Posts with the tag abortion

Health care, abortion and a bridge too far

Terrie — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:36:20 EST

I wrote this article originally for the newspaper I work for. It's on peoplesworld.org. Appreciate any feedback.

The House of Representatives passed a historic health care reform bill on Nov. 7. By a vote of 220-215 the Democrats ushered in health reform legislation, the likes of which haven't been seen since Medicare passed in 1965.

Like many others in the labor, progressive and left movements, I see the bill, Affordable Health Care for America Act, HR 3962, as not the end of the monumental battle to guarantee health care for all, but a significant step along that road. It curbs the enormous influence the insurance giants have over the country's health care system. And that's a start.

In the first place, the bill would crackdown on the insurance industry by banning lifetime limits and coverage denials based on preexisting conditions. The bill would end a federal antitrust exemption that has for decades protected the industry from federal investigations.

The bill would create a government-run insurance option to compete with private plans on a new insurance exchange for people who don't have employer coverage.

It puts in place mandates for the individual and employers to buy and offer, respectively, health insurance. At the same time the bill would offer subsidies to help households earning up to $88,000 in annual income for a family of four purchase coverage.

The bill would expand Medicaid and provide free health care to all Americans with incomes below 150 percent of the federal poverty level.

To pay for the trillion dollar cost over 10 years the bill places a surcharge on taxpayers who earn more than $500,000 a year, or $1 million a year for families. And would cut waste in both Medicaid and Medicare, mainly by phasing out the Bush administration's privatization debacle of Medicare, called Medicare Advantage. This program was a giveaway to insurance corporations.

The bill also would end premium disparity based on health status and sex. Turns out, women are charged more for the same coverage than men. When it comes to pre-existing conditions - they cannot list pregnancy, c-section, rape and domestic violence.

All of which are tremendous victories. All of which have been hailed by Democratic lawmakers, along with the labor movement, civil rights organizations and health care reform advocates.

But, and there is a but.

There is something really disturbing that came alongside those victories.

A bi-partisan amendment, which passed, that would severely restrict women's reproductive health, beyond anything so far to date. Called the Stupak amendment, named after the Michigan Democrat who introduced it, the restrictions go beyond the 33-year-old Hyde Amendment which bans any federal dollars going to pay for pregnancy terminations. It would bar women who get any federal subsidy for health insurance from getting access to abortion even if it's paid with her own money.

To add to that something disturbing happened during the health bill discussion. When members of the House Women's Caucus attempted to take the floor to highlight why this bill overall was good for women, Republicans interrupted and blocked them.

It got so bad, Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio accused the Republicans of censoring her remarks and blocking her right to make them.

The Republicans who shouted down the caucus members were men. It was like they were setting the stage for the Stupak amendment. Don't let women have a voice about health care, their actions seemed to say.

The Stupak amendment was passed by a 240-194 vote with 64 Democrats voting with all 176 Republicans. (Only one Republican voted for the health care bill in the end.)

Out of the 64 Democrats that voted for the amendment, only two were women. Out of the entire 176 Republican caucus, only 18 are women.

There is a major gender disconnect here. And women - 50 percent of the population, 40 percent of the breadwinners in the country - are underrepresented in the Congress and it was really apparent what such under-representation means in this vote.

But let's take it another step.

Pro-choice advocates in and out of Congress had agreed early on that this health care reform bill was about health care, and the fight on reproductive rights would be in another arena. Federal prohibitions like the Hyde Amendment would stay in place.

In fact, on Friday, Nov. 6, every major women's organization sent out last minute e-mails urging their members and supporters to call Congress to support the health reform bill, even with shortcomings. It was a very mature and politically astute approach.

For example the National Organization For Women urged its supporters to get their congressional representatives on board despite severe abortion restrictions. In fact, NOW said, a compromise measure called the Capps Amendment was part of the bill that came out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. It was seen "as necessary to get the larger bill out."

According to NOW's analysis of the Capps Amendment, "abortion would be prohibited from being included in a list of Minimum Benefits Coverage, a listing that will be determined by an appointed committee of experts and consumers at some future date."

Further, the Capps Amendment was to ensure that at least one of the private insurance options in every premium rating level must include abortion coverage beyond rape, life or incest, and at least one of the private plans must exclude abortion in the newly established insurance exchanges and that in each region of the country, there is at least one plan in the Health Exchange that offers abortion services, but also one plan in the Health Exchange that does not offer abortion coverage, according to NOW's analysis.

State laws regarding abortion coverage, funding and referrals would have been untouched.

"Last minute restrictions adopted in the rule required to bring the House health care reform bill to the floor will explicitly prohibit federal funding for abortion services, guarantee patient access to insurance plans that do not cover abortions and require federal health officials to hire private contractors to handle payments to abortion providers," NOW said. "These restrictions represent a compromise to allow the full bill to go forward and were reached after days of negotiation with conservative abortion rights opponents in both parties."

NOW went on to report that members from the Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus were "not pleased with the language but would not oppose it" in order to get support from a few additional Democratic anti-choice House members and to reach the "magic number of 218 votes."

So what happened between Friday morning and Saturday?

Some reports point to a last minute show down with anti-choice advocates insisting on the Stupak amendment going to the floor for a vote. With backs against the wall, Pelosi and the House leadership, reports say, had to let it go to the floor. The Hill reported a shouting match between Reps. George Miller and Rosa De Lauro, both Pelosi confidants, over the decision late Friday night.

Women are a core part of the coalition that helped elect Barack Obama and put a dagger through the heart of the ultra-right's control of politics in this country. Women are a core part of the coalition that will bring to life positive change in this country, including and especially curbing the power of mega-corporations and banks.

It's not easy to keep a diverse and multi-class coalition together on key interests like health care reform, climate change, education or economic recovery. But it's necessary. The Stupak amendment threatens that coalition.

There was already language agreed to that would have prevented any tax dollars going to pay for abortion procedures. It wasn't an easy thing to do but pro-choice advocates agreed to it for the greater good. Then in the eleventh hour, a monkey wrench. Somebody threw it. Seems to me, it played right into the interests of the big insurance companies, desperate to derail major health reform and muck up the political landscape as much as possible as the bill goes onto the Senate. On top of the main political hurdles to overcome in the Senate to get to health reform - the public option and how to pay for it, taxing the rich vs. taxing health plans - abortion, one of the most controversial issues of our time, gets added to the mix.

Why did Stupak and the 63 other Democrats join with all the Republicans in this "bridge too far?" There is much political parsing over that. Whatever the reasons, it only plays into the hands of the insurance giants and the ultra-right. And that won't win health reform.

President Obama said the Stupak amendment must not stand. He is a pro-choice president. Women's groups have demanded the Stupak language be stripped in the final bill. The insurance companies and ultra-right attempt to stop health care reform from going through is not going to happen. Women, and the whole coalition, won't let it.

Assault on women's reproductive rights continues with a vengeance

Connie from Gainesville, FL — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:25:44 EST

The assault on women's reproductive rights continues with a vengeance. As Congress struggled to pass health care reform to improve the lives of America's families, anti-choice forces took advantage of the situation to mount yet another assault on abortion. They were willing to sacrifice health care reform -- even though millions of people would now be able to receive coverage, even though the bill would finally begin to lower health care costs, even though lives would be saved -- to enact anti-abortion provisions to take away reproductive rights from millions of women.

The effect of the Stupak/Pitts Amendment would be to deny the millions of women who get covered through the exchanges access to comprehensive reproductive health care that includes abortion services. These women would be denied coverage available today in private health plans. The Amendment effectively bans private insurance companies that participate in insurance exchanges from providing coverage of abortion. It tries to camouflage the impact by providing an "abortion rider" that women could choose to pay extra for to cover costs if they have an abortion.

How gullible do they think we are? Women don't expect to have an unintended pregnancy or a dangerous pregnancy that jeopardizes their health. And few if any insurance plans would actually choose to provide such a rider. Five states now have provisions to provide abortion riders. But folks have been trying to find a plan that actually provides one -- and they're still looking.

Make no mistake about it: the Stupak Amendment will deny millions of women access to safe, affordable reproductive health care. It puts an expensive price tag on women's ability to act on their reproductive rights. This outrageous provision must be stricken from the legislation before health care reform becomes law.

In 2008 the country elected a pro-choice Congress and a pro-choice President. The President has repeatedly told the country that health care reform would not take away benefits from those who currently have insurance. Now it's up to the President and the Congress to make certain that women do not lose their benefits or rights as a result of health care reform. There's no point in passing a health care reform bill that makes women less healthy, less safe and less able to exercise their constitutional rights

Abortion in the Health Care Reform Bill?

Rob Heidemann — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:05:11 EDT

Abortion in the Health Care Reform Bill: Who is telling the truth?

Afraid of the light

Debra — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:09:58 EDT

'We understand why children are afraid of darkness but why are people afraid of light?' ~Plato

Since our president's blog has transcended from being a campaign vehicle to a mouthpiece for promoting his agenda to and through the public, then it should be presumed (as he has constantly reminded us) that he wants all points of views and all parties "at the table" to put together reform. The current agenda, as seen on this homepage, is health care reform.

Unfortunately, strategy meetings at the white house have not included all parties but, rather, those individuals from organizations such as Planned Parenthood who have helped him form his personal views and political policies. In the latest of these meetings, attendees were told to remind them (that would be you and me) why we needed his reform package. This doesn't sound like bringing all parties to the table. It is definitely not collaboration in the democratic sense, which Princeton University's Wordnet defines as coaction or acting jointly ( http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=collaboration&sub=Search+WordNet&o2=&o0=1&o7=&o5=&o1=1&o6=&o4=&o3=&h= ) . However, the second definition given of collaboration perhaps is more fitting: "act of cooperating traitorously with an enemy that is occupying your country" . From that view, we can then understand his private strategy sessions with those who have helped form his reform package, and then public appearances before audiences of those with opposing views (identified by the media as conservatives, and by Janet Napolitano as terrorists). This, however, is not collaboration but, rather, the same old politics we have always had in this country. It is simply

DEAR HONEY: Letter to the Wives of Senators

Madama Ambi — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 19:12:28 EDT

DEAR HONEY: LETTER TO THE WIVES OF SENATORS

Comprehensive Reproductive Healthcare for Women

It just so happens that Honey Alexander, wife of Senator Lamar Alexander, was the first name on my list. As I read her bio, I couldn't help thinking that we would probably agree on many issues, especially those impacting children. This letter asks wives of senators to prevail upon their husbands to consider healthcare from a woman's point-of-view. I decided to name this letter DEAR HONEY, underscoring the role wives play in the consciousness of their husbands.
A note from MadamaAmbi, author of this letter.

August 2009

As the wife of a powerful legislator, you also have power. You can be the ultimate persuader. If you have always had good health care, good luck and the kindness of strangers, you may not know how some women in the United States suffer. We put before you the voices of a doctor as well as a small sample of stories from women who belong to Feminist Advisory Board for Obama (FAB), and we ask that you advocate for these women merely by discussing these issues with your husband.

In American Forum's nationally distributed op-ed. Dr. Ralph Riviello cautions us against separating comprehensive reproductive healthcare from a woman's overall health and welfare. Dr. Riviello is a board member of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, as well as an attending physician at Hahnemann University Hospital in Philadelphia.

"Recently I saw a pregnant woman I will call Lillian, a 22-year-old who brought her two children with her to the ER. Lillian has a full-time job whose health insurance doesn't cover pregnancy. She can't afford to cover herself and her family on the individual market, and she makes too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Lillian came to the ER because she wants to make sure her baby is okay. A friend with better insurance advised her that she should have an ultrasound.

I discharged Lillian with worry. I know that she will have a difficult time finding standard prenatal care. Without that help, she and her baby are at much higher risk for complications, like low birth weight, that can turn into tragedy. Or Lillian's health might suffer. I am embarrassed by how many women die in childbirth in the U.S. — at 15.1 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births, our rate is higher than most developed nations.

Most women in America will spend roughly 35 years of her life preventing pregnancy, trying to become pregnant, having children, or recovering from pregnancy. She might also face a sexually transmitted disease ~ or a common condition of the reproductive system, like fibroids or polyps. Her health insurance will not help her with any of these basic needs, yet we still call it health insurance. Although women comprise more titan half of the U.S. population, many insurers treat their medical care as an exception to the rule, charging them more, to stay healthy than men and refusing to cover basic reproductive services.

When women do not receive gynecological care, they get sick when they could have easily and inexpensively been kept well. Just as she needs to be in good cardiovascular health, a woman must be in good reproductive health whether or not she is trying to got pregnant. An undetected problem in the reproductive system can have devastating consequences. Two of my colleagues have had patients who went without ob/gyn checkups because they could not afford health insurance. By the time they saw a doctor, their cervical cancer had already spread too far to save their lives. One of these women was in her 50s. The other was 28. A woman's reproductive health affects her throughout her life; it is inextricable from her overall well-being. Reproductive health care is a necessity that too many women have gone without for too long. And when women get sick and die, their children feel the impact, as do their spouses, employers, and everyone else who depends on them.

I was disappointed but not surprised by the following survey finding: 52 percent of women in our country did not visit a doctor when they had a medical problem or went without a needed prescription or follow-up care because they could not afford these services. I have worked in Philadelphia's emergency rooms since 2002. where I have treated women of all ages who have nowhere else to go for fundamental care. Every day our department treats at least 10 women who come to the ER for pregnancy tests and ultrasounds. These women have to pretend that they have emergency stomach pain or bleeding so that they can get a little bit of obstetric attention,

In the rush to develop legislation for health care reform, our senators and representatives must not forget the health of half their constituents. Every private and public insurance plan must guarantee the same set of reproductive services to every woman. We can't keep Lillian and the rest of the women in this country healthy and alive without taking care of their reproductive health."

Ralph Riviello, MD, quoted with permission from American Forum.

Lynn Morris, a mother and grandmother writes:
My daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer when she was pregnant with my first grandson five years ago. Thank God both are healthy today. Cancer is something that is occurring in many young women. If this pregnancy had not been in the second trimester they couldn't have saved my daughter's life or the life of the baby. She had to undergo chemotherapy while my grandson was in the womb. At the time it was a nightmare.

We need think of abortion in this context. What if it was necessary to save the life of the mother? I think some of these young women need to go before Congress, No one has the right to make decisions for women like this. Can you imagine the health care bills these young women have already? My daughter's bill is like a house payment that never ends. These young women would die because they can't be treated.

Lisa Nicholson on the difference between a therapeutic abortion and an illegal one:
Back in the late sixties, I worked at the University of Alabama in Birmingham Hospital as a candy striper. I was going to nursing school and wanted to get some experience. One of my assignments was the admitting office.

A diagnosis that, came in fairly often was TAB. They were always white women, well-dressed, beautiful hair and nails, usually a fur coat if it was winter, and always a private doctor. I never could find out what that acronym stood for. No one wanted to share. Eventually, an intern on the ob-gyn floor told me it stood for therapeutic abortion. He also explained it didn't necessarily mean something was wrong with the mother or the fetus (I asked, because the woman I had just admitted wasn't sick looking).

I thought about all the poor women, white and black, that I had gone with to the ER to get admitted after a coat hanger back alley abortion. There are moments in a life that are never to be forgotten, and learning about class differences and health care differences in that way was one of those moments. My daughter has tried for years to have a child. She has had five unsuccessful IUI procedures. She has used fertility drugs. I have lost children to miscarriage and used fertility drugs to conceive. I understand the value of a pregnancy on many levels, both as a parent, a grandparent, and a labor and delivery nurse.

Abortion is not for me, BUT, I will defend to the death anyone's right to have a safe and legal abortion and a doctor's right to give someone that abortion and have it covered by insurance. The lies and scare tactics being used make me sick and angry. I just wish that everyone would remember that there were abortions before they were legal. There were also many, many tragedies—hemorrhaging to death, septicemia, ruptured uterus, etc., because they didn't have insurance or a doctor to do a TAB.

Lisa Nicholson, mother, grandmother, labor and delivery nurse.

Thank you for listening to our stories.

MadamaAmbi Activist Artist, Feminist Advisory Board for Obama
Joanne Bamberger Founder, PunditMom Blog
Gloria Feldt Activist and Author
Stephanie Himel-Nelson Lawyer Mama Blog
Jen Nedeau Women's Rights Activist, Change.org
Amie Newman Managing Editor, RH Reality Check

Why I (Fervently) Support Government-funded Abortions and Euthanasia

Christina Marlowe — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 14:45:55 EDT

I fervently support immediately aborting these crazed right-wing idiot's fetuses, as they have bred and continue to breed stupidity to the point of genetic mutation; and then, without any adieu whatsoever, euthanizing en masse all the stupid idiotic morons that comprise half of this godforsaken and twisted country of ours; yes, half of this country is home to the most unbelievably brainless and useless robots in history. If I cannot pass government-mandated euthanasia, then I will work to institute mass lobotomies--but then, I guess, that won't change anything since they all seem to already be lobotomized...
Cheers,
Christina Marlowe

Healthcare and Abortion

J. Rich Wilson — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:07:08 EDT

Whether you believe in the right for a woman to have an abortion or not, a very large segment of the population believes it is wrong. So, if you're trying to pass a sweeping, historic and controversial healthcare bill, why would you give your opponents the ammunition they need to shoot it down? Including abortion coverage in the current healthcare bill language is the surest way to abort this healthcare bill right on the Senate floor.

It's a move so unwise that I wonder if the Democratic leaders really want this bill passed. We live in a democracy and the voices of those who oppose abortion are not neccessarily those that oppose universal health coverage. However, by covering abortion, the Democratic party is building a bridge between these two camps.

I myself am on the fence when it comes to abortion, but I had been a rabid supporter of universal health coverage. I'm a member of this site, I gave money to the campaign. If this new move gives me pause, imagine how it galvanizes those independents who we desperately need to support this bill.

Honestly, between the Cambridge police incident and inclusion of abortion in this healthcare bil, I wonder if the White House has taken the George Bush approach to ignoring polls.

The truth on abortion issues in House Health Care Reform

Rock on Mr. President!! — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 22:27:36 EDT

Capps Ammendment No Public funds will be used to fund any abortion services other than those allowed under the Hyde ammendment (incest rape life of mother)

No state laws will be pre-empted

No federal laws on conscience protection will be pre-empted the Welden ammendment will extend to private insurers furthering conscience laws.

There is no loophole where a single federal tax $$ will pay for any abortion services

The ammendment protects the Hyde ammendment by specifically including the Hyde ammendment in the language

Abortion services can be offered within public or private plans but only with private segregated $$ (recall no state law will be pre-empted)

(private plans offer now)

It also includes stipulation that assures at least one plan in every premium level within the exchange that specifically does NOT provide abortion services.

THe ammendment passed 30-28 Pitts Ammendment In addition to the Capps ammendment noted above The Pitts ammendment passed as well:

No provision of this Act (or an amendment made by this Act) shall impose, or shall be construed to impose,any requirement for coverage of abortion, or access to abortion, or to authorize or permit the recommendation for, or imposition of, any such requirement by or through the Health Benefits Advisory Committee, the Secretary of
8 Health and Human Services, the Health Choices Commissioner, or any other government or quasi-government entity

What I Wrote to Rachel Maddow

Madama Ambi — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:14:48 EDT

Dear Rachel--Please cover the bill reintroduced (originally put forward in 2007) in Ohio to give "fathers" the final authority over a woman's right to have an abortion. You have to read the bill to believe how invasive and repugnant the thinking is behind this latest maneuver to control women, women's sexuality, and women's rights.

You're it, Rachel. You are the only journalist who can unpack the full meaning of this legislation. Although I'm not sure I can trace the shortest line between these two dots, I'm betting that the zeitgeist operating here is linked to the reason Ohio is a "surrogate-friendly" state when other states have proscribed surrogacy either entirely or robustly. You have the staff and the smarts to get this story right, Rachel. Please cover it ad nauseum! We women need you to get the facts, smack the facts in the public's face, and then wind it all up with your signature "skewer with a smile."

Rachel!!!!! We need you!!!!

I should tell you that I'm not the pleading type. I'm the leading type and I started this group, Feminist Advisory Board for Obama. But lately I find that I'm writing to high-profile women practically begging them to speak for women because the mainstream media will only listen to a measly quota of notables from the female sex. On the boob tube, on primetime, on almost every night, you're it, Rachel. You're the only person with the chops, intelligence, historicity, fact-finding staff and nifty graphics get-up to do what needs to be done here.

http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/bills.cfm?ID=128_HB_252

The Pregnant Women Support Act

Gordon — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:09:30 EDT

As the healthcare debate rages in this country - and particularly here in my home turf of Wisconsin - note this little-noticed but not off-point matter:

The federal Pregnant Women Support Act is on tap in Congress. Go to http://thomas.loc.gov, key in bill number HR 2035 {house}, or S 270 {senate}. This bill may not be to the liking of everyone, but from what I’ve heard [and I fully admit I haven't read the bill myself, at least not yet], it’s that very rare piece of women-and-pregnancy-focused legislation that’s supported by both pro-choice and pro-life groups. Among its provisoions, I understand that it would:

• Repeal the sunset on adoption tax credits and make them permanent
• Fully fund the federal WIC Program, Special Nutrition for Women, Infants and Children
• Increase funding for domestic violence programs
• End the denial to pregnant women of health care from insurance companies because of "pre-existing conditions”
• Establish a national toll-free number and public awareness campaign to offer women support and knowledge about options and resources available to them when they face an unplanned pregnancy
• Provide new mothers with free home visits by registered nurses
• Help pregnant high-school and college students stay in school, offering them counseling as well as assistance with continuing their education, parenting support and classes, and child care assistance.
• Codify the current regulation allowing states to provide State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) coverage to unborn children and their mothers

Among supporters of the PWSA are:

Healthcare: Why Can't We Get the Congressional Option?

Eric from Covina, CA — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:07:37 EDT

BENEATH THE SPIN • ERIC L. WATTREE

Healthcare: Why Can't We Get the Congressional Option?

There's at least one thing that Republicans do much better than Democrats, and that's marketing their initiatives. It doesn't matter how regressive the idea, Republicans manage to frame it in a way that if you oppose it you look like you're either degenerate, or at the very least, un-American. For example, instead of accurately calling themselves "The Order of Religious Bigots Dedicated to Shoving Our Version of God Down America's Throat," they market their insanity as "The Moral Majority," and instead of being honest and calling themselves "The Public Vagina Brigade," they call themselves "The Right to Life" proponents (even though they're willing to let that very same life starve to death after it's born). Conservatives get a lot of milage out of their creativity in this area, and progressives would do well to follow suit.

Dear Barbara Boxer: YOU'RE IT

Madama Ambi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:41:33 EDT

Dear Senator Boxer:

I am a HUGE HUGE HUGE fan not only for your stance on issues impacting women and girls, but also because you're courageous and know how to handle your colleagues and the press with sechel! (I hope I've spelled that correctly.)

I used to live in the Bay Area but am now retired in Phoenix. I am a longtime feminist now getting very vocal in "cyberfeminism." Although there are many capable leaders in women's movement, none of them have the moxie you do, or the leverage. I'm writing to tell you that YOU'RE IT!

Yes, dear Senator, You Are It. You are the obvious person to step forward and speak for women when current events focus worldwide attention on issues that disproportionately affect women and girls. In my review of the landscape, there is no one else who can take the podium or the microphone or the spotlight and do it as skillfully, as eloquently, and as powerfully as you can.

I'm going to mount a campaign to put this idea out to online feminists, and I'll update you on where I'm posting and who else is weighing in on the issue. If you think that other members of Congress should take the podium with you, like Maxine Waters or another woman of color, I hope you will recruit them. If you think that there are men in Congress who should stand with you, please recruit them. Speak for women, Senator Boxer. You're it.

Terrorists Don't Have to be Foreigners, Folks.

Jude — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:50:05 EDT

ter⋅ror⋅ism /ˈtɛrəˌrɪzəm/ Show Spelled Pronunciation [ter-uh-riz-uhm] Show IPA
–noun 1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.
3. a terroristic method of governing or of resisting a government.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/terrorism

The murder of Dr. George Tiller is THE classic definition of Terrorism.
1. the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, esp. for political purposes.

Upcoming doctors are AFRAID they or their families will be harmed if they provide abortions.
2. the state of fear and submission produced by terrorism or terrorization.

"Carhart, 67, is one of a handful of remaining doctors in the United States who perform third-trimester abortions, and it is uncertain if a new generation of providers will take over the cause. Schools and universities don't offer many programs to train physicians on how to perform the procedure, and Carhart said younger doctors who might be interested in stepping forward are afraid they or their families will be harmed."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090603/ap_on_re_us/us_the_next_tiller/print

The alleged murderer of Dr. George Tiller had a bigger agenda than simply murdering a man. His earlier problems with the law concerning his involvement with some Pro-Life groups attest to that fact. This alleged murderer not only conveyed his message of terror to Doctors, but also to the Government, IMO.
3. a terroristic method of governing OR OF RESISTING A GOVERNMENT.

Abortion is LEGAL in this country!

However, these terrorist acts are making an impact.

How many more Doctors will be intimidated into refusing to perform a legal and needed operation before the legality of abortion doesn't matter anymore?
When will laws start being used equitably?
When will the murderers of Doctors that perform abortions going to be called and charged with what they are?

Terrorists.

Why isn't Dr. Tiller's alleged murderer also charged with terrorism?

He IS a Terrorist!

If you don't believe ME; try checking out the dictionary sometime.

Women across the country have lost a champion today.

Connie from Gainesville, FL — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:32:52 EDT

Women across the country have lost a champion today. The cold-blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller this morning in church is a stark reminder that women's bodies are still a battleground, and health care professionals are on the frontlines.

This kind man and skilled doctor braved blockades, harassment, assault, and countless threats, including an attempted murder in 1993 when he was shot in both arms. He knew his life was in constant jeopardy, and that he would likely die at the hands of an anti-abortion terrorist -- yet he continued to protect his patients and provide safe and legal abortions to women in often-desperate circumstances. Those who are behind this murder may believe that the killing of George Tiller will mean that these women will have nowhere else to turn, but they are wrong. On the contrary, I believe their depraved acts will inspire another doctor to take up the torch, and another, and another.

Dr. Tiller's slaying is the most recent in a string of murders in the service of the anti-abortion cause, and hundreds of people have been injured or threatened because they provide legal abortion services. Bringing the killers to justice is not enough - the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security must root out and prosecute as domestic terrorists and violent racketeers the criminal enterprise that has organized and funded criminal acts for decades. We call on the new attorney general Eric Holder and head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to treat these murders in the same way they would treat politically-motivated domestic terrorism of any other kind and put the full resources of their two departments behind that effort.

Today is a Day of Mourning for Dr. Tiller as well as a National Day of Commitment for all who believe abortion must remain both safe and legal -- who believe women have the right and indeed the moral obligation to make their own childbearing decisions. We urge individuals to wear white armbands all day tomorrow, Monday, June 1, in memory of Dr. Tiller and as a visible expression of determination to redouble our commitment to protecting the right to safe and legal birth control and abortion.

A man opened fire at the graduation party in Arizona: two dead, four injured

Tron from Vienna, ME — Sun, 24 May 2009 20:21:00 EDT

In the United States opened fire on an unknown graduation party in Arizona, two people were killed, four wounded.

Shooting - man, 37 years old - arrested and detained.

According to preliminary reports, the tragedy occurred at a party set up in a private house on the occasion of the completion of final examinations in a school in Gorda Mesa (Arizona).

One of the guests have a slight unpleasantness with someone from the audience. Shortly before midnight a man came out of the house, out a pistol from his car, came back and made a slaughter.

