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Political Hay
The Real Abortion Fabrications
Barack Obama stood before a Planned Parenthood gathering and said, "In my mind, reproductive care is essential care."
That was July 17, 2007, when he was a first term senator in an uphill battle for the Democratic presidential nomination, speaking about health care reform.
"We're going to set up a public plan that all persons and all women can access if they don't have health insurance," candidate Obama continued. "It will be a plan that will provide all essential services, including reproductive services, as well as mental health services and disease management services, because part of our interest is to make sure that we're putting more money into preventive care."
Though not uttering the word abortion, the meaning of "reproductive care" is clear in the context of speaking to Planned Parenthood.
The health care reform legislation in the House and Senate does allow funding for abortion. Meanwhile, the Democrat-controlled committees in the House and Senate have rejected amendments to apply the language of the Hyde Amendment -- which prohibits public funding of abortions -- to any public plan or government subsidized private plans under the reform scheme.
But the Obama administration has spent the last several months digging their heels into the claim that the health care plan would not cover abortion -- challenging the conclusions of the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service and the watchdog website Factcheck.org, not to mention the pro-life community.
On Aug. 19, President Obama told a coalition of faith leaders in a forum on Blog Talk Radio, "You've heard that this is all going to mean government funding of abortion. Not true. These are all fabrications that have been put out there in order to discourage people from meeting what I consider to be a core ethical and moral obligation. And that is that we look out for one another: That I am my brother's keeper and my sister's keeper. And in the wealthiest nation on earth right now, we are neglecting to live up to that call."
Factcheck.org, which some conservatives have accused of leaning left, reported in an Aug. 21 analysis, "Private plans that cover abortion also could be purchased with the help of federal subsidies. Therefore, we judge that the president goes too far when he calls the statements that government would be funding abortions 'fabrications.'"
The very next day, the president spoke at the Democratic National Committee headquarters as part of the Organizing for America National Health Care Forum.
"There are no plans under health reform to revoke the existing prohibition on using federal taxpayer dollars for abortions," Obama told the DNC gathering. "Nobody is talking about changing that existing provision, the Hyde Amendment. Let's be clear about that. It's just not true."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Right to Life Committee, among others, have taken the White House to task on this matter. The Hyde Amendment is included in each year's annual Health and Human Services appropriation and has been since 1977. It stops HHS funding for abortions only in that specific fiscal year it is voted on in the appropriation. But, the health care overhaul being pushed in Congress won't be funded through the annual HHS appropriations, thus, would not be subject to the Hyde Amendment.
A Congressional Research Service memo (pdf) to pro-life Congressman Chris Smith said as much. "In summary, Section 207 of H.R. 3200 creates a Health Insurance Exchange Trust Fund, appropriates amounts to the Fund, and requires payments from the Fund," said an Aug. 28 CRS memo. "If enacted, all of these actions would be authorized without any further legislative action, such as a further appropriation in a subsequent act."
In other words, the health exchange is a separate pool of money than the HHS budget, thus is not governed by the Hyde Amendment.
It seems unlikely the White House was not be aware of this since the application of the Hyde language to the bill has been a significant part of the debate over the summer.
A bipartisan amendment by Democrat Bart Stupak and Republican Joe Pitts failed to pass Chairman Henry Waxman's House Energy and Commerce Committee by just one vote. The same committee, however, narrowly passed an amendment to the bill sponsored by Rep. Lois Capps that would leave it up to private insurances companies -- getting federal subsidies as part of the "exchange" established under the health care reform package -- whether to fund abortions.
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Alan Brooks| 10.20.09 @ 8:35AM
It's the attitude more than anything else:
"here's your right to have an abortion-- now go away and sing no more!"
Tim| 10.20.09 @ 9:56AM
What other "right" must be wrapped in and defended by lies?
Callie| 10.20.09 @ 10:58AM
"the meaning of 'reproductive care' is clear in the context of speaking to Planned Parenthood"
--Um, no. I know this will shock you rightists, but people who work in reproductive healthcare are dedicated to looking after all of the organs and processes that make up the reproductive system. It's only *you* people who think the only thing of worth in there is a fetus.
Truth to Power| 10.20.09 @ 11:21AM
I know it is a tough concept but we know Planned Parenthood by what they do and not what their lackeys say. They kill babies and they encourage mothers to kill their babies. Callie can try to look the other way but 50 million babies have been killed. Our society has put the whims of the women ahead of the lives of these babies. Please don't rationalize with the statistically insignificant rape, incest, or medically necessary. Most are done for the convenience of the mother and it is all legal. It is a bloody picture that can't be covered. These women and the slime (Callie) that encourages them are the largest mass murderers in the history of the world.
