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A House Republican lawmaker likened the implementation of a new mandate that insurers offer coverage for contraceptive services to Pearl Harbor and the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks against the United States.
Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly (R), an ardent opponent of abortion rights, said that today's date would live in infamy alongside those two other historic occasions. Wednesday marked the day on which a controversial new requirement by the Department of Health and Human Services, which requires health insurance companies to cover contraceptive services for women, goes into effect.
"I know in your mind you can think of times when America was attacked. One is December 7th, that's Pearl Harbor day. The other is September 11th, and that's the day of the terrorist attack," Kelly said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "I want you to remember August the 1st, 2012, the attack on our religious freedom. That is a day that will live in infamy, along with those other dates."
Republicans cried foul when the Obama administration first announced the new rule, reasoning that it would force employers with a religious affiliation to act in a way that contradicts their beliefs. The outcry included criticism from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and President Obama subsequently announced a compromise in which employers wouldn't be forced to offer insurance plans that cover contraception, but insurance companies would be required to offer coverage to women who wish to purchase it.
Republicans rejected the compromise, and subsequently attempted several times to advance legislation to reverse the mandate. The imbroglio contributed to Democratic charges of a GOP-led "war on women."
"This is a right that every American should be outraged, outraged about what this administration and Secretary Sibelius has set forth here on August the 1st," New York Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R) said at the same press conference as Kelly. "And as Mike said, August the 1st is a day that we as American will look at as the largest assault on our First Amendment rights."
*UPDATE* Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, a veteran of World War II, condemned Kelly's comments in a statement.
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Two words: NUT JOB
I will never understand how these morons can say in one breath that birth control is an infringement upon their "religious freedoms"? How can you deny women the right for birth control in one sentence and in the other also oppose all legislation/programs that help support our child that ARE born. I bet Jesus himself is laughing his @ss of how these clowns use him to preach their hate and ignorance. But, it's all about the money and Big Pharma/Insurance companies don't want to give NOTHING away for free but denial of claims letters. How can the true followers of Christ believe in the republicans? Anyway, at least this will give Dems a couple more days of cover and piss more women off! OBAMA/BIDEN 2012!!!
I am ashamed and embarrassed that these politicians are representing us as very well paid elected officials and compare a right to health care as to catastrophic casualty of men and women that died for us to have freedom and rights - this is not forcing anyone to get contraception only having it available. SHAME on you Kelly and Burekle - you both should step down from your positions - you are a disgrace and embarrassment to those that died in both of those days and to all Americans! You are disgusting and should be sick with yourselves for comparing contraception to people dying - SHAME on you!
Their constituents that elected them should be held responsible for making us put up with this insanity! There will always be insane men wanting power, like Hitler.
What is truly amazing is that these people talk about Pro-Life and that is simply a joke. They imply that it is morally correct for all women to carry their fetus until birth. After that they are on their own. The Ryan Budget cuts medicaid which is Health Care for the poor. They have attempted to repeal the ACA 33 times. They are slashing Food Stamps. They are cutting education. The list goes on. At the end of the day they are "Pro-Birth" but certainly not Pro-Life. How do they propose to pay for all these unwanted new people? Do they not realize that you cannot simply let them perish after birth? This is one of those conservative cornerstones that makes absolutely no sense.
The next thing we know they will be passing legislation proclaiming, "Conception at Erection."
If they do claim "conception at erection" then maybe they won't provide viagra anymore.....
Republicans fall all over themselves to protect the unborn. But once the kid is born, they could care less about him. Or her.
Yes, it's called "from conception to birth"..... A nanosecond later, they have no problem denying that child health care, food and a decent place to live. It's the Robin Hood mentality in reverse. But spend money like water for unnecessary military exploits, not problem whatsoever.
A-hole and a moron.
This doesn't really have anything to do with religion. It has to do with women. And their right to choose. You still have the right, except you healthcare will cover you if you choose to use contraception. For what ever reason it is. It is used for more than just contraception.
some people don't want kids, some people can't afford a kid, some people know they can not handle a kid, some people don't want to breed, that might not be what you want you may want kids that's fine for you but you are not me . that's why we have freedom of choice in this country the government can not tell you to have children or how many to have . you say YOUR religion say's this and your religion say's that but we don't believe in your religion which to me sounds like you are trying to pass shariah law where your religion is telling me how to live my life . so does that make you any better then a muslim extremist or the west boro baptist church or the reverend sun myung moon [ the mass wedding people] ? i don't believe in your god i don't believe in your religion and i don't want a kid but i am an adult and yes i do have sex with women . so don't tell me to have kids and don't tell me who to be with . you can not tell me who to love or what to believe .
GOP Propaganda you WON’T hear in 2030: A Billion More Babies! We’ll be Happy to Pay for them !!
The GOP will be dropping their self-righteous, politically-motivated 'pro-life' stance quicker than you say 'packed like sardines in can!' Eeeespecially as self-interest is their ONLY (short-term, short-sighted) guiding interest. Always has been, always will.....
And the tea billy's wonder why they don't get taken seriously??
Yeah.... like this...
