The Silent Issue

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  • Posted By: kw3400 @ 11/04/2008 10:49:20 AM

    BTW For anyone who is posting who has had an abortion or knows someone who has had one, i want you to know that i am not judging you and i don't hate you As a mother, a Chrisitan (and i am not republican) I simp;ly am a human being who values the rights of the unborn.

  • Posted By: wilsan @ 11/04/2008 9:34:24 AM

    I know of a mother's life that was destroyed by an abortion. The guilt destroyed her, not the act. the act was easy to come by.

    Newsweek is a dishonest rag, part of the "in the Tank for Obama".media. Newsweek will not be doing
    'news' but will be doing liberal propaganda on this issue.

    reader beware.

    • Posted By: ck3313 @ 11/04/2008 10:47:59 AM

      Every woman's reaction to the abortion is completely different. I feel no regret, I did not even cry. While, it is sad that she did feel remorse after, that is not the case in every situation. I actually believe I have become a better person for it. There was an article about how women will not vote for McCain/Palin due to post-abortion remorse, because we have all become promiscuous, drug addicted alcoholics with feelings of regret. I can assure you that I was not that before the abortion, and I am definitely not that after.

  • Posted By: Conservative-Liberal @ 11/04/2008 9:02:24 AM

    The "abortion debate" is usually one started by republicans ... they avoided it this time because palin's stance is so far to the right its ludicrous. Her admission that she would not make allowances even in the instance of pregnancy due to rape or incest or when the mother's life is in jeopardy is enough to scare most pro-life supporters ... and it should .. the notion that little Suzie not only has to learn to cope and live with the memory of Uncle Jack raping her, she also has the 9 months of carrying the child to help her remember what he did ... that'd be good for a woman's mental health, I'm sure.

    • Posted By: lagata @ 11/04/2008 10:45:46 AM

      Good point, but John McCain made it very clear he doesn't give a damn about women's "health" particularly not their mental "health." To him (and many other so-called pro-lifers) "health" is just a sneaky way abortion-loving women circumvent restrictions to finagle all those wonderful abortions they can't get enough of!

  • Posted By: microgeek @ 11/04/2008 10:43:11 AM

    Regarding point 3 of the argument for Obama:
    "After 35 years, anti-abortion activists have accomplished very little, politically, to end legal abortion. Why not try something new? Work on the state level for restrictions? "

    Won't the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act, which Obama has said he would like to sign into law as one of his first acts in office, abolish any restrictions for abortion at the state level? If so, this is an invalid argument for "trying something new". By "something new" do you mean "give up"?

  • Posted By: microgeek @ 11/04/2008 10:40:24 AM

    Regarding point 3 of Kmeic's argument:
    "After 35 years, anti-abortion activists have accomplished very little, politically, to end legal abortion. Why not try something new? Work on the state level for restrictions?"

    Won't the passage of the Freedom of Choice Act, which Obama has said he would like to sign into law as one of his first actions in office, abolish any possibility for restrictions at the state level? If so, this point is not an argument FOR Obama, but AGAINST.

  • Posted By: mickisuzanne @ 11/04/2008 10:16:35 AM

    I have never had an abortion, would have never HAD an abortion and FULLY BELIEVE nobody has any right to tell another individual how to handle such intensely personal decisions. In my mind, this issue is not about abortions - because they will go on whether they are legal or not - but control. I resent anyone thinking they have some right to tell me what to do on intimate levels. Here's a personal note to the people who sent me dead and aborted baby photos in emails in recent months - besides insulting and alienating someone who is "personally" anti-abortion, you have strengthened my resolve to keep people LIKE you out of public office.

    • Posted By: liberaldemocratwoman @ 11/04/2008 10:39:54 AM

      Thank you and thank momwoman...both have stated very eloquently my feelings as well, though I am pro life myself I also believe that the seperation of state a religion is a good thing. What if the person making the laws doesn't share my religous views? Our founding fathers wanted religous freedom...not religous dictation!

  • Posted By: AeroSC @ 11/04/2008 10:38:04 AM

    The thing that makes me really angry is people saying that if you vote for Obama you are not a true Catholic, that is outrageous. Like Catholics (and Christian alike) is are only supposed to care about this one issue and ignore all the other issues out there.

