It amazes me that a whole convention is built on a statement taken totally out of context. Are they blind or just that obtuse?
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
The abortion debate
One of the most divisive subjects to date in political discussion is probably abortion. The right feels it has the market cornered on the pro-life side and the left feels that if the the GOP has its way, women's rights will be set back to 1950 and back alley abortions. To me this is a very hurtful and volatile subject and as a mother and a nurse I am not often one to speak of it as casually as many. I tend to hold all life as sacred, not just the pre-born, and that is part of the reason I have so much trouble with the far right wing. I do not see that same concern or the same fervor when they talk about the poorest and the least of these.
I think everyone assumes that a liberal or progressive Christian or someone that might (gasp) vote for Obama is automatically going to agree with everything on his platform. I have spoken to three conservatives this week that are pro-choice, I know many liberals that are pro-life. I don't think we can put people in a convenient little box that way.
This week a stupid politician made a stupid statement which pushed many righties to come out with their true stand on abortion which was "we are against it unless the woman is raped or her life is in danger". Well dears, that is called pro-choice any way you slice it.
This week I have seen a lot of propaganda and seen Obama called pro-abortion. I don't think anyone that is pro-choice is pro-abortion. I take it usually with a grain of salt and just think, ehhh people are going to think what they will, just let it go. In my opinion more birth control equals less unwanted pregnancy which equals less abortions, actually that is scientific fact, not just my opinion.
When people do not know that the morning after pill is not an abortifacient, they are not really going to be open to a scientific lecture on the topic. It is much easier to call a mom or a President a baby killer, than to look at the real story. I do feel their pain though, my taxes have been sending young men and women to their death for years, in a war I feel is morally wrong and goes against my religious convictions, but that isn't the hot topic that abortion is. It always amazes me how small government proponents want to inject big government when it comes to what they want accomplished.
Here are some of Romney's ever changing views on the topic.
1994-"One of the great things about our nation ... is that we're each entitled to have strong personal beliefs, and we encourage other people to do the same. But as a nation, we recognize the right of all people to believe as they want and not to impose our beliefs on other people. I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, that we should sustain and support it, and I sustain and support that law, and the right of a woman to make that choice, and my personal beliefs, like the personal beliefs of other people, should not be brought into a political campaign"
2002- "As Governor, Mitt Romney would protect the current pro-choice status quo in Massachusetts. No law would change."[183] The executive director of Massachusetts NARAL at the time, Melissa Kogut, stated that in her organization's endorsement interview with Romney, he was "emphatic that the Republican Party was not doing themselves a service by being so vehemently anti-choice.
2005- "I am pro-life. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate."
2011-Romney declined to sign a pro-life pledge sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony List to support legislation to end all taxpayer funding of abortion and to sign a law to "protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion." The pledge also commits signers to nominate judges and appoint executive branch officials who are pro-life. Romney's spokeswoman said the pledge could have "unforeseen consequences" and that Romney could not "in good conscience sign it." Romney did not hesitate to explain his stance: "It is one thing to end federal funding for an organization like Planned Parenthood; it is entirely another to end all federal funding for thousands of hospitals across America," he wrote. "That is precisely what the pledge would demand and require of a president who signed it."
2012-"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," Andrea Saul, a Romney spokesperson
I think everyone assumes that a liberal or progressive Christian or someone that might (gasp) vote for Obama is automatically going to agree with everything on his platform. I have spoken to three conservatives this week that are pro-choice, I know many liberals that are pro-life. I don't think we can put people in a convenient little box that way.
This week a stupid politician made a stupid statement which pushed many righties to come out with their true stand on abortion which was "we are against it unless the woman is raped or her life is in danger". Well dears, that is called pro-choice any way you slice it.
This week I have seen a lot of propaganda and seen Obama called pro-abortion. I don't think anyone that is pro-choice is pro-abortion. I take it usually with a grain of salt and just think, ehhh people are going to think what they will, just let it go. In my opinion more birth control equals less unwanted pregnancy which equals less abortions, actually that is scientific fact, not just my opinion.
When people do not know that the morning after pill is not an abortifacient, they are not really going to be open to a scientific lecture on the topic. It is much easier to call a mom or a President a baby killer, than to look at the real story. I do feel their pain though, my taxes have been sending young men and women to their death for years, in a war I feel is morally wrong and goes against my religious convictions, but that isn't the hot topic that abortion is. It always amazes me how small government proponents want to inject big government when it comes to what they want accomplished.
Here are some of Romney's ever changing views on the topic.
1994-"One of the great things about our nation ... is that we're each entitled to have strong personal beliefs, and we encourage other people to do the same. But as a nation, we recognize the right of all people to believe as they want and not to impose our beliefs on other people. I believe that abortion should be safe and legal in this country. I have since the time that my mom took that position when she ran in 1970 as a U.S. Senate candidate. I believe that since Roe v. Wade has been the law for 20 years, that we should sustain and support it, and I sustain and support that law, and the right of a woman to make that choice, and my personal beliefs, like the personal beliefs of other people, should not be brought into a political campaign"
2002- "As Governor, Mitt Romney would protect the current pro-choice status quo in Massachusetts. No law would change."[183] The executive director of Massachusetts NARAL at the time, Melissa Kogut, stated that in her organization's endorsement interview with Romney, he was "emphatic that the Republican Party was not doing themselves a service by being so vehemently anti-choice.
2005- "I am pro-life. I believe that abortion is the wrong choice except in cases of incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother. I wish the people of America agreed, and that the laws of our nation could reflect that view. But while the nation remains so divided over abortion, I believe that the states, through the democratic process, should determine their own abortion laws and not have them dictated by judicial mandate."
