Democrat National Convention: Day 1
UPDATE, 12:30p: Bobby Clark, the man in charge of The Big Tent, just searched me out and gave me his card if I need anything. Very nice. He said they encouraged other conservative bloggers to attend but there may be only 1 other.
Meanwhile, a Planned Parenthood rep gave me my own “Protect Yourself from John McCain” condom, 1 of 10 varieties listing the “10 things everyone should know about John McCain” (click to enlarge, pardon the pun):
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I’m in! Not only that, I was 1 of the first ones in, which enabled me to grab one of a precious few outlets, in short supply. That is my big worry for the week. I ordered an extra battery (last minute… sigh) and it didn’t come in before I left.
The Big Tent, a temporary 2 story-structure, is located 4 blocks from the Pepsi Center…
Everyone has been very nice. My only complaint so far is all 5 big screen tvs are tuned in to CNN, rats. I’m already going through Fox withdrawal.
Here is a witty window sign I saw walking here:
Just got a report from Troy Newman in a Truth Truck. He said they were passing by a Catholic church last night and one priest gave them a thumbs up and another blessed them with the sign of the cross. That was great affirmation.
There are workshops planned all day, some of which I’m going to attend. I’ll also wander to the Pepsi Center later. Otherwise I’ll continue to blog as usual, between reports.
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
Since Fox News is owned, controlled and scripted by Republican operatives and broadcasts little but anti-Obama hate speech, it should hardly be surprising that they are not the media of choice.
PPC,
Where is your proof of this???
PPC: You are lying. In fact, the opposite is true. CNN and MSNBC are actually branches of the Democratic National Commitee.
1. Matthews Smears Neo-Cons; Compares Obama to Denzel Washington
Hailing Barack Obama’s attacks on John McCain’s foreign policy as “profound” with “the fire I’ve been waiting for,” during live MSNBC coverage Saturday afternoon of Obama introducing running mate Joe Biden, Chris Matthews was pleased “he finally took on John McCain on the issue of our time, which is Russia” as “he used the word bluster twice.” Matthews then smeared John McCain and conservatives as warmongers: “There are a lot of neo-conservatives out there that just love the old black and white Manichaean cold war feeling again. They’d like to get rid of color television, in fact. Let’s go back to the ’50s and let’s fight with the Russians again.” That earned approving laughter from co-anchor Keith Olbermann who later cited Biden’s call “to restore America’s soul” and wondered: “Does it bring it up to this kind of Lincolnian greater than the sum of the parts public good mission almost?” Matthews oozed over Obama’s address with “dignity and indignation,” comparing him to actors Denzel Washington and Spencer Tracy: “If you look at some of the stronger performances, and they’re almost always strong by the actor Denzel Washington, when he’s really sticking it to the bad guys at the end of the movies, when he’s really making his sort of Spencer Tracy moment, there’s something about the face…”
2. MSNBC’s Olbermann: Obama-Biden ‘a Very Powerful Combination’
MSNBC went live shortly before 1 AM EDT Saturday morning, with David Shuster anchoring, to announce that Senator Joe Biden is Barack Obama’s pick for Vice President, and Shuster was joined via phone over the next hour by NBC News political director Chuck Todd, MSNBC’s Keith Olbermann and Howard Fineman of Newsweek. One word not heard in that hour or the next as MSNBC remained live until 3 AM (CNN and FNC went to re-runs at 2 AM): liberal. In MSNBC’s 2 AM hour, Joan Walsh of Salon.com touted Biden as a “working class hero.” Olbermann hailed the “very powerful combination” of Obama and Biden based on joining Obama’s “vision” of restoring America’s image in the world and Biden’s selfless “fervor to do good” enabled by his “18,000 good ideas” to achieve Obama’s noble goal.
3. Newsweek Editor Touts Democratic ‘Two Prize Fighter’ Ticket
On the roundtable segment of Sunday’s Meet the Press, Newsweek editor Jon Meacham exclaimed that the Democratic Party should be elated that for years, the Democrats “wanted a prize fighter. And they have two right now.” The NBC show was discussing Meacham’s interview with Obama in the September 1 Newsweek, in which Meacham supportively volunteered to Obama that while some worry he won’t be tough enough: “I think a careful reading of your life, even a cursory one, suggests the opposite. I just don’t think you get to where you’re sitting when you’re 47 years old by being soft.”
