Patch has become filled with one click bait political 'story' after another. Mr Ward is the worst offender.

Ha ha, it's the new age of journalism - all you need is an internet connection and an insatiable need for attention

Gemma, so are all major commercial daily and weekly readers and most cable "news" outlets. They're viewpoints - for more polar than ever, but just that.

To be sure, there's money to be made by shrieking divisive rhetoric. From Rush L. on down to the lowliest local blogger.

I guess Bill Maher knows best by calling Sarah Palin the BIG C WORD................I guess thats OK................Nothing like one sided journalism

Michael
To be sure, there's money to be made by shrieking divisive rhetoric. From Rush L. on down to the lowliest local blogger.
~~~~
you mean, I could be getting paid for this ?

Jeff, Medicare made the decicion that Viagra is medicine. That's why it is a covered expense. Comparing it to birth control pills really makes no sense, that is until it too is considered medicine.

@Mr Ethics - off label usage of BCP as medical treatment is widely done. Usage for endometriosis and PCOS comes to mind. That seems pretty medical to me.

I hadn't really thought about contraception and women's issues for a long time, before this whole anti contraception debate heated up, thanks to the GOP. But now that it is here, I agree that women, are getting slighted in regards to healthcare in many areas. Do you know that when a woman leaves work to have a baby, she goes on Disability? Women are not disabled because they are pregnant. They should be celebrated instead of told there is something wrong with them. They should get special care at hospitals, or better yet, have whole new birthing centers open to them, where they don't have to be exposed to "sick" people. Women, if you are bright and have a yearning for democracy and women's rights, I urge you to run for office and fight for our rights!! There are way too many men in government and all they create is gridlock. I think many would agree that women know how to get things done. Look at Hillary!! She doesn't walk around threatening other countries like an out of control gunslinger, she works with them and shows them strong leadership. And gets things done. Obstructionism doesn't work and you will see that, at the polls in November.

Guess what else is covered by insurance ?

Testosterone replacement therapy ! That's right. Crank 'em up with TRT & viagra.
So where are the sl&t and prostitute remarks from the regressives & crotch-watchers and why are these products exclusive to men covered by medicare & insurance ?

Patrick,

Yes we know. Conservatives like you think the subject of women's reproductive rights is right up there with an Elvis sighting.

And I didn't realize the left owned Fox News - the highest rated news network on the planet! Thanks for setting me straight.

Jeff

For how much republicans whine about the 'entitlement attitude', you don't seem to see the problem with thinking you are entitled to cheap gasoline.

Jeff,
You are a complete doofus..seriously if you can't see that this whole contraception thing is a fabricated distraction by the left....aka "there's Elvis" like Patrick states, you'll unfortunately never understand. I lol'd when you completely whiffed on that in your comment below. Seriously please remain a liberal, you obviously lack the brain power to be otherwise. Hosey, how about some fair and balanced for crying out loud?! Nah, you couldn't possibly have conservative op-eds on this site, it would never generate near the attention of those cerebral lightweights Erin and Jeff! I guess we are all just suckers for getting drawn in to this. Oh well, good day..

..and Fox News is owned by a native Australian and Saudi royalty. Thats a fact.

Dude,

I have a theology minor from the fine Jesuits at Loyola University of Chicago. Considering the general principles of Catholic medical ethic, they veered completely off the cliff when it came to women and pregnancy.

Debate me on this issue at your own risk!

Jeff

Which teachings of the Catholic Church are we ignorant of? Perhaps that faith must be accompanied by acts? And just which acts by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church have come to our attention over the last twenty years or so? Could it be the massive and well orchestrated coverup of thousands of felony rapes of children worldwide? And we look to this institution for moral guidance? I am a Christian, I belong to and attend a church, and I am deeply appalled and ashamed of the acts of those who claim the "right" to dictate the "teachings of the church".

What a great response. You did excellent. Rush Linbaugh was wrong, he knows it, we all know it. AND our heroic president called poor MS. Fluke to tell her how proud of her he and her parents must be. WHAT A SCAM! Pure political posturing. Liberal pundits have been using every word in the book including the
"C" word to describe conservative women in the media for several years now and our herioic president has not said a word. The guy is a National Socialist, as evidenced by his pasty history, associations and present day govenmental dictates. Women everywhere have huge access to contraceptions including free contraceptions at places like Planned Parenthood, etc. Poor Sandra, spends $1000.00 a year on contraceptions while attending one of the most expensive law schools in the country. Lets see, condoms are about $1.00 each, probably the most expensive option, and the last time I looked there were 365 days in a year. HOLY COW, when does she have time to study. She must be a very, VERY popular young lady. Contraceptions are available to women everywhere either free or at every little expense. This sharade is not about access to contraceptions, it is about the governmental takeover of health care and govenmental dictates to religious organizations and their health care insurance options. In the future we will see more governmental dictates by a president that has been schooled in socialism. Simply stated, National Socialism is his goal. Hide and watch!

I'd be glad to debate you Jeff Ward on The Catholic Church. Minor in theology from the Jesuits huh?? This will be easy.

Are you referring to "general principals of a Catholic medical ethic" or just a "general medical ethic"?

@Jeff Ward

"Dude"?...

A minor in Theology? Really? Well I too am Jesuit university educated, took enough credits in theology & philosophy for a minor, and have pretty much every day since school read theology.

Any time you'd like to debate any issue, I'll take the risk. You're piece makes all to clear your intellect and conscience is very poorly formed.

You sir, look to be the one who went off the cliff lying and is lying in the mud.

@Gene Rapp who posted <snipped>Poor Sandra, spends $1000.00 a year on contraceptions while attending one of the most expensive law schools in the country <end snip>
~~~
lies and spin. she never discussed her personal business during her testimony. if you have proof this was stated by her, please post it but Tawanda will not hold her breath because we both know it is a lie.

Debra,

You're welcome! Can you recommend a good bodyguard?

Jeff

Noel,

I would recommend a full battery of tests!

Jeff

Dear Go,

I'm familiar with that one, Vatican II, the various encyclicals, you name it.

But if every act of God has an intended purpose, i.e. sex for procreative purposes only, then aren't those men taking Viagra going against the will of God?

