Bonfire Of The GOPs

As I mentioned last week, the "something special" I was working on is done, and it was a guest appearance on Bon Tindle's new podcast, Bonfire is Burning.



You can download it here. It was good to hang out with Bon for a while discussing the Democrats' blue wave on Thursday night.  I'm grateful for the opportunity.  Hopefully we'll have more to talk about for you guys soon, and listen to her podcast, she has some really good guests and it's a lot of fun.

The Greitens Report

Hey guys, Bon Tindle. here.  It's been a while, and I'm sorry that these are the circumstances that bring me back.  Zandar graciously asked me to help cover the shame of my home state, Missouri.

[Zandar here.  Bon Tindle has graciously agreed to write about Missouri GOP Gov. Eric Greitens for ZVTS as she lives in the state, so please let her know what you think in the comments!]

After reading the entire report about our governor, I was upset for a variety of reasons.  As a woman who has been targeted by a man in power, I recognized the setup.  The way they test victims, and make sure they are able to terrorize them into silence.  The stalking and unwanted appearances.

And, of course, the violence.

This story has a lot of angles, and speaks to a lot of topics.  I am going to focus on the victim and consent right now, and circle back to other subjects in later posts.

It is important to note that the victim did not consent to the acts that took place.  She was sometimes not even given the chance to give or revoke consent because she was not in control of her situation, such as when the photograph was allegedly taken.  Other times, she complied because it brought her closer to escape.  In testimony deemed credible, the victim was not a willing party to the actions that took place.

That's called rape, and there is no backing away from it.  The blackmail is an enormous ethical violation as well, but the way the rape was engineered is thoroughly disturbing.

But there are other violations, as well.  The media grabbed this story and took off, and though the fact was known that the victim did not initiate the story, very few stopped to consider what that means.  It means this story was not driven by the victim, and was likely against her wishes. It was broken by her ex-husband, who drove the narrative for the first several days.  It involved a recorded call and the victim had no idea her words were recorded. While that is legal in Missouri, that doesn't mean it is ethical when used to further victimize.  Thoughtless posters on social media poked fun without considering it came at a victim's expense.  These are issues that also need to be addressed and filed appropriately.

Good journalists note these things and question the motives of a source. I am very proud to say the Springfield News-Leader was sensitive to this throughout the coverage.  They also voiced an opinion that the governor must go, in light of what we know.  For the record, I could not agree more.

Make no mistake, there is some support for Greitens among the most loyal, but it is dying quickly.  Political allies are dropping one by one, but as the story unfolds and the victim gains credibility, most people I  have interviewed believe there is a dead end ahead, whether through resignation or involuntary process is the only question.

I will continue to cover this, and as the story develops bring it over here and share the local knowledge and response.

Last Call For Vote For Bon

If you're wondering what Bon The Geek has been up to lately, she's been butting heads with the obnoxious Springfield, MO City Council on a variety of issues.  And it's finally gotten to the point where instead of just airing her grievances, she's doing something about it.

Bon Tindle's experience with Springfield City Council has, thus far, often been in the form of jabs thrown on social media.

That could change in 2017, as Tindle announced Wednesday an intention to run for a seat at the next election.

"I'm going to run a good race, on my own terms, and I'm going to put up a fight like you've never, ever seen before," she wrote in a Facebook post Wednesday morning. "I'm going to do it the way I did it all along, out in the open, listening to people and using my research abilities to find the answers I need to make solid choices."

Tindle, who was especially outspoken during the indecent exposure ordinance debate, said months ago that she didn't plan to run for council. However, she said she received a lot of support to run.

She said Councilman Justin Burnett's resignation and quick reversal earlier this month is what ultimately changed her mind.

Burnett and Councilwoman Kristi Fulnecky have often been at the end of Tindle's barbs. Fulnecky announced last week that she intends to run for mayor in 2017.

While Tindle is not running for mayor, she sees herself as an opponent of Fulnecky.

