To borrow a presidential debate catch-phrase, there you go again.
As GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum noted after Wednesday’s debate, the media’s game of late has been to 1) ask repeated questions of him and the other Republicans about their stance on birth control and 2) ask them why they’re talking so much about birth control.
Why do that? In an attempt to make Republicans look extreme and anti-woman. CNN commentator David Gergen even openly alleged it after the debate.
It has become clear that your main job as a voter in 2012 will be to not be fooled by the national media.
First things first: Despite their well-founded reservations regarding the birth control pill, none of the Republican candidates has any intent to make it less available. Period. End of report. They simply object to the Obama administration’s attempt to force people and institutions that are opposed to birth control and abortion-inducing “abortifacients” to offer such services to employees.
The Obama administration also has, with the help of a frothy lapdog media, somehow convinced some Americans that free birth control is now a civil right.
Meanwhile, as Newt Gingrich eloquently pointed out at the CNN debate, “Not once (in 2008) did anyone in the elite media ask why Barack Obama voted in favor of legalizing infanticide.”
It was the moment of an otherwise off-kilter debate, earning raucous audience approval – and for good reason: It’s true. However bluntly put, it’s true.
While a member of the Illinois state Senate in the early 2000s, Obama actually voted against a bill that would have prohibited the outright killing of infants born as a result of botched abortions.
Mr. Obama since has claimed the bill didn’t protect abortion rights under Roe v. Wade. But the truth is, it did: Abortion-preserving language similar to that in a federal law on the issue was inserted into the Illinois bill, and Obama still opposed it. Even though he claimed to support the similar federal law.
Even the liberal-leaning Factcheck.org has to admit it, writing, “Obama voted in committee against the 2003 state bill that was nearly identical to the federal act he says he would have supported ...” (emphasis added).
Likewise, in a RealClearPolitics.com article in 2008, Joel Mowbray concluded, “Mr. Obama contended that he ‘would have been completely in, fully in support of the federal bill that everybody supported,’ but that he voted against the 2003 Illinois bill because ‘that was not the bill that was presented at the state level.’ Except that it was.
“As it turns out ... the National Right to Life Committee wasn’t lying; Mr. Obama was.”
Regardless of whether you want to believe these things, just consider the incongruity of it all: Barack Obama gets a complete pass on actual votes against bills that would’ve protected born-alive babies from failed abortions – but the Republicans are hounded by theoretical questions about access to birth control that they have no plans to change.
Does that not seem a bit odd to you?
If only the media had the moral compass of, say, a high-schooler in Augusta.
Several at Aquinas High School held a “Shave ’em to Save ’em” hair cutting Wednesday – giving up their locks for lent and raising awareness for victims of abortion and a bit of money for the Augusta Care Pregnancy Center. The center provides loving help to women and girls in crisis pregnancies.
Kudos to students Nicholas Scicchitano and Garrett Merz for showing, as our newsroom put it, “sheer conviction.”
They may be boasting less hair for awhile, but at least these kids’ heads are on straight.
The national media could learn a thing or two from them.
Perspective being one of them.
The tendency to blame the media for the juvenile behavior of these Republican candidates is nothing short of ludicrous. They saw what they believed to be an opportunity to garner political points when the issue of requiring contraceptives to be part of health care packages was opposed by Catholic institutions. But they didn’t stop there. In an effort to out “I’m more conservative than he is,” each candidate became more and more outrageous in his assertions regarding contraceptives. You can’t have it both ways. They talk about an issue, and then blame the media when they are questioned about it. Candidates do not get the luxury of picking their questions in a debate as these candidates apparently think. Quit complaining about the media and get about the people’s business. If they have any worthwhile solutions, the media won’t matter. But to complain and constantly bash the media is a clear indication that they have few solutions to offer.
And while I am on this subject, I find it absolutely astounding that some members of the Republican Party accused the President of setting up death panels and screamed that they did not want doctors dictating their decisions about health care. Well, that sure didn’t stop some of the states led by Republican governors and legislators from passing laws requiring women seeking legal abortions to have invasive vaginal procedures against their will.
These candidates have absolutely no credibility with me and that’s sad because one of them could well become the next president of this country and instead of offering hope and solutions for all, they constantly dish up fear and negativity.
The students who support the Care Pregnancy Center should be applauded. In showing their support for the center, they are acknowledging their respect for life. Part of maturing is recognizing that as a nation we all need to remember that a free society means that one is not going to ever agree with all of the liberties that others may be able to exercise. I would never abort a child, but the law says that under some circumstances a woman can make that choice. Each day I pray for and give thanks for a woman, who will never be known to me, for making it possible for me to be a parent. With that testimony I believe that I have influenced more people, who may have thought about abortion, to change their mind than any politician who believes you do the same by vilifying an individual.
"Frothy?" "Lapdog?" Of all the failings that conservatives have exhibited since Obama's election, the worst is the tendency to resort to name-calling instead of reason every time you disagree with somebody. I follow the MSM regularly, due to my desire to know what's going on in the world, and the majority of what I've seen actually depicted the Obama administration unfavorably in this matter.
Tell the truth here.....the Reps. need to STOP talking about birth control...period....
Many women just "hear" the word & run in the other direction....women want birth control & don't want the dim government in THEIR uterus/vagina.....we have been down this road B4....sex is NOT just for getting pregnant...the young WON'T stop having it.....you can make all the laws you want & they will laugh in your face....GEEEZ
We need to get some ole white headed guys out of congress.....it is past time...