From gunshot wounds killed a man and a woman. Wounding four people, including a boy of 10 years and the police. The latter, composed of patrol arrived on the scene in response to a summons. Armed criminals opened fire and law enforcement bodies. Managed to arrest him only after four hours.

fast and furious 4 online watch nikki catsouras death pictures all cheats active gta amazing prices just 1.09 per pill no meredith kercher to close bc gm dealership video calipari news conference in memphi cinco de mayo activities certified canadian pharmacy. order onlin jesse adventureland michelle obama american school london dollhouse episode 6 friesian fire william rast jeans on sale free model question and answers of accou baby maker blueprint cleanse love for sale uci gunman california chrysler dealers closures heritage christian school preschool craft make sandwich school april fools pranks rebecca romain georgia tech softball hysterical smiley emotion bryce dallas howard kansas city weather mlb drug policy penguin band tracker clubpenguin jerry lee lewis arlen specter shannon woodward short prayers for meetings ch2m hill rio grande city fsbo cars santa barbara fire map desperate housewives season finale blythe doll dress pattern download no chrysler dealer closing list 911truth.org amazing amie unzip script chest congestion low grade fever jayonna fabro galleries angus sutherland canadian dealership closures usedrvs httpbl119w.blu119.mail.live.commail where does train drop in atlantic city l michelle obama in london ufc 98 site youtube.com clevagefield bags pipes of baghdad lyrics dilaudid webcam cerita porno new facebook proxy bird of a feather embroidery peanut butter smack adam lambert idol usa viagra 100mg x 10 - 109 httpus.mc558.mail.yahoo.commcshowfo list gm dealers closure canada list of gm dealers that are closing in n prison break series finale spoiler areps.at facebook body by ted gaas laboratories conflicker worm virus fix send an email american idol east coast season 8 winner facebookunblock www.uibenefits.dol.ks.gov cabul gta gm dealers closing sudden onset vomiting abdominal pain and l2 crest free facebook account login the groom of the stool queen elizabeth 2 rachel alexandra how did rapper dolla dolla die teyona anderson lara bar pistaccio recall steve wozniak train green bay to canada kahlua palm pre gazeta epoka ere tiny dot maze knitting pattern argyle dishcloth andrea yates titans mythology sayings bubba watson body shakes see heartbeat gm dealership closure list viagra - affordable prices best quality what are some good pranks to pull on apr norton conflicker removal tool how to get beta of a stock index the little rascals where are they now good april fool lies serial sp3 uh30010com httpus.mg201.mail.yahoo.comdclaunch sauble beach area rental properties ernest provetti patrick turner fosters home for imaginary friends breast cancer in men more condition_symp bonless pork spare ribs marinade bbq heartbroken long sayings lauri waring viagra 100mg x30 pills 69 redtupe bilious the last lecture h1b 2010 process my bebo norma mccorvey pacquiao vs hatton jevan snead funny spanish quotes in spanish download punjabi sad quatations sec baseball tournament 2009 photobucket new look macdella cooper carmen reed example of letter canadian gm dealers closing edmonton best friend letter kara dioguardi sme scholarship manufacturing jon and kate divorce dry cough nasal congestion ear ache s free durable power of attorney michigan recent earthquakes notredamescandle. alltel.commyaccount chad dawson sustanon winstrol deca stack eric bledsoe press conference jon and kate plus 8 drama princess castle birthday cake photoblocker works barbara harris httpus.mg2.mail.yahoo.comdcblank.ht which gm dealerships are closing in onta canadian general motors closures list swine flu washington state suzanne tamim dead body justin tv ufc 98 april 1 virus allen rickman nevada test site new postage rates pre-algebra ii chapter practice test facebook proxy sites 7th grade eog sample questions sodium carbonate bodybuilding.com wwwcartoonnetwork the clone wars com monte carlo go airline club penguin rockhopper tracker goliath grouper dane cook isolated incident frank melton serial windows xp sp3 pro oem the fountainhead canada gm dealer closures trevor ariza girlfriend jesse money don t do me like that lyrics i house fallen down pain in hip kfyr tv digital anthos upstairs mad world adam lambert mp3 xp sp3 remove activation key message stonewatcher emalon carrie prejean racy photos att bargaining buffalo marathon 2009 rap arteist dollar killed seek and find games free no limit lower fairings for street bikes canada gm dealerships closing list jordan sparks battlefield lyrics japanese ascii codes httpus.mc357.mail.yahoo.commcwelcom hello ross who won celebrity apprentice club penguin craig elo seguros coche daisyoflovevh1.com helen phillips discount blackberry free themes dallas isd old navy flip flop sale 2009 yearbook sickless photo leaked list of gm dealerships closing in ontari bart whitaker brand viagra 2nd delivery 2009 indy pace car letter of invitation to a meeting sunkist fruits and nuts r controlled vowel games they were expendable who won the biggest loser 2009 brandon tate natasha richardson funeral chrysler dealerships closing cut and perm gm confidence .com watch fast and furious superbowl online dwight howard twitter valerie robinson pittsburgh marathon results justfuns.in httpwww.booking.comhotelitsorriso- ellis island cnn.com politics farah fawcett cancer update ninnyhammer i love daisy london johanna justin jinich farrah fawcett documentary hyderabad constituency wise result for m roberto alomar odio a shakira william bell fringe dustin hoffman roles tiffany toribio brice mccain timmy narang rapper dollar bill killed plumeria flower area code 920 old navy chicago flip flop sale florida student year book arab mbc tv gm dealerships great elephantbird bob bowersox canadian gm dealers pgbrandsampler.com list of gm closures ontario luann delesseps memorial day sunday school lesson how are the minerals in vitamins differn sores in mouth split tongue matt hughes vs matt serra mother teach area code 252 what time does the kentucky derby start ufc 98 erh shih huang ti lisa ling captured beer league cubefield game speed indianapolis motor speedway poveglia tainted baby formula rocket fuel terry bradshaw canadian gm dealers closed list michael alig jon and kate plus 8 divorce soft and moist whole wheat bread recipes new virus threat britney star fvideo what gm dealers are closing in canada what gm dealerships will be closing in c pistacio larabar recall earthquake st marten gmail chat not working jesus camp higgs experiment screensaver coca cola per pc london daisy of love date of birth westin hotel protest www.viewmymessage.com1 civony civony cheat codes mint julep recipe packhouse 2000 cnn.com live business carmen reed texas default layouts oscar meyer list of gm dealers closing in canada aubrey l berry one mind ministries stuart slusher kris allen american idol michelle obama school visit in north lon tommy sells boxing news idan ravin boys over flowers episode free online quilting puzzles london from daisy of love zoe pound rebecca shaw greek independence day tarpon springs fl taking 5 telugu newsreader chance in any channel preschool rubber stamp civony manny steroids tony kanaan boiler plan details pdf dwg nephew tommy body works exhibit michael mitchell www.viewmymessage.com2 david hall sykes ex barry gordy watch prison break series finale nursing flood hurricane powerpoint free knitted doll fastest proxy conway arkansas renegade lyrics william seidman pistachios costco hiv seroconversionrash exponential interest calculator watch movies for free painful headache feeling in right eye stripes american idol judges eye throb tasmanian tiger httpus.mc805.mail.yahoo.commcwelcom hostgator scary pop picture 4 stanza poem sexsexsex earthquake california inflamed lymph nodes groin primal grill jeri thompson se mi condannerete a morte o ateniesi fa aim screen names latest of prabakaran allintitle h1 visa 2010 lttte preakness winner danielle lawrie rorschach eric bledsoe 409 area code rc-135 surveillance aircraft i am not the one you miss but i miss you artifacts from titanic taran buie bunny lake is missing april fools fake viruses carmine agnello no doubt vinci benelli nemenhah band anti obama nigger tee shirts show me the list of winners of lok sabha nihilism brian adkins sanjay jha wife priyanka gandhi husband tallava -mp3.ch.vu nancy mckeon civony guide frank abafnale kerri kasem one mounth old mamoth found boys before flowers episode 24 mike wallace what odor watch survivor brazil finale online destination tokyo zola taylor ncesc.com rev. alberto cutie mint julep gm stores closing in canada garmin maps installing new maps

BACK IN THE DAY - ABORTION

Queen E — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:30:52 EDT

May 18, 2009

Back In The Day – Abortion

To my recollection, the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice argument originally was derived out of the early roaring 20s, 30s, 40s and 1950s careless and accidental deaths, when back in the day, we had Midwives and Witch Doctors practicing medicine and performing surgeries without proper education and a license. Some women were dying at the hands of these people who declared themselves a Nurse or Doctor.

This, for or against life argument reminds me of my teenager and young adult children who can’t seem to make up their mind on what they want to be when they grow up. My children are one minute For a Life choice and one minute For choosing to do something else. You can’t make them choose one or the other because it really depends on their life circumstance at that day and time.

As a parent, I get very frustrated and tired of my children pulling me to support them on this and that and I feel that We Citizens, Congress and our President ought not to be allowing the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice groups push us around either.

The Pro-Life and Pro-Choice argument only needs what our Republican Chairman Steele mentioned on “Meet The Press” and that is Tort Reform, Insurance and Pharmaceuticals invited to the table to assist with Health Care Reform.

I know you Pro-Life parents are concerned for the health and welfare of women and I know you Pro-Choice parents are just as concerned for your women as well. Both of you groups have women in your lives that may take the Pro-Life and/or Pro-Choice position and you will have no control over their decision that may go either way in the near future.

I repeat, You Pro-Life and Pro-Choice groups should cease taking such a stand-off position because you can’t predict what your own future holds for you and your family members to bet that your daughters, aunts, cousins, sisters or nieces won’t want to enjoy either of your positions. I know for sure you can’t place that bet. No one knows what the future will bring us but we can all take measures to guard against mal-practice of medical procedures and bad medicine that occurred back in the day.

“YES WE CAN BE FOR BOTH.” Yes, we Citizens, Congress and President Obama can be for Pro-Life when our women are faced with having to make that decision if she wants. Yes, we Citizens, Congress and President Obama can be for Pro-Choice when our women and girls are faced with having to make that decision if she wants too. “YES WE CAN!”

Back in the day, I made decisions to have a baby and I made a decision to have an abortion too. I appreciated the freedom to make my choices and I appreciated my parents and friends support of my decisions. Thank God I escaped the “Terrorist and Home Grown Bombers” of Abortion Clinics back then.

The bottom line is… Our daughters, nieces and our grandchildren are to be treated with respect and proper care and be able to receive professional medical treatment for whatever her decision.

Sincerely,

As I read about the protest at Notre Dame I wonder if the protesters saved one child’s life through their protest.

Claudette Milner — Sun, 17 May 2009 09:43:08 EDT

When I was young I spent a lot of time protesting against civil rights issues. As I matured I began to redirect my energy toward supporting victims of domestic violence and rape, by walking and raising money for diabetic research and March of dimes. I am a woman of faith. I believe that life starts at conception. I do not believe in abortion for myself. I felt so strongly that I had a tubal ligation after having twins at the age of 25. I did not want more children and birth control did not work for me and I did not want to be confronted with the decision to bring children into the world that I could not afford or did not want. The most important thing was that I made the decision. No one made it for me.

When a woman becomes pregnant it is a major event and I don’t believe that the decision women make is made without much thought and deliberation and I don’t think that the pain is ever lifted from their heart. It follows them throughout their lives. Unfortunately there are many teenage mothers. Most of these children are trying to feel an empty hole in them, seeking love in all the wrong places.

I believe that protest open dialogue and I hope President Obama is willing to sit down and discuss this issue with individuals that do not support abortion and supporters of a women’s right to choose. However I also wonder how much time these individuals have spent time talking to teenagers that have become pregnant. I wonder how many visit schools and open forums for discussions. I wonder how many churches in the area reach out and accept these individuals in their church, but most importantly how many through their actions show unwed mothers the forgiveness and love of God because I am certain if the church reaches out to teenagers, mentors them, supports them, leads them to Christ so that they will see the amazing love of God that we will reduce teenage pregnancy, that we will reach and touch lives and we will decrease the abortion rate in this country.

My thoughts: Exercise your right to protest but spend time understanding the issue because it is not black and white. We would all like to dig our heads in the dirt and just say you must choose life but there must be early intervention, support systems, programs set up by the church and other groups. Groups that make millions of dollars on abortion offer more support to pregnant women than those of us that believe in the preservation of life. The church cannot ignore the issue. We cannot afford to sit and judge instead of reaching out. When we stand up in love and not judgment and each of us begins to support and mentor our young then we will begin to decrease the rate of abortion in this country and around the world.

Claudette Milner is the author of “Children of Plains Estates” and “Unheard Voices”: Children of Plains Estates

www.claudettemilner.com

vThe Speaker of Georgian Parliament called on the opposition not to create a self-defense units

Unknown user — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:03:55 EDT

Georgian opposition creates a self-defense units. Speaker discourages
Chairman of Georgian Parliament David Bakradze called on opposition leaders to abandon the idea of creating self-defense units to protect participants of protest actions, which take place on 9 April in Tbilisi.

"We already have the experience, when in 1992 the civil war in Tbilisi has started with the establishment of self-defense units, so the appeal to the leaders of the opposition - is responsible to take this idea," - said Bakradze, commenting on the establishment in the capital of Together.

It should be noted, members of the organization declared the beginning of patrols of the vicinity of protests at the residence of the head of state buildings, the Parliament and the Public Television. Under the plan, to patrol the territory will be the group of ten men.

Barradze has instructed the leadership of the MVD strengthen police patrol in the center of Tbilisi that the opposition did not fear, and ultimately do not create self-defense units.

Recall, according to the Georgian human rights organizations, since 9 April, a group of youths beat up more than 50 opposition supporters who were returning at night to picket their homes. The attackers, they said, moved to the black jeep with the shaded glasses, without numbers. Opposition leaders accused the police even in the establishment of punitive squads, beating the rally participants.

As reported, the Easter holiday period, shares in Tbilisi will continue, but will not be extensive. Participants in the rally will continue to demand the resignation of President Mikhail Saakashvili. molten colossus 10th amendment julia allison nfl schedule jamie foxx miley cyrus deadly boss mods forteo true renewal oscar de la hoya british idol pettifogger women for hire brian regan the rose lyrics pig book brooklyn decker emalon the storm watcher william hurt curse gaming quotes about people fighting cancer helmut newton nl pork shoulder carnita recipe blisters on gums in mouth diagram of earthworms digestive system blue tick beagle puppies swelling under arm and shoulder what s your japanese zodiac lego ghost rider corvairs for sale buy goldeneye n64 meaning of the word grendel eimac vacuum tube pandapple plush for sale blend letters and letter patterns what words end in ery ity ment is arizona is legal state to have medica free skins for gta vc flip flop thong rubber submissive transformation of energy dizziness and dry eyes jon gosselin having an affair be mine valentine animated gif cam inside vagina letra cursiva em tattoo artis payudara besar where can i find norton activation key abdul rahman sudais mp3 bhop for css download fee antivirus fit nude women outdoor night three people game bitesze games serial key na norton antivirus 2009 how to make bunnies with the keys sql hash wikipedia alfabeto letras manuscritas examples of rhyming slogans nav product key example story with script igrica grid driver generic camera fancy types of writing handball games for pc cantilever scope mount quick heal.com long penis vw trike process pixos template designs ghetto keyboard symbols keyboard heart symbol www.freecookingmamagames.com adult game download -torrent free florida breeders bill ben 10 gentai how to know the pin of an account in cab myspace banners imajenes de maura rivera canon digital brochure how to make rs private servers windows xp activation code keygen free apology letter sample tb negative example of receipt creatures with seven letters skirt outline httpfdp-sa.com2312.html acknowledgment of a job hack headshot cf netherland dwarf bunnies princess castle birthday cake pictures layout myspace graffiti norton anti virus bootable cd dreadful clipart hairstyles a4ld transmission nagra vision cervical abrasion front yard hill landscaping quran juhani

Pmasmikea

Unknown user — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:01:16 EDT

Oenajasm acmake

windows genuine advantage notification the air up there 720 dunk clip download free magazine pattern dog cloth online tpri intervention activities guid sensycon shariar delalat curriculum for wood song how long to grill country spare ribs getting shingles twice bethany baptist christian school in dept refurbished marine electronics doa characters what did john standard invented tomato of the month ftvgirls hacked activation by pass hack safety gears for cowboys free plan how to build a window seat egyptian folktales house md season 1 episode 1 alcohol limit per day titan quest immortal throne cd key ticks gallery atlitemnorth carolina jaguar skunk fu lady b legsworld table mounted crane education history ancient macedonia andrea weinreich luca sbisa teaching young students for graffiti wri download economic dos games athletes high salaries compared to teac fancy hair multilin sel cross reference jalapeno sauce recipe for crab cakes mauser 1891 tagalog declamation aluminum tube sealer does implantation also include a dischar zanaflex 4 mg james bolam rodney bewes feud adriano celentano solut kydex sholder holster making bmx utv reviews cewek montok cheap clothes for juniors online boys alberta labour board kit quilt fur real friends dinosaurs soma without a prescription how to build a model longship made out o gtx 380 parts diagram linda do you wanna dance do it yourself mole removal jugioh igre rocking horse winner reading questions facts about sprite chuck tender roast potatoes carrots o teens and marijuana average price of cocaine per gram austra photo of jesus baptism site effect of brufen in pregnancy how do balloons fly taurus sexuality ksa examples economic disadvantages of nuclear deal who financed giovanni verrazano timothy helbig yamaha bike merchandise australia how to assemble a total gym for sale glenkinchie fish for sale saltwater uk miniature alaskan husky puppies for sale groom at the natural history museum - cyrus shepard convert scfm cfm massimo sbreni girl shaving long hair off at barbershop red river maps charli turner thorne interview faylene grant watch too fast too furious online tracks of my tears- adam lambert tour with chevelle franklyn cece winans john asher fast furious 4 online marvin gaye shot by dad penguin band tracker only httpmetavante.fest.huble.namegomip.h watch fast and the furious 4 free t.i. sentence american idol predictions march 31 kentucky sports talk radio cleavagefield actress robert pattinson nikki reed conflicker worm tool youtube - adam lambert april 7 video easter wallpaper free online slrnradiosports.com

Democratic Senators Tell Obama Not to Rescind Abortion Protections for Doctors

Jason M. Christos — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:00:59 EDT

Democratic Senators Tell Obama Not to Rescind Abortion Protections for Doctors

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 31, 2009_pub = 'sertelt';

Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) -- The only two Democratic members of the U.S Senate who are not strong abortion advocates like the rest of their party's caucus have sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking him not to rescind the conscience protections on abortion that President Bush put in place.

Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania sent Obama a letter last week telling him that the Provider Conscience Clause should remain.

That is the collection of new regulations the Bush administration put on the books to provide better enforcement of three federal laws making sure medical staff and facilities are not forced to participate in abortions.

The White House announced in February that Obama is starting the process of overturning the protections and he will make a final decision after the public comment period expires in April.

Pro-life advocates have been actively responding to the proposal...more

How to Decrease Teen Pregnancies, Decrease Crime, and Improve our Economy

Dr Linda Shelton — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 09:49:15 EDT

Idol young people who have delayed educations, inadequate educations, and difficulty finding jobs are expected to delay marrying and having families. This fights biology as a persons most fertile period is in their late teens and early 20s. We need to analyze and deal with these facts.

Personally as a pediatrician, I found the highest teen birth rates in three groups. 1. Teens in distressed families (drug addict or absent parents [not single moms], poverty where parents are working 2-3 jobs, overextended and therefore technically absent and rich parents with unsupervised kids); 2. Teens in very religious families relying on abstinence, that wouldn't talk about sex, leaving kids to figure it out on their own (these kids constantly were super rebellious); and 3. idol teens who had no hobbies except hanging out with friends and who had self-esteem problems such that they would do anything to appear popular.

The saddest case that is a commentary on how we talk but don't help distressed teens and families was an eighth grade girl who told me she purposely got pregnant because she wanted someone to "love her." She had lived mainly on the streets taking care of herself in South Carolina (the bible belt) where social services were inadequate to help her. Her parents were unavailable. The churches, schools, and social services viewed her as important and worthwhile as a dead dog. What do you expect! Three girls in her class were pregnant that year.

Until we promote individual worth; provide adequate eduation so that kids are motivated to learn and therefore kept busy with self motivation(our high school education is like a junior high education in most civilized countries - teachers are in general miserably undertrained); teach kids the value of being involved with others and with activities such as the arts, volunteering, involvement with government and social services, gardening, sports without a goal of being a major leager; teach that community and family is more important than self and instant gratification or material goods; promote a village atmosphere where people in one small neighborhood or a few blocks in a city know each other, meet regularly with each other (difficult with two jobs and long commutes) and help each other (70 % of Americans don't know their neighbors); make real job training and jobs available to young men and women; reform laws so that like in Europe women can stay home with a child the first two years of life and still have a job available and career available when they return to work, we will make no progress in regards to teen births or abortions.

We need to shift our priorities and donations to the REAL problems that result in teen pregnancies and abortions. If we simply fight about ideology nothing will be accomplished. United We Stand, Divided We Fall. Perhaps it is time to agree to disagree on ideology and work together on issues that we all agree upon!

The benefits would be enormous. We would not just deal with teen pregnancies and reduce abortions, we would reduce crime and increase our countries productivity saving huge amounts of money and rebuilding our economy.

Obama Reps Come Out Swinging on Abortion at UN

Visit SolidRockFaith.com! — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 23:10:27 EDT

On c-fam.org I found this article exposing the malice behind Obama's goals. I don't share his goals and therefore I want to warn you about them.

by Samantha Singson

(NEW YORK – C-FAM) The annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) meeting continues at the United Nations (UN) this week and delegates have begun the arduous task of negotiating the “outcome document” – a non-binding agreement on HIV/AIDS and care-giving that is the focus of this year’s session. While the meetings have been closed to non-government organizations (NGOs), the United States (US) delegation has openly stated that “sexual and reproductive health and rights” would be a priority issue for the Obama administration.

At a briefing hosted by the United States, a member of the US delegation, Ellen Chesler, stated that it was a specific priority of the US delegation to ensure that “comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights” are included in the document. She added that they are a “fundamental part” of the Beijing Platform for Action of the 1995 UN women’s meeting held in Beijing, China, where countries ultimately rejected attempts to make abortion an international “right.” The idea of sexual rights was rejected at the Beijing conference. Additionally, the term “sexual and reproductive health and rights” has been interpreted by radical feminist NGOs and some governments to include abortion.

Chesler, who authored a biography praising the work of Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, also included “comprehensive sexual education, rights and services,” promotion of a new UN gender office, as well as US commitment to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)” as priority issues for the Obama administration at this CSW.

At the end of the briefing, an audience member questioned the Obama administration’s support for abortion despite the myriad scientific evidence which shows how detrimental it is to the lives and health of women. Chesler dismissed the woman’s question stating that the evidence is “unreliable because it has ideological elements.”

Another contentious provision in the draft CSW document calls on states to support the CEDAW committee’s non-binding “concluding comments.” 185 countries have ratified the convention, but language supporting the CEDAW committee’s concluding recommendations remains controversial. The CEDAW committee has questioned more than 70 nations on their abortion laws even going so far as creating their own "general recommendation" that reads abortion into the document even though the nations that negotiated the treaty made sure that controversial issue was never mentioned.

Delegations are expected to battle it out over the CEDAW paragraph in negotiations this week over concerns that the committee is pressuring countries on abortion. Some feminist NGOs at the CSW, however, already consider abortion an accepted part of CEDAW and have now set their sights on using the CEDAW committee to protect “lesbian rights” and same-sex “marriage.”

At an event commemorating 30 years of CEDAW, the Centre for Women’s Global Leadership claimed that CEDAW successfully established a “right to abortion” by linking it to “reproductive health.” Organizers argued that now the CEDAW committee should focus on protecting a “woman’s right to choose their partners,” which is not limited to members of the opposite sex.

The CSW will conclude in New York on Friday.

RNC Chairman Steele All-over-the-place, Particularly on Abortion

Henry M — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 09:53:32 EDT

Trying to retain the old Republican base while recruiting new members, Steele's double-talk on abortion may just alienate everyone.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/mar/12/abortion-a-choice-steele-tells-gq/
In remarks sure to cause consternation among the pro-life Republican base, party Chairman Michael S. Steele called abortion "an individual choice" during a GQ magazine interview, though he also said the Supreme Court "wrongly decided" the 1973 case that struck down state limits on abortion and made it an individual right.
In an exchange with reporter Lisa de Paulo, transcribed and posted Wednesday night on the GQ Web site, the new Republican National Committee chairman described his background as an adopted child as showing him "the power of life ... and the power of choice."
"The choice issue cuts two ways. You can choose life, or you can choose abortion. You know, my mother chose life. So, you know, I think the power of the argument of choice boils down to stating a case for one or the other," Mr. Steele said.
The exchange then went as follows, starting with GQ: "Are you saying you think women have the right to choose abortion?" "Yeah. I mean, again, I think that's an individual choice." "You do?" "Yeah. Absolutely."
Mr. Steele then elaborated that he thought "Roe v. Wade — as a legal matter, Roe v. Wade was a wrongly decided matter," which prompted Miss DePaulo to ask: "But if you overturn Roe v. Wade, how do women have the choice you just said they should have?"
Mr. Steele responded. "The states should make that choice. That's what the choice is. The individual choice rests in the states. Let them decide."

Henry M

KCUF, 128 Kb/s of the Most Eclectic Music on the Internet, now on Shoutcast Unlimited: http://tinyurl.com/kcuf-on-shoutcast-limited/ to play, http://www.urdomain.us/playing.html to see what's playing, and now available on RECIVA Internet-Radio receivers, http://tinyurl.com/kcuf-on-reciva

KCUF can now be listened to using a Windows Vista Sidebar Gadget:

http://gallery.live.com/results.aspx?bt=1&q=KCUF

Right America

P Crawley — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:11:22 EST

I watched an HBO special last night called "Right America" it was quite an insight on the beliefs and reasons as to why certain people especially from the south didn't vote correctly on Nov. 4th (namley voted republican) here are some of the reasons given.

1) He's not a man of God he believes in murder. And will ellect all new supreme court judges to support him.

(obviosly the "God Squad" that don't believe in "free will" and dosen't know how the judical system works)

2) I don't like the fact that our taxes are going to go up.

(this was a school teacher, she must be REALLY rich or just watches fox news)

3) He's not an American, he's going to be sworn in using the Qur'an and since those were Muslims that attacked us on 9/11 I think he's in bed with terrorists.

(I think everyone in the south should be sent a version of the Constitution, then when they get past 3rd grade be made to read it, especially the part about only a natural born citizen can become president!)

4) America isn't ready for a black president.

(notably these were NAS-CAR enthusiasts that think going in circles really fast is cool and they also wanted to repeel the woman's right to vote, nuff said)

5) He'll turn this country Socialist just like Hitler and Marx did to Europe!

(What the ...... BLEEP!)

At this point my interest then laughter turned into utter shock. First, Hitler was a fascist and Marx was a communist, which by the way wasn't even living at the world war two stage, I think the name they were grasping for was Stalin! That would be about as far left and far right as you could politically get. Second, The "Evil" word of "Socialism", thanks to the republicans most people in the US think it means communism, it dosen't, it just means "ecconomic equality".

We have a socialist police force & fire service because it's considered good for everyone, why not a socialist health care system. Basic human rights should be covered by the government, my favorite quote, "A government FOR the people BY the people" should include taking CARE of the people.

Now i'm not saying that ALL socialist things are good, we don't need ALL electric power handled by the government but an option might lower some electric bills and maybe water and gas as an option. It would sure stop some summer price hikes when your air is running or winter gas hikes when you need to be warm. Just a thought.

Back to healthcare, my sister-in-law is a republican and my wife and I democrat, last year my wife was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, it took the administration more than two hours to get her to her room and most of that time was filling out paperwork and waiting around for return phone calls from our insurance provider. I asked my sister-in-law, "wouldn't you like to see a free health care system?", she said, "Hell no we have much better healthcare than other countries", lets see. My cousin in England is doctor, i asked him how long it takes, he sent me the form needed to enter an NHS (National Heath Service) hospital.

Name: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Address: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Date of Birth: xxxxxxxxxxx

NIN: xxxxxxxxxxxxx (stands for National Insurance Number, same as SSN)

Ok, the Dr will be right with you, that's it, done, no phone calls, not more waiting, off to your room.

Everything is on a central database (which no-one has ever hacked by the way, just like a bank, totally secure)

My wife has had her opperation and is now on her chemo and her radiation ($3000 per session, total with insuance $36,000, our insurance paid thank god, total in England $0) She's now taking four perscription drugs everyday one of them costs $105 per pill, thankfully the insuance covers them. I told my cousin what the medication was and he told me, "it doesn't matter what the drug is it's $10.00 per perscription". I asked him what about the $105 pill what if she need 30 of them, he said, "$10.00 per perscription no matter what, 10 pills, 100 pills same price".

"The taxes must be really high to have such a socalist healthcare system?"

5% extra tax and everyone is covered, not even perscription charges for children under 16 and people over 65, they pay nothing at all. I can hear people saying "5%" that's a huge chunk of my money, is it? is it really? think about it, if your employed you pay for a medical plan, A chunk comes out of your pay check each month and your employer pays the difference. Look at your pay stub next time you get paid and calculate how much your paying, it's about on average 2% of your income and your boss foots another 5%, that's 7%, 2% more than what you would pay, 1% on your side plus your employer could pay you more as they save money by not having to insure you!

Just do the math, if you paid a little more your employer could save money and maybe not offshore your job!

Unemployed people pay nothing, small business people get a tax rebate.

I lived and was born in England for more than 30 years, I think the longest i waited was about an hour without an appointment. As for long waiting lists, not true, if you have elective surgery then sure you might need to wait a while but for serious medical needs your seen right away, do Americans really think a heart attack victim has to wait a month before he gets treated?

Don't get me wrong I love this country and England is far from perfect, England is rated 18th best in the world for healthcare but America is listed at 37th?

Most Americans couldn't name 36 countries, Africa isn't a country by the way and neither is Europe:-)

Are we as Americans really sure we wouldn't want to have some free healthcare, sooner or later everyone gets sick, do you want to have to sell your house to pay for it?

Back to the five questions I heard above, one thing sticks out more than anything I heard, dis-information & lies. Any well educated person knows that there are two parties, not people but parties, there was Bush and then McCain, just because McCain is a likable fellow does not mean he thinks different, his "Party", is the same. Most of the people interviewed didn't like Bush alot but thought McCain could be trusted. Now i'm no magical wizz on politics but isn't republican being replaced by republican the same policy? Education, Education, Education. It's not the man/woman it's the policy then the person. If Joe the Plummer was running and won the nomination for the democrates I'd still vote democrat. I must admit though voting for someone that came from nothing make me tingle a little, least he knows how many houses he owns (the words silver & spoon spring to mind for McCain and wife).

