Obama Shatters GOP’s United Front On Birth Control

[SunsetDreams]

Schisms are emerging within the Republican Party after President Obama’s announcement last Friday that he would tweak his contraception mandate to ensure that religious nonprofits aren’t forced to pay for an employee’s birth control coverage. And as GOP leaders push to repeal the requirement entirely, the White House is welcoming that battle.

The shift is looking like an act of political jujitsu as Obama has not only unified his base but splintered the GOP coalition, which initially appeared united against the President’s rule. Obama won over the Democrats and moderate Catholics who criticized him, while maintaining the support of those who backed the original rule. As an added bonus, he has turned some Republicans who initially opposed his policy against their own leaders.

Splitting from their party leaders are Maine Republican Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both of whom criticized the earlier regulation but praised the shift in carefully-worded statements. Neither would say whether they supported an amendment by their Senate colleague Roy Blunt (MO), which would fully reverse the requirement.

“While I will carefully review the details of the President’s revised proposal, it appears to be a step in the right direction,” Collins said. “The Administration has finally listened to the concerns raised by many and appears to be seeking to avoid the threat to religious liberties posed by its original plan.”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/obamas-birth-control-shift-splinters-gop-coalition.php?ref=fpb

[Scootaloo]

1. Love that pic.

"You mad?"

[catbyte]

2. Ditto, Scootaloo

BTW, thanks to whoever gave me the heart!

Diane
Anishinaabe in MI

[april come she will]

5. Really? I love this one:

These are more crumbs thrown to the masses...

[april come she will]

6. FYI

This pic was Obama signing NDAA--the measure that he won't act upon (then why the fuck did you sign it????!)

[Scootaloo]

7. Maybe it's bad because it's too good?

And because it's not good enough, too, don'cha know.

^ actual argument from a DUer

[april come she will]

8. I am sorry but I don't follow. Please elaborate. n/t

[Scootaloo]

9. Seeing your note, I'm not surprised

There was a poster who complained about Obama's budget plan last night, saying that it was "fake" because it was a good budget.. .and then also said it was a "sellout" because it wasn't good enough. In other words, just a person engaging in an irrational, knee-jerk hatred o the man, while trying to convince others that he was "just criticizing policy."

I'm sorry that you're upset that Obama is burying the Republicans in their own feces and protecting women's right to contraception; I understand this might be upsetting for someone who only wants to see constant failure, and justification for their own frothing hatred of Obama, and support for their double standards and moving goalposts.

But some of us are able to acknowledge good things as they come.

[Aerows]

15. Pay for their own fornication?

Do you realize that women take birth control for ovarian cysts, endometriosis, and young girls who are just getting their periods are frequently put on it so that they don't miss 5 days of school a month due to crippling cramps and anemia?

There are a VARIETY of medical, non-fornicating reasons women take birth control. I assume you must be male since none of that occurred to you.

[april come she will]

16. I will bet you that I had endometriosis

My periods have always been painful. To put women on that pill for other health issues is HIGHLY irresponsible! You won't get any sympathy from me because I've lived it. I have never even been to a gynie in my life. And so I don't get prescribed stuff. Like the recommendation that CHILDREN get the HPV vaccine!

[Aerows]

18. I'm not looking for sympathy from you

I go to the gynecologist because I'm a responsible woman, and I've never taken birth control because I've never had a reason to do so. You see, I have been lucky enough to not have such health conditions, and I have a wonderful woman in my life so I'm not concerned in the slightest about a pregnancy.

Ovarian cysts can be prevented from destroying the ovaries by using birth control and preventing surgery. Birth control is occasionally used in fertility treatments, too, did you know that? As in, get on them for a while, then come off so you can get pregnant.

I mind my own business when it comes to telling other women what medical treatment they receive, and the medical treatment of their children. I'm not a doctor. If only others were as considerate.

[HockeyMom]

19. My period pain was worse than childbirth contractions

If for no other reason that they lasted for days, ever single month. Childbirth doesn't last that long. Then there is the issue of severe bleeding for 6 out of 8 days every month. Imagine going through THAT from when you were 10 until 50? I don't think you would LIVE that long. Do you know what that can cause? Severe anemia. I was put on the Pill at age 12. The doctor told my parents if this wasn't done I would have to be hospitalized, have a D&C, and blood transfusions. BTW, this was a LONG time ago, as in 1960.

