Barack Sets Us Straight On The Facts

195 days to go. In the blink of an eye, we are one day closer to E-day, and the picture doesn't look any better than it did when we last looked. The votes are in, and Hillary has won Pennsylvania. The democratic race for the presidential nomination is virtually a dead heat, with Obama still leading slightly in the popular vote and delegate count.

Random thought of the day: Would the Irish be more likely to vote for Obama if we apostrophized his name? Barack O'Bama? No I guess not. If the Irish vote for him, it will more likely be as a result of his charismatic speeches about Hope and Change.

If charisma were the lone deciding factor in choosing our President, Obama would be the candidate of choice. I can see it now, if I squint really hard.... Obama is standing before a podium on the White House lawn. The birds are chirping merrily, and the photographers' cameras snap rapidly. Flickering pale white light bathes our Commander in Chief, as flash bulbs alight. In a warm basso voice, our beloved leader warms us with a charismatic speech, faultlessly explaining why our taxes have soared since he took office. Lovingly, and eloquently, he will explain to us all: while things have gone terribly since he took office, we should hold out our Hope, that someday things will Change.

I guess it goes without saying that I'm not a big Obama fan. I did my best to keep an open mind, but when I learned about his stand on live birth abortion, I couldn't stomach him any longer. In case you have an aversion for clicking links, I'll give you a taste of whats out there. Were you to follow the link I have so generously provided for you above, you would be taken to the official homepage of the Barack Obama campaign. The following is a direct quote, (captured on 4/23/2008, factcheck.barackobama.com)

" Rhetoric: 'In the Illinois state Senate, (Obama) opposed a bill similar to the Born-Alive Infants protection Act, which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion.' [Washington Times, 4/2/08]

Reality: Obama said he would have supported federal born alive legislation, a move pro-choice groups would not have opposed because it made a distinction between a fetus in utero and a child that is born. "

Firstly, lets address the "Rhetoric" portion of the statement. Despite the implications inherent in labeling this particular quote rhetoric, the quoted statement is true. Barack Obama did infact vote against Illinois state legislation "which prevents the killing of infants mistakenly left alive by abortion." Obama is unable to deny his voting record, as it is... well... on the record.

What he is able to do, is charismatically and eloquently explain WHY he voted the way he did. This brings us to the "Reality" portion of the statement. Obama would have voted for the bill, if only it had "made a distinction between" a fetus in utero and a child that is born. If only the BORN Alive INFANT Protection Act had made a distinction, it would have turned out differently. Perhaps if it had a clearer name it would have passed. Maybe if it had been called the Born (and by this we mean no longer inside the womb) Alive (also known as not dead) Infant (for further clarification on the word infant, please see webster.com) Protection Act, then it would have passed.

Following is the entirety of the born alive infant protection bill as it was proposed at the 93rd General Assembly of the Illinois State Senate. (www.ilga.gov). Of special interest are lines 14 to 23.

1        AN ACT concerning infants who are born alive.

2        Be  it  enacted  by  the People of the State of Illinois,
3    represented in the General Assembly:

4        Section 5.  The Statute on Statutes is amended by  adding
5    Section 1.36 as follows:

6        (5 ILCS 70/1.36 new)
7        Sec. 1.36. Born-alive infant.
8        (a)  In  determining the meaning of any statute or of any
9    rule,  regulation,   or   interpretation   of   the   various
10    administrative  agencies  of  this State, the words "person",
11    "human being", "child", and "individual" include every infant
12    member of the species homo sapiens who is born alive  at  any
13    stage of development.
14        (b)  As used in this Section, the term "born alive", with
15    respect  to  a  member of the species homo sapiens, means the
16    complete expulsion or extraction  from  its  mother  of  that
17    member, at any stage of development, who after that expulsion
18    or  extraction  breathes or has a beating heart, pulsation of
19    the  umbilical  cord,  or  definite  movement  of   voluntary
20    muscles,  regardless  of  whether the umbilical cord has been
21    cut and regardless of whether  the  expulsion  or  extraction
22    occurs  as  a  result  of  natural or induced labor, cesarean
23    section, or induced abortion.
24        (c)  A live child born as a result of an  abortion  shall
25    be  fully recognized as a human person and accorded immediate
26    protection under the law.

27        Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
28    becoming law.