Jeff

@Jeff

re "But if every act of God has an intended purpose, i.e. sex for procreative purposes only, then aren't those men taking Viagra going against the will of God?"

You did mention you are Jesuit educated with a minor in theology, did you not?

Even the Jesuits', who are masters of syllogistic semantics and fallacy, would ask you to please stop talking. You are embarrassing them.

Viagra intends to correct a physiological abnormality; that the user may then correctly or incorrectly engage in a sexual act afterward is a distinct and separate matter.

Contraception, aside is always used to avoid the intended consequences of natural law coming from a sexual act.

Those who state oral contraceptives are using semantics in attempt to change the matter in contention. Hormone based medication used to correct a physiological abnormality does not go against Catholic Church teaching.

The fact the same product is named after or marketed as a contraceptive is irrelevant. This same type of abuse of syllogistic argument is used by the anti-gun crowd. No one against the measure in question is saying that all hormonal based pills be outlawed; just as it would be likewise idiotic to call for a ban of all bullets in attempt to control abuse of guns.

All that said, please continue to write pieces like this one and stay active in the comments. All concerned will be better educated on the ignorance regarding many matters if you do.

Cheers.

JD - sounds like you believe viagra is ok, because it cures a physical abnormality. So if your spouse is too old to procreate, what are you suppose to do with the erection viagra gives you. Options are to stare at it and just be happy you got it up, or do you find a young lady who is capable of procreation and go for it. Outside of staring, if you do anything else your sinning.

Carole,

You see Republicans know that, given a diaphragm, women will go crazy and have sex at every possible opportunity. They're only trying to protect you from yourself!

Of course, I've tried to turn it around and convince my wife that's what she's supposed to do, but she won't buy it. The dangers of marrying a smart woman!

Jeff

To the rightwing regressives, everything is the fault of women and/or minorities. If you are a white middle age man without a job, it's because some wimmen-libbers took that from you. If your house has lost value, it's because unqualified minorities got loans by fraud and ACORN. If the food stamp rolls are exploding, it's because wimmen-welfare-queens are career breeders. Got crime ? It's all those illegals !

@Carole

re "How any woman could interpret access to contraceptives (which can be used for a myriad of health issues) as a license to "sleep around" is beyond me."

That any woman can so understand the issue as you defined it is, not beyond me. Sadly we live in a world where people like yourself, through either intent or ignorance, distort the question under consideration.

No one has said women should be denied access to hormone based medical treatments. So you are either a liar or extremely ignorant; pick one because that is what the facts demand.

re Santorum's advise: thank you for making known to everyone, especially young women, your position on the value and rights of a human life vs. your desires for a life-style.

And the only women asked in a job interview "how many words a minute can you type", were women applying for a job where that skill was essential to the job. If anyone is too dumb to not know the skills required of a job when they apply, they shouldn't be offended when asked a question critical to the job. But then again, based on the assertion, I doubt you were speaking of reality when you came up with that classic.

Cheers

@Jeff:
Notice how the rightwing regressives are obsessed with sex, from whose doing who to birth control ?
Tawanda thinks they're not getting any and it's interfering with their circulation and, as a result, they're are unable to rationalize or come up with one independent thought of their own. So they sit around thinking about sex and ways to prevent others from enjoying that which they are unable to as a result of:
hangups galore being unattractive to the opposite sex misogyny oozing from every pore in their bodies an acute distrust of women performance anxiety

Bob - There is actually a name for what the Republicans are ultimately aiming for: Dominionism: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominionism

Either they will burn up on re-entry in November, or we will all be getting a lot more familiar with Leviticus.

@Bob

re "And let's forego (sic) contraception so we can have the population grow so fast, what limited natural resources we have left to run this planet will become even more scarce."

Ahhh, the peak oil and man made global warming crown jewels enter the fray.

There's an mind boggling, amazing thing that happens on planet earth every day; water falls on dirt, sun falls on dirt, life springs forth from a seed in the dirt.

The fact is Bob, science does not know where carbon based fuels come from. There are some very good theories, but no proven laws. It has not been proven or dis-proven that oil is naturally made by the earth itself.

Foregoing the population question for now, it is also the height of arrogance to assert the earth is going to run out of carbon based energy any time soon. Those who hang on such beliefs use all sorts of statistical inferences to argue such.

Yet if they applied the same statistical discipline to the question of limited natural resources, it would show there is far greater likelihood there are vast unknown reserves. For example, under the ice caps and deep oceans. But folks like you seem to want to destroy the very industries and incentives that advance technologies needed to find the resources that your statistical god's say exist....

Thank you for reminding us all, again, the intellectual foundations and limitations to those who dont understand the opposition to the matter under discussion.

Cheers

@JD:

what is simply mind-boggling is that the GOP regressives who want to deny poor women birth control under title 10 also want her kids to starve and be homeless.

hows that compassion and logic working out for you.

@Tawanda

re "what is simply mind-boggling is that the GOP regressives (sic) who want to deny poor women birth control under title 10 also want her kids to starve and be homeless"

Wow, wish I had seen this earlier. Didn't realize. Sorry.

Cheers

Dear C.

Wow! I did not realize that Mr. Nixon said something quite so prescient. Great point!

Jeff

Dorothy,

It will be a slow lingering death, but this one will mark the slow decline of the Limbaugh era.

Jeff

@Jeff & Dorothy:

This is going to be even better than the many many GOP "debates " !! Tawanda has her popcorn bowl all ready !!

We have a daughter. My husband is a life-long Republican, and HE thinks they're nuts, especially about women's issues. And who the heck are the ultra-left-wing liberals? Last time I checked, the gov't hadn't taken over the means of production and the stock market was just shy of 13,000.

@Christine

I have a doughtier and a grand daughter and would I ever want them to share the beliefs that you do. We have raised them to be free thinkers and not homed into an Orthodoxy like the Catholic Church. You condemn Mr Ward, yet you silently allow the rampant pedophilia and coverup by the Church. How hypocritical you are. And if you would like to open up a dialogue of the Catholic Church here, it would be welcome to shed a glaring light on them.

