Not That I Was Considering Voting for McCain.

[xtremeroswellia]

But his decision to name Sarah Palin as his VP doesn't leave me feeling any warmer or fuzzier, considering she supports the aerial SLAUGHTER of Alaskan wolves.

http://www.wolfsongnews.org/news/Alaska_current_events_2366.html

Thanks, but no.

Comments

[eleigh.livejournal.com]

Well, you know, that's all we Democrats want is the free rein to slaughter children at will. Why stop with unborn children? I say take out all children under 5.

(frozen)

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

So...you can make snotty remarks in my LJ about how YOUR opinion is right, but I'm not allowed to do so in YOURS?

Hello, Pot. Meet Kettle.

[candylandgal.livejournal.com]

I am as against that as any one person can be, but I have to say, I am equally sickened by Obama's stance on partial abortion, which I only heard for the first time last night. Will we ever have a presidential race where I feel like I am not forced to choose between the lesser of two evils? Every one I have ever voted in has made me feel that way. :(

[tapati.livejournal.com]

Obama on late term abortions and the mental health or physical health exception to a ban.

What do you find disturbing about this? He's not for legalizing them at will--only if there are actual verifiable risks to the mother's health.

That doesn't seem evil to me. ymmv...

[candylandgal.livejournal.com]

I will research more about it, but more importantly, I would like to hear him say more about it as the one who has led the opposing the ban to partial birth abortion movement on the floor in the past. He believes there should be a medical exception. How many people could play with that definition? He's already struggling to define it, individual cases would have a field day with it. And what if there is not a medical condition? Then where does he stand? I take a LOT of issue with this practice. Babies survive---they could survive---there is often an overt act to kill them after the fact. Without the act? It is a waiting game where the hands of medical professionals are tied until that child dies or its life is deliberately ended. No 'gray areas' should be left that let such a thing happen for any reason, and in the most extreme of circumstance? Deliver a baby. See what medical technology and the grace of God if He's out there can do. There is a difference between 'partial birth abortion' and medical delivery with actual intent to save the baby's life, isn't there? I'm for the second, I am not for the practice of the first.

Also, there is a lot of 'he believes' in that article. I'd like to hear more of the "I believe..." on that particular issue, and I hope to do so. I'm looking toward the debates to come to terms with my choice at this point.

I -do- find partial birth abortions a pretty horrifying thing. And as one who would like him to solidify his own beliefs even on 'traditional abortion' this answer did nothing for me, either....

http://www.genwi.com/play/7783604

Anyway, that was only one specific example of issues that I have with both candidates and their VP choices that I could pick out to point out that once again, I don't feel like I have a candidate without having to accept something that I am really, really opposed to as part of their mantra in the process.

[tapati.livejournal.com]

I think the problem with the bill he opposed was that the wording of it could lead to erosion of other abortion rights. I have heard doctors support the medical reasons language as needed and so I suspect they do so because there are legitimate medical reasons. I'd love to see it written so that if a baby is born alive it can be placed for adoption if the mother, by virtue of the medical condition, cannot care for the child.

When it comes to politics I don't expect to agree with any one person on the planet on EVERY issue. I look for whoever shares most of my positions. When they are president and do something I disagree with I will speak out just as vocally as I do with other-party elected officials. In a democracy, none of us gets everything we want and we all have to tolerate compromise. But it's the best system we imperfect humans can arrive at.

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

*hugs*

[candylandgal.livejournal.com]

*love*

In something of an aside...I've been thinking about you, kiddo. I hope that life is taking good care of you!

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Deb. I'm doing better. ;) *hugs again*

[tapati.livejournal.com]

So many reasons not to like Palin, where do we even start? Come on, Hillary voters are not some stupid drones who vote like zombies for any woman candidate there is. We hated Elizabeth Dole as a candidate--why would we embrace Palin? It just makes me fear for McCain's sanity and common sense. Hillary is going to have a field day with this pick out on the campaign trail as she stumps for Obama. It sets up the delightful line: I know Hillary Clinton. Hillary Clinton is my friend. And you're no Hillary Clinton!

[xjennifahx.livejournal.com]

I find this absolutely fascinating, truly. Being in Australia, we get nowhere near as much 'candidate vetting' as you do - we get their names, and a few articles on big speeches/campaign points, but not the constant 'they support this, they don't support that', ESPECIALLY not down to the point of Alaskan wolves (which, btw, is sickening. Ugh. Disgusting woman).

My point is, it's fascinating from this end of the world, because you can much more clearly see their 'lowest common denominator' tactics when they're not smothered with an article about this, and three speeches about that, and everything of the sort. Like, yes, they feel their campaign speeches matter and all, but to an extent it's starting to look like they're simply trying to...i don't know, cover all the demographic bases, in the hope of, say...getting women who don't usually vote out to vote because THERE'S A WOMAN ON THE TICKET, and stuff like that.

