I don't know how to say this so that you will understand, but I'll try: STAY OUT OF MY FUCKING BEDROOM AND MY UTERUS, YOU COCKSUCKERS.
Sincerely,
Jen
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| KS Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook. A disgrace to women. |
Was that clear? I am so pissed off tonight after reading that the newest, boldest, most dangerous anti-abortion bill passed in the Kansas Legislature and is now wending its to big baby Brownback who will most likely sign it into law. Kansas Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook (literally the first person I've ever wanted to call the c-word on my blog) was quoted as saying, "This is about respecting the rights to conscience and others' beliefs. Let's protect peoples' beliefs." I don't know, I don't feel like my beliefs are protected at all. No one's worrying about me and my daughter.
This bill will allow doctors to lie to their patients and tell them that abortions cause cancer, it will charge rape victims a sales tax on their abortions, it could allow medical providers to limit birth control if they deem it necessary and it will put the health of a fetus over the health of a living, breathing (kicking and screaming) woman.
I am so sick to my stomach right now I could scream. I am so furious, I am crying angry tears as I type this. My daughter is sleeping peacefully in her bed upstairs and has no idea of the fucking nightmare that is happening. Right now she is losing rights to her own body and there is nothing I can do to stop that.
We talk in school and on the internet a lot about bullies, well let me tell you, these Republican lawmakers are fucking bullies. They are bullying women back into the kitchen and back into the baby factories. Fuck you, Mr. Big Shot and a big, special fuck you very much to the women Republican lawmakers. What the hell is wrong with you? Don't you understand what you're doing?? Don't you see what is happening here? We are being put back in "our place." You have a chance to do good for your fellow woman and instead you are limiting her ability to choose what is right for her!
I get that you don't want to have an abortion. Fine. No one asked you to. No one said you had to. But don't you dare take legal, safe abortions away from women. Think about the women who will continue to find a place to go, whether it's a dark alley or a dirty clinic. Think about these women who will die, because of a botched job.
This is a fight that women on all sides should be fighting. Why can't we fight together for our reproductive rights? Why can't we fight together to demand we have access to the safest and best medical care this country can provide (I'm not saying free medical care, I'm just saying doctors who don't lie to us and perform invasive procedures without cause)?
Do you want your daughters locked in towers and chastity belts? Can you imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and lawmakers were demanding that families could only have 1 or 2 children instead of as many as are right for you and your husband? Can you imagine if your daughters were told that at 12 or 13 they must submit to being put on birth control? We should be working together to ensure that we and our daughters have the right to treat our bodies the way we want to treat them. This is such a private matter and it should not be decided by a roomful of old, white men.
I'm especially outraged that this bill allows doctors to lie to their patients. What is happening to our country? If we can't trust our doctors to tell us the truth and to treat us with dignity and respect and HONESTY, where will we go for treatment? I will now have to ask my OB if he's a conservative or a liberal (and hope he tells me the truth) in addition to Do you take Aetna?
I am truly frightened for the future of this country. We are going backwards instead of forwards. Politicians are so busy worrying about gays and lesbians ruining the precious sanctity of marriage and unborn fetuses, and women's reproductive health that they're forgetting that we're in a recession and that we have millions of people looking for work and that we're fighting a fucking war. Get out of our bedrooms and get back to work, you fucking tools.
I will do what I can, but I am only one person. I swear to God that I will NEVER vote Republican in any election again as long as this party continues to preach and advocate against women's health. The change has to come from inside the party. I vow that I will vote in every election from here on out, including the fucking Board of Education and I will vote for anything BUT a Republican. I don't care if it's a fucking dog on the ballot and a Republican, I will vote for the dog until the Republican party changes.
And to those of you who are reading this and thinking, I don't live in Kansas, this has nothing to do with me. You're wrong. They're coming for you too. It's just a matter of time. It's a wave. They just need to get it started.
One more thing, if you don't agree with my politics and you think this bill is a good idea and you want to say so, make sure you say it respectfully.
BE RESPECTFUL TO ONE ANOTHER IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. YOUR FIGHT IS NOT WITH EACH OTHER. It may seem hypocritical for me to rant and rave and then say you can't rant and rave. I'm saying this, because I wrote this piece and I'm prepared to take criticism, but the people who comment here are not in a position to be attacked, they're just commenting and they didn't ask for a fight. If you want to fight, go start your own blog.
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379 comments:
«Oldest ‹Older 201 – 379 of 379^^^ What she said ^^^
Let me preface this by saying that I am with Jen on this issue, and pride myself on being a crusader in the fight to keep our rights.
However, ironically, I do agree with the anonymous poster that it is a bit hypocritical, and cowardly, to use strong language and make less than fair attacks (don't get me wrong, I love using the c word when the situation merits), and then turn around and ask readers to avoid harsh and inappropriate attacks in return. Get the web dude! It is your blog, and you can absolutely say and do what you want. However, you lose my respect when you turn around and demand that your readers respond without the crudeness, low-blows , humor and aggression that your pride yourself on. If you are going to be a big girl and post bravely awesome political posts, don't turn around and threaten people not to react. We're all tired, whiny and emotional, I turn to you for strength and bad-assness (yes, I know that's not a real word). If I want whiny, over-defensive and sensitive, I'll start my own blog. It really takes away from the power of your writing. As for the rest of you, stop making personal attacks and stick to the issues, and you just might get taken seriously by the rest of us!
I would have signed my name, but MagicMonkey was already taken....
KneeHighChaos-I totally disagree with you as well, BUT do appreciate the respectful way that you expressed your feelings/opinions. I will say what plenty of others have said, abortion is NEVER an "easy" choice for a woman. And not all women who have abortions choose to do so because they "so desperately don't want to be pregnant".To me, that is a very generalized, one-sided, ignorant statement. I'm not saying that abortion should be used as a form of BC, but a woman's right to choose should not be taken away from her!!
Very well said. I agree with so much of what you wrote, and have been struggling with whether I define myself as pro-life/pro-choice.
I'm probably going to regret stepping into this one, but let me preface my statement with two facts: I am not a Republican and I have a vagina.
I believe that laws are meant to uphold Universal Human Rights, and while freedom of choice is an important right, the right to life supersedes it. Therefore, if there is a chance that a fetus is a human life, then we need to error on the side of caution and treat it as such.
The problem is that Roe vs. Wade is a "unjust" law, which is why you have so many states inventing "crazy" laws to undermine it. Living in Texas, we've seen our own share of "mandatory ultrasounds, doctors in your business" type proposals.
The common ground I hope we can one day agree on, is "Age of Viability." It seems like it's pretty had to deny an unborn baby's humanity, if she can survive outside the womb. As medical technology improves, viability will become sooner and sooner.
The legality of second and third trimester abortions vary from state to state. It's pretty gruesome to imagine that in one hospital a team of doctors are working to save a baby born at 26 weeks, and at another hospital the doctors are inducing an abortion. Why was one human valued more that the other? Why should any individual (woman or not) get to decide which one lives and which one dies?
Its simple. Close your legs and no one can get into your uterus. This is not a war on women. Stop with the dramatics. This is forcing women to make smarter decisions up front rather than need to bail themselves out a few months down the road. **obviously the RARE pregnancy resulting from rape is clearly a different story.