So those with daughters must be anti "left wing liberals"? I'm confused as to what that has to do with topic at hand.

@Christine:
The regressives want women to stay home where they think they belong, thus freeing up jobs to the white males whom they think should have those jobs. The regressives want to take America back to the " good old days " of white male entitlement where there the help wanted ads read " white man only " and single unmarried women were viewed as man-hating spinsters and lesbians.
My daughters are frequently reminded that back in those " good old days " they could not get a mortgage for a house or credit in their own names, had no voice in politics and no personal identity outside of her husband and family, and if she required surgery of a female nature, she needed her husbands permission because he had first rights to her bodily functions as owner.
What we have here is a large scale attempt to establish a male dominated thocracy called the American Taliban, with the key players being Limbaugh & Santorum and others, and they will use lies and distortions to keep women in their proper place.

The GOP will pay a huge price for this at the pols, wait and see.

To quote you, "There are two elements that must be present with every sexual act." You left out a key phrase here: "In the opinion of the leadership of this particular church".

"This particular church" has every right to state it belief, to try to persuade me that they are correct, and to champion their teachings.

What they do not have is the right to enshrine their teachings in the law.

Read the 1st. Amendment to the Constitution of the US. Basically, when a "moral principal" is not clearly agreed upon by the majority it should not become law.

This does not always work; there are ways that minority pressure groups can manipulate our democratic system, but the principal is clear: no establishment of a particular religion, or their particular beliefs, in law.

In other words, your church has no right to force its beliefs on me or anyone else.

Only the will of the democratic majority of this nation has that right and even there they must tread carefully. That's why the founders created checks and balances and made it so difficult to pass legislation.

@Grandpamike: what about women who are beyond child-bearing years ? Are they essentially disenfranchised from having a sex life since they cannot procreate or are they considered *invisible* and sexless androgenous creatures delegated to scrubbing toilet bowls and baking kolaches ?

@Roseann

I can see by your flag avatar that you must be a patriot <albeit a false one>, but that is not what makes me respond to your post. Going by your logic, maybe all men should have vasectomies, that would solve the problem as well ? Also, your let paragraph,
"It doesn't have to be voluntary either" well that just sounds like it came out of a Nazi workbook, doesn't it. Why don't we sterilize men, as that would also solve "the problem" ?

Wow. That's profound. Profoundly scary.

@Colin

You are correct.

Alrighty then, there gramps. Just sayin' ....
BTW, where's your avatar? Huh?

You know this is what the progressives are thinking ;)

Detroit Columnist Calls for Sterilants in Drinking Water to Curb Poverty Numbers

Proposal that aims to stop welfare dependents from “breeding poverty” would poison everyone with birth control spiked in public water.

Current White House science advisor John P. Holdren co-wrote the 1977 textbook Ecoscience, which lays out in detail a wide-array of coercive and voluntary-submission population control methods. One of the most drastic is that of “Adding a sterilant to drinking water or staple foods”

. Fabian Socialist planner George Bernard Shaw embodies this plan, and takes it to the logical endpoint:

“Under socialism you would not be allowed to be poor. You would be forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught, and employed whether you like it or not. If it were discovered that you had not character enough to be worth all this trouble, you might possibly be executed in a kindly manner; but whilst you were permitted to live you would have to live well.”

Putting sterilants in the water, though, dates back further to a 1969 memo sent in private from Planned Parenthood VP Frederick S. Jaffe

http://tinyurl.com/7c8nytc

@Roseann: sheeh...rather extreme, no ?

@Roseann: who posted <snipped> “Under socialism you would not be allowed to be poor. You would be forcibly fed, clothed, lodged, taught, and employed whether you like it or not. If it were discovered that you had not character enough to be worth all this trouble, you might possibly be executed in a kindly manner; but whilst you were permitted to live you would have to live well.” <end snip>
~~~~
there are numerous countries where elements of socialism are present and none of this occurs:
http://voices.yahoo.com/article/56207/list-socialist-countries-individual-details-70552.html
Even in the USA, there exists socialism in many forms, from Homeowners Associations in planned unit delevlpments, social secitiry, medicare, libraries and public schools, infrastructures, waste water treatment facilities, the FAA, FDA and public health clinics.
So, Roseann, which of these domestic socialist programs would you like to see eliminated ( if any )

Dear Grandpa,

Thanks! And, coming from an old Catholic boy, your coverage of the particulars of Humanae Vitae was dead on.

And I too love watching the hyper-conservative comments prove my point as the inevitably will.

Jeff

@Jeff: I agree. You have gone boldly where some people do not want you to go...

@Roseann

Change of subject, again..It does not matter who is "supporting" Ms. Flukes position, this whole argument is about equal rights and coverage for all, especially women. Take out all of the BS about religious freedom, 1st amendment rights and all that, and it comes down to a women having similar coverages as men do for similar afflictions.
You are aware that their are many other uses for contraceptive drugs than for birth control, don't you, and if not, sorry for you.

Hey Granpa, you, sir are sadly mistaken. Useful idots and sheeple you all are. It has EVERYTHING to do with FREEDOM. You should know better than that! BS religious freedom? 1st amendment rights? Ya, who needs that BS when we can all have free fricken population, oops, birth control anyhow. NOTHING else matters in that case.
Dunn has an agenda. Wake up. Nevermind, just take a nappy. All will be fine. We're from the government and we're here to help.

@Roseann: and this has exactly what to do with Rush Limbaugh's 3 days of rage against a private citizen who had the sheer audacity to have an opinion not shared or approved of by the drug-addled on his way out "entertainer" and head of the GOP ?

@Roseann

I have an aspirin for you since you seem to to not understand the comments I have made. As I have mentioned, this is NOT about a persons 1st Amendment rights and not about dictating morality to the Catholic Church, it is about EQUAL medical insurance for all, men and women. If you only have relations for procreation, wonderful for you, but others tend not to buy into that dogma. Yes, free sex for all is my motto.

Just take it easy there Grandpamike, wouldn't want you hurting yourself with all that free sex! lol!

@Obama 2012:
It was reported in the news that on the Rush Limbaugh " excrement in broadcasting " show yesterday, of 87 commercials aired, 76 were public service announcments run free of charge, meaning no revenues were gained.
Yes, Rush is on his way out, to be hurled into the obscurity he so richly deserves.

@ Kevin: the real momma grizzlies will also be present, claws and all.

@Angela

This issue has been brought to fore by the GOP, not Democrats. Also, we all know contraception is available many places, but, again that is not the issue. The issue is whether Women have similar coverages as men do. You are all for coverage for Viagra, Cialis, Penis pumps and all that for men, but not contraception for women. How truly demented is that. Sorry to hear that you are a long time GOP Catholic Woman, which truly makes you one of the chosen ones.

@Angela Kane: so why aren't the GOP and their regressives focusing on these issues rather than womens uteruses and fallopian tubes and who is having sex ?

The answer is because they have no answers or solutions and so they create these deflections and non-issues.

Angela,

Conservatives have two responses when they're caught with their pants down:

1. The middle school-ish, "they did it too" pointing the finger at something someone else did as if that would ever excuse them, and;

2. Don't we have more important things to consider?

Jeff

Angela, so as a form of abstinence you bring up all the other topics you mention above and start a conversation with your male partner so he falls asleep and doesn't ask to have sex with you and procreate. I love your idea. Can you get the schools to add it to their sex ed class.

Dear Bob,

LMFAO

Jeff

@Jeff Ward who posted <snipped>
Angela,
Conservatives have two responses when they're caught with their pants down:
1. The middle school-ish, "they did it too" pointing the finger at something someone else did as if that would ever excuse them, and; <end snip>
~~~
doncha know thats part of their campaign for personal responsibility...for everyone but themselves, of course.