I take from your response that you don't have children. If or when you do, you will have to see an OB/GYN, unless of course, you want to deliver your baby all by yourself. Trust me you wouldn't want to deliver a breach baby by yourself, without an OB/GYN, in a hospital.

I really upsets me that other women cannot understand this. If women can't, how can we except some old man in Washington, or Rome, to?

[boppers]

26. Do you avoid dentists, too?

HPV is also transmitted orally, as well, FWIW, and it's been responsible for a rise in mouth/throat cancers.

The reason the vaccination is recommended for children is that it's useless to give to people *after* they get HPV, which usually happens in their teens, once they start kissing, sharing silverware, having sex, etc.

Kind of like vaccinating your child for polio, it's pointless once they are already crippled.

[Scootaloo]

17. Yes yes, punish the "sluts," I've heard this song before

It didn't impress me the first time I heard it slobber its way out of the mouth of a right-wing dumbass, and it's certainly not going to impress me coming from the likes of you, either.

People fuck, it's a part of being human. You can't segregate sexual health from other health concerns as if it were some dirty, shameful thing that should never happen.

Now. Fornicate off, will you?

[HockeyMom]

20. You cannot "fornicate" with your spouse

You NEVER hear them talk about married couples. Or maybe the still think the wife is a slut too if she is using birth control to prevent conception. Yeah, every married couple would just love to be the Duggars. Give them tax breaks and they will have a quiverful of kids. He is saying that the US need to increase our birth rate!!!! Tax breaks to create more kids. The man is totally INSANE.

[miso honey]

21. Stay classy....I don't consider women who have sex outside

marriage to be sluts but I don't want to pay for their birth control. Or should I pay for all forms of people's entertainment?

[Scootaloo]

25. Okay, so they should just pay a penalty for having sex outside wedlock?

"Do the crime, face the time," basically.

DU is a weird place.

[SunsetDreams]

12. This OP is about Birth Control Policy

You can create an OP about NDAA if you like, and I will promise not to insert a reply about Birth Control Policy.

[april come she will]

13. Okay...deal

I am just very concerned about people still loving pics of Obama. He is very photogenic but we have to look behind the curtain.

[SunsetDreams]

3. Birth Control Policy Has Support From Catholic Hospitals, Colleges, And Charities, But Fox News

Obama's Birth Control Policy Has Support From Catholic Hospitals, Colleges, And Charities, But Fox Won't Tell You That

Following the announcement by President Obama that his administration will ensure that women have access to insurance coverage for birth control while accommodating employers who object to providing birth control, Catholic hospitals and other institutions have said that they support the policy. But Fox News refuses to tell its viewers that the policy has widespread support, instead pretending that Catholic hospitals and other employers are being victimized.

In Fact, Catholic Institutions Have Shown Overwhelming Support For Obama's Contraception Policy


Catholic Health Association Is "Very Pleased" With The White House Accommodation On Birth Control.
(statement at link)

Catholic Charities USA "Welcomes" The Obama Administration's Accommodation Of Religious Institutions As A "Step In The Right Direction."
(statement at link)

Catholics United "Supports Obama Administration's New Compromise Regulation On HHS Contraception Rule." In a press release, Catholics United expressed their "support" for the Obama administration and called on Catholic Bishops to do the same.
(statement at link)

Much more at link: http://mediamatters.org/research/201202130008

[TwilightGardener]

4. Turns out, most Americans like birth control, want it covered. On to the next

"look over there!" distraction. Isn't there a "whitey tape" or a Kenyan relative they can dig up somewhere?

[AlinPA]

14. If there were a vote on reversing the requirement, Collins and Snowe would go along with it.

It's all talk with them. They are afraid of being teabagger-primaried and are both liars.

[tfrey1225]

22. This whole issue

is a stupid distraction from more pressing and serious matters. Only the GOP could turn what should be common sense into a matter of pressing national concern. We shouldn't be having this conversation in American in 2012. Unfortunately the GOP has nothing to run on otherwise, the economy is improving and Obama's been a foreign policy success. This is the GOP throwing shit against the wall and hoping it sticks.

[sarcasmo]

23. Kick!

[ProgressiveEconomist]

24. Some R women may LEAVE their party

over the Blunt legislation. Contraceptive coverage is the kind of issue that may become the last straw for women who are getting tired of Tea Party backwardness.

IMO President Obama's female WH advosors hit a home run with their strategy of defying the Bishops. This issue alone could ensure the Presidnet's re-election with a twenty-point advantage over the Rs among women.