Bob McDonnell could stab us in the back

Last week, we mentioned Virginia’s informed consent ultrasound bill, here:

 http://griffinelection.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/virginias-ultrasound-bill-a-major-step-forward-for-women-and-unborn-children/

The bill is almost ready for signing and Governor McDonnell is presumably, trying to think of ways to provide for an “opt-out” or some other nonsense that would render the bill null and void. 

I strongly encourage Governor McDonnell to not stab his colleagues in the back over a bill that he has championed.

The reason republicans have so badly lost the messaging war on this . . . IS MCDONNELL’S FAULT.  The bill has been under fire for a week now from every MSNBC talking head imaginable.  Not once has the leader of our party in Virginia come out in strong support of the bill.  Not once has he even said that no “probe” is required in the language of the statute.  Not once has he mentioned the fact that the most invasive probe in an abortion procedure is the abortion probe in the woman.  Not once has he looked like a leader.     

The question is whether Mr. McDonnell represents people like us who elected him as AG and Governor, or whether he is beholden to media clowns like Al Sharpton and Rachael Maddow.  I can assure him that they will never vote for him no matter what he does.  This is a bill that he championed.  This is the kind of stuff that he used to introduce when he was in the state legislature. 

I truly hope that Mr. McDonnell has not lost his zest for passing legislation that protects women and children alike. 

As someone who made phone calls for Mr. McDonnell, walked up and down cold streets in past Octobers for Mr. McDonnell and has given up entire weekends for Mr. McDonnell, I expect better than this.  I expect more than this.  This kind of indecisive weakness is not what we are accustomed from seeing from him.    

As a Virginia voter, I call on Mr. McDonnell to:

1.)    Defend the bill – make the case for it for heaven’s sake;

2.)    Sign the bill

3.)    Do not amend it.  Do not put extraneous restrictions on it.  Sign it as is. 

Mr. McDonnell should feel assured that this is the kind of decision that will show (1) Virginians looking for a Senator to defeat Mark Warner that we can trust him and (2) republicans looking for an excuse to vote for Romney in November’s presidential election, that we can count on the VP, even if we can’t count on Romney. 

Tim Griffin is the editor of griffinelection.com and a very, very, very angry Virginia voter.

The Komen controversy this week has been a lesson in the workings of radical left wing politics in this Country.  We have seen clearly how the loudest most militant elements of our society get their way by threat, coercion and tantrum.  We have also seen 26 Senators throw their political weight behind a dispute that is in the end, a private funding issue.  The Komen foundation has a right to grant their funds to anyone they want, without interference from special interest groups or the Government.  Who would imagine that running a women’s charitable organization could be like a midnight walk through Central Park?

As a charitable organization, Komen has a fiduciary responsibility to its donors.  How many people who have given to Komen for breast cancer detection, treatment and research had any idea that some of their contribution went to Planned Parenthood?  I know it is hard to believe, but not everyone supports all the activities conducted by P.P.  Additionally, these “pass through grants” as they are called, ended up at third party facilities since P.P.  doesn’t actually offer sophisticated on site screening, counseling or treatment for breast cancer.  When a donation passes through three entities before it is used, the money trail becomes so murky, it is difficult to determine its effectiveness.

It is hard to understand why Komen was funding P.P. in the first place, since basic breast exams are such a small part of their operation.  It seems odd to me that P.P. and its vocal supporters would protest so loudly over a relatively small sum, most of which went to others that actually provide the service.  Why wouldn’t Komen directly fund the service provider instead?  Unless P.P. needs that money for something else, and with their alleged track record of shaky accounting practices, that may be a legitimate concern.

