years work and Tennessee Right to Life is especially grateful to our state’s voters, legislators, election officials and Attorney General Slatery for staying the course. “

“The people’s voices have been heard and their votes have been counted," said Harris. "Now we have to continue to work for the day when every life is again protected by the laws of our state and nation.”

 Background: For most Tennessee voters, pro-life Amendment 1 was decided on November 4, 2014 when it was approved 53-47%. But several days later former Planned Parenthood board chair Tracey George joined 7 other pro-abortion activists in filing a legal challenge in Federal Court contesting the manner in which the state tabulated the votes and claiming discrimination against pro-abortion voters.

In April 2016, former U.S. District Court Judge Kevin Sharp agreed with Planned Parenthood and demanded a recount of the votes. In his ruling, former Judge Sharp threatened to throw out the votes of those Tennesseans casting a vote on the Amendment but not having also voted in the 2014 governor's race. Appealed by the Tennessee Attorney General, the case ultimately made its way to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals which heard oral arguments in August of 2017. Tennessee Right to Life and YES on 1 coordinated a Friend of the Court brief containing the signatures of 8,850 Tennesseans urging the court to uphold their votes on the Amendment. A three judge panel of the Sixth Circuit issued its unanimous ruling on January 9, 2018, in support of the vote count saying, "... it is time for uncertainty surrounding the people’s 2014 approval and ratification of Amendment 1 to be put to rest."

Planned Parenthood activists immediately sought a re-hearing of the case before the full 6th Circuit which rejected the request. Tennessee's pro-abortion leaders had asked the U.S. Supreme Court to take up their challenge of the people's pro-life vote on Amendment 1. On Monday, October 1, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to take up the case thereby leaving the lower court's decision in effect and affirming Amendment 1.

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Nashville abortion clinic closing its doors! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Nashville abortion clinic closing its doors, leaving only one remaining in Nashville and only five in the state. Hallelujah!

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Phony calls, fake group seek to confuse Right to Life voters with false attack on Pro-Life Diane Black

From Tennessee Right to Life PAC:

 Members of Tennessee Right to life are reporting having received recorded calls from an unincorporated entity claiming to be affiliated with Right to Life.

In the unethical and illegal calls, a false claim is made that Diane Black is not pro-life. The calls began just hours after the public announcement of Diane Black's endorsement by Tennessee Right to Life PAC in the race for Governor.

"For many pro-life Tennesseans the call to actively protect innocent human life is a sacred matter and a response to the demands of one's conscience," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life.

"For operatives to exploit members of the pro-life community and misrepresent the record of a proven pro-life champion is cynical politics at it's worst," Harris said. "The lives of unborn children cannot be used as political pawns and those candidates who do so disqualify themselves from the pro-life mantle and public office." 

The truth of Diane Black's unparalleled pro-life record includes serving as prime sponsor of SJR 127 (pro-life constitutional Amendment 1) in both the state House and state Senate. Additionally, Black led the first state efforts to defund Planned Parenthood by successfully stripping preferential treatment for the abortion facilities from Tennessee's state law and initiating a bid process to allow ethical health care providers to apply for available state grants which had previously been awarded to Planned Parenthood.

In 2010, Black successfully sponsored legislation making Tennessee's Legislature the first in the nation to prevent abortion from being included as a paid benefit in the state's Obamacare health exchanges.

After being elected to Congress, Black's very first bill was to defund Planned Parenthood, an effort that she has continued to lead during her entire tenure in Congress.

"Tennessee Right to Life urges concerned pro-life voters to work for the election of demonstrated pro-life leaders and to decry the use of deception on matters affecting the lives of Tennessee's vulnerable unborn children,"  Harris said.

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Ten's of thousands march in Washington, Trump addresses the rally and declares Monday “National Sanctity of Life Day.”

Tens of thousands of people marched in Washington D.C. on Friday in favor of the right to life. If you only get your news from a mainstream news source you might have missed it.  One way the liberal media distorts the news is by deciding what is newsworthy.  Causes they support get headlines and front page treatment and causes they do not support go unreported or are reported but hidden.

Friday marked the 45th annual March For Life, which occurs each year on or near the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that nationalized legal abortion making it legal in all fifty states.  This year President Donald Trump gave a history-making address by speaking to the crowd gathered on the National Mall by live video from the Rose Garden. In previous past years President Ronald Reagan and George W. Bush addressed the rally by phone call.

