Thursday, January 29, 2009

Governor Saves Pro-Life Program

Governor Saves Pro-Life Program
Paul Steven Ghiringhelli News - Featured News
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist salvaged a state-run crisis pregnancy program this week.

Jan. 29, 2009 -- Florida Gov. Charlie Crist saved a state-run crisis pregnancy program this week by vetoing spending cuts that were a part of a $1.2 billion budget cut. His decision was announced at a news conference Tuesday.

The action came after intensive lobbying by several pro-life legislators who were concerned about major cuts to the $2 million budget of the Florida Pregnancy Support Services Program's (FPSSP). While the legislators were able to save part of the program's money, Crist's line-item veto had the effect of restoring all of its original funding.

"The governor did veto the reduction ... because he feels it is important to continue to provide support for women facing these decisions," said Sterling Ivey, spokesman for Gov. Crist. "The governor also believes it is important to protect and safeguard the health care of those in most need of health services."

The man behind the scenes lobbying for the FPSSP's survival was freshman representative Scott Plakon, who had run on a pro-life platform. Chris Dorworth, a fellow lawmaker of Plakon's who also lobbied for the program, admired Plakon's commitment to the issue.

"The neat thing for me was to watch somebody get elected for whom social issues were of utmost importance, and the very first week he does something so impactful," Dorworth said. "Hundreds of lives will be saved and babies will be born that would not have been."

While Dorworth partially credits Plakon for keeping the crisis pregnancy program alive, Plakon sees his own influence in the bigger picture as limited. He expressed immense gratitude for the governor's decision in addition to the help of others.

"This is unusual for this to happen this way," Plakon acknowledged. "I appreciate the effort and support that chairman Dean Cannon and so many other House leaders put forth in making sure that innocent human life was protected in Florida."

Susan Grimsley, executive director of the Florida Pregnancy Care Network which administers the FPSSP, said the governor's actions, those who supported his veto, and Plakon's "tireless work," all worked together for the good. "We are thrilled," Grimsley said, "and consider this nothing short of a miracle. It is heartening to know that this program, which provides vital assistance to needy pregnant women, will continue to serve this vulnerable population."

The counseling and support services of the FPSSP solely promote and encourage childbirth.

Dorworth said one reason some Florida lawmakers wanted to abolish the program was partially due to a state senator incorrectly describing the FPSSP to other members as "an abstinence program." "It was in that context of-‘We're firing teachers, yet we're going to continue to finance some abstinence program,'" that lawmakers decided to cut the FPSSP budget in half, which would've effectively shut it down, Dorworth said.

Among all U.S. states, Florida's state-run crisis pregnancy program is fairly unique. If the FPSSP had been abolished, it would've shut down invaluable services to roughly 15,000 would-be mothers a year, Plakon said.

If a young woman is pregnant, wavering and scared, "if [she has] concerns about what the future holds, worried about what [her] parents are going to think, [about her] work situation-having someone to talk to can make the difference, because sometimes they don't have anyone they can call for advice," Dorworth said.

He added: "At the end of the day, you're left to represent your own values and your constituents and that comes above all else."
charismamag

Obama , tax dollars and Abortion ! This is Too much

Well in September Obama said he would do it and no one listened....Here it is and it is done with congress not stoppng it.Aren't we just proud..Not only do we slaughter babies here ,now we fund it with OUR TAX DOLLARS overseas .I don't know about you but I DO NOT want one penny i earn,or my family,to go towards killing a baby!!!!ADOPTION PEOPLE..NOT KILLING.I know sometimes a mothers health is at risk and rape.This is different,,,
But to do it just because you didn't do enough to prevent an unwanted pregnancy???NO....you may can justify that WITH YOUR MONEY,but not mine..This is wrong and we as a nation are going to pay with a lot of wrath from the father above for this..Just wait and see and pray that the wrath is not dropped on you...
And don't tell me i don't understand.I DO...i have a grandson in Heaven right now that would be 2 years old.But he was killed by abortion.I would have gladly raised him...he would have got hugs and loved all the time.He would have laughed and cried.He would have known his brothers and sister,His name is September.He was never given those chances..he was not given a choice.His mom,my daughter,made those choices for him..Because it was the easiest way...I love my daughter,always will..we are still close,even after this.But one day she will have to explain to her babies about a little boy named September,,Will they understand???I am so afraid they will not...Mom's you need to remember this.You can make the baby go away..but that act will remain.Sooner or later the decision will come back to you.Are you prepared for that time? My daughter is now wanting to be a sunday school teacher,loves kids,always has.That was not the reason for the abortion.She thought it was best because of a bad choice of whom she breed with.He was violent and threating as soon as he found out she was pregnant...So yes.decisions are hard..
But does that baby you have helped make deserve death?>>>>

Betty Rood~Simply Southern

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President Obama didn't do it symbolically on the anniversary Thursday of the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion in the United States.

