Homeless Voice; Questionable Practices

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ourteen years ago, an ABWith 130,000 young Sgt. Vannessa Turner told ABCNEWS hidden-camera American men and women putting CNEWS. investigation ignited a their lives at risk in Iraq today, Turner was stricken with a firestorm about condi- these conditions are particularly mysterious illness while on duty in tions and competence inside Veter- relevant. While current soldiers are Iraq this past year. She retired from ans Administration hospitals. treated in military hospitals, when the military on medical grounds, R e they leave the ser- and when she reported to a VA cently, there have "Once you come back to vice and need hospital for treatment, doctors been new stories be a veteran, it's like a treatment, many scheduled her for an appointment of misdiagnosis, will seek care at six months later. disastrous man- black hole, you know — Veterans Affairs a former army sergeant who served Not a Point of Pride agement and deVeterans who responded in the Korean War, was admitted to nothing," former Army (as the Veterans ficient care at is to a survey by the American Le- the VA hospital in Temple, Texas, Sgt. Vannessa Turner Administration some of the nanow known) hos- gion in 2003 said it took an aver- with pneumonia, and ended up told ABCNEWS. tion's 162 facilipitals. age of seven months to get a first staying three years. ties.

"Once you come appointment at a VA hospital. In Christensen's wife, Pat, At a hosback to be a vet- some hospitals, patients have says the attitude of some of the pital near Cleveland, an AB- eran, it's like a black hole, you waited as long as two years. practical nurses was shocking.

CNEWS hidden-camera investiga- know — nothing," former Army In 1999, Jack Christensen, …(continued on page 4) tion found bathrooms filthy with what appeared to be human excrement. Supply cabinets were in disarray, with dirty linens from some patients mixed in with clean supplies, or left in hallways on guryour thoughts, either way we are not going to judge bortion is a topic that is hard to make a choice neys. on. For me, abortion should never be used as a you. For those who are not pregnant, abstinence or At a neighboring facility, safe sex known as birth control will not put you in form of birth control. However, there may be times examining tables had dried blood this dilemma. According to the Respect Life Office of that an abortion may be justified for that particular and medications still on them. In Catholic Services, adoption is a choice they can help person. Most importantly, we must understand if we several areas, open bio-hazardous you make. Respect Life says they will give you oppersonally consider abortion as a sin then as a Chriswaste cans were spilling over. tions and not judge you. For families who are Cathotian you must also not judge the person who has an Primetime obtained internal lic and do not want to use unnatural forms of birth abortion.

Sin is sin in God's eyes.

Whether you steal memos documenting that the control there is Natural Family Planning. Natural a car, use drugs, cheat on your spouse or have an equipment used to sterilize surgical abortion it is all sin and the person should never be Family Planning is an understanding of how your instruments had broken down — judged. Like I said I do not like abortion but I am not body works naturally and allows you to use a natural causing surgical delays and possiform of birth control. According to Respect Life they the person who has to make the decision. That person ble infection risks. say that Natural Family planning is about 99.8% efmay have their most inner reasons why they are

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aborting a child. The decision they make is between God and themselves.

If you are pregnant and considering an abortion please go to the nearest Catholic Church or any other church and seek some assistance. You may be making the biggest mistake of your life and regret it in the future. There are other non-church agencies that can also help you. If you have had an abortion and are still suffering from that decision you made look up Project Rachel on the web or call 1-800-9680968. If you had or may have an abortion, that is your decision, and we at this paper will not judge you. If you are still confused we can be reached at 954-924-3571 and we will try to help you sort out

fective which is actually more effective then traditional forms of birth control. I personally feel that the Catholics have done a good job on fighting for the rights of the unborn baby but we need to be a little more understanding about birth control and about denying any person who disagrees with the abortion policy of the church. Jesus said, "Take and eat, this is my Body." Then He took the cup, gave thanks and gave it to them saying, "Drink from it all of you, for this is My Blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." He did not say this is the Catholics' Body of Christ and you can't have it unless you outlaw abor(Continued on page 7)

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Volume 5, Issue 8

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NATIONAL NEWS

Questionable Practices Disturbing Revelations About Quality of Care at Some U.S. Veterans’ Hospitals couldn't agree on what they were in charge of the third-largest hospigoing to do, she said. tal system in the VA, encompassBefore he got sick, the 6- ing eight cities, 295 acres of land foot Soles weighed more than 200 and 83 buildings. And his salary pounds. By the time his family immediately jumped about finally decided to take him to a $15,000. private hospital, he weighed 80 Primetime obtained pounds. Some VA doctors thought budget information on the central his problem was psychosomatic.

