Tag: Barack Obama

Tara Parker-Pope writes in the Health section of The New York Times about "the myth of rampant teenage promiscuity", saying that though the media encourages us to believe teenagers are engaging in more risky sexual behavior at younger ages the data actually shows the opposite.

An article on Beliefnet.com discusses why repealing the global gag rule can be viewed as a "pro-life" position since no U.S. funds will be paying for abortions, but the money will go towards saving the lives of women and children in the developing world.

After a CDC report showing Mississippi has the highest teen birth rate in country and rising STD rates, legislators are discussing introducing comprehensive sex education into schools' curriculum, though the move is drawing opposition from some Republican lawmakers: (via The Sun Herald).

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has launched a post card campaign to protest the Freedom of Choice Act by having parishioners send mail to legislators urging them to oppose the legislation, though the bill has been around for 20 years, only making it out of committee once, and does not appear to be a priority for the current session: (via The Times-Picayune).

The Minnesota man who drove his SUV into a Planned Parenthood clinic last Thursday has been charged with two felony counts of first-degree criminal damage to property. The driver seems to have been motivated by religious beliefs, but according to his mother also may suffer from mental health problems: (via The South Washington County Bulletin).

According to Obama aides, the new President plans to repeal the global gag rule, which prevents U.S. foreign aid money from being sent to family planning organizations that counsel on or provide abortions, as one of his first acts in office: (via Seattle Times).

A Wall Street Journal article analyzes the federal appellate court appointments that President Barack Obama will be filling within his first year of office and how he has the chance to turn the conservative tide of the courts.

The special inauguration edition of Ms. Magazine features President Barack Obama on the cover with an article titled "This is What a Feminist Looks Like" that includes interviews with several prominent feminist activists about what goals they would like accomplished in the new administration: (via RH Reality Check).

An RH Reality Check article discusses a letter written to the head of Obama's Domestic Policy Council, Melody Barnes, encouraging her and Obama to end the Hyde Amendment and other funding restrictions for abortion for low-income women, which the many signatories see as "a clear violation of low-income women's human rights".

Boston Globe syndicated columnist Joan Vennochi investigates the double standard women face when being considered for cabinet positions. It appears men, such as Obama's pick for head of the Treasury, Timothy Geithner, are allowed leeway with some ethics violations, whereas women will less serious infractions are often forced to withdraw from consideration: (via Seattle P-I).

A Tri-City Herald report examines the DSHS budget cuts that will eliminate 55 family planning nurses, interviewing a nurse who will lose her job and a young woman with two children who is one of the 900 low-income Tri-City residents that will lose access to family planning care.

A New Mexico woman is suing a nurse and health care clinic in federal court after she had her IUD device removed against her wishes by an anti-choice nurse who proceeded to lecture the patient on her choice of contraception after removing it: (via Courthousenews.com).

On Barack Obama's change.gov website visitors can vote on which issues they would like the new president to address; currently ending funding for ineffective abstinence only sex education ranks fourth on the list.

Cristina Page writes a critical piece on the HHS "conscience clause" regulation, which goes into effect tomorrow, discussing some of the organizations that are working to overturn the regulation and lawsuits that could restrict implementation of the rule via injunction: (via RH Reality Check).

NARAL Pro-Choice America has released their annual "Who Decides?" state-by-state guide on the status of reproductive rights and access around the country.

U.S. News and World Report writer Deborah Katz discusses the startling lack of research into whether women over 35 should take birth control pills, noting that most doctors believe if you are free from risk-factors such as high cholesterol it is probably safe.

President Bush declared yesterday to be "Sanctity of Human Life Day", proclaiming his belief that "all human life is a gift from our creator that is sacred...each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world": (via Politico.com).

NARAL Pro-Choice New York President Kelli Conlin writes in the Albany Times-Union that an important task lies ahead for Gov. David Paterson in appointing a new senator to replace Hillary Clinton, and that her successor ought to be as passionate about using the Senate to advocate for women as Clinton has been.

