Republican platform calls for a 'no exceptions' ban on abortion

[Tom Montgomery]

From the CNN story.
The GOP's abortion plank faces scrutiny every four years, and this year's document contains language similar to the platforms that were adopted by the party at their conventions in 2000, 2004 and 2008.

So if you read the 2008 Platform you will see that it does not outlaw abortion.
(Page 53)
It just prevents the spending of Government Money on Abortion.

http://gop.com/wp-content/uploads/20...08platform.pdf

Sorry guys just another case of bad reporting or an attempt to make the Republicans look bad.

Bad something. "Similar." You do know we are NOT discussing the 2008 Republican platform? That was the one that then-GOP presidential candidate John McCain criticized for its position on abortion?

[Tom Montgomery]

my thoughts as well, Tom... I don't remember who it was but I think it was an anti-gun thread

You are well aware that I do not trust your memory.

[Phillip Allen]

You are well aware that I do not trust your memory.

Do as you see fit...

[Tom Montgomery]

Always.

[pefjr]

Life is only sacred while it's in a womb, once out it's fair game and on it's own. Strange how the sanctity of life doesn't exist beyond birth.

Well, at least you admit it is life while in the womb, I'm worried some of these lefties here might try to argue with Biology.

[Gerarddm]

The elephant in the room is that whilst declaiming loudly against the "nanny state" ( nannies take care of children, what's their beef? ), regressives are perfectly happy to try to make into law their narrow point of view, thus creating the same government interference that so upsets them.

Bilge regressives can try to twist and turn away from the Akin story, but it is sticking. Nothing can hide the truth that the Republicans have not only turned conservatism into a laughing-stock, but have become dangerous to boot. And the world, the whole wide world, knows it. Eisenhower couldn't get elected dog catcher in today's G.O.P. Lincoln would be abjectly ashamed.

[Tom Montgomery]

Yeah but there is little shame here.

[Phillip Allen]

Yeah but there is little shame here.

very true

[wardd]

the republican party glorifies ignorance

[Keith Wilson]

From this year's Republican platform:

"Faithful to the 'self-evident' truths enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, we assert the sanctity of human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed," the draft platform declares. "We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children."

Similar language has been in the platform for a very long time. The 'human life amendment' as described would indeed make abortion, even in the case of rape, legally punishable as murder, and ban IUDs and certain other kinds of birth control as well.

Sorry, Genglandoh, on this issue the Republican party has consistently taken the most extreme position. Mr Ryan has been particularly zealous on abortion issues.

[Tom Montgomery]

Four years ago the GOP presidential candidate complained about the extreme position taken by the GOP platform and criticized it.

Not this year!

[genglandoh]

From this year's Republican platform:

Similar language has been in the platform for a very long time. The 'human life amendment' as described would indeed make abortion, even in the case of rape, legally punishable as murder, and ban IUDs and certain other kinds of birth control as well.

Sorry, Genglandoh, on this issue the Republican party has consistently taken the most extreme position. Mr Ryan has been particularly zealous on abortion issues.

Keith this is a quote from a news story.

Do you have a link to the full documment?
If not then please wait until you see the full document.

[pefjr]

The elephant in the room is that whilst declaiming loudly against the "nanny state" ( nannies take care of children, what's their beef? ), regressives are perfectly happy to try to make into law their narrow point of view, thus creating the same government interference that so upsets them.

Bilge regressives can try to twist and turn away from the Akin story, but it is sticking. Nothing can hide the truth that the Republicans have not only turned conservatism into a laughing-stock, but have become dangerous to boot. And the world, the whole wide world, knows it. Eisenhower couldn't get elected dog catcher in today's G.O.P. Lincoln would be abjectly ashamed.

Tell us how Eisenhower and Lincoln felt about abortion. Tell us how they felt about blaspheme. While you are at it tell us what they felt about Atheists, or about opening a store on Sunday.

[Osborne Russell]

Keith this is a quote from a news story.

Do you have a link to the full documment?
If not then please wait until you see the full document.

There's nothing to wait for, except for you to stop denying the fact that your party has been captured by extremists. Perhaps you are one and are just mad at Akin for his tactics . . . your views and his being the same. We could wait for you to admit it or deny it frankly and directly, I guess.

