Calendar For Life 2008 Pro Life Information Abortion Facts

What do Robyn Nordell, Roy Hanson and Planned Parenthood have in common?

They oppose Proposition 4 with unsubstantiated allegations intended to defeat Proposition 4.

Dear Pro Life Friends,

I had long hoped this letter would not be necessary, but continued unjustified opposition to Proposition 4 by influential yet misguided persons requires it be written to set the record straight.

Today there are no laws in California to protect minors against sexual predators who cover up their acts of statutory rape with secret abortions. Parents are NOT notified of their minor daughter's impending abortion. A YES Vote on Proposition 4 would correct this serious problem.

The unsubstantiated concerns by opponents of Proposition 4 have not occurred in any of over 30 states that have parental notification or consent laws. Based on results of similar laws in other states, Proposition 4 will reduce abortions among minors by 2000 to 2500 abortions each year in California (saves lives and avoids regret). Reduce teenage pregnancies and STDs. Re-establish parental authority when needed most. Remove protection that sexual predators enjoy today. But this will only happen if Proposition 4 is passed this November.

However there is a campaign by a faction of home-schoolers lead by Robyn Nordell and Roy Hanson who oppose Proposition 4 for unfounded reasons. Robyn Nordell has established a reputation for providing conservative voter information which is based on evaluations conducted by other groups or individuals. Neither Roy Hanson nor Robyn Nordell are attorneys.

Mr. Roy Hanson's paper in opposition to Proposition 4 is a case in point. Mr. Hanson’s paper was solicited by and is being widely broadcast by Mrs. Robyn Nordell's website. An explanation of the situation and errors in Mr. Roy Hanson's Summary of Primary Concern about Proposition 4, Sarah’s Law can be found at http://www.yeson4.net/Nordell-HansonResponse.aspx

Mrs. Nordell’s relatively recent opposition to Prop 4 is perplexing since she supported the two previous parental notification initiatives, and supported Prop 4 during its signature-gathering period. The argument that Proposition 4 is somehow defective and inferior to its predecessors is clearly unfounded and crisply addressed on the website noted above.

Professor Teresa Collett and Catherine Short, Esq. are the authors of Proposition 4. Professor Collett has drafted similar legislation for other states, testified in Congress, and defended parental involvement legislation before the U.S. Supreme Court. Mrs. Short has ample experience with pro-life litigation and law in California. Both know what is necessary for an initiative to withstand judicial scrutiny at the federal and state level. They are experts in their field and were retained for exactly that reason. In addition, Mrs. Short is the mother of nine children and she and her husband (who also is an attorney) home-school them. It is reasonable to expect that she understands both sides of the issue being presented by the Nordell-Hanson faction.

Proposition 4, if passed, would be the first California law to restore parental rights and protect minors since abortion was legalized in California 41 years ago.

Proposition 4 has wide spread public support and is endorsed or supported by Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackaukas, Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco, the Catholic Bishops of California, Southern California Assemblies of God, Pastor Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel, Advocates for Faith and Freedom, Americans United For Life (pre-eminent legal arm of the pro-life movement), Eagle Forum of California, Orange County Register, San Diego Union Tribune, California Republican Party, California Republican Assembly, Family Research Council, Bioethics Defense Fund, Traditional Values Coalition, Craig Huey, and Knights of Columbus, (partial listing).

Deuteronomy 30:19-20 provides us with ultimate guidance:

"This day I call heaven and earth as witness against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."

This is not the time for ambivalence and confusion on Proposition 4. It is time to take a stand for life!

Vote Yes on Proposition 4.

Sincerely, Bob Cielnicky Life Priority Network

www.stthomas.edu www.sacbee.com www.lifepriority.net www.robynnordell.com