Oh, happy day! I was alerted by an email from NARAL Pro-Choice America announcing that President Obama has signed an executive order putting an end to the Global Gag Rule after eight arduous years. Yesterday, on the thirty-sixth anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Obama put out the following statement:
“On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.”
The Global Gag Rule was first implemented by Reagan and banned tax-payer money from going to international family planning groups. Clinton ended it, Bush reinstated it, and now Obama has ended it again. Let’s hope it’s gone for good.
CBS News reports also on how an anti-choice group has used Obama’s image once again in an ad, just as his image was used in the Prop 8 battle, despite his opposition to their cause.
Comments 5
gwp_admin — January 23, 2009
WHOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
urbanartiste — January 24, 2009
I just wish he could eliminate the entire thing forever. This thing has been around since Reagan and keeps flipping back and forth depending on which party is in office.
I applaud Obama, but am bitterly disappointed this needed to be signed behind closed doors. I know that he changed it should make me happy enough, but it is sad that it could not be signed publicly.
Bob Lamm — January 25, 2009
I believe that urbanartiste has made a very important point here. The leading Democrats, including Barack Obama, do not stand up nearly as strongly for abortion rights as they could. It didn't happen nearly enough during the primaries or the presidential campaign, when Obama, Clinton, and others could have pounded away at the Bush administration's horrific policies and how the Republican candidates, including John McCain, stood right with Bush. And President Obama could be making a strong PUBLIC statement about how awful the Global Gag Rule was/is.
gwp_admin — January 26, 2009
Urbanartiste and Bob both make excellent points. The overturning of a rule that has had such obviously detrimental consequences for women across the world should have been something celebrated in the most public of fashions.
Dutch269 — February 18, 2009
Oh great... now American taxpayers can flip the bill for abortions all around the world!!
The list of wrongs with this are too much to post...