Who better to tell women how to make their own reproductive choices than a room full of religious conservative elderly white men? I mean, obviously right?
Clearly that's what Fox New's Sean Hannity concluded this week when he reflexively assembled an all-male panel to discuss women's reproductive rights.
President's Obama's healthcare plan requires contraception to be included in insurance coverage, which is a reflection of the longstanding reality that 98% of Catholic women in the US already use birth control.
Not so fast, cried Hannity's panel. We don't want hospitals, colleges or other religious organizations to provide birth control because if a women doesn't become pregnant every single time she has sex God gets quite irate - and so do we, they scolded.
This is really big issue for the right they claimed. We'd go to war over this.
Sensing their resolve Hannity asked the all-male panel: 'How many of you would be willing to go to jail over this?' All but three or four raised their hands. Oh, the drama. Then to further underline their point they did something that conservatives actually do every week on Fox News, they compared the Obama administration to Nazi Germany.
It was a move that particularly nauseated the Daily Show's Jon Stewart, who takes a special kind of offense at grossly unfair comparisons to Hitler.
'First of all, when the Nazis came for people, they also left with them. It wasn't a metaphor,' Stewart said, referring to one panelists Nazi claims. 'Hitler did not 'start small.' His deliberate annihilation of a religion didn't kick off with insurance reform.'
Stewart dismissively titled Hannity's all-male panel 'The world's holiest sausage fest,' and scoffed at its claim that a healthcare mandate amounted to a war on religion.
Really, he asked, how persecuted can America's religious institutions be when they collect up to $100 billion a year in revenue without paying any taxes? 'If that's persecution, it's the kind of persecuted I'd like to be," Stewart scoffed.
Just looking at them would probably be sufficient to dampen anyone's thoughts of love, but these men want to leave nothing to chance. They want to call the shots, no need to hear from women. Now who does that remind you of?
But in a metaphor that seems apt, it looks like the conservatives forces who have carefully crafted this 'controversy' have been shooting blanks - this ginned up 'controversy' is another in a long line of overplayed hands.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| The Vagina Ideologues - Sean Hannity's Holy Sausage Fest | ||||
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READ MORE
Madness for Church and GOP to oppose contraceptive use for women or men
The Catholic Church blasts contraception - ignores own failings in sexual abuse scandal
Morning after pill contraception sold over the counter in Irish pharmacies
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.eiriamach | Feb 20, 2012, 01:31 PM EST
TomS, There's only a faint 'whooshing' sound each time one of GD's insults flies past, right over my head, no problem at all for me because he never gets anywhere near the truth. Happy President's Day to you and all.
eiriamach | Feb 20, 2012, 12:57 PM EST
eirimach, I am sorry that your agreement with and support of my posts have subjected you to Dillon's outrageous abuse. On the other hand, you are more than capable of exposing this belligerent thug for what he is. And we can rejoice - at least I can - in this simple truth: Dillon must live in that very lonely, twisted and tormented mind of his. No one else does. Best Wishes and Happy President's Day.
eiriamach | Feb 20, 2012, 09:37 AM EST
GD, with duplicity, you criticized Tom Swinford for what you called an "anti-Catholic slur" when he accurately described a Catholic ritual. Then you quoted Wikipedia on the "CHRISTIAN" ritual--that was never adopted by the Catholic Church-- of Thanksgiving after childbirth-- to "prove" your insult. We're not fools, GD. I doubt anyone fell for your Wikipedia bluff. The Christian ritual still sometimes referred to as "churching" is, as documented history clearly shows, an Anglican ritual, developed most probably in reaction against the misogynist Catholic "churching" ritual, so it's appropriate for me to summarize the history. And, yes, I'm proud of associating with it. Episcopalians are not "moderate" about working for justice, equality, an end to bigotry. You ought to be banned, GD, not for your hate speech-- generously protected by the first amendment to the US Constitution-- but for your baseless, vituperative personal attacks. They suggest a species of lunacy, and no web site ought to promote the rantings of the mentally unsound.
ciaradexy | Feb 19, 2012, 03:01 PM EST
Eiriamach, youre right. Both my grannys told me about the purification ritual they had to go through after they had each of their babies. Women were considered tainted and dirty after giving birth pretty much like they were when they were menstruating. Up until very recently it was also legal here for a man to rape his wife. Oh the catholic church in Ireland! What a sham!
