E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSS
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.
Leave a Comment:
To Rep. Mike Kelly and all his hysterical friends who think like he does (think may be stretching it).
Human beings are born with free-will. You do know what free-will is; right??? It means nobody gets dragged kicking and screaming to do anything against their will; this would include birth control and abortion in case you didn't know. Everything we do is a choice - a choice we make ourselves. Even people like you Mr. Kelly chose when you decide to lie and misinform. But what's new for the radical right - right???
Just because something is legal or is a policy or is available doesn't mean we must partake. But you and your kind already know that, so stop your political grandstanding - please.
If any of you think that living in an Islamist state is bad news, just wait until the US is a Christian state. You ain't seen nuthin' !!! It will make the Taliban and Sharia Law look like the good guys ...
Send in the ReichWing clowns...
"Fascism will enter this country holding a cross and wrapped in the flag."
Upton Sinclair, 1935
Romney?
Hi Keith, Agreed. But one minor correction. I believe you mean Sinclair Lewis. I get confused by it as well:)
Only a Republican would compare a woman taking a birth control pill to someone flying a plane into a crowded building.
I think his analogy was based on an employer providing health coverage that make those "devices" affordable to women not on the woman taking them. The "Religious Freedom" of the employer is what is being attacked, in their mind.
There, now don't his remarks make even more sense? {/sarcasm}
I guess there was no possible way this nutjob could associate this with abortion or their "Life begins at erection" philosophy so why not throw something out there that might make all the little minded voters shudder with fear? Who could possibly want to vote Dem after "learning" how they embrace Pearl Harbor and 9-11?
These people should be ashamed of themselves for comparing this mandate to those events all in the name of "Whatever Obama wants - I'm against it" not only based on the magnitude and definition of those events but on the looong stretch to get there as well.
The scary thing is, they both will probably be reelected...
Why are republicans literally afraid of everything? Is it because they're stupid?
Pulling the Curtain Back on the GOP 'Wizards'...
“Still another danger is represented by those who, paying lip service to democracy and the common welfare, in their insatiable greed for money and the power which money gives, do not hesitate surreptitiously to evade the laws designed to safeguard the public from monopolistic extortion.
Their final objective toward which all their deceit is directed is to capture political power so that, using the power of the state and the power of the market simultaneously, they may keep the common man in eternal subjection.
They claim to be super-patriots, but they would destroy every liberty guaranteed by the Constitution.
They are patriotic in time of war because it is to their interest to be so, but in time of peace they follow power and the dollar wherever they may lead.”
― Henry A. Wallace
Keith, So true and well written!!!!
keith - the best is Limburger Cheese comparing the opening Olympic Ceremony on England's National Health Care as a tribute to President Obama
Sorry - my grandaughter was born in England - her dad is a Britt - cost - $150 same as I paid to have my oldest son in the US 55 years ago
Your comment makes no sense! And does paying the same for the birth of your son 55 yrs ago compared to now, paying the same????? WHAT?
Talk about responding with "way over the top" rhetoric from the Republicons. You guys just can't stand the idea of taking care of our own american citizens. Sounds like you guys are the biggest un-patriotic bums of all time. Shame on you!!!!!
Not bums. Traitors. They show their true colors everyday. How the hell can a so called political party be so hateful and spiteful as the Republicans. They vote their wallet not their country. What a pitiful lot.
The vagina police are at it again.
Lol, there's nothing quite like ridiculous theo-con hyperbole...
Most people are starting to believe that the Christian right will eventually try to impose their views on Judaism as well as all other religions not of their persuasion. Their plan is to impose a theocracy on this country.This is very disturbing to those who believe in the constitution.
I'm against abortion, but this man sounds absolutely crazy!
This guy is a d**k. How the hell can he seriously liken the passing of legislation to those two tragic events??
Being from Pennsylvania I can honestly say that Mike Kelly is out of touch with reality. The arrogant pos we have for Governor is just as bad,if not worse.
