Saturday, September 13, 2008

U.S. Catholic Magazine Interviews Obama, McCain



Catholics may want to grab the October issue of U.S. Catholic magazine, a fine and readable periodical publish by the Claretians, a Catholic religious order. The magazine interviewed both Senators Obama and McCain on various Catholic concerns. On the issue of abortion, both senators proclaimed they were not for abortion and both affirmed that abortion cannot be stopped with just legal restrictions but requires social support for women in crisis pregnancies. Neither candidate supported federal laws banning abortion but McCain did indicate reversal of Roe v. Wade to allow those states that so wished to pass laws restriction abortion within their state.

Obama continued his recent emphasis on working to reduce the number of abortions. “Much more can and should be done to address the underlying factors that may lead a woman into the difficult situation where she feels she has to make this decision.” He said he wants to make comprehensive age-appropriate sex education more widely available to help prevent unintended pregnancies. And he wants to offer more support services for women who choose to have a child, including pre- and postnatal care, parenting education, and adoption and foster care services.

Obama told the Catholic magazine, “My own path to Christ was shaped in part by my work as a community organizer with the poor and disadvantaged on the South Side of Chicago,” and he noted that this work “was funded in part by Catholic churches.” He said he wants to expand the earned income tax credit and “establish 20 ‘Promise Neighborhoods’ in impoverished, crime-ridden areas to be modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone.”

Barack Obama said his work as a community organizer for a Catholic sponsored project gave him key insights as to helping people in poverty. He spoke of his commitment to health care for all, an issue that was first proposed in the United States by the Catholic Bishops in 1919. Obama also outlined positions that matched the policies of the Catholic Church on immigration, child labor and the war in Iraq.
Obama pointed out that as an Illinois state senator he was a co-sponsor of the Bernardin Amendment, named after the late Chicago Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, “which set out that health care is a fundamental right.” His health care plan, he told U.S. Catholic, would provide all Americans with “quality, portable, and affordable health care coverage” and would reduce health care costs for families to $2,500.
In one of the most lame lines so far in this presidential campaign, McCain (according to the conservative Catholic New Agency) said that he would prioritize the eradication of poverty through programs like domestic oil drilling.

32 comments:

Anonymous said...

liberal rag

Rustler45 said...

Near the end of a town hall meeting in Johnstown, Pa., a woman arose to offer a passionate plea to Barack Obama to "stop these abortions."

Obama's response was cool, direct, unequivocal.

"Look, I got two daughters -- 9 years old and 6 years old. ... I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

"Punished with a baby."

Anonymous said...

Here's more about Senator Obama's statement on abortion from March, 2008.

http://thehill.com/campaign-2008/obamas-baby-comment-draws-fire-from-conservatives-2008-03-31.html

Raising children is more than important for all of us. But "pregnancy" is not synonymous with "wanted pregnancy." Raising a child I didn't want to have? Punishing may not be the ideal word, but I think it's an accurate one.

Punished, not by our Creator but by citizens so sure they're 'right' that they'll let the government control whether I carry a pregnancy to birth or not. Punished, not by our Creator but by a society that offers women few options.

So where I land is, it's key to prevent pregnancies that are unwanted. It's key.

Kurt said...

Rustler,

I'm leaving your post up so people can see what a damn liar you are. The answer is NOT in response to a question about abortion. Senator Obama was asked a question about how his administration, if he's elected, would deal with the issue of HIV and AIDS and also sexually transmitted diseases with young girls.

He responded to this question: So, when it comes to -- when it comes specifically to HIV/AIDS, the most important prevention is education, which should include -- which should include abstinence only -- should include abstinence education and teaching that children -- teaching children, you know, that sex is not something casual. But it should also include -- it should also include other, you know, information about contraception because, look, I've got two daughters -- 9 years old and 6 years old. I'm going to teach them first of all about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby. I don't want them punished with an STD at the age of 16.

You know, so, it doesn't make sense to not give them information. You still want to teach them the morals and the values to make good decisions. That will be important, number one. Then we're still going to have to provide better treatment for those who do have -- who do contract HIV/AIDS, because it's no longer a death sentence, if, in fact, you get the proper cocktails. It's expensive. That's why we want to prevent as much as possible.

Rustler45 said...

ANONYMOUSCOWARD SAID: "Punishing may not be the ideal word, but I think it's an accurate one."

Of course you do. You're pro-choice/abortion.