You've got Obama, who could have easily chosen Hillary as a running mate and had TWO major forces on his side (i'm still not entirely sure I agree that not choosing Hillary has lost him the election, nor that having her would be a sure-fire win, but damn it'd be fun to watch) - chose an older, grey/white haired, middle-aged upper-middle-class male (by the looks, at least, i haven't actually read anything about him coz there's no NEWS on him here - seeing my point?) to appeal to the swing voters, and to take some of the 'controversy' away from his campaign and appointment.

John McCain, knowing that at the moment he's losing simply from lack of publicity - because all his stories get squashed by the effervescent, photogenic black president stories - so he appoints a woman the way Obama didn't - to appeal to the women voters, especially, i suppose, the republican-leaning women voters, but also hopefully the women voters who are blind enough to think that ANY woman is better than none, regardless of her policies. Those women certainly still exist, and probably are even more common in Australia - given we know nothing ABOUT this woman yet.

Now i've gone off into an enormous spiel here, but do you see my point? Their appointments, and many of their stunts/appearances seem truly designed for people who see one glimpse and think 'oh, they've done *this*, they're okay, i should vote for them :)' - and the words on top seem to mean less, if you focus on that.

(Also, just for interest - the party split between democrats and republicans in America is MUCH larger than the split between Labor and the Lib/Nat Coalition over here. Your parties' policies are ENORMOUSLY different, and create a huge voter split - around here, the beliefs are SOMEWHAT different, which makes the policies SLIGHTLY different. It's very much a case of 'the lesser of two evils'.)

Apologies for ranting :P

Sarah Palin, Partial Birth Abortion

[mshaffer.livejournal.com]

The site you linked to is just a tad bias. Wolves have never been threatened or endangered in Alaska. Here is a link to the facts about wolf control in Alaska.

http://www.wildlifenews.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=wolf.control

I found it interesting that the Democrats in their first statement after McCain announced her as VP (http://dccc.org/blog/archives/chairman_van_hollens_statement_on_sarah_palin/), state that she was inexperienced because she was only the mayor of a town with 9,000 people. They couldn't bring themselves to mention that after that, she became the governor of Alaska. That's like accessing Obama's career and neglecting to mention that he was a Illinois and US Senator. I would prefer that it be a Palin/McCain ticket. She actually has more executive experience than Obama.

The problem with insisting upon a "medical exception" clause for the continued legal use of this procedure is that it will only be abused. There never has been or will be a 'medical' reason for this procedure to be performed.

Re: Sarah Palin, Partial Birth Abortion

[tapati.livejournal.com]

http://www.barryyeoman.com/articles/gina.html

Story of a Republican woman who desperately wanted her twin daughters but found out they were not viable and suffering while still alive in the womb. I don't think anyone can doubt how much she loved them, how this procedure was needed, and that the option shouldn't be taken away from everyone.

Re: Sarah Palin, Partial Birth Abortion

[mshaffer.livejournal.com]

The injection of digoxin or potassium chloride to stop the fetal heart can be used to achieve feticide. Removing a dead fetus does not meet the federal legal definition of partial-birth abortion.

http://xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com/694232.html

[mshaffer.livejournal.com]

Wow! My response was specifically on partial birth abortion. I do favor the availability of legal abortions. I have no problem with a private group who wishes to provide funds so poor women can have abortions. However, I don't feel that taxpayer dollars should be used for an elective procedure that many feel is immoral. I do support an exception for rape or incest.

Being poor and being a shitty parent is not mutually inclusive. There are many poor people who love and care for their children. I was one of them. The children who are neglected and abused should be removed and placed with families who will care for them, but just being poor alone is certainly not enough of a reason. I commend you for the work that you have chosen to do. Your daily exposure to the worst of the worst obviously influences your perception. I suppose that is why you tend to paint with such a wide brush.

Re: http://xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com/694232.html

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

No, no, love. Wasn't referring to you at all. That post was in response to someone whom, yesterday, made a hateful, snide remark to this post, then went to her own LJ, made reference to me and my "fucked up priorities" and locked it so no one could respond, concluding with it was HER LJ and she could express what she had to say without having to listen to the other side. The hypocrisy angered me. She can say what she wants in MY LJ but she doesn't extend me the same "courtesy?" You know? Plus, then she got snotty with one of my other LJ friends.

I can respect other people's opinions...it's all in how it's presented. You, for instance, present yours well and not rudely and hatefully.

[xjennifahx.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to add support on your next post up:

I'm really pleased/amazed/proud/awed of what you chose to be your life's work. I'm glad you care for all these women, and that you do so in such a way that never makes them feel judged, or looked down on.

(I read a 'bad service' post the other day about a girl who tried to go get a pap-smear, and was a little scared, and the nurse/receptionist said '...maybe you shouldn't have sex then.' Ugh. Not their place to pass any sort of judgement/suggestion.)

I'm also glad you're determined to speak out, but do so in a way that's rational, rather than attacking - even after you've been attacked.

*smiles* Very impressed by you.

[xtremeroswellia.livejournal.com]

Thanks, love. *hugs you* I appreciate the support.

[unstableharpy.livejournal.com]

She does what? Since when Republicans care about nature anyway?