“Senator Tuberville’s Abortion Stand: The Clash of Politics and Personnel Dilemmas in the Pentagon”
“Senator Tuberville’s Abortion Stand: The Clash of Politics and Personnel Dilemmas in th
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No, Doctor, you do not have it right. You do not know anything about the agony that the Senator and his family have endured. The Senator has his religious beliefs. It’s not your place to question them, but I suspect that the Senator does not believe that abortion is medical care, but rather believes that you violate the Commandment, “Thou shall not kill. Insulting him with an ad hominem attack about his career or his cluelessness does not advance the cause. You’re a doctor, make your case on its merits, otherwise keep your opinion about public servants to yourself.
Buy the way what happened to the separation of church and state? What gives one individual the right to impose his religious beliefs on a nation and compromise our national security. I don’t care who you are or what you believe, keep it to yourself and do your job.
It only becomes right to question religious beliefs when they are used to control the lives of other people who do not share them. Further, Christians have the right to dispute among themselves the accuracy of specific beliefs that are attributed to their religion–in this case, does Christianity regard a fetus as a life that can be “killed,” which is in fact from the Old Testament, and not addressed in the New? It seems Dr Hobbins is not questioning the Senator’s religious beliefs, but his interpretation and application to those who do not share them.
I seem to remember Joe Biden campaigning claiming that he was a “devout Catholic.” The thrust of that campaign was that voters should expect him to act in accordance with what he told us he believes. Many politicians use their religion to signify a group of beliefs that they hold. We can hardly call foul when they act as they claimed they would. The establishment clause does not create a comprehensive separation between church and state, but rather prohibits a national church, such as the Church of England led by their King.
Mr. Walsh,
I am not questioning Senator Tuberville’s right to his religious beliefs, but I am concerned when they guide public policy decisions, especially when they negatively impact important decision-making processes of the Pentagon. Also, if you are speaking for the Senator on this issue, I and various Medical Societies disagree with both of you and feel strongly that pregnancy termination is a component of women’s health care. Regarding my “ad hominem attack” on the senator, I inferred that his background as a coach (apparently, he even prefers to be addressed as “Coach”) does not necessarily qualify him as an informed framer of reproductive care policy. You are right about my not knowing what the senator and his family are going through. In fact, I did not even mention it. I assume it was from backlash associated with this very contentious issue. But in a way you just made my point.
This is a country that embraces free speech. Should this change for the worse, your last sentence indicates that you might get the nod for gatekeeper of opinions.