4. Yellin: Obama ‘Thinks Press Loves Biden’ So Will ‘Go Easy on Him’
One reason Barack Obama selected Joe Biden as his running mate is that Obama’s advisers “think the press loves Biden and so the press will sort of go easy on him on the past gaffes and when he’s contradicted Obama,” CNN’s Jessica Yellin revealed minutes before midnight Friday night, just an hour ahead of CNN and other media outlets reporting Joe Biden was, indeed, Barack Obama’s pick.
5. NBC Uses Presumed Biden Pick to Pursue ‘Emblematic’ McCain Homes
NBC’s Brian Williams and Andrea Mitchell on Friday night used their presumption, that Senator Joe Biden would be Barack Obama’s VP choice, to showcase, for a second straight night, the Obama campaign’s attack on John McCain over his inability to say how many homes he owns. In setting up the lead Nightly News story on VP speculation, Williams highlighted how “the Obama camp is telling the McCain campaign people who live in that many houses shouldn’t throw stones.” After asserting that “it is looking more and more like Senator Joe Biden is the choice,” reporter Andrea Mitchell contended “Biden, with blue collar roots, could help reinforce Obama’s latest message” conveyed in an Obama TV ad: “Call it country club economics. How many houses does he own?” Following her story, Williams returned to what interested him the most: “Back to the McCain campaign and this issue they’re fighting which you predicted yesterday would go down as one of those moments in a campaign. Does this live on and on and on, do you think?” Mitchell maintained it’s now an “emblematic” issue which arrived “just when” Obama “needed it.”
Obama’s 3 AM Text Message: Jab at Hillary?
Barack Obama didn’t pick Hillary Clinton as his running mate. No surprise here. But the timing of his announcement — early Saturday morning at 3 a.m. — has some in the Clinton camp downright angry.
Obama had claimed he was vetting Hillary for the job and that she was on the short list of his potential picks. But that charade became apparent when he never asked her for financial or other documents typical of the vetting process.
The tea leaves have been clear: Obama was not going to pick Hillary. In a slap in her face, Obama announced that he was making her fired campaign manager, Patti Solis Doyle, as the chief of staff for his new running mate.
Some in the press saw another Obama jab at Hillary when his campaign released the text message to cell phone users announcing the Biden pick at about 3 a.m. Saturday morning.
It was Hilary’s campaign that aired a TV commercial questioning whether Obama could answer the phone at “3 a.m.” if some crisis erupted in the world.
Hillary has taken these hits from Obama with grace. She issued a statement via her email list Satuday congratulating Biden.
“Joe is a friend and colleague, a strong experienced leader and a devoted public servant. I look forward to not only seeing him in Denver next week but on the trail as I work to help Barack Obama and Joe Biden along with many other Democratic candidates campaign this fall.”
Newsmax….
I would say they are both biased news sources, but it is nice to have a conservative bias to counteract the liberal biased on the other news stations as witnessed in a few cases in your quotes there.
Jill, what’s taking so long for you to become Catholic?
You dont have to automatically become a Catholic because you oppose abortion. If you choose to become a Catholic it should be for religious purposes…
Oliver:
Fox News was actually found to be fair. Do some research and you will find that what I’m telling you is true.
It’s just that Liberals cannot stand anyone that disagrees with any of their wacko views.
Jill, comment please on Drudge Headline:
Democrats open faith-filled convention with prayer
Hisman,
I dont think either of them are 100% biased, but I do believe that they add value judgements into the regular news. I also think that they express a bias by truthfully reporting more heavily on certain issues and ignoring others. Dont get me wrong, I like Fox News…I just wouldnt say its perfect.
Hal:
Who were the Democrats praying to? The Godess of Wackjob? Or perhaps it was Allah? Maybe Buddah? Oh, I know, Oprah.
If they didn’t pray in the name of Jesus Christ for fear of offending someone, they were merely speaking to the air.
And this is the same political party that opposes prayer in school and teaching the Bible in public school.
What hypocrites!
You must pray exactly like HisMan everyone or you’re a fake, hypocrite and/or liberal.
