Bush Declares National Sanctity of Life Day

Jules · January 15, 2003, 16:39

Quote:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In a move praised by conservatives and criticized by abortion rights activists, President Bush declared January 19 "National Sanctity of Human Life Day."

Tuesday's presidential proclamation was issued in advance of next week's 30th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, which legalized abortion in the United States. Conservatives have sought for years to overturn that decision.

Bush, who has supported various abortion restrictions, called on all Americans on Sunday to "reaffirm the value of human life and renew our dedication to ensuring that every American has access to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

"Every child is a priority and a blessing, and I believe that all should be welcomed in life and protected by law," Bush's proclamation said.

Abortion rights groups sharply criticized the president.

Susanne Martinez, vice president of public policy for Planned Parenthood, said the timing of the announcement showed that the Bush administration "has made it clear they'd like the law overturned in the U.S."

"This administration for two years has waged a war against women," she said in a telephone interview. "He has tried to elevate the rights of the fetus above the rights of women, and that's a tragedy."

Abortion opponents praised the president's proclamation.

"It's a wonderful statement of what the pro-life movement is really all about," said Darla St. Martin, associate executive director of the National Right to Life organization.

"President Bush's pro-life view is clearly grounded in his respect and concern for all people," she added.

In the proclamation, Bush cited his administration's efforts to create "compassionate alternatives to abortion."

"My administration has championed compassionate alternatives to abortion, such as helping women in crisis through maternity group homes, encouraging adoption, promoting abstinence education, and passing laws requiring parental notification and waiting periods for minors," Bush said.

Bush also touted his Born-Alive Infants Protection Act, which he signed into law in August 2002.

"This important legislation helps protect the most vulnerable members of our society by ensuring that every infant born alive, including one who survives abortion, is considered a person and receives protection under federal law," the proclamation read.

The president urged people to celebrate the day by holding ceremonies at home or at places of worship, and to "rededicate ourselves to compassionate service, and to reaffirm our commitment to respecting the life and dignity of every human being."

The National Abortion Rights Action League/Pro-Choice America released a statement calling Bush's proclamation an effort to roll back abortion rights.

"The president clearly wants the federal government in doctors' offices making personal decisions that should be left to women and their doctors," NARAL said.

ROTFLMAO!!!

Does this mean we get another day off?

Discuss.

Boris Godunov · January 15, 2003, 16:42

Funny how he can do this and then be pushing the U.S. on an inexorable path towards bombing the bejeezus out of Iraq.

Hypocrite.

orange · January 15, 2003, 16:45

Quote:

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Funny how he can do this and then be pushing the U.S. on an inexorable path towards bombing the bejeezus out of Iraq.

Hypocrite.

You beat me to it! Damn you Boris, Daaaaaaaaaamnnnnnnnnn yooooouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

Dr. Nick · January 15, 2003, 16:46

Insane. Just... insane.

Arrian · January 15, 2003, 16:46

Quote:

National Sanctity of Human Life Day

-Arrian

Boris Godunov · January 15, 2003, 16:48

Next week he will designate National Wildlife Preservation day, in celebration of which he will forcefully sodomize and then butcher a live baby seal.

Az · January 15, 2003, 16:51

I am looking forward to that.

Kropotkin · January 15, 2003, 17:09

Notice that it's "National Sanctity of Human Life Day." God/Javhe/Allah forbid that it would include sanctity of life for Iraqi civilians or anything like that!

Cyclotron · January 15, 2003, 17:15

When I'm president, I'll make a "National Laugh at All Those Other Stupid Presidents Day."

Az · January 15, 2003, 17:19

It's Jahveh, Jahveh, damn it! don't you dare to misspell my pink unicorn!

Dr Strangelove · January 15, 2003, 17:26

Quote:

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Next week he will designate National Wildlife Preservation day, in celebration of which he will forcefully sodomize and then butcher a live baby seal.

No, no, no, silly Boris. National Wildlife Preservation day will feature demonstrations of the wonders of Taxidermy.

Jules · January 15, 2003, 17:34

I would next like to see a "National Energy Independence Day" with the ritual shooting-of-the-endangered-Alaskan-carabou-from-the-comfort-of-your-SUV followed by the ever popular game of let's-slick-up-Prudhoe-Bay-some-more-'cause-ya-never-know-when-we-might-have-to-set-it-ablaze-someday-to-combat-a-deadly-swarm-of-Africanized-bees.

Kropotkin · January 15, 2003, 17:34

Quote:

Originally posted by Azazel
It's Jahveh, Jahveh, damn it! don't you dare to misspell my pink unicorn!

Who cares?

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 18:03

"Every child is a priority and a blessing, and I believe that all should be welcomed in life and protected by law,"

I for one support the gesture.

If one believes that all human beings are valuable, why accept abortion, why allow abortion in the country you are president?

Boris-
Bush doesn't want to go to war. If he were a warmonger, he would already be at war with Iraq.
That being said, I don't support the war for the same reason I don't support abortion- what gives us the right to kill these Iraqis?