"I'm ashamed of the spectacle that Burnett and Fulnecky have made of our city," Tindle said in her announcement. "Springfield is a great place to live, but it has its shortcomings. These two, in my mind, represent everything that is wrong with local government. They don't care about the people, they care about doing what they want for their buddies. For themselves, at our expense. Enough."

Tindle lives in Zone 2, but she said she doesn't want to wait until Burnett's seat opens in 2019. In the next election, 2017, Jan Fisk's General Seat A and Craig Hosmer's General Seat B are both up for election. Neither has stated whether they intend to run for re-election.

Tindle said she hasn't decided which seat she'll file for.

I of course will keep you updated, and hopefully Bon will too.  Gotta start fixing things somewhere, and your own local government is a great place to start.

Last Call For Podcast Versus The Stupid

This week on Podcast Versus The Stupid, Bon and I discuss the Democratic debate in The Master Debaters, Democratic Edition.

Check Out Blogs Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Zandar Versus The Stupid on BlogTalkRadio

Do give it a listen as we talk about Clinton, Sanders, the adults in the room, and more.

Podcast Versus The Stupid

This week's episode is "It's A Rough Job But Nobody Wants To Do It":

Check Out Blogs Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Zandar Versus The Stupid on BlogTalkRadio

GOP House majority leader Kevin McCarthy has bailed on Orange Julius's old job as Speaker and the race is truly up for grabs as House Republicans devolve into Lord of the Flies, and President Obama gets a less than warm welcome from Gunmerica as he visits Oregon to speak to the families of the victims of last week's deadly shooting in Roseburg. Plus, an update on Springfield's city council nonsense.

Listen here or Subscribe to us on iTunes!

Last Call For Podcast Versus The Stupid

This week's episode (and we're going to try to go to a weekly schedule on Sunday evenings for now) is These Disunited States Of Gunmerica.

Check Out Blogs Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Zandar Versus The Stupid on BlogTalkRadio

Having both grown up in red states and living in them now, Zandar and Bon talk about gun control and American gun culture in the wake of yet another mass shooting in America and find that the US is pretty disunited about the whole thing. Plus more on Springfield's Slut Walk, creepy-ass city councilmen, and more.

Last Call For Podcast Versus The Stupid

The latest Podcast Versus The Stupid is up, as Bon talks about her town of Springfield, MO as the front lines on the War on Women, and we take a look at Republicans who can't read the Constitution.

Check Out Blogs Podcasts at Blog Talk Radio with Zandar Versus The Stupid on BlogTalkRadio

A Bunch Of Boobs In Springfield

Bon The Geek has asked me to pass on this article about Springfield, Missouri's ridiculous new city indecent exposure ordinance, and how it's likely not going to survive a legal challenge.

Springfield’s new indecent exposure ordinance went into effect the moment the votes were cast. Almost as quickly, opponents of the new law are looking for ways to fight back. 

Jessica Lawson, who has been one of the organizers of the recent Free the Nipple rallies, said she was in contact Monday with someone from the American Civil Liberties Union. 

“They just reached out to me today,” she said. “We’re still discussing options with what we’re going to do.” 

Lawson posted a response from the ACLU on her group’s Facebook page: 

“We would be interested in talking to you and others about a potential legal challenge to the new ordinance,” it says. 

While protesters plan their next steps, people on both sides of the issue are reacting to Monday’s 5-4 vote.

And the ordinance is just appallingly stupid, designed to shut down Free The Nipple and Slut Walk rallies in town rather than raise awareness about rape and sexual assault.

We'll have more on this silliness on this weekend's Podcast Versus The Stupid.

Last Call For A Graham Of Decency

Franklin Graham, son of Billy Graham, has pulled his accounts from Wells Fargo in response to an LGBT friendly ad campaign.  He is also going to boycott Tiffany in response to an ad that shows two men in a proposal.

While the accounts won't be felt by Wells Fargo, it's a good sign to watch them finally cut off their own noses for a change.  Boycott, and as acceptance grows let's see you uphold those principles.  Yeah. That's what I thought.

Also, does every homophobic rant have to include the gay agenda being rammed down their throat?  I'm no therapist, but even six year old Catholic schoolgirls can see the snicker from a mile away.

