North Dakota

Penny Nance, CEO and President of Concerned Women for America (CWA) will be on the Point of View with Chris Berg on KVLY, KX 4, Fargo. Tune in tonight at 6:30, October 18, livestream.  

“Last night, I called on Women’s Organizations to step up and speak out for the women that have been re-victimized because of Senator Heitkamp’s pursuit of political power. Fortunately, Concerned Women for America is speaking up for the women that are being re-victimized during this traumatic time. The CEO of Concerned Women for America – Penny Nance will join us tonight on Point of View.” – Chris Berg

Politicizing sexual assault exploits women that have already been exploited! As the state director of the largest public policy women’s organization in our state, I am horrified to watch sexual abuse used as a political weapon. Women should not be used as pawns in the hands of those craving political control. 

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
 

Concerned Women for America of North Dakota is opposed to Measure 1

Vote “NO” on Measure 1.  Don’t be fooled by the poorly written “anti-corruption” measure.    This measure inserts sweeping new language into the state constitution and creates an ethics commission that could investigate claims made against lobbyists, public officials, candidates, and even churches and charities.  Doesn’t sound that bad?  Read on.

There are good reasons Concerned Women for America is opposed to Measure 1:

• Measure 1 would force all churches and charities to disclose every donor if the organization used $200 or more for influencing “government action”. Section 1 of the measure directs the legislature to institute laws requiring the “disclosure of the ultimate and true source of funds spent in any medium, in an amount greater than two hundred dollars, adjusted for inflation, to influence any statewide election, election for the legislative assembly, statewide ballot-issue election, or to lobby or otherwise influence state government action.”

In other words, Measure 1 requires churches and charities to disclose publically the names of the contributors, regardless of the size of the contribution, for merely engaging in the public square (this includes inside or outside of the church building).  In fact, if a pastor talks about the importance of life, he would be attempting to influence government action, and therefore, the names of contributors could then be made public.  Imagine all of the Scripture passages that could never be taught.  Further, engaging or “influencing government action” prevents those in church leadership from mentioning the effects of a proposed measure on a broad range of issues such as the sanctity of life, private school and home school education, or sanctity of marriage without the result of public disclosure of the name of everyone that has made a contribution to the church!

• If passed, this constitutional mandate will effectively discourage participation in advocacy groups, like Concerned Women for America. For example, if Measure One is passed into law, our volunteer CWA leaders traveling hours to Bismarck will be required to report the spending of their own money for fuel, meals and lodging if the costs are $200 or higher! Volunteers will be required to report their expenses, even if there is no reimbursement of their costs by Concerned Women for America.  This poorly written measure has no exception to the reporting requirement so that any individual spending their own money to travel in order to express their views about a piece of public policy or a campaign to a political official or candidate must report their travel expenses.

• This is poorly written and potentially violates individual rights to free speech. On September 25, North Dakotans for Sound Government (NDSG) and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Dakota held a press conference to present reasons voters should oppose Measure 1.  At the news conference in Fargo, Geoff Simon, the chairman of NDSG and executive director of the Western Dakota Energy Association, agreed with the ACLU that the measure is poorly written and very likely unconstitutional.

“We already have an open, honest and transparent process,” he said. “I’ve characterized it as a solution in search of a problem.  To me, it’s one of those feel-good things where they think they’re doing something, but it will create all kinds of havoc if it should pass.”

Heather Smith of the North Dakota ACLU said the measure isn’t just about lobbyists and lawmakers. “As citizens, we have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to express our own opinions and interests. Measure 1 has the potential to limit this,” Smith said.  “Our First Amendment rights are too important to let this constitutional mandate pass.”

Campaign finance records show those behind this North Dakota Measure are largely out-of-state groups, Represent.Us, a Massachusetts-based group, Voters Right to Know in California and End Citizens United from Washington, D.C.

A Call to Action:

• Vote “No“ on Measure 1.
• Pass along this important message to your friends and family tell them to mark their calendar to vote on November 6, 2018.

A Call to Prayer: 

• Pray for all voters throughout our state. May God give all the wisdom needed to vote in the way that honors Him.
• “The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception.“ Proverbs 14:8

Read for yourself the specifics of Measure 1:

• Read Official Ballot Language for Measurers Appearing on the Election Ballot November 6, 2018
• ndmeasure1.com
• North Dakota Catholic Conference website
• North Dakota Secretary of State website

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
Concerned Women for America of North Dakota, Facebook Page

The message from conservative women to Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) is clear, Support Judge Brett Kavanaugh; he is worthy to be confirmed as the next justice to the U.S. Supreme Court. Judge Kavanaugh has been vetted by the FBI six times during 25 years of public service! Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-California) has kept a confidential letter to herself since July. The timing is no coincidence. This is a shameful political move to postpone the confirmation of Kavanaugh.