But today, he signed an executive order ending the ban on federal funds for international groups that promote or perform abortions.

The move reverses the rule put in place by the Bush administration. Republican and Democratic presidents have been changing the rule like a ping-pong ball.

Abortion rights groups, which supported Obama during the campaign with money and volunteers, have been pushing for the change in the policy, which bars US taxpayer money from going to international family planning groups that either offer abortions or provide information, counseling, or referrals about abortion.

Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, hailed the move.

“President Obama’s action today reinforces why elections matter and how new leadership can end divisive policies that harm women,” Keenan said in a statement . “Reversing this Bush-era policy means that the world’s poorest women may now have access to vital health services, from prenatal care to contraception. The president’s action today reflects the public’s call for a focus on commonsense, common-ground solutions that make a difference in the lives of women and their families.”

Senator John F. Kerry, the new chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, also applauded the change.

“I am glad that President Obama has moved so swiftly to lift the Global Gag Rule which has too long handcuffed our ability to provide aid around the world. Today's announcement is a very powerful signal to our neighbors around the world that the United States is once again back in the business of good public policy and ideology no longer blunts our ability to save lives around the globe," Kerry said in a statement.

“For too long, the Mexico City policy isolated the United States and limited our leadership. By tying the hands of global health providers, ideology trumped our capacity to provide effective family planning services and limited the scope of partners we could work with in the international community. It hindered the ability of NGOs to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and denied contraceptives to families in the world’s poorest countries.”

UPDATE: This evening, the White House did issue a statement from Obama:

“It is clear that the provisions of the Mexico City Policy are unnecessarily broad and unwarranted under current law, and for the past eight years, they have undermined efforts to promote safe and effective voluntary family planning in developing countries. For these reasons, it is right for us to rescind this policy and restore critical efforts to protect and empower women and promote global economic development.

“For too long, international family planning assistance has been used as a political wedge issue, the subject of a back and forth debate that has served only to divide us. I have no desire to continue this stale and fruitless debate.

“It is time that we end the politicization of this issue. In the coming weeks, my Administration will initiate a fresh conversation on family planning, working to find areas of common ground to best meet the needs of women and families at home and around the world.

“I have directed my staff to reach out to those on all sides of this issue to achieve the goal of reducing unintended pregnancies. They will also work to promote safe motherhood, reduce maternal and infant mortality rates and increase educational and economic opportunities for women and girls.

“In addition, I look forward to working with Congress to restore U.S. financial support for the U.N. Population Fund. By resuming funding to UNFPA, the U.S. will be joining 180 other donor nations working collaboratively to reduce poverty, improve the health of women and children, prevent HIV/AIDS and provide family planning assistance to women in 154 countries.”

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Tuesday Giveaways , recipes and Stimulus checks

Are you staying warm friends?I do hope so.The fireplace is working wonders this morning.What are your thoughts on the $1,000.00 Stimulus package for families next month? My thought is that it is tax time already now.A lot of people will be getting a little help at this time already,and with stimulus checks mainly going to these same anyway,WHY DO IT NOW????In other words,say a family of 4 is getting a check for several thousand dollars already,if that don't help at this time just adding a little to it won't either.Save the stimulus package let's say,for like mid summer when no one is getting a little extra income...Just does not make sense to me..Well spending millions and millions of dollars on the inauguration yesterday made no sence to me either.I am all for celebrating our new president ,but for a nation to be in the shape we are now and spending like that!WAY OVERBOARD when we are in a recession!Heck just the money blew yesterday in Washington could have funded a HUGE part of that stimulus package,,,
Anyway........I am adding a few homemade recipes below.Try them sometime and let me know how they worked out and as usual giveaways around bloggvile will be added at bottom throughout the day as i can add them.Got too get some cleaning done and clothes washed hopefully today ,good lord's will.My brother dang near took his hand off the other day with a skill saw redoing my mom's bathroom.It jumped out and went through his land hand.Tearing the meat and a big peice of bone was destoyed as well.Had to have reconstructive surgery just so he would not loose all use of hand.He work's with his hands so that would not be good at all.Say a prayer for him if you would ,he is in a lot of pain with it,swelled very bad.Don't forget to pray for our new president.

