It's PERSONAL

So, the Republican running for Indiana's US Senate seat said something the other night that has started a firestorm, and I'm really annoyed by how this is being played by those who oppose him. I'm probably voting straight Libertarian this time around just because I'm sick of everyone else's bullshit, so I'm not trying to defend the man on the basis of I think he's right for the job of representing Indiana, but I feel compelled to defend someone who stands up for their principles when their words are used against them in a context other that what they said or clearly intended. He is "unapologetically pro-life" according to his words and his campaign website - what did you think he would say when you asked him about abortion??? I don't know where he stands on the death penalty and I think this is an interesting conundrum between the two predominant parties - pro-lifers tend to be pro-death penalty and pro-choicers tend to be anti-death penalty, but that's a separate issue. The point is, he thinks that abortion is wrong unless the woman's life is in danger. PERIOD.

My PERSONAL feelings on the subject are this:

I PERSONALLY believe that every person who comes into my life has a lesson to teach me. With some it’s how to love. With some it’s how to be a friend. With some it’s how to lead, with some how to follow. With some it’s understanding a different point of view. With some it’s how to be tolerant - sometimes even of their own intolerance. With some it’s how to forgive - sometimes even the most terrible of transgressions. With some it’s how to be forgiven, because even if I know I'm not perfect, it's hard to be confronted with that reality.

I PERSONALLY believe that in light of that first set of beliefs, every person’s life is precious and worth protecting. I struggle VERY MUCH with what should be done in cases where someone’s life has been taken by someone else. I believe “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind” but I also believe that when someone chooses to end or permanently damage another person’s life, or many others’ lives - when someone actively, remorselessly chooses to do that, by their own hand or someone else’s - they forfeit my respect for their own life. I don’t think that probably affects many people that I know, either because they know firsthand what remorse is or because they don’t give a shit about my respect.

I PERSONALLY believe that life begins at implantation. I have carried five babies and given birth to four. I know that sometimes those lives don’t make it for reasons that are beyond anyone’s control.

I PERSONALLY believe in light of the above that I could never actively choose to end a pregnancy unless my life was in danger. I know that in that situation, I would have to put my other children first, because they are here and they know me and they need me.

I PERSONALLY do not understand how anyone could choose to end a pregnancy for any other reason, but I also believe that your choices are not mine to make and you are the one who has to live with your own decisions.

I PERSONALLY think that politics is a filthy business and once someone is elected, they should do the job of REPRESENTING their constituents.

BUT…

I PERSONALLY think that politicians and even representatives are entitled to their PERSONAL opinions, and when you ask for someone’s PERSONAL opinion you should not be appalled at their response and twist and omit their words to change the entire context of what they said for your own personal gain. 

When asked his PERSONAL OPINION on the subject, Richard Mourdock clearly said that rape is horrible, but he PERSONALLY believes that life resulting from rape is worth preserving. You don't have to agree, but don't say he said something that he didn't.