I should point out that the Republican platform in every election since 1976 has included an endorsement of the "human life amendment", defining a fertilized egg as a human being with all the rights of a citizen. This would not only prohibit abortion even in the case of rape or incest (except perhaps to save the life of the mother), it would make the use of an IUD equivalent to murder. Mr Akin merely had to bad manners to say out loud what the Republican party has endorsed for over 30 years.

Perhaps you are one and are just mad at Akin for his tactics . . . your views and his being the same. We could wait for you to admit it or deny it frankly and directly, I guess.

[Glen Longino]

Keith this is a quote from a news story.

Do you have a link to the full documment?
If not then please wait until you see the full document.

Where the heck have you been?
Google "human life ammendment", fer godsake!
Surely this is not news to you?

[Tom Montgomery]

Denial is not just a river in Egypt.

[Keith Wilson]

That language was just approved for inclusion in the 2012 platform; the entire document hasn't yet been finalized. It's perfectly clear and unambiguous. Here's the corresponding section from four years ago.

Faithful to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence, we assert the inherent dignity and sanctity of all human life and affirm that the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution, and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children.

From 2004:

We must keep our pledge to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence. That is why we say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions

From 2000:

As a country, we must keep our pledge to the first guarantee of the Declaration of Independence. That is why we say the unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions.

1996:

The unborn child has a fundamental individual right to life which cannot be infringed. We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make clear that the Fourteenth Amendment's protections apply to unborn children. Our purpose is to have legislative and judicial protection of that right against those who perform abortions.

And all the rest of 'em, 1992 back to 1976.

The 'human life amendment' defines a fertilized egg as a US citizen with all the rights belonging to a newborn. Many people think that's a good idea. I don't. Whether it is or not, it has been the official position of the Republican party for a long time now.

[Tom Montgomery]

It appears Isaac may be taking aim on Tampa just in time for the GOP convention.

I wonder what Billy Graham and Pat Robertson would think of that?

[Glen Longino]

It appears Isaac may be taking aim on Tampa just in time for the GOP convention.

I wonder what Billy Graham and Pat Robertson would think of that?

Praise the Lord!...er, I mean God help the poor Troglodytes!!!!!!

[Tom Montgomery]

It would certainly cut into the profits of the strip clubs and escort services that week.

[pefjr]

Four years ago the GOP presidential candidate complained about the extreme position taken by the GOP platform and criticized it.

Not this year!

BS, Romney has twice in the last few days said He would not deny abortion in case of rape. I admit this is not much, but he did criticize Akin also.

[pefjr]

We could wait for you to admit it or deny it frankly and directly, I guess.

I am still waiting for any lefty to admit our Prez. prayed today to a supernatural for guidance, or the Congress affirming the nation's motto. Do you agree with the motto they have chosen to represent our country, or do you deny it. Only a few of us have spoken up to condemn the Congress vote, did you? Are you against or for a Prez. that prays to a fictitious god for guidance. In fact I am not sure if we have ever had a President of any party that did not have a belief in a ficticious christian superman.

[Tom Montgomery]

BS, Romney has twice in the last few days said He would not deny abortion in case of rape. I admit this is not much, but he did criticize Akin also.

BS right back at ya.

Romney's man was the chairman of the GOP platform committee, other allies were members of the committee, and Romney campaign aides were present when the platform committee ratified the abortion language.

In 2008 McCain attempted to get the committee to moderate the platform language at some political cost. Romney has done no such thing.

You might be fool enough to trust Romney's word but I am not. There is no reason to trust his word given his track record of flip flopping on issues when convenient.

[Glen Longino]

BS, Romney has twice in the last few days said He would not deny abortion in case of rape. I admit this is not much, but he did criticize Akin also.

So? It's not up to Romney to accept or deny such things. It's up to lawmakers...Romney is not a lawmaker, he's merely a mouthpiece for Tea party Troglodytes.

[pefjr]

BS right back at ya.

Romney's man was the chairman of the platform committee, other allies were members of the committee, and Romney campaign aids were present when the platform committee ratified the abortion language.

In 2008 McCain attempted to get the committee to moderate the platform language at some political cost. Romney did not.

You might be fool enough to trust Romney's word but I am not. There is no reason to trust his word given his track record of flip flopping on issues when convenient.

OK, you can trust or not , doesn't matter, he did say what I quoted and so you are wrong. You think McCain is anymore trustworthy, that is your problem. You think Obama does not lie? They are politicians.

[Tom Montgomery]

OK, you can trust or not , doesn't matter, he did say what I quoted and so you are wrong.

