Pa. abortion doctor's license suspended after raid
Pa. abortion clinc found to be "deplorable and unsanitary" by federal agents
Feb 23, 9:24 PM (ET)
By JOANN LOVIGLIO for the Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) - Federal agents raided a clinic where abortions are performed and found "deplorable and unsanitary" conditions, including blood on the floor and parts of aborted fetuses in jars, according to the state agency that shut it down and suspended the license of the doctor in charge.
In the order suspending Dr. Kermit Gosnell's license, the Pennsylvania Department of State's Board of Medicine said investigators found numerous health and safety risks at Gosnell's abortion and pain-management clinic, including a preoperative and recovery area that consisted of several recliners grouped together.
The Women's Medical Society clinic is open during the day, but Gosnell does not arrive until somewhere between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and is the only person with a medical license working there, according to the order.
A clinic employee told investigators that Gosnell directed her in his absence to conduct gynecological examinations and administer painkillers to patients, the document states.
The temporary suspension of Gosnell's license follows at least two raids by agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the FBI. At the time of one raid - at 9 p.m. on Feb. 18 - investigators found the clinic full of patients.
On Nov. 20, the document states, a patient died after being given two separate doses of painkillers plus anesthesia before an abortion.
Gosnell's number is unlisted and calls to the clinic rang unanswered. It's not known if he has an attorney. His practice is located near the University of Pennsylvania campus in a large corner building, where a note in the window said that all patient appointments were canceled.
No criminal charges have been filed. Officials from the Philadelphia district attorney's office, DEA and FBI declined to comment, citing the ongoing probe and a sealed search warrant.
Kenneth E. Brody, attorney for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, confirmed that the department was assisting in the investigation but declined to discuss details.
Separate from the criminal probe, an investigation by state regulators will determine whether there is enough evidence for a formal hearing before the state Board of Medicine, said Department of State spokesman Charles Young.
"The petition alleges in this case that there is a threat to public safety," Young said, "but he is presumed innocent until proven otherwise."
According to Department of State records, Gosnell, 69, received his medical license in 1967. He also was authorized to practice medicine in New York in 1970.
In 1996, he was fined $1,000 by the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine for employing an uncertified physician's assistant. No other disciplinary actions were found.
Feb 24, 2010
Top generals' disagreement on gays in the military
General Disagreement on Gays in the Military
From Family Research Council's president, Tony Perkins (Feb. 23, 2010):
The military is used to escalating tensions--but not within its own ranks. Yesterday, two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff more than hinted at an internal conflict over the President's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" campaign. During hearings with the Armed Services Committee, the first cracks over the issue started to show among America's top brass. Both Army Chief Gen. George Casey and Air Force Chief Gen. Norton Schwartz disagreed with their Navy counterpart, Adm. Mike Mullen on the effects of overturning the policy.
"I do have serious concerns about the impact of a repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars..." Gen. Casey told the Senate panel. "We just don't know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness." In the meantime, the Army Chief completely rejected the push to stop "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" dismissals until a final decision is made. "This is not the time to perturb the force that is, at the moment, stretched by demands in Iraq and Afghanistan ..." he said. Today, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway entered the fray in a House hearing, insisting that civil rights would ultimately have to take a back seat if it meant tampering with the military's ability to protect the nation. Under a bill from Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Congress would put a moratorium on the military's discharges over the next year while the Pentagon studies the policy change. Gen. Schwartz was forcefully opposed to the idea, saying it would put the current cases "in legal limbo."
Of course, this is a typical strategy of the administration, which tries to pick off laws by phasing out their enforcement. (Defense of Marriage Act, anyone?) That's why the timing of his team's first strike on the issue was so important. Shortly after the State of the Union address, where President Obama called for repeal, the White House rushed Adm. Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the Hill for cover. Both leaders backed the campaign in an effort to head off any dissent. Until yesterday, they were quite successful.
So successful, in fact, that even I was caught in the crossfire. In October, the chaplain of Andrews Air Force Base asked me to speak at a non-political prayer luncheon. Just two days after the State of the Union address, the base rescinded its invitation, citing FRC statements "which are incompatible in our role as military members who serve our elected officials and our Commander-in-Chief." As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I was shocked that the military would exclude me from speaking to the spiritual needs of our servicemen solely because I exercised my free speech rights in a different forum--in support of the current law of the land. Unfortunately, this is just precursor of things to come in a post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military.
This legislation would more than open the Armed Forces to homosexuals; it would lead to a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone who disapproves of homosexuality. Will the chaplains' sermons be censored? Would they have the freedom to counsel soldiers with same-sex attractions? Or would they be disqualified from the service altogether?
