Pro Ecclesia * Pro Familia * Pro Civitate: National Organization for Women: Bart Stupak is "Un-American"

From the Catholic League:

March 11, 2010

Mary Pollock, legislative vice president of the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for Women, yesterday accused Rep. Bart Stupak, a Catholic, of imposing his religious beliefs on the nation. “It is outrageous and un-American,” Pollock said of the pro-life congressman.

Commenting on this remark is Bill Donohue of the Catholic League:

Smear words have been used against virtually every religious, racial and ethnic group in American history. Fortunately, they are rarely voiced anymore. Unfortunately, it is still fair game in many quarters to indict Roman Catholics. One of the most vile canards ever invoked against Catholics is the rap that they are “un-American.” This bigoted slur has its origins in the early part of the 19th century. It is more than disconcerting—it is disgusting—that it is still being made against Catholics in 2010. That it should come from the mouth of a radical feminist activist is not wholly surprising, but it is reprehensible nonetheless.

As the clock winds down on the health care bill, anti-Catholicism is raising its ugly head with greater frequency. It is time for men and women of goodwill from all faith backgrounds, and on both sides of the abortion issue, to unequivocally denounce these bigoted expressions. What Mary Pollock said should be condemned by everyone.

Contact the Michigan president of NOW, Renee Beeker: Presidentminow@aol.com

(emphasis added)

My Comments:
It seems that Mark Stricherz was mistaken in his recent assertion that "you can't hate Bart Stupak", even if you disagree with him.

If you're a radical feminist hell-bent (literally) on providing federal funding for abortion-on-demand, apparently you can.

UPDATE
Here's the story to which the Catholic League is referring:

Lawmaker's Clash With Fellow Democrats Nothing New

... Anti-abortion allies such as the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops want Stupak, a devout Roman Catholic, to dig in.

He insists he favors overhauling the nation's health care system, even describing it as a "pro-life" cause, and says a deal with House Democratic leaders is within reach.

"But you don't start compromising your values and principles based on some historical purpose, so 20 years from now people will look back and say, 'Wasn't that a sign of courage?'" he said. "They'll also say, 'Yeah, where were his principles and beliefs?' I think that lasts longer. When I leave Congress, I'm still going to have my integrity in place."

Connie Saltonstall, a former Charlevoix County commissioner who announced Tuesday she would oppose Stupak for the Democratic nomination, said his priorities were upside down.

"I believe that he has a right to his personal, religious views," said Saltonstall, 64. "But to deprive his constituents of needed health care reform because of those views is reprehensible."

[...]

Critics accuse him of imposing his religious beliefs on the nation. "It is outrageous and un-American," said Mary Pollock of the National Organization for Women's Michigan chapter.

[...]

"People say I'm doing this for the Catholic bishops; they have nothing to do with it. I've always been pro-life. If anything, I've been consistent."