Obama calls harvesting of organs in Africa ‘craziness’ and 'cruel' - so why support Planned Parenthood?

On radio Thursday, Glenn played audio of a Q&A session with President Obama and young African leaders that was practically dripping with irony.

In response to a Kenyan woman's plea to bring attention to the ritualistic killing and harvesting of body parts of people with albinism in Africa, the president decried the practice, calling it a "foolish tradition," "craziness" and "cruel."

Glenn couldn't help but wonder how harvesting body parts of aborted babies was any different.

Watch the following video for Glenn's reaction or read the transcript below.

Below is a rush transcript, it may contain errors.

GLENN: With the conversation that's happening in America, the conversation that the president has been silent about when it comes to Planned Parenthood and the fact that they are positioning women coming into -- for an abortion, they're positioning them in a way with ultrasound to make sure that they can cut the baby up, without cutting the wrong organs that they have already presold. Sick.

Here's the president in Africa. Listen to this.

VOICE: As you may know, Mr. President, persons in Africa are being killed and their body parts harvested for ritual purposes. My request to you is to raise this issue with the heads of states from African countries to bring these atrocities to an end.

GLENN: Stop for a second. Did you hear what the question was? The question was, Mr. President, can you please address with some of the leaders here in Africa, because we have a -- we have rituals that are done here where babies are taken, killed, and their body parts are harvested for ritual purposes.

Here's his response.

OBAMA: And folkways that need to be respected. That's part of who, you know, each culture is; each country is. But there's also just foolish traditions. And old ways of doing business.

PAT: So the ritualistic harvesting body parts is foolish.

GLENN: Is foolish.

PAT: It's a silly old tradition. We don't need that.

GLENN: Now, if you were doing that for research.

PAT: That's perfectly legitimate.

GLENN: Right. This is not wrong. It's foolish. You have more?

PAT: No.

GLENN: That was it?

PAT: Yeah.

GLENN: Because he did go on. And he did go on to say that the harvesting of body parts needs to stop.

PAT: But not here in America. Not here by Planned Parenthood.

GLENN: Just in -- just in Africa.

PAT: Now, he should have asked the questioner, well, are they also doing mammograms? I mean, sure, they're harvesting body parts for ritualistic purposes. But do they also do mammograms?

GLENN: Yes. Also, I don't want to stop them if they're doing any kind of health care services for women.

PAT: Right. Do they provide contraceptives?

GLENN: Yes. If they provide contraception, then you can harvest all you want.

PAT: Then it's okay. Then we're sending you $500 billion a year to continue to fund that.

STU: Do they donate to the Democrat National Committee?

GLENN: Yeah. I'm not really sure. But if they do --

STU: If they do that, then...

GLENN: They might be foolish, but I'm not going to look into it.

STU: No. Not at all. They won't even watch the videos. If they're doing something illegal, they wouldn't even watch the videos to see if it's illegal.

GLENN: Right. Right.

STU: Other than that, they're on top of it.

GLENN: I haven't seen anything about harvesting. What? Harvesting?

PAT: I don't know if she had in clue as to what's going on with the Planned Parenthood thing. I don't know if she's making that connection. But amazing coincidence, if not.

STU: I don't think so. It seems like she's concerned with issues going on in Africa.

PAT: And then it happens to coincidence with this Planned Parenthood stuff. I mean, his answer is not even that strong for harvesting body parts ritualistically.

GLENN: No, it is. I posted this up on Facebook.

PAT: It's a foolish tradition?

GLENN: Yeah. No. As my head was about to explode, I posted this on Facebook. You won't believe this. It reads like the Onion. I don't have any words for the lack of self-awareness for our president. Here it is.

He told a group of young African leaders on Monday that harvesting organs for humans that are killed as part of African ritual was, quote, craziness and a cruel tradition that needs to stop.

He warned of dehumanizing margin groups of humans and the problems that arise when, quote, you are not able to see someone else as a human being.

People are being killed and their body parts harvested for ritual purposes. My request to you is to raise these issues with the state of African countries and bring these atrocities to an end. That is what the reporter said.

He decried the practice and encouraged the people to do everything they can in their power on behalf of all vulnerable humans.

