Daily Archives: June 9, 2009

Wichita the ‘abortion capital’ no more

June 9, 200911:40 a.m.

tillerclinicToday the survivors of George Tiller announced their decision to close his Women’s Health Care Services permanently and not be involved in any similar clinic. That was their decision to make. The impact is profound on Wichita, however. It means that area women will be forced to travel three hours or more to seek abortions. The nearest clinics are in Overland Park. Any woman in a position to seek a late-term abortion will have to travel farther. Unless or until Wichita gains another abortion provider, the decision also will end the community’s run as the epicenter of the abortion fight.

By Rhonda Holman | Filed under Abortion | Comments (236)

Majority oppose same-sex marriage but OK with gays in military

June 9, 20096:03 a.m.

gayweddingcake1Though New Hampshire last week became the sixth state to allow same-sex marriage, 57 percent of Americans oppose granting such marriages legal status, according to a recent Gallup poll. But 69 percent of Americans surveyed favor allowing openly gay men and women to serve in the military, according to the poll. The biggest increase in support — which essentially equates to repealing the current “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy — comes from conservatives, who have gone from 46 percent in favor in 2004 to 58 percent last month. Also, support from people who identify themselves as weekly churchgoers increased from 49 to 60 percent.

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Gay marriage | Comments (85)

Open thread 6/9

June 9, 20096:02 a.m.

thread407

By The Editors | Filed under Open thread | Comments (141)

Clinton needs to focus on Iraq

June 9, 20096:01 a.m.

EGYPT ObamaThe follow-up to President Obama’s speech last week in Cairo needs to be led by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, wrote columnist and best-selling author Thomas Friedman. But rather than focusing on the Israeli and Palestinian issue, Friedman said, Clinton needs to “spearhead a sustained effort — along with the U.N., the European Union and Iraq’s neighbors — to resolve the lingering disputes between Iraqi factions before we complete our withdrawal. (We’ll be out of Iraq’s cities by June 30 and the whole country by the close of 2011.) Why? Because if Iraq unravels as we draw down, the Obama team will be blamed, and it will be a huge mess. By contrast, if a decent and stable political order can take hold in Iraq, it could have an extremely positive impact on the future of the Arab world and on America’s reputation.”

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Iraq, President Obama | Comments (22)

Dubious, bogus and utterly phony headlines

June 9, 20096:00 a.m.

spoofslogo17The following satirical headlines come from borowitzreport.com and theonion.com:
OBAMA PRESENTS SAUDI KING WITH 2009 CHEVY MALIBU; Hopes to Make Room for 2010s
U.S. TO RESPOND TO NORTH KOREA WITH ‘STRONGEST POSSIBLE ADJECTIVES’; Obama: We Are Prepared to Consult Thesaurus
GITMO DETAINEES TRANSFERRED TO ‘BIG BROTHER’ HOUSE; Jihadists Score Slot on Network’s Fall Sked
GINGRICH: PELOSI NOT GOOD ENOUGH LIAR TO BE SPEAKER; Offers Congresswoman Lying Lessons
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SPENDS $40 BILLION TO CREATE ONE AMAZING NEW JOB

By Phillip Brownlee | Filed under Spoof headlines | Comments (8)