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No News Is Good News... At Least for Today

July 17, 2008 - 8:22am — Diana Cage

The Bush Administration wants to allow recipients of federal aid to hire individuals opposed to abortion and birth control services. Last I checked, those things were still legal in this country, though with the way things are going, not for long. It all fits in with my theory that the GOP wants to turn the U.S. into a big baby farm so we’ll have plenty of people to ship off to war for the next hundred years. And while I’m extrapolating to exaggerated craziness anyway, I’ll point out that since lesbianism is a fab form of birth control, the government is going to use the GPS locator on your cell phone to laser you from space. Mark my words, you’re gonna be doing it with some gal one day and poof she’s going to disappear the minute you reach the big O. It’ll be just like that movie Liquid Sky only the hot, new wave lesbian is secretly a Republican Senator.

There’s certainly been no lack of misogyny in this presidential race to write about. In fact, it’s so common I’m becoming inured to it, a dangerous thing for sure. I think at a certain point constant outrage is so draining we filter out negative messages in self-defense. If we walked around all day thinking about the government’s constant legislation of our bodies, we’d all have psychotic breaks. Sadly John McCain’s recent remarks are egregious enough to be mind-boggling.


image. conservatives.com

Let’s not forget that in April, McCain publicly denounced The Fair Pay Act and voted against it in the Senate. And now the old, old man has been caught publicly squirming when asked about women’s access to reproductive services and why many insurance companies will cover Viagra but not birth control. He’s dismissive about the issue when asked, as if it’s not something important enough to discuss. Can you imagine the public outcry if McCain refused to talk about his position on the war? Oh, and before I forget, let me also point out that he apparently thinks rape jokes are hilarious. Especially disturbing in the wake of the U.N. recognizing that rape of women and children has become a war tactic. Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, a former U.N. peacekeeping commander, was quoted as saying, "It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict."

Planned Parenthood went out and quizzed people on the street about McCain’s stance on reproductive rights. A disturbing number of people had no idea that McCain opposes family planning, sex ed and abortion services.

Here’s a video showing people’s responses. It’s pretty clear that McCain’s refusal to publicly discuss his standing on women’s health has reached the desired effect. If he keeps his beliefs a secret, voters will forget to ask. It’s a sneaky tactic and it’s working out well for him.

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28 Comments

July 18, 2008 - 8:37pm — Erin Blackwell

hate him

"I certainly do not want to discuss that issue," said Insane McCain in this somewhat clearer version of his refusal to dignify the issue of women's reproductive rights with an opinion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Q8obHEULLg&feature=related
it's like someone asked him what he thinks of his wife's cooking. oh, that's domestic. oh, that's personal. don't get me in trouble with the missus. this is such 1950s-style wink-wink B.S... is Obama any better?
according to katha pollitt in the nation McC also opposes CONTRACEPTION. YIKES!!! http://www.thenation.com/blogs/anotherthing/337332

July 18, 2008 - 4:56pm — Lezbeth

I'm confused

This is an honest question. I don't understand why this is such a big deal. Maybe I'm dense, but aren't there people opposed to abortion and birth control already working in clinics funded by federal dollars? I mean, do hospitals and clinics ask potential employees about their personal beliefs concerning abortion and birth control before they hire them? If a clinic or hospital provides service and procedures that are legal and funded by whatever funding source, what prevents them from hiring those people now?

I understand the idea that clinic workers with attitude can make women needing services uncomfortable, but if the policy of the clinic or the hospital is to provide these services, then people who are opposed to them need to know what the job is and that they are expected to do it despite their beliefs.

Currently, in this country, there's a law prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion which means that the people most likely to object to abortions, etc. are already legally protected in seeking a job.

I guess I just don't understand why the Bush administration would put this forward except to create another diversion from the problems of the war and the economy.
Lezbeth

July 19, 2008 - 1:47pm — Chube

what happened was the

what happened was the department of health and human services came up with a proposal that would allow people to define birth control as abortion. this had to do with the religious exemption you mentioned. but i wonder what impact this would have if roe were overturned. no more birth control?

July 18, 2008 - 6:40pm — taem

I believe the problem comes

I believe the problem comes in that people are actually allowed to work in these places and then refuse to provide the service based on their own religious beliefs. They are then protected from dismissal based on their refusal to do the job they were hired to do. A woman may then be confronted with a situation where the service is only available on certain days, at certain times, especially in small clinics with few employees. Some employees have even contested the organizations ability to limit their work schedules to make sure that at least one person who is willing to provide the services is always present.

My sister was a surgical nurse at a large hospital. She refused to participate in any "reproductive altering procedures" based on religious beliefs. And no, this was not aimed at sexual reassignment surgeries. She would not participate in hysterectomy for cancer patients. The shifts available to her were then limited by the hospital she was working for. She was able to get the same number of work hours, but not on the shifts she desired. She sued them for harassment in the work place based on her religious beliefs. They eventually settled out of court.

