Apparently MSNBC's idea of "straight news" -- which is what they said they wanted more of when they announced that former Dateline correspondent Kate Snow would take over the anchor position during the afternoon -- is to just let Republicans appear on the air and lie ad nauseum without challenge, other than to tell them that "some say" they disagree with the unmitigated bullshit they were just allowed to pollute our airways with.

Which is exactly what the viewers were treated to when Snow allowed Arizona wingnut Rep. Trent Franks to come on the air this Tuesday and spout this nonsense about Planned Parenthood: GOP Rep On Abortion: 'The Last Issue That Tore Us Apart Like This Was Slavery':

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) compared Republicans fighting to defund Planned Parenthood to abolitionists in a Tuesday interview with MSNBC.

Franks said his fellow House conservatives understand the value of human life like those who fought for the freedom of slaves.

“The last issue that tore us apart like this was slavery,” Franks said. “And it's the same argument. Those that were for slavery said, ‘Well there’s not really a person here. There’s no person involved here.’ The Supreme Court said the same thing, just like they did in Roe vs. Wade. But there were those who understood that the foundational core principal that made this country what it was is that we believe that all of us are created, and that makes us equal.”

MSNBC anchor Kate Snow wrapped up the interview at that point, thanking the congressman for sharing his “very strong views.”

And that was far from the only or most outrageous thing he said during the interview. He accused Planned Parenthood of "torturing and dismembering of little children." He conflated abortion with genocide. He accused Planned Parenthood of using taxpayer dollars to "sell their image" to the public and claimed that was the reason for their popularity ratings, not the fact that so many men and women in America have depended on them to provide their health care.

Snow also failed to give him an ounce of push back when he pretended that there are other organizations or facilities out there that would take the place of Planned Parenthood if the GOP has their way and defunds them.

Bravo MSNBC. You took your already pretty horrible daytime coverage and managed to make it worse.