Posted on 09/21/2001 3:26:55 PM PDT by Dr. Brian Kopp
BUSH APPOINTS PRO-ABORTION 'CATHOLIC' TO HEAD HOME SECURITY
WASHINGTON, September 21, 2001 (LSN.ca) - In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in the United States, President George Bush announced last night the creation of a Cabinet-level position to head the new Office of Homeland Security. In a great disappointment to pro-lifers, Bush named notoriously pro-abortion Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge, to head the office.
Matt Abbott, director of public affairs for America's Pro-Life Action League told LifeSite, "If Ridge refuses to ensure the security of the most helpless citizens of his state - the unborn - how can he be expected to safeguard security for the nation?" Abbott also commented that Ridge is "a self-proclaimed Catholic while maintaining his strident pro-abortion position. What kind of principles does a person like that have? It makes you uncertain of such a person's leadership qualities."
See related coverage on the position and Ridge's pro-abortion stand:
http://dailynews.yahoo.com/htx/nm/20010920/ts/attack_bush_homeland_dc_2.html
http://www.dailycatholic.org/issue/2001Mar/mar21for.htm
I'm very anti-abortion. But this is a stupid time and a stupid place to be working this angle. Ridge is now pro-death - as in the deaths of terrorists - and his abortion views have absolutely no bearing on the job he faces. The Pro-Life Action League will come off no better than Peter Jennings if they keep this up.
I am no fan of Tom Ridge's, especially regarding abortion and outcomes-based education, but this statement is illogical and does nothing to bolster the pro-life cause.
My thought after hearing of the new cabinet position is, "this office will someday be used to persecute Christians." My husband and son agreed with me.
Then I came home this afternoon in time to hear Ollie North talk about how this homeland security office will make computers between different departments "seamless". Instant access to any and all information it has on any person. Interesting.
Maranatha!
No weren't we silly to worry! :->
And?
Great point. Does his stand on abortion somehow invalidate the amazing things he has done in the past 10 days?
Get out of my life, government! Thank you, JL
The abortion issue should not be policized at all, and should left to each individual's conscience.
We have to recognize that we are all Americans, and will do the job the best possible. That's what counts!
This country is NOT a monolith. Gee, the person who cleans my teeth might be pro-abortion. Should I inquire as to her views before allowing her to do her job?
Ridge isn't likely to shape administration policy, nor succeed the President. Kind of like Christy-Todd Whitman.
In the Dallas Morning News yesterday, we had a letter to the editor from someone who said she could not
understand why we are morning 6,000+ dead in the WTC attack, when there are 4,000 abortions a day.
Amazing.
Also within the honorable pro-life movement are a few professional fundraisers who have only one goal, and that goal is not saving children.
FReepers, especially those of us who are pro-life, can make distinctions. Something you, as a one-issue voter, can't.
Ridge's views on abortion have nothing to do with this administrative position.
You come across as a priggish church lady.
He's moving Ridge to another position; this allows for maybe a pro-life replacement to take his place in PA.
I too am anti abortion, and I'm with you on this.
But I sure wish the Arabs would have started practicing abortion about 40 or 50 years ago!
You've GOT to be kidding me.
I like Bush (though I would like him more if he went after 'Toon corruption and treason) but this could end up in one large POWER GRAB for the Government, and I think Freepers of all people should be the ones casting a weary eye at some of the govenments actions.
That's almost as stupid as "If you can't trust me with a choice, how can you trust me with a child?"
It will be years before he is taken seriously again.
So9
....In May of 1994, then Rep. Tom Ridge teamed up with President Bill Clinton, Sarah Brady (HCI) and Rep. Charles Schumer (D-NY) to pass the semi-auto gun and magazine ban. By casting his vote for the gun ban in a narrow 216 to 214 loss for America's gun owners, Ridge's one vote can arguably be blamed for its passage and subsequent inclusion in the Clinton crime bill of 1994. In August of 1994, after GOA led a coalition of grassroots activists which nearly defeated the Clinton crime bill, Ridge continued his opposition to America's gun owners. He voted for the rule to bring the crime bill and its gun ban to the floor for a vote. (Ridge was one of only 42 Republicans to do so.) He then voted for final passage of the crime bill -- one of only 46 Republicans to do so. In the Spring of 1995, Sarah Brady teamed up with newly elected Gov. Tom Ridge to push one of Pennsylvania's most restrictive state gun control laws in a long time -- Act 17. As Pennsylvania's Governor, Ridge presided over the passage of Act 17, and then signed it into law. GOA opposed this bill from its inception and teamed up with several pro-gun state organizations to lead the national charge against the bill. Act 17 registered and taxed long gun buyers and placed other restrictions on Pennsylvanians' gun rights. ...
1) An inalienable right to life, from conception to natural death, is the foundational principle upon which all other rights and freedoms are predicated. Ridge is pro-abortion. Therefore I fear he will not respect all our other rights, which flow from our inalienable right to life. (My own standard response. If you don't get this concept, God help us all--Proud2brc)
2) Abortion is murder. Those who support abortion, support murder. Supporters of murder are not only not fit for high public office, but they are also not fit for decent society, i.e., they should be shunned.
3) George W. Bush has claimed to be pro-life. (Of course, he's also perfectly willing to allow abortions in the case of rape or RU-486, so one can't put too much stock into what W. claims.) Yet, here he goes again, putting someone like Tom Ridge, who is publically in favor of protecting the murder of innocent children, into high office.
4) The pattern is clear to anyone who can crawl outside the box of two-party worldview. The Republicans can get away with making the unconstitutional, big-government changes that the Democrats can't. The Democrats then attain power and abuse the system that the Republicans have put in place for them. Meanwhile, they all get more powerful and more arrogant. While us serfs are expected to shut up, play by their rules and pay their friggin' bills.
5) picture this office run by a Clinton appointee. Say Reno. What if they decide that the REAL threat of domestic terrorism is "Armed Right Wing Extremists"? Think the BATF is rough now?
This office in the wrong hands is a potential disaster for our country. God help us if its ever run by a Beria or a Derzhinsky.
6) picture this office run by a Clinton appointee. Say Reno.....Gun-grabber Ridge is better than Reno. By how much, though?
I didn't know you could be a practicing Catholic and also pro-infanticide. He's CINO, just like the Kennedy's.
I don't suppose he will have to offer protection to the womb, since [thankfully] this position doesn't deal with that type of issue.
No, it doesn't. President Bush has done here what he has done in every other position of leadership. He has chosen the most qualified person for the job rather than looking only at his or her position on other issues.
This is precisely why America is in such good hands right now. Every Cabinet position is filled with a top notch person..........including Tom Ridge.
To tell the truth, I am more worried about the lack of support of the President from those of you who are rigid rightwingers, than I am from the peacenik left. Conservatives should be strong and united patriots right now, and instead you narrow rightists are just whining idealogues.
Ah, there's the rub...does no one here comprehend the long term ramifications of this appointment??? Ridge was not made VP in 2000 because the Republican party was not yet ready for a pro-abort candidate. Maybe by 2004 the Republican voters WILL be ready, especially if Cheney's heart gives out and Ridge becomes Bush's VP sooner.
Never have I been so utterly disillusioned and disappointed by the rank and file Freepers here tonight. Your inability to see current anf future trends and perceive serious dangers within the "conservative" party is heartbreaking.
You've been warned.
I'm willing to be villified and flamed to get hard heads to comprehend the enormous implications of this appointment. How many of you are ready to stop your knee jerk condemnations and seriously examine the ramifications of this?
--Dr. Kopp
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