Conference turris::womannotes-v3

  So that we all go to the *PRIMARY* and general elections armed
  with the facts, here's *MY* (rather limited) understanding of the
  positions of some of the candidates:

  For governor:

    Steven Pierce (R) ------ Known opponent of choice
    William Weld (R) ------- Proponent

    Evelyn Murphy (D) ------ Proponent
    Frank Bellotti (D) ----- Has changed mind -- now "proponent"
    Silbur (D) ------------- ??


  Please feel free to add or correct as required.


                                   Atlant

    Just great... another person who will vote on the subject of choice
    only... what about the other issues? Or do they even count?
    
    Just like here in Mass. Murphy is one of the biggest village idiots
    ever to hold office here in Mass.. But she is pro-choice so that makes
    here the *BEST* person for Guv... WHat the HELL has she done while
    being Lt. Guv.. NOTHING SQUAT!! Now look at the state and its 
    finacial mess.. and the Mass voters want the same crap to continue?
    
    REK
    
    The voters better start looking at all the issues and not just the 
    choice issue.....

    re .2, that's easy for you to say, since you're not a single female.
    If you were control over your own body would be a very important
    issue.
    
    Lorna
    

    Silber (D)	-- anti-choice
    Flood (D) -- anti-choice

    
    Sorry Lorna, but I don't think that choice is the ONLY issue..
    Look at the state ECO situation... RUnning  ONLY on a choice platform
    is not hte person I want running this state. Bush is anti-choice and I
    don't see where too much has changed....
    
    REK
    
    To whom it may concern I am PRO-CHOICE!

    re .5, it isn't the only issue, but the point is, regardless of
    what the other issues are, I am never going to vote for a person
    who anti-choice.  Besides, this topic is about taking action for
    choice.  It isn't a discussion of all the political issues that
    exist in the state.  
    
    Lorna
    

    Its all a matter of perspective: some people thing that fiscal policy
    is the only thing they are interested in when voting.  Some people only
    vote for candidates who are for their particular "me" issues.  Some
    people vote only for those candidates who are anti-gun control (based
    on bumper stickers prevalent during the last presidential campaign).
    
    Personally, I'd love to have a balance of issues but sometimes you have
    to go with the candidate that votes the way you want on that important
    issue.  So, on this particular one, if you don't vote as strongly as I
    think you should on it, I won't vote for you.  Simple.

    re murphy doing squat:
    
    my understanding is that dukakis never wanted her as a running mate
    (she was foisted on him by the party), so now that he's stuck with her
    he has declined to delegate any responsibilities to her.
    
    ie. our constitution give the lt governor ZERO responsibilities beyond
    that of taking office if the governor is incapacitated; any duties the
    lt gov has are directly assigned by the gov.  if the gov doesn't
    like/trust the lt, then the lt's hands are tied.
    
    lt

    I guess my point is that she stated that her "record" as Lt. Gov
    was the best in the history of Mass......
    
    REK
    
    Her speaks for herself!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    
    Uh, the term is "pro-life", not "anti-choice" or "Known opponent of
    choice", unless of course there is some intent in your replies to inflame
    those that don't happen agree with your stand on the issue, or don't see the
    issue as an issue of choice but rather one of life.
    
    Deb 

    Thanks Deb, you took the words from my mouth.  
    
    Is there some cogent reason why these shouldn't be moved to the
    "Action" string?  Unless there is, we'll move them tomorrow.

  These deserve to stay as separate strings because they are issues
  that rightly concern only those directly, locally involved.  That's
  why I write the titles the way I did.  Anyone not from NH, for example,
  can easily <NEXT_UNSEEN> that string, and the same thing for the
  MA string.
  
                                   Atlant

  Regarding "PRO-LIFE" versus "being an opponent of choice"...

  At least in the context of NH, the issue is very clearly drawn
  by the flavor of the votes.  We have had several bills that of-
  ferred women choice.  If (the metaphorical) you were opposed to
  those bills, that is, you voted "NAY", I call you an opponent.
  If you are supportive of those bills, that is, you voted "YEA",
  then I call you a proponent, following the logical sense taken
  by the bills.

                                   Atlant

    Re: .2
    
    > Just great... another person who will vote on the subject of choice
    > only... what about the other issues? Or do they even count?
    
    How did you get to this conclusion? ONE of the things I'm interested in
    is a candidate's position on this issue. Are you trying to say that
    because the issues are complex we shouldn't discuss any of them, or
    that we must always discuss all of them at the same time, or that
    because I choose to discuss one here and now that I believe that the
    others are unimportant or less important? Ridiculous.
    
    Typical derailing tactics. Go away, we're wise to it.
    
    	-- Charles

    
    Please be aware that, in this notesfile, we encourage you to use the
    following two terms for the two factions which are polarized on the
    topic of abortion:  
    
    Pro-life
    Pro-choice
    
    These are the labels that the factions tend to use for themselves, and
    since it is such a highly charged and polarized topic, please use the
    above labels to refer to the two factions to reduce friction.
    
    Thank you.
    
    -Jody
    

  Today, debate will continue on the proposed amendment to the
  Massachusetts state constitution that will guarantee access to
  abortion.  Last night, time ran out on the debate.  If the
  amendment is accepted by these folks, it will be put on the
  ballot as a "referendum" question.  You may want to make your
  views known to your state reps *TODAY* .

                                   Atlant

  Rather than discuss the proposed amendment further, the Massachusetts
  Constitutional Convention recessed for about two weeks.  They'll take
  up the discussion again when they come back into session.

                                   Atlant