A very smart man by the name of "Tony Benn" once said a very profound statment and it's happening right now in America, he said. "There are only two ways to control the people if your in government, fear and lack of education, scare the people and they will let you do anything even if it infringes on there civil liberties. Don't educate the people so they believe what you say"

Think about it, wire taps, getmo, people not knowing the facts, people not asking questions, people looking for WMD, wars started, terror, terror, terror. and the last thing the republicans wanted removed from the stimulus package, less on education. We have become a nation of sheep looking for a leader I hope we have found one, the fat cats in washington have raped this country enough, the private companies have transfered the public funds via a war not needed, American lives have been wasted in the name of corperate greed and the world has become more unstable than ever. Unless we realise that our government is broken we can never fix it. The french did just that several hundred years ago now they are ranked number one in human rights including healthcare. There government is afriad of it's people, Americans seem afriad of it's politicians. I hope we have the right person, I personally think so but like i said the fat cats want to keep there wealth, it's going to be hard to take it from them.

The Power is Yours.

Wall St - Main Street - Tis The Season

memanni — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 08:55:38 EST

I STACKED THESE 3 e-MAILS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER BECAUSE THEY ARE RELEVANT TO THE SEASON, WALL ST, & MAIN ST.

I HAVE SENT THEM TO SOME WHO WERE NOT IN THE ORIGINAL e-MAIL... START AT BOTTOM OF PAGE # 1 2 3 4 Something to think about during this Holiday Season

4I too long to return to Israel, however that will again be God's timing. Distinctly, John the Apostle, the last one alive to speak said only one vitally important thing, at the beginning of his revelation of Jesus Christ

God gave us servants a revelation

The revelation is of what must soon take place (history from 100ad to present)

An angel brought the message (angel message)

John would testify everything he saw (all visions)

That what he saw was the word of God (John1:1)

That it was the complete Testimony of Jesus Christ (The only Issue)

Ok, Now the literal Greek translation is: Happy is he who IS reading, and those hearing, the words of the Prophecy, and KEEPING the things written in it -- for the time is near Revelation 1:3

NO mention of the issues, SPECIFIC mention of the Prophecy

All the things in the Living Prayer text and the text below were occurring in Christ's and John's time or had already occurred when John was guided to write.

Now notice in the list above there is NO mention of the issues - Political-Social-Financial-Religious, only the Prophecy

The assignment is to read the Prophecy

To hear the Prophecy

To take to heart what is written in the prophecy, because the time is near Revelation Chapter 1 verses 1 to 3

Now we can do whatever we want, but when the time comes to say good and faithful servant, I think HE will as HE did before praise the servant who used the talents wisely and therefore was found obedient and righteous.

99% of the church DO NOT know what is in the Prophecy: Because they are too busy with the issues.
Brief EXAMPLE
DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2007
Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,

that Christ celebrated Hannukah
what garment was touched that healed the woman with the issue of blood
who made the Garment
what is the 4th commandment
that the as eagles flying (AirForce Attack), lead by Allenby during WWI fulfilled Isaiah 31:5
that Bethlehem is currently over 80%+ Islamic
that a Jewish guy wrote most accurately about Christ, as he lived during the Holocaust years and concluded we (Jew and Christian) had but one destiny (Sholem Asch)
the correct spelling of Christ’s name in Hebrew, his language
that Isaac Newton studied scripture and concluded it was chronological, solar, lunar, calendar and historic
that Newton concluded NO rapture, But Harvest as the Bible states, "swing the Sickle"
*that Christ has commanded the reading and understanding of the book of Daniel, Matthew 24:15
that it is only the hour and day which is unknown, the season was explained to the disciples in detail Mathhew 24 – has been known since John wrote Revelation and must be known since Daniel was assigned to provide the answer to Matt 24:3, the disciples question of WHEN&HOW
that the possession of the land (of Israel) is the very basis of the Covenant of Promise, land possession required for Messiah return
THAT THOUGH THREE FAITHS HONOR ABRAHAM, someone has to be the enemy, whose head is crushed, there has to be a seed of Satan

DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON 2008
Most Christians are clueless as to knowing in whom they have believed,

*12 that the 99% NEVER considered the Fig Tree, Matthew 24:32-35, never read nor understood Jeremiah 24 "Two Fig Baskets", major sign of Coming and End of Age
13 THAT 1948, rebirth of Nation of Israel fulfilled Isaiah 66:8
14 That you will observe SABBATH, Isaiah 66:23
15 that Mt. Zion not Mt Moriah (Dome of Rock location) will be the spiritual metropolis of NEW JERUSALEM Isaiah 60:5, 60:14
16 that the Golden Dome was designed and erected by a Gentile Arab, not Abraham
17 that ISAIAH SCROLL, entire book of Isaiah in Hebrew from time of Jesus, even exists or where to find it
18 don't know who the only known human to have held Messiah as a baby, is

OR STUFF YOU CAN'T LEARN ON SUNDAY

The Reason for the Season

N.., You and I were good partners over-there, in Israel

LOVE .......................M

memanni at msn.com

www.hebrewheritage.com

3 From: @aol.com
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2008 10:16:58 -0500
Subject: Merry Christmas!
To: memanni at msn.com

Good morning!! I hope all is well with you and your family.

I personally believe that we (the USA) got just what we deserved in the election...I also believe that God is taking His hand away from us..we have chosen to ignore Him, take Him away from the schools and homes. The saying "God bless America" is ridiculous because God has been blessing us, it is time we should turn that saying around and say "we the people of the US should bless God." Instead we elected a man that is 100% for abortion which is murder in God's eyes, 100% for same sex marriage, and is 100% for giving away the Land that God gave to Moses and the children of Israel. I am not saying that we had a choice at all on the election..we did not..both sides are not Christians. All we can do now is pray for them, that they will have their eyes open and come to the cross.

I pray that you and yours have a wonderful Christmas. I am going to be working at the Salvation Army.

I would absolutely love to go to Israel again with you..think about it.

Love, N

___________________________________________________________________________

2 RE: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*

From:

memanni at msn.com

Sent:

Tue 12/23/08 11:22 PM

To:

@aol.com;

Just two remarks: I thought it was the lost sheep we were going after whether they call themselves Pastor, President-Elect, Live Prayer, or christian; note: Mystery Babylon is made up of christians who knew of the bridegroom and bride Rev 18:23, who was called out of her; but became the many He did not recognize; as their garments were not correct, they were naked; they lacked knowledge and were perishing; not because of civil ,social or political issues but because they knew not the Son and the Father.

What will the author and LivePrayer committee and most christians say when the Prophet Daniel does the same kind of rant about those who have not studied his book as directed in Mathhew 24:15; the Bride cannot be without spot, with oil and in white garments without knowing and understanding these things according to Jesus, Daniel, Gabriel and the Apostle John.

BTW the first 4 paragraphs below seems to be very similar to what Warren is being accused of.

ANYHOW
Happy Holy-Days

memanni at msn.com
www.hebrewheritage.com

1 From: @aol.com
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 08:12:36 -0500
Subject: Fwd: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*
To: overcomer1 at att.net

One site keeps you connected to all your email: AOL Mail, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. Try it now.

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:38:33 -0500
From: prayermanager at liveprayer.com
To:@aol.com
Subject: Daily Devotional (Tue. 12/23/2008) Liveprayer.com 178689 *_*-*_*-*_*-*

If this devotional is a blessing to you, maybe you have a friend or family member that would like to start receiving this daily word. You can forward this to them, and they can use the following link to subscribe.

http://www.liveprayer.com/signup.cfm

DAILY DEVOTIONAL TUESDAY DECEMBER 23, 2008
(Matthew 14:1-12)

***NEW LIVEPRAYER VIDEO DAILY DEVOTIONAL ON CELL PHONES!!! Get this
exciting new daily FREE ministry right on your cell phone. Fresh 3-4 minute
Video Daily Devotional each day. Send prayer requests via text messaging
and receive a personal response to your request back by text message.
Simply go to the Liveprayer.com homepage and put your 10 digit cell number
in the box and hit SEND. You will receive a text message with a special
link that will take you to the Liveprayer Video Daily Devotional homepage on
your cell phone. Please tell everyone you know about this cutting edge FREE
ministry via cell phones from Liveprayer.

***LivePrayer Church!!! Haven't been to church this week? Join me for this
week's service of the new LivePrayer Church. This week's relevant and
applicable message is, "The Second Coming and our Gift to God." Please
visit the new website and watch the worship service. Each Sunday there will
be a new service at 12:01am EDT at: www.liveprayerchurch.com

***JONAH PROJECT UPDATE: Help me lead this nation back to God and Biblical
values. This is your chance to take a real stand for Christ with your life.
How can you help? Sign up and become part of the Jonah Project. God is
calling you to make a difference. Watch the vision video and get signed up
at: Liveprayer.com and click on the Jonah Project link

***LIVEPRAYER TV! "Live" every Monday thru Friday from 10-11pm EST (9-10
CST, 8-9 MST, 7-8 PST). Tune in and speak to Bill Keller during the program
each night by calling 1-727-546-8888. Also, don't forget, the most recent 5
programs are available for On-Demand viewing at Liveprayer.com under the
"Show archives" link.

Rick Warren and President-elect Obama use each other for credibility. Let
me say up front, the ONLY reason Pastor Rick Warren, Senior Pastor of
Saddleback Church in suburban Los Angeles and the author of the Purpose
Driven Life, should deliver the invocation at Barack Hussein Obama's
inaugural is to pray for the following: Obama's salvation, that this nation
will stop slaughtering innocent babies, that ALL states will quit perverting
God's Holy Institution of Marriage by allowing same-sex couples to wed, and
that this nation will turn from its sins and back to the God of the Bible
and faith in Jesus Christ.

Now let's deal with reality. I guarantee you that Warren will pray for NONE
of those things. Do you think for a second that President-elect Obama would
invite him to do the invocation if he was going to pray for the REAL needs
of Obama and this nation? Warren became famous for selling his "Purpose
Driven" marketing strategy designed to fill pews with warn bodies, not
converts to the faith, to churches and pastors around the nation who were
too lazy to get their own vision from God. He has become the poster child
for the word COMPROMISE.

Let me deal right away with the outrage from the homosexual community over
Obama asking Warren to give the invocation at his inauguration. They are so
blinded by their sin that they don't realize Warren is the last person they
need to fear or worry about. Yes, I am well aware that Pastor Warren
supported Proposition 8. For the record, that only happened a few days
before the election after he was shamed and forced by those brave me and
women who championed that stand in California for God's Holy Institution of
Marriage.

Warren made national news during the recent Presidential election when he
hosted a debate between Senators Obama and McCain. The event was widely
promoted as a Warren/Saddleback event, however it was originated and
co-sponsored by the liberal social justice group Faith in Public Life, whose
board president is Meg Riley, a Unitarian Universalism minister who
previously ran the denomination's homosexual advocacy office. Warren also
spoke at one of Robert Schuller's Institute for Successful Church Leadership
conferences. In attendance at that Institute were 80 gay and lesbian
ministers from the now Jesus Metropolitan Churches which cater to
homosexuals and lesbians. Many of the clergy of these churches are
practicing, unrepentant homosexuals!

I do credit Warren for being consistent in his public comments (when
pressed) against the sin of homosexuality and that marriage is to be between
a man and a woman as God dictated. However, he takes ZERO leadership on key
spiritual issues like abortion or gay marriage, and is quick to join forces
with the homosexual community and those in the cults and false religions of
the world to advance his personal agenda. He was at a Muslim convention
this past weekend, where Melissa Ethridge, an openly lesbian activist and
music artist performed. Warren said the two had a "wonderful conversation"
and that he is a huge fan who has all her albums.

At that event, Warren told the Muslims, "You don't have to see eye to eye to
walk hand in hand." Listen, Rick Warren is a PASTOR. He is supposed to be
a messenger of the GOSPEL. He is NOT a politician!!! The Gospel of Jesus
Christ is not something you water down or compromise. It is not about being
politically correct because the eternal souls of men are at stake. There is
no "walking hand in hand" with Muslims! They are on the wide road to
destruction while born-again Believers are on that narrow road to Glory!
Muslims need to understand that they have bought a 1400-year-old lie from
hell, and when they die, their souls will burn in the flames of hell for all
eternity unless they turn from the lies of Islam and embrace faith in Jesus
Christ and the Truth of the Bible!!!

Warren is a case study in the word "compromise." He embraces the damnable
ecumenical movement that seeks to unite people of all beliefs, meaning
Christians are expected to "compromise" and abandon the Absolute Truth of
the Bible! His infamous book, The Purpose Driven Church, was endorsed by
Leonard Sweet, a firm New Age Movement advocate. Warren hired Ken Blanchard
to come to Saddleback to help train people how to be effective leaders.
Blanchard is a huge advocate of the New Age philosophies. He wrote the
foreword to Jim Ballard's books Mind Like Water and What Would Buddha Do At
Work? He was on the front cover of Corporate Mystic and the back cover of
Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success and wrote the Foreword to
Ellen Ladd's (clairvoyant) book, Death and Letting Go. Blanchard makes no
apology when he says much can be gained from Buddhism. He and his wife both
encourage the practice of yoga and mantra meditation.

Why does a self-professed Baptist evangelist associate with these types of
people? Not to preach the Gospel to them, but to use his association for
his benefit! Sadly Warren decided that he could make his impact by pursuing
a worldwide social agenda. That is fine. We need people to lead the effort
on global poverty, AIDS in Africa, and other social causes. But you can't
pursue this social agenda and ignore the pressing issues that are destroying
this nation like killing babies, gay marriage, and family issues. IT IS NOT
ACCEPTABLE AT ANY TIME TO COMPROMISE THE GOSPEL AND THE TRUTH OF THE BIBLE
IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH ANY PURSUIT, NO MATTER HOW WORTHY! While these
social issues are worth bringing attention to and fighting for, the fact is
all men will die one day and at that moment the only thing that matters is
if they know Jesus as their personal Savior by Faith.

I love you and care about you so much. It is easy to see why
President-elect Obama asked Warren to deliver the invocation at his
inauguration. It was payback for Warren compromising once again and
allowing this enemy of God to stand in his pulpit at a recent conference on
social issues. Actually, Warren desecrates his pulpit often with every kind
of heretic and blasphemer you can name in the pursuit of his global social
agenda. He even boasted about having Obama in his pulpit!

By accepting this invitation, all Warren has done is give credibility to
Obama, further proliferating the lie that he is a Christian, when the fact
is he takes stands in opposition to the Christ he proclaims and the Truth of
the Bible on EVERY key spiritual issue that faces our nation. By giving the
invocation at the upcoming inaugural, Rick Warren is giving his blessing to
Obama's rebellion to God and the Bible. Sadly, Warren's agenda is more
important than God's agenda! His appearance and compromise actually only
emboldens those who live in rebellion to God and His Word.

For Pastor Rick Warren to bless and give the invocation at the upcoming
inauguration of a man who will help insure millions of babies around the
world are slaughtered, and force US taxpayers to fund this legalized
infanticide, is no different than if Adolph Hitler had asked him to give the
blessing and invocation when he became Chancellor of Germany!!!

True men of God like John the Baptist, the prophets in the Old Testament,
literally gave their lives to stand for God's Truth with the political
leaders of their day. Sadly, Rick Warren is not a great man of God, but
simply a man who has compromised his faith and the message of the Gospel in
order to advance his agenda. I will be praying for Pastor Warren, and ask
you to as well, that he will let the Holy Sprit speak the words this coming
January 20th. I pray that out of his lips will come a prayer calling this
nation back to God, condemning this culture of death and all who support it,
proclaiming that God's plan in the Bible for marriage and family is the
foundation of our culture, and inviting President-elect Barack Hussein Obama
to ask God to forgive his sins and accept by faith Jesus Christ as His
personal Savior and lead this nation as a man of God, not an enemy of God!

THAT IS THE ONLY PRAYER A TRUE MAN OF GOD COULD POSSIBLY DELIVER!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller at liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will
die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or
be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

***I am excited to let you know that the Liveprayer Daily Devotional is now
available via AUDIO each day. Simply go to http://www.liveprayer.com/Audio.cfm
Also, you can now listen to the Daily Devotional by phone by calling,
1-727-342-5673 or 1-845-510-2722.

***TO GIVE A GIFT TO LIVEPRAYER, you can use your major credit card on our
secure server at: www.liveprayer.com under the "Donation" link, you can give
using your PayPal account using my email address: bkeller@liveprayer.com , or
you can mail your gift to:

Liveprayer
6660 46th Ave. North
St. Petersburg, Fl 33709

All gifts to Liveprayer are 100% tax deductible.

(C) Copyright 2008, Bill Keller Ministries. All rights reserved.

*_*-*_*-*_*-*

This was sent to: @aol.com

To stop getting this Devotional, simply visit the url below with
your web browser:

http://www.liveprayer.com/removeme.cfm?i=178689&r=54202

Contact us at:

LivePrayer
6660 46th Avenue North.
St Petersburg FL 33709

AN OPEN LETTER TO BARACK ABOUT RICK WARREN

hindy — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:06:40 EST

Dear Barack:

You have so admirably stated on a number of occaisions, that you will admit to mistakes when you make them. Well, you've just made your first huge blunder by selecting a right wing Christian Fundamentalist preacher Rick Warren, (who has no respect for Gays, women's rights to choose or science) to preside religiously over your innauguration. This is also a man who believes that the only way to obtain a ticket to heaven is through a belief in Jesus Christ. In otherwords many Americans that voted for you - according to this religious moron - are destined for Hell.

You have not only offended Gays with this choice. You have offended people like myself who supported you because I was fed up with the hijacking of the US by the religious right, their retrograde chauvinism and narrow xenophobic concept of God. This man may appearn more moderate on other issues such as poverty and climate change, but make no mistake, he is simply a "wolf in sheeps clothing". His views on abortion, gay marriage, stem cell research and the "one true religion" (which is his brand of Christianity) are as retrograde as all of his ignorant predecessors.

With all due respect Barack, we, who were fed up with the right wing agenda for the past eight years, can't believe your lack of judgement on this one. This is, after all, "the Civil Rights Issue" of our day. If Rick Warren had the same attitudes about African American Rights as he does about Gay Rights, Women's Rights and the rights of sick people to benefit from stem cell research, there would be no way that he'd be allowed to share the podium on your innauguration.

If you want to reach out to that element of America, there will be plenty of opportunities to do so without giving him the prime spot at your inauguration and offending those who voted for you because of your liberalism and open mindedness.

Yes Barack, its time to admit your first enormous mistake and immediately do something to correct it.

Since the US is home to many religions, if you want to correct this blunder without alienating the Christian Right, I suggest that you consider inviting liberal clergy from all denominations of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddism, Hinduism and others to do a group invocation at your inauguration. That will send a message of American inclusivity to people all over the world. More importantly it will show all Americans that they have an equal spiritual voice in the United States.

It will also allow you to save face with Rick Warren and to let the American people know that you've both acknowledged and corrected your first enormous blunder.

Churches Need Lesson in Humility 101

themastercraftsmen — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:30:01 EST

Most recently I've noticed it is hard to decide who is doing the most Political Campaigning, The Church or The Politicians. Every place I turn, I see millions of dollars being poured out to advertise the position of various Churches, especially the LDS and Catholic. No longer can they be looked upon as a Church, but as a Political Party. Looking back in history, England, France, Germany and many other Countries, this is exactly what happened to those people who came under the rule of 'one certain' Religion.

The most recent battle is Proposition 8 in California, regarding same sex marriage and another major campaign of the Christian movement for control and demanding respect for the beliefs of these certain individuals. The list of Church (Religious) battles put on our Society as a whole is endless. Issues from Abortion to Zoning Laws, with each issue being pushed and argued through that all mighty Book of Many Books, the Bible. Unfortunate for the Church, they have forgotten the foundation that even allows them to practice as they wish, organize and assemble as they wish and to avoid payment of taxes on property or income. They have forgotten that we have a far greater power in this Country, a series of papers that are the very Fabric and Foundation of this Country. They are the words which give them the grace to exist as a Body, to thrive and practice within their own beliefs and interpret the Bible according to their own understanding. What I am speaking of is the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Without this, they would be under the rule and order of whomever was the most powerful.

The first thing that we all need to keep in the forefront here is the Constitution. This Document is the sole Document which allows any of the Churches to exist. Remember, this country was founded on the first principle of Freedom of Religion. Our Forefathers came here to escape the tyranny and oppression of the English Church. To escape the CONTROL MECHANISMS that Churches still exploit today. Not surprising that Freedom of Religion is the first on the list. The Puritans, Angelicas and Presbyterians all flocked to America, to escape the dominion of the Catholic Church.

Today, each person individually has a right to Freedom of Religion and a group of people have a right to Assemble and practice their Freedom of Religion collectively. Those rights however, do not Trump the US Constitution or the Bill of Rights. Since the Constitution provides the right, then each and every Religion within our USA must give this sole document first consideration. In not doing so, they abolish their very existence.

Now a lot of Christians are not going to like what I just said here, but it is a matter of fact. Religious freedom in this Country cannot exist without the US Constitution; therefore it takes precedence over any Leadership of a Church, the Bible, the Koran or any other writing that any of you hold in your hand. Not a single one of these books could exist in this Country without the US Constitution. Unlike the Bible, our forefathers were smart enough to establish a system and method of interpretation, so no single man or select group of people can juggle the words around to fit their own purposes. They defined a process in which to follow in order to make these interpretations and allowed the people as a whole to select those who would debate and decide a final meaning.

Today, especially the LDS and Catholic Church, want to be selective as to what parts of the US Constitution should apply and what parts do not. This is simply because they want to CONTROL as many people as possible and place them all in their little niche. These people have lost their path and respect for their own Bible and the very Document that placed them here in the first place. I look at the Far Right and wonder if they will ever understand their own treason.

How to Reduce Abortions

Ethan — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:42:12 EST

The adoption system is so broken in America that people would rather enter the foreign adoption system and risk medical difficulties in the child rather than stay domestic. The domestic system has a high probability of failed adoption, legal difficulties, or failed placement. It can cost anywhere from a median price of $22,000 up to $50,000 to adopt a child domestically in this country with high failed adoption rates of up to 30%. The federal government has created a $10,000 adoption tax credit as a lame attempt to reduce cost. Most failed adoptions result in the would-be parents losing all or most of their adoption agency fees and no child. The foreign adoption system is similarly priced with dramatically lower failure rates, but increased likelihood of sickness in the child. The domestic adoption system has become a market place where the highest paid would-be parents receive the largest agency fees and provide the most welfare to biological mothers. Biological mothers are wooed to agencies that promise money for housing, food, healthcare, and additional spending money. The basic problem in our domestic adoption system is the pollution of altruism by the influence of money. While money can not be used to buy the child directly, the excessive fees amount to payment, bribery of the mother, trafficking of human commodities. This ultimately lessens the pure joy for everyone involved to be part of a beautiful successful adoption.

Payments in the domestic adoption system bring up to a similar debate surrounding the organ transplant system. On one side, people argue that organ donations would increase dramatically if the US allowed purchase of organs, similar to other countries. The opposing view, which I support, is that organs must never be a commodity. How could we live in a society where people might be forced to sell their organ during bankruptcy before they could keep their home? What would it be like to have your father-in-law say, "Have you sold your kidney yet?" It is a poor proposition that we don't have tighter regulation on the undue influence of money in the domestic adoption process. The transfer of the child must always be a gift, not purchase. I propose that compensation to the biological mother be limited to the cost of health insurance premiums for 9 months at the lowest contractual price. Anything more is bribery and is responsible for the mood of extreme unwillingness to adopt domestically in this country. Private adoption agencies have tendencies to offer huge benefits to the biological mother at the expense of would-be parents. For-profit adoption is in effect commoditizing the child and making pregnancy a service industry with no fee refund policy. Reform of the domestic adoption system will collaterally aim to reduce abortions, and adoption is the best means to do so. No case will be challenging Roe v. Wade anytime soon in the wake of several failed abortion ban state ballot initiatives. Failed adoption policy has contributed to the rock bottom demand for domestic adoption, largely due to skyrocketing costs.

As an estimate for reformed costs of domestic adoption, private health insurance can be obtained for about $300/month. The would-be parents should be allowed to compensate the biological mother for the basic need of health coverage as they would do if the child was their own. That could put the price at about $3000 for the duration of the pregnancy: a doctor for prenatal care, labor, and delivery. The biological mother would have to make the co-payments, but a federal or state income tax credit for the biological mother could be offered, say $1000 to incentivize her to keep working and keep earned income instead of having an abortion at the cost of about $300. If the price of domestic adoption could be lowered to $3000, the altruistic nature of both biological mother and would-be parents would be restored. The flood of want for unwanted babies would pressure women to more often consider adoption, largely reducing their likelihood to have an abortion.

Reform laws and regulation must be put on public and private adoption agencies on what they can or can't charge would-be parents. Excessive vetting of would-be parents overlooks the simple fact that any would-be parents want an unwanted baby. Any payment beyond healthcare would make the biological mother a vender instead of a donor. Children must be gifted. This will reduce the incentives for biological mothers enter adoptions contracts maliciously and change their minds upon dramatically improved financial conditions due to the welfare provided by the would-be parents. Would-be parents will be less likely to evade the domestic adoption system for fear of huge financial loss without receiving a child. Reformed public adoption agencies may have to lead the way to push unfair private agencies out by competition. Much needed reform is needed to ultimately increase demand in the domestic adoption system and decrease US abortion rates.

Lastly, improved comprehensive sexual education would decrease abortions. This can mainly be accomplished through information about contraceptive use, family planning, abstinence, and adoption. Every abortion is preventable through age appropriate sexual public education, culminating in junior high education about reproductive prophylactic measures.

Freedom of Choice?

Dave S. — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 22:23:39 EST

Dear Barack:

You must be riding an amazing high right now. Despite the incredible challenges you and your future administration have before you, the feelings of euphoria must make it hard to keep your feet on the ground. You have so many people around you who are assuring you of your greatness -- is there anyone in your circle to tell you that you are still mortal?

Look for one or two. They will be helpful.

To get personal for a moment, I would like to play back a comment you made during your campaign. You were talking about sex education, making information available about contraception and STDs and also teaching abstinence and morals and values to your daughters when you said, “But if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby.”

Poor choice of words? A sign of exhaustion on the long campaign trail? I sure hope so. I mean, for a guy whose mom got pregnant out of wedlock, this is really an amazing statement. Barack, I know I’m hitting close to home here, but you’ve turned out okay. What if she had made a “choice” that meant the end of your life before you were born? How many other Barack Obamas weren’t given the same chance at life that you were so their parents weren’t punished with a baby?

This “Freedom of Choice” act that you pledged to sign into law? It’s frightening. Parental consent? Late-term abortions? Everything‘s back in play? That’s radical! This proposed legislation threatens to overturn every impediment to abortion that’s been enacted in the past decade.

Go slow on this one Barack. Think about it. Pray about it. Listen to someone who might not share the views you espoused on the campaign trail. Think about the future great leaders who need a chance at life.

I LOVE YOU BARACK! HERE'S WHAT I WANT:

Aaron from Wellesley Hills, MA — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:02:10 EST

I love you Barack!

Here’s what I want:

1) Close Guantanamo torture camp and all other un-Constitutional U.S. torture and sadism camps. Repeal all torture legislation.

Barack, you said “Torture is never right.” Start saying that again.

2) Abolish the Patriot Act and all related, un-Constitutional laws that deny Americans their human rights. Restore the Constitution of the United States.

3) You said you would listen to me and to the Americans who didn’t vote for you, too. -- Great. Also listen to the people of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan whose civilians are having their lives ended everyday by the U.S. military. As the Iraqi government has said this month, Iraq must not be used as a “center for U.S. aggression in the Middle East.”

4) Listen to the rising voices of the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people, world leaders and your landslide election by the American people: Bring the troops home.

5) You said you would negotiate with Iran. You will be held to your promise. No matter what blows up in this world and is blamed by the Bush Group on the government of Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc., you must NOT be pressured by John Bolton, the New York Times, Fox News and all other Bush Soldiers to retaliate with UNEQUAL FORCE. You must TALK and NEGOTIATE with Iran. You must do this WITH accountable, world government bodies.

6) You and Joe Biden say on your website that you support Israel 100%. – Fine. If you’re going to insist that 400 million American people need to be so involved in directing the course of the Middle East, then ALSO support and LISTEN TO the Arab/Muslim/Palestinian PEOPLE of Gaza, West Bank, Palestine. Stop supplying Israel with weapons. (The Lebanon War of 2006 was fought by Israel with U.S.-supplied weapons.) -- Lead NEGOTIATION between Israel and Palestine through a world government body.

7) Abolish all un-Constitutional “emergency powers/martial law” legislation, starting with Presidential Directives HSPD-20 and NSPD 51 that were “passed” WITHOUT a vote from Congress in 2007, see the White House website for a description of these laws: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html

8) Keep ALL forms of abortion legal and accessible to ALL women. Abortion is a human rights issue. Bombings of medical clinics is domestic terrorism.

9) Decrease military spending and regulate private weapons manufacturers and private mercenary soldier training camps in the U.S.

