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“Help me out here, Madam Speaker” ( “I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins” )
California Catholic Daily ^ | August 25, 2008 | staff

Posted on 08/25/2008 7:50:09 AM PDT by kellynla

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, described herself yesterday morning on NBC’s Meet the Press as “an ardent, practicing Catholic,” then told moderator Tom Brokaw and an audience of millions that Church teaching on when human life begins is unclear.

Besides, said Pelosi, even if life does begin at conception, that would not change her pro-abortion views. “The point is, is that it shouldn't have an impact on the woman's right to choose,” she said. “Roe v. Wade talks about very clear definitions of when the child -- first trimester, certain considerations; second trimester; not so third trimester. There's very clear distinctions. This isn't about abortion on demand, it's about a careful, careful consideration of all factors and – to -- that a woman has to make with her doctor and her god.”

Brokaw was quizzing the Speaker on Sen. Barack Obama’s response last week to Pastor Rick Warren’s straightforward question at the Saddleback Forum, “At what point does a baby get human rights, in your view?”

Asked Brokaw, “Senator Obama saying the question of when life begins is above his pay grade, whether you're looking at it scientifically or theologically. If he were to come to you and say, ‘Help me out here, Madam Speaker. When does life begin?’ what would you tell him?”

Here is Pelosi’s response: “I would say that as an ardent, practicing Catholic, this is an issue that I have studied for a long time. And what I know is, over the centuries, the doctors of the church have not been able to make that definition. And Senator -- St. Augustine said at three months. We don't know... And so I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins, human life begins.

(Excerpt) Read more at calcatholic.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 110th; 2008; abortion; catholicpoliticians; catholics; catholicvote; democrats; elections; godgap; nancypelosi; pelosi; prolife; religiousleft
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To: kellynla

“Besides, said Pelosi, even if life does begin at conception, that would not change her pro-abortion views. “The point is, is that it shouldn’t have an impact on the woman’s right to choose,” she said.”

Using that logic it’s okay for a woman to choose to drownd her 5 kids in a bath tub.


21 posted on 08/25/2008 7:59:22 AM PDT by ryan71
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To: kellynla
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, described herself yesterday morning on NBC’s Meet the Press as “an ardent, practicing Catholic,” then told moderator Tom Brokaw and an audience of millions that Church teaching on when human life begins is unclear.

Pardon me but ... WTF???!!!!! I'm so sick of the media letting these CINOs tell the world about the Catholic Church. They are wrong and they know it. They just tell themselves these things to satisfy their own consciences.

22 posted on 08/25/2008 7:59:33 AM PDT by al_c (Avoid the consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity)
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To: Heartland Mom

**“Catholic” pro-choice politicians who speak and vote pro-abortion are not automatically excommunicated. **

They are.

Please read the post above

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2067572/posts?page=11#11


23 posted on 08/25/2008 8:00:21 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: henkster

Your thought processes have to be as messed up as a pile of hangers to justify liberal positions on anything.


24 posted on 08/25/2008 8:00:21 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: kellynla

Just once I’d like to hear an interviewer take to task someone who claims the believe abortion is wrong, but defends other people’s right to choose. If you BELIEVE that abortion is the killing of an innocent life — if you truly believe that — how can you allow others to take that life?


25 posted on 08/25/2008 8:00:29 AM PDT by trublu
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To: Hildy

“....Pelosi is, and always has been, an ardent, practicing IDIOT...”

Practice makes perfect!


26 posted on 08/25/2008 8:01:14 AM PDT by Islander7 ("Common sense and common decency are uncommon virtues among America's left.")
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To: kellynla

Obviously, our dear ‘speaker’ has never read the Bible...or if she has...she doesn’t give much credence to what it says. It makes no bones about when life begins.


27 posted on 08/25/2008 8:01:20 AM PDT by Shery (in APO Land)
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To: edpc
I read in a recent Peggy Noonan column that “anyone who has ever bought a condom knows exactly when life begins”. I think that message should be drilled into any speaker who suggests that the question of when human life and rights begin is beyond their “pay grade”.

Speaking of which, the suggestion of being incapable of answering the question seems to be one of comprehension, not compensation. Just a thought.

28 posted on 08/25/2008 8:01:33 AM PDT by T. Rustin Noone (Angels want to wear my red shoes...)
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To: kellynla

Peggy Noonan made an interesting observation in her WSJ column: “You know why they call it birth control? Because it’s meant to stop a birth from happening nine months later. We know when life begins. Everyone who ever bought a pack of condoms knows when life begins.”


