Thought Quotient

Rivals assail remarks on abortion, South

This is interesting for a couple of reasons. This story reads as though Kerry is being criticized by another Democrat presidential candidate for personally opposing abortion. Are Democrats supposed to be pro-choice? What does that say about the core beliefs of the Democrat party? Should a Democrat who is personally opposed to abortion expect to be ridiculed by others in that party? Maybe this explains why he is not standing firm on that issue when it comes to supporting legislation. What kind of pressure is there in Washington to be on the ‘politically correct’ side of this issue? I’ve noticed that the latest trend is to say that your spiritual views are personal and therefore you can compartmentalize them away from your voting record as a public official. That way the politician can try to appease the conservatives with words and also please liberals by their actions. I don’t understand how they can expect to get away with that fence-straddling…but I guess it is a political tactic that they feel is worth trying. Bill Bradley tried it a few years ago and it is appearing this time around as well.

Another tidbit from this story…
Kerry was raised a Catholic, served as an altar boy, and once considered becoming a priest. Nevertheless, he said yesterday, “Whatever my personal beliefs are, they have no place here,” and repeatedly stressed his view that the constitutional separation of church and state forbids lawmakers from regulating abortion based on their religious beliefs.

If this view was the norm, we would still have slavery. I can see it now….the mantra would be:

“Who are we to tell a slave owner what he can or cannot do with his property? He has a constitutional right to choose whether or not to keep slaves.”

Political candidate websites are a great resource. You can find out what their views are on an issue without sitting through a boring televised debate or post-debate analysis where everyone tells you what you should feel or conclude about what you just saw.

Let’s see what the current 2004 presidential candidates views are on abortion…in their own words.

Gibson modifies his Passion to avoid anti-Semitic Issues

Mel Gibson agrees to change ‘Passion’ film to combat anti-Semitism

While I give Gibson credit for seeking a peaceful and honest way to deal with this issue that surrounds his new film, I have to ask a question. Why is it that this particular film is being submitted to so much scrutiny? I mean, we have hundreds of items in the media/movies that could be accused of inciting malice against fat people, bald people, physicall/mentally handicapped people, religious people, blond people, and an infinite number of other categories of people. Why is this one film such an offense - especially when it is simply portraying the truth as recorded in the Bible. It was the Jews who - given the choice of Barabbas or Jesus - insisted to Pilate that Jesus be crucified (Mt 27:25).

But then, Jesus was a Jew as well. So, how can one be accused of anti-semitism when portraying one Jew being crucified by another Jew. It was a terrible thing. It is a hard thing to hear and deal with. But that doesn’t mean we sweep it under the carpet and ignore that part.

I am in no way encouraging anti-Semitism in any form or fashion. But would you ignore the injustice of Hitler in order to avoid anti-German sentiment? No one ignores the brutality of the Inquisition to avoid anti-Christian sentiment. I think there’s more than a little double-standard going on here.

Yes, I know that terrible anti-Semitic acts have occurred throughout history. I don’t condone those - nor do I downplay them. But let’s be realistic… throughout history many different groups of people have set themselves against other groups of people and commited vicious heinous crimes against humanity to each other. Not the least of which, has been the persecution levelled against Christianity throughout the globe.

Let’s return to reality, shall we?

What?!ction year again? What about all those pertinent election year issues like “boxers or briefs” or the even more crucial “PC or Mac?” Nah, let’s leave those questions to the political analysts at MTV. I’m going to change the channel and find something more interesting. Stay tuned…

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