US POLITICS SPRING 2011: Let's just call off this country.

it's kind of the inverse of the 'actual headlines you can't believe aren't onion articles" thing

Man, it's not funny, but it does remind me about this hilarious bit:

http://www.theonion.com/video/new-law-requires-women-to-name-baby-paint-nursery,14393/

the Texas bill that passed its second hearing yesterday requires that the ultrasound tech describe the fetus to the woman if she closes her eyes to the u/s

please, please, please do everything you can to stop these nightmare bills from passing.

That. is. amazing. This IS Clockwork Orange.

I should be clear. The bill had language that required the patient to actually look at the ultrasound. They knew that wasn't workable, so they wrote in a part about how the u/s tech is required to describe the fetus. The patient has to listen to this whether they choose to look at the ultrasound or not. These are some of the most shameful laws being passed and everyone who cherishes their right to privacy, their right to determine the course of their own medical care, and general human decency should be opposing these bills loudly and visibly.

aero, I'm looking at www.house.gov/ directory business but there are like 20 reps for NY state. How do I know which one(s) to write to?

you have to figure out which district you live in and write the one that represents it

then write all the other ones

Looking up congressional districts now....

enter your zip code here and they will get to you to a page with a pre-written letter to your rep which you can amend as you see fit, then click through for electronic signature on the next page. I am told that phone calls remain the most effective. I do both.

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/6713/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=6678

Found it! Dist 11. Yvette Clarke, yay.

aero - do you have a link re: the ultrasound technician thing?

http://www.rhrealitycheck.org/blog/2011/05/03/texas-senate-passes-mandatory-ultrasound-bill

Thanks! I'm trying to convey this info to my wife and some others, helps to have links to go along with my angry ramblings.

I send the form letter and added: "This bill was abhorrent when it was proposed in January as a vehicle to introduce the term "forcible rape," a contemptible effort to take from women even the *right* to consider themselves sexually assaulted, and even with that language withdrawn it is wholly abhorrent now.

Please bring your influence to bear on this issue out of the many you consider -- women are losing ground nearly every day, losing critical rights of agency and self-determination in matters of our own human development and physical and mental health."

Hmm. My street's not showing up.

I get a little over-blown when I'm upset.

i've never called my rep before - do you usually speak to them directly? or to an aide?

It depends on who you call - when you call a state rep you will sometimes be sent straight through, but usually it's an aide. but you should consider the aide your best shot at conveying your message - it's what they do. you can also request a response sometimes.

btw Laurel that is great work!!

for those feeling particularly worried obama has indicated that he will veto HR3 if it managed to pass the senate (which it wouldnt): http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/05/as-abortion-bill-nears-house-vote-white-house-threatens-veto.php

I can't imagine Obama signing it but I don't blame anyone for their skepticism

Yvette Clarke, yay.

You obv don't know her very well...

(She's a lockstep NY nepotism pol -- succeeded her mother -- but I don't think you have any worries on this issue)

lol, it's not going to pass

still worth putting your reps' feet to the fire though. i've got a great rep but i send him stuff like this occasionally, just as reinforcement. probably doesn't do anything

yeah I was just about to link that! it is FANTASTIC to hear the White House willing to say "this won't get past the President's desk" - that kind of pushback is necessary. Would be great if the Justice Dept would take an interest in these unconstitutional violations of patients' rights at the state level too but make no mistake, that TPM piece is really, really good news

in the event that it did make it through the Senate and Obama vetoed it I would straight up donate to his reelection campaign on those grounds alone

within, like, five minutes of the veto

probably doesn't do anything

― estkella (k3vin k.), Tuesday, May 3, 2011 8:04 PM (2 minutes ago) Bookmark

it does, actually. these cats do most of their voting based on *drumroll* the number of constituents who contact their office for/against.

I remember somebody told me that as they circulated a petition at an anarchist bookstore and I kinda snickered skeptically along with the other cool kids, didn't buy it, but it is an actual thing that is factual

lol

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-fox-south-carolina-debate-20110503,0,4969337.story

Can't South Carolina dig up another idiot man-child to pad out the competition? Does Alvin Green have any unemployed friends?

http://i.imgur.com/b6hzF.png

so 56-58ish approval rating - almost disappointing, considering how much of it will fade? have we reached a point w/ partisanship where he could cure cancer and AIDS and still not hit 60-70?

actually curing cancer and AIDS are not really a president's duty so I guess that's a bad example

he should have asked the troops to preserve OBL's body for science.

Then in a few years we could have a spate of THEY SAVED BIN LADEN'S BRAIN movies.

on wisconsin!

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/democrat-wins-republicans-seat-wisconsin

WHOOOOOOOOOO

meanwhile y'all today HR3 is up. HR3 does this:

OpenCongress Summary

This bill would make permanent and expand the Hyde amendment restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortions. It seeks to prohibit even indirect funding streams that may potentially come in contact with abortion services. For example, it would deny tax credits to companies that offer health plans that cover abortions and it would block anybody with insurance that covers abortions from receiving federal subsidies or medical cost tax deductions, even if the abortion portion is paid separately with personal funds.

IOW it's a pretty clear First Amendment violation (this is Church v. State imo) and a transparent attempt to legislate morality. Even if you've already done this once, do it again if you can. It may make a difference and it takes five minutes tops.

Call the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. They'll pick up with something like "Capitol Operator." Ask to be connected to your Representative. You can ask for her/him by name, but if you don't know it, you can ask the operator to look it up by your zip code; that's not a problem. They'll connect you, and then a staffer at your Rep's office will pick up.

I'm not really eloquent when I'm talking to strangers so I just say something "I'm calling because I support reproductive rights and as a registered voter & a constituent I want to ask my representative to vote 'no' on HR 3." But you can elaborate on your thoughts which I also do sometimes.

"Hi this is underrated aerosmith bootlegs I have owned. I oppose HR 3. Did you guys cop that Allman Bros New Orleans show from 71? Incredible right? Thanks"

btw this "Is Osama dead?" press conference going on right now is absolutely the stupidest shit of all time, there is no hope for humans, they are just too fuckin stupid

told ya dude; there was no chance they were just gonna take Obama's word for it

btw Jim Carney is totally the indie rock press secretary - 5 bucks this dude has GBV records in his collection & his favorite song is always late on the 2nd side

You're making him sound disgraceful.

like, Cheney level disgraceful.

listens to GBV, eats kittens

Cheney's favorite song on B1000 = Peephole

If you'd said, "Carney looks like he loves The Breakfast Club's `Right On Track,'" then RIGHT ON.

how to turn ilx lefties against the Democratic party in one easy post

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h279/juicyfrt/matthews-leno-cheney.jpg

give me the cost of the albatross and wear it around your neck for size

yo you guys I hear Joe Biden is a Fleet Foxes stan

that's it, I'm voting Green