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Eminentoes
Pelosi's Children
"Let's hear it for the children. We're here for the children," said Nancy Pelosi moments after becoming America's first female Speaker of the House.
The date was January 4, 2007. Two months earlier, the Democrats had swept the mid-term elections and ended the Republicans' 12-year control of Congress. It was a momentous occasion for Democrats, sweetened by Pelosi's ascendancy to the top congressional job. She had "broken the marble ceiling," to quote her own words. She was the uber-feminist, free from the constraints of motherhood and the female proclivity for nurturing children.
Or was she? Much to the amusement of conservative pundits, Pelosi addressed the House for the first time as Speaker surrounded by children. As the votes were tabulated, she held an infant in her arms. She looked the picture image of the affectionate grandmother. She ended her speech with these (somewhat) immortal words: "For these children, our children, and for all of America's children, the House will come to order."
My, how time has tempered those words. Recently, Pelosi faced widespread criticism for saying that boosted federal funding for family planning services (i.e., contraception and abortion) would stimulate the economy. Her subtext was that children imperil our prosperity. Rather than see kids as an investment in the future, Pelosi suggested they are a net economic drain.
Despite being buoyed by a new ally in the White House and expanded majorities in both chambers of Congress, Democrats backed down and nixed the condom bucks from the stimulus bill. Lefty bloggers still in their religious trance after the coronation of Obama a few days earlier suddenly turned sour. One complained that Obama had traded women's rights to please Republicans. The spell was broken.
Clear-thinking Americans see the inherent stupidity of bailing out Planned Parenthood and its ilk during an economic implosion, but that didn't stop liberals from griping. Nevertheless, Obama and company would rather have a few dissatisfied activists than the PR nightmare generated by a family planning funding orgy. To their credit, Republicans spun the issue truthfully -- as a load of pork in tumultuous economic times. And they won. When Republicans show some backbone, often that's the result.
But there is another lesson to be learned from the controversy: Pelosi's duplicity. Social conservatives routinely are eviscerated for supposedly caring about human life only during pregnancy but not after birth. If they oppose entitlements such as SCHIP but support restrictions on abortion, they are said to be anti-child. While the facts don't tally with that conclusion, it's a regular argument of the left.
The argument is a two-way street, though. Pelosi is willing to manufacture a photo op by holding an infant moments before becoming the first female Speaker, yet she would have supported the mother's choice to end that infant's life before birth. Hardly pro-child.
Pelosi and her allies approach family planning in the same vein as their ideological forbearers. In the early 20th century, the progressive movement had some less-than-flattering ideas about reproduction among the poor and migrant. Today, we're seeing a renewed strain of eugenics-type thinking tied to economic prosperity and the environment.
One recent example is in Great Britain. Jonathon Porritt, chairman of the UK's Sustainable Development Commission, said that couples who have more than two children contribute to the destruction of the planet. He suggested that contraception and abortion be at the core of anti-global warming policies.
I doubt Pelosi would go that far publicly, but Porritt's thinking is not out of line with her approach. What liberals fail to see is the economic benefit that children bring to a nation, beyond their inherent worth as human beings. They are the future labors, innovators, and leaders. No children, no future.
That scenario is already becoming reality as Baby Boomers begin to retire and collect Social Security. Thanks to abortion and declining birth rates, the old will soon drastically outnumber the young. And I doubt the young will be happy about footing the bill. The same generation that brought us legalized abortion-on-demand might face euthanasia at the hands of their children, and all for the same reason: convenience and the bottom line.
I wonder what Madame Speaker will have to say about that.
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R. Trotter| 2.6.09 @ 9:13AM
Thank you for stating it in clear terms. Abortion is simply that: murder for the sake of convenience.
Peregrinus| 2.6.09 @ 9:23AM
This article may remind Roman Catholic readers that the ecclesiastical authority with the most immediate jurisdiction over Madame Speaker, the Most Reverend George Niederauer, Archbishop of San Francisco, in lieu of banning her from Holy Communion altogether in light of her public and persistent rejection of Catholic teaching, had promised to "enter into dialogue" with her.
How's that coming along, Your Excellency?
With not one but TWO of the Washington Archdiocese's hierarchy helping to inaugurate the pro-abortion President (Archbishop Wuerl and his Hispanic Auxiliary Bishop at the National Cathedral prayer service), I've already decided to divert my annual Archdiocesan Charity Drive check for this spring to the sponsorship of sending young Catholic demonstrators to next year's Right to Life rally in DC - as long as they promise to march by Wuerl's residence.