Young people, you can lead the way and set a good example. But it requires some courage because of old thinking. People will push back at you. And if you don't have convictions and courage to be able to stand up for what you think is right, then cruelty will perpetuate itself. If there's one thing I want all leaders to come out with, it's this notion of, if you're strong by taking care of people who are vulnerable, if you look the after the minority, look after the disabled, look after all the vulnerable, you will be strong. You are not strong by putting people down. You're strong by lifting them up. That's the measure of a leader.

I couldn't take it. There's no self-awareness in this man.

PAT: No.

GLENN: Zero self-awareness. He's literally talking about the harvesting of organs in the most vulnerable. He's talking about -- there's trouble when you stop seeing people as humans with a right to disagree. Oh, my God.

Who will be Kamala Harris' VP pick?

JIM WATSON / Contributor, Chris duMond / Stringer, Justin Sullivan / Staff | Getty Images

Over the weekend, President Joe Biden officially dropped out of the 2024 presidential election and put forward his endorsement behind his Vice President Kamala Harris.

Glenn recently predicted that Biden would step down due to the mountain of pressure within his party to do so. But now that we are here we are faced with an all-new line of questions, like, who will be the candidate on the Democratic ticket? Who will be their pick for vice president?

As of now, the answer to the first question seems to be Kamala Harris, who received the support of the president and several prominent democrats. It's still too early to call for certain, and Glenn doesn't think it's likely, but assuming Kamala becomes the Democrat nominee, who will her VP pick be? There are endless possible options, but there are a 5 big names that could prove beneficial to Harris' campaign:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom

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Governor Newsom has spiked in popularity within his party since his taking office in 2019 due to his scathing criticisms of President Trump and other Republicans. Newsom has been a popular contender as a possible Biden replacement, and a future presidential bid seems likely.

His widespread recognition may be a boon to Kamala's ticket, but the California governor comes with a dark side. Newsom was famously nearly recalled as Governor in 2021, hanging on to his office by a narrow margin. He also faced criticism for his hypocrisy during the COVID lockdowns, attending large gatherings while the rest of his state was locked inside. There's also the issue that both Newsom and Kamala are from California, meaning that if they were to appear on the same ticket, that ticket would lack geographical balance and would potentially lead to a Constitutional issue that would force the duo to forfeit all 54 of the states' Electoral College votes.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro

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Another prominent Democrat Governor, Josh Shapiro has also been floated as a potential VP pick. Governor Shapiro has become a viable pick due to his well-received performance as Pennslyvania's Governor. The governor has good support within the swing state due to his handling of the I-95 bridge collapse, the train derailment in East Palestine, which had effects on his state, and the assassination attempt on the former president last week. Shapiro would bring much-needed support from the swing state if he was put on the ticket.

That being said, Shapiro has little time to build nationwide name recognition before the DNC in August and the November election. This would be Shapiro's debut on the national stage, and he would find himself in the most unforgiving situation possible.

Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg

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Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and opponent of Biden during the 2020 Democratic primaries, "Mayor Pete's" name recognition might be what Kamala needs on her presidential ticket. Buttigieg rose to popularity during the 2020 election due to his youth and status as "openly gay." Buttigieg has served as the Secretary of Transportation during the Biden administration for the past four years and has formally endorsed Harris.

Nevertheless, Buttigieg has some dark spots on his resume. The East Palestine train derailment disaster has besmirched his reputation as Secretary of Transportation. And while his youth may work in his favor when compared to the other elderly members of our federal government, it also means Buttigieg lacks the experience and prestige that other politicians enjoy.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

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Yet another governor of a crucial swing state, Whitmer was elected in 2018, two years after President Trump was elected, helping secure the state for the Democrats. Whitmer is known for her strong opposition to Trump, both during his presidency and his reelection campaign. Whitmer serves as co-chair for the Biden-Harris campaign and as vice chairperson of the DNC, which gives her influence over the Democratic party, something that would come in handy as a Vice President. Gov. Whitmer also established the Fight Like Hell PAC, which is dedicated to helping Democrats get elected and to stopping Trump by any means.

On the other hand, in a statement following Biden's resignation from the election, Governor Whitmer stated that her role “will remain the same.” It is also worth noting that if she were to be chosen as Kamala's VP, that would make their ticket all-female, which may foster some "woke points," but is politically risky.

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear

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Andy Bashear has seemingly beaten the odds twice, having been elected and reelected as the Governor of Kentucky, despite the deep-red nature of the state. Beshear, who has moderate tendencies, would be a boon to the Harris campaign as he has a track record of reaching rural, typically conservative regions where Democrats tend to struggle. He is also known for his propensity to talk about his Christian faith and willingness to work with Republicans, which are traits that might help win over moderates.

