Obama to target Bush executive orders in first days
posted at 9:38 am on November 9, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Barack Obama wants to find ways to make his mark quickly in the opening days of his presidency and reverse the legacy of George W. Bush. Obama will focus his efforts on the list of executive orders that shaped White House policy, reversing them quickly. That does not require legislative approval, but it could bring the most contentious issues to the forefront immediately and create more polarization than post-partisanship (via Jazz Shaw):
Transition advisers to President-elect Barack Obama have compiled a list of about 200 Bush administration actions and executive orders that could be swiftly undone to reverse White House policies on climate change, stem cell research, reproductive rights and other issues, according to congressional Democrats, campaign aides and experts working with the transition team.
A team of four dozen advisers, working for months in virtual solitude, set out to identify regulatory and policy changes Obama could implement soon after his inauguration. The team is now consulting with liberal advocacy groups, Capitol Hill staffers and potential agency chiefs to prioritize those they regard as the most onerous or ideologically offensive, said a top transition official who was not permitted to speak on the record about the inner workings of the transition.
In some instances, Obama would be quickly delivering on promises he made during his two-year campaign, while in others he would be embracing Clinton-era policies upended by President Bush during his eight years in office.
One suggestion might even make sense, from a states-rights perspective. Bush signed an EO blocking California from adopting its own emissions requirements for automobiles, apart from the federal CAFE standards. That EO was a sop to the auto industry, but it defied federalism. If Obama rolled back that EO, it would support the federalist principle of state sovereignty and weaken, however slightly, the Commerce Clause attack on it.
The other top two targets will enrage the pro-life lobby. Obama plans to end the federal ban on funding for human embryonic stem-cell research (hEsc) and upend the Mexico City rule that forbids federal foreign aid to be used to promote abortion. He can expect a big controversy on both.
The hEsc order annoys researchers who can’t get money for their projects elsewhere, but that’s because the technology has surpassed hEsc. Scientists have since developed plenipotentiary stem cells from adult tissue, ending the need to destroy embryos at all. If hEsc really held out any promise apart from other technologies, it would not need federal funding at any rate — it would have private donors lining up to invest in it, as other stem-cell research does.
While American voters feel some ambiguity on abortion, they overwhelmingly do not want their tax dollars paying for or facilitating abortions. The Mexico City rule forbade federal funds to be used to facilitate the acquisition of abortions by groups abroad, much as the Hyde Amendment prohibited federal funds to be used in the same manner domestically. If Obama rescinds it, he can expect a great deal of outrage from pro-life groups and a reopening of the debate over the use of tax money to procure abortions anywhere.
These aren’t exactly low-hanging fruit, nor are they the acts of someone who professed to find middle ground between pro-life and pro-choice groups. These are the acts of a pro-abortion absolutist, and they presage the sponsorship of Planned Parenthood’s Freedom of Choice Act. So much for governing from the center.
Blowback
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Theologians and philosophers have dealt with the question of delayed ensoulment and quickening. Since the 1st century and before the advance of science people struggled with the idea of when the developing life becomes a person.
dedalus on November 9, 2008 at 11:57 PM
don’t worry… the best anesthesia is to let the kid live.
Fozzy Bear on November 9, 2008 at 11:58 PM
Aside from the difficulty associated with the just determination of viability, I don’t understand its moral justification or relevance. How does this concept turn an act of destruction of an innocent life into a neutral act? Are we saying that if you are vulnerable enough then it is permissible to terminate your life?
neuquenguy on November 9, 2008 at 11:59 PM
Any of the pigs who voted for this stooge have buyer’s remorse yet? Yes. You. Do.
TheRabidRepublican on November 10, 2008 at 12:01 AM
Fozzy Bear at 11:51PM
Right, although there wasn’t the technology to know exactly when conception had occurred. That’s why quickening was used as a milestone. That was the first absolute proof that it was a child and not some other reason for missing periods. So that was the first point that a person could be legally responsible for protecting the child.