No other faiths are legitmate, no other views biblical, no other ideas worthy of consideration.
Jill:
Please have the black pro-lifers over there ask this of the pro-aborts:
“If Reverend Wright believes and promotes the lie that the United State government invented AIDS and then sees that as justification for cursing America, why has he never said one word about how 46% of abortions kill black children when blacks are only 20% of the population and this by a government funded (by Democrats) and obviously racist Planned Parenthood, whose founder, Margaret Sanger was involved with the KKK and eugenics propaganda?
It seems to me that Mr. Wright and his protoge, Mr. Obama, have something else on their minds.
Hal,
Hal said “You must pray exactly like HisMan everyone or you’re a fake, hypocrite and/or liberal.
No other faiths are legitmate, no other views biblical, no other ideas worthy of consideration.”
Why not Hal? You apparently dont need any justification for your beliefs. At least Hisman’s beliefs, if not justify, dont hurt anyone directly.
HisMan’s beliefs certainly do hurt people. He advocates the most intolerant attitudes imaginable. Sure, it’s just mindless rantings, but I can’t let them pass without a few mocking words.
Hal:
The way to pray was given in the Bible, not me. I just happen to believe it, live by it, and proclaim it.
Acts 4:12 “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.”
Ephesians 1:21 “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Ephesians 5:20 “always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”
Philippians 2:9 “For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name,”
Philippians 2:10 “so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth,”
John 3:18 “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
However, your statement: “No other faiths are legitmate, no other views biblical, no other ideas worthy of consideration.” is actaully very true. Thanks for that at least.
No Hal:
It is actaully your beliefs that are destructive and lead people to hell, an eternally hurtful fate, because they point away from the only One that can save them, Jesus Christ.
Let me ask you this Hal: Are you absolutely sure there are no absolutes?
Who were the Democrats praying to? The Godess of Wackjob? Or perhaps it was Allah? Maybe Buddah? Oh, I know, Oprah.
If they didn’t pray in the name of Jesus Christ for fear of offending someone, they were merely speaking to the air.
And this is the same political party that opposes prayer in school and teaching the Bible in public school.
What hypocrites!
______________________________
Totally agree. Well said.
Truth hurts I see by some of the follow up posts….oh well, it’s to be expected. Like that isn’t an age old story.
Let me ask you this Hal: Are you absolutely sure there are no absolutes?
Posted by: HisMan at August 25, 2008 12:09 PM
I never said there were no absolutes. I am absolutely sure you’re views on religion are wrong.
HisMan’s beliefs certainly do hurt people. He advocates the most intolerant attitudes imaginable. Sure, it’s just mindless rantings, but I can’t let them pass without a few mocking words.
Posted by: Hal at August 25, 2008 11:58 AM
Oh, I remember Hal, babies in the womb aren’t people, therefore your belief in abortion, hurts no one. I get it….sadly, that is.
Hal:
Here’s two more reasons why you want to be praying to and in the name of Jesus Christ:
Matthew 10:33 “But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Jude 1:4 “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
Any real reasons?
It must be a pretty wild convention if they are already passing out condoms!
FYI
The Democrats rejected the invitation to invite pro-life Bishop Chaput to the convention for the opening prayer.
I see the Democrats/PP are handling out anti-McCain condoms…whoopee!!!
Jill:
Is Planned Paretnhood a 501c3?
If so, where’s the IRS when you need them?
Hal:
C’mon, you can legitimately deny 4,000 years of Scripture, the martydom of millions, and the words of Christ Himself?
You know I care about you Hal.. I wouldn’t spend so much time on you if I didn’t.
Please, try to grasp what the word deny means.
Hal, we get one chance. Jesus begs that we believe in Him. Why because He loves us and died for us to prove it. Yes, there is a cost, but the reward is out of this world.
Besides, how could not anyone not love one back who has given his life for you? Denying Him won’t work Hal.
Wow, Hal! You pray? To WHAT?
I never said there were no absolutes. I am absolutely sure you’re views on religion are wrong.
Posted by: Hal at August 25, 2008 12:15 PM
That’s your opinion. Prove it!
C’mon, you can legitimately deny 4,000 years of Scripture, the martydom of millions, and the words of Christ Himself?”
