That was a waste of my time.

Well finally an abortion topic. I love all the so called pro-lifers there not pro-life they are pro-birth. They don’t care about the life of the child. Look at Texas the government barely supports good education they have cut so many programs it’s not even funny. Plus this comes from a friend who was once pro-life he said “ In the end everybody only cares about themselves they do the minimum in times that are good for them for show” Oh and he also quoted he who is without sin cast the first stone oh yeah and judge not lest ye be judged you know. His point was people are going to take care of themselves. Oh yeah and I hope people don’t shop at any big box mall or store you know their in bed with China they have a one child policy, but all those corporations don’t care just if they make their money and their employees don’t care because they want to put food on their table and put their kids in school.

Senator Obama is NOT pro-abortion. No one is pro-abortion. No one wants abortion to be common and routine.

People that believe abortion should be legal do so because they are wise enough to know that criminalizing it will not eliminate abortion. It will only make it more dangerous for those women who do have one.

Senator Obama and other people who understand the importance of the right to privacy and individual freedom, realize that the best way to end abortions is to end unwanted pregnancy.

And the way to end unwanted pregnancy is to promote truthful and comprehensive sex education, and make birth control accessible and affordable for all women.

But sadly most people, yourself included, seem to be too misinformed, or simply too fascist, to do what would actually accomplish a goal we all share, ending abortion, not just criminalizing it.

Here's the Cliff Notes version:

I went to see Obama and was inspired.

Then I went home and thought about it and decided that because he isn't pro-life, I can't vote for him.

But I can tell that God is going to make him our next king -- so he'll be like one of the flawed kings of the Old Testament, although the US isn't a theocracy, so, umm...

If I didn't know better, I'd think that Julie was some sort of agent provocateur.

Wow, you just reminded me why I decided to abandon my grandparents religion...this reminded me of reading a long fairy tale. The King Jeroboam...spiting of the Gods...Golden calves. Why don't you do an assessment of the candidates through the eyes of Greek Mythology. Obama surely must be like Perseus, while Zeus forbade the earthly mortals to mingle with the Gods, yet his wife ignored the word of Zeus. Surely McCain is like Aries, the god of war. I will pray to Poseidon that the oceans don't claim our fearless leaders. Will Obama receive his heavenly mansion among the streets lined in gold? Why on earth do I care about gold...what is this, 1492?

Unlike Ms. Lyons, words fail me. If this is the writing of an Observer journalist, this publication is doomed. Ms. Lyons needs to be preaching to a church, not writing for a newspaper. And I thought Schutze was long-winded. At least he (occasionally) makes sense.

Damn, I read the whole thing for a no vote due to abortion? What a letdown.

Next time people make a mortgage payment, worry about health care, the cost of college, the budget, taxes, employment or wonder whether their loved one comes back from Iraq in a box then I'll remind them - but no abortion!

Sister Girl Friend X Lesbo has spoken and she says it is a NO GO Obama.

If you really read all 25,000 words in this sermon, you will see the very reason that WE MUST have someone like Obama in office so we can have a true separation of church and state.

I am always confused when one woman doesn't think another woman should have the right to choose for herself. It is that sort of self indulgent, holier than thou attitude that has run/ruinied this country for the last 7 years.

Well, reading that article, with all due respect, reminded me why I (and most Americans) am so desperately eager to see this Bush era of Religion as Politic end.

In the final words, you say you will support him (Obama as President) as long as it 'isn't in conflict with the word of God'. Good God.

Want to corral a group of 'Christians' into a room and get them to agree on what the 'word of God' is?

The days of the presidential race being all about abortion and gay marriage is about as over as Britney Spears. People do not care about whether a same sex couple marries. They care about their adjustable mortgage. And they resent that the price they paid to support a ‘Christian’ President is a war they disapproved, a massive deficit, and tax breaks for the wealthiest Americans. And mismanaged bureaucracy failures of leadership such as the Katrina fiasco.

They know that a woman's choice is currently the law of the land whether they support abortion on demand or not. And they want a new emphasis on leadership and a hiatus from piety. I for one believe that everyone having unprotected sex is an irresponsible fool risking death (HIV) as well as pregnancy, in which case an abortion would be a non-issue.

Adios to yesterday’s news. Welcome a refreshingly secular doctrine to help fumigate the residue the ‘Christian’ leadership has foisted upon this nation, held in its grip for 7 plus years.

In my heart and in the heartland, this was billed as an age of enlightenment and it became the Dark Ages in rapid time.

Ugh. I thought we had seen the back of you.

FYI...

Abortions declined when Bill Clinton was president, and have since increased during the last 7 years...

Yep. Honey, you need to go to Seminary and get the facts on how that Bible of yours was actually written. It makes the presidential primary selection process look absolutely Solomon-like.

And you know what, War is a sin too. And so is Greed. And Sloth. And Pride. Why does not allowing little cells to divide any further outrank any of these?

