Barack Obama and the Freedom of Choice Act

Barack Obama on January 22, 2009:

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.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

“The first thing I’d do as president is sign the Freedom of Choice Act.  That’s the first thing that I’d do.”  – Senator Barack Obama, speaking to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, July 17, 2007

on January 22, 2008, One Year ago, Senator Barack Obama released the following statement:

“Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it’s never been more important to protect a woman’s right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women’s health. With one more vacancy on the Supreme Court, we could be looking at a majority hostile to a women’s fundamental right to choose for the first time since Roe v. Wade. The next president may be asked to nominate that Supreme Court justice. That is what is at stake in this election.

“Throughout my career, I’ve been a consistent and strong supporter of reproductive justice, and have consistently had a 100% pro-choice rating with Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America.

“When South Dakota passed a law banning all abortions in a direct effort to have Roe overruled, I was the only candidate for President to raise money to help the citizens of South Dakota repeal that law. When anti-choice protesters blocked the opening of an Illinois Planned Parenthood clinic in a community where affordable health care is in short supply, I was the only candidate for President who spoke out against it. And I will continue to defend this right by passing the Freedom of Choice Act as president.

“Moreover, I believe in and have supported common-sense solutions like increasing access to affordable birth control to help prevent unintended pregnancies. In the Illinois state Senate, when Congress failed to require insurance plans to cover FDA-approved contraceptives, I made sure those contraceptives were covered for women in Illinois. In the U.S. Senate, I’ve worked with Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) on a bill that would make birth control more affordable for low-income and college women, and introduced the Senate version of Representative Hilda Solis’ bill to reduce unintended pregnancies in communities of color. As President, I will improve access to affordable health care and work to ensure that our teens are getting the information and services they need to stay safe and healthy.

“But we also know that Roe v. Wade is about more than a woman’s right to choose; it’s about equality. It’s about whether our daughters are going to have the same opportunities as our sons. And so to truly honor that decision, we need to update the social contract so that women can free themselves, and their children, from violent relationships; so that a mom can stay home with a sick child without getting a pink slip; so that she can go to work knowing that there’s affordable, quality childcare for her children; and so that the American dream is within reach for every family in this country. This anniversary reminds us that it’s not enough to protect the gains of the past – we have to build a future that’s filled with hope and possibility for all Americans.”

Baby Marissa

Last night our baby girl was born at 7:00 pm. She is adorable. Her name is Marissa.

A Miracle Baby

The following news story hits a soft spot in my heart and encourages me. Our baby is about the same age as Amillia was when when she was born. Please take note of the size of the baby only 10 ounces and less than 10 inches in length at birth. There is no question babies are small and fragile, all the more reason we need to give extra special care for them. They are our future. Coincidentally, she was born on my birthday. Now that my wife regularly feels Baby M kick and squirm, we both know that she is a living person. A complete individual just as much as I am, so much more than the scientific term of her stage of development, a fetus. The complete story is below and the text comes comes from this Fox News Story .

MIAMI — A premature baby that doctors say spent less time in the womb than any other surviving infant is scheduled for release from a South Florida hospital Tuesday.

Amillia Sonja Taylor was just 9 1/2 inches long and weighed less than 10 ounces when she was born Oct. 24. She was delivered after just under 22 weeks of pregnancy; full-term births come after 37 to 40 weeks.

Neonatologists who cared for Amillia say she is the first baby known to survive after a gestation period of fewer than 23 weeks.

“We weren’t too optimistic,” Dr. William Smalling said Monday. “But she proved us all wrong.”

The baby has experienced respiratory problems, a very mild brain hemorrhage and some digestive problems, but none of the health concerns are expected to pose long-term problems, her doctors said.

“We can deal with lungs and things like that but, of course, the brain is the most important,” Dr. Paul

Fassbach, who has cared for Amillia since her second day, said by phone Monday. “But her prognosis is excellent.”

Amillia has been in an incubator since birth and has been receiving oxygen. She will continue getting a small amount of oxygen and will be on a monitor to watch her breathing once she leaves Baptist Children’s Hospital.

“She’s going to be in a normal crib, she’s going to have normal feedings, she’s taking all her feedings from a bottle,” said Smalling, who has cared for Amillia since her third day.

Amillia is the first child for Eddie and Sonja Taylor of Homestead. She was conceived by in vitro fertilization, which made it possible to pinpoint her exact time in the womb, and was delivered by Caesarean section. She now is between 25 and 26 inches long and weighs 4 1/2 pounds.

“It’s a prize baby,” Fassbach said. “A miracle,” Smalling added.

What’s in a name?

The observant reader of this web log may have noticed that my personal profile has been updated to show that I am now the father of four, the actual number is five; five years ago my wife miscarried our third baby; We eagerly await seeing our child, who is waiting for us in heaven. Before I introduce our youngest which has been affectionately named peanut, and lives in the comfort of “his” nurturing mother. The older three.

First, the oldest and ring leader of our three ring circus, Deonna Marie. She is blessed with a unique name that fits with her unique style. She is eleven and recently celebrated her birthday and really enjoys listening to her CD player. She does not know that the only CD’s that are playing in it are parent approved and mostly contemporary Christian songs. Her brown hair is unique for children in our family. She is special in her mild manner and long fuse.

Next, Jonathan Michael, my namesake. Most of the world knows him as Michael. He is smarter than me. He is nine. His favorite activity is playing Star Wars, Lego on the Gamecube. He is very sensitive and extreme in all he does.

Then, Danielle Carlina, the soon to be replaced baby of the family. She is four. When she is listening to her mother and I, we all call her, Dani. Otherwise her name is Dannika! No need to adjust the color on your computer monitor, both Danielle and her older brother have red hair, she even more than her bother has the temperament to prove it.

Now introducing our fourth.

“He” is the white shape in the left of this black and white ultrasound photo. We have put in an order for a healthy brown haired boy. Only God only knows. We placed the order to restore balance to the universe. The short list of names for boys include Mason or Kenroy. Kenroy is the combination of two great-grandfathers names, Kenneth and Roy. If the baby is a girl, She will be named either Mariah or Mariam in honor of her mother and grandmother. As a reader, you can contribute your favorite names. Leave a suggestion and reason why you like the name below.