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August 26, 2009

Nasty LAT article about the Terry/Newman fight

UPDATE, 8/28, 8:30a: Regarding Marvin Olasky's quote in the LAT article comes this explanation from him in an email to Troy Newman, which he gave me permission to repost:

On Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 7:37 PM, Marvin Olasky wrote:

Troy,

Thanks for your note. The reporter asked questions about Randy. Years ago I told him to his face what I told the reporter. To the best of my recollection, your name did not come up at all in her questioning or my responding.

God be with you,
Marvin


_______________


randall terry 8.jpg

In the Los Angeles Times, today:

Years ago, Randall Terry and Troy Newman were brothers in arms in the struggle against legal abortion....

"Troy was my son in the movement," said Terry, 50, a onetime used-car salesman from upstate NY who founded Operation Rescue in 1986. Terry rose to fame leading clinic blockades until lawsuits, jail terms and finally a stunning 1998 legal settlement forced him to abandon his militant tactics, and he faded from the forefront of the struggle.

Newman, meanwhile, was an up-and-coming activist in San Diego and a spokesman for OR there. He admired Terry's energy, charisma and rhetoric. "Randall was the first guy to say, 'If abortion is murder, then act like it,' " said Newman, now 43, who became president of OR West in 1999. "A lot of us concur that God used him at a certain time for certain projects. For a time."

But today, the 2 abortion foes are locked in an increasingly nasty battle over ownership of the OR name, which Newman trademarked in 2006.

Terry has called his former protege a weasel. Newman has branded Terry a charlatan.

OR is a name worth fighting for: Whoever controls it benefits from its unquestionable ability to raise money from those who oppose abortion.

"Why does Troy need my name? What does he get from stealing another man's heritage? Money and media," said Terry in a telephone interview from Falls Church, VA. He moved to the Washington suburb from FL last year in an effort to reestablish himself as a national leader in the antiabortion fight, which has heated up with Democrats in control of the White House and Congress.

Newman, for his part, has accused Terry of being a dilettante and financial failure who hopes to recapture OR because it is "the goose that's laid the golden egg."

"Randall is articulate and convincing," Newman said from Wichita, KS. "But so are used-car salesmen and cult leaders. He is not a true believer but a charlatan, and a manipulator.... He shows up at a national event, makes a flamboyant speech, gets everyone within earshot rattled and then passes the collection plate and moves on."

Newman says Terry voluntarily walked away from OR when he mounted an unsuccessful campaign for Congress in 1998, then went on to other careers and causes.

Terry insists just the opposite. "I never stopped using the name," said Terry. "I have been arrested more than 50 times, spent over a year in jail, lost my home, lost my life savings, all because of my fight. Why would I let a newcomer with no scars and no history steal my name?"

Neither Terry nor Newman has registered as a tax-exempt organization with the federal government, though Terry said the group is a C corporation in KS, meaning it must audit its books like a nonprofit and with the same accountability. Contributions to the lobbying and activist group are not tax-deductible.

Newman said he earns a salary of $60k, which is set by OR's board of directors. Terry said he supports his family by writing for nonprofit organizations and through donations to the Terry Family Trust.

Whoever owns the trademark is in a good position to claim the domain name, which Newman said he registered around 1995 and still owns. He dropped the "West" from the name a few years ago.

"The URL will be mine, no question," said Terry. "There is no way we are going to lose, and they know it."

OR, among the first to apply civil disobedience to the abortion debate, has had a tangled history, with numerous incarnations. Some question its political relevance today.

In July, a Who's Who of antiabortion leaders convened a conference call they say drew more than 35k listeners to discuss their opposition to President Obama's healthcare overhaul plan, which they fear will include taxpayer-funded abortions. OR was nowhere to be found on the participants list.

"OR is largely a blast from the past, and fairly marginalized in the pro-life movement now," said Marvin Olasky, editor of the World, a generally conservative Christian magazine.

"About 20 years ago, the OR activities were probably creating more support for abortion overall, and as the pro-life movement recognized that, the emphasis became one of offering compassionate help to women in a crisis," said Olasky. "The group as a whole, and particularly Randy Terry, never made that leap."