Julie, Barack Obama does not need your vote. I think he'll do just fine without it.

There are, however, thousands of children who live in broken homes with unfit or abusive parents, many of whom have little or no money, who are waiting for someone like you to come along and rescue them from a less-than-humane existence.

Whether you'll ever admit it or not, abortion spares many children an eventual lifetime of poverty, abuse, neglect and dysfunction. Isn't a one-way ticket to what you call Heaven better than sixty (or so) years of war, disease, poverty and Texas Ranger baseball?

I have enjoyed the Bible Girl columns more often than not, but this piece was atrocious.

I've been pretty open to both cadidates up until just recently. A friend had me watch a video on YouTube called "Hillary does NOT want you to see these Chronicles". It was the first time I was exposed to this whole history. Man,.... I was revulsed. I had no idea that all stuff really happened. It was like watching 60 Minutes (except it is about 80 minutes long and in 11 segments) It's worth the watch. You wont be bored!

Obama goes as far as to vote that if a baby survives a late term abortion that NO medical assistance should be given to the baby since it NOT a person but meant to be an abortion. Even the most aggresive of Right To Life people said that if a baby does survive abortion than it needs to be given medical treatmont and NOT just left on a table by itslef to die.
Obama is friends with Bill Ayers who was a radical in the 70's, he bombed a NYC Police Headquarters and other places as well. Obama met him in the 70's, worked with him on different committees. Today he remains friends with Bill Ayers who says he regrets he did not set more bombs than he did. Ayers donated to Obama's campaign. That plus Farrakhan. obama sure has a lot of radical friends. He also loves Castro and Che Guevara who killed 1,000's of cubans.
Obama has a lot of secrets we have not yet uncovered.

These videos take only a few minutes to watch.

1- Click here: You Tube - Obama Communist Flag In Office!
2- 4- Click here: You Tube - Obama and the National Anthem

3- Click here: Media Matters - Hannity guest on Obama's church: Its "scary doctrine" is "something that you'd see in more like
4- Click here- Trinity United Church of Christ

Don't be hood winked. Vote for Hillary if you want a democratic president for the people. Obama stands no chance to win in November since the states of Florida and Michigan voted for Hillary. They will switch to McCain, especially after Obama bad mouthed them. He cannot win without them. The most people actually back Hillary.

Save it for the choir Bible Girl. The readers of Unfair Park are a cynical bunch and don't need to hear a bunch of religious mumbo-jumbo.

"The hand of God is upon him." Excuse me, but how the hell do you know that? You've been far too long in that wacky negro church of yours, nodding and "amen"-ing to the hyped up jive of your "prophetess." Give me a break.

Do those broads prophesy in tongues, or does the Spurrr-it translate it into English so even a gullible cracker like yourself can drink the Kool-Aid...and fork over the cash?

After all, it is propesied: "Pastuh Man gotta get his blang on, yo. Trus'!"

Fucking Pentecostal idiots. You make the worship of God a freak show and a joke. Shame on all you fools.

Yeah, yeah. I know nobody is pro-abortion in the sense that they want to see babies aborted just for the heck of it. I suppose I could have used the word my profession prefers--pro-choice. But I don't think anyone is confused by the terminology.

To those who say Hillary Clinton has better experience, I ask you to look carefully at the three major events in Hillary Clinton's career:

1. her failed healthcare reform initiative in the early 1990s,

2. her wrong vote to go to war in Iraq, and

3. her poorly organized, and underperforming campaign for President.

I ask you to look carefully at her record and to compare it to that of Obama, who has been a consistent, positive, well-organized and unifying force for change. Of the two, only Barack showed good judgment on issues that matter, like in NEVER supporting Bush's war in Iraq.

Barack has run the better organized, steady campaign. He has pushed for transparency in government, ethics reform, and taking care of our veterans. Please read a detailed comparison of their records here:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/2/2/0181/84501/394/448113

Above all fellow Democrats, even if you disagree, please vote! We need to activate America. We need to stop sitting it out. We can do this. Yes we can!

Bible Girl:

Thanks for writing honestly & openly about actual struggle with a candidate & his/her positions on issues that run against your belief system.

As a former resident of D/FW and a long-time reader of the Observer, I think it's a good thing someone around there is writing about Christianity from an "I actually believe in it" perspective as opposed to the "look at those quaint people who still believe" perspective.

Again, thanks.

I understand your position. If politicians can't get the basics straight, why should we trust them with more responsibility? I bet more people would vote for a Democratic ticket if the party allowed more diversity on this issue. What would happen if the stumbling block of abortion were taken out of the party platform? I think many reluctant Republicans would go back to being Democrats.

If Bubble Girl goes to Luby's after church on Sunday and finds they have a couple of things she doesn't like, I assume she just leaves.

