Compulsion Equals Conscience

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius takes to USA Today to explain the Administration's decision to force religiously-sponsored groups to violate their beliefs an include contraception in their employee insurance.

She opens with a typical liberal fantasy:

One of the key benefits of the 2010 health care law is that many preventive services are now free for most Americans with insurance.

They are "free?!?  Do these preventive services just fall gracefuly from the sky to be collected by grateful patients?  Back here in reality, shifting and hiding the cost does not eliminate it, her assurances notwithstanding.  If employers are paying more for insurance so that these "free" services can be covered, that shows up as a reduction in employee wages.

Pressing on:

The public health case for making sure insurance covers contraception is clear. But we also recognize that many religious organizations have deeply held beliefs opposing the use of birth control.

That's why in the rule we put forward, we specifically carved out from the policy religious organizations that primarily employ people of their own faith. This exemption includes churches and other houses of worship, and could also include other church-affiliated organizations.

And the exemption does not include religious-sponsored organizations that employ people outside of their own faith.  Let's hear, hear from old Notre Dame, whose President protested the proposed rule last fall in a letter to Ms. Sebelius:

I infer that the three states to which he refers are Oregon, California and New York, based on this from Ms. Sebelius:

The religious exemption in the administration's rule is the same as the exemption in Oregon, New York and California.

Not exactly mainstream or even reddish-hued states.  The AP has more:

Mandates for birth-control coverage are not entirely new for religious groups. Twenty-eight states already require contraceptive coverage in prescription drug plans. Of those states, 17 offer a range of religious exemptions, while two others provide opt-outs of other kinds. However, opponents of the HHS regulation say there is no state mandate as broad as the new federal rule combined with a religious exemption that is so narrow.

Even in states where the requirement already exists, the issue is far from settled.

Wisconsin’s 2009 contraception mandate did not include a religious exemption, but allowed an exception for employers who self-insure. While some dioceses in the state were able to self-insure, others couldn’t afford to do so. The Diocese of Madison, Wis., ended up offering a policy with birth-control coverage, but asked employees to follow church teaching and not use the benefit. Local bishops continued to lobby state lawmakers for an exemption. But leaders knew a national health care overhaul was in development and hoped the federal law would be an improvement, said John Huebscher, executive director of the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops.

In California, whose religious exemption served as the model for the Obama administration, dioceses and some church-run agencies were able to self-insure, said Carol Hogan of the California Catholic Conference, but that option is for the most part unavailable under the federal health care law. Church-run groups could have stopped offering insurance to their employees, but considered that option unfair to workers.

Yuval Levin and Ross Douthat were cogent on this topic last week.

 

Comments

[Neo]

RELATED:

Obama: I'm getting ‘better as time goes on’ at being president

During an interview that aired Monday on NBC's "Today" show, President Obama said that he gets "better as time goes on" at his job and that he believes the grassroots movement that propelled him to victory in 2008 will help him win a second term. "What's frustrated people is that I've not been able to implement every aspect of what I said in 2008. Well, it turns out our Founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change than I would like sometimes. But what we have been able to do is move in the right direction," Obama said.

... but he still su...

[Danube of Thought]

Look, they know what's best for us. We would appear ungrateful if we were to complain.

[matt]

The Global War on Logic continues to accelerate.

[Extraneus]

Maybe someone should do a poll on this.

WaPo/ABC ends sample transparency in national polling

...the poll series has dropped its reporting of partisan identification within their samples. It’s the second time that the poll has not included the D/R/I split in its sample report, and now it looks as though this will be policy from this point forward. Since this is a poll series that has handed double-digit partisan advantages to Democrats in the past (for instance, this poll from April 2011 where the sample only had 22% Republicans), it’s not enough to just hear “trust us” on sample integrity from the Washington Post or ABC.

[Porchlight]

One of the key benefits of the 2010 health care law is that many preventive services are now free for most Americans with insurance.

Is pregnancy a disease? This would be news to the multi-billion dollar fertility industry.

If not, why would birth control/abortifacients fall under the category of "preventive" medicine?

[Extraneus]

Chicago college offers class on Occupy movement

Students will read the Occupy Gazette, the movement’s newspaper, and attend General Assembly meetings. Occupy Chicago leaders may present guest lectures.