In 2007, Terry filed a petition to cancel Newman's registration of the OR name with the federal Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. He claimed that he is the rightful owner, having received a business certificate for the name in 1988 in Binghamton, NY, his hometown.

Terry alleged that Newman obtained the trademark fraudulently. He said Newman's use deceives the public and that Newman receives donations meant for Terry.

Newman recently sent a letter to his supporters accusing Terry of attempting "a hostile takeover" and included passages from a 1991 deposition in a civil case in which Terry said OR no longer existed.

Terry has created a website devoted to the fight, and accused Newman of "identity theft" and of being a "rat" and a "weasel." In two booklet-length denunciations, he called Newman and OR's board of directors, most of whose members are former Terry allies, a "caldron of scoundrels." They turned on him "like rabid dogs," Terry said, when he divorced his wife of 19 years and remarried a woman 16 years his junior in 2001.

"In the evangelical world," he said, "the unforgivable sin is divorce."

In 2006, Terry converted to Catholicism and received an annulment of his first marriage.

He and his second wife, Andrea, 34, have four sons, who range in age from 3 to 6. His 3 children from his first marriage are adults.

But Newman and one of his board members, the Rev. Patrick Mahoney, who worked with Terry from the beginning of OR, said their problems with Terry are unrelated to his divorce.

"There are a host of issues involving character and integrity," Mahoney said.

Many of Terry's former allies have lingering bitterness over his 1998 settlement of a long-running lawsuit by the National Organization for Women, in which he agreed to a permanent injunction barring him from abortion clinic protests.

In May 2008, nine of Terry's former allies issued a news release criticizing his "unbiblical lawsuit" against Newman. They accused him of abandoning OR's leadership, of "continued negative lifestyle choices" and "misuse and lack of accountability with respect to hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to the pro-life community."

Terry denies any improprieties.

His former allies have also knocked what they consider his drifting attention - an assertion Terry calls ludicrous - while Newman's focus on abortion, they say, has never wavered.

Over the last decade, Terry has been a radio talk show host, a Nashville recording artist and a student - returning to college in NY to study Islam in order to battle Islamist extremism.

He spearheaded an effort against the art photographer Jock Sturges, whose nude photos of adolescents he considers "child pornography." He fought against stem cell research and gay marriage and, in 2006, ran unsuccessfully for the FL Senate. He also did stints as spokesman for the family of Terri Schiavo, the comatose FL woman who was the subject of a galvanizing legal battle until she died in 2005.

"You would never have heard of Terri Schiavo if it wasn't for me," said Terry.

Newman pioneered the use of "truth trucks" - vehicles adorned with huge photos of bloody, aborted fetal parts aimed at creating visceral opposition to the procedure.

In 2002, Newman moved from CA to Wichita with the goal of putting Dr. George Tiller out of business through relentless harassment.

In May, Tiller was shot to death at his church, where OR adherents had picketed in the past. The man who has been charged in Tiller's slaying, Scott Roeder, told the KS City Star in a jailhouse interview that he had donated money to OR.

Newman has condemned such violence and tried to distance himself from Roeder while vilifying Terry, who announced in the wake of the killing that Tiller was a "mass murderer" and "every bit as vile as the Nazi war criminals."

Some antiabortion activists have tried to get Terry and Newman to meet with a mediator, but the efforts have failed.

"It would take some real humility," said Missy Smith, a Washington antiabortion activist who has tried to bring the 2 together. "These are 2 strong-willed men, both of them very talented."

John Welch, a Cambridge, MA, trademark attorney who does not know either man, said that opponents in trademark disputes usually reach some agreement because the legal process can take several years.

But, he said, "I doubt this one will be settled. This one looks like a personal vendetta."
Posted 08/26/09 at 4:42 PM


Comments:

So rare that Jill Stanek does not comment on stories she posts...

 Posted by: Charles at August 26, 2009 5:01 PM


Dear. Heavens.

 Posted by: Vannah at August 26, 2009 5:20 PM


I heard Terry was booted out of a town hall in Virginia yesterday where Howard Dean and the local Democratic rep were speaking. He always seems to have to make a name for himself.

