I mostly agree with The Seattle Times here on their piece about Mike Baumgartner, Cantwell’s maybe opponent next year. As I said in an earlier open thread, he’s a real piece of work for bringing up the fact that Cantwell isn’t married so she can’t have an opinion on Plan B. But for part of the editorial, they start with calling it a “rookie mistake.”
REASONABLE people can agree or disagree on the wisdom of making “morning-after” pills readily available to young teens. But Republican state Sen. Mike Baumgartner made a rookie mistake attacking U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, the Democratic incumbent he is challenging in 2012.
I mean yeah, it was an asshole thing to do, but it would be an asshole thing to do no matter what the timing. They pivot to why it’s wrong, and as I say mostly it’s fine. But that phrase just rankled me: He’s a grown up, he’s run for office before. He should know better.
Yep, that’s a dog whistle plain and simple.
Whaddya wanna bet the Republican Times would call his comment an “outrage” if he were a Democrat running against a Republican?
The only question in my mind was whether he was going for the slut or the lesbian dog whistle.
Also, people who claim that only parents can bloviate about what children need, completely dismisses the one experience we all have in common. Having been a child.
The social conservatives (which is currently the Republicans, used to be the Democrats before the 50s) are EXTREMELY anti-family. It always drives me nuts they constantly go on about them being the “family” party and “family” this and “family” that. They hate families, they just like THEIR families. It’s like the KKK. If you’re a white straight guy who breaks down on the road, and a car load of KKK guys drive by, they’ll be SUPER nice, get you a cold beer, help you fix your tire and wish you a good day. They pat themselves on the back about their great southern hospitality and how helpful and social they are. But it you happen to be a gay black man with a disabled car that runs into this same group, you won’t find them near as friendly. See the KKK is only nice and social if you’re one of their own. By the same token, the social conservatives of today ONLY like THEIR families, if you happen to be gay, they hate and will try to destroy your family. They’re not family friendly, any more than the KKK is a “nice” social organization.
re 4: I’m in favor of any reasonable adult who wants to take on the responsibility of raising a child — even Jesse Helms — who, despite his other failings, did adopt a 9 year-old in need of a mom and dad.
I’m all in favor of having the Plan B pill readily available for everyone, regardless of age, and hopefully at a reasonable price. Just think how many abortion procedures can be easily avoided with a simple over-the-counter pill! Let’s do it and not worry about the far right Christianists and others who oppose abortion and Plan B.
“…Cantwell isn’t married…”
Probably a good move on her part. I understand she’s very wealthy, so she’s got to worry about the gold-diggers out there.
re 6: I could probably sell Plan B pills to Republican men.
@7,
I could sell Plan B pills out of the back of a Ford Econoline van at the local Albertson’s Grocery and make a fortune. The trick with Plan B pills is to get teenagers and others who can’t afford childen to use the damn medicine to prevent un-wanted and up-paid-for pregnancies.
Asshole things to do is what Republicans do best, it’s like calling a fork a utensil.