"""I know in your mind you can think of times when America was attacked. One is December 7th, that's Pearl Harbor day. The other is September 11th, and that's the day of the terrorist attack," Kelly said at a press conference on Capitol Hill. "I want you to remember August the 1st, 2012, the attack on our religious freedom. That is a day that will live in infamy, along with those other dates."""
Repubs have gone over the cliff. Extremely offensive to make the comparison with December 7th or 9/11. If your plan covers Viagra, it better damn well cover birth control. Women's health concerns appear to be something less than worth covering for the far right. Why any woman would vote for any of them astounds me. Lets get back to SEPERATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.
To compare this to those two horrible events in US history is just absurd. No one is making or forcing you to take contraceptives against your will. It simply is made it available IF you want them. There is such a thing as free will. It is what this country was built on. And frankly, if a woman chooses to take contraceptives, that is between her and her doctor. Making it affordable is great considering the way the economy is right now.
The Tea Party-controlled GOP has gone from the laughable and ridiculous to the bizarre.
Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Kelly (R), an ardent opponent of abortion rights, said that today's date would live in infamy alongside those two other historic occasions.
In case you were wondering, this is why conservatives get so much sh*t. Democrats make a lot of bad plans and aren't always very effective leaders, but why am I expected to trade poor leadership and execution for bad faith and stupidity?
There is a cult of ignorance in the United States and there always has been. The strain of anit-intellectualism has always been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "my ignorance is as good as your knowledge".
Asimov
Do they really think that citizens are nostalgic for this conservative agenda? The 1950's are over, but you would never know it listening to these people. Instead of lightening up on their oppressive policies they double down on them instead. Is there really an audience for these retro policies?
Kelley, as usual, playing the hysterical idiot. This is not an attack on religious freedom. No one is being forced to use birth control, therefore your religious freedom is not being placed in jeopardy. The mandate simply applies to healthcare providers in that they must pay for prescribed birth control. No one is even being forced to provide it. The law is simply making payment available for those who have been prescribed the treatment.
Kelley and his ilk are the ones attempting to circumvent another's civil and religious rights because they don't concur with his.
"How dare these Republican Thugs" Compare this to Dec. 7th , my brother gave his life on the USS Arizona this date at "Pearl Harbor" and the other lives lost on 911, these coward Republicans should be "Rode out on a Rail" these "Scum Bags" even degrating these dates with there "Politics and Hate Mongering" is unbeliverable, I wish I could say more about how discusting they are.
Obama/Bidden in Nov. for sure and throw these "Bums" out.:
Okay, maybe I am missing something. So birth control, along with a host of issues important to women, is mandated by the new law. I do not recall seeing anywhere that a woman was REQUIRED to use the various options. Of course you know some will. So, why is it up to the church to make decisions for them. Oh, I get it, it is the Republican morality, and, their need to lock onto whatever thay can to try and defeat Obama. A LOT of Catholics use birth control. More likely would if they could afford it. Maybe they already have enough kids, maybe they do not want kids and, yes, there are probably occasional indescrections. Maybe, just maybe, we should tailor all legislation to go along with the Catholic churches beliefs. This legislation is for ALL people, and helps those who, due to misfortune, poor judgement, and even laziness, have not obtained insurance on their own. Look at the servers at fast food joints. Could they afford insurance on their own? Dear Republicans, your rich lords, who shower you with money, have turned you all into vampires. If vampires exist, they are in the House and the Senate.
I liken the complaint to others that I see that use wishful thinking to complain that things are not as they prefer instead of accepting the way they are, and looking for common ground for compromise
The Real Barry Saw the Writing on the Far Right Great Wall
“Today’s so-called ‘conservatives’ don’t even know what the word means. They think I’ve turned liberal because I believe a woman has a right to an abortion. That’s a decision that’s up to the pregnant woman, not up to the pope or some do-gooders or the Religious Right. It’s not a conservative issue at all.”
--Barry Goldwater
(Barry Goldwater, the 'father of the modern republican movement', felt strongly that the religious conservatives were the largest threat to liberty that this country had faced in his life time.)
BARRY, if you only knew how 'right' you were and how distorted the Right has become...it's now the party of knee-jerk DittoHateThink across the spectrum.
And the 99% American People are comparing their corrupt Republican corporate MONARCHY to a DICTATORSHIP! We're trying to keep both the contraceptive & dictatorship from F--KING us!
99% American People, vote 100% STRAIGHT DEMOCRATIC and let's rid ourselves of their BLATANT CORRUPTION ONCE & FOREVER! The lives you save WILL be YOURS & your CHILDREN! BELIEVE IT!!
Can't take Mike Kelly to seriously...afterall he is just a used car salesman in a goverment suit!
You people need to stop your fake outrage. The AHCA is here to stay. Now, get over it!
So your ability to deny someone they want or need on religious grounds is a infringement on the DENIERS freedom?
......Because all religious based employees actually follow that religion or a religion at all?
I can think of 3 employees I met who are not religious but work for a church organization.
Why aren't you people denying men viagra? You trust MEN with sex but not women? LOL.
And yes, this is totally Pearl Harbor Part Deux. I'm sure we'll soon be in a WORLD WAR OVER CONTRACEPTION.
If that happens we deserve to die, because we've run out of REAL ISSUES to go to war with.
Just another elected nutjob.