Newsflash: politicians still crazy, inconsistent
First, some Republican whackjobbery. Rep. Paul Broun of Georgia is in the news for his comment that “evolution and embryology and the Big Bang theory, all that is lies straight from the pit of Hell.” (In part, the newsworthiness of this comment comes from the fact that Broun is on the House Science Committee.) Most of the coverage has focused on the evolution and Big Bang parts of Broun’s statement, but I find his condemnation of embryology equally baffling. Broun is evidently oblivious to the fact that embryology is a key tool in the fight against abortion. He may be a reliable pro-life vote, but he definitely hurt the cause of prenatal rights with this baseless, bizarre comment.
And now, the Democrats’ turn. There are many things about the Democratic Party that I find attractive; of course, the party platform on abortion is not one of them. So I love the idea behind Democrats for Life of America (DFLA). What I don’t love is when DFLA throws its integrity out the window by endorsing a candidate who, by DFLA’s own criteria, is unworthy of the honor. That’s exactly what they’ve done with their shocking endorsement of Tim Kaine for the Virginia Senate race against George Allen.
I wrote to DFLA president Kristen Day:
As a Virginia resident, I’m treated to constant Kaine radio ads.
From where I stand, he is campaigning on a pro-abortion platform and
being quite vocal about it. One radio ad features a moment in the
debate where Kaine attacks Allen’s support for pre-abortion
ultrasounds. Kaine’s website
very clearly states: “I strongly support the right of women to make
their own health and reproductive decisions and, for that reason, will
oppose efforts to weaken or subvert the basic holding of Roe v. Wade.” This under the heading of “Individual Rights”– what about the rights of the preborn? I find your endorsement of Tim Kaine to be wildly inappropriate and urge you to reconsider.
Five days later and still no response.
It’s common practice for abortion advocates to attack the GOP for defending the right to life while cutting back on programs that could help those whose lives are saved. That’s a fair criticism. The inverse criticism, less often publicized, is also true; a party that claims to stand up for the helpless and oppressed betrays those values when it condones the killing of the unborn.
With all that in mind, I was encouraged to see that the latest issue of the Life Matters Journal is addressing these dilemmas. The theme of the issue is “Where’s my party?” and you can read it for free here.
What's a bigger threat to this country? Anti-science, Anti-Intellectual republicans who think that mainstream scientific theories are lies from the pit of hell? or "Okay with the idea of a woman having an Abortion if she really wants it" Democrats? Because there's no point in talking about how there are pro-life democrats if you vote republican every single election because of what they say about the Abortion issue. Even when republican politicians have no problem getting abortions for thier families (Rick Santorum) or previously claimed to support the right to choose (Mitt Romney). So not even the republicans that are claiming to be on your side are honest supporters of your values– and yet you vote republican anyway? Amazing, how easily you can get manipulated by this abortion issue!
Are you mad that your adherence to pro-life values make you nothing more than a political pawn for lying republican politicians?
Republicans have oil companies, Democrats have Planned Parenthood. I guess if you want to make it in politics you need somebody crooked to lobby for you.
Are you saying that people who once supported the right to choose can't have a genuine conversion? If so, then I guess the pro-life movement is wasting our breath…
If you honestly think that Mitt Romney actually believes anything he's saying right now, then you must be desperate for someone to trust. Every single time he opens his mouth, the only consistent message is that he's willing to say and do anything if he thinks it will appeal to his audience in that moment. It's much easier to say "oh he really believes the stuff he's saying now" as opposed to the stuff he was saying a week ago, than it would be to have an honest, introspective discussion about how your party got fooled in to nominating a genuine empty suit.
Your contention was that Romney once supported the right to choose. But that's a bad argument. People can change. Whether or not Romney has, I don't know. But you can't disqualify someone just because they used to support the right to abortion.
Your rambling, accusatory tripe probably pushes people further into their stance, ya know. Keep it up if you want to fail.
Sometimes I wonder if DFLA is really that honest about its POV.
BTW, as a Catholic, we're allowed to believe in evolution as an explanation of how the earth and nature have changed, just not as how the world came to exist. Just thought I'd throw that out there.
DFLA Release: Former DNC Chairman and Governor Tim Kaine has been a friend to DFLA and has previously defined himself as a pro-life Democrat. While Governor, Tim Kaine signed the Choose Life license plate bill in law. We were proud to work with the Governor to ensure the bill was passed and critical funds could be used to support crisis pregnancy centers. He also signed into law the Pregnant Women Support Act to help women in a crisis pregnancy. While Chair of the DNC, he supported pro-life Democrats and his policies helped elect pro-life officials. His spokesman and website are now identifying him as a pro-choice Democrat. DFLA, therefore, cannot endorse Governor Kaine. However, should he be elected to the Senate, we look forward to the opportunity to work with him to pass pro-life legislation.
DFLA is always perfectly honest. Please trust us as we struggle in a difficult situation to keep a pro-life voice in the Democratic party.
There can't be any pro life democrats out there, all of them are afraid to say that you'll go to hell for getting an abortion. Clearly, the republicans are the only ones we can trust on protecting the right to life. This abortion issue is the one thing that pro-lifers vote on, forget the economy, forget jobs, forget taxes, forget civil rights, forget foreign policy, forget everything else. the real question is: ARE WOMEN GONNA BE FORCED TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES FOR HAVING PREMARITAL SEX??