GeorgeDillon | Feb 19, 2012, 02:43 PM EST
Eiriamach: "frith- caint"... There's no such term in Irish, please have some respect for the language and refrain from inventing inanities. And even if such a term existed, you'd have it wrong, since "frith" would lenite the first consonant of the following noun. You're not just a bigot, you're a moron.
GeorgeDillon | Feb 19, 2012, 02:39 PM EST
eiriamach: Stop your shameless pimping for the Anglican Church. You're doing them no favors by associating your fanaticism with what is a very moderate and restrained church. I respect the Episcopalian tradition. I've admired all Episcopalians I have known--they're not bigots like you. As for your Know Nothing fellow-bigot Swinford, he;'s just an idiot, I pay him no heed. By the way eiriamach you fool, my reference to banning a poster came IN RESPONSE to your fellow-bigot and fascist Swinford, who asked that I be banned from this site. So you're a nasty hypocrite as well as a bigoted fool, eiriamach.,
GeorgeDillon | Feb 19, 2012, 02:30 PM EST
eiriamach: I don't get my Catholic faith from Wikipedia, you stupid bigot. I got it from my Catholic education and my continued membership of the Church. I cited a quick definition from Wikipedia for the benefit of your fellow-bigot Swinford. Looks like you are too stupid to have understood that. But you're not a member of this church, so why do you obsess about it? Is is some kind of perversion on your part? Are you KKK? You're a sad hatemonger. A true Know Nothing, in a long tradition of American anti-Catholic bigotry.
hollabackgurl | Feb 19, 2012, 10:01 AM EST
The president said: No one's going to force you to violate your doctrine. But Catholics are also Americans, and if an individual Catholic worker wants coverage, she should have access to it - just like any other American citizen. Under the new plan, she will. She can go directly to the insurer, and the religious institution is off the hook. But now the bishops are opposing any mandate to provide contraceptives even though their institutions are not required to pay for them.
eiriamach | Feb 18, 2012, 06:38 PM EST
And GeorgeDillon calls for banning, censoring, when he reads an unpleasant truth! Censorship "appeases the anger of those who cannot abide independent minds" (Spinoza).
eiriamach | Feb 18, 2012, 06:20 PM EST
By all the signs, Dillon's incurable. I only wish that he would not express his prejudices in the Irish language. English is the language for his sexist comment and all the rest of his frith- caint. English has a solid history of sexism that Irish cannot match.
eiriamach | Feb 18, 2012, 05:53 PM EST
eirimach, thank you. I confess I was not aware of the purification ritual but it does lend credence to my story - the basic facts of which I learned some years ago on a trip back home, sitting around a dining room table with family and friends when the conversation turned to religion. Frankly, I was stunned and could not believe what I was hearing. It was confirmed and reconfirmed. I believed that this could not possibly be a general practice within the church. The canon of the parish during this time, which coincided with Vatican ll, was notorious for his bizarre behavior and late night boozing. He denounced Vatican ll and assured his parishioners from the pulpit that they had nothing to worry about, that the winds of change would not blow through his parish. So it wasn't unreasonable to assume that this confessional ritual might just be one canon's misguided attachment to the ancient church. If regular visitors to this website had any doubts as to Dillon's sanity, his last two posts must surely remove them. This is one truly sick man.
