Rick Santorum believes that allowing women to terminate the pregnancy which resulted from their rape would be to traumatize them twice. Wait, what?

Courtesy of Crooks and Liars:

"Would you allow no exceptions for cases of rape on incest?" Fox News host, Byron York asked. "Polls have shown that large majorities of Americans support some exceptions for abortion. Are your views too much, even for many conservatives to support?" 

"That child is an innocent victim," Santorum replied. "To be victimized twice would be a horrible thing. It is an innocent human life, genetically human from the moment of conception. We in America should be big enough to try to surround ourselves and help women in those terrible situations who have been traumatized already. To put them through another trauma of an abortion, I think is too much to ask. So I would absolutely stand and say that one violence is enough."

Now ladies I might need all of you weigh in here, because I am just one of those pathetic creatures burdened with a "Y" chromosome, but is there really ANY comparisons between the feelings associated with terminating an unwanted pregnancy and being forced to carry your rapists child to term?

Personally I would have to imagine that every day of those long nine months could potentially add layers upon layers of trauma to the initial pain of the assault.

It sounds as if Santorum, who believes that life begins as conception, feels this same way about the "morning after" pill. As if taking a precautionary medication to ensure that the potential of fertilization resulting from a violent insemination does not further burden the victim, can be compared to the act of rape.

Does Rick Santorum not have a wife, or sister, or daughter?

What is it about these people that makes them place the rights of a cluster of cells above that of every other already living person on the planet. 

They demand that the fetus be protected, yet they support the death penalty.

They demand that the fetus be protected, yet they have little problem sending our troops to kill people all over the world.

They demand that the fetus be protected, yet they argue against sending aid to places like Africa where famine is killing thousands of innocent people.

I will just never understand why the protection of a POTENTIAL life, can take precedence over the protection of an ACTUAL life.

And perhaps it is better that I NEVER understand that.

Talking Points Memo has a MUST SEE highlight reel of the Republican debate from last night.

Just in case you thought I exaggerated with my earlier post.

By the way I just have to say I that I think Bachmann won the debate when she reminded the panel that SHE introduced the "Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act."  I mean seriously, which one of THEM has done anything even remotely as important?

(I know a lot of you have asked me to post the bit from the Daily Show about this Ames poll, and I will later, but I really thought that this video was actually funnier and more entertaining. Which is especially humorous because this bunch of nincompoops actually thought they were convincing Americans that they could be President.)

"I'm the worst possible choice for this country! No, I am! I hate this country! I hate it more!" Last night's GOP debate in a nutshell.

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I was only able to watch a little of this three ring circus, because I have a doctor's note that excuses me from watching too much Fox news since it dramatically impairs my ability to engage in rational thought.

However what I did see was MORE than enough to convince me that we need to work our little progressive asses off to make sure that President Obama gets reelected, and that not ONE of this simple minded douchebags should be allowed anywhere near the White House!

Seriously I don't care HOW disappointed you are in this President, or how frustrated you are that he did not wave his magic negro wand and solve all of the nation's problems like you convinced yourself he would, from what I saw last night he is this country's only hope of not ending up looking like a real life version of a "Mad Max" movie.

These are the scariest bunch of lunatics I have seen gathered on one stage since I watched patients at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute put on their version of a "Midsummer Night's Dream." (Not bad really.  I especially enjoyed the part where the actor playing Puck forgot his lines and kept asking if anybody in the audience had a copy of Shakespeare with them.)

Hearing these slack jawed candy asses claim that they would NOT raise taxes even if they were promised ten spending cuts for each tax hike made my frontal lobe scream for mercy.

I know these people are smarter than that (except for Michele Bachmann who is only about six brain cells away from having to have a cork stuck to the end of her fork) and yet they refuse to stand up to Grover Norquist and the Teabaggers, and tell the voters the truth about what it will take to fix this nation's economy.  That was a shameful display.

There were a FEW glimmers of intelligence, such as Jon Huntsman saying that he would repeal NCLB, but for the most part this appeared to a contest to see who could act like the most ignorant man on the stage.

In fact these wannabe leaders of the free world had dumbed themselves down to such a degree that having Sarah "all you need is common sense" Palin and Rick "I can't figure it out so let's pray for a solution"Perry join them onstage might actually have RAISED the combined Intelligence Quotient.

Yeah, it was THAT bad! 

Now if you will excuse me I have to write a check to the Barack Obama reelection campaign.

