The man's clearly insane

In a speech before the Joint Armed Forces Officers’ Wives’ luncheon on Tuesday, President Bush urged the nation to be more optimistic when it comes to the war in Iraq: “Some observers look at the job ahead and adopt a self-defeating pessimism. It’s not justified.” With over 2,000 U.S. military casaulties and an estimated 31,050 Iraqi deaths, one would think that President Bush could get a fucking clue about the war and the world. But what's the use of making sense if making sense isn't really your thing? “The terrorists are as brutal an enemy as we have ever faced, unconstrained by any notion of common humanity and by the rules of warfare,” Mr Bush said in a speech . . I think I'm trying to figure out how the Bush administration currently defines "the rules of warfare" or even what constitutes their "notion of common humanity"? We've got hundreds of thousands dying from AIDS and women dying or experiencing near fatal childbirth because Bush refuses to pledge U.S. money to UNFPA; Bush, et. al. were on vacation during the beginning disaster of Hurricane Katrina; the U.S. is hell bent on eradicating any rules of engagement when it comes to tackling worldwide (and national) poverty. I'm probably just confused, but none of this seems to be making any sense. What are Bush's rules of warfare? How does he explain defying the national and international rules of warfare to enter this war in the first place? And who does he have in mind when he's thinking of a common humanity? Anyone want to clear this up for me . . .

Some logic after all . . .

Found amidst an article on the insecurity surrounding the Rove-CIA leak situation: And given how badly things have been going for Mr. Bush and his team on other fronts - a poll released Thursday by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center put [Bush's] approval rating at 38 percent, a new low . . . It's a relief to know that people are wisening up a bit. Let's hope the collective short term memory loss doesn't kick in.

Gestational certification goes bust!

Update: that nutty Indiana bill that would restrict motherhood to married women was dropped by its legislative sponsor. State Sen. Patricia Miller (R-Indianapolis) issued a one-sentence statement Wednesday about her decision to drop the proposal. ''The issue has become more complex than anticipated and will be withdrawn from consideration by the Health Finance Commission,'' she said. Hmmm ... me wonders if someone called them out on their legislative gay bashing?!? (Thanks to Andy for the heads up.)

Are you authorized to reproduce?

Not if you're an unmarried woman living in Indiana! For those of you who aren't readers of the Daily Kos, I'll happily drop this secondhand knowledge on your asses: Republican lawmakers are drafting new legislation that will make marriage a requirement for motherhood in the state of Indiana, including specific criminal penalties for unmarried women who do become pregnant "by means other than sexual intercourse." It gets better . . . Only women who are married will be considered for the "gestational certificate" that must be presented to any doctor who facilitates the pregnancy. Further, the "gestational certificate" will only be given to married couples that successfully complete the same screening process currently required by law of adoptive parents. I wish they would just stop beating around the bush and get things out of the closet: this is about those pagan-worshiping, woman-loving, man-hating dykes. Because, if we're honest with ourselves, we all know that lesbians would be horrible mothers if given the chance, so why risk our nations future in the hands of those carpet munchers? "Gestational certificates?" I don't think so. This is about restricting parenting to heterosexuals. This is about structural violence against the gay community that will persist as long as crazy people are running our country and the state of Indiana. The Health Finance Commission will be meeting on October 20 to discuss the bill. Contact them. (Thanks to Amber for the hookup and a good laugh.)

Finally, good news: VAWA Passed!

The Senate unanimously voted today to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act. Mad props to Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Joseph Biden (D- DE), and the hundreds of activists who have worked their asses off to ensure the passage VAWA! The next step involves creating a comprehensive version of the bill acceptable by both chambers of congress. ...the House version only contains criminal and civil justice provisions, while the Senate bill contains more comprehensive provisions addressing prevention, crisis and advocacy services, and housing protections. Alright ladies, keep up the advocacy and efforts: call your Representatives to ensure a comprehensive, final VAWA!