We get a lot of great support at the University of Tennessee.

There were some beautiful gems at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville during our Spring 2018 visit.

Planting the seeds, reaping the harvest.  “Last year I was mad at you,” Nola said.  “But I did some studying and realized abortion is wrong.  Preborn children should have a chance to live.”

Future pro-life lawyer.  “I’m studying to be a lawyer so I can fight against abortion.  Thanks for display.  May I have some pro-life buttons?”

We’ll take your baby.  A young woman asked if one of us would adopt her baby.  She said she had an abortion scheduled, but seeing the pictures she was hoping for another option.  CBR volunteer Tony replied, “YES!  Bring your baby here and we will keep her until you should want to come back and get your child,” he said.  We’re all praying for this young woman and her baby.

Experience reveals the truth.  “You guys are doing a great job,” Eric said.  He and his wife had two little girls who were born weighing one pound.  They were perfect.  That changed his whole perspective and even influenced his friends.  “They were people,” he said.

Campus pilgrimage.  Kaiya walked out of her way to find GAP after she heard about a pro-life group being on campus.  She was a freshman and wanted to be a neo-natal nurse.  She was pro-life and she made sure to let her pro-abortion roommates know where she stood.

Shocked by [Perverted] Sex Week.  We often schedule our trip to the University of Tennessee to coincide with [Perverted] Sex Week, an annual event.  “We are so glad you are here!” a visiting mother with her daughter said.  “My daughter is looking at UT to come here.  Did you see all the signs for “Sex Week?”  We can’t believe it!”

Glad his mom chose life!  A young male student asked, “How can anyone see this and think it is good?  I am glad my mother didn’t do this to me!  I am so glad you are here.”

Thanks from the other side.  “Thank you for being here with real information,” the pro-abortion young woman.  She was glad that people were being informed about what choice actually meant.  Forest Gump was absolutely right when he said, “GAP is like a box of chock-lits.  Ya neva know watt your gonna gay-ette.”

Exceeding expectations.  “I want to shake your hand.  My sister was suspected to have autism before she was born.  My mother chose not to abort.  Now my sister is in med school.”

Mik’aela Raymond was not breathing when she was born.  Does that mean she wasn’t alive?

There were varying reactions to the abortion pictures at Appalachian State University. Seeds are planted and lives are saved even if we can’t see it initially.

Talking to a living, breathing example.  “The baby is alive when it takes its first breath,” said the student.  CBR staffer Mik’aela Raymond described her own birth, “When I was born I wasn’t breathing.”

“OK, that is a little tricky,” the young woman admitted.  “I do have to think about that.”

Excuses, Excuses.  Samuel had tons of excuses for child killing.

• “I’m pro-abortion, but not after 4 months.”
• “Abortion is child killing but I’m still pro-abortion because the world is over populated and there is not enough food.”
• “My wife had to have an abortion.”
• “We do not want children, not right now.”
• “Adoption is so expensive.”

Shifting the death line.  “I am pro-choice and would never try to convince someone against their choice.  It is not a person until after 6 weeks when the heart starts beating.”  Upon looking up when the heart beat is detected, he slightly changed his tune.  “Well abortion is wrong after 4 weeks but I would not tell anyone what they should think.”

Pictures important.  “Thanks for what you are doing, these pictures are so important.”

Rape exception.  “I was raped last year, at gun point.  I didn’t get pregnant but if I had, I could not have carried that child, even to adopt.  Otherwise, I know it is a life and innocent and deserves protection.  I have friends who have had convenience abortions and I worry about them.”  Pray for this young woman and her friends.  Pray for healing.

Invisible pro-lifers.  A pro-life student told us, “I’m glad you guys are here.  I didn’t even know about any pro-life groups.  The only group I know concerning abortion is Planned Parenthood.”

In fact, there was a Students for Life student organization at Appalachian State, but they have routinely refused to help us expose abortion, preferring instead to remain hidden and ineffective.

“You of all people should know!” was his greeting.

by Jacqueline Hawkins

Something that was rather bothersome about the Pacific Northwest tour was the common occurrence of white people telling me how bad I had it as a black person.  It was a mixture of white guilt, virtue signaling, and racism.

“Oh, the poor stupid black animals can’t take care of themselves so we’ll sit in our little classes and talk about how bad off they are and how vital killing their children is and pat ourselves on the back for having such righteous thoughts.”

