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Fred Thompson says "No" to Human Life Amendment
CBNnews.com ^ | November 4, 2007 | David Brody

Posted on 11/04/2007 1:38:41 PM PST by Canticle_of_Deborah

Fred Thompson told Tim Russert on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday that he DOES NOT support a Human Life amendment. That position is part of the GOP platform. Here’s what the 2004 GOP platform says:

"We must keep our pledge to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence. That is why we say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions." Here’s what Thompson said about it lifted from today’s Meet The Press transcript:

MR. RUSSERT: Let me ask you about an issue very important in your party’s primary process, and that’s abortion.

MR. THOMPSON: Mm-hmm.

MR. RUSSERT: This is the 2004 Republican Party platform, and here it is: “We say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution,” “we endorse legislation to make it clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions.” Could you run as a candidate on that platform, promising a human life amendment banning all abortions?

MR. THOMPSON: No.

MR. RUSSERT: You would not?

--snip--

(Excerpt) Read more at cbn.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; abortion; cbn; elections; fred; fredthompson; huckabee; prolife
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To: pissant

You this that this will sink him? There is alot more on the “anchor” that will sink him that just a confusing position on abortion. His lack of energy, lackluster orations, lack of funds, and blase ennui will also contribute to his eventual “also ran” status.


481 posted on 11/04/2007 9:52:07 PM PST by MHT
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To: EternalVigilance

“I’ll never cast a vote for Fred Thompson for anything. Or Rudy Giuliani. Or Mitt Romney. Or John McCain. Or Mike Huckabee. Or Ron Paul.”

Then I am holding you and others like you personally responsible when President Giuliani signs federal funding for abortions. I pray you’ll be able to live with yourself when that happens.


482 posted on 11/04/2007 9:59:49 PM PST by Bull Market (Thompson/Paul 08 - Republicans, Libertarians, Independents MUST join forces to defeat Hitlery)
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To: Bull Market
It's highly ironic, though sad, to see compromisers blame the results of their compromises on those who refuse to compromise the most fundamental principles of this free republic.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men...

483 posted on 11/04/2007 10:06:58 PM PST by EternalVigilance (The GOP is now being chaired by the political directors at NBCBSABCNNFOX..)
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To: pissant

If you don’t have a constitutional right to life, it doesn’t matter what else the constitution says.


484 posted on 11/04/2007 10:07:42 PM PST by Secret Agent Man
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To: Bull Market

Bull.

It is never incumbent upon a person of sound conscience to do what is evil, or support evil. God is in charge of the outcome — not us. We do what is right. In our system His judgment will be translated into how many did the right (rather than popular) thing, and ever judgments blessings follow will rest on that. At least, that is the God whose psalms Pilgrims sang... I’m not sure about the god worshipped in many of our theater-like man-centered churches now. But that, too, will he judged. Are you ready?


485 posted on 11/04/2007 10:10:03 PM PST by Lexinom (Your hopes and dreams rest on your right to life. GoHunter08.com)
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To: Secret Agent Man

Bingo! Somebody gets it!

You don’t saw off the branch that is supporting you.


486 posted on 11/04/2007 10:11:03 PM PST by Lexinom (Your hopes and dreams rest on your right to life. GoHunter08.com)
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To: Bull Market

What’s wrong with him supporting Duncan Hunter because the guy believes in Hunter’s viewpoints more than the rest of the candidates?


487 posted on 11/04/2007 10:11:16 PM PST by Secret Agent Man
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To: EternalVigilance

Principles mean making the hard choices in life without complaining that you didn’t get everything you want. You are clearly more interested in LOOKING principled by acting like some kind of rebel, than making the hard(to you) choice between Thompson and Romney.


488 posted on 11/04/2007 10:13:53 PM PST by Bull Market (Thompson/Paul 08 - Republicans, Libertarians, Independents MUST join forces to defeat Hitlery)
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To: fabian
The president has no constitutional role in amending the constitution. Amendments are ratified either by congress or by a constitutional convention, neither of which procedures requires any input by the president. He also has no veto power over an amendment. The only role the president could assume, no matter how strongly he felt about it, would be to use his bully pulpit to promote it. If there really were enough of a consensus to get an HLA ratified, the president's intervention would be nearly insignificant.

The president's primary role regarding abortion is the nomination of constitutionalist judges. As noted above, there's nobody else in the race who has as sure an understanding of how to do that as Thompson.

489 posted on 11/04/2007 10:15:04 PM PST by Hunton Peck (Note to self: Get new batteries for random tagline generator.)
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To: Bull Market

You need to consult a dictionary before you make such silly claims.

Again, I will never vote for that lying liberal Mitt Romney, ever.

And, I will most certainly not vote for a Stephen A. Douglas Democrat, which is what six of these supposed “Republican” candidates are, including Fred Thompson. To whatever extent they are even Republicans, they are Jerry Ford Republicans. Their position on abortion is identical to his, and antithetical to the Ronald Reagan platform.


490 posted on 11/04/2007 10:20:41 PM PST by EternalVigilance (The GOP is now being chaired by the political directors at NBCBSABCNNFOX..)
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To: Bull Market

I admit I was gung-ho for Thompson initially, but not as much now since he’s given some pretty bad viewpoints on different issues. Romney is a fake and if he’s the nominee the Clinton machine is going to b1tch-slap him up and down the block. Thompson has taken weaker stances on issues that have been clear winners for Republicans and have been mainstays in the party platform.

