This Is Why...

Does anyone else see a pattern here?

Some pharmacists are refusing to fill prescriptions that they find morally objectionable. A year ago, this would have sounded like the crazy religious fringe. But, given the events of the last few months, it's not surprising.

Why does it sound even worth discussing? A pharmacist's job is to fill prescriptions that are written by a licensed physician. If a pharmacist chooses not to facilitate a doctor's order, he (or she) is in effect making a medical decision for the patient - i.e. impersonating a doctor. That is against the law. For instance, I have a friend who takes the Pill for reasons entirely unrelated to birth control. Is her pharmacist going to decide for her that she has to suffer with severe cramping because he (or she) objects to the Pill on 'principle'? Since when does a pharmacist get to decide what's medically necessary for anyone? Since when does a pharmacist get to overrule a doctor? Since when does a pharmacist get to tell me I can't use a contraceptive ordered by my doctor? Suppose a pregnancy would endanger my health or kill me? Suppose I just feel like having sex without getting pregnant?

Look - if you're a vegan, don't work at McDonald's. If you object to drinking, don't tend bar at the Dew Drop Inn. If you are not prepared to carry out the duties of a pharmacist - filling prescriptions written by licensed physicians - find some other line of work.

This is all part of the larger picture, though. The point of what's happening here is the separation of church and state. And though it seems silly and picayune and radical-ACLU to fuss about prayer in school or the Ten Commandments - how could something so innocuous and positive hurt anybody - this is where it begins leading to. The Hootervillains (not a typo) have come right out and said that they are actively working toward a religious state. In fact, my beloved Tommi, in speaking of Dubya's 'faith-based initiative' in 2001 at an invitation-only luncheon gathering for congressional staff organized by TV preacher D. James Kennedy's Center for Christian Statesmanship said, "I don't believe there is a separation of church and state."

Civil rights are being systematically dismantled and the Constitution is being flagrantly spat upon, and nobody seems to see anything alarming about this.

All aboard! The Hooterville Cannonball is now leaving the station, headed straight for Shari'a Town...