    I don't think it's Christian to support War, Death Penalty, not supporting the Poor, making the rich get richer, destroying our environment, being hyprocitical, not giving people equal rights, not allowing people to make personal choices, etc. But I won't say that if you vote McCain you are not a true Catholic!

    I think the way of tackling abortion (a horrible thing) is not by making it illegal which would result in hundreds of black market abortion clinics being created without any health standards and all the problems that would create. It's simple economics, if there is a demand for it, it will not go away by eliminating some of the supply because the MARKET will create supply somewhere else.

    The thing is to go after the demand, the need for it. This can be done by working on eliminating unwanted pregancies (the Catholic Church can help by promoting contraception finally! [I can't believe they still don't]), helping counseling pregnant women that are unsure about what decision to make (I'm saying just giving them advice not deciding for them), improving the adoption process, financially helping single poor mothers who want to keep the baby, etc.

    Look Obama is not perfect and perhaps this FOCA should be reworded in a way that doesn't openly promote abortion. For instance, I do not agree with government funding for abortions unless it's in a case of rape, incest, or severe health/death of the mother.

    On most issues I agree mostly with Obama than McCain, and generally the Democrats than the Republicans. That is why I have voted for Obama, and I am Catholic and go to church every week. The thing is I think for myself, and I know this is the right decision for me. God is the only judge not all the Catholic bishops in the world, or all the Catholic people in the world who say voting for Obama is not a Catholic thing, that is just wrong.

  • Posted By: whadamess @ 11/04/2008 9:55:11 AM

    WHERE is the discussion on LIVE BIRTH ABORTIONS? WHY has this issue been avoided in the News Media -- as well as everywhere else??? REPORT THE TRUTH -- the actual voting records...

    • Posted By: readre @ 11/04/2008 10:37:48 AM

      Know the truth!!!

      Illinois State Senate 92nd General Assembly; Senate Vote on Bill No. 1661. Obama opposed protection for the infant born alive surviving the abortion.

  • Posted By: kw3400 @ 11/04/2008 10:05:51 AM

    It is the president who appoints the Supreme Court judges who make the final decision on laws passed for abortion. That is why it is so important to vote for the president who has a voting record that is pro life

    • Posted By: Peanut Santiago @ 11/04/2008 10:08:22 AM

      So true...........yet why are the conservative majority on the Supreme Court NOT overthrowing legal abortion? They are mostly Republican picks... Just wondering....

      • Posted By: anotherignorantamerican @ 11/04/2008 10:11:44 AM

        Because, regardless of what they may personally believe, they must follow public opinion and the public majority in this country is pro-choice.

        • Posted By: allydo791 @ 11/04/2008 10:37:30 AM

          The Supreme Court was never intended to be a political body who made its own laws and did whatever the people tell them. This branch of government was created with the sole purpose of determining the consitutionality of laws made by Congress. The Legislative branch of government (Senate and House of Representatives) is the brach which drafts laws. This structure of government would prevent any situation where our rights as humans and American citizens could be taken away with new laws...checks and balances
          Our forefathers were absolutely brilliant in creating our government and I really wish people knew more about how incredibly intelligent these men were.

        • Posted By: Peanut Santiago @ 11/04/2008 10:22:15 AM

          Maybe the Supreme Court justices do not want to mix church and state...or when life begins. Maybe they do not want to go back to the days of maimed and dead women from illegal abortions. ******* This court leans more to the conservative than the liberal side....

      • Posted By: kw3400 @ 11/04/2008 10:17:38 AM

        I believe it has less to do with the political party and more to do with how that individual judge views the life of the unborn child

      • Posted By: allydo791 @ 11/04/2008 10:14:17 AM

        You cant have the Constitution being changed anytime there is a new majority in the Supreme Court. It is not the way the system works. That would be absolutely ridiculous.
        Add ammendment
        New judge elected gives one party the majority, take the ammendment off.
        Back on
        Back off
        Back on...
        The system doesnt work that way.

      • Posted By: tbourlon @ 11/04/2008 10:13:48 AM

        No they are not - what makes you think that? Breyer & Ginsburg are Clinton appointees, Stevens is a liberal, Kennedy and Souter are centrists that vote pro-choice. Only 4 out of 9 fit your definition, not a majority, but don't let the facts get in the way of your "opinions."