Yes, yes, and yes. There are religions even older you legitimately deny aren’t there?
Patricia, I think you should be careful using words like “prove it” in a discussion of religion.
Questions for anyone and everyone to answer:
1. I have gotten more positive reactions to my pregnancy from the support staff and minorities. Why do you think that is?
2.Respond to this quote:
“the availablity of welfare increases the probabilty an unmarried pregnant teenager will choose to become an unmarried mother, rather than marry or terminate the pregnancy”
In the same study, adolescents currently enrolled in school were more likely to terminate; religion was not significatly related to pregnancy decision outcome. Out of 297 adolescent girls, 113 carried to term and 184 aborted.
3. Respond to this study finding:
“the more religious the student the less sex was considered contributely to the relationship and acceptance of abortion declined, but even among religious female students, 48% chose abortion.”
4. Considering the previous study results, and this quote from Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society: “the culture of students sleeping around and getting drunk is just as big a problem at many Catholic universities as it is at state schools”, would you support my hypothesis that A. it is likely the pregnancy rate at SLU is similar to the national rate; and B. The reason the faculty thinks pregnancy just “doesn’t occur often” and that “abortion at SLU is uncommon” (to the info of Reslife accommodating 5 pregnancies in 13 years)is because students may not realize that any service is available to them and are making decisions that may go against Catholic teaching (e.g. getting abortions).
Jill should have noted that one of the primary sponsors of the facility she is enjoying is the Daily Kos- hence the name The Big Tent.
Also, there are plenty of “opposition” bloggers, for example the Republicans have their own blogging facility separate from the Big Tent.
And His Man, 12:42 you should note that the organization passing out the McCain “literature” is Planned Parenthood Action, the political wing, not the 501C3.
One of the guys who tried to disrupt the interfaith service was, surprise, Randall Terry.
By national rate, I mean, national rate of pregnancy in college students.
PiP-
I will get back to you later tonight- those are good questions!
faith-filled
Drudge’s headline was tongue in cheek…since this crowd has already been “slain in the spirit”…but of Obamessiah!
Hal,
Hal :”Patricia, I think you should be careful using words like “prove it” in a discussion of religion.”
Actually, shes correct is claiming that you cannot prove something like this false.
And since when did you come over to the reasonable side Hal and use proof? Thats a good turn around to see you attempting to think!
I see that Jill continues to epithetically call it the “Democrat Convention.” Very third grade of you, Jill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democrat_Party_(phrase)
well it should be interesting, i mean 2 nights of the Clinton klan and folk from MICH and FLA
Hal,
Not only do you have a talent for not using reason, but you also have a talent for not reading my posts.
I said that his beliefs do not DIRECTLY hurt anyone if unjustified. There may be indirect consequences, but he does not advocate or allow for the destruction of anyone or anything.
However, your beliefs, if unjustified allow for if not advocate the unjustfied destruction of others. See how thats direct?
You should subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. Its a pretty good source to work up your reading comprehension skills.
You should subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. Its a pretty good source to work up your reading comprehension skills.
That was a pretty nasty thing to say, Oliver. Even if you disagree with what someone says it is not necessary to throw around sarcastic insults.
Besides, how could not anyone not love one back who has given his life for you? Denying Him won’t work Hal.
It works just fine for me, HisMan. You can quote scripture all you want, but to a lot of us, your bible is a nice (and sometimes naughty) story written and transcribed over many generations by men with an agenda. While there is certainly some basis in fact for some of the events it depicts, I neither believe nor accept it as the “word of God.”
Oliver, the WSJ is too much preaching to the choir. Its arguments tend to assume more than they prove.
PIP says:
“1. I have gotten more positive reactions to my pregnancy from the support staff and minorities. Why do you think that is?”
I think this is because working class people tend to place more value on family, while college educated/white collar workers tend to place education/job as a priority before children.I don’t mean that white collar types don’t love their children, just that they don’t necessarally see value in people having children w/out a college degree, but rather see it as a problem.
Pip says:
“the availablity of welfare increases the probabilty an unmarried pregnant teenager will choose to become an unmarried mother, rather than marry or terminate the pregnancy
In the same study, adolescents currently enrolled in school were more likely to terminate; religion was not significatly related to pregnancy decision outcome. Out of 297 adolescent girls, 113 carried to term and 184 aborted.”