 Posted by: Joanne at August 26, 2009 5:52 PM


Why...just...it's just a name, hombres.

And why is he campaigning against gay marriage?! How is it possible to be pro-life because you support dignity for everyone and rights for everyone and acceptance of everyone despite whatever they might be and then turn around and say, "Except for gay people?"

?!

That doesn't even make sense.

Man, Randall Terry is stomping out some last nerves...

 Posted by: Vannah at August 26, 2009 8:28 PM


I've known Randy for a long time; he is a fraud and a hustler. He has betrayed fellow pro-lifers for years, and fleeced them for donations. The Schiavo's won't have anything to do with him. And the NOW case was when he "weasled" out, leaving Joe Scheidler of the Prolife Action League holding the bag; and Joe never did a illegal demonstration.

 Posted by: helen Westover at August 26, 2009 9:35 PM


Posted by: Vannah at August 26, 2009 8:28 PM

"And why is he campaigning against gay marriage?! How is it possible to be pro-life because you support dignity for everyone and rights for everyone and acceptance of everyone despite whatever they might be and then turn around and say, "Except for gay people?"
---------------------------------------------------
Missy Vannah,

I will, for arguments sake, assume this is not a rhetorical question.

You miss the point of the 'pro-life' position and you go to great lenghts to do so.

Most, but not all, pro-lifers position is informed partially by their Judeo/Christian world view which is a product of their education and experience. A big part of their education concerning right and wrong and sin comes from their reading of the 'book'. The 'book' informs us that homosexuality is a sin, murder is a sin, and pre-natal human beings are equal members of the family of man.

And lo and behold logic, reason, reasearch, all the scientific evidence confirms what the bible say concerning pre-natal life and God even speaks to some of us and says, "Elective abortion is murder."

The 'book' informs us that sex outside of marriage is sin and that homosexuality is sin and now where in the book did God or Jesus or one of God's representatives ever say, "For this reason a man shall...cleave unto his husband or a woman shall...cleave unto her wife."

And no matter how much cleavin' they do, homosexuals will never reproduce in the form of a biological child who shares both their DNA without some innovative assistance from a laboratory, unless a male homosexual conceives a child with a female homosexual. (But that kind of defeats the purpose of homosexuals marrying.)

To all homosexuals everywhere, knock yourselves out. Cleave to whomever you please. Cleave to multiple partners at the same time if that floats your boats. Cleave to your dog or your cat or aloe vera plant. Go for it. It is free country.
But be forewarned you are more likely to chronically ill, emotionally disturbed, die young, attempt and succeed at suicide, be a victim of a violent crime, and be murdered by a homosexual partner. This is akin to 'black on black' crime. It has nothing to do with racsim, just like your likelihood of victimization has nothing to do with homophobia.

Just do not require me or a corporation or the government to tolerate, approve, or bless your arrangement by equating it with the historical definition of marriage.

Marriage transcends religion and culture and ethnicity.

It is one of the oldest institutions known to mankind and historically, as it has been practised in every inhabited part of the planet, it has always been defined as 'a man and a woman in a monogamous relationship for life. (Even polygamists require fidelity within the husband/wives relationship.)

You are free to love whomever you desire as long as they are mature enough to give their consent to be loved and are free to reciprocate or not reciprocate.

Just do not attempt to equate homosexual unions with heterosexual marriage.

That is intellectually dishonest.

 Posted by: kbhvac at August 26, 2009 10:54 PM


This is like an bitterly contested divorce with the estranged couple fighting over custody of the only child completed indifferent to his welfare, concerned only with having their way and ensuring that the other spouse does not.

yor bro ken

 Posted by: kbhvac at August 26, 2009 11:31 PM


"About 20 years ago, the OR activities were probably creating more support for abortion overall, and as the pro-life movement recognized that, the emphasis became one of offering compassionate help to women in a crisis," said Olasky. "The group as a whole, and particularly Randy Terry, never made that leap."

Olasky is your typical "wait-in-the-suburban-crisis-pregnancy-center-and-wait-for-the-abortion-minded-to-come-to-you" vs. those out of the sidewalks in front of clinics, saving children as they are literally dragged away to death. These groups work together, but the Olasky's of the world lump all sidewalk counselors in with rescuers and claim the CPC's are the entire movement. Not so.