So go ahead.  Show your ass and make a power play.  Feel that net tighten.  Feel the burn as the accountability brings shame.  Shame on him.  Shame on those who would do the same.

From The "About Damn Time" Department

(CNN)Just days after a video that went viral online showed him yanking a 14-year-old bikini-clad girl to the ground and kneeling on her back, Eric Casebolt has resigned from his post as a corporal for the Police Department in McKinney, Texas.

There are disagreements as to whether race played a role in the incident. Of course it did, because I cannot imagine a white teenage girl being handled like that.

However, what it is beyond question is police brutality.  His entire reaction from start to finish was not justified, and I am glad to see the Police Chief rebuke his actions, flat out stating their policies do not support his behavior.

This may not seem like much, but for the simple fact that YouTube is overwhelmed with these videos, the tide must eventually turn.  How many more innocent people will be hurt while we wait?

That's largely up to the police to decide, unfortunately.  

Last Call For K-Mart

I wish the headline was being clever, but that's pretty much it.

CNN Money tells what we've known for a long time, K-Mart is circling the drain.  The number of stores have fallen dramatically and revenue is down.  After its "rescue" some fifteen years ago, K-Mart has hovered in an uncomfortable shrinking state.  Experts are calling out CEO Eddie Lampert, some going to far as to call his management an "asset strip" and saying he has run the business into the ground.

Whether intentional or from gross negligence, in either case K-Mart cannot hold out for much longer. Which begs the question, as brands fall and are born in incredibly rapid pace, what will become of the next retail generation?  Will there be a Macy's or a Sears or even an Old Navy for our kids to buy bad t-shirts in an attempt to reclaim their childhood?  What will it be like when brands come and go in 5 year cycles, and 20 years of those have passed?

Target is growing as K-Mart is shrinking.  Any not-Wal-Mart choice is going to attract a huge shopping base and bring the direct wrath of the #1 retailer in the world.  When the Wal-Mart legacy finally finds a competitor who is willing to limp along and play second banana for some concessions, the American loser stands to lose mightily.

It's a sad day to see K-Mart go and Sears wheeze and struggle.  Not just because of warm and fuzzy feelings, but because once upon a time they were major players in the game, back when the game was good.

A Swing And A Miss, Fox News Style

[Note from Bon: Hey kids, have you missed me? Zandar took a day off and left me with the keys to the office.  You got me now and all day tomorrow, so let's have some fun!  Now on to your normally scheduled blog post.]

The step up to the plate, full of promise and hope.  

But when it comes to the hazards of sex, our approach falls somewhere between passivity and paralysis.

True.  Fox News and its audience are not famous for using science or education to steer their attitudes towards sex.  Is this someone trying to say something different for a chance?  Is this person actually going to confront a longstanding problem in the conservative community: acknowledging that people have S-E-X?

No. I mean, c'mon.  It's Fox News.

 They wiggle the bat and settle their hips.  They go into position and become a solid mass, and dig in.

We make sure our kids know about condoms and the Pill, and tell them we’re always there if they want to talk.  Which is the equivalent of shutting our eyes, crossing our fingers, and hoping.  Hoping that our kids won’t get pregnant, or get someone else pregnant.  Hoping that they won’t catch that STD that causes infertility or cancer.

Ah, there you are, the oldest chestnut of them all.  Telling your kids about birth control is akin to just instructing them hump like bunnies. Despite evidence that supports talking to kids is helpful and should happen more, this can't possibly be the answer.  Quit your crazy talk, scientists!  Your numbers and peer reviewed material is from the devil!

The other team throws a solid pitch!  Straight across the plate, a thing of beauty!

Instead, the conversations should focus on what the child is capable of absorbing, and what the child asks about. Parents should also take advantage of every excuse to broach the difficult subject — a mention of sex or sexuality on a TV show, a pregnancy in the family, sex-education classes in school or a visit to the doctor around the time of puberty. "If you just get over the hurdle of starting, then once the conversation gets going, you often find it's easier than expected," says Schuster. "So use any excuse you want, but just get over the initial hurdle and start talking to your kids, because it's really important." - TIME 

Yes, this is what a straight pitch of common sense looks like. Thoughtful, ongoing, and factual dialogue that informs and educates the child.