10) PROVIDE 100% PHYSICAL AND MENTAL MEDICAL CARE FOR ALL U.S.VETERANS.

11) Keep separation of church and state. Defend the U.S. Constitution.

12) Move toward creating a Peace Economy in America, not a War Economy.

13) Fight lobbyists and special interests in Washington, as you said you would.

14) Start publicly addressing the fact that 2.3 million Americans are behind bars. 1 in 9 black men age 20-35 are incarcerated. Prisoners are used to make goods for the American public. This is slavery.

15) Do not let Congress be intimidated and rush legislation for the American people that has not been read by the U.S. Congress, as is the case with the Bailout Bill. -- See Texas Republican Congressman Michael Burgess and California Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman on youtube addressing this issue and "martial law" in Congress the day before the Bailout Bill was passed:

Texas Republican Congressman Michael Burgess saying: "I understand that we're under martial law as declared by The Speaker of the House last night":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7B4laX1E70

California Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman saying that Congress was "threatened with martial law" if they didn't pass the Bailout Bill:

Brad Sherman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaG9d_4zij8

Thank you, Aaron Kiely, American Citizen

*******

The Maternal Is Political

Brandi Lou — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:03:22 EST

because we all know and love someone with whom we can share this moving piece <3<3<3

An Open Letter to My Pro-Life Christian Friends on the Eve of the Election

By Shari MacDonald Strong

When I was about six years old, I decided I wanted to attend the little Baptist Church that was next door to my family’s house – and not just because I loved riding my bike with the banana seat around its parking lot. From that day until a handful of years ago, I attended evangelical churches of one kind or another. So, it’s no surprise that I spent much of my life in the Pro-Life camp, worrying about sanctity of life issues.

And yet, here I am today: a member of the Democratic Party, supporting a Pro-Choice candidate. In fact, these days I consider myself simultaneously Pro-Life (meaning that I would encourage a woman to continue her pregnancy if possible, and I would do whatever I could to help her) and Pro-Choice (because I believe that individual women, and not James Dobson or George Bush, should get to make wise, informed, thoughtful decisions about their lives) – a fact that boggles the mind of friends on both sides of the issue. How did I get here? With days to go before the election, I’d like to explain.

Dear Pro-Life Friend,

As a former Pro-Life Crisis Pregnancy Center volunteer, I’m as surprised (in some ways) to find myself supporting a Pro-Choice candidate as you are to see me here. There was a time when I couldn’t have envisioned it – back when I felt secure in my (comfortable and, I admit, self-satisfied) belief that I knew better than pregnant women whether or not they should have their babies. In church, I was taught that women who sought abortions were selfish, that they wanted a “convenient” way out of their perplexing predicaments. That they didn’t care about the life inside them, and that those of us who did care were responsible for intervening: with our votes in the voting booth, with our bodies at Pro-Life protests, and, yes, with our big, big mouths.

Then, when I was eighteen, one of my closest (and at the time, single) friends became pregnant; she was too frightened to tell her family, and she had nowhere to go. I helped my friend find a family to live with during her pregnancy, and another family to adopt the child. After that, I started volunteering at the Crisis Pregnancy Center. In my training, I learned to tell women that the one-minute pregnancy test took 10 minutes: enough time for them to have to watch the evangelistic VHS tape I was supposed to turn on for them while they awaited their test results. I was supposed to tell them about Jesus, and about abortion tearing their babies to pieces. But when I looked into the tired, anxious, heartbroken faces of the women – none of whom took their decision lightly – what I wanted to do was offer compassion. I never met one who was single and flighty and careless. The women were often married, all of them older than I was, some of them at the end of their ropes. They looked at me like I had no idea what life was capable of doling out – and they were right. My words would do nothing to ease the difficulties of their situations; my judgment would only make the women feel worse about what they genuinely believed they needed to do.

Many were poor, most were struggling, some were in abusive relationships, a number were barely surviving. And there I was: young, privileged, without a care – throwing judgment and Jesus at them, but offering no real help or hope. The pregnancy center claimed to offer support, but there were no real resources available. No halfway houses or homes for pregnant girls ever had room for them. I could help clients sign up for the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, which gave them access to free cheese. But what good was cheese to the co-ed who had to drop out of college, to the wife in an abusive common-law marriage, to the woman with no place to go? One night, a pregnant girl begged me to help her find a place to live – and no agency I called could help. As she went out into the night, and into an uncertain future, I laid my head on the desk and decided I’d had enough of judgment and finger pointing. I decided the best way to help would be . . . to actually help. Contrary to what I’d learned in church, none of the center’s clients had been looking to abortion as a “convenient” way out; most were figuring out how they would survive, even without a baby. Talk about your inconvenient truths.

These women knew that resources and government support were scarce to nonexistent; they also knew that families were more than willing to adopt healthy white babies, but no one wanted the minority babies, the sick babies, the babies born to mothers who struggled with alcohol or drug addiction. They knew that if they had their babies, most of them would be on their own. It wasn't a question of convenience for most. It was a question of survival.

It was at that point that I began to make a shift. I still wanted to help prevent abortions, help save lives, bring abortion numbers down. But I no longer believed that picketing an abortion clinic or fighting for a law change was the way to do it. I came to believe, and still do believe, that the way to bring down abortion numbers is by helping the women in practical ways: working to get equal pay for women, better access to health care and day care, guaranteed paid maternity leave, etc. A number of studies show that abortion statistics actually go down under more progressive administrations and laws. (I'm sure people on both sides can cite a range of statistics, but it just makes sense to me that when women have more support, they're more likely to have their babies.) So, it's not that I don't care about the abortion issue. It's simply that I come at it from another direction now. I'm supporting the party whose policies I believe help women and families more, and believe their taking office will result in fewer women believing that abortion is their best option.

Finally, to those friends who have painted Barack Obama as “abortion-loving,” let me say that I know a lot of pro-choice folks, and I consider myself both pro-choice and pro-life, and none of us is an "abortion lover." People on both sides of the issue -- including me, including you, including Obama -- are compassionate. We simply disagree about what political actions are most helpful to women and families.

To sum up: I don't support Obama in spite of being pro-life, but because I'm pro-life. Women who are desperate will always find a way to get abortions, whether or not they're legal. I think it's a waste of time to exert our energy on judging women considering abortions and speculating about what their motives may or may not be, picketing clinics, and focusing on laws that won't prevent abortions in the end, anyway. I believe the real goal should be to create a society in which women and mothers and families receive the practical and emotional support they need in order to survive and thrive (again: healthcare, excellent child care, equal pay for equal work, education, access to social services, etc.) if they have their child. I believe that that is the answer to the abortion issue, and that's why I am a Democrat. I realize that many people have other opinions, but this is mine. And that's why I'm voting for Obama.

Love,

Shari

Shari MacDonald Strong is the Creative Nonfiction Editor for Literary Mama. Her essay "On Wanting a Girl" appears in the anthology It's a Girl: Women Writers on Raising Daughters (Seal Press, April 2006). She writes a column for Mamazine, and has also written for a number of publications, including Geez magazine. Shari worked as an editor and copywriter in the publishing industry for 15 years. She writes a blog from her home in Portland, Oregon, where she lives with her husband, photojournalist Craig Strong, and their children: grade-schooler Eugenia, born in Russia, and preschool sons Will and Mac, born via gestational surrogacy.

The Maternal Is Political

http://www.literarymama.com/columns/zen/archives/2008/11/an_open_letter.html

Change?

Stephanie from Webb City, MO — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:13:31 EST

Obama talks about change, but not all of his "changes" are good. I am going to touch on a sore subject...Abortion, Obama wants to make changes in this subject but, not for the good.

Let me just say that while I am PRO-Life, I do not believe that ALL abortion should be banned....In such cases of the mother's health i.e. her life is at risk to continue the pregnancy...I believe she should have a choice...I do however believe that we also need to put a finner point on "health reasons". In addition we also MUST find more humane & painless ways to acomplish this in these cases......Most people do not understand just what happends to an aborted child, they are literally dismemberd ALIVE...their little bodies ripped apart & seperated from the head....the skull is then crushed & pulled out a peice at a time, there is EVERYTHING wrong with these methods no matter the reason for the abortion.

Obama not only agrees with this, he wants to take it further...he wants to bring back partial birth abortion! For those of you who dont know.....partial birth abortion can be had almost to the 9th mo. Labor is brought on early, the Dr. delivers the baby feet first...everything but the head is delivered. The "Dr." then uses a tool to punch a hole in the base of the childs skull, then incerts a tube & suctions the brain untill the baby is dead & then delivers it completely. If you dont beleive me please educate yourself on it & look it up.

There is absolutely NO reason for this....if a pregnancy has gone so far that this method is needed & you dont want the child, simply give it up for adoption....As if this was NOT bad enough of Obama...he also voted against a bill that would give a child medical care, who had servived an abortion attempt & was born alive. babies born as early as 27 weeks survive & do just fine in this country on a daily basis, partial birth abortion is NOTHING more than murder of a child that could servive otherwise...& so is denying these children medical care.

Please also look up the stats for abortion in this country...1% rape & incest...Thats rape & incest lumped together only making 1% of the abortions in this country. ...6% health reasons...& an unreasonable 93% of abortions are that the child was unwanted.

I have 3 kids so I KNOW that in this country they start sex ED. in the 5th grade......We all know that no matter the method used, NO birth control is 100% effective. FACT.

Women today are useing abortion as birth control.....(It's my body..It's my choice) If you know nothing is 100% effective...then you also know that no matter what you use, you could become pregnant....If you then choose to have sex anyway...you just made a CHOICE with your BODY.

Mr. Obama...

I beleive in change, but not change simply for the sake of change, Why not make a change for the better? Why not make women responsible for their own actions? Why not make them responsible for their choices & bodies? Instead of giving them a way out.

If you dont want or cant afford a child, dont have sex. Why shouldnt a grown woman be expected to make a responsile choice? To me its common sense, why should we be allowed to feed our desires no matter the cost? 93% of abortions could have been prevented if these women had taken RESPONSIBILITY for their actions & BODIES, & made a CHOICE not to have sex.

If you want my vote, make abortions legal ONLY for women in health crisis ( & Im not talking mental i.e. I just cant handle this....its called for thought...no sex, or there is adoption) or for rape victims? I also think there should be guidlines for that as well, if you were raped you have 24hrs to have a rape kit done & report it...if you havent done that...sorry no abortion.

There is also the morning after pill...if we dont change the rape "clause" as well than EVERYONE would be claiming rape.

There are a lot of other issues I dont like about you Mr. Obama...but I only have some much time in a day. I will NOT vote for a man..or anyone else, who doesnt beleive in accountability.

Vote Obama for a better world

Ellen — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:46:36 EDT

I am new to blogging but certainly not new to thinking, analyzing and worrying. The following are things that I have thought about a great deal as an Obama supporter, a Democrat, a Catholic, a Mom, an environmentalist, and a human being. I hope it will help to persuade some undecided folks to see the light and vote for Barack Obama for a better world.

Obama is the smartest, most thoughtful candidate for the job. With all of the challenges facing our country, we need someone who will thoughtfully review all the options and make the best decisions for our country. As a mother of young kids, who worries so much about the world they are inheriting, I take comfort knowing that Barack Obama has young children as well. I know that he will make decisions that keep the safety and well being or our children in the forefront.

When I hear Barack Obama speak, I feel hopeful. I feel inspired. In this day and age, with what I have experienced or worried about or empathized, I don’t think I can ask for much more. Those are the things we all need to feel in order for us to pull together and tackle the immense issues we face as a country and a world.

Abortion Rights

John H — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 22:14:58 EDT

The Right to Life campaign has managed to change their message to an either/or message. In fact, at one point in the last debate, John McCain called Barack Obama "pro abortion". Listening to Senator Obama, I have heard a different position of Pro Choice.

There are in fact three positions:

1. Pro Abortion

2. Pro Choice

3. Anti Abortion AKA Right to Life

The message needs to be clarified. 'Pro Choice' is NOT 'Pro Abortion' as the 'Right to Lifers' have led others to believe. I have been amazed by the number of really smart people who have been stumped by my next statement. You can be Anti Abortion AND Pro Choice. It simply means you have made a very personal 'Choice', but are not going to mandate your personal belief upon others.

Right to Life is anti abortion as the law for everyone. A mandate - no choice.

Pro abortion would include only a few odd people who think there should be no births. I assume there may be a few of those in the world.

The Democrats have done a horrid job of defining or maintaining the definition of Pro Choice. To me, Pro Choice is very much aligned with Freedom of Religion. I personally don't see that the moment a life begins can be defined by our Government therefore by law. Instead, it can only be decided by each individual based on their own religion or whatever they would like to call what guides them to their decisions.

During the Katie Couric interview, Sarah Palin said she was 'personally' against abortion. That equates to saying "I am Pro Choice". Again, Right to Life is no abortion for anyone, so she would have to say "I don't think abortion should be legal" or something along those lines to be 'Right to Life'.

Futhermore, clarifying this position could have a deflating effect on the Right to Lifers. If we all (or at least a greater majority) could come to terms and except 'Pro Choice', we could then as 'Pro Choice' people, better teach ideas such as 'abortion should not be used as common birth control', without the fear that others will try to dilute our current laws.

Why have the Democrats managed to fumble the ball on this one?

Faith in the Election

Kamden — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:38:22 EDT

As a grad student at a Pentecostal University and an Assemblies of God minister, my support (rather vocal, at that) for Obama has made me the target for quite the number of email forwards, personal notes, phone calls, Facebook posts and messages, and, of course, the occasional sarcastic comment. Inevitably, these concerned friend, University officials, and random acquaintances all have the same primary complaints: Abortion, gay rights, and the faith of Obama himself.

Matthew 25 Network

Josh — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:26:04 EDT

A friend of mine emailed me a link that I found to be quite interesting in the Pro-life, Pro-Obama discussion. The website is: ProLifeProObama.com. Below is an excerpt from the site.

Facts on Preventing Abortions Abortion Facts

Half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended.
Almost half of unintended pregnancies end in abortion.
The most frequent reasons given by women seeking an abortion are that a child would limit ability to meet current responsibilities and that they cannot afford a child at this point in their lives.
Unintended pregnancy has increased by 29% among poor women while decreasing 20% among higher-income women.
Women below the federal poverty level have abortion rates almost four times those of higher-income women.
Between 1996 and 2000, while abortion rates for all other groups fell, abortion rates among poor and low-income women increased.
The majority of women having abortions are in their 20s or younger.

Source: Guttmacher Institute, "An Overview of Abortion in The United States"

Overturning Roe Vs. Wade Will Not End Abortion in America

Overturning Roe Vs. Wade, a long time goal of the pro-life movement, would not end abortion in the United States, it would simply send the decision to the states.
If states with more than 45% "pro-life" sentiment chose to outlaw abortion, this would only impact 16 states accounting for 10% of abortions nationwide, or less than 100,000 abortions a year.
Women in these 16 states would still be able to travel to seek an abortion in another state, or seek an illegal abortion, making the impact likely less than a 10% reduction in abortions nation-wide.
States with the highest abortion rates in the country, like California and New York, would be unlikely to outlaw abortion in their states.

Source: Catholics United Study "Reducing Abortion in America: Beyond Roe v. Wade"

Studies Show that Economic Support for Women and Families Reduces Abortion

In a recent study released by Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good finds that social and economic supports such as benefits for pregnant women and mothers and economic assistance to low-income families have contributed significantly to reducing the number of abortions in the United States over the past twenty years.
Economic assistance to low income families is correlated with a 20% lower abortion rate. Across the entire United States, this translates into 200,000 fewer abortions.
In the 1990s, states with more generous grants to women, infants and children under the age of five as provided by the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program had a 37% lower abortion rate.
Higher male employment in the 1990s was associated with a 29% lower abortion rate.
The abortion rate has declined most rapidly from 1990-1996 when there was an economic boom under President Clinton. While rates have continued to decrease, they have declined less rapidly in recent years when poverty rates have been climbing.

Source: Joseph Wright and Michael Bailey, "Reducing Abortion in America : The Effect of Economic and Social Supports" (Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good) and The Guttmacher Institute "An Overview of Abortion in The United States"

Legal Status of Abortion Does Not Necessarily Impact Abortion Rates

Nearly half of all abortions in the world are performed in countries that have made abortion illegal.
The lowest abortion rates in the world - less than 10 per 1,000 women of reproductive age - are in Europe, where abortion is legal and available.
By contrast, in Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean, where abortion law is most restrictive, the regional rates are 29 and 31 per 1,000 women, respectively.
These countries are also much poorer than the U.S. and provide fewer social services; and a larger proportion of their population lives in poverty.
In Western European countries, in contrast, where more social services are provided and fewer women live in poverty, the abortion rates are consistently the lowest rates in the world.

Source: Guttmacher Institute, "An Overview of Abortion in The United States"

Tales from the Canvas (Oct 25-26)

Dave — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 01:03:27 EDT

I guess I have knocked on 400 doors for Barack Obama in Gloucester County, VA, over that last couple months. During this week's Get-Out-the-Vote canvas, I encounter three people that really touched me.

The first was a 60-ish year old married woman first said she was undecided, but then admitted she was probably going to vote for Obama. She was obviously a woman of faith, wearing a cross pendant on her blouse. She said she was against abortion, and had saved 8 babies in the last couple weeks by encouraging their mothers to carry their babies full term. She knew in the last 8 years under that Bush administration, the number of abortions had not decreased, and she had concluded that the Republicans were using abortion to manipulate evangelical Christians. She also believed that Barack Obama was not for abortion. In what was a painful decision for her, she would vote for Obama hoping that people like herself would be given the opportunity to work with organizations like Planned Parenthood to give woman choices, and ultimately decrease the number of abortions. She told me that the pressure by her church to vote Republican was very strong. She said her church recently played a John Hagee "fear of God" video that said "vote the Bible" and everyone was going to vote for McCain, except her. She confided that she believed Obama was an intelligent and compassionate human being and would likely be a good president. In the end of our 15 minute conversation, she promised she would bring her husband to the polls on November 4th and they would vote for Obama.

The second person that I really felt for was a man, around 64 years old. He was working on his house, a very nice ranch style home, when I knocked on his door. He said he had never taken an interest in voting in all his adult life and had only just registered this year. He said that the past 8 years of the Bush administration were terrible and he was motivated to do his part to help the country make a change for the better by voting for the first time in his life. His life, in particular, has undergone painful changes in the last two weeks. He lost his job as a builder estimator/plans developer after more than 20 years in the business. The area's new building starts were slowing and his ability to use CAD drawing software was limited, a skill demanded by the new management that took over his company. The combination of limited technology skills and slowing business cost him his job. He said he would start getting an unemployment checks in a week, but he didn't think the money would pay his family's bills.

The last person I met this weekend was, although not on my official "knock-list", a 19-ish year old who brought me my burger at the local Sonic (Sonic burgers are a personal weakness). I had just completed my walk and submitted my tally sheet, and then stopped at Sonic. After bringing my food, I asked the Sonic "hop" if he was going to vote. He said, "no, my vote doesn't matter, especially in Virginia where they always go Republican." I told him that his vote would indeed make a difference, and Virginia might just vote for a Democrat for President for the first time in 44 years. I said that Obama was ahead, just barely, in the state-wide polls, and EVERY vote is important. He seemed surprised, but then said he would vote. When he came back to give me my change, I gave him my Obama pin (sorry JP, it was the cool one you gave me on Sunday with the red and blue circles). He said "thanks" and walked away smiling.

Seeing people in distress does not give me any joy. However, I share with them in the comfort that Obama, once elected at the 44th President of the United States, will have the middle classes' problems as his top priority.

excited father and pastor for obama

Rev. Greg Johnson — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 19:42:08 EDT

My daughter is 17 and can not vote, but I have posted on my blog an essay that she wrote on why Senator Obama should be supported and how some “Christians” have got it all wrong about him. I’m very proud of her as a father and as a pastor.

Please check it out at http://www.gajohnson.org/gregjohnson/2008/10/voting-for-obama.html . If so desired, you can leave a comment there for her.

Thanks!

Greg Johnson

Thoughts on Politics in 2008

Drew Dixon — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 23:58:16 EDT

A Responsibility to Vote

Just before leaving Earth, Jesus speaks these words to his disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Jesus has all authority and he passes a measure of it to his disciples. He gives them the authority to disciple others, to baptize others, and to teach others. What if the disciples he was speaking to decided not to do this? What if they decided to make light of the authority Christ had passed on to them? I doubt it would have been sinful, but it would have certainly been irresponsible and negligent of God’s wishes.

When God gives people a measure of authority over something it is important that they act. For instance, parents are given a measure of authority over their children, but if parents neglect their children it is irresponsible and negligent of God’s wishes for them. God expects parents to actively play a role in their children’s life but also not to abuse their authority: “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4)

The same can be said of husbands and wives. Paul writes that “the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does [and that] the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” (1 Corinthians 7:4) If a man mistreated his wife or vise-versa it would be abusive of this authority because God expects a husband to love his wife and a wife to respect her husband. (Ephesians 5:33)

Another example of authority is the authority God gives older people over younger people. It is important for older people to act responsibly with their authority over younger people. (Titus 2:1-8) Authority brings responsibility. The whole spider-man “greater power brings greater responsibility” thing. It is important for parents, spouses, and adults to actively use their authority in responsible ways.

In Romans 13 Paul writes, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.” (Romans 13:1) This is yet another place where God has given authority. We would expect the government to act responsibly and justly in its rule over those subject to it. Here’s an interesting observation: in a democracy the people are the government. In a republic we have the ability to elect government officials who best represent us. In our government we have a small measure of authority.

This is why I believe we have a responsibility to vote. God has given authority to the government which has given us a measure of authority. It would be irresponsible and negligent of the authority entrusted to us as citizens to not. At the same time we must not take this authority lightly. A voter who did not look seriously at the issues would be like a father ignoring his child or like a preacher who did not study the scriptures.

We must vote. And we must use this authority responsibly, weighing the issues in contemplation and prayer.

The Issues

There are numerous issues in this election that have weighed heavily upon me. There are values that my faith leads me to hold and I want to use the authority our government has given me as a voter to vote in such a way that will bring these values to fruition. I want to discuss some of these issues and why I have chosen to vote for for Barack Obama in the upcoming election.

Money

It’s funny how we often draw lines between moral issues and economic issues. My faith leads me to believe that monetary issues are moral.

I was talking with Greg earlier today about positive and negative obligation. He said that negative obligation would be something like “I am obligated to not drown a child” while positive obligation is something like “If I see a child drowning I am obligated to save him.” I know that the first is true. Is the latter one true? My faith tells me - YES!

The most challenging thing about Jesus is how he does not only prohibit us from murdering, committing adultery, and divorcing (to name a few) but he asks us to love, respect, and be faithful. (Matthew 5) His story of the Good Samaritan tells me that I ought to stop and care for the wounded man on the road. (Luke 10:25-37) Jesus tells me to care for “the least of these” and that if I don’t it is the same as rejecting him. (Matthew 25:31-46)

Also, it is interesting to note that of all the people Jesus hung out with (many of whom were not in poverty, but were more similar to the middle class) the ones who he asked to sell their possessions and give money to the poor were those who were rich. (Luke 18:18-23)

Furthermore, In Acts we see that the early church had “everything in common” which simply means that they shared and took care of each other. (Acts 4:32) In the epistles we can see that the church cared for the poor and weak. James writes that true religion is caring for orphans and widows (James 1:27), which in our culture translates over to caring for single mothers and their children.

I want to be the citizen of a nation whose government shares these values. I think that my faith does not only oblige me to not steal, but it also obliges me to give. I want the government to do the same. While McCain has economic policy that will cut taxes for the rich, Obama’s economic plan is one that takes money from the rich and gives it to the poor and middle class - the same way that Jesus asked for the rich to give up their possessions and give money to the poor. As a voter I want to vote for a candidate who bring this care of the poor to reality.

Life

Life is most notably publicized in the issue of abortion, but it is also seen in the issue of war which unnecessarily has killed thousands of Iraqi citizens and our own soldiers.

Many people may ask, “How can a Christian vote for a pro-choice candidate?” I think of it this way: Is the end goal to outlaw abortion or to dramatically lower it? We can easily outlaw something without ever affecting it at all. Consider the prohibition. This was a 13 year period in which the manufacturing and sell of alcohol was illegal. This, however, hardly had any affect on the amount of alcohol manufactured and sold.

Now consider abortion. The Republican agenda is to overturn Roe v. Wade, a court case which preserves a woman’s right to choose. If Roe v. Wade is overturned the decision would go back to the states. Immediately about fifteen states would legalize abortion, fifteen states would outlaw it, and the other twenty would refight the civil war on this issue. The fact of the matter is this would do nothing to lower the number of abortions. If someone lived in a state where abortion had been outlawed they would only have to cross lines into a state where it is legal to carry out the abortion. Nothing would change. Also, it is strange to me that the Republican platform stands firmly on the fact that abortion is wrong, yet (as we discussed earlier) their economic policy makes it very difficult on a poor, single, pregnant woman to financially support her child.

Although I disagree with Obama’s support for a woman’s right to choose, I agree with the actions he wants to take. First his economic policies will actually help single women in tough financial situations. The government will actually help her out enabling her to care for her son or daughter instead of turning to abortion. Another answer to the problem is preventing unwanted pregnancies. Obama wants to do this by increasing sex education in schools.

When I was seventh grade, I remember getting about two weeks straight of “ABSTINENCE! ABSTINENCE!!!!” Which students either agreed with or ignored. The truth of the matter is, teenagers will either choose to have sex or not. The way to prevent unwanted pregnancies is not to tell teenagers to abstain (because the ones who don’t want to won’t), it is to educate teenagers about how to have sex that does not result in pregnancy. Teaching teenagers about birth control would no doubt lower the number of unwanted pregnancies, which in turn would lower the number of abortions.

Honestly, I don’t care about laws; I care about lowering the number of children who are murdered. If outlawing it will bring that about I’d vote for that, but if there are other answers then I want to take those actions. I believe voting for Obama will bring this about.

As far as war goes, I don’t know a whole lot. But I do know that thousands upon thousands of people have been killed during the War in Iraq. I also know that we’ve been in Iraq for five years and need to get out. The Iraqi government has a surplus in money and plenty of troops to pick up the ball and take responsibility for themselves. What we need to do is get out of the way and encourage the Iraqi government to take action.

Unity and Faith

Two other issues that have lead me to supporting Obama.

McCain talks about “walking across the isle” all the time, but Obama wants to destroy the isle altogether. Obama talks about how “there’s not a liberal America and a conservative America – there’s the United States of America. There’s not a black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America – there’s the United States of America.” He speaks about unity across the board and this is important to me.

Obama has talked about how important he thinks our faith is in the role that it plays in our public lives. He wants the government to team up with faith communities. He has said, “I’m going to have my Council on Faith-Based Partnerships review all our policies, review relevant law and regulations, executive orders and court cases. But the simple principle is that we should not discriminate against faith-based organizations in being able to carry out terrific programs [funded] by the federal government.”

In Closing

In closing, I simply want to once again press on you the importance and the responsibility of voting. There is still time in this election to look at the issue and make a prayerful decision. If there are any other issues you would like to talk about with me I would love to listen and talk. Please comment on this blog, send me an email or a message on Facebook. Furthermore, please share this with others so the conversation can move on to more and more people. I want to continue this conversation - but ultimately, I want this conversation to result in action.

REAL SOLUTIONS for REAL PROBLEMS

Karma1 — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:44:55 EDT

REAL SOLUTIONS for REAL PROBLEMS!!!

I)      Let’s make both parties responsible on abortion.
   As a democrat, I am pulled viciously by the Abortion Issue in this country, and have finally come to the following conclusion: Leave Roe V Wade intact, and work to reduce unwanted pregnancies, thereby reducing abortions, and the stress and psychologigal issues encountered by women. Our paternal society has lived high on the hog and needs reeled in. You see, that life at question, is the direct response of activity between two people. But we prefer to punish the women, and continue to allow the “men” to bear no responsibility.   We see this exact same scenario 2000 years ago in the gospels, when the church leaders brought a woman to Jesus caught in the act of adultery. If I am not mistaken, it requires two to commit adultery, but they only charged the woman.
   Well in the same way, it requires two to create an unwanted pregnancy. And it’s time to force the man to cover up, or be held responsible. You see, women today have a great tool available, genetic and DNA testing. It is this lame excuse, “if I use a condom, it won’t feel as good, Baby,” which so many times leads to those little accidental pregnancies. Well, here’s my suggestion, after a man has fathered two or more aborted fetuses, snip him!!!! He may learn he actually prefers a condom, knowing his seed could be otherwise excluded from the gene pool...., or it may be a great fix for many societal ills.

II)     Re: Guantanamo, give George Bush the following ultimatum:
This time around, the term "lame duck" is an insult to our web footed friends. Well, his utter refusal to clean up his mess in Guantanamo is unacceptable, and leads me to suggest to Barack Obama, that if W is going to lazily sit through the final days of his misadministration, then the only recourse is to give him the following ultimatum, in the first 100 days, set up minimum security refugee camps for the “Guantanamo detainees” in Crawford, Texas, and Casper, Wyoming.