eiriamach | Feb 18, 2012, 03:28 PM EST
I'm not surprised that GeorgeDillon gets his "facts" from Wikipedia. Maybe that's why he misses out on the fine points, such as the Catholic Church has never reformed its ritual for the purification of women from the sin of sex as evidenced by giving birth. But women no longer use the purification ritual. TomSwinford is right about it. As I wrote on Cahir's blog "What the Bible Says to Women," when the topic of "churching" came up: In the years following the Second Vatican Council, most Roman Catholic churches discontinued the purification ritual known as "churching" of women after childbirth. Four centuries earlier (1552), the Anglican Book of Common Prayer replaced the purification ritual with "The Thanksgiving of Women after Childbirth, commonly called the Churching of Women." This blessing has evolved into a beautiful ceremony of thanksgiving for the birth or adoption of a child. Since the 1979 edition, it has included prayers "For the Birth of a Child," For an Adoption" (the child and the parents accept each other), "Act of Thanksgiving" (the Magnificat), Psalm 116 or 23, a celebrant's prayer, then "For a safe delivery," "For the parents," "For a child not yet baptized / already baptized." The Anglican service concludes with a prayer to the Trinity, reminding the people that all are children of God.
GeorgeDillon | Feb 18, 2012, 02:44 PM EST
Hatemongers like TompaisleySwinford seek to tarnish everything with their own bile and bigotry. In this case, Swinford turned a badly-understood memory of the Christian tradition of Churching into an opportunity to spew forth his hate. A moment's effort, if he indeed wanted to know the facts, could have yielded him many online expositions on Churching, and permitted him an understanding of something he knew nothing about. The very first one I found said the following: "In Christian tradition the Churching of Women is the ceremony wherein a blessing is given to mothers after recovery from childbirth. The ceremony includes thanksgiving for the woman's survival of childbirth, and is performed even when the child is stillborn, or has died unbaptized." Note how the hatemonger and bigot TomSwinford vilely misrepresents what is a beautiful and life-affirming tradition, and twists it for his own sinister purposes. He should be banned from this site for his pattern of lies and bigotry. Contemptible.
GeorgeDillon | Feb 18, 2012, 02:35 PM EST
Notice how our resident liar and bigot TomSwinford backtracked when I called him on his truly absurd claim that in the 1960s married women had to tell in confession that they had had sex with their husband. This anti-Catholic slur by the bigoted buffoon TomSwinford is so atrocious that he should be kicked off this site forthwith. I don't care that now he says he only heard it third-hand. I say he's a liar and a fraud, who invented this slur from his own weird prejudices. As we say in Irish (a language unknown to Swinford) "Duirt bean liom go nduirt bean lei...". I complained about his posting but have little faith that he'll get the fate he deserves, which is permanent exile from this online group. But even now it's not too late for this bigoted jerk to apologize to Catholic readers for his effort to stir up anti-Catholicism. Maybe he would be better styling himself TomPaisley, that's another anti-Catholic nut.
jetsnoone | Feb 18, 2012, 11:37 AM EST
The Democrats are the party of abortion....
jetsnoone | Feb 18, 2012, 11:25 AM EST
The item regarding the quaint customs of a local parish church in the West of Ireland that I referred to below is true. I was astonished to say the least when I heard about it some years ago. It wasn't difficult to confirm - although it appears that it wasn't considered an obligation but rather a traditional custom, the thing to do before the child was baptised, in short, the mother and child both being cleansed of the sin. It died out when the women, including my mother, refused the ritual trip to confessions before baptism. I do not know for sure but rather suspect that it was not a widespread practice. As for you Dillon, More astonishing than the above story is the fact that you have not yet been banned from IrishCentral. Your M.O. is to attack, insult, name-call and abuse. You rarely have anything of value to contribute. You have accused scores of people on this website of being racist, bigoted, liars and fools. Yet, as your own posts so clearly demonstrate these slurs utterly define you. More than anything, I enjoy a good debate, something you are quite incapable of. You, sir, are not worth my spit.
GeorgeDillon | Feb 18, 2012, 10:05 AM EST
"even into the 1960's in Ireland (at least in my parish),a married woman was still required to confess her sin of seducing her husband into sex." You're a pervert and a liar, TomSwinford. What "woman" was this--your wife or your mother?