A little off point but interesting, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer and realized that she was likely to develop uterine cancer, she actually had the surgery herself and tried to pay back the settlement. They wouldn't take it.

This is not limited to government funded institutions. Many pharmacists refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control.

Taem?

July 18, 2008 - 9:12pm — Lezbeth

Thanks for the explanation

From what you're saying, it's possible then that the clinics could basically be rendered incapable of delivering services. Sheesh. That's so insidious.
Lezbeth

July 18, 2008 - 6:48pm — Erin Blackwell

dyke cult

it's clear it's pointless fighting religion. (L. Ron Hubbard was so smart.) we need to declare lesbianism a religion & reap the ludicrous benefits.

July 18, 2008 - 9:26pm — taem

Out of respect

for the many people who find solace in their religions without inflicting harm, I'm just going ot bite a big ol' hole in my tongue on that one.

Piercing without the jewels; Damn!

Taem?

July 18, 2008 - 9:13pm — Lezbeth

What????

You mean lesbianism ISN'T a religion? Could have fooled me.
Lezbeth

July 18, 2008 - 9:59pm — Erin Blackwell

state-sanctioned; tax-exempt;

all our initiatives = faith-based

July 19, 2008 - 8:16am — taem

Altered Perspective

Let's have a contest to design the alter. Ooo... So many images!!!

;)
Taem?

July 19, 2008 - 8:21am — Erin Blackwell

the alter of transformation

we don't recruit... we CONVERT! (fyi, con is french for you-guessed-it)

July 19, 2008 - 8:32am — taem

Do you know the actual legal

Do you know the actual legal definition of a religion?

Taem?

July 19, 2008 - 1:58pm — Erin Blackwell

is there a lawyer on the site?

all i know's the "church" of scientology fought like mafia to get tax-exemption that goes that status. the nyt ran fascinating articles on scientology's targeting of fbi agents... or was it the new yorker? "religion" confers lotsa power & prestige.

July 18, 2008 - 7:09am — GGirl42

The change

needs to begin at the bottom, in our local govts. Senators and Congress people are the ones who slam most of the laws into place and be damned who our figurehead is, i.e. the President. Isn't it usually from that lot we get the choices as to who we put in the white house?

Every day is a good day, just some are better than others.

July 18, 2008 - 5:52am — saw123

Submissive women or Alpha males?

sngbyrd
The price for an abortion is about $600, the price to raise a child in the system about $180,000. More than half of these kids raised in the system will end up in jail. The price continues to rise.

The big problem is women who 'do not' want to be responsible for their own well being. For every woman who supports herself, there are 3 who do not. So don't blame men, blame those of us who will fall for anything rather than take responsibility for our own well being.

Say what you will about McCain, I assure you he is in line with every other alpha male on the planet including Obama, whether he admits it or not. I believe that any man that ties him self to the church the way Obama has must be a believer in 'women should be seen and not heard'.

July 18, 2008 - 8:31am — btfan2

WOW Again

You know I have to agree with you. I keep saying because I firmly believe it that women have to stand up and take control of their lives.

We are over 50% of the population of the world. Why are we being beaten, raped, killed and tormented every where every day.

Because we allow it that's why. We need a grass roots movement for the world. Perfect example look how Hilary was treated (no I don't want to rehash Obama v. Clinton). The press(the American Press) demonized, humiliated, belittled, etc, etc. The verbal rape was beyond belief and what did we do?? Nothing!! Even if you hate Hilary she is a women and didn't deserve that crap. But; it was ok because she is an uppity woman.

Now there's some stupid cover on the new yorker and everyone is up in arms(They seem to forget these are the same people who also called Obama some pretty stupid stuff and claimed he was raised a Muslim). The New Yorker was Satire - yeah poor taste but; compared to what they did and said about Hilary it barely deserves a wimper.

Women are raised, conditioned and trained to be victims. Until we stop embracing this bullshit, we will always be victims. I don't get angry at men, I get angry with women.

Women have an opportunity to be a REAL force in this election. We need to send the so called moderate group a strong message and in the process send Mr Obama the same message.

Not just our bodies our choice, our lives our choice and PS we're not asking !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

btfan2

July 17, 2008 - 5:27pm — bicuriousone

Infuriated

Oh my gosh, I am so angry! I will never support this asshole, who has a firm 0% voting record for women's rights. Yes, that's right, not ONE time has he voted in favor of the rights of women. Which should not be up for debate in the first place - it seems so silly, doesn't it!?! My body, my choice.

Boy do I hate politicians, but I especially hate ones with the opinions and power to take over my life. Not just my life, but the lives of all women. I refuse support someone who thinks I (or any other American) should be a second-class citizen.

July 17, 2008 - 2:54pm — bekcat01

I'm confused...you too?