@ Angela- unfortunately, the "debt crisis" has its roots in dereg in the Reagan, Bush1, Bush2 and Clinton years. The crisis was and is a bipartisan mess not having very much to do with the current administration. And also, has absolutely nothing to do with equal access in health care or the First Amendment.

they eat their own-

KUCINICH UNLEASHED: Defeated Congressman Attacks Congress and Obama

Congress is in shambles.

"It's in danger of destruction," he said. "It goes beyond the question of being broken. Broken is something that can be fixed, but our democracy is in danger of being destroyed by interest groups

The idea that the United States has the ability to summarily execute a US citizen ought to send chills racing up and down the spines of every person of conscience,” he argued. “The fact that our government can set itself up as policeman, prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner, all wrapped into one fatal moment, should cause every person who loves this country to be deeply concerned about the direction we’re going"

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/defeated-kucinich-is-criticizing-special-interests-and-assassinations-2012-3#ixzz1odYWhBdZ

HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! RE-READ THAT LAST SENTENCE OVER AND OVER AGAIN!

It seems like your disagreement with Jeff's opinions gives you license to be attack him personally and rudely, in my opinion, which I find quite sad. As much as anything, I think Rush needs to answer for the death of civil discourse in this country.

Yes, Jeff, stop writing that "cantankerous old crappy man stuff", let's see, staying on a religious line, tax exempt status of churches <that enter the political realm>, pedophile priest, coverage up of said priests, condoning the un-godly attention that pay to underage boys. That is a church was has no moral compass at all, and if you are a member of that church you are complicit in everything that they do. Say a few hail Mary's and Our Father's this week for them.

@Roseann & Angela Kane:

Rush Limbaugh has done more damage to the GOP in one week than the GOP has done to itself in 4 years of obstructionalism, union-busting, race-baiting and birtherism nonsense, holding the US hostage while demanding special tax laws to benefit their wealthy political donors and helping frackers poisoning the water table.

Let's not forget the outing of a CIA operative, Valerie Plame, done purely for political spite.

Last I checked, Clinton was a Democrat. Please notice that I did include him in there. Please note also, that the seeds of the current economic debacle certainly go much further back than Obama 08. In my years in banking and finance, I learned on thing - that greed is non partisan. Rollback of financial reg under Reagan and Bush 1 and 2 set the stage, repeal of Glass Steagall in 1999 (signed into law by Clinton), among other issues, set the stage for what happened in 2008. We have a woeful lack of true understanding of how finance actually works in this country, regardless of what side of the aisle you are on. And history keeps repeating iteslf - reference the lead up to the Depression and lead up to 08 meltdown. Why? Becasue We DON'T LEARN. Partisan obstructionism and finger pointing only pull us deeper into the morass of our own making.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gramm-Leach-Bliley_Act

And again. What soes this have to do with the topic at hand?

@Angela

Yes Angela, we Libs take no responsibilty, especially for all of the specious drivel you ditto heads spew.

Billy,

Thank you for proving my point about conservatives. I couldn't have done it better myself!

Jeff

@Noel

Completely correct again, but if you continue using fact as a basis for your comments, you won't be taken seriously. All of those items mentioned above are good for capitalism, dontcha know that. Free enterprise uber alles.

@Billy

PLONK !

@Billy:
This is about the head of the GOP, Rush Limbaugh, verbally battering and slandering a private citizen over publically licensed airwaves over a 3 day period and not accepting any level of personal responsibility for doing so.
Didya catch the part about " personal responsibility " ??

Dear Mr.,

In the column I said the Christian creation story, not the Catholic creation story!

Jeff

Did you know that they now think the apple was actually a pomegranate?

@Terry

You are %100 correct, my aim has been at the Catholic Church, deservedly so, but ALL fundamentalists of every religion share the same dogma. And if anyone could be much closer in his thinking to Sharia law, it would be Mr Santorum

Karl Rove called the evangelicals " the crazies in the basement "

@Eileen:
Rush Limbaugh does indeed represent the GOP. He was a keynote speaker at C-PAC and that says it all.
The fact that his fellow GOPers refuse to publically criticize him over this on the air rampage also says a lot. Only Ron Paul showed courage but the GOP has about as much use for him as they do a boil on their rearends, so Ron Paul doesn't matter...Imagine all those weak would be leaders afraid of el rushbo..

