Nov 03 2008
What does Senator Obama really believe about abortion?
[Editorial from Washington Times]
If you want to know Barack Obama’s real views on abortion, you should meet registered nurse Jill Stanek.
Mrs. Stanek worked at Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn, Illinois from 1993 to 2001. When she worked in the hospital’s Labor and Delivery Department she saw that babies who survived abortion attempts were left to die alone in supply rooms. They could linger for as long as eight hours, without medical care, without even the dignity of a warm blanket or a soft touch. Their tiny bodies were then dumped in the trash. Mr. Obama’s spiritual mentor served on the board of the hospital. Mrs. Stanek went on a public crusade to protect these children.
At a 2001 Illinois legislature hearing, Mr. Obama questioned Mrs. Stanek. She insisted that children needed medical care if they were born alive. Mr. Obama said: “Ms. Stanek, your initial testimony last year showed your dismay at the lack of regard for human life. I agreed with you last year and we suggested that there be a Comfort Room or something of that nature be done. The hospital acknowledged that and changes were made and you are still unimpressed. It sounds to me like you are really not interested in how these fetus [es] are treated, but rather not providing absolutely any medical care or life to them.”
Mrs. Stanek replied: “What the hospital did was try to make things look better. What it really is, is that the baby is still dead.”
In committee testimony, Mr. Obama said it was sufficient to give “comfort care” to a baby that is born despite all the efforts to kill it. “Comfort care” means giving the infant a warm blanket and permitting the baby to be held by someone as it dies. This is the most Mr. Obama could find in his heart to provide – a warm blanket for a child grasping for life. Mrs. Stanek told The Washington Times that Mr. Obama showed callousness when he questioned her in committee testimony: His inability to grasp that babies born alive need medical care was disturbing.
Despite all the details Mrs. Stanek provided in her testimony, Mr. Obama voted against the Induced Infant Liability Act in the Illinois legislature in 2002 – a bill that would give legal protection and medical assistance to a baby born from a botched abortion. Mr. Obama stated that he feared the bill could undermine Roe v. Wade. When a similar bill was put to Congress, other lawmakers had better sense and bigger hearts: The Born Alive Infants Protection Act passed the Senate with a vote of 98-0. It was signed into law by President Bush on Aug. 5, 2002. Infants born alive are now recognized as legal persons with full rights.
Mr. Obama even voted against banning partial-birth abortion – a radical procedure – in the Senate, in October, 2007. Since 2005, he has a 100 percent rating on pro-choice votes by NARAL, a leading, national pro-choice organization.
There is no doubt that Mr. Obama wants not only to uphold existing abortion laws, but a more radical view. At an address before Planned Parenthood on July 17, 2007, Mr. Obama said: “The first thing I will do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.” He received a standing ovation. FOCA was introduced in Congress in November 1989 by Rep. Don Edwards, California Democrat. The legislation has since been a focal point for staunch pro-choicers. The bill would codify the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, into law in all the states. This would overturn state laws that have been passed to limit or delay abortions. Contrary to Mr. Obama’s pledges to reduce the number of abortions, he really wants to make them easier to get – while overriding state and federal laws.
Mr. Obama wants to uphold an abortion policy that has a disproportionate impact on blacks. The Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on sexual and reproductive health research, finds that 13 percent of the U.S. population is black, but 37 percent of all abortions are performed on black women and teens: Blacks are 4.8 times as likely as whites to have an abortion. A vote for Mr. Obama is, in effect, a vote that permits the disproportionate elimination of blacks in America.
Read more here.
[From me]
I’m not going to call Senator Obama a liar like the Times but what he said there is much different than what he told Pastor Rick Warren this summer. It is truly sad that anyone would be for the elimination of life.
What do you think?
![[del.icio.us]](http://images.del.icio.us/static/img/delicious.small.gif){kind=small}
Yes, he has lied about his abortion views over and over. He is the most pro-abortion Presidential candidate ever yet is clever about disguising it.
The most sickening lie was when he used a fake ministry called “Matthew 25″ to portray himself as pro-life, when that passage calls for us to help the “least of these.”
Yes, abortion has a disproportionate impact on the black community, so with his radical pro-abortion views the pro-Obama position is actually anti-black.
Seems to me that Obama is clear on his views…and many Christ followers have simply turned their back on those views, all in the name of promised change…
M. Steve Heartsill’s last blog post..Does A Father Ever Know Best?
“As the stomach turns” is my response. Heidi at Candid Chatter had two excellent posts here http://candidchatter.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/allow-me-to-be-even-bolder/
and here http://candidchatter.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/still-confused/
‘Nuff said. I am totally confused by Christ-followers who vote for him based on his charisma and his promises (most of which he has no way to keep).
Bill(cycleguy)’s last blog post..God’s Timing
This really makes my stomach hurt. I have always been pro-life, but now as a relatively new mommy, I hold my baby and think how blessed my husband and I are. It’s so cliche’, but what a miracle these babies are! It is incomprehensible to me how anyone, much less a Christian, could could think so little of life to murder an unborn baby. The thought of those little lives just lying there cold, hurting and fighting to live is simply unbearable for me to wrap my head around.
I listen to a Christian talk radio in the Dallas area (100.7 THEWORD FM), and the host, Scott Wilder, was questioning some of the callers one afternoon on what their beliefs were pertaining to the 2 candidates’ positions on various issues. When asked, each caller agreed with the Republican party’s stance on life, taxes, economy, healthcare, etc. However, when Mr. Wilder asked them who they would support in the upcoming election, they said Obama. He asked them how they could justify that, when moments earlier they just admitted that they disagreed on everything for which Obama stands. One guy answered, “Well, I believe Obama stands for real people.” I just don’t get it.
On another note, I am praying for you and Cass and the quick sell of your home. I am married to a PK (preacher’s kid), and he moved on average every 3 years growing up. I know it’s tough on everyone, but somehow everyone survives and even flourishes when everything is said and done. So best of luck to you. I appreciate so much your thoughtful and timely posts. It’s fun for me to read your entries when I get a chance.
The Washington Times is a highly biased news source, and it’s owned by the Moonies. I don’t take anything they say at face value.
Texas in Africa’s last blog post..sunday this & that
While I personally like Senator Obama…his views trouble me a great deal. His views concerning abortion–and he has two very beautiful little girls, are very disheartening. His answer to Pastor Rick Warren a few months ago is very troubling as well. Some moral issues are not ‘above my pay grade.’
This is one of those issues.
Phil Hoover’s last blog post..100 Potential Interview Questions…
TIA,
How come when conservatives say the media is biased they are mocked? But you say the Times is biased and everyone is supposed to dismiss what they say? I’ve said before I don’t like either candidates but Obama will not stop Abortion. How a follower of Jesus can justify it is beyond me.
[...] Another Reason to Vote Christian Values November 3, 2008 Filed under: Life… The Way I See It — candidchatter @ 12:45 pm Click here. [...]
Kevin,
You say that Obama “WILL NOT stop abortion.”
Bush had 8 years and DID NOT stop abortion. His Daddy had 4 years and did squat. Ronald Reagan had 8 years too. What’d he do, again? Better yet, what exactly do you think the power of the President is? Obama can’t wave a magic wand and *poof* make abortion clinics disappear. Republican Presidents have had over two-decades of power and have not appointed Supreme Court Justices to overturn Roe.
When will conservatives acknowledge that Roe is settled law? The right to have an abortion at least in some instance is a view held by the overwhelming majority of Americans. Heck, even a sizable number of folks who self-identify with the Religious Right and as “pro-life” believe that abortion should be legally permissible in certain circumstances. A recent study by a Catholic group concluded that if Roe were overturned tomorrow, the abortion rate would only decrease by 10-15%. Abortion would remain legal in most states.
Given all of that, it’s past time for anti-abortion rights folks to join the growing number of conservative pro-lifers like renowned legal scholar Douglas Kmeic and commit themselves to policies aimed at abortion reduction. There is more than one way to “fight abortion” and be “pro-life.” Fighting Roe is a lost cause. Not exactly an historically effective strategy either.
Big Daddy Weave’s last blog post..Baylor University Hires Bush’s Faith-Based Czar
BDW,
I agree with the fact none of them did. But Obama is pro-abortion so he never will abolish it–ever. Just because something is supported by the majority doesn’t make it right–does it? I don’t get how a follower of Jesus can say it is OK to kill. I just don’t get it and never will.
Obama is only pro-abortion if the phrase pro-abortion is synonymous with pro-abortion rights. The phrase itself is – to be charitable – terribly misleading because few people in American society could genuinely be described as literally pro-abortion in that they actively promote abortion as a legitimate means of birth control. Ironically, John McCain is also pro-abortion under your definition in that he is in favor of abortion rights in certain circumstances.
Just because I don’t believe Christians should “read” Playboy doesn’t mean that our Constitution doesn’t afford individuals the right to read Playboy.
Many Christians especially Catholics do not believe that divorce is morally permissible. That doesn’t mean that we should outlaw divorce.
Many Southern Baptists take issue with the birth control pill. That doesn’t mean we shoud outlaw access to contraception.
Most Christians would take issue with an unmarried couple cohabitating. That doesn’t mean that we should forbid landlords from renting out housing to unmarried couples.
As Mario Cuomo once asked, When should I argue to make my religious value your morality? My rule of conduct your limitation?
Obama is doing what other pro-choice candidates have done for 30+ years now. He’s merely supporting an interpretation of the Constitution which has become “settled law.” He’s not affirming abortion. He’s affirming the right to have an abortion. Clearly, as seen above, one can be personally opposed to a behavior while also supporting a person’s right to engage in that sinful behavior. We live in a pluralistic Democracy not a Christian theocracy. We can not nor should we attempt to legislate as illegal all sin.
Big Daddy Weave’s last blog post..Baylor University Hires Bush’s Faith-Based Czar
McCain is not against abortion either. And I still don’t get how abortion is wrong, but the war is justified.
Let me add: I am not pro-abortion, but I don’t believe it will ever be overturned either. Republicans have been in the White House for 28 of the past 40 years. The abortion issue will not be overturned. That being said, there are lots of other things just as important to be screaming in the streets about.
BDW,
When anyone tries to justify their reason for a “grey” area I get concerned. I’ve already said I’m not a fan of either major candidate. I won’t come to McCain’s defense on anything. But for me it is a lesser of the two evils. It isn’t just on abortion either. It is on the Homosexual agenda, redistribution of wealth, cloning, energy, traditional marriage, etc…
However, I believe Obama will win and I will pray for him and pray he is successful.
How do you “not get how abortion is wrong?” Killing a child to make oneself feel better just doesn’t seem right…it’s not okay. How is that possibly confusing?
The elimination of life must ipso facto include warfare.
George Bush’s illegal invasion of Iraq has caused the death of 4000 Americans and 800,000 Iraqis, mostly civilians. If a foetus has rights, then what about the rights of those who are already born?
lets not change the subject yet…one thing at a time
No one is changing the subject – we’re discussing pros/cons of abortion and the right to choose.
Good idea. The issue is not the pro’s and con’s of abortion, but of abortion itself. It is the fact that abortion kills innocent children at the expense of selfishness.