If I remember correctly what I’ve read, it was actually after women used herbals to induce labor early to abort, doctors were seeing pre-quickening babies who were briefly alive and it taught them that a child is moving and active before anyone thought they were. In response to that – before the Civil War – doctors pushed hard to have the laws catch up to that new knowledge. The idea was that if the child is living and growing it should be legally protected. The technology just wasn’t there earlier to document that this was the case from conception on.
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:02 AM
delayed ensoulment and quickening are fancy ways of staging development… no one can measure when a being is ‘ensouled’… further, it doesn’t matter.
quickening is equally as irrelevant.
was human life created? if so then it should be protected. the rest is academic and best left to philosophers. my wife’s 8 week sonogram showed the brain, heartbeat, and spine… 164 bpm working it’s fresh little rear end off… it is clearly and undeniably human life… ensoulment and quickening are irrelevant. it’s not an animal… it is human.
Fozzy Bear on November 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM
For some the question is at what point is there a “you”? Is it a single cell? Does the presence of DNA equate to a person?
dedalus on November 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM
round translation: the understanding from God provided us with knowledge that took medicine centuries to prove…
sort of like a newborn male being circumcised receives a vitamin K shot to ensure proper clotting so it doesn’t bleed to death… yet God told Abraham to circumcise his son after 7 days… when there is sufficient enough vitamin K present to ensure proper clotting… crazy ain’t it?
Fozzy Bear on November 10, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Dedalus at 11:57
I’m trying to remember. Are you Catholic? Do you believe in the existence of a soul – that is distinct from brainwaves, heartbeat, etc? If so, how would a secular government document whether an individual person had or didn’t have a soul?
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I’ve seen the sonograms for my 2 sons. They looked human at 8 weeks and a few years later they’ve grown into 3 ft tall happy and destructive terrors. Congratulations and best of luck. Get your rest now while you can.
Delayed ensoulment isn’t that interesting today but it was something that serious thinkers did struggle with a thousand or so years ago.
dedalus on November 10, 2008 at 12:07 AM
Thought I’d share this. I just did a Zogby poll. It asked questions in this vein. If you knew, would it make you more or less likely to vote for Obama. What blow me away was the information it gave me. Were was this info before we voted? Would you vote for obama if you knew he intended to increase the tax on guns and ammo 500%. Would you vote for him if you knew he intended to raise taxes, including SS taxes, to 56%. Would you vote for him if you knew he intended prosecute home owners who defended themselves with guns, if they were living in a gun restricted area. Would you vote for him if you knew he intended to restrict the ammo needed for deer hunting. Would you vote for him if you knew he intended to stop drilling for oil in Utah and other western states. Now folks, that’s scary. Now he wants to do away with all Bush’s executive orders, and Palosi wants to change the rules to keep Dems in control. God, how did we get into this mess? I’ll tell you. We (not all but a good many) were just plan stupid, and couldn’t see the socialist for the Maverick. How do you fight this when they change the rules and take away any chance we have to get back?
What gets me is all the comments about how great he is, and how wonderful his changes are going to be. I’ll be honest. I can’t stand to even look at him because what I see is evil. What a shame that the first black president will go down in history as the one who destroyed his own country. Or is his country Kenya?
Amazing Grace on November 10, 2008 at 12:09 AM
has the spermatozoon penetrated the cell wall of the ovum? if so, all necessary and natural attributes are present and accounted for. it now becomes protected.
where’s johnny cochran? if the cell divides, it mustn’t die!
Fozzy Bear on November 10, 2008 at 12:09 AM
Fozzy Bear at 12:06
They’ve actually documented that the body has a surge in ability to recover on that 8th day after birth. So neat to know God knows what we don’t.
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:10 AM
In the absence of a definitive answer (I do have one but cannot impose it on everybody else), isn’t it logical to err on the side of life? Should we be taking the chance that we are destroying the most innocent and vulnerable human beings by the millions? How can we justify abortion without absolute certainty we are not depriving people from their God (and constitution) given right to life?
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 12:10 AM
ha, can’t wait! but speaking of rest… g’nite all.
final word: err on the side of protecting life… you can’t go wrong.
Fozzy Bear on November 10, 2008 at 12:12 AM
I’m not Catholic though I have many friends who are. I have a great respect for their faith and tradition.
