Quick News Roundup 06/11/10
Domestic News – In a strange twist, in Iowa a controversial new program has been set up where women virtually talk to a doctor and then a machine spits out their abortion pills. Some are calling this an abortion vending machine. Currently before Congress is large new Pentagon policy bill which includes a repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell.” While everyone is arguing over the merits / problems with that proposal – hidden with the bill is language which would legalize abortions performed at military hospitals if they are privately financed. Florida Governor Charlie Crist has changed his webpage since switching from the Republican Party to being an independent. One major change? He removed the entire pro-life plank from his platform. Recent polling gives Crist a slim lead over Republican candidate Marco Rubio.
International News – The Pope met with Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero and discussed many topics, but specifically discussed abortion. Why? The Socialist led Spanish government recently passed legislation legalizing abortions for women as young as 16 without parental consent up to the 14th week of their pregnancy. This is a vast loosening of Spanish abortion laws. The law is set to go into effect July 5th. Kenya‘s controversial new Constitution which provides more rights to its citizens while simultaneously legalizing abortion explicitly may or may not pass a referrendum. Neither side is sure which way the vote will go. U.S. Vice President Joe Biden recently urged Kenyans to not allow a Constitutional vote to divide them, taking indirect jabs at the pro-life groups in Kenya who oppose the abortion language.
Discussion Topic – How important is the issue of abortion in how you vote? Would you be willing to vote for a candidate who did not 100% agree with your views on abortion if you agreed with them 90% on every other issue? Or would you be willing to vote for a candidate you did not agree with on most other issues, if they were pro-life and against a “pro-choice” candidate? Personally, it depends on the circumstances. For instance – for President, I would have voted for Rudy Giuliani in 2008 despite his track record when it comes to abortion. Why? In the end, he would be a) more supportive of the pro-life movement than Obama and b) he promised to appoint strict constructionists to the Supreme Court who could help overturn Roe v. Wade. In the 2008 primary did I vote for Giuliani? No, I voted for Fred Thompson. But, I would have supported him in the general. Thoughts?
I can't see myself voting for an abortion advoate. The opposing candidate would have to be pretty dire.
I have only had the opportunity to vote once. I wasn't happy with either Obama or McCain, but I did put my vote to good use when it came to state constitutional amendments, the school board, etc.