Enough. We must ask Sen. Heitkamp, with whom do you stand? Will you speak up against this last-minute ambush to derail a respectable nominee without evidence and against an avalanche of examples of his good character?  If not, what does this say about your opinion of our American way, innocent until proven guilty?

Note my recent letter to the editor posted today in the The Bismarck Tribune, Time to vote on Kavanaugh.

Note Penny’s appearance last night on Fox’s Tucker Carlson Tonight. 

Please join me in prayer: 

1. “If my people, who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”  2 Chronicles 7:14

2. Pray for Judge Brett Kavanaugh, his family, and for our Senators.  Pray for the Women for Kavanaugh Rally taking place on Thursday, September 27, behind the Russell Building in Washington, D.C., at 8:30 a.m.

3. Pray and fast tomorrow before and during the hearing. View Penny’s encouragement to us to do so.

Please take action: 

1. Call Sen. Heitkamp and ask her to support Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Call her at 202- 224-2043 and then email her.  Ask her to vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  Take time to do this now, even if you’ve done it in the past on this issue, she needs to know that as women we still support Kavanaugh.  You can be sure she is getting hammered from the other side. Be sure to let her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
2. Call Sen. Hoeven (R-North Dakota), thank him for his support for Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Call him at 202-224-2551 and then email him.  You can be sure he is getting hammered from the other side. Be sure to let him know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
3. Forward this email to friends and family. Ask them to both pray and act.

“Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act.”  – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

State Directors letter to the editor published in The Bismarck Tribune.

“Prayer is an effort of will.”  ~ Oswald Chambers

What sets CWA apart from other organizations?

Our emphasis on prayer and action at the grassroots.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord … and who labors fervently in prayer. The greatest force for change on behalf of our families and country is indeed prayer and the responsibilities that come with our citizenship in a free country. All the resources of God Almighty are at our disposal, and He rules in all the affairs of men, and nothing is too hard for Him.

Stop Now, Pray and Act

Pray: Pray for our U.S. Senators, John Hoeven, and Heidi Heitkamp. Pray that the schemes of those attempting to discredit Kavanaugh would be thwarted. Pray for the Senate as a whole, may Judge Brett Kavanaugh be confirmed.

“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The heart of the wise inclines to the right but the heart of the fool to the left. Even as he walks along the road, the fools lack sense” (Ecclesiastes 9:17- 10:3a).

The Bible tells us, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

The armor of our warfare hangs on prayer and is activated by prayer.  “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18). 

Act: Even if you’ve already contacted Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) and Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) be sure to both call and email their offices again today.  Be sure to let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.

• Sen Heitkamp: call her office at (202) 224-2043 and then email her. Ask her to vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Sen. Hoeven: Call his office at (202) 224-2551 and then email him.  Thank him for his commitment to confirm Judge Kavanaugh.

“Our prayer and God’s mercy are like two buckets in a well; while one ascends, the other descends.” ~ Arthur Hopkins 

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

Facebook: Concerned Women for America, North Dakota
(701) 993-8517

September 6: What’s on Your Mind (at the 35 min. mark) 
September 9: The Schmidt Show

A special thanks to Sen. Myrdal for going to Washington, D.C. to join our Women for Kavanaugh efforts as a state senator and former state director of CWA of North Dakota.

We had great media coverage for the Women for Kavanaugh Rally on August 17 in Fargo!  KVRR covered it, KVGO covered it, and Penny Young Nance was interviewed by Chris Berg of Point of View, KVLY.  On that interview she stated, “The best thing we can do, the right thing to do, is to look at this based on judicial philosophy.”

The crowd to meet the Women for Kavanaugh bus was energetic!  A Fargo wife, and homeschool mother of three young children, Lydia Trandem, rallied the crowd with this message:

“Good Afternoon!  I would like to thank Concerned Women for America for asking me to be here today! They are a great organization, and it is an honor to have Penny Nance with us!  I stand before you in support of our President’s nominee for our next Supreme Court Justice and because confirming Judge Kavanaugh matters for our great state and nation.