Little did they know, when it came to me, they were talking to a victor, not a victim.  That left them scrambling to save face again and again.  Check out this conversation had at Salt Lake Community College that epitomizes the conversations I ran into time and time again.

Student:  “I’m sure you know how hard it is to vote as a black person.  African Americans live in such a way and I’m sure you’ve been through this in your life.  There is a level of discrimination in how the voting process works.”

Me:  “I’ve never had issues with voting.”

Student:  “Oh, I mean as a woman or as a person. We all go through it.  African Americans and Latinos go through it the worst because they on average live in higher crime or lower income areas.  “Right now, they are the least voting people because of systemic racism.  The system puts them down so they can’t vote.”

Me:  “So, they can’t vote at all?”

Student:  “It’s harder to vote. If you don’t have the money to buy ID then how can you go vote?”

Me:  “See all my family is black and we don’t have issues with voting.  O r buying IDs.  IDs are cheap.”

Student (dismissively):  “Oh, Utah’s better than some places.”

Me:  “I’m from Virginia. And my family in Georgia, Florida and DC have not had issues either.  A lot of the time white people think black people are a certain way and can’t take care of themselves but then you ask a bunch of black people and they say they have no issues.”

Student:  “That’s not what I meant.”

Me:  “You said that black people are just so bad off.”

Student:  “That’s not what I said. That’s out of context.”

At The Evergreen State College, a student told Joanna that she had never taken anyone white to have an abortion, but she did take three black friends to have abortions.  According to her, they had no hope because they were black.  White people had lots of hope and therefore didn’t need abortions unless there was something wrong with the baby.  But black people?  Well they had no hope of a decent future so it was best to cull them.

While the young woman had the best intentions at heart, like the young woman in Utah, the mentality that black people are stupid, down-trodden, animals in need of the great white hope is the same in both cases.

Even more tragically, their “help” often takes the form of the grim reaper.

Joanna discusses abortion and rape at Lane Community College.

Despite a cadre of vocal pro-abortion protesters, we met many thoughtful students at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon.

Sharing the Gospel.  “F*** you,” Bryan told Joanna.  For a visual aid, he held up his middle finger.  Joanna responded calmly.  By the end of the conversation he said he was sorry for how he acted.  He brought up rape and the woman’s body in their calmer conversation.  He was an atheist but agreed that selfishness is not good.  Joanna shared the Gospel and why we love and care, and should be self-sacrificial because God loved us first and sacrificed for us.

A changing mind.  This same Bryan came back the next day.  He had thought long and hard about his first conversation with Joanna. “Two months is long enough for a woman to decide, and after that she shouldn’t kill her baby,” he declared.  Progress!!!  Joanna thanked him for thinking about what she said and coming back and encouraged him to consider the implications of his view.  If abortion is not OK after 8 weeks, then why not?  And what does that mean in a country and state where abortion after that point is allowed?

Young moms understand.  Skyann and McKenzie were both teen moms in high school.  Motherhood made them serious so they were already taking college classes.  Skyann kept her baby despite the lack of support she had initially.  “Yeah you’re giving up your freedom, but it’s so worth it.  All you do in high school is drink and party anyway so that’s all you’re giving up.  It’s amazing to watch your child grow,” Skyann said.  “This is so great.  I mean, it’s sad to see; the truth hurts,”  McKenzie chimed in.  Skyann told Joanna about a friend who had been raped.  She went through with her pregnancy despite it all.  She loved her baby no matter what.

Supporting remarks.  We got lots of encouragement at Lane CC:

• “It’s refreshing to see an opposing point of view!”  The young man said he was tired of always being silenced.
• “Good for you.  Hang in there.  It’s the right thing to do.”
• “I’m glad you’re here.  It needs to be in their face.  Stay strong.”
• “Thank you for being here,” said a woman whose grandchild was killed at the local Planned Parenthood.

The “antifa” are, in fact, the “fa” (fascists) at Portland State.

The “antifa” were out to get us at Portland State University, but the police presence dissuaded personal violence.  They did, however, splash paint on one of our signs (which we cleaned up in just a few minutes).

Still, there were also expressions of support to encourage us.

Leftist “tolerance.”  Leftist pro-abort: “We should abort Christians.”  (Joanna: “Do you want to kill us now?”)  “Well, there are police around, so I can’t really answer that.”

