What Happened in Kansas?

 

Dr. Samuel Johnson

This here quote explains a lot (though man needs to be woman):

Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

--Samuel Johnson

The women of Kansas thought hard about losing rights and becoming meat of the state and went out and said no, despite the state legislature's best effort to complicate the ballot and obfuscate what "yes" even meant.

That mini-wave on abortion rights apparently woke up some Republican senators (according to Sen. Lindsey Graham). Even our own Thom Tillis: “Kansas, which is a pretty red state ― it’s hard to find the words. I think people should look at it.” What he meant by "people should look at it," other than probably something like "Holy shit! Did you just see what happened in Kansas?" or "What can we do to free ourselves from Right To Life?" -- that's open to interpretation.

I feel the pincers that grip the GOP right now, because I'm squeezing as hard as I can. Biden's not the issue this November. The Republican Party is, as it's been transformed by Trump and his flying monkeys of Cruelty and Fraud. 

So I've already seen one TV attack ad on Ted Budd's willingness to ban abortion. The ad was produced and paid for by an unnamed Democratic super PAC, which makes me ask out loud, why isn't Cheri Beasley speaking up too? Budd needs to be pinned. In an interview on the KC O'dea Show, he applauded the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Org decision as "a great thing." Then, later, when he had time to think about it, he decided it was just tough shit for women forced to give birth, because -- you know -- the tragedy of murdering a kid (that's how they talk). Budd told NexStar Media Group, "Let’s not add more tragedy to a very tough situation.” He has no idea. No idea, earthly. 

But you watch Budd and all them bros now run for cover, get tongue-tied, deny past positions. They'll say, "We would appreciate it very much if you'd stop talking about all the laws we want to pass."

WRAL demanded what every Democratic candidate should demand of their Republican opponents, even red-district outgunned Democrats in supposedly unwinnable districts -- Demand that those Republicans explain where they stand on banning abortion. Lean in.

North Carolina voters must know, before they cast ballots this fall, in specific detail where every legislative candidate stands. Do they stand with extremes like the Republican legislators who want the State Constitution to say life starts at fertilization and anyone who willfully tries or destroys a life is accountable for attempted murder?

--WRAL editorial, Aug. 4, 2022

Rep. Ray Pickett

Smart Republicans like Berger Moore can tell toxicity before they step in it, so they'll go around the question and go to ground on the abortion issue -- double-talk it. Say as little as possible. But the far dumber Republican local candidates are unprepared or under-prepared for the shit-storm that can come when they answer carelessly. Take, say, Rep. Ray Pickett of the 93rd HD, a piece of Republican furniture not destined to rise in leadership but a dutiful foot soldier for the party's brand. Does he understand what banning abortion means? And does he support it?