WTF, Elizabeth Dole? WTF?

[emmagrant01]

Okay, seriously, WTF??? Is Elizabeth Dole really this stupid? Is she really this cruel?

A plan by Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) to rename the current AIDS relief bill after the late conservative Jesse Helms has caused an uproar.

Among those offended by Dole's proposition are Tom Viola, the Executive Director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and Philip S. Birsh, the President and Publisher of Playbill, who also serves as the BC/EFA Treasurer.

Helms was a long-time opponent to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and research. In fact, the blog Joe.My.God has recalled many of Helms' AIDS-related comments:

• Jesse Helms, the man who in 1987 described AIDS prevention literature as "so obscene, so revolting, I may throw up."

• Jesse Helms, the man who in 1988 vigorously opposed the Kennedy-Hatch AIDS research bill, saying, "There is not one single case of AIDS in this country that cannot be traced in origin to sodomy."

• Jesse Helms, the man who in 1995 said (in opposition to refunding the Ryan White Act) that the government should spend less on people with AIDS because they got sick due to their "deliberate, disgusting, revolting conduct."

And she wants to name the bill after him, really? This is so disgusting, I have no words.

Article here.

Update: Okay, the date of the press release from Equity Fights AIDS must have been screwed up, because the bill was just passed last Thursday, WITHOUT Dole's proposed amendment to change the name. So, crisis averted. But still? Not cool, Lizzie. So not cool.

Comments

[letmypidgeonsgo.livejournal.com]

oh. my. god.

*gapes*

*tries not to throw things*

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

*throws virtual things*

[romaine24.livejournal.com]

You know I saw this and wasn't quite sure it could be true. It just didn't make sense, but politicians tend not to. Anyhoo, I was thinking maybe it was in retaliation for this http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/17/BA7A11QU1S.DTL *hee hee*

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

*spews drink*

Oh, that is just perfect! God, I love San Francisco!

[romaine24.livejournal.com]

Me too! Next year will be wonderful. Maybe we could go to the site and laugh.

So you think Liz has been dipping into Bob's Viagra? I mean it does take balls to do this.

[conuly]

I don't like that. People ought to take water conservation and sewage seriously. It deserves better than this.

[lokifan]

This was actually my objection: sewage plants do a useful thing for your country and protect health, neither of which Bush has ever done.

But it would be hilarious.

[bethbethbeth.livejournal.com]

Jesus. The Bill went through without his name, so I understand, but...god!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I just don't know what she's thinking. I really don't.

[batagur.livejournal.com]

Maybe she thinks naming the bill after him is some sort of posthumous dig at him and his ass-backward views.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Somehow I doubt she has such a well-developed sense of irony. :-P

[batagur.livejournal.com]

It was the only explanation that made logical sense. other than that, one must wonder what crack she is on and how does someone score such good stuff? Is it better free-based?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

LOL, srsly. :-P

[elzybub.livejournal.com]

People like Dole and Helms make me sick. Bastards.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I just don't understand how she could possibly think this is a good idea. :-P

[ciel-vert.livejournal.com]

What is wrong with people? Seriously.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Ugh, no idea.

[cormallen.livejournal.com]

I kind of have no words for how... absolutely repulsive that is. *resists the urge to break stuff*

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I know. If I didn't trust that site, I'd think it was a joke. :-P

[kerryblaze.livejournal.com]

That brings new meaning to the word FAIL!

Honestly. What is she thinking?!?!

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

It boggles the mind.

Cute icon, btw.

[clyan-bunnies.livejournal.com]

Did... did her mother drink heavily while Elizabeth was in the womb? Is this why she has no brain cells to do the thinking thing?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

There is just no logical explanation. :-P

[clyan-bunnies.livejournal.com]

Well... if everything was logical, we'd all be Vulcans.

Nope. Ears are still not pointy.

[(Anonymous)]

This, to quote that asshole, is "so obscene, so revolting, I may throw up". If this happens I will be livid.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

It just can't happen. It can't! *frets*

[jlh.livejournal.com]

I'm not a fan, but toward the end of his life Jesse Helms put forth legislation to fight AIDS in Africa so it isn't completely nonsensical, just ridiculous.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

There are some things that I just can't forgive. I grew up in that state, and he was a sexist, racist bigot that kept getting re-elected for reasons I could never understand. In my mind, any attempt to honor his legacy is honoring the sexism, the racism, and the homophobia. :-P

[belleweather.livejournal.com]

Huh. Elizabeth Dole has never struck me as completely batshit insane before now. I always thought she was one of those sort of middle-of-the-road normal congressional morons. Perhaps she was secretly lobotomized without there being much press coverage?

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

Maybe so. How could she possibly think that was a good idea?

BTW, I just posted an update -- apparently this is old news as the bill was passed Thursday. Her proposal to change the name of the bill was, thankfully, rejected.

[bewarethesmirk.livejournal.com]

I'm from NC and all I can say is I concur -- disgusting.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were from NC! I grew up there. I remember the Helms days all too well. :-P

[bewarethesmirk.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Until recently I've lived in Chapel Hill, NC, attending UNC. I met Jesse Helms when I was in high school. God.

[prilbrum.livejournal.com]

Oh, it just can't be. How ridiculous can one be??

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

I posted an update -- apparently this is old news as the bill was passed Thursday. Her proposal to change the name of the bill was, thankfully, rejected.

[shezan.livejournal.com]

Look, STOPPING the bill would be cruel. Still passing it but naming it after someone who died is irrelevant, as long as it passes.

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

That's not how it works, though. It was never an all-or-nothing proposition. The bill was actually passed last week, and this was one of many amendments that was proposed to it. The bill was going to pass in some form as it was extremely popular and had bipartisan support, but to name it after a sexist, racist, homophobic bigot is beyond ridiculous and insulting to the memories of the many people who suffered from AIDS in this country and around the wor;d, people Helms mocked cruelly.

Thankfully Dole's proposal was not accepted, and the bill was passed without being named after Helms. I'm just staggered that she thought it was a good idea. :-P

[glasshouses.livejournal.com]

shows what I know - she's a senator? Did Bob die and leave her a seat?

*checks google*

Nope.

huh. Well if she was looking for a VP spot, I think she just blew it :-)

[emmagrant01.livejournal.com]

She's in her second term, I believe!

*shakes head*

[barbana.livejournal.com]

Yeah that was pretty asstacular of her. But the best bit is I think everyone there kind of knew it.