What Are the Republicians Thinking??

According to the Rocky Mountain News:

A Republican legislator's remarks about sexuality sparked a bitter volley at the state Capitol on Wednesday, the second time in three days such comments have created controversy.

(Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky Mountain News)

So what has caused the controversy now? Sen. Dave Schultheis (R), of Colorado Springs, opposed a bill requiring pregnant women to be tested for HIV so that if they are infected their babies can be treated to prevent the virus's transfer.

"This stems from sexual promiscuity for the most part, and I just can't go there," he said.

"We do things continually to remove the consequences of poor behavior, unacceptable behavior, quite frankly. I'm not convinced that part of the role of government should be to protect individuals from the negative consequences of their actions."

Until Schultheis' remarks, this bill had the support of every other Senate Republican, including Senate Minority Leader Josh Penry, who signed on as a co-sponsor.

At least one Republician, Rep. Marsha Looper, of Colorado, was willing to publicly take her party members to task.

"What are they doing over there?" she asked, referring to the Senate. "I find their comments inappropriate and offensive, and I question their motives."

Former Colorado Gov. Bill Owens said he was puzzled over Schultheis' "no" vote.

"It's extremely inconsistent for any person who is pro-life to oppose this effort to potentially save the life of a child," he said.

Does Schultheis honestly believe that pregnant women who are HIV positive or have AIDS are all promiscuous? Doesn't he realize women are raped every day? Husbands cheat on their wives while still sleeping with their wives every day? And doesn't he realize that not all people with HIV contracted it through sexual contact? How can a US Senator be so narrow minded?

Heaven forbid Sen. Schulheis' daughter is raped by a man with AIDS. Heaven forbid his son-in-law cheats on his daughter and gives her HIV. Heaven forbid his daughter is in an accident and suffers bodily fluid exchange with an HIV person. Heaven forbid his daughter gets pregnant after any of these things happens.