But, like Gov. Shapiro, Bashear has very little time to whip up national support and recognition. He also is unlikely to be very much help for the Harris campaign in winning over important swing states.

Five times Glenn had J.D. Vance on his show and where he stands on key issues

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We finally have an answer to the long-awaited question of who Trump will pick for his running mate, and it's none other than Ohio Senator and friend of the show, J.D. Vance. At the RNC in Milwaukee, Trump officially accepted the party's nomination as the Republican candidate and announced J.D. Vance as his running mate.

Glenn has had Senator Vance on the show several times to discuss everything from DEI to the Southern Border. If you are looking to familiarize yourself with the next potential Vice President, look no further, here are five conversations Glenn had with Trump's VP pick:

Why Biden Won't Stop "Racist" Government DEI Programs, But Trump Would

How Trump’s Trials Could HELP Him in the 2024 Election

Could THIS new Senate bill DOOM a Trump presidency?

MIDTERM UPDATE: What Republicans must do to WIN BACK the Senate

'Greatest risk of a terrorist attack in 20 years': Senator SLAMS 'atrocious' Biden move


How RFK's example can help our nation in the wake of Trump's attack

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How did you feel last Saturday when you heard the news that a former president of the United States narrowly avoided an assassin's bullet by a mere few inches? Were you angry at the media for their constant demonization of Trump and his conservative contingency? Did you blame the left for curating a political climate that fostered an assassination attempt?

In his immediate reaction to the news, Glenn pointed us back to a similar moment in American history: April 4th, 1968—the day Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

"The best speech I've ever heard given was by RFK Sr. on the day Martin Luther King was killed" - Glenn

Robert F. Kennedy, the father of current independent presidential candidate RFK Jr., was en route to Indianapolis when he heard the terrible news. His security team, expecting violent outrage across the country, asked RFK Sr. to turn around and head back to safety. But as Glenn said, RFK Sr. believed in the good in people and demanded to give his speech. He arrived in Indianapolis Park late in the day, and he addressed the crowd of predominantly black campaign supporters.

There were no riots in Indianapolis that night.

The message RFK Sr. gave that night wasn't one of vengeance, hatred, or hopelessness, but of calm and goodness. He appealed to the best in people. He called for people to set aside their differences, anger, fear, and confusion and instead express love and compassion towards one another. RFK Sr. asked for wisdom and the pursuit of justice so that we might be resolute in our unity as the country faces another difficult chapter.

What we need in this country is love and wisdom and compassion toward one another.

Glenn has made a similar plea to our nation—a plea for unity and not to lash out in fear and anger. Don't use this time to blame your friends and family who disagree with you politically for what happened or to tell them "I told you so!" Instead, reach out with compassion and grace. This is a turning point in American history. Let's turn it upward, away from hatred and violence and towards unison and compassion.

Fortunately, President Trump walked away from his attempted assassination with very minor injuries. The bullet that wounded Trump's ear could have just as easily ended his life, and his survival is nothing short of a miracle.

Sadly, that miracle didn't extend to everyone attending Trump's ill-fated Pennsylvania rally. Three other people were shot. David Dutch and James Copenhaver, both Pennslyavia residents, are thankfully in stable condition. Corey Comperatore, however, tragically died after being shot while protecting his wife and daughter from the hail of gunfire.

“Corey died a hero."

Camperatore, a 50-year-old loving father and husband from Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania leaves behind his daughter Allyson, his wife Helen, sister Dawn, and many other friends and family. Camperatore was a man of service, having spent 43 years as part of the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company and had worked his way to becoming the fire chief when he stepped down to spend more time with his daughter.

Corey Comperatore's firefighting gear outside the Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Company. The Washington Post / Contributor | Getty Images

Corey's friends and family have nothing but good things to say about him, and judging by their testimonies, Corey's final heroic act was consistent with how the volunteer firefighter lived his life.

According to many people who knew Compertore, he was a true patriot who loved his country. He was a fan of President Trump. Compertore was very excited to attend Saturday's rally, which he expressed in his last social media post.

Corey_Comper/X

During his speech addressing the shooting, President Biden expressed his condolences to the Comperatore family, stating that "He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired.”