Let's quit the mixed signals and see if any of these mitres are actually connected to spines!
Peter McGrath| 2.6.09 @ 9:30AM
Pelosi and her ilk stand for the proposition that a human life - if unlucky enough to be on the short end of someone's cost benefit analysis - should be easily expendable. This calculus - today - applies only to the most defenseless (i.e., the unborn), but the Left would just as readily allow for disposal of the inconvenient aged, infirm, disabled, or incapacitated.
Pelosi's "compassion" for children - at root - is a facile appeal for the votes of (mainly single) parents who would prefer letting government do some of the heavy lifting of child rearing.
The recent, brutal killing of an accidentally born baby at an abortion clinic in Florida (read about it, here: http://www.buffalonews.com/260/story/570428.html) is emblematic of the moral sickness of the left. Forget about love, forget about cherishing life, forget about God. Go chase your perverted, self-serving ends and, if an unborn child or an elderly parent gets in the way, have them killed - with the assistance of the pitiless State.
Gerard E.| 2.6.09 @ 10:13AM
What a shock. Pelosi claims she does all 'for the children,' then advocates more elimination of them through federal contraception and abortion funding programs. As El Rushbo taught us- don't follow what they say. Watch what they do. Just another Washington Elite trying to cull the herd. Or perhaps, we suggest, children of color? Get the hint, Congressional Black Caucus? Oh, too dependant on her to ship pork back to your safe inner city districts.
George| 2.6.09 @ 11:51AM
If you have not seen, "Children of Men," watch it.
Of course, it is way out there because it's Hollywood but it may jsut scare you straight on "Planned Parenthood."
Stan Redmond| 2.6.09 @ 12:51PM
George;
you can't ask us to watch that movie. That's a horrible movie.
I'm beginning to think that the abortion issue is based on a deep desire to have power over human life. Liberals CRAVE power and what more supreme power is there then to kill your fellow humans? I don't think it is a deliberate belief for the useful idiots of abortion because aborting babies is so clinical and wrapped in a cloak of freedom. What else but a desire for power over life can motivate an organization like NARAL or PP?
Pingback| 2.6.09 @ 1:16PM
The American Spectator : Pelosi's Children | unisexbabyname.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jeremiah| 2.6.09 @ 3:04PM
Ruth --
"If it feels good, do it."
This is the motto of market capitalism.
Peter McGrath| 2.6.09 @ 4:06PM
Ruth's cruel (and crude) insult masquerading as a "comment" was commendably removed.
ruth| 2.6.09 @ 4:23PM
Peter, sometimes the truth is cruel and crude. Abortion is both. Words don't kill, abortion does.
Alan Brooks| 2.6.09 @ 4:32PM
vera chuck, and sgt peppers.
"you're out, Dave"
ruth| 2.6.09 @ 4:38PM
Jeremiah, you think there's no corruption in government? Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, the multitude of democrats who've made millions through Fannie/Freddie are just some examples of government malfeasance that abound. You avert your eyes to their misdeeds, why? I distrust government because it has absolute power over the individual. I see those in business being punished for our economic meltdown--but not one politician is being investigated for his role in this mess. I believe their lack of accountability is cause for concern.
sestamibi| 2.6.09 @ 8:22PM
Great article, but you lost me at the next-to-last graf.
Unfortunately, all too many pro-natalists resort to the Social Security argument to make their case. This openly admits that SS is a Ponzi scheme, and implies that the purpose of children is nothing more than to support a socialized pension scheme and serve as cannon fodder in military adventurism abroad.
That argument is neither necessary or desirable. Children are a blessing in and of themselves, with no apology necessary.
By the way, Nancy has five herself, all grown up now. I can't help but wonder how many grandkids she has.
Duane Hinde| 2.6.09 @ 8:39PM
Nancy can't help that she is stupid, it is just a liberal thing. Some day she will grow up and will see the light , that killing babies, kills our country. I believe that is why God said, Be fruitful and multiply. Guess who is the smart one??
Gazinya| 2.6.09 @ 9:26PM
I think the only reason for "Everybody" in all three branches of Gov. to be so pro illegal migrant is they see them as perfect replacements to all the aborted children. What if we had held off on killing the 40 or 50 million children in abortion land. How many children would we have to keep our 'experiment' alive.
Rush Oxycontin| 2.7.09 @ 5:08AM
Abortion is the greatest sin. How can these fools live? Avoiding their god? Abortion is the greatest sin. I weep for all these hypocrites. Like Rush and his endless conga of opiates. SINNER. You people have a much too false sense of GOD's wrath. He WILL smite you. A pill of opium is unto a life, so he said. You false liars, you heathens.
