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Alegre's Corner
We're not finished folks - not by a long shot!

How Bill Clinton Celebrated His First Roe V. Wade Anniversary as President

by: masslib

Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 15:13:58 PM EST


On January 22, 1993, Bill Clinton rescinded the Mexico City policy, or so-called global gag rule, as one of his first acts as President.  The global gag rule, established by Ronald Reagan established in 1984:

requires non-governmental organizations to agree as a condition of their receipt of [U.S.] federal funds" that they will "neither perform nor actively promote abortion as a method of family planning in other nations".

Bush later reinstated the policy on January 22, 2001.  Rumor was that Obama would mark the anniversary of Roe V. Wade, which aligns so closely with the first days of his presidency, by lifting the policy.  A number of female Senators hope he will do even more to acknowledge the anniversary of the SC's landmark decision.

US Senators Patty Murray (WA) and Barbara Boxer (CA) along with U.S. Representatives Diana DeGette (CO) and Louise Slaughter (NY) are sending a letter to President Obama today asking him to begin the formal process of rescinding the "Right of Conscience" rule pushed through by President Bush in the final days of his administration.

I've been searching the net for word of how Obama will mark this day but none so far.  He has a few hours left, let's hope he takes a cue from the last Democratic administration.  The benefits of family planning couldn't be clearer.  According to a recent report:

an investment of $100 million in Family Planning yields the following health impact:

*Contraceptive users added - 3.6 million

*Unintended pregnancies avoided - 2.1 million

*Abortions prevented - 825,000

*Infant deaths prevented - 70,000

*Maternal lives saved - 4,000
masslib :: How Bill Clinton Celebrated His First Roe V. Wade Anniversary as President
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How Bill Clinton Celebrated His First Roe V. Wade Anniversary as President | 38 comments
Y'know, for a supposed "progressive".. (0.00 / 0)
.... Barack is sure taking his time bringing us back to the standard policy of 1984.
hillary's presser (0.00 / 0)
yall watching hillary's presser? she appointed mitchell to israel
... and the Rest of the Middle East (0.00 / 0)
Gaza is a big part of that equation.

I just saw (and posted) the video.  Mitchell is absolutely amazing - if anyone can help find a peaceful resolution he can.

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner

[ Parent ]
for sure (0.00 / 0)
this must be reversed.  But even more, we need the Supreme Court to come into balance with the nation. Roberts is fruit of the diseased vine, and he's young, he'll be on the court perverting justice for women and the weak for a generation or more.

Barack must be bold enough to create two new positions on that court, just like FDR, to protect ordinary Americans from economic and social predators.  

Hillary - alternative energy

Well, yeah, we need both and Barack said he'd support that Boxer (0.00 / 0)
bill that codifies choice so we need that too.  But the global gag rule takes a second to rescind.  It was actually Bill's first act as President.  I hope BO does it today.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
me too (0.00 / 0)
it's easy and it shows priorities, each second could be the one that would dave a life.  

Hillary - alternative energy
[ Parent ]
Obama (0.00 / 0)
may not even get to appoint even one judge since Stevens has no intention of retiring. And Obama won't create any new positions. That would take courage and right now he doesn't want to pass anything without the approval of the GOP and they won't go along.
[ Parent ]
hope your wrong (0.00 / 0)
I'm not so sure.  I think he may be too timid to do that, or fear that his decision would polarize and make enemies for him, but maybe he's got a way to sell it and hasn't yet shown his hand.  Hillary promised to reverse Bush, and that would include expanding the supreme court. Barack didn't promise that, but that doesn't mean he for sure wont do it.  We should give him encouragement, he's bottom up, the bottom wants the Supreme Court to be representative of today's values, not 19th century's.


Hillary - alternative energy
[ Parent ]
The way I see (0.00 / 0)
it is that Obama only does what Obama wants. There is no bottom up. That's just a fantasy. If he were truly a person who stood up for things he wouldn't have caved on FISA and a number of other things. Obama has a cowardly history and I dont' expect that to change. It's better to realize what you're dealing with right now than to continue to keep up these false hopes. Obama will do NOTHING to change the Supreme Court other than make an appointment if one comes open. It won't matter to him that the court doesn't represent the 21st century. Remember, he thought that Roberts was fine and was even going to vote for him until his advisors told him not to.
[ Parent ]
Stevens is a Good Guy (0.00 / 0)
I can't imagine BHO coming up with a stronger voice on the court.  I hope Stevens serves a good long while before he slows down.

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner
[ Parent ]
STOP THE PRESSES!!! (0.00 / 0)
obama put out a hopey-changey statement.

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/...

all together now - whoopee!!!!

um, what's he gonna, you know, like, actually, DO?


Barack Obama's election proves that any male can grow up to be president, provided he's willing to use misogyny as a campaign strategy.