As a mom, it is my intention to continue to raise my kids (boys and girls)to make smart decisions and think about the consequences. As a woman who didn't think about the consequences and had a baby my sophomore year of college, I speak from a position of experience.
As a man and as a person who has never had to face this issue I probably am not qualified to offer an opinion on this matter. But as the father of Jen I feel compelled to add my voice to her concerns. She says it much better than i - or most of us - and I applaud her for doing so.
Martin Niemoller, a German theologian and philosopher in the 1930's and 1940's, is remembered for his criticism of the failure by his fellow intellectual in Germany to stop the rise of Nazi power by remaining silent while others were being attacked....and ultimately finding that power has no bounds and sooner or later they find their way to you.
Anybody here thought about why shows like "Mad Men" are even on television today? Simply put, the show symbolizes a time when male dominance was supreme and unchallengeable - men were king in their homes, in their jobs, in all aspects of social, economic and political power. The good old days for some...and not so good for others.
Let's call this matter for what it is. This is all about power....and it won't stop until all of the power is re-centered with that small group of people who worship it. It is not about religion - although that is sometimes used as a battle cry. It is not about political ideology - although that too often is attributed to it. It is not about health or well-being - although we see many who try to justify it. This is about naked power....absolute power....and the opportunists (including some women) who seek it...using whatever it takes to get it.
Someone used the term "sheeple" to describe the American public and applying that term to the old adage suggests that "the sheople only get the government they deserve". So if you believe you don't deserve this then make your views known - not just at a ballot box but in every public venue available to you. Letters, e-mails, fax and let people know your view. Jen isn't afraid to do it and neither should you. It's a slippery slope that we are on...our silence only makes it more treacherous...and as an American of any ilk we should be genuinely afraid of the erosion of our rights and responsibilities as Americans. So next time you have the chance choose to be "people" and not "sheople".
Greg
It seems to me, the republicans say they don’t want the government telling people what to do (Obamacare) UNTIL it becomes about women’s health and marriage!! Then they have the only opinion that matters. I get that some people do not agree with it, but God forbid they have a young daughter or wife who gets raped. What, are they going to tell them to suck it up and deal with it??? I think that the limitations of when and where should be good enough of a middle ground! MIDDLE GROUND might be some words that the politicians need to put in their vocabulary because the “my way or the highway” approach sucks ass! We teach our kids on a daily basis how to compromise, but how will that stick when they grow up and see that the people WE voted in to trust running our country have thrown compromise out the window?!? Every woman should make a point by only voting for those who support the health rights of you, your daughter and her daughter……
State court is less expensive and much easier to navigate than federal court. Many state and federal laws have duplicative elements. And Walker didn't repeal it because of the federal law - he repealed it because he said it would bog up the courts with "frivolous lawsuits." Oh, and Senator Grothman, who sponsored the repeal, simply said that "money is more important for men" and women are focused on child rearing. Hm. I thought it was supposed to be equal pay for equal work, not an arbitrary subjective determination of "who it's most important for." Infuriating.
All I can say is Amen, Amen, Amen. I agree with everything you have said, Jen, as if I said it myself.
I completley agree with you. As Californian living in Kansas, I am appalled by the direction the KS legislature has been heading in. Thanks for writing this.
@Anon-
The point is that in a homicide where the woman is pregnant, someone besides the woman carrying the baby is deciding to end the pregnancy (by way of murder of the mother). In those situations, she most likely had decided to have the child. You're comparing apples to oranges.
The law that was repealed actually gave employees who were discriminated against (men and women) the ability to sue their employers in the state court rather than just the federal court. Because it is easier to sue at the state level, employers were extra vigilant about making pay equal. Now that option has been taken away and I'm sure we'll see the results in peoples pay checks.
i can't believe you are so ignorant to think that there is not a war on women. it saddens me to think that you believe that it is okay to have your rights taken away as a women. if you don't believe in abortion, fine. i don't either, personally, but that doesn't mean i can tell anyone else what is the best decision for them. also, if you think that there is no war on woman, what about the republicans who are trying to outlaw birth control? i am 20 years old, catholic, in college, a virgin, and i take birth control every day. not because i want to be safe if/when i have sex (which is a plus)but because i have terrible cramps every month, that cause me to throw up and literally keep me in bed for a few days. the birth control has completely stopped this condition. it scares me to think that people are trying to take this away, something that has SO MANY benefits to women's health, but men are given viagra no questions asked. it scares me that so many old, white, men are trying to make decisions about my body, which they know nothing about, and that they are brainwashing women like you into thinking its okay to take away our rights.
I was born in Kansas and lived in the area until I was 24. I'm now 51 and have been living in New England for the last 27 years. I was always proud to say I was a Kansan and not a Yankee until recently. Now some of the laws they've passed there (and are considering, like this one) make me embarrassed to admit that's where I'm from.
I don't know if I'll ever embrace the fact that I'm now a Connecticut Yankee, but I damn sure am no longer embracing the ridiculousness that has become Kansas.
It's obvious that writing talent runs in the family! Very well said and I couldn't agree more.
Jen I love you blog. While my views are mostly Republican I whole beartedly DISAGREE with the whole reproduction debate. My body is mine and no man far away in Washington will tell me what my daughters and I can do with our own bodies. I am also a suvivor of rape and to tell a woman who has gone through something so horrific that she has to keep her attackers baby is like raping her all over again every day of those 9 months. Yes there are thousands kf couples out there who want children but cant have their own. They would be happy to adopt any unwanted child. But NO ONE has the right to tell her/me/your daughters/nieces/wives what they can or cannot do with their body. For them to take away such a basic and personal right, it says that women will no longer own their own bodies. The men around her whether she knows them or not will own ber body. So I agree with you that its atrocious that they want to take the rights of women away. Who died and made them god. Because I sure as hell didn't make them my boss or my owner. Women are women not dogs. What also sickens me is that doctors will be allowed to lie or withhold information. That goes against there hippocratic oath. I sure as hell dont want my doctor to lie to me or my daughter about any issue let alone issues regarding the use of ber uterus. What if the baby dies inutero and the womans body won't expel the baby on its own. Does she now have to die from the rottjng corpse in ber belly simply because some people dont believe in abortion? Will they honestly tell her "well thanks for the life you've led up to this point but your gokng to die now because washington says your not allowed to own your own hterus and ovaries. They find jt wrong. So sorry love go home and spend your last days with those you love and planout a banging funeral for yourself." Granted that may be a bjt extreme but if this law passes nationwide whos to say it won't happen. I stand with you on this Jen!
I don't have anything to add, but just wanted to say that I 100% agree, and think it's awesome that you're willing to risk the wrath of internet commenters once again to say what NEEDS to be said!
As we in NC vote on (and hopefully AGAINST) Amendment One today, I don't know if it makes me feel better to know that NC is not the only state with their head up their ass or worse that the disease of ignorance is so far spread.
I will respectfully disagree on only one point. I am anti-abortion in a sense, and only in the circumstance that killing others out of convenience goes against my beliefs.
No, I'm not religious. No, I'm not anti-contraception, and not anti-sex ed. I believe if more people took the time to learn and educate themselves and if contraception was available to EVERYONE, that more people would not put themselves into situations in which this could be avoided. This does not include rape, as there is no choice there.
