from the EDITOR
from the EDITOR Published By The Chaldean News, LLC Editorial Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha-Garmo managing Editor Joyce Wiswell Contributing Writers Dominic Anton Renee Gabbara Anthony Samona Michael Sarafa Steve Stein Sandy Thomas Eric Younan art & production creative director Alex Lumelsky with SKY Creative graphic designers Zina Lumelsky with SKY Creative Joseph Sesi Photographer David Reed James Wallace operations Interlink Media director of operations Martin Manna TRANSLATORS Galia Thomas Raad Yousif circulation Candace Khamarko CLASSIFIEDS Joyce Wiswell sales Interlink Media sales representativeS Interlink Media Candace Khamarko Sana Navarrette managers Vanessa Denha-Garmo Martin Manna Michael Sarafa subscriptions: per year The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250 Southfield, MI 48034 www.chaldeannews.com Phone: (248) 996-8360 Publication: The Chaldean News (P-6); Published monthly; Issue Date: November 2013 Subscriptions: 12 months, . Publication Address: 29850 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034; Application to Mail at Periodicals Postage Rates is Pending at Farmington Hills Post Office Postmaster: Send address changes to “The Chaldean News 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250, Southfield, MI 48034” A story to be told For more than two years I have been wanting to write a story about the rise of abortions in the Chaldean community. I have heard about it from various people including priests, community members and women who have had abortions. Despite my tireless efforts to interview these women, none would give me permission to pen their story, not even anonymously. I did not let that stop me because I knew there was a story to be told. I understand the sensitivity of the issue. Regardless of my staunch pro-life views, I am compassionate and non-judgmental towards those women who have had abortions and those who are pro-choice. God did not put me on this earth to condemn. I choose to follow his teachings and would expect the same courtesy in return from the pro-choice group — don’t disregard and disrespect me because I am pro-life. I can only imagine the anxiety and fear that comes with an unwanted pregnancy for the girl, boy, parents and anyone involved. Even though I have not experienced that situation, I can’t comprehend how any parent would encourage, even force their daughter to have an abortion just so they did not have to face the community. That seemed to be the primary reason for having the abortion for many of the Chaldean girls. God forbid people find out you had premarital sex. Some of the stories I have Vanessa denha-garmo editor in chief co-publisher heard were from women who were married but were either not ready for a child or did not want any more. I heard of one girl who was pressured by her Chaldean boyfriend to have the abortion. Another girl tried hiding the pregnancy for seven months from her parents and when they noticed she had gained weight, she traveled to another state to have a late-term abortion. Whether we like it or not, people are having sex outside the marriage. That itself is another article for another time. The result of that sexual encounter can be pregnancy. Personally, I cannot relate to any of these reasons for the abortion. Some of my closest friends and respected colleagues don’t share my pro-life views. Unfortunately, not all people on the opposing side can maintain a mutually respected relationship. I do thank Nida, Linda and everyone who shared a perspective on the issue especially knowing you will be criticized for it. I am ready for the criticism as well. I have lost business through my Denha Media company because of my conservative views. That is a price I am willing to pay for my beliefs. I know there are people who look down at me or view me as weak, naïve and simple minded for my prolife beliefs — I know who some of them are — what they think of me is none of my business. There is no price to pay. What they think of me costs me nothing. I still don’t care what those people say about me because there was a story to be told. Even though we were not able to deliver what some would view as a balanced story on the issue, we would be remiss if we did not cover the prolife movement. First, they have several events and outreach efforts going on in the community including the 40 Days for Life event at abortion clinics around the globe that occurred just last month. Second, Chaldeans are Catholics and according to church teachings — in all Christians faiths whose foundation is based on biblical teachings — abortion is viewed as murder and thus wrong. This story was intended to be the cover and worthy of it but because we lacked the views from the women who chose to have an abortion, it was decided to make the story a feature. In fact, this story could have easily filled every page of this issue. Without the voices of the women who had abortions, it is not complete. Regardless, it is a story that needs to be told as it stands today. Perhaps, we will revisit this topic in a future issue when we do have a woman or women willing to share with us their experiences and why they chose to have an abortion. I do thank the pro-life supporters and those who prayed at the abortion clinics for giving a voice to the voiceless — all those unborn children — unable to speak for themselves. They, too, deserve for their story to be told. Alaha Imid Koullen (God Be With Us All) Vanessa Denha-Garmo vdenha@chaldeannews.com Transfer Your High Rate Balances Free of Charge! 1.99% Fixed Annual Percentage Rate* No Balance Transfer Fee! Main Office Coleman A. Young Clawson Financial 1480 E. Jefferson Ave. Municipal Center 625 N. Main Detroit, MI 48207 2 Woodward Ave. Ste. 118 Clawson, MI 48017 313-568-5000 Detroit, MI 48226 248-435-0950 313-202-9388 “We Believe in You” www.dmcu.com *Advertised rate is for the first six months on credit card balance transfers. There is no balance transfer fee that will be applied to your line of credit. A VISA balance from a DMCU VISA does not qualify for the 1.99% APR promotional balance transfer rate. New purchases will have the regular VISA 9.9%, 12.9%, 16.9% or 18.9% APR. Please contact us for the details of this limited time offer. “I am thankful for grocery stores because we don’t have to set traps to get food.” - Dylan Psenka, Kindergarten We are thankful for the ability to provide our students with incredibly unique opportunities. Discover what makes Bloomfield Hills Schools a great place to live and learn. Visit Bloomfield.org to schedule a tour today. 6 CHALDEAN NEWS NOVEMBER 2013
SCALARE COLLECTION NOVEMBER 2013 CHALDEAN NEWS 7
