Happy Holidays, Taka, We will never forget you! I would love to help UNICEF. I admire the work Audrey Hepburn did for many families by being a UNICEF volunteer. Take care....

RESEARCH UNICEF--I JUST CHECKED WAY INTO GOOGLE & FIND THAT THIS UN ORGANIZATION IS FOR POPULATION CONTROL BY WAY OF ANTI-LIFE;ABORTION !!

Thank-you Dan Belo of Lake Linden for getting the word out on the work of UNICEF. I know we all love Taka and this is no slam on him, but there are many otheer charities out there that help children and support life.

Uh Oh, here we go.
Hold on to your keyboards.

Nothing like a little "Right to Life" discussion to spice up the the ole Pasty.com message board.

Please state your source for such a statement Mr. Belo. When you look deep into Google does this information come from an appropriate source? If I hear something about you or your business, I consider the source first before making such a statement. I also consider what the developer of the web has done for us, the community and his desire to make a better tomorrow. A private word with Taka would be more appropriate sir. You can find the home site for UNICEF at http://www.unicef.org/ and make up your mind.

Thank you Mr. Belo.

Well said Donn!! and thank you for posting the link to UNICEF. We all need to remember that just because someone posts something on the internet doesn't mean that it is accurate. Too many people post misleading half-truths in order to promote their own radical opinions...

I STATED MY SOURCE FROM GOOGLE SEARCH, BESIDE HEARING THIS MANY YEARS AGO.

Google is not a source in and of itself; it helps you *find* sources.

Also, "hearing it many years ago" is hardly a rock-solid basis on which to base such fundamental beliefs.

When you did your search on Google, what exactly did you search on? What information did you find? What sources did that information come from? *That* is the information you - and we - must consider.

For example: I went to Google and searched for UNICEF. I found many reputable and informative sources listing many good things the organization has done to advance the health, rights and well-being of children around the world.

I also found a few references to right-wing groups attacking UNICEF based on an *erroneous* report that UNICEF was supporting forced-sterilization/abortion campaigns in China.

So: consider all sources when making up your mind and when making inflammatory claims on a public forum. I am all for inflammatory claims, as long as they are backed up with solid research, scholarship and a passion for the truth, wherever it may lead.

Anytime something is written in all caps, without further information I tend to disregard the opinion.
UNICEF appears to be a fine organization that has been targeted in the past by those who feel a "new world order" is being developed, as in all UN projects.
I only expect anyone considering this project to do their own research & form their own opinion, and please NO YELLING!

Makes you want to write UNICEF a big check right now. They are big on collecting money at Halloween for helping children around the world. Some of these anti types are also against Halloween, however.

From UNICEF/UNFPA Website:

We must also step up efforts for family planning. Women in the developing world are having half as many children today as they did in the 1960s but fertility remains highest in the poorest countries due to a lack of social services. The last two generations of women have chosen to have smaller families and the next generation will do the same if they have access to education and reproductive health services. However, 350 million couples still do not have access to a range of effective and affordable family planning services and demand for these services is expected to increase by 40 per cent in the next 15 years.

The war on poverty will not be won unless we direct more resources to women and reproductive health. Developing countries that have invested in health and education, enabling women to make their own fertility choices, have registered faster economic growth than those that have not. When couples can choose the number, timing and spacing of their children, they are better able to ensure there are enough resources for each family member to prosper and thrive. Today the greatest deficits in access to health services can be found in the poorest segments of the population. By channeling resources to reproductive healthcare, we can save lives, stabilize population growth, slow the spread of AIDS, reduce poverty and foster gender equality.

http://www.lifesite.net/waronfamily/unicef/ I found it for you doubters.

QTip.... In my humble opinion: "Reproductive health services" is a buzz word for abortion....and vastly different from contaceptive education. How does availability of abortion stop the epidemic of AIDS except to control population growth in third-world countries? I believe in education but not abortion....I didn't know that is what UNICEF was all about...and I feel they should make it clear if that is their agenda... guess it is never too late to learn. Thank you Dan Belo for some "food for thought".