“Judge Kavanaugh’s record as a citizen, husband, father, and judge are worthy of notice and respect. He has a history of upholding the United States Constitution and interpreting it not to the latest swing of public opinion, but in consideration of the framers’ intent while keeping the history and traditions of our country in mind.

“Imperative to me, and many of you, Judge Kavanaugh has defended Americans’ right to religious liberty, our rights regarding free speech, and our Second Amendment right to bear arms. Kavanaugh’s list of issued opinions is extensive, but he consistently guards against governmental overreach in our lives.

“As a small business owner, I recognize the importance of protecting free enterprise and commerce.  As a landlord and property-owner, I see the threat posed by overzealous jurists who desire to impose their brand of social justice and order.  And most importantly, as a mother of three young children in whom I wish to instill Christian values, I don’t ask for a Supreme Court Justice who personally endorses my values and parenting goals, but one who simply recognizes that those choices are best left to each and every parent to make despite the whims and wishes of so many who would sooner see our children raised by the federal government.

“Today I am asking Senator Heitkamp to consider Judge Kavanaugh’s stellar record, to consider how it aligns with the values of North Dakota citizens, and to acknowledge the wishes of the vast majority of our citizens by casting her vote to confirm this man to be our next Supreme Court Justice.”

North Dakota High School Senior, Morgan Hovde enthusiastically supported Judge Brett Kavanaugh as well in her address to the crowd.

“Hi everyone, my name is Morgan Hovde.  It’s an honor to be here to represent myself, North Dakota High School Republicans, Concerned Women for America, my state, and my country.  Most importantly, I am proud to stand here this afternoon in support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Justice Anthony Kennedy’s recent retirement was a hit to the Supreme Court; although his retirement was an upset, it opened a seat that could only be filled by someone with dignity, gratitude, leadership and more.  There is no better nominee for the Supreme Court other than Judge Brett Kavanaugh.  Through his 12 years on the bench in Washington, D.C., he has proved his eligibility for the U.S. Supreme Court.  He holds strong conservative beliefs that will provide great intellect and judgement.  Throughout his career, he has shown truth and reference to the constitution.  This Yale Grad had worked hard for his career and has learned to hold true to his values.  This well-respected man deserves a seat.  I believe the next and final step in Judge Kavanaugh’s career is a seat on the U.S. Supreme Court.  I am honored and proud to support Judge Kavanaugh!”

Please Pray!

• Pray for the members of the Senate Judiciary Committee as they prepare for the confirmation hearings.
• Pray for Judge Kavanaugh as he makes his own preparations for the hearings.
• Pray for Judge Kavanaugh and his family – pray for strength, endurance and peace beyond measure.

“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any nation” (Proverbs 14:34).

Act:

• Ask Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) to vote to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Email Sen. Heitkamp and/or call (202) 224-2043.  Every contact is counted.  Be sure to let her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
• For more information read CWA’s press release and talking points.

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
nd.cwfa.org
(701) 331-9792
Facebook: Concerned Women for America of North Dakota

On Monday, August 6, 2018, I had the privilege of joining other activists in front of Sen. Heidi Heitkamp’s office in the Federal Building in Fargo, North Dakota.  Here is the public statement that I made:

I am Linda Thorson, the State Director of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.  We are the state’s largest public policy women’s organization. 

This is an historic moment for our nation, and I could not be more proud to stand alongside the men and women here, in our state and across the country in support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh as a Supreme Court Justice Nominee.  Judge Kavanaugh is abundantly qualified to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.  

Leaders on both sides of the aisle have agreed Judge Kavanaugh is a principled and fair jurist who will make sure all sides have a fair hearing.  He is well-respected across the legal community with endorsements from both conservative and liberal professors, attorneys and politicians.

Yale liberal law professor Akhil Reed Amar (a supporter of Hillary Clinton) wrote this in the New York Times on July 9, “Last week the president promised to select ‘someone with impeccable credentials, great intellect, unbiased judgment, and deep reverence for the laws and Constitution of the United States.’ in picking Judge Kavanaugh, he has done just that.”

 A little over one year ago, both senators for the state of North Dakota voted to confirm Judge Neil Gorsuch to the vacant seat on the Supreme Court.  As the State Director of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota, I was proud to stand with Gorsuch, and we were also proud to see both our senators vote to confirm him.

Just last week, Sen. John Hoeven released the following statement after meeting with Judge Kavanaugh, “Given his years of experience on the bench and his commitment to upholding the law, I believe that Judge Kavanaugh is a solid choice for the Supreme Court, and I look forward to supporting his confirmation to serve on the Supreme Court.”  