Not sure I have an answer to your second question–the secular definition of a soul…maybe a primative level of consciousness. Good question though.
Good night. I have to get my kids off to school at 6:30 AM here on the East Coast. Cheers.
dedalus on November 10, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Good night, Dedalus. Give those kids an extra tender hug. In the end, the only thing we’ve got that makes any difference at all is love. Sounds like you love those kids a heap. =)
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:15 AM
Valid question. Another is what is the case that can be made to convince people to reduce abortions, especially later term ones? Currently, there is not only a Supreme Court right to abortion, but a majority of voters who want few if any restrictions. I don’t believe you can currently get U.S. consensus all the way to conception.
dedalus on November 10, 2008 at 12:16 AM
Manly said goodbye the day after the election. I haven’t seen him back since.
Glynn on November 10, 2008 at 12:17 AM
I enjoyed chatting with all of you. Good night.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 12:18 AM
Are you talking about restrictions on abortion itself, or are you incluidng partial birth abortion and the born alive issue? I somehow feel the partial birth abortion is not something the majority supports.
Glynn on November 10, 2008 at 12:19 AM
I can say this. All of the information regarding guns, gun laws and everything Obama intended regarding guns and ammo was reported in depth by the NRA. My husband and I are members. The sad thing is, people believe what they want to. Many of my husband’s family members are big time hunters, but they are also Yellow Dog Democrats. Guess who they voted for.
Glynn on November 10, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Glynn at 12:22
I think people think that America will live forever, that it’s a given rather than a precious but very fragile gift.
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:27 AM
Glynn, I think your right, and we’re about to see just how many people care about what they could lose. Take care everyone and good night.
Amazing Grace on November 10, 2008 at 12:37 AM
Whew – keep on digging your own grave.
By your math – if a condom fails, that means you get pregnant. Even though the # you pulled out of your ass is exactly that – out of your ass, the best part is that you assume that if you have unprotected sex, you MUST get pregnant.
I highly suggest you figure out how the reproductive cycle works – just having sex isn’t enough to get pregnant. It is the product of the chance of getting pregnant multiplied by the effectiveness of a condom (99%).
Sorry to burst your bubble with real numbers.
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Jvette on November 9, 2008 at 5:18 PM
I have no comprehension as to why you attacked me. Yes, I pointed out that the pro-choice forces have a legitimate point about protecting the right of women to control their bodies.
I then demolished this reasoning as a justification for abortion (by pointing out that abortion is not the only means by which women can control their fertility), moved on to identifying abortion as murder, and labeled it as evil and deprived. I further identified the rationalizations given as lies the pro-choice forces don’t even really believe themselves- as evidenced by their own positions.
For this you attack me for using “feminist reasoning” and claim my attack on abortion is “pablum” (trite). You go on to denounce abortion as murder.
I think you are very confused and a poor debater- First of all, I’m on your side so why are you attacking me? Rule number one, don’t attack your allies.
Furthermore you fail to understand why I started with the feminist argument in favor of abortion. My recognition of the legitimate aspects of the pro-choice arguments does not make my arguments against abortion weaker. In fact it makes my argument stronger because I show that I have considered the most powerful arguments of my opponent and have given sufficient reason to reject them.
You seem to think the best tactic is to ignore the argument that our opponent is making and winning with. We will never persuade the American people to oppose Abortion until we recognize the core truth of the pro-choice movement, (that women should be able to decide when and if they have children), and then neutralize it as an acceptable justification for abortion.
That is the most effective way of convincing the mushy middle to stiffen up and oppose legal abortion. I wish more pro-life people would comprehend this.
Sackett on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Whew good riddance to retarded trolls.
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 AM
Life is a beautiful thing.
It’s a pity we have to cheapen it to a matter of convenience.
Black Adam on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I think the two most effective means of reducing abortions (without criminalizing it), would be:
1: Parental Notification- Too many abortions occur because a teenager wants to conceal her pregnancy from her family, when if she had the counsel and support of her parents she would willingly choose a different path.
