Vital signs: California erases abortion regulations

Rogue state. On the same day Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill allowing non-physicians to perform first trimester abortions, he also quietly signed a Planned Parenthood-supported bill that would rid the state of some basic abortion regulations, the California Catholic Daily found. The effects of bill AB 980 will go into place no later than July 1, 2014.

The bill will get rid of informed consent for patients as well as “pre-abortion and post-abortion information and education sessions.” It also repeals necessary safety measures including transportation agreements in case of emergency, proper oxygen sources and masks, and cleaning requirements.

Sunken float. Organizers for an annual holiday parade in Grand Rapids, Mich., rejected Grand Rapids Right to Life’s float entry last week on the grounds that the pro-life float would be too controversial.

The pro-life group participated in the 2012 parade. Their float had kids wearing Santa hats sitting on the float with a banner that said, “Life: A Precious Gift.” The parade organizers told Grand Rapids Right to Life to apply again next year since leadership on the board changes every year.

Celebs subsidize abortion. Comedians Lizz Winstead and Sarah Silverman hosted an online pop-up telethon on Nov. 18 to fundraise for abortions in Texas. Other celebrities also joined in such as The Chew chef Mario Batali, who offered to match donations up to $5,000 via Twitter. The slogan for Texas Women Forever mimics the motto of the popular TV show Friday Night Lights with “Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can Choose.”

Batali tweeted: “Hello Americans, I am happy to match your donations for the next 30 minutes up to 5 grand in support of @TXWomenForever C’mon !!!!” One pro-life supporter responded, “Abortion is murder! You claim to be for women; but what about unborn women?” Batali stuck to his guns and tweeted back, “I’m for personal choice!”

Texas Women Forever tweeted that 811 individual donors gave $50,000 during the telethon.