The swing and the miss.

As parents we spend our lives trying to protect our kids.  So here’s a radical thought.  How about urging them to wait till they’re married before having sex?  If we really want what’s best and safest and healthiest for our kids, let’s start a sexual revolution.  Hey, it’s been done before. 

"Tell them not to do it, that'll fix it."  Because that's their revolutionary answer.  The same thing that's been done since the first surprise pregnancy.  This gasbag just got published on one of the biggest fake news websites on the Internet for acting as though "don't have sex and you won't have to worry about it" is a newfangled approach to sex education.  The limbo champions at Fox just keep dropping the bar and playing the same old tired songs for anyone who will listen.

Damn, I've missed you kids.  I feel some epic length rants coming on here.

My Conversation With Frazier Glenn Miller

     I read about the shootings in Overland Park, Kansas and was shocked.  That is not normal for this part of the country, for a lot of reasons.  I happened to be on Facebook when news sources began running the updates, and people began to clog feeds sharing every update.  I went to bed, upset at the events but figuring I would get better information tomorrow after the news hawks had done their job, and nearly fell out of my chair when I saw the name of the alleged shooter.  I do not know Frazier Glenn Miller.  I have never met the man in person, and I would not have known him if he sat by me on the bus.  However, once upon a time I did speak with him.  And believe me, once was enough.  Our conversation was so memorable that years later I recognized his name immediately.  You never forget your first psycho.

     About six years ago, I joined an experimental group of writers who were brought together to represent different opinions and viewpoints for a local publication.  I was in the first group to go in, and through some crossed wires, my cell phone number was given out to a couple of people by mistake.  One of those people was Frazier Glenn Miller, who asked to speak with someone about a lack of news coverage.  That’s just the kind of thing we were created to cover.  I was surprised that I got an actual phone call, but grabbed a pen and notepad and began jotting notes.  Novice or not, I wasn’t stupid.  Someone was calling me with a story and I wanted to get it right.

     What I heard that night was an upsetting mix of conspiracy theories gone wrong, hate and stubborn stupidity.  Anything that did not meet his theory was rejected outright for being biased.  Meanwhile, he ignored anything inconvenient and considered himself an expert.  What in the world made him call a woman, I’ll never know.  I cannot tell you how many times I bristled and wondered what to do.  I don’t remember now how I set him off, only that he eventually turned belligerent and ultimately threatening.  I finally ended the call, and after I regained my composure I emailed our contact and let him know what had happened.  Immediately, our information was protected and there were no further incidents.  When the name of the caller was mentioned at our next meeting, there was a hush and a feeling something weird had happened.  I got a glossy explanation at the time, but even back then Miller was outspoken and of concern.  He was scary, loud and persistent and dangerous, he knew my name and my picture had just been published alongside my bio.  I was escorted to my car the remainder of our meetings.  When my term was up, I think they were a little relieved, right up until Frazier applied for membership.

     I thought about Miller several times over the years.  I still hear him, every time I read about how the [insert minority] has [insert ridiculous accusation].  When the Tea Party was at its peak, I told a friend from those days how much their stupidity sounded like it had been written my Miller.  That friend agreed, and he is a Republican.  Miller isn’t just a lone nut from a small town.  He’s everywhere.  He’s spreading lies, fear and hate because he’s angry and it’s all he knows.  He stirs terror and paranoia, a black hole who sucks goodness out of the world with purpose.  He is the opposite of everything I stand for and fights against everything I love.  But now I’ll always think of him, and every time I hear people marginalized by hate wrapped with lies I will hear the echo of his voice.  That snap.  That anger.  That need to see that hate in others to validate its existence.  That’s Frazier Glenn Miller in a nutshell, and it didn’t take a genius to figure him out.
     If we are to be afraid of men like Frazier Glenn Miller, let it be for the right reason.  Not because they are oddities or exceptions, but because they are everywhere.  For example, the mayor of Marionville, Missouri says he agrees with Miller's views, just not the killing.   I'm glad he clarified where his line of decency is.  I sure as hell had a hard time finding it without help.  While trying to speak for Miller's character, the mayor said he was very respectful of his elders, as long as they were the right color.
     This is what passes for upright character in the world, and don't you dare forget it.  If you're a woman, a minority, or a non-approved religion you can pay with your life if you slip for even a second in the presence of men like this.  Miller didn't get to this point all by himself.  He came with friends, liars and hatemongers who came before him and paved the way.  He will be followed by more of the same, and if unchecked and ignored we'll be here next week mourning different victims who died for the same ridiculous reason.  