III) Re: Financial Crisis, Sunset the tax act, JAGTRRA in the first 100 days.
   In a nutshell, JAGTRRA forced the bulk of the responsibility of financing this country to the working class, for example, even today, the top wage earners can pay up to 35% of their income to taxes. Where literally, those who do not earn wages, but live solely off of dividend and cap gain income, at the highest rates pay only 15% on that type of income. Let’s simply admit, that income is income, whether earned as wages, or earned on investments, and should bear the tax burden equally. It was originally to sunset in 2008 anyway. I vehemently suggest SUNSET JAGTRRA!!!

I am all for Barack Obama.... but

Ang — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:12:04 EDT

I am for Barack Obama, but I am having some difficulty with the subject of abortion/ partial birth abortion. As I read articles about this issue I feel a sense of urgency to get a truthful explanation for his voting record on these issues. I am a christian women with children of my own and the thought that if my daughter was raped and in the rare chance that she become pregnant - should she be forced to make her young body go through the changesa that motherhood creates, both physically and mentally?? On the other hand my christian thoughts are - if he brings you to it, he will bring you through it. I would love to hear some insight and thoughts of others on this issue. I would LOVE to hear from Obama himself on these issues. What are your thoughts?

First part of Review of some McCain-Palin supporter comments and criticisms of Obama

Martin Dudziak — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:55:46 EDT

This is the text of what you can find as PDF and WORD in http://forteplan.com/obama/documents and then click on the folder entitled, what-mccain-palin-supporters-are-saying. Here it is, in-line, based on the first two such pieces.

What is this document?It is a running list, blog-like, of responses received by me personally, generally via email, in regard to my public written statements and essays in support of the Obama+Biden ticket and presidency. I have taken it upon myself as part of my active support of the candidacy, and my solid support for across-the-board Change in American socio-economic thinking, politics and action, to communicate my views and other supportive evidence to people who include likely or known supporters of McCain+Palin. In some cases I have been surprised by the vehemence, anger, and hatred expressed in response. In other cases the tone is more civil, but the message is clear. Extreme views, unchangeable views, undercurrents of racism and xenophobia, and a bit more.

So here we go. My comments are always in red italics (unless I made a mistake, which is always possible!)

We The People must be More active than ever and not count (rely) upon anything, including especially pre-election polls, and we must be more vigilant than ever about election fraud and cheating, including especially accuracy in electronic vote reporting!

It is far too easy for the current (Bush) administration to effect a change than turns an Obama real electoral victory into a loss by direct hacking of the electronic votes, and Virginia is one that is particularly vulnerable. There is plenty being said about this danger by others including people with greater expertise than myself in fraud generation and prevention.

You may share and distribute this document and portions thereof, but please make very certain that you don’t misquote me or, for that matter, others who are mentioned here. For the most part the sources from the McCain-Palin writers are anonymous because none of them in advance said that I could divulge their memos and authorship – to do so would be unethical.

===== Things written by McCain-Palin supporters, and my comments in brackets and italics (originally in red font also) ======

(1) Sunday, 19.Oct.2008
[White Male from West Coast, financial field]
Why would I want to support a candidate like Barack Obama who sanctions the killing of innocent babies? That's analogous to voting for Hitler in the 1930's. Just as pro-death (aka "pro-choice") advocates callously consider fetuses to be sub-humans, Hitler and the Nazis considered Jews, gypsies, and the handicapped to be sub-humans and thus worthy of extermination. Obama's support for abortion is particularly ironic given that African-American babies are being aborted proportionally much higher in the U.S. than white babies. It's doubly ironic given that blacks in the U.S. were once deemed not human by the U.S. Supreme Court (Dred Scott, 1857). What's next -- mandatory euthanasia for the elderly or other defenseless members of society who are deemed to be unproductive?
[Comment by MD – Besides the obvious gross errors here, I want you to pay attention to the helter-skelter “mismash” of comparisons and analogies made by the writer. Everything that could sound terrible is being thrown together into a goulash of emotion. Then what comes out? A conclusion is building in his mind that Obama will probably mandate and enforce euthanasia for the elderly, for instance. A powerful and awful image. A strong image. And thus, all the more reason to fight against letting such a person into the Presidency. But where did that stuff about euthanasia originate? Certainly not from any topic, any debate, any discussion by or with Obama, and not even from McCain who is too intelligent to come up with such nonsense.]

(2) Sunday, 19.Oct.2008
[White Male from East Coast, software field]
[MD This is long, and it has my comments embedded throughout. I decided that it is time to address the "pretend to be not a racist" psychology that I see in so many people in America (and replace "racist" with "ethnic" and "national-origin" and "religion" terms because it comes down to the same phenomenon)].

I am going to say what will follow with the preface that there is no incivility or racism in my heart. Most I will not engage with on this topic, but there is a lot going around that nobody will ask because they fear being taken out of context. But I am going to state my case.
[MD - What I read through this is: "I am going to express something that makes judgment on the basis of skin color and ethnic/genetic origins, but I don't want to be classed in the same category as Yerkes-Goddard-Terman or Arthur Jensen or William Schockley." By the way, if the reader is not familiar with the last set of names, you should get familiar. Their eugenics thinking is popular among the far-right-wingers, the fascists and neo-cons. Be forewarned of what can be coming to a society around you.]

My reaction to your points about Colin Powell. I don't understand his decision. Yes he is well educated and yes he has a perspective that I must respect. I can only rationalize his perspective from my life experiences.

[MD – I sense here that “conflict” which so many people in conservative and Republican-type circles have about someone like Colin Powell. Experienced, smart, loyal, honorable, patriotic, not a “politician” but a great general and and experienced statesman. And a Republican! And a fellow who served in the Cabinet of Bush! And so, how to explain that he stands for and supports Obama and Obama’s platform, and says such clear, direct things about Obama’s character? Well, it must be because he is a “black guy,” you know? One of “them” – another “That One” type of guy. Am I being too harsh, or too much hitting the nail right on the head? Give me an MRI machine, please, and I think I will find you the “N” word in some brains when the question is posed about why Colin Powell supports Barack Obama… ]

I have learned that I must filter this type of input. Because individuals have bias. Let me tell you a story about a good friend of mine that I worked with in 1999. He and I were in France on a business trip and the Managing Director of the division took us out to Dinner. And during dinner conversation he inquired why we Americans were racking Mr. Clinton over the coals for an extra marital affair, because in France the trappings of power are seen as acceptable of this activity, Their former President fathered a child with his mistress and they did not do to him what we were then doing to Mr. Clinton.

I gave my opinion. I had no specific issue with the Monica Lewinsky acts. He demonstrated some principles that under that type of pressure he could draw a line. But what I had a problem with was that both Clintons boldly lied on many issue's from travel gate to white water to name just 2 cases and the only lie we could actually catch them on was his feeling of superiority that he was above the law and could lie because nobody had a right to ask those questions. This is so anti American, but that is history. You see what I want in my leader is someone that will tell the truth and instill faith in me that he has values and cares about the same things I do.

Well, my friend and business associate had a different perspective. You see he is African American. And he is a die hard Democrat, As he stated he could never vote for a Republican regardless of the person, because the Democratic party always fought for the rights of the Black People. And Bill Clinton gets a pass because he fights for the rights of the Black People.

[MD - Above and beyond the other mistakes in logic expressed here by this writer, now here is where there is a real "turn" and "shift" of significance. Look, he is claiming that Clinton's poor performance in personal ethics (which in my opinion cannot be denied) was "OK" on the basis of "he was a cool guy for African-Americans". Well, this just does not hold, does not follow. So what about the Frenchman, or myself, holding pretty much the same view as that French fellow - but I am not black, nor French, nor a Clinton-liker.]

So the individual and his character traits are filtered by this bias? This did not make sense to me, especially since Mr. Lincoln was a republican, but he was a friend and I felt I must accept him for his perspective, so I decided to be quiet and resigned myself to disagree with him but not in public and let the conversation change to other topics.

[MD - OK, let's be accurate, too about history. Lincoln was originally NOT in favor of freeing the slaves, at all, until sufficiently pressured and shown that it was necessary for political and military reasons. Yes, he was not a blatant racist, and he had grave and serious personal and philosophical differences and misgivings about slavery, but he was not about to the "rock the boat" and did not take a strong stand against slavery early in his presidency, nor during the first years of the Civil War, for fear (mainly) of alienating too many people and states from the Union Cause. (So, this is a gnarly historical-dynamics problem, and I do not mean to be critical of Lincoln so much as simple Accurate about parties and politics.) Robert E. Lee was clearly, and always, more Against Slavery than many of the Union (North) politicians and people! This is a well-documented fact. And furthermore, the "Republicans" of 1860 were NOT the Republican Party of the 20th century and especially not that of 2000-2008 !]

And I am given occasion to think about this as you make the points below. I would love to inquire as to Mr. Powell's reasoning, but I can not, so I can only filter it with my perspective from my life experiences. The general population is split in the middle in opinions. Yet the African American community is not? I am just a little bit suspicious of Mr. Powell's perspective when in some states Mr. Obama has taken 90+% of the African American vote? This can only be rationalized as a cultural bias, yet I can only conjecture that Mr. Powell like my friend might have such a bias.

[MD - Well, there you have it. I don't think I need to comment further in this. It is here for those of us with eyes to see, to understand the challenges ahead.]

Race is a very delicate subject, I have learned in dealing internationally that we all have cultural bias. In Britain we use the same words, but their priorities always seem to be second to a spot of tea.

[MD – Tea? Talk of tea? Are we trying to cover up the previous paragraph? Britain, by the way, got rid of slavery long before the USA. In fact, Russia, for all its inequalities and severities under the hands of despots, got rid of slavery before the USA]

But let me state, I have no Problem voting for a women for President. I would vote for Sara Palin in a heartbeat.

[MD - This is the scary part. I'd rather have NO president than Palin. I was married to a right-wing fundamentalist. She destroyed a lot in our family for me and my sons, and lying to get to some “end” that supports the pre-made conclusion, the “Biblically correct” conclusion – this is no problem for Sarah Palin, either. We may have Armaggedon just like in the movies, if she is ever in the White House.]

Vice Presidential Debate

Al — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:05:38 EDT

Joe and Barack,

RE Vice-Presidential Debate

I watched some of the debate tonight, I've have been discussing the upcoming elections and politics quite a bit for several months now, I am a regular voters. Regarding the portion of the debate that I saw, I've discussed how you didn't offer any solutions but just engaged in Bush-bashing. I had thought to myself that it would be funny if Sarah Palin reminded you that you were running against her and John McCain in 2008, not George Bush. Now, I didn't catch the whole debate, so I'm sure that if you offered some good solutions we must have missed that part. However we also noticed that you seemed to be the most conmfortable and at ease of the two of you during the debate.

I won't venture to say who we think "won" the debate, because we don't look at at from such a simplified perspective. Some things that we look for in our candidates are real solutions, not just promises or slogans, but detailed information on exactly how they propose to resolve problems that we face, and we then determine if those proposed actions are aligned with our principles and govermental philosophies. I am sorry to say that rarely do we find politicians that are willing to give that amount of detail on either side of the aisle. I suppose that this is largely due to the fact that most voters do not tend to evaluate positions in regards to their principles and philosphies; hence they are easily moved by excitement, fanfare and pomp which is readily available through the various political camps and media outlets.

We are aware that candidates spin their positions in an attempt to appeal to an audience, we also know that many people create fallacious arguments to shore up their positions, many of these arguments may sound reasonable to many segments of the population, but are nothing more than a unintentional red herrings which neglect essential elements of the truth and confuse many people who do not deeply consider the issues and their positions.

One such situation is the argument regarding abortion. I believe an abortion would only be justifiable in the case of rape, or the pregnancy threatens the life of the mother. However, it has been termed by many as a "womans right to choose". Many of our leaders use the question of "when does life begin" in order to escape from addressing the issue, or even attempting to define the beginning of life at some specific point in a pregnancy in order to justify abortions. They may argue that the fetus is not viable outside the womb and therefore does not have a right to life.

All of these arguments and horrible distortions of thought which when followed allow the adherents to justify needless killings. For example, the argument that a young fetus is not human or that its abortion is ok since the fetus is not viable outside the womb is a fallacy because by removing a fetus from the womb, you deprive it of its proper nourishment and shelter. No living things are viable when deprived of proper nourishment and shelter. Does a man become un-human if he is left in the desert or lost at sea?

Secondly the search for the instant that life begins is an unjustifiable distraction from the real issue. We all know that the scientific requirements of life are that an organism eats, and reproduces. According to the scientific definition a fetus is alive the instance the cell becomes two cells and takes in nourishment from the placenta. Genetically a man or woman is a human and defined as such by his 32 chromosomes. A fertilized human egg qualifies according to this genetic definition as a human.

The phrase a "womans right to choose" is nothing more than a despicable euphemism for kiling the unborn. It is used by politicians to pander to voters, it is used by the people to justify selfish acts of of inhumanity and irresponsibility.

I am a fiscal conservative, constitutionalist, and believe in a limited government. I believe when people speak of penumbral rights derived from the constitution and speak of it as a living document they are treading on dangerous ground. There are many things I disagree on with both major political parties. My principles are hierarchical, some are extremely important, and others are flexible. The issue of abortion is at the top of the of this hierarchy; as such I cannot vote for you, Barack or any other politician who advocates abortions or seeks to defend Roe v. Wade; and I will not send you 5 dollars.

McCain/Palin and women's rights

Jeanine — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 23:20:35 EDT

John McCain describes Barack Obama as being part of the “Pro-Abortion Movement.” There is no such thing! Obama, with others, wants to put education and health programs in place to reduce the number of abortions. He offers to work with people of all political views. What do McCain and Palin propose to do? McCain says government isn't the answer, but he supports government intruding into the private lives of women. He makes fun of the “health of the woman” exception in laws governing late-term abortions. He voted against the Violence Against Women Act, championed by Joe Biden and supported by Democrats and Republicans, including President Bush. Palin, when mayor of Wasilla, made victims of sexual assault pay for rape kits. If you don't want a return to the days when coat hangers represented a choice for desperate women, if you want fewer abortions in this country, and if you want to protect victims of domestic violence, you need to support Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

Pro-choice is NOT the same as Pro-abortion

Jennifer from Morrisville, PA — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:09:33 EDT

I think that it is sad that this presidential race has gotten so nasty that people have forgotten that - first & foremost - we are all human beings. In the last of the presidential debates, I watched John McCain mock the notion that women for whom pregnancy poses a substantial health risk should be allowed to abort the pregnancy. He indicated that "health" was an excuse - as if the people who would get an abortion in that situation were looking for a reason to kill a baby. I think that is disgusting.

I was raised as a Born-again Christian and would have considered myself pro-life growing up. I still believe that every life has a purpose, but I would now be considered pro-choice. I am a mother, a wife, a sister and a friend. While I cannot imagine that I'd ever abort a pregnancy, I would not pretend to understand the mental anguish a pregnant woman would feel had the pregnancy been the result of a rape. I cannot imagine the torment an expectant mother would feel having to choose between her own life and the life of her would-be son or daughter. Finally, how must a pregnant teenager feel knowing that her baby was the result of incest?

This is an incredibly sad issue, but one that has many variables (how far along the pregnancy is, what the mother's religious beliefs dictate, the personal circumstances of the family). Women who find themselves in this situation have difficult choices to make, choices that they have to live with for the rest of their lives.

Abortions at 9 months???, shame, shame :-)

Rabab from Waldorf, MD — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:05:06 EDT

Some of those committed may need to be Committed: A fairly Funny Story

I am waiting at the doctor's office and McCain shows up on Fox News and I watch the 10 or so faces in the room. Mostly, I see poker faces, though the eyes sometimes look committed or express endearment, something no one wants to do in a waiting room. But all bets were off when I started this conversation.

Me: I turned to the lady sitting next to me and asked: "I am new to MD, (12 years is new to some) is it usually a Blue or Red state?"

Lady to my right (R): "Blue I think, right?" she says hoping to sound confident but looking at others in the room for confirmation.

Lady to my left (L): "Unfortunately, MD votes Democrat. It's a sin."

Me: Innocently sneaking the question: "But why a sin?"

Lady (L): "Because he (Obama) promised women everywhere that they can have abortions," (stressing these next 2 words,) "anytime, anywhere," repeating them again and again, nodding seriously, "anytime, anywhere..." as if by doing so they would go away.

Me: (Acting puzzled) Before she said it a sixth time, I cut in: "Why is that bad?"

Lady (l): Her face took on a different color and shape, she was mad...really mad. I decided to change chairs but that would have been too obvious, so I moved my stuff and cleared the way for a quick shift just in case.

She scolded with a significant rise in pitch: "What about women who are 9-months pregnant? Fine, not 9 months, say 6 months. That's just outlandish! It is sinful! It is wrong! He will never make president, not if I can help it."

Me: (Acting stupid) "Wait, aren't these procedures medically impossible?" A doctor couldn't just abort a fetus at 9 months or 6 months? I don't believe they do this unless the mother's life is in immediate danger, right?"

Lady (L): "Not acording to Obama!!!"

I had to bury a loud burst of laughter -- I can see it spread across the front page of the Washington Post, no, the New York Times, 'Obama, new president, gains power over medical reality.'

Me: I looked around the room and saw the same poker faces from earlier but now their eyes were betraying them in agreement. This abortion thing is no joke. "Oh man," I thought, "we just lost all these voters."

I had to think fast and save the moment

Me - again: "I think that providing health care to all is very important. I was without healthcare for a while and had to come up with $1500 for prescriptions alone. My family and I didn't do much that month, including eat healthy food....true story."

Lady (L): Now revealing how clueless she was, she said,: "In our family, we always had insurance. Even my young children have insurance, I made them get it. They try to get out of it thinking they are young and healthy and don't need it, but no, no, not in my book."

Me: Trying to captiure listeners in the room I get up pretending to get Kleenex from the mantle and say: "Was it 40 million Americans who can't afford health insurance?"

Lady (L): "My husband always provided...."

That answer did it. I tuned her out-- yeah, yeah, I have heard it all before. It is a matter of providing not a matter of having the money to provide. These 40 million Americans are just a bunch of people who don't know that it's important to have health insurance for their families... And if they don't have the money for this, then whose fault is it? Who hasn't heard that story about America's poor before? I think we are the only nation in the world whose poor are poor by choice.

My mind drifted -- How can one have a real discussion with anyone who is so committed to a point-of-view that any scope of thought outside their opinion will remain virgn territory to their death?

I left the clinic before her, waived, and wished her well, but only received a calculated nod back. Obama and his permissiveness regarding 9-month abortions has come between me and a potential soul mate.

Should I vote for him?

Rabab F. Saab

Instructor and Mom

College of Southern Maryland

La Plata, MD

Rababsaab@gmail.com

McCain said "We Will Take Care of the Children" Let's Look at the Numbers

Zoe Robinette — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:41:00 EDT

Over three million children in America are abused, neglected and killed each year in this country. This staggering issue overshadows all other issues, or should! The real issue of crime against children of America is buried.

The issue isn’t whether these defenseless victims should be born; the issue is protecting them against violence after they are. The issue is protection for the American babies who are brought into this world without a choice or a chance. Biden's legacy of legislation to stop violence against women must serve as a guidepost to stop this horrific violence against children in this country as well.

The Last Debate:

· Abortion and Pro-Choice

o Obama was right about the abortion issues and the need to let that choice be made between the woman and her God. His words and sentiments echo the voice of American women with conscious.

o McCain’s reply: “We will take care of the children.” Does he live in a bubble?

More children have died in this country from 2003-2008 than the number of American youth who gave their lives in Iraq.

In 2006, an estimated 3.6 million [up from 3.3 million in 2005] children were allegedly abused or neglected and underwent investigations or assessments by state and local child protective services agencies.
Approximately 940,500 children were determined to be victims of child maltreatment (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2007).
In 2005, an estimated 1,460 children died due to child abuse or neglect.
In 2006, 1,530 children died due to child abuse or neglect.
More than 75 percent of children who were killed were younger than 4 years old.
More than 40 percent of child fatalities were attributed to neglect.

This is the real issue and if both sides of the abortion/pro-choice battle were to put their time, energy and money into actually “taking care of the children” in this country we might be able to change this shameful picture of our nation.

It is a sad day for Americans when we lose our vital youth to war, but equally sad, and appalling is the number of children we lose every year to abusive, neglectful parents. A major portion of children born in America every year are born to teenage girls….surprised?

Fight the fight, vote right! The world is waiting, the time is now, the man is Obama!

A couple of concerns and questions

Poor Single black Parent — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:49:00 EDT

How is telling the truth a personal attack? I don’t understand how bringing up your associations and who you support is an attack, isn’t that just explaining about the person you are so we can see who we are voting for president. It is annoying, to hear Obama cry and whine. Why not refute what is being said. Did you give money to ACRON, Are you friends with terrorists, are you the highest receiver of money from ACORN, Why are you spending unprecedented money on media, ads? How are those personal attacks, are you honestly telling me if McCain was associates with David Duke it would be no big deal? Plus I don’t understand The pro-choice stance as a Christian I am having trouble with this one?

DEBATE QUESTION: Abortion and the "Health" of the Mother exception

Richard Owl Mirror — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:32:24 EDT

Folks, I'm going to post a selection of links regarding Abortion, Supreme Court and the Health of the Mother

I believe this is going to be the news out of this debate. I'll be writing more on this tomorrow but, until I do, maybe you want to have some resources for your own conversations. Sen McCain was dismissive, snide, demeaning and mean-spirited towards women regarding this "Health" of the Mother exception.

Roe v. Wade , 410 U.S. 113
Today's Health News Headlines
Partial Birth Abortion ~ What Can Christians Expect
Presidential Candidates' Statements on the Federal Abortion Ban
SUPREME COURT SIDESTEPS ABORTION RULING
PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION CASES HEARD BY THE SUPREME COURT
Bush Administration Sets Up Supreme Court Showdown on Abortion
Get Your Laws off My Body . . . of Constitutional Rights
Judicial Showdown: The Supreme Court Returns to the Abortion Debate

What is the consensus on a health exception for the Mother?

Joe the Plumber's Taxes and Abortion

Michael Bindner — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:45:38 EDT

Joe the Plumber does not want his taxes raised.

Too bad the Senator from Illinois did not answer the question correctly.

Joe the Plumber's taxes won't go up under the Obama tax plan. How's that again? It's simple. If Joe the Plumber hires staff, these wages are deductible on Joe's taxes on Schedule C. Joe only pays on what he nets and on what he bills directly. He does not pay taxes on the labor of others (with the exception of payroll taxes, etc.)

IntroYou must enter an Intro for your Diary Entry between 300 and 1150 characters long.

Joe the Plumber does not want his taxes raised. Too bad the Senator from Illinois did not answer the question correctly. Joe the Plumber's taxes won't go up under the Obama tax plan. How's that again? It's simple. If Joe the Plumber hires staff, these wages are deductible on Joe's taxes on Schedule C. Joe only pays on what he nets and on what he bills directly. He does not pay taxes on the labor of others (with the exception of payroll taxes, etc.)

This is what the Democrats always leave out of the tax debate. The wages of others are always deductible. Joe, hire as many people as you have business and your taxes will only go up if you personally bill or clear over a quarter million - and if you as an individual (not a business entity) pull down that much, you will be able to afford the higher rates.

The dirty little secret of higher taxes is that the Joe the Plumbers out there want a certain life style. If we raise their taxes, they will expand their businesses and hire more staff to make more profit after taxes. This is why when you raise taxes you get more economic growth a year down the road.

This is why McCain will be a drag on the economy and why Obama will bring it back. This is also why we had a 2001 recession - because Clinton cut capital gains taxes while balancing the budget. When Bush cut capital gains taxes and taxes on dividends, as well as taxes on the wealthy, he increased the the deficit as well. If McCain cuts spending he will cause a deeper recession. If Obama raises taxes and cuts spending, the economy will grow.

The other thing I wish had been discussed was abortion. It would have been nice is to distinguish between being pro-abortion and pro-choice (and maybe he will, its still going on). This might shut up certain Catholic Bishops, or at least not let the Catholics for Obama feel they are alone in this.

For good measure, he could also attack the pro-life movement for promising to end abortion and never actually doing anything of note. Currently, the pro-life movement promises a neo-confederate gutting of the 14th Amendment by taking away the power of the federal government to cancel equal protection violations by state governments. That is no way to end abortion, since the wealthier will travel to abortion states while anti-abortion radicals limit civil liberties in their states more and more - just as the Slave Power limited civil liberty in their states. Obama, as an African American, is the best person to make that argument.

Whenever abortion is raised, and Sarah Palin is raising it, it must be turned back on what the anti-choice lobby is actually proposing. They must be called on their insistence on the rights of the unborn while they softpedal what they would do to enforce those rights (and how it won't work).

My deciding factor

Emma — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 22:37:04 EDT

Watching the debate tonight and listening to the candidates speak about a subject that hits home with me probably more than any other, abortion, made me realize that John McCain does not realize what that the decision does not belong in government. A few months ago I had an unintended pregnancy, my partner and I decided we would keep and raise the child, even though we knew it would be a life-changing and very difficult choice. Beeing teen parents would be hard, but we knew that's what we wanted. When my parents found out they sat me down, screamed at me for hours, took away everything of meaning to me, and cut off my communication with my boyfriend. They told me that unless I got an abortion they would dissown me in every aspect but not amancipate me. They shouted at me, called me names, told me I was a dissapointment to my entire family and that everyone I cared about would view me in a negative light for the rest of my life. My family left me with no option but to have an abortion. I'm pro-choice and a democrat, and now looking back at my situation I realize that I made the right decision. If John McCain were president my family would have dissowned me, I would not have been able to get an abortion so easily, and my life would be ruined in every aspect. McCain can talk about adopting himself, and how easy it may be, but it's not an option for everyone. I am going to See Barack speak tomorrow in my home town of Londonderry New Hampshire and will be volunteering for him this weekend. Please take my first hand story as a reason to vote for Barack Obama, my hero, an American Hero.

The Fierce Urgeny of NOW...Mother Wit ... Just Plain Common Sense

One of Those Women — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:07:07 EDT

THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW*

Mother Wit... Just Plain Common Sense

By Cynthia A. Williams

Don't let the title of this message deceive you. This article is about the state of our country and the upcoming election. The title implies that this article will appeal to your intellect, your mother wit, and your common sense.

Some might ask what gives me the authority and right to write an article of this nature. I am writing this article under the auspices that the world through the American and International biographical associations recognizes me as one of the Great Minds of the 21st Century, 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals, and selected as 2007 Woman of the Year (Globally) in the Field of Theology (The study of God) and Spiritual Healing. It is on that note, spiritual healing, that I am writing this article.

I am almost certain when I say no one likes to be lied to. Anyone who lies is a liar, and one not to be trusted. That is a common sense statement, and requires no explanation. The Word of God says satan is the father of lies and the author of confusion and there is no good in him. Consequently, by deduction those who lie are servants of satan, evil, bad, and there is no good in them. Their only intent is to cause confusion, bring division and ultimately destroy whatever is in the midst or making.

With all that said, let’s take a look at the Presidential campaign. With no many days left, this message is crucial to appeal to your sense of good-will, truth, integrity, and unity.

This is about making a decision to believe a lie or the truth, life or death, hope or despair, ignorance or intelligence. You choose because we all have the God given right to choose what we believe and I pray it is based on the truth.

We have twelve qualified candidates running for the office of President /Vice President. They are competing for the highest office in this country. The office of President represents the United States as a people. This office should reflect excellence; the highest morals and values, the ultimate sense of honesty and integrity, and intelligence and wisdom. In this office decisions reflect how we as a people will live and survive for their term and maybe longer depending how much good or bad was done. We can see from the state of this country right now, somewhere, we failed in our judgment of character. It is assured we cannot do this again and survive the ramifications of a bad decision.

So let’s look at what we have in front of us. The way I see it the decision is too easy. We have the Republican candidates who have campaigned negatively from the inception of the race. Now we are at the end and their tone has changed only it has changed to outright lies, causing confusion and division. If this were a regular dispute, the things that are happening would be short of slander and libel. They have blatantly lied to the people, in speeches, on their website, in the debates, in their advertisements, all lies. The media which has twisted the news quite a bit doesn't have to do that for them because they make up their own mayhem. I can say they are lies because if you take the time to research what is being said the evidence is there, and it is clear. They know they are lying and think its okay to lie to the American people.

My thoughts are this, if they lie to you now, blatant and in your face, what makes you think they are going to do anything less when they get in office. You cannot trust a liar, and why should a person have to lie unless they have nothing to stand on to win. They really think the American people are stupid. For instance, Governor Palin get the results of her investigation which finds her guilty of unethical practices and she swears over and over again the report does not say that when the press shows you the written report... are we the people stupid?

Now let's look at the Democratic Party candidates. Senator Obama and Senator Biden, have only had one negative ad in their entire campaign, an ad, which Senator Obama apologized for and never ran another. They dispute the difference in the Republican Party’s platform and ideas but never attack the person and definitely no lies. They speak on what they plan to do versus what their opponents have done that have nothing to do with the campaign or the race for President. They spend much of their resources answering the lies that are being told and proving the other party to be exactly what I described in the beginning of this article.

As for the other eight candidates, they are soft spoken and almost unheard of. That’s just something to throw the numbers off. There are two other women of the Presidential ballot, so Palin is not the only making history.

