Obama reverses abortion-funding policy
WASHINGTON (CNN) — President Obama signed an executive order Friday striking down a rule prohibiting U.S. money from funding international family planning groups that promote abortion or provide information, counseling or referrals about abortion services.
The order comes the day after the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the 1973 Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion in the United States.
It reverses the “Mexico City policy,” initiated by President Reagan in 1984, canceled by President Clinton and reinstated by President George W. Bush in 2001.
Obama signs order to close Guantanamo Bay facility
WASHINGTON (CNN) — Promising to return America to the “moral high ground” in the war on terrorism, President Obama issued three executive orders Thursday to demonstrate a clean break from the Bush administration, including one requiring that the Guantanamo Bay detention facility be closed within a year.
During a signing ceremony at the White House, Obama reaffirmed his inauguration pledge that the United States does not have “to continue with a false choice between our safety and our ideals.”
US Senate passes wage discrimination bill
WASHINGTON (AP) — A wage discrimination bill that heralds the pro-labor policies of the Democratic-controlled Congress and White House cleared the Senate Thursday and could be on President Barack Obama’s desk within days.
The legislation reverses a 2007 Supreme Court ruling that narrowly defines the time period during which a worker can file a claim of wage discrimination, even if the worker is unaware for months or years that he or she is getting less than colleagues doing the same job. It has been a priority for women’s groups seeking to narrow the wage gap between men and women.
The House is expected to act quickly to again approve the measure, sending it to Obama for his signature. The House passed a nearly identical version two weeks ago but then combined it with another bill that the Senate didn’t consider.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid predicted that “the first bill that President Obama will sign will be this piece of legislation.” He said the bill would send an important message because “this administration stands for equality and fairness.”
Obama strongly backs the measure and invited Lilly Ledbetter, the retired Alabama tire company worker whose lawsuit inspired the legislation, to accompany him on the train trip bringing him to Washington for the inauguration.
Yeah, I was listening to NPR, actually kinda impressed. Partially because, whenever a sentence starts with, “U.S. President…” a wave of nausea passes over me, and only subsides when I realize that no, they don’t mean that one.
You wait violet. You’ll beg for relief from State control soon. Sounds like you have little perspective. Good Luck, neophyte.
I actually read the news today and felt good. That hasn’t happened in a long time.
One of the reasons that both of you are happy is because you did not get aborted.
I would hesitate to feel too good about President Obama’s abortion policy. A couple of thoughts on the matter:
1) If one in every five of our young workers and citizens wished to emigrate from the country, would we not consider that a death sentence for our future prosperity? Why, then, do we consider the abortion of one in five of our future workers and citizens a sign of how “progressive” we are?
2) Unsurprisingly, “choice” gets excercised much more frequently in pro-choice states than in anti-abortion states; according to CDC statistics for 2004, New York had an abortion rate of over 315 per 1000 live births, while Utah had a rate under 70 per 1000 live births. It is perhaps not coincidental that New York, among other Blue and Blue-leaning states, is projected to lose House seats, electoral votes, and federal funding after the next census.
Perhaps abortion isn’t a private “moral issue” after all…
Bryan Kirchoff
St. Louis
We caught some live ones here, didn’t we, PunkAssers?
My happiness is increased; anything that so clearly incenses the anti-choice crowd has gotta be a move in the right direction. Woot!
I have to agree with Violet! It’s lovely to hear sentences about our president that don’t leave me wondering what bonehead move the “W” has pulled now. We’re finally getting some decent legislation.
To feed or not to feed, that is the question.
Whether tis nobler on the blog to give sport
Or to let the troll wither from lack of attention.
To feed, perhaps to have them think
Aye, there’s the rub
For in trolling trolls where doth thinking lie?
Nope, I’m taking the bait.
James
How is having the state NOT control our reproductive rights state control? And Violet, when did you take Catholic rites?
Steph
Huh, I able to feel happiness because as a precondition of happiness, I need to exist, and in order to exist, my mom needed to go through a pregnancy. (Quibble, abortion stops a pregnancy. You don’t “abort” a person/fetus/anything).
But, running with this logic, I’m also capable of feeling happy because my parents had sex, and had a doctor say they couldn’t get pregnant.
And, on the flip side, I was able to feel shame, disgust, and despair during the last 8 years because my mom continued a pregnancy. Huh, existential crisis for the fail.