Mary Lou-

I don't think the term "Reproductive Health Services" is only abortion. It may include abortion, but it should also include gynocologic services for women such as annual physical exams, family planning services, information on birth control, sexually transmitted diseases, and providing contraceptive education and methods.

I have just reviewed the "lifesite.net" reference and found it to be as neutral, unbiased and factually informative as "Rush" (now we know where he got that name) Limbaugh is. Where's my checkbook...

I have just noticed the existence of this forum. First of all, I apologize for starting this controversy because of the ad which I probably should not have posted. After Mr.Belo posted his comment about UNICEF, I carried on my search a little bit. However, I have not confirmed weather this abortion issue is true or not so far (and the reason why UNICEF is taking this action, IF it is true).
However, I have gown up hearing about UNICEF activates every now and then ever since when I was a kid. Therefore one thing I know for sure, is most of the governments of the nations in the world, including North Korean, are accepting the help from UNICEF partially or entirely. Whatever UNICEF is doing, this fact, and all the good stories I have heard about UNICEF so far, were more than enough for me to trust UNICEF.
However I am sure other people have different view and opinion about this. Therefore I will try to reprogram my web so that the people can chose which organization they want to make donation to (if the web will not go out of the business soon ^^).
At the end, I apologize for causing this controversy once more. Have a good day!
-Taka

Differences of color, sex, education, religion, philosophy, opinion, preference are what makes the world so wonderful and interesting. It is the extremists in the world whom choose to exert their view on others regardless of right or wrong that are mistaken not you.

Amen, Donn. It would be wonderful if we could all enjoy the differences and not expect that everyone would share only our views. Taka...the apology is not needed. You did nothing wrong. We all have enjoyed your being part of this site!

Indeed, how very true. But beeing anti-abortion does not necessarily make one an extremist, although I admit I tend to forget things like this. Personally, I must admit that abortion is worse than contraception - though preferable to a child that is born beeing HIV-positive, or a drug addict. On the other hand, a line must be drawn somewhere between the fertilized egg and the baby just before birth, and I don't claim to know where to draw it - everyone has to know for themselves.
I would also like to think that people who are against abortion under all circumstances volunteer to take care of the children born unwanted, or even sick. How about that? Maybe just my prejudice, but I don't believe it.
Abortion and population control is certainly a topic that needs to be discussed, with care, that is. Anyone who thinks a pamphlet is a proper source lacks this care, I think (lifesite, re vatican-decision). Look it up again.

Personally, I think that pop-control is the necessary answer to most sorrows of our days, from diminishing ressources to pollution. Less people need less of the former and produce less of the latter.
And it's a much less life-threatening method than starting the next war. (No, I'm not talking about Iraq.)

Ahh, unfortunately in today's pagan UN dominated world (except for the United States, God Bless her) one who believes we are endowed by a "Creator" with an inalienable (which according to Webster's New World Dictionary means "that may not be taken away or transferred") right to life are considered extremists. Our founding fathers would be (and are in many circles today) thus considered "extremists". Well, I for one am proud to join them in this category. Yes, we have a right to differ in a friendly manner. Let us keep it that way.

I always said I was extremely anti-abortion for any reason until this question was posed to me...
"If your 8 year old daughter was raped and became pregnant, would you insist that the child carry the baby to term?"...Food for thought.

Its refressing to see people with a mind of their own instead of those that follow the pack. I too believe in researching the facts before believeing what is printed. And then you have to remember the old saying that the wheel that squeaks the loudist gets the grease. Which is to say that some of these small groups holler loud and clear and they are the ones that most people see and read about their beliefs. UNICEF has done a lot for Third World countries. And also whatever you do you will find someone somewhere that doesn't like it or disagrees with you.
Taka More power to you if that is what you believe in.