It’s not a crime to be pro-life and say you’re going to govern that way. I thought Fred was going to be that kind of guy - a guy that wasn’t going to act ashamed and apologetic that he had certain views. He doesn’t talk or come across as being overly gushy about his position, but the pragmatic approach or the ‘lets be realistic’ approach is what we’ve been getting for 20 years from milk-toast fraidy cat republicans. And it’s gotten us nothing but 20 more years of abortions. I would be more encouraged if I heard him talk about ending federal funding for abortions and abortion provider groups immediately once he’s in office. I would be encouraged if I heard that some of that money would be used to help support groups that promote adoption. If he really thinks this is a state/local issue, pledge to end federal funding of abortion - its only logical.


491 posted on 11/04/2007 10:24:27 PM PST by Secret Agent Man
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To: Hunton Peck
Last time I checked, the President of the United States raises his right hand and swears to defend the Constitution.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

No person shall be...deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law..."

No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

492 posted on 11/04/2007 10:27:12 PM PST by EternalVigilance (The GOP is now being chaired by the political directors at NBCBSABCNNFOX..)
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To: shhrubbery!

shhrubbery! wrote: “There are several versions of the Human Life Amendment (see them quoted at Wikipedia entry here).”

I checked out the proposed amendments, and several did not appear to force the states to make abortion illegal. Some did, but not all. Something along the lines of, “The right to abortion is not enshrined in this constitution.” would indeed appear to have the desired effect of overturning Roe v Wade.

Personally, I would prefer to have the SCOTUS change its ruling, but I can understand the need for an amendment so long as the liberals pervert the meaning of the law. Unfortunately, I see no end of amendments that will be required if we cannot fix the courts themselves (sigh).

My concern was primarily against those who would make all abortions illegal via constitutional amendment. If a fertilized egg is given the same rights as a person, the intentional destruction of an embryo for any reason would be first degree murder, right? A state wouldn’t be able to apply a lesser penalty for “murdering” an embryo than any other person/citizen, would it? I’m no lawyer, but wouldn’t it also be a federal crime to deny an embryo the same civil rights as a person? If so, are we really prepared to imprison or execute women for having abortions? This is what I meant when I said an amendment outlawing all abortions (by declaring embryos persons) would be nonsense.


493 posted on 11/04/2007 10:40:14 PM PST by CitizenUSA
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To: unspun

“Sen. Fred Thompson on abortion ~= Sen. Stephan A. Douglas on slavery”

It sure looks that way, sadly.

Thompson has an almost perfect voting record, but seems so confused when it comes to this.

Again: ‘“I think people ought to be free at state and local levels to make decisions that even Fred Thompson disagrees with.’“

What he is saying is that people ought to be free to kill the unborn. What was he thinking?


494 posted on 11/04/2007 10:42:45 PM PST by Sun (Duncan Hunter: pro-God/life/borders, understands Red China threat, NRA A+rating! www.gohunter08.com)
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To: Sun

I must say, as jaded as I am, it’s still shocking to see how many will throw babes in the womb over the side for perceived political expediency.


495 posted on 11/04/2007 10:50:23 PM PST by EternalVigilance (The GOP is now being chaired by the political directors at NBCBSABCNNFOX..)
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To: Reagan Man
Fred believes life begins at conception.

Then, it is even more disappointing that he won't fight with us -- even at the state level -- to stop abortion(which ends a life that has been conceived).

Instead, he said today he will allow each person to be free to make her own choice (he also referred to himself in the third person like Bob Dole - yikes):

"I think people ought to be free at state and local levels to make decisions that even Fred Thompson disagrees with."

It's a perfectly acceptable position to many. It's the position I previously held on this issue. However, I think if we are going to put a Republican in the WH for 8 years, with the possibility of overturning Roe v. Wade, then why not elect a man who is willing to use the presidential bully pulpit to champion the cause of ending abortion on demand as we know it? Fred has clearly announced today that he is not that man.

It seems that he will not take the extra step and be a willing advocate for the unborn. We have other candidates, including Romney and Hunter, saying they are ready, willing and able to carry that mantle.

496 posted on 11/04/2007 10:52:07 PM PST by redgirlinabluestate (Common sense conservatives unite 4 Mitt 2 defeat Rudy and then Hillary)
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To: Sun
"What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" - Jesus Christ
497 posted on 11/04/2007 10:54:26 PM PST by EternalVigilance (The GOP is now being chaired by the political directors at NBCBSABCNNFOX..)
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To: Canticle_of_Deborah

The GOP in general seems intent on commiting suicide with a sword long in the making.

The GOP has become the Dems best pals, they do their work for them....ensure their victory.

None of the GOP candidates who can do diddly are inspiring....none.

It will be a lesser of two evils and more crap.

Folks are now not brooking any dissent on their candidate just like they did Lord Bush for 5-6 years and look where that got us.

We never learn but the Left does.

The only really decent electable man running is Duncan Hunter but he doesn’t stand a chance.

I like Fred but he is not the torch bearer many here think he is...he’s just not but he may have to do.....hell anyone may have to do.

I hate that.....another wasted opportunity replaced by milquetoast.


498 posted on 11/04/2007 10:55:01 PM PST by wardaddy (This country is being destroyed by folks who could have never created it.)
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To: redgirlinabluestate

sounds good to me...will Romney suport the human life ammendment plank of the republican platform? I really hope so, for heaven sakes!


499 posted on 11/04/2007 11:08:19 PM PST by fabian
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To: fatima
Why do you say that?

Sorry, which comment are you referring to?

500 posted on 11/04/2007 11:11:51 PM PST by Jim Noble (Trails of trouble, roads of battle, paths of victory we shall walk.)
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