Molchany and Readshaw Take the "What is Your Spirit Animal?" BuzzFeed Quiz

Yeah, that looks about right.

Pro Choice/Anti Readshaw Rally Turns Ugly

On Wednesday, May 7, Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania Advocates held a "Rally Against Readshaw: 31 Minutes for 31 Votes Against Women's Health" in front of PA State Rep. Harry Readshaw's (D-Allegheny-Dist 36) Brownsville Road office. Here's how the event was described on Facebook by the hosts:

Representative Harry Readshaw has voted against women’s health an astonishing 31 times in the Pennsylvania legislature, and it’s time to show him that the women of South Pittsburgh deserve better. 

Join us for a 31-minute protest out side Rep. Readshaw's district office against the 31 times Harry Readshaw voted to restrict women's access to reproductive healthcare in PA. Let's make Readshaw tell us why he thinks women are not capable of making our own medical decisions.

Here are some photographs from the event:

And, here is a list of Readshaw's votes on women's health: www.31votesagainstwomen.com. It includes the infamous bill he introduced which would have forced women:

[T]o have a medically unnecessary ultrasound 24 hours prior to an abortion. It also forces doctors to turn the ultrasound screen towards the woman’s face. It then forces the woman take TWO prints with her (one for her scrapbook, and the other one SHE has to bring to the doctor performing the abortion.) And, furthermore, it forces civil and criminal penalties for doctors and patients who dare defy their legislating of medicine.

Here's the ad Planned Parenthood is running against him:

 

Readshaw has run unopposed in the Democratic primary for many years and has been a legislator since first winning in 1994. However, since House districts have been redrawn, he now has an opponent in the May 20 primary: Rep. Erin Molchany (D-Allegheny-Dist 22) who is progressive and pro choice and who has picked up endorsements from such local elected democrats as County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, Mayor Bill Peduto, City Council President Bruce Kraus, City Councilwoman Natalia Rudiak, and others.

Maybe that's what's driving (no pun intended) some of Readshaw's supporters over the edge. From the Community Matters blog description of the rally:

I've been to hundreds of demonstrations in my lifetime. This began as a pretty standard event. We circled the sidewalk in front of Readshaw's office until a woman in a large SUV backed up along the curb, nearly hitting some protestors and reporters. Jeanne Clark, a longtime Pittsburgh activist, walked to the driver's window and said "Stop. There are people behind you." The driver said "You don't care about killing babies", and she did it again. Deliberately. She sat in the car screeching "Abortion is murder." Apparently, she doesn't have a problem with vehicular homicide or critical injury. Pro-life my ass. 

We learned that the woman is Megan Readshaw Perfetti, Harry Readshaw's DAUGHTER. 

Perfetti is a health teacher and coordinates the health education curriculum for the Pittsburgh Public Schools. I guess she doesn't think women need health care. 

Before the event even began, a man from the business next door strongly objected to our presence. He shouted that he was calling the police. No one cared, since we were protesting legally. A Pittsburgh Police car arrived a few minutes later, after Perfetti's stunt, and sat in a parking space across the street. Perfetti walked over to talk to the officer. I don't know what they discussed, since she was clearly the only person committing a crime at the time, but the officer never left his car. He drove away as the event ended.

Wow! And they call themselves "pro life."

You can also read the City Paper's Blogh coverage here.

A Man (or two) With A Plan!

(Recent mailers for Readshaw and Ravenstahl)

I have a plan to not vote for either of them...EVER.

Little girl, do your parents know what district you're in? (My guess would be PA-iStock.)

Meet Tom Smith: GOP Senate Candidate & Father of the Year!

Via Think Progress:

MARK SCOLFORO, ASSOCIATED PRESS: How would you tell a daughter or a granddaughter who, God forbid, would be the victim of a rape, to keep the child against her own will? Do you have a way to explain that?

SMITH: I lived something similar to that with my own family. She chose life, and I commend her for that. She knew my views. But, fortunately for me, I didn’t have to.. she chose they way I thought. No don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t rape.

SCOLFORO: Similar how?

SMITH: Uh, having a baby out of wedlock.

SCOLFORO: That’s similar to rape?

SMITH: No, no, no, but… put yourself in a father’s situation, yes. It is similar. But, back to the original, I’m pro-life, period.

 

Where to start?

Having your daughter have a child "out of wedlock" is only similar to having your daughter have a child from being raped if you are a father who believes that your daughter is a mere extension of yourself. A father who would compare the two is a father whose only concern is the fact that his unwed daughter is visibly not a virgin and that that somehow reflects poorly on him. It springs from the same attitude as those who believe in honor killings. It springs from the same Christian Bible as the one that commands that a rapist must marry his victim...and pay the father fifty pieces of silver. It springs from a total lack of concern and any empathy for a woman's own experience, feelings and well being. It spews from an inability to see a woman as a person in her own right.

