I know there have probably been lots of diaries on this subject.  But over the weekend I made some comments on a diary regarding Obama's position on late-term abortions.  I expressed concern that Obama had discounted the importance of mental health when he discussed exceptions to the ban on late-term abortion and stated that he didn't think "mental distress" should qualify as such an exception.  And I worried that this was part of the "rush to the center" and evidence of Obama backing off from previous pro-choice positions.  
                                          I was wrong.
Since my comment, two things have happened that have changed (and corrected) my view on this subject:

1.  There is a longer quote from Sen. Obama on the subject

2.  My husband, who is a child and adult psychiatrist, weighed in on the side of those who say "mental distress" shouldn't be an exception.

The other day, a little bit of a screaming match broke out when I published a diary that poorly articulated how I felt about the practice of abortions and the general debate about them.   Therefore, after some thought, I have decided to refine the explanation of people who share my position.   It sort-of-is and sort-of-isn't a position within the pro-life camp, depending on how you define that camp.   It sort-of-is and sort-of-isn't part of the pro-choice camp.  As some people have pointed out, my position is really the pro-choice  position; and then proceeded to call me sexist.

Usually I can understand the extreme discourse anytime the argument of abortion comes up.  I understand why both sides feel threatened, misunderstood, and unable to communicate through any other fashion than to protest and scream.  I've taken both times examining both sides of the issue.  My mother is fiercely pro-choice as is my father and my entire family.  In a way, I am also pro-choice; my personal choice is life, I'm a bleedin' heart liberal, and I'm damn proud of it.

The issue of abortion is one of the most emotional and explosive issues in the country because it touches on an area where biology, religion, and politics collide.  Yet rational discussion fails to permeate most of the debate.  Before we enter the minefield we need a biology lesson.  

" How I vote is based on whether the candidate is for or against life, period," Strang said.

Let's resist the temptation to have some fun with the name of the person who made the statement.

There are some who may tend to be single issue voters that Obama would like to win over (at least some of them). And No, I'm not talking about the single issue FISA Daily Kos voter, give me no FISA or give me McCain voter.

Written by Melanie Ross Levin, Outreach Manager
National Women’s Law Center

Now that someone has opened a pro-life pharmacy, I’ve decided that I’m going to open a pro-choice bagel shop.

Features to include:

• When you order a baker’s dozen, you’ll get 12 bagels and a condom.
• Instead of green bagels for Saint Patrick’s Day, my shop will serve pink bagels on the anniversary of Griswold v. Connecticut (that’s the Supreme Court ruling that invalidated anti-birth control laws, FYI).
• Our menu items will include Margaret Sanger Salad, Guttmacher Garlic Bagels, Alfred Kinsey Kippers, Estelle Griswold Guacamole, and Roe Rye Bread.
• For special occasions we will hand out stickers that read, "Dough the Right Thing — Stand Up for Choice" and "I’m Pro-Choice and I Eat Bagels."

http://nwlc.blogs.com/...

Hi Daily Kos Friends.
At least half of McCain's women supporters are not aware of McCain's radical anti-choice votes and views. Planned Parenthood Polling revealed the fact that 36 % of McCain's women supporters would strongly consider changing their vote if they knew that fact. As Cecile Richards stated, the difference between Senator Obama and Senator McCain on these issues is as vast as the Grand Canyon. We must get this out. Please pass this on!!! Thank you!!!

Cristina Page's article Obama: The Real Pro-Life Candidate re-enforced an opinion that I have held for a long time:

Education is the key.

Or in other words - it's education stupid!

Abortion is a very sensitive subject, and people feel very strongly about it on both sides.  But the discussion about it is similar, in my mind, to another issue:  sex education.  The theme between the two is the same:  education.

Educate what?

According to Prime Buzz from the Kansas City Star current replacement District Attorney Phill Kline, who according to the video at KCTV 5News doesn't even live in the district, is now seeking a full term.

You would know this guy from previous hits that include "Feed me Slimfast" and "Those Records aren't Private."

According to Prime Buzz

"Kline told a gathering of supporters in Olathe that he will file Tuesday as a candidate in the county Republican primary.

Kline became the county’s district attorney in January 2007 after the county Republican Party’s precinct leaders elected him to complete Paul Morrison’s term. He said in September that he wouldn’t seek the office this year. But last month, he said he was reconsidering and might run after all."

If this has been diaried today, my apologies.  

As the primary race went on we saw some pretty miserable stuff said on the both the Clinton and Obama sides from their various supporters.  On the Clinton side, the worst thing is the threat/promise that many of her supporters will vote for McCain come November.