Organized religion is the same as that buffet. People pick and choose to what they have a taste for and disregard the rest. Folks like Julie Lyons only wants them to serve what SHE wants to eat. That is self centered and self indulgent.

It would be nice if you could explain to us about these ladies in your COGIC church that continued to seek the "guidance" of their pastor even after he gave them enemas and spankings.

You are supportive of these ladies and their right to choose to go back to this perverted preacher time and time again even after he sexually abuse them.....YET.....you do not think women should be given the right to choose how to deal with a pregnancy.

Your belief system is fucked up on so many levels. WHY does the Village Voice allow you this megaphone to espouse your bigoted and hate mongering views and yet doesn't allow an alternative voice.

How about this philosophy Bubble Girl...you don't like gay marriage....DON'T MARRY A GAY....no one will force you.

You DON'T WANT AN ABORTION...DON'T GET ONE...no one will force you.

Not to mention the fact that you are kicking your religion old skool.....GIRL. The new wave of young progressive Christians are now focused on the environment, poverty, peace and are getting out of other peoples bedrooms.

While you are still playing your Stryper albums on a turntable, your Christian pals are passing you by.

Your form of evangelical extremism is the same of George W. Bush. Bush is responsible for Abu Ghraib. Most people associated with the running of the prison considered themselves Christians, anti abortion, and of course not wanting any GLBTQ in the armed forces. Look at the NSFW newly released photos and let me know if this is what your Jesus had in mind with regards to the ten commandments????

http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2008/02/ted_zimbardo

Jeff (Liles),
Thanks for your comment, which is thoughtful as always.

I have met many women and men through my church who were abused, neglected and raised in horrible poverty. I know numerous women who were raped as children and kids who were brutally beaten. I have seen many of them receive Jesus Christ as their savior and go on to lead productive, stable, fruitful lives. One of my two very closest friends in the world was raised in a filthy shack and went on to become a doctor. The turning point in her life was an encounter she had with Jesus Christ at the age of 21. Interestingly, she was born with a severe form of Sickle Cell Disease (if this sounds familiar, it is because I have written about her in my column before). She tells me that doctors still often counsel women carrying babies with Sickle Cell Disease to abort.

I refuse to devalue her life because of the circumstances she was born into, or anyone else's life.

I'm with you on the Texas Rangers baseball, though. That might be the best argument yet--at least for Texans.

Obama has been silent on a lot of issues at the core of Christian beliefs. He even favored live birth abortions! I can't remember the Senate bill numbers, but he blocked the "Babies Born Alive Protection Act" four times in the Illinios Senate. It didn't pass until he left! I saw this and other pieces of his voting history at www.obamacopy.com.

I echo the thoughts of other readers who give credit to the author for writing candidly about such personal thoughts. Thank you, there should be more discussion on real issues and less about words and rhetoric.

from "The Right Way To Reduce Abortions"

"Those who oppose abortion in all or most circumstances generally think the best way to reduce the number of abortions is to make it illegal.

By eliminating legal availability, they believe abortion will cease to exist.

They hold this view despite undeniable evidence that women continue to have abortions in countries where it is outlawed, under illegal and unsafe conditions that often result in terrible tragedy.

Close to 70,000 women a year die from unsafe abortion and numerous others suffer grave injuries, including infection, hemorrhaging, and infertility.

This hurts women, their families, and whole communities, but it does very little to reduce abortion."

http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2006/01/b1363989.html

Okay everybody, let's all come to our senses and just vote for the real thing Hillary Clinton instead of the "Warm Fuzzy King".

An engaging and insightful post.

Thank you.

SEN. OBAMA YOUR MENTOR HAS A PROBLEM, BUT YOU DON'T SEEM TO SEE IT

On Tuesday nights Debate, Tim Russert brought up which in my book, was a very poignant fact. That Obama's Pastor had called Louis Farrakhan a GREAT MAN. Obama stated that in the past, he Denounced Louis Farrakhan's racist beliefs. Then Hillary Clinton also stated a very poignant fact. That he never really REJECTED him in whole as a person. Obama looked almost confused, as if he couldn't distinguish between the two. So in his moment of temporary anguish, he then Stated O.K. I'll concede the point, I both Denounce & Reject.

OH Really? Do you really Reject and Denounce him Sen. Obama ?

O.K. let's examine his MENTOR, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr.

Posted In Wright's 2005 church publication, Wright suggested "white America" had the 9/11 attacks coming, while calling for business "divestment from Israel," which he refers to as a "racist" state along with America.

"In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01," he wrote on page 7. "White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just 'disappeared,' as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring Black concerns."

In the November/December 2007 issue of Trumpet, Wright sang the praises of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, who has described whites as "blue-eyed devils" and Jews as "bloodsuckers."

"He brings a perspective that is helpful and honest," Wright said. "Minister Farrakhan will be remembered as one of the 20th and 21st century giants of the African-American religious experience."

