Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Wandering Period, Part 7: Losing Automatically Makes It Totally Cool to Be a Dick.

Sometimes I wonder why the rationalist's computer is sticky. But then I stop wondering.

When some people think that the US is becoming dominated by religious fundamentalists whose dream it is to set up a fundamentalist theocracy so they can oppress and restrict rights with glee, I tend to look at it a little leery. Mostly because these fuckers can't keep their goddamned mouth shut or keep churning out material containing their beliefs which vacillate between inane and intolerant. I believe there is a vast majority with actual stuff to do during the day (i.e. actually helping people like Jesus said instead of being a dick like whatever nutjob preacher says) and are not represented by these people. Doesn't make 'em any more wrong.

Saw this post on another blog. And I was...chilled by it. As such, I figure I should perhaps react to it.

10) "Emphasize political power as the means to ending abortion in America."

He mentions the whole "legislating from the bench" malarkey that a lot of anti-abortionists spout on about. That implies they're making it all up in their black muumuus in some smoke filled room where the rub themselves with pictures of Jack Kerouac and whatever else gets their liberal motors running. Sorry dude, Supreme Court justices actually use things like, uh, LEGAL THEORY to decide cases. Roe v. Wade had basis in that US Constitution thing you hear about and also precedents established in other Supreme Court cases, more specifically Griswold v. Connecticut. You don't like their interpretation? Too bad. Wait till the next one or see if you can get your own little special case on the docket. You want to change things? Stop bitching about the justices and move for a constitutional amendment.

9) "Continue stigmatizing pregnancy out of wedlock."

Continue? Continue? When did we stop? I guess I missed the memo when I was with the Justices of the Supreme Court rubbing pictures of Jack Kerouac in their smoke filled room. Marriage is no guarantee that the kid's going to get a stable household. Having support from one's family (whatever that may be) is. And furthermore, perhaps people are fine without having to pay for the wedding license and all the other hoopla and just having a common law marriage or whatever the technical term is. It's cool that you have your own little life paradigm; but keep it to your damn self.

8) "Criticize and judge people who vote for pro-choice politicians"

I'd go on and say that this is simply being a dick, but I do it sometimes...so I'll actually say this is advocating being a dick. Being a dick is not going to endear you to these people, nor will just berating them for their choice. Otherwise, any one of the nutjobs out there who believes this stuff would be instantly swayed by my musings. Furthermore, what the hell is he talking about with the African-American churches? What the hell does the cornerstone of African American society have to do with being a dick?

7) "Continue to encourage abstinence-only sex education"

Uh...right. Worked for Sarah Palin's children. This is only going to lead to more unwanted pregnancies since Billy and Jane didn't learn about wrapping it up. They're young; they're going to try things. At least prepare them for it. Preparing them for sex is not telling them "Go screw NOW!" Not hearing about contraception isn't going to kill their desire, nor does hearing about condoms make a teenager especially horny.

6) "Support purity rings and abstinence pledges"

The "statistic" he cites is pretty self-congratulatory. They probably wouldn't have had sex (or probably had no chance to, as I don't know how appealing these 10% are) without the pledge, so he's possibly mistaking cause and effect here. And apparently he doesn't get the idea that teenagers are going to have sex. It's been going on for ages. But you can advise them to operate safely.

5) "Crank up the shock tactics."

Being a dick part 2. Yes, show people gross pictures of aborted fetuses. Then expose yourself as windbag nutjobs who get aroused by disgusted looks on people's faces. Go for it, dude.

4) "Cut welfare, social services, and other similar programs."

Being a dick part 3 and 4. So instead of targeting the women who want abortions, you're going to dick over more people. Good for you. That'll make EVERYONE want to be you and ruin people's lives. The assumption that everyone has a religious organization they can turn to for "support"/someone trying to up their congregation numbers is pretty far-fetched. Some people in this nation use their freedoms to (gasp) not choose a religion. SHOCKING.

3) "Take what you can get."

Yes, talk up any mouth-breathing politico who'll side with you on abortion and how it is very naughty, and also just ignore all of his other stances on things. Great idea.

2) "Get more people into church doors and keep doing what you're doing once they're there."

What the hell is going on in there? Do they offer funny punch? Grape flavored Flavor-Aid? Magical cookies? Next time I accidentally wander into a church service, I'm avoiding the food and bringing a water bottle. Perhaps wearing a mask over my mouth to avoid breathing the clearly laced air.

1) "Piss and moan."

Being a dick part...one billion. Yes, that'll totally work. Start telling lies and misconstruing things and eventually we'll all turn your way and start killing off abortion doctors and other godless liberals who join me and the Supreme Court justices in rubbing ourselves with pictures of Jack Kerouac.

It makes me wonder how it came from Jesus Christ advocating helping people to folks like this who make it their job to be a dick, but it's cool because it's for Jesus. I need a pocket US Constitution for myself.

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