Rich - Then I have a question for you - why were these people voted into office
For every one crazy - there must be a band of crazies following them
I know they lie, won't answer questions like Willard - but don't you have a clever little dog like a Jack Russell that will thrush them out?
Go to the meetings - ask questions - show them for what they are
aka, the GOP TP
“A fascist is one whose lust for money or power is combined with such an intensity of intolerance toward those of other races, parties, classes, religions, cultures, regions or nations as to make him ruthless in his use of deceit or violence to attain his ends.”
― Henry A. Wallace
Hey Mike,
Thanks for joining the campaign for Obama!
Republicans love the 2nd amendment. The other 26, they're not so sure of.
Seriously it is very disrespectful for those who lost there lives in those attacks to be compared that to offering contraception for women. They're argument is ridiculous! Its funny how people who are anti abortion want to ban contraception which would lower abortions, condoms would lower STD's. There are some backward politicians out there. Women have the right to choose so let women decide there own fate with there own bodies...
When my grandfather was being stafed by japanese zeros at pearl harbor, he wasnt thinking about how contraception was the next great enemy on the horizon. Somehow I doubt 9/11 victims were thinking about contraception either.
GOP Game Plan
--DO NOTHING
--Obstruct
--Stick to Priority #1: See Black Guy in White House Fail--at ANY cost
--Aid NRA, HMO's and Corporations in every way while Subverting American labor and Middle Class in every way, every day
--Use 1950's 'socialist' scare tactics to undermine greater good of the Public health interests on behalf of private HMO/Insurance private interests
--Create political division and distortions wherever possible to MASK the Do-Nothing, Obstructionist, Racist, 1% Agenda
Now sign on the Grover Norquist dotted line--or be shunned, ReichWing Tools.
Amen and pass the Propaganda
These abortion people need to get a grip. If you don't get pregnant then there can be no abortion. That is a scientific fact.
So how is preventing pregnancy even close to such horrific days as Peal Harbor and 9/11. I am betting that 99% of Republicans are shaking and yelling their heads wondering what kind of religious crap will come out of his ignorant mouth tomorrow.
Because from where I'm standing he owes EVERYONE from Peal Harbor and 9/11 a big, big, big, apology! There will be no humans to "kill", as that is what he is implying, if you don't get pregnant.
The Republicans better get their religious nuts in line or lose a lot of support
They've lost a lot of support already. Not many people want to be aligned with people like that. Given what they say and do, I'm surprised Repubs are even a major party anymore. They won't be for long. Sooner they pass from the scene and no longer have any influence, the better off ALL of us will be.
Mike, you need to drive through Idaho, Montana and see how messed up they are. Radio station with Rush is the only thing they listen to and they call themselves religious. There are extremist that choose to believe this cool aid and would never admit to it's nonsense if it hit them in the nose. I saw a bumper sticker on one side "take back America and the right side bumper said "join the Tea Party. Pretty sick!!!!
The Republicants are just silly clowns who think Sarah Palin is a genius.
Thank Buddah the Pentagon is celebrating GAY PRIDE and not christian pride.
Republicans: swimming against the tide, as always. Be Afraid!! FEAR! FEAR! FEAR! We're all under THREAT! Our Government seeks to take ALL our rights away! We're PERSECUTED! This is like Pearl Harbor and 9/11 all rolled into one! Run and hide! Your lives will never be the same! "God's wrath" will come down on us! Democrats are in league with Satan! THE SKY IS FALLING! THE WOLF IS AT THE DOOR!
Yeah I dont get this at all, the choice that 159 million women in this country should have the right to make over the interests of a few hundred if even that orginizations that may feel a moral obligation to not offer it based on their beliefs. and really, to compare it to 911,,shouldnt the people we elect to serve us have some sort of bonifides to be considered for a public position,,,,the people that elected this guy should be embarrassed.
What a drama queen!
what hyperbole.
At what point does population growth reduce quality of life so that contraception is acceptable right for an individual to choose and not a group dictate?
Does this mean that the GOP campaign
kickbackscontributions from the insurance sector will stop?... oh my...