I saw that. The kossacks are in awe. (0.00 / 0)
Man, that's pretty much the "safe, legal, rare" stuff from BC they hated last year, but even more disjointed.  I am sure he'll lift the Mexico City ban, but it seems purposeful to me that he didn't do it today.  Why not?  Wrong kind of symbolism?  Well, he still could, and for the next 51 minutes I am going to assume he will, because why wouldn't he?

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
well, it took him over a week to figure out imus was a racist. (0.00 / 0)
and then he wouldn't go as far as ask for him to resign.

maybe he's just a deep thinker.

Barack Obama's election proves that any male can grow up to be president, provided he's willing to use misogyny as a campaign strategy.

[ Parent ]
I mean take this comment for example: (0.00 / 0)
  This is a huge step, (1+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
   Pandoras Box

and he's only been President for 2 days.  I don't think he'll ignore these important areas.  I'm thrilled to see that h e addressed women's rights on the 2nd day of his Presidency - that says a lot about where he stands.

by I love OCD on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:11:07 PM PST

No, it's not a huge step.  LOL, how old were these people the last time we had a Dem in the WH?  Second, it was BC's first act as Pres, two days for a pen stroke is sort of a long time.  I mean, why not just sign it already?  Also, does this idiot realize he address women's rights on the second day because it's the anniversary of Roe V Wade?  What a moron.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights

[ Parent ]
Oh Brother! (0.00 / 0)
If they think that statement is a "huge step" they have mighty low standards.

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner
[ Parent ]
Camp, look at this one: (0.00 / 0)
  I applaud his boldness (4+ / 0-)

Recommended by:
   Pandoras Box, Tchrldy, ProgMa57, kissmygrits

in coming right out and announcing this so soon into his term.  Many other "politicians" would have waited a couple years even if they felt the same way about the issue.  He is bold, honest and straightforward and, I hope this doesn't come off as sexist......he doesn't dick around.

I was wise enough to never grow up while fooling most people into believing I had. - Margaret Mead

by fayea on Thu Jan 22, 2009 at 01:21:05 PM PST

That's just in response to the statement!  What a dolt!  They clearly don't know this is the anniv. of Roe.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights

[ Parent ]
why should they care? (0.00 / 0)
they're overwhelmingly male, they're too young to remember, and, to people in their income bracket, abortion will always be available. it always has been - even before roe v. wade, a little trip to a swiss clinic could fix a variety of problems... if you had the airfare. and the upper-income people did - or else they had the money and connections to afford what the moonlighting real physicians were charging in this country for abortions. the poor are the ones who suffered from the quacks and died of septicemia.

if you're poor and out on the great plains somewhere and the anti-abortion thugs have shut down every reproductive health facility offering abortions for 300 miles around... THEN you care about roe v. wade. if you're a cheeto - it's not a problem.

Barack Obama's election proves that any male can grow up to be president, provided he's willing to use misogyny as a campaign strategy.

[ Parent ]
Those people (0.00 / 0)
are nuts. When is the kool aid going to wear off. They're so used to wimpy dems that they have no idea what it means to actually take a stand on something.
[ Parent ]
"Bold"??? (0.00 / 0)
Oh good lord.  I am going to assume that this is just another dumbass 22 year old.
[ Parent ]
Melissa at Shakesville (0.00 / 0)
seems in awe as well and says Obama's statement was "Pretty damn good." Some of the commenters got "shivers" and lots of smiles. Chumps.  

Alice left me in Wonderland.  
[ Parent ]
Yeah Yeah... Hearts Bursting w/ Rainbows (0.00 / 0)
Nothing new to see here... move along!

Blech!

Invest in Women - Change the World
http://twitter.com/alegrescorner

[ Parent ]
I am actually offended. (0.00 / 0)
On the anniversary of Roe v Wade....he throws in his bullshit about women's equality.

If you want to know what he really thinks about our right to choose - it's right there, under our noses.  He does not want to talk about it - let alone do anything.

We're screwed!

I don't think we're screwed. (0.00 / 0)
I think he's moderately pro-choice.  I just think he should have revoked the global gag rule today.  He's prolly letting the wingers have their sanctity of life holiday, but of course the only reason they celebrate that today is because of the roe v. wade anniversary.  He'll probably get to it tomorrow.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
MassLib! (0.00 / 0)
Look at his record on choice!  He says he's pro-choice but when - ever - has he actually taken a real stand for women?  He voted present (yes, I know, it was his "strategy" to do that...BS, by the way) and today, of all days, when he could have taken a stand FOR US, he didn't - he pandered, he bobbed, he weaved.  And it's the old Okey Dokey all over again.

Moderately pro-choice?  I really don't think so.  He moderately pro-choice like he's moderately pro-Prop 8.

Obama is a lurker.  He never takes stands.  And once again - he's letting words take the place of action.

