Texas GOP Forces Through Abortion Bill Despite Filibuster

Texas GOP, you've created a hero with this lady. State Sen. Wendy
Davis, image from source, AP

UPDATE: As I type this--way past my bedtime--the passage of the bill is in doubt. There is buzz all over the blogosphere and twitterverse that the vote was after the deadline, and the time fudged by the Texas GOP. Was this a valid vote?

ORIGINAL STORY:

Again, right up front, abortion is not my issue. But douchebaggy, assholey, straight-up mean GOPers? That's certainly my area. I'm still trying to figure out if this is just all fun'n'games for Republicans, throwing red meat to their base while pissin' off the libs? Or is it a bold attempt to get sued, and get Roe vs. Wade revisited by the Supreme Court? Or, is it just that old "out-meaning" each other theory I've got going? Whatever it is, the Texas GOP has enraged a whole lot of people, particularly women--some of whom are undoubtedly conservatives.

All of this followed a bravura attempt by Texas State Senator Wendy Davis, who mounted a filibuster that almost worked. She was required to talk--on subject--for 13 hours without assistance or the ability to lean against anything or even go to the bathroom. The very strict rules were observed by what I can only picture as a study hall monitor, with a three-strikes-you're-out provision. After 11 hours, there were three minor infractions (unbelievably, Davis talking about sonograms was deemed off-topic), and the Texas Senate had just enough time (amid howls of protest) to ram the abortion bill through.

I'm still trying to understand conservative logic on this whole issue. They want to shut down Planned Parenthood. Restrict access to contraception, morning-after pills, or sex education. They want abstinence-only education. They want reduced or eliminated social programs like food stamps, welfare, and pre-schooling. So, essentially, no pregnancy prevention, no plan B and no abortion. . .but you'll get zero help from the state once the kid is born. This is one fucked up agenda.

[Excerpt]

Texas Senate GOP passes restrictive abortion bill

Texas Republicans have passed new abortion restrictions expected to close almost every abortion clinic in the nation's second most populous state. . .

Read more at: AP

Tennessee Governor Strips LGBT Protections, Statewide

What are you going to do with that fist, Governor?
Image from source, Joe.My.God.

I'd really like for a conservative/Republican/tea partier to explain this to me. Let's assume a county or city passes some discrimination protections for gay people (or any other group). Why on earth should (or would) a governor sign a law to strip those protections away? What is gained here? Beyond basic meanness, what public good is served by wiping away laws made by elected officials? We're not talking un-Constitutional laws, we're talking about laws that are disliked by the fringe edge of a political party.

I'm aware that this sort of political regression is likely to die out over the next 10-30 years. The Governor of Tennessee is pandering to an aging group of homophobes that will eventually croak. And by the time I'm in my dotage, gay people won't have to put up with being political footballs anymore. But I tell you, I'm getting pretty fucking sick of this shit. And no, I don't feel the need to sugar coat it.

[Excerpt]

TENNESSEE: Governor Signs Bill Banning All Local LGBT Rights Laws

GOP Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today signed the bill overturning Nashville's non-discrimination ordinance. The bill also effectively outlaws all local LGBT rights laws statewide as it bans any discrimination protections not already offered by the state. . .

Read more at: Joe.My.God.

Donald Trump Reacts to Mike Huckabee's Decision Not to Run

Boy, I tell ya. I made fun of Mike Huckabee being tubby, and being a cornball clown amongst the many clowns in the potential 2012 GOP car. I forgot about Donald Trump. I honestly think The Donald will also not run, or if his ego forces a run, that he will flame out spectacularly. But I'd personally rather not see it. Despite the fact that it would give me a lot to blog about, I think this country embarrasses itself enough with Sarah Palin tweeting, Michele Bachmann spewing forth inaccurate craziness, Ron Paul jibbering his jabber, Rick "Frothy Mix" Santorum's general ickiness. . .I could go on and on. The point is, politics is nutty enough without this pompous ass at center stage.

More Bullying, This Time of the Cyber Variety

Image from source, CBS News

Okay, this is ghoulish. What the frak is wrong with people?

[Excerpt]

Dying Girl Kathleen Edward Cyberbullied by 33-Year-Old Neighbor: Why?



Seven-year-old Kathleen Edward knows what it's like to die from Huntington's Disease. Last year, the debilitating disorder, which progressively destroys the mind and control of the body, took her mother's life.



Kathleen has it too.

But the disease is not her only nemesis. Kathleen is also the victim of a horrifying cyberbullying attack and the perpetrator is a 33-year-old neighbor, Jennifer Petkov. . .

Read more at: CBS News

And more evil from Petkov here: The News-Herald

Thanks to Stupid Monkey Planet for the links.

Neil Cavuto Called an "Asshole" on FOX "News"

Frankly, I'm surprised this doesn't happen more often to Neil Cavuto. And for that matter, I'm surprised it doesn't happen to the hosts of The O'Reilly Factor, FOX & Friends, Hannity, On the Record, and every other show on FOX "News."  Kudos to Ron Blackwell for having the cajones to do so.

An Open Letter to Hardcore Conservatives

Right now, hard core conservatives--and by that, I mean of the Free Republic variety--are doing a happy dance for a couple of reasons. One of those reasons is the Senate vote for the new FISA bill, which provides retroactive immunity for telecom companies who broke the law for George W. Bush. One of the others is that the Congress issued a subpoena to Karl Rove, and he ignored it. . .and left the country. And of course, they are crowing because the Congress currently holds a meager 9% approval rating in the polls.

To the Freepers and their ilk, these are big victories. What I'd like to ask them--though I do not expect cogent answers--is, what is so great about these victories? Is it merely that you won, in your minds? Unlike most of you, I don't see politics as a football game or contest; us vs. them, or me vs. you. Each of these issues has shades of gray, or nuance, if you will. Let me break it down for you, with the following questions. . .

- What did the new FISA bill do to "protect" us that the old one didn't accomplish?

- What public good does it serve to give the telecom companies retroactive immunity?

- Do you believe that if you've got nothing to hide, is it OK for the government to spy on you?

- If Barack Obama is elected, will you be comfortable with his new, expanded powers?

- Warrantless wiretapping actually started long before 9/11. Did you know that? Does it matter?

- Karl Rove alleges that Bush didn't know anything about some of the things Rove is being subpoenaed for. How then can he claim executive privilege?

- Would you be so forgiving if Karl Rove was working for a Democratic President?

- Is lawbreaking OK, as long as it is done by "your side?"

- Almost half of the House and Senate are made up of Republicans. Have you considered that in your jubilation that Congress holds a 9% approval rating?

- If Barack Obama is elected, and his administration does things that you think are worthy of impeachment, what exactly do you intend to do about it? Are we in for "Socks the Cat," "Vince Foster" and "Troopergate" type idiocy again? After all the Bush Administration has done (and has gotten away with)?

- If members of a Barack Obama administration are subpoenaed to appear before Congress, will you stand silently by if they just refuse to show up?

I could go on for days, but I'll end it here. I'm seeding the labels section of this post with words that I hope will attract a few conservatives. A few are incendiary, and only intended to bring you here, so please, address the questions and not those words. Thank you.