[Porchlight]

Well, it turns out our Founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change than I would like sometimes."

"It turns out," says the Constitutional law professor.

That whole "checks and balances" thing - so inconvenient.

[MarkO]

Everything's free but us. Wow!

[Ignatz]

--That whole "checks and balances" thing - so inconvenient.--

Not only inconvenient but apparently unknown until the messiah discovered it.
It's telling that he is not only unaware how clueless that statement makes him look but how greedy for power; and undemocratic power at that.

[matt]

Mr. 57 States now has a team of Top Experts watching for every Romney flub. LUN

[Captain Hate]

For somebody who allegedly wrote two autobiographies, he's incredibly tone deaf on realizing how his statements make him sound.

[Porchlight]

It's telling that he is not only unaware how clueless that statement makes him look but how greedy for power; and undemocratic power at that.

Well said.

[Ranger]

the poll series has dropped its reporting of partisan identification within their samples.

I hope RCP responds by dropping them from their averages then. I have had the feeling for a while that some polling was a deliberate attempt to move the RCP average, since it has become so well known and used by political pundits.

[Porchlight]

WaPo has oversampled Dems for decades. Now they're not even being honest about it. Worthless poll even more worthless...except as it helps the MSM construct the "comeback" narrative.

Everyone should write to RCP about this.

[Extraneus]

Well maybe not to us, but it probably makes him look pretty darned good to the people who recoiled in shame and horror at the thought of opening the 112th US Congress with a reading of the Constitution.

[Jack is Back!]

If the Bishops wanted to play hardball they could start by excommunicating Stupak, Pelosi and Sibelius (who I believe is RC). And for good measure John "Freaking" Kerry. I only wish Chuck Schumer was Catholic so we could get him also.

But this won't happen and the only thing to do in an election year is for Catholic institutions to refuse to comply and let the chips fall where they may. I still say they will blink on this after the SCOTUS decision, whatever it is.

[MarkO]

Obama with the bantam rooster look, the chin jutted out, the imperious gaze into middle distance, the distain for America and American governmental processes is redolent of Mussolini. How anyone could have voted for him after the fake column presentation still baffles me. Perhaps most people have no sense of history or the mannerisms of despots. His latest complaint, that the Constitution gets in the way and frustrates “people” would ordinarily drive someone from office. We live in confused times. I find him more and more dangerous.

[NK]

"One of the key benefits of the 2010 health care law is that many preventive services are now free for most Americans with insurance." THAT is an amazing statement signed by the HHS Sec'y. Abortions, contraceptives etc etc, they are ALL FREE TODAY-- carried in by a unicorn no doubt. PP made $155Million doing abortions in 2010, but they're free now. Of course, Sec'y Seblius knows they are not free. so the audacity of her statement is the magnitude of the lie. 'Bam's people lie with impunity; the press is part of the 'Bam team, like when they kept their mouths shut about JFK humping interns or LBJ lying in the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution.

[Jack is Back!]

MarkO,

Well, he does have Ruth Bader Ginsburg to support his complaint on the constitution. Her and Ezra Klein:)

[Extraneus]

JFK humping interns? Bah. How about wanting to watch his own groupie do his little brother Teddy? Am I a prude or is that pretty sick?

How do you spell Camelot again?

(In case anyone missed it: link.)

[Jim Ryan]

I'm not going to comply with the new health insurance law. I'll prefer prison to paying the fine.

I assume Catholics won't comply with the requirement to pay to sterilize people.

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

If the Catholic Church joined the SEIU, a waiver would be decreed immediately.

Yes, Pres. Barry-Knows-Best is improving as an authoritarian tyrant.
Pfui!

Whatever happened to dissent is patriotic?

Why does the WH continue to give the country the finger?

I hope Mark Steyn can make me feel better about our prospects.

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

Ext, I spelled it "Shtuppalot" yesterday. JFK did serve as a model for BJ Clinton.

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

"Obama holds edge over Romney in general election matchup, poll finds — Boosted by improved public confidence in his economic stewardship, President Obama for the first time holds a clear edge over Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a hypothetical general-election matchup, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll."