From the Augusta CPC website: Affects of abortion:
Damage to a womans reproductive organs and her future ability to have children.
With each abortion, her future ability to have children decreases.
Since both of these statements are false, it is evident that this a religious brainwashing center, and not a medical center.
They also have a reference to " Post Abortion Syndrome". Sounds scientific, but one slight problem: IT DOESN'T EXIST!
"One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country. Many of the Christian faith have said, well, that’s OK; contraception is OK. It’s not OK. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be." Rick Santorum
If, as the article states "... Obama voted in favor of legalizing infanticide.”
Why does it say right after that that "While a member of the Illinois state Senate in the early 2000s, Obama actually voted AGAINST [emphasis added] a bill that would have prohibited the outright killing of infants born as a result of botched abortions."?
Two different bills here, or a typo?
Except for the constitutional conflict, I wholeheartedly support government providing free birth control. It is cynical I know (I like to think pragmatic); but it is people on the lowest end of the socio-economic ladder that are having 4 and 5 kids they can't support. Those 4 or 5 in turn produce 4 or 5 more each that THEY can't support. At this rate of births, this country will be overrun with non-producers in a few decades.
While I'm sure there is one, you don't hear alot from the Catholic church about vasectomy's. I could be more believing of their sincerity on the matter of reproduction if you were to hear the loud squalling done about women's reproductive rights turned towards their men.
For the record, I am and always have been against abortion with exceptions for only the most extreme of instances. Being adopted from an orphanage gives one pause for thought.
Based on the choices...Obama WILL win again. Is it set up this way, though?
Really...McCain or Obama...Old vs. Young. Out of touch vs. In touch. Set up then....set up now.
How many women are on The Augusta Chronicle's editorial board? Get a clue, dudes.
'It has become clear that your main job as a voter in 2012 will be to not be fooled by the national media.' Now here is the 'pot calling the kettle black' if I have ever seen it... I mean really, the AC has the audacity to 'blame' national journalists for the republican party's decent into the abyss, a demise that will in the end, marginalize even good men and women who's only wish is 'a fiscally responsible government'. To my good conservative friends here on this board who wish to see fiscal responsibility restored, you are wasting your time with the likes of Newt and Rick.
Two things; if these women(girls in most cases today)wanted birth control, they would get it. You have to wonder WHY they continue to reproduce............Isn't it ironic that the safest place for a baby has turned into a "death chamber" for some(that's the womb for you that don't know).
Social conservatives seem hell bent on handing this election to Obama. I understand the religious and moral question concerning birth control and abortion but if we allow ourselves, as conservatives to have these issues drive the debate, Obama will win in November...Let's win this thing so we can get our country back on track then we can argue about the details....If we're stuck with this empty suit for four more years, birth control and abortions will be the least of our worries....
I expect any day to hear one of the Lame stream press ask the Republicans "When did you stop beating your wife". Obama stated "after all what is and abortion for". Then he turns around and voted against a bill to keep the baby born alive after a botched abortion alive because he said it went further than the federal bill which was a lie! The only person in the media I have heard ask the Obama administration tough questions is Jake Tapper of CNN! Listening to Obama's spokesman Carney squirm is humorous and clearly shows Obama for the prevaricator he is
And now for an opposing veiw. Read ir quick before it's sent to Hell by Chronicle censors:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/opinion/sunday/dowd-ghastly-outdated-p...
You guys are so not your grandfather's Republican party. He might have expected you to care about a healthier and happier future tax base, and he, too, might well ask, do you really want more people born into poverty and dysfunction? Really?
Santorum making the rounds of talk show didn't help the conservative cause. Why on earth would a sane candidate go on with Dick Gregory at NBC..And then George Stephanopoulos led him around by the nose. Talking about Obama's "Good" points while making Republicans look stupid. The sooner he gets out of the race, the better for us all.
The idea of birth control is to control the population. Kind of like create a superior race.
There are those who buy their own and will continue to do so and then there are those on the dole.
I think you hit the nail on the head with, "Why on earth would a sane candidate".
Here's the thing about birth control and abortion - they are both legal and available as a means to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
People are free to chose either option, as they see fit. If you don't agree, don't utilize either option, but also don't force your beliefs on someone else. That's the basis of a free society.
Some folks think that having a dozen kids is a good idea, while someone else doesn't want any kids. Guess what? Both are right. Let folks live their lives as they see fit and stop meddling in their private matters.
Yes frothy lap dog press. Obama said he would cut the deficit in half, controlling government spending and getting better control of the run away spending would help us all. When was the last time Obama was seriously questioned. Even tax cheat Geithner admitted they didn't have a plan or a clue about how to balance the budget, let alone cut it in half like Obama promised. http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2012/02/barack-obamas-... Great exchange between Paul Ryan and Geithner. Notice how the deficit chart shoots up after 2013 with a very steep slope. That is the Obama administrations own chart! Unemployment is still offically above 8 % dispite Obama promise to keep it below 8%. Price of gas has doubled since Obama came into office, again clueless Obama has no plan (except maybe to back another battery company so it can go bankrupt). So of course the media well work on a non issue like birth control and clog the news cycle with it because Obama is in over his head and doesn't have a clue how to deal with the real issues!
And while we discuss the non-issue of bith contol Afghanistan is spinning out of control. But hey, thats OK, Obama has apologized for America -again!!!
specsta- Yes, just don't ask me to fund your decision.
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