The great unmentionable, even among most anti-abortion politicians: defunding Planned Parenthood. Why is this important? Because:

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, based in San Jose, performed 10,956 abortions in 2005 and another 11,729 in 2006, according to annual reports published on its website.

The abortion giant operates 34 clinics and 35 “satellite sites” in 40 counties in California and northern Nevada. In California, surgical and medical abortions are performed in Fresno, Sacramento, Santa Cruz, San Jose, Roseville, Mountain View, Seaside and Stockton. In addition, medical abortions only are offered in Gilroy, Merced, Modesto, Salinas and Sunnyvale.

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte took in $55.5 million in 2005, according to its annual report, 81% of which came from government funding – 54% from the Family Planning Access Care and Treatment program (Family PACT) for low-income residents of California, administered by the state Department of Health Services; 21% from the federally-funded Medicaid program; and 6 % from “government grants and contracts.”

Pray that the spirit and commitment evident in the pro-life Movement – at events like the March for Life – photos of the Vigil for Life at the Shrine in DC and the strong and loving hearts of those engaged in works of mercy like this will somehow stem the tide, even if the government won’t.