In that I agree. I personally don't think the administration has the right to make religious affiliated organizations pay for something that's against their belief system. The Constitution defend that separation. It *also defends the right that your (generic) beliefs don't dictate the greater population. So. Secularly, birth control is what the citizens want . Religiously? If that's your belief, you are welcome to it. Unfortunately, the Constitution says that the twain shall never meet. Also that I can't be forced to garrison troops in my house. For which I am grateful. ;)

@Angela and Noel - Agreed. The left has taken this Constitutional issue and made it into a women's rights issue, which it is not. By law, religous instituions should not be forced to do something outside of their beliefs just because Obama thought it was a good idea. We all know this. Let's focus on that REAL issue.

I love how all the media says these poor women will not have "access" to contraceptives! Just because your insurance company doesn't pay for birth control doesn't mean you can't get it. Just go buy it! Until a few years ago, NO insurance companies in IL paid for the pill. Now having it paid for by insurance is a RIGHT?

The people who work for religious organizations who don't pay for contraceptives can still purchase them with their own money. They have a job and can choose to make that budget item a priority. Or they can find another job somewhere else, but given our unemployment numbers, option 1 is easier. (BTW-It doesn't cost $1,000 to take the pill for 12 months.)

Calling all this a "women's rights" issue is just a way to distract the American people from the real issues at hand: the current energy policy, outrageous decifits, socialism on our own soil, unemployment, insurance/tort reform.

Let's talk about something that really matters!

@Jamie Martin:
It was Rick Santorum who brought this birth control issue to the forefront, making it the foundation of his campaign. In the absence of any real domestic or foreign policy, the regressives can always fall back on controlling people's sex lives and attacking women while holding the bible and proclaiming that Obama wants to attack religious freedom.
Gotta get all those " crazies in the basement " as Karl Rove called them, all worked up like the sheeple they are. After all, there's an election coming.

Did you know that Mrs. Rick Santorum was the live in lover for 5 years of a notorious abortion doctor..but she says she didn't know what he did for a living..LOL

Formulaic vitriol on either side of the issue, or political persuasion, has been played out as shrill and shock only sell to the loyalists. “Ultra” anything, including Michelob Ultra, is passé. The real market opportunity for hearts, minds and dollars are the 80% of us who are somewhere along that bell shaped curve and not at either extreme. Most readers and watchers are looking for authentic and reasoned forums in which to absorb information and express opinions and ideas. You can find examples of this shift in the way advertisers are retooling their pitch to a more subtle, real and measurable story. Patch is also part of this trend. It enables thoughtful community contributions, and there are many excellent pieces by local residents covering a range of topics in this town. So I wonder, will this trend also lead to the disruption of Jeff’s artfully crafted, professional opinions by the contributed content of Patch’s talented, but amateur wordsmiths?

roseann you must be rushs new squeeze, another reason for birth contral, you both are sick people

John. I'm flattered. TYVM. Next time, you might just want to actually READ the link.

@Roseann: the real prostitute is Rush Limbaugh, who will sell his soul to the highest advertiser.

Mike--well said.

Mike,

Do I really have to explain this?

Rick Santorum has made it clear he will endeavor to outlaw contraception based on Catholic moral teachings. To impose that rule on non-Catholics is the equivalent of Muslim Sharia Law.

In this country, we have the right to be free from religion.

Jeff

It seems to bother Mike that someone is pointing out the absurdity of religion in general.

Millions of people have left the catholic church over the years, myself one of them, and have realized that the world is a much better place when it is not ruled by fear and superstition.

Religions time is over. It served its purpose, but that purpose is now a liability. Much like slavery didn't die out in the minds of those who believed it when it was outlawed, it did eventually die out when those with slavery in their mind died out. Religion will go the same way, it is just a matter of time. The younger generation 'replacing' you does not hold to these superstitions like their parents and grandparents did.

@Jeff Ward:
You are correct and this is a huge leap from the origional arguement that catholic instututions should not have to "compromite" their religious beliefs. A H U G E leap.
The tail wants to now wag the dog while receiving government tax subsidies.

@ Jefff

re Santorum/Sharia Law: the problem with Santorum is he is a liberal, progressive social justice Catholic politician who has jumped on two conservative moral subjects to gain attention.

Catholic teaching clearly prohibits a Catholic in good standing to use contraceptives.

However, Catholic teaching also does not allow for the denial of freedoms on matters that are not grave or intrinsically evil. Contraception via abortion, according to Catholic teaching, can be outlawed. Contraception via "the pill, according to Catholic teaching, can NOT be outlawed.

But that's the problem with liberals like you. You turn an opposition's position into something it is not, i.e. change the "narrative", and then scream out like a little girl against a monster that does not exist. That's why all the stories you tell sound like a hyperventilating little girl.

If the Catholic Church taught, like Islamic Law does, then you would have a point. Without it, you sound like a little child.

Also, there is no such thing as "Muslim" law. A Muslim is a person, a follower of Islam, there is however Islamic Sharia Law.

Honestly, please stop spreading lies and ignorance via immature stories like an hysterical little girl. Grow up and man up.

Cheers

@Eileen

False equivalence, as usual.

Isn't it fascinating, that the only people who understand what I am saying regarding Catholic moral teachings and Sharia law happen to be left sided ? If it were up to Santorum, a woman's duty and obedience would be to her husband <as Michelle Bachmann has stated>, and would have no opinion of there own, just their partner's<male only righties>, and would perform their wifely duties. cook, clean, birth babies, care for offspring, speak when spoken to, and other rights that women would be given by their husbands. If that is the way the women responders here want, have a wonderful life.

Osama Bin Laden is dead? Next thing you know, they'll be saying he wasn't buried at sea. Dang, what's this country coming to.

Awesome is an understatement. Don't forget Quinn kindly raised our taxes. Just love him.

Quinn only raised the taxes of a certain income bracket. 1) And only by a small amount. Let's talk dollars and sense. and 2) This whole tax phobia is ridiculous. Every president and administration has raised taxes - especially fiscal conservatives of old, the Republican party. Now balancing the books is suddenly out of fashion when a Democratic president wants to do it fairly.

C- Sorry, but that don't make me feel any better. Quinn still reminds me Baby New Year. Eww.