Critics of Komen say that loss of P.P. funding will hinder “women’s health services”.  I believe that is ingenuous at best.  There is more at stake here than free or low cost general health services largely available from most county health centers.  An article on Slate.com says some interesting things about Planned Parenthood’s relationship with abortion and the other services it provides:

…providing abortions is part of the mission of Planned Parenthood, and they do make it a priority. It’s a necessary service, after all.  I think some times that point gets lost in all the discussion of the 97 percent of their services that aren’t abortion. The other reason I suspect these regulations would harm Planned Parenthood’s ability to keep as many clinics open to offer non-abortion services as they currently do is that a complete shut-down of abortion services would create a cash flow problem for them.  Abortions are 3 percent of the actual services Planned Parenthood provides, but they constitute a larger chunk of their income, around 15 percent nationally. Which makes sense; abortions simply cost more than Pap smears and birth control pills, and Planned Parenthood provides a huge chunk of all the abortions in the country…

I am not a strong pro-lifer.  I don’t want to make a woman into a criminal because she is forced to make the most horrible, gut-wrenching decision of her life.  I want modern, safe facilities available for those who choose that option, as there is no point in turning a lousy situation into a double tragedy.  I personally find abortion morally repugnant, but acknowledge occasional necessity.  However every time I see my children, now in their 20′s, I am reminded how unique and truly precious the life of every child is.  Each aborted child is a lifetime of incredible human potential unfulfilled.

Having said that, to me regardless of moral position, this is a matter of private charitable organizations and their right to do as they wish with their contributions, their responsibility to their donors and their response to coercion by political pressure groups.  Beyond that, my advice to those who can’t find it in their hearts to shed a tear for the 1.2 million yearly unborn in this Country:  If you don’t like how Komen distributes its grants, shut up and send your contributions elsewhere.  I’m sure they will do fine without you.

Originally posted on 02/05/2012 at ConservativeCompass.com

Pro-Life's Last Stand In 2012

If you watch politics long enough, you’ll see a moment where the tragedy of a losing campaign gets so bad that you actually stop and laugh. It was the “Taliban Dan” ad back in 2010 that convinced me that Alan Grayson was off to his next stop on his professional career. Examples of this have abounded in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary. Who can forget the Michelle Bachman “Retardasil Interview?” By throwing in with Dr. Wakefield and the vaccination nut-jobs, she ended her campaign before the first Caucus convened. With Governor Perry, it was the “Vulture Capitalism” comment that finally branded him as ready for the Presidency as Ronald Reagan – in 1968.

So suffice it to say, there seems to be a conspiracy afoot to force me into supporting Mitt Romney athwart my instinct, values and will. The latest member of The Borg, attempting to assimilate me into the unpalatable, was none other than Newton Leroy Gingrich. Once you’ve ordered up a few thousand robocalls that accuse your opponent of denying holocaust survivors a proper kosher menu, Stephen Colbert throws up his hands. You are now impossible to effectively parody. Like Herman Cain just now realizing that The People’s Liberation Army liked developing nuclear weapons, “Nuke” Gingrich has successfully self-immolated. He’s cute, funny, but should now do Conservatism one final favor and please just go away.

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Pro-Life's Last Stand In 2012

If you watch politics long enough, you’ll see a moment where the tragedy of a losing campaign gets so bad that you actually stop and laugh. It was the “Taliban Dan” ad back in 2010 that convinced me that Alan Grayson was off to his next stop on his professional career. Examples of this have abounded in the 2012 Republican Presidential Primary. Who can forget the Michelle Bachman “Retardasil Interview?” By throwing in with Dr. Wakefield and the vaccination nut-jobs, she ended her campaign before the first Caucus convened. With Governor Perry, it was the “Vulture Capitalism” comment that finally branded him as ready for the Presidency as Ronald Reagan – in 1968.

So suffice it to say, there seems to be a conspiracy afoot to force me into supporting Mitt Romney athwart my instinct, values and will. The latest member of The Borg, attempting to assimilate me into the unpalatable, was none other than Newton Leroy Gingrich. Once you’ve ordered up a few thousand robocalls that accuse your opponent of denying holocaust survivors a proper kosher menu, Stephen Colbert throws up his hands. You are now impossible to effectively parody. Like Herman Cain just now realizing that The People’s Liberation Army liked developing nuclear weapons, “Nuke” Gingrich has successfully self-immolated. He’s cute, funny, but should now do Conservatism one final favor and please just go away.

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And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

– Rudyard Kipling The Jeffersonian.com

There are certain things you should never be willing to do just to get ahead. In the end, the short-term gains never justify the cost of having sold out your ethics and principles. Yes, this diary is about another reason not to support Mitt Romney in the GOP Primaries this year. No, it has nothing to do with his business career or his tenure at Bain Capital. I think it addresses an issue that ultimately matters a whole lot more.

