CAN WE BELIEVE ANYTHING THESE GUYS SAY?

"The health care reform bill would have passed the House without the votes of Rep. Bart Stupak’s pro-life Democrats because House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “always carries a number of votes in her pocket,” Stupak told CNA in a Thursday phone interview.

The Michigan Democrat explained that by opting for the executive order, pro-life Democrats believe they ensured the legislation was “somewhat restrictive” towards abortion funding."
Catholic News Agancy

If, and this is a big if, Rep. Stupak is being truthful then I can understand his point. I would have voted against the bill regardless because of it's unconstitutional nature but, if what Stupak says is true, it may have made more sense to at least try to get some protections for the unborn. His actions could be viewed as a sort of strategic retreat.

Of course, all of this is based on what he now says being true. I guess the question I have regarding his actions is if this is the real reason behind them why has it taken so long to state it? The cynic in me says that he's had nearly a week to come up with a semi plausible explanation for his actions and he's trotting it out for all the world to see, hoping to hold onto power and retain his seat. But that would just be the cynic in me.

SHOULD OUR FAITH AFFECT US OUTSIDE CHURCH?

"PICKET: Do you believe in the primacy of the Pope over in Rome?

STUPAK: Do I believe in the primacy…can you explain that to me?

PICKET: Well considering the Vatican have in terms of the Catholic religion…

STUPAK: The Pope and the Catholic faith does not control Catholic legislators. We must vote reflective of our districts and our beliefs. When I vote pro-life, it happens to be my own personal belief, also my district’s beliefs and the nation's. As the polls show 61 percent of the American people believe we should not use public funds to pay for abortion. I agree with that."
Washington Times

OK bishops, it's your turn. Where is your response to this? Will you let this just go by with nary a whimper?

Very few Catholics understand the role of the Church or their faith in their lives, whether at the personal or civic level. Your job, as our shepherds, is to instruct us in the truth. Is the statement by Rep. Stupak true? Because if it isn't and you stay silent on this, you will have given, by default, your imprimatur to a lie.

It's your turn.

PRAY FOR REP. STUPAK

More love and understanding from the party of tolerance.

The telephone lines in his Washington and district offices have been “jammed” and he’s gotten more than 1,500 faxes and countless e-mails — most of which he says don’t come from his constituents.

The fight has taken a toll on his wife, who has disconnected the phone in their home to avoid harassment.

“All the phones are unplugged at our house — tired of the obscene calls and threats. She won’t watch TV,” Stupak said during an hourlong interview with The Hill in his Rayburn office. “People saying they’re going to spit on you and all this. That’s just not fun.”

Stupak has become a nationally known figure because of his demands for tough language in healthcare legislation to prevent any federal subsidies from being used for abortion services.
The Hill

"THIS IS LIFE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT"

Evil. Pure, unadulterated, undiluted evil.

..."What are Democratic leaders saying? “If you pass the Stupak amendment, more children will be born, and therefore it will cost us millions more. That’s one of the arguments I’ve been hearing,” Stupak says. “Money is their hang-up. Is this how we now value life in America? If money is the issue — come on, we can find room in the budget. This is life we’re talking about.”
National Review

WILL STUPAK KEEP TO HIS GUNS?

It'll be interesting to see if Stupak stands tough here. He could single handedly shut this down. I think in the end though that even if the abortion restrictions stand the Dems will vote for health control. They know that if they can get some of it into the law they can come back and make adjustments as needed at a later date. The Commies always work this way; they settle for a little knowing that it just gets their foot in the door. That's all they want.

"Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) said the White House and the Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives have been pressuring him not to speak out on the "compromise" abortion language in the Senate version of the health care bill.

“They think I shouldn’t be expressing my views on this bill until they get a chance to try to sell me the language,” Stupak told CNSNews.com in an interview on Tuesday. “Well, I don’t need anyone to sell me the language. I can read it. I’ve seen it. I’ve worked with it. I know what it says. I don’t need to have a conference with the White House. I have the legislation in front of me here.”

CNS News