2: Shotgun Marriage- Currently common law “marriages” occur when a man and a woman have been shacked up for a certain length of time and represent themselves as married. Instead why not have a common law marriage occur as a result of having a child together. Furthermore, the woman should have the sole power to decide if she wants the marriage or not. Doing so would help balance the level of power that the woman has (as too often the boyfriend threatens to leave her if she has the baby). It is something that previously helped ease the double standard, but with the suppression of vigilante fathers there was never any replacement for this needed societal regulation.
Sackett on November 10, 2008 at 12:57 AM
I have something that is a bit unique to these arguments. I have had a near death experience. The near part of that would have to be dropped but for the fact that after CPR failed, the person that trying save me beat on my chest, which shocked my heart into beating again.
Those that don’t believe in an afterlife say that a dying brain will create an experience to comfort itself. I can go with that though experience went beyond that. I had another experience before that. I was floating in a warm and safe place with a pinkish light around me. The feeling that I beleive I was feeling was one that we discribe as being totally loved. I have had years to ponder what that experience was and have come to the conclusion that somehow my last memory was an in utero memory, maybe one of the first while I was still in the womb, found by my dying brain.
I can only imagin what it would have been like if at that moment an abortion was begun and I was painfully ripped apart or burned to death with high concentrations of saline.
Anyone that thinks abortion is just a non medical proceedure should think about what it is like for the baby that is being killed after it has self awareness.
Another thing that I don’t see mentioned too often is psychological effect that can occure to the women or man afterwards. One of the first questions that is asked of patients seeing a psycologist or psychiatrist is if they ever had an obortion or of the have they ever fathered a baby that was aborted. There is a reason that question is important enough to be one of the first questions asked.
Another point. We have all heard that a women is pregnant with a fetus,instead of calling it a baby, but have you ever heard of a man fathering a fetus. We don’t say it that way. We say a man fathered a baby.
Franklyn on November 10, 2008 at 1:03 AM
This is about what I expected from Hussein.
ErinF on November 10, 2008 at 1:17 AM
Obama is against parental notification.
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 1:36 AM
Hey maggot.
Manly was not a troll.
You owe this site an apology for that. We’ll give you a day.
Sapwolf on November 10, 2008 at 3:52 AM
I hear you Sackett. I agree. Carry on. :)
Sapwolf on November 10, 2008 at 4:02 AM
I skipped Mass today for just that reason. You are not alone in having those feelings of disgust I have for any fellow catholics who voted for that ONE.
I don’t know if I’ll be able to make it back for some weeks. I’ll of course have to prepare and make confession if I do. I have little faith in many of our bishops. At least some spoke up.
I suspect a whole lot of people are gonna be surprised when they find out they did not make the cut in the next life. Me included.
Whoever posted that link to the clip of Reagan giving ‘The Speech’ from 1964 should get a commendation. Boy, did that raise my spirits.
Maybe Palin runs again, and maybe she loses. But maybe we lose a couple more before we get it right. Goldwater lost that election but started the movement.
Sapwolf on November 10, 2008 at 4:14 AM
I have stood with all manner of people for 40 Days for prayer outside a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic. I saw the girls crying…I know how the precious Catholic women counsel them afterward…I know what it is to have an unplanned pregnancy and, I’ve seen the pictures and know EXACTLY what abortion is. IF you have seen these post abort pictures, you cannot be both SANE and still claim it is not a child they are murdering. There is no middle ground. Say you are for murder or against murder because seeing the arms and legs and heads and faces and tiny toes and fingers CHOPPED TO PIECES and BURNED and SUCKED OUT, you have no other RATIONAL CHOICE.
Are you for murder or against murder? Evidently BO is totally for it and wants us to pay for it…abundantly.
Mommypundit on November 10, 2008 at 6:24 AM
Can I start saying “I told you so”, to the morons who proclaimed that Obama was secretly a moderate.
MarkTheGreat on November 10, 2008 at 7:16 AM
Hold on, Mark. Just wait. It’s gonna get worse.
A Axe,ManlyRash is a Great American. You Do owe this site an apology.
