Tag: pro-choice

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Possible Trump Running Mate: Same-Sex Marriage “Not A Big Issue Our Country Is Dealing With”

Retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn

Well, that didn’t take long.

It’s been just a day since the rumor of registered Democrat, retired Lt. General Michael Flynn being vetted as Donald Trump’s running mate.

But ABC News’ “This Week” quickly booked an interview with the former Army vet. Oh, and he has a book to sell, too!

During the interview with ABC’s Martha Raddatz he let the world know that he believes in a woman’s right to choose (a pro-choice Republican vice-president – that will be popular).

Flynn dodged a question about same-sex marriage by saying, “What people do in their private lives, these are not big issues that our country is dealing with that will cause our country to collapse. I’m more concerned that our country could collapse because we are not dealing with education issues, immigration issues.”

Flynn is decidedly “not ready for prime-time” as he gave conflicting answers to some of Raddatz’s questions.

When asked about his reaction to the shootings of black men by police in Louisiana and Minnesota, he said he couldn’t speak to the issue because he didn’t have all the details.

But, when it came to the issue of Hillary Clinton not being charged with a crime over her emails – he hasn’t seen all the evidence in that investigation either – he said she was clearly guilty and should be charged.

So, he can speak to some issues without all the details but not others?

When asked about Hillary Clinton’s response to the shootings this week, he denounced her reaction as “totally irresponsible” saying she “blamed white people” – she didn’t.

But when asked about Trump’s comments about the Black Lives Matter being “trouble, a disgrace with hate,” Flynn replied that he couldn’t speak for Trump.

So, he can speak about Hillary’s comments but not Donald’s?

Watch the full interview below.

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Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims to be honored as a National Champion of Choice by NARAL

Openly gay Pennsylvania state Rep. Brian Sims will receive the National Champion Of Choice Award from NARAL Pro-Choice America.

Via press release:

“As President Obama said in the State of the Union, when women succeed, America succeeds! As a first-term representative, I am humbled and honored to receive this national award for my defense of women’s rights, and I will continue to stand up for those rights and oppose the attacks on them. Women’s rights are human rights,” Sims said.

Sims is strongly pro-choice and attracted national acclaim for his impassioned defense of women’s rights during an April 2013 state House debate on legislation that restricts a woman’s right to an abortion and access to health care by putting government restrictions on private insurance companies and how women can spend their own money.

And from Brian’s Facebook page:

Though I’ve had the opportunity to attend some pretty kick-ass events, being recognized during this NARAL dinner has to be at the top of my list.

First, I want to say how humbled I am to be recognized with women and organizations that I have tremendous respect for: I’ll be joining Dolores Huerta (President of the Dolores Huerta Foundation), Martha Shane & Lana Wilson (Directors of “After Tiller”) and Representatives from Young Women United (Community Organizing by and for Young Women of Color in Albuquerque, NM).

Wow. I’m still in shock about this, and again, I’m humbled and excited to get to meet some of my (s)heroes from all across the country who are fighting for women’s health and a woman’s right to choose.

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Texas state Senator Wendy Davis begins 13 hour filibuster for pro-choice rights

The Texas state senator who represents my hometown of Fort Worth, Texas, is attempting a one-woman 13 hour filibuster today to stand up for pro-choice rights today:

Wearing pink tennis shoes to prepare for nearly 13 consecutive hours of standing, a Democratic Texas state senator on Tuesday began her one-woman filibuster to block a GOP-led effort that would effectively close most abortion clinics across the nation’s second-most populous state.

Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth began the filibuster at 11:18 a.m. CDT Tuesday. To derail a vote in the GOP-dominated Senate, she must keep speaking on the bill until midnight — the deadline for the end of the 30-day special session.

Before Davis began speaking, her chair was removed. Rules stipulate she remain standing, not lean on her desk or take any breaks — even for meals or to use the bathroom.

In her opening remarks, Davis said she was “rising on the floor today to humbly give voice to thousands of Texans” and called Republican efforts to pass the bill a “raw abuse of power.”

Davis was greeted by loud applause and cheers of “Go Wendy!” from hundreds of abortion-rights activists who packed the Senate. Davis motioned for them to be quiet and Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, who presides over the chamber, warned the spectators against making loud outbursts.

Watch Sen. Wendy Davis’ progress in the livestream above.

Read more at Talking Points Memo.