Is there something new up with David Hager? I've gotten this petition

[chelaque liberal]

twice this week. I thought it already happened in 2002. Is there something new going on?
*****
President Bush has announced his plan to select Dr. W. David Hager to head up the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. The committee has not met for more than two years, during which time its charter lapsed. As a result, the Bush
Administration is tasked with filling all eleven positions with new
members. This position does not require Congressional approval.

The FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee makes crucial
decisions on matters relating to drugs used in the practice of obstetrics, gynecology and related specialties, including hormone
therapy, contraception, treatment for infertility, and
medical alternatives to surgical procedures for sterilization and
pregnancy termination.

Dr. Hager is the author of "As Jesus Cared for Women:Restoring Women
Then and Now." The book blends biblical accounts of Christ healing
Women with case studies from Hager's practice.

His views of reproductive health care are far outside the mainstream
for reproductive technology.

*********Dr. Hager is a practicing OB/GYN who describes himself as
"pro-life" and refuses to prescribe contraceptives to unmarried
women.**********

In the book Dr. Hager wrote with his wife, entitled "Stress and the
Woman's Body," he suggests that women who suffer from premenstrual
syndrome should seek help from reading the bible and praying. As an
editor and contributing author of "The Reproduction Revolution:
A Christian Appraisal of Sexuality Reproductive Technologies and the
Family," Dr. Hager appears to have endorsed the medically inaccurate
assertion that the common birth control pill is an abortifacient.

We are concerned that Dr. Hager's strong religious beliefs may color
his assessment of technologies that are necessary to protect women's
lives or to preserve and promote women's health. Hager's track record
of using religious beliefs to guide his medical decision-making makes
him a dangerous and inappropriate candidate to serve as chair of this
committee. Critical drug public policy and research must not be
influenced by anti-abortion politics. Members of this important panel
should be appointed on the basis of science and medicine, rather than
politics and religion. American women deserve no less.

There is something you can do. Below is a statement to be sent to the White House, opposing the placement of Hager.

(1) Please copy and paste (DON'T forward) the entire email into a
fresh email; then sign your name below. After you sign, SEND THIS TO
EVERY PERSON YOU KNOW WHO IS CONCERNED ABOUT WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

(2) Every 10th person who signs the list (i.e., .10,.20, .30, etc.) -
please forward the entire e-mail to [e-mail]

We oppose the appointment of Dr. W. David Hager to the FDA
Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committee. Mixing religion and
medicine is unacceptable in a policy-making position. Using the FDA to
promote a political agenda is inappropriate and seriously threatens
women's health.
Members of this important panel should be appointed on the basis of
science and medicine, rather than politics and religion. American women deserve no less.