GeorgeDillon | Feb 18, 2012, 08:46 AM EST
The GOP presidential clown show continues and with the latest contraception lunacy it seems that they are quite determined to commit national suicide by alienating more than half the U.S. polulation - women. Current front-runner Santorum does not believe in any form of contraception, not even the Catholic Church approved rhythm method for married couples. I watched a clip of Santorum last night on TV basically saying that sex for any purpose other than procreation is morally wrong. This is in line with 3rd century St. Augustine of Hippo, a giant in the Catholic Church, who, in his final years, was a raving lunatic, unable to reconcile in his demented mind the unalterable reality that sex was necessary for procreation but that it necessarily included pleasure, which to Augustine was an abomination. He gave us Original Sin, occurring, according to this holy man,at the very moment of male orgasm. Yet, the sin attached to the female - which is why, even into the 1960's in Ireland (at least in my parish),a married woman was still required to confess her sin of seducing her husband into sex. Much of our church dogma comes from Augustine who profoundly believed that women were evil, as much in the devil's image as men were in God's image, and always leading Godly men to do bad things. Incidentally, Pope John the 23rd, truly a man of God, who respected women and understood their unique burden, was not opposed to contraception, believing that married couples had the absolute right to choose their own methods of family planning. Alas, his successor, Pope Paul the 6th did not agree and in in his 1968 Humanae Vitae upheld the ban on contraception.
hjfarmer | Feb 17, 2012, 06:24 PM EST
Hypocritical is the last thing I would say about Hannity. He is straight down the line, a line you obviously do not like. Propoganda, yeah maybe. An example of hypocrisy - today our democratic president was in Waashington congratulating Boeing on their work including parts they are receiving from plants in Kansas and South Carolina - -yes the same South Carolina plant his NLRB and union buddies wanted shut down. That is election year hypocisy. Again, facts are awful things.
seanomelb | Feb 17, 2012, 05:36 PM EST
The sanctimonious hypocrites on the Hannity show are one why Obama will be re-elected. The only truth on the Hannity show lies on the cutting room floor.Credibility no longer exists in the GOP
hjfarmer | Feb 17, 2012, 05:28 PM EST
Shamus - facts are a terrible thing. I was amazed on here a couple of weeks ago the number of people who think the money we have been paying into Social Security is there just waiting. I know I am changing the subject, but there are a lot of you who listen to garbage Pelosi (have to pass it before we know what is in it) and Reid (Social Security is not broke) say and just believe it without checking the facts. God help us all
hollabackgurl | Feb 17, 2012, 03:06 PM EST
Catholic Bishops are signaling their intent to become the new Jerry Falwells. In addition to attacking contraception they'll also protest condom distribution for HIV prevention, they want to force trafficking and statutory rape survivors to give birth against their will, and they hate the idea that anybody, anywhere, might be holding gay weddings. Great issues! Very Christian. Forget the poor! They don't get headlines.
SeamusMartin | Feb 17, 2012, 02:29 PM EST
Faux News is at it again. Any time and I mean ANY time a group of people are Faux the end result is already known. It is pure outright propoganda. What I can't believe is the conservatives don't get it. All liberals. progressives, independents, not to mention the rest of the world knows this. If it worn't so horrendous it'd be hilarious. Those on that program are all the more reason abortion in needed!
hjfarmer | Feb 17, 2012, 02:05 PM EST
Sorry you are having such a hard time understanding that the issue is not contracption...you really seem to be hung up on placing aspirin between your legs. Enjoy, and I am sure Cahir gets a kick thinking about it as well. His recent post about the Church not caring for anyone after they are born is total nonsense. There is no match worldwide to Catholic charities as well as the things that Catholic hospitals and schools have done for the young. I am fair and to be fair, the church has screwed up a lot of times as well. But Cahir is not being fair and shame on him for that. I am guessing he doesn't thik that any charities know what is best except for handouts by the Federal government. That is about all gone.