  • Posted By: anthonyva @ 11/04/2008 9:33:50 AM

    I get upset over the assumption that just because someone is Pro-Choice that they will automatically choose to have an abortion - that is an extremist mentality. NO ONE is pro-abortion - but the freedom of choice is something that is given to us by God - no one can take that away from us - it is what makes us human - FREE WILL. So please, why can we not have a civilized conversation about this - all the yelling will never get the "other side" to listen to anything you have to say.

    I believe we as a people are inherently good and given the choice, MOST people will make the right choice, however, there are always extenuating circumstances we have to consider .

    • Posted By: tbourlon @ 11/04/2008 10:36:25 AM

      I'd LOVE to have an intelligent conversation with you, but I don't think it will make much difference. I disagree, there are definitely some "pro-abortion" people out there, like Obama, who wouldn't even vote to save the life of a baby born alive from abortion. I don't know what you would call that, except for "pro-abortion." I believe you when you say that not all "pro-choice" people would get an abortion, in fact it amazes me that so many "pro-choice" people insist that they would NEVER get one themselves. I just don't understand how someone can be so supportive of a choice they would never take for themselves, for the very reason that I am opposed to abortion. Because you KNOW it's wrong, don't you? If I could, I'd pass a law REQUIRING all women who wanted sex but not kids to be on the pill. Somebody should force them to take responsibility. It is absolutely immoral to carelessly create a life that you know you will just turn around and terminate. Do you think that's too harsh?

  • Posted By: MWMaine @ 11/04/2008 9:35:01 AM

    If Obama is elected, millions of lives will be lost to abortion. Period. If you understand that, and still vote with your own health care, economics, and this false hope that Al Qaeda will not regroup and kill even more Americans in our country if we leave the mid-East in mind, you will answer for your choice. What will you give as a reason? "human rights?" You don't have any rights if you're a Christian. You belong to God, you have been commanded to love Him, and try as hard as you can to be like Jesus. It's an impossible feat on this Earth, in this body, but we have to try.
    Obama will probably win. Because he is a secular candidate in a secular country. The path to Heaven is narrow, remember, and this world will always oppose the Christian viewpoint. Don't worry...it's meant to be this way. But as a Christian, you need to vote for morality, not economy.

    • Posted By: lagata @ 11/04/2008 10:35:25 AM

      "Millions of lives will be lost" no matter who becomes President. The irony is that abortion levels dropped during the Clinton years, and rose again during the Bush years. Women opt against abortion when they have social and financial security, and these conditions are more likely to occur with the Democrats in power. So will you vote for Obama if it means fewer abortions in real numbers?

      What a dumb question. Of course not, because all pro-lifers care about is labels - who is "pro-life" and who is "pro-abortion." If you cared about actually reducing the number of abortions ("saving lives") you would support candidates who contribute to social and financial security for the greatest segments of the populations, yet so-called "pro-lifers" consistently vote for candidates whose policies have the effect of increasing the rates of abortion in this country. Maybe you should think about answering for THAT to your God before judging others for their position on abortion.

    • Posted By: Peanut Santiago @ 11/04/2008 9:41:03 AM

      The Supreme Court is full of Republican appointees.... Funny that you think a Democratic president has such power over laws all by himself. There must be a reason conservative "pro-life" (?) judges uphold the status quo of choice....

  • Posted By: Conservative-Liberal @ 11/04/2008 10:33:48 AM

    I believe abortion is wrong ... that said, think about this:
    We tried prohibition of alcohol ... people still drank and more people died as a result of illegal practices.
    The Harrison Narcotics Act was approved in 1914 ... and we're still trying to stop the use. (And don't say I'm advocating legalization, not the point here at all.)
    Try to take my guns ... and you can pry them from my cold, dead fingers.
    ...bottom line ... ... ...
    OUTLAW ABORTIONS AND ONLY OUTLAWS WILL DO ABORTIONS
    So instead of losing one life, put two in danger.
    One final point, no man will ever have to sit alone in a room, in a paper gown and need to decide if they should abort their pregnancy, we should ban ourselves from this discussion. I've said my piece ....
    May your God smile down upon you and give you what He knows you need to live a happy life.
    Peace

  • Posted By: misch-SD @ 11/04/2008 10:15:13 AM

    So AnthonyVA, your solution it to kill the child on the chance he or she might not have a perfect life. That they should not have a chance at life just because this world is not perfect? That we as humans mess up? Silver spoon or not name me one human being who has a perfect life with no obstacles to overcome. The point is it is LIFE. Anydwe all deserve a chance at it. You want a choice? Choose not to have sex irresponsibly. Choose to know that is you have sex a child could come from that union and be prepared for it. Don't kill an innocent child because you chose to have sex irresponsibly. It you can't be respobsible then KEEP YOUR PANTS ON!!!