As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney kept a close relationship with Planned Parenthood. In the course of keeping this relationship, he signed away any possible Pro-Life convictions he would later attempt to lay claim to. Like Faust signing his soul over to Mephistopheles, Romney signed a document pledging strong support for almost all agenda points that Planned Parenthood wanted him to pursue as Governor of Massachusetts. Buzzfeed.com has a copy of the questionnaire Governor Romney prepared for Planned Parenthood.

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And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

– Rudyard Kipling The Jeffersonian.com

There are certain things you should never be willing to do just to get ahead. In the end, the short-term gains never justify the cost of having sold out your ethics and principles. Yes, this diary is about another reason not to support Mitt Romney in the GOP Primaries this year. No, it has nothing to do with his business career or his tenure at Bain Capital. I think it addresses an issue that ultimately matters a whole lot more.

As Governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney kept a close relationship with Planned Parenthood. In the course of keeping this relationship, he signed away any possible Pro-Life convictions he would later attempt to lay claim to. Like Faust signing his soul over to Mephistopheles, Romney signed a document pledging strong support for almost all agenda points that Planned Parenthood wanted him to pursue as Governor of Massachusetts. Buzzfeed.com has a copy of the questionnaire Governor Romney prepared for Planned Parenthood.

Read More →

This is a letter written by state Senator Val Stevens of Washington state which was released last week:

Congratulations Governor Rick Perry on having the highest rating from the Club for Growth Presidential Candidate Economic Plan evaluation! You were at the top of the list. Andy Roth reported on Fox News’ Neil Cavuto that ‘Rick Perry, I think, has one of the best [economic] plans, if not the best plans!’

As a Washington State Senator who has spent nearly twenty years in the legislature, I am aware that we must take our job as public servant seriously, placing the needs of our constituents foremost. We are accountable for each and every decision that we make. Our record must consistently reflect that of the Constitution and the people whom we serve.

I am a fellow believer and Christian who agrees with you on your pro life stand. God is the Author of Life and the Master of our intelligently designed universe. I consider this issue to be paramount. This outlook will influence the other decisions that we make as leaders. De-funding Planned Parenthood in your state and shutting down many abortion clinics in Texas are accomplishments which speak for your strong leadership and should be commended.

Traditional marriage is a concern for every conservative. Under God we are obligated to follow the moral values that our nation was founded upon and without truly following this conviction we will be a nation that shrinks in both greatness and size. We all know that a baby is conceived through one man and one woman–end of story. I understand the negative response of the liberal media and I am truly grateful for your position- despite it’s unpopularity.

Our Second Amendment rights are often misinterpreted or misconstrued by the media and the politically correct agenda. Your direct involvement in protecting our right to bear arms is of utmost importance. Without these rights we are powerless and cannot maintain our Republican form of government.

It is necessary that as Republicans we encourage the right to work. Giving support to Governor Walker of Wisconsin showed many of us that there is a candidate that truly believes in cutting regulation, giving businesses an opportunity to grow yet still understands that it is an individual’s right to make the decision of taking part in a union organization.

The security of our country is critical. America is a country of great freedom and it is imperative that each and every person be here legally and abide by our nation’s laws. We can only be great if we are a nation of legal citizens striving toward the same goal and seeking to honor our Constitution. I have come to respect Sheriff Arpaio and am pleased to see that a man of his conviction has given his endorsement to you.

It’s evident that you have dedicated much time and effort to protecting our country and those who fight our nation’s battles. These heroes deserve recognition and honor– you have given many of these soldiers hope of a bright future and reassurance that America and our way of life will be preserved.

As a presidential candidate who has not offered vague and empty promises, each of us can look at your record and see that you have been triumphant in leading Texas during this great economic crisis. This is something we need for our entire nation!! Each of us could profit from your experience as Governor of the thirteenth largest economy in the world!

Of all the candidates running for president you offer the sharpest contrast to the current Occupant of the White House! Even Michael Reagan claims that you are the most Reaganesque of all the presidential candidates!!

You are my first choice for President and you have my full support…praying that God will bless you in mighty ways!

Sincerely,

Senator Val Stevens
Republican District- 39 Washington State

Note from the author: The title is about as politically correct as this article is going to get.

