Slog - Comments on Bush Administration Says Contraception=Abortion

Comment by Karlheinz Arschbomber

Karlheinz Arschbomber — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:27:17 -0800

Just when you thought they had done all the damage possible, here comes this. Holy fucking shit.

Comment by Will in STL

Will in STL — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:32:27 -0800

Can we just make menstruation illegal already?

Comment by eclexia

eclexia — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:38:01 -0800

Hormonal contraception wouldn't even be needed if we just taught people how to assfuck.

Comment by need to go there

need to go there — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:39:59 -0800

We need to go there. People have begun taking the accomplishments of the women's movement for granted. The only way to spur action is to confront them with the reality of what it's like. Ban abortions and contraceptives, let it sit for 10 years and you'll have a whole host of men begging to use contraceptives and allow abortions.

Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball

Jubilation T. Cornball — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:41:48 -0800

"How much more can this man fuck up in his remaining 187 days in office?"

Uhhh, you don't really want to ask that question. Consider editing it out, please, before he sees it...thank you.

Comment by dave

dave — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:45:36 -0800

What kind of horrible fate are you trying to call down on us by asking that question? God damnit, don't stick your finger in fate's eye! We've been fucked enough!

Comment by mattymatt

mattymatt — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:45:37 -0800

Aren't these the same people who say that bosses should be allowed to refuse to hire gays and blacks? Apparently religious nurses are the only class worth protecting.

Comment by Little Red Ryan Hood

Little Red Ryan Hood — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:52:24 -0800

I totally agree with Will in STL!

Comment by TacomaRoma

TacomaRoma — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:55:40 -0800

You think this is bad? Wait until he starts the Presidential Pardon Parade. Then we'll have some fun times.

Comment by Mike in MO

Mike in MO — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:56:57 -0800

I actually flinched when I read comment # 3.

Comment by Judah

Judah — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:58:02 -0800

Hah.

So, A, this is a draft proposal. It probably won't be enacted in its current form.

B of all, I would speculate that this proposal -- and indeed, a lot of the more flamboyantly terrible things the Bush administration will do between now and November -- is a political ruse to try to frame the debate between Obama and McCain. If he takes a position on this issue, Obama can be accused of attempting to curtail the religious freedom of American Christians.

It's a setup. Don't take the bait.

Comment by keshmeshi

keshmeshi — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:58:33 -0800

I have to admit I'm a little surprised that Planned Parenthood even receives federal funding. Anyway, once I finally receive my tax refund and overdue stimulus check, I now know where at least some of that money is going to go.

Comment by girlgerms

girlgerms — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:07:52 -0800

I think the 2nd part of the proposal is great. Birth control and abortion are morally equal, since people who object to abortion think something magical happens at conception. If you try to overturn Roe v. Wade, you'll have to outlaw birth control pills and spontaneous abortions (much more common than actual abortions) too.

Comment by NapoleonXIV

NapoleonXIV — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:08:03 -0800

@10: Flinched, or puckered?

Comment by Greg

Greg — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:14:04 -0800

You don't even want to know the answer to that last question, Erica. None of us do.

Comment by lostboy

lostboy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:16:20 -0800

Having been persecuted and ostracized much of my life for the intrinsic trait of geekiness (until it finally became cool in my late 20's), I am mostly indifferent to the hypothetical question "what if I had been gay?"

Mostly indifferent, with one huge exception--I am immensely grateful that I can enjoy an intercourse-centered sex life without ever coming into contact with anyone's anus, much less anything beyond.

My point being: eclexia @3, ewwwwwww!!! >_<

Comment by Dan

Dan — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:17:40 -0800

Would they be required to hire nurses who refuse to do their jobs, or just ones who disagree with the core mission?

The line between, say, requiring federally funded faith-based charities to hire people who aren't of that faith (something I'd agree with) and this seems, to me, less clear than ECB would like to imply.

Now, redefining abortion to include hormonal contraceptives seems pretty crazy to me.

Comment by inkweary

inkweary — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:30:54 -0800

Far-right proposals like this at this time are designed to frame the selection of candidates in the November elections. There are about twice as many Republicans up for re-election this cycle than Democrats. Putting abortion on the table is a ploy to motivate apathetic conservatives.

Comment by Vince

Vince — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:39:47 -0800

Not surprising coming from Bush. This is a man who never misses an opportunity to kiss the popes ass. Do you think it's a coincidence that the Bushs have filled the supreme court with papists?