If this was a game, the Republican Party candidates would have been thrown out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct. If it was school they would have been expelled. If this was a family, they would have been punished. If this was a job they would have been fired. If this was court they would have been found guilty of perjury and sentenced to confinement.

ATTENTION… ATTENTION… This is neither, this is the Presidency of the United States and if we allow such conduct then whatever we get we deserve.

What are we looking at if we elect a liar? We are looking at more years of what we already have with escalated confusion, poverty, unemployment, the rich getting richer and more families on the streets. Are you ready for that? We can't afford more of what we have endured up to the present.

So let me deal with a few issues that I have had to explain to many that have been confused by those who are telling lies.

Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life: The Pro-Life suggested by the Republicans is Pro-Death. It is going back to butchers in the back yard. However, both democratic candidates are against abortion but they more so against the government taking away an individual’s right to choose who they do with their own body. Freedom of choice is a God given and a constitutional right. When an individual makes the wrong choice they have to live with it. And no one knows the circumstances that might present in this evil world.

Gay Rights: Neither party upholds same sex marriage, and again the democrats uphold an individual right to choose what who they live with and ultimately who they share their personal property with in the legal sense of the matter.

Gun Rights: Both parties basically believe the same thing. They both defend the 2nd Amendment with the right to bear arms, only the Democratic Party has stressed the need for more patrolling on illegal, unregistered assault weapons especially in the hands of criminal, gangs etc.

Military Issues: If the Republican Party had its way our children would be overseas in a useless occupation (we are not in a war), spending money we don’t have, having soldiers come home wounded and without proper treatment and rehabilitation and families are being shattered by long deployments and PTSD. Whereas, the democrats want the troops to be downsized and brought home responsibly to realign them in places where our presence is necessary. To spend appropriately and support those coming home and the veterans who need rehabilitating. They intend to beef up military spending to ensure the equipment is in the highest state of readiness as well as the troops.

Health Care: The Republican party want to give people Money but not enough to cover the whole amount needed to maintain their insurance, and in turn tax the companies they work for so they drop coverage and leave the people hanging with nothing. Note getting health insurance with pre-existing illness is almost impossible and if so it will be much more than $5000. However, the Democrats look to subsidize those who have insurance and those who don’t ensure they get in a plan much like the ones the Senate has. It’s not social medicine but it is health care for everyone.

Taxes: You should all read the Intelligence Report. It breaks down what each party proposes and although it is not said McCain can’t so what he says without taxing the poor people oops the middle class heavy, while still giving taxes break to his class of people, the 5%. Obama plan, though many think it is impossible, will give tax break to those making less than $250,000 and spread the tax burden proportionately amongst those who have more to give. We all must remember before you start griping, to whom much is given much is required and we are the United States, all for one and one for all. Then we must not forget that when the monies are aligned properly, much like working a budget, some expenses will take care of itself.

Last but not least, and this is my opinion. I think the Bail out was more of the rich taking care of their own at the tax payers expense. While the Executives and CEO still have their Golden Parachutes and Million dollar salaries, many people are still unemployed, homeless and hungry. It was a smack in the face for the execs of AIG to go on a vacation after taking the taxpayers money. I think the taxpayers ought to get some dividends or stock in these companies, or at least a say in the adjustment of those balloon salaries.

My thought was if they were going to give up money they should have bailed the people out. They all knew who was down (in foreclosure, pending bankruptcy) on their books and cleared them of their outstanding debt, attached that debt onto their mortgages, refinanced them at 30 year fixed, and they would be in their homes, the businesses would have the money to stay afloat, and we wouldn’t be deepen than ever in history in a hole while the rich are laughing going to the bank.

* Excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr. speech 40 years ago

“One of Those Women” by Cynthia Williams

Buy the book at www.amazon.com

NEW FACE Model for Model Productions

2007 WOMAN OF THE YEAR & 2007 AMBASSADOR OF POETRY

About The Author: Mother, Grandmother, Ambassador, Prophetess, Ordained Minister, Advocate, Author, Mentor, Nurse, Retired Army War Veteran, Businesswoman, President- It’s A New Day Productions, Founder- Free-Will Fellowship Ministry, Distributor Millennium Plus GPS, Independent Owner NSE, Notary Public, Life Fellow Biographical Association, Deputy Director General of America, Life Fellow American Biographical Institute, Host of the One of Those Women BLOG Talk Show, 2008 Outstanding People, Great Women of the 21st Century, Marquis Who’s Who of American Women, of America, of Health Care Professionals, of Business and Finance; International Biographical Centre: Order of Excellence, One Thousand Great Americans, 21st Century Award for Achievement in Theology and Spiritual Healing, 21st Century 2000 Outstanding Intellectuals, Cambridge Blue Book; American Biographical Institute 2004 Female Executive Award for Theology and Spiritual Healing, Great Minds of the 21st Century, Universal Award of Achievement. Ministry Partner, Most of ALL Ambassador for Christ, and Child of the Most High God. BLESSED!

The Presumption of Ignorance

Brian Normoyle — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:34:49 EDT

Brian 1:2 So spake the Fool in prayer before the angry masses on that 11th Day of October 2008, the year of our Lord: "there are millions of people around this world praying to their god—whether it's Hindu, Buddha, Allah—that [Barack Obama] wins, for a variety of reasons. And Lord, I pray that you will guard your own reputation, because they're going to think that their God is bigger than you if that happens."

Brian 1:3 And lo, the huddled mob—rabid with loathing and stricken, like others before them, with a fear of change and leaders of color—praised the Fool with applause. And both were pleased in their ignorance.

The fool in question of course is Arnold Conrad, former pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church, pleading with God at a John McCain rally in Iowa. However, unlike the shrewd fools in literature from Socrates to Shakespeare, this one is anything but wise.

For the sake of argument, let's ignore the fact he's a pastor and alleged scholar of religion and give the Fool the benefit of the doubt. After all, an imbecile can't reasonably be expected to know that Hindu is not a god (or even a proper noun for that matter), Buddha isn't a deity either, and neither are prayed to by anyone. Anywhere.

And of course, while any average idiot—except this one apparently—knows Allah is the same God prayed to and worshiped by Christians and Jews, we needn't require Pastor Arnie to understand these or other religions and cultures. Why? Because, despite his Doctor of Ministry degree, that brand of cultural sensitivity and theological understanding is anathema to a myopic and intellectually incurious fundamentalist.

The pomposity of this self-righteous dolt notwithstanding, I'm always amazed by proselytizers who pray, prattle and pontificate with the arrogant assumption they know who God is rooting for—as if God has a stake or interest in a particular candidate.

Prayers like Pastor Arnie's are futile of course and as patently absurd as asking the almighty to intervene in the Superbowl. But the obvious silliness doesn't stop so many evangelicals from so frequently contending Republicans are the party of God and John McCain (R-Nazareth) is Christ's personally vetted nominee for President. Their presumption is as comical as their worldview is provincial.

My personal hunch is that God doesn't much care about American electoral politics but, if s/he does, I doubt s/he'd be categorically opposed to a Democrat. Barack Obama is a Christian. He was "saved," he was baptized, and he was a regular congregant in a Church of Christ for over 20 years.

Besides—from the right to universal health care, nondiscrimination, and racial/gender equality to the eradication of poverty, earning of a living wage, dealing with AIDS and tax relief for those who actually need it—Democrats and their standard-bearers have traditionally favored policies uniquely more suited for and geared towards the middle and working classes and the poor/disenfranchised. In other words, Obama's policies tend to support the very people that the foolish pastor's God named "the Salt of the Earth" in the best-selling book s/he "authored" thousands of years ago.

Christ didn't say much in favor of the free market, unprovoked war, assault weapons for "hunting," or tax-cuts for the rich and he was completely silent on those "cardinal sins" of abortion and gay marriage. But he did have an abundance of opinions about equality, justice, compassion, tolerance, forgiveness and love, as well as leaving judgment of others to God and taking care of our neediest brothers and sisters.

So frankly, Pastor Arnie, I still don't think God is rooting for either candidate, but if s/he is, given their agreement on the issues, my money's on Obama. I'll give you 5:1 odds on your money for McCain, but I'd call that a Fool's Bet.

Matthew 25:40 "And the King answering shall say to them, 'Verily, I say to you, Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it to me.'"

The Audacity of Fear

Mel — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 05:12:12 EDT

Let me start off by saying that I do have an issue with Sen. Obama's support of abortion rights. However, this election has always been so important, that we CANNOT allow failed policies to continue because of a difference of opinion of such a divisive issue, with so many other issues to worry about.

Today, I was at church. It was a Catholic church, not some "witchcraft healing" pro-Palin church, but a church which is supposed to encourage independent thought. Although the Church itself has an issue with Sen Biden supporting abortion and remaining an active member, Church policy is clear that as long as abortion is not the deciding issue, a "good Catholic" can vote for the candidate of his choice.

When the speaker took the alter for a post-homily speech, I thought nothing of it. Yes, we often hear about the evils of abortion, and regardless of your stand on the upcoming vote of Washington's assisted suicide bill, you would expect the Church to be vocal in its opposition to it.

I sat there dumbfounded as the guest speaker (a prominent member of the medical field, a doctor who dealt with family issues) not only expressed his support for Sen McCain, but indicated that anyone who couldn't vote for Sen McCain should "find something else to do" on election day.

Now, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who takes the right to vote more serious than me. I have encouraged countless people to register and vote. My overriding view on this is, I don't care WHO you vote for, but if you do not excercise this right, you have no business complaining about the state of..... well, anything. I am very clear in my beliefs. I would assist someone in voting for the opponenet of my favoured candidate, because I feel the right to vote is that important, and belongs to everyone, even those who I disagree with. That is one of the most profound and beautiful things about this country; that your vote is secret, and yet you have nothing to fear by discussing this vote.

The idea of someone speaking from the pulpit, and endorsing disenfranchisment left me cold. Is not the support of a candidate from the pulpit a violation of Church and State, and grounds for losing tax-exempt status?

What to do? If this is happening in progressive Oregon, I can only assume it's going on all over the country.

McCain/Palin altering famous quotes?

EMC — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 01:41:28 EDT

Did I hear correctly that Palin or the Mccain Campaign said something like "Society can be judged by its treatment of those not able to stand up for themselves"???? It was used in reference to their position on abortion.

Did anyone else hear this? What is the actual statement they made?

If I'm not crazy, they have "plagiarized" the famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi: "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Our Neighborhood Terrorists

Cis — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:05:37 EDT

What about the neighborhood terrorists (ex?) on Chicago's South Side? What "makes" a "terrorist" ? Some of the pro-life (anti-abortion) people, mostly women, don't seem to have a huge problem with people (men) killing doctors who have been known or thought to have performed abortions. Yesterday, Friday, I was concerned that the Bill Ayers business (Weather Underground of the end of the 1960s - start of the 1970s) might develop into something more than slightly problemmatic. Ayers does not sound particularly repentent. Senator Obama (who was around eight years old and far away, when the Weather Underground were . . . destroying themselves as much or more than anyone else) did not seem sufficiently perturbed, to me . . . but it was 40 years ago, +/- . . . long ago and far away, in another America -- one which never would have considered either a woman or a black person as a candidate for President of the United States of America.

A semi-neighbor or mine sends me pro-life / anti-Obama email forwards, and I send them on to watchdog@barackobama.com . One this afternoon nearly bled all over the inbox: "WHY are the democrat party and the media attacking Sarah Palin?! It's reprehensible! We hsve to be sure this does not become an 'ObamaNation!' More reasons to vote Republican! :)"

We must learn to become a nation wherein people's differing views can be acknowledged, and where we can shove our shoulders together for the good of all. We need to do it speedily, too. Yes.

The media today seem to be downplaying any possible significance of the aging Ayers . . . and my neighbor is free to send unpleasant barbs to all her friends and acquaintences.

An Open Letter to John McCain

GenXMom — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:22:54 EDT

THE FOLLOWING POST APPEARED ON MY BLOG, GENX MOM TAKES ON. Visit http://genxmomtakeson.blogspot.com to read more.

John McCain,

After watching last night's debate, I feel the need to clear up a misconception you seem to have about me.

I AM NOT YOUR FRIEND.

I am not an executive of a big oil company, a health insurance company, or a financial firm. I am not a member of the Keating Five. I am not a Republican or one of your good ol' boy cronies. I am not George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, or any others in your inner circle.

I am the mother of three children who want to grow up to breathe clean air, who want to go to college and realize their dreams, who want to believe that they are citizens of the greatest country in the world, a country that recognizes the value of the individual human life over the almighty dollar.

I am the wife of a man who spends over three hours commuting every day to feed his family, who continues his education at night in the hope that it will secure his job in a corporation that is sending countless jobs overseas without reaping any consequences of their anti-American actions.

I am the daughter of a woman who has never asked for anything from this country or this world, who drove over three hours every day to go to work in extraordinary pain from a hip in desperate need of replacement, a woman who is still working full time at the age of 55 in a thankless job, a woman who has a growing, painful mass on her back but will not go to the doctor because she doesn't have health insurance and doesn't want to run up a bill she can't pay.

I am a teacher of young adults, struggling to meet unrealistic NCLB standards that left the public school systems high and dry in terms of support, both financial and otherwise, who is struggling to balance the pressures of a demanding career, the only real compensation of which is the desire to help young people succeed, with the pressures of raising a family and figuring out where the next mortgage payment will come from.

I am a woman who hopes she will never have to face the choice of abortion, who doesn't need you and your political agenda hanging over her shoulder in the doctor's office telling her what to do at the most difficult moment in her life, who doesn't need you telling her what options she does or doesn't have to plan her family because your right-wing Christian fanatic base can't wrap their minds around the fact that it's the 21st century.

I am a citizen of this country and this world who wants to believe that Americans will always stand up for the rights of those suffering around the world, who wants to believe that Americans will feed our hungry children before we feed corporate greed, who wants to believe that when we go to war, it will be only out of necessity, not for oil or pride or political gain.

John McCain, I am not your friend, and you are certainly not mine, although you referred directly to me as such twenty-two times in last night's debate. You might want to get your facts straight before you address me or anyone else by this undeserved and unearned title in the future.

My take on abortion

Mason Green — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:29:24 EDT

I'd like to thank my friend Lisa for this. If any female readers associate with Palin because she is a woman, think about what your fundamental beliefs are while you read this.

Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feminist, and activist, best known for "The Vagina Monologues", wrote the following about Sarah Palin:

"Drill! Drill! Drill!

I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowend and starved polar bears.

I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life trying to build a community, help empower women and stop violence against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of Feminists.

But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical to Femisnism; which for me is part of one story -- connected to saving the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence and war.

I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those candidates, the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in so many areas, that America may never recover. But what is equally disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the presidency with regularity.

Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor. In her world, and the world of Fundamentalists, nothing changes or gets better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming. The melting of the arctic, the storms that are destroying our cities, the pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As she said herself of the Iraqi war, "It was a task from God."

Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should have a right to determine whether the have their rapist's baby or not.

She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence, and we know how many babies that makes.

Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she has tried to ban books from the library, has a tendency to dispense with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could and might very well be the next president of the United States. She would govern one of the most diverse populations on earth.

Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou a clip. She has shot hundreds of wolves from the air.

Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in his name, that is the end of separation of church and state and the undoing of everything America has ever tried to be.

I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this election in our hands. This vote is a vote that will determine the future not just of the U.S., but of the planet. It will determine whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever uninhabitable for humans. I will determine whether we move towards invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in alternatives that will free us from dependancy and destruction. It will determine if money gets spent on education and health care or whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine whether America is a free, open, tolerant society or a closed place of fear, fundamentalism and aggression.

If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, "Drill! Drill! Drill!" I think of teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis, doubt, ambiguity or dissent. I think of pain.

Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing we call life?"

Eve Ensler

September 5, 2008

Now, let it be said that while I do everything in my power to promote Obama, I respect everyone who votes. However, as Churchill said, "The strongest argument against democracy is to look at most of those who vote." (Or something similar)

In my opinion, die hard republicans are ignorant. That is not to say they are stupid, but simply unaware of the realities of life. Republican officials contradict continuously in bold and brazen ways. Not to say the Democrats don't have contradictions, but rather theirs are minute in comparison. When you claim to be a maverick reformer but really are a reformed maverick who says the fundamentals of our (horrendously failing) economy are strong, you either have no clue or care, or some sort of debilitating psychological hinderance.

I would also like to say that I respect and understand the commitment some have to third party candidates. I would also like to stress that these people don't have a chance. Statistically speaking, there is no way that a third party candidate would get even 15% of the vote in this race. So I urge you and all you know to ponder this: Would you rather be an immovable idealist who goes down with the ship, so to speak, only to risk someone you don't agree with getting the presidency, or would you rather be a citizen who looks out for the good of your fellow man, making a compromise to ensure that you do your best to elect the major-party candidate you feel (of the two) is better suited to be President of the United States of America?

Do they (McCain /Palin) have moral for ......?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:13:43 EDT

McCain ....Speaking of financial rescue when he is the first corrupt in USA.......

McCain dice estar en contra d ela corrupción que ha llevado a los banqueros a la crisi económica en USA mientras él ha participado activamente en esta corrupción financiera

KEATING ECONOMICS: John McCain & The Making of a Financial Crisis

McCain involucrado en millones de dolares de corrupcion en el caso Keating en 1990

lunes, octubre 06, 2008
McCain Involucrado en Corrupcion Durante Decadas

VIDEO

Sara Palin ...Speaking of the right to life (abortion) while she authorized the killing innocent animals in Alaska...

Sara Palin dice estar en contra del aborto argumentando el derechoa a la vida mientras autoriza y participa en la masacre y exterminio de millones de animales en Alaska

Sarah Palin Champions Barbaric Aerial Hunting

VIDEO

Report reveals Palin tortures daugher

Mikey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:02:18 EDT

A report revealed that Palin plans to engage in cruel and unusual punishment of her daughter, by forcing her to carry a child to term. The report also revealed that Palin apparently refuses to consider having the child ripped to pieces and removed, even though it will be a viable option all the way up to the end of the pregnancy term. I ask you, do you want a woman to be in line for the presidency who would do a terrible thing like that? Isn't it totally heartless and cruel to do that to her daughter? Putting her grandchild's rights above her daughter's convenience. Tsk Tsk. Palin, the whole Obama Community frowns on you for that.

McCain vs. Palin

Tony Loyd — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 07:21:25 EDT

Here’s an idea for a debate. Let’s get John McCain and Governor Palin to debate one another. They should have plenty to argue about. After all, they are on opposite sides on several issues.

Stem cell research: McCain For; Palin Against; More…
Allow abortion in cases of rape, incest: McCain For; Palin Against; More…
The use of school vouchers: McCain For; Palin Against; More…
Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: McCain Against; Palin For; More…
Protecting polar bears: McCain For; Palin Against; More…
Windfall profit tax on oil companies: McCain Against; Palin For; More…
Real ID: McCain For; Palin Against; More…
Teaching creationism in our schools: McCain For/Against; Palin For; More…

It makes you wonder, with this many issues separating them, if they could be elected, whose agenda would drive policy decisions in the White House?

Talking abortion with an undecided pro-life voter

Daniel Baker — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:52:04 EDT

Here are some things I said about abortion with a pro-life voter. I have no evidence how effective (or counterproductive) this approach may be. I'm just describing it as one option to try for canvassers who feel stuck.

Two weeks ago I canvassed a very pleasant young undecided voter. Her most important issues were ending the war in Iraq and ending abortion. Naturally, I talked about the war and foreign policy first before moving on to abortion.

I have always thought that the first step with a pro-lifer is to take their feelings seriously. Only a minority of pro-lifers are faking their concern for fetal life as an excuse for confining women to the role of mothers and housewives. The considerable majority really believe that abortion is the killing - the murder - of a baby. That is the reason that condoms, IUDs and oral contraceptives, all of which are far more vital to women's control of their reproductive lives than abortion, do not generate the same passions.

Sarah's Duplicity

Halford Fairchild, Ph.D. — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 08:27:40 EDT

When asked how she would react to a teen pregnancy in her family, or what she would recommend in the case of rape or incest, Sarah Palin has said, "I would choose life." So is she pro-choice or pro-life?

Choose Change for Choice

Henry M — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:05:55 EDT

McCain will have to reward the fundamtalists that Palin and his evangelist preacher supporters are bringing into the Republicans ever-narrowing tent if McPalin win in November. Number one on their list is "states rights," which is their shield for banning abortion (see "Pro-Life isn't).

Federal law, enacted by the Congress, executed by the administration, and upheld by the Supreme Court is neccessary to support the rights of the individual, as well as classes of people, e.g. women and gay, that transcend state borders.

If we don't defeat McPalin, the harm done to women will be practically irreperable.

A Rape Victim Speaks

Women are half the population. Imagine what they have in store for the rights of minority groups!

Henry M

"Pro-Life" Isn't

Henry M — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 10:25:36 EDT

We are only one justice away from an anti-Choice majority on the Supreme Court of the United States of America. That's it. Only one justice away. Justice John Paul Stevens, who has been consistently pro-Choice, is 88 years old. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg is in her seventies. Justice Steven Breyer is pushing 70. If any of these justices dies or decides to retire, they must be replaced by pro-Choice justices to keep the balance and preserve both Roe vs. Wade and the Griswold decision that preceded it. Griswold allows women to have safe and legal birth control.

John McCain and Sarah Palin are anti-Choice, NOT PRO-LIFE!

This is what the map will look like the day after if Roe vs. Wade is overturned by a McPalin Supreme Court:

The bright red states have "trigger laws" that outright ban abortion the day after Roe is overturned. The pink states are those which are leaning towards an abortion ban. And the white states are those which have protection for Choice in the state constitution.

What will this mean for the women in these red states?

We have historical evidence that this will mean that women will die. Follow these links for further information:

Repairing the damage, before Roe

Roe v. Wade: Then and now

Roe v. Wade: legalizing abortion

When abortion was illegal

In rememberance: women who died of illegal abortions

Lessons from before Roe: will past be prologue?

Christians making the Christian decision!

Art By Michelle Collins — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:15:26 EDT

Are you a Christian and not sure who to vote for? Well first off , Jesus Loves! Sacrifice is what he is all about!

Following my long introduction is a questionnaire. Please don't be afraid to take this test to help you to make this important Christian decision in November.

True Christians and our issues

I am a Catholic Christian and I am saddened by the way our politicians have preyed on other Christians using fear and lies to give us a bad name. Its as if "Christian" is a dirty word in this country now a days.

Republicans have hijacked Christians by making pretend they care about hot topic issues such as abortion and gay marriage. These issues may be very important to some Christians and debatable by others but never the less they are far outweighed by the mounds of other issues that I believe Jesus would want to see addressed by the candidates. Christians have to begin to open their eyes wider and take the focus off just these things alone expand their Jesus lens. They need to ask themselves one by one, on each individual problem needing to be addressed in this country; "What would Jesus do?" Then and only then do I believe we are being true to our faith while we are alone and secret in the voting booth with only God to answer to in November.

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT! LIFE VS. CHOICE and GAY RIGHTS

Davina Prill — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 17:20:12 EDT

EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT!

OK, so in the past I wasnt very active in politics and/or voting but, I deffinately believe whole heartedly that NOW IS the time for change...here is the scoop, on me...what I strongly believe as a person, I am not a member of ANY political party BUT, I do believe I HAVE the right to write this email JUST AS MUCH as YOU HAVE the RIGHt to disregard it...this election is HIGHLY crucial...PLEASE, VOTE FOR OBAMA!

While, many,..political parties seem to be the answer...here are a few things I perosnally have considered in my own tactic of voting...I believe WE ARE the vote that counts...so, please, KNOW the facts and dont vote for MCCAIN simply because he is 'PRO-LIFE' (First off thats just what he is 'trained' to say as a Republican it doesnt necissarily reflect his own personal and private view of pro life vs pro choice)...that is just a Republican tactic to get your vote...

Abortion?)

It seems Republicans could care less if the girl dies in an illegal abortion in an alley...or if hundreds of thousands of unwanted children are brought into this world and deprived of an opportunity at 'LIFE' simply because they were born to unwed mothers who had no REAL means of supporting their children and therefore are FORCED to rely on state aid such as welfare...this IS NOT something ALL of them WANT to do...it is simply ALL they knew to do in their paticular situations....some may do it for the simpleness of 'using the system' but, the sad sad truth of it is that MOST of them do it because of dead beat parents, poor education in the family planning and sex ed department...and because they were raised to belive that abortion was undoubtedly and undeniably WRONG...I myself would NOT give up being who I am with the children I have, yet I see the mistakes in society for what they truly are....FAMILY PLANNING and SEX ED SHOULD be an enforced education curriculum...as well as many other things that may or may not prevent early or unwanted pregnancies such as...SELF ESTEEM workshops that are REQUIRED...(Of course no one WANTS to admit they need help in this area...but a large portion...if not ALL of the young teens and women who have EARLY Intercourse that leads to Early and Unwanted Pregnancies HAVE LOW SELF ESTEEM due to various reasons ...the most common being various abuse/s as a child and lack of education for the less fortunate and battered children of todays society that not always but, commonly leads to the addiction of NEEDING to feel loved and/or believing that we HAVE to be in a relationship to be 'WHOLE' another commonly pronounced view society has placed on us...)

Also, while I am on the fence about abortion laws...I personally do not belive that persons who have been raped...especially by family members should have to mentally deal with the fact that they had a child of incest inside them...much less that they should have to deal with the fact that they brought a child of incest into this already clearly disfunctional world...Think about it in terms of yoursefl or your sibling...think...what if...I had been raped by a father or brother and was pregnant with my brother and my son or my nephew and my son...would I REALLY WANT to have that child? That answer is up to you personally as it is a CHOICE...and should be if not always...atleast in certain surcumstances...thats my own peronal opinion....

GAY RIGHTS)

Whether you are straight or gay...whether you agree with homosexuality or not - on a personal level...maybe it is time to think...on a RIGHTS level...

I personally, do not expect everyone or many, of the peoplewho read this ...to agree with me in part or whole...what I do hope for and expect is for them to respect MY RIGHT as an American to be open about my own beliefs and opinions...I do however...and let me make this clear TOTALLY RESPECT THAT YOU TOO HAVE A RIGHT TO YOUR OWN PERSONAL OPINION...and I can whole heartedly and non judgementally agree to disagree...with that said...I will continue on my personal belief...lol

I believe that the gay community should have LEGAL RIGHTS...I can budge with the religious community and give on the word 'marriage...go ahead and have that...even if the majority of the gay community disagrees with that...what I CANNOT agree with is that they should not have the RIGHT to a LEGAL UNION...even f that is what it is decided it should be technically called to satisfy the religious community...I can give that much...really I can...but, the fact remains, whether or not you agree with homosexuality in any form...the Gay community will as always and increasingly so...continue to live their lives as they have the RIGHT to do...'BANNING' Gay Marriage or a 'LEGAL UNION' WILL NOT STOP the gay community from being gay...NOTHING EVER WILL...so, as human beings and Americans...why can we not embrace the idea that the Gay community ALSO has RIGHTS...just like the hetrosexual community...For example say you have been in a relationship a yr or two and decide to get married...hetrosexuals...In most areas of the US...LEGALLY by law are entitled to split half of everything aquired during their marriage (technically A LEGAL UNION) and or in the event there is a death of a spouse the living spouse is entitled to everything...My, point is this...If hetrosexuals have this right then the Gay community should also have this RIGHT...to a LEGAL UNION... and in closing i would just like to say that if we are 'A FREE COUNTRY' why is it that so many of our freedoms have been and are currently being taken from us?.....Once again, ...this may not be something you agree with or WANT to hear...but its deffinately something to think about and maybe it will get you to thinking....

I also support pretty much all of the issues Obama supports ... except one or two maybe but, for the most part, I support democratic style politics...even though i am still an individual who claims NO political party.

PEACE and HAPPINESS to us ALL, Davina

'There has never been anything false about hope'
Barack Obama '08

Abortion

Sam — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:34:55 EDT

I hate it. It is disgussting. It is just wrong.

But is it the job of a leader to install a soldier walking always behind every pregnant woman to prevent her from abortion.

Nor can we do the same to doctors.

On women, this is the job of churches, temples, mosques, synagoges, and other non-profit orgaizations.

On doctors, this is the job of state governemnts and medical boards.

This is not a job for the Federal Government.

The new "Pro Choice" Like you've never seen it before

Fred from Shepherdsville, KY — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 20:33:09 EDT

The abortion issue has gone to the back burner during this financial crisis, but for many Christians it is still a lingering issue when deciding which party to vote for. To win some of these Obama should give the option on tax forms not to have tax money contributed to abortion clinics or birth control education. All tax payers should have the option for that money to go towards abstinence education or some family support institution. This would give deeply convicted Christians security in knowing that they had not contributed to what they feel to be murder, while leaving the option for those who do not have the same convictions. The abortion issue crosses political and religious lines, and questions of life or death and if a person doesn't want to financially support it they sould be given that option. I think that if this one issue was addressed that many evangelicals that are hesitating to vote democrat could without feeling as if they were compromising their faith.