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), you have the opportunity to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court; someone that is uniquely qualified, fair, and impartial.  I stand with thousands of North Dakota citizens in asking you, Sen. Heitkamp to reject political partisanship and act without delay to move swiftly and wisely through the confirmation process of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. 

Take Action:

1.      If you haven’t already, please contact Sen. Heitkamp and politely urge her to support Judge Kavanaugh’s nomination to the Supreme Court. Be sure to let her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.

2.      Join us for the Women for Kavanaugh bus stop in Fargo on Friday, August 17 at noon!  Penny Young Nance, President and CEO of CWA will be there! Watch for more information to come concerning time and location. 

Please Pray:  Please pray for Judge Kavanaugh and his family during this time.  Pray for Sen. Heitkamp as she meets with Judge Kavanaugh next week on Wednesday, August 15.   And lastly, pray for wisdom and strategy as CWA national and CWA of North Dakota continue their work to influence Sen. Heitkamp and others to support Judge Kavanaugh.

Be encouraged!  God’s Word says, “One thing God has spoken, two things have I heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.  Surely you will reward each person according to what he has done” (Psalms 62:11-12).
 
Blessings,
 
Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org
Facebook: Concerned Women for America of North Dakota
 

Listen to radio interview on the Rob Port Show, 970 WDay, about the nomination of Judge Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court.  Starts at 54:04.

Sen. John Hoeven (R-North Dakota) released the following statement after meeting with Judge Brett Kavanaugh on August 1:

“I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Judge Kavanaugh today to discuss his judicial philosophy. Having served for more than a decade on the federal appeals court, he is highly qualified to serve on the Supreme Court. Judge Kavanuagh has a strong record of upholding the law rather than legislating from the bench and his approach to the law shows a deep respect for the Constitution.

“Given his years of experience on the bench and his commitment to upholding the law, I believe that Judge Kavanaugh is a solid choice for the Supreme Court and I look forward to supporting his confirmation to serve on the Supreme Court.”

Please Take Action!

1. Contact Sen. John Hoeven and let him know how grateful you are for his support of Judge Brett Kavanaugh! Be sure to let him know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota. Email and then call him at 202-224-2551.
2. Come to Fargo on Friday, August 17! Join the “Women for Kavanaugh” bus stop at noon! The location to be announced soon. Our own Penny Young Nance will be speaking to the crowd! Come, bring your family and invite your friends. Women, men and children are all welcome to attend!

CWA of North Dakota asks Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota) to confirm Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

Please Take Action!

1. Contact Sen. Heitkamp today. Encourage her that Judge Kavanaugh is the right choice for the Supreme Court! Be sure to let her know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.
2. Again, attend the “Women for Kavanaugh” bus stop event in Fargo on Friday, August 17, where we will be making our message clear to her!

Please Pray! 

• “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any nation” (Proverbs 14:34).
• “But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).
• “Dear Heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every day! And all we need, You have provided. Thank you, Lord Jesus. We ask You to direct our steps so that we are not deceived and believe the lie that our voice for righteousness goes unheard. May we love others enough to be doers of your Word. Amen.”

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]g
nd.cwfa.org
(701) 331-9792
Facebook: Concerned Women for America of North Dakota

Concerned Women for America of North Dakota thanks Gov.  Doug Burgum for making an official statement on Title X’s Protect Life Rule.

“The state of North Dakota has existing law that prohibits the referral for abortion services by any agency, county, municipality or other subdivision that receives Title X funds.

“This proposed US Department of Health and Human Services rule would allow for the state of North Dakota to implement its existing laws regarding Title X, as outlined in North Dakota Century Code section 14-02.3-02.

“The state of North Dakota supports the right of states to enforce their own laws, as approved by elected representatives of the citizens of North Dakota.”

 Please Take Action:

• Please call Gov. Burgum’s office at (701) 328-2200. Click here to send an email message or send a letter to Office of Governor, State of North Dakota, 600 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58508-0110. Be sure to let him know you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.

Please Pray:

• Pray for those in authority. Thank God for those in leadership and pray God’s will be done and for our leaders to be surrounded by godly counsel. Jeremiah encouraged the Hebrews to pray for God’s blessing “Seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the Lord for it; for in its peace you will have peace” (Jeremiah 29:7).
• The Bible instructs us to intercede on behalf of our leaders that they might come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “This (our intercession) is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Protect Life Rule!  Have you responded yet? If not please send your response to the administration. Do it now at concernedwomen.org/protectliferule/. It’s easy and only takes a few minutes. TOMORROW is the deadline.

