Posted on 06/07/2003 10:51:07 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Washington, DC -- The Web site of the Democratic National Committee links Internet users to the sites of 279 political and advocacy organizations, labor unions, religious groups and government agencies.
The list, divided into 28 categories, includes everything from
the Willie Valasquez Institute to the Oneida Indian Nation to the
National Association of Social Workers.
But the DNC is resisting adding a 280th link.
For almost a year, an organization dedicated to electing
Democrats to national, state and local offices has been pressing
the national party to add its Web site to the DNC's list of
linkable sites. The problem is, the organization is dedicated to
electing Democrats who oppose abortion rights.
So far, the DNC, whose quadrennial platform in 2000 included a
plank affirming the party's support for a woman's right to have
an abortion, has refused to respond to the query by the group
known as Democrats for Life of America.
"The request is under review," is all DNC spokeswoman Deborah
DeShong will say.
But Democrats who buck the party orthodoxy on abortion are saying
plenty.
"I think that the Democratic Party is the party of inclusion,
according to their mission statement - the big tent party," said
Carol Crossed of Rochester, N.Y., president of Democrats for Life
of America. "We've always embraced a more expansive
interpretation of human rights. Surely we can embrace a diversity
of opinions on this issue."
The organization is now turning to high-powered allies for help.
In the past month, Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) has written to DNC
Chairman Terry McAuliffe urging the party to add the Democrats
for Life link to its Web site. In addition, 17 House Democrats
wrote to McAuliffe defending the anti-abortion-rights group.
In their May 14 letter, the House Members said the DNC's refusal
to add the Web link amounted to "ostracism" of loyal Democrats
and contradicted the party's abortion plank in the 2000 platform,
which said in part, "We respect the individual conscience of each
American on this difficult issue."
"Actions speak louder than words," the 17 House lawmakers wrote.
But the DNC apparently does not know how to respond.
In this era of sharply divisive political discourse, abortion
rights groups have come to represent one of the Democratic
Party's strongest constituencies - and one of its best sources of
fundraising.
The DNC Web site offers links to seven organizations devoted to
the support of abortion rights, plus links to 48 women's groups,
most of whom are known to be defenders of abortion rights.
"We weren't asking them for a change of the platform," Crossed
said. "We were simply asking for an acknowledgment, a
recognition."
Inevitably, she likened the party's reluctance to include the Web
site link to the party's refusal to let then-Pennsylvania Gov.
Bob Casey (D) speak at the 1992 Democratic National Convention
about his opposition to abortion. The late former governor, who
went to work for anti-abortion-rights organizations after he left
office in 1994, has become the patron saint of the anti-abortion
wing of the party.
"I love the Democratic Party, but to be quite honest, I was
embarrassed about what happened to Bob Casey," Crossed said.
She argued that the Democrats may have lost Senate races in
Missouri, Georgia and Minnesota in 2002 because of the party's
absolutist position on abortion, which, she said, turned off
swing voters who might otherwise have been receptive to the
party's positions on other issues.
But a national Democratic strategist with close ties to women's
organizations called that thesis - and the anti-abortion group's
push for a Web link - "a teapot looking for a tempest."
"It seems to me like this is a fringe group desperately in search
of a little publicity here," the strategist said.
One practices it. The other merely preaches it.
But...but...the RINOs have "explained" to us that the soccer mommies in the midwest and south LOVE an abosolutist "choice" position and the eeeeeeevil pro-life politicians SCARE them. Perhaps they can explain why EVERY local Democrat elected in my region (southwest Chicago burbs) is pro-life. Hmmm.
Dittos.
And they are wrong about what Bush's appointees would do.
I don't think that the question asked, "Should Roe V. Wade, be overturned?" and a 14% no answer, necessarily means that those 14% are pro-choice. I think it may be more of a political reality that Roe V. Wade will never be completely overturned. I hope that it does, but I also see that it would be political suicide today for any Politician to come flat out (with no exceptions) for an overturn of this decision.
I think if Jim Robinson asked a different question "Are you pro-life?" the no #s would be less than 14%.
I am personally 100% pro-life, (excepting the miniscule amount of abortions done for the life of the mother). Rape and incest are two more exceptions that others may have.
I think that the majority of Americans do not realize that if Roe V Wade is overturned, it does not mean that abortions will all of a sudden become illegal. All it means is that it will go back to the States.
My point being is that I don't think that one survey, with the question being "Should Roe V Wade be overturned?" gives an accurate picture of "Are you Pro-life?"
Funny...I checked under the headings "Disability" and "Health care", and I didn't find a link to this Group.
THE VALUE OF LIFE WITH A DISABILITY
Most of society sees people with disabilities as persons who are flawed, pitiful and without dignity. But we see ourselves as a vital and proud community, with values of our own that enhance our quality of life, values that could enhance life for all:1) tolerance for others' differences (racial, intellectual, financial/class)
2) matter-of-fact orientation toward helping; acceptance of human interdepencence over rugged individualism
3) high tolerance for lack of resolution, living with unknowns or less-than-ideal outcomes
4) characteristic dark humor, laughing at the oppressor, finding humor in almost any aspect of life
5) highly developed skills at managing multiple problems, systems, and helpers
6) creativity, lack of rigidity, ability to use traditional elements in new ways to solve problems
7) sophisticated future orientation; planning around anticipated obstacles
8) abiltity to read others' attitudes; skill at filling in the gaps and sorting out contradictory messages
Don't Democrats think it's good for disabled people to unite for their cause?
Pro-lifers vote pro-life.
The axis of evil runs through the middle of the ... party, IMHO.
Evidence of that fact has been piling up lately.
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