Fine line? Most definitely.
You may not have seen many women who use abortion as a form of contraception, but I have watched a former friend of mine literally realize she was pregnant, bemoan the fact (which she is entitled to her feelings, they're understandable), then with ABSOLUTELY no care, she DEMANDED an abortion. Said she didn't want to deal with the f*-ing problem, to just get rid of it. I've heard of this also both before and after seeing her do this, I didn't think it was possible for a mother to go into this so cold hearted, but she's not a mother by choice. I suppose it's a good thing in a way, because I wouldn't want to be the child raised as a constant reminder to her of her failed decisions, and always resented.
Because if that experience with her, I grew away from my solid anti-abortion beliefs, but I still do not believe killing a fetus should be allowed when it's a simple matter of inconvenience. As I said before, not rape, not health issues. If it's not a matter of life and death, just don't do it. I think most of us do agree to that?
Still, I will not vote to take your rights away. I wouldn't want mine taken away as well, in any way, and I won't do that to others. <3
I don't agree with Doctors lying, that fundamentally goes against their oaths and jobs, but if they have studies that back up their thoughts they have a right to present those studies to patients as they explain/present info on the studies to their patients.
At the end of the day what frustrates me about the argument of women's rights is how many other individuals rights are effected by this but get ignored. Roughly 50% of all pregnancies result in the birth of females, so an abortion attacks a woman's right to life about 50% of the time but that is the religious argument because many here will pounce and say a fetus isn't a life, an abortion isn't killing anything the fetus wouldn't be able to live without the mother. If we start using that as an argument we open a whole new can of worms about life's that wouldn't continue without a mother or father's existence. And also what if medical sciences gets to the point where the life would continue even once conceived do we reconsider then? Either way I digress...
Lost in all of this are also the rights of the men who were the other half of this pregnancy (rape excluded of course as I am referring to consensual sex leading to pregnancy). Assuming we both consented in our actions and a pregnancy came from our sexual relations we both made the choice to engage in sex. But one parties "Pro Choice" ends with that sexual act. The woman then gets all of the choice and all of the say, the man's right to be pro choice has been stripped because no matter what his feelings are they don't matter really. Sure in some relationships the woman may take them into her consideration but in most of these bills they are completely forgotten.
So now the female has a choice do I keep the baby or consider/opt for abortion/adoption, if she keeps the baby the mother bears all of the physical burden and the two largely split the mental burden and financial costs/custody are left to the courts. So if I as the male decide that I don't want the child I have 0 choice if she does, I still have to take on a large financial weight as well as the mental burden that comes along with being a father not knowing of the relationship I will have with the mother or my child and how a court may change all of that in any ruling of custody if we aren't amiable. This could lead to any type of custody arrangement and child support.
If she chooses not to have the child I had no say again if I wanted the child. But again I can be forced to pay medical bills / costs of the abortion I didn't want and I lose out on a child that could have been my son or daughter.
And many proponents of pro choice options will say you made your choice in sleeping with her....well so did she but she was the only one who remained pro choice after that, I quickly became subject to her pro choice. Why aren't there options for me to opt in or out of the child's life before the decision is made on her end? Why aren't men allowed to be pro choice and select to be out of the child's life and waive their rights to custody and also her right to collect child support from me? Also why can't I opt to be in the child's life and if she chooses an abortion she should be responsible for all bills and costs that come from that procedure that I didn't want in the first place? I'd gladly pay for the hospital bills for her to have the child and would accept full custody if she was willing to have the child, I know it is very taxing on a females body I would never doubt that nor will I ever fully comprehend it, but I do comprehend that someone's rights are still being diminished here. And I'm waiting for my say and my protection that the other side forgets all about.
The dark ages are upon you in Kansas. Say what you want about crazy California, but that shit would never happen here. Maybe you should consider a move out west to Cali?
I see alot of people on here say things like "It shouldn't be used as a form of birth control". "You shouldn't be able to have multiple ones". Why should we be monitoring how many and why women are having them? You're not going to be taking care of them so why is this so concerning to people? Once you put restrictions on anything it just makes it easier to further restrict them.
You're either pro-choice or you're not.
I agree with everything written in this post Jen! And it is definitely NOT just Kansas. In Virginia, they proposed a law mandating that any woman seeking an abortion must submit to a transvaginal ultrasound. In Arizona, legislation is in the works to allow employers to fire women who are using birth control to prevent pregnancy. This is the United States! Why why WHY are we still having these arguments? Women deserve the right to choose their own course of medical care and to be given FACTS by their doctors. Someone please stop the madness!!
Ditto that.
This post so infuriated me, not because it was offensive, but because NO ONE has the right to decide what's best for myself or another female with regards to her body and life choices. Some fetus's are born with severe disabilities and they suffer, are ridiculed, resented and abandoned (both emotionally and physically). How is this the life anyone would want or even choose to live-because that's not living! Government does not have the right to make my choices for me, they don't know what I can support finically ( lets face it, they don't care) and they certainly don't know what my emotional limitations are. So how is this feasible?? I want my own daughter to grow up and be safe, I want her to be responsible and have birth control readily available should she decide to become sexually active. She should NEVER feel interrogated by a doctor, regardless of circumstances, nor intmidateed into making a decision that isn't best for her, but, is socially accepted by the freakin' government! Wtf?! Our fore bearers faught so hard, suffered unmentionable cruelties (physically and mentally) for women's rights,and here we are taking ginormous steps backwards and doff what?! The next election??? That's what this boils down to, who can get the vote. Well, I vote we clean house and start over! So unbelievably disappointed and disillusioned. We're not a progressive country at all, what we are is run by a bunch of f'ing morons. Sorry having trouble posting, had to go anonymous, I'm actually myinsanelifex3@wordpress.com! Not trying to hide my identity! :/
I am right here with ya, Jen! I live in PA and although it is a historically Democratic state, (mostly because of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) it is slowly changing. It scares the shit out of me. You are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT when you say it is a wave. They have already started that wave in Kansas and Texas and other states. I am sick over it. Women are being treated like children who can not make decisions for themselves. And you are right it's the WOMEN who cow-tow to this archaic belief that the government must make the decision about how women and doctors care for their own health. It's medieval!
The war on women in happening everywhere. In Wisconsin, Governor Walker (who is a Republican and thankfully up for recall) just signed a bill that repeals the equal pay act. This act made it possibly for women to seek legal action if they felt they were a victim of wage discrimination due to gender. This article mentions a couple of other "contentious items" relating to birth control and abortion. http://chicagoist.com/2012/04/08/gov_walker_repeals_wisconsin_equal.php
completely agree with jaime. i'm going to have to unlike this on FB which is sad b/c it's made me laugh A LOT (my fave being over-achieving elf moms!) but divisive topics like this throw me over the edge. i can't help but get so upset over devaluing the life of the unborn.
I couldn't agree more! And that is the one thing that REALLY bugs me about living in Kansas (I just read that Kansas legislature is one of the most conservative in the country.. and the KC Star had the audacity to say that it reflected the population). Personally, I think that they are a bunch of hypocrites anyway. And I feel like their time would be much better spent reducing the demand for abortion services by helping to prevent unwanted pregnancies (like by funding Planned Parenthood, for example!) rather than bringing more of them to term (and wouldn't that be defeating the GOPs other goal of taking away all social services/financial support from people in need who are (in their words) "milking the system"?). Hopefully all the Kansans who are reading the blog will take action to write their politicians and let them know that they are NOT part of the population that supports this.
