That said, I think the Democrats had a lot more to lose from a high-profile, bare-knuckled fight over infanticide and PBA than did the GOP. I am on the verge of agreeing with you on this one, but not quite.
The environment in which this fight would take place is changing by the minute. America is swinging back to the reasonable and conservative from the decadance and liberal-press-led propaganda of the 90's. Even stupid people are beginning to realize that the mainstream media cannot be trusted with the truth, and even they are not automatically accepting the spoon-fed drivel they used to fight for during the Clinton years.
The conservatives could not have gotten this far 3 years ago. They can probably win this battle now, but I think the democrats can still inflict a lot of damage. I think the battle will be better won after W has been re-elected. I predict that given Republican pick-ups in the Senate in 04, which I think (hope, pray) will be significant, we will see stronger legislation than this proposed, because the odds of a Bush appointee sitting on the Supreme Court by the time it gets up there will be greatly increased.
In the meantime, I have written to Senator Santorum suggesting some minor changes to the wording of the bill to eliminate some potential loopholes, and it probably wouldn't hurt for more people to do the same. My suggestions were
1. To change "outside of the mother's body" to "outside of the mother's uterus",and
2. Eliminate or move "deliberately and intentionally" so that it cannot be used as an excuse, as in,"I didn't intentionally deliver the baby past the naval, so this law doesn't apply".
I can't contact Congressman Steve Chabot yet, as he's on that system where you can't e-mail him unless you live in his district, but I plan to call his office if I'm ever awake during normal people hours.
Anyway, the bill is not perfect, and it is not the end, but right now I think we should take what we can get, and then go back for the rest.
O2
Chabot is here: Chabot
and Santorum is here Santorum
I am on the verge of agreeing with you on this one, but not quite
I liked your other thoughts in this post, but I want to focus on this quote above.
I'll concede it's not a slam dunk, but I'm going off my experience in Los Angless, which includes talking about PBA with manty Hollywood-types. Not a one of them can defend it, when we get down to the nitty gritty.
The only way the conservative position can lose, in my experience, is when you don't get down to the nitty gritty.
Hollywood actresses these days are increasingly having their babies at eight months via C-section, by choice, so that they won't put on those last 15 to 20 pounds. PBAs kill babies at even later stages than this. Everyone understands that PBA is infanticide, when they're confronted with the truth. Everyone.
I've gotta believe if that's true here, it's true everywhere.
This is one of those questions we won't be able to answer unless we attempt the action. Incrementalism is fine, at times, but there are also times to strike boldly. It's unwise to overrely on one tactic or the other.
