I understand how anti-choicers can justify blocking legislation and picketing clinics, but I absolutely do not understand how they can claim to be looking out for the welfare of children while blocking a project that would provide affordable housing for families
with children. That's right, folks--
Abortion Critics End Habitat Deal. Under pressure from the American Life League, or
ALL (a group that believes, among other things, that the pill kills babies and that
blocking non-profit groups from housing children is a victory for Jesus), Habitat for Humanity abandoned plans to "buy" (for $10) a plot of land from Planned Parenthood in Sarasota, FL and build three below-market-cost houses for low-income families.
I'm a bit too angry to write more about this now, but I'll at least share the e-mail I sent Habitat this morning:
As a
volunteer for both Habitat and Planned Parenthood, I am extremely
disappointed that Habitat for Humanity folded under pressure from
anti-choice groups and rejected the opportunity to expand low-income
housing options in Sarasota, FL. I believe that Habitat is a positive
force for social justice working to ensure the quality of life for
people everywhere; I would hate to see this mission derailed by those
who claim to be concerned with the welfare of children while blocking projects that would provide shelter for children who need it most. I
ask that HfH consider the consequences of choosing what I'm sure was
considered the lesser of two evils--abandoning a current project in
order to protect future donations for future projects--and realize the
long-term problems of sacrificing the small for the sake of the large.
You can send your own response to Habitat
here. Thanks to Jill at
Feministe for her original post about this.
Comments (21)
Wow, I admire you for caring and for making a difference by having the courage to say so...Everything helps. I'm pissed now too. Hypocritical, cruel and unforgivable things like this are going on all over the world, all the time, and the champions for the right can't do enough to keep them from happening. My war is so huge I scarcely know how to start, but I'm about self-governance in the United States, and I'm trying to organize a cadre of sincere and dedicated people to create a nonprofit devoted to making self-governance the new system of government in the U.S. It's called the White Rabbit Clique (WRC). I need to find a board of directors in order to get it certified nonprof.
@ISNORTTHENOSELUCIFER - I understand your frustration with the institution, but I would like to make it clear that my intent in writing about various instances of injustice is not to lead toward a system of "self-governance" (which sounds like a close cousin of Libertarianism and possibly a distant cousin of Anarchy). There are many different institutional and cultural changes essential to the advancement of humanity, but suddenly ripping the rug of government oversight out from under a society used to democratic rule, capitalist enterprise, and relative youth (we're barely 200 years old!) is a recipe for disaster. I am glad you enjoyed this post and I can tell you care passionately about your ideals. Thanks for stopping by.
Your attitude is so dismissive that it's difficult for me to believe that you understand anything. You may think that you understand, but you're obviously satisfied with making assumptions and proceeding henceforth from a flawed premise. A society used to democratic rule? Are you joking? This is a republic, and not even a representative one. Do some research on the electorial college. Government oversight? They can't see over their bifocals. A seven trillion dollar deficit, a quagmire abroad, thousands dead, gas prices almost tripled, rampant inflation, and the bill of rights that has kept this nation intact being hacked to pieces as we speak, all these are the results of your precious government oversight. Self -governance would leave government whole except for replacing congress' role of lawmaking with popular votes of the nation. And if your mind is closed, I'm not going to waste any more of my time tapping at the walls of it.
@ISNORTTHENOSELUCIFER - Wow. Defensive much? YOU commented on MY blog--completely unsolicited. I offered the most diplomatic answer I could. I don't presume to make judgments on the state of your mind's "openness" simply because we happen to disagree on proposed changes in government structure. "Do some research on the electoral college?" Seriously? How nice of you to assume that I've come to any of the above conclusions without the benefit of careful and logical thought. I happen to come from a small state that would have little to no say in national politics if we operated on a direct popular vote system; it's not perfect, but it sounds like you might want to take some of your own advice and do some more research. Perhaps there are states that don't relish the thought of being railroaded by California, New York, and Texas in every national election. I'm not telling you to change your mind, or speculating on its prowess, even though the same courtesy has obviously not been extended to me. I leave you to "tap on the walls" of someone else's mind.
I'm sorry I offended you. I have a bad temper. You have some good points that I need to give more thought to, but I still feel that the electoral college is wrong. Have a nice day, and again, I'm sorry I got defensive on your website.
They apparently oppose Planned Parenthood so bitterly that when it's involved in something else - like a housing deal - they oppose it as a matter of course. Pretty clearly a case of not looking at the situation.
I don't think Jesus is ahppy right now if they say it's a victory for Jesus. I mean, for all I (and they) know, we won't know the true happiness of Jesus. But if they believe that not giving children a safe and affordable environment to live makes Jesus happy, they are DEAD wrong. I admire your email to them and your stand on this issue. This issue is just as shameful as Prop. 8.
@moritheil - That $10 that Habitat for Humanity would have paid will might pay for a sandwich for an abortion doctor or something. Can't have that
@laytexduckie - Prop 8 passing is a dark mark in the fight for basic civil and human rights. Something tells me the Jesus of social justice would not be amused by any of this.
~ ponders reading comments and bites his tongue ~
@Someone - I'd advise against it. Any comments before today were from a random Libertarian trying to educate me on the ways of self-governance. Good times.
@abbylyne - Luckily, it is being taken to court and in hopes, it will be appealed because it is violating Amendment 14, which is equals rights under state rule.
@laytexduckie - This is why is was so encouraging to see the California Supreme Court deliver its decision on the grounds that the law violated the "Equal protection under the law" clause of the US Constitution. Hopefully by the time this decision makes it to the actual Supreme Court (because I'm pretty sure that's what it will take) we will have judges who also see it as an Equal Protection issue. For once I'm actually glad Federal law trumps state law!
a bit off track - but it always fascinates me jow pro ofers tend to be pro death penalty
@relaxolgy - Yes, I've often wondered about that seemingly oxymoronic argument myself. I think it has to do with a weird concept of people having the moral authority to kill "guilty" humans but not "innocent" ones. Which is why Sarah Palin tells us that abortion clinic bombers are not terrorists and she would make her hypotherical brutally raped daughter carry a pregancy to term.
Are you kidding? This breaks my heart. The article breaks my heart. It is disappointing that in the quest to end abortions, there are three families somewhere who have to worry about having a house.
Very disappointing.
great post, I can understand your anger.
and taht was a very powerful email you sent. I hope they get the message
As a passionate pro-life individual, let me assure you that ALL does not speak for all of us. I'm as disgusted at you at this missed opportunity to provide care to those who need it - with kids or not.
I think perhaps your letter should have been to the ALL rather than HfH.
disgusted AS you. Not AT you. :- )
@abbylyne - ROFL... you gotta love those random libertarians
@CoffeeInAStraw - Thanks for the clarification. I got you :). Thanks for stopping by and come back any time. I need more pro-life perspectives that amount to more than the usual "OMG, you baby killer rot in hell!" ones that pop up. Because there are so many smart, compassionate people on both sides.
I guess I didn't write to ALL because, unlike HfH and PP, I'm not personally involved in their organization and also because they're pretty clear on their position. They aren't just anti-abortion, they are also anti-birth control, which reduces unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortion. So they don't really seem like the negotiating types. But I might reconsider next time. Because I'm also a Christian, so I guess I have a legitimate gripe if a group is doing something crappy in the name of Christ. Hmmm.