Oh, and Brian. I think I’m going to enjoy this most of all
If 1 in every 5 workers were leaving the country, I would consider putting in place some economic rivitalization planning, not banning people from emigrating. But, then again, I don’t like following after Soviet Russia. Interestingly enough, future taxpayers are also future tax users.
a) Saying “choice” when you mean is “abortion” is dumb. I’m sure there are plenty of women who exercise the choice to stay pregnant in blue states.
b) The abortion rate in blue states is often inflated by incoming red staters. When you come from a state that makes hard, a lot of times it’s easier to go to a state that makes it easy. You can see it with fireworks, liquor, and cigarettes; make sense that it would happen with abortion as well.
c) Blue states have always subsidies red states. I suppose having all those children to support sure sucks away at those small business ventures.
‘Cuz I say so :p
Aww, it’s almost like one of those pictures that three year olds draw; it may look like a scribble, but it’s really a logical argument.
I actually did go to the inauguration – at least, I was in DC while it was happening, I just watched it on televisions standing in the cold right outside the mall while most of you guys were watching it on television in your warm houses. And it was fantastic – Obama just radiates confidence and purpose, and his speech at hit on all the major issues and let us know where he was stood on them. Everyone was clapping and cheering.
Of course, when I was walking towards the Lincoln Monument, some socialist activists handed me a paper explaining why Obama simply wasn’t good enough and was going to betray us all. I wanted to shake those kids – calm down and be happy for a few days! We’re clearly heading in the right direction again!
Antigone, that sequence of comments was LOL-generating.
The highest priority for the president in charge was to focus on the economy as Colin Powell suggested. Instead this illegitimate joke, signs an executive to close down Gitmo, reverse the abortion policy. These two policies are the least of our concerns at the moment when hundreds of thousands of people are losing their jobs and homes. Unbelievable that an unknown, unqualified, junior senator with zero experience is elected into highest office in the country. This bafoon is an affirmative action president period. We’re screwed.What, did somebody set out the troll cheese? Kyso, you’re a victim of identity theft!
So, you all think that prisoners who have killed, tortured, and or raped children, women, etc. should have a right to live and be treated like guests at a hotel, but you think that it’s ok for a baby never to get a chance to live at all? I’m not sure the logic there works out very well.
I think people who have done evil things still have their rights as humans, which is not being treated like guests at hotel (unless that hotel is Motel 6). But yet, I seem to also think that there’s this huge spectrum between “not being tortured” and “hotel”. Maybe it’s just me.
And every time I don’t have sex, a baby doens’t get a chance to live. So really, again, you really should work out your own existential problems and not project them on everyone else.
The problem with that, Antigone, is that there is no baby being formed if you don’t have sex. Therefore, no baby is being denied a chance to live. Abortion is taking away the probability that the fetus will develop and be born as a healthy baby.
Also, I don’t think that torture is the greatest or anything. But if a person is going to be pro-choice, they should also be open to the idea of the death penalty. Abortion is extermination of life. No one (who knows what they are talking about) will seriously deny the fact that a fetus is a living organism.
What would you suggest as an alternative to torture/death for people who commit such terrible crime? Prison time that includes warm meals and leisure time outdoors?
James, honey, there’s no baby formed at conception either. You think women do the whole 9-10 month thing of feeling like hell and risking their lives in health for kicks? Creating a baby takes a lot of damn effort, and it’s more then the 3 second orgasm from the guy. And the fact of the matter is; there’s plenty of things that can intefere with a potential existance right up until birth.
People are pro-choice generally because a) they think women are autonomous beings and b) they think the idea of risking yourself should be left up to individual choice. Supporting torture does not follow at all. Because I don’t want to torture a woman, I should want to torture other human beings?
List of living organisms I have no problem killing:
tapeworms
animals
bacteria
plants
cancer
cells
If prison time is so hunky-dory, why aren’t you signing up for it? Oh yeah, that’s right, because it’s your LOSE OF LIBERTY. Most people don’t volunteer for that shit.
You forgot fetuses in that list. No, there is no baby formed at conception, but life is formed. And I know there are plenty of things that can interfere, which is why I said “the probability that the fetus will develop and be born as a healthy baby”. Probability does not mean the same thing as certainty. I don’t see how “respecting a woman’s body” (not quoting you, just an oft said argument) allows for abortion but doesn’t say anything about the woman putting her body at risk by having unprotected sex with (presumably) a man she wouldn’t consider having a long term relationship without first PROTECTING herself from a potential myriad of diseases/unwanted pregnancies. By “protecting herself” I mean making sure the man is wearing protection as well as anything she can do to prevent unwanted results).
