Obama affirms commitment to ‘fundamental constitutional right’ to abortion
January 23, 2012
On the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, President Barack Obama issued a brief statement affirming his support of the 1973 decision.
“As we mark the 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we must remember that this Supreme Court decision not only protects a woman’s health and reproductive freedom, but also affirms a broader principle: that government should not intrude on private family matters,” he said. “I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose and this fundamental constitutional right.”
Echoing what has become a persistent theme of Planned Parenthood rhetoric, President Obama enlarged on the topic to say that all Americans, including foes of abortion, should unite in support of programs promoting contraceptives. This argument rests on the two unwarranted assumptions. First, it assumes that the use of artificial contraceptives is not morally objectionable. Second, it assumes that easy access to contraception will cut down the rate of unintended pregnancies. The first assumption is contradicted by the teachings of the Catholic Church (and of virtually all Christian denominations, until the middle of the 20th century); the second is contradicted by several decades of experience with American sex-education programs.
“While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we must stay united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, support pregnant woman and mothers, reduce the need for abortion, encourage healthy relationships, and promote adoption,” he added.
The presidential statement concluded: “And as we remember this historic anniversary, we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams.”
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Posted by: unum -
Jan. 24, 2012 9:38 AM ET USA
The president embarrasses himself by his in his remarks. All that Roe v. Wade protects is the flow of Planned Parenthood cash to Democrat campaign coffers paid for by the lives of innocent children. The Constitution is silent on both "woman’s health and reproductive freedom, ... (as well as the fact that) government should not intrude on private family matters”. Government laws on marriage, divorce, etc., make a mockery of his remarks.
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Posted by: Chelle,SFO-MI -
Jan. 23, 2012 8:00 PM ET USA
How about all those sex selective abortions? THOSE baby girls will never have an opportunity to fulfill their dreams...
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Posted by: wolfdavef3415 -
Jan. 23, 2012 6:51 PM ET USA
"...we must also continue our efforts to ensure that our daughters have the same rights, freedoms, and opportunities as our sons to fulfill their dreams." Surely then, Obama, you would support a law requiring 'reproductive rights' for the aforementioned sons? Currently a man cannot have any say in whether his child is aborted. Would you, Obama, support a bill requiring the father also approve of the abortion? This, right after the contraception, decision is insulting.
