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Obama Addresses Clash [Obama Defends Pro-abortion, Pro-Lesbian American Girl Dolls ]
Channel 6 News ^

Posted on 10/24/2005 8:48:17 PM PDT by Diago

Obama Addresses Clash
Girls Inc. appearance

A rising star in the Democratic party offered support Monday to an Omaha organization swept into a political clash.

U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D) Illinois, spoke Monday at a luncheon for Girls Inc., which has drawn fire this month for its support of abortion rights and acceptance of lesbianism.

At issue is Girls Inc.'s involvement with American Girl, a manufacturer of popular dolls and children's books. The company is donating proceeds from sales of a special wristband, which reads "I Can" to support the programs of Girls Inc.

"This is a classic example of overreaction and a lack of proportion," Obama said at a news conference before his Omaha speech. "I think it's silly."

Earlier this month, the American Family Association announced it was boycotting American Girl unless the manufacturer stops contributing to Girls Inc.

Obama, who has two daughters, 7 and 4, said both sides of the controversy should work together to improve lives of girls growing up in America.

"We've got to agree how to invest in our children and expose them to the real world and talk to them about the challenges they are going to face," he said.

Girls Inc. serves about 800,000 girls a year, many of them black or Hispanic and most from low-income families.

 

 

 

Find this article at:
http://www.wowt.com/news/headlines/1913612.html

 

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TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 109th; abortion; americangirl; gayagenda; girlsinc; iraqosama; obama; obasms
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1 posted on 10/24/2005 8:48:19 PM PDT by Diago
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To: Diago

American Girl Plays Down Ties to Pro-Abortion Group After Criticism

by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 24, 2005

New York, NY (LifeNews.com) -- American Girl, the makers of a popular line of children's dolls, has lowered the profile of its partnership with a pro-abortion group following national criticism. A pro-life organization that has helped lead opposition says the company is removing some of its links to Girls Inc., a group that helps girls with self-esteem and scholastic issues but also backs abortion.

"American Girl, maker of American Girl Dolls, must be receiving enough calls and emails to cause them considerable consternation," says Ann Scheidler, director of the Pro-Life Action League.

Scheidler says American Girl is already "de-emphasizing" the "I Can" bracelets they're selling in conjunction with Girls Inc.

While official statements from the doll manufacturer say they're not going to discontinue the project, which has proceeds from the sale of the bracelets go to the pro-abortion group, Scheidler says it appears they're trying to play down its importance.

Meanwhile, Scheidler adds that her group will call for a national boycott if American Girl doesn't officially end the partnership.

"If there is no announcement by American Girl that they have severed their relationship with Girls, Inc. by the end of October, the Pro-Life Action League will call for a national boycott of American Girl products and will organize demonstrations at the American Girl Place in Chicago and New York," said Scheidler.

Scheidler indicated a national boycott at the start of the Christmas season would be a financial loss for American Girl.

American Girl, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc., says the campaign is only meant to build skills in science and math, help girls develop leadership skills, and to encourage athletic and team spirit.

"All of these aims are appropriate to our 7- to 12-year-old American Girl fans," the company said. "The American Girl brand exemplifies the values of wholesomeness and responsibility that we would expect any organization to commend."

But Girl's Inc. falls short of that goal by advocating abortion. On its web site is specifically says it supports the right of teens to have abortions and adds that it backs the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized them.

Joyce Roche, the president of Girls Inc., told AP about her groups' stance in favor of abortion: "Our philosophy is that women should have the right to make decisions about themselves."

"Girl's Incorporated supports a woman's freedom of choice, a constitutional right established by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1973 in Roe vs. Wade," the group says on its web site.

Scheidler says her group will continue to monitor the situation.

"From both a marketing and a moral perspective American Girl should cut its ties with Girls, Inc. and restore public confidence in the company and its stated mission to 'educate and entertain girls with high-quality products and experiences that reinforce positive social and moral values,'" Scheidler said.

Printed from: http://www.lifenews.com/nat1719.html


Copyright © 2003-2004 LifeNews.com. All rights reserved. For free daily/weekly pro-life news, email us at news@LifeNews.com.

2 posted on 10/24/2005 8:49:14 PM PDT by Diago (http://www.freekatie.net/)
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To: Diago

Such a good liberal soldier! He can even read the playbook already.


3 posted on 10/24/2005 8:49:42 PM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: Diago

Call 1-800-845-0005 to complain.