If you have not already head over to my SIMPLY SOUTHERN-giveaway post and get entered in.YOU CAN COME BACK DAILY AND GAIN SEVERAL NEW ENTRIES.some have emailed confused on this.Each day you twitter or blog it,leave me a comment and u are entered again.Each time you make a comment on any post,it is a new entry,just mention ''extra entry'' or something close...
A new item will be added today as well.. ;)

Have a great day and may God bless us all..

Betty R~Simply Southern
"Hunting Paradise in God ,GrandKids,Fireflys and Whipporwills!"





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Old Fashion Red Velvet Cake~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ingredients: Frosting:
1-1/2 cups milk
5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1-1/2 cups butter, softened (or stick margarine, but no diet)
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Cake:
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa
4 tablespoons red food coloring
1 cup buttermilk
2 1/4 cups sifted cake flour
1 teaspoon vanilla

To begin frosting: Place milk in saucepan and slowly whisk in flour. Stir over medium heat until quite thick. Chill until cold. Do this step first and prepare cake while it chills.

To make cake: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans; set aside. In a small bowl, mix vinegar and baking soda, set aside. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat shortening, sugar, eggs and salt until fluffy. In a separate small bowl, mix cocoa and red food coloring; then add to shortening mixture and mix thoroughly. Add buttermilk alternately with cake flour; beat. Gently mix in the vanilla and reserved vinegar mixture. Pour batter into prepared cake pans. Bake 30 minutes, until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from oven, cool on cake racks.

To finish frosting: Use an electric mixer to beat the sugar, butter and vanilla until very light, 5 to 10 minutes. Add the cooled flour- milk mixture. When cake layers are cool, split each layer horizontally. Place one split layer on a plate and frost with 1/4- to 1/2-inch frosting. Top with second cake layer; repeat frosting. Top with third layer, and repeat frosting. Add top layer; frost side of cake first, then frost top with remaining frosting.

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Have you been by Mommy Mandy's lately?If not you need too.she always has some super nice giveaways and welcoming post!look what givaways she has now! go enter...
Mercedes Hill Maternity Giveaway
ENDS: Jan. 22nd
High IntenCity Giveaway-WIN:
One winner will receive both the Dance Tote and the Dance 10 Piece Hair Elastics Set.
ENDS: Jan. 24th
Babylon A.D. Giveaway
ENDS: Jan. 24th
The Conception Kit Giveaway
ENDS: Jan. 30th
Bumbleride Stroller Giveaway!
ENDS: Jan. 30th
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myartisticlife-One World - One Heart Giveaway you can win a super, fabulous ARTchix Studio Complete Faux Postage Sticker Collection (retail value of $126)! You'll be spoiled with hundreds of gorgeous stickers tucked into a swell plastic binder for easy storage.
ends February 12, 2009.
PLUS, she will include this pretty handmade valentine by her (Helga Strauss).


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Not quite june cleaver
has two copies of this LOVELY book French General Home Sewn ! So SHE is giving one away! This is a beautiful book with 30 sewing projects. This is from the amazon.com website:

As the founder of the renowned crafts and notions store French General Kaari Meng scours the French countryside and Parisian flea markets for vintage treasures. Now this beloved designer has gathered her favorite patterns into a charming sourcebook sure to be coveted by crafters Francophiles and home decorators. She offers 30 simple sewing patterns for French-inspired projects~a scalloped tablecloth piles of pillows and bedding a festive party garland totes~and more. Lay-flat spiral binding and ready-to-use pattern sheets and embroidery transfers plus step-by-step directions gorgeous photographs and helpful illustrations make it easy to bring the palettes and pleasures of traditional French living into any home.wanna win it? then click above.contest ends this thursday at noon!
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monogrammedteacher is oh- so- close to her 100th post. Sarah- the famous Monogram Chick and I are teaming up to celebrate.
Being a teacher, she always carries a tote- or two- or three to school everyday. They are usually filled with papers that need to be graded, books that need copying, lessons that need to be written. I will admit that those bags SOMETIMES make it out of the car and into the house, most of the time holding down the passenger seat for me overnight in the car.
To help me celebrate, you too can have a tote-
a black tote
a very cute monogrammed black tote
So here are the rules --click above! ;) ends jan 23rd!

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couponsavingfamily is giving away cloth pads...ends jan 21
yet another way to go green!!!
Coupon Saving Family
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happydaisyaz
Thanks to the overwhelmingly generous offer from the folks at HomeStudio they have another giveaway to share with their blog followers!!! They heard about what wonderful readers she has and offered to send the winner a Scrabble Tile Pendant and pretty snake chain!