I am a Kansas resident, in your neck of the woods, and I could not agree more! Even my super conservative Pailin-loven' family (from AK and AL) agree that gov. does not have the ability or authority to regulate our bodies and out bedroom choices.
I though the Rep's wanted smaller government, not we will regulate you to the walls. Maybe if I was a corporation, they would leave my uterus alone...
Well I'm still soooo glad to live in the US. Canada blows.
It's not about a woman's rights, it's about giving unborn life a voice. It would be wrong not to do that. Duh!
This is such a tough topic for me. I am a Catholic woman who has grown up believe myself to be pro-life. I still have those beliefs, but am finding myself in a bit of an identity crisis regarding abortion. The thing for me, is that I believe life begins at conception. When I miscarried 2 pregnancies, I grieved as if losing a child. That said... I know others have different beliefs and some may not believe the way I do. Perhaps some see life as starting when a child can be independent of the uterus. If this is the case, who am I to tell them my religion trumps theirs and the government should create laws to cater to my religion. One of the finest facets of our government is the separation of church and state. I certainly would be upset if a law passed stating I had to wear a head-covering in public or couldn't drive a car on Saturdays (not meaning to offend, just make a point).
As far as birth control is concerned, its not just for prevention. As mentioned above, I have suffered 2 miscarriages, and after discussing with my dr. and husband, I decided that I would go on the pill for a few months to regulate my cycle and give my body a few months to recover and get healthy. I will go off it in a couple months and hope to get pregnant (an apparent side effect of the pill is higher fertility when you go off it). How nice for me to have these options to help my family. How unfortunate that those who "value the sanctity of life" would try to make it more difficult for me to create one.
Further more, the idea that a Dr. would be given a pass at withholding or misrepresenting information is criminal. I'm pretty sure Dr's can currently inform patients "I do not believe in or perform abortions, so if you are looking for those services, I am sorry I can not provide them." This isn't enough? I would hope that those that call themselves Dr's would simply be disgusted by this free pass to lie to patients.
Oh, and another thing that has muddied the water for me regarding my abortion stance is a Freakanomics study that basically showed the correlation between abortion and crime statistics. The gist is that in a society that forced pregnancies & unwanted births, crime rose dramatically 15-25 yrs later. After Roe V Wade passed in the late 70's, crime dropped dramatically in places like NYC in the early 90's. My logical/rational side gets this.
So in conclusion, I don't like this war against women, & I guess I'm more pro-choice than I would readily admit (identity crisis!)
I keep seeing "women's rights, it's about women's rights". But what about the rights of the unborn. Science hasn't determined that they aren't a life after conception.
I almost cried reading this!! I am a mother and I chose to be one and that is the point it was my CHOICE!! You hit this one out of the ball-park!! Stay out of my uterus and my bedroom!! If I choose to have children, it is my choice!! Who I love, that is my choice too!! Thank you for saying what so many women want to say and don't have a platform to say it from!! Think of our Daughters and then ask your mothers, aunts, grandmothers if they know of anyone that ever went to a dirty back ally clinic or threw herself down the stairs or my favorite used a coat hanger to end a pregnancy that for whatever her reason was, was something she could not continue!! Keep up the fight Jen!! I am right here with you!!
These bills do NOT do anything AT ALL to prevent abortions, on the contrary. This about this for a second: A girl or young woman is raped. She becomes pregnant. Was she supposed to "keep her legs shut"? How about her own feelings of revulsion, is she supposed to be raped AGAIN when the law tells her she HAS to have this child no matter what? Suicide is wrong too, but if you think, under these circumstances, there wouldn't be an increase in suicides (thereby also killing the child) you have little empathy for the plight of others.
MORE TO THE POINT, Planned Parenthood doesn't JUST do abortions; that's the lie the right has been spewing for decades. Most women do NOT abort their fetus, wanted or not. In the meantime, however, they DO use contraception, both to avoid unwanted pregnancy in the first place, and for medical reasons. They DO get (one would hope!) annual pap smears. They DO go in for mammograms (no matter how uncomfortable they make women feel). That and other such services that deal with women's unique medical needs is what Planned Parenthood does. Abortion is just a small part of that. I'm sick and tire of the special people who do not approve of abortion AND think it's ok to tell other people how to live their lives being all judgemental, cynical, and unsympathetic.
For the record, I happen to think abortion is wrong. That doesn't give me the right to make the decision for someone else's life (whether we're talking a pregnant woman, her unborn child, her partner if she has any, or anyone else). I am not that arrogant.
For those who agree with me, consider joining UniteWomen.org.
So many ignorant statements made in this blog. Wow.
I too am outraged, and I went to the primary source to get my information. Here it is: http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2011_12/measures/documents/sb313_01_0000.pdf
You and me both dear, you and me both. I was happy to have moved to the States, thinking they're pretty cool, they still can lead the world.
Boy was I wrong!
I'm a reproductive endocrinologist who is also a Catholic. Life begins at conception. I witness this everyday, first hand. Taking away that life should be illegal, in my opinion. I help couples achieve their dreams in the most pro-life way I can. But I refuse to do selective reductions.
Honesty it is a amazing thing... someone who looked at the entire picture... people of strong faith know that they are not the judge and you have showed that!! Thanks for sharing such an HONEST perspective!!
The above arguments are one of my strongest reasons why I have such a hard time considering myself pro-choice. p.s. I am a woman.
If anyone wants to look at some statistics on abortion, the Guttmacher Institute and the Center for Disease Control have some. They report that on average women give at least 3 reasons for choosing abortion: 3/4 say that having a baby would interfere with work, school, or other responsibilities; about 3/4 say they cannot afford a child; and 1/2 say they do not want to be a single parent or are having problems with their husband or partner. It also reports that 54% of women having abortions used a contraceptive method during the month they became pregnant but among those women 76% of pill users and 49% of condom users reported using the methods inconsistently while only 13% of pill users and 14% of condom users reported correct use
Yeah, I'm pissed too. Not too afraid, the law will certainly be challenged, and most likely overturned in court because it's unconstitutional. These idiots need to quit worrying about womens' bodies and focus on the bazillion other problems we ALL have...
Ok, I can respect what you're saying here. However, part of the point is that this law (and others around the country) do absolutely nothing to encourage or foster personal responsibility. Birth control abortions are not nearly as common as we would be led to believe, either. This is clearly not a "middle ground" position, it's an attack on all women based on the deeds of a relative few.
That's called prejudice, and it needs to stop.
I came to this blog to read entertaining stuff. Not divisive topics. It's a shame
Me three
I find it ironic that you blanket-statement that under the name "anonymous". Talk about ignorant. Have you no examples? Too unsure to reveal your identity? Geez...
Susan - great point!!
Jen - thank you for writing this piece.
It is my opinion that during an election year, instead of talking about the economy, war, and foreign policy( which " these people" have no answers or a clue) they focus on topics that will get them a vote. Even knowing they can never change the laws. Try and keep this in perspective and not get so upset about it. Keep voting! !Can you really imagine Mitt making a decision on Afghanistan? There are too many women who will not allow laws against our bodies and their husbands will be castrated if they vote differently. Take a deep breath dear friend and know it will never come to fruition!
