So, Paul Ryan, Huh?

Mitt Romney stepped outside his comfort zone and ordered the spicy salsa by picking Paul Ryan. It was a bold move, and the Conservative base is very happy now.

Aside from his baby blue eyes, he’s famous for his budget – The Path to Prosperity: Restoring America’s Promise. It would cut the tax burden of the wealthy from 35% to 25% and change Medicare to a voucher system. Interestingly, one program that is immune to Ryan’s slicing and dicing is…defense. Shocking.

Yeah – none of that surprised me. However, his extreme pro-life views did. In 1998, when he was running against Democrat Lydia Spottswood, both of them backed the ban on “partial birth” abortions. Spottswood said that there should be exceptions made when the mother’s life is in danger. Ryan said the opposes abortion period and that “any exceptions to a ‘partial-birth’ abortion ban would make that ban meaningless.”

Horrified? It gets worse. If abortion were illegal, he also would let states decide on criminal penalties for women having them. Of course, he never advocated jailing women who have abortions or prosecuting doctors who performed them. He did add, though, “if it’s illegal, it’s illegal.”

When I was in the drive-thru line for my Saturday night burger ritual, I was listening to Karel on the KGO radio station. He warned women that Ryan is heading “straight for your vaginas.” I laughed because this was coming from a totally flaming gay guy. After reading all that on Ryan, I realized that he was serious. NARAL Pro-Choice America gives him a score of 0% on a woman’s right to choose. NRLC (National Right to Life Committee) gives him a 100% score on voting for life.

I think this surprised me because Romney is pro-life, except for cases of rape, incest, and if the mother’s life is in danger. For some reason, I expected Ryan to be the same. He’s not, which is disturbing, but Romney made his choice.

Message to Mittens: Hot and spicy can be tasty and energizing. It can also be a major pain in the ass, both figuratively and literally. Ask John McCain about that.

Rick Santorum: A Ladies’ Man, MacGyver Style?

Santorum Focuses on Reaching Out to Women; Adviser Says They Are a ‘MacGyver Campaign’

The title of that article made me spit out my chamomile tea and then stare at it quizzically. We all know that Santorum has alienated a lot of women because of his extreme views on abortion and birth control. But MacGyver? What does have to do with reaching out to women? Are they trying to fashion a campaign out of a Wonderbra® and a tube of Great Lash®?

The author asserts that he reached out to women by what he said in his, “I lost, but I’m still delusionally hopeful” speech. He spoke of his mother:

“She was someone who did get a job in the 1930s and was a nurse, and worked full time. She continued to work through my childhood years,” Santorum said to the crowd that was heavy on families with young children. “She balanced time working different schedules. A professional who made more money than her husband.”

The argument is that this was a way to appease women who he may have offended with his comments about women in the workplace.

The notable comment was a quote from his book, It Takes a Family:

“The radical feminists succeeded in undermining the traditional family and convincing women that professional accomplishments are the key to happiness”

So how does he defend himself? By throwing his wife under the bus, saying that she wrote that part. Real nice. I shouldn’t be surprised considering he said that women shouldn’t serve in combat, “but he’s happy to have his wife jump on a grenade for him.” And they say chivalry is dead.

Aside from his (or his wife’s) distaste for working women, the huge divide comes from those radical views on contraception and abortion.

Contraception:

“a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”

So the Pill makes you slutty. Um, OK.

Abortion:

“Well, you can make the argument that if she doesn’t have this baby, if she kills her child, that that, too, could ruin her life. And this is not an easy choice, I understand that. As horrible as the way that that son or daughter and son was created, it still is her child. And whether she has that child or she doesn’t, it will always be her child, and she will always know that. And so to embrace her and to love her and to support her and get her through this very difficult time, I’ve always, you know, I believe and I think the right approach is to accept this horribly created — in the sense of rape — but nevertheless a gift in a very broken way, the gift of human life, and accept what God has given to you. As you know, we have to, in lots of different aspects of our life we have horrible things happen. I can’t think of anything more horrible, but nevertheless, we have to make the best out of a bad situation and I would make the argument that that is making the best.”

He’s made numerous
comments on abortion. That one, regarding rape, is the one I think of most. Sounds awfully like Sharron Angle’s nice comment on how having a baby conceived of rape is “making lemonade out of lemons.”