From Family Research Council's president, Tony Perkins (Feb. 23, 2010):
The military is used to escalating tensions--but not within its own ranks. Yesterday, two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff more than hinted at an internal conflict over the President's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" campaign. During hearings with the Armed Services Committee, the first cracks over the issue started to show among America's top brass. Both Army Chief Gen. George Casey and Air Force Chief Gen. Norton Schwartz disagreed with their Navy counterpart, Adm. Mike Mullen on the effects of overturning the policy.
"I do have serious concerns about the impact of a repeal of the law on a force that is fully engaged in two wars..." Gen. Casey told the Senate panel. "We just don't know the impacts on readiness and military effectiveness." In the meantime, the Army Chief completely rejected the push to stop "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" dismissals until a final decision is made. "This is not the time to perturb the force that is, at the moment, stretched by demands in Iraq and Afghanistan ..." he said. Today, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway entered the fray in a House hearing, insisting that civil rights would ultimately have to take a back seat if it meant tampering with the military's ability to protect the nation. Under a bill from Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), Congress would put a moratorium on the military's discharges over the next year while the Pentagon studies the policy change. Gen. Schwartz was forcefully opposed to the idea, saying it would put the current cases "in legal limbo."
Of course, this is a typical strategy of the administration, which tries to pick off laws by phasing out their enforcement. (Defense of Marriage Act, anyone?) That's why the timing of his team's first strike on the issue was so important. Shortly after the State of the Union address, where President Obama called for repeal, the White House rushed Adm. Mullen and Defense Secretary Robert Gates to the Hill for cover. Both leaders backed the campaign in an effort to head off any dissent. Until yesterday, they were quite successful.
So successful, in fact, that even I was caught in the crossfire. In October, the chaplain of Andrews Air Force Base asked me to speak at a non-political prayer luncheon. Just two days after the State of the Union address, the base rescinded its invitation, citing FRC statements "which are incompatible in our role as military members who serve our elected officials and our Commander-in-Chief." As a veteran of the Marine Corps, I was shocked that the military would exclude me from speaking to the spiritual needs of our servicemen solely because I exercised my free speech rights in a different forum--in support of the current law of the land. Unfortunately, this is just precursor of things to come in a post-"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military.
This legislation would more than open the Armed Forces to homosexuals; it would lead to a zero-tolerance policy toward anyone who disapproves of homosexuality. Will the chaplains' sermons be censored? Would they have the freedom to counsel soldiers with same-sex attractions? Or would they be disqualified from the service altogether?
Feb 16, 2010
CNN poll: 52% say Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012
CNN poll: 52% say Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012
By Michael O'Brien - 02/16/10 01:35 PM ET
52 percent of Americans said President Barack Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012, according to a new poll.
44 percent of all Americans said they would vote to reelect the president in two and a half years, less than the slight majority who said they would prefer to elect someone else.
Obama faces a 44-52 deficit among both all Americans and registered voters, according to a CNN/Opinion Research poll released Tuesday. Four percent had no opinion.
By Michael O'Brien - 02/16/10 01:35 PM ET
52 percent of Americans said President Barack Obama doesn't deserve reelection in 2012, according to a new poll.
44 percent of all Americans said they would vote to reelect the president in two and a half years, less than the slight majority who said they would prefer to elect someone else.
Obama faces a 44-52 deficit among both all Americans and registered voters, according to a CNN/Opinion Research poll released Tuesday. Four percent had no opinion.
Feb 14, 2010
DeMint Slams Gore and "Warming" Hitting DC
DeMint Slams Gore and 'Warming' Hitting D.C.
Tuesday, 09 Feb 2010 11:26 PM Article Font Size
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is using the snowstorm hitting Washington D.C. as an opportunity to make some points about former Vice President Al Gore and climate change.
The conservative senator took to Twitter on Tuesday amid reports that the area is due to receive another 10 to 20 inches of snow this week, according to The Hill.
DeMint tweeted: “It's going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries ‘uncle.’”
Other conservatives have echoed DeMint's sentiments that the snowstorm should poke holes in evidence backing global warming.
The South Carolina senator was not the first Republican to use the snowstorm to make a political point, according to The Hill. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kansas, said that absence of votes in the House is a plus for taxpayers.
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.
Tuesday, 09 Feb 2010 11:26 PM Article Font Size
Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., is using the snowstorm hitting Washington D.C. as an opportunity to make some points about former Vice President Al Gore and climate change.
The conservative senator took to Twitter on Tuesday amid reports that the area is due to receive another 10 to 20 inches of snow this week, according to The Hill.
DeMint tweeted: “It's going to keep snowing in DC until Al Gore cries ‘uncle.’”
Other conservatives have echoed DeMint's sentiments that the snowstorm should poke holes in evidence backing global warming.
The South Carolina senator was not the first Republican to use the snowstorm to make a political point, according to The Hill. Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kansas, said that absence of votes in the House is a plus for taxpayers.
© Newsmax. All rights reserved.
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