It also hasn't determined that they are. I would love women to choose life, but it's not always the best situation, and it's not MY choice what they do with their bodies. We're also not volunteering to take care of these babies once they're here, so until republicans start volunteering to raise them through college, I call BS. I am also pro-life for myself, and for others, I'm pro-life first and foremost for the ones who are already here...
anon 2:15, your own sentence structure is severely lacking. You really shouldn't criticize Jen's writing when you cannot get it right.
As an admittedly uninformed Canadian, this just boggles my mind!! From my limited understanding, what is happening is a bunch of "people" sitting around are deciding what you can and cannot do with your body? Wow! So we start out with this issue, which admittedly is a hot button, but what's next? They decided gel nails, (stupid, but you'll see the analogy) is not for them, so they outlaw nail salons? Really people? And what are they basing this on? Religious beliefs? Uh-huh, don't you guys have something about state and religion being separate? If they are NOT basing this law on religious beliefs, I would wonder what they are basing it on? Any ideas? I have my own opinion on abortion and birth control, but it is MY opinion!! Just like the gel nails, if I don't like them, or believe in them, (snicker), then I won't get them... but why would I prevent others from getting them? I sometimes think that the government, in all countries, have lost focus. Why are we so worried about this? Why aren't we focusing on the problems that are staring us in the face? The children that are homeless, living in poverty? the elderly who are abused? unemployment? underfunded education? Oh, I know, it's because these issues usually affect the "poor" folks, who don't donate huge amounts to campaigns and have pretty much given up and don't vote because their lives are so hopeless they don't even bother...... Please do not think I am a Canadian bashing your country, I am not. I just get so frustrated when I see ignorance, no matter where it is!!
...deep breath. At the total risk of being virtually flogged, I'm gonna weigh in. I generally side on the Pro-Life side. That being said, I don't agree with government DICTATING what others do with their bodies. I am pro-life because I believe life begins at conception and I believe in all 10 of the commandments, the 6th being "Thou shalt not commit murder" and murder is against the law in EVERY state. Being that I believe life begins as conception, abortion is killing a life. This is just my belief. I do not, however believe that the government has the right to regulate and law these things to death. What one does with their body is between them and God...not them and government. And the thought that the government is putting their fingerprint on what is being said and done behind closed doors of my doctors' office??!!! That should scare EVERYONE! I respect all people and understand everyone has opinions. We are all individuals and have the right here in America to voice those said opinions, Thank God! Do we as people understand that these are ELECTED officials...they are working FOR us? When are we going to quit bitching and complaining and stand up and DO SOMETHING?! We SO still have a voice and can sit here and type all day long but until we stand against the bullies in Washington, there isn't a damn thing that's gonna change. Bless you and thank you for sharing your opinion...I love people who aren't afraid to speak up!!!! Go get 'em Jen!!!
I've never once regretted the abortion I had after I was raped at knifepoint at the age of 15. The compassion and comfort and respect I received from PP are just some of the many reasons I will support and champion them for the rest of my life.
And it's posts like this that are EXACTLY what I come here to read.
I agree with Libby. Nice and rational post which takes into account both sides. I'm Catholic as well, but I'm pro-choice, with a strong preference for life. I had a miscarriage, it's heart wrenching - but I also believe that it's not my right to inflict my beliefs on anyone else. Period.
I agree Missy. I'm so tired of people saying "no one can make me get health care". You're right. Don't get it. But don't you dare come to work sick because you can't afford to go to doctor. And stay the heck out of the hospital when you break your leg, get an infection, or are hit by a car. Treat yourself at home because I can't afford my health insuranace and to pay your bills
your blog is always my "happy place" to go to each day. being a conservative republican, pro-lifer, just not feeling the love here today lol....ps i know how serious you all feel about this. my best friend of 40 yrs feels exactly the same way as you do.
That's what I keep thinking! Hasn't this already been figured out?! Didn't we as a nation come to an agreement at some point that women and children aren't property? TERRIFIED and FIRED UP.
I am beside myself with anger.
"This bill will allow doctors to lie to their patients and tell them that abortions cause cancer, it will charge rape victims a sales tax on their abortions, it could allow medical providers to limit birth control if they deem it necessary and it will put the health of a fetus over the health of a living, breathing (kicking and screaming) woman."
You're right—we're going backwards. No one should be able to dictate what we can and can't do with OUR body.
Few things
1. I agree with you on this topic. No one should take my right to my choices. I use to be 100% pro-life. I didn't see the gray areas. Now that I have two daughters of my own, there are plenty of gray areas. I don't want to elaborate b/c that would be to long.
2. Why won't many insurances cover birthcontrol. Condoms are readily avaliable almost everywehre (even in many schools). People say how much they tihng preventing pregnancies is a good thing (whichi it is) but yet, one of the best forms of preventing pregnanies is considered wrong by these men in government. Hell you can get pregnant while on het pill anyway, I have twins to prove it.
3. I dont' think this should be completely blamed on republicans. I'm not dem or rep. I'm independant who has many liberal views as well as conservitive views. I read a lot on politics, and truth is, I think that if the republicans said the grass is green and the sky is blue, the democrats would say no, it is hte other way around. Oh, and that goes BOTH ways. One side can have a great idea and the other side will disagree b/c they dont' want them to get credit. Start listening to the PEOPLE and not the politics.
4. Next post, can you write something funny. THe last few post have been great, but i miss the lighthearted laughter of other post. Thanks
HOLY SHIT! Right on sister.
I have given ym fiance a list of states that, based on their current laws restricting women's healthcare, I REFUSE to live in. The last line of Jen's rant is the one that stuck with me. This kind of backwards thinking is not just happening in a few states, it's coming for all of us. I just findit odd that there aren't any laws talking about what dudes can/ can't do with their penises. So get out of my vagina!!!!
**fist pump from Florida**
After this post I decided to research abortion. I wont get into statistics but I will say the majority of women receiving abortions either didn't use contraceptives or used them incorrectly and the majority of women report they don't want a baby for convenience reasons or financial reasons. (Center for Disease Control and The Guttmacher Institute) Then I looked at how abortions are performed. What a terrible way to kill a child. It made me incredibly sad and a little nauseated. I'm all for government staying out of my business but I could never make the decision that would do that to a child.
Wow. This is great! I'm going out to vote in my state primary today and let my voice be heard and then I'm going to find a way to make it louder! Thank you for the inspiration!
https://www.facebook.com/imwithmary
TELL HER ON HER FACEBOOK PAGE TOO!
As a mother I am pro-life, as a Pagan, I am pro-choice. In an ideal world everyone would choose adoption over abortion, Imo. People need to read more than this blog post and do their own research regarding this bill.
-The NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE has come out AGAINST the theory that abortions cause breast cancer; but a Senator says 'there's scientific evidence out there'. Who to believe? Hm...
-The law hasn't been evaluated from a health perspective, but it HAS been looked over by the committee overseeing alcohol, tobacco, casinos, and strip clubs. Because that makes TOTAL sense.
-There are members of the KS legislature signing the bill without reading it. Obviously making informed decisions is overrated.