I got into a debate with a pretty good friend about abortion the other day. She’s typically a pro-life gal, but she has adopted (no pun intended) the GOP’s ‘get out of a debate alive’ exception to the rule—that abortion is murder, unless it’s the fetus of a rape victim, then it’s just removal of lifeless tissue.

For some reason, she was completely dumbfounded that I don’t have exceptions to my pro-life stance. My argument is that I don’t need them.

As a former student at a medical college, I’ve taken the Hippocratic Oath in order to participate in clinicals. (Full disclosure: I quit that job in order to save America from idiotic ideas, much like this one.) Because of this, I know there is a “first do no harm” clause. So no, I don’t think doctors should have to let a mother die in order for their baby to live. I think that is up to the mother and her doctor—at least until Obamacare kicks in.

The mother is a patient of a particular doctor. It is that doctor’s job to be an advocate for their patient. I have the same opinion in the case of a young child who is a victim; if delivering a baby is going to do irreparable physical harm to that child, no I don’t think they should be forced to have it. They should be well aware of what that means, but it is that doctor’s job to ‘first do no harm.’ Not saving the life of a patient is first doing harm, and that’s against the oath.

Where I always get into trouble with my “politically correct” friends is in cases of rape. Yes, I am aware that the woman lost her choice in this situation. Most women know someone who has been a victim of sexual assault, (I’m one who personally knows a sexual assault victim),  so I’m not devoid of feelings here. However I don’t believe killing the baby is going to make the rape victim feel any better.

Let me cut to the chase here… if we can’t kill the rapist, why can we kill the baby? The baby is innocent. The rapist is a soulless loser who is going to get out of jail in 5 years, and in many cases will repeat the act. If I’m violently attacked, raped, and end up pregnant, killing my unborn child isn’t going to make me feel any less raped and isn’t going to bring me to peace. If my rapist was getting the death penalty… I’d at least feel safer.

I’m not saying rapists should get the death penalty. Granted… I’m not, not saying it either… What I am saying is, that being pro-life, except in the instance of rape, is one of the most illogical “exceptions” to a rule I’ve ever heard.

It’s like saying “This guy has been convicted to serve a sentence of ten years in jail for murdering your brother, but we’re going put his innocent daughter in the electric chair. Feel better?” Obviously that’s not going to make anyone feel better. In fact, I’d feel guilty for the innocent victim getting the death penalty.

I think an innocent baby is about the only positive, pure thing that can come from such a terrible situation. Is it ideal? Of course not. But whether that baby goes to a different home or stays with it’s mother, it is as innocent as the victim.

Critical thinking skills America…let’s use them.

My original post can be found at Misfit Politics 

Follow me on twitter @saracjohnsonga

Recently annointed head of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, is a godsend to the Republican Party more so than to her party.  The reason is clear: even more so than screamo wannabe Howard Dean, she represents the ludicrous and hypocrisy of the uber-liberal wing of the Democratic Party.  As head of the DNC, she now speaks as the voice of the Democratic Party and their aspirations for and vision of America.  It is a good thing that this Nancy Pelosi clone is in this position because she epitomizes everything that is wrong with that party.  She, as their voice, proves that their vision and their aspirations are, in fact, at odds with the vast majority of Americans.  Naturally, she and they will have their supporters among the liberal elites- those in academia, union leaders, the lamestream media, and the policy experts in Hollywood (not to mention the acolytes of Al Bore- a/k/a Manbearpig).

Her most recent comments characterizing the GOP as “anti-women” and waging a war on women are indicative of the fact that we DO need health care reform if for no other reason than to cure her affliction: foot in mouth disease.  The main thing that got her goat this time around was the “No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.”  The law in question, for those unaware, would simply codify the Hyde Amendment which has been passed as an appropriations rider since 1976.  Granted, there was some controversy within the bill that had even ardent pro-life people a little leery, namely the definition of “rape.”  By inserting the word “forcible” as a qualifier to the rape exception, many of those on the Left accused the bill’s author, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ) of redefining rape and that the word “forcible” would remove many definitions of rape such as date rape or unwanted sex among the mentally unstable.  Wasserman-Schultz, however, went way off the grid in her reaction by calling the Act itself a “violent act against women in and of itself.”  According to this line of thinking, this particular word in this particular Act is akin to rape itself.  So, it would appear that the GOP is legislatively raping women in the mind of the Representative from Florida.