As far as welfare goes, I can definitely see this happening. If you were not in a real relationship with the person who fathered your child, it would stand to reason that you might not get married if you could financially support yourself.
As for school, I think this has a large part to do with my former statement. College age women who become pregnant are often told by their parents that they would “ruin their life” if they became pregnant prior to graduation.
PIP:
“3. Respond to this study finding:
“the more religious the student the less sex was considered contributely to the relationship and acceptance of abortion declined, but even among religious female students, 48% chose abortion.””
I think that for a lot of young women the “ruin your life” line weighs more heavily than a faith that may not yet be well defined.
PIP:
“4. Considering the previous study results, and this quote from Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society: “the culture of students sleeping around and getting drunk is just as big a problem at many Catholic universities as it is at state schools”, would you support my hypothesis that A. it is likely the pregnancy rate at SLU is similar to the national rate; and B. The reason the faculty thinks pregnancy just “doesn’t occur often” and that “abortion at SLU is uncommon” (to the info of Reslife accommodating 5 pregnancies in 13 years)is because students may not realize that any service is available to them and are making decisions that may go against Catholic teaching (e.g. getting abortions).
”
I think that both hypothesis A and B are very likely. There is so much pressure on young women today to get a degree, get a good job, THEN get married, THEN have a baby, THEN go back to the job, that any kind of deviation from this pattern is cause for extreme panic. I would imagine this could be especially true for someone whose parents believe her to be a virgin and/or would see the pregnancy as a catastrophic event.
Thanks lauren!! I’d love to get this on camera, because you have such good responses :) Do you think it is still a possibility for you?
Questions for anyone and everyone to answer:
“1. I have gotten more positive reactions to my pregnancy from the support staff and minorities. Why do you think that is?”
I think the people you mentioned (support staff and minorities) tend to be less self interested than the egotistical professors and stuck up students (some).
2.Respond to this quote:
“the availablity of welfare increases the probabilty an unmarried pregnant teenager will choose to become an unmarried mother, rather than marry or terminate the pregnancy”
I would leave out the “or terminate the pregnancy” above. Also, we don’t want to go back to the days where Mothers were having 5 or 6 kids with no responsibility or husbands.
“In the same study, adolescents currently enrolled in school were more likely to terminate; religion was not significatly related to pregnancy decision outcome. Out of 297 adolescent girls, 113 carried to term and 184 aborted.”
The demise of society has alot to do with this, and the radical feminist agenda has apparently infuenced many women, even the ‘religous’ ones.
3. Respond to this study finding:
“the more religious the student the less sex was considered contributely to the relationship and acceptance of abortion declined, but even among religious female students, 48% chose abortion.”
I’d like to see how this question was phrased, is it refering to practicing religous students? or just religous? I mean, many people will say they’re religous but have gone to church twice in their life.
4. Considering the previous study results, and this quote from Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society: “the culture of students sleeping around and getting drunk is just as big a problem at many Catholic universities as it is at state schools”, would you support my hypothesis that A. it is likely the pregnancy rate at SLU is similar to the national rate; and B. The reason the faculty thinks pregnancy just “doesn’t occur often” and that “abortion at SLU is uncommon” (to the info of Reslife accommodating 5 pregnancies in 13 years)is because students may not realize that any service is available to them and are making decisions that may go against Catholic teaching (e.g. getting abortions).
Well yes, I would agree (Note: many ‘Catholic’ universities are not really Catholic anymore, the Cardinal Newman Society has exposed this on their website.). ….and not only is it because students may not realize that any service is available to them, but they have to realize pregnancy is not the end of the world. I doubt there is any class that teaches this, all colleges tend to do is shove condoms and BCP’s down their throats.
PIP,
Can you tell us what Univeristy you go to? (I remember Salem ???)and is it Catholic or Christian?
Is this where you are doing the pregancy study or in your hometown?
Jasper,
I’m specifically addressing problems with Saint Louis University (Jesuit) in particular but also college women in general.
The quotes in the questions were mainly the results of different studies: I just copied and pasted them, to see if everyone here reacted the same way and drew the same conclusions (I just don’t want to read something wrong due to my own biases).