Another peace-loving leftist said, “If the police weren’t here, I would knock you unconscious.”

He gets it.  “It’s a selfish decision. Thank you guys so much did what you’re doing. This is so important for people to hear.”

Demonic. “Do you believe in God?  Do you believe in magic?”  the girls said at they threw demonic dust at us.  “Curses for you,” one said.  Thankfully, throwing things at people is a crime, so the police quickly intervened.

They chose life, not death.  David and his girlfriend considered abortion, but Christian friends encouraged them not to, so they kept their baby boy Rowan.  And they got married!  David is still in school, and the happy couple are expecting a second baby!

See you in hell!  “Do you believe in hell?” said another disciple of tolerance and diversity.  (Joanna:  “Yes.”)  He snarled, “You’re gonna burn in it.”

A victor, not a victim.  A young woman who had been sexually abused spoke her mind. “They love victims here, and they love to keep you a victim.”  When she decided to move past her victim status, they no longer had any use for her.

Join the $quad!  A young man walked up and handed us $100.  “This is a good cause,” he said.  Do you agree?  Click here to join his effort to $upport us.

This came to my inbox, and I had to share it.  It was credited to “Butch.”

Just one more thing on Donald Trump.
If Donald Trump deleted all of his emails, wiped his server with BleachBit and destroyed all of his phones with a hammer, would the mainstream media suddenly lose all interest in the story and declare him innocent?

Just one more thing on sanctuary cities.
If you rob a bank in a sanctuary city, is it illegal or is it just an undocumented withdrawal?

Just one more thing on the London “lone wolf” terror attack.
After the London “lone wolf” terrorist attack government officials have arrested at least eight other lone wolves who had conspired with the original lone wolf in planning the ‘Lone Wolf’ attack.  Even though all involved are Muslims, you can be assured, the lone wolf attack has nothing at all to do with Islam, just like the other 1000 plus lone wolf attacks by Muslims, are completely unassociated with Islam.

Just one more thing on Entitlements.
We should stop calling them “entitlements.”  Welfare, food stamps, WIC, etc. are not entitlements.  They are taxpayer-funded handouts, and shouldn’t be called entitlements at all.  Social Security and veterans benefits are entitlements because the people receiving them are entitled to them.  They were earned and paid for by the recipients.

Just one more thing on the Muslim Refugees.
If Muslims want to run away from a Muslim country, doesn’t that make them Islamophobic?

Just one more thing on The Women’s March.
If leftists don’t believe in biological gender, then why did they march for women’s rights?

Just one more thing on the Russians hacking the election.
How did the Russians get Debbie Wasserman Schultz and the DNC to steal the primary from Bernie Sanders?  How did Russia get Donna Brazile to leak debate questions to Hillary Clinton in advance of the debates?

Just one more thing on Democrats and the Electoral College.
Why is it that Democrats think super delegates are fine, but they have a problem with the Electoral College?

Just one more thing on Hillary’s speeches.
If Hillary’s speeches cost $250,000 an hour, how come no one shows up to her free ones?

He was a mature adult with a wife and a new baby.  He had a much firmer grasp of reality than his younger fellow students.

Man oh man, check out the nuts at Salt Lake Community College!  But with all the weirdo comments, there were several beautiful gems.

A grandchild’s life in the balance.  A middle-aged woman was taking pictures of our signs so she could show them to her pregnant 18-year-old daughter, Brittany.  She was worried, because her daughter had told her, “I could just get an abortion.”

This mother believed her daughter needed some encouragement and she was so happy we were there to provide evidence she could use to save her grandchild’s life.

Unwanted.  The pro-aborts insisted that it is best to kill the disabled, because no one wants them.  Hearing this, Dana teared up and told us that her late brother Alex had Down syndrome.  That day would have been his 17th birthday.  She missed her brother and wanted him back.

Black genocide.  In response to black abortion statistics a husband and father said, “Think about how that would have changed the demographic in the United States! … You’re looking at far more than 20 million people. … It’s a form of genocide for the black community.”

Accountability.  A young woman standing in the midst of the the nut job group asked a thoughtful question.  “When does accountability come in?  When does a person have to say, “I messed up and I have to take responsibility for my actions?”

Another young woman replied, “We don’t have education.”