As the Weekly Standardrecently pointed out, it would not appear that only Republicans are at war with women.  In fact, sixteen Democrats voted in favor of the law and the legislation was co-written by Rep. Daniel Lipinski (D-IL).  The head of the DNC defended the “war on women” exemption conferred upon the Democrats who broke ranks (they, by virtue of the “D” after their name, cannot be “anti-woman”) by stating that they did not vote to defund Planned Parenthood.  Of course, in the mind of liberals, the Democratic Party and Wasserman-Schultz in particular, disagreeing with Planned Parenthood, NARAL, or NOW must necessarily classify you as “anti-woman.”  Regardless,  ten Democrats DID vote to defund Planned Prenthood: Dan Boren (OK), Jerry Costello (IL), Joe Donnelly (IN), Dan Lipinski (IL), Mike McIntyre (NC), Collin Peterson (MN), Nick Rahall (WV), Silverstre Reyes (TX), Mike Ross (AR), and Heath Schuler (NC).  She then told The Weekly Standard that she was fairly certain that ten Democrats did not, despite recorded votes in the Congressional Record, vote to defund Planned Parenthood because she “whipped the vote.”  If true, then she was either hoodwinked by the ten Democrats or she is a bad whip.  In either case, she does not come out smelling particularly good.  It also has to be noted, since she brought up the subject of the totality of their votes, that the ten Congressmen who voted to defund Planned Parenthood averaged an 87.1 rating from the National Right to Life Committee- clearly making them pro-life.  In fact, six of them received a 100% rating from NRLC.

The comments were met with a stern rebuke from female Republicans in Congress.  What upsets DWS is that there are women who do not agree with her liberal feminist agenda.  While she is waging a war better set in the days of public bra burnings in the 1970s, Republican women are, as they stated in their letter, fighting for women entering the stagnant job market, of being the victims of burdensome taxes and regulations, and for women and everyone suffering under crushing Democratic-induced debt and deficits.  DWS is fighting a perceived problem that most Americans place somewhere on the fringes of their list of priorities.

If nothing else, the fights that DWS chooses to pick and then fight indicate the Democratic strategy going forth into the 2012 elections- that of class warfare and identity politics.  Proposals in opposition to the liberal agenda of Obama and the Democratic Party will be characterized as attacks on the old, on union workers, for businesses at the expense of the middle class, as attacks on blacks and on Latinos, and on women.  While the vast majority of Americans care about the health of the economy, the deficit and public debt, rising prices of gasoline and food, and jobs, Wasserman Schultz is arguing the social issues and ignoring facts along the way.  DSW was chosen to head the DNC because she is the attack pit bull (literally) that allows Obama to “rise above the fray” while cackling behind our backs as his minions blindly report to the polls like the political zombies that they are.  One thing in our favor and an often overlooked fact: Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the Vice Chair of the DNC under Tim Kaine in 2010 and they both presided over the loss of the House.  In effect, Obama elevated a loser to be Chairman of the DNC.  Hopefully, she counts electoral votes in 2012 as well as she counted Democratic votes to defund Planned Parenthood.

Tim Golba is a past President of Kansans for Life, and he is pro-life when KFL is sometimes not all that much pro-life.  I’m very honored to receive his support for the Johnson County Community College Board.

This is my message today to voters, announcing the endorsement of Tim Golba:

I’m honored to announce the endorsement of Tim Golba, a man respected across the entire state of Kansas for his consistent support of good-government, pro-life, and Republican causes.  There is no person who is more reliable on these issues than Tim Golba.  I thank him for his support.

Tim Golba issued the following statement in support of Benjamin Hodge for the JCCC Board:

“I strongly endorse Benjamin Hodge for the JCCC Board of Trustees.  Benjamin Hodge is not only pro-life, but he also has a proven record of supporting many good-government, fiscal conservative issues.  Hodge puts principle before party, and his record is time-tested.”
- Tim Golba, Republican Political Activist

Here’s a link to the announcement in a Web-friendly version.

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