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 8:04 AM
I actually had a deranged liberal aquaintance send me an email urging support for Dear Leader using quotes from, and I kid you not, from MOTHER THERESA!!!!! They conveniently left out the part about her feelings about ABORTION. Truly, what a bunch of pathetic people. No backbone, no morality. No second thought about killing a baby as it is being born.
bloggless on November 10, 2008 at 8:07 AM
Sapwolf,
I understand your sentiment very well. My wife and I have been pretty devastated by the fact that this country elected someone with who we not simply disagree on some policy issues but who is in fact an instrument of the devil, special when it comes to the horror of abortion. We have not listen to the news since he was elected, just cannot handle it.
However, your comment made me think of some articles I read before the election reporting that some catholic were saying that they knew it was wrong for a catholic to vote for Obama but they were going to do it anyway and then just go to confession. This is very erroneous and dangerous thinking. In all likelihood those confessions will be invalid since this indicates there will be no contrition and then it will be further complicated with sacrilege the next time they go to communion.
We don’t have control of what other catholics do or even who calls themselves catholic. If they helped elect Obama, and thus effectively supported abortion, they have separated themselves from the church, even if they are priests or bishops.
But good catholics like yourself cannot let these people interfere with our salvation. As dismayed as we might be and as difficult a time as this is, we must keep our focus and trust on our Blessed Lord. Furthermore, in cases like mine, where I have children, I cannot be responsible for the scandal caused by my skipping mass, which will definitely have a detrimental effect on their faith.
I apologize for the sermon, I felt I had to say this as a brother in Christ.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 8:14 AM
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 8:04 AM
Indeed. Manly was quite optimistic about the election, and I’m sure the results knocked the wind out of his sails. I’m sure he wants a few days to sort it out.
A Axe, you owe the site an apology.
fluffy on November 10, 2008 at 8:15 AM
A troll?
What planet are you from?
hawkdriver on November 10, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Hiya, hawkdriver.
Methinks he may be from the Planet of Trolls himself.
There seems to have been an influx during open registration.
kingsjester on November 10, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Please realize that it was not the Church who did this, but individual “Catholics” . We cannot fall into the trap of blaming the church for the actions of some of its members, if we do that am afraid you will never find any church or organization acceptable, you will find people who are wrong and even evil in all of them. If the catholic church was judged by my personal scorecard in my struggle to pursue holliness then it would be in serious trouble.
Obviously people who publicly act in ways that contravene the truth held by the church do damage. It is called scandal and it’s effect is what you and many are experiencing, doubt in the church itself. And for this they are gravely responsible. Our lord looks very harshly on those who would lead others away from him.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 8:32 AM
The first thing Obama was told to do is the make sure that the US keeps dependant of Arab oil so that the US stops backing up Israel in Order for the arabs to be able to destroy Israel or they would stop selling oil to the US.
tocoloro on November 10, 2008 at 8:47 AM
Obama was put in the white house with the major help of communists, now Obama will have to payback by delivering the country to them without firing a shot
tocoloro on November 10, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Seems like kinda a weak statement considering Obama is FOR letting children die alone.
highhopes on November 10, 2008 at 9:00 AM
Barack Obama vowed that one of the first things he will do as President is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.
bloggless on November 10, 2008 at 9:10 AM
Ummmm, sorry to burst your little bubble, but Manly was a paid operative to post on this site. That was his job to rally the troops. And he did a good job.
Notice how many of the “anti-Republicans” seemed to drop off, they were paid operatives also. He was here to counter act them the final few weeks of the campaign.
This is why it is so easy for some candidates to win, the people are so easily fooled…as shown by your support for that “great American” ManlyRash, a good guy…but paid to convince you of that.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 9:19 AM
What on EARTH makes you think he was PAID to be post on this site?
RushBaby on November 10, 2008 at 9:23 AM
An American Hero? Are you kidding me? Manly is an American hero because he ‘knew’ the pollsters were lying (they weren’t – 0.1% margin, go look at Nate’s analysis). Because he ‘knew’ McCain was going to win? (oops crushed). Because he ‘knew’ the ground game was better (whoops no there again). Because he ‘knew’ we were going to win the house and senate (no oops crushed there too).