29 posted on 08/25/2008 8:01:37 AM PDT by KingSnorky
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To: Noumenon

Human beings:

Evolved apes,
or the crowning glory of God’s creation, housing an eternal soul created in God’s image?


30 posted on 08/25/2008 8:02:08 AM PDT by MrB (You can't reason people out of a position that they didn't use reason to get into in the first place)
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To: kellynla

Given that answer, it is doubtful that Pelosi’s human life has yet begun.


31 posted on 08/25/2008 8:02:35 AM PDT by PGR88
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To: kellynla

I miss the old days. Wasn’t the discussion whether or not life begins at birth or earlier. When did people come up with the life didn’t begin at birth argument?


32 posted on 08/25/2008 8:03:31 AM PDT by purpleraine
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To: kellynla
I liked the argument Peggy Noonan used. There is a reason they call it birth control.
33 posted on 08/25/2008 8:04:01 AM PDT by Free State Four
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Maybe life begins at age 1. Age 3 maybe? Maybe a woman ought to have the right to choose whether she wants to be a mother or not up until the child is....say..... 7 years old???? I’ve got teen agers, maybe it should be up until 18, as they’re getting really sassy now and I should have the right to choose.

After-all, it’s all about the right to choose /yes.....sarcasm.


34 posted on 08/25/2008 8:04:39 AM PDT by LaurenD
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To: kellynla
Abortion is a turning point for the election this year -- posts from FR alone!

“Help me out here, Madam Speaker” ( “I don't think anybody can tell you when life begins” )

Biden's Catholic faith offers risks, rewards
Nancy Pelosi on when life begins (Smarter than Obama?
Obama, Biden, Foreign Policy and the Catholic Vote
The "Abortion Joe" Biden will get his ticket a record low Catholic vote
Obama's Falsehood: The Truth About His Abortion Record

EDITORIAL:Obama Chooses Biden and the Battle for Life is Engaged
Joe Biden Makes It Easier for Catholics to Oppose Pro-Abortion Barack Obama
Obamacide
McCain attacks Obama on pro-abortion stance
Barack Obama's Sole Article in Harvard Law Review Promotes Abortion

Why Obama Really Voted For Infanticide
Obama's Born-Alive Problem
William A. Donohue: Catholic Left Hangs Itself (5/22/08) [Abortion]
"Until they have reformed their lives" ( No Holy Communion for pro-abortion Catholics!)
African American Pro-Life Leader Tells Barack Obama: No We Can't OK Abortion

OBAMA AND INFANTICIDE (Reinhard)
They'd be angry at Obama if he was caught saying the N-word. Supporting Infanticide—Not so much.
In 2002, Barack Obama Supported Infanticide and I've Got the Transcript of His Words
Explosive Audio Found - Obama arguing against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act - Audio
Transcript of Obama's verbal opposition to Born Alive on the IL Senate floor

Explosive Audio Found Obama arguing against BAIPA
Audio Found Obama arguing against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act
Abortion foes using racism to make point at DNC [Randall Terry / Operation Rescue]
Why Obama couldn't answer Warren's baby question
Smoking gun? Papers expose Obama's 'infanticide' vote

EXTRA: Archbishop Burke on Catholics who Support Abortion
Senator Barack Obama Wants You to Pay for Abortions
US Bishops Look at Election
John McCain Will Not Pick Pro-Abortion Running Mate, Rules Out Tom Ridge
Vote for Real Hope and Change [Archbishop Chaput]
Catholics who support abortion should not receive Communion, says Archbishop Burke (again :-)
CNN Again Omits Part of the Story Concerning Obama’s Abortion Votes

Obama Flunks Rick Warren's Abortion Question
Obama and the Black American Family Don’t Jibe [Abortion]
Obama Caught Red-Handed in Abortion Lie
Archbishop Naumann hopes Obama realizes Sebelius is a bad Catholic advisor
Obama Facing Attacks From All Sides Over Abortion Record

OBAMA'S EXTREMISM - HIS ABORTION RECORD IS NO LIE
Barack Obama - Abortion Extremist
Barack Obama lied about babies ‘Born Alive’ vote then smeared Corsi
Babies' Rights and the Definition of Marriage [re: Forum responses by Obama vs. McCain]
Opinion: Doug Kmiec on McCain v. Obama at Saddleback

Obama Cover-up on Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Continues to Unravel...
Life Lies: Barack Obama and Born-Alive
Operation Rescue founder to distribute new flyer: "Is it Immoral to Vote for Obama for President?"
Obama Calls Pro-Lifers Liars
Obama Jun 15: “fathers…at conception” August 16 “answering that question is above my pay grade”