Texas VA system for Billik's sixWhen he could no longer year tenure at the top. It confirms recognize his own son, Soles was that Billik cut spending $2 million rushed to a private hospital. There, for the people in direct patient care Soles learned he — nurses was "a total mass and “In 1996, he was denounced for aides of cancer from practical allegedly spending about his trachea to his nurses. renal bowel. And $200,000 in taxpayer money to O t h e r that there was documents redecorate his office; nothing that obtained could be done,"

by Prime$1.5 million to renovate a his wife says. show nursing home unit that stayed time Terry Soles died that $129 empty for two years; and tens m i l l i o n three days later.

T h e of thousands of dollars for a was spent VA's Perlin said on confish tank in the lobby the Soles story struction was tragic, but at three of — while there were budget a d d e d : facilishortfalls and staff cutbacks six "However, that ties in were contemplated.” is not the experiTemple, ence of most of Texas. the veterans who come to us for One source says Billik care. … We take care of 7 million spent $1.8 million renovating a veterans. While the majority of building at Temple for his own care is good, in a big system, bad offices — after it had been renothings happen." vated for patient care.

Furthermore, Nancy KelWhose Fault?

Critics charge that one of sey, who was a nurse at one of the the big problems facing the VA is Temple facilities under Billik's that too much money goes toward supervision, says the way some of administration, at the cost of nurs- the staff treated patients was alarming. She says IVs ran out, ing and patient care.

Dean Billik, the former patients were neglected and dressdirector of the VA in Charleston, ings weren't changed.

Melba Bell, whose husS.C., is brought up as an example.

In 1996, he was de- band, Ed, served in Korea, said the nounced for allegedly spending staff was often idle and it would about $200,000 in taxpayer money often take hours to get help. Other to redecorate his office; $1.5 mil- families said that if patients or lion to renovate a nursing home their families persisted in asking unit that stayed empty for two for help, some of the staff retaliyears; and tens of thousands of ated.

At one point, Bell's infecdollars for a fish tank in the lobby — while there were budget short- tion got so bad that the hospital falls and staff cutbacks were con- used maggots to try to eat away the decay. That's not unusual treattemplated.

Congress heard testimony ment, but what happened afterward claiming Billik was "blatant in his was.

"The dressing that they mismanagement," and an inspector general's report confirmed several had on there was real poorly done," of the numerous al- said Bell's granddaughter, Chesney legations against Shirmer. "Some of the maggots got HOLLYWOOD out and they were in the bed with him.

ALL him, you know? He could feel DISCOUNT INSURANCE them in the bed."

But after everything PHARMACY ACCEPTED Ed Bell died of gangrene was brought to light, Billik still got a big- in the VA hospital in 2002.

OTHER SERVICES ger job: He was put One More Problem INCLUDE : • OVER T HE COUNTER W h e n MEDICAT ION • PRESCRIPTION confronted COUNSELING with these • VITAM INS • PERSONAL HYGIENE details, PRODUCTS • FIRST AIDE SUPPL IES Perlin said MON – FRI 8:30 AM TO 6:00 PM he shared SAT 8:30 AM TO 1:00 PM CLOSED SUNDAYS FREE LOCAL the outLOCATED BEHIND HOLLYWOOD rage and DELIVERY MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL pro mised 954-989-6300 1150 N. 35TH, SUITE 105 to look

(Continued from page 1)

Some of the patients were forced to beg for food and water, she says.

Instead of helping her husband go to the bathroom, she said, "they would put a towel under his hips and tell him to use the towel."

Pat Christensen said her husband's condition worsened over several months — so badly that at one point he developed horrific bedsores and dangerous infections, and she says his doctors said they would have to amputate his legs.

Pat moved her husband to a private facility, where his infection healed and he underwent extensive physical therapy. She sued the VA, and then used the money to pay for private care for her husband. The VA denied liability but paid a settlement.

Dr. Jonathan Perlin, the deputy undersecretary for health, said the VA system has sophisticated quality control. But when he was shown ABCNEWS' hiddencamera video of hallways and supply closets in disarray, he said, "This is something we're not proud of."

Fundamental Problems Critics have long charged that the VA system puts patients on a kind of assembly line, passing them from doctor to doctor.