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.aorg
(701) 331-9792
Facebook: Concerned Women for America of North Dakota

State Director’s article published in The Bismarck Tribune.

Are you ready to take your knowledge and put it into action? If so, a CWA Prayer/Action Chapter is the perfect place to do so.

“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?” James 2:14

First: Find out what a Prayer/Action Chapter is as well as what a typical one looks like.

Second: Click here to find a Prayer/Action Chapter in your area and learn more.

State Director’s letter to the editor posted on bismarcktribune.com.

(I will be on the Rob Port radio show on 970 WDAY today at 1:00 p.m. to discussing this issue!  Click here to listen live.)

Have you heard Sen. Heitkamp’s (D-North Dakota) radio ad entitled, “Work with Anyone”?  She states that she is proud of her record of working across the aisle to get results for North Dakota, yet her door has never been open for the leaders of largest public policy women’s organization in our state and in our nation, Concerned Women for America.

On Thursday June 7, a representative from Sen. Heitkamp’s office, encouraged anyone at our local phone company’s annual meeting, to reach out to the Senator to schedule an appointment when her mobile office comes to one of the nearby towns in our area.

I was hoping this could be the chance I have been denied many times, over many years, on numerous visits to Washington, D.C.  Not only have I never been granted an appointment with the senator, or her staff, the former CWA state leader was also denied access.  Though I knew it was a shot in the dark, I e-mailed her office that night.

Patrick Brende, Heitkamp’s scheduler, replied to my request the next day with, “Hello Linda, Thank you for requesting a meeting with Senator Heitkamp. Unfortunately, Heitkamp does not have any availability in the Cavalier area in the near future.” Surprise, surprise.

This sure doesn’t align with the message given at the meeting just the day before. At that event, it was announced with enthusiasm that the senator would be sending a mobile office to our region in order that constituents in this area of our state could be heard.

Sadly, Mr. Brende’s response is nearly identical to the one I received in April of 2017.  I was in Washington, D.C., to attend the confirmation hearing of Justice Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court.  As I have done repeatedly, I asked for an appointment weeks in advance.  Washington, D.C. Scheduler, Stacy Austad, responded to my request, “Unfortunately Sen. Heitkamp’s schedule is completely booked the next few weeks and she is unable to meet. Thank you for the request.”  The truly sad thing is that she had made the time to meet with the North Dakota Planned Parenthood. Their Facebook page documents the meeting, boasting “Our patients and providers just visited with Sen. Heitkamp – a true champion for women and families.”  Of course I couldn’t help but to write about it, Heitkamp is ducking Concerned Women for America.

Sen. Heitkamp has no intention of listening to conservative North Dakota women.  Is she that afraid to hear a view different than her own?   The fact that Concerned Women for America of North Dakota has hundreds of members seems irrelevant to her.  “Work with Anyone” is only rhetoric.  I’m not fooled, are you?

Click here to listen to her campaign ad. Script: “This is Heidi Heitkamp, and six years ago I said I’d put partisanship aside and do what is right for North Dakota.  Now, that meant finding Republicans and Democrats who wanted to get things done, which isn’t always easy. But it’s how I led the fight to open up markets for North Dakota oil, so we could compete with foreign oil.  It’s how I passed the law giving first responders training and equipment they needed after the Casselton derailment.  And putting politics aside is how we shut down the largest human trafficking website, got tougher penalties for sex trafficking, and it’s how I work with President Trump, to get rid of unnecessary EPA regulations.  When I agree with the President, I vote with him and that’s over half my votes. And if his policies hurt North Dakota; he knows I’ll speak up. This is Heidi Heitkamp.  I’m running for Senate, and I approve this message because Washington has enough rubber stamps who vote the party line.  I only answer to you.”

Take Action: If you have a minute, and feel so inclined, please contact Sen. Heitkamp’s office and simply ask them why the Senator won’t meet with the leader of the largest state women’s organization, Concerned Women for America of North Dakota.  Give them my contact information, let them know that you are a member of Concerned Women for America of North Dakota, and let them know that you look forward to their reply.

Please pray and ask the Lord to soften Sen. Heitkamp’s heart toward the unborn.

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

SayAnythingBlog posted State Directors article.  A must read!  Be sure to take action as indicated.

Planned Parenthood Safe Spaces classes offered by North Dakota State University (NDSU) need to be cancelled! These classes are offered for any teacher with students Kindergarten through 12^th grade!