Does not compute.

Did Romney fight to get the GOP platform committee to moderate the platform abortion position?

Of course he didn't. McCain did. A BIG difference between the two men. Actions speak louder than words.

Of course, McCain lost the general election because he wasn't conservative enough....

[Tom Montgomery]

News: The Republican platform now also sez I should have to prove my citizenship before being allowed to vote.

[pefjr]

Does not compute.

Did Romney fight to get the GOP platform committee to moderate the platform abortion position?

Of course he didn't. McCain did. A BIG difference between the two men. Actions speak louder than words.

Of course, McCain lost the general election because he wasn't conservative enough....

You might give him time to see, we do know his abortion ideas are not that extreme, never have been, or shall we hang him right now? I think McCain lost because he was too old, and made a bad choice in a critical time, but probably would have lost anyway. The country wanted change, remember that, now hold that lie to account. I have never heard you complain about that big lie.

[Tom Montgomery]

I've noticed several changes.

[Tom Montgomery]

You might give him time to see, we do know his abortion ideas are not that extreme, never have been, or shall we hang him right now?

Blah, blah, blah. The Republican platform committee was full of Romney allies, beginning with the chairman.

Romney's "ideas" change with the wind. Haven't you noticed?

[pefjr]

Blah, blah, blah. The Republican platform committee was full of Romney allies, beginning with the chairman.

Romney's "ideas" change with the wind. Haven't you noticed?

What'sa matter tommy, can't answer for Obama lies? Blind partisanship

[Glen Longino]

What'sa matter tommy, can't answer for Obama lies? Blind partisanship

Have you quit beating your wife, buddy?

[Tom Montgomery]

Bud would like to change the subject. I can't really blame him.

[Osborne Russell]

I am still waiting for any lefty to admit our Prez. prayed today to a supernatural for guidance, or the Congress affirming the nation's motto. Do you agree with the motto they have chosen to represent our country, or do you deny it. Only a few of us have spoken up to condemn the Congress vote, did you? Are you against or for a Prez. that prays to a fictitious god for guidance. In fact I am not sure if we have ever had a President of any party that did not have a belief in a ficticious christian superman.

I'd be happy to answer these questions in another thread. The connection to this thread is not clear to me.

[pefjr]

Bud would like to change the subject. I can't really blame him.

Bud can speak for himself. The subject is just fine with me. It's fiction at it's finest political hour.

[genglandoh]

That language was just approved for inclusion in the 2012 platform; the entire document hasn't yet been finalized. It's perfectly clear and unambiguous. Here's the corresponding section from four years ago.

From 2004:

From 2000:

1996:

And all the rest of 'em, 1992 back to 1976.

The 'human life amendment' defines a fertilized egg as a US citizen with all the rights belonging to a newborn. Many people think that's a good idea. I don't. Whether it is or not, it has been the official position of the Republican party for a long time now.

Well I did a little reading on the subject and I have been wrong.
I thought the Republican Platform was only about who pays for the abortion.
But I was wrong it does support the banning of abortions.

Thank you Keith (and others) for pointing this out.

[TomF]

That was a grown up statement. I hope we're all big enough to say that when our time comes.

Cheers,

Bobby

Agreed. And eventually, that time comes for us all.

[Kaa]

I hope we're all big enough to say that when our time comes.

Oh, dear Lord. Is admitting you were wrong THAT big of a deal..? :-)

Kaa

[Peerie Maa]

Oh, dear Lord. Is admitting you were wrong THAT big of a deal..? :-)

Kaa

It does have a certain rarity value on here.
Kudos for having the bottle.

[TomF]

Oh, dear Lord. Is admitting you were wrong THAT big of a deal..? :-)

Kaa

it's more that some don't seem to think they have many opportunities to practice.

[ccmanuals]

Some other interesting highlights from the GOP platform:

• NO ABORTION IN CASES OF RAPE OR INCEST. The proposal for a “human life amendment” passed without a hitch — and without any exceptions for rape or incest. The committee didn’t stop there; they also adopted language that would ban drugs that end pregnancy after conception, which could potentially include Plan B, the “morning after pill.”

• SALUTE TO MANDATORY ULTRASOUNDS. The GOP officially praises states’ “informed consent” laws that force women to undergo unnecessary procedures, require waiting periods and endure other measures meant to discourage them from getting an abortion. One such law receiving a “salute” was crafted by committee head McDonnell, who passed a notorious mandatory ultrasound requirement after he signed an unsuccessful bill to require an even more invasive transvaginal probe ultrasound during an abortion consultation.

