“Just when abortion rights supporters thought they had beaten a controversial bill they believe would legalize the killing of abortion providers, it has cropped up again [in Nebraska] — this time in a more expansive form that has drawn the concern of law enforcement officials.” Proponents, of course, deny the insinuation. [Mother Jones]

The House of Representatives has voted 240-185 in favor of Rep. Mike Pence’s amendment cutting off funds for Planned Parenthood.  The organization’s more than 900 clinics receive approximately $75 million a year in Title X funds to provide birth control, STD treatment, and cervical cancer screening to several million low income women each year.  The organization receives additional federal funds through Medicaid reimbursements for serving poor women.  No federal funds have gone to abortion since the Hyde Amendment was enacted in the mid-70s.

UPDATED: Couple of kick-ass speeches by female CongressCritters are posted after the jump.

Read more »

“A law under consideration in South Dakota would expand the definition of ‘justifiable homicide’ to include killings that are intended to prevent harm to a fetus — a move that could make it legal to kill doctors who perform abortions. The Republican-backed legislation, House Bill 1171, has passed out of committee on a nine-to-three party-line vote, and is expected to face a floor vote in the state’s GOP-dominated House of Representatives soon.” The bill’s sponsor disputes that interpretation. [Mother Jones]

Former Vice President Dick Cheney announced yesterday that he’s considering “going for” a heart transplant, making it sound like getting a new ticker is as quick and easy as popping in to $tarbuck$ and getting a cup of shitty coffee. The reality of heart transplants, however, is that there are usually thousands more people waiting for a heart than are available, and waits can take years.

Cheney, as a 69-year-old former government employee, will have his transplant paid for by the evil socialist health care program known as Medicare, with any unpaid amounts covered through his federal government pension and his Halliburton millions.

Read more »

Guy effectively loses joint custody of his kids because he’s not Christian – Alabama, maybe, but Indiana?

Cenk was all over this today on MSNBC.

Speaking of pandering to the right wing and medals:  “President Obama will present the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor, to former president George H. W. Bush and 14 others.”

At least it isn’t going to W.

Yet.

[NYT Caucus]

Just another environmental issue to ease you to sleep tonight – I just watched the whole documentary, and I’m more angry with Dick Cheney than I’ve ever been: