On Gov. Sarah Palin's watch, Alaska liberalized its abortion laws

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Newsweek

Family Matters
On Gov. Sarah Palin's watch, Alaska liberalized its abortion laws.

By Katie Paul | Newsweek Web Exclusive
Sep 6, 2008 | Updated: 11:36 a.m. ET Sep 6, 2008

It didn't take long for Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin to make a name for herself on the family-values front. Tapped only a week ago to join presidential contender Sen. John McCain on the GOP ticket, the little-known first-term governor of Alaska walked on stage with a reputation as a staunchly pro-life crusader. The details emerging about Palin's personal life—her special-needs baby and her pregnant teenage daughter—had supporters hailing her as a politician who "walked the walk." Within days of her entrance into the race, the entire campaign narrative had shifted, from a post-partisan battle for independents to a revival of the culture wars. "McCain wants to take away our right to choose," intoned an ad released by the Obama camp, shortly after Palin's selection as veep. "That's what women need to understand. That's how high the stakes are."

But the intense media focus on the personal choices Palin has made at home has obscured her record at work in the Alaska statehouse. Palin proudly advertises her membership in the national pro-life group Feminists for Life, which discourages abortion by addressing "the root causes that drive women to abortion—primarily lack of practical resources and support." No woman should have to choose between her career, education, and child, Palin told the Anchorage Daily News while running for governor back in 2006, arguing for more family-friendly environments. The question is, how often has her record backed up her rhetoric on issues of interest to families?

Not much, it turns out. Restrictions on abortion in Alaska have actually been loosened during her tenure. Last November, the Alaska Supreme Court rejected a 1997 law requiring girls younger than 16 to obtain parental consent before getting an abortion. Palin slammed the ruling as "outrageous" and had her attorney general file for a rehearing, but it was promptly denied.

Meanwhile, both this year and last year, she has used her line-item veto to slash state funds for programs providing precisely the kinds of resources Feminists for Life supports for at-risk mothers on the fence about abortion. She cut by 20 percent the funding for Covenant House Alaska, a state program that includes a transitional home where new teenage mothers can spend up to 18 months learning money management and parenting skills. Critics have jumped all over that decision, arguing that the decision looks especially bad in light of the news that Palin's 17-year-old daughter has since become pregnant.




Read more: http://www.newsweek.com/id/157541

[uppityperson]

1. She protested them being liberalized as well as cutting funds for programs.

what an (piece of anatomy)

[wpelb]

11. Not quite a "cut"

Newsweek also made a factual error in its reporting, not just its headline-writing. The funding for the "Covenant House" program (some sort of faith-based initiative, I believe) jumped from about $1 million a year to almost $4 million. The legislature had wanted to give it $5 million, however, so Gov. Palin used a line-item veto to trim the increase back by about $1 million.

A more legitimate issue to debate here would be the propriety of faith-based programs in the first place, since many feel that it amounts to a blurring of the line of separation of church and state.

[uppityperson]

12. Some info...

http://covenanthouseak.org/

http://covenanthouseak.org/about.htm
Since opening doors in 1988, Covenant House Alaska has been serving homeless and runaway youth in Alaska. In that time our services have expanded and some of the community needs have changed, but our mission remains the same, “To serve the suffering children of the streets.”

Covenant House Alaska’s sole purpose is to be of value to this community by remaining open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for kids in crisis. Kids come to us in need of shelter, food, clothing, or simply someone to listen to them, and we are committed to being here to help them and their families.

The kids that come to Covenant House Alaska have faced many difficulties in their young lives, but they have not given up hope. They show great courage and determination each day. Though the road is sometimes a long and difficult one, they continue on the path to becoming healthy, self-sufficient, and contributing members of our community. On behalf of the kids, both past and future, seeking help at Covenant House, thank you for supporting our mission and having faith in their future.

http://covenanthouseak.org/csc.htm
Corporate Sponsors
Covenant House Alaska’s Job Development Program is grateful for the corporate sponsors who continue to invest in our youth and help fund our program. Thank you to our cornerstone sponsors: ConocoPhillips, CIRI, BP Exploration, Providence Health System and Wells Fargo Co., as well as our additional sponsors: Friends of Covenant House, Covenant House Alaska Board of Directors, McKinley Capital Management, North Star Behavioral Health and Lynden Transport.



Approximately 90% of our funding comes from the generous donations of friends like you — partners in our efforts to make a difference in the lives of at risk youth. We are deeply grateful for your support of Covenant House Alaska.

http://www.covenanthouse.org/

[noonwitch]

13. Covenant House is well known in the lower 48

Runaway programs for teens, and literacy programs for all in the Detroit area.

The priest who founded the program in the 70s (in Times Square) was later named as an abuser-at that time, the program was turned over to a nun, who cleaned house and the program has been run well ever since.

I have no complaints about them-there needs to be a safe haven for runaways that is not run by the state.

[Vincardog]

2. So some archivist judges rule a restrictive Law is unconstitutional she slams them and the headline

is "On Gov. Sarah Palin's watch, Alaska liberalized its abortion laws"?

This crazy fundy wants to outlaw abortion.

[EFerrari]

4. We have to watch out for those filing judges.

:)

[iamjoy]

3. I Could Scream

the headline of the article almost makes her sound like she is okay on the choice issue, when the opposite is true.

I'm glad the article points out her hypocrisy on not funding programs to help mothers.

Oh, and let's compare her record on helping to protect women from domestic violence against Joe Biden's

[GOPNotForMe]

6. My reaction too! Wonder if it was on accident or not... nt

[PSPS]

5. Leave it to newsweek to reliably slant a headline to hide the truth.

[depakid]

8. My thoughts exactly

The editors bend over backwards on things like that these days- and not just at Newsweek.

[Dr.Phool]

7. That's the only thing I dislike about the LBN forum.

You have to use the EXACT headline.

Most of the time it works. But, every now and then.....Newsweek comes along.

[melody]

9. I wish they'd read background on this crap

She fought it all the fucking way.

[Piewhacket]

10. So, what you're actually saying is...

Sarah Palin is not just some dingy potatoEhead, she's actually and technically an incompetent executive.

Well big check there.