I’m sorry, but the God I believe in and worship would understand if a rape victim decided to have an abortion. My God wouldn’t expect the woman to carry her rapist’s spawn for 9 months and endure the pain of labor and childbirth. My God would understand if she didn’t want the baby to have DNA that’s half rapist.

Anyway, beliefs like these are the reasons why he’s trying to reach over oceans to women. We know that Santorum and those like him would send us women back to the back alleys or throwing ourselves down flights of stairs to induce miscarriages.

He’ll never reach the other side of the ocean with those views, even if he built a boat out of Tampax® and pantyhose.

The Rachel Maddow Show: Betty Ford, Champion on Women’s Rights

I didn’t know much about the former first lady – except for her treatment center. I learned a lot more about her very full and inspirational life in this clip. Enjoy! 🙂

Vodpod videos no longer available.

Betty Ford, posted with vodpod

The Ex-Boyfriend from Hell

Jilted Ex-boyfriend Puts up Abortion Billboard

Wow. This guy is a total jackass. Even if her name or picture isn’t on the billboard, Alamogordo NM isn’t that big of a city. ~35K. It wouldn’t be too hard to figure out who she is. They already identified her as Nani Lawrence, but I’m pretty sure a lot of people knew before the papers reported it.

She and her friends say that she had a miscarriage. The kicker is that he doesn’t know if she had a miscarriage or an abortion. What the hell?? He doesn’t know, yet the billboard basically accuses her of killing their child? New Mexico Right to Life has withdrawn their endorsement and asked that their name be taken off the board. Good call.

She sued him for harassment and invasion of privacy, successfully. The billboard is coming down. Of course, the ex from hell is appealing it.

This whole case leaves me confused. Is it libelous because she had a miscarriage and not an abortion? Can it even be libel if her name isn’t on the billboard?

All I know is that if this ends up in the Supreme Court, and the sign is allowed up because of Freedom of Speech, I hope she gets even. She should get a billboard, and put it up right next to his if possible. It should say, “This is why he is my EX-boyfriend” with an arrow pointing at his billboard.

The lesson here is to be careful to avoid pregnancy. Birth control. And if you decide to ignore that sage advice, then choose who you sleep with wisely. You do not want a guy like this to be the father of your kids.

Sometimes, the Base Drives Me Crazy

I’m an unapologetic Liberal. But I’m not 100% Liberal. And I’m unapologetic about that too. I did make the mistake of sharing one of my non-liberal views on The Daily Kos, the Liberal Mecca.

I don’t believe in tax-payer funded abortion unless the woman’s life is in danger or she is a victim of rape or incest. Because it is elective, she should pay for it.

I know. Would I rather pay for an abortion now or years of welfare? I have issues with welfare, but I won’t go into that now. It’s not an issue of short-term vs. long-term cost. It’s about responsibility. They had sex, and it was an unplanned pregnancy. Sad, but it happens. If she wants an abortion, fine. It’s her choice. I don’t want my tax dollars to pay for her mistake.

I know. She’s poor and can’t afford one. And? There is a charity that helps women pay for their abortions. Fund Abortion Now

I know. Some lifestyle choices like smoking can lead to cancer. Should treatment be offered to them if they can’t afford it? Yes. I understand that this is a good point that I can’t refute. I still don’t believe that tax payers should fund elective abortions. I demonstrated that “feeling doesn’t equal rational thinking” according to one poster. I can accept that.

But so the f*ck what? It’s my opinion, and I’m entitled to it. Why do I have to justify it to the base? Why am I called a “troll” or “not a very good Liberal?” Just because a few of my opinions divert from the “normal” Liberal view? Do we all have to be the same?

Members of the Liberal base, you drive me crazy sometimes. I don’t give a flying Fig Newton if you hate having to share the Big Tent with me. Sharing it with those who can’t accept that not everyone is like them isn’t roses and cupcakes either. I’m here, you’re here, and we’re Liberals. There are things we will agree with and others that we won’t. Deal with it. You can tell me (as you did), “Go f*ck yourself, neighbor!” And I can tell you (as I did), “Right backatcha, neighbor!” Or you can call me a Right-Wing Troll. Yeah, that one stung a little.

In the end, the stuff we do agree on will make me look past our neighborly squabble. Will you?

Abortion Theater Continues: Medicaid

How long is this run? If you miss a showing, can you get a refund?