2011-Romney declined to sign a pro-life pledge sponsored by the Susan B. Anthony List to support legislation to end all taxpayer funding of abortion and to sign a law to "protect unborn children who are capable of feeling pain from abortion." The pledge also commits signers to nominate judges and appoint executive branch officials who are pro-life. Romney's spokeswoman said the pledge could have "unforeseen consequences" and that Romney could not "in good conscience sign it." Romney did not hesitate to explain his stance: "It is one thing to end federal funding for an organization like Planned Parenthood; it is entirely another to end all federal funding for thousands of hospitals across America," he wrote. "That is precisely what the pledge would demand and require of a president who signed it."
2012-"Governor Romney and Congressman Ryan disagree with Mr. Akin’s statement, and a Romney-Ryan administration would not oppose abortion in instances of rape," Andrea Saul, a Romney spokesperson
Paul Ryan- Yeah, whatever he says.
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Why I didn't have a chicken sandwich today
I LOVE Chick Fil A's food. I love their service. It is a joy to drive through and be treated so nicely. I also have no problem with someone exercising their right to free speech and being truthful about what they believe. Dan Cathey runs a great business and is great to his employees, he also has every right to say whatever he wants. I find it a bit ironic that some of the same people using that argument about his right to free speech and freedom of religion also deny that very right to the Muslims in our community, but well...you know.
I wonder if Dan Cathey had gone on and also included divorced people or people that are living together with their significant others in his opinion, how that would have been accepted? I am pretty sure he thinks that sex outside of marriage between any two people, regardless of gender, is "wrong". I am not sure he would be as bold to say it would "invite God's judgement" but it certainly isn't the traditional marriage arrangement many Christians believe is the correct one.
The thought that we must just "tolerate" anyone that is different than us, or that we must make them feel "less than" us is pretty foreign to me. I don't understand people's need to involve themselves so fully in another person's life.
I do not feel this is hate speech, but then again, I can love and marry who I want. So how am I to know what it really is or even how it is perceived? Is it really about first amendment rights? I think it began that way, but escalated into something else all together. I see people posting pictures of themselves enjoying a sandwich on this day, "liking" everything having to do with Chick Fil A day, and I can't help but think it's a not so subtle way of sticking it to someone. Who knows?
I don't boycott much, I think it can get silly. I boycott James Dobson, I boycott his book "Bringing up Boys" for it's blatant homophobic agenda. I don't think Focus on the Family will probably ever call me again after our little talk (bless their hearts), I despise programs like Exodus International who are no doubt responsible for a multitude of gay teen suicides. An organization intent of telling men and women that God could not possibly love you like you are and for sure He didn't make you this way, so let's change! Now THAT is hate speech.
So I am glad this day is over and I can only imagine the hurt my gay friends have felt over the excitement of many people's comments. I mean, come on, I think we really all know what this is about. I think it's about poking at people because we don't agree. It's about "look at how much better I am than you". Too bad we can't dialogue like grown ups and find out what exactly "these people" are really taking away from us, which I think we will find out is nothing at all.
Here is one of my favorite things that has been said about the whole debate:
"Really? That is inviting God's judgment? So the county has made it through an Indian genocide, slavery, segregation, and nine police academy movies and somehow escaped God's judgment? I don't think letting gays register at Bed, Bath, and Beyond is going to tip the scales."
So I gave my chicken money to The Trevor Project today in my own little protest. Not at all about Dan Cathey, but just because I'd rather have a bleeding heart than no heart at all.
I wonder if Dan Cathey had gone on and also included divorced people or people that are living together with their significant others in his opinion, how that would have been accepted? I am pretty sure he thinks that sex outside of marriage between any two people, regardless of gender, is "wrong". I am not sure he would be as bold to say it would "invite God's judgement" but it certainly isn't the traditional marriage arrangement many Christians believe is the correct one.
The thought that we must just "tolerate" anyone that is different than us, or that we must make them feel "less than" us is pretty foreign to me. I don't understand people's need to involve themselves so fully in another person's life.
I do not feel this is hate speech, but then again, I can love and marry who I want. So how am I to know what it really is or even how it is perceived? Is it really about first amendment rights? I think it began that way, but escalated into something else all together. I see people posting pictures of themselves enjoying a sandwich on this day, "liking" everything having to do with Chick Fil A day, and I can't help but think it's a not so subtle way of sticking it to someone. Who knows?
I don't boycott much, I think it can get silly. I boycott James Dobson, I boycott his book "Bringing up Boys" for it's blatant homophobic agenda. I don't think Focus on the Family will probably ever call me again after our little talk (bless their hearts), I despise programs like Exodus International who are no doubt responsible for a multitude of gay teen suicides. An organization intent of telling men and women that God could not possibly love you like you are and for sure He didn't make you this way, so let's change! Now THAT is hate speech.
So I am glad this day is over and I can only imagine the hurt my gay friends have felt over the excitement of many people's comments. I mean, come on, I think we really all know what this is about. I think it's about poking at people because we don't agree. It's about "look at how much better I am than you". Too bad we can't dialogue like grown ups and find out what exactly "these people" are really taking away from us, which I think we will find out is nothing at all.
Here is one of my favorite things that has been said about the whole debate:
"Really? That is inviting God's judgment? So the county has made it through an Indian genocide, slavery, segregation, and nine police academy movies and somehow escaped God's judgment? I don't think letting gays register at Bed, Bath, and Beyond is going to tip the scales."
So I gave my chicken money to The Trevor Project today in my own little protest. Not at all about Dan Cathey, but just because I'd rather have a bleeding heart than no heart at all.
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