Two alternatives:

http://www.visionforum.com/beautifulgirlhood/about/


http://faith.edu/bookstore/gifts/doll.htm















Mattel Chairman Bob Eckert -
Jules.Andres@mattel.com
American Girl President Ellen Brothers - ellen.brothers@americangirl.com
Public Relations Susan Jevens -
susan.jevens@americangirl.com

Please tell American Girl (owned by Mattel) you are disappointed that they are now aligning themselves with Girls Inc., a pro-abortion, pro-lesbian advocacy group.


You can also contact: Ellen L. Brothers, President, American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton, WI 53562, Tel: 1-800-845-0005, Fax: 608-828-4790.


4 posted on 10/24/2005 8:50:34 PM PDT by Diago (http://www.freekatie.net/)
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To: EagleUSA
Doesn't sound like someone who intends to run for President, however.

Those tend to avoid making these type of speeches like the plague - the successful ones, anyway.
5 posted on 10/24/2005 8:52:34 PM PDT by decal (Mother Nature and Real Life are conservatives; the Progs have never figured this out.)
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To: Diago

Thanks for the info, my daughters won't be getting any American Girl material for Christmas now.


6 posted on 10/24/2005 8:54:56 PM PDT by TheEaglehasLanded
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To: Diago
A rising star in the Democratic party offered support Monday to an Omaha organization swept into a political clash.

Sounds like Warren Buffet might be behind this.

7 posted on 10/24/2005 8:56:25 PM PDT by Paleo Conservative (France is an example of retrograde chordate evolution.)
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To: decal

He might be sucking up to the beast.


8 posted on 10/24/2005 8:56:47 PM PDT by ncountylee (Dead terrorists smell like victory)
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To: Diago

I just got my American Girl Christmas catalogue today because I usually buy for my grandaughters.

No more!


9 posted on 10/24/2005 8:56:48 PM PDT by Mears (The Killer Queen)
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To: Diago

Too bad "Osama Obama, um, Barak Osama, um Basama... (T. Kennedy)" parents were so pro life.


10 posted on 10/24/2005 8:59:05 PM PDT by 308MBR (Walnut stocks with steel buttplates are pretty effective in close quarters.)
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To: ncountylee
"He might be sucking up to the beast."

No future there - dry teats and all that.
11 posted on 10/24/2005 8:59:32 PM PDT by decal (Mother Nature and Real Life are conservatives; the Progs have never figured this out.)
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To: Diago

LOL! Obama is such a scumbag....


12 posted on 10/24/2005 8:59:49 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: EagleUSA

"I have him trained well, that OsamaObamaYoMamma..."

13 posted on 10/24/2005 9:01:10 PM PDT by JRios1968 ("Cogito, ergo FReep": I think, therefore I FReep.)
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To: Mears
I just got my American Girl Christmas catalogue today because I usually buy for my grandaughters.

No more!

Make sure you tell them:

Call 1-800-845-0005 to complain.

14 posted on 10/24/2005 9:01:14 PM PDT by Diago (http://www.freekatie.net/)
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To: Diago
Marketing lesbianism and abortion to 7-to-12 year old girls?

I think Joe Camel deserves an apology.

15 posted on 10/24/2005 9:01:35 PM PDT by ZOOKER ( <== I'm with Stupid...)
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To: Diago

"rising star in the Democratic party"

So he must be a "democratic star" ? Well, just add that to the list of top 10 oxymorns:

Amtrak schedule
Working Vacation
Tax Return
Jumbo Shrimp
Healthy Tan
Microsoft Works
Democrat Leadership
Taped Live
Plastic Glasses


16 posted on 10/24/2005 9:02:53 PM PDT by seastay
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To: Lancey Howard

The more he speaks, the more we know, the more Hillary needs to keep looking for a VP.


17 posted on 10/24/2005 9:05:27 PM PDT by bybybill (remember, the fish come first)
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To: Lancey Howard

The more he speaks, the more we know, the more Hillary needs to keep looking for a VP.


18 posted on 10/24/2005 9:06:40 PM PDT by bybybill (remember, the fish come first)
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To: Diago

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, the DemocRAT Party is an institution whose last days are even now being written.


19 posted on 10/24/2005 9:06:42 PM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all.)
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To: ZOOKER
I think Joe Camel deserves an apology.

Joe Camel rocked. He should be resurrected into an animated series or something.


20 posted on 10/24/2005 9:10:14 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist (Harmful or Fatal if Swallowed)
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