“But that too is an excuse. When should we be held accountable for our actions?”  Her calm, quiet words disarmed the group and they didn’t have much of an argument for her.

Freedom of speech for all.  A Hispanic young man spoke with CBR’s Jackie Hawkins, “They told you to go away?  They want to take away your freedom of speech?  There’s a sign over there that says, ‘We don’t need another white man to tell us what to do with our bodies.’  What about me, a Mexican?  What about a woman or a black person?  To me it makes no sense at all.  I appreciate you guys expressing what you believe in.”

It makes sense.  A red haired young man said to the pro-abortion group, “I used to be with you guys, but I talked to them and it makes sense.”

Heard in passing.

• “It’s just so powerful. There’s really no argument that you can make after seeing this.”  (female student)
• “I totally agree with you.” (female student)
• “I’m glad you guys are doing this.” (female student)

Who’s your boss?  At the end of the day, a maintenance worker popped out of her utility buggy and called out the pro-aborts, “You guys think these guys are racist?!  Do you know the roots of Planned Parenthood?  Planned Parenthood is racist!”

The compassionate, caring, tolerant crowd were enraged.  “Are you on the clock?  Who do you work for?  We can get you fired!”

“I don’t care,” she shot back.  “You can’t fire me, I’m working for the Lord!”

Amen.  So do we.  And as long as both the Lord and you are willing, we will keep winning hearts, changing minds, and saving lives!  But you have to be willing.  Please support our work or we have to stay home.

Thank you.  Please keep praying.

A pro-abortion crowd gathered across the walkway from GAP. The more vocal ones made sure we had many opportunities to explain the pro-life position to their more open-minded classmates.

Never believe propaganda.  Salt Lake City claims to be the gayest city in America, but they weren’t happy at all, not after we got there.  More fake news.  Anyway, the deception was strong at Salt Lake Community College.  The students were of average intelligence.  But when it comes to the deeds of darkness, willful ignorance is hard to overcome.

Not very safe.  Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) was one of many schools that created a “safe space” for students who would be disturbed by GAP.  GAP team member Don Blythe went to investigate.  Nobody was around, so he ate all their cookies.

Don has been trying to lose some weight, so that space wasn’t safe for him … but we don’t want to get into that.

Um … could you repeat that?  Early on Day 1, a large group of students gathered on the grass across the walkway.  Several of us went over to speak with them.  We heard lots of extremely silly comments:

• “You are persuading people to say, ‘If this is what abortion is, then I don’t want this!’  You are bad.”  (Bad?  Maybe so, but also effective, apparently.)
• “You aren’t giving us facts; you are giving us quotes.”  (He did actually say that.  And that’s a fact … or maybe a quote … not too sure which.)
• (When we quoted from a medical school embryology textbook,) “That’s just according to your religious beliefs.”  (Embryology is theology.  Who knew?)
• “Planned Parenthood does everything possible to prevent abortion.  That’s the primary goal of Planned Parenthood.”
• “Convincing a woman not to have an abortion is an act of violence!”
• “Slavery has a long history.  Abortion doesn’t.  So you can’t compare the two.”
• “We ask you the same questions again and again and you keep giving us the same answers over and over!”
• “Statistics from 2014 are too old to use in 2017.  Facts change every day.”  (And, after all, as all good Southerners know, tomorrow is another day!)
• “It’s wrong to use someone else’s history to make a point.”  (Is there any history that doesn’t belong to somebody else?)
• “You don’t present all sides. People will come here and get ideas about abortion!”  Oh…so that’s what happens when we show pictures?  Who knew?)
• “These pictures hurt my heart.  I have kids but that doesn’t mean we can take women’s rights away!”
• “We don’t abort children because we hate them, it’s because the circumstances are difficult.”  (So, that means if picking cotton is difficult, then slavery is OK?)
• “Why is it wrong to kill another human being?  That sounds like a moral implication.”

Ad hominem.  A very angry man barked at CBR’s Kevin Olivier, “This shouldn’t be here!  You’re not a woman, you can’t get pregnant, you have nothing to say about abortion!”  Kevin asked, “Are you against rape?” Man: “Yes!”  Kevin: “Have you ever been raped?”  Man: “No!”  Kevin:  “Then how can you be against rape?”