Callie| 11.12.09 @ 11:13PM
Your closed minded opinion really doesn't bother me.
Ray| 10.20.09 @ 1:43PM
"but people who work in reproductive healthcare are dedicated to looking after all of the organs and processes that make up the reproductive system"
That's called gynecology. I wonder why you didn't use that term?
stef| 11.12.09 @ 11:06PM
Yes, and gynecologists work at Planned Parenthood.
Good job at making connections.
Son Of Sam| 10.20.09 @ 2:07PM
"reproductive freedom": really mom, I only had that Playboy mag for the articles!
really you "antichoice" people: we here at Banned Parenthood hardly EVER do abortions. We're all about "healthcare"
what a chowderskull
stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com/
KyMouse| 10.20.09 @ 3:21PM
Um, what I think is that mothers deserve better than abortion, and that every child deserves a chance. Why don't you?
Here are just three true incidents of tender care provided by "reproductive healthcare" specialists; you can find many more online:
In 1989, Synthia Dennard of Chicago bled to death after "safe and legal" abortionist Inno Obasi mistakenly cut out part of an artery. He delayed summoning help, and when paramedics arrived, he tried to stop them from assisting her.
In 1998, Lou Ann Herron of Arizona bled to death when "safe and legal" abortionist John Biskind punctured her uterus. Biskind was later convicted of manslaughter.
In 1991, Abu Hayat severed the right arm of a late-term baby girl during a vacuum abortion in Manhattan. Her mother, 20-year-old Rosa Rodriguez, felt her baby move and told him to stop. He refused, and the procedure sliced off the arm of the baby, who was later born alive (although mutilated).
I think the "organs and processes" of those young women deserved better "looking after" than they received at the hands of those "reproductive healthcare" professionals, don't you?
Good Grief| 10.21.09 @ 2:40PM
You said, "It's only *you* people who think the only thing of worth in there is a fetus." What a great mother you will make.
Donna| 10.22.09 @ 10:52AM
People like her only care to be free to lay down with who ever, whenever they like with out consequence. It's ok when all you have to do is go to the "clinic" and have an abortion. They have no self respect or they would think about hopping in the sack and risking their own health (and life)as well as the child brought into being. It makes me both sad and sick.
stef| 11.12.09 @ 10:58PM
It's amusing to me that you act as if you know her from her comment about reproductive care.
What makes ME sad and sick is that you are so full of pride that you think your opinion is applicable to everyone.
Sam| 10.20.09 @ 12:12PM
I would really like to know what Truth to Power is smoking because whatever it is, it's really doing a good job of taking you to another world.
There is room for compromise here since fetus' can be aborted at different points during the pregnancy. I agree that by the late-term, you are probably talking about a life and so naturally, many states ban the practice. But in the early term, the zygote is certainly not a life. It has the potential to become a life, but it is not one.
Conservatives are correct when they say,
" Immigrants who came illegally do not immediately deserve better treatment than U.S. citizens." By the same token, potential lives should not take priority over actual lives. It's time to put the living first.
Ray| 10.20.09 @ 1:46PM
"But in the early term, the zygote is certainly not a life. "
Yes, it is, as it fits ALL the definitions of a life form. Until you understand this you're complicit in murder.
Son Of Sam| 10.20.09 @ 2:04PM
"probably" talking about a life? What gasoline are YOU huffing, you sanctimonious holier than thou fraud? Look, I myself am NOT Christian: never have been. I'm not "born again" or "orthodox" What I am is LOGICAL:
A) If its not ALIVE, why is it growing? Why does it take in nourishment, and expel waste?
B) If its not ALIVE, why does it have a beating heart long before its mother is even aware that shes preganant?
C) If its not sentient, why does it feel pain? Why does it have measurable brain wave activity?
D) If its not a human being, why does it have our DNA? If its not a human being, what kind of being is it?
E) How exactly is anything "potentially" alive? And where is the magical presto chango dividing line: you cross this line, and now *poof* you are ACTUALLY alive?
You, sir, are abysmally ignorant and utterly lacking in any sort of logic.
stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com/
KyMouse| 10.20.09 @ 3:54PM
There is no such thing as "potential" life. There is life, or there is death -- growth and development, or decay.
Take a look at an embryology textbook; for example, I have in front of me "The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology," which was written for medical students.
On page one it defines "zygote" as the cell that "results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. A zygote is the beginning of a new human being." It also states that "human development is a continuous process that begins when an ovum from a female is fertilized by a sperm from a male."