There's also criticism of how the VA uses residents — doctors still training and not certified in their specialties.

Terry Soles served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. His wife, Denise, says he was one casualty of this practice. In 1998, he went to the VA hospital in Cleveland complaining of pain and diarrhea, and doctors removed small cancerous growths from his stomach and esophagus.

But as his symptoms persisted over the next two years, his wife says the VA gave him painful tests and repeatedly lost the results.

His wife says Soles was seen by a parade of constantly rotating resident doctors, and there was little consistency in his care.

Once, Soles was prepped for surgery but before the operation the doctors who were present

into fixing these things.

But there is one more problem. Many whistleblowers and critics say if you try to expose the truth, VA managers don't want to hear it.

Charles Steinert, who worked for Billik in Charleston, says he felt pressure to leave after he complained about some of the building projects and how he was being treated by supervisors.

Nurse Melissa Craven, who also worked at the Charleston VA, says she suffered retribution for two years after she spoke out about some of her supervisors.

Perlin said it is easy for patients and their loved ones to lodge complaints about VA care.

"That's important to us, because if there are concerns, we want to address them," he said.

But many patients and their loved ones told ABCNEWS that wasn't their experience — and even worse, many of the families are afraid to speak out.

"They're afraid to say what really goes on, because they're afraid any little benefits that they have are going to be taken away from them," said Denise Soles.

Improvement Efforts The day after Primetime presented its findings to the VA's Perlin, he ordered inspections of the facilities Primetime investigated.

They found a number of problems at the Temple, Texas, VA, including poor hygiene, insufficient staffing and low satisfaction among patients and their families.

The VA announced it would bring in new supervisors, reassign some personnel, train others, and begin recruiting additional staff.

Inspectors who went to the VA in Cleveland said it was in good condition. However, after their visit, Primetime received phone calls from several sources saying that the hospital had advance warning of the so-called surprise inspection.

And to those patients who accuse the VA of assembly-line care — that patients go through a succession of doctors — a public relations officer for the VA said it tries to ensure continuity of care, but that may not always be possible.

As for Dean Billik, he has now retired. In a phone conversation on Wednesday, he said he disagreed with the VA inspectors, saying their report was "an opinion."

Billik said he relied on his staff to supervise nursing and recommend budgets, and if he had renovated some buildings that then were closed it was because he did(Continued on page 7)

Page 5

Volume 5, Issue 8

NEW LIFESTYLES

M

ark, 17, sits in the large sunlit common room of the new Mavis shelter on Dundas and drums his hands on the table.

He loves music and has a part-time job selling CDs. He has another parttime job in a factory. Neither job pays enough to put together first and last month's rent. All Mark has at the moment are two plastic bags with some personal belongings, and bus tickets provided by the shelter staff so that he can get to work. He doesn't have an education, having dropped out of school in Grade 10. He doesn't have a relationship with his mother. She asked him to leave the house three days ago. He came straight here, and is eager to leave, but not because he doesn't like it. He just thinks there are people who need his bed more.

"I thank the government for building this place," he says.

"I was out in the cold for a while, an d that's not something I would wish upon anyone else. I

"I was out in the cold for a while, and that's not something I would wish upon anyone else.

I know there are people out there now, and I want to get out of here as soon as I can to give someone else the chance to get it together." know there are people out there now, and I want to get out of here as soon as I can to give someone else the chance to get it together."

Mark is negotiating with some of the other shelter residents to pool resources to obtain a permanent place to live. In the meantime, he's grateful for three meals a day, a clean place to sleep, the companionship of others in his situation, and the support of staff who care. "This place is amazing," he says. "It is safe here. There are rules, you have to be respectful and you don't swear. That's good. It's important to be polite."

(Please note: This is a true story. We have, however, changed the individuals' names as they are all in the process of seeking to build a life outside of a shelter.)

S

arah, who lives at the Salvation Life Family Resource Centre in Brampton, has to make a life for herself and her 13-month old daughter Samantha. The baby's father abandoned them both and does not pay support, and Sarah's relationship with her own family was plagued with hardship. Sarah decided to leave. She wants independence, and responsibility. This is her first week in the Salvation Army shelter, and she appreciates the help she gets here, including counseling and the access to agencies that can help her complete her education, find a job and a place of her own.