Niece of Martin Luther King Jr. to Lead Prayer Vigil Outside Largest U.S. Abortion Centre
Campaign Admits Obama Lied About Abortion Vote, Media Asleep
Obama “pay grade” comment purposely ignores SCIENTIFIC FACT that LIFE BEGINS AT CONCEPTION
Barack Obama Repeats False Claim Abortions Haven't Declined Under Bush
Obama and Abortion

Obama Says Right to Life Coalition Is Lying About His Record
Barack Obama Says Pro-Life Group Lying About His Pro-Infanticide Votes
Obama's infanticide problem>
Obama and McCain Woo Catholics
Obama's Christian Creds Vs. Abortion and Infanticide

Obama's 10 reasons for supporting infanticide
Mommy Won't Help Dems on Abortion
Abortion Leader Confirms that Democratic Platform is More Pro-Abortion than Ever
Obama More Than An Abortion Radical
Obama’s Abortion Lies (Obama cover-up on born-alive survivors bill)

Life with Obama: Abortion champion
Knighting the Catholic Vote (K of C urging Catholics to vote pro-life)
Linda Chavez: Obama’s Catholic problem
Catholic Voters and 2008
Barack Obama Supports the Murder of Newborn Infants

Obama Lied About Abortion Record
What Barack Obama defended three times: Live Birth Abortion
[OPEN] Supreme K of C Calls for Real "Change" on Abortion and Catholic Revolt against Obama Nation
Obama's Catholic Problem ( Linda Chavez )
Obama’s View on Abortion May Divide Catholics ( "May Divide?" )

Obama loses 26 points among Catholics
Barack Obama's Wife Michelle to Join Hillary Clinton at Pro-Abortion Dinner
OPINION: Senator Obama and the Wall of the Womb
Barack Obama's Pledge to Overturn Every Pro-Life Abortion Law One Year Old
Obama Worse than Clintons on Abortion Says National Right to Life Leader Interview-SCOTUS Critical

Roman Catholics for Obama '08
OBAMA TO CATHOLICS: NO VOUCHERS
How can Catholics for Obama rationalize their support for the pro-choice candidate?
Obama’s director of Catholic Outreach ‘dodges’ opportunity to reach Catholics
Barack Obama Slams John McCain For Opposing Abortion, Activist Judges

Catholics and Obama
COMMENTARY: Quandry for Catholics At Election Time
The Latest Refinement (Obama on Abortion)
CNN Runs Biased News Story Covering Up Barack Obama’s Pro-Abortion Record
Jill Stanek: Obama's biggest lie about supporting infanticide
The Battle for Catholic Voters

New Report Indicates Voters Most Interested in Barack Obama’s Position on Abortion
Deal Hudson: Obama and Infanticide?
Ad asks Obama: ‘If fatherhood begins at conception, when does life begin?’
Embryonic stem-cell research immoral, unnecessary, bishops say
Catholics should not vote for Obama
Catholic Caucus: It is a sin to vote/support Obama/DNC [abortion]

More Catholics leaning towards Democrats, poll reports (really not Catholics)
The Catholic-Obama Problem (Pope Benedict XVI instructs Catholics about pro-abortion candidates)
Obama's Abortion Bombshell: Unrestricted Abortion....
NARAL Catholics Line Up for Obama
Editorial: Disagreeing with Doug Kmiec One More Time
State-Funded Embryo Research "Makes Taxpayers Complicit in Killing", say Bishops

McCain Meets Privately with Fr. Pavone - Says Constitutional Right to Life Applies to Unborn
Faithful Citizenship: “Catholic Vote” is very sought after
Has Obama dissolved his Catholic advisory council?
Commentary: Faithful Citizenship and the Formed Conscience
Catholic League: Where's Obama's 'Catholic Advisory Council'? [Not to be found!]
Right-wing Christians beginning to lean left (Misleading headline)

Catholics Debate Obama Vote
US Bishops Urge Voters to Give Priority to Life [Ecumenical]
Corralling the Catholic vote: Political necessity or pipe dream?
DOUG KMIEC: Catholic Reasons for Hope in the General Election
EDITORIAL: Why This Catholic Dreads the Campaign
The Catholic-Obama Problem (Pope Benedict XVI instructs Catholics about pro-abortion candidates)
Thoughts On ‘Roman Catholics For Obama’

How Obama's Catholics Will Dodge the Infanticide Question
Catholic Pro-Life Leader Feuds With Barack Obama's "Catholic" Backers
McCain and the Pope: McCain cannot win in November without the Catholic vote (Reagan re-visited?)
Catholics Cannot Vote for Pols Who Support Abortion, Except for Morally Grave Reasons: KY Bishops

35 posted on 08/25/2008 8:04:53 AM PDT by Salvation (†With God all things are possible.†)
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To: Salvation

>>Pelosi is a CINO who has excommunicated herself from the Catholic Church by supporting abortion.