Wright then held Farrakhan up as a pillar of "integrity."

"His integrity and honesty have secured him a place in history as one of the nation's most powerful critics," he continued. "His love for Africa and African-American people has made him an unforgettable force, a catalyst for change and a religious leader who is sincere about his faith and his purpose."

Farrakhan's photo is splashed across the cover of the church magazine, which gushes "the Minister truly epitomized greatness." Wright has nurtured Obama's political career as a close adviser and mentor

Obama says he is "proud" of Wright and his values.

VALUES ????

How in the Hell are we suppose to believe that Sen. Barak Obama has now,

DENOUNCED & REJECTED LOUIS FARRAKHAN'S BELIEFS, WHEN THE MAN HE HOLDS UP AS HIS MENTOR. HIS PASTOR THE REV. J. WRIGHT THINKS LOUIS FARRAKHAN IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY & GREATNESS ????

WHITES ARE BLUE EYED DEVILS AND THE JEWS AS BLOODSUCKERS.

He's proud of these VALUES ?

Sorry people, OBAMA cannot have it both ways. There is something very, very wrong with this picture. I see Barak Obama in the same light as Tom Cruise, being led by the nose by a CULT. Neither thinks anything is wrong with their beliefs. Their MENTORS brainwash them into believing, that THEIR thoughts are FACT.

I think Barack Obama is one very misguided man. Naive when it come to Cuba, and wanting to jump unconditionally into the fire with untrustworthy individuals. Yes he gave a fabulous speech during the 2004 Democratic Convention. But does that make him Presidential material? He is inexperienced and at times seemingly of not having a mind of his own. He's a TALKER, but sometimes I question of who's putting the words into his mouth of which he speaks.

All I know is YOU CAN'T say you denounce and reject someone, but at the same time worship a mentor who thinks the man your proclaiming as Evil, personally thinks he's GREAT.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS, AND IF THE WALKING COMA'S WOULD WAKE UP. They might see it as well, before it's too late. In my opinion Sen. Obama needs to get his head together, without the so-called inspiration of his MENTOR who has some very twisted & demented views, that seems to be shared by the Denounced & Rejected Farrakhan Views.

White Bigots, Black Bigots they are one in the same. I don't put up with either.

I am a lifelong Democrat and have participated in elections most of my adult life. I have never met as many hateful and vile people as the Obama supporters. Read their bloggs, responses, and ask them questions about Obama. Rather than stick to issues, they call people names.

Obama has not condemned this behavior. Ignoring this behavior tells you something about his character, or lack of character. Please read about the threats being made by Obama supporters to politicians who support Clinton. Obama and his supporters clearly are attempting to intimate people into silence. Do not allow these people to take away your First Amendment rights. Remember this behavior Tuesday.

ok truthfully, obama doesn't say much about anything. he "borrowed" hillary's platform and issues and is running his campaign on that. HILLARY is ready to lead on DAY ONE. she has extensive foreign policy experience and the Republicans are scared to death of running against her. GO HILLARY!! hey if you're in austin on monday, you may want to check out eva longoria parker at a rally supporting hillary.

Morning Julie, nice to see you back.

My first question on abortion for you would of course concern whether you're serious about reducing the number of abortions or if your interest is in all about posturing against it.

A desire to reduce the number of abortions I believe would first be motivated to attempt to understand the why. Why are abortions happening?

I believe a study of the why would show that abortions aren't about bad people doing bad things for the sake of badness. It's about twixt and tween (bite your tongue Jack, be nice). People considering abortion view it as one option. In every instance there are other options to consider.

I happen to believe there is no such thing as free will. Our responses are all about going with the dominant force acting upon us.

But you don't have to believe like I do to accept that the best way to reduce the number of abortions would be to make abortion as the least attractive option.

The Democrats are wanting universal healthcare. One has to wonder if universal healthcare might reduce abortions since a lot of abortions are because another child isn't in the budget.

If one was serious about reducing abortions isn't universal healthcare a more positive step towards that goal than just posturing like the Republicans are doing?

P.S. I know you're a visitor to unfairpark but could you grab whomever by whatever you grab whomever by and get across to them that their reply system sucks?

Here we ago again. I am so tired of us (Chrisitan) thinking that the government will solve all of our problems.

Look, we have had one of the most conservative led Supreme Court in years. What has happended to Roe vs. Wade. Nothing!

The pro lifer's march every January. Then nothing! Stop whinning and go vote for McCain.

The botton line is that Obama will win the presidency. Got news for you - if you think your vote elects the president - stop. You are at best crass. Democracy works but not the way you think.

I'm just wondering if Ms. Lyons has chanced to talk to the average woman who has had an abortion - because I have, for a story I wrote.