At the rally, Trump praised those attending and listed his accomplishments focusing on those that advance the cause of life, pledged to continue to advance the pro-life cause and declared Monday January 23rd as “National Sanctity of Life Day.” He pointed out that the United States was only one of seven countries in a group that includes China and North Korea that allows selective late term abortions. He endorsed the pending "pain-capable bill" which has passed the House but his held up in the Senate.  It would ban abortion for fetuses capable of feeling pain which is at about the twenty-first week of pregnancy. “Today, we focus our attention on the love and protection each person, born and unborn, deserves regardless of disability, gender, appearance, or ethnicity,” he said. 

Donald Trump has done more than any other president to advance the pro-life cause.  He put Neil Gorsuch who is a staunch conservative on the bench, he reinstated a policy called the Mexico City policy that prohibits foreign organizations that receive U.S. funds from providing or recommending abortions, he signed legislation allowing states to deny federal funds to organizations such as Planned Parenthood that provide abortions, and he has created a new office in the Department of Health and Human Services devoted to protecting health-care workers who object to participating in abortion procedures.

I have been very pleased with Trump's pro-life policies. I admit I was skeptical of  candidate Trump's pro-life stance. I thought Trump was an opportunist without values and whose pro-life conversion was politically motivated.  In 1999, he told Meet the Press he was “very pro-choice” and even supported partial-birth abortion. I am pleased to say I was wrong about Trump. His conversion appears genuine and is commitment is solid.

To see Vice President Spence's introduction of the president and President Trump's remarks watch the video; the mainstream press does not consider this newsworthy.

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Pro-Life Vote Upheld on Amendment 1. Judges Rule Unanimously Against Planned Parenthood

Tennessee Right to Lifem JANUARY 9, 2018 - In a resounding victory for pro-life Tennesseans, Judges on the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals have rejected a pro-abortion effort to overturn the 2014 voter passage of Amendment 1.   

"Although the subject of abortion rights will continue to be controversial in Tennessee and across our nation, it is time for uncertainty surrounding the people's 2014 approval and ratification of Amendment 1 to be put to rest," wrote Senior Judge David McKeague, a 2005 appointee of George W. Bush. 

Tennessee Right to Life expresses profound gratitude to the many supporters, advocates, and voters who sacrificed to see Amendment 1 placed on the ballot and passed by public vote. It was made necessary by a radical pro-abortion decision by the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2000 which wrongly declared a so-called "fundamental right to abortion" in the Tennessee Constitution thereby making enforcement of common-sense protections impossible in Tennessee. 

Passage of SJR 127 and Amendment 1 remained the top priority and legislative goal of Tennessee Right to Life for more than 16 years.

"Today's ruling is vindication of the state's amendment process and victory for the thousands of pro-life Tennesseans who sacrificed to see Amendment 1 passed," said Brian Harris, president of Tennessee Right to Life. 

"We are grateful to the legislators who placed the amendment on the ballot, to voters who approved it, and to the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Coordinator of Elections who all worked tirelessly to defend it," said Harris. "The voices of Tennessee's voters have been heard and, as a result, public policy decisions on the matter of abortion can be rightly debated and determined by the people's representatives."

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Tennessee Right to Life Applauds Haslam Support for Pro-Life Bill

Nashville, May 12, 2017- The state's oldest and largest pro-life organization publicly thanked Governor Bill Haslam on Friday for signing into law the Tennessee Infants Protection Act (SB 1180). The bill strengthens protections for unborn children and abortion-vulnerable women and girls by preventing elective abortions, except in rare instances, after an unborn child is determined to be viable (able to survive with or without medical assistance.) The provision also establishes a presumption of viability at 24 weeks of pregnancy (LMP) and requires a medical assessment to gauge viability of any unborn child when an abortion is sought beginning at 20 weeks of gestational age.

"Tennessee Right to Life thanks Governor Haslam for his demonstrated commitment to doing everything possible constitutionally to defend and protect vulnerable unborn children," said Brian Harris, the organization's president.  "His administration has been tireless in supporting common-sense measures which affirm the dignity human life in our state and pro-life Tennesseans are clearly very grateful to the Governor," Harris said.

Earlier this month, the pro-life measure was overwhelmingly passed by the state Senate 27-3 and in the state House 69-18. The Tennessee Infants Protection Act will take effect July 1, 2017.

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Rep. Diane Black to Receive Pro-life Achievement Award

SBA List to Celebrate Rep. Black’s Heroic Pro-life Leadership at Gala Keynoted by Vice President Mike Pence

Washington, D.C – This evening the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) will present Rep. Diane Black (R-TN) with the Marilyn Musgrave Defender of Life Award at the group’s tenth annual Campaign for Life Gala at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C. Vice President Mike Pence will keynote the event, which will be emceed by U.S. Senator Steve Daines of Montana.