@ Conservative:

Because the GOP has no domestic or foreign policy and have acted to protect the very wealthy and powerful business interest, as usual, they must focus on women as culprit with the hopes of cornering the misogynist and racist vote.
While I have not been completey inpressed with Obama, he is still better than all the rest on the right combined.

@Jeff: Bill Maher is another horses a$$ but not a politican or keynote speaker at C-pac whose very name draws shudders and fear from the GOP.

and about this matter of personal responsibility....

Noreen,

But the the Church needs to be consistent!

So it's not OK for women to use contraception, but it is OK for old men - who have no chance of procreating - to use Viagra. I smell a double standard.

Jeff

Again, viagra isn't excluded and it doesn't even have "medicinal uses". At the end of the day, polls of Catholic women show a high use of birth control and support for insurance mandate of it. What if I start a religion and have 50 million followers, and we believe ear infections should be treated with vinegar and antibiotics are the devil's poison? By Republican definition, our insurance plans shouldn't have to cover antibiotics. I am not insulting Catholic beliefs, I am just saying, their beliefs shouldn't override the rights of non-Catholics.

Wow, if she doesn't like it, she can go to another school, is that like America, love it or leave it if you don't agree with the bully down the street who calls you un-American ?
I would love to have a conversation here with all the people who think that by denying
insurance to women pertaining to oral contraceptives is against the Church, then lets discuss the moral outrage that does not appear here with regards to the morality of the Catholic Church with respect to their acceptance of Pedophiles as their messengers of God. Shall we ?

Noreen,
Women, many of whom are not even sexually active, take the pill for a variety of MEDICAL reasons. To me this would be considered "healthcare" and should be covered as such. I would never expect a religious organization to cover the cost of condoms or other such item which is specifically used for sex, however the birth control pill is no longer one of those things. By not providing all women affordable access to the pill we are denying some women a chance at a healthy, pain free life.

@Noreen:
The birth control pill is used more often for hormone replacement therapy than actual BC.
Why is it OK for viagra, penis pumps and testosterone replacement therapy to be covered by insurance and medicare but not meds used by women ?

@Jeff Ward

re "But the the Church needs to be consistent! So it's not OK for women to use contraception, but it is OK for old men - who have no chance of procreating - to use Viagra. I smell a double standard."

The Catholic Church is consistent Jeff, the problem is your nose has not been taught the difference between fecal matter and a rose.

Any "pill" used TO PROHIBIT the natural, normal physiological process of the sexual act is, by Church teaching, wrong.

Viagra, does NOT PROHIBIT natural sexual acts, it is a medication that ALLOWS for a man to overcome a physiological abnormality that kept him from participating in the sexual act in which natural law intended for him to participate.

Please go get a nose job. The logic your nose is dragging in, stinks to High Heaven.

Cheers

But...but...Rick, this isn't TV! WTF? (Winning The Future, that is ;)

fair enough. I realized after I posted it that it was in violation of one of patchs' rules.

no one is saying that Limbaugh is right -- you are just having too much fun here. Wonder what the democrats are trying to hide behind this story !!??

Two women in my family take birth control specificaly for Cycle Regulation, and 1 takes them to reduce the risk of ovarian cysts.

It really doesn't matter though. Its going to be covered.

@ Grandpamike:
The regressives on the right do not care about women and consider them half-baked men who should stay home and keep house and shut up.

Look what the regressives did to the Susan B Komen Foundation for proof.
This is a war against women taking place on many fronts by the GOP regressives who have no domestic or foreign policies so they take aim on women.
Have you heard about the state senator from WI who has proposed a bill declaring the children raised in single-parent households are at-risk for child abuse?
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/02/29/wisconsin-republican-senator-proposes-bill-that-labels-single-parenthood-as-child-abuse/

More attacks on women who are primarily the heads of single parent households

If men could have cysts form on their penises along with intense pain and bleeding and the treatment was a form of birth control, would we even be having this conversation? No. Everyone would be all "Save The Penises! Do whatever it costs!"

GoGolf,

Churches do not have to provide birth control. That was the "fix."

Any insurer that provides health care to people through a church must offer birth control seperatly and free of charge. Sure its kind of a like a bs work around, but morally the church isn't the one that can "not" provide the care. The insurance company has to or it will be in violation of the law.

@GoGolf

The Catholic Church is doing something that is morally offensive to me, to wit, buggering little boys and covering it up, and I wish MY Government would step in and prosecute them. Or maybe in your moral world that is OK ?

@gogolf:
Your comment is nothing more than lies and spin. Catholic hospitals do not have to perform abortions and rightfully so, however, they want to extend their personal beliefs onto everyone else by trying to ban contraceptives.
Contraceptives prevent abortions and tha is a fact. Furthermore, in their lame attampt to take the moral high ground, they conveniently forget about viagra and testosterone supplements, both of which are paid for by insurance and medicare.

@JD:
Rush's " mistakes " consisted of 3 days of on the air misogynist rages and attacks and for this Rush will soon be exiled to some obscure 1500 watt station in the foothills of South Carolina and thats where he and his hate belong.

@Tawanda

re mistakes: uh, it's called proper English, Tawanda.... Since I didn't name the specific times and comments over the 3 day period, and was referring to Rush the person, since there's only one of them, the singular "mistake" was correct.

As for your run-on sentence. If you want to be considered intelligent, you should consider going back to school and learning how to write correctly.

Maybe you are from South Carolina?

Cheers

@BarringtonPatch

Love it. You wait a whole day to post my correction, that was intended to ensure I respected the spirit of discourse desired by the BarringtonPatch, and that was posted to the system right after the original was posted (which was posted immediately).

Hmmmm, no intent or bias in such behavior at all I presume?

By the way, I noticed another local "Patch" opinion piece used the term slut unabashedly. Good to know the 7 words are truly only those 7 and that the BarringtonPatch is not overly biased and subjective in moderating discourse.

Cheers

Good, but Ron, the word is "you're" not "your". It is a contraction of "you are". Perhaps you should be more careful in calling others a "moron".

@ Grunty,
You are so right. It's like the saying the Jews don't have to provide their own transportation to the death camps. The German Railway System will do that for them. See? Now everything is OK as the Jews don't have to provide something that they are morally opposed to. OMFG.

