HD-42: Rep. Kurt Wallace: A "family is a husband, wife, and children." Too bad for the infertile.

Small problem with the Lysistrata suggestion (0.00 / 0)

You're operating under the rather faulty premise that these anti-choice nutjobs are involved with women who are pro-choice.  (I won't even mention the anti-choice nutjobs who ARE women.)  I'd also be willing to bet that most of the anti-choice men wouldn't have any problem with not having sex with their wives (most of them probably have one or two women on the side and it wouldn't surprise me if they had a guy or two on the side as well).

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by: BamaRainbow @ Thu Feb 07, 2013 at 23:14:44 PM UTC

I thought of that... (0.00 / 0)

but I know so many women who are involved with men with opposite political views.  Not sure how that works out: I guess everyone just keeps quiet about important issues, but that has to be pretty darn boring.

And how do you raise children?  Which, apparently, you must do to be considered a real "family."

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."  - John Kenneth Galbraith

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by: countrycat @ Thu Feb 07, 2013 at 23:19:51 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

They are impervious to reason (4.00 / 2)

but not all of their constituents are.  Keep putting out the crazy talk where people can see it.  Maybe they'll do the rape guy thing and put themselves out of office.

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by: DrAbston @ Fri Feb 08, 2013 at 00:00:50 AM UTC

That's our best chance, I think. (4.00 / 1)

After the TRAP bill moved from committee and some of the other awful bills and statement were publicized, I was honestly shocked to see comments like:

"where did these guys come from?" and "why didn't we know this was happening?" and "who put these people into office?" etc. etc. etc.

It's all I can do NOT to reply: "WHERE THEY HELL HAVE YOU BEEN FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS?"

None of this is new, but the ignorance and apathy of the other side has finally emboldened the wingers enough that they're really "letting the freak flag fly."

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."  - John Kenneth Galbraith

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by: countrycat @ Fri Feb 08, 2013 at 00:14:01 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Political Awareness (4.00 / 2)

Yesterday in class, my first-year university students didn't know who Mitt Romney is, and they didn't know the name of Alabama's governor. They also could not identify a single issue, position, or philosophy characteristic of either Democrats or Republicans. 

 To give you an idea of how bad it is: I was not surprised, and I was prepared for that eventuality. And, to be frank, the level of ignorance has seemed to increase as my career has moved geographically southward, from the Midwest, to Tennessee, then to Alabama. I doubt that's just coincidence but likely has a lot to do with the rapid decline in public school funding as one moves southward in the US. 

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by: profindagump @ Fri Feb 08, 2013 at 13:32:47 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Oh my.... (4.00 / 1)

In her high school government class, our daughter was the only student who could name both senators and the governor of the state.

But by the time the kids got out of the class, they all could.  IMO, there's so much emphasis put on reading & math testing, that all other subjects are just afterthoughts.

Students are being taught to take tests instead of practicing the skills necessary to formulate an argument, look at both sides of an issue, and sift through evidence. It's harder to teach and grade those skills, but they're absolutely vital for adults.  Not just in politics, but also when you're looking at financial investment options, making retirement plans, even choosing a career.

"The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness."  - John Kenneth Galbraith

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by: countrycat @ Fri Feb 08, 2013 at 13:42:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

i think it's intentional (4.00 / 1)

I really do think this is an intentional impact. Initially, in the 80s, it was a response to perceptions of "liberal indoctrination," but I think it quickly, if it wasn't already, was motivated by the knowledge that an ignorant electorate was a disempowered electorate. Or a disempowered consumer. 

 It's, in my opinion, part of an attempt to totally instrumentalize people, make us forget that we're citizens or humans, rather than workers, consumers, voters. I mean think of how slick it is just to get you to think of yourself only in terms of the vote. That becomes all that's necessary to be righteous, just go vote. Not know who the hell you're voting for, or why, or do any campaigning. Heck, people who campaign are clearly busybodies, nerds, troublemakers, outside agitators, etc..

In my paranoid moments I think the Republican Headquarters depicted in the Simpsons is documentary and not satire. 

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by: profindagump @ Fri Feb 08, 2013 at 13:56:54 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

this guy (4.00 / 1)

is MY rep?

i have a mind to run myself :P we used to have an old school conservative Democrat from Clanton - now we get a Talibangelist.

I miss Jimmy Martin! He got thr ax when the whole state decided to vote for any gorilla with an R after their name

A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on. -Churchill

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by: julie @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 01:02:06 AM UTC

"Show me your children" (4.00 / 1)

No, I'm not showing my children nor gmy randchildren to you.

Nor to Shadrack.

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by: Doggone @ Sat Feb 09, 2013 at 02:31:13 AM UTC