The thing that really infuriates me about this is women are a majority in this country (at least we were the last time I checked). What confuses me is women are fighting aginst their own reproductive rights, don't speak up loudly enough when we hear things like the viagra/birth control insurance
issue, don't gather en masse to state and federal Houses and Senates to make our lawmakers change the pay inequities between men and women. Why is that? Seems to me what we need to do is communicate with and educate women and get together to change things. One thing Obama says that I do agree with is change has to come from the bottom up. We need to DO instead of holler about how bad it is for women.

It's long past time to get our lawmaker's attention. We have the numbers to do it.

July 17, 2008 - 4:33pm — rovermom

I agree. We aren't stepping

I agree. We aren't stepping up en mass. I think we need do another rally in Washington. Before election in November.

rovermom :)

Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!

NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog

July 18, 2008 - 8:39am — btfan2

Rovermom

When?????????? I'm there. Also everyone on this board knows how to use the Internet shoot your congress and senate person an e-mail expressing your outrage, get every one you know to do the same.

Congress

https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml

Senate

http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm

btfan2

July 17, 2008 - 3:31pm — CrabQ

Amen sister, amen.

I'm just sayin'.....

July 17, 2008 - 2:09pm — btfan2

Wow !!

I didn't know this shit either. Pisses me off. The whole MAN telling me what I can and can't do with my body pisses me off. Only difference if I were straight and had to or wanted to abort and unwanted preg there wouldn't be a man, a law or military that would stop me.

Civil disobiedence is sometimes the only tool you have as an individual. Govt and laws are supposed to protect and help, not hinder and hurt. When that happens FUCK THEM!!

Sooner or later women are going to wake up. I'm just not going to wait.

PS: Obama's no prize either I call them worse and worser.......

I just got this info from a relative. I checked it and it's true. Seems he once again chose not to vote on the recent medicare bill to extend medicare payments for the elderly.

Also chose to vote to extend the Patriot Act -- oh yeah Change - sorry guys you've been duped...

btfan2

July 17, 2008 - 1:19pm — rstipati

It doesn't surprise me that

"A disturbing number of people had no idea that McCain opposes family planning, sex ed and abortion services."

It's part of this ridiculous notion propagated by the main stream media that McCain is a "moderate". He is a "moderate Repugnican." There's a big difference.

Your friend,
Rusty

=======
“People deserve the government they get, and they deserve to get it good and hard.” ~ H.L. Mencken

July 17, 2008 - 1:12pm — rovermom

Now that is satire, "Women :

Now that is satire, "Women : like men, only cheaper".

I'm still trying to figure out why we spent so much time, as a nation on the debate between Obama and Clinton - when in reality, we should have been forcing to find out information on ALL of the candidates stances.

Most of the news propelled in-depth stances between the 2 'major' democrats - leaving out HUGE stances on other candidates. A while ago, I had made a collage piece on my view of the whole situation. I seem to express better through art.

Election 2008

I look back on it. Wow. Obama is new and coming in and pushing to make changes fast. Clinton is trying to keep balanced while being constantly touched on while the issues are still up in the air. And that McCain is just sitting there...not doing anything and just watching and laughing...no one is paying him any mind. Meanwhile, our dollar is fading and it plays a huge role in keeping the game open to play.

When candidates are up to bat, they all need to be able to step in the batter's box.

rovermom :)

Life is a 3D puzzle and everyone has a piece!

NEW! OurChart Photo Assignment and My Blog

July 17, 2008 - 3:38pm — San_Jee

Re: Always said

..that the media's coverage of the Election always let McCain off easy. Where Clinton and Obama had to constantly endure criticism and prove they were indeed a good candidate, McCain sat back and kept on getting by unscathed....much what the picture was showing.

Nice work :)

S

July 17, 2008 - 12:34pm — IVAWSGT

A light over his head

I am glad the Maj. Gen. had the foresight to see this, but what are we going to DO about it?

'Maj. Gen. Patrick Cammaert, a former U.N. peacekeeping commander, was quoted as saying, "It has probably become more dangerous to be a woman than a soldier in an armed conflict."'

http://ivaw.org/member/jen-hogg

http://servicewomen.org/

July 17, 2008 - 11:19am — cliteastwood

wow

absolutly enrages me..

Along with the GPS in the cellphones... they are attempting to eliminate the use of cash therefore everyone has a credit card and can be easily tracked. And for traffic tolls, they want to only use the IPASS so they can keep track of everyone. It sickens me.

McCain is a sick old man. He's on his death bed, therefore I have no idea why he is even able to be run for president.

July 17, 2008 - 9:22am — deedee

Yeah

They will pay for a man to get his dick up(yeah it's all man voting on this)and get a woman pregnant but they will not pay for birth control for a woman not to get pregnant while the man is having all his fun.Yeah it's a fucked up man's world we live in.