Here is the latest show that I found on Crooks and Liars: Thanks To Federal Budget Deal, D.C. Abortion Fund Scrambles To Raise Money For Scheduled Abortions

This is where my stance deviates from my Pro-Choice sisters and brothers.

I don’t believe that abortion should be covered by state funds, except in the cases of rape and incest, if the mother’s life is in danger, or if it is found that the baby won’t survive after it’s born.

The Hyde Amendment outlawed federal funding for abortion. There are states whose Medicaid programs do cover them for whatever reason. Others only will do so in the cases of rape and incest and when the woman’s life is in danger.

Because it is an elective procedure, I believe the patient should have to pay for it. I’ve heard the argument that because it’s a legal medical procedure, it should be covered by the state. I don’t believe so because of that “elective” part. However, in the cases above, you shouldn’t have to be subjected to carrying the spawn of your rapist, die, or carry a baby to term if it’s going to die. That’s just cruel. These are exceptions where I think Medicaid should pay for it.

I’ve also heard the argument that because the woman is on Medicaid, it’s a given that she’s poor and can’t afford it. Still, since she got pregnant, she and/or the guy who got her pregnant should be the ones to pay. Plus, there are organizations out there that will help low-income women get abortions. Like these:

National Network of Abortion Funds

Third Wave Foundation

I stumbled on an argument for Medicaid funded abortion that shocked me. There are some who support it, but only if the woman gets her tubes tied. Um, you have an unplanned pregnancy, but in order to get an abortion, you can never get pregnant again? Sounds a little too much like Der Führer’s compulsory sterilization program.

In the story above, after D.C. stopped Medicaid-funded abortions this week, there were 28 abortions already scheduled. The organization, D.C. Abortion Fund sent out an emergency plea for donations. They were able to raise the money to cover them. The article didn’t state if they were successful or not.

Online Day of Action to Stop the War on Women: NARAL Pro-Choice America

Online Day of Action to Stop the War on Women: NARAL Pro-Choice America

Make your voice heard – join NARAL Pro-Choice America’s online day of action now!

There is a rally in Washington, D.C. going on today. It’s a huge day for choice. They’ve declared war on women. Time to gear up.

I’m with you ladies in spirit, and I added a little something for the cause. Keep fighting the good fight.

Boehner: Three Against One

Time Short, Tempers Flare in Budget Showdown

Didn’t we just do this? Oh yeah. The Continuing Resolution. Has it been three weeks already? Time sure does fly fast.

Boehner is in a real mess. Three groups, all with different demands:

Tea Party
The fussy 54 says, “If we don’t get our 10 bajillion dollars ($100B, but I like the word bajillion) in spending cuts, we ain’t signing it. Let the government shut down. It ain’t 1994, dude.”

Democrats
House Democrats are just watching Boehner vs. the Tea Party with their buckets of 1200-calorie popcorn and Red Vines®.
Senate Democrats say, “If the bill has 10 bajillion dollars in spending cuts, we ain’t signing it.”

Social Conservatives
The pro-birth crowd says, “Any legislation that goes through here better defund Planned Parenthood. We don’t care about the government shutting down either.”

That gavel sure is a lot heavier than you thought, huh, Mr. Spreaker?

Confronting Life — The Good Men Project Magazine

This father also wrote about this experience. Confronting Life — The Good Men Project Magazine.

I found this video via Female is an Ism.

Toilets, and Lightbulbs, and the EPA, Oh My!

Toilets Join Light Bulbs on Sen. Rand Paul’s List of Necessities Burdened by ‘Busybody’ Rules

“The point is that most members of your administration probably would be frank and would be up front to characterize themselves as being pro-choice for abortion,” Paul said. “But you’re really anti-choice on every other consumer item that you’ve listed here.”

I had to wipe tea off my monitor. From the Aqua Buddha allegations to this soundbyte, I don’t think the guy is playing with a full deck.

Comparing the reproductive freedom of women with the freedom to buy whatever toilet or light bulb you want? When is the incandescent light bulb going to go on in his head? These two aren’t even in the same universe.

dcmartin couldn’t have described it better in her post:

Rand Paul Angry Because Energy Department Won’t Let Him Have a Fecal Abortion or Some Crazy Shit Like That

Here’s my proposition to Rand Paul. I’ll keep the ability to decide what happens to my body, and you can pick whatever light bulb turns you on. Deal?