Bill Maher: "Republicanism has become a religion." I have to say that makes perfect sense to me.

Courtesy of Raw Story:

HBO’s Bill Maher told CNN’s Anderson Cooper Tuesday that “as a sane person,” it was tough to watch the Republican presidential candidates debate.

“Republicanism has — it’s really become a religion,” he noted. “And when I say religion, I mean they just have a series of baseless assertions that they cleave to, you know, and it’s like, if there was just one sane person in that room to give perspective, but there wasn’t.”

You know thinking about the Republican party in this way suddenly makes every crazy thing they do make sense.

This is why the Republicans are constantly talking about faith and values.  They are not talking about Christian faith and values, they are talking about the Church of Republicanism's faith and values.

Which apparently simply refers to an ability to suspend intellectual thought, ignore the suffering of the less fortunate, put the needs of the unborn before the needs of the living, and embrace a level of hypocrisy that would make Jesus weep.

I would imagine that the deity they worship is no longer the God of the Old Testament, but rather a mythologized version of Ronald Reagan.

Wasting no time, the Democrats use the first Republican debate to ridicule them.

(H/T to Politicususa.)

I watched a little of this last night, and after it was over I had to wonder if they all left in separate vehicles or if they all climbed into the same clown car together, and careened off into the sunset.

None of these losers is any competition for President Obama.  His only competition is job growth.

Reason #66 not to vote for Sarah Palin for anything

She refuses to debate other candidates.

From The State Column

Sarah Palin, a former Alaska Gov. and reality TV star, turned down an invitation today to the New Hampshire primary debate on June 13. In her place, seven declared or soon-to-be declared candidates for the Republican presidential nomination will take to the stage for a debate hosted by CNN’s John King. The debate will feature Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Although Santorum and Bachmann have not yet declared their candidacy, they are expected to do so soon.

What a yellow bellied, spineless, gutless, limp, impotent, pussy!  OK limp and impotent pertain to men but in her case I will make an exception.  If she cannot handle a simple debate how is she going to handle major decision making in the White House like starting a war?  Oh thats right God will tell her what to do.

Debate? I don't need no stinking debates!

Courtesy of The State Column:

Sarah Palin, a former Alaska Gov. and reality TV star, turned down an invitation today to the New Hampshire primary debate on June 13. In her place, seven declared or soon-to-be declared candidates for the Republican presidential nomination will take to the stage for a debate hosted by CNN’s John King. The debate will feature Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Although Santorum and Bachmann have not yet declared their candidacy, they are expected to do so soon.

An invitation to the debate was given to Mitch Daniels, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Jon Huntsman, Palin and Donald Trump. However, Huckabee, Daniels, and Trump have already dropped out of the 2012 presidential race and will not be attending the debate. Palin, who is currently on her “One Nation” bus tour, turned down the invitation to the debate. In response to the invitation, Palin said: “That’s quite soon. So, no I don’t think I’m going to be there. Thank you for asking though,” reports WMUR.

"No I don’t think I’m going to be there."  I think that just about sums it up, don't you?

We can all disagree about whether Palin will run, or not run, and how long she will stay in if she decides the former, but what is NOT up for discussion is whether or not she will debate.

She will not!

In fact, she cannot!  The ONLY way she can maintain her quickly dissolving facade of competence is to stay as far away from those actually qualified for the job of President as humanly possible.

Getting on a stage with all of them would be the end of her scam, and she knows it.

Lawrence O'Donnell interviews 10th grade student who challenged Michele Bachmann to a debate.

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Wow, that is one sharp kid!

I think she could easily take on Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, and Glenn Beck without even breaking a sweat.

I have said it before, but it bears repeating, with this group of young people soon to take over the reins of responsibility in this country, I am filled with confidence that America's best days are still to come.

Student who offered to debate Michele Bachmann subjected to online threats.

Courtesy of Kare 11 in Minneapolis:

A New Jersey teenager says she's received threats since challenging U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann to a debate over the Constitution.

Ann Myers challenged the tea party favorite in a letter dated April 29. After it started getting media attention last weekend, commenters on tea party websites have threatened to publish her home address and some have threatened violence.

The 16-year-old from Cherry Hill says several commenters have called her a "whore."

Her father, Wayne, says he's concerned for his daughter's safety.

But Cherry Hill Police Lt. William Kushina says anonymous online threats like these are usually empty.

Myers says the Minnesota congresswoman misstates or distorts facts about the Constitution.

