THE OPEN BOOK

P.O. Box 511231 ... Punta Gorda, Florida. 33951-1231
VOL 1 ... Learning Begins With An Open Book... July, 1997

LUNCHEONS FOR TEACHERS ... AND PASTORS:
Stacey's Buffet nestled in the comer of the Publix Shopping Center was home for two Freedom To Learn luncheons. On June 12, approximately 20 teachers from four counties attended. Guests were introduced to the organization and its purpose: to ensure that the rest of the story is told. Janet Bed of the Liberty Singers provided the entertainment.

Dr. Beasley reviewed the genesis of the organization. During the preparation for a presentation to a pro-life group, Beasley discovered a sharp contrast between the public perception of the Planned Parenthood versus Casey decision, and the views of liberal and conservative analysts. Despite the fact that the pro-choice lobby claimed a victory, the liberal journal, THE NATION, saw it differently, as did conservative, Chief Justice Rehnquist:

Approximately 30 pastors were present, same time, same place, a week later. In many ways, the program was the same, introductory in nature. Ray Fiedler, Vice President of FTL, was critical in both sessions. Al Marks discussed our up-coming visit to the National Religious Broadcaster's Convention in February of '98. Joseph Jolin discussed the web site that is under construction...and available to you (more later). Susan Dragonette's message was similar to both groups: get involved and make a difference.

Chief Justice Rehnquist, rendering his opinion in Casey.

THE NATION, 7/27/92.
"While purporting to adhere to precedent, the joint opinion instead revises it. Roe continues to exist but only in the way a storefront on a western movie set exists: a mere facade to give the illusion of reality."

"This week's Supreme Court ruling in Planned Parenthood versus Casey...managed to uphold Roe v. Wade on paper while eviscerating it in practice. "...O'Connor Stouter, and Kennedy. ..joined... in affirming abortion as a constitutionally protected liberty, even as the trio stripped it of its status as a fundamental' right"

FTL GOES ON LINE
When you are surfing the net, stop by FTL's new web site www.freedomtolearn.org. Although the site is currently under construction, or being developed, you will eventually have access to our newsletter, bookstore, biographies, and even an audio greeting.

The web site was created by Joseph Jolin, Board Member, and his son Mike who lives in Punta Gorda. His other son Ray, living in Altus OK, who manages a server complex on the net, www.intellisys.net, has provided us free space on the Web for the next two years. Freedom to Learn is going world-wide with various links to numerous organizations. Stop on by, we are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

