DOWNLOADS: (396)

PLAYS: (4734)

Embed

With a vote coming up soon on Sen. Roy Blunt's "Respect for Rights of Conscience Act" which would, as Mother Jones noted, "grant employers significant discretion in deciding what kind of health care they want to provide workers," it's been interesting watching right wingers twist themselves into knots trying to defend the amendment.

Case in point on this Tuesday evening's Hardball is Susan B. Anthony List's Marjorie Dannenfelser who had to take to lying about whether the amendment would actually allow any employer and not just religious institutions to deny coverage to their employees for just about anything. Dannenfelser was literally left stammering and stuttering when called on the fact that this goes way beyond anything that could be construed at an attack on the Catholic church.

If Republicans and their allies want to convince voters that this is not just a way for them to undermine the Affordable Care Act which they've been determined to do since the day it passed, they're going to have to find more capable people than Dannenfelser to make their arguments for them.

Transcript below the fold.

Continue reading »

DOWNLOADS: (326)

PLAYS: (1051)

Embed

Someone needs to ask Chris Matthews to read this report from Media Matters before he allows wingnut Marjorie Dannenfelser back on Hardball again to tout Andrew Breitbart's latest hit job on Planned Parenthood.

A Refresher Course On Andrew Breitbart's Dishonest Tactics:

Andrew Breitbart's website Big Government is promoting heavily edited videos produced by anti-abortion rights activist Lila Rose and falsely claiming that the video proves that Planned Parenthood engages in systemic criminal activities. Below, Media Matters reviews the dishonest tactics used in the past by Andrew Breitbart, James O'Keefe, and other Breitbart associates....

Here's more from Right Wing Watch on Dannenfelser -- Right-Wing Leaders Hail House Vote to Strip Planned Parenthood of Funding:

The amendment to block funding to Planned Parenthood passed by a vote of 240-185, achieving a long-held goal of Religious Right groups that vehemently oppose the healthcare organization. During the debate, House Republicans frequently touted the hoax videos produced by the extreme group Live Action and Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) even pledged to go after Planned Parenthood’s non-profit status.

Taxpayer funding of abortion is already barred under federal law, and this new amendment would stop Planned Parenthood from receiving funds to provide the medical services which comprise the vast majority of the group’s work, like cancer screenings, tests for sexually transmitted infections, and family healthcare.

But an amendment devastating women’s healthcare is a reason to celebrate for anti-choice leaders and their allies in Congress: [...]

Marjorie Dannenfelser, Susan B. Anthony List:

Ending taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood is a non-negotiable,” said SBA List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. “It must be a top priority in the Continuing Resolution battle. Taxpayers have strongly rejected their complicity with Planned Parenthood in the sex trafficking of underage girls. Pro-life America demands that our leaders in the Senate step up and take on this fight and that the House leadership holds its ground. Americans have spoken and the time to defund Planned Parenthood, a habitual and unapologetic ally of those who deal in the exploitation of minors, is now. This is a black and white issue and we will accept nothing less than the total defunding of Planned Parenthood in the Continuing Resolution.

And Rebecca Traister made many of the same points Rep. Diana Degette did here about what this attack on Planned Parenthood really means; defunding health care services for poor women -- This is what "pro-life" means?:

House Republicans just cut off funds for abortions -- and breast exams, cervical cancer screenings and STD testing

Continue reading »

DOWNLOADS: (684)

PLAYS: (1055)

Embed

Contessa Brewer talks to Rep. Dianna DeGette about what the House will agree to with compromises on abortion language in the health care bill. The abortion language still could be a deal breaker with the House and those who refuse to see the Hyde language weakened further.