Bush v. Blackmun nytimes.com
In all seriousness, Neocon, consider this little missive on your pet issue.
Both considered themselves moderate Republicans and both were faced with the tough issue of abortion. One made a stand on principle and will be remembered as a man of courage and integrity. The other has carefully gauged the direction of the wind, and may well end up as President.
The early-1970's was still a treacherous time for women or girls who wanted to terminate a pregnancy. Thousands of women, particularly those who were well educated and well off financially, were able to get legal abortions through physicians willing to engage in some charade, like claiming the mother's life was in danger. Some wealthy women could get illegal abortions that were reasonably safe, or go overseas for abortions. But the vast majority of women and girls who wanted an abortion had no alternative but to roll the dice on a criminal procedure that might be performed in some wretched undercover location by some inept practitioner using unsanitary and often unscientific methods.
Many thousands died.
No one knew how Justice Harry Blackmun, a Nixon appointee, would approach the issue of a woman's right to an abortion when Roe v. Wade came before the Supreme Court. Mr. Blackmun was a quiet, modest Midwesterner, a lifelong Republican and close friend of the conservative Chief Justice, Warren Burger. He was selected for the Court largely because he was perceived as a hard-liner on crime. He was an unlikely candidate to be the author and decades-long champion of a decision that was as controversial and guaranteed such radical consequences as Roe.
The Times's Linda Greenhouse, in Justice Blackmun's obituary on March 5, wrote: "The care with which Justice Blackmun approached the issue was evident from the opening passage of his opinion, in which he acknowledged 'the deep and seemingly absolute convictions that the subject inspires.' "
The vote on Roe was 7 to 2, but Justice Blackmun, as the author, was most closely identified with the ruling. He was both revered and vilified as a result. But no amount of obloquy could make him doubt the correctness or the value of the decision. When he retired in 1994 he described the ruling as a step that had to be taken "toward the full emancipation of women."
Fast forward to George W. Bush. The last thing he wants to do as he gallops toward the Presidency is to take a clear and unequivocal principled stand on abortion. If he were to favor a woman's right to choose, he would be ambushed from the right. And if he were to absolutely follow what he says is in his heart and in his mind -- that we should amend the Constitution and ban abortion outright -- the boulders would immediately begin falling on him from the left.
Poor George. There is nothing left to do but equivocate.
So, in an interview with The Associated Press last week, the Texas Governor and leading contender for the Republican Presidential nomination, said he would support a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortions, except in cases of rape or incest, or where the life of the woman was at stake.
"On the other hand," he said, "I'm a realistic enough person to know that America is not ready to ban abortions."
According to Mr. Bush, "America is not ready to overturn Roe v. Wade because America's hearts are not right. And so, in the meantime, instead of arguing over Roe v. Wade, what we ought to do is promote policies to reduce abortions."
Got that? If you don't want to overturn Roe v. Wade, your heart's not right. Maybe under the guidance and leadership of President Bush II, your heart will get right. And with our hearts right, and a couple of new Clarence Thomases on the Supreme Court, all things are possible. America can finally get rid of Roe, put women back in their place and return to the glorious years of back-alley abortions.
Kate Michelman, president of the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, said of Justice Blackmun: "He had an ability to take the law out of the abstract and understand its effect on the lives of real people. His primary motivation was to see that the law was fair and that it provided dignity for the individual."
George W. Bush's primary motivation is to get to the White House. The last thing he wants to do is stumble upon a principle.
Got that, Neocon? Sounds like your buddies have infused GWB with the correct "principles" here. A few more "best men for the job" like Clarence Thomas, that's all that's needed. Personally, I hope everybody remembers that going into the next election. |