I’m not saying prison is a vacation. I wouldn’t want to go to prison at all. I know people don’t volunteer for it, unless their name is GOB Bluth. Although, I believe that some people who committed terrible crimes are treated much better than they should be.
I’m taking a massive and evil pleasure in the teeth-gnashing angst of the anti-choice horde. This is about the greatest thing EVAH. Woot!
James-
Never killed a fetus, so can’t add it to the list. Oh, and a) we ply stupid abstience-only education and b) sometimes birth control fails and c) having sex doesn’t mean I want a guy for the rest of my life (more than him sleeping with me necessarily means it) d) many abortions are from people who already have children/married and e) many abortions are from woman who WANTED to be pregnant, but then found it could kill them.
“Repecting a woman’s body” is not a complicated proposition. It means, fairly clearly, that a woman gets to decide what to do with her body. That even means she even gets to have sex that you disagree with, if she so chooses it. That means she gets to decide when (if ever) to be pregnant. It means she gets to say thing that you don’t like.
You did, in fact say prison was a vaction, or that at least is the logical conclusion from “treated like guests in a hotel”. Normally people go to a hotel for vacations.
Antigone-
I agree that we shouldn’t have abstinence only education, but I don’t see what problem there would be with teaching abstinence along with birth control. Birth control will work most of the time, very small percentage of the time does it not work.
I realize that most people don’t only have sex with people with whom they want to spend the rest of their lives. All I’m saying is that when they chose to do so, make wise choices and use birth control. You can’t tell me that you think the majority of abortions are performed on women who are in danger from pregnancy. Most abortions are performed on young women who’ve made poor decisions.
I didn’t say that prisoners were treated like guests at a hotel. I said you people who have commented here seem to think that prisoners SHOULD be treated like guests at a hotel. Please don’t twist my words around.
In comprehensive sex education, they do still put the emphasis on abstinence. There’s nothing wrong with that.
Sure I can; if they weren’t in danger of pregnancy, they wouldn’t be getting an abortion. *is confused* If they couldn’t get pregnant, they wouldn’t have an abortion.
“Oh, and a) we ply stupid abstience-only education and b) sometimes birth control fails and c) having sex doesn’t mean I want a guy for the rest of my life (more than him sleeping with me necessarily means it) d) many abortions are from people who already have children/married and e) many abortions are from woman who WANTED to be pregnant, but then found it could kill them.”
F) Many abortions are performed on women who are in no position to ensure that the man who inserts his penis in her vagina uses a condom, nor is she in any position to obtain contraception.
James says “By “protecting herself” I mean making sure the man is wearing protection as well as anything she can do to prevent unwanted results).” James is speaking from a position of clear privilege in that he clearly does not recognize that in our current society women are quite often not empowered enough to ensure that she engages in “safe sex”. Women often have little control over the behavior of men (and cannot deny men sexual access to their bodies) and often are denied access to contraception or cannot afford to obtain it.
Oh, fucker. Yeah, that was not me. I can prove I am the real Kyso K. Obviously, I’m pleased as punch our new President is showing himself capable of walking and chewing gum at the same time. I’m also aware of the difference between a legitimately and illegitimately elected President. And I can spell buffoon.
Perhaps it is… lame… of me just link my blog post in response to this debate… but here you go.
My compelling 2 cents
Wow! The importance of Life is something that is cherished. I mean taking a baby legs out of the womb sticking something in its head and sucking the brains out, , how about sticking a vacuum in the womb and tearing the baby apart limb by limb. Oh by the way, close to conception,THE BABY, has already obtained the nerve that can feel pain. They call it a a”Silent cry”. Where has our compassion gone and do not blame it on Bush. Economy went down because American people are greedy. Look at how the “great depression” started! by the way when Jimmy Carter left his administration this country was in worse condition. I know it easier to blame everything on Bush so that you cannot look to yourself. but remember one day you will have to face God about your life. Obama is a smart man but he is not good for this country. He is intelligent but he is not good for this country.
Darla, clearly you are about 12, so I’ll spell this out clearly.
