Operation Rescue

(This is the 4th in my Lenten series to educate people on some of the leading Pro-Life Organizations. Another purpose is to encourage financial support for them. With the current economic conditions many people have reduced their support to charitable organizations. Remember, Planned Parenthood [an anything but charitable organization despite the label] has so many politicians in its pockets that they can use to pick our pockets to keep up their murderous profits. But these groups are dependant on private donations alone. By supporting these groups we can help speed up the day when PP & their ilk no longer commit murder with our money.)

"If you remain indifferent in time of adversity, your strength will depart from you. Rescue those who are being dragged to death, and from those tottering to execution withdraw not. If you say, "I know not this man!" does not he who tests hearts perceive it? He who guards your life knows it, and he will repay each one according to his deeds." Proverbs 24:10-12

This week my focus is on Operation Rescue. (OR)

If you were to ask Gov. Sibelius of Kansas what are the 2 words she would never want to hear again, those words would be "Operation Rescue". The reason is simple, this organization has been responsible for bringing out the connections between her & abortionist George Tiller as a part of their efforts to shut him down. That fact alone makes the organization worthy of support.

OR was founded in the 1980s basing its tactics on the peaceful demonstrations of Dr. King. Over the years it had its ups & downs. In 1998 current President Troy Newman took over & rebuilt the organization into the formidable voice for life it is today. In 2002 he moved the HQ to Wichita, Kansas. It's current HQ is in the building that housed Wichita's smaller abortion clinic, Central Women's Services (also previously known as Wichita Family Planning). OR bought the building in 2006 & evicted the clinic. They are also building a memorial to the unborn on the site.

OR's "activities are on the cutting edge of the abortion issue, taking direct action to restore legal personhood to the pre-born and stop abortion in obedience to biblical mandates." & while much of the news it has been making involves Tiller & Sibelius in Kansas, they have been working hard elsewhere to bring out the truth about the abortion industry.

1 of those cases is the infamous Clinica Medica Para La Mujer De Hoy run by Bertha Bugarin. On 2 February 2009 Ms. Bugarin was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison on charges of pretending to be a physician and doing abortions without a medical license. What she did at her clinics was so horrific & barbaric that even the LA Times had to pay attention to what she did.

As I said, Troy Newman is President of OR. He "has been involved in pro-life activism since 1991. Through innovative new tactics, Newman helped close over a dozen abortion clinic and saw over 40 abortionists stop killing in San Diego County, California. In 1998, Newman became the leader of Operation Rescue, which he rebuilt into a nationally active organization in just a few years. Newman moved his ministry offices to Wichita, Kansas in 2002, where he began an intensive campaign to close George Tiller’s abortion mill. Since relocating to Kansas, Newman has helped close two more abortion clinics, including Central Women’s Services, an abortion mill he bought and is currently converting into OR’s national headquarters and a memorial to the pre-born. Newman’s work has seriously impacted Tiller’s abortion business where today the infamous late-term abortionist faces 19 criminal charges and numerous inquiries with the Board of Healing Arts that could result in the loss of Tiller’s license. Newman is a published author whose works include the book Their Blood Cries Out!" (From his OR bio)

Cheryl Sullenger is OR's Senior Policy Advisor. She "has been involved in the pro-life movement since 1984. She founded and directed the California Life Coalition in San Diego and worked with Troy Newman and Operation Rescue to help close over a dozen abortion clinics and “retire” over 40 abortionists. Her sidewalk counseling ministry has saved over 2,500 lives. In 2003, Sullenger relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where she serves as Senior Policy Advisor to Operation Rescue. Sullenger is an accomplished writer and published editoralist who co-authored Their Blood Cries Out! with Newman, and has also written a number of other educational publications. Sullenger conducted extensive research on late-term abortionist George Tiller. Her documentation has helped bring about a legislative inquiry into illegalities of his abortion business and investigations by the Board of Healing Arts." (from her OR bio)

As I said, their main focus in recent years has been leading the battle in Kansas against George R. Tiller. I have posted several times about what has been going on as a result of their efforts. You can find a Time Line Of Events In their Efforts To Bring Tiller To Justice on their website. They also have several publications & on-line resources available.

I would be remiss if I failed to mention 1 small problem they are facing these days from OR's founder Randall Terry. In 2008 he filed a lawsuit against Troy Newman alleging misuse of the name "Operation Rescue." Many former OR director's have signed a statement in support of Troy Newman. In it they said: “We now feel compelled to speak up because Randall’s actions are hurting the work of Troy Newman and Operation Rescue in their efforts to see George Tiller end his barbaric abortion practices in Wichita, Kansas. Additionally, we can no longer remain silent while Mr. Terry continues to fleece unsuspecting pro-life people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for his personal and selfish gain.”

While I respect the work that Randall Terry has done in the past, this lawsuit makes no sense to me. All I see it doing is taking money that OR could use to fight the good fight against abortion to defend themselves in court.

OR has not let this lawsuit prevent them from doing the work they need to do. & in the days ahead, I am sure they will be 1 of the leaders in the battle to get the Senate to reject Sibelius' nomination to HHS.

OR has taken the quote from Proverbs to heart. They have not & are not remaining indifferent to the plight of the unborn. They are working to rescue the unborn & are to be applauded for their efforts.

Next up: Priests For Life

_______________

Note: On 24 April 2009 DBQ Co. Right to Life will be holding its annual L.I.F.E. Dinner. This year the featured speaker is Operation Rescue President Troy Newman.

The dinner will be held in the Ballroom of the Grand River Center, 500 Bell St. Dubuque, IA. The meal is $35 per person ($20 for students). Social hour is at 6:00 pm CDT . Dinner begins at 7:15 pm CDT.

For more information or to make reservations (due by 17 April 2009) contact:

DBQ Co. Right to Life

2205 Carter Rd

Dubuque, IA 52001-2932

563-556-5960