Man: “That’s different; rape is an act of violence against another person.” Kevin: “And abortion is an act of violence against another person. That’s what these signs show you.”

He had no answer, so he changed the subject, “You’re lucky you’re at a school where things are calm. You should try doing this in Portland.”

Little did he know our team would be at Portland State University less than two weeks later!

Mik’aela Raymond

We are pleased to welcome Mik’aela Raymond of Monroe, North Carolina to the CBR family.  Mik’aela is a graduate of Liberty University, having earned one BS degree in International Business and another in Market Research and Analysis.

As a freshman, Mik’aela knew very little about abortion, but after seeing Choice Blues (CBR’s graphic abortion video) and learning the staggering number of children being killed every year, she was motivated to join the student pro-life organization.

Sadly, pro-life activism at Liberty University gets almost zero support from the Administration and most of her classmates at Liberty did not at all support her efforts.  At best they were apathetic, but quite often they were antagonistic.

Later that year, Mik’aela attended a CBR student training conference in Virginia, along with a carload of other Liberty students she brought with her.  At this conference, she learned why CBR projects are so effective.

When she graduated three years later, she felt God calling her to pro-life activism.  She answered, and we thank God for her.

Welcome aboard, Mik’aela!  We’re expecting great things from you!

If you’d like to support Mik’aela (or any of our staff), it’s quick, easy, and secure to support CBR online.  Whatever you can do will make a huge difference.  To support Mik’aela’s work, designate your gift for “Carolina Project Director (SE-MAR).”

Newbie staff member Mik’aela Raymond went on her first GAP tour the Spring of 2018. She did great!

In the Spring semester, we focused our GAP efforts on North Carolina and Tennessee.  We traveled to Appalachian State, the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Tech, UNC Charlotte, and UNC Greensboro.

North Carolina is especially important, because it is one of the most important swing states in our region.

These are all schools we have visited before, but once every year or two is not too often.  New students come and go, so we always get a new audience.  Also, even when we get repeat customers, they often say that we move the needle on their opinions with each visit.

With your $upport, we will get abortion photos on every campus, every year.  With that much exposure to reality, it will be almost impossible for pro-abortion professors to lie to our students any longer.

Check out the press coverage:

• Anti-abortion images displayed on Sanford Mall
• Lean Into It: Sex Week, abortions and campaigns, oh my!
• Letter from the Editor: Why we’re not covering the Ped Walkway display
• Bio-Ethical Reform Club seeking new officers
• Pro-Life Doesn’t Have to Be Scary

by Jacqueline Hawkins

Brandon, the perennial graduate student, comes to every GAP.  This time, he brought his friend, Aaron, whose main sticking point was that we are calling aborting women Nazis, despite our prominent declaration to the contrary.

Joanna explained to him why that wasn’t the case, but he stuck to his guns, seeing himself as a champion for women.

Overhearing him, Alice walked up.  She was the epitome of cool.  She had long messy hair and a cigarette in hand.  “I have had an abortion.  I have 2 kids now.  I don’t see anything calling me a Nazi.”

Oh but she was wrong!  Her poor woman brain couldn’t understand!  And so Aaron proceeded to mansplain to her that GAP was calling her a Nazi and she should be offended.

Alice was unfazed.  Puffing on her cigarette, she calmly spoke in a soft voice, explaining to Andrew that she was not being called a Nazi and therefore had nothing to be offended about.  Her calm and cool demeanor diffused the situation and Aaron was forced to go mansplain to someone else.

GAP is like a box if chocolates.  Ya neva know watt yore gonna gay-yet.

Jacqueline Hawkins is a CBR Project Director and a regular FAB contributor.

GAP at East Tennessee State University.

In response to GAP at East Tennessee State University, Lindsey King, Opinion Editor at ET Online, examined our handout, How Can You Compare Abortion to Genocide?  Her piece, Examining the “abortion is genocide” pamphlet, flunked the exam.

She starts with an ad hominem attack on Rabbie Yehuda Levin, whom we quote in the passage.  He said

Each form of genocide, whether Holocaust, lynching, abortion, etc., differs from all the others in the motives and methods of its perpetrators.  But each form of genocide is identical to all the others in that it involves the systematic slaughter, as state sanctioned “choice,” of innocent, defenseless victims — while denying their “personhood.”