Too Close To Home - Hailey Owens

By now, most of you have heard about what happened to Hailey Owens of Springfield, Missouri.  For those who have not, this timeline of events is helpful to fill in details.  They have stayed true with what all sources agree on without the extra speculation.

SPRINGFIELD, MO (KCTV/AP) -A body believed to be that of Hailey Owens was found Wednesday at a Springfield home owned by the suspect, Police Chief Paul Williams said at a news conference. Official confirmation won't occur until after an autopsy, but the chief said police "have a high degree of confidence" in the preliminary identification. 

Police say Craig Michael Wood, 45, is jailed on suspicion of first-degree murder but formal charges have not been filed. The Greene County prosecutor is reviewing the case. 

A grade school coach has been jailed on suspicion of first-degree murder in the abduction and death of a 10-year-old Springfield girl. 

The details of what happened after the abduction aren't clear and won't be for a long time.  It all happened so fast.  Violent crime always does. The people left behind can take a long time to put the pieces together.  A few press releases have been slowly letting pieces emerge, but this will take days, if not weeks, to unravel. What we know is that a little girl has died, and someone evil made the choice for it to happen.  The local response has been immediate and overwhelming.  It has been a rare and eye-opening thing to read about something major from both the local and national perspectives.  

So what do I have to add?  I can say with authority that Springfield citizens pulled together as fast as they could.  When the abduction occurred, one person tried to follow in their car, and another called and reported the license plate.  According to this timeline, I had something on my Facebook within thirty minutes (I didn't see anything until it was too late, but it was on there).  Pictures and information flowed and ad hoc pipelines did a fair job of stifling rumors.  The response was huge and incredibly personal.  Within an hour, my Facebook feed was a barrage of photos as people tried to help.  The Springfield Police Department was not able to save Hailey, but they were there within a few short hours.  Their effort was commendable, and they have been professional and solid so far.  From the moment of abduction until the suspect was in custody, not quite four hours elapsed. In that short time, a terrible crime was committed and a little girl was lost.

Love And Marriage

How appropriate that on Valentine's Day, I get to write about love.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Gov. Jay Nixon said Thursday that he supports ending Missouri’s same-sex marriage ban and thinks voters should have a chance to repeal an amendment to the state constitution that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

In 2004, Missouri became the first state to enact a constitutional prohibition on gay weddings after the Massachusetts high court permitted gay marriage there. The measure was approved by 70 percent of the state’s voters.

This was a stupid and unnecessary thing, and it's time to fix it.  It was an overreaction.  The reality is, the state has no place in the personal lives of its citizens.  Citizens have no place in the personal lives of other citizens.  This was a gross overstep of government, and it's time to allow adults to enter a legal union with whomever they choose.  Our government's job is to serve the citizens, not pass moral judgments about which people deserve the service.  Period.

Jay Nixon and I don't always see eye to eye, but on this issue we agree.  This may come right after the ACLU applies some pressure, but Nixon has been clear about his views and has gone on record.  At times his delivery was a little lackluster, but he eventually got around to the right side of things.  Scoring major points from me, he admits he has revisited the issue and has adapted to fit what he knew was right.  His actions mirror his words.  The man is telling the truth.  It's important to take victories however they may come, and this is a major one.  This entire business was a cheap shot when it went in, and there is no legal justification for it whatsoever.  Jay Nixon surely sees a great chance to score points in the face of inevitable change, but I also give credit that he has actually done something while plenty of others stand by and remain silent.  He is upgraded from a C to a B in my book, and when it comes to Missouri and LGBT issues that's as good as it gets.

