Friday, September 26, 2008

Palin and the Pro-Life Movement - Segment 5 Highlights

In this series final segment, Peter asks, was the last week of August and the first week of September the best two weeks for the pro-life movement since Roe v. Wade?

Peter lists the following events:
  • August 24th Pelosi's comment about abortion on Meet The Press
  • August 25th Chaput responds
  • August 26th US Conference of Catholic Bishops responds
  • August 29th Sarah Palin is named as McCain’s pick
  • We learn that Palin kept her down syndrome baby
  • A few days later we learn that her daughter is keeping her out of wedlock pregnancy
  • Watch the segment for Chaput's exact answer, but generally I'd say his answer echoed the same kind of humility as he has shown throughout the series. In response to several of Peter's questions Chaput pleads that he doesn't know or isn't sure. However, he does not come across as dodgy or evasive. Instead he demonstrates that he has more restraint than any pundit by not weighing in on questions he doesn't feel qualified to answer.

    Peter then asks if Chaput sees any hopeful signs (Editor's Note: and Peter literally means hope for change) in the Democratic Party?

    Chaput says the he's not sure, but that the main problem for Catholic Democrats is their party's platform on abortion. Good Catholics need to urge the Democratic Party to drop that plank.

    Here's the section on Choice from the 2008 Democratic Party Platform: Renewing America's Promise (full PDF here):
    The Democratic Party strongly and unequivocally supports Roe v. Wade and a woman's right to choose a safe and legal abortion, regardless of ability to pay, and we oppose any and all efforts to weaken or undermine that right.

    The Democratic Party also strongly supports access to affordable family planning services and comprehensive age-appropriate sex education which empowers people to make informed choices and live healthy lives. We also recognize that such health care and education help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and thereby also reduce the need for abortions.

    The Democratic Party also strongly supports a woman's decision to have a child by ensuring access to and availability of programs for pre- and post-natal health care, parenting skills, income support, and caring adoption programs.
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