It's like the old '30s movie where a fellow runs in and shouts, "The depression is over!"

[glasater]

Jim Ryan-

The IRS will have the capability to reach into your bank account to extract the fine if you do not comply.

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

glasater, the ranks of the takers will increase and so will the govt. workers. A win-win for the Dems.

[Ranger]

according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Yes, that would be the poll where they didn't provide a sample breakdown, so we have no idea how valid the numbers are. But I am sure the Post-ABC folks are hoping this "news" will losen up those Obama doners who have been reluctant to give. Nothing like good poll numbers to get the money flowing to a campaign.

[squaredance]

Oh, you just watch, Obama is going to win this election.

Why? Because the American people are idiots, that is why.

[Jim Ryan]

glasater: There will no longer be a bank account when the IRS gets to that point.

[Clarice]

Did no one notice? TM has farmed out to me the task of typing his headers..

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

Onkel Adolf had a hard time with Catholics during his reign of horror. He even scheduled Nazi youth activities during church times to drain away church goers and wean children away from the faith of their parents.

[glasater]

Frau-

Your comment reminds me of a ZH tweet this AM saying Greece is hiring 16k people to hand out 15k pink slips to government workers.

[Extraneus]

Just make sure the first and last letters are ok.

[Frau Katholische Kirche]

The Constitution is Not the Problem!

[Janet]

Look at this! Good Lord. Kansas med. board won't allow Terry Lakin to practice medicine in Kansas because of his political views.

via Jack Cashill on FB

[Jim Ryan]

Ha! Clarice.

[Jack is Back!]

Onkel Adolf had a hard time with Catholics during his reign of horror.

Frau,

Blessed Alois Andritzki (Priest and Martyr 1914-1943)

Ordained July 30, 1939. Shortly after presiding over a Nativity play in Dresden for Christmas of 1940, he was interrogated by the Gestapo then later arrested and sent to Dachau. After he fell ill with typhoid, the Nazis put him to death with a lethal injection on February 3, 1943. He was 28 at the time.

[Jack is Back!]

Janet,

He could always become TK's personal physician:)

[crazy]

3 states know best. Prior administrations would have followed the 47 state model rather than the 6% minority 3 state solution.

[Janet]

He could be mine too.

[Janet]

At the end of the video report is audio of the Kansas board asking him political questions...it is sickening. I can't believe this is happening in America.

[Jim Ryan]

Janet, I think this board is about to make the doctor a wealthy man. He will end up licensed and with many, many patients as a result of this.

[Ranger]

I do have to say, Capt. Ed can be very naive some times. In an update to the Post-ABC post he finishes with this:

And once again, why anyone is polling adults in the middle of an ongoing primary is a complete mystery. That should be likely voters.

Not a mystery at all really. The numbers they are getting from likely voters conflict with the narative.

[Captain Hate]

You have to get up pretty early to put one over on Poppin' Fresh; at least by noon.

[bio mom]

Same polling group in the past:

Head to head matchup, GW Bush vs. J. Kerry
2/8-2/10/2004

Kerry 52%
Bush 43%

[Extraneus]

Not a mystery at all really.

Captain Ed does seem to miss these obvious motivational angles sometimes, doesn't he? I wonder if he does it on purpose, to try to appear more reasonable.

[Danube of Thought]

Raz has Obama over Romney 49-42 today.

[glasater]

HB JIB-

I have a tour of our wine country planned when you get out this way:)

[centralcal]

I am a worry wart. Is no one concerned that turnout in Nevada was down 25% in the Republican caucus, coupled with lower turnout in Florida?

BTW, looks like Romney oppo has its big guns aimed at Santorum now that he is showing some positive polling numbers.

[Captain Hate]

Hopefully non-subscribers can view this Medved article where he points out that "For the seventh consecutive election, the next president will either be a privileged son or a man with no relationship with his biological father" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204652904577191440888199840.html?mod=WSJ_Opinion_LEADTop

[Clarice]

I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but is it possible that the Board thought that being such an adamant birther as to force his removal from the military might--just might--indicate a screw loose and warrant the denial of a license.

