Talking about issues only

By: Doug Garnett-Deakin
Published On: 9/14/2006 10:16:53 PM

I know a lot of right wing folks come to this blog, and I appreciate that and enjoy reading some of their comments, but the one recurring theme that is driving me nuts is the erroneous claim that we don't talk about issues and where Jim Webb stands. We do. Period. And here's a start to some of them. Please help me add issues only to this diary
From a comment:

I can actually tick them off and why they are important to me:

1) a woman's right to choose - this is important to me because it is basically right and I have a daughter. I would NEVER want her to have an abortion, but that is ultimately her decision not mine. Jim Webb agrees.

2) The government's authority stops at my front door, unless it has a compelling reason to come in. Jim Webb is against the NSA's illegal wiretapping of my phone. I have understood this from the inside, what the congress allows bush to get away with now is criminal.

3) Liberty from corporate oppression- a new type of libertarian, who is someone with Jim Webb's sensibilities- protects individuals from large corporations by sensibly regulating them. Regulation is NOT a bad word, it is necessary and right.

4) Stem cell research. It is not abortion. It is right. Jim Webb supports it. George Allen does not.

5) Raising the minimum wage. It is right and moral for society to require a living wage for all citizens. It creates more jobs- this is absolutely proven, not the opposite. It frees capital and puts money into the system, vs. locking it away in intangible investments. Jim Webb supports this, George Allen does not.

I have no disclaimers- I am a private citizen and volunteer for the Webb campaign. I receive no money from the campaign- quite the contrary I give my after tax dollars to the campaign like so many others here.

 

Comments



Where does Webb stand on partial birth abortion? (Roger A. Jarrell - 9/14/2006 11:26:26 PM)
I have not seen anyone here able to give me an answer. I would like one, please.


None of us want to see (lwumom - 9/15/2006 12:52:31 AM)
a young woman abort a baby that has developed enough to live on it's own if it had the chance.  That is not an issue.  The issue is that we need to include sex education SOMEWHERE, and we need to make birth control accessible to anyone who might be at risk. Young teenage men can get condoms over the counter, but young teenage women have to have the permission of a parent to get the pill?  What the hell? Why do young women need "permission" to protect themselves?  Are women totally responsible for the decision to have sex?  If you think so, you're living in the DARK AGES.

We can't promote an "abstinence only" policy.  It's unrealistic.  If you've been paying attention to the surveys of teenager's sex lives in the past few years, you would know that.  It's not because they're heathens...it's because they're humans!  The best prevention of abortion is a solid educational program coupled with birth control.

George Allen does not promote sex education, nor birth control for minors.  Why don't you explain that position? 



RE: Why (JPTERP - 9/15/2006 3:26:38 AM)
did abortion rates fall under a Pro-Choice Bill Clinton, and increase under a Pro-Life G.W. Bush?

Oh wait, it's not the results that count, it's the policy position.



I have answered that question on this blog before (Doug Garnett-Deakin - 9/15/2006 6:24:28 AM)
I don't know. I have not asked the campaign that specific question and have not seen it in literature.

That said, I will say what I said before- that is such an extremely rare outlier of a question it is simply asked to try to back us into a corner. The only documented cases of it being used is in extreme cases of pre-acclampsia (sp?) that would most assuredly kill the mother (that's the doctor's call, not mine or yours).

I'm willing to address the question, but I really think you just put it out there to have something to make Webb look bad. I don't speak for the campaign, but have always believed that is a medical issue, not a social one.

And to add to this, so you can see how gray this issue can be for people like me at least, I abhore abortion. It makes me feel horrible that even one can happen in this country or world for that matter. In my own family I would do anything in my power to prevent an abortion. But ultimately, it is a medical and/or a woman's choice to evaluate the situation and proceed and as her or her doctor's consciences can proceed.

Also, you have to recognize that a couple major contributing factor to women having abortions are economics and lack of access to health care (both closely tied to each other). It is a fact that every year of the Clinton Presidency the abortion rate fell in this country. Every year of the Bush Presidency the abortion rate has climbed. That is a direct result of the lower middle class having less job security, their real wages going less distance for the same items and the unbelievable rise in health care costs (coupled with less and less employers covering health insurance).

Anything more you want on that subject? I do realize you mean well and you probably hate abortion as much as I do.



COMMENT HIDDEN (Roger A. Jarrell - 9/15/2006 12:40:46 PM)


that was a very complete answer from me (Doug Garnett-Deakin - 9/15/2006 1:05:11 PM)
I tried, but it really is just ridiculous talking to you about the issues. I've made good faith efforts to answer you, but you are a little wind up toy and are just searching for ways to bash Webb. Ok, you found one there. So what? Have fun talking to yourself from now on.


Your answer was very thoughtful but you aren't running for office (Roger A. Jarrell - 9/15/2006 1:28:48 PM)
I asked for Webb's position.  That's it.  Straight forward request.  Simple.

Once we have his position, I'll gladly debate it with you.

Why can't you accept that I am asking the question in good faith?  This issue is important to me.

I don't consider myself completely pro-life.  However, I am most assuredly pro-life on that facet of the issue.



Ask Webb. (RayH - 9/15/2006 4:07:01 PM)


RE: Been down this road before . . . (JPTERP - 9/15/2006 4:20:17 PM)
Roger, you went by VMIRog over at CC right?  I'm having a sense of deja vu on this one.


Jim Webb knows what (Mark - 9/15/2006 5:42:11 AM)
our troops need, and he would fight to get it for them. They have been asked to do everything with almost nothing, and that has to stop.

Jim Webb is a soldier, someone likely to know what soldiers need and want, and he will deliver for them.

Aa a veteran, I salute him and say, we can't have him there in the Senate too soon. The troops are hurting.