The work of OR allowed for clarification of what is legal and acceptable. Their arrests and fights are what enabled modern day sidewalk counseling where we can be peaceful, loving and legal. Sidewalk counselors offer compassionate help to women in crisis.

Posted by: Jacqueline at August 27, 2009 12:52 AM


"You would never have heard of Terri Schiavo if it wasn't for me," said Terry.

I was involved before he was.

And he also solicited donations in 2003 for his supposed "work" when he stayed only a day and went home to his wife during childbirth. He stayed in the home of a woman I know, drove in himself, and still asked for donations to cover "all of the expenses" of his supposed work for Terri. Even though he was gone while we lobbying the legislature, he still claimed in his fundraiser letter than he "saved her life."

My friend Tammy claims he's the real deal. She had coffee on the hospice lawn with him one night and swears that he truly did care. I can't judge his motives, but I know that his boasts sicken me to my core.

Posted by: Jacqueline at August 27, 2009 12:58 AM


And the old, loud clinic protests with harassing the women, graphic images, vandilism, and blockades have driven many hearts away and created a deep fear and distrust of us.

Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:12 AM


In my humble opinion, the protests of old did more harm than good. We could of discovered clearly-drawn lines and pushed for reasonable limits and our rights to free speech without breaking the law.

Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:19 AM


Also, I politely disagree kbhvac, while the early foundations of the pro-life movement were based off of Christian tentaments, today's pro-life movement isn't limited to just Christians, but of a wide range of individuals who believe abortion is inheritantly wrong from a medical and ethical view as well.

Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:29 AM


Vannah,

I'm with ya on the gay thing.

You should look up PLAGAL. :)

 Posted by: xalisae at August 27, 2009 1:35 AM


Also, our moral values are influenced by our enviroment and what we are taught, as well as by our nature, however one doesn't have to have Christian values to have moral values or to teach positive moral values.

 Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:39 AM


Hey xalisae! Glad to see I'm not alone on here and the only one awake ;)

 Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:43 AM


"You would never have heard of Terri Schiavo if it wasn't for me."

That is a completely untrue, absurd statement.

It says something that he would use the memory of Terri Schiavo to try to put himself forward. This reveals a lot.

 Posted by: Scott Johnston at August 27, 2009 1:58 AM


It is a testament to the depravity of these opportunists that they would capitalize on the deaths they and their allies have caused: Doctors, escorts, receptionists, a policeman.

Terry recently convened a fund-raising "vigil" at the assassinated doctor Tiller's former clinic in Wichita, putting his family through even more pain.

On 2/15/03, Newman used his "Truth Truck" to block a peace march, used his trumpet and bullhorn to drown out the hymns and speakers against the war in Iraq, in Newton, Kansas.

How can anyone be virulently pro-war and supposedly "pro-life?"

They're "pro-money" is what they are and they're all the same.

 Posted by: Fred at August 27, 2009 4:29 AM


Charles, 5:01p: Astute observation.

I didn't add any editorial comment because I was asked to stop making editorial comment by a good friend acting as mediator between RT and Troy.

I understand the mediation has broken down but am holding to my promise until I confirm directly with my friend that mediation has failed.

Many of you pretty much said what I would have said anyway... :)

 Posted by: Jill Stanek Author Profile Page at August 27, 2009 7:09 AM


Meanwhile, babies are dying and these two idiots are too busy fighting with each other over ridiculous things like trademarks?

Step aside boys, the Movement doesn't need either of you anymore.

Posted by: Catherine at August 27, 2009 8:59 AM


Yes, I can confirm that Jacqueline was involved before just about anyone else.

I met her for the first time at a downtown prayer vigil just as it all began to break.

Remember that Jacqueline? The media actually covered it..

 Posted by: Andrew at August 27, 2009 9:40 AM


I've heard it said that there is no such thing as bad publicity. This seems to be a good test of that theory.