Manly isn’t an optimist. And he sure as hell isn’t a hero. Last time I checked this site is run by AP and Ed – not the unrealistic troll known as Manly. An American Hero – hah!
right2bright pretty much captures my thoughts spot on.
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 9:25 AM
Like there was any hope–audacious or not–in that.
jedijson on November 10, 2008 at 9:30 AM
Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals – Look em in eye and SAY ANYTHING. Lying is OK. End justifies any means.
marklmail on November 10, 2008 at 9:44 AM
Yes the pollsters WERE lying.
The truth is Mccain probably got 15 million to 20 million more votes than B H O. Out of 137 million+ ballots cast only 117 million were counted.
But it doesn’t matter one bit…Mac was not in it to win it.
Mac(the traitor globalist)Mccain conceded off of exit polls. That traitor knew what his job was, and did it well.
Here is a wake up call:
This country is NOT a democracy, it is an oligarchy.
The elites decide who is president among their guys and they control both parties.
It is just a charade that is used to pacify the masses.
Look..the democrats are pacified…the blacks are pacified..the islamic world is pacified…..the republicans are pacified and content to wait for 4 years and respect their president.
The only way you can change anything is to make a big stink and hope they throw you a bone to shut you up….or else form a coalition of states and secede from the union if you want to see real democracy.
SaintOlaf on November 10, 2008 at 9:45 AM
I wouldn’t assume Manly was a paid operative. I also wouldn’t assume that the anti-Republicans were paid operatives. There wasn’t a whole lot to say about the election once the results were in.
And you can look at the results of early term abortion, Mommypundit, and decide it’s not a human being because it’s so small and not completely formed. I have looked at them on other sites.
jim m on November 10, 2008 at 9:49 AM
Wow and here I thought the Truthers were nutters.
Yes obviously McCain is on the ‘in’ of the 20 million cover-up.
Talk about deluded …
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 10:03 AM
I think you hit it right on the head, It took a lot of collaboration between the elites, the MSM, sectors of the government, shadow organizations and both parties to manipulate reality, run massive cover-ups and outright thuggery and cheating to get Obama elected. This is why I believe we have a much bigger problem than Obama in this country, the electoral system is broken. To think that we will simply just vote in someone of out liking next time around might be quite naive.
neuquenguy on November 10, 2008 at 10:05 AM
As I said, so easy to manipulate…
Several people hopped on this site weeks before the campaign. Some for Obama, some for McCain. Both sides hired people to professionally post on popular websites.
HotAir is definitely one of the most respected conservative websites…and a target of the left.
He made his “bet” so there would be a reason to “leave” this site honorably. And indeed he left honorably. He posted here for about 2 months, from Sept. through through the campaign.
I have no problem with what he posted, and how, he was inspiring and gave it the rah, rah…I just happened to have identified who he was, as I did with the liberal professional posters as well. I called the libs out, but because ManlyRash one of “us”, I let him ride. However, he knew that I caught on quickly.
Some of his postings were over the top (as were his adversaries), and I enjoyed them. Like watching a cheerleader lead the crowd, he did a great job keeping the spirits up, as the polls were going down.
I am not with the other guy who thinks he was just a “troll”, he probably believed some of what he said, but his job was to rally the troops and he did that superbly.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 10:07 AM
Wow, SO quotes Tim Leary. Acid evangelism indeed. I guess if you go far enough round the bend you really do meet up with those coming from the other side.
Grow Fins on November 10, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Ed was also rallying the troops and saying much of the same things that Manly wrote. Do you think Ed Morrisey and Hot Air are getting paid by the GOP on top of the money they otherwise get from site visits and stuff they sell here?
jim m on November 10, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Hey, then if you want to believe ManlyRash was here for a couple of months out of his sincerity…good for you.
If you don’t believe that there were paid posters by both campaigns, that’s great and keep the faith…
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 10:46 AM
BTW, Ed has misstated the Mexico City Policy. It stops funds from being used for non-abortion purposes to any non-governmental entities that were any way involved in abortion. So, for instance, it would not allow funding of contraceptive programs even if the funds were segregated, It actually goes further than the Hyde Amendment does domestically, because the Hyde Amendment does not prohibit states from funding abortions for low income women from other funds.