  • Posted By: nellie's mom @ 11/04/2008 9:43:50 AM

    I am constantly amazed that so many "Pro Choice" people think nothing of aborting a human being, but they will fight to the death to save a polar bear, or a cat. I have a friend who now has 10 cats because she takes in strays. But she doesn't even blink at the thought of a baby being murdered. And the old song about ....in the case of rape or incest.... I would be willing to venture a guess that the actual numbers of abortions in these cases are so small they don't register. It's just a convenient method of birth control for the majority of women. And in case you're wondering, I know of what I speak. I've had first hand experience, Abortion is too easy of a choice. But as far as it being a political stand, only God will judge our souls. But he will remember what we did for the least of these.

    • Posted By: ck3313 @ 11/04/2008 9:52:37 AM

      I took all necessary precautions and abortion was my last choice, but STILL a choice, that I made. I am not saying it is the right choice for everyone, but it was for me. And for sake of argument, if there is a God, he will judge me because I took the responsible step and did not bring a child into this world that could not be taken care of or loved properly. Also, your pet argument is ridiculous.

      • Posted By: dadej @ 11/04/2008 10:32:23 AM

        Your pet argument is certainly NOT ridiculous. Animals do not have souls and were never intended by God to be on the same level as humans. Humans do have souls and will live in Heaven or Hell forever, that fact does not change just because someone does not believe it. Tree huggers today try to convince themselves that they will not have to pay for the murder that they call abortion, but they want to throw someone in jail for three years if he hauls a horse to Mexico for slaughter. There will be a bitter reaping for this outrageous reasoning.

  • Posted By: sonyag08 @ 11/04/2008 9:46:01 AM

    How about, instead of trying to end abortion at the point of abortion, why don't we try to end abortion where it starts: unintended pregnancy. Something like 90% of abortions are a result of an unintended pregnancy. Imagine if we educated all women on their options for birth control and made it accessible and affordable. That would drastically reduce the number of abortions requested as a result of an unintended pregnancy.

    • Posted By: Phoenix77 @ 11/04/2008 10:30:34 AM

      That is what Obama is proposing

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 11/04/2008 10:30:22 AM

    Make no mistake - those of us who believe in a woman's right to make choices about her body don't feel any less strongly about it, either. For many of us, this is a black and white issue, and a complete deal-breaker.

    I remember thinking in 2000 that John McCain was the only republican I could imagine tolerating as president, and even though John did and said some desperate things this cycle, still think so.

    Palin, just like Bush before her, was totally unacceptable, for several reasons, but their militant anti-abortion stand tops the list.

    Abortion hasn't been a central debate in the 2008 campaign, because the debate is over - people are either for it, or against it - there's nothing left to debate.

  • Posted By: C. MacLean @ 11/04/2008 10:29:44 AM

    Make no mistake - those of us who believe in a woman's right to make choices about her body don't feel any less strongly about it, either. For many of us, this is a black and white issue, and a complete deal-breaker.

    I remember thinking in 2000 that John McCain was the only republican I could imagine tolerating as president, and even though John did and said some desperate things this cycle, still think so.

    Palin, just like Bush before her, was totally unacceptable, for several reasons, but their militant anti-abortion stand tops the list.

    Abortion hasn't been a central debate in the 2008 campaign, because the debate is over - people are either for it, or against it - there's nothing left to debate.

  • Posted By: mmsiciliana@dls.net @ 11/04/2008 9:59:40 AM

    I am not pro-drunk driving, I am "pro-choice." I don't think anyone is pro-drunk driving. I drove drunk once and I have never regretted it. Given the same circumstances, I would do it again.
    If you don't want to drive drunk, don't do it. If you don't want your child to drive drunk, teach him or her to use a breathalyzer before getting behind the wheel, don't simply teach them to abstain from driving drunk. The only way to prevent more drunk driving is to have the right education system in place to promote breathalyzer use and cirrhosis of the liver prevention. Most of you also need to educate yourselves more on the science of drunk drivingt. You protesters, on campuses, are completely unaware that those vile posters you are holding up over your heads are not even a true representation of accidents caused by drunk driving. Educate yourselves.
    I am fully opposed to forced staying where I'm at when I'm drunk and the government taking away MY civil right to choose what to do with MY body. If I want to drive drunk, I will.