"I want my daughter to see me succeed," says Sarah. She says she wants to be a paralegal, to help other single mothers obtain child support from dads who abandon their responsibilities. For now, Sarah is taking one day at a time, coping with the stress of being alone in the world with her daughter. "She was given to me by God for a reason," says Sarah. "My father left, and her father left, but we'll always have each other."

(Please note: This is a true story. We have, however, changed the individuals' names as they are all in the process of seeking to build a life outside of a shelter.)

Lets have a PEN N Y DRIVE Get together w ith your friends at w ork and church and school It can be lots of fun and don’t forget Those pennies add up to dollars

S

teven is 30 years older than Sarah but to be in this one. The staff from the Region he too is anxious to begin life outside and from the Salvation Army treat us as peoof a shelter. He came to Canada from ple, not as numbers. I can't say enough about how good they are to us.

Jamaica as a teenager, and, “He worked as a counselor, A lot of people are here eager to begin earning a living, lied about his citi- helping homeless people, and because they lost their jobs, or suffered a miszenship status. He worked after years of service to the fortune. When they as a counselor, helping homeless people, and after community he grew increasingly come here, they are uncomfortable living a lie.” treated with love." years of service to the com(Please note: This is a true munity he grew increasstory. We have, however, ingly uncomfortable living a lie. He turned changed the individuals' names as they are all in the himself into the authorities, and now, as he process of seeking to build a life outside of a shelter.) waits to become an official Canadian citizen, he finds peace and comfort in the Rutherford Road shelter. He talks to other residents, giving them encouragement and support. He reads from his Bible, which he keeps at hand.

"I've worked in other shelters across Ontario," he says, "so I know how lucky I am

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Page 6

SHELTER UPDATE

HELP PAY OFF OUR MORTGAGE We need just 39,750 people to send in a check for $20.00, Or 15,900 people to send in a check for $50.00, Or 7,950 people to send in a check for $100.00, Or 795 people to send in a check for $1,000, Or Just one wonderful person or business to send a check for the entire $795,000.00 Remember the donation is tax deductible!!

Please send your checks to:

The COSAC Building Fund P.O. Box 292-577 Davie, Florida 33329 We do thank you

O

ur campaign still exists. If we can’t get the mortgage paid off, we would love an interest rate of about 6 percent on the outstanding balance. This would save us about $2000.00 a month. Our mortgage payment go down from $8400.00 a month to approximately $6400.00. We would need the remaining balance financed over 30 years. So, if anybody can find us a mortgage, please let us know.

V

forcement action." ancouver city councillor Jim On Oct. 23, council voted Green says city officials will 5-4 to enact a bylaw that makes it forcibly remove tents in illegal to "construct, erect, place, Creekside Park once they are satisdeposit, maintain, occupy" any fied that everyone living there with "structure, tent, shelter, object, subreal needs has been helped. stance or thing on city Green couldn't say exactly land" without perwhen that will “But on Tuesday mission from City happen, but that "we're very close." morning when he left his Hall.

The bylaw says of"If we've tent for a doctor's fenders could be got everyone who wants or needs appointment, he returned liable for fines of between $100 and help -- when those to find that all his $2,000, plus $50 a people are relocated, we would belongings, including his day for continuing offences. presume the peomedication as well as So far the bylaw ple left don't need help, and the ponew underwear, socks hasn't been applied the situation at lice will take acand toiletries he'd just to Cr e e k s id e , but tion."

Bloor said that He said bought, had been could change in the city and police removed by police.” future. have been "We are exhausting "bending over all efforts to get [squatters] to leave backwards" to help legitimately on their own," she said. homeless people find alternative But on Wednesday, Zofia accommodation, and that as many as Kiefer, a member of the Anti35 people were helped last week Poverty Committee (APC) warned alone. that other tent communities could be But he added that there are built if the Creekside encampment is also people at the site who are there removed. for political reasons only, and "and if "We are tired of being they want to resist the police, that's pushed around," Kiefer told a press their issue." conference held at the site. "We will Vancouver police spokesstand and fight. Because the governwoman Sarah Bloor said police have ment refuses to house the people, we been patient in dealing with the will create shelter anywhere, anysituation at Creekside but that if peohow, by all means available." ple persist in occupying the site illeShe refused to elaborate on gally, "we will have to look at en-

what she meant by "all means available," but added: "you have to understand that we have to have a place to live."

APC spokesman David Cunningham confirmed that a "strategy" is in place should the Creekside encampment be removed, but he too refused to say what the strategy was. He also refused to say where he lives.