In 1984, during a United Nations International Conference on Population in Mexico City, President Reagan announced a ban on U.S. government financial support for certain U.S. and foreign family planning agencies — those that were involved in any way with the provision of abortion in foreign countries. He did this by way of an executive order. This ban totally removed all U.S. government funding from international agencies which:
Provided abortions anywhere in the world.
Provided abortion counseling anywhere in the world.
Advocated for women’s abortion access anywhere in the world.
Thus, an agency’s funding might be cut off from its contraceptive/family planning counseling services in one country if it had any abortion activity in the same or in another country. Reagan’s rationale was that even if an agency involved in both family planning and abortion were given funding only for their family planning functions, that it would release funds within the organization for their abortion activity.
jim m on November 10, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Riddle me this….
Based on prevailing thought that abortions of convenience are OK, why can’t we harvest organs and tissues from people in a vegetative or coma state? Seems fair to me. Oh…they might come back and become themselves again…Ahh.., my bad. But its OK to completely prevent a unique individual from gracing this planet in the first place…I got ya…makes perfect sense….
/sarc
Simonsez on November 10, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I didn’t know fetuses could talk walk and so forth. Oh there goes your ‘logic’
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
As a strong supporter of the practice of abortion, I have a hopeful view of parental notification. I think that the overwhelming percentage of parents will want their daughter to abort–including a large majority of “pro-life” parents. I believe that the relief that these parents feel after getting their daughter an abortion will increase support of abortion in our society.
thuja on November 10, 2008 at 11:03 AM
What gave you the first clue? That his name suggests a veneral disease?
Anyway, even though on some level your idea sounds slightly paranoid, I do believe your point that the campaigns would hire people to manipulate large political websites, but it would seem hard to me to know who they are. Your point about when he left seems the strongest point in favor of ManlyRash being an operative. I’m a little dubious about the idea you caught on much earlier than that.
thuja on November 10, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Obama’s plan:
Step one: attack social conservatives on embryonic stem cells and the left roots cheer.
Step two: Ignore supporters of gay marriage/opponents of Prop 8 and speak with evangelicals about mapping out common ground.
Mix the bitter with the sweet.
As to Manly being Astroturf. Perhaps. I honestly don’t think he was the only one, Squid Shark comes to mind. His voice lacked authenticity, he rarely got into specifics and supported the politician McCain, but any specifics on the platform. These guys are more to cloud issues and tamp down dissent so that the blog swarms are kept at a minimum. It is a technique to control the alternative media and it seemed to work. Look for this to continue. The era of the authentic independent blogger is coming to an end.
Seminar callers/Astroturf
Angry Dumbo on November 10, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Election Afterbirth:
1. The saddest person around is Jessie Jackson. He has spent his entire life hoping to gain the type of power The One now has but his earlier suggestion to remove part of The One’s anatomy has doomed his chances.
2. Jimmy Carter has to be one of the happiest at The One’s election. Finally, someone has come along that has the real potential to claim Mr. Carter’s crown of “Worst President Ever”!
somedays on November 10, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Many key positions in Obama’s cabinet are being filled by radicals (communists) as Obama has to payback his victory to the presidency with the help of all leftist radicals, communists, socialists and black muslims
tocoloro on November 10, 2008 at 12:01 PM
Highhopes, I pointed out that Obama is against parental notification because someone had mentioned it as something that would reduce the numbers of abortions.
Get me? I’m not saying it is the major thing.
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 12:02 PM
Read my posts,I was the first to call him out. He asked for a truce, and many of us gave him the slack.
Look around, do you see many of the Obama’s sincere posters around?
Much more difficult to find the McCain, because this is a conservative website. But Manly posted on a couple of other sites, and he stopped posting there the day after also…and his posts were entirely targeted at the campaign and propping up McCain…and as I said, he was a good cheerleader, he rallied the troops.
And “paranoid” is hardly a term used for calling out someone that was a serial poster..you don’t think he knows where I live do you?
