Is the Pope Catholic? And does he hate women? Same answer to both.

I can't assume that the pope hates women, but I have really been struggling with this whole birth control debate. Growing up Catholic, I know that they have to remain hardcore about their beliefs (they being the clergy), but I would think that that would also include the belief of protecting children and telling the truth--and we know how those have turned out lately.

So the Catholics (which technically I was confirmed into, but I consider myself non-practicing) are against being made to offer birth control to their employees. They don't, however, have a problem offering Viagra. And this is what absolutely kills me. Erectile dysfunction is what people consider a "medical ailment," so it is covered by insurance now. Can someone point out one case of erectile dysfunction that has caused death? And I mean direct death, not some angry repressed middle-aged man who beat the hooker who made fun of him.

Birth control pills have been shown to prevent not only babies but also ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility, not to mention cysts and painful periods. Being on the pill does not make you more promiscuous. It makes you responsible and isn't personal responsibility something we all strive for?

Aside from the larger debate, it just pissed me off that the people make this decision are men. Men who would't let women testify at the congressional hearing (how is okay that NO women were allowed to give testimony--I find it impossible believe that NO WOMEN were qualified to talk about birth control-- REALLY?!?!?)  and when they were given the chance to testify, one big loudmouth calls her a slut and a prostitute. Just so I'm not accused of taking things out of context, here's the whole quote:

"What does it say about the college co-ed Sandra Fluke, who goes before a congressional committee and essentially says that she must be paid to have sex, what does that make her? It makes her a slut, right? It makes her a prostitute. She wants to be paid to have sex. She's having so much sex she can't afford the contraception. She wants you and me and the taxpayers to pay her to have sex. What does that make us? We're the pimps."--Rush Limbaugh on his show, February 29, 2012.

I wonder if Rush thinks it's okay for us to pay for his Viagra or if he pays for that full price. What about all those painkillers he's addicted to?

At least I can say that the bill still stands. So suck it.