[Captain Hate]

Is no one concerned that turnout in Nevada was down 25% in the Republican caucus, coupled with lower turnout in Flo

A bit because I think it's a good indicator that a lot of voters consider the candidates lackluster. I'm pretty sure they'll be out in the general for OMG - ABO

[Porchlight]

"What's frustrated people is that I've not been able to implement every aspect of what I said in 2008. Well, it turns out our Founders designed a system that makes it more difficult to bring about change than I would like sometimes.

Prompted by a HotAir commenter, I watched the video.

The Hill and other outlets quoted Obama inaccurately. This is what he actually said (my bold):

"What's frustrated people is that I've not been able to force Congress to implement every aspect of what I said in 2008.

Force Congress to implement?

That's a big difference, don't you think?

Check out the video for yourself - the relevant part starts around the 6:20 mark.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/208775-obama-im-getting-better-as-time-goes-on-at-being-president

[bio mom]

Ras also has Obama at 50% approval today.

[Ranger]

DoT, there is one important difference between the two polls. Ras has Obama's approval at 50%, but he still only gets 49% for re-elect. The post puts Obama at the same 50%, but he gets 51% for re-elect. The only way I think you can get Obama to more votes for re-elect that approval is by packing your survey with Dems, who will vote for the Dem, even if they are not happy with his current performance.

The current Ras numbers are a little worriesome. I think they are driven by the higher market indexes and the "good" unemployment numbers, so I doubt they will hold for too long once the mess in Europe manifests and gas prices start climbing towards $4 again.

[Old Lurker]

I find Janet's video very disturbing.

And from the heartland at that.

[Rick Ballard]

CH,

True but a bit deeper, perhaps. There's a problem with brand differentiation right at the top. The electorate is truly sick of BOzoBrand but they are not at all sure that MittBrand isn't the same NewEdselCoke they bought in '08 with the primary difference being the label.

I'm sure that Governor Romney will continue displaying the same level of competence exhibited to date in resolving the issue.

Boy, we sure dodged a bullet with that dumb Texan getting out.

[Old Lurker]

No hurt feelings, Clarice...but were you representing him surely you would have asked the board that very question, and then you could have presented evidence to the contrary.

Two other states had no such qualms about him. And the board's willingness to admit the bad doc indicates a prety shallow concern for patients.

I am sure there are folks who think any doctor unwilling to conduct an abortion is also showing signs of loose screws...so you see where that slippery slopes goes.

[Danube of Thought]

I'm with Clarice on that birther doctor.

Just great that the NFL is blaming NBC for not cutting away fast enough when that performer flipped the bird. They--the NFL--hire a bunch of crass vulgarians to entertain us, the NFL produces the show, and then they are shocked when they get a crass, vulgar product. And they blame the network for letting us see what they produced.

[Ranger]

Clarice,

Not to be too argumentative, but how many people who believe in UFOs do you think have MDs? I am sure there are a few. Would you deny them the right to practice as well?

[Captain Hate]

That's a big difference, don't you think?

I'll say; and once again our Pravda gatekeepers are airbrushing the actual quote.

[Captain Hate]

What do you expect from the NFL when it's led by an empty suit like Goodell? Actually in a food fight between the league and NBC, I hope they both lose.

[Ranger]

Well, this is an interesting development:

Romania spy chief nominated to replace PM Emil Boc

I wonder what deep, dark secrets he knows about EU and World Bank leaders that will help the Romanians navigate the next few months.

[Clarice]

It's not just his beliefs, ranger and OL, but that he was willing to push them to the m point of a military discharge.

I'd feel differently if he had merely expressed those as his views than I do when he refused orders because of those views.That seems to really be pushing it.

***As for Obama's interview, I think the most hilarious thing was his bemoaning his wife's being pulled into the political arena--Heck, there's no way to get that big butt out of it except with an offer of a snack at Shake Shack.

CH Medved's thoughts mirror mine on the father-son dynamics in American presidential races.I'd add that those guys whose dad's had abandoned them proved to be the most dangerous IMO.

[Ranger]

What's frustrated people is that I've not been able to force Congress to implement every aspect of what I said in 2008.

Also interesting because Obama 1.0 was pitched as the "guy who could every everyone around the table and find an agreement."