Green said that isn't surprising given that Cunningham lives in social housing and is at Creekside for political reasons only.

"Ask him how much he'd like to have a squat outside his building," Green said.

Some squatters at the site said police have been harassing them and forcibly removing them from their tents.

But others said that wasn't true, and that police and city officials have been patient in dealing with them and other squatters.

Todd Shaw moved into the city on Sunday night when he was evicted with only three days' notice from his downtown hotel. The hotel is due to be renovated and all its tenants were moved out, he said.

Shaw, 38, who lives on social assistance, suffers from several medical problems, including severe nerve damage in his left leg, and has to take medication regularly to treat the ailments.

But on Tuesday morning when he left his tent for a doctor's appointment, he returned to find that

all his belongings, including his medication as well as new underwear, socks and toiletries he'd just bought, had been removed by police.

"It was all gone," he said. "I was told the police had moved in and taken it away."

Later, however, when he explained the error to police, everything was returned, but he still worries about where he will go if the squatters' encampment is removed.

The alternative housing that Green speaks of "are drug-infested ratholes," he said, and that squatters are being "duped" into thinking they'll be better off in them.

Green said it's true that some squatters' belongings have been removed in error, but that nothing is thrown away, and if a mistake is made, the belongings are returned.

"It's for staff to tell if the stuff has been abandoned or not.

They try to err on the side of caution."

He also said city staff are careful to work with homeless people to make sure they are housed in suitable accommodation.

"Our staff is very professional and knows the better places. If they [squatters] are not happy with what they're seeing, they should talk to our staff and see what else is available."

Nicholas Read The Vancouver Sun

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Page 7

Volume 5, Issue 8

HOBO JUNGLE

Questionable Practices Disturbing Revelations About Quality of Care at Some U.S. Veterans’ Hospitals (Continued from page 4)

n't possess 20/20 hindsight and made the best decisions at the time.

Rep. Ted Strickland, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, called for the White House and Congress to approve enough money to ensure that veterans get the care they deserve.

It's a "situation that's crying out for change," the Ohio Democrat said after viewing Primetime's tapes.

Veterans and their families agree they deserve better. "They were good enough to go fight for their country," said Melba Bell. "They deserve to have the best treatment that they could get."

Denise Soles says that before her husband died he asked just one thing of her: to speak out.

She said Terry Soles told her, "If we can help one other veteran from going through the hell … That's what we have to do."

ABC News

Congressman Strickland, First I want to thank-you on behalf of the Homeless Americans who are Veterans. The other night I saw the special with Diane Sawyer about the Veterans Hospitals of America. I was shocked at what I saw. I think by the look in your eyes and comments you made you were as shocked as I was.

This letter is a letter of support to take action on these atrocities. Nowhere should any soldier of any land be treated like the way our soldiers are treated with their medical conditions. All Americans should have access to good health care whether or not they have the ability to pay. I see this daily in the arena of Homeless people. To give you an example, one day I developed a TIA, a “mini stroke.” I went to the hospital and they kept me for four days. My client the same day, with a previous history of strokes, had a severe stroke. They kept her for 23 hours and released her with a prescription for aspirin. I had over $18,000 worth of treatment and she had about $1,500.00 worth. I had health care coverage and of course she did not. These actions need to be changed by policy makers like you.

Our Veterans need to be treated with the utmost respect. If we sit back and let our hearts harden it will only become worse. I cannot blame the Democrats or the Republicans because this has been an on-going problem for years. We spend billions of dollars on weapons but we spend hardly anything on the person who has use the weapons in the name of National Security.

We at our office applaud your actions and we hope that you will advocate, investigate, and make new policy for better heath care for Veterans and also every American. The leaders of today will set the goals of today, so that tomorrow will be better for the people who serve this great nation. For any Veteran to be Homeless is a crying shame.

When this country gives better healthcare or better living conditions to prisoners or people in foreign nations than Veterans, there is something wrong. Please continue to take a stand on these issues.

Sincerely,

Sean Anthony Cononie

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Dear Church Member: I am a Catholic, an advocate for the poor and a human rights activist. I have picketed the Nigerian Embassy when they were going to stone a woman to death because she was having a baby out of wedlock. I have fed the poorest children of the world and at the same time watched them die. Abortion is wrong, it will always be wrong in my eyes. Today I write as a Catholic and a person who is quite confused, over any person stating that a politician is against abortion and then cast their vote on the assumption that their politician is going to change things. Do not be fooled, Mr. Bush, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Kerry or probably any other politician will never make abortion illegal. Mr. Bush has been President for almost four years and abortion is still legal.