No, its more like saying any jew that would like to go to a death camp can get there for free. No one is making a jew go to a death camp, or making church goers take birth control.

No one is adding that to the comments because this article isn't about those things.

Mike: This article isnt about Palin or Maher. Bill Maher is a comedian who makes jokes about whatever he wants. Palin and Santorum are supposed to be serious leaders who want to run for the highest offices we have, and all they want to do is shove their religious and batshit crazy views down our throats. Rush is a nightmarish troll whose time has come to retire. All he does is make sheep like you angry and is trying to ruin American.

@Mike:
You are dreaming and that is OK. Dreaming provides a pleasant escape from reality.

Now here's your wakeup call: Rush is toast and the GOP will pay a huge price for the actions of their leader Rush and their failure to take a stand against his outrageous on the air battering of a private citizen.

JD, you need to join the real world. You need help

@JD who posted <snipped>
Second, the Faith of the Catholic Church has never held disdain toward women. Many men, women, priests, even nuns, etc., who called themselves Catholic have felt as you claim. But the Catholic Church has never taught or held what you claim.
<end snip>
~~~~~
baloney. where are the women priests. why were women required to keep their heads covered. why were girls not allowed to be alter-persons. why are priests not allowed to marry. why were nuns not allowed to take their own names but only that of a male. Organized religion including the catholic religion uses fear and guilt to control women. Jesus said " .there is neither man nor woman, ALL are one in Christ Jesus "
~~~
<from JD>
Third, of the religions that identify themselves as Christian, it is the Catholic Church that first taught of the sanctity of Mary...the Catholic Church's Faith teaches that Mary is the first and highest of all the Saints. <end snip>
~~~
this is your dogma, none of which is based in scripture. the catholic religion was not even founded until 300 AD. You are free to believe as you choose but not to make your beliefs law. That is why we have a separation of church and state in the constitution. <tawanda>
~~~~
<JD posted snipped>
the only thing I see in your piece and the comments going to hell in a hand basket is your heart. Your mind is clearly already there.<end snip>
~~~~
Doesn't your religion teach something about " judge not lest YOU be judged " ??

@Tawanda

re women priests: I see, if things are not your way it means they are the way of hate.

re organized religion: well, again we see not only are things not your way filled with hate, but they also use fear and guilt to control women. Right, every day I see women chained to the Catholic Faith and forced to obey.

re dogma of Mary: uh, actually it's the Dogma of the Catholic Church Tawanda. And the Catholic Church was not founded until after 300 AD, but go ahead and keep believing and spouting it.

re "That is why we have a separation of church and state in the constitution (sic)": uh, it's not in the Constitution, Tawanda. It was a phrase taken from a letter by Jefferson to Baptist's in CT. And was read into Constitutional Law by judges. Interesting how the writer of the Declaration of Independence, and all the framers of the Constitution, specifically talked about the separation of church and state, yet chose not to put that phrase into the Constitution..... The put "respect no establishment of religion". Totally different philosophical concept, hence the different expression in English language.

re judge not: uh, no. Christ was not speaking of judgement but CONDEMNATION; totally different thing. But hey, lots of people have bought into the "judge" idea. Allows them to claim all sorts of people are evil and throw stones at people saying things they dont want to hear.

By the way, what color is your cape?

Cheers

@Grunty

re "bible story": Yes, if you note, I mentioned that.

re "slavery/internment camps": Jeff implied Christianity & the Catholic Church hold disdain for women. He did so by creating a link to Adam/Eve. So I pointed to the absurdity of that claim with the slavery/internment camp and Democratic connection; both are extremely ugly stains of Democratic Party's history.

re "third point": Jeff's claims regarding women and the Catholic Church are factually false. Of all the Christian Faiths, the Catholic Church is the only one to hold a woman above all men. Mary is the greatest human in the history of mankind; that is a dogma of the Catholic Faith. Jeff is extremely ignorant of what the Catholic Faith teaches regarding men and women.

@JD who posted <snipped > re "third point": Jeff's claims regarding women and the Catholic Church are factually false. Of all the Christian Faiths, the Catholic Church is the only one to hold a woman above all men. Mary is the greatest human in the history of mankind; that is a dogma of the Catholic Faith. Jeff is extremely ignorant of what the Catholic Faith teaches regarding men and women. <end snip>
~~~

again, this is your belief and dogma to which you are entitled to. As for my belief, Genisis 1:1 says " in the beginning God made the heaven and earth " Noticably missing are the words " in the beginning Mary made the heavens and earth "

We are entitled to our beliefs but not entitled to turn them into a theocracy.

@Tawanda

re "again, this is your belief and dogma to which you are entitled to. As for my belief, Genisis 1:1 says " in the beginning God made the heaven and earth " Noticably (sic) missing are the words " in the beginning Mary made the heavens and earth "

Okay. But seriously are you medicated? Your point has nothing to do with what I said.

By the way, Christ was man and God. Maybe that's the distinction in my "human" that you missed.

Cheers

Bert:
I agree with you that the GOP has gone way out of control. Obama, has shown himself to be a very moderate President, and the GOP has gone so far right, and the right fringe has taken over party. Every time the Pres. tried to compromise with the GOP, they moved further right. Almost as if they just want to see how far into crazy land they can go. And when they reach unbelievable, they will pin it on Obama. The people blogging on the Patch are from all over the suburbs and people don't all hate the Catholic Church. The GOP brought the Catholic Church into this discussion on healthcare because they have nothing else to pin on Obama. Watch. They are DYING for Obama to do Anything that even looks controversial, because Obama is such a good man, that he rarely does anything wrong. The Catholic Church was pulled into this and honestly, it was way overblown and a non-issue. DePaul University is the largest Catholic College in the US and regularly allows employees to choose the type of medicine that they require. They have no problem helping their employees with their health.

^^^^^^^BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

@ Barack Hussein Obama 2012:
"the GOP brought the Catholic Church into this discussion" ARE U FRIGGING KIDDING ME?? Who does Kathleen Sebilius work for? Give it up or get some meds while you can.