Someday, same sex marriage will be legal everywhere.  In the end our grandchildren will likely never know that it was probably because of the IRS that same sex marriage got the push it needed to become recognized in all states.  I find that hilarious.  It is by no means the only factor but it deserves an honorable mention in the collapse of stupidity.

Jay Nixon thinks the voters deserve another crack at doing the right thing.  I hope it works, and despite the fact that it won't matter in the long run I hope my home state can get on the right side of history.  This change is inevitable, and oh so rightfully it will come.  People can do the right thing here and usher in the change or they can make it as painful as possible.  Here's hoping for the former and bracing for the latter.

Last Call For Cruzing To The Poll Position

We have it again, are you going to believe Ted Cruz or your lying eyes?  Now that those pesky facts are getting in his way, he's going to take the GOP route of ignoring science and facts.

"If you seek out liberal Obama supporters and ask them their views, they're going to tell you they're liberal Obama supporters. That's not reflective of where this country is," Cruz told NBC News in an interview at the Capitol.

In the full poll, for example, 70 percent of respondents said that the GOP has put its own agenda ahead of what is good for the country. With Democrats removed, that number is still a majority of respondents at 56 percent.Even when Democrats are removed from the results of the poll, NBC/WSJ pollsters calculate that the results still show strongly negative reactions from independents and Republicans about the government shutdown and the GOP.

Where have we heard this before?  Oh yeah, when Republicans said the election polls were skewed lies that were generated to make them lose spirit.  Except they weren't.  They were mostly right on, but once the truth could be proved the lie was over.  Until now.

The article above takes out Democrats and shows the numbers are still devastating.  At this point, we should start sending thank you cards instead of criticism.  At the rate they are self-destructing, may they never listen to a us again!  Because when history settles the facts it will be clear through their own words or actions that no shady acts from the left caused this.  These morons just finally bought their own lies and spiraled out of control.  Their shame finally came home to roost, as my grandmother would say.

Can anyone seriously believe that someone so far removed from science and fact knows "where the country is" in regard government issues?  Cruz couldn't find his ass with both hands and a flashlight right now, and his poker face is wearing thin.  It's over, they know it's over, and when they get their spanking in front of a global audience, maybe we can get back to real business.

By the way, Cruz's numbers are dipping sharply, but I guess their sample was flawed yet again, so he's not concerned.  They can only make jackasses this big in Texas.

Last Call For Clowning Around: The Follow-Up

When this story broke, and the flow immediately turned to the clown I wondered why nobody seemed to pay any attention to the guy talking throughout the video.  The Laverne to his Shirley, as it were.  Turned out nobody said anything because they were trying to figure out how to handle the fact that it was local superintendent, Mark Ficken.

First, a story broke in which Ficken said he feared for his job.  Then an update was released saying he had been fired and an investigation had been launched regarding his behavior.  Ficken says he was unfairly blamed, and his lawyer says it was merely a matter of words of caution.

Of course, you can watch the video here.  As a whole, the incident is disgusting.  It's in poor taste, and it was completely unnecessary.  It was just plain dumb.  But another hidden lesson here is don't just play along, or you may pay the consequences.  Ficken didn't do much besides keep it going, so I don't see why he is crying about how unfair his experience has been.

Just another drop in the bucket, but a shame nonetheless.

[Zandar here.  Seems our Missouri rodeo act has a standing invitation to perform in Texas thanks to professional birther nutjob racist asshole Rep. Steve Stockman. Keep up the minority outreach, fellas!]

Speaking of Bull...

This facepalm comes to you courtesy of my home state.  In Sedalia, Missouri the state fair is going on.  Though I'm not sure how it works in civilized parts of the country, it's still a fairly big deal here, with crowds and family traditions planned around the event.  And now, I'll always have a dollop of shame when thinking of the midway and the families smiling and laughing.