Louise Zarro| 2.7.09 @ 8:30AM
Why do we waste our time on what some ignorant "Fat Cat Woman" in Washington thinks or says. I heard something interesting last night, that there is a big hoopla about hunting from planes in Alaska, and I heard a woman journalist say, we have to speak for the animals, because they cannot speak for themselves. Is she CRAZY! If only these "Morons", would speak up for the babies, that by the way, CANNOT SPEAK UP FOR THEMSELVES, maybe then, and only then, will God hear our cries for help! Are we far enough in the garbage pit yet, or can we sink deeper?
Rick| 2.7.09 @ 8:50AM
Duane Hinde is right when he posted, "that killing babies, kills our country. I believe that is why God said, Be fruitful and multiply. Guess who is the smart one??"
Since 1973, 50 million babies have been aborted. Let's say that 25 years later (1998), they would have produced an estimated 75 to 100 million children. That would have added from 125 to 150 million citizens to our population, bringing us up to 425 to 500 million citizens. This would be more dollars spent for housing, food; more workers for industry; more taxpayers, etc. Could this be another causal factor for our economic meltdown? Just wondering.
Darla| 2.7.09 @ 12:07PM
Anyone notice that Pelosi, being the priviledged one, has five children? Only we the serfs need to keep ourselved to two.
Homesick Ex-Wasillan| 2.7.09 @ 3:40PM
Boys, boys, boys,
PLEASE! "If it feels good, do it" was a slogan of the drug-sex-rock 'n' roll culture of the late 60s. It was supposed to be an anti-capitalist slogan. At least get your slurs straight. (unless you are still floating on the drugs of the day... ;-D )
ruth| 2.7.09 @ 4:18PM
Exactly. 'If it feels good, do it' has led to the deaths of 50 million babies, and counting. The 60's counter-culture has won and we are reaping the whirlwind. Stupid, heartless liberals are gonna reap, too.
Brian| 2.8.09 @ 11:33AM
Pelosi needs to be aborted ASAP.
Worst House Speaker EVER.
Marc Jeric| 2.8.09 @ 1:31PM
As far as I know, the economics of abortion mills has never been propely addressed. Such a mill (aka Women's health clinic) with one doctor, one nurse, and one receptionist can perform 40 abortions in an 8-hour shift. At about $500 per abortion this makes for a daily gross of $20,000. In a 200-day year the gross income of such a simple mill amounts to $4 million/year.Let us give the nurse a generous salary with benefits of $80,000; to the receptionist $60,000; for rent and utilities $30,000/year; and for medical supplies say $50,000/year. That leaves this doctor with a gross of $3,780,000. No wonder these baby killers can give generous political contributions to Democrats. Their chief Howard Dean, multi-millionaire and presidential candidate, is the owner of a string of such abortion mills in Vermont.
ruth| 2.8.09 @ 4:57PM
Dianne Feinstein made her millions this way. Disgusting.
Nick| 2.8.09 @ 5:55PM
Ruth,
She did? I did not know that.
But the only thing I really know about her is that she was the mayor of the Soviet Socialist Republic of San Francisco.
ruth| 2.8.09 @ 11:56PM
Through her husband. Yuck.
Rev. Ray Dubuque| 2.21.09 @ 5:20PM
In the same way that German citizens were forced to view what had been done at their concentration camps during the Jewish Holocaust, every Roman Catholic bishop, beginning with the pope - and those who take the claims of these clerics are more moral than Liberal Democrats like Nancy Pelosi - ought to be required to view the videos below. (I say REQUIRED, because their conscience won't persuade them to do so.)
The Prefect of the Congregation of Eastern Churches at the time, Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, substantiated their basic accuracy when he wrote in a letter sent in March of 1942 to Croatia's representative to the Vatican:
"I know for a fact, that it is the Franciscans themselves who have taken part in attacks against the Orthodox populations so as to destroy the Orthodox Church. . . I know for sure that the Franciscans in Bosnia and Herzegovina have acted abominably, and this pains me. Such acts should not be committed by educated, cultured, civilized people, let alone by priests."
(turn down your volume and read the captions)
Catholic holocaust perpetrators - Part One : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWGyTPu6UDE
Catholic holocaust perpetrators - Part Two : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQqObZm-Y8I
Catholic holocaust perpetrators - Part Three : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtTve5zRcmA
Catholic holocaust perpetrators - Part Four : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSs5tcxvGok
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