 Posted by: Doyle Chadwick at August 27, 2009 11:07 AM


I pray for the day when graphic signs of abortion will no longer be used or required. But it is certainly possible to share the sidewalk with pro-life veterans who use them and who have sacrificed much over the years to show the world what abortion looks like. They have my respect and my prayers. They also have the testimonies of women who come back to report that their son/daughter is alive today because of them. I've witnessed that.
I pray, offer help, encourage same. I am reminded that we NEED to pray for one another in pro-life.

 Posted by: joanne at August 27, 2009 1:20 PM


I agree with Rachael et al. -- one doesn't have to be Christian to be prolife, and not all prolifers are Christian. One of the strongest and most eloquent prolifers I've ever met is Nat Hentoff, who describes himself as a "stiff-necked Jewish atheist." My ex-husband is prolife and he is a Buddhist. I've heard of (but never met) pro-life Wiccans, and I'm sure there's a prolife Unitarian or two floating around somewhere.

The anti-gay rhetoric just makes prolifers look bad and doesn't really have any place in the debate. And yes, I've heard of PLAGAL -- they're a great group.

 Posted by: Phillymiss at August 27, 2009 1:26 PM


Oh, yeah. Did I neglect to say that we do fight on the sidewalk at times? Very entertaining to our opposition. But they are more bewildered when they see us forgive one another. We haven't yet failed to do so, praise God! How could we pray, otherwise?

 Posted by: joanne at August 27, 2009 1:28 PM


In point of fact, the activities of OR in the late 80s & early 90s did more to bring closet pro-lifers out that any action by National Right to Life ever did.

I think the World editor is one of those who has always felt under conviction for his own lack of tangible action for the unborn & their families. He sees this as the perfect opportunity to hoist Randall &, by extension, the whole Rescue community on his petard.

That being said, Randall has moved out from under the Hand of God by his abandoning of his first wife & children, his making a deal with PP in 1998 so that he could make his unsuccessful run for the U.S. Congress & his generally back-slidden life, as has been all too publicly displayed, for the last decade.

Just to clarify, when my wife & I worked on his 1998 campaign, he informed all of us that worked with him that he HAD to deal out of the RICO suit so that he could run. When he says that he lost his home & money, the truth is that he made a deal with the devil to give them away, so that he could pursue Congress.

 Posted by: Lawrence Reves at August 27, 2009 1:34 PM


I'm with Vannah and xalisae; the topic of gay marriage has no place in the abortion debate. Pro-lifers shoot themselves in the foot when they try to rope in gay marriage, Ten Commandments displays, or people photographing naturist families in France with the abortion issue. I mean: why not sift your membership even further? Require that to be pro-life you also need to be a Denver Broncos fan and to think that THE BENDS was Radiohead's best album?

 Posted by: bmmg39 at August 27, 2009 2:33 PM


You made me smile today, Phillymiss. :) No New York Sports teams! NOOOO!

I'm still waiting for New Mexico to get a major league team in something. Then it should be required for all Southwestern pro-lifers to like whatever that team is.

Thanks, X. I checked them out. They're so neat. Go PLAGAL!

Oh, and to further squash the stereotype that you must be a Christian (and at least this tall...): Gandhi. Gandhi was not a Christian, and yet he was a staunch pacifist and supported children's rights. Go Gandhi.

Fist pump!

 Posted by: Vannah at August 27, 2009 4:23 PM


Posted by: Rachael C. at August 27, 2009 1:29 AM

"Also, I politely disagree kbhvac, while the early foundations of the pro-life movement were based off of Christian tentaments, today's pro-life movement isn't limited to just Christians, but of a wide range of individuals who believe abortion is inheritantly wrong from a medical and ethical view as well."

------------------------------------------------------

Point of order.

I did not, nor have I ever written that being pro-life required a belief in a higher power.

But it is an undeniable truth that 'christian' were deeply involved in this countries separation from Britain and one of the primary causes was religious freedom. In fact a majority of the population of the colonies did not think things had reached a point where they were no longer sufferable. It was predominantly 'christians' who led the minority in advocating independence from Britain.

It was 'christians' who argued against ratifying the constitution unless slavery was prohibited.

It was 'christian's who argued against ratifying the constitution without the guarantee of addition of the first ammendments, known today as the bill of rights.