During the rodeo show, a clown with an Obama mask (yeah, it's just as racist as you just thought) went out in the crowd while the announcer and others cheered for him to get hit by the bull.  It wasn't "just in fun" and it wasn't a single errant comment that caused the problem.

“They mentioned the president’s name, I don’t know, 100 times. It was sickening,” Beam said. “It was feeling like some kind of Klan rally you’d see on TV.”

On Sunday evening, Kari Mergen, Missouri State Fair spokeswoman, told the News-Leader that the Mark Ficken, president of the Missouri Rodeo Cowboy Association, was an announcer at the rodeo. It was unclear whether Ficken’s voice was the one heard on the video.

In a statement sent by Mergen, the fair denounced the incident.

“The performance by one of the rodeo clowns at Saturday’s event was inappropriate and disrespectful, and does not reflect the opinions or standards of the Missouri State Fair. We strive to be a family friendly event and regret that Saturday’s rodeo badly missed that mark,” the statement reads.

Glad to hear that the guy who said it can't be bothered to apologze.  I don't know Kari Mergen personally, but she deserves a medal for even giving a modest attempt at burying this turd of an event.  Claire McCaskill expressed her displeasure, and Jay Nixon had nothing nice to say.

This was nothing more than a blackface routine with a recognizable black face.  Missouri has a long, racist history and at times like this I wonder if we will ever climb out of the pit we've dug for ourselves as a state. It is so difficult to raise free-thinking and intelligent kids in a region where you can't be safe from hate... even at a time-honored  event like the state fair.

Pope Francis Hits A Home Run

It's things like this that make reading news so rewarding.  With absolutely no warning (it was never on my radar whatsoever) Pope Francis has not only broadly opened up the door to acceptance for gay people, but demonstrates a genuine respect for people in general.  In other words, he just showed something we haven't seen from the religious front in a while.

ABOARD THE PAPAL AIRCRAFT (AP) -- Pope Francis reached out to gays on Monday, saying he wouldn't judge priests for their sexual orientation in a remarkably open and wide-ranging news conference as he returned from his first foreign trip.

"If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?" Francis asked.

Even a jaded old broad like me can appreciate the Pope taking such a stance, and not forcing a cat and mouse game where the answers are carefully extricated, pulled through layers of political spin and carefully placed vagueness.  A question was asked, and he answered it.  Directly, openly, completely and awesomely.  

We may have a Pope who is full of surprises, and some of the compassion and humility that a true leader needs to show for those who look to him for answers.  If nothing else, we can know from this that he is not a puppet, repeating the tried and true responses that deflect nosy reporters.  And for that reason, I have a newfound respect for Pope Francis.  He blasted this one out of the park.

[Zandar's note:  It's good to see Bon back and hopefully you'll be seeing more of her soon.  On the other hand, I trust Pope Francis about as far as he can throw me.]

And Remember Folks, Spay And Neuter Your Inmates

Kudos to Amanda Marcotte, who said exactly what was on my mind when the story broke about California prisons sterilizing female inmates.

CIR interviewed doctors who were involved in sterilizations in California prisons, and comments from these doctors only raise suspicion that they supported a system of bullying and frightening women into agreeing to sterilizations they did not want. Dr. James Heinrich is accused by at least one inmate of badgering her about sterilization until she caved, and his comments about the money spent by the state on these procedures are not very reassuring. 

“Over a 10-year period, that isn’t a huge amount of money,” Heinrich said, “compared to what you save in welfare paying for these unwanted children—as they procreated more.”

"Unwanted" by whom? The women themselves or Heinrich? Christina Cordero, who was sterilized by Heinrich, says she wished she hadn't had the tubal litigation. So perhaps any child she might have conceived would have been wanted.

