Before we entrench this alleged opposition of the party of abortion v. the party of torture, check out Mark Graber's post at the strongly anti-torture blog Balkination, suggesting that Republicans might be more disposed to prevent torture than Democrats.
http://balkin.blogspot.com/2006/...of-
torture.html
The senators who spoke up for limits on coercive techniques were John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and John Warner, all Republicans. I'm not sure how far they succeeded -- and there's enough murkiness and confusion here that there's room for doubt -- but anyone thinking that the Democrats have distinguished themselves on this issue is kidding himself.
Vote one set of bastards out you vote another set of bastards in. Sigh.
I think Mark oversimplifies the issue by drawing party lines around it. In the North East, Republican candidates are as likely to be pro-abortion (like Rudy Giuliani) as their Democrat challenger. Same on the West Coast (the Governator), and Midwest. There are entire states where a concientious Catholic would have to sit out every election if they only voted for anti-abortion candidates.
In Illinois, the last anti-abortion politician to run state wide was Glenn Poshard (Democrat candidate for governor in 199
. He lost to pro-abortion George Ryan (Republican, convicted of massive corruption, awaiting sentencing). Despite being anti abortion and anti gun control, most conservatives voted their party rather than their concience.
I'm willing to admit Mark is right on the torture issue if it means the blog won't be dominated by it any more 
Christopher A--voting for Poshard over Ryan was an easy call for this conservative, I'm proud to say. Unfortunately, it does not look like we have much to choose from for governor in Illinois this year. I'd gladly vote for Poshard again.
Dave:
It dominates the blog this week, because whether we like it or not, two of the worst pieces of legislation since the Alien and Sedition Acts were just passed by Congress, and most Americans are either oblivious or enthused about it because Our Just and Wise Leader promises us peace and safety.
"Seriously though, to be a Christian is to have hope."
Yes! Hope!
In the short course of our nation’s history, we can look back on horrific policies and behaviors…slavery (Pope John Paul II referred to this time as the African holocaust), the Civil War, internment of Japanese citizens and others during WWII, deportation of legal residents and citizens to Mexico during the early years of the Great Depression, arguably war crimes against millions of civilians in Europe, Japan, and elsewhere during WWII, racial inequality, trillions and trillions spent on weaponry…
Other times as nation acts so others are inspired…perhaps a few steps forward, with some falls and failings along the way…part of the human condition…which we find to one degree or other in our own behaviors and thoughts.
Be not afraid!
Christopher A.,
Actually you have that quite wrong, the liberal wing of the Democratic party could never vote for a pro-life Democrat. Downstate IL is pro-life as is the base of the Republican party in IL, but when the base puts a pro-lifer on the statewide ticket the lamb gets slaughtered (the democratic machine in Cook county runs the whole show because of the large population base). Peter Fitzgerald was the last pro-lifer to win statewide office mainly because he was running against the corrupt Mosley-Braun. He didn't even bother trying to run again because the handwriting was on the wall.
"Despite being anti abortion and anti gun control, most conservatives voted their party rather than their concience." Could you please provide data on this claim? Pro-lifers voted for Poshard and he lost because there are more rabid pro-aborts this state than pro-lifers. I also don't believe Ryan ran as a pro-choicer, FWIW.
Ken, I heard Harry Reid was pro-life. Not sure.
Jim, no that was all for show. They authorized President Bush to determine what is torture.
Can this be true?
http://www.prisonplanet.com/
arti...torturebill.htm
Torture Bill States Non-Allegiance To Bush Is Terrorism
Buried amongst the untold affronts to the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and the very spirit of America, the torture bill contains a definition of "wrongfully aiding the enemy" which labels all American citizens who breach their "allegiance" to President Bush and the actions of his government as terrorists subject to possible arrest, torture and conviction in front of a military tribunal.
What you do unto others will be done to you...
Add my name to the list of converted and persuaded about the torture issue. Thanks, Mark for NOT giving up, for getting the word out and relentlessly proclaiming the teaching of the Church.
RE: IL politicians. I can't believe we abandoned poor George Allen to put up with the lousy choices in Illinois (my home state). The GOP is dominated by country clubbers, the DEMs are run from Chicago. Yes, Chi's pop dominates the landscape for both parties. I saw how Topinka lost the primary in most downstate counties, but won overall. She's no better than Blag-yech.
---
Is is really fair to suggest that the GOP loves torture in the way that the Dems are devoted to the abortion industry?
I find it hard to believe that the Republican party "worships" torture in the same way that the Democrats see abortion as a fundamental right.
But I haven't been reading every posting in the combox; maybe I have the wrong impression.
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