Obama Surprises the Culture Warriors

"safe, legal, and rare."
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And there you have it. 'Nuff said.

Its amazing how intent the repubs are on continuing the same old politics despite Obama's effort to change the tone in Washington... just amazing

Oh joy, I can't wait to hear what conservative radio and the Catholic bishops have to say.
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And shouldn't you sign off on your posts with a humble "amen"?

It will be a trick for Obama to balance his inclusive rhetoric with what are sure to be some divisive decisions made over the next four years. All presidents make them; will Obama be able to handle the mixed messages?

http://www.political-buzz.com/

I am "concerned" that democrats are all heathens. Very "concerned".

trifecta55, you needn't be concerned about all democrats being heathens. We have a big tent. We have semi-heathens, quasi-heathens, regular heathens, highly irregular heathens and then my favorite...the "OMG did you see THAT heathen?". The meetings are chaotic, but the parties kick ass.

oathdoover --
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definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expercting a different result.
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Wing nut -- A crazy Republican
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Nuff said

Clinton entered the White House having tempered the skepticism of many pro-life voters with his insistence that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare." His decision to make repealing the Mexico City ban one of his very first acts in office led many to wonder if the slogan was just that--a slogan.
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Well it's their fault if they somehow missed the "safe and legal" part. The ban kills people. That's a good enough reason to repeal it on any day.
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BTW, I'm not criticizing Obama's decision. I'm criticizing Amy Sullivan.

As a member of the rapidly dwindling group that identifies itself as "Main-line Protestantism," I would like to request that Amy Sullivan please get off my side.

I feel link I'm Lincoln Chafee being forced to dialogue with Sarah Palin.

Oh, snap! I used "dialogue" as a verb. And it would actually be a duologue, come to think of it.

Amy--
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What are you talking about? Why are you raising the issue of "rare," or any question of the sincerity of that slogan?
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The real question is why you and other evangelicals don't support the use of accurate sex education, provision of contraception, and dismissal of abstinence-only education. The way to make unwanted pregnancy rare involves measures--truthful education, wide provision of contraception, support services outside of church centers--that are anathema to people who claim to want to reduce the number of abortions.
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We've seen what happens when sex education and reproductive services are run by people who don't believe in reality. Unwanted pregnancy rates go up.

Dee, no arguments here. I'm watching the "Presidents" on the history channel and they are now up to the early years on the Clinton Admin. To see Newt and the Repubs forcing a gov't shutdown because they couldn't get their way, I see the same parallel in them postponing Hillary's and Holder's nomination.

Amy Sullivan
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As for the FOCA, see also "Fairness Doctrine"
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I posted over at the Washington Monthly that if Obama really wants the wingnuts to lose their bearings he should announce and sign another executive order by the end of the week permanently banning the Fairness Doctrine. Hannity would lose half his viewership overnight.

Jed over at daily kos makes the same point I (and Dee) made earlier about the repubs penchant for insanity:
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2009/1/21/214045/780/138/687364

Rose (OT):
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I answered your question (very late) here.

I suspect that when Obama does issue the executive order regarding the Mexico City policy, it will be followed by concrete action to support abortion reduction.
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I suspect it will be followed by concrete action to support unintended pregnancy reduction.
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Wow, sorry, Rose. Mr. Preview failed again.
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Here's that link:
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http://swampland.blogs.time.com/2009/01/21/caroline-kennedy-reportedly-backs-out/?apage=2#comment-36030

Does this mean that Jocelyn Elders' plan for realistic sex education programs is still before its time? In any event, it's just nasty to mention Bill Clinton when discussing adult sex issues.

Ah, yes, the Mexico City Policy. A trip down memory lane. Remember back in early 2001? When Bush would look like a complete idiot and the press would actually, more or less, report on it? Whether it was reversing decades of ambiguity with regard to defending Taiwan against a Chinese attack...or not having any f-ing clue what the Mexico City Policy was: "...the money from Mexico, you know, that thing, the executive order I signed about Mexico City.".

I have to say, that if Obama does reverse the policy it will be so nice to have a President who actually -- literally -- understands what he is signing.

Abstinence only sex education is a farce. It doesn't work. The only way to educate young people about sex is to actually educate them. It's a novel idea but it's worth looking into. If you expect teenagers to postpone sex until marriage by just telling them not to have sex, expect children to be born out of wedlock. Having Purity Balls (if that name doesn't creep you out, there's something wrong) isn't the answer. Passing out condoms on demand isn't the answer either. Abortion is a drastic measure and I personally don't like it, but it does happen. When it does happen, I'd much prefer that it be done safely in a clinic or hospital. If Roe v. Wade ever is overturned, abortions will still be performed. Drugs are illegal but I hear people still use them. In a perfect world abortions would be performed only to save the life of the mother and not as a form of birth control, but it's not a perfect world. If we ever make the mistake of banning abortions the people with the means will go to a country where they are legal, the poor here will have them perform under less than ideal conditions. That's just reality.

Of course abortions will still be performed as they always have. The only difference is that Roe v. Wade seriously reduced the morbidity of dark room coathanger procedures. The pro-life freaks give me a laugh. The same people are very anti-life when it comes to the life of the mother, the lives of unwanted children, capital punishment, and war.

formerlyjames, That sounds so much like "life begins at conception and ends at birth". The rabid pro-lifers take little into account other than their own values. Over 20 million legal abortions have been performed since abortions were made legal. When a woman has an abortion it is the stongest statement she can make that she doesn't want the child. Over 20 million unwanted children also doesn't sound promising.

stuart, yes thanks I saw it and replied. You are the Pauline Kael of tech management criticism!