Pip, I should be able to get it on camera this weekend. We think our camera is up at my in-laws, but we’re not positive. If we don’t find it I think we’re just going to get another, so I should have it pretty soon regardless. :)
Jasper… I went to Salem. ;)
Hal :”Patricia, I think you should be careful using words like “prove it” in a discussion of religion.”
Oliver: Actually, she’s correct is claiming that you cannot prove something like this false.
O, he didn’t make any statements like that.
He said, I never said there were no absolutes. I am absolutely sure your views on religion are wrong.
Patricia said, That’s your opinion. Prove it!
It’s nonsensical to ask for proof of the negative, but you don’t really doubt that’s his opinion, do you?
1. I have gotten more positive reactions to my pregnancy from the support staff and minorities. Why do you think that is?
PIP, I agree with Lauren (who did a good job) – to some extent it’s a socio-economic deal. For many people, there is a “should” that goes with your situation – young, single, going to college, etc., and they will tend to see having a kid as more of a net negative than those who in general did not go to college, etc., themselves, as much.
…..
2.Respond to this quote: “the availablity of welfare increases the probabilty an unmarried pregnant teenager will choose to become an unmarried mother, rather than marry or terminate the pregnancy”
No doubt – for a given girl, there would then be less impetus to get married, versus doing it for financial gain which would be somewhat mitigated by getting married (if that’d be a concern at all). Same for ending the pregnancy, if finances came into it.
…..
In the same study, adolescents currently enrolled in school were more likely to terminate; religion was not significatly related to pregnancy decision outcome. Out of 297 adolescent girls, 113 carried to term and 184 aborted.
3. Respond to this study finding: “the more religious the student the less sex was considered contributely to the relationship and acceptance of abortion declined, but even among religious female students, 48% chose abortion.”
“Contributing to the relationship,” right? Makes sense to me. And yeah – even among religious women in general who describe themselves as “born again,” whether in college or not, a significant portion choose abortion when the pregnancy is unwanted – regardless of what they’ve said before, when it’s actually themselves in the siituation, some see that for them ending the pregnancy is the best thing. Also makes sense that the student percentage, 48%, is higher than for religious women in general.
…..
4. Considering the previous study results, and this quote from Patrick Reilly of the Cardinal Newman Society: “the culture of students sleeping around and getting drunk is just as big a problem at many Catholic universities as it is at state schools”, would you support my hypothesis that A. it is likely the pregnancy rate at SLU is similar to the national rate; and B. The reason the faculty thinks pregnancy just “doesn’t occur often” and that “abortion at SLU is uncommon” (to the info of Reslife accommodating 5 pregnancies in 13 years)is because students may not realize that any service is available to them and are making decisions that may go against Catholic teaching (e.g. getting abortions).
I don’t know if the “just as big a problem” is true, though sure – he may think it’s a big problem. Are we going to quantify it? I don’t know about the pregnancy rate. Is it comparable?
If pregnant students don’t realize that there are supportive services available to them should they decide to continue the pregnancy, then I think it’s obvious that that would make them more like to choose abortion, and go against Catholic teaching.
SoMG: “Oliver, the WSJ is too much preaching to the choir. Its arguments tend to assume more than they prove.”
I wouldnt say it is good necessarily for arguments, but it is good for reading comp. All arguments tend to assume more than they prove, by the way.
Also, to anon, I am not concerned with what Hal has to say, exactly, (although he is extremely rude to the posters that he thinks he can intimidate) but I am concerned with his actions. He condoned the abortion of two of his children with no personal justification. This bothers me and I see him as a monster. If you abort and consider the ramifications and reasonings, and honestly, even if your reasoning is flawed, choose to abort, it is one thing. Hal however openly admits that he has no reasoning for his actions.
If Jill or one of the mods doesnt want me to talk to him like that, thats fine. However, Im sure that they in some part appreciate how I treat him, considering how he treats others here.
By the way Doug, you are right. I misread the post and thought he was saying “beyond the shadow of a doubt this is the case,” but in context it appears possible that he is only suggesting it is his feelings, not the fact.
However, he is still not one to complain about reasoning, if he decides to not supply it himself.