• NO LEGAL RECOGNITION OF SAME-SEX COUPLES. The committee embraced extreme anti-gay language, even rejecting a proposal to endorse civil unions for gay couples after vehement objections from Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council and Romney adviser Jim Bopp, who called it a “counterfeit marriage.” The rejection of civil unions, along with the refusal to include a line affirming the legal equality of same-sex couples prompted the organization GOProud to declare, “Those who have engaged in this public platform fight have provided distraction from important issues and damaged Mitt Romney’s campaign.”

• REPLICATE ARIZONA-STYLE IMMIGRATION LAWS. Kris Kobach, who wrote the now mostly invalidated immigration laws in Arizona and Alabama, pushed for language calling for a border fence, a national E-Verify system to make it harder for undocumented workers to find employment, the end of in-state tuition for illegal immigrants and an end to sanctuary cities. The committee overwhelmingly approved the proposals, as well as a line chastising the Department of Justice to halt the lawsuits against draconian immigration laws in Arizona, Alabama, South Carolina and Utah: “State efforts to reduce illegal immigration must be encouraged, not attacked.”

• AUDIT THE FED. The pet project of Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) to audit the Federal Reserve has now been embraced as an official Republican goal. For the first time, the platform calls for an annual audit of the Federal Reserve.

• NO WOMEN IN COMBAT. The platform condemns “social experimentation” in the military, which covers everything from the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to allowing officers to wear their uniforms in gay pride events to letting women serve on the front lines.

• NO STATEHOOD, MORE GUNS FOR WASHINGTON DC. FRC’s Perkins, who recently blamed President Obama and the Southern Poverty Law Center for the shooting at FRC’s Washington headquarters, requested and received a section specifically urging the DC Council to expand gun rights. The same section also opposes DC statehood, which would allow the District to govern itself and put an end to Congressional attempts to impose abortion bans on DC.

• NO NEW TAXES, EXCEPT FOR WAR. The platform calls for a Constitutional amendment requiring a super-majority to approve any tax increase, “with exceptions for only war and national emergencies.” It would also deliberately hobble future Congresses through a cap limiting all government spending to historical average percentage of GDP — “so that future Congresses cannot balance the budget by raising taxes.”

[Osborne Russell]

Well I did a little reading on the subject and I have been wrong.
I thought the Republican Platform was only about who pays for the abortion.
But I was wrong it does support the banning of abortions.

Thank you Keith (and others) for pointing this out.

Now there's a man.

[wardd]

BS, Romney has twice in the last few days said He would not deny abortion in case of rape. I admit this is not much, but he did criticize Akin also.

what will romney say on stage at the convention?

he'll stick his finger in his mouth then hold it up in the breeze

[Keith Wilson]

Thank you Keith (and others) for pointing this out.

You're welcome.

However, while Mr Akin's words were certainly unfortunate (it's hard to imagine a "legitimate" rape in the normal sense of the word), the rest of his statement was just as bad, and quite consistent with what he thinks. This is not only the position in the Republican platform, it's shared by many other Republicans. Along with Paul Ryan, Akin co-sponsored a bill that would change the definition of rape to 'forcible rape", and eliminating federal assistance to pay for abortions for rape victmis if it wasn't 'forcible'. ("Forcible" was later removed after it caused a huge fuss.)

Polifact analysis says it's true. From the Wall Street Journal:

Mr. Ryan has in the past taken a stricter view on abortion than Mr. Romney, who believes abortion should be allowed for rape victims. But Mr. Ryan has generally favored allowing exceptions only in cases where the life of the woman is in jeopardy. While in Congress, he cosponsored – along with Mr. Akin and 171 others – a bill that would ban federal funding for abortion with a rape exception only in cases of “forcible rape.

Yes, Kaa, for some folks admitting they're wrong is indeed a big deal, and it's rare enough in the Bilge that it's worth complimenting.

[Gerarddm]

Pefjr did not get my point about Eisenhower and Lincoln. Let me make it plainer to those of the meanest understanding:

Both Ike and Lincoln would not be conservative enough for today's know-nothing G.O.P. and Lincoln, he of "with malice toward none, charity for all", would find his modern political descendants unrecognizable.