Bachmann's office told The Courier-Post of Cherry Hill that it won't respond to the debate challenge.

What in the hell is wrong with these people?  This is a child for fuck's sake!

This is EXACTLY the same kind of blowback that anybody who dares speak out about Sarah Palin, or tell some carefully hidden truth about her, is subjected to as well. 

Well I for one an sick and tired of the bullying and intimidation tactics used by these assholes! 

And what are they so angry about?  The fact that they KNOW this child would destroy their idol in a simple debate>

So rather than have to admit they are supporting an empty headed moron, they attack a little girl.  Very impressive. And sadly enough, not at all unexpected.

Thoughts On Presidential Debate #2...Or Just McCain

So sure, Obama totally won that debate Tuesday night. I say this mainly due to McCain telling the stupidest effing jokes ever, which is like an automatic "F" in my book. Stick to your day job, old man.

Anyways, after watching a replay of the debate at 3am, I had to go back and read the debate transcript because during the actual debate I was quite distracted writing a boring essay for Thursday night's class. Here are a few of McCain's statements that caught my eye:

We obviously have to stop this spending spree that's going on in Washington. Do you know that we've laid a $10 trillion debt on these young Americans who are here with us tonight, $500 billion of it we owe to China?

Yes, I do read the news and am quite aware of this ridiculous debt that future American generations will be paying off FOREVER. Hey, speaking of spending spree, why are we spending $12 BILLION DOLLARS A MONTH IN IRAQ?!

I was under the impression that Iraq's reconstruction would be paid for by their oil revenues, but perhaps I misheard the neocons.

You know that home values of retirees continues to decline and people are no longer able to afford their mortgage payments. As president of the United States, Alan, I would order the secretary of the treasury to immediately buy up the bad home loan mortgages in America and renegotiate at the new value of those homes -- at the diminished value of those homes and let people be able to make those -- be able to make those payments and stay in their homes.
Is it expensive? Yes. But we all know, my friends, until we stabilize home values in America, we're never going to start turning around and creating jobs and fixing our economy. And we've got to give some trust and confidence back to America.

[...]

I think it depends on what we do. I think if we act effectively, if we stabilize the housing market -- which I believe we can, if we go out and buy up these bad loans, so that people can have a new mortgage at the new value of their home -- I think if we get rid of the cronyism and special interest influence in Washington so we can act more effectively.

WTF? I thought McCain was a Republican? Maybe those commies out there in Arlington must have gotten to him. He wants the federal government to buy up "bad" mortgages and renegotiate them based on the house's current value? He wants to "stabilize" home values? The home values that are STILL TOO HIGH?! This is a ridiculously stupid plan that I'm 100% against, yet I'm glad he announced it because I love seeing idiots like Michelle Malkin and those guys at National Review bitch about it. It's like they finally realized, "Whoa, our candidate totally sucks!"

On appointing a SecTreas:

McCain: You know, that's a tough question and there's a lot of qualified Americans. But I think the first criteria, Tom, would have to be somebody who immediately Americans identify with, immediately say, we can trust that individual.

Joe Six Pack for SecTreas?

My friends, we are not going to be able to provide the same benefit for present-day workers that we are going -- that present-day retirees have today.

Thanks for the reminder, dipshit. And stop calling me your friend, dammit. There's a reason I ignored your request to be friends on Facebook (OK, to be honest here, I ignore everybody's request to be friends on Facebook).

Sen. Obama was wrong about Iraq and the surge. He was wrong about Russia when they committed aggression against Georgia. And in his short career, he does not understand our national security challenges. We don't have time for on-the-job training, my friends.

Earth to McCain! Sarah Palin WTF?

I'll get Osama bin Laden, my friends. I'll get him. I know how to get him. I'll get him no matter what and I know how to do it.

If you know how to do it, then why haven't you done it yet? Being a United States Senator I do believe that you have a duty to your constituants, and if you fail to fulfill that duty it's called nonfeasance. Sounds like treason to me!

And I'm going to act responsibly, as I have acted responsibly throughout my military career and throughout my career in the United States Senate.

Deviating from flight plan, slicing through power lines, and plunging Spaniards into darkness equates to acting responsibly? What about the Savings & Loan scandal? Or Charles Keating?

Now, long ago, I warned about Vladimir Putin. I said I looked into his eyes and saw three letters, a K, a G and a B.

GAAAAAAAG! We have heard you say this line, like, A MILLION TIMES ALREADY! For the next week's debate, please think of something else to say.