Obviously, nothing could be worse than a split party that results in a McCain win.

In today's NY Times Science Times section a short essay titled Reparing the Damage, Before Roe.  A retired gynecologist, Dr. Waldo Fielding give us a vivid idea what a McCain presidency would result in.  

He is quite graphic, so beware after the jump.

Is Tim Kaine the best choice to balance the ticket and help Obama in the South and Appalachian region? Maybe. He has executive experience. He is Governor in a Southern Red State (maybe purple now) and his life story has interesting parallels to Obama's life story. Both men have Kansas roots, civil rights experience and lived out of the country for a period of time during their youth.  

Just about everyone here knows by now that NARAL, the pro-choice organization has endorsed Barack Obama for President.  You probably also know they are getting hammered by a lot of very angry supporters of Hillary Clinton.  

Here is what seems to be a not uncommon response posted on their blog.

I am outraged. This is absolutely ridiculous. I will never give money or support to NARAL again. Shame on you, NARAL, for selling out to the left wing of the Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton has worked her entire life for women's rights and to keep abortion legal in America. This is insulting and a slap in a face to her career and to all women. Shame on you.

Apparently, supporting a pro-choice Democratic candidate for president isn't ok if that candidate is running against Hillary Clinton.  Even if that candidate has essentially wrapped up the nomination and is taking fire from the righties.  

Let's not get into it with the sad, angry people who are denouncing this wonderful and helpful organization.  But let's show the folks at NARAL that they will be supported in their support of the Democratic nominee.

The title of this diary probably speaks for itself.  Although the $50 is a donation that I should have made previously, my meager income can only show so much support for the causes in which I believe and hold dear.

Choice is certainly one of those causes.

Today, as has been noted by another diarist, NARAL has endorsed Barack Obama for president.  This shouldn't be entirely surprising since the primary has ostensibly been decided and the Democratic Party is coalescing around the nominee, Barack Obama.

Today NARAL Pro-Choice America announced its support of Senator Barack Obama as the Democratic Presidential Nominee.  NARAL President Nancy Keenan explains why in the Huffington Post:

I know that most of you are probably thinking, "Why did you decide to endorse Obama, and why are you doing it now?"

Sen. Obama has been a strong advocate for a woman's right to choose throughout his career in public service. (snip)

Further, I believe Sen. Obama is going to be the Democratic nominee. He leads in pledged delegates, superdelegates, the popular vote, and cash-on-hand. As a former elected official, I know that having the three "m's" of a campaign - money, message and manpower (or womanpower!) - are how we win elections. Sen. Obama will be our next president. (snip)

Finally, NARAL Pro-Choice America, as the political leader of the pro-choice movement, felt it was time to take a leadership role. (snip) ...we need to put any perceived differences behind us, and get to work putting Sen. Obama in the White House.

Today the Pro-Choice Group Naral, endorsed Senator Barack Obama.  This should be a good thing, this should help us women move forward looking towards the General Election, but I am saddened by my fellow women and their attacks towards Naral.  I would like to encourage my fellow female Obama supporters to thank Naral for their courageous choice and let them know they did not commit the ultimate betrayal as some have said.

In an election cycle alternatively dominated either by Iraq and foreign policy or by the stumbling US economy, it is inevitable that some important issues have not received the attention that they deserve.  Many of these issues are not trivial.  As the presumptive nominee of our party, I expect Senator Obama to take a leading role in directing the party’s message and tone going into the 2008 election, and for me that includes addressing some things that he has so far neglected in his speeches and position papers.  Although there are others, in this diary I will discuss Obama’s positions on women’s reproductive rights.  This is a bread and butter progressive issue, yet is not afforded significant coverage in the "Issues" pages of Obama’s website or in his detailed "Blueprint for Change."  Instead, Obama’s position on women’s reproductive rights was added to his campaign site only recently and is still relegated to the "Fact check" section.  That is disappointing.  Some of you might not think this is a big deal, but I strongly disagree and I’ll tell you why.    

If you haven’t already flamed me for daring to criticize Obama's campaign strategy, lets take the jump ~~~~~

Have you been wondering which tactic the Right-wingers are going to use is the fall?  Remember all of the gay marriage bans used during the 2004 election?  Well this year we are going to be subjected to attempts to ban abortion to draw in voters to the polls. If you thought the gay marriage issue was bad, wait until the Anti-Choice groups hit the streets during the run up to the election.

I wrote this on my personal blog and I see that I can post it here.