The majority of the women I talked to weren't just out there using it willy-nilly,for birth control, they were using it because the felt they had no way out. They felt they had no viable options, and it was a gut-wrenching, "I drove past the clinic five times" decision.

She should've listened to her fellow writer. It's true. Address some of the very economic and societal issues that drive many women to feel abortion is a last resort, and you will address the problem of abortion. Find a president that does that best, and you've made an excellent - and Christian - stride in reducing the number of abortions.

To use abortion as a litmus for voting for a candidate is the height of stupidity. For one, Roe v. Wade will not be overturned. It won't. Sorry. The ship has sailed. So whether a candidate personally likes it or not, the law is there regardless. Secondly, I can't honestly name one person who wants to go around killing babies. Most are not pro-abortion. They are pro-choice. As in, "let's give a woman a say over what happens to her own body." What is the opposite of pro-choice? It's what happens in China, where a family is allowed one child, and one child only.

So you can not vote for Obama, and you can not vote for Clinton. But you're running out of people to vote for. You see, McCain may say he's against abortion, but as you saw with Bush, who also said he was against abortion, even stacking the cards heavily in his favor in the Supreme Court did not result in ridding the country of the practice.

It's really funny to see the Clintonistas complain about Obama supporters when their racist hacking comes so easily to the surface once riled.

Nobody I know wants a third Bush administration - or a third Clinton one.

I think it's a bit insulting to make fun of G-d this way. We've let religion get mixed up with our politics recently. Please look at the facts.

If you are a Democrat or Independent, please consider voting for Barack Obama.

This is not a case of Obama’s judgment versus Hillary’s experience. It’s judgment versus weaker judgment AND weaker experience. Hillary Clinton has run a nasty low blow campaign. Her latest fearmongering "red phone call" ad really takes the cake. When her thug in chief Marc Penn was asked to name one "red phone call" moment he couldn't. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/02/opinion/02dowd.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

But Obama did. Her Iraq war vote. That was her test. She failed with flying colors. And she has the nerve to fearmonger on Obama about his experience! She can’t win on the merits so she’ll try anything, including winning by scaring people. She said that Obama is like Bush, and once again it’s the pot calling the kettle black.

Contrary to her claims, America doesn’t need experience like Hillary Clinton’s. Everything big Hillary Clinton has done has been a failure (except covering for Bill's indiscretions, that is):

1. Health care non-reform in the early 1990s. Funny how she claims to be such an expert at this when she failed at it so badly that the crisis is still snowballing 15 years later!

2. Her support of Bush's war in Iraq was a huge mistake. She picked up the red phone and said sure Mr. Bush, you can take us to war before the inspections process finished and before we finish our business in Afghanistan. Her mistake on Iraq extended way past her vote in her ongoing support for the war until November 2005, long after most Democratic politicians who voted for the war woke up to what was going on. Now she says Bush duped her. Nice spin. Last Fall, once again she voted for another warmongering Bush bill, this time against Iran. Is that the experience we need? Heck no!

3. Hillary Clinton’s current campaign is another example of her underperformance. The Clintons were the clear favorites. Yet they ran out of money. They had no plan B after not winning on Super Tuesday (reminds me of Iraq). She has had to fire a string of people for low blows and poor performance. They change their message every two weeks.

Obama, in contrast, has been level headed and steady in his positive message of bringing people together. He knows that the fight fight fight attitude will work no better than last time Hillary tried it at health care reform. Obama is tough, but knows how to use his toughness to lead rather than divide. He has fought and passed ethics reform in Washington, as well as transparency in government. He exposed the atrocities in health care for our veterans and passed laws to address it. Obama is the steady performer with better judgment who can get things done.

Obama's candidacy has been the vehicle used by Karl Rove and the neocons to throw this year's election. The ruse was hatched in 2004, during Obama's senate race in 2004, when the Illinois G.O.P. forced his challenger to drop out and replaced him with an unknown non-resident whom Obama could easily beat. They figured an African American would be the perfect foil for the first viable woman presidential candidate.

Another reason Rove picked Obama has to do with his connection to Chicago slumlord Tony Rezko, who's about to go on trial for multiple felonies. Rove can use this and other problems Obama has to discredit him in the fall, when Rove launches the Bush-Cheney successor ticket as independents or uses the McCain's VP slot to get his candidate in the race. Obama's speechwriter, by the way, is Ben Rhodes, the brother of Fox News VP David Rhodes. That's who's responsible for his message of hope. Nice touch, don't you think?

For more on Rove's strategy, click on my screen name.

As a Republican, I can't wait to vote for Obama (in the primary).

Never did I think my party would be able to keep the White House in 2008. Thank god for Barack Obama.

Wait til the country finally realizes he has a more liberal voting record than even Teddy Kennedy. It's wonderful the media is scared (they'll be labeled racists) to ask him how he's going to bring together Democrats, Independents, and REPUBLICANS when his record makes George McGovern look like a conservative.

