Liz, that is wonderful about your mom!   I miss my mom so much - she was my best friend.   I would love to have heard her reaction to that speech last night.

That brings me to my dad.  He is a Republican.  I did talk to him this morning, but each morning he has had only good things to say about the convention.  He said that speech reminded him of his hero, FDR.  I believe the only thing that keeps him voting for McCain is the abortion issue.  He is very pro-life.  I have told him that it is never going to change, the country is never going to go back to back-street abortions, that the government really should stay out of the way of a woman's right to choose.  I might personally think an abortion is the wrong decision, but that is MY decision.    It is a bone of contention between us.   He is such a reasonable man, but as a Catholic he feels obligated to vote for the pro-life candidate.  

Well I am a Catholic and I think that as a Catholic, I should not have an abortion.  But I don't have the right to force someone else into that same decision.  I hate how religion has invaded politics.  

Well, I could go on and on (I have a tendency to do that, lol) and I will continue to work on him, because I could tell how impressed he was with Barack Obama.   I think he is receptive to the message and I KNOW as a senior and a former medic from World War II in occupied Japan, he is furious at the lack of care our veterans get and the fact the long terms of service in the war zone our military are being subjected to.   I think, in the end, because he is such a reasonable man on everything else, he will vote for Obama!   I know my Aunt in PA, who was a die-hard Hillary supporter, is now in Obama's camp after last night.   Of course, my family in PA have only voted for a Republican once, and that was Ronald Reagan.  They went right back to the Democratic party with Dukakis and then with the Clintons, and then with Gore.   I know they won't vote for McCain.

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I consider myself to be pro-life as well, but I only speak for one woman. Myself. I would NEVER presume to know what is best for another woman & though I'm certainly not a one issue voter, I don't vote for pro-life/anti-abortion candidates. What really chaps my butt is these holier than thou pharmacists who are refusing to fill prescriptions for contraception because they disagree with birth control from a religious standpoint. Personally, I think they should have their licenses yanked for refusing to fill legal prescriptions written by a doctor or nurse practitioner with legal prescriptive authority........................L

You might let your dad in on the dirty little secret of the Republican leadership, i.e. that it will never take action to ban abortion. The issue is too valuable as a tool for rallying support at the grass roots level. Think about the times there has been both a Republican President and a Republican majority in Congress. Now notice how abortion is still legal? Hmmmmm... ~i&b

I agree with you L, those pharmacists should lose their licenses. It's absolutely appalling that that conduct is tolerated on any level. ~i&b

Liz - we think alike it seems! I just spoke to my dad. He returned from the hospital where he works as a volunteer. He told me his main problem is partial birth abortion. Now he is ga-ga over McCain's choice. I told him, dad, she is a hunter! He hates hunting, like I do. I just dropped the conversation. I don't want to argue with my dad and become obnoxious like I was back in my youth, berating him for supporting Nixon and the Vietnam war. It just isn't worth it. He is 80 and set in his ways and I love him too much to get into this as it somehow always leads to tension. He is a convert, by the way, to Catholicism. They are often much more devout then we cafeteria Catholics are, lol. But I agree that the Republican party isn't ever going to get rid of Roe vs Wade, and that is a good thing! ElaineJ/eom

Pharmacists aren't the only health care provider that do not have to do somethng against their beliefs. Most OB/Gyn don't do abortions, many nurses refuse to asist with abortion. I have been a nurse for 38 yrs and have never seen a patient not get the care that they need. I am pro-choice but would not asist with an abortion although I would certainly take good care of a woman that had one. The prescribing doctor could give out the drugs or the ER but I don't think you will see that happen. Most hospitals stay as far away from abortion as possible.

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Posted by: Cassies grandma
Date posted: Fri Aug 29 7:57:50 2008
Message:
Liz how cool!! I wonder if I can get Tony to listen to it?

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Are you saying that 'SEAN' is a Republican? How did THAT happen? LOL...........................L

I have NO idea. I married a Democrat and he married a Republican. I got smart not sure what happened to him!! LOL eom CG

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Posted by: Kalia
Date posted: Fri Aug 29 2:32:44 2008
Message:

First of all, that is AWESOME news about your mom!! I'm really happy to hear that.

I have a good friend who is not into politics at all. In fact, I've been trying to get her involved to at least listen to them speak. I finally told her she HAD to listen to the speeches this week.

I was precinct captain for Hillary and dragged her there to get her excited. She was a little bit, but not the way I was. lol

Anyway, I had always been torn between Obama and Hillary, went with Hillary just because I knew about her better. Well, anyway...just got off the phone tonight with my friend. She is in tears! She is wanting to call up the Obama headquarters and start campaigning! She was pretty funny.

I told her I could finally hear the hallelujah choir singing! She has joined our team!! Yippee!

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That's very cool, Kalia. BTW, how are you?...................L

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Posted by: Brenda J
Date posted: Fri Aug 29 0:34:26 2008
Message:
That is wonderful Liz.  I wish my parents felt the same way.  They are die-hard Republicans.  It was a great speech.  I could just kick myself for missing Ted Kennedy's speech earlier.  I wonder if I can find it online? 

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Hey Brenda, I'm sure you can find Kennedy's speech somewhere on youtube. It really was inspirational. I still think the best speech of the convention, after Obama's great speech, was John Kerry. That guy really blew my mind. I can't believe this is the same John Kerry that I voted for president for in '04! He really was terrific!....................Lx0xx

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Posted by: DebS
Date posted: Fri Aug 29 0:04:27 2008
Message:
That is so good to hear! Wasn't that a great speech? Anyone who still has any doubts after tonight obviously wasn't paying attention.

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It was thrilling!! I had called my Mom on Tuesday so she could watch Hillary deliver her speech. She forgot to change the channel & missed it. I called her last night to let her know that Bill Clinton was about to deliver his speech. Tonight, I figured if she isn't engaged enough in this election, I'm not going to push her any more. Imagine my delight when SHE called ME tonight after Obama's speech!...........................L

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Posted by: Canadian Lurker
Date posted: Thu Aug 28 23:48:49 2008
Message:

omg...we posted at the same time.  Sorry Liz, it should have been an American poster to go first.  I'm so touched by what happened with your mom, and I'm just so relieved and delighted by Obama's speech.  I can't imagine not electing such an inspiring and intelligent man.  Go Obama/Biden!

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Are you kidding me! I find it thrilling that people outside of the U.S. are interested enough in our elections that they not only watch, but post on internet discussion boards! I haven't even read your post yet, LOL. Oh & did I mention that my mother & I are both from Scotland? She became a naturalized citizen with my Dad & sister in 1976 & I became a citizen in 1978..........................L

Who cares who posted the topic first? This election affects the entire world, not just the U.S. ~i&b

Liz, thank you, you are very gracious. - CL

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