Obama Campaign removes Abortion Providers from Website

Melissa from Philadelphia, PA — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 10:44:40 EDT

Last Thursday I was excited to join a group named Abortion Providers for Obama-Biden here on the campaign website. There were already several well written, well thought out blog posts about the current status of abortion in this country. It was a chance for a group with a unique perspective on this debate to come together and support the candidate that will hopefully reverse current trends.

However I was highly disturbed to get up this morning to find out that the group has been removed. You can still go to the fundraising page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/maingroup/AbortionProviders .

However the group page is now "invalid":

http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/ProfessionalAbortionProvidersforObama-Bi

What does this mean? I could still find lots of other groups up and running, even an "Abortion Opponents for Barack Obama" group. Why would a supposedly pro-choice candidate not want to encourage abortion providers to have a dialogue on his website?

I have contacted the Obama campaign about the group going missing. I got a generic "thank you for your interest but we get lots of emails" back from the campaign, but I hope that someone will eventually get an official answer about why this group was removed.

Does anyone know of any other groups that have been removed from the campaign website?

Could anyone who feels that that it is disturbing that the Obama campaign would remove a pro-choice group while leave up the abortion opponents group please contact the campaign and let them know: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/contact2

Thank you!

John McCain: A Maverick No More

Cheryl Rhodes — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:27:03 EDT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRRze04JvK4&watch_response

¿Who Aborted The Spirit of Compromise?

The Word Pimp — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 04:29:13 EDT

This posting was originally published on my MySpace blog on March, 2006 and was inspired by a blog entry posted by Jon Platner, managing editor of plannedparenthood.org. Inspired by Obama's reach across the aisle on this issue during his nomination speech, I decided to dig it up and post it here.
First off, let me start by saying that I'm generally against the act of abortion. In my experience (limited as it may be), it's usually a grisly form of birth control for young ladies that either don't know or don't care enough about effective, non-invasive, birth control; or for those who accidentally get pregnant when their birth control of choice fails. I think we can all agree, ProChoice or ProLife, that abortions offer a sad look at the state of contemporary society. I do, however, believe in the right of women to choose an abortion if they deem it necessary.

That said, I also recognize that banning abortions at this point in history would be an utter and unmitigated disaster. Returning to the a time when women have to travel to states where they were legal, where doctors have to break the law to help a girl in need, or where abortions are performed by potential quacks in underground operating rooms is unwarranted and cruel. Fortunately, even with today's more conservative makeup of the Supreme Court, the majority of justices currently seated would not strike down Roe v. Wade.

(Cute joke:
Q: What did Bush say when asked what his feelings were on Roe versus Wade?
A: Well ummm I don't care whether people row OR wade to get out of New Orleans, as long as they get out safely. )

The real question is, what can we do about abortion that can be effective in reducing the sheer numbers while not criminalizing an act that is so personal and, in many cases, traumatic for the woman having one? There are some simple answers.

First, the government has to promote an age appropriate Sex Education program that teaches the big picture, both birth control and abstinence. Our children need to understand that they do not have to give in to the pressures of having sex at an early age, but they need to know that if they do they should be armed with the knowledge of what birth control is available to them and its effectiveness.

Second, the government has to guarantee that ALL women have access to ALL forms of birth control. That means the morning after pill. That means RU486. And if that means passing laws stating that Walmart or whatever pharmacy CAN NOT turn away any female requesting birth control, so be it.

Ultimately however, reducing abortions in this country really comes down to a joining of minds from both sides of the issue. Lifers have to realize that abortion is a reality that may never be deemed immoral by all aspects of society. Choicers have to realize that the reduction in the number of abortions, still a risky procedure, is a more noble cause than the protection of such a sad right. Imagine the progress that could be made if we put our signs down and lift our voices, in unison, for a better way.

Abortion

Roger — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:51:08 EDT

I have read these several times and been thinking about this more lately
and I would like to get your opinions. I give mine after the quotes.

Quoted from the John McCain website:
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/95b18512-d5b6-456e-90a2-12028d71df58.htm

Human Dignity and the Sanctity of Life

Overturning Roe v. Wade

John McCain believes Roe v. Wade is a flawed decision that must be
overturned, and as president he will nominate judges who understand that
courts should not be in the business of legislating from the bench.

Constitutional balance would be restored by the reversal of Roe v. Wade,
returning the abortion question to the individual states. The difficult
issue of abortion should not be decided by judicial fiat.

However, the reversal of Roe v. Wade represents only one step in the
long path toward ending abortion. Once the question is returned to the
states, the fight for life will be one of courage and compassion - the
courage of a pregnant mother to bring her child into the world and the
compassion of civil society to meet her needs and those of her newborn
baby. The pro-life movement has done tremendous work in building and
reinforcing the infrastructure of civil society by strengthening
faith-based, community, and neighborhood organizations that provide
critical services to pregnant mothers in need. This work must continue
and government must find new ways to empower and strengthen these armies
of compassion. These important groups can help build the consensus
necessary to end abortion at the state level. As John McCain has
publicly noted, "At its core, abortion is a human tragedy. To effect
meaningful change, we must engage the debate at a human level."

Quoted from the Barack Obama website:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/womenissues
REPRODUCTIVE CHOICE
Supports a Woman's Right to Choose:
Barack Obama understands that abortion is a divisive issue, and respects
those who disagree with him. However, he has been a consistent champion
of reproductive choice and will make preserving women's rights under Roe
v. Wade a priority as President. He opposes any constitutional amendment
to overturn the Supreme Court's decision in that case.

Preventing Unintended Pregnancy:
Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access
to contraception, health information and preventive services to help
reduce unintended pregnancies. Introduced in January 2007, the
Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and
comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex
methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against
contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and
provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

What I get from this:

The John McCain website does not advocate for or against a
constitutional admendment to ban abortions in this country. The approach
spelled out in his website is to nominate judges who if approved by a
Democratic Senate will sit on the Supreme Court and will most likely at
some point in the next four years be given the opportunity to overturn
Roe v. Wade. According to the website, this will move the anti-abortion
fight down to the state level to be taken up by the Pro-Life groups who
will help to build consensus to end abortions there. Without a
constitutional amendment, these groups will have probably twenty-five or
more fights in the Blue States instead of just one fight at the Federal
level. Once the Supreme Court is realigned to the Right, the position of
the President is immaterial except that he can lend moral (no pun
intended) support. Now if a state like Louisiana enacts a law forbiding
a Louisiana women from leaving the state pregnant with a Louisiana fetus
to get an abortion in a state like New Mexico the Federal courts may
have to get involved.

I am not trying to be flippant, but laws making abortions illegal will
not make mothers (little m) that become pregnant and want abortions,
become Mothers (big M). Making abortions illegal might in fact cause
women to become more responsible and stop getting pregnant
unintentionally by going out and getting birth control if they have
health insurance which could bring the number of unwanted pregnancies
down. But my guess is that the majority of the women who get
unintentinally pregnant and want an abortion do not have health
insurance.

According to the Pro-Life website, abortionno.org, there are 3700
abortions performed in the US every day. If all 3700 of those women had
known more about and been given free birth control then there would have
been no unintended pregnancies and zero abortions that day.

I am totally against abortions but consider this pragmatically to which
you may instantly cry out, this is immorality, this is murder. it must
be stopped at any and all costs! But my point is, how can you make
abortions illegal if you don't or can't make women stop getting
unintentionally pregnant? I think abortions should be heavily, heavily
regulated with significant stipulations and restrictions the further
along in the pregnancy instead of making it completely illegal from the
moment of conception and at any point from then on in the pregnancy in
all but dire circumstances which is what I think that Pro-Life
proponents advocate. I'm suggesting that abortions be very, very
difficult but not impossible to get.

I am trying to work out in my mind how in fact the illegality of
abortions would be enforced. There will have to be laws establishing a
process for enforcement, prosecution and incarsuration (sp?). Would the
law that makes abortions illegal also require women to remain pregnant
for nine months or would they be allowed to have the baby removed at
lets say 30 weeks when the baby could be taken from the mother and
survive with some but not significant medical intervention, at which
point the mother walks away and the baby stays in the hospital until it
is full term and then is sent to an orphanage. Can a law be written to
force the mother to become a Mother? I'm assuming according to the
McCain website, that charities will step in and provide orphanage care
but the medical costs will most likely come from the Federal government
(taxpayers) and probaly most of the cost of caring for the child. Also,
I cannot imagine that a mother who really wants an abortion will do
right by that baby especially if she is required by law to carry it for
30 weeks. The law will not be able to decree Love or make her
courageous. The law will probably also not be able to make the mother
eat right and not smoke or drink so the baby may not have a great
start.

You may say, we cannot afford to let even one baby be killed. I know
this will sound utterly heartless and I shudder to even write these
words, but at a rate of 3700 per day, how can we afford every unintended
pregnancy to be not terminated? Lets say that 90% of women who would
have gotten an abortion gets on birth control so that ONLY 130 THOUSAND
unwanted babies are born EVERY year. We the citizens of the country that
criminalizes abortions will be responsible for those babies. I say we
should be concentrating all of our efforts on waging a campaign against
unwanted pregnancies and stop fighting about who is Pro-Life and who is
Pro-Choice.

I think that McCain's plan is unrealistic and unrealizable. He is
Pro-Choice but is that all that he is? You are right that Obama is not
not going to make abortions illegal at the Federal level but neither is
McCain and Obama is going to try to fix the root of the problem instead
of spending time criminalizing the result. You can be against abortions
as I am and be for Obama because I believe that he will do the right
thing instead of the easy thing. Obama has called out men, especially
Black men to take responsibilities for their children but I think that
he should and may also call out the women that think about pregnancy
after the fact.

Thinking about all of this makes me sad and I wish that Life was easier
to deal with.

Obama on BAIPA, & "Present" Votes

Brian L from Plano, TX — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:08:48 EDT

Can anybody point me to an official statement by Obama on his position regarding the Born Alive Infant Protection Act?

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODA2YzVmYjFmZDRhZjRlY2IzNDdmZGU1Y2MyNDk1YmM=#more

I'm finding plenty of right-leaning articles - but I would love to hear/read a detailed explanation from Mr. Obama, without the spin.

I'd also like to hear him explain why he voted "present" so often.

These are difficult actions to defend...

Abortion Issue Bigger Than We Thought

Change O'8 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 14:16:19 EDT

Every undecided voter I've spoken to likes Obama, but are repelled by his stance on abortion.

I think Obama's public discussion of abortion, so far, is inadequate. But Obama has left his view on abortion a little wiggle room, such as, when during the PA debate he said he was unsure about when life began. Then, during the Faith Forum, he said this difficult question was "above [his] pay grade."

I agree with Hillary's comment that abortion should be rare and safe. I think Obama should welcome a vote, once he becomes president, to overturn Roe vs. Wade to state law, and communicate this within the next 45 days to undecided voters.

A Voice of Reason on Family Values

Erica R. — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 01:07:18 EDT

I am a fairly young voter and this will be my 2nd election that I am privileged to vote in. I do not understand the idea that a Christian voter must be a Republican voter and that all Democrats are out in left field when it comes to family values. My husband and I are devout Christians. You could even call us 'evangelicals' although we are members of a non-demoninational church. We have 5 beautiful children, even when during one pregnancy I was told that that child could have down-syndrome. I am pro-life, but I am also a proud Democrat! Obama cares about,is passionate about, and truly understands the issues that matter to the American people - the economy, health care, the war, national security, and fairness for all Americans. He has been more right than John McCain on numerous issues and has taken numerous stands without waivering on those issues. Although I am pro-life, and I believe marriage should be between a man and a woman as God intended it in Genesis, I truly do not believe issues like abortion and homosexuality should play a part in this election as these are both substantially personal issues. Many Republicans are horrified by an ad by McCain that suggests Obama voted against the right to life bill in Illinois that dealt with what to do in the event of a botched abortion attempt. None of us have read the bill so we cannot make a judgment call on whether or not Obama should have supported it. We only know what the commercials tell us. However, I can think of a couple of reasons that would totally justify Obama not supporting such a bill. For instance, if a woman went into a clinic to have an abortion and that abortion failed, who exactly is government to tell that woman she must now keep her baby? If she chose not to keep the baby, who would ultimately be responsible for him or her - the hospital, an orphanage run by the supporters of the bill - who? The real issues with these cases are the mothers who waited so far along in their pregnancy to attempt abortion in the first place - not the politicians who choose not to interfere in their lives! I believe all life is sacred and I also believe that babies who die go to heaven. The children not receiving care and not being forced to go home with mothers who do not want them are much better off with Jesus. Jesus told his disciples that when you help those less fortunate than you, you are doing the same for Him. When Obama turned down a high paying legal career to help those less fortunate on the south side of Chicago, and when he champions his causes for the down trodden, he is doing the work of a true Christian. In conclusion, there are some Democrats who love the Lord and desire to serve His people. However, we do not need to wear the Christian mantra on our sleeve as some Rebulicans do becuase a tree is known by the fruit he bears.

Something About Morality

Mary — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:40:48 EDT

Yes, I've been gone for some time and working so many hours in order to live. Having listened to some family and other people who pose the issues of morality and republican party vs. morality and democratic party I wanted to just mention a few thoughts. I often hear that the Republican's represent the "moral" group, but how is it moral to vote against women earning the same income as men? I worked eight day's this week and two of those day's I worked for 12 hour shifts. Now I don't mind working, and since I'm a widow I must work in order to pay my bills. I earn about $900.00 to $1,000.00 a month, my work is honest hard work and when it's all said and done I'll pay the same taxes that any man would pay to the government. The difference is that Republican's voted every bill down that would give women the right to earn the same pay as a man. How is that moral? I hear people say that Republican's protect against abortions. Well, how will these mother's who have no husband's and work for less pay afford to take care of the unaborted children when the Republican party doesn't support them earning equal pay? How is that moral and does it cause any woman who is alone to believe that she has the income to take care of that unborn child? What about women who's husband's abandon them and their children for another woman? How does that abandoned wife and mother support her children if the father is delinquent in paying for the children and helping her out? It happens, it's not moral, and that mother rely's upon government and law to secure some kind of monitary way to continue to live.

I see two key issues that morality groups always pick as support for the Republican party. Gay marriage and anti-abortion. And yet! The Republican party has protected the rights of the wealthy giving them the largest tax breaks. They support selfish gain and inequality in paying some people and women what they are due and yet they expect to get their income tax from everyone. They have allowed insurances companies and home mortgage companies rob people blind. People are losing their life long dream, their homes and the republican party hasn't stopped this greedy trend. Everyone is paying more for gasoline than ever before and the republican party has defended the large oil corporations and given them tax breaks. McCain's latest visit to Tampa had people shouting "Drill baby drill" and hoping for oil wells off our coast. Forget for a moment the environmental problems and just ask yourself "Who will gain from those Oil rigs?". Believe me it won't be the state of Florida and it's residents. Gasoline prices won't drop for us as the oil companies will find yet another reason for raising the prices. The only way Florida could gain is if they forced the Oil corporations that drill off the coast to make the State of Florida shareholders and demand 10% of all monitary gains from that likely 8 to 10 billion a year those oil company owners will make.

The one thing I note is that the Republican always illudes to the most obvious of moral issues and yet they are NO MORE MORAL than the democratic party. They are humans, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.", they lie, they have stollen from poor eldery people and deprived them of their right to have full benefits, they lie to veterans of war and have denied them benefits, they deny women the right to be paid as thought their work was as valuable as any man, they take from the poor and give to the rich, they do not give to those in need. All those things fall in the realm of immorality. They are no more moral than anyone and they dupe most people who wish to be moral with two issues. To support them is to support another kind of immorality, the kind that the pharasees had. Religiousity doesn't equate with morality at all. They may appear religious, they may claim to support religious issues, but they are neither moral or right. When I see how many wrongs they have supported and continue to support vs. the two things that the Democratic party support then I wonder how it is that people who claim to be moral can continue to support the Republican party.

I guess you could if you can agree that greed is okay, that denying widows and orphans is right, that taking food and medicine from war veterans, eldery people and single mothers/fathers is right, that not paying the laborer what is due them and taxing them the same as the laborer who earns much more is right. I guess you could agree that they are moral if you can accept that taking programs that support mothers with infants and children away is okay. You see, in the end they will lure you in with promises of keeping gay's from marrying and women from aborting children. Gay people will still live together regardless and women will get secret abortions just like they've done for generations. How do people who claim to be moral support a party that deny's women the mean's to live and support themselves and their children? Is that moral?

Apologies to everyone for not being around so much but people such as myself don't get the luxury like the McCain's or Sarah Palin who has a husband. I am neither wealthy or come from a wealthy family. What I am though is an honest hard working woman who does indeed live an ethical moral life and it disgust me that people can be led by the nose to the slaughterhouse by liars who claim to live moral lives while in truth the Republican party do nothing of the kind. They just learned that all they have to do is bring up those two issues and church people jump hook, line and sinker while overlooking the immorality that the Republican's continue to generate. Nuff said and I have to go to bed since tomorrow is yet another day that this old woman will pull herself up early and stand for 8+ hours at work but get paid less then the men and be taxed the same. So how is that moral?

Message from a recovering republican

Andrea from Tacoma, WA — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:48:05 EDT

I realize this blog will rankle many of my liberal friends and many other Obama supporters. However, I feel it might help some people who see it as a crisis of faith to switch from the Republican ticket to the Democratic ticket. Please share this blog with your friends who are conservative Christians and are either on the fence or voting for McCain on the basis of religious beliefs.

One of my dear friends said during her hasty speech at the community caucuses so many months ago, “Barack Obama has the power to unite liberals and conservatives.” She was referring to our friendship. In Obama’s candidacy, we had mended our political fences. We had also found hope again. She is a card carrying member of the ACLU, and I have been active for most of my life in a Christian religion and community.

In 2000, I voted for George W. Bush against my better judgment. I heard many people say, and believed (at least in 2000), that he was a prayerful man. I admit to being duped. But that only partly explains my full, wholehearted support of Obama’s candidacy.

Unity, hope and faith are empowering, ennobling principles. And they are the principles upon which Obama’s campaign rests. He calls upon us to unify ourselves over common concerns, to hope again for change and goodness and responsiveness in our elected officials. No religion has the corner on faith. Faith is a principle of action and progress, and that is the central tenet of Obama’s promise to the American people. Just look up: "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bring about real change in Washington...I'm asking you to believe in yours."

Over the past eight years, the Bush Administration has simultaneously squandered our once burgeoning treasury and the trust of the American people. When Bush took office, our economy supported the global economy, and the US dollar was stronger than most in the world. Today, the IMF and several foreign prime ministers have not so subtly called for global monitoring of US fiscal policy, and the dollar is weaker than at any other time in my lifetime. Congress is deadlocked in partisan bickering. Our people have lost faith in governance, and the world has lost faith in the fiscal and social integrity of the United States. The Bush administration repeatedly lied to our people to justify taxes, war, and everything in between.

Throughout my life, I have struggled to find a candidate who will best protect and serve this country that I love and who I feel will best represent my interests. It is the very right of a United States citizen to do so, and from the moment Obama announced his candidacy, I have explored within myself both questions of politics and faith and find his values to coalesce nearly perfectly with my own.

Why have I felt separate from my religious community in supporting Obama/Biden? For one thing, Republican Party rhetoric targets conservative Christians. The wealthy represent only 5% of the voting block. Since the Reagan administration and the promulgation of “trickle down” economics, the Republican Party has served big business at the expense of all else. How do they garner the votes necessary to attain the White House when they serve only 5% of the population? Primarily, they achieve support by fanning the flames of a faith-based social war to define “American values.”

In supporting the Obama/Biden ticket I stand united with most Christians in believing the following:

Social Programs

It believe it is my duty to be my brother’s keeper, to love and care for the afflicted. We are all beggars before the Lord. We are commanded to serve and fight for the rights of the downtrodden, the persecuted, the weak, and the voiceless. Because of this belief, I also stand united with Obama/Biden:

Obama has promised to cut taxes for 95% of US families. Still, I would support and happily pay increased taxes for universal health care, increased support for single mothers, and any action we take to improve the broken welfare system.

Again, Obama has promised to cut taxes for 95% of US families. Still, I support and would happily pay for increased educational opportunities for all children who live in America, and would happily pay more taxes for increases in teacher’s salaries, increased technology in the classroom etc.

Energy Policy

I believe God created the earth, and requires His children who inhabit it to take care of it. Based on this belief, I support Obama/Biden because:

McCain’s energy policies are built on the “drill, baby, drill” premise. His solution to the energy problem is to stay at war and to drill locally, continuing to deplete local and global resources while supporting, at worst, tyranny - and at best, foreign economies at the expense of our own.

Obama’s energy policies draw upon the innovation, intelligence, and creativity of the American people. His proposed energy policy is green in two ways, simultaneously stimulating the economy (making green jobs and keeping them in the country) and preserving the planet.

Life/Choice

I believe in choice. I also believe in natural consequences. My views aren’t popular. They certainly aren’t politically correct. As a woman and a Christian, I see it this way: If, as a result of a conscious choice to have sex, a woman becomes pregnant, then she already exercised her right to choose. It is against both the laws of God and the natural order to terminate that life. Except in cases of rape and incest, I see abortion as a myopic response to a difficult situation. How can I support Obama/Biden if this is my personal belief?

Since Roe versus Wade, several Republican administrations have inhabited the White House. Not one of them has done anything to reverse Roe versus Wade. Yet, they’ve all garnered the conservative vote by speaking openly against abortion, politicizing a very personal issue and promoting division.

Although Obama’s stance on this important issue is more liberal than McCain’s, Obama’s message is one of unity. He proposes workable solutions. Rather than playing politics and manipulating the conservative vote, he asks us to find common ground. He recognizes that this is a complex and emotional issue. We, as an American people, are not likely to agree on abortion legislation. So, Obama proposes that we search for ways to work together to reduce unwanted pregnancy. We can all agree on the role of education and providing workable options. Additionally, it is likely that many women who would otherwise choose to terminate a pregnancy would actually choose to give birth if they had the opportunity to engage in affordable higher education, good health care, a reasonable wage, and equal pay for equal work. All of these issues are at the center of Obama’s campaign.

War

McCain seconds The Bush Doctrine. (I’m sure Palin would, if she actually understood it). The Bush Doctrine supports pre-emptive war. Christian doctrine eschews invading other countries and cultures on the basis of property or power. Although in modernity and historically many fundamentalists co-opt(ed) God for these purposes, all monotheistic interpretations of God and God’s doctrine clearly contradict The Bush Doctrine. We should not invade another country unless we are first attacked. We have a duty to defend our nation, but only to protect our homes, our lives, our families, and our way of life. So far, I see no proof that Iraq invaded or attacked the United States. The Bush administration now admits to this fact. Yet, we are still at war and McCain has committed to more war, indefinitely.

As anyone who follows voting records or the news knows, Senator Obama voted against the war in Iraq from the beginning, even when it was enormously unpopular to do so. His plan includes timelines for bringing home our troops, and bring them home with honor and respect.

Religion

America is built upon the separation of church and state for good reason. As a Christian, I fully support this separation. The right to worship God as we understand God, including no God at all, has made the United States a safe haven for every follower of a moral code. This separation must be protected for the sake of all citizens, including Christians. However, since Kennedy’s nomination (and probably even before then) religion has been an issue in the race for the White House.

McCain’s smear tactics decry Obama as Muslim. First, this hateful prejudice alone is problematic. Islam is not a terrorist organization. It is a monotheistic religion in which jihad actually refers to the inward struggle between good and evil. Even if Obama were Muslim, we would do well to understand that the Koran’s teachings are consistent with democracy, as well. That being the case, Obama is a Christian. This is how he defines himself, and he has publicly described his conversion process and his faith. McCain’s campaign of prejudice and manipulation should serve as fair warning that we would see more of the same, should they take office.

Democratic Principles

McCain’s proposed economic policies further the claims of a plutocracy, which is the right of the wealthy to govern. His campaign is supported by the wealthy, and his campaign advisors are among the most powerful lobbyists in Washington. Their campaign and their choices thus far clearly demonstrate a desire to increase and garner ever greater power for the wealthy, disenfranchising the middle class and obliterating the poor.

McCain’s smear tactics have denounced Obama as both an elitist and a socialist. (This web of lies converges to illustrate one great truth: McCain cannot even get his slanders straight.) Obama is neither a socialist nor an elitist; rather, he is a populist. He is a man of the people. Populists built this great democracy, this country that I love. Obama’s history speaks for itself. From humble beginnings, he attended the finest schools in the country. After graduating from Harvard Law, he pursued civil rights advocacy, a far less lucrative form of advocacy. For many years, he organized and galvanized his community. He became a Senator by stumping from the northern spread to the southern tip of Illinois, asking his people questions and listening to their answers. Sometimes he was received in the town hall; more often his audience consisted of a few people. He met with the few to be able to eloquently define and politically support, over time, the desires of many. And, despite his so-called “celebrity” status today, he is still meeting with people in small towns everywhere: Elko, Nevada is one very recent example.

From the beginning of this race and of his career, (some might even say the beginning of his life) Obama has represented the power of the people and of the American dream.

Abortion Rights 101 - a Primer for Politicians and Everyone Else

William from Cedar Hill, TX — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:49:36 EDT

As an abortion provider (MD) I performed an early first trimester abortion on a college senior some years ago. She had been seen a number of times among protestors at my clinic, and prior to her procedure she had told a clinic counselor that she was the president of her campus "pro-life" organization. Think about that. That must mean that she was one of their most committed and hardest agitators against legal and safe professional abortion care for several years, but when she got pregnant herself, she was in the clinic having an abortion within a week of her positive pregnancy test.

After I completed her abortion, I matter-of-factly asked her what she was now going to do about her affiliation with that anti-choice club. Startled, she gasped, sat abruptly upright on the operating table, and with horrified expression blurted out in a tremulous voice, . . .

Mercy Abortions: The truth about late abortion

AnnRose — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:19:06 EDT

Fewer than 2200/year or 0.2% of the 1.3 million abortions performed yearly are past 24 weeks. But, the anti-abortion propagandists have successfully maligned procedures at this stage of pregnancy by calling them "Partial Birth Abortions" (not a medical term, but a political one). Even pro-choice Democrats don't understand the reality of late abortion.

I call abortions past 24 weeks Mercy Abortions...and I'll tell you why.

For 14 years, I worked at Midtown Hospital in Atlanta, a woman's hospital specializing in late abortion. The hospital opened in 1977 because at that time, Georgia law mandated that an abortion past 12 weeks had to be performed in a hospital. Abortion had just been made legal in 1973 and it became the first procedure to be widely performed on an outpatient basis.

On being an Obama Catholic and a Scientist

Charlie — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:47:51 EDT

I was born a Catholic, attended Catholic grammar school, high school, and college. All our children attended Catholic CCD classes, were baptized and confirmed. I'm voting for Obama. At times this is difficult because just as during the 2000 and 2004 elections, we hear thinly veiled urgings from the pulpit to vote for the Republicans. This suggestion is based primarily on the Church view regarding abortion and stem cell research. Here is my take on those issues.

I agree with Obama's contraversial statement about when life begins --- no one knows. As a trained scientist, I am reminded of the fact that spontaneous abortions occur at about 2 to 4 times the rate of abortions by choice. It is known that the uterus will occassionaly flush a fertilized egg out of the woman's body within a few weeks. It is not known why and the specific numbers are not known because it happens before a woman is aware she is pregnant. As far as I have read, this is accurate biology. This is part of human reproduction. So if I am to believe that a soul is injected into a fertilized egg at conception, then I'd also have to believe millions of people are being flushed down the toilet each year. I don't believe God would be so wasteful of souls. It makes no sense. I think the Church theologians have it wrong. The problem is that no one really knows when life begins. So choosing an abortion is a risky, moral business and should be avoided. Society, and by extension our government, should help women make a better choice than having an abortion.

On stem cell research I believe scientists are challenging our understanding of what we mean by being a human being. Clearly there are moral and ethical issues here but once again I reject the argument that every stem cell is a potential human being and can not be tampered with. If that were the case, then the noctural ejaculations that every young male experiences through no fault of their own causes hundreds of millions of deaths per year.

When faith causes us to ignore good science, we will eventually become disillusioned with our faith. The reason is that nature is what it is not what we'd like it to be. Palin believes that the earth is not more than 6,000 years old because as a Pentecostal chrisitan she believes in a strict interpretation of the Bible. She also believes that evolution is incorrect and contradicts the Genesis story. As Catholics we see this as obsured having learned our lesson from treating Gallileo so poorly.

So we need to look at the candidates more carefully and determine which candidate is more likely to follow christian values. I believe it is Obama-Biden.

What you need to know about the Born Alive issue

Nia "Hussein" J. — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:34:58 EDT

Executive summary: What you need to know about the `born alive' issue

* this article was emailed to me a few days ago I hope it helps. you cen find it here;

http://blogs.chicagotribune.com/news_columnists_ezorn/2008/08/executive-summa.html

I understand that most of you don't have time to read my 4,000-word exegesis on the "born alive" issue from the other day. So I've boiled its essence into a 279-word summary to give you a basis on which to judge whether this bill has anything to do with "infanticide," as some claim:

Lawmakers who favor abortion rights as outlined in the U.S. Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade were wary of bills introduced earlier this decade on the federal and state level to confer certain rights upon any fetus that showed signs of life after having been expelled or extracted from the womb.