Only two things are necessary to develop that zygote into an infant, a toddler, an adolescent and an adult -- time and nourishment.
Margie| 10.20.09 @ 4:57PM
Sam enjoys playing God. I hope Sam isn't a practicing abortionist because Sam would be a murderer.
"Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and every one who loves and practices falsehood." Rev. 22:15.
That would mean outside of Heaven, Sam. Lots luck!
Tim| 10.20.09 @ 1:55PM
It's time to put the living first.
Unless they're over 75 or so, then they get shunted into the arms of that other "choice".
TK| 10.20.09 @ 2:18PM
Truth to Power,
I have done more research on Planned Parenthood than your average Joe and I agree with your characterization. They're deceptive and motivated by the philosophy of free sex without consequences more than anything else. That's unfortunately (for them) contrary to human nature which cannot be changed.
I want to challenge your belief that all women who abort do so out of convenience. It's more complicated than that. I read a good metaphor recently: A woman has an abortion like a trapped animal chews off its own paw to escape. Our culture is not supportive of femininity or motherhood. Dead beat dads are everywhere and their paying child support is very low in priority with law enforcement. Every aspect of womanhood is exploited in American culture. Abortion is a symptom of that phenomenon.
"Behind virtually every abortion is the selfish lust of a man." ~Christopher West
By the way, I am a pro-life feminist and the mother of several children, one of them conceived by rape.
KyMouse| 10.20.09 @ 4:22PM
God bless you, TK. You've reminded me of Ethel Waters, who was conceived when her 13-year-old mother was raped. Ethel had many troubles in her life, but she became a gifted singer and actress ("The Member of the Wedding") and was the second black American ever nominated for an Academy Award.
A few sad facts: About half of all mothers who decide to abort their baby have already aborted a previous one, according to the Guttmacher folks and other sources.
And about 64 percent of abortions involve some form of coercion, such as the threat of physical harm or blackmail. According to researcher David Reardon, pregnant mothers give three reasons for undergoing forced abortion: (1) pressure from the baby's father, her own parents or her husband; (2) lack of support from her social network; and (3) persuasion/pressure by an abortion mill.
In recent years, murder has been one of the leading causes (and sometimes the leading cause) of injury-related deaths among pregnant mothers.
Margie| 10.20.09 @ 5:28PM
TK,
You're such an encouragement! I'm so glad you kept your baby. I know a woman who was raped twice, she's white, the rapist was black. She had 2 beautiful black babies. I used to babysit for her. God later gave her a husband with whom she had another child. I also knew another young woman who did have an abortion. She had given her life to Christ, and confessed this secret to me as she wept. I reminded her that Jesus already had forgiven her, because she asked Him to. I know what you say is true. We live in a throw-away world. A good friend works in a crisis pregnancy center as Nurse. That is her way of helping. There are so many young women who allow themselves to be used and then see no other way out. The Bible says that apart from Christ, we can do nothing. Jn. 15:5. It also says "But there is forgiveness with Thee, that thou may be feared." Ps. 130:4. We live in a fallen world. All of these babies are in Heaven, not single one will be missing.
Dasboot| 10.20.09 @ 2:26PM
"It's time to put the living first."
The Nazis called it "Life unworthy of life." and this catagorization was applied to everyone from the disabled to the Jews. Klilling was done in the name of creating a social utopia at the expense of valuing human life. It is so funny how pro-choice liberals are actually just like Nazis yet they accuse conservatives of being fascist.
Abortion is liberals' "Final Solution" to the question of "putting living people first."
Tim| 10.20.09 @ 2:48PM
There is nothing new under the sun. Abortion to some people is the promise of prosperity and plenty. That is why they consider it a public good.
"In the New Town which the Romans called Carthage, as in the parent cities of Phoenicia, the god who got things done bore the name Moloch, who was perhaps identical with the other deity whom we know as Baal, the Lord. The Romans did not at first quite know what to call him or what to make of him; they had to go back to the grossest myth of Greek or Roman Origins and compare him to Saturn devouring his children. But the worshippers of Moloch were not gross or primitive. They were members of a mature and polished civilization abounding in refinements and luxuries; they were probably far more civilized than the Romans. And Moloch was not a myth; or at any rate his meal was not a myth. These highly civilized people really met together to invoke the blessing of heaven on their empire by throwing hundreds of their infants into a large furnace. "
http://www.worldinvisible.com/.....art1c7.htm
Al Adab| 10.20.09 @ 4:14PM
TIM:
Right you are Tim, now we sacrifice our children to the great god Choice. Add to that the others we worship such as Tolerance and Diversity (seen as ends in themselves) and we begin to picture our new age of Idolotry.