The only thing that could make me happier is if Obama would pick Dwaine Caraway to be his running mate.

I am 70 years old and am a retired Professional. I worked with many families and individuals who abandoned, neglected or abused their children. When I hear this empty argument about abortion I really want to scream. Where are you people who are so against abortion in relation to the Children already in this world who need help? How can you be so single minded that you would not look at the many other issues that this government needs to attend to and make your decisions based upon their ability to address those issues? And one other issue if you are so opposed to abortion then we could set up a system that all of you could take a child to raise rather than have it aborted. I would really be reluctant to do that because I would be concerned that many of these children would end up with miserable lives.

Harvey and Bethany,
Many of my Christian friends have had abortions--some before they became Christians, some afterward. Yes, I have talked to them about this. I do not condemn them. Each one of them was in an extremely difficult situation. They have received God's forgiveness.

All of them regret it. All of them believe they took a life. One spoke to me about looking forward to seeing her aborted child in heaven, and she noted how old he/she would be now.

No one aborts babies just for the heck of it, I know that. But it is clear that the consequences of these decisions can stay with a person for life.

Abortion is devastating to women.

Okay Julie, we're on the same page, abortion is devastating for all involved.

Now maybe you can explain why you'd support denying choice instead of eliminating the need for it.

One of our nation’s top military figures, General Shelton served two terms as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In announcing his endorsement, General Shelton said, “I’ve been with Senator Clinton when she has been with our military men and women. I know from those experiences that she understands the demands and sacrifice of military life. I am confident she will always put the readiness and well being of our troops first. She is ready to be Commander-in-Chief.”

General Shelton joins General John Shalikashvili as the second former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to have endorsed Senator Clinton. General Shelton is the fourth flag officer to endorse Senator Clinton this week.

Plus she has not been linked to farrakahn since 1988, like your little obama hussein.

Julie

So aborted babies grow up in Heaven? If Heaven is really heaven then, that seems like a pretty good deal. It would sure beat living a life here in poverty or with a mother that didn't feel she was prepared to provide the best love and care possible.

I think in your own twisted logic you might have found a reason to vote for Obama.

You know what is more devastating to women than abortion? Illegal abortion.

Bless your heart.

If you are against legal abortion than don't have one. If you believe abortion is a sin than don't have one. No one is strapping someone down and forcing them to undergo an abortion against their will but many of you seem to feel it's your God giving duty to force women into giving birth against their will.

I've had two legal abortions. No I'm not depressed but relieved that I wasn't burdened with unwanted pregnancies that would have driven my limited resources into the basement. I don't suffer from guilt nor depression about my choice. Not all women suffer from depression all their lives. Guilt is the result because of judgment of others who have no right to do so. Abortion is a matter of privacy. Your medical conditions are no business of mine nor are mine of yours. Those of you who condemn women who choose abortion are the same ones who condemn women for having to go on welfare to help support these children. Let's take care of the children who are here and see that their emotional, physical, and educational needs are met 100% before having a discussion about the merits of making abortion illegal again. Banning legal abortion won't make it go away, it just makes criminals out of desperate pregnant women and provides those who are willing to provide unsafe, illegal abortions a great deal of money. The Mafia lost over 3 million dollars a year when abortion was legalized. You can't be all for saving every embryo and then turn around and complain about welfare, increased crime, homeless children, abused children, I could go on and on. "Someone else's mistake" is what your pro-pregnancy folks like to call them. If you really want to add another 1.5 million children to our population every year than by all means work your little butts off to make medical abortions illegal again. Just don't complain when the welfare rolls begin to explode. Adoption may be the answer for a few but there aren't going to be 1.5 million people willing to adopt a child every year. Think about the long term and leave things well enough alone. Work to make this a better world for all living children not just the mindless, souless unborn.

Since when are lives lived in poverty not worth living???

People in poverty have hope and a future. Aborted babies do not.

Question for pro-choice advocates:

After President McCain shifts the balance of the court to the center and Roe V Wade is overturned, will women shut down free-for-all fornication that has resulted in so many millions of abortions and demand that their gentlemen friends marry them before they are allowd the marital privilage of intercourse?

Just curious.

Looks like you struck oil with this entry.

I understand what you mean when you say it looks like God has chosen Obama for the presidency. He passionately belives his socialist agenda. That's why he has such a huge following. However, Obama is as phony as a $3 bill. He is not even close to the squeaky clean politician he claims to be. There are more things wrong with his candidacy than just abortion.

I'm glad to see you writing again for the Observer. It's refreshing to get the perspective of an unabashed Christian in a secular forum like this.

First, I have to ask -- why did so many of you post comments raging against the spiritual/religious content and overtones of this article? Duh, the blog-column is called BIBLE GIRL! The title contains what you call a CONTEXT CLUE!

