Obama: "Our Daughters Have the Same Rights and Opportunities As Our Sons."

[tekisui]

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama renewed his commitment to abortions rights on Thursday, saying the nation needs to find common ground in the contentious abortion debate so "our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons."

Marking the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Obama said in a statement that the landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion represented a broader principle that government should not intrude on private family matters.

"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," Obama said. "That is what I want for women everywhere."

Obama issued the statement as elsewhere in Washington and around the country anti-abortion rights activists marched in protest of the 1973 court case that legalized abortion. Up Pennsylvania Avenue, tens of thousands of abortion opponents rallied on the National Mall amid concerns they could face political setbacks under Obama.

Obama won election by emphasizing how the country could work together, even on difficult issues such as abortion. His across-the-spectrum approach brought together a political coalition that he has sought to sustain during his first days in office.

"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," Obama said. "To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information and preventative services."

American public opinion about abortion has been fairly stable in recent decades, with polls almost always finding a narrow majority saying the procedure should be legal in all or most cases.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gutL4mlaZy3_ki0OQHdS9U9Cj_yAD95SEQD00

[AnnieBW]

1. That's My President!

Take THAT, Talibornagains!

[GodlessBiker]

2. Bravo. I hope he applies this to the military so that women can fully participate.

The prohibition of women taking certain jobs limits their advancement in the military.

[TahitiNut]

9. Registration for Selective Service would be a good start.

:shrug:

[GodlessBiker]

10. Equality is needed.

[TahitiNut]

11. I heartily agree.

I saw absolutely no role in Viet Nam that could not have been performed by women. None. As long as we have separate (and unequal) treatment of males and females in the military an in the Selective Service System, we're announcing that inequality is acceptable. That's just total hogwash, imho.

When I attended the Coast Guard Academy in 1961-63 there were no female cadets and African-American cadets were first admitted in the Class of 66 (entering in the summer of 1962). It was an abomination then and it continues to be an abomination to treat males and females inequitably.

[sarge43]

12. That's cart before horse.

The principal purpose of the draft is to fill Army combat MOS. Women are restricted from them. Remove the restriction first, otherwise female registration is an empty gesture and waste of time and resources.

[TahitiNut]

13. Well, that's not what THIS draftee faced ... nor the draftees in my unit in Nam.

:shrug:

Funny thing about drafting guys with useful skills: the Army used those skills. Straight outa Basic Training without "Army training." Even funnier -- if my fiancee/wife had signed up (a nurse), she'd traditionally been given a commission. No enlisted stuff for female nurses historically. Male nurses, on the other hand ... :eyes:

[sarge43]

14. The military says one thing and does another?!

After 21 years, 5 months, 10 days and approximately 14 hours in Uncle's Balloon Corps, half of it during the Nam era, and most of it as a personnel puke, this woman is shocked, even stunned, by that revelation. (No sarcasm icon necessary.)

We could entertain the readership by trading anecdotes and war stories and I have a duffel bag full, from the silly to the tragic (don't get me started on Project 100,000. Mac the Knife should rot in hell for that one). However, we are arguing at cross purposes here.

All I am saying is so long as the combat restriction is in place, there will be gender inequality in the armed forces. Every woman in this country could be drafted and we'd still have the same situation we had during Nam and still have today -- women in the non combat MOS/AFSC and men in the combat ones.

I could do a righteous rant about why that restriction is still with us. Suffice to say, it has nothing to do with protecting GI Jane.

As for men not being commissioned in the Nurse Corps, that was true until mid 1950's. After that, if man had an RN and was otherwise eligible, no ban there. One of our consistent posters, Aristus' father was an Army RN during Nam. Aristus said his dad worked the air ambulances. I've seen his picture -- Army class A's, bars, collar caduceus with N and an impressive load of fruit salad and chest bling. There were male nurses in Air Force during the 60's. I did personnel processing on at least one. Remember him because he had quite the record. Army medic during Korea (PH and Bronze Star), got out, got his RN, signed up again with the AF NC late 50's and nailed a Flight Nurse rating. Worked the Nightingale Airvac in and out of Nam.

[TahitiNut]

19. We're probably in violent agreement.

As an office POG, I can't speak to the combat arms MOS's from personal experience. The "little bit" (like there is such a thing) of combat experience I had wasn't anything that required a penis. (Just a urethra to pee my pants.) The gender inequity in the military is a disservice to all of us, imho. The increasing chasm that results in 'ordinary Americans' to think of military personnel as "them" is an abomination, imho. I am NOT a person who is at all compatible with a military career ... despite such plans in high school and 2 years at the USCGA. And, yes, I engaged all the ribbing about 'lifers' like all draftees did ... but never failed to make it clear I respected their service. My experience merely increases my commitment to the philosophy of a 'citizen army' where all can be called.

All. Male. Female. Gay. Straight. Everyone.

[sarge43]

23. We appear to be in thoughtful agreement.

A citizen army is the only proper army for a democratic republic. Anything else is either counterproductive or dangerous. "It's my country, too."

You don't have to apologize for the 'lifer' ribbing. We are pains in the ass; we learn the technique at the NCO academies.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

22. I would say that ending the possibility of conscription for men would be a good start.

And that enabling women who choose to to fill the roles men would need to be forced to would help eliminate the uses for it, too.

But I agree that if men are going to be conscripted then women should too.

However, compared to other gender equality issues, I'm not sure this one is a high priority at present...

[firedupdem]

3. We elected a good man! I'm so proud of him! n/t

[Kerrytravelers]

4. Now that is a President I can be proud of!

Wow. It's been 8 years since I could say that!

:bounce: :patriot:

[sarge43]

5. Well, good on him. Now, money where the mouth is.

Is he going to remove the ban on abortions in military hospitals?

[tekisui]

6. I think so.

The global gag rule is rumored to be coming down.

[sarge43]

8. From your monitor to the WH

That's been on the books for far too long.

[tekisui]

15. Today(Friday) he is signing the order.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8132740

[sarge43]

16. It's a great start, but I saw nothing about the US military restriction.

I'm not dissing the man. He can't change everything over night. However, members of the US armed forces and their dependents can't get the same funding and support?

[tekisui]

17. Oh, I misunderstood what you were looking for.

I don't know much about the military ban. It should definitely be lifted. I'll keep an eye out for that.

[sarge43]

18. Thanks. I will too. As noted, it's long overdue for File 13. n/t

[Arugula Latte]

7. Am I dreaming?

Could we really have a president this FANTASTIC?

[NeedleCast]

20. I sure was happy to see this on the day the right-to-lifers were cloggign up my subway

[Fleshdancer]

21. Thank you President Obama

I can't say this surprises me...watching the way he is with his wife and daughters, it's obvious he's a strong believer in women's rights.

:loveya: