Quivering Lips

THE AGE, Aug. 26 — Unborn babies as young as 28 weeks cry, according to a U.S. study published by the Fetal and Neonatal Edition of the Archives of Disease in Childhood.

Scientists played a 90-decibel noise to the unborn child, roughly the equivalent of a tummy rumbling, and recorded the effect via ultrasound. “It was strikingly like an infant crying,” said pediatrician Ed Mitchell. “Even the bottom lip quivers.”

“The findings … reinforce the fact that babies experience pain and discomfort well before many abortionists claim,” reported The Age, a New Zealand publication.

More Babies, Please

THE NEW YORK TIMES, Aug. 21 — “After decades of promoting smaller families, South Korea — like several other Asian countries facing plummeting birthrates — is desperately seeking ways to get people to have more babies,” reported The Times.

The government now pays for procedures to reverse vasectomies and tubal ligations as well as care for a couple's third or fourth child.

Not just an urban phenomenon, the low birthrate has hit rural places where residents now buy air-conditioners, “and they expect television sets in each room.”

“Disturbingly low birthrates” have transformed South Korea's rural landscape, shuttering schools, shrinking class sizes.”

Bumper Impact

ARCHOFTRIUMPH.ORG, Aug. 15 — A bumper sticker may have provided the spark that convinced a young pregnant woman to carry her child to term, reported the pro-life news site.

Dave and Mary Labun came out of the house one recent morning to find a note on one of their cars. It read: “I am 17 and pregnant. And on my way to school one day … I was really thinking about abortion, because I was scared.

“As that thought came to mind, I walked past your car and happened to look over and saw your bumper sticker, ‘Abortion Stops a Beating Heart.’

“I believe God was talking to me through that sticker, and I also believe I will never think about it again. … And I'm not that scared any more.

“Thank you for helping me make the best choice of my life.”

Complaint Dropped

CALGARY SUN, Aug. 26– The man who launched a human-rights complaint against Bishop Fred Henry after the Calgary bishop issued a pastoral letter explaining Catholic teaching on the subject of homosexuality has admitted to Canadian media that his actions were done in order to attract media attention.

Norm Greenfield agreed to drop the complaint following a conciliation session at the Alberta Human Rights Commission. A second similar complaint against Bishop Henry is still pending.

Sun columnist Rick Bell observed: “Sadly, the commission isn't going to go after [Greenfield] for instigating this episode in the theater of the absurd.”