Comment by Nanook

Nanook — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:47:53 -0800

@16 just by saying that makes you gay. All straight men want to poke their girl in the bum and by saying you don't that makes you gay. I read it on a t-shirt so I know its true. And by declaring your straightness makes you even more nelly. Power bottom? Maybe?

Comment by elswinger

elswinger — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:54:00 -0800

Can he just say it and it's so, or does this go before congress first?

Comment by lostboy

lostboy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:06:52 -0800

Wait, my sexual orientation is supposed to go before Congress, now?!

Comment by Johnny Liverwerst

Johnny Liverwerst — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:11:41 -0800

I can see it now: thousands of religious bigots storming the halls of Planned Parenthood, getting hired on, and proceeding to poke holes in every single condom in the building and handing out "You are going to hell for this" pamphlets to women seeking abortions while a few others stand there and lecture the girls on how God does not stand for such acts and that they will make it their sworn duty to ruin their lives should the go ahead with the procedure.

Ahhhhh, its so fiendish, so devilishy evil and disgusting it makes me want to run right out and hop the fence to Canada. And I hate cold winters.

Comment by Little Red Ryan Hood

Little Red Ryan Hood — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:22:25 -0800

@23: The Cold Winters are like my favoritist band ever, how could you possibly hate them? Their bestest work was on their second album titled "Let the Ground Hog See His Shadow"

Comment by Don't you think he looks tired

Don't you think he looks tired — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:54:45 -0800

I think butcher shops should be forced to hire vegetarians who, because of their beliefs, will refuse to process or sell meat. In fact I think all companies should be required to hire employees who, because of their beliefs, refuse to do the job for which they were hired. Then I'm going to go get me one of those jobs.

Comment by Sad Comment

Sad Comment — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:03:54 -0800

@17 - Sure the nurses could refuse to do their jobs just like the pharmacists that are currently refusing to fill contraceptive and morning after pill prescriptions because other people having sex makes them sad.

Comment by CP

CP — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:10:05 -0800

I think General Motors should be forced to hire Japanese workers who refuse to build medicore cars.

And/or, some anarachists, just to keep things interesting.

I think Wall Street should be forced to hire people who don't think that they should cut every corner and break every rule and put us all at risk, to make us all some money...

I think Christie Brinkley should be forced to hire me as a pool boy...

Comment by CP

CP — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:11:24 -0800

Or some arachnids. Or anybody who can spell. Sorry.

Comment by DZ

DZ — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:52:41 -0800

Fuck Yeah-I have been immensely cheered up by all these comments, they have made my crappy and mediocre day! I'm happy there have been no comments from horrified Christians yet, although that would just add some flame to the fire, and keep things going. I suspect that the fuck ups are just beginning to multiply, or in Bush's own words:
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we,
They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country
and our people, and neither do we."
George W. Bush, 8/05/2004

Comment by Stella

Stella — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:46:50 -0800

I think that women who use birth control should be informed of the fact that it can prevent implantation. I am Pro-Life and would never have an abortion. In my youth I used the pill, and was only told that it prevented ovulation. Had I known I would never have used them. I think that the reason the conservative/religious right is forced to propose these draconian measures is that the Pro-Choice side does little to truly educate women about all the ramifications of the choices available. Not every abortion is the result of the most dire circumstances; severe deformity of the fetus, mother's life in peril, rape, mental distress of the mother. But when there are debates that is the stand of the Pro-Choice side. Both sides refuse to introduce the absolute truth in the debate. In a culture where we refuse to truly educate, talk honestly, and be willing to really listen, then both sides resort to the most extreme position they can take. It's unhealthy for the nation as a whole, and the people who are hurt the most by this is our young people who don't know what's true, or who they can trust to discuss the issue honestly when they are faced with these situations in their own lives. There is opposition to honest education about sex. There is opposition to make condoms available where kids can feel safe to get them. There is opposition to discussing all the options available to pregnant women and teens. There is opposition to being supportive of teens and women who choose to have the baby and put it up for adoption. There is opposition to being honest about the psychological toll abortions and adoptions have on women who make those choices. There is opposition to providing financial support to teens and women who keep their babies. There is opposition to people of faith who don't want to dispense drugs and services that goes against their beliefs. There is opposition to making sure people who make certain choices know where to go to get those services. It's ridiculous. Until both sides are willing to sit and talk, with everything on the table, and are willing to make compromises, then the rights of women to make choices will always be in jeopardy.