ANONYMOUSCOWARD SAID: "Punished, not by our Creator but by citizens so sure they're 'right' that they'll let the government control whether I carry a pregnancy to birth or not."

That's a strange twist. It's our fault you got pregnant. It's our fault that you want to kill your baby. Hey Anon, it's the government's responsiblity to prosecute murderers.

What a sorry person who wants to kill her baby and then blames it on the "citizens." Who do we blame when a woman is forced to have an abortion by her family, husband, boyfriend (and many many happen that way just because it's legal). That's not your problem. Right?

ANONYMOUSCOWARD SAID: "Punished, not by our Creator but by a society that offers women few options."

FEW OPTIONS??? You have the option to practice abstinence before being married. Practice that one or is that too much for you?

ANONYMOUSCOWARD SAID: So where I land is, it's key to prevent pregnancies that are unwanted. It's key.

No, it key to abstain if you don't want to be pregnant. If you don't then it is your responsibility deal with the problem and raise your child instead of blaming everyone else for YOUR lack of discernment.

Your boyfriend tells you that he loves you, but won't marry you? And you believe him? You're an idiot.

Rustler45 said...

KURT LIED: "Rustler, I'm leaving your post up so people can see what a damn liar you are. The answer is NOT in response to a question about abortion. Senator Obama was asked a question about how his administration, if he's elected, would deal with the issue of HIV and AIDS and also sexually transmitted diseases with young girls."

How about being sure you leave both our posts up so everyone can see who lied.

Here's a direct quote of Obama's exact words. From YOUR post:

"I've got two daughters -- 9 years old and 6 years old. I'm going to teach them first of all about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don't want them punished with a baby."

He said Kurt, "I don't want them punished with a baby."

THAT WAS THE POINT. IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHAT THE QUESTION WAS.

So who's the DAMN LIAR Kurt?

Kurt said...

You are the liar Rustler. Senator Obama said he wanted children taught the facts of life so they are not punished with AIDS, an STD or a baby when they are 14 and unmarried.

Abortion had nothing to do with the question.

The pervert John McCain is saying it is wrong to teach young children not to let molesters toucher them inappropriately. Now, a perv like yourself is saying we should not teach children that early sexual behavior has negative consequences.

I am 100% in agreement with Obama and 100% against pervs like you and McCain.

Unknown said...

Rustler,

Being pro-life also means saving the lives of the children once they are born. It also means giving them a decent education, health care and a chance to achieve to the highest possibilities. Being pro-life also means protecting those children from the dangers that are out there. It also means feeding them. It is estimated almost 13 million children are living in food unsecure household in America (a fancy way of say in hunger). I know that you probably think that they are minorities but guess what 40% of them are whites. And even if they were 100% minorities, they also deserve a decent chance at life.

Every day kids are abandoned in garbage cans by girls who brought them to life only to discard them later. Kids are molested by perverts who take advantage of their ignorance about sex.

What are you doing to take care of the children that are already born. Are they not deserving of life?

Kathy said...

Marie-Elsie,
Please give the SOURCE of your 13 million hungry children in America.
I would be interested in reading the story.

Rustler45 said...

MARIE ELSIE ASKED: "What are you doing to take care of the children that are already born. Are they not deserving of life?"

Marie, you tell me what the liberals are doing for them?

Rustler45 said...

KURT SAID: You are the liar Rustler.

RUSTER RESPONDS: I never lie Kurt.

You claim to be a Catholic? As a Catholic you must prove someone is a liar before making the accusation just as you are taught in Catechism classes that it is wrong to accuse someone of stealing unless you know for sure.

I copied and pasted my post directly from another source. There was no intent to deceive and you know it. I don't need to lie.

KURT SAID: Abortion had nothing to do with the question.

It doesn't make any difference as to WHAT the question was. It is Obama's answer that we are concerned about. He said, "I don't want them punished with a baby."

Now tell me he didn't say that. Tell me that doesn't indicate his attitude toward pregnancy and babies. We didn't even need to hear the question. We already know. He voted to withhold lifesaving treatment from an abortion that made it out alive.

KURT SAID: "The pervert John McCain is saying it is wrong to teach young children not to let molesters toucher them inappropriately."

You're twisting things Kurt (i.e., lie). You called McCain a pervert and he is not. That is calumny. See. You're not as Catholic as you pretend to be.

KURT SAID: Now, a perv like yourself is saying we should not teach children that early sexual behavior has negative consequences.

HAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA There you go Kurt you just proved yourself to be the liar. Please quote me on that issue.

KURT SAID: I am 100% in agreement with Obama and 100% against pervs like you and McCain.

Kurt, Kurt, Kurt, don't get yourself so worked up.

Now tell me that Obama didn't say, "I don't want them punished with a baby."

Come on Kurt tell me he didn't say that?

Let's back up a little here.

KURT SAID: He responded to this question: So, when it comes to -- when it comes specifically to HIV/AIDS, the most important prevention is education, which should include -- which should include abstinence only -- should include abstinence education and teaching that children -- teaching children, you know, that sex is not something casual.

Hey moron, there's no question there. That's part of Obama's answer. For all we know it could still have been abortion. But who cares. Let's pretend the question was, "What color is your cat?"

Anonymous said...

I would like to suggest that this blog become a moderated one. And I think that would be fine.

I'm used to having strong differences of opinion with other Catholics. But above, I've been treated quite disrespectfully, beginning with being renamed "anonymouscoward." This doesn't serve the interest of honest dialogue.

News flash #1: Sometimes unwanted pregnancies come to married couples who are already raising their own 3, 4, 5, 6 children together. "Boyfriend?" I'll have to share that one with my husband!

News flash #2: Sometimes it's in the best interest of the existing children not to have new children brought into the family.

I'm quite serious in my suggestion that this blog needs moderation.

Rustler45 said...

ANONYMOUSCOWARD SAID: "I'm quite serious in my suggestion that this blog needs moderation."

Wake up to the real world. In the real world people ignore anonymous comments on anything. You want to be respected make up a name and stick to it.

People who post anonymously are cowards.

Anonymous said...

To the moderators:
As I said -- This doesn't serve the interest of honest dialogue.

Katherine said...

Thank you. I had it on moderation for a while. This blog suddenly zoomed up to 3,000 readers a day and I thought taking it off moderation woudl allow some of our new readers to post. I'm now thinking of putting it back on moderation.

Anonymous said...

"As I said -- This doesn't serve the interest of honest dialogue."

Anonymous postings are never honest.

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

There is more than one way to be anonymous. Using a consistent, but generic, user name for all your comments does not make you any less anonymous than the person who chooses not to use a user name. It only creates a consistent identity within the context of the dialogue. It is still anyone's guess who you really are.

Personally, I find "anonymous said..." to be a little chicken for engaging a comment thread. But I find the other just as chicken. If there is no real-world identity to go with the user name, than the person using the generic user name is not in a position to challenge or be rude to those who choose to post as "anonymous."

Rustler45 said...

News flash #1: Sometimes unwanted pregnancies ....

News flash #2: Sometimes it's in the best interest of the existing children....

NEWS FLASH #3: Couples already raising 6 or more children are truly blessed and should be happy with another pregnancy not looking to have an abortion.

NEWS FLASH #4: No it's not in the best interest of the children to have fewer brothers and sisters. That's just an excuse.

You're talking the to wrong man about this whiney crap. We had and raised 10 children on a single income. It was worth any hardship we had. We would still have had more if it were possible.

Rustler45 said...

DEMO: "But I find the other just as chicken."

But it is clearly in our minds that you posted a low life comment about Sarah Palin's baby. Your opinion doesn't count.

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"DEMO: "But I find the other just as chicken."

But it is clearly in our minds that you posted a low life comment about Sarah Palin's baby. Your opinion doesn't count."

You only say that because you're the anonymous chicken being rude to those posting as "anonymous."

Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous,
You must be kidding! Katherine
regularly moderates the comments she doesn't want others to see right off the page! They don't have to be insulting or rude or obscene. They just have to make a point that she doesn't want her regulars to see. It might make them think! Musn't have that!!

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"But it is clearly in our minds that you posted a low life comment about Sarah Palin's baby. Your opinion doesn't count."

You know, rustler. When you cross-blog comment, folks have no idea what you're talking about. That's why I won't let you cross-blog comment in my personal blog.

Keep blog posting where they belong, consistent with the conversation you're engaging. No confusion, no frustration, and less deletion of your comments.

Rustler45 said...

DEMO LIES AGAIN: "You only say that because you're the anonymous chicken being rude to those posting as "anonymous.""

I have posted the link to my forum several times. You know who I am. Go find it and go to my forum.

Or did pictures of guns scare you?

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

"DEMO LIES AGAIN: "You only say that because you're the anonymous chicken being rude to those posting as "anonymous.""