Smith is not the only PA pol to go into detail about a daughter's own private business to make a point on abortion. PA State Rep. Harry A. Readshaw (D, PA-36) was only too happy to let a constituent know that abortion wasn't fair because his own daughter couldn't give him a grandbaby. If these men had a uterus, they could stop using their daughters in their arguments and speak from their own experience. But they have no experience of their own -- just the power to use their own prejudices and religion to make laws that all women will have to follow.

It makes me sick.

By the way, this being Pennsylvania, his Democratic opponent, Sen. Bob Casey, is also anti abortion (he was one of only three Democratic US Senators to vote against killing the Blunt Amendment). But Bobby, at least believes that abortion should be allowed if a woman is raped or dying. That's a progressive Catholic in these parts.

All hail the American Taliban!

Let's all get out there and vote!

It occurs to me that I should have run a contest as to what name I should write in instead of voting for Harry Readshaw. I'm thinking something like "A. Real Democrat."

Which PA Legislators are members of ALEC?

David just posted on ALEC (American Legislative Exchange Council) and reminded us that PA State Rep. Daryl "I Don't Speak Mexican" Metcalfe (R-Butler) is a member. So, which other Pennsylvania legislators are ALEC members? This press release by Keystone Progress urging them all to quit ALEC mentions the following:

GOP House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (whose participation in ALEC is paid by state taxpayers)

GOP House Majority Caucus Chair Sandra Major

GOP House Caucus Administrator Dick Stevenson

GOP House Judiciary Chair Ronald Marsico

GOP House State Government Chair Daryl Metcalfe

GOP Senate Majority Caucus Secretary Robert Robbins

GOP Senate Judiciary Chair Stewart Greenleaf

And GOP Chairs of numerous committees, including Representatives Matthew Baker (Health), Stephen Barrar (Veterans Affairs), Paul Clymer (Educational), John Evans (Game & Fisheries), Robert Godshall (Consumer Affairs), Kate Harper (Ethics), Dick Hess (Commerce), Ronald Miller (Labor & Industry) and Senators Charles McIlhinney (State Government), Jeffrey Piccola (Education), John Pippy (Law & Justice)

Rep. John Evans (R-Crawford, Erie) currently serves as ALEC’s PA chair.

It goes on to mention 30 more members -- only three of whom are Democrats. Guess who's among them? Yes, my old friend: Rep. Harry Readshaw (D, Allegheny). Guess that explains a lot.

Two local boobs on the wrong side of history

Just in time for Women's History month, PA's Forced Ultrasound Bill and The Blunt Amendment allowing any employer to deny birth control coverage any insurance coverage requirement on moral whims objections both went down in flames. One would be tempted to decry Republicans again and their relentless War on Women, but we can't ignore the Democratic douchebags are who foot soldiers in this war too.

The Trouble With Harry

PA State Rep. Harry A. Readshaw (D, PA-36) not only cosponsored the odious Forced Ultrasound (Rape by Any Other Name) Bill, he was completely out of line when replying to a constituents' letter to him about it (blogger Amadi). He began his thoroughly condescending letter to her by addressing her by her first name only. He proceeds to divulge his daughter's private medical condition as a part of his argument and concludes by letting Amadi know that he's looked up her voting record. Amadi also notes that the letter is handwritten -- perhaps to ensure that there is no digital trail (I guess he neglected to find in his inquiries that she is a popular blogger). Please read her account of it here, including a photo of his correspondence). I'm embarrassed to add that he is also my Rep.

What's the Matter With Bob?

Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) was one of only three Democratic US Senators to vote against killing the Blunt Amendment. One must suppose that he favored it on the basis of his Catholic faith -- even though it was so broad as to allow employers to willy-nilly ignore any insurance coverage requirement (and as noted by Sen. Barbara Boxer, allow insurance companies free rein to deny coverage on "moral" grounds as well -- like that wouldn't be abused). Here's Obama for America's take on the bill, Bob:


(Click to enlarge)
Hey! Wait a minute? Doesn't Bob work for us? I think we should all vote on what health care coverage we want to deny him. Please be as arbitrary and capricious as you like! Also, I agree with Marcy Wheeler that Bobby (as someone who's been on the public dole for many years) needs to disclose to us, his employers, details as to what his history of reproductive choice has been, including details on what kinds of birth control he and his wife have used and who paid for it, as well as whether he's used erectile dysfunction drugs, and who paid for it. It's only fair! After all, employers have a right to have a say in these matters.

Bizarro World Slate Card!

In the Bizarro World of "Htrae" ("Earth" spelled backwards), society is ruled by the Bizarro Code which states "Us do opposite of all Earthly things! Us hate hacks and DINOs! Us love real Democrats!

Here is us Bizarro World ACDC slate card:



US Senate
Joe Sestak!

PA Governor
Joe Hoeffel!

4th Congressional District
Jason Altmire Franco Dok Harris! (Write-in)

40th State Senatorial District
Dan DeMarco! (Write-in)

20th State House District
Adam Ravenstahl Tim Tuinstra!

36th State House District
Harry Readshaw Write in us own names!.