Thank you everyone that responded to the e-alert we put out on Wednesday on this matter!  If you have not yet contacted President Dean Bresciani’s office, please do so as soon as possible.  Ask him to cancel all Safe Spaces classes.  Consider using some of the points below as well as from Wednesday’s e-alert. I contacted him as the State Director and am awaiting a reply.  We need to flood his office with outrage.

• Please email President Bresciani at [email protected]. Unfortunately the link to the email address we put out Wednesday didn’t work. (A phone number could not be found.)
• Email Bresciani’s Chief of Staff, Chris Wilson, at [email protected] , and then give him a call at (701) 231-6409.

Planned Parenthood is the farthest thing from a reputable organization.  In addition to the reasons I laid out in yesterday’s e-alert, here are even more, all involving the violation of both state and federal law.  Again, as last time, be forewarned, most of these links are offensive and not for children.

• Planned Parenthood’s approach to sex education is harmful and dangerous to children. They have been known to even do a seminar for teenagers on BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism). One of Planned Parenthood’s online “resources”, Go Ask Alice, encourages things like playing with feces, drinking urine, and bestiality. (Here is one of many places in which Planned Parenthood recommends Go Ask Alice as a valid resource.)
• Planned Parenthood’s record of not helping victims of known sexual abuse situations has occurred in multiple states. One such example occurred in the state of Washington were Planned Parenthood was in violation of both state and federal law many times.  For a seven year period Planned Parenthood failed to report child sexual abuse in which a man raped his daughter and took her to have multiple abortions.
• Planned Parenthood is currently under federal investigation for selling human fetal tissue.

This issue is so very important! We must speak up and keep Planned Parenthood away from our students!

Anyone that has yet to make phone calls or send email messages asking that the Safe Spaces classes be cancelled, please do so now.

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

Throughout North Dakota, Planned Parenthood is offering Safe Spaces Teacher Training classes through North Dakota State University (NDSU) for free. This class is for kindergarten through 12^th grade instructors.  Now, if they would like to take if for credit (teachers are always looking for credits when renewing their teacher’s licensees), Planned Parenthood has generously offered to pay the $50 cost of the one credit course. Classes are currently being offered in Mandan, Minot, and at the Jamestown campus.

Not surprising, the teacher for the course is Katie Christensen, the North Dakota Education and Outreach Manager for Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

I have to say, this is brilliant on the part of Planned Parenthood.  What better way to influence public schools and get the contact information of teachers open to their philosophy.

The President of NDSU, Dean L. Bresciani, needs to hear from us! 

Take Action:

• Email (a phone number could not be located) Dean L. Bresciani that you don’t approve of Planned Parenthood’s agenda being promoted and supported through NDSU’s Safe Spaces classes!  Ask him to cancel the classes. Consider including some of the information below about Planned Parenthood. Then contact those in his office:

o   Chris Wilson, Chief of Staff, at (701) 231-6409

o   Stephanie Wawers, Executive Assistant to the President, at (701) 231-7211

o   La Donna De Geldere, Associate Executive Assistant to the President, at (701) 231-8522

• Pass this message on to your family and friends.

Please Pray: Pray for all those listed above by name.  Pray they would be unanimous in the opinion to nix this class.  Pray that Bresciani would have the courage to do what he needs to do to eliminate the classes.  Thank God for the gift of children. Pray for the teachers that openly share their faith in the classroom.  Ask God to strengthen them.

Planned Parenthood, for a plethora of reasons, is the last group you want teaching our teachers how to teach our children! (Caution, the links in this section are offensive and inappropriate for children.)

• There is a well-documented connection between Planned Parenthood and sex traffickers. When sex trafficked victims become pregnant as a result of their abuse, they are often coerced into having abortions.  Planned Parenthood has been caught on film helping pimps obtain abortions for their victims, including minors!  The only thing done to fix the situation after it was made public was train employees not how to identify victims of sex trafficking but rather how to avoid making incriminating statements.  Click here to read The Washington Times on it from January 2017.
• Planned Parenthood has also been known to teach acceptance of BDSM (bondage, discipline, dominance and submission, sadomasochism) to our youth.

Let us do all we can to stop this from coming into North Dakota schools!  Planned Parenthood’s agenda has reached into classrooms in other states!   We must stop it in North Dakota!

Linda Thorson
State Director
CWA of North Dakota
[email protected]
nd.cwfa.org

State Director’s letter to the editor published on GrandForksHerald.com.