Ouch! A response to “If it’s not infanticide, what is it?”
I got dissed on the The international Medical Spouse Network and I can’t register to respond :-(
Makes sense though, I’m not a medical spouse. Some of the insight in the response to my post If it’s not infanticide, what is it? was pretty good. Thought this tidbit was a bit harsh though:
As an aside, the article ends with:
“Obama was beyond wrong on this issue. Either he had no clue what the law said or he placed such a low value on the life of a baby that he was willing to sacrifice a living, breathing infant for the “greater good” of the right to an abortion.”
He had no clue what the law said? Really? I find that hard to believe. I imagine that someone with a “degree in computer science and a minor in communications focusing in the area of journalism” is in a much better position to notice the nuances of legislation/ legal writing than Harvard educated attorney.
Ouch! :-) I’m OK, I’m OK… I can take it… shake it off…
Never claimed to be an expert, but I stand by view.
And a big thank you to Rapunzel who responded:
Actually, I think someone with “only” a degree in computer science and a minor in communications can become as good as a Harvard educated attorney at reading legislation. I know a lot of people who can drop that “H” bomb in an interview (dh being one) - and, believe me, they aren’t supermen.
In fact, I think the beauty of our life is that we can become experts on something without a piece of paper proving that we jumped through some hoops. So, I would not discount this particular blogger because he hasn’t been through Harvard law school. After all, Barack Obama HAS been through Harvard Law and I find him to have a very poor understanding of the Constitution.
To be fair, I give very little insight into my background for a reason, but enough so that folks reading what I write can place what I write in some context. You should not believe me, or anyone else, simply because we happen to have a blog. I suppose I could lie and make up a whole bunch of impressive credentials to convince you I am right because I’m better than you… but the fact is, I’m not.
In fact, unlike the elites who look down at folks who were not fortunate enough to attend Harvard, I don’t believe I am better than anyone else nor do I believe anyone is better than me… we all enter this world, live for a period of time, and die… some leave a bigger footprint in this world, but in the end they will all be washed away by the ocean of time.
I welcome the analysis and views of others, including the folks at IMSN… just wish they would have the courtesy of allowing a response to the assessment that I am unworthy.
Given the opportunity I would ask a simple question:
If two babies, requiring the same measures to be employed to keep them alive, are side by side in a hospital… one was “born” and the other was “aborted”, should the doctors and the hospital be compelled to treat these babies with the same level of care, or is one life of lesser value because she was intended to be aborted?
Not a lot of nuance there… then again, maybe that’s why lawyers don’t make good presidents. Leave the nuances to the Senate.
UPDATE 2:30pm: Some more thoughts about me from IMSN:
As to your comment on my comment -
Yes, someone without the legal cred can become as good as a Harvard educated attorney or better- absolutely. I just don’t think that applies in this case of this blogger. Honestly, I don’t think they did their homework. Their views were based on someone else’s view, which was in part based on something else.
It appears to me, at least, that this person did not take the time to really read the original statute. Any good lawyer [or one who wants to play one] knows to always go to the source. Problem being, that takes time. Not everyone wants to take the time, especially when it is a hot button issue and it is much easier to jump on an inflamed bandwagon [like the original TV ad].
Interesting. If this person had done his/her homework and actually read my full post, they would realize I actually did take the time to read the entire statute, was one of the few, if not the only one, to actually print the actual words instead of just cherry-picking and offering an opinion, and although not a lawyer, good or bad, I went directly to the source and even provided a link that will get you to the original transcript of the debate on the statute.
And I can assure you, my views are not based on anyone else’s views… how rude 
If you are going to offer opinions about me, at least do it here.
Stumble it!
September 20th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Actually, I think someone with “only” a degree in computer science and a minor in communications can become as good as a Harvard educated attorney at reading legislation. (one comment)
I do agree with the comment. Laws are written to be understood by normal people. Properly drafted laws do not require that much interpretative skills. If you give all relevant provisions on a given point to a reasonably intelligent person, he or she should be able to give you a reasonable interpretation of the statute or regulation. One might need a good English dictionary - a large one - and a good law dictionary, Black for example, because some common words have precise legal meanings.
September 20th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
It’s funny BA, I was thinking the same, or similar, earlier today. If a law has “nuances” that are open to interpretation, seems to me the lawmakers are not drafting good laws.
But what do I know
September 21st, 2008 at 6:43 am
My opinion is that you have examined this issue thoroughly. And you have drawn the same conclusion that most of middle America has. Most Democrats too, for that matter.
Interestingly, your educational background is apparently not all that unlike Sarah Palin’s. The Obamacrats are making fun of her as well. So you might consider yourself in good company.
It appears to me that, a degree in Constitutional Law from an elitist institution, may actually impair one’s abaility to think clearly.
As I said in my response to your OP in this matter… Obama is out of step with America in this matter. And that includes most Democrats. He is not ready for prime time as a candidate for POTUS… which is why you see many high profile Dem supporters moving to camp McCain about now.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:24 am
Hi Stray Yellar Dawg,
Thanks for both of your comments and welcome. I’m also a former Democrat, but I am pro-life. I understand folks like you and I will probably never 100% agree, but it is comforting to know there are some areas that most of us can agree on and I thought this subject would be one. As for a degree, that’s something some of us are fortunate enough to get when we are very young; what you do with your life after you get that piece of paper is what really matters.
BTW… I am in no way a Hillary supporter, but the way the Dem “leadership” treated her was shameful. Howard Dean needs to be fired and the radical elements of the party need to be marginalized as they have been in the Republican Party.
If Obama loses, I think Hillary has a great chance to be elected in 2012:
You heard it here first