More food for thought:
Assuming that the right to reproduce and subsequent right to life are God (insert the deity(s)of choice) given, one can also assume the God gave us such things as reason and the ability to learn. We have used these gifts to eliminate many threats to our existance and are reproducing at an alarming rate. Two things we have yet to eliminate are our inherent self destructive tendancies that are often fueled by a "God is on our side" mentality and the fact that this earth the Deity(s)gave us has finite resources. Seems like we have a God given obligation to use what we have wisely and since God has given us the ability to figure out what causes babies, we are also obilgated to slow down so we don't overwhelm the planet's resources. Be it UNICEF or some other organization, we need to use what God has given us to ensure that we don't kill ourselves fighting over what is left or starve enmasse.
Perhaps when it came to understanding man's relation with the earth, the "Pagan" Native Americans had more of a clue than the Euro-Christians. But, hey, we showed them the "right" way didn't we. To my fellow "Christians" remember to pray for all those who died, er, were killed in God's name. There are several continents full of bodies.
For the record on the "A" word. I feel using abortion as birth control is flat out wrong and only shows the stupidity of the individuals involved. I do support a womans right to choose abortion for health or other extreme reasons. Taka - go for it.

who will speak for my silent voice?

Even more food for thought...

When does a fetus become a person? When does that fetus get a voice? I don't presume to be able to say. Certainly the government should not. I also don't trust organized religion to advise me and mine on such a critical issue -- they've been so wrong, bigoted, ignorant, intolerant, etc. in the past.

The only person who can make this decision are the parents of the child and their Higher Power, who/whatever that may be. No one else. We need this freedom preserved.

Is it murder? Hard to say. That's the rub. It's hard to say. If you think it's murder, don't do it.

Regardless of the abortion issue, it's crimminal to try to deny knowledge to anyone. Educating women is proven to improve health, economic and social conditions, yet there are those who would insist that women be kept in the dark. We should base our policy decisions on what works, not on what we think some deity wants.

I suppose there are still some today who think that 'knowledge of good and evil' will inevitably lead to evil and thus should be suppressed. But think on this; loyalty based on ignorance is worthless; loyalty based on knowledge is priceless. Whether it be a government, a religion or yes, even a deity, loyalty and trust must be earned and deserved.

Contraception is not a sin. I personally find abortion abhorrent, but more abhorrent would be the 'powers that be' telling women what they can do with their bodies. Even more abhorrent would be a hard-core, inflexible, intolerant religious minority harshly and rudely imposing their will on others when they are at their most vulnerable. I've seen it. It's not pretty.

Just my $.02

Question.....before legalized abortion and before "the pill" and same-sex marriage......in the old days, that is....did AIDS exsist???????...seems like we didn't make much progress by lessening personal responsibilty and respect for life....I find it interesting the word "extremist" is used in relation to those who find abortion wrong..could it be that those who generally accept it are the true "extremist"?? ........and yes, I cared for a sick child, and yes, I like Halloween....Taka, we miss you and your lovely pictures.....

Funny how some people are respected for being "hard core", "speaking his mind", and "standing up for what he believes in no matter what" when the people who respect him agree with him. When not agreed with, they are called "intolerant", "close minded" and "fanatics", such as with religious views on any issue. And just because God gave us a mind and ability to reason, think and learn, does not mean anything that comes out of that mind is justifiable, there is another power fighting for one's allegiance, and it must not be taken lightly.

I'm thankful that we live in a country where free speech exists. I'm thankful that life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, is one of the founding pillars of our country. I don't believe that right or wrong is an opinion, but I believe that opinions are right or wrong. Every man and woman has been given a conscience, and the only person that can override that conscience, is the individual to whom it is given. There are foundational standards that exist in life, and they are the basis for right and wrong as we know it. If we don't have a standard for living, then we are just existing. There is more to life than just existing. That is why we are human "beings". Every action we preform has a "why" behind it. The why involes either giving or taking. The issues we discuss in life should be weighed on the "why" of the matter. Are we giving or taking? It's great to be an American.