If the mix of politics and religion ain't your cup of soup, why participate? For everyone who's ever visited the blogsite, you know Ms. Lyons is an evangelical, pentecostal Christian and makes no bones about it or apologies for it. It's where she "writes from", period. So, your collective vitriole is just nonsensical. There's SO many other blogs...

As for Obama -- after doing some research, I, too, decided not to vote for him, Julie. One, because of his stance on the abortion thing you talked about. Two, because of his stance on the same-sex marriage thing you also mentioned and three, because he attends and is "very active" in a church with a pro-homosexual agenda that ordains and/or licenses homosexual ministers, etc. Additionally, from what I've gleaned about his pastor/mentor, he is considered a hero of sorts for his "work" with pro-gay agenda leaders.

Obama has other views and platforms on other issues that I agree with and could support and work for/toward. However, as a committed Christian with a Christian worldview, a good understanding of Scripture and most importantly, a relationship with Jesus Christ -- I cannot, in good conscience, vote for him.

I believe you can pretty much assess a person's character by a few simple things. A checkbook, for instance. A person's checkbook tells you a lot about them. In Obama's case, his position on these few issues tells me a lot about what kind of President he would be.

Somebody said if he, indeed, is elected, he's going to morph into something else altogether. I believe that -- he's already given us a "peep" of it.

Christians -- think twice and then again before casting a vote for any candidate who espouses exactly the opposite of what you say you're staking your entire life on.

Oh, and I'm an African-American.

By the way, I did not think this election was about the son of God. However, it occurs to me that both people at rallies and the media think "HE" is.

Is it possible to look at what kind of experience the MAN has actually had to lead our country - I mean abortion issues aside, we're in serious trouble around the world, the economy has problems. We need someone who can get a grip.

Obama is talking about his judgment in answering the national security emergency phone in a crisis. How do we know? When he said he was against Iraq, he wasn't even in the Senate, for goodness sake - all talk, no risk. What a deal!

Is the idea that the change Obama is touting to bring someone in with the least experience possible? If that is the case, then his supporters - and Obama - should not be afraid to discuss that he doesn't have the experience to provide the judgment to be president of these United States.

I for one prefer accountability from my candidate for president. I would like to know: 1) what/who/when was his community organizing. That's never come out. 2)what did he accomplish in the state senate after many years there? Was he in a leadership position? I mean, what? 3) what did he accomplish in his 3 years in the US Senate? 4) why does he still belong to a church he joined when he was doing community organizing where the pastor supports Farrakhan ...after all, the pastor sets the tone for the church, can we agree?

And talk about switching sides, Ralph Nader says that Obama was pro-Palestinian b/f he ran for president, and now he has given that up. Romney got fried for switching sides. How come there is no accountability with Obama from anyone - not even "HIM" Thank goodness for Ralph Nader and Saturday Night Live?

What a guy we've got on our hands.

Do you really want Barak Hussein Obama to be your next president?

Julie

Look, I understand that this is about building your career as an evangelical Ann Coulter. WE GET IT. You are the Mr. Peppermint of local evangelical venom spewers.

Like all your articles, they lack any substance and you never answer the hard questions. You contradict yourself and trip yourself up. Something you will need to work on before reaching The 700 Club level.

You say aborted babies go to Heaven and grow up there, yet it would be better for them to grow up in poverty. You really can't explain it because you really don't believe it.

This blog has so many talented writers and this city is full of incredibly talented people and YOU are the only ONE that comes on here with judgement. You freak out when this shit gets thrown back in your face and stop the discourse when you are cornered. No different than a Tilton and certainly no better than Rev Sherman that you have spent your life writing about.

You are not so much taken with religion as you are with sex. When you are not saving Goldfish, you are talking about sex, yours, mine, others. This is something you need to work through with a therapist. Please use the health insurance at Village Voice to seek this help and not use the publication to consistantly espouse your judgemental views .....unless you are willing to discuss your own sins............?

So, Who are you voting for?

Greengirl,
Probably Huckabee.

I should clarify a statement I made, since I see it has caused confusion. I can't see myself allying with the Republican Party as a party until it takes racial justice seriously. But I do sometimes vote for Republican candidates.

You are one conflicted fucked up chick.

Wanna increase the comment count on a blog? Mention "abortion" or "Where's Greggo?"

Hm. About terminology used by your profession. Over here at the DMN, we use "abortion rights advocates" and "abortion rights opponents." Not Pro-choice. Or pro-life.

Jeffrey,
I guess the point is to use neutral terminology in reported stories. Well, I'm not neutral, I'll admit that!

Over here at the DMN, we use "abortion rights advocates" and "abortion rights opponents."

Isn't it rather biased to use terminology that describes abortion as a "right?" And people who are anti-abortion are "opponents of rights?" After all, the very thing being debated is whether abortion is a right. Or if you're going to insist on using loaded "rights" language, then shouldn't the anti-abortion side be described as "unborn-child rights advocates" or "fetal rights advocates?"