BTW- do you support Bush's initiative? Just because he's inconsistent, doesn't mean both the war and this proclamation are wrong.

Boris Godunov · January 15, 2003, 18:10

I'm pro-choice, obiwan, if that's what you're asking. I whole-heartedly believe human life is sacred. That's why I give Bush zero credibility on the issue, considering he openly mocked a woman about to be executed in Texas.

This proclamation is a political stunt to pander to the Christian conservatives. It's a meaningless, empty and cynical gesture. So no, I don't support it.

Az · January 15, 2003, 18:19

Quote:

Who cares?

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 18:45

"I'm pro-choice, obiwan, if that's what you're asking. I whole-heartedly believe human life is sacred. "

-Boris

What counts as human life then? Why don't unborn children count as well?

"This proclamation is a political stunt to pander to the Christian conservatives. "

Perhaps, but I'll take a National Sancitity of Life day anyways. Clinton would never have announced something to this effect.

"he openly mocked a woman about to be executed in Texas."

Didn't hear about this. When did this happen?

orange · January 15, 2003, 18:47

obiwan - how can a man who supports capital punishment and warmongering possibly speak on Sanctity of Life. He's a hypocrite, a moron, and a puppet.

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 19:28

Read Beckwith, Politically Correct Death, he agrees with Capital Punishment and is against abortion.

His argument centers on the distinction between innocent human persons, and those who are not. One can forfeit one's right to life, through killing someone else. Unborn children are by definition innocent, since they have not had a chance to hurt other people. Therefore, one should protect innocent human life, while allowing those who murder others to be punished.

I don't agree with Beckwith on this issue, mostly due to my pacifism, and faith in rehabilitation, but not because I am a prolifer.

The best definition of a prolifer is one who believes innocent human life should be protected. Abortion takes the life of an innocent human person, and is therefore wrong.

I hope this is somewhat clearer.

MosesPresley · January 15, 2003, 19:58

Quote:

Originally posted by obiwan18
Unborn children are by definition innocent, since they have not had a chance to hurt other people.

What if the unborn child is harming the mother?

Vesayen · January 15, 2003, 20:04

Quote:

Originally posted by Azazel
It's Jahveh, Jahveh, damn it! don't you dare to misspell my pink unicorn!

No, its Adonai......

*stupid middle age "scholars" misreading hebrew....grrrr*

red_jon · January 15, 2003, 20:07

How long till abortions become illegal in the states?

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 20:08

What do you mean by harms MosesPresley?

If you mean an ectopic pregnancy that endangers the life of the mother, there is nothing wrong with an abortion. It is better to save 1 life then to allow 2 to die.

As for other 'harms' to the mother, I would say no.

Six Thousand Year Old Man · January 15, 2003, 20:13

We're back to forcing women to be incubators for the State, I see...

tandeetaylor · January 15, 2003, 20:17

Quote:

Originally posted by obiwan18
Bush doesn't want to go to war.

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 20:33

"We're back to forcing women to be incubators for the State." -STYOM

Does the state forcibly impregnant women? Do women not have some choice as to who they choose to sleep with, or whether they have sex at all? Sex has consequences, and one of them just happens to be pregnancy.

Tandee- fair enough. You have my permission to use that as sig material.

Six Thousand Year Old Man · January 15, 2003, 20:58

Quote:

Originally posted by obiwan18
"We're back to forcing women to be incubators for the State." -STYOM

Does the state forcibly impregnant women? Do women not have some choice as to who they choose to sleep with, or whether they have sex at all? Sex has consequences, and one of them just happens to be pregnancy.

Birth control isn't 100% effective. Why should women be punished for having sex by being forced to carry a fetus to term? I didn't think anyone outside the Catholic church thought that sex should be punished...?

The state doesn't forcibly impregnate women. However, what you're advocating is the state forcing women who become pregnant - even if unintended, regardless of reasonable birth control methods - to spend 9 months of their lives carrying a child.

That's slavery.

Six Thousand Year Old Man · January 15, 2003, 21:06

However, we're getting off topic here - the real point of this thread was to laugh at GWB's hypocrisy re: anti-choice, but pro-death penalty and pro-war - and not to rehash the abortion argument.

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 21:15

"Why should women be punished for having sex by being forced to carry a fetus to term? I didn't think anyone outside the Catholic church thought that sex should be punished...?"

STYOM,

Women make the choice whether to have sex or not. Slaves do not have a choice whether or not to be slaves.

This is not a 'punishment' for sex, but a consequence. All actions have consequences and it is a biological fact that sex can lead to pregnancy. Look it up. Even with contraception, although contraception does lessen the likelyhood somewhat. Everyone should be prepared before sex for the possibility of getting their partner pregnant.

BTW I'm not Catholic, okay. See if you can find what denomination I am. I've posted it before.

Ben Kenobi · January 15, 2003, 21:21

Fine by me- do you want to start another OT thread?

Sorry for the threadjack.