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Thu Jun 04, 2009 at 21:56:25 PM EDT
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Bad idea - even worse timing. The president is looking to reduce the need for abortion, but his anti-choice nominee has vowed to reduce ACCESS to abortions. Disturbing doesn't begin to describe this latest move from the White House - especially given the elevated role of this office now that we have a Democrat in the Oval Office. One would think that - given his campaign rhetoric - he would do his best to remove barriers to women in accessing whatever legal health care services we care to seek out. From Sarah Posner of the American Prospect...
ABORTION FOE TO LEAD HHS FAITH-BASED OFFICE
President Obama has appointed Alexia Kelley, executive director of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good (CACG), to head the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Department of Health and Human Services. ... Kelley has made clear that she seeks instead to reduce access to abortion. That is an extremely disturbing development, especially coming this week in the wake of George Tiller's assassination.
Under George W. Bush, the faith-based centers didn't play a policy role. But Obama has expanded the faith-based project to include a policy side, and one of its chief goals is to reduce the need for abortion. I have opposed this, because reproductive health is a public health, not a religious issue. Also problematic: It is counterproductive for Obama to appoint someone who disagrees with the administration's stance. Obama finds himself now in the difficult position of having elevated the importance of religion to making policy, and having appointed a religious figure whose opinions on policy conflict with his.
Kelley and CACG have made clear they are committed to Catholic doctrine on abortion and birth control. CACG has supported the Pregnant Women's Support Act, aimed at stigmatizing abortion and making it less accessible.
I have a problem with this on so many levels I don't know where to start... First: elevating a religious office to one involved in making healthcare policy - when Bush wouldn't even do that? Second: appointing someone who's diametrically opposed to your stated goals? Third: an anti-choice activist???!!??! Fourth: now? Just days after the cold blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller, who was one of the few doctors still willing to perform late-term abortions (a very legal procedure under certain circumstances)????
If the White House wanted to rub salt in the wounds of everyone who was shocked and angered by Dr. Tiller's assassination, he's just managed to do it with this nomination. File this one under what was he THINKING? |
| Alegre :: Anti-Choice Nominee for HHS Post |
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"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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