Well Julie it looks like you've got it going in blogville this time. I think that's a good thing, we need to talk about our candidates and we really really need to discuss abortion.

The first question that has to be answered about abortion of course is if it's murder to stop the life of a fetus. Is a fetus a person with all the rights that comes under our laws for persons?

The stick in the gears on that one is the answer seems to be a purely religious one.

If one's faith doesn't belief life starts until one is breathing then abortion is not murder. If one's faith teaches that personhood comes at conception then abortion is murder.

Both sides of that discussion have a hiccup in the get up. Legaling defining abortion as murder imposes a religious edict upon those who might not agree with that perspective. On the other hand saying abortion is a woman's choice is also an imposition of a faith based perspective upon someone who doesn't believe the same way.

I don't know of anyone that's pro-abortion. Most of us that are for the right of a woman to choose abortion are there for the right and not the abortion itself.

Instead of us beating each other up over our faith or the alleged lack thereof I propose a little reasoning. Let's not make it about abortion but about life. After all, when a woman is in that position to consider abortion as a viable option it's all about life. That's where we need to go.

I would guess one of the most compelling reasons to consider abortion would be the potential medical expenses incurred by the new life arriving on the scene. Whether it's the couple facing the prospect of a special needs child providing the big drain on their household budget or if it's the single mother talking if over with her lover and both of them not seeing how such a financial responsibility can handled at that point in time in their lives.

Your switching your vote from the Huckster to Obama or Clinton would be a positive step in that direction Julie. Stop and think for a minute the value of one life. If one life is brought to term and because of your vote isn't that better than wasting it because you can?

The couple faced with the special needs baby didn't get pregnant so they could have a special needs child. It wasn't their choice and they shouldn't have to be the only ones caring the burden.

The single mother to be is really no different as I see it. Her pregnancy isn't as much a statement about her as it is about us. If we'd been better parents, friends, examples, Christians, Atheists, mentors, etc and so on, it wouldn't have happened.

The least we can do is offer a positive alternative like universal healthcare.

Change your vote and if you won't, defend it.

I'm a pro-life democrat and I fee the same way. I haven't voted for years and it kills me. Pray for our leaders.

No. Nathan you aren't a pro-life democrat and I don't care how you feel.

You're a parasite that whines.

A vote is a speech, like it or not. A political rant without a vote is a whine, I don't care what the perspective is.

Julie started this so let's look at her vote and what it says. First and foremost her vote for Mike Huckabee says her vote has no value and she's willing to go through the motions for the sake of going through the motions.

The next thing her vote says is she wants Christianity to increase it's power over the average American citizen. Huckabee, an ordained Christian preacher believes abortion should be against the law. The reason he believes this is because as a Christian he believes God created a soul at conception. He wants his and Julie's faith to be the law of the land, Sharia with an American twist if you will.

What's bad about this Christian encroachment upon the rights of the average American is three fold.

First, it's not Biblical and it's for sure not Christ like.

Second, and more importantly in my book, it's not Constitutional. Them old boys who wrote the Constitution knew that if you give a Christian an inch they'll take a mile and every freedom you enjoy along the road. They were all close enough to European Christianity to understand that Christianity sucks in power. If they'd wanted America to be the great Christian nation you hear the Bible grippers griping about they'd have done so back then. They didn't. We shouldn't.

Third, and you Nathan touched it with your post and I suggest you wash your hands, I used some windex on my reading glasses just in case. Christians want to pray about it.

Stop just for one second and consider prayer as it's defined by Christians. It's whining. Pure and simple unadulterated whining. Well, unless you're a prosperity Christian and then it's wishes between whines.

So back to Julie and her throwing away her vote because she can, convoluted nobility on a donkey wanting to show it's an ass in the Kentucky Derby. A vote for Huckabee says nothing, sorry. It isn't a notice to McCain, he's got it in the box, he doesn't need no note.

It does nothing for the lady out there looking at her pregnancy test and how bad it screws up her life.

It does nothing for the father looking at his son wanting to serve in the military because he's a patriot.

It does nothing for anyone except maybe Huck's pocketbook two years from now when he visits a campus for a speech.

In fact Julies vote for Huck is a lot like one of those prayers Christians say under their breath a million times a day. It soothes her soul and nothing else.

Hmmm, what would Jesus do?

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/28817

How about this? Sometimes one issue is enough for people to decide what they want in a candidate. If you disagree, guess what? What you believe may not be what they believe. Some people on this section should be ashamed of themselves! Chastising someones beleifs because they don't vote the way you do, or agree with the way you think. How horrible. I for one am going to be a one issue voter this year myself because Hillary and Obama are running as far away from the war as they can, even though they know we will be there in Iraq and Afghanistan long after this election. They just aren't being honest about it.