I think I have officially declared war on the Concerned Women for America. I think I have decided that if there is only one thing I can do that will make a difference, it is that I will, on a regular basis, expose the general fuckwaddery that comprises their site, their position papers, and the articles that they post. Rather than quietly stewing over something I've read there, I want to cast light on it, in hopes that, exposed to sunlight, they will shrivel and die.

The Strawberry Bitch, as I have been affectionately called, has spoken.

Let us begin. First of all, when you use this image,
you have revealed yourself to be a tool.

When you take the image of a woman, wearing some version of hijab, holding forth a purple finger in such a way that she appears to be silencing herself with her own finger, the symbolism is jarring. I am not going to get into an argument about whether it is "okay" for women to choose to veil themselves. What I do object to is the bullshit evocation of the "purple finger," an image that was immediately adopted into Bush administration propaganda about our great victory in Iraq, combined with a woman who is literally telling us to "hush." Or is she censoring herself? Hard to tell.

But then, you tell us that the reason that Christian voters need to get out and vote is because of several bills that will be facing passage next year, and only moral Christian congresspersons can be counted on to pass these through.

Behold the CWFA agenda for next year:

Below is a list of bills that CWA strongly supports and have been named as priorities by the majority leaders for consideration in Congress.

Veterans' Memorials, Boy Scouts, Public Seals, and Other Public Expressions of Religion Protection Act of 2006 (S. 3696): This bill was passed in the House by a vote of 244-173 in September. Under current law, groups such as school boards and Boy Scouts that are sued in Establishment Clause cases must pay not only their own legal fees but also the fees of the client who brings the suit against them if they lose. As a result, groups threatened by these lawsuits have not even defended themselves but simply yield in fear that they would have to pay massive legal bills. S. 3696 would level the playing field for all involved in Establishment Clause cases.

In other words, if you want decide to flout the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (that's the one that says that Congress shall make no law establishing a religion for the state) and then are challenged by those who think you're being a fuckwad, it's unfair to expect you to have to pay your own legal fees.
Huh? So, the government is expected to pay for the fact that what you really want to do is establish a religion in your community? Are you willing to extend the same courtesy to say a Muslim Imam that wants to require all local residents to fast during Ramadan? Didn't think so. Next.

The Child Custody Protection Act (S. 403): This bill overwhelmingly passed the House twice, and was passed by the Senate in July, but was repeatedly blocked by Democratic leadership. When Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tennessee) put the bill before the Senate again in September to end debate and vote for final passage, the measure failed in a 57-42 cloture vote. S. 403 would make it a crime to transport minors across state lines for abortions without the knowledge of their parents.

Ah yes. The Strawberry Bitch's favourite bill. The one that would make it a crime to transport a minor across state lines to get an abortion. I've said more than enough about this bill. We all know how I stand on this one.

Unborn Child Pain Awareness Act (S. 51, H.R. 6099): According to the text of the bill, animals who are slaughtered in the U.S. for food endure less pain than unborn babies who are aborted because of strict federal humane slaughter guidelines. Abortion procedures cause remarkable pain for unborn babies past the 20th week of development. This legislation would require abortion providers to inform women seeking abortions past the 20th week of the pregnancy of the pain that their unborn child will undergo during the procedure.

I'll make a deal with you. You get to tell pregnant women that abortion causes physical pain to their fetuses and I get to waterboard and electroshock the genitals of all of your allies in Congress who voted to affirm the Military Commissions Act of 2006. Deal? Deal.

Human Cloning Prohibition Act (S. 658, H.R. 1357): This legislation would ban all forms of human cloning, preventing unethical practices of using cloned humans for research

Um. This one is just a weird one to me. Are there scientists in the US who are actually trying to clone human beings? Or is this just one of those laws that is designed to convince us all that Frankenstein's monster is being cooked up somewhere in one of those liberal elite university laboratories?

RU-486 Suspend and Review Act (S. 511, H.R. 1079): RU-486 was rushed through an emergency approval process by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and at least five women have died from taking the dangerous drug. This bill would repeal the approval and require new testing by the FDA.

What's your definition of rush? Five years? You have fought tooth and nail to keep RU-486 out of the hands of women who want to choose a chemical abortion over a surgical procedure. Why don't you show the same damn concern for the shit that's been pushed through the FDA because of the stock options in drug companies that you no doubt have in your portfolio? In other words, find a new hobby. Your anti-choice tactics are getting old, although you do get points for finding new ways to frame it as "protecting women's lives."

In addition to these important pieces of legislation, the routine business of the Senate is also of vital importance to the future of the Judiciary, the role of the United States at the United Nations (U.N.) and around the world. The Senate has confirmed many of the judges that President Bush has nominated, but several key nominees are still awaiting confirmation in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Additionally, Ambassador John Bolton received a recess appointment to represent the United States at the U.N., but he has not been confirmed by the Senate, despite the excellent job that he has done so far.

Ah yes. Time to get the U.S. out of the UN and the UN out of the U.S. Or, barring that, let's just keep preventing the rest of the world from getting any money for contraceptive education programs or medical services for women that might not encourage the breeding of babies.

Me? I've made a list of these bills. As soon as the New Congress meets, I'm writing my reps and Senators and telling them exactly where I stand on these issues. I invite you to join me.