On September 11th, 2008, Doug reentered the election scene with the creation of www.savingbristol.com, a web site dedicated to raising money to pay for an abortion for Bristol Palin, daughter of staunchly pro-life Alaskan governor and Republican Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin. "Rather than sit back and impotently bemoan Bristol's tragic, lonely circumstance, it is time for us - the silent majority - to unite behind this poor, imprisoned woman and save her from both a tyrannical household as well as the horrible nightmare of a forced childbirth."
Though the $50,000 offered by Stanhope himself would more than cover the cost of an abortion under normal situations, Doug encouraged others to donate money towards helping Bristol begin a new life. On the site, Stanhope pledged, "Even if you cannot take my offer, I will still use my money or money donated through this page to pay for at least one abortion for a disadvantaged teenage girl each year for the rest of my life in the name of your mother. And in my will, I shall have a good portion of my estate turned into the Sarah J. Palin Abortion Fund that will help girls from all walks of life from destroying their lives and our natural resources by having children."
I had to see for myself- and what do you know? Wikipedia is never wrong. The website speaks for itself so I wont waste your time by explaining it. I'm thinking of actually donating some of my nonexistent money to this cause - both because I think it's just awesome and also because I personally have a beef with unwanted fetuses.
But there is more to this story. It seems that the very next day, Bill Maher created a site almost identical to Stanhope's, but instead targeted at Levi Johnston, Bristol Palin's baby's daddy, if you will.
On September 12th, 2008, Bill Maher launched a site remarkably similar to SavingBristol.com in the form of FreeLevi.org, a site aimed at Levi Johnston, Bristol's boyfriend and father of her unborn child. Many believe that the similarities between the content, presentation, and designs of the two sites are damning evidence of Maher's intellectual theft.
I was shocked! Bill Maher's never been my favorite character, although I must admit that I admire him for his stance on religion and his openness to promote it. In fact, I'm highly anticipating his new movie, Religulous. I never would have thought he would stoop so low as to blatantly steal an idea from Doug Stanhope.
What are your thoughts on this?
Poll: Is Bill Maher a plagiarizer?
(Vote): He thieves!
(Vote): It's just coincidence
(Vote): Other?