Charity in Truth| 10.20.09 @ 4:11PM
"the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing - direct murder by the mother herself," Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Nobel Peace Prize 1979
Pingback| 10.20.09 @ 4:34PM
Nordic Walking Success At Northport Highlands Retirement … | Senior Health Wisdom links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
TennesseeVolunteer| 10.20.09 @ 4:44PM
Our local Bishop has implied that those of us who disagree with Obama are in some way 'racist'. Our churches aren't what they used to be. Good men and women with good hearts have to stand up and tell the truth, even when some of our leaders have lost our way.
I am far from perfect and am a sinner but abortion cannot be countenanced and those that look the other way have to be confronted.
Margie| 10.20.09 @ 5:33PM
I'd leave that "church!" Believers will be starting to gather in their homes, just as in Communist counties to pray and read the Bible and to have fellowship. Remember the true definition of Church~ "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." Mt. 18:20.
Good Grief| 10.21.09 @ 2:50PM
2 Timothy 3:12, "Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." Who persecuted Jesus? the religious or non-religious?
Isaiah 53 lamb| 10.22.09 @ 2:59PM
The people who persecuted Jesus were Jews and gentiles who rejected His claim to be the Jewish Messiah, God, Savior and Lord of the universe. Your sins and mine put Him on that cross.
Berl Goetz| 10.20.09 @ 5:34PM
I just can't get past the Barack Obama thumbnail photo that leads this article on the contents page. There he is again glaring authoritatively at his classroom, the nation, holding his microphone scepter-like in one hand and lifting the ever-present lecture finger with the other. Would someone please escort him off the podium and away from the cameras? It's going to be a long three years.
Pingback| 10.20.09 @ 6:30PM
Twitter Trackbacks for The American Spectator : The Real Abortion Fabrications [spec links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Jim O'Brien| 10.20.09 @ 8:53PM
We would be better off today if certain politicians had been aborted.
The left opposes the death penalty for criminals, but it's perfectly happy with abortion-on-demand. The left claims to defend minority groups, but aren't minorities the ones most likely to be harmed by Obama's government sponsored abortions?
Pingback| 10.21.09 @ 12:03PM
digg » Blog Archive » Roundup: Arizona Sheriff Continues to Deny Inmates’ Rights links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
KyMouse| 10.21.09 @ 12:30PM
You're right, Mr. O'Brien:
Abortionists have killed more than 14 million black American babies since 1973, making abortion by far the leading cause of death for this country's black population. (The second-place cause is heart disease, with more than 2.5 million deaths since 1973; stats are from cumulative CDC figures).
Black women constitute only about 12 % of American women, but they have about 35 % of the abortions. The abortion rate among married black American women is more than 4 times greater than it is among married white women.
The 2000 U.S. Census showed that Hispanics have replaced blacks as America's largest minority population. The deaths of those 14 million black babies undoubtedly played a major part in that shifting demographic.
Planned Parenthood, which commits more abortions than any other single organization, has deliberately and systematically targeted black Americans for many years (in keeping with the racist views of founder Margaret Sanger -- Google her "Negro Project"). Planned Parenthood has always located most of its abortuaries in or near minority neighborhoods.
For more info on this subject, try www.blackgenocide.org, www.nrlc.org, or the site of any Black Americans for Life chapter.
I do disagree with you on one point, Mr. O'Brien: I don't wish abortion on anyone, including harmful politicians. Better they should get their heads (and hearts) on straight, and work for the betterment of the world.
Sam| 10.22.09 @ 1:35AM
All of your responses to my post were extremely entertaining. I did appreciate TK's response. TK, it takes courage to do what you did. If there is a God, I hope he blesses you.
Margie sounds like a typical bible thumper and it's disappointing that she quotes whatever suits her argument at any given time.
I probably won't agree with most of you most of the time, but I like hearing what all of you have to say since the media gives little air time to right-wing views and I grow tired of reading the New York Times' obvious liberal opinion.
Just one favor: Can you all stop whining about the left and mischaracterizing them? I am a moderate and I'm looking for conservatives with good ideas. I know they're out there and I'm not looking for people who just want to piss and moan about why the left is so bad.
They have many faults, but whining about them gets you nowhere.
KyMouse| 10.22.09 @ 10:44AM
Sam, why do you find discussions about the deliberate killing of babies "entertaining"?
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