Let me see if I understand the Republicans. It's OK to spend taxpayer dollars to send thousands of strapping young men and women to their destruction in an unnecessary war, but taxpayers must never never EVER be responsible for the abortion of a pregnant 12-year-old gang-raped by local thugs or her father/stepfather/trusted male relative.
The New York Times reports "Bush Warns of Vetoes Over Abortion Issue":
In a two-page letter sent to the House speaker, Nancy Pelosi, and the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Mr. Bush said his veto threat would apply to any measures that "allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life."
So does "any measures" mean it's OK for taxpayer dollars to fund a war that's cost Iraqis and Americans hundreds of thousands of deaths and injuries?
As a military mother whose U.S. Marine son just returned from Iraq, I'd give my eyeteeth -- and more -- to have Pelosi and Reid turn that statement right around on Bush and point out that bringing the troops home will save taxpayer dollars and countless human lives.
But the truth is never important. Spin, subterfuge and political sanctimony reign supreme with the G.O.P. Terrorism is their euphemism for allowing Big Business to engage in war profiteering. Not to mention the arrogance of a party that feels it can dictate the reproductive rights of women throughout the land.
Was I the only one this morning who felt absolutely repulsed by the photograph of the all-white, all-male Republican presidental candidates? It also served as a snapshot in time of true middle-age crisis -- that of the U.S. foundering in a miasma of identity and patriotic confusion.
I know I'm preaching to the choir. But if any of the Democratic operatives out there, in Congress or otherwise, are checking into dKos today, would you -- could you -- nudge those close to Pelosi and Reid and suggest that they take their big brass balls in hand and tell Bush:
We no longer want to allow taxpayer dollars to be used for the destruction of human life. Bring the troops home!
Because I will be absolutely shattered if I have to see off my son to another tour in Iraq.
And I'm not alone.