In my opinion partial birth abortion is severely disgusting and should never be done unless that mother is going to die.

John Kerry has been criticized for taking the Holy Eucharist when his political views state that it is the person's choice. Mr. Kerry expressed that he is not in favor of abortion personally but still it is the person's choice.

The Catholic Church now is considering having Mr. Kerry removed from their faith.

Not only that, but some Bishops stated that they were not going to or would refuse to give Mr. Kerry The Holy Eucharist because of his political views. I am quite upset that our faith states that there shall be no abortion, yet we offer no refuge to the children that are not going to be aborted. Yes, we do offer adoption when all is perfect in the adoption process. But does our faith guarantee that every child will have a place

tion. I hope people do not think that I am cutting down my own Catholic Faith because I am not. I just disagree with some of the things we do. There are over one million things wrong with my own agency that I am the leader of and every day we try to improve things. This is just my thoughts because I see both sides of the fence

daily. I do not mean to offend anybody I am just trying to sort it out myself. One last thought the Catholics have done a real great and outstanding job on Pro-Life. If you are considering an abortion please go to them and let them give you other choices than aborting your baby.

Their local number is 954-963-2229….

If you or someone you know is pregnant and considering an abortion, please call 954-924-3571. You may be making the biggest mistake of your life. If you have had an abortion in the past and are still suffering from that decision you made, please look up project Rachel on the web or call 1-800-968-0968. For those who are not pregnant, abstinence or safe sex will not put you in this dilemma. to call home if they were not aborted?

The powers to be threaten to take away Jesus from the heart of Mr. Kerry because he does not want to make a choice for a female who is faced with not wanting the baby she is about to give birth to. Again, I must stress the fact that, in my opinion abortion is wrong, but I too would not make a decision for society unless there were secondary plans to make sure that the new born had everything that any other newborn would have. I fight for little ones that are thousands of miles away and I don’t even know their name, but my fight is an easy fight compared to making a decision about abortion. It would be much easier to feed all the starving kids in the world than to try to figure out if abortion should be legal or not.

What my Catholic Faith should be doing is not taking away Jesus from a Presidential Candidate but instead worry about the millions of kids who are starving to death by giving Jesus and food to them. Again I fight to save a starving child, but I offer no way to save a child from abortion because I am not the woman having or aborting the baby.

There are many other reasons why. Why.? Because If we outlawed abortion and forced that

mom to have that child , how will she treat that baby when it is born?

Why? I have seen moms who had drug problems prostitute themselves right in front of their child to get money for drugs. Why? Has my faith come up with a plan to house all these children who are not going to be aborted? Why? Who is going to feed the baby when the families income cannot even provide for the children they now have. Why? Are we all ready to see the young and scared girls die by getting back alley abortions as we have seen in the past?

What America must do is to react to the problem of the unwanted babies being born in the first place.

It is so hard for me to say that because I love babies with all my heart , I know they are the most precious thing in the world and this is one of the reasons why I am personally against abortion. But I am not in favor of outlawing abortion either.

We need to put programs in place to prevent moms from having unwanted babies, We need to spend money on preventing unwanted pregnancies instead of wasting money on whether it should be legal or not legal.

I must praise my faith for the prevention programs they do have and I praise any program that tries to talk a mom out of having an

abortion. But I do not praise any member of my faith even if it is a Bishop for trying to remove Jesus from the heart of Mr. Kerry. I do not praise my faith for saying they would refuse Mr. Kerry the Holy Eucharist. To, my fellow Catholics please don't cast your vote on a politician only because you feel they are personally against abortion because none of them has made it against the law. Abortion is not a topic to use when selecting a person for President. To my own faith I really think we should be placing Jesus in the heart of people instead of telling someone that you cannot receive Jesus.

Mr. Kerry is personally against abortion however he stills feels it is the woman's choice. Therefore the people who are judging Mr. Kerry are doing so without reasoning and justification. We should be spending our money, time, and efforts on saving the children who are starving to death and work more on prevention of unwanted pregnancy as well as allowing birth control for the prevention of disease and the prevention of abortion.

Sincerely,

Sean Anthony Cononie

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