Tag: John McCain

Banner ads informing voters that Dino Rossi is anti-choice and anti-contraception can be viewed today on www.SeattleTimes.com , www.SeattlePI.com, www.Columbian.com and www.HorsesAss.org  

An article in the Boston Globe written by a Massachusetts pediatrician discusses the difficulty doctors have when dealing with adolescent patients who need information about STDs and teen pregnancy from their doctors as a result of lack of education given in abstinence-only sex-education programs at school.

In an ongoing attempt to smear Barack Obama by way of his loose connection to William Ayers, a McCain spokesperson commented that if McCain associated with an abortion clinic bomber it would be a legitimate topic of discussion. Ironic, points out Think Progress and RH Reality Check, because McCain has made several votes that decreased protections for women and doctors at reproductive health clinics.

In an article for the Washington Blade, a gay publication in the Washington DC area, John McCain claims to support a national AIDS prevention policy, despite having never mentioned such plans before, as pointed out by RH Reality Check.

For the third time the Supreme Court will not hear an appeal by an anti-abortion group seeking to overturn a case that awarded abortion providers more than $16 million after the group created posters and websites naming abortion doctors alongside their home addresses and phone numbers: (via Seattle PI).

The LA Times editorializes against the Bush administration assertion that California's family planning program for low-income women must re-evaluate the way it calculates undocumented immigrants by individually vetting each patient for legal status, saying it is the federal government's responsibility to determine and cover undocumented immigrants, not California's:

Another study by Guttmacher finds that the amount of women seeking contraceptive services in private and public clinics is increasing, with about 1 in 4 seeking reproductive health services at a publicly funded clinic where over 69% are specifically requesting contraception: (via NationalPartnership.org).

A new book called Abortion and Life, which puts a face on women who have had abortions and tells their stories, intends to de-stigmatize the experience and allow the sometimes complex emotions surrounding abortion to be shared: (via The Phoenix).

In response to the book, an anonymous writer discusses her abortion experience and why it is important for ordinary women who have had abortions to not be ashamed of their decision: (via The Phoenix).

Gloucester, Mass. Mayor and School Committee Chairman are encouraging School Committee members to allow the high school health center to dispense contraception to its students after the high school was embroiled in a pregnancy scandal earlier this year that garnered extensive media coverage and caused the resignation of many top school officials: (via Boston.com).

The LA Times published an editorial against California's parental notification proposition (Prop 4), saying the law would hinder abortion rights and possibly, contrary to its supposed goal, put pregnant underage girls in greater endangerment.

Thirteen state attorneys general and several medical associations have come out in opposition to the proposed HHS rule that extends the abilities of health care workers to deny services based on their personal beliefs, saying the rule would "obliterate the rights of patients": (via AP/Google).

The Republican Majority for Choice will not be nominating a candidate in the presidential election, citing an "outpouring of concern from our members" over McCain's selection of adamantly anti-choice Gov. Sarah Palin for his running mate: (via RH Reality Check).

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).

Abstinence-only advocates have developed new strategies in their campaign aimed at teens, including producing glossy magazines with misleading information about contraception, abortion and sex: (via alternet.org).

The Republican Majority for Choice is asking for language endorsing a constitutional amendment banning abortion, which most Republicans do not support, be removed from the party platform and would like to see John McCain select a pro-choice running mate, but admits that both goals are unlikely to be met this year: (via RH Reality Check).

Though Chicago Tribune journalist Eric Zorn is very clear about John McCain's anti-choice record and beliefs, Debra Bartoshevich, the former Clinton supporter turned McCain campaign ad star shows her lack of understanding by citing a McCain quote in support of Roe from 9 years ago, a position he has clearly since abandoned.

The final version of the proposed HHS regulation protecting so-called medical conscience has been released by Secretary Leavitt, and though it leaves out the redefinition of birth control as abortion, the omission has been taken as a sign by anti-choice activists to pursue their ability to deny contraception based on personal beliefs: (via Slate.com)

Comments on the rule can be sent to consciencecomment@hhs.gov until Sept. 20th.

A health article in the New York Times examines blog responses from another article by women of child-bearing age who feel they are treated as "pre-pregnant" by doctors who seem solely worried about the hypothetical fetus the woman may be carrying and not the entirety of her health.

