Stupid-Ass Shit

It may surprise you guys that I'm a bit of a nerd. In fact, I'm so nerdy, I often watch public TV--although, in my defense, I should say that the PBS channel I get represents 17% of my available menu. Yes, I tried to put that in the nerdiest possible way.

Anyway, I was watching NOW on PBS a little while ago, and David Brancaccio, the host who replaced the venerable Bill Moyers, was interviewing Mary Kay Culp, the head of Kansans for a Return to the 14th Century Life. Anyway, here's a bit of the transcript:

BRANCACCIO: I don't understand how Kansas wouldn't-- ban abortion quit quickly after [Alito's confirmation]. What do you know about the state of that debate in your state...

MARY KAY CULP: It isn't that. It's just that I know how the political system works. Then you can have real discussion. Then every-- both sides are gonna get aired, and if the media's fair about it, both sides are gonna get aired. That-- you know, that's a question. But at least democracy will have a chance to work on it. But, that doesn't necessarily mean anything either way.

But, well, I do know what might happen in Kansas. We have late term abortions in Kansas, and we're known for having late term abortions in Kansas. Those, yes, we might be able to get rid of right away.

BRANCACCIO: But, really there are two questions here. There's the political calculation that I did ask you about. Do you think that Roe v. Wade's going to be overturned and therefore abortion will become illegal? You don't think so. But, what about your goal? Would it make you happier? Is this your vision of America where abortion is illegal.

MARY KAY CULP: It would be nice to know that tomorrow morning no knives are gonna be taken to unborn babies. That'd be a nice thing. But, in order for that to happen and for it to-- to stay in place, I mean, if you just boom turn it around-- without people really understanding the issue, it's not as-- certainly not as satisfying as it happening for the right reasons.

Because, the media in this country becomes unafraid to actually hear both sides of this issue, 'cause that hasn't been the case for 30 years. It's been getting better. But, really it's kind of an interesting dynamic, because-- I didn't notice really a change until a partial birth abortion issue came along in Congress, and that really earns you a lot of credibility. And, then people start to look and listen. And, as we got stronger politically, it's really-- it's amazing how a political win really can draw peoples' attention to an issue.

BRANCACCIO: You know, Mary Kay, from your discussion, though, there are a lot of people who do not like abortion, who want to reduce the number of abortions I America--

MARY KAY CULP: Uh-huh.

BRANCACCIO: But are very concerned about an America where if a woman chooses to do this for whatever complicated reason that they have that choice. You could have some of these States deciding based on a different Supreme Court, "We are gonna outlaw it." And, that means if you got the money, you go to another state. If you don't got the money and your (sic) poor, terrible things could happen.

MARY KAY CULP: You know, terrible things are happening right now-- terrible things. But, nobody knows about 'em, because nobody's really looking at the other side of this issue. Terrible things can happen on both sides of this issues, if it's recognized for what it is and the way it impacts a woman's life and impacts society. And that's what I think we need to look at.

There are a lot of mainstream Americans out there that care about this issue. It isn't-- you know-- people can stereotype us and call us names if they want to. You know what? We don't care, because there's just more and more of us, and we're having more of a political effect. And, I hope we'll get some credibility with the media only so that we can look at these issues in a-- in a real way.

BRANCACCIO: Well, Mary Kay Culp, Kansans for Life, thanks for coming in to help us understand where you're coming from and possibly understand where the ascent of Samuel Alito came from.

MARY KAY CULP: Thank you for allowing me to come. I appreciate it.

Emphasis mine.

A couple of things:

Who thinks that anyone is taking knives to unborn babies? That's pretty melodramatic, even for the All-Your-Uterus-Are-Belong-To-Us crowd.

And second, What The Fuck? David Brancaccio, you fucked up. When you tell her that "Terrible things could happen," and you let her get all weepy and sanctimonious, and let her say, voice cracking with emotion, that "Terrible things are happening right now," without calling her out, you've fucked up.

Why did Dave fuck up? Well,we know that terrible things WILL happen. How do we know? 'Cause they happened before! Isn't history neat, kids? Also, David fucked up by letting her get away with that phony sanctimony. If you're opposed to abortion, and you have more than three working neurons, you should know that making abortion illegal will not stop it--see above statement about history. What will happen is that you'll have about the same number of abortions, but the fatality rate among women who get them will skyrocket, as will the number of women who will have to deal with sepsis, infertility, and other problems that come from unsafe abortions. It's just that simple.

And, while we're talking about abortion, and under the general heading of Stupid-Ass Shit, I'd like to point this out to you:

Return of the sidewalk chalk

I can tell the semester has begun because the sidewalks are covered with chalk.

I may be very ignorant, but can someone explain to me why there are a bunch of symbols that appear to exhort, "No clotheshangers?" I saw an announcement next to one that said something about abortion rights, but I'm not seeing the connection between abortion and clotheshangers. If the things in the drawings are clotheshangers. They sure look like clotheshangers. I wish I had my camera.

This stupid shit was written by a graduate student at one of the (drumroll please) top programs in the country. Man, that makes me feel good about America's best and brightest. How about you?