They feared that such laws were simply a back-door way for abortion foes, the main backers of such proposals, to restrict mid-term abortions allowed under Roe by creating complicating legal and practical obstacles to such procedures.

When pro abortion-rights lawmakers were satisfied that the "born alive" bills would not compromise abortion rights guaranteed under Roe, they voted overwhelmingly to approve the idea.

Illinois' liberal lawmakers needed more reassurance than federal lawmakers before agreeing to pass a "born alive" law. In part this was because abortion practice is regulated mainly by state laws, not federal laws, so seemingly benign changes in wording stand to have far-reaching consequences. And in part because the proposals were usually introduced with companion legislation that revealed a stronger intent behind the law by exposing doctors who perform mid-term abortions to additional legal risk.

So "born alive" bills failed repeatedly in Illinois from 2001 to 2004 in both chambers, with and without the involvement of then State Sen. Barack Obama.

In 2005, when additional language was added to a "born alive" bill in Illinois that explicitly spelled out that it would not impact abortion rights in any way, the law passed easily.

Proponents of the original bill, despite their constant reassurances that the proposals had nothing to do with abortion, nevertheless objected to the inclusion of the new language.
*UPDATE*
http://archpundit.com/blog/2008/08/20/the-problem-with-staneks-entire-argument/http://judiciary.house.gov/Legacy/73696.pdf#page=46The complaint of Jill Stanek, which is the crux of the "Born Alive Infant Protection Act" and the driving force behind 100% of the criticism of Barack Obama, is unfounded according to the pro-life former Attorney General of Illinois, Jim Ryan.The problem is with enforcement and rights to privacy.How would you prosecute something like this? And how can the state of Illinois attempt to investigate when it is an invasion of privacy to observe a medical procedure without consent from the patient?Those are questions that the pro-lifers need to answer.

Should women and girls have their relatives baby?

Christopher from Jersey City, NJ — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 21:18:05 EDT

In her third and final exclusive interview with ABC News' Charles Gibson, Sarah Palin said this about her view on abortion. "My personal opinion is that abortion [should be] allowed if the life of the mother is endangered. Please understand me on this. I do understand McCain's position on this. I do understand others who are very passionate about this issue who have a differing opinion," she said. Oh really?! In 2006, According to RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network) there were 272,350 victims of rape, attempted rape, or sexual assault. Almost 2/3 of all rapists are known to the victim - 7% are a relative. 7% of 272,350 equal 19,065. That is how many KNOWN possible pregnancies from a father, a grandfather, a brother, an uncle and so on, there were in 2006. What would Sarah Palin would tell those women and girls after they have just found out they are pregnant by a family member? Maybe she would tell them that since there life is not in any danger, they should have the baby. According to RAINN, 60% of all rapes, sexual assault and incest go unreported. There are many reasons why woman should have a right to decide what they do with their own bodies. Deciding whether or not they want to have a baby or not by a family member is one of the important ones.A vote for Sarah Palin is a vote against Pro-Choice!To review the statistics on rape, sexual abuse and incest visit www.rainn.org

40 Million Votes Up for Grabs - Vol 2

AnnRose — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:10:02 EDT

40 Million Votes

To reiterate. They are women who've had abortions. Who and where are the women who've had abortions? I'm one. Look around you. There is definitely a woman within earshot of you right now that's had an abortion. But, you say, there's no "slutty" looking women around me now. I'm at work. Or, I'm in church. Or, I'm at the gym.

We're there though. You can't avoid us. And to you politicians and candidates paying attention out there. Women who've had abortions are on your staff. They are relatives. They are friends, relatives, co-workers, volunteers, Republicans, Democrats, etc. Women who've had abortions are everywhere.

Eve Ensler (The Vagina Monologues) On Sarah Palin

Charley James — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:38:34 EDT

The unfortunate thing about Eve Ensler is that she wrote a famous play about vaginas. That's enough for any Fundamentalist to write her off, but they are not her target. She is trying to reach other, ordinary hockey moms who think Sarah Palin is just like them – not.

Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feminist and activist best known for The Vagina Monologues, wrote this about Palin:

Drill, Drill, Drill

I am having Sarah Palin nightmares. I dreamt last night that she was a member of a club where they rode snowmobiles and wore the claws of drowned and starved polar bears around their necks. I have a particular thing for Polar Bears. Maybe it's their snowy whiteness or their bigness or the fact that they live in the Arctic or that I have never seen one in person or touched one. Maybe it is the fact that they live so comfortably on ice.

Whatever it is, I need the polar bears.

I don't like raging at women. I am a Feminist and have spent my life trying to build community, help empower women and stop violence against them. It is hard to write about Sarah Palin. This is why the Sarah Palin choice was all the more insidious and cynical. The people who made this choice count on the goodness and solidarity of Feminists.

But everything Sarah Palin believes in and practices is antithetical to Feminism which, for me, is part of one story connected to saving the earth, ending racism, empowering women, giving young girls options, opening our minds, deepening tolerance, and ending violence and war.

I believe that the McCain/Palin ticket is one of the most dangerous choices of my lifetime, and should this country chose those candidates the fall-out may be so great, the destruction so vast in so many areas that America may never recover. But what is equally disturbing is the impact that duo would have on the rest of the world. Unfortunately, this is not a joke. In my lifetime I have seen the clownish, the inept, the bizarre be elected to the presidency with regularity.

Sarah Palin does not believe in evolution. I take this as a metaphor. In her world and the world of Fundamentalists nothing changes or gets better or evolves. She does not believe in global warming is melting of Arctic, the storms that are destroying our cities, the pollution and rise of cancers, are all part of God's plan. She is fighting to take the polar bears off the endangered species list. The earth, in Palin's view, is here to be taken and plundered. The wolves and the bears are here to be shot and plundered. The oil is here to be taken and plundered. Iraq is here to be taken and plundered. As she said herself of the Iraqi war, "It was a task from God."

Sarah Palin does not believe in abortion. She does not believe women who are raped and incested and ripped open against their will should have a right to determine whether they have their rapist's baby or not.

She obviously does not believe in sex education or birth control. I imagine her daughter was practicing abstinence and thus is a good example of how many babies abstinence makes.

Sarah Palin does not much believe in thinking. From what I gather she has tried to ban books from the library and has a tendency to dispense with people who think independently. She cannot tolerate an environment of ambiguity and difference. This is a woman who could and might very well end up President of the United States. She would govern one of the most diverse populations on the earth.

Sarah believes in guns. She has her own custom Austrian hunting rifle. She has been known to kill 40 caribou at a clip. She has shot hundreds of wolves from the air.

Sarah believes in God. That is of course her right, her private right. But when God and Guns come together in the public sector, when war is declared in God's name, when the rights of women are denied in his name, that is the end of separation of church and state and the undoing of everything America has ever tried to be.

I write to my sisters. I write because I believe we hold this election in our hands.

This vote is a vote that will determine the future not just of the U.S., but of the planet. It will determine whether we create policies to save the earth or make it forever uninhabitable for humans. It will determine whether we move towards dialogue and diplomacy in the world or whether we escalate violence through invasion, undermining and attack. It will determine whether we go for oil, strip mining, coal burning or invest our money in alternatives that will free us from dependency and destruction. It will determine if money gets spent on education and healthcare or whether we build more and more methods of killing. It will determine whether America is a free open tolerant society or a closed place of fear, fundamentalism and aggression.

If the Polar Bears don't move you to go and do everything in your power to get Obama elected then consider the chant that filled the hall after Palin spoke at the RNC, "Drill Drill Drill." I think of teeth when I think of drills. I think of rape. I think of destruction. I think of domination. I think of military exercises that force mindless repetition, emptying the brain of analysis, doubt, ambiguity or dissent.

I think of pain.

Do we want a future of drilling? More holes in the ozone, in the floor of the sea, more holes in our thinking, in the trust between nations and peoples, more holes in the fabric of this precious thing we call life?

Eve Ensler

Choice vs. Life

Frontporchblogger — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:19:59 EDT

I've been doing some calling for the Obama campaign and had a very enjoyable conversation with a McCain supporter. With that said, I take issue with one of his remarks. He views himself a conservative and against abortion. Somehow, it seems that pro-choice advocates have and are being touted as pro-abortionists...not so! He did say, however, that in the case of rape or incest, then he would understand a woman having an abortion...so, isn't he really pro-choice? In addition, he stated that he would appreciate the opportunity to adopt one of these unwanted children...he'd like to see the government change regulation on adoptions.

Has anyone out there, who are pro-life, take the child being born into some of the situations into consideration? What it would mean to them being concieved out of incest or rape...

I am pro-choice...which means that I feel it's the women's right to choose...based on her circumstances...not the governments. I take the position that if a woman chooses to have an abortion, then that decision is between her and God. A forgiving God.

In addition, do I believe abortion should be used as a means of birth control...NO. Do I encourage abortions...NO! When I was 17 and pregnant, did I have an abortion...NO! I simply am PRO-CHOICE. Not Pro-abortion!!!

What are your thoughts?

Above My Pay Grade - A better answer than most give credit for

Tough Democrat — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:13:00 EDT

Rights play a very important role in American culture. Our nation began with a declaration of the rights to liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The founding fathers of our government spent countless hours ensuring Citizen's rights are protected in our Constitution. And generations of women and African Americans fought for equal voting rights and civil rights. We even joke about our rights sometimes when we say things like "As an American I have the right to drink beer and eat hamburgers in my backyard" every July 4th.

So it shouldn't come as a suprise that many controversial topics in American society find themselves justifying their position based on rights. For example, people in favor of sensible handgun and assault rifle legislation often find themselves on the wrong side of rights argument as they are acused of trying to revoke the right to bear arms. Once the argument centers around a certain right, it immediately implies that any opposition is unquestionably wrong because rights are endowed to us by our creator.

Which brings us to Senator Obama's answer to the question "At what point does a baby get human rights"? Both sides of the abortion argument claim rights on their side, weather it be pro-lifers fighting for human rights of the unborn or pro-choicers fighting for the reproductive rights of women. A better question to ask is "At what point during the course of a pregnancy does that thing become a human being?". Then we get the concept of rights out of the way and we can start using our heads.

"When does that thing become a human?" is a much harder question to answer. The bounds are pretty simple to define however. At one extreme, conception. At the other, first breathe of air. Neither is a very good answer. The real answer, like with most questions, lies somewhere in the middle which makes it the hardest to figure out. And we can't turn to science to help because in order to prove anything scientifically we would be required to measure human-ness and we can't do that. Once you remove the fog created by the rights arguments, you realize that the question is a completely metaphysical one. Just like "Where do we go when we die?".

So when I heard Senators Obama's answer "It's beyond my pay grade", I heard, "I as a public servant can not answer metaphysical questions because they have no answer." And I thought it was wonderful answer that made more sense than most people gave it credit for. I think a very interesting even higher level topic is "What role should legislation play in metaphysical topics?".

We wouldn't want laws being passed that say heaven is fluffy and white like my cat Norton's fur because we can all agree that is a stupid use of goverment. Instead we allow people to think about heaven however they want. Which is why I'm pro-choice. Because I think it should be left up to the individual to decide themselves how to answer metaphysical questions that don't concern other people.

Some Thoughts on Abortion and Politics.

Dean Trippe — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:59:31 EDT

A pro-life friend of mine asked me to explain my support for Obama as it relates to the issue of Abortion rights, which we'd previously agreed on. I thought some of this might be useful for other folks with pro-life pals or pro-life opinions themselves, expecially those with other "traditional values" weighing on their hearts and minds. When I was finally willing to study abortion, I came to very different conclusions than those I'd held while nodding along to youth pastors decrying the loss of American values at church camps. This issue is divisive because it is complicated in reality and glaringly simple on the surface. As with most things, education is the only path to take.

0. Backstory.

I'm the product of a teenage pregnancy. As someone who was both an unplanned teenage pregnancy, abandoned by the father, and later adopted, my thoughts on these issues have always been informed by multiple points of view.

1. The Politics.

First off, let's just dismiss this idea that electing a Republican is the means to ensuring Roe v. Wade will be overturned. Six of the last eight years featured Republican control of the House, Senate, and White House all at the same time, as well as the Supreme Court part of that time, and no serious threat to that legal decision has been mounted. The simple fact is Republicans running for office make abortion an issue that pulls at our souls but they do not have any intention of changing its legal status. Whether you agree with Roe v. Wade or not, this should be an indisputable fact.

Republicans only claim to care about this issue during elections. I spent most of my life debating against abortion's legal status, thinking this was some hard-fought battle between social conservatives who love babies and the radical left who hated them, but it's not. Most Americans believe abortion should be legal, and so it shall remain. That's our system. So what is left for Republican candidates to turn into wedge issues? They invent new buzz words like "partial birth abortion" (now federally banned, totally misunderstood by most, like myself, who rallied against it) and introduce bills to "protect the lives of infants who've survived abortion procedures" (a false issue that's been around longer than you'd think).

Obama's opinion on this is clear. He believes that abortion should be legal and safe, but that instead of being divisive in our politics, we should be working TOGETHER to reduce the number of abortions. George Bush has not done that. Abstinence-only teaching cannot do that. This is an area Americans should have common ground on, reducing the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions, but instead we bicker over made up controversies filled with misinformation.

1a. Warning.

Reconciling my feelings about abortion's legal status meant a lot of research, and while it is necessary to replace misconceptions with truth, this subject can be disturbing, so if you want to stop here, I understand. If you can handle the stats and details, let's continue.

Thank you, Senator Biden

Deborah — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 22:05:26 EDT

First, let me say, thank you, Senator Biden. You are very courageous to share your personal belief in regards to when life originates and how a pluralistic society needs to regard the subject. I am especially sensitive to the issue of choice. Not because of abortion, but because reversing Roe vs. Wade would jeopardize IVF. In vitro fertilization offers a lifeline to many couples (such as my husband and myself--who suffered 8 years of undiagnosed infertility) desperate to conceive. Because embryos may be destroyed in the process of IVF, my concern is that with the election of McCain/Palin and their subsequent election of anti-choice Supreme Court Justices, that valuable inferitility treatment along with every other reproductive choice will be removed from the U.S. Constitution. In March 2000 a ban on in vitro fertilization occurred in Costa Rica, whose constitution extends full citizen rights to human embryos, becoming the only country in North or South America to do so. Were it up to ultra conservatives, whose ideas on the origin of 'personhood' differ from my husband's and mine, our three healthy, beautiful children would never have gotten the chance to be born.

McCain's Faith

H from Cave City, AR — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:04:08 EDT

In an interview with Beliefnet in September 2007, McCain said that "the Constitution established the United States of America as a Christian nation," and added that "the lady that holds her lamp beside the golden door doesn't say, 'I only welcome Christians.' We welcome the poor, the tired, the huddled masses. But when they come here, they know that they are in a nation founded on Christian principles." During his 2000 presidential campaign, McCain said the nation was founded on "Judeo-Christian values" but added that "political intolerance by any political party is neither a Judeo-Christian nor an American value." From: http://pewforum.org/religion08/compare.php?Issue=Church_and_State (emphasis mine)

Really? The United States of America is a Christian Nation? The President is not called upon to be our moral or spiritual guide, but rather takes an oath to defend the Constitution. Perhaps this presidential want-to-be should pursue that document and review his history a bit more carefully. In establishing the Constitution, the founding fathers wrote in its preamble one of its major goals, that of securing “The Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” Further the FIRST Amendment is non-preferentialist in nature and continues to so be interpreted by the Supreme Court. In fact, the word “Christian” or any reference to Jesus is conspicuously absent in both the Declaration of Indepenedence and the Constitution. True, the overwhelming majority of the founding fathers were Christian. Many denominations were represented including Roman Catholocism. There were also several diests and even an atheist or two among the ratifiers of the Constitution. Many Jews participated in the revolution and some 24 served as officers in George Washington’s army. The USA is a religiously neutral country where the majority of its founders and residents were/are Christian. And while we’re on the subject let me state without fear of contradiction that the “Judeo-Christian” ethic is a myth. Show me one legal or ethical precept used in the United States based upon a new idea found in the “New Testament” and I will gladly retract this statement. “Turn the other cheek” and “If a man steals your coat give him your boots too” have not found their ways into the law books (thankfully).

McCain supports overturning Roe v. Wade and banning abortion except in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother…McCain supports abstinence-based initiatives and has said that he hopes there might be "a point where [Roe v. Wade] is irrelevant … because abortion is no longer necessary." From: http://pewforum.org/religion08/compare.php?Issue=Church_and_State (emphasis mine) Would that overturning Roe vs. Wade would only affect abortion. Even the most die-hard pro-lifer would likely dismiss abortion as a method of birth control. But that’s not really the issue. Roe vs. Wade affirms the right of privacy as an unalienable right. If overturned, not only would the decision of abortion be sent back to the states, but likewise whether any right to privacy is gauranteed by the Constitution would again be called back into question. Do you really want the state governement deciding how you can and cannot sleep with your wife? How about whether birth control is legal in your state (how about that? Let’s get rid of birth control and abortion in the same stroke. Talk about oxymorons and conflicts of interest). How about having your children brought up on charges for buying condemns or making out on your couch? If Roe vs. Wade is repealed, the consciousess defender of the Constitution would make sure the right to privacy is defined by Constitutional ammendment first. I heard a wise person recently say that they’d also like the lives of their grown babies protected, yet the McCain administration would undoubtably continue this unholy war and continue the slaughter of thousands of such children each year. There are numerous destractors this year as during Bush’s two campaigns (i.e. abortion, gay marriage). If you’re in need of a big daddy to take care of you, McCain certainly may merit your consideration. But if you’re not dyed in the same wool as he, you will undoutably find yourself poorer and with less rights during his tenure than had you voted out the current administration and its successor.

Anti-Abortion, Pro-Choice

Nicole — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:34:28 EDT

If I had a position for the Obama campaign, it would be...

I am anti-abortion, but pro-choice. I think abortion is a horrible thing. I would hope that there would be no more unwanted pregnancies in America. That the news of a new baby would bring joy to the expecting parents, but that's not the world we live in. Until we can live in a world where there is no rape, no incest, no abusive relationships, we have to allow for women to make a choice that only they can make.

I know that there is a strong Christian argument against abortion, but I think we have to remember that Jesus had strong positions, but he forgave, he didn't punish. Some things are between people and God.

40 Million Votes Up for Grabs

AnnRose — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 10:28:55 EDT

Yup. 40 million votes. They're laying on the table. Who wants them? And who are these 40 million votes?

Women who've had abortions, that's who.

These numbers could mean victory for Obama-Biden in the upcoming Presidential election. And these 40 million women already voted pro-choice. They voted with their feet by walking into a clinic.

40 million votes.

The estimates of the Evangelical Christians that supposedly won the 2004 election for George Bush are only 20 million.

Drill, Drill, Drill

Angel from Las Vegas, NV — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 08:45:02 EDT

Just pass it on. Eve Ensler, the American playwright, performer, feministand activist with a great soul and compassion best known for "The VaginaMonologues", wrote the following about Sarah Palin.Drill, Drill, Drill

Women's Rights Question for Mr. McCain

Robert from Kirkland, WA — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 20:31:09 EDT

Senator McCain and his running mate have both stated emphatically that they are adamantly opposed to abortion, and have supported the Bush policies of severely limiting access to all forms of birth control information, except abstinance. They have a right to their beliefs and opinions, and should never be "forced" to change them in the conduct of their personal lives. But not everybody in this country of 305 million people shares those beliefs and opinions, and there are countless reasons surrounded by specific personal circumstances, religious differences, and physical or mental health issues that cause differing viewpoints.

So the more important question, and one that is never asked, is; Why do Mr. McCain and his running mate believe they have the right to "force" their beliefs and opinions about this extremely personal matter on everyone else?

Power Play or Christian Piety

Tennyson — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 20:34:02 EDT

The Abortion Gorilla in the Pennsylvania Voting Booth

For years I have been deeply concerned that on account of this abortion debate, the theoretical best has been the bitter enemy of the immediate practical good, causing untold suffering for people we can see and touch. As for the unborn, I think that at the very worst they miss the chance to come to earth and their souls are back sinless with their God. He will take care of them. Those who make it to this earth are our responsibility as fellow human beings. I feel like our job is to take care of our needy neighbors like good Samaritans.

So I find myself questioning the practical sense of some of my Catholic Church Leaders' stance on abortion. I am concerned at the Church's evident preference for coercion over persuasion in its opposition to the practice of abortion.A single mother of limited educational achievement has very little social support for raising her child. She must work but certainly cannot afford decent child care. I am convinced that if many of these pregnancies were carried to birth, the infants would face a life of hardship and neglect. As a result many would become social misfits and often criminals. Or consider the situation of a poor family facing the prospect of raising a malformed child requiring lifelong medical care. That family is often facing bankruptcy as well as hardship for the other children in the family.We need social reforms that would make it possible for even a poor family to raise a crippled child in decent living conditions and also know that after they die society will not abandon that child. We need reforms that give all children including those born to poor single mothers a chance of a decent life.

Unfortunately some of the most vocal opponents of abortion are the strongest opponents of these reforms. These politicians attract Catholic support the way honey attracts flies.On the other hand some of the politicians most opposed to the coercive banning of abortion, are those who are striving to create conditions on the ground that would encourage women with unwanted pregnancies to carry the fetus to term. These politicians would like to create a social situation that would enable even a poor family to care lovingly for a chronic disability. However the practical effect of the Church's emphasis on making abortion illegal is to discourage Catholics from voting for such candidates.So we refuse to participate in the creation of conditions that would reduce the incidence of abortion in a voluntary way.

Thus we perpetuate by default the conditions that encourage what we regard as a grave sin, but like avenging angels we call for legal proscription. This seems to me too much like the oppression that was the modus operandi of the medieval Church. It's getting hard for me to support this doctrinaire approach that ignores the clearly visible suffering of the already born.As a result the pronouncements of some of our bishops are beginning to feel more like a power play than Christian Piety in action.

The View asks the questions we all want answered

Don DePasquale — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:10:48 EDT

Fri Sep 12, 2008 at 11:25:09 AM PDT

John McCain was on The View today and it was an awful roasting. He was pinned up and down the couch.

Barbara Walters in particular, who tends to stand down on these occasions really went after the old man. She really tried to pin him on picking such a right wing nut for the VP. She specifically confronts him about what qualifies her as a reformer. Notably they tell him that she did give out earmarks and McCain LIES and says she never did so as a governor. Joy outright calls his ads about "lipstick" and comprehensive sex education for kindergartners "LIES"

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/9/12/14548/1822/636/596361

McCain: Roe v. Wade was “a Very Bad Decision”

Kat — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:54:37 EDT

With the intentionally stirred-up fervor over McCain’s choice of Sarah Palin as VP dying down, the Republican ticket is finally being forced to give real answers to important questions. McCain and Palin have both been asked about their positions on issues affecting women’s rights -- and what is forming from their answers is a terrifying future for all American women.

When asked in a Sept. 12 interview on “The View” about his position on Roe v. Wade, McCain responded with “I believe Roe v. Wade was a very bad decision.” He went on to explain that if Roe v. Wade was overturned, the decision on whether to legalize abortion would be turned over to the individual state governments. While this might amount to a stricter interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, leaving such decisions in the hands of the states -- as McCain argued -- it would also result in a period of time when abortions were legal in no states as each state legislature argued and voted on what policy to enforce in their own state. Additionally, it is safe to expect that many states -- especially those dominated by conservative voters -- might vote to keep abortion illegal, condemning the women in those states to unsafe practices and unwanted pregnancies. This policy might result in a woman having to travel through several states to reach a place that would legally and safely provide her with an abortion.

Now, here we must consider a woman with an unwanted pregnancy in this overturned-Roe-v.-Wade future. Perhaps she was raped; maybe she became pregnant on accident. Perhaps she is lucky enough to live in one of the states that voted to keep abortions legal, safe and accessible to all women. Perhaps she lives in one of the states where abortion is no longer legal, but she is fortunate enough to be able to have the resources to locate an out-of-state clinic that can perform the abortion, and fortunate enough to have the money to travel the distance to undergo the procedure. Perhaps she lives in a no-abortion state, and she does not have the resources to seek out an abortion clinic that is 300 miles away, much less pay for the transportation. It is this last woman that would clearly be hurt the most by the overturning of Roe v. Wade, and this last woman is a member of the demographic of American woman that have the most need for, and therefore the most, abortions.

From the Guttmacher Institute’s Web site (www.guttmacher.org): “The abortion rate among women living below the federal poverty level ($9,570 for a single woman with no children) is more than four times that of women above 300% of the poverty level (44 vs. 10 abortions per 1,000 women). This is partly because the rate of unintended pregnancies among poor women (below 100% of poverty) is nearly four times that of women above 200% of poverty* (112 vs. 29 per 1,000 women).”

Making abortion illegal does nothing to address the issues and concerns that result in these women having abortions in the first place.

Again, from the Guttmacher Institute: Of women seek abortions, “Three-fourths of women cite concern for or responsibility to other individuals; three-fourths say they cannot afford a child; three-fourths say that having a baby would interfere with work, school or the ability to care for dependents; and half say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner.” Outlawing abortions does nothing to address these women’s economic struggles, nothing to address their commitments to other individuals who may depend on them for care, and nothing to address the occurrences of abuse, lack of sexual education and other factors that contribute to unwanted pregnancies.

Even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, women in need will still seek out abortions. Instead of these abortions being performed in clean, safe clinics with aftercare, they will be performed in unlicensed operations with no regulation, no aftercare and no safety. The horror of the back-alley shop and the coat hanger will be revived. If Roe v. Wade is overturned, the abortion rate for underprivileged women -- and all others who have no access to other options -- may as well be renamed the murder rate.

While John McCain and the Republican party may not care about the plight of American women in need -- perhaps they are too busy having insurance-sponsored Viagra parties celebrating the rising cost of contraceptives -- we the American people should stand up and say that we care.

We care about ourselves, about each other and about those of us in need. McCain and the Republicans are not welcome in decisions over our reproductive health and safety.

And by the way, McCain, tell Sarah Palin that her decision to charge rape victims for their own care and examination (http://tinyurl.com/4vu7z7) doesn’t really score any points with us, either.

LTE - Lee's Summit Journal

Geoffrey from Lees Summit, MO — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 10:29:38 EDT

The following letter is in response to commentary from Dan Hall of Lee's Summit, MO that appeared in the Lee's Summit Journal on September 10, 2008. I would link to the original commentary, but the Community Forum portion does not seem to be working. It should be noted that the Journal's policy is to not edit letters to the editor. However, Mr. Hall's piece is presented as commentary, complete with his picture, so I find it odd that so many typos were left uncorrected. I have a tendency to write very long letters to the Journal, so I will post the first paragraph here, and the rest can be found after the jump. EDIT - Okay, my high horse is a little shorter now. I have corrected several grammatical mistakes here that unfortunately made it into the letter sent to the paper. Apparently my haste did indeed lead to waste.

I don’t know about Dan Hall’s forty-million-dollar Americans, but I was not very impressed at all by Gov. Palin. While she is certainly a good public speaker, and a skilled politician, I have heard nothing of substance from her since her arrival on the national stage, and the only truth I’ve heard from her is that she is a pit bull with lipstick. Her “refreshing” speeches are filled with nothing but smears of Senator Obama and exaggerations of her own record. She claims that the “Bridge to Nowhere” was killed by her pen, but she merely stuck it in the proverbial dead horse. Not only that, but far from saying, “Thanks, but no thanks,” to Congress, she kept the $200 million for her state, including $27 million for the road that was to lead up to the infamous bridge. As mayor of Wasilla, she hired lobbyists in a successful effort to obtain earmarks for her town amounting to $27 million, many of which where harshly criticized by Sen. McCain. She has also requested nearly $400 million in earmarks for Alaska for 2008-9, yet loudly proclaims that she is against them without any reference to her former position. Even after all of the major news outlets revealed the truth about her role in pursuing federal dollars for the BtN, and its eventual demise, she still uses her version of the story in stump speeches across America. I guess she doesn’t want to lie to us one way in St. Paul, and another way in Lee’s Summit. As to that jet she put on eBay, while it makes for good rhetoric in a speech, it is worth noting that after three attempts to auction it off, it was finally sold by an aircraft broker for $600,000 less than they paid for it.

A choice to divide

Margie P. — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 09:30:39 EDT

Next time the Republican campaign opens its mouth in praise of the superiority of rural folks, consider this, from Harrup:

You'd never know from the recent Republican convention that America was about to remember the terrorist attack on New York, when 411 city firefighters, police and medical personnel died trying to save people they had never met.

Barack Obama vs. Sarah Palin

mathpol — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 08:38:18 EDT

Obama
Palin

Is Hawaii really part of America?
Is Alaska really part of America?

Charismatic star power when speaking
Ditto

Sometimes sounds like an egg-head
Sounds like a ditto-head

Opponents try to paint spouse as not patriotic (“Proud“ statement)
Ditto (Alaska Independence Party)

Opposes more drilling for oil in Alaska
Asked churchgoers to pray for a natural gas pipeline in Alaska

His former church pastor doesn’t always watch his tongue
In her church they speak in tongues

Has somewhat rigid position on abortion
Has extremely rigid position on abortion

Believes in faith-based initiatives
Practices faith-based politics