-The bill also prohibits abortion providers from providing sex ed material to public schools. Because, you know, education doesn't prevent unwanted pregnancy.
And I just want to point out, to everyone worried about 'tax dollars' going to fund abortions, who do you think would pay for these women to have emergency hysterectomies and court/jail time after having a back alley, coat hanger abortion should they be made illegal?
Yes, from a Pagan, thank you for remembering that there are many beliefs often overlooked in the name of lawmaking!
...that wasn't as articulate as I intended, but I hope you get my meaning.
Thanks Greg, that's the best thing I've read!
What a relief to see a fellow Kansas NOT supporting our ridiculous Republican leaders who are SO out of touch with reality that it seems they'll never make it back. You are right, Jen, on all the points you made, in my opinion. And yes, to me the WORST part is the WOMEN who are on this crazy fringe of taking away their own rights...WTF??? Are they that brainwashed by their husbands or their "religion"??? It makes me sick also, and terrified for not only myself by also for my daughters. It's hard to live in Kansas and feel like your democratic vote doesn't count, but that's the very reson we must continue these discussions and continue to VOTE against the crazy.
Which includes access to birth control and education - for ALL women. This is merely another step to prevent both. Steps in the staircase; it does lead somewhere. As far as respect goes - she did say it is HER blog. She even tells people from DAY ONE that she rants. If you don't like what she says in HER blog, hit the road. No one promised you a rose garden. And no one but uptight right to lifers refer to abortion as birth control. One central theme I have read over and over on this page is the right to CHOOSE. We need to educate young women so that they won't have to make that decision. Who pays for that in Kansas? Who pays for the birth control and the education on how to use it properly? Well if the Brownback bus has it's way, no one.
And no, you don't understand. This isn't about 'abortion' rights. It's about access to education and health care (including tests, prescriptions and UNBIASED medical advice).
So we are in agreement on that much. That's about it apparently.
I don't know how you put into words EXACTLY how I feel - but you do it - every day. And thank you for the disclaimer about comments - you are an amazing, funny, class act!!
Thank you. Thank you, thank you. Amen.
I will say this time and time again. When my husband gets ready to retire from the military in 5 years, it is not going to be a question of which state do we want to retire to, it will be a question of which country will we retire to. This country is going downhill fast and if I can get my kids out of it ASAP, I'm all for it! Australia or New Zealand, here we come!
Agree completely ^^^
-Kelley in Kansas
What ever happened to seperation of church and state? They should not be sticking their noses in women's bodies and personal lives. I live in Mississippi and we are fighting this battle as well.
Jen-this also threatens the accreditation of the University of Kansas Medical Center's OB/GYN department. The accreditation requires that a medical student in an OB/GYN program learn about abortion. KU Med Center does not teach this as they are state funded, but they send the residents off site to other KC area facilities to learn. They are considered state employees and this bill bans state employees from performing abortions. The bill allows a one year reprieve for the University, but what good does that do? How you can ever think that putting your highly regarded KUMC facility at risk for losing their accreditation is a good idea is beyond me.
I have half a mind to propose a law that requires each politician who votes in favor of limiting a woman's right to choose has to take into their care and raise a baby who is not wanted by its mother, conceived of rape, conceived by an addict, or who has such severe health issues that most responsible parents would choose to terminate than make the child suffer in life. Take one child from the system to raise for EACH time they have sex. Oh, and they should do it without a job or health care. While we're at it, let's medically implant a watermelon inside these politicians' bodies and make them force it out whether it jeopardizes their health to do so or not (again, without health care). Because really, that's what they're requiring of all American women by instituting these laws. If they don't like it then they can forego sex for the rest of their lives because they like to say that it's the woman's choice to be sexually active (or just to be seen as a sexual being, whether she chose to have sex or not) that got her into that situation.
IMO, it's the people who can't control their own lives - men who want children but can't get a woman to agree, or women who can't have children they want - who like to control others' lives. (NOT saying every person in that situation is like that! Just that those who interfere the most with others are usually those who have no control in their own lives.)
This entire movement is disgusting and I hope that by the time our children are adults the tide will have turned. I know more and more people walking away from churches because of issues like these and my hope is that eventually no religion will be strong enough to be able to put its candidates in a position of power like this.
From what I can see, the Republican party isn't against big government or government intrusion unless it involves your wallet. They would like the ability to legislate all other kinds of behavior as long as they don't have to foot the bill for anything. I am completely outraged with this legislation in Kansas. I am scared for my daughters' rights in the future. I hope that the women in this country will unite at some point instead of allowing men to divide us. If we all stood together we would be stronger. Divide and conquer has always been a stategy of war and it is no different now!
But Dear, you can't fix stupid. Women shouldn't walk that tight rope but some just do and that will never change. And frankly, some people have no business being parents..as many of Jen posts can attest to.
I know several women who have terminated. Those with no regrets about their decision learned the lesson of sexual responsibilty and were very proactive about their futures. They did not make the decisions lightheartedly. They are responsible humans who were realistic about their individual situations they would be bringing a child into. An unplanned pregnancy can really shake you into taking real responsibilty about birth control. They got smart and PLANNED their families. However, two women I know have had multiple abortions, are very regretful about them and yet learned nothing from that pain. They didn't take care of birth control even though they knew they emotionally could not deal with yet another abortion. Each of them now have a gaggle of kids they cannot afford to take care of(nor the brains to raise them..but that's another issue)and because they seem to make poor decisions across the board, in all areas of life,they are inept parents and are raising idiots.
I complete agree with you. I'm really not on either side I believe that abortion shouldn't be used as a form of birth control and that every life as a right to live the child did not ask to be created. I do agree that under the right situations any woman should be aloud to do what she wants. I had an abortion when I was young and stupid because 1. I didn't have a job 2. the father said he wanted nothing to do with it and 3. I would have been homeless. It was a very hard decision to make and I look at my kids now and sometimes cry because of it. I believe that no woman should be forced to keep a child that they can not provide for. It is OUR body after all. Everyone is more then welcome to say what they want to me. Like it or don't. I don't care. Not your opinion it is mine.
Actually, I don't think her rage is out of control at all. This is an outrageous issue. The political jerk-offs who are condoning this trash don't deserve any respect, so why give it?
People NEED to be angry about this. Women NEED to be aware of these choices they'll no longer be able to make concerning their own bodies, and they SHOULD be pissed off about losing their rights. Indeed, how dare YOU?
Jen laid out her argument with evidence and it is more than reasonable that she's upset about what's happening around her (and to her). She probably didn't want people spewing vitriol and losing sight of what is really important here: women are losing control over their own bodies. Period. Regardless of what your own beliefs are, that is what is happening today is this country.
You seem to like to tell people how and to what degree to express their (well-founded) opinions, Anonymous - you should probably run for office.
"BTW, how many sources did you get your information from? I hope you investigated the topic from both sides before jumping in to an argument. The press tends to use scare tactics in their reporting on both sides."
Nope, usually just the REPUBLICAN press does that. Thanks for showing your true colors and goodbye!
Me too.
If it goes to the Supreme Court the RIGHT WING judges appoited by Bush WILL APPROVE THIS! You can count on this being made legal if it passes in the state. VOTING is the ONLY way to stop this!!!!