Nice for him to confirm that it was a lie from the get go.

Wish I could write campaign spots for the GOP. This is about the fourth time Obama has outright said he wished he had dictatorial powers. Would be fun to put those together with a tagline like:

The President has to work with congress to find solutions. That's why the name of the office is President, not King.

[Jane]

What do you expect from the NFL when it's led by an empty suit like Goodell?

I know nothing about the man except what I saw on 60 minutes recently, and I assume there was an agenda there even if I didn't recognize it. So why is he an empty suit?

[Captain Hate]

I agree with you, C; Medved frustrates me so much with his wishy-washiness that I often overlook that he makes some very good points. I had no idea Noot had such a non-existent relationship with his bio dad. Obviously, as in the case with all social science matters, that isn't an absolute determinant; but one that carries a lot of negative weight to be overcome.

[Extraneus]

The President has to work with congress to find solutions. That's why the name of the office is President, not King.

"And that's why Obama is not the right man for that office."

[glasater]

Heh...

Safety as first score in Super Bowl reportedly wins bettor $15,000

Actually, one guy bet 1k on the safety bet at 50:1. It's in the update in the article.

[Jack is Back!]

Further to Obama's POV.

VDH asks: Are You "Them"

But there are new monsters in America, and I am starting to wonder whether I am to be considered among them: those of the uninvolved and uninformed lives, the bar-raisers, the downright mean ones, the never deserving of respect ones, the Vegas junketeers, the Super Bowl jet setters, the tuition stealers, the faux-Christians who do not pay higher taxes, the too much income makers, the tormenters of autistic children, the polluters, the enemies deserving of punishment, the targets to bring a gun against, the faces to get in front of, the limb-loppers, the tonsil pullers, the fat cats, the corporate jet owners, the one-percenters, the stupidly acting, the not paying their fair sharers, the discriminators on the “way you look”, the alligator raisers and moat builders, the vote deniers, the clingers, the typical something persons, the hunters of kids at ice cream parlors, the stereotypers and profilers, the cowards, the lazy and soft, the non-spreaders of money, the not my people people, the Tea party racists, the not been perfect and mistake makers, the disengaged and the dictating, the not the time to profiteers, the ones who did not know when to quit making money, and on and on.

My God, man, how did Barack Obama & Co. conjure up so many demons?

[Captain Hate]

So why is he an empty suit?

He lacks a real vision for the future of the game while maintaining its integrity. I used to be a fierce critic of Rozelle but now that I'm not as young and stoopid I can appreciate him for what he did. He was always about the integrity of the game, which is why he suspended Hornung and Karras as punishment for their gambling and forced Namath to sell his interest in a mobbed up nightclub.

Goodell is just a glorified placeholder who serves as a sockpuppet for the owners. He oversees the rules changing willy-nilly from one season to the next without really thinking what it does to the game and the poor officials who have to implement them. His ultimate powerlessness was revealed the season before last when there was a question of whether Jerry Jones's jumbotron was so low that punts might hit it. Even though it turned out not to be a problem, Rozelle would have ordered him to raise it or get rid of it imo. Goodell didn't do anything.

Does that answer your question?

[Extraneus]

They--the NFL--hire a bunch of crass vulgarians to entertain us, the NFL produces the show, and then they are shocked when they get a crass, vulgar product.

Guests Cee Lo, Nicki Minaj and dance rockers LMFAO also appeared with Madonna.

[Ranger]

The President has to work with congress to find solutions. That's why the name of the office is President, not King.

"And that's why Obama is not the right man for that office."

Yes. Exactly. I think it would be a very fruitful venue of attack to point out Obama's petty tyrant tendancies using his own words. Especially comparing the promises of 2008 with the reality of Obama in office.

[Jane]

Does that answer your question?

I guess. The most interesting thing (to me) about the piece I saw, was that the owners hire him to boss them around. That's a pretty unique relationship.

[Danube of Thought]

I don't think the questions the board was asking that doctor were political--they simply asked him his beliefs about the president's birthplace and citizenship. And I would think that if he held some belief about UFO's that caused him to disobey lawful orders and led to a dishonorable discharge, that would be an appropriate subject for inquiry as well.