It seems that, according to Ms. King and the Southern Poverty Law Center (a left-wing hate group), Rabbi Levin is not qualified to talk about genocide because he is an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi who quotes passages from the Talmud (which offend modern ears).  Interesting claim.

We also quote Elizabeth Cady Stanton:

When we consider that women are treated as property, it is degrading to women that we should treat our children as property to be disposed of as we see fit.

Ms. King claims that there’s no evidence that Stanton ever said these words.  It would be more correct to say that the letter in which these remarks appeared cannot be found.  We found multiple independent sources which believe this to be an accurate quote, including here and here.  Further, there can be little credible doubt that Ms. Stanton and other feminists of her day were anti-abortion, which is really the point.

Ms. King also disputes the claim by embryology textbooks that each human life begins at fertilization, as chronicled here in great detail: When Does Human Life Begin?  She says that medical scientists should not be consulted on questions of medical science.  She says questions of science are for the philosopher to answer.  In other words, facts don’t matter.

Ms. King knows that she has no arguments to justify decapitating and dismembering little human beings, so she appeals to opinion editors who say we can’t really know if the growing human fetus with arms and legs and fingers and toes is really alive or not.

She links to a short video about personhood that perfectly illustrates our point.  The speaker doesn’t pick a side, but at the end of the video, he invites the viewer to

… try to figure out what you believe constitutes personhood.  As you consider the factors that you think are most important, be careful how you cast your net.  Make sure you include everyone you think should be included and exclude those you think should be excluded.

Bingo.  In other words, be sure to include yourself, but exclude the intended victim group.  Where have we seen that before?  Over and over again, perpetrators of genocide have redefined personhood in terms that excluded the intended victim class.  Over and over again, these victims were either in the way or had something that the perpetrators wanted.

Ms. King goes on to argue that because many (she claims as many as 50 percent) embryos die of natural causes very early in pregnancy, personhood should not be conferred at fertilization.  But the premise does not support the conclusion.  Most people die of natural causes at some point; that doesn’t justify killing them.

Finally, she avoids the question of when she believes personhood begins.  She doesn’t like our view that all human beings deserve equal protection, but she should tell us where she would draw the line between human beings who may be killed and human beings who must be protected.  And she should tell us what criteria she would use to draw that line.  In so doing, she should remember that every time we draw such lines, we get ourselves in moral trouble.

We strongly agree with Ms. King on one point:

Examine the information and arguments that are presented, think critically, [and] do your own research.

Amen.  Start here: www.AbortionNo.org.  And here: www.Abort73.com.

Lois Cunningham

by Lois Cunningham

In a recent Nashville Tennessean op-ed, Dr. Frank Boehm noted that abortion rates are falling nationally. That is perhaps true.

Dr. Boehm further believes that this drop is due primarily to the growing availability and use of contraceptives.

Not so fast.

Dr. Boehm notes that abortion rates are at their lowest in decades “due to a host of factors,” but then he ignores all factors but one.  He claims that “The reason abortion numbers are at the lowest level in years is relatively easy to explain: more women have been able to obtain and use reliable contraception.”

He gives no source for the contraception claim.  Let’s consider some of “the host of factors” for the decline in abortion numbers:

1. Women are being educated about the violence of abortion and its numerous risks to women, thanks to the efforts of numerous pro-life organizations (www.abortionNo.org).
2. Women now have access to free services and alternatives to abortion at several thousand pregnancy resource centers in all 50 states.
3. Women who have had prior abortions are speaking out in greater numbers about the deep regret they have felt after aborting their preborn children.
4. The law restrains abortion numbers.  According to Dr. Michael New, “A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that public-funding restrictions, parental-involvement laws, and properly designed informed-consent laws all reduce abortion rates.” (Casey at 25: Pro-Life Progress Despite a Judicial Setback) Dr. Boehm gave no citation for his claim to the contrary.

Abortion numbers are not completely reliable.  The CDC reports that only 33 out of 52 reporting areas (50 states plus New York City and Washington, D.C.) include medical (i.e., chemical drug) abortion in their reports.  For the areas that do report, statistics from 2004 to 2013 demonstrate that medical abortion increased 110% to account for 22.3% of all abortions by 2013 (Abortion Surveillance — United States, 2013).  The reality is that an unknown number of medical abortions are executed through abortion clinics and at private doctors’ offices; they are never reported to the CDC.