It was 'christians' who continued to advocate the abolition of slavery until that issued was resolved by the Civil War and a constitutional ammendment.

It was 'christians' who advocated for the the right for women to vote.

It was 'christians' who advocated for prison reforms.

It was 'christians' who advocated for reform in the insane asylums.

It was 'christians' who advocated for civil rights in the 60's.

Were any of these 'movements' ever limited exclusively to Christians?

Of course not!

Christians have always been involved in justice and liberty anyplace they have inhabitied on this planet and in few places have liberty, freedom and opportunity flourished in the absence of 'christians'.

But if 'christians' had not been involved the reforms would have been significantly delayed or they would never have ocurred at all.

The other factor that cannot be ignored is the number of non-christians who were involved who's consciences and concepts of liberty and justice were impacted the culture in which they lived which was shaped by a Judeo-Christian world view.

As a follower of Jesus, I maybe able to work with atheists, agnostics, and people of other faiths for a common goal.

What I cannot do is participate with non-believers when they worship their 'god'.

I cannot fellowship/commune with darkness.

Anyone who has not believed in and on Jesus and been regenerated will never understand what that preceding statement means.

God knows few 'christians' understand what it means because few of us have really experienced the kind of fellowship that Jesus said would make our joy complete.

This has nothing to with doctrine, or denomination. It has to do with our own stunted spiritual growth and immaturity and ignorance of who we are in Jesus and who HE is in us.

yor bro ken

 Posted by: kbhvac at August 30, 2009 11:26 AM


Posted by: Phillymiss at August 27, 2009 1:26 PM

"The anti-gay rhetoric just makes prolifers look bad and doesn't really have any place in the debate."

---------------------------------------------------

Missy Philly,
It was missy Vannah who introduced the issue in this thread, not me.

Who made gave you the swore you in and gave you the badge and made you the sheriff and sole arbiter of what is or is not 'accpetable' in this debate.

Please identify the 'anti-gay' rhetoric in my posts.

Do you know the origin of the euphemism 'gay'?

It is an acronym. G:good, A:as, Y:you. Good As You.

In some respects, homosexuals are not only as good as me, they are better than me. Some homosexuals may be more generous than me. Some homosexuals may be more kind than me. Some homosexuals may be more fair than me.

I am equally certain that I am more generous, kind, than some homosexuals. I am neither enlarged or deminished by this truth.

We all get saved from something(s) to some ONE.

Sin is sin. Jesus never saved anyone who was not in need of saving.

It not gay bashing to say that it is wrong to change the legal and religious definition of marriage to accomodate a sexual preference.

It is presumptious at the least that I should have to acocmmodate someone else's 'new understanding' which contradicts the plain and unambiguous will of God concerning 'sin'.

I oppose changing the religious and legal definition of marriage because the new definition defies logic and reason.

yor bro ken

 Posted by: kbhvac at August 30, 2009 11:48 AM


Would you say, then, that -- unlike your pro-life view -- your anti-gay-marriage view DOES require belief in a higher power?

 Posted by: bmmg39 at August 31, 2009 10:58 AM


bmmg39

I reject the premise of your question. I am not anti-homosexual, nor am I opposed to homosexuals getting married.

I am opposed to changing the 'legal'/'religious' defintion of marriage to include two or more people of the same sex.

That is not 'marriage'. Call it whatever else you will but it is not marriage.

Words mean things. If we go about changing definitions to accomodate the latest 'trends', 'fads' and 'post modern sensitivities', then, to our detriment, we do damage to our language and confuse our communications.

The liberal humanists, both secular and sectarian, want to force all of society to embrace, bless and encourage their 'world view'.

I will not bow down to them or their indoctrination.

I will not indulge them in their delusions and fantasies.

I will point out the obvious:'Their emperor has no clothes.' I will not dance around the issue or with the issue.

your bro ken

 Posted by: kbhvac at August 31, 2009 10:24 PM



« New Stanek WND column, "Pro-abort donors abandon support of 'ineffective' morning-after pill"  |  Home  |  Randall Terry stabs dolls and grandma before, then disrupts, Howard Dean town hall meeting »