Unwanted by whom, indeed.  Between sneaky tactics to restrict access to birth control, sneakier tactics to make abortion inaccessible or as painful as possible, and now this... how can a woman possibly feel safe in this world?  This is hardly the first time this has happened.  Eugenics victims  have been sterilized against their will for decades, or in some cases without their knowledge, if the Eugenics Board decided they would be unfit parents. The one that stuck with me most was a woman who had been raped by three brothers, and brought before the board against her will.  She "did not get along well with others" and was "stubborn and lacked civility."  Well, after being raped by a handful of men and then dragged before a table full of men to hash it through to their satisfaction, I think I understand why she might have had a little bit of an attitude.  Based on that single interaction she was judged and sterilized, and only discovered it when she went to look into fertility treatments many years later because she wanted a child with all her heart.  When she was just a teenager that choice was made for her, not only without her consent but without telling her that it had happened at all.  

I had missed this gem until this time around (originally from 2008), in which state Rep. John LaBruzzo considered paying poor women a thousand bucks to get their tubes tied:   

"We're on a train headed to the future and there's a bridge out, " LaBruzzo said of what he suspects are dangerous demographic trends. "And nobody wants to talk about it."

LaBruzzo said he worries that people receiving government aid such as food stamps and publicly subsidized housing are reproducing at a faster rate than more affluent, better-educated people who presumably pay more tax revenue to the government. He said he is gathering statistics now.

"What I'm really studying is any and all possibilities that we can reduce the number of people that are going from generational welfare to generational welfare, " he said.

He said his program would be voluntary. It could involve tubal ligation, encouraging other forms of birth control or, to avoid charges of gender discrimination, vasectomies for men.

Vasectomies was just an afterthought, to avoid charges.  It was a wink-wink addition to get to the real business of fixing some lady parts.  It had no seriousness behind it, as evident by men everywhere not having to shoo government away from their balls.  There's a lot more to it than that, but what I'm getting at is that when it comes to men, there's no question who is in charge of their organs.  Furthermore, LaBruzzo's plan involved potential tax breaks for the affluent to have more children.  On behalf of women everywhere, I'd like to say thanks for looking out for us. Glad to know dangling money in front of poor women while throwing money back to the wealthy is his bridge out to a brighter tomorrow.

Now that I've vented some sarcasm, let's get to the point.  The attitudes above itself are frightening beyond measure.  Women are being looked at like breeders and nothing more.  When it suits someone's agenda for us to have kids, we're kept away from birth control, or even just plain old healthcare.  When it suits someone  ego trip for us to be sterile, that can happen too, it's just a matter of who is trying to call the shots on our bodies.  It is a terrifying thing to realize that your innermost body, the one thing you have been taught your whole life is yours and yours alone, is subject to the whim of people in power.  Not even necessarily government, just power in general.  This doctor was one of many who decided for a woman whether she should be allowed to have kids, without any ethical oversight or accountability.  This simply cannot be allowed, not just for reproductive rights but the sake of healthcare principles overall.  Before we dismiss this as an incident or an isolated problem, we need to realize this beast has been lurking in the dark waters of women's healthcare for over half a century. It's distasteful and criminal, so it's been done largely in secret.  But it has, in fact, always been there in some form or another.  Despite the fact that there are millions of us, women have yet to experience full equality.  Our bodies are not our own.  Our lives are up for vote.  Our futures can be chosen by a board of men who think they have the right to enforce their will without question.  Our chances of having the freedom every single man enjoys is always tantalizingly close, but at the last minute an appeal or tactic keeps us waiting and hoping.  And worrying.

This has to stop.  Women should have full ownership of their bodies, and enough of using the law to discriminate or abuse the poor or the disadvantaged.  Imagine the emotional pain inflicted on these women, and the judgment passed on them.  This is a disgrace, and there is no other word for it.  Some will say this is hypocrisy from a pro-choice person, but I don't believe so.  A woman's choices are hers to make, and that's where I stand regardless of the sub-issue at hand.  The overall point is these rights should be hers beyond a shadow of a doubt, with no fear that they may be yanked away in a single political move, or at the whim of someone in control.  Nobody should make these choices for any woman alive, period.  Once we establish that, we establish healthcare that is easily available, and then we work on counseling to avoid unwanted pregnancies because education and empowerment must come first.

We need to do something now, before this crops up again in five years and we pretend to be shocked all over again.