THE EVOLUTION OF FREEDOM TO LEARN ...
Five years ago, the abortion landscape was totally altered by the Planned Parenthood versus Casey Decision. The decision stated that it upheld the "central holding of Roe," and maintained the woman's right to have an abortion. Nothing new. What was startling, though, was that the Court for the first time since Roe v. Wade in 1973 granted "choice" to state legislators, school board members, and to citizens. No longer was abortion to be just a woman's choice...while she retained the "ultimate say," she no longer had the only say. Freedom To Learn is based upon this new legal climate that was established by the U.S. Supreme Court. One part of our mission is to ensure that everyone understands their full legal rights as they pertain to abortion education. We hope to ensure that the pro-life message is given fair, equal and balanced treatment in our schools. The good old days when abortion was tagged as a "religious issue" are gone forever. Q.) Abortion used to have a primo legal status under Roe...What happened? A.) The Casey decision altered abortion...said it was no longer a fundamental right Despite the change, many schools and educators across the nation are not aware of the Casey decision or their newly found rights. FTL, then, arises simply because the Supreme Court changed its mind. We want to spread the word, we have had help. YES' WE'VE BEEN LUCKY So many neat things have happened. I think of the lady from Michigan who wanted to be sure 35 packets of material would arrive so that they would be available for her group. The lady who was pro-choice and said, "I worked on your brochure, read it, and I agree with you. Our kids should be informed." Thanks to the friend who was in the midst of helping people in another state during a disaster, but made the time to come by with a check for $440 so our Jane Roe videos can be readily sold. Thanks to the pastor who said, after the Pastor's luncheon, "I cannot help because my congregation would be troubled... But my thoughts and prayers are with you." For the constant encouragement...yes, it matters. Freedom To Learn appreciates your support. We haven't listed every one. But yes, we have been lucky. Glorifying Death Or Promoting Life Unfortunately, the President of this great country of ours seems to have failed to recognize the glorification of death; and that is: *the expansion of the so-called "right to choose" into a license to kill the unborn child in any way, for any reason, at any stafe of pregnancy and delivery.*		ABOUT SARA Sara is an American girl... her color or religion does not matter. People really do want the best for Sara. Sara has studied hard and learned that America is a dynamic nation and that it has a medical profession that is the best in the world. Too bad for Sara. She won't be able to get her help. Sara is pregnant...and shy...and feels bad about what happened. It's my fault she says...she was always taught to accept responsibility. It wasn't all her fault...but that was Sara. Sara is 14 and pregnant. She can't tell Mom...she has not been prepared for this at school. You see, at school, they don't talk about IT...abortion. Sara like's Ms. Jeffries, always ready with a quick smile. But what would Ms. Jeffries think of her. If they don't talk about it, it is kind of like a taboo. Sara might want to keep her child...or she could get an abortion. In desperation Sara gets the phone book...looks under A... LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR These are some of the things we have done since January. We have Incorporated...we exist legally and have all of the right papers. We are close to filing 501-c-3 papers. At that point, all gifts can be tax deductible. We had a mailing to 1500 educators in the State of Florida. The message was simple: The law has changed. In addition, we sent a catalog of curriculum materials. We did not expect a big response...but we got the process started We developed some major documents that explain our organization. Our basic document explains the change in the law. In addition, we have developed a long list of quotes from the Casey decision that demonstrate the incredible support the Court has granted to the schools and to the people. Our web site has been developed. Our May fund-raiser at the Holiday Inn. Thanks to so many. Our June luncheon for teachers, and a week later, for pastors.		IF A COMMUNITY If a community answers "yes" to the following three questions, it needs to evaluate its abortion curriculum. Ques. #1. Are There Too Many Abortions? Background: there is one abortion every 20 seconds, 24 hours a days, 365 days a year. Ques. #2. Do kids lack respect for life? How would you respond so far? If you say, "yes," it has implications for how we teach our kids...doesn't it? Ques. #3. Should students have the freedom to learn about the second most commonly used medical procedure in America and one that is used on their generation the most? That is the question ! Remember ... every adult expects to be well-informed of the risks of a medical procedure. We can do no less for our children. We simply believe that most adults will say yes to these three questions. From then on, that community will have the responsibility of developing a curriculum that educates the young in line with community values. Let's Look Ahead: I have attached a dollar amount to each of the following items: July 16: FTL will be on Fort Lauderdale radio for one and one-half hours. We will offer a packet for Initiating responsible change (now being developed). This will also include some luncheons and/or meetings with other groups in the area. Thanks to Coral Ridge Ministries. $200. July Newsletter. About $100. By the way, a huge thanks to Suzanne McDuffie. Suzanne will be going to college this fall; she will be missed. August: We will hopefully be able to provide a general packet of curriculum materials. $200. Atlanta Conference In September: This will give us an outstanding opportunity to meet people in a regional area who may in turn promote our goals. $500. Feb. 1998: 3 days: National Religious Broadcasters Convention. This is a great opportunity. Our booth is right where the escalator is accessible to the attendees. We should be able to generate radio programs and interviews in several states. Thanks go to Al Marks, Board Member, for his work on this project. Cost: $3,000. State Convention For Teachers: On hold for now...we need a teacher to head the effort...we would supply help. Cost: undetermined.

THE EVOLUTION OF FREEDOM TO LEARN ...

Five years ago, the abortion landscape was totally altered by the Planned Parenthood versus Casey Decision. The decision stated that it upheld the "central holding of Roe," and maintained the woman's right to have an abortion. Nothing new. What was startling, though, was that the Court for the first time since Roe v. Wade in 1973 granted "choice" to state legislators, school board members, and to citizens. No longer was abortion to be just a woman's choice...while she retained the "ultimate say," she no longer had the only say.

Freedom To Learn is based upon this new legal climate that was established by the U.S. Supreme Court. One part of our mission is to ensure that everyone understands their full legal rights as they pertain to abortion education. We hope to ensure that the pro-life message is given fair, equal and balanced treatment in our schools.

The good old days when abortion was tagged as a "religious issue" are gone forever.

Q.) Abortion used to have a primo legal status under Roe...What happened?
A.) The Casey decision altered abortion...said it was no longer a fundamental right

Despite the change, many schools and educators across the nation are not aware of the Casey decision or their newly found rights. FTL, then, arises simply because the Supreme Court changed its mind. We want to spread the word, we have had help.

YES' WE'VE BEEN LUCKY

So many neat things have happened. I think of the lady from Michigan who wanted to be sure 35 packets of material would arrive so that they would be available for her group. The lady who was pro-choice and said, "I worked on your brochure, read it, and I agree with you. Our kids should be informed."
Thanks to the friend who was in the midst of helping people in another state during a disaster, but made the time to come by with a check for $440 so our Jane Roe videos can be readily sold.
Thanks to the pastor who said, after the Pastor's luncheon, "I cannot help because my congregation would be troubled... But my thoughts and prayers are with you."
For the constant encouragement...yes, it matters.
Freedom To Learn appreciates your support. We haven't listed every one. But yes, we have been lucky.