 

The event will be livestreamed at: https://www.facebook.com/SusanBAnthonyList/

 

SBA List president Marjorie Dannenfelser praised Rep. Black for her outstanding service in defense of life:

 

“Diane Black is an unwavering champion of unborn children and their mothers who has been at the center of every single pro-life battle in Congress. Her tireless efforts to investigate and defund Planned Parenthood, the nation’s #1 abortion business, and redirect their taxpayer dollars to real, comprehensive health care for women have been nothing short of heroic. We’re proud to present her with the Defender of Life Award in recognition of her courageous leadership.”

 

Black is a former clinical care nurse currently serving Tennessee’s sixth congressional district in Congress. She was elected to the U.S. House in 2010 and is a member of both the House Pro-life Caucus and the Pro-life Women’s Caucus. She is the chief sponsor of legislation passed by the U.S. House that defunds Planned Parenthood, and also authored the pro-life Conscience Protection Act.  She served on the Select Investigative Panel for Infant Lives, tasked with investigating the abortion industry and their participation in the selling of baby body parts.

Susan B. Anthony List and its partnered super PAC, Women Speak Out spent more than $18 million in the 2016 election cycle, knocking on more than 1.1 million doors in battleground states to defeat Hillary Clinton and maintain a pro-life Senate. SBA List is dedicated to pursuing policies and electing candidates who will reduce and ultimately end abortion. To that end, the SBA List emphasizes the education, promotion, mobilization, and election of pro-life women.  The SBA List is a network of more than 465,000 pro-life Americans nationwide.

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Major pro-life bill passes the General Assembly restricting post-viability abortions

From Tennessee Right to Life - Despite strong opposition from Planned Parenthood, ACOG and other pro-abortion activists, pro-life legislators have strengthened Tennessee's protective public policies and overwhelmingly passed the Tennessee Infant Protection Act (HB 1189 / SB 1180).  Led by prime sponsor state Rep. Matthew Hill (R-Jonesborough), the state House voted early Wednesday to pass House Bill 1189 by a vote of 69-18. On Monday, the state Senate passed the bill, sponsored by state Senator Joey Hensley, M.D. (R-Hohenwald) by a vote of 27-3.  The bill now goes to Pro-Life Governor Haslam who is unlikely to veto the protective legislation.

The bill criminalizes abortions after viability of an unborn child has been established except in the rare instances of threat to the life of the mother. The bill also requires a viability assessment be performed beginning at 20 weeks of pregnancy (LMP) in order to carefully test whether or not the child is able to live outside the womb with or without medical support.

The bill establishes a state presumption of viability at 24-weeks gestational development (LMP.)

 .....

Please Thank Those Legislators Voting in Support of Life in the face of hostile pro-abortion protesters at the Capitol:  Representatives Brooks, Harry, Butt, Byrd, Calfee, Carr, Casada, Coley, Crawford, Curcio, Daniel, DeBerry, Doss, Dunn, Eldridge, Faison, Farmer, Forgety, Gant, Goins, Halford, Speaker Harwell, Hawk, Hicks, Hill, Matthew, Hill, Timothy, Holsclaw, Holt, Howell, Hulsey, Johnson, Kane, Keisling, Kumar, Lamberth, Littleton, Lollar, Lynn, Marsh, Matheny, Matlock, McDaniel, Moody, Pody, Powers, Ragan, Ramsey, Reedy, Rogers, Rudd, Sanderson, Sargent, Sexton, Cameron, Sexton, Jerry, Shaw, Sherrell, Sparks, Swann, Terry, Thompson, Tillis, Travis, Van Huss, Weaver, White, Dawn, White, Mark, Whitson, Williams, Wirgau, &; Zachary.

Legislators voting pro-abortion: Representatives Akbari, Camper, Clemmons, Cooper, Favors, Fitzhugh, Gilmore, Hardaway, Jernigan, Jones, Love, Miller, Mitchell, Pitts, Powell, Staples, Stewart, &; Turner.

Present and Not Voting were Republicans: Gravitt, Hazlewood, & McCormick.

Not Voting were Representatives: Carter, Parkinson, Smith, & Towns.

Absent were Representatives: Alexander, Beck, Brooks, Kevin & Windle.

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Nashville Representative Sherry Jones was a major opponent of the bill. Some question the constitutionality of the bill and it is not a certainty that Gov. Haslam will sign it according to reporting by the Nashville Post. To read the Nashville Post coverage of this story follow this link.

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