“I never said there were no absolutes. I am absolutely sure you’re views on religion are wrong.
Posted by: Hal at August 25, 2008 12:15 PM”
Warning, danger, warning, danger, does not compute.
I’ve just figured out who Hal is. He’s the computer in the movie “2001: A Space Odyssey”. Somehow he got out of the film vault and into cyberspace, destined to an eternity of confusion.
HAL, you have been exposed:
And this video fits you to a tee and I am peeing my pants:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcNkMIwolKc
Well… given the success rate of condoms to prevent disease and pregnancy, does this mean that perhaps 30% of democrats who rely on these will end up voting for McCain???
Just a thought…
Yes!
PIP, I agree with pretty much everyone else on all of the questions, but I do have something slightly different to say about this one.
2.Respond to this quote: “the availablity of welfare increases the probabilty an unmarried pregnant teenager will choose to become an unmarried mother, rather than marry or terminate the pregnancy”
I agree on both counts, but I don’t view either as negative. I think that a woman, faced with an unplanned pregnancy she does not want to terminate, who decides not to marry probably has a good reason for doing so — and I think that helping her make this decision is probably best for everyone involved. I don’t think single parenthood is the ideal situation, but I do think it’s better than a really crummy marriage. If the relationship is good then the couple may use the pregnancy as a kick in the pants towards marriage, but if it’s not then I think we are only better as a society for not locking the woman into a marriage just because she got pregnant.
I am kind of seeing a tone in the other answers that helping the woman decide not to abort is a good thing, but helping the woman decide not to marry is a bad thing. I’m not necessarily of that opinion. I know people who have had unplanned pregnancies that they used as an impetus to marry, and I know people who are really way better off for not marrying the people they got pregnant with. It’s certainly easier to be a married parent than a single parent, regardless of welfare or other forms of aid — so I don’t think that welfare provides a disincentive to marry, moreso that it makes the choice not to marry slightly more possible.
“Jasper… I went to Salem. ;)”
oh, thats right. tx Lauren.
Oliver: By the way Doug, you are right. I misread the post and thought he was saying “beyond the shadow of a doubt this is the case,” but in context it appears possible that he is only suggesting it is his feelings, not the fact.
However, he is still not one to complain about reasoning, if he decides to not supply it himself.
Okay, cool. I guess if anything I’d say that SoMG has a point about bodily atuonomy.
We may not say that individuals have “absolute” bodily autonomy – as you’ve noted, it’s not like we can do whatever we want. But I think that’s restrictions on our actions, not an incursion on our bodily autonomy, same as the state saying that parents & guardians have to care for kids.
Either way – and even if we say that the state “restricts bodily autonomy as far as parents caring for their kids,” then it’s also true that the state doesn’t abridge it as far as compelling blood donation, and certainly not as far as continuing a pregnancy against one’s will.
I think that a woman, faced with an unplanned pregnancy she does not want to terminate, who decides not to marry probably has a good reason for doing so — and I think that helping her make this decision is probably best for everyone involved. I don’t think single parenthood is the ideal situation, but I do think it’s better than a really crummy marriage.
YEAH – nicely said, Alexandra.
Alexandra, 8:22 p.m.
You make some good points about getting married because you’re having a baby together. I must admit I’m slightly torn on this issue, mostly because I see plenty of people who stay together and are raising their baby together, yet aren’t married. And that doesn’t make quite as much sense to me. I understand the not wanting to be married because you aren’t in a good relationship to begin with, but people who are and AREN’T getting married, confuses me a bit.
I think the willingness to make a commitment is the bigger issue here. People who are willing to make the commitment to each other because they made a baby together are much more likely *I* think to remain committed to each other and their child(ren). Like, for instance, if a guy gets his gf pregnant and is completely unwilling to marry her, that raises questions in my mind as to how seriously the man takes his commitment to being a father as well. Not that *I* have any personal experience with that situation AT.ALL. (insert sarcastic tone here)
NARAL DNC give-aways
Hey, I only got condoms. From Politicker.com, today: Anyone who has ever gone to a political convention knows that swag definitely isn’t in short supply. But even Pittsburgh Post-Gazette cartoonist Rob Rogers was amazed when he came across a…