@GoGolf

Last post, I promise because it is really tiresome. I don't hat Catholics I hate the corrupt organization that calls itself The Catholic Church. The corruption starting at the Vatican and filtering down through the Cardinals and Bishops is a bane on society.
To make people vow fealty to a book of fiction and make them believe that all they need is faith and everything will be fine, is by any standard, delusional. And to believe that the prelates are messengers of GOD, well, again, delusional. If you are happy believing what you do, good for you, but the more I listen to "people of faith" it almost makes me believe that Scientology or LDS is just fiction as well only to so high up on the best seller list.

Hey, GoGolf

Pray for me.......I am a sinner....

@Max

How very thoughtful you are, and hopefully it will pass IRS scrutiny <G>.I have know from a very early age the scam that the church has perpetrated on on it's flock, whereas you can commit venal and moral sins and have your soul cleansed by confession and absolution, therefore allowing your entry into heaven. At least the Jews have a better way to salvation, just give a large donation, money or property to their synagogue or rabbi. Or maybe be like evangelicals, and get dipped in the water and you are washed clean.

Yes, bring em on... this will be a GOP victory. Barry is toast.

@Billy:
Please give me a few reason why I should for for the GOP. Is it their foreign policy that I should be enamored with or perhaps their non-existent jobs programs.

The GOP has no policies except to attack women and poor folks while acting as obstructionists to anything that would help struggling Americans.

I guess the GOP is too distracted acting as waterboys for the rich and powerful 1% to be bothered with anything else.

@JD who posted <snipped> Sandra freely walked into the middle of the public square and made even greater demands for her sexual promiscuity and loose sexual morals. She demanded I pay for them <end snip>
~~~~
you are a liar. this never happened. doesn't your religion teach you anything about .."..bearing false witness..thou shal not lie..."

@JD:
Your post reeks of a deep-seated contempt for women. It also suggests issues you have some serious conflicts regarding women and sex which likely origionated in your family of origion and were allowed to fester over the years. My guess is that you are unmarried and have problems in your personal relationships with women, seeking to control, exploit and dominate them. CHances are, you are also financially dependent upon a woman in your life. Mommy ?

Tawanda nails it ever time !

@Towanda,

"The Avenger", really? Are you twelve? LoL

Okay.

Look Towanda, you are right. I misspoke. Sandra didnt demand such things. Sandra did worse, she demanded such things based on a contrived "right". That fact is there in the public record. That you are too ignorant to understand it doesnt change the fact. It also provides you the charity of not lying about me being a liar.

re contempt for women and all the other feminist BS: sorry Tawanda, wrong again. But you do have a vivid imagination. Most twelve year old girls do, especially ones that see themselves as "avengers". Good thing you are so young, such behavior and deep-seated feminist anger is so unbecoming a woman. There's hope for you.

Keep roaring kid. Hate to see people forget about the deep-spirit of avengers like yourself! ;)

Cheers

LOL

Agree with you completely Kevin.

In the spirit of the Federalist Papers, pseudonyms allow for people to say things they later regret, wisdom and correction showing them they were wrong, and spare the family the humiliation of the behavior of their imperfect relation.

Pseudonyms also allow for personal attacks to lose effect thereby being more easily ignored and the points being asserted to more easily rise to the top.

Still, there are times we are called to stand up and be named. No matter how embarrassing for our family.

Cheers

@TJ: spin at best. nice try, though.

You are 100% correct.

Guys like Jeff Ward aren't interested in polite, thoughtful dialogue. It's all about inciting vitriol and getting those clicks.

Colin -excellent comment. Couldn't have said it better.

@ Colin

Yes, it would be nice if men were Vulcan's.

What is wrong with America today is not trouble finding reasonable approaches, it is the principals and spirit that define America are being fought over.

Jefferson, in a 1787 letter to William Smith, in reference to Shay's rebellion:

"Yet where does this anarchy exist? Where did it ever exist, except in the single instance of Massachusetts? And can history produce an instance of a rebellion so honourably conducted? I say nothing of it's motives. They were founded in ignorance, not wickedness. God forbid we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion. The people cannot be all, and always, well informed. The part which is wrong will be discontented, in proportion to the importance of the facts they misconceive. If they remain quiet under such misconceptions, it is lethargy, the forerunner of death to the public liberty. And what country can preserve its liberties, if it's rulers are not warned from time to time, that this people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take arms. The remedy is to set them right as to the facts, pardon and pacify them. What signify a few lives lost in a century or two? The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time, with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."

Colin, please step back from the hysterical girl cliff. All will not be lost.

Cheers

I think Colin means we should just bend over nicely and stop struggling.

a distraction?

Why is it that republicans keep saying this is a distraction? Are you seriously unable to hold more than one idea in discussion at a time? is chewing gum and walking difficult for you as well?

@Eden: glad you took notice. here's hoping you have read Tawanda's comments and that you learn a thing or 2

@Noel

re cheers: .... maybe you are right....

Nope, just checked with the Oracle known as Google. Yep, that's exactly what I mean! :)

Cheers (and thanks for checking my 6)

That's what I don't get. It's easy to get a bunch of clicks and comments by spewing incendiary rhetoric about religion and politics, but at some point, don't they want advertisers? What business in the world wants to be associated with that?

Its sad. You used to have to write intelligently or creatively about your community in order to write for Patch, now you just have to pick a politically charged topic, toss in a few strong opinions and sit back and collect your clicks.

Well said, Guisseppe and Tony.

Wheaton has a large Catholic community (and of course a large Christian community), a decent amount of Republicans, and many people who would be considered "Right Wingers". It's weird that Wheaton Patch that would want their Opinion column dominated by someone who hates a good chunk of their potential readership.

Whatever Jeff Ward's opinions are is fine. I would never want to be friends or have a beer with someone who hates so many people or makes his argument with so many straw men. It's sad that he spoils which would otherwise be a pleasant community news site.

Jack, I'm not Catholic nor am I Republican but I have a lot of intelligent friends who are. I'm with you and Tony, it's a shame to see a medium with so much potential be wasted with the hateful op-ed pieces we're seeing.