As a previous poster mentioned, these lawmakers didn't just appear out of thin air, they were ELECTED by the people of Kansas and in this country, the "winners" get to make the rules. That's simply the way our system operates. Funny how no one ever has a problem when their party is in power, they’re only upset when the other party is in power.
The comments on both sides are horrible. Foul mouths and insulting language have no place in a civil debate on a public policy issue and are just signs of the coarsening of our culture.
Obamacare IS NOT what is in charge of this law and in no part of Obamacare is there a requirement that doctors LIE to their patients. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OBAMA!!!
But there are other ways to go about it! In Massachusetts taxpayers have to pay a penalty on their taxes for not having insurance. Just like car insurance, its a legal requirement. Don't make those of us that do pay suffer shoddy government run healthcare because of people who don't pay! (And just for the record, I am prolife but this bill is the typical government overstepping their bounds crap, forcing doctors to lie to you, what crap!!! Doesn't that violate their oath?)
It sounds like you would rather have had the OP bring a baby with possible serious birth defects and health problems (illegal drugs, even some legal drugs can cause some pretty sickening birth defects) into a home where the child wouldn't have been loved like all children deserve. What if she had given birth and ended up abusing the child? That's much better than an abortion right? OP I'm not trying to say you are heartless person that would have done that, but unwanted children are commonly victims of neglect and abuse and at the time, you knew the unwanted pregnancy would become an unwanted child.
Also I'm sick of the 'what if THAT child would've cured cancer!? What would that child have become!?' crap. There's another side to that argument hon, what if THAT child had become the next Hitler and killed millions? Then would we be applauding the mother for not aborting? My guess is no. We have no way of knowing who anyone is going to become. But we also have know way of knowing the outcome of ANY of our choices until we make them. What if by taking the time to eat breakfast I am late to work and in my haste, hit a little girl who ran out in the street? Should I then not eat breakfast? By your logic, I shouldn't choose to do or not do something because I don't know what the outcome might be. And by that logic no one should ever make any decisions EVER and the world should just cease to exist all because our actions MIGHT have a drastic affect.
This has NOTHING TO DO WITH OBAMA! Obamacare does NOT advocate lying to patients. Obamacare is not prochoice or prolife.
Couldn't have said it any better. Fucking tools.
Why the hell are you even here, anonymous?
No one forced you to read her blog. Unless you're a complete dolt, it's pretty clear what Jen writes about. No surprise, no secrets. "People I Want to Punch in the Throat", not "People I'd Like to Hit, But First I Need to Make Sure Everyone Agrees That This Person Needs a Punch".
She's selfish because this is HER fucking blog. Additionally, the topic has a lot to do with HER body and with the future of her child. I'd say she has a right to be selfish.
Also, glad you missed the entire point because you spent too much time worrying about her grammar. GTFO, no one will miss you.
Jenn, your anger is completely justified, but misguided. Politicians, both state and local, don't take a shit without knowing how it will effect their political image and re-election campaigns. So don't blame the scumbag representatives. Blame the scumbags they represent. Don't blame the legislator. Blame the uber-religious goober behind you in line in the grocery store. Or the hypocritical blue haired twat at the beauty parlor (Are they still called beauty parlors?) They are the ones allowing themselves to be represented. We seem to have long forgotten in this country that WE are the ones who dictate our course, not the slick-haired car salesman that get elected. Your state legislature obviously feels they are either doing the will of the electorate, or the the electorate is too lazy to object. Either way, we are the problem, not them. And to the fire and brimstone fanatics: Ever wonder why your God is dying? Because YOUR God isn't decent enough to want gays to be happy, or even exist. Your God isn't compassionate enough to allow a woman to make the decisions that are best for her. It's exactly why more and more of us have no use for YOUR God. And you cant just sit and blame it all on the fanatics. Your silence condones the atrocious behavior of your leaders.
ArrogantSOB
Arrogant-Sob.com
Nut up, people. If I cried every time some girl stuck a fork in the back of her daughter's head just so she could fit into her prom dress, I wouldn't be able to work. I'd be lying on the floor a sobbing mess. The hyperbole here is shockingly nutso.
And for the love of all things holy, can we stop with the "if you don't like abortion, don't have one" argument. It is EXACTLY the same as saying "If you don't like slavery, don't have one." One and the same.
The hysteria in posts like this one sets women back far more than any of these bills.
Shared. I rank this right up there with those damned 'personhood' amendments. Let the doctors lie???? WHAT THE FUCK.
"How dare you ask people to be respectful to you when responding with descent when you just unloaded a mountain of crass crude garbage" ...if you will re-read the last portion of the article, she clearly states that she has no problem taking criticism for HER words, she only asks that people do not attack each other in the comments section. Nothing hypocritical about it.
1% of all abortions are from rape or incest, just so you know. This country is falling into the shit hole, but not because of abortion or gay marriage or whatever other social issue you want to pinpoint. The day I get to vote on social issues will be a grand day. But today is not that day. People better start voting on this economy and our socialized government that is unfolding in front of us. You better start reading about the decisions the government will be making for us when we get sick or our living breathing children get sick. The same people you vote for to let you have an abortion (which is still legal by the way) are the same people that will tell you your dying child cannot have that transplant or surgery they need via the new socialized healthcare. I also believe the new healthcare will pay (or we will pay even if it is against our religion...mandatory healthcare) for abortion. Talk about cramming freedom down the toilet via the democrats. I unlike some would vote either way in the election as long as they were improving our economic level and keeping true to the constitution. As I said before voting on social issues would be a wonderful day that I hope I live to see, but from what I can tell there are too many ignorant people living among me that have no clue the direction we are heading in. So vote and see what happens to this country in the next 4 years, I unlike some will be sleeping at night knowing I did what I could.
Very well said. What I also want to know is why we aren't having the discussion for those consequences? So they say I must have this baby, What if I can not work, will the government that forced me to do so pay for this child to be raised, send him/her to school? What about the fathers? Must they support this child? Will I be forced into a loveless marriage by my government? What effect will that have on my life, on the child's home life? This is all supposedly being done to "save" a child. Does quality of life for the child and mother not matter? This is the least thought out proposition I have ever heard of and that's saying something. If you do not believe in abortion, here's a thought: don't have one. To make it legal to lie to women, force them to be mothers, force them to possibly put their lives in danger, this is what, good for family values? Not to be overly dramatic, but women you are being sexually abused, even raped, by your government. What woman thinks this is OK? Just remember, the same men that want to force you to give birth, the same men who have said they feel being a stay at home mom is the hardest and most admirable job are also the men who think you do not deserve and public help if you can not stay at home or afford the child you are being forced to have. Think it through guys (and girls). If you want to give up the rights to your own body, knock yourself out, but keep your fuckin hands off mine.
I like some divisiveness mixed in with my fluff, please. <3 this article.
With all the strides made in the medical field, lets try this one. I am pregnant (just a hypothetical), but do not wish to remain so. Abortion is taken away as an option. What to do? Just find a way to transplant the fetus into the father. He can carry the baby, give birth and then take full responsibility for all care. If that was possible, how long before that law was only but a dream.....
I have a uterus as well. I would not like a Senator's hands in my uterus.
With that out of the way, I'll say this: the new ultra-conservative frightens me and offends me deeply. I have no problem with Republicans, conservatives, religious people or pro-life people. You are entitled to think how you want.
