Many girls around the world are forced to marry early, and in the process I believe their childhood gets stolen.
25,000 girls under the age of 18 get married every day. Marriage at 10 or 12 is not uncommon in many parts of the world. These girls face serious health risks from pregnancy and childbirth. Girls under 15 are five times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than women who are between the ages of 20 to 24. Child marriage also results in low levels of schooling for girls.
Write to your Senators and Congressmen and let them know you support Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL) legislation to help reduce child marriage in the developing world. First of all, we need to understand the scope of this problem. This bill will require better data collection efforts by the US government. It will provide much needed support for prevention efforts led by local organizations in countries where child marriage is all too common and will help those children who are already married by providing support and assistance.
I'm confused. The world of political correctness changes so fast. I need an answer to the following question: how come the adult parents of minor girls are not allowed to stop them from having abortions or obtaining birth control devices, yet here is Citizen Hunter, arguing that child marriage should be prevented. Ain't the Left being just a mite inconsistent here?
Posted by: George Tomezsko at April 28, 2006 02:25 PMGeorge, I think what Flavia fails to mention in her post, is that when an 11yo girl gets married, it is as a result of an arrangment entered into by her parents.
The difference which should now be clear to you, is that it is about the right of the individual to control choices over their own body and life.
Posted by: YT at April 28, 2006 03:32 PMWho is "the left" Mr. Tomezsko?
Is Citizen Hunter "the left"? Is child marriage wrong? What's with labeling things left or right? Is there such a thing as right and wrong anymore? If I am a Citizen Hunter, does that mean I am not pro-life? If I'm a Citizen Hunter, does it confuse you that any children that I have will be taught to save themselves for marriage? That they will be raised to love God and His creation? That they will be taught to respect life? That they will be taught to help those less fortunate? That they will care enough to do something about a child being forced to marry? Confusing questions aren't they? So -
who is "the left" Mr. Tomezsko?
Dear Joe: It seems you are badly in need of a education in political philosophy and clear thinking, so here goes. In answer to you question, yes there is such a thing as right and wrong, and your question itself (hold on to you hat, Joe) points to the answer. Someone who denies the existence right and wrong is said (in the world of philosophy) to believe in subjective (that is, "make it up as you go along") morality. This belief is self-contradictory because it becomes its own absolute, and if that absolute exists, what cannot other moral absolutes exist?
Next, the definition of a leftist is provided by (drum-roll please) that master lefty, Karl Marx, who taught that the church, the state, the traditional family, all moral laws, national ties, and all pre-socialistic economic enterprizes were "oppressive" and therefore were to be abolished to pave the way for paradise on earth. To answer your question, a true leftist does NOT believe in religion (of any type), any objective moral standards, the traditional family, or patriotism. A true leftist is NEVER pro-life because (and this was Engel's contribution to Marxism) the propulation was to be regulated (via abortion) to provide the "right number" (it was never defined) needed to pave the path to their utopia.
This this clear, Joe?
Dear Joe: It seems you are in need of a lesson in political philosophy and clear thinking, so here goes. To answer one of your questions, yes there is such a thing as right and wrong, and your question points toward the answer. If someone denies the existence of right and wrong, they are (in the world of philosophy) said to believe in subjective (that is, "make it up as you go along") morality. But that is self-contradictory because that then becomes its own absolute, and if that absolute can exist, why cannot there be other moral absolutes?
As for who the "left" is, the classic definition of that was provided by (drum-roll please), Karl Marx. Mr. Marx taught that the church, the state, all moral restraints, the traditional family, national loyalty, and all pre-socialistic economic enterprizes were "oppressive" and were to be abolished to pave the way for heaven on earth. To answer your question, a true leftist OPPOSES all religion, all forms of government, all moral teachings, the traditional family, and, of course, private enterprise. A true leftist is NEVER pro-life because (and this was Engel's contribtion to Marxism) the population was to be regulated (via abortion, among other things) to provide the "right number" (which was never defined) to build their utopia. Is this all clear, Joe?
You make some good points. Perhaps what I was trying to say, and forgive me if I wasn't clear, is that there are some issues that go beyond right and left, regardless of where you might stand on another issue. If you look hard enough, inconsistencies can be found in most people's positions. I have often wondered how a person can be pro-life (which my faith calls me to be) and support the death penalty. I know the arguments as to how they are different, but in the end, it is still taking life. The nuts and bolts of what you have written about aside, there are some things that should be bipartisan. As a Citizen Hunter, and I hope you become one too, is that we can have an impact on our country. You do it by utilizing your freedom of speech in speaking for the unborn. And you are passionate about that because it feels right to you. I share your sentiments on protecting those that cannot protect themselves and want to help the little girls who are being hurt. I have the capacity to do both. Citizen Hunters may not always agree on issues, but we want to do what is right. We can waste time on our differences, or set the example for our legislators and get on the ball and make our world a better place, for the unborn and the born, one issue at a time. I think this one is a good one, which is why I'm taking the time to listen to you and to write to you. Good luck.
Posted by: Joe at April 29, 2006 01:12 PMIf you read the New Testament as is, you will clearly see how Jesus Christ was the first true Communist.
Karl Marx is one of THE greatest minds to have ever lived. He truly liberated the working classes in the face of corporate greed and scumbag execs.
Support unions. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have weekends! Think about that Georgie-porge.
Love,
Philly
Posted by: Philly at April 30, 2006 04:45 PMDear Philly:
"Karl Marx is one THE greatest minds to have ever lived?" Exactly what are you getting your Ph.D. in? Reality-denying with a minor in ideological wishful thinking?
Posted by: George Tomezsko at April 30, 2006 10:31 PMIn religion and politics, people's beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.
- Mark Twain
you guys need to take it easy on each other.
petty insults and self promotion don't get too much done.
Posted by: jimbolio at May 2, 2006 11:06 AMAmen to that. Its better to get things done than to waste time bickering on differences.
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Posted by: hroft at July 26, 2006 08:20 AM