Dr. Boehm advocates for “long acting reversible contraception” without mentioning the potential harm done to women’s reproductive systems.  These hazards include (1) perforation of the uterus which can damage surrounding organs, (2) intracranial hypertension, which can lead to loss of vision, (3) dizziness, (4) mood alteration, and (5) abnormal uterine bleeding. (Drug-Watch: Mirena; Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Associated with Hormonal Contraception)

“I believe life is the greatest gift,” Salvador told Jackie Hawkins.

There were several gems at Weber State, where we saw a good response to the pictures.  Even the pro-abortion protesters had to admit that their point of view may not have been correct.

Something to think about.  Parker was all over the place, at first.  He guessed that life started when the child first breathes (at birth) or when the heartbeat could be detected (at three weeks gestation).  But after seeing the photos and speaking with Joanna Keilson, he admitted, “You definitely made me think about something today.”

Maybe not today, but maybe in 5 years.  “I appreciate the civil dialogue. You haven’t changed my mind today or tomorrow, but maybe in 5 years,” a protester said with tears in her eyes.

I guess maybe that is what it is…  “My uterus is not an incubator!” the female protester exclaimed.  To that, Pastor Don Blythe asked her, “What is your uterus?”  She didn’t know what to say.  Her friends wanted to answer, but Pastor Don only wanted to hear from her.  She mumbled, “Well if you want to have a baby…OK, it is a kind of incubator.”

What if it happened to you?  A police officer said to Anna, “You know what I always want to say to these kids?  What if your mom had done that to you?”

Powerful indeed.  Pastor Don said of GAP, “This is a powerful ministry.  There’s just no doubt about it.”

The greatest gift.  The wonderful student Salvador was very pro-life and thanked us for being there.  “I believe life is the greatest gift.”

Not often heard.  “I was sexually assaulted when I was 11,” she told Maggie Egger.  “Why should I have to keep a pregnancy that could kill me?” Maggie told her, “I am so sorry that happened to you. I would say if a woman or a girl has a pregnancy that is life threatening and all other treatments have been considered, we can’t require her to be a martyr.”  And she replied, “Thank you. I haven’t heard that from many people.”  By the end of their conversation the young woman insisted that there be more support for pregnant women.  To that Maggie agreed wholeheartedly.

Planned Parenthood protesters included a female “minister” in a Roman collar and a young woman who thanked us for being there to express our opinion.

More from our  trip to Boise State University (BSU).

Circumstances trump biology.  “Based on my personal research, I have found that life, even if it biologically starts at conception, doesn’t start then because of all the different circumstances for the woman!”  Ah! So that’s how it works.  Whether you are alive or not depends on your mother’s circumstances.  Hmm.  Fletcher’s mother is 90 years old and not feeling well.  Does that mean he is not alive and may be killed?  YIKES!

And how do you kill somebody who is not alive?

Rolling in their graves.  “My family lost two men in the war to free the Jews!  They are rolling in their graves because of this!”  This from a male communist who pretended to be a woman and shouted many, many obscenities.  “The constitution was written by a bunch of white slave holders who wanted to f— each other!”  His ancestors may well be rolling in their graves, but it’s a matter of claim whether it was because of us or because of their foul-mouthed, Constitution-bashing, communist, gender-confused descendant.

Thanks from the other side.  Pro-abortion protester with Planned Parenthood sign: “You all have been very respectful.  Thank you for being here and trying to get your word out. I appreciate you allowing me to get my word out.”  We always defend the rights of others to have their say.

Kids raised to have choices?  “You guys are so incredibly ignorant. You’re targeting a group of kids who have been raised to have choices!”

Don’t do what I’m doing!  She said, “Of course, these pictures work!  But you’re going about it the wrong way!  Don’t tell women that they are wrong!”  We are glad she recognizes that abortion pictures work.  But she tells us we are wrong to tell people they are wrong.  I wonder what that would sound like if she followed her own rule.

Twisted morality.  “It is immoral to have a child you can’t care for,” he said, in defense of abortion.  So the moral thing to do is to kill them?

The immense struggle of pregnancy (according to a male).  A young man lamented, “My mother had to do so much when she was pregnant with my sister.  She had such a burden on her life!  She had to watch what she ate, watch what she drank, and she had to exercise carefully!”  Oh!  The horror!