But this is bullshit. We're on a frightening downward spiral of crazy from which it will be difficult to return.
It's not even the uterus invasion that bothers me as much as it's the hypocrisy. As others have pointed out here, the Tea Party's very platform supposedly rests upon keeping the government out of our private lives.
"I don't want the government telling me I can't have a gun!"
"I don't want the government telling me I can't shoot little black boys who walk through my neighborhood!"
"I don't want the government telling me how to run my business!"
"I don't want the government taxing me to help out lazy poor people! No handouts! No charity! It ain't government's place!"
but...
"I want the gubment to tell them gays they can't get married, because that's AMORAL."
"I want the gubment to tell women they can't get an abortion for any reason, because that's AMORAL, but I don't want them to have access to birth control or sexual education, because that's AMORAL too."
"I don't want the government to get involved in MY private life, because I live by good, moral standards according to ME, but they can go ahead and legislate the shit out of my queer neighbor and his slutty daughter."
Fucking sick.
Yes, she's quite ignorant of all the reasons why these fucking stupid decisions get made by these whackjobs. I'm ignorant of that, too. Feel free to explain.
1) Shut up. Please, for the love of God and everything holy, just shut up.
2) Dear god where do I start? Well let's just start with how completely ridiculous of you to boil this down to not killing unborn babies. Would you rather have a woman have to give birth to child with its stomach and intestines formed outside of its body. Or how about a child with Tay-Sachs, or Huntingtons, how about Cerebral Palsy? In all of these cases the child would live either short lives or painful lives or both. Normally both. Or how about the child that is born due to rape and incest. The stigma that they grow up with. The resentment from their parents (oh and wouldn't it just be wonderful to explain to your child that his father is also his grandfather or his uncle, or great uncle, or cousin) imagine the knowledge that that child has everyday knowing that the are the result of one of the most horrifying experience that their mother could ever go through. Yep, that's a great way to bring a child into this world.
3) losing funding for planned parenthood, which provides healthcare to over 60% of american women, and does far more than just abortions. Giving insurance companies the right to deny women birth control even when it is being used to treat legitmate medical concerns such as epilepsy and PMDD. States trying to push through bills that state that single parenthood contributes to child abuse and neglect. And now all of this over abortion? Factor in your resident republican asshole Rush Limbaugh and sounds like a true war on women to me.
4) if abortion is decided by the courts and not the politicians, then why is it the POLITCIANS that are passing these asinine laws on abortion in the first place. Also, if the courts decide on abortion then why are we still even arguing over it, because in that case its called Roe v. Wade, and and the woman's right to choose has already been deemed legal and is protected by the Supreme Court.
5) this is the first blog posting I've ever reead from her, but thanks to this one, Ill definetly read more.
I don't see what this has to do with being a Republican. (well completely). . . .I am a Republican and I have had an abortion (which was the RIGHT decision for me). In November, I will have the opportunity to research my candidates and choose the RIGHT person, in my opinion, for the election. I can vote Republican, Democrat or Independant. But it is MY vote and yes it is MY body. I will raise my daughter research her candidates and vote wisely. This woman from Kanans most certainly sounds like a wack job but I bet there were some Democrats that voted for her too. Just sayin'
Let's just pretend for a minute that life does begin at conception. So? It's cell division. It's a zygote. It has no awareness and can feel no pain. How is terminating a pregnancy at this point immoral? I can't wrap my head around that. If you think it's immoral, that's fine. No one is forcing you to do it. But don't take away MY right.
This may have already been echoed by someone else in the 297 prior comments, but I don't have time to read them right now - will come back later and catch up when work permits. At any rate, for various reasons that personally affect me, I will never, ever, EVER vote Democrat. Re your statement, "I swear to God that I will NEVER vote Republican in any election again as long as this party continues to preach and advocate against women's health." - I completely understand why, and this is one of the *many* areas that I, even as a Republican, wish the government would stay the hell out of. I wish 'my' party would understand how the good they do/could do for our country is completely sacrificed and wasted by focusing on issues like this. Such a shame to lose large groups of intelligent voters and supporters over an issue that's none of the government's damn business. Like I said, for me personally, I am more negatively affected by what the Democrat party stands for and has effected in my and my family's life, and I feel our country as a whole is as well. Republican politicians should read and seriously consider pieces like this blog post.
YES. YES YES YES.
Maybe I'm one of the rare ones, but I don't let my religion automatically decide for me what I believe. I am Catholic and I do not personally believe in abortion, but I'll be damned if people try to use that opinion to decide for everyone. That is a PERSONAL decision that should not be touched by the government. When it all comes down to it, the woman making that decision will be the one who deals with whatever repercussions may come from it, and she (and her family, if she so chooses) should be the ONLY one(s) to decide! I don't allow other people to make decisions for me people about whether I should switch careers, move to a different state, or get a boob job. Why should I let them decide what I do with my own damn body? It's MINE.
I personally think this whole argument is a waste of time. Like several other people (and you) have said, shouldn't we be focusing on the recession and war that we're dealing with instead of starting new fights?
How is allowing doctors to lie to their patients "forcing women to make smarter decisions"?
I'm sick of these "close your legs" comments. What world do you live in?
Great group that I am proud to be a part of!
@Erin -
Do you honestly think a blog called "People I Want to Punch in the Throat" isn't going to be controversial from time to time? lol
Abortion, gay marriage, etc.... while they may be important issues, are merely smokescreens to distract the American public from REAL issues that need to be addressed during this election. Ideally, social issues should NEVER be decided by the government. That was never what our Forefathers intended. Don't allow the political ploys to work. Stay informed. Stay current. And VOTE. And, VOTE for those who will work to provide a better America. There are horrible politicians on both sides, Republican and Democratic. So, straight-line party affiliations are dangerous. If this country doesn't get it's financial affairs in order, these other issues will be non-issues because people will be far too concerned with finding their next meal to worry about social justice.
Let nature take its course? Seriously?!
I got pregnant when I was 20. After my 3rd trip to the ER in the first 9 weeks, my doctor told me there was a good chance that only one of us - myself or my baby - would live if I continued the pregnancy. That was not a chance I was willing to take, so I had an abortion. It is my belief that I can always make another baby, but I can't make another me. 13 years later, I am happily married and my husband and I are expecting our first child together. Thankfully, this pregnancy is much healthier than the last. However, if I had let nature run its course, I may not be typing this today.
I don't believe in abortion as a form of birth control. However, I do believe there are certain situations in which it truly is the best choice... and no one deserves to have that choice taken away.
Thank you! WIthout contraception, the method that works is, "don't touch me until the baby is three." My paternal grandmother had 4 children in 20 years. My maternal grandmother was overjoyed to infertility problems (one pregnancy despite no birth control, two marriages to fecund widowers with children). She said if either husband had gotten her pregnant again, she would've sent them overseas to work & allowed no visits. Men need to remember they don't like celibacy. It might make a comeback.We need to get rid of those lazy old useless white males in Congress & the few white women who imitate them. Everyone needs to always vote. I've missed one minor election in forty years. While my mother was dying, we left the hospital to vote. She wanted us to. If you don't vote, you're not really a citizen.
Kathy - As a woman who suffered through infertility, I was thrilled when we found out I was pregnant