An Op-Ed in the Washington Post praises Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton's speeches at the Democratic National Convention for setting the right tone for the event and spotlighting the accomplishments and capability of both women.

Tim Rutten writes an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times on how the GOP uses abortion as a wedge issue for Catholic voters, despite many Catholics' belief that in a pluralistic society we cannot expect laws to cater to one religion's beliefs.

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.

Kate Sheppard's article titled "McCain's War on Women" lists the candidate's many anti-woman stances, including his poor voting record on women's issues such as reproductive health and economic equality.

In an article for The Guardian, columnist Sarah Wildman chronicles the many disastrous policies enacted by the Bush Administration, and how such policies have successfully undermined the reproductive health of women worldwide.

RH Reality Check uncovers an HHS letter that promises that states applying for Title V abstinence-only sex-education grants for fiscal year 2009 will receive the money until 2013 without reapplying, in an attempt the lure states wary of accepting such funds because of the uncertainty of the future of the program, even though Congress has not yet approved such funding.

RH Reality Check provides a nice round-up on McCain's anti-woman positions, including a Keith Olbermann report on his off-color jokes and articles on his anti-birth control and abortion stances.

The New Mexico Independent covers more in-depth the story of three NARAL volunteers denied entry to a John McCain town hall meeting in Albuquerque and states that the activists intended to ask McCain a question relating to his recently scrutinized position on birth control.

The Seattle P-I published an opinion piece on the dangers of Colorado's proposed "Human Life Amendment" which would establish a fertilized egg the same legal rights as a human being.

Judith Warner writes that despite John McCain's attempts to persuade women voters he supports their issues his voting record shows strong evidence to the contrary.

Politico.com covers an increasing trend of Obama followers who define themselves as "spiritual" and also pro-choice, incorporating their faith with progressive positions on abortion and sex education.

Susan Wood discusses the serious flaws of the Bush Administration's proposed HHS rule to define some contraception as abortion and the dangerous implications that follow.

Starting today, doctors in South Dakota will be forced to tell women seeking an abortion the procedure "will terminate the life of a whole, separate, unique, living human being", and that abortion may cause them psychological harm, including thoughts of suicide: (via The News Tribune).

An ad by the Planned Parenthood Action Fund showing John McCain's July 10th interview where he fails to address his stance on health insurance coverage of birth control is being launched in the television markets of several swing states: (via The Washington Post).

Amanda Marcotte writes on "The Pro-Choice First Lady Stunt", whereby conservative candidates' wives pose as pro-choice in order to mollify their husbands' anti-choice views, and points out how ultimately this practice continues to confer women's reproductive rights in the hands of men: (via RH Reality Check).

Legislators and activists respond to yesterday's disclosure of the Bush administration's HHS proposal that would limit birth control access by redefining some types of contraception as abortion and that confuses the medical definition of conception: (via Reuters).

Jessica Arons of The Nation writes a piece on how the anti-choice movement has crafted the abortion debate to center on late-term abortions, when in reality other issues concerning reproductive health are much more imperative and widespread.

University of Michigan researchers found that teen sexual behavior is not a predictor of HPV risk, and because the virus is so common and easily transmitted researchers suggest all teens, regardless of current sexual behavior, should receive the vaccine: (via RH Reality Check).

Dr. Sue Makin, an OB/GYN working in Malawi, shares her account of the poor reproductive health conditions for women in a country where two-thirds of deaths among women of reproductive age are due to pregnancy or childbirth: (via The New York Times).

A construction company hired to build a Planned Parenthood clinic in Portland, OR has dropped the project amid protests by anti-choice activists: (via Registar-Guard).

John McCain met with social conservative leaders in Ohio to assure them of his socially conservative agenda, including, reviewing his position on stem-cell research, his desire to meet with Focus on the Family leader James C. Dobson, and his commitment to finding a pro-life running mate: (via LA Times).

NARAL Pro-Choice America's blog includes a piece on In Our Own Words, a collection of essays, letters, and poems about women's experiences with abortion, put out this year by NARAL Pro-Choice Washington Foundation in recognition of the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.