The best part??? The winner will get to choose the exact tile they want from over 200 tiles in their Etsy shop sign up above at happy daisy!
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mindingspot up for grabs is a great book!Evil Without a Face by Jordan Dane - GIVE-AWAY!! ends feb 8
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frugalbabytips is giving away Smashies for the kids!ends feb 3rd Today's Giveaway is three prizes of 3.2 fl. oz (90g) fruit filled pouches of Smashies: Organic Squeezy Apple Sauces for kids!
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Tuesday, January 20, 2009

contest /giveaways for monday in bloggville!

HAPPY WINNINGS EVERY ONE!!!Tell em Simply Southern sent you over...

Betty~Simply Southern
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Simply Southern~My First Giveaway!Enter Now-Its cold in Alabama
expires jan 31st! up to 5 prizes in the gift box!!!!!

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honestech Audio Recorder Deluxe 2.0 Review And Giveaway
With just a few clicks, convert your analog music into digital formats including MP3s and audio CDs.

Convert all of your music, including cassettes, LPs and 8-track tapes, into MP3s, WAV files, audio CDs and MP3 CDs, and listen to them on your portable music players.
All-in-one solution
Includes the MUZBOX, an RCA to USB Audio Conversion Device.
Works with most audio playback devices including cassettes, LPs and 8-track players.
Improve audio quality
Reduce unwanted noise or statics.
Control audio volume with the built-in normalizer.
Increase low volume with the digital amplifier.
Organize your music
Automatically separates multiple tracks.
Add ID3 tag for artist, song and album titles.

thedirtytshirt-enter to win it!
while you are there you may want to enter some of these as well.!!!
Seagate FreeAgent Xtreme 1 TB External Hard Drive ENDS 1/31
Bootcamp For Butts ENDS 1/21
Kooky Klicker Club Membership ENDS 1/21
SoftHands & SoftBaby ENDS 1/22
iPosture ENDS 1/22
Simply Sarah ENDS 1/25
cmarchuska ENDS 1/25
Crash Course For New Dads ENDS 1/27
Slimpressions ENDS 1/27
The Cupcakes Club ENDS 1/28
Become Beauty ENDS 1/28
Dater's ED: The Instruction Manual For Parents ENDS 1/29
1-2-3...Get Organized ENDS 1/30 dirty shirt-win it

WarmMe Mouse ENDS 1/31 dirty shirt-win it
The Baby Dipper ENDS 2/1
Hit The Ground Crawling ENDS 2/2
honestech Audio Recorder Deluxe 2.0 ENDS 2/2
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Jolly Mom 09 party!!!!enter now one Jolly Mom reader will win the Jolly Holiday Gift Set! (Retail Value $49.00!ends jan 27th,
sponsored by mommymakeup
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jollymom-your spa wish has been granted so win it!
Spa & Salon Wish wants us moms to pamper ourselves in the New Year so they have generously offered to give away ONE $100 gift certificate to one very lucky Jolly Mom reader
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Jolly mom-get in shape with baby giveaway Win It! The cool chicks from Chicks-n-Chickens have generously offered to give away the Lullaby Exercises DVD to one Jolly Mom reader!
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gograhamgo-giveaways open
Pocket Purifier, skeeda Bag, Cricket & Monkey ($96 value),
Ped Egg/Pampered Toes, See Kai Run, Preserve Jr. Toothbrush,
Playtex Sippy Cup, The Jimmies Kids CD, go,GO,GO!!!!!
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doesmommyloveit
HappyBaby Food has offered to give away 2 free trial coupons each for Baby, Bellies, Bites and Puffs; a Nutrition Guide by Dr. Sears, and our HAPPYFAMILY Recipes to one Does Mommy Love It?

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win a no snow snuggler at does mommy love it-ends feb 5th
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onceuponaqpon pet food Coupon Giveaway ends tonight! This lady always has some super useful contest and lots of help on coupon savings with links to print!!! go by and look around.
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lifestarringellieandeve
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SP Button
sandierpastures-win from willow creek!
A winner will be chosen at random on 23rd January 2009.
willow creek studio-thank you
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sandierpastures
WHAT’S UP FOR GRABS:
One lucky winner will get a beautiful handmade Birthstone Bracelet with Swarovski Crystal, Sterling Silver and Bali Beads from Sweet Caroline’s!

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HAVE A GREAT NIGHT AND MAY GOD BLESS US AND WATCH OVER US ALL...THANKS FOR COMING BY.
BETTY~SIMPLY SOUTHERN