[Danube of Thought]

From January 20, 2009 through November 2010 what did Obama ask of congress that it denied him?

[Captain Hate]

The most interesting thing (to me) about the piece I saw, was that the owners hire him to boss them around. That's a pretty unique relationship.

As the commissioner he has a lot of power; I don't think he uses it effectively or wisely.

[Janet]

from the Lakin article/video -
"The Oct. 21 hearing about Lakin's medical license lasted just 16 minutes. Lenexa physician Michael J. Beezley kicked off the questioning about Lakin's thoughts on the president.

"So I guess you need to explain the difference between going to Afghanistan in 2004 and going over there after President Obama was elected," said Beezley. "Is that the big kick?"

"Yes," replied Lakin.

Ellsworth Dr. Ronald Whitmer then followed up.

"Do you believe he was a U.S. citizen, President Obama?" he asked.

"I don't know," Lakin replied.

"...the long form of his birth certificate has been publicized," Whitmer said. "What does it take to make you believe that he is a U.S. citizen?""
*****************************
Lakin was dismissed from the Army Dec. 16, 2010.

"In June 2008, Obama's campaign released a scanned copy of his birth certificate, but birthers say they want to see the original document that shows the hospital where Obama was born and the name of the doctor who delivered him."

But see, Obama had NOT released his birth certificate...only a scanned certification document on the internet. There were a lot of reasons to question it.
Obama didn't released his birth certificate until April 2011 (just in time to yuck it up at the WH correspondents dinner 3 days later).
Why did Obama wait so long? Did anyone in the MFM ask Obama? The whole thing is sketchy.

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vnjagvet]

Personally, I think the doc's actions while in the military were ill advised, extreme and the doc should have been prosecuted and convicted. I think the CM verdict was warranted and just.

But how do such actions rise to the level of moral turpitude that disqualifies him from earning a living practicing medicine especially since there is no evidence that they effected his professional skill and judgment?

[Rocco]

If the Bishops wanted to play hardball they could start by excommunicating Stupak, Pelosi and Sibelius

I agree but wonder if we'd know about it? Excommunication although a punishment, it's also intended to bring one back to righteousness. So I would think it's their duty to excommunicate for that reason alone. Would the church make it public? I don't know, I'm asking?

[jimmyk]

I'll say; and once again our Pravda gatekeepers are airbrushing the actual quote.

That's the sort of thing Drudge sometimes catches. Big headline: "Obama Complaint: `Can't Force Congress'"

[Clarice]

Someone already posted that after Pelosi's come to Archbishop moment she has not taken communion.For all we know it's because she has been excommunicated.

[Clarice]

Steyn in Chrysler (re the Eastwood ad)

"Do you know who owns almost 60% of Chrysler, this great American institution? Fiat! Yes, nothing could be more American than an Italian company that's building their cars in Ontario, Canada, right?" -Steyn

[Danube of Thought]

"That's a pretty unique relationship."

Same in the NBA. The owners hire the Angel of Stern, then he fines them right and left when they complain about the officiating.

[Danube of Thought]

"But see, Obama had NOT released his birth certificate...only a scanned certification document on the internet. There were a lot of reasons to question it."

Tell it to the judge. Or TK.

[Clarice]

A wag at NR saws why not use the TSA to do breast screenings? HEH

[Clarice]

**saYs**

[jimmyk]

Speaking of carmakers, this may have been discussed here, but it was new to me, and might be good for Jane's "You Too" site. I just read an article in Cato's new "Papers on Public Policy" series on how Treasury just gave itself an exemption from a law that would have required GM to give up its $18 Billion in tax loss carry-forwards. This of course raises the value of GM stock and makes it look like the government didn't lose so much, but of course it conceals the $18 billion gift from the Treasury. The article isn't available online, but similar ground was covered by the WSJ in the LUN. Something to keep in mind the next time a Democrat claims that we made money (or didn't lose so much) on GM.

[Old Lurker]

I was just going to say, as Clarice beat me to it, that if you never show up for communion, who would know your status?

