Obama learning from Biden?

[Atomic Rooster]

Obama says he was too flip on abortion question - Yahoo! News

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama acknowledged Sunday that he was probably too flip when he said it was "above my pay grade" to answer a question about when is a baby entitled to human rights.

Obama gave his answer last month at a nationally televised religious forum sponsored by minister Rick Warren at his megachurch in Orange County, Calif.

Asked on Sunday whether the "above my pay grade" answer was too flip, Obama said: "Probably. ...What I intended to say is that, as a Christian, I have a lot of humility about understanding when does the soul enter into ... It's a pretty tough question.

"And so, all I meant to communicate was that I don't presume to be able to answer these kinds of theological questions," he said in an interview broadcast Sunday on ABC's "This Week."

I think he meant "it was below him" to answer that question.

Biden feels differently on it:

A Roman Catholic, Biden said he accepts his church's teachings that life begins at conception, but that the issue is personal for him. He said it wouldn't be right to impose his views on others who are just as religious as he is.

Kinda flies in the face of the "pro-choice" crowd doesn't it. . .

[tony_j15]

He said it wouldn't be right to impose his views on others who are just as religious as he is.

In other words, he doesn't believe his own ethical standards are the most important thing to him, and he values other peoples standards more. So does that make him spineless, or open minded?

[Pexster]

You should listen to or read an interview transcript. Biden gave a very thoughtful and intelligent answer to a very difficult question. I know many here dislike any answer longer than a sound bite but . . . .

[Atomic Rooster]

Yes, Biden did give a thoughtful and intelligent answer. It's too bad the PRESIDENTIAL candidate couldn't do the same. . .

[Pexster]

Originally Posted by tony_j15

In other words, he doesn't believe his own ethical standards are the most important thing to him, and he values other peoples standards more. So does that make him spineless, or open minded?

Your interpretation is just flat-out wrong!

Let me assist -- Biden believes that many devout people of different faiths have come down differently on the question. Consequently, he does not feel it is appropriate for the government to insert itself into these intensely personal decisions. Nothing in that says "he values other peoples standards more."

[Atomic Rooster]

Judging from Pexter's post, that makes Biden spineless. . .

[Pexster]

Let me see if I've got this straight. Imposing one's personal views on others via governmental edict = spine. Allowing people the freedom to make personal decisions = spineless.

Is that your position? Because it certainly doesn't match what you claim to be all about. (I guess a little logical consistency is too much to ask.)

[ScottW]

Originally Posted by Atomic Rooster

Judging from Pexter's post, that makes Biden spineless. . .

Yeah hitler had a lot of spine then I guess - such a strong leader, imposing his
views, the need to exterminate millions of jews, on his followers. I would have preferred that he kept those views and that hatred to himself rather than legislating that hatred and forcing others to do his bidding.

Obama and indeed all democrats believe that their views are their own, not to be shoved down the throats of others, which appears to be opposite from you, as you believe your personal religious views should be shoved down my throat. That's the basis for democrat views on human rights, gay rights, pro-choice: personal liberty to lead one's life as they choose, without being dictated to by another person's religious views. Keep church and state separate as it should be.

[tony_j15]

he does not feel it is appropriate for the government to insert itself into these intensely personal decisions.

So there's such a thing as an impersonal decision? Or do things like drinking age and tax code never have a direct impact on your life?

[ScottW]

Originally Posted by tony_j15

So there's such a thing as an impersonal decision? Or do things like drinking age and tax code never have a direct impact on your life?

Minimum drinking age is not a religious question nor is it some sort of personal anything - it's a question of maturity and how old a person should be to be able to responsibly handle alcohol. It's a question that can be answered with science, studies, looking at drinking ages in other countries, etc. It's not a question that requires soul searching or reading the bible.

Taxes aren't a personal decision either. No one wants to pay $1 in taxes, period. Taxes are a function of services: you want services, you have to pay taxes to pay for them. Trouble is: current government is highly inefficient, so a big percent of what we pay goes to that inefficiency. If it were more efficient, we could afford to add on extra services without paying more money in taxes, and that should be the goal rather than adding services and adding taxes without making things more efficient.