I have posted the link to my forum several times. You know who I am. Go find it and go to my forum.

Or did pictures of guns scare you?"

Listen. When you click on my username, you go to a profile that leads you to a personal blog, that leads you to my real name. In addition a real picture of me exists both in this forum and in my personal blog. I am not at all anonymous. In fact, it is clear I live in New York City. So anyone knowing my real name, what I look like and what City I live in could very easily do a phonebook search and find me.

What about you? Can anyone do that with you? No. You have a generic name in this blog: rustler45, and you're using a generic email address when trying to comment in my personal blog: buddy 632@hotmail.com. From neither can your identity be discerned.

Personally, I don't care. My point is that you cannot personally be anonymous and then feel justified for attacking the anonymity of others.

Anonymous said...

Thanks blog owners (Katherine on 9/15). Verbal hostility is thick in some of the posts I read here (such as "did pictures of guns scare you", "you're an idiot", "hey moron"). Incivilities like this detract from what I understand to be the purpose of the blog which, at least from the name, I thought to be a place of resources for Catholics for Obama-Biden.

Let's minimize the time we have to use deflecting bitter insults.

Rustler45 said...

"Incivilities like this detract from what I understand to be the purpose of the blog which...."

Oh quit whining. It's just getting good.

Unknown said...

FeedingAmerica.org formerly America's second Harvest.

Rustler45 said...

SUSAN SAID: "They don't have to be insulting or rude or obscene. They just have to make a point that she doesn't want her regulars to see."

THANKS SUSAN. I AM GLAD THAT SOME HAVE OBSERVED THAT.

Rustler45 said...

DEMO WHINES: "That's why I won't let you cross-blog comment in my personal blog."

That's a lie Demo. You know why you censor my posts in your cheezy blog. You don't like what I say over there. BTW, it's not important except for you to read them anyway.

DEMO WHINES SOME MORE: "You know, rustler. When you cross-blog comment, folks have no idea what you're talking about."

Demo, You're not concerned that folks didn't know what I was talking about. You just didn't like my bringing it forward so they would know what a low-life scum you are. Point aside, you know what I was talking about don't you?

You made a mean comment about a retarded child. It revealed your lack of character which was no surprise.

OK now since we have cleared that up and everyone now knows about it do you have something else to whine about?

Rustler45 said...

Hey Demo, at least when Kurt shows himself to be total inept at debate and screws up time after time embarrassing himself completely he has the good sense to just shut up and check out of the blog.

Why don't you take example from that?

Anonymous said...

In just days this blog has gone from a wonderful discovery to me, to a blog I only visit when I feel ready to read more verbal abuse. Most of the abuse is against the stated purpose of the blog.

I'm exiting. Best wishes, and my thanks, to blog owners and Catholics who support Obama-Biden.

Verō possumus.

CatholicsForDemocracy said...

anothercatholicforobama...,

"In just days this blog has gone from a wonderful discovery to me, to a blog I only visit when I feel ready to read more verbal abuse. Most of the abuse is against the stated purpose of the blog."

Please don't go. Those who created and who maintain this blog did not create it to have this type of aggravation. They created the blog to support Obama's presidential bid and to be a place for those who support that bid.

Of course, trolls would come in and try to sabotage that effort. Personally, I would have blocked them. But that is because I have prior experience (participating in administering "CatholicsforDean.org" and "CatholicsforDemocracy.org").

I have a freedom now that I never had administering the other two sites. I did not create CatholicsForDean.org, nor its successor, CatholicsForDemocracy.org. I "administered" those sites because I had the technology background to do so. Tim Heugerich created both. He abandoned both because of his graduate studies (too much to keep up with political websites and grad studies).

While I was administering CatholicsForDemocracy.org, I kept my mouth shut on some personal positions. Now I'm not. I am free to open my mouth because CatholicsForDemocracy.org no longer exists. I can represent myself. If nobody likes what I'm representing, so what. I'm representing myself.

The point is that I am Catholic and I am an active Catholic, participating in weekly Mass and doing Morning Prayer every day. I just have some opinions some who claim to be more Catholic than me do not share.

None of that is relevant to the political question. Who should be the next President of the U.S.? I think it should be Barack Obama. You think it should be Barack Obama.

Do we agree on personal morality issues? I don't know. But that does not matter. In determining our next President, we should agree on the relevant social moral issues our next President will be invoking in representing the United States globally and locally.