But it does raise thorny questions doesn't it? I'm not so sure that a public official can or should be held to the standards of his personal church alone. There are lots of times when what is best for the whole is in direct conflict with the teaching of one particular faith. What that church does to that one official really is between them and is not a public matter; if the person cannot reconcile the two, then he must quit one or the other.

So Obama and his thugs obvioulsy do think this action serves their vision of what is good for us and our recourse is to the courts and the polls.

[Neo]

This is clearly evidence of an incontrovertible consensus that this Administration is the cause of "Climate Change"

[Old Lurker]

Moving on to another issue raised above regarding the turnouts in FL & NV. I would not jump to many conclusions even if they are down because many of us aren't real happy with any of them but we are certain to vote for whomever runs against Obama. So I can understand being passive aggressive by just not voting for any of them in a primary, but you can be darn sure we'll be there in November.

[Clarice]

WELL, ol, it's not my precinct, but I would say the church would make a mistake excommunicating pols on the basis of their votes---they are after all supposed to represent their constituents. OTOH, I think Nancy got into trouble for misstating catholic tenets and persisted even after she was informed she was in error and leading people astray.

[Old Lurker]

We agree completely, C.

[jimmyk]

In other news, I hadn't realized it, but that Norwegian mass murderer was a right-wing extremist. How do we know that? Because the AP says so.

[MarkO]

"The owners hire the Angel of Stern, then he fines them right and left when they complain about the officiating."

True, although the point of the exercise is to avoid recalling that the ref who was fixing games was caught, not by Stern's crew, but by a random wiretap for another reason altogether.

The officiating is so clearly corrupt that there must be a charade that it is not.

Moreover, Stern would not keep his job if he overstepped any of the bounds set by his owners. He's an employee, not an owner.

[MarkO]

"From January 20, 2009 through November 2010 what did Obama ask of congress that it denied him?"

I give. What? Nothing?

[Cecil Turner]

But how do such actions rise to the level of moral turpitude that disqualifies him from earning a living practicing medicine . . .

There's the $64,000 question. And if the standard were moral turpitude, it's pretty hard to see how it could be met. But on further review it appears it isn't. The licensing guidelines on the subject are:

When a licensee has been convicted of a felony, in addition to the general aggravating and mitigating circumstances that apply to all categories of misconduct the Board must consider K.S.A. 65-2836(c)
[disclaimer: hand transcribed]

Which section says, in part:

The licensee has been convicted of a felony or class A misdemeanor, whether or not related to the practice of the healing arts. The board shall revoke a licensee's license following conviction of a felony occurring after July 1, 2000, unless a 2/3 majority of the board members present and voting determine by clear and convincing evidence that such licensee will not pose a threat to the public in such person's capacity as a licensee and that such person has been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

I can't find anything saying Kansas officially equates a DD with a felony conviction, but many places do, and the law specifies the license may be denied if "The licensee has committed an act of unprofessional or dishonorable conduct." I don't think I support the result, but one could certainly argue they're following their own guidelines. (And the Doctor's persistence in claiming he's in the right may legitimately undermine any argument he's "rehabilitated.")

[Jack is Back!]

CC and OL,

I posted this on the Florida vote thread a few days back.

Between the 08 primary and the 12 primary the GOP in Florida lost over 40,000 registerd Republicans and the state picked up over 116,000 registered independents.

That and the highly negative ads Romney ran (over 90%) in a 95 to 1 difference against Newt turned off a lot of people. There was no motivation on the voters behalf to waste time going to the polling place to vote for a guy who never discussed issues only his opponent and in mocking terms - deserved or not.

[Rick Ballard]

OL,

MittBrand could have changed the game easily by just saying "oops, blew that one" on Romneycare. We would then have a clear distinction between the putrid taste of BOzoBrand and the fresh, clean nectar of MittBrand instead of "MittBrand - it probably won't kill you!". The majority who don't want BOzoBrand around today aren't going to want him more in November.

I think the Rambler with the dog strapped to the roof will cross the finish line first but Governor Romney is wholly responsible for making this look a lot harder to accomplish than reality says it should be.

[Ranger]

CT. That is very interesting. I wonder if he was offered the chance to resign rather than face court marshal, which is pretty standard practice for officers in a situation like this (though that usually entails accepting an Article 15 hearing, which is non-judicial punishment).