The Company Metcalfe Keeps (Updated 1x)

UPDATE: Capitol Ideas has more on Daryl's buddies:

Dan Stein, the president of a group called the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR), whose legal wing, the Immigration Law Reform Institute, played a significant role in crafting the original Arizona "Papers, Please," bill before it was amended to include the "primary offense" language offered by Metcalfe.

Metcalfe readily acknowledged this morning that IRLI, as it's known,worked "hand-in-hand" with him to craft his bill.

Stein, however, took exception when we asked to respond to allegations made in 2007 by the Southern Poverty Law Center that FAIR is a hate group whose "key staff members have ties to white supremacist groups."

____________________________________________

On Tuesday, PA Rep. (and Lt. Governor candidate) Daryl "I Don't Speak Mexican"* Metcalfe (R-Butler) and PA Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Carrick and my own South Side) promoted House Bill 2479 which patterns itself after Arizona's controversial legislation and '...which would direct a police officer "to attempt to verify the immigration status of suspected illegal aliens"' and includes the ridiculous provision allowing anyone to sue police (and any official or agency) for enforcing "Federal immigration laws to less than the full extent permitted by Federal law" (Hello, Pittsburgh!)

According to a PA2010, Metcalfe’s legislative office put out a press release which stated:

Offering support for House Bill 2479 during today’s press conference included Kathleen Appell, Citizens for Immigration Control in Pennsylvania; Mariann Davies Esq., You Don’t Speak for Me; Jeff Lewis, national director, Federal Immigration Reform and Enforcement Coalition (FIRE); and Ned Pfeifer, president, Eagle Forum.

Upon reading that yesterday morning, I decided to take a look at these groups and here's what I found at FIRE Coalition's website:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other Members of Congress ignore the Constitution on a daily basis, and knowingly give support and comfort to special interest groups, foreign governments and the illegal alien insurgents they encourage to invade the United States, and betray everything their oath of office represents. Ask your governor, your federal and state judges why these traitors aren’t swinging from a rope? [Emphasis added]

Jeff Lewis
Founder, PatriotWatchdog
National Director, FIRE Coalition

Swinging from a rope!?

As it so happened, I had on Pittsburgh Now with Chris Moore while I was exploring FIRE's website. Moore had Metcalfe on as a guest (via phone). So I telephoned the live call-in show and got on the air.

My call went something like this:

ME: Hello, Rep. Metcalfe. According to a press release sent to the media, you're associated with a group called the Fire Coalition. I'm reading this from their website: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and other Members of Congress ignore the Constitution on a daily basis...[I truncated the quote because they don't give you much time on these shows when you call in] Ask your governor, your federal and state judges why these traitors aren’t swinging from a rope?"

Why are you associated with such a group and do you agree that Reid and Pelosi should be swinging from a rope?

METCALFE: I'm not sure what you're reading. I'm not sure of the validity of what you're reading.

ME: [Trying to talk over him] It's right on their website.

METCALFE: I've been involved for many years with these programs. I'm not sure of the validity of what you're reading.

I was cut off the call. But here's my next question for you, Rep. Metcalfe:

Why the hell aren't you sure about the validity of what I read? It took me all of 10 minutes to find it on their website! And, you say you've been associated with this group for years?

See, I do know what these groups are all about. So when I googled their name and found their website (http://firecoalition.com/), I went to their blog ("The Official FIRE Coalition Blog" linked in the upper left corner on their website) and simply searched for terms like "Obama" "traitor" and "treason" and got directed to the ugly screed written by Jeff Lewis who actually appeared at your little shindig. (You can get to it directly here or from their blog here.)

So again, I ask you, Rep. Metcalfe: Why are you associated with such a group and do you agree that Reid and Pelosi should be swinging from a rope?

And, to Rep. Readshaw -- my rep and a Democrat -- I ask you the same damn thing and I'll add: Shame on you!


Rep. Daryl Metcalfe

* (h/t to Pittsburgh City Paper via Post-Gazette's Early Returns)

What We Missed

With all the HCR posting, here's some things we missed:

Rally Today to Support Grocery Workers Fighting For Contract for More Than a Year
When: Today, Mar 22, 1:30 p.m.
Where: Kuhn's Market, 700 Beulah Rd., Wilkins Twp. PA 15145
Who: United Food and Commercial Workers local 23 and community groups

It's that time of the month...
On the Spot is asking you to donate a box of supplies for girls in and around Pittsburgh who don’t have access. http://pghonthespot.wordpress.com/events

Help Prevent Teen Dating Violence: PA House Bill 2026, “Demi Brae Cuccia Law”
Via my PA Representative, Harry Readshaw: "If it becomes law, teen dating violence education would be integrated into middle and high school curriculums. School districts would have to develop an anti-dating violence policy. Age-appropriate education would inform students about the danger of teen dating violence and how they can recognize its warning signs and protect themselves from becoming a victim...You can directly help by signing an online petition on the web site of the bill's prime sponsor, Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre County"

Labor Board Rules In Favor of Workers United SEIU In Aramark Mellon Arena Worker Case
Now Aramark has no excuse for not negotiating.
.