I am really tired of this “excommunicated herself” crap. That is just a cop-out on the part of the Bishops to avoid “offending” anyone. Throw their A$$es out, publicly. Watch how quick the message gets across.

BTW, by her public words, she has committed and persisted in her heresy. She is NOT a Catholic, she is a heretic. I don’t know what she practices, but sure ain’t Catholicism.


36 posted on 08/25/2008 8:05:08 AM PDT by NTHockey (Rules of engagement #1: Take no prisoners.)
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To: MrB
if you see some movement in the brush, is it moral to shoot at it when you don’t know if it’s a person or not?

One of the best rejoinders I've seen. Nice one.

37 posted on 08/25/2008 8:05:12 AM PDT by Migraine (Diversity is great (until it happens to YOU)...)
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To: All; Salvation; NYer; narses; A.A. Cunningham

For those of you who haven’t already seen this:

“Until they have reformed their lives”

No Communion for pro-abortion Catholics, says Archbishop Burke

California Catholic Daily

Rome, Aug 19, 2008 / (CNA) — Archbishop Raymond Burke, prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest judicial authority of the Holy See, said this week that Catholics who publicly support abortion — especially politicians — should not receive Communion, and that ministers of Communion should be responsibly charitable in denying it to them if they ask for it “until they have reformed their lives.”

[[Burke082108.jpg]]In an interview with the magazine Radici Christiane, Archbishop Burke pointed out that there is often a lack of reverence at Mass when receiving Communion. “Receiving the Body and Blood of Christ unworthily is a sacrilege,” he warned. “If it is done deliberately in mortal sin it is a sacrilege.”

To illustrate his point, he referred to “public officials who, with knowledge and consent, uphold actions that are against the Divine and Eternal moral law. For example, if they support abortion, which entails the taking of innocent and defenseless human lives. A person who commits sin in this way should be publicly admonished in such a way as to not receive Communion until he or she has reformed his life,” the archbishop said.
“If a person who has been admonished persists in public mortal sin and attempts to receive Communion, the minister of the Eucharist has the obligation to deny it to him. Why? Above all, for the salvation of that person, preventing him from committing a sacrilege,” he added.

“We must avoid giving people the impression that one can be in a state of mortal sin and receive the Eucharist,” the archbishop continued. “Secondly, there could be another form of scandal, consisting of leading people to think that the public act that this person is doing, which until now everyone believed was a serious sin, is really not that serious — if the Church allows him or her to receive Communion.”

“If we have a public figure who is openly and deliberately upholding abortion rights and receiving the Eucharist, what will the average person think? He or she could come to believe that it up to a certain point it is okay to do away with an innocent life in the mother’s womb,” he warned.

Archbishop Burke also noted that when a bishop or a Church leader prevents an abortion supporter from receiving Communion, “it is not with the intention of interfering in public life but rather in the spiritual state of the politician or public official who, if Catholic, should follow the divine law in the public sphere as well.

“Therefore, it is simply ridiculous and wrong to try to silence a pastor, accusing him of interferi ng in politics so that he cannot do good to the soul of a member of his flock,” he stated.
http://calcatholic.com/news/newsArticlePrintable.aspx?id=ae7464ca-97de-4e56-88c8-3004d2adf4ba


38 posted on 08/25/2008 8:06:15 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: Heartland Mom
It is scandalous to the Church AND perhaps leads weak-minded Catholics astray (i.e., if Nancy Pelosi can feel that way, then so can I).

Exactly. Every moment the bishops remain silent makes it worse. They should have said something as soon as the Dems named Biden (a "pro-choice Catholic," sorry, but there ain't no such animal).

My theory is that picking somebody like Biden was a challenge to the Catholic Church. It already appears that the Dems have won that one without even a fight.

39 posted on 08/25/2008 8:08:31 AM PDT by livius
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To: henkster

Actually the debate was more over when the soul entered the body, not when life began. There were some that held that this did not happen until the “quickening”, the first movements of the baby.

Science has allowed us to see into the womb and shown us that from the moment of conception, humans have separate and unique DNA.

Funny how all the pro-aborts who are so enamored with the science of global warming and embryonic stem cell research
ignore the clear science of DNA and ultrasound.


40 posted on 08/25/2008 8:09:33 AM PDT by Jvette
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