Because the world needs more babies from 13-year-olds impregnated by older men

The Republican Congress, once again focusing like a laser beam on a problem that is not a problem:

The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would make it a federal crime to help an under-age girl escape parental notification laws by crossing state lines to obtain an abortion.

The bill was approved on a 65-to-34 vote, with 14 Democrats joining 51 Republicans in favor.

A similar measure passed the House last year, and President Bush said he would sign the legislation if the two chambers could work out their differences and send a final bill to him.

In a statement, Mr. Bush said that “transporting minors across state lines to bypass parental consent laws regarding abortion undermines state law and jeopardizes the lives of young women.”

Critics questioned the necessity of the measure, saying it would apply to only a small number of cases and could result in criminal charges against close relatives or clergy members who interceded to help in a time of personal crisis.

Yes, folks, the Christofascist Zombie Brigade are willing to see Pastor Smith and Grandma put in prison if they dare to help out a desperate girl who's pregnant by her father, or by Uncle Bob, or by the creepy guy down at the swim club.

Doesn't it just warm your heart to know that the Republican Party is so concerned abou the health of your daughters? Not enough to ensure that they have health insurance, but enough to try to ensure their re-election, which is what this is REALLY about:

The measure also provided Republicans another opportunity to reassure their social conservative base that its concerns were being addressed in an election year. And it gave them a chance to force Democrats to take a position on an issue some would prefer to avoid out of concern over alienating abortion-rights advocates on one hand or Democratic centrists on the other.

Meanwhile, these same pro-life Republicans persist in supporting a war that has killed over 5800 Iraqis in just two months.

I am really tired of women's bodies being the playing field for election-year politicking. Unwanted pregnancy is a very real trauma for young women, and this bunch is trying to ensure that it becomes a lifetime trauma -- not out of any kind of strongly-held belief, but because of election-year politics. It's high time the Democrats found their guts and called this for what it is.

I'll be waiting.