yes, he really said that

[lapsedmodernist]

State Sen. Dave Schultheis restated his opposition to a bill requiring HIV tests for pregnant women by claiming that infected babies would cause families to “see the negative consequences of that promiscuity.”

The Colorado Springs Republican with a penchant for foot-in-mouth moments tells The Rocky Mountain News in a follow-up story to Wednesday’s Senate floor controversy:

“What I’m hoping is that, yes, that person may have AIDS, have it seriously as a baby and when they grow up, but the mother will begin to feel guilt as a result of that,” he said. “The family will see the negative consequences of that promiscuity and it may make a number of people over the coming years begin to realize that there are negative consequences and maybe they should adjust their behavior.”

Comments

[starkyld.livejournal.com]

That is so appalling that I lack the words.

[anthrokeight.livejournal.com]

*blam*

There is nothing else to be said.

Just... *blam*

[cos]

That's clearly been the underlying model for the Christian right anti-choice (and anti-sex) movement for many years. They just don't usually say it to the general public.

[khalinche.livejournal.com]

oh...my...what?

this man is in elected office?

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

yes, he is a Republican senator in the Colorado state senate.

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

I know, this was, like, the accidental logorrhea of truth.

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

yes.

*blam*

*headdesk*

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

this almost transcends appalled and is just icky and WTF in the same way as those creepy pictures of Rick Santorum's crying children.

soapbox

[congogirl.livejournal.com]

So he's into sacrificing babies now? I thought they were precious.

I'm conflicted re: ethics of REQUIRING women to be tested. They should be given every opportunity, counseled, encouraged, etc. and part of the reasoning is of course to offer prevention of mother-to-child transmission methods. So I probably would not support any bill with such a requirement.

But his "logic" isn't, you know, logical. Condemn babies to death so the mother feels guilty and stops having sex?

Also, is he talking about unwed mothers or just anyone that got HIV? Like, for example, women whose HUSBANDS brought it home? But it's still the mother's job to feel the guilt?

[the-macnab.livejournal.com]

I assuming (you can't make deductions with this kind of thing) that he thinks that only promiscuous people get AIDS?

...OK, I just checked the original article, and yes.

Apparently having to get our baby treated for AIDS (which, as we all know, doesn't cure it) isn't enough of a negative consequence for people, even if they are promiscuous? I'm baffled.

I'm also certain that he's pro-life. The combination here is just amazing. Didn't Marjane Satrapi include him in a cameo as an ayatollah in Persepolis?

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

he is pro-life. I read that that his statement confused and appalled even his RW pro-life cronies.

Re: soapbox

[lapsedmodernist.livejournal.com]

Didn't you know that only unwed mothers get HIV?

Re: soapbox

[congogirl.livejournal.com]

ZOMG nobody told me! This will change everything.

[congogirl.livejournal.com]

That's why I am confused as well. It doesn't make any sense.

[revolution-grrl.livejournal.com]

Oh dear god. That just.... Wow.

[birds-hum.livejournal.com]

holy shit. just. jesus.

Re: soapbox

[birds-hum.livejournal.com]

i agree with you. he's making an insanely irrational argument. there are rational reasons to oppose the bill, but guess what, they have to do with a woman's right to control her own body. guess this RWer is sacrificing a sound opinion so he doesn't come close to supporting a woman's right to have control over the medical procedures done to her body.

Re: soapbox

[congogirl.livejournal.com]

If he were smart, he'd rethink his argument. There are smart RW arguments out there. But in some ways, it's good that he's showing his true colors - even those presumably on his side can see what he's made of.