Glorifying Death
Or
Promoting Life

the expansion of the so-called "right to choose" into a license to kill the unborn child in any way, for any reason, at any stafe of pregnancy and delivery.

ABOUT SARA

Sara is an American girl... her color or religion does not matter. People really do want the best for Sara.

Sara has studied hard and learned that America is a dynamic nation and that it has a medical profession that is the best in the world. Too bad for Sara. She won't be able to get her help.

Sara is pregnant...and shy...and feels bad about what happened. It's my fault she says...she was always taught to accept responsibility. It wasn't all her fault...but that was Sara.

Sara is 14 and pregnant. She can't tell Mom...she has not been prepared for this at school. You see, at school, they don't talk about IT...abortion. Sara like's Ms. Jeffries, always ready with a quick smile. But what would Ms. Jeffries think of her. If they don't talk about it, it is kind of like a taboo.

Sara might want to keep her child...or she could get an abortion. In desperation Sara gets the phone book...looks under A...

LOOKING IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR
These are some of the things we have done since January.

We have Incorporated...we exist legally and have all of the right papers.

We are close to filing 501-c-3 papers. At that point, all gifts can be tax deductible.

We had a mailing to 1500 educators in the State of Florida. The message was simple: The law has changed. In addition, we sent a catalog of curriculum materials. We did not expect a big response...but we got the process started

We developed some major documents that explain our organization. Our basic document explains the change in the law. In addition, we have developed a long list of quotes from the Casey decision that demonstrate the incredible support the Court has granted to the schools and to the people.

Our web site has been developed.

Our May fund-raiser at the Holiday Inn. Thanks to so many.

Our June luncheon for teachers, and a week later, for pastors.

IF A COMMUNITY

Ques. #1. Are There Too Many Abortions?
Background: there is one abortion every 20 seconds, 24 hours a days, 365 days a year.
Ques. #2. Do kids lack respect for life?
How would you respond so far? If you say, "yes," it has implications for how we teach our kids...doesn't it?
Ques. #3. Should students have the freedom to learn about the second most commonly used medical procedure in America and one that is used on their generation the most?
That is the question !
Remember ... every adult expects to be well-informed of the risks of a medical procedure. We can do no less for our children.
We simply believe that most adults will say yes to these three questions. From then on, that community will have the responsibility of developing a curriculum that educates the young in line with community values.

Let's Look Ahead: I have attached a dollar amount to each of the following items: July 16: FTL will be on Fort Lauderdale radio for one and one-half hours. We will offer a packet for Initiating responsible change (now being developed). This will also include some luncheons and/or meetings with other groups in the area. Thanks to Coral Ridge Ministries. $200. July Newsletter. About $100. By the way, a huge thanks to Suzanne McDuffie. Suzanne will be going to college this fall; she will be missed. August: We will hopefully be able to provide a general packet of curriculum materials. $200. Atlanta Conference In September: This will give us an outstanding opportunity to meet people in a regional area who may in turn promote our goals. $500. Feb. 1998: 3 days: National Religious Broadcasters Convention. This is a great opportunity. Our booth is right where the escalator is accessible to the attendees. We should be able to generate radio programs and interviews in several states. Thanks go to Al Marks, Board Member, for his work on this project. Cost: $3,000. State Convention For Teachers: On hold for now...we need a teacher to head the effort...we would supply help.
Cost: undetermined.

THE POWER OF POTENTIAL

By Susan Dragonette

I cannot remember the last time that I was face-to face with the possibility of an act of mine changing history. Can you?

We tend to think of history changing actions as being heroic--never as simple as saying, "YES."

If you can answer these two questions with a resounding "YES," you can begin to change the history of this country. Do you believe that every young person has the right to know all the facts regarding abortion? Do you have a desire to preserve, protect, and defend the life of the unborn in America? If so, you can help.

YOUR GIFT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN!

If you wish to participate in our efforts to ensure that the pro-life message receives a fair and equal balance in the public and private schools, here's how you can help:

Yes, I will
__ pray daily for the FTL (Y/N) _______
__ tell others (Y/N) _______
__ get FTL in front of my church, a civic organization, friends, etc. (Y/N) _______
__ type (Y/N) _______
__ handle the newsletter (Y/N) _______
__ serve on a committee (Y/N) _______
__ stuff envelopes (Y/N) _______
__ do this 'n that (call me if yes) (Y/N) _______

Your financial gifts will also be helpful as they provide us with resources.

Yes, I can make
__ a one-time gift to the gent fund ______
__ a monthly gift or pledge ______
__ a monthly memorial gift ______
__ a one-time memorial gift ______

Yes, I can give
__ a one-time gift designated to a specific project _______
__ a monthly designated gift _______

***Freedom to Learn accepts and acknowledges gifts which honor or memorialize individuals. These gifts can be either unrestricted or designated for specific projects.

Please contact Susan Dragonette