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:05 PM
He did not make his bet so there would be a reason to leave honorably.
Unless he was in cahoots with another poster, or was two posters himself. (Which I doubt.)
I was there when he did it. Someone goaded him about leaving if he were wrong, and he said he would.
Anyway, what difference does it make? He kept morale up. That a crime?
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 12:07 PM
That may be more accurate then funny…and that is funny.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:07 PM
Never mind the last part of my post above. I didn’t read the end of your post.
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 12:08 PM
As a strong supporter of the practice of abortion,
thuja at 11:03
There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evel, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19
Congratulations, Thuja. You made all seven.
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:09 PM
No crime, and I am sorry that I even called him out…I can see why Obama’s critics are so sensitive now.
Nothing worse then a splash of cold reality, in the face of awe and splendor.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I’m not “sensitive.”
I just loved ManlyRash.
Alana on November 10, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Besides the doctors that make their living doing such a thing, you may be one of the few ever to admit such a thing.
What of this practice makes you such a strong supporter, what makes you root for such a thing?
What part of this practice makes it appealing?
Are you also a strong supporter of partial birth abortions?
I am serious, very seldom (I never have) met anyone who was a strong supporter.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:15 PM
And many people did, he was good at what he did. I believe the poster whom he made that “bet” with is gone also…am I wrong?
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:17 PM
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/sarahpalin/3405336/Sarah-Palin-blamed-by-the-US-Secret-Service-for-death-threats-against-Barack-Obama.html
This came through Drudge.
A sign of what is to come. Criticism of Obama will be deemed a security threat.
JellyToast on November 10, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Manly made the bet with me (that McCain would get over 550 EVs) about four days pre-election. He may have made other bets. I’m still around (for what that’s worth).
jim m on November 10, 2008 at 12:39 PM
I hate to point this out, but the only ones AGAINST Step 1 & 2 are the social cons. I am absolutely for embryonic research. I am absolutely for letting gays marry (it isn’t MY business what they do). Social cons are not fiscal cons.
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 PM
It wasn’t the one with you, it was one involving who would actually win.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:42 PM
A Axe at 12:42PM
What business does the government have recognizing marriage in the first place? Why not just get rid of all marriage?
What say you? Would it make any difference?
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I believe he also made a bet with Roger Waters and Dave Rywall, regarding leaving after the election.
Are any of these three posting?
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Obamanazi will try to use the power of executive order to establish his “Civilian Security Force” and go on a giant gun grab. I would LOVE to see the Governors of a State like Texas tell Obamanazi, “Not in THIS State, you won’t!”
nelsonknows on November 10, 2008 at 12:57 PM
I’m sure Rywall will be back. He’s been posting for a long time. Not sure about Waters.
jim m on November 10, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Peace! I was calling no one paranoid. I’m just fairly allergic to any claims of manipulations, but I think that you have detected a real manipulation. We are in agreement.
thuja on November 10, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Fine then get rid of it. What a stupid argument.
The government recognizes marriage as it gives them benefits (ie ability for you to see your spouse in the hospital). Gays should have these same very rights (and a classical conservative would agree – it isn’t our damn business what they do in the privacy of their house).
A Axe on November 10, 2008 at 1:26 PM
More importantly, please respond to this post about your statement.
right2bright on November 10, 2008 at 1:30 PM
I strongly support abortion because it is necessary for two reasons. The first is due to a) the unarguable fact that teenage girls will get pregnant from time to time and b) my strong belief in raising children in good families, a type of family that I don’t believe any teenage mother is in the place to provide and empirically speaking it’s obvious most don’t. The second reason is that I’m an environmentalist and it is certainly possible for people to give birth to more children than the environment can sustain. Currently, plant and animal species are going extinct are rates that rival when a asteroid hit the planet long ago. I see abortion as part of the answer to our environmental problems.
thuja on November 10, 2008 at 1:34 PM
AAxe at 1:26
Why does the government give some relationships benefits?
Seems to me the government gives more benefits to those living together without marriage. When we were in MN there was a tax for those getting marriage licenses – to help pay for domestic abuse victims.
justincase on November 10, 2008 at 1:37 PM
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