Political Irony

Things are getting curiouser and curiouser in the world of the people who are opposed to health care reform (or at least claim they are) because they are pro-life. It was strange enough that Congressman Bart Stupak continues to be opposed to the current health care reform bill because he claims it will fund abortions, when it definitely does nothing of the kind.

You kind of expect misinformation like that from politicians, but how do you explain that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops came out against health care reform, stating that the bill’s prohibition against federal funding for abortion is a “legal fiction”.

Well, in a new twist, a group of religious orders representing 59,000 Catholic nuns has sent out a letter basically saying the Bishops are wrong. The letter says that “despire false claims to the contrary, the Senate bill will not provide taxpayer funding for elective abortions.” They also point out that health care reform will save many lives, and is “the real pro-life stance”.

Personally, I don’t see how anyone can read the health care bill and think it will fund abortions in any way, shape, or form. I applaud the Nuns for standing up to the Bishops.

Not surprisingly, Representative Stupak dismissed the letter from the nuns, saying “When I’m drafting right to life language, I don’t call up the nuns.” I guess he believes that “nun” would support him.