Take action!
Following are two comments from bloggers that should motivate us to take action as well as suggestions from the USCCB (via nhcla.org) on how to take action:
Katherine: “One thing I noticed is that a lot of people complain about Obama being President, but no one's doing anything about it. What I mean is, if people don't like the fact that he's pro-choice, then why not write a letter or something explaining the pro-life views and how being pro-choice is not defending human life?”
Fran: “Senator Obama said it (signing the Freedom of Choice Act) was the FIRST THING he would do as president! Not the 2nd, not the 20th, but THE FIRST THING! That is astounding! A vote for Senator Obama is in fact a vote for the Freedom of Choice Act.”
---------------------------------------
Recommended Actions: Contact your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators by FAX letter, e-mail, or phone. Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at: 202.224.3121; or call Members’ local offices. Full contact info can be found on Members of Congress’s web sites, at: www.senate.gov and www.house.gov.
Message to all Members: “Please pledge now to oppose FOCA.” Those Members of Congress who have signed on as cosponsors of FOCA should be asked to remove their names from the bill.
To check the list of current cosponsors, see: nchla.org/docdisplay.asp?ID=191.
Other Actions:
1. Arrange a formal meeting with your Representative and two Senators.
2. Communicate with your Representative and two Senators at town meetings.
3. Place an ad opposing FOCA in your local Catholic paper or other publication or insert educational materials in church bulletins. For an ad presentation designed for grassroots use, see: www.usccb.org/prolife/media/docs/foca.pdf. For bulletin inserts in black and white or color, see: www.nchla.org/docdisplay.asp?ID=201.
4. Write letters to the editor or express your views on call in radio talk shows.
posted by Fr Greg @ 12:00 PM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Also, don't forget to pray. There is a site now up (rosariesforlife.com) promoting a novena for life from yesterday to the inauguration. Even if you are late joining up, or only want to pledge for part of the time you can sign up.
Some lobbying tips from Maryland Catholic Conference:
General Tips
Whether visiting, writing or calling your elected officials, be sure to:
Identify yourself: If you are a voter in the legislator’s district, say so.
Be specific: State the issue clearly. If possible, refer to a bill number (House Bill # or Senate Bill #) and the bill’s title.
Be timely: Try to respond as quickly as possible to legislative alerts. Contact your legislators before they vote on an issue.
Be personal: Let your legislator know why you support or oppose a bill. Tell him or her how the bill will affect you, your family, and your community. Your own experience will be of great value.
Be reasonably brief: Be considerate of your legislator’s busy schedule. Keep your visits, letters, and phone calls as brief as possible.
Be polite: Don’t be threatening, demanding or abusive. The first time you are will be the last time a legislator will be attentive to your concerns.
Personal Visit
A face-to-face visit is the most effective way to communicate with legislators. Personal contact provides the best opportunity to clearly explain your position on an issue. Positive encounters with constituents are very important to legislators looking ahead to reelection. To help your visit go smoothly:
• Make an appointment and be on time.
• Always be courteous, never argumentative.
• Make clear what your issue and position are and what you would like your legislator to do.
• Provide your legislator with a brief, written summary of your issue.
• Don’t let your legislator evade the issue with small talk; politely get to the point as quickly as possible.
• Follow up the visit with a thank you note.
Letters
Every letter you write is extremely important. Many legislators believe that one letter represents the sentiments of at least 100 constituents. When writing to legislators, remember to:
• Keep your letter brief. Write legibly or type.
• Give concrete examples of how you, your family, and your community are affected by a particular issue.
• Include your address and request a response.
Phone, Fax, E-mail
Prior to a committee vote or a Senate or House floor vote, communicating by telephone, fax, or e-mail in favor or in opposition to pending legislation can be effective in influencing a legislator’s vote. When you contact your legislator (if you phone you most likely will speak with an aide) be sure to:
• Provide your name and address.
• Provide the name and bill number of the legislation. Clearly state your position.
• Ask how your legislator expects to vote on the issue.
For an uplifting update on what is going on at the bishops Fall General Assembly go to www.usccb.org
I never realized we have over 500,000 embryos created by in vitro fertilization, frozen in storage, with the potential to create life. Today's Washington Post, section A, page 19 printed one man's interesting solution to stem cell research, a highly controversial topic that could be a huge stumbling block for Obama's presidency, if handled inappropriately.
I'm not sure whether to be amused or appalled by this story:
JENSEN BEACH, Fla. - Police in Florida said they arrested a Connecticut man after he tried to steal communion wafers during a church service. The Martin County Sheriff's Office said a 33-year-old man was cornered by fellow churchgoers when he grabbed a handful of wafers from the priest during communion services Saturday.
The Stuart News reported that the man was being held down by six or seven offended parishioners when deputies arrived at St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church in Jensen Beach.
Police say two parishioners, ages 82 and 61, received minor injuries in the scuffle.
The man was charged with two counts of simple battery, theft and disruption of a religious assembly. He was being held Tuesday on $2,000 bond at the Martin County Jail.
Regarding the Post article, I took issue with the author’s statement that the donation of a couple’s frozen embryos is parallel to organ donation. We do not allow people to kill one another for the purpose of organ donation.
The author also made the assertion that an embryo's death is unavoidable as a result of its creation (relating to its resulting non-use), hence he made the argument for embryonic donation for the purpose of stem cell research. I found it curious that the bioethicist used the word “parent” in talking about embryo donation. To be a parent, one must have a child, yes? What does the author believe these potential embryo donors would be the “parent” of?
I think the author highlights two points- IVF creates the death of children, and stem cell research involves experimentation on unwanted children.
Anon 8:28 pm:
Perhaps we should be neither amused or appalled by the Jenson Beach incident.
An article posted on www.uscatholic.com, "A reading from the prophet Bonnie" sheds incredible insight on what we can learn from our odd brothers and sisters.
Please send this to everyone you know!!!
Dear Friend,
I'm writing to let you know about a terrible piece of legislation called
"The Freedom of Choice Act" (FOCA).
FOCA would establish the right to abortion as a fundamental right (like the right to free speech) and wipe away every restriction on abortion nationwide.
It will eradicate state and federal abortion laws that the majority of Americans support and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.
Please read the expert analysis by Americans United for Life (AUL) and
sign the Fight FOCA petition at:
http://www.FightFOCA.com
Thank you!
For those who wish to contact their Senators and Representatives directly:
Senator Barbara Mikulski
503 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Senator Benjamin Cardin
509 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20510
Representative C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
1730 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
Representative Chris VanHollen
1707 Longworth House Office Bldg.
Washington, D.C. 20515
For a list of all FOCA sponsors go to:
www.aul.org/FOCA_Sponsors
Post a Comment
<< Home