Nicomax | Feb 17, 2012, 02:02 PM EST
When religious organizations enter the secular world with hospitals, universities, etc. and not only employ people from a wide range of religious beliefs, or none at all, but also benefit from government grants, they need to adhere to secular laws just like all others.
hollabackgurl | Feb 17, 2012, 01:40 PM EST
Sorry but the GOP has become so isolated from the American mainstream they would not allow a single woman to testify in the Issa hearings on contraception and religious freedom for Catholic bishops. Rick Santorum thinks the only birth control a woman should have is crossing her legs. Obviously men have no responsibility in the matter.
hjfarmer | Feb 17, 2012, 01:23 PM EST
No hollabackgurl we are not and that is what is so crazy. We are discussing a government telling Christian religiions (this admin will never step on Muslims) that they have to support something that is totally against their relgious belifes. Catholic women use contraception and there is no one saying that it should not be available. But Obama is telling the church they have to support it monetarily. It is two issues - Obama giving money to some people from other people and Obama telling the Church they have to do something against their beliefs. Nothing about contraception.
hollabackgurl | Feb 17, 2012, 12:54 PM EST
Here's Rick Santorum's take: "This contraceptive thing, my gosh. Back in my days, they used Bayer Aspirin for contraception. The gals put it between their knees and it wasn't that costly." Republicans, sensing that the economy is improving, have turned to 'social issues' in the hope of traction. But are we SERIOUSLY discussing contraception in 2012? Seriously?
EphraimKibbey | Feb 17, 2012, 12:50 PM EST
Ladies, I agree with you. You should have the final say on anything that involves your health. What's happening in the Land of the Free? Will we soon be a theocracy? Will we give up on a founding principle of our country? The current GOP politicians are such a joke!!! This same law as O'Bama's compromise is in place in 28 states and in most of them it was put there by the previous generation of GOP politicians who back then, in the 70's, were mostly males. Back then males looked at contraception as a good thing. Back then William F. Buckley kept the Reactionary Right in check. Back then I was a republican born of a republican family. It is sooo transparent that the GOP is really disappointed that the economy is showing signs of life and depriving them of their 2010 message that they alone know how to create jobs. Of course once they got elected they have done zip to fulfill their election day promises. How many times do you have pass legisation saying that taxes can't be used for abortions before the 10% of Americans that care are satisfied? How about a bill that creates jobs you liars! Be careful who you vote for! Make sure you know what their real priorities are because some people will actually lie to get elected!
hjfarmer | Feb 17, 2012, 12:27 PM EST
I am betting that Cahir did not even see this segment. The segment and the whole issue is not about contraception; it is about religious freedom; that is why clergy were discussing it and not a bunch of soccer moms. I am betting there was not a person who spoke one word against contraception. It was about forcing a church to against its beliefs have to monetarily support contraception. Way to gin up something out of nothing Cahir.
CelticQueenUSA | Feb 17, 2012, 12:01 PM EST
How can someone without a vagina know what the hell he is talking about! You have a cycle for 45 years of your life. Stop thinking with your 5-6 inches of brain!!!
lecorri | Feb 17, 2012, 10:14 AM EST
While I dont always agree with this particular contributor, I'm afraid he is spot on with his article discussing womens reproductive rights on an 'all male' panel. As I have always said..how in the WORLD can a bunch of men who dont have sex and wear dresses be allowed to have any say in women's reproductive rights? And before y'all go all postal..I was stuffing envelopes and canvasing for Goldwater before most of you were born, including the 15 foot Goldwater banner which was in our front yard WITH spotlights..
hollabackgurl | Feb 17, 2012, 10:11 AM EST
Conservatives get mean when you expose their hypocrisy, don't they?
jacke47 | Feb 17, 2012, 09:43 AM EST
You are so patently ignorant Cahir. I'm surprised you haven't bolstered oral sex as yet another Liberal contraceptive mandate. Please stop the drivel you pen.
DLW12183 | Feb 17, 2012, 09:29 AM EST
Another lame article. Need to replace this contributor who fails to contribute.