President Bush is expected to announce the "right of conscience" rule allowing any employee in a health care facility that receives federal money to deny care based on personally held beliefs, which proponents such as the Christian Medical Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops say extends to birth control and artificial insemination: (via Seattle Times).

A San Francisco Chronicle article highlights the several treaties President-Elect Obama may seek to have ratified as president, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which has been ratified by every other industrialized nation and was signed by President Carter in 1980 but has never made it to the U.S. Senate.

An RH Reality Check article discusses the intersection between natural disasters and the extra reproductive health care difficulties faced by women during them, noting the need for increased training and access to reproductive health care resources during times of crisis.

The anti-abortion group, Christian Defense Coalition, is planning to gather activists to sidewalk chalk Pennsylvania Avenue with "pro-life messages and pictures" to greet the Obamas at the White House: (via Colorado Independent).

A new Spanish radio ad launched for World AIDS Day yesterday aimed at Catholics promotes a message that "good Catholics use condoms", focusing on a Catholic person's responsibility to care for loved ones by protecting themselves and others: (via RH Reality Check).

As expected, the Uruguayan President vetoed legislation that would have decriminalized abortion for up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, which passed in parliament last week, despite a majority of citizens supporting legalized abortion: (via BBC).  

Abortion provider Merle Hoffman writes that abortion clinics around the nation should be on heightened alert for clinic violence during the Obama administration since anti-abortion activists may feel powerless and turn to more violent action, which she believes is the reason the Clinton administration saw the most clinic violence in history: (via RH Reality Check).

RH Reality Check writer Lynne Glassner believes Senate majority leader Harry Reid is keeping the Congressional session open to prevent President Bush from making last minute federal judge appointments.

Statistics like 1 in 3 Australian boys think it is ok to hit a girl and one-third of sophomore-aged high school girls have experienced unwanted sex are among many disturbing facts about violence found in a recently released large-scale study in Australia: (via News.com).

A recently released radio ad by the Obama campaign on John McCain's position on abortion: (via CBS News).

In a syndicated column appearing the Seattle PI, writer Bonnie Erbe questions Sarah Palin's policies on sex education and her ability to separate church and state, as well as wondering if she was properly vetted by the McCain campaign.

An alarmingly high rate of C-sections in Washington state has prompted other problems to arise with the health care of pregnant women, specifically if a woman has one C-section she may be forced to have another during her next pregnancy, whether she wants to or not: (via Seattle PI).

Cindy McCain disagrees with VP candidate Sarah Palin on abortion and abstinence-only sex education, claiming to support abortion for rape and incest victims and comprehensive sex education: (via the Olympian).

NARAL Pro-Choice Washington has issued a press release criticizing the clear anti-choice politics of John McCain and his recently selected running mate, Sarah Palin: (via ProChoiceWashington.org).

Barack Obama gave a historical speech last night at Invesco stadium in Denver, Colorado accepting the Democratic nomination for President, briefly touching on reproductive issues by stating that while all Americans may not agree on abortion, we can all support reducing unwanted pregnancy: (via TPM Election Central).

Mexico City's law allowing abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy is upheld by the Supreme Court of Mexico. In a statement for the majority, Justice Genaro Gongora Pimentel said, "Human rights systems cannot require states to defend a right to life from conception. It would mean imposing ideologies and subjective values that could sacrifice other rights that are fully identifiable.": (via LA Times).

The New York Times Editorial Board sees Lily Ledbetter as a crucial campaign tool for Obama, being that McCain voted against the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and equal pay for equal work may be a big drive for women voters this November.

Florida Governor Charlie Crist has appointed anti-choice justice Charles T. Canady to the Florida Supreme Court, one of four justices the governor will be able to appoint: (via the New York Times).

Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, spoke at the DNC last night discussing why John McCain is a dangerous anti-choice candidate and Barack Obama will protect women's rights: (via Women's Health News).

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not backing away from comments she made about the Catholic Church's historical disagreement on when life begins, despite contrary responses by Catholic officials: (via The News Tribune).

The new Massachusetts law that prevents anti-choice activists from protesting within 35 feet of abortion clinics was upheld as constitutional by a federal judge: (via Boston Herald).

Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry and 12 other anti-choice protesters were arrested yesterday after blocking a security entrance near the Democratic National Convention: (via Bellingham Herald).

New York Times Op-Ed contributor and former Joseph Biden intern discusses the senator's experience during the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas, and how Biden was intent on focusing on the nominee's judicial philosophy and not their private lives: (via the New York Times).

Anti-choice Pennsylvania senator Bob Casey Jr. spoke at the DNC last night saying that despite differences in abortion policy, he supports Barack Obama because Obama respects differing opinions and more importantly will work to change failed Bush administration policies: (via the New York Times).

The New York Times recaps speeches given by prominent convention speakers and includes a quote by Nancy Keenan on John McCain's pledge to elect Supreme Court justices that will overturn Roe v. Wade.

Democrats adopted a new party platform yesterday at the convention that "strongly and unequivocally" supports abortion rights and aims to ensure all women the care they need during pregnancy: (via Philly.com).

In contrast, the Republicans debating their party platform intend to strengthen support for a constitutional ban on abortion: (via Seattle P-I).

A guest columnist to the Seattle P-I expounds reasons why Washingtonians ought to vote for Initiative 1000 (Death with Dignity), saying ideals of democracy and self-determination are reasons to support this initiative.

Anti-choice advocate Jill Staneck has been getting a lot of air-time over her false claim that Barack Obama supports infanticide, but this Media Matters piece exposes Staneck's extremist and discredited views on reproductive rights: (via Media Matters).

RH Reality Check blogger Marjorie Signer says democrats at the DNC can be both pro-faith and pro-choice and should be stressing the need for a pro-choice candidate because the next president will likely appoint Supreme Court justices who may have the opportunity to uphold or overturn Roe v. Wade.

John McCain Is No Choice for Women!

John McCain has an alarming history of disrespecting women and their contributions to society. He's violently opposed to womens' reproductive freedom, has voted against women's access to health care, and has repeatedly opposed women receiving equal pay for equal work. None of us can afford to vote for a person like John McCain, who shows such utter disrespect for women.

John McCain Opposes A Woman's Right to Choose

John McCain clearly opposes a woman's right to choose. John McCain would appoint Supreme Court Justices who would overturn Roe vs. Wade, and support radical religious extremists' efforts to ban birth control. Meanwhile, Barack Obama strongly supports a woman's right to choose, a position shared by a majority of Americans.

Drew Westen writes a piece for the Huffington Post giving Obama some advice on how to address the abortion issue with more conservative audiences by stressing the need for religious freedom and less government intrusion.
Although Amie Newman of RH Reality Check criticizes Westen for framing the issue by using some anti-choice language which reinforces anti-choice messages.

Melissa McKwan of the Guardian analyzes the studies used to support the American Psychological Association's findings on the mental health implications of abortion and comments on the many reasons women may or may not feel "mental distress" after an abortion.

A memo released by the Obama campaign outlines John McCain's "woman problem", citing his lower approval rating by women and showing the numerous ways McCain's policies are anti-woman.

A Census Bureau report finds women are waiting longer to have children and many more are choosing not to have kids at all, though demographic factors such as education level and ethnicity make a big difference.

A New York Times piece points out that Obama's pro-choice stance may drive away some Catholic voters, but that other issues Obama supports, such as ending the Vatican-opposed Iraq war and more support for immigrants and the poor, may be reasons for Catholics to vote for Obama.

The Stranger provides a comically charged endorsement list for the August 19th primary, supporting NARAL Pro-Choice Washington endorsed candidates such as Gov. Gregoire, Darcy Burner, and John Ladenburg among many others.

RH Reality Check blogger Elisha Dunn-Georgiou is concerned that the conscience clause included in Bush's reauthorization of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) codifies discrimination by allowing for U.S. funded organizations to opt out of providing "care" for any person they find morally objectionable.

Several Latin American and Caribbean countries met prior to the Mexico City International Conference on AIDS to discuss a health and education plan that would include comprehensive sex education as national policy in order to reduce HIV/AIDS infections: (via RH Reality Check).