    • Posted By: ck3313 @ 11/04/2008 10:01:26 AM

      Also, come up with your own posts. How old are you, seven? Glad to see you took my words to heart.
      Grow up.

      • Posted By: shasta0398 @ 11/04/2008 10:07:23 AM

        You said, "I am fully opposed to forced staying where I'm at when I'm drunk and the government taking away MY civil right to choose what to do with MY body. If I want to drive drunk, I will."

        It's not about YOU?! Stop being so selfish about YOUR right to drink and drive and think about the child or mother or father you might kill because God forbid someone take away YOUR RIGHT! Are you serious that can't look beyond yourself and see that we could care less if those who want to drink and drive kill themselves with their reckless behavior...it's our families and friends we're trying to protect from people like you.

        • Posted By: ck3313 @ 11/04/2008 10:23:45 AM

          This was my original post..."Like Obama said, "I don't think anyone is pro-abortion."

          You may be pro-life and against abortion and that is your CHOICE. I am not pro-abortion, I am pro-choice. Two years ago, I had to make that choice. I had an abortion and I do not regret my decision in the least bit. And to be completely honest, I did not cry once...not once. Obviously not a pleasant experience, I would have no qualms doing it again if placed in a similar situation. I needed to have the choice to do with my body, what I choose, not have you, Christian conservatives (the majority of you men, who will never fully understand) force your religious views and morals on me.

          If you do not want an abortion, don't get one. If you don't want your daughter to get an abortion, teach her the appropriate birth control methods, not abstinence only. The only way to prevent more abortions is to have the right education system in place to promote birth control and STD prevention. Most of you also need to educate yourselves mor eon the science of abortion. You protesters, on campus and outside of the clinics, are completely unaware that those vile posters you are holding up over your heads are not even a true representation of abortion practices. Educate yourselves.

          I am fully opposed to forced pregnancy and the government taking away MY civil right to choose what to do with MY body.

        • Posted By: ck3313 @ 11/04/2008 10:19:44 AM

          no. i said..."i am fully opposed to forced pregnancy"...i never mentioned drunk driving in that post...i mentioned it as a rebuttal to the other commenter...and actually said that I have never done that or ever will.

  • Posted By: secretballot @ 11/04/2008 9:28:51 AM

    "god giving right to chose" writes unityfirst.....where is the right of the child? Who is there to protect them? Again...how can you support such violent acts.
    http://www.nrlc.org/ABORTION/pba/diagram.html
    Remember...OBama supports this and has the voting record to prove it...

    • Posted By: unityfirst23 @ 11/04/2008 10:22:47 AM

      there are worse things in this world than abortions. our country is in the crapper and yet if abortion was illegal it would be a better place. please lets start with EDUCATION. then maybe we wouldn't have as many abortions or children up for adoption. lets quit pointing the blame off on other people. have you ever talked a person out of an abortion? have you ever talke a woman out of giving her child up for adoption? abortion may be at the top of the list but its not the most important thing that needs to be handled.lets start with our economy and then education. because without proper education then we are left with the abortion crisis. this is not only the governments fault. parents need to know what their child and is doing at all times. sex education should be taught at an earlier age. there should be more clinics out there that give the best information make it more accessible for women to get the information they need and lets not forget about the men.

  • Posted By: tuzlasniper @ 11/04/2008 9:46:42 AM

    abortion was/is where it belongs, in the background. there are so many more important issues. I couldn't care less about any candidate's stance on abortion either way, pro or anti. I hope it stays where it belongs.

    • Posted By: cllnsjeff @ 11/04/2008 10:22:46 AM

      Tuzlasniper- you are so right- who cares about umimportant things like murder of complete innocents when there are problems with the economy. Good for you for having such an awe inspiring sense of the relative importance of things. I mean who needs to have guaranteed their life, liberty and pursuit of happiness anyway?

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