A “fetus” is not a “baby”. And fetuses can’t feel pain http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/313/7060/795/a
This makes sense considering they don’t have a brain. The “Silent Cry” was an anti-abortion film made by a bunch of nutcases that knew nothing about biology.
This recession, and the Great Depression, are EXCELLENT examples of what happen when you don’t have government controls in place, and let robber barons run roughshod over not as well-off people. Theoritically, greed is always going to be there; the approriate thing is to make sure we have laws in place to handle it.
Jimmy Carter? I thought the bug-a-boo was Clinton?
Bush was the president for 8 years. His policies directly lead to some of the messes we’re in right now. He has to take responsibility for his own damn actions.
And Obama’s been in office all of 3 days; I think it’s a little too early to say if he’s good for this country. And even if he is just a “smart” and “intelligent” man, that’s head-and-shoulders above the legacy frat boy we’ve had in office.
James:
Well, hell, I agree with Kyso’s protesters, too—there are so many structural changes that are absolutely vital, and that Obama is neither willing nor even able to make. Whatever his intentions, eight years from now, we’re not going to have a just society—nor would it be reasonable to expect that. At the same time, I think his presidency will have positive effects on community activism, and may bring more people to work towards more, stronger, and more radical radical change. Hopefully.
As to “state control,” I have more or less no idea what you’re talking about. Employers can no longer discriminate against me (because of my gender) with reasonable impunity? Yeah. I’m sure that jackboot is going to start feeling lead-heavy any day now.
So is a carrot.
If they can they stop hurting people and work to ameliorate the harm they’ve caused—in the cases of rapists and other terrorists, this includes speaking and working against those institutions—then they can live next door. If they are unwilling to do this right now, then they can live somewhere separated from all the people they may hurt until they do. (Note: this is not the same thing as prison. Determining why is left as an exercise to the reader.)
Bryan: Fortunately, the population of the world is not in any danger of declining, and immigration policies can be made
less racistmore friendly towards immigrants.Antigone:
I’m afraid I miss the joke.
Clearly, you’ve never actually stayed at a Motel 6. Why, their room service menu was abysmal. And the toilet paper? Single ply!
“Neophyte” is someone who is new to the Catholic faith.
Ooooh, right.
* thinks *
I must say, I think James is mistaken. I’m not Catholic.
…
Though I’d make a pretty good nun, I wager. I’m gay as a rainbow cat of nine tails.
I’m new to this blog. I just found it today. James & Antigone, i really enjoyed your posts.
Punkassers, I love you. Good thing I work in a pro-choice office or I’d have a hard time explaining why I am laughing my ass off.
Halp am in over head stop need factoids and stats stop got into debate on facebook over lifting gag rule = good thing stop need solids to rub in face of christian-conservatives that a)P.P. does good things other than abortion and b) abortion can prevent lethal developments that can occur during a pregnancy stop
Thanks stop
TRH
*shakes head*
Little brother, you suck.
You know I watched “Silent Scream” in its entirety. My reaction? It was soooooo boooooring! PAINFULLY so! I kept waiting for the dramatic, scary, gut-wrenching true-and-real moment that sends legions fleeing to the pro-life camp. It never came. At all. The “climax” of that film is some TV snow. He points to a grey fuzz blob on the screen and tells you that you can see the fetus’s titular scream. “I… I can?” I squinted harder. I rewound and looked again. Nope. He’s still just pointing at TV fuzz…
So disappointing…
You’ve just been blinded to the truth of fetal suffering by the secular liberal media and your inability to let Jesus into your heart and something about immigration and the also gold standard. Probably. Maybe.
Aside: Can I register my disappointment that none of the pro-lifers took the bait and said, “I’m sure your happiness is a warm gun… THAT YOU SHOOT BABIES WITH OMG BABY KILLER.” Seriously, guys. Work on it.
don’t forget teh gay!
Violet, I was on the blog wordpress comment page when I first read your Jan 26 comment, and I swear to god I thought your name had been hijacked and nearly sent your comment to spam.
What I’m saying is, nice snark.
artdyke: Of course, how could I forget! Teh gay is clearly responsible for your lack of empathy. It’s all the self-abuse that all gays have to perform, since of course we never have sex.
Kyso: Why, thank you. I do skirt the line between irony and authenticity. It’s hazardous. Sometimes I become unsure of what I actually believe.