[ Parent ]
He's surrounded by pro-choice interest groups. (0.00 / 0)
Honestly, any Dem who gets into the WH at this point has to at least restore BC's pro-choice agenda.  Now I think at this point we should expect more, but I do think he'll do at least that, just the politics alone, he basically has to, just wish he would get a move on, and it would have been a wonderful way to mark the anniversary.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
"Obama is a lurker" (0.00 / 0)
PERFECT DESCRIPTION!
[ Parent ]
You shouldn't have said that.... (0.00 / 0)
Now I simply must post my full-lurker comment.  It comes from mid-campaign last year, but still applies!!!!
--------------------

Obama is a Political Lurker...always in the picture, but never out front, never leading the charge.  Even his "famous" speech resulted in not a single attempt by BO to end the war once he got into the Senate.  But then, he was so busy on day one running for his next promotion he forgot that little issue, didn't he?

I remember reading about him running into committee members on their way to a press conference about something they had just accomplished.  He said, "What's up" and they told him and he said, "Can I come along"?  They said sure - they wanted people on the podium for pictures and then he had the audacity (whoops!) to take the mic and speak as if he had been personally involved in the accomplishment.  Staffers were pissed as hell at what he did.

He lurked in CT in 2006 (never really coming out and supporting Ned Lamont).  He lurks on pro-choice (using weasel words and voting present).  He lurks on race (demanding a dialog and now saying we should all move on - pun intended!).  Condemning the Gas Tax Holiday proposal when he supported other such proposals three times.

Where in the world does he really stand on things?  I don't know.  And I'm not willing to take a chance.

If we elect a lurker then Repugs will rule the day anyway because he lurks right as much as he lurks left.

NOT what we must have for this country if we are expected to move forward.

Plus, he has destroyed any improvements we have made in race relations since 1960.

He should be ashamed of himself.


[ Parent ]
hey, do you mind if I post this at my blog? (0.00 / 0)
This is exactly how I feel about him, but I never thought of the term lurker to describe his very real behavior.
[ Parent ]
I don't know (0.00 / 0)
that he'll do it for quite a while. It might upset the evgangelicals and those are the only people's opinions that he seems to care about.
[ Parent ]
I would bet tomorrow, just would have been (0.00 / 0)
easy enough to do do today.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
yeah (0.00 / 0)
he's probably made a decision to do it tomorrow and not offend my sister.  Which may be okay, as long as the direction is right I guess it's okay to not offend my sister.  

Hillary - alternative energy
[ Parent ]
Yeah, it's fine, but really, their whole (0.00 / 0)
"holiday" is meant to offend the rest of us.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
it's his philosophy (0.00 / 0)
pandering to one is offending someone else. But so far he's given the other side symbolic respect, for their bent sensibilities, meant to offend us, while he's given us some meat.  My concerns are more about where he and I may actually differ, such as single payer and social security, that sort of thing. But at the same time I think you're doing us all a service by highlighting what we want, and what we expect.  

We're supposed to hold his feet to the fire, that's what citizens are supposed to be doing. Otherwise what's the point of disagreeing, if we don't say it.    

Hillary - alternative energy

[ Parent ]
Yeah, no, it's not the most important thing, (0.00 / 0)
but I would have appreciated the symbolism.  I'm sure the policy change is coming.

Anna, on the other things, I totally agree.  It's so frustrating because Obama basically owns the daily kos and huffpo, which have the biggest megaphone, why don't they use it?  It will be their failure as much as his if we end up with the MA plan.  i mean, they need to be pushing this everyday, with the rest of us, and you know, since it's already popular with a majority of americans, I'm guessing he'd change his tune.  But nothing.  They don't even mention anything on their FPs.  I don't get it.  Fixing FP is great, but this country needs real reform here and now.  Two steps would start to restore the middle class to boomer levels within years, single payer and passing the EFCA.  but if no one is asking, it's not going to happen.

I wish you'd start some of your posts on this stuff again.  You're funny.

Medicare for All is Civil Rights

[ Parent ]
thanks (0.00 / 0)
but not funny much lately.  Krugman knows, and he's scaring me.  Yikes.  

Hillary - alternative energy
[ Parent ]
Mhmm, me too, but you could put a funny spin on it. (0.00 / 0)


Medicare for All is Civil Rights
[ Parent ]
I will try (0.00 / 0)
did you read Krugman today?  China is doing it, but they have cash reserves and a one-party state so they don't have a pug opposition that has 'moral' views that punish all of us.  I fear Barack has too much of this 'morality,' but I'm hoping it's words.  

Hillary - alternative energy
[ Parent ]
If Hillary were the president (0.00 / 0)
No letter would be necessary to ask Hillary to rescind the "Right of Conscience" order.  How sad.
How Bill Clinton Celebrated His First Roe V. Wade Anniversary as President | 38 comments
"Always aim high, work hard, and care deeply about what you believe in. When you stumble, keep faith. When you?re knocked down, get right back up. And NEVER listen to anyone who says you can't or shouldn't go on."
Hillary Clinton - June 7, 2008

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