Waldron anything but 'pro-life'
By: JIM TRAGESER - Staff Writer | ∞
Message to California's pro-life political organizations: Can we please drop Escondido Councilwoman Marie Waldron from the list of "pro-life" politicians?
As someone who is opposed to abortion, the death penalty, assisted suicide, experimentation on humans still in embryonic state and other assaults on human dignity, I'm a bit flummoxed as to how Waldron of all people can get a perfect 100 percent score from the California Pro-Life Council.
Have the group's leaders not been watching Waldron's shameful but exuberant leadership role in the council majority's campaign against the homeless in our town?
Surely being "pro-life" entails more than merely opposing abortion. It means -- or, at least, ought to mean -- supporting policies that will make it easier for women with unplanned, perhaps even unwanted, pregnancies to carry their babies to term. It means conducting oneself in a way that places a higher value on protecting human life -- all human life -- than on short-term political gain.
Saying that one is against abortion is a useless gesture if one then embraces policies that make abortion appear a more viable option than carrying a child to term.
And when a City Council majority votes to deny the Salvation Army permission to open a homeless shelter because it might give the city a bad image? What kind of message about the value of human life does that send to a woman or girl with an unplanned pregnancy?
If a woman knows that if she has her baby she might have to give up a job and school in the short term because the father is who knows where, and that giving up her job will make her an undesirable in her hometown, how likely is she to take that route? Knowing her own city will offer no assistance while she is jobless and possibly homeless, not so much as a welcome? And that the city's leaders will do everything in their power to stop others from helping her?
Seeing that the elected leaders of the city she lives in place zero value on the lives of the homeless (not to mention on the lives of those who are here illegally), how much value is such a person going to be able to place on the life of an unborn child?
It's this interconnectedness of human dignity issues that led the late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin to call the pro-life movement a "seamless garment" -- those who claim that political (and philosophical) position have a lot to live up to.
Marie Waldron, who proudly claims her endorsement from the California Pro-Life Council, thinks very little of the value of the lives of those who are poor, who are destitute, who suffer from mental health issues or drug addiction. Her voting pattern and harsh rhetoric make this clear. Given her hostility to the very existence of those members of our community who are in a bad spot, how on earth can we believe she values the life of an unborn child being carried by someone in similar circumstances?
Waldron may have the support of a majority of Escondido's voters, may be a good conservative, perhaps even an ideal Republican bound for higher office.
But what she is not is pro-life, and pro-life organizations should stop endorsing her.
"Pro-Lifers Against Marie Waldron"?
Sign me up.
-- Contact staff writer Jim Trageser at (760) 631-6628 or jtrageser@nctimes.com.
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Ray wrote on Jan 17, 2007 11:46 PM:What she did to the holeless is unacceptable, but to hell with the illegal aliens. You stated "As someone who is opposed to abortion, the death penalty, assisted suicide, experimentation on humans still in embryonic state and other assaults on human dignity", so your not "law and order".I guess your pro lawlessness.
Daren wrote on Jan 18, 2007 12:49 AM:The countries that turn a blind eye to their citizens entering this country illegally should care enough about life to support their populace. It is not the obligation of the US to feed, clothe & educate every person on this planet.
Randy wrote on Jan 18, 2007 4:00 AM:I didn't know that Marie Waldron was endorsed by the San Diego Pro-Life Council.
CR wrote on Jan 18, 2007 8:12 AM:As usual, Jim has no clue about the pro-life movement. He rarely bothers to check facts. He should at least take the time to read his own paper's articles about how Escondido spends above and beyond all other cities in the county, except San Diego, to take care of the homeless. Does Jim really want to see Escondido become the magnet city to attract all of the region's homeless and illegal aliens--what a sight Escondido would be! Sign him up to get a clue next time.
Sign Me Up, Too wrote on Jan 18, 2007 9:33 AM:Great column, Jim. Keep up the good work.
Political Strategy wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:21 AM:To CR. Trageser is a member of the Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League and his writings are prominent on its website. He professes to be an agnostic--one who claims neither belief nor disbelief in theism and asserts that such knowledge is outside human understanding. He has written a series of columns that blast Waldron for her stances on illegal immigration and homeless shelters. It appears that he is a liberal who understands the violence of abortion. The main premise of this article is lame. That women with an unplanned pregnancy will be persuaded to have an abortion because the City Council would not approve a zoning and land use change for the Salvation Army. I doubt his premise has any foundation in fact. A homeless shelter is open in the National Guard Armory. The rotation program is getting more support and use. I believe the real foundation for this article is his distaste for conservative politicians. The political manifestations of the homeless advocates paint a false picture. It is more likely that a women with an unplanned pregnancy, after reading this political hit piece, will be unaware of the compassion of Marie Waldron, and will decide to have an abortion. This will not be Marie Waldron's fault. It will be the fault of Jim Trageser, who for his own political purposes, willfully decided to vilify our City. To atone for his actions, I suggest that Trageser write a column on the legions of adoption services available to a woman who has a truly unplanned and untimely pregnancy.
Ron wrote on Jan 18, 2007 10:58 AM:I just love how people love to catagorize themselves, pro-life, por-whatever... That facts on the ground, if Mr. Trageser wishes to examine them are: Escondido is probably the best friend to every type of social problem facing our community, and individuals. Escondido has more services than most cities to help those who are down, and unable to care for themselves. Everything from helping the disabled, to seniors, to drub and alcohol abuse, and yes, the homeless. The point the council was trying to make was: We have enough programs, let's start asking why other cities are shipping their citizens here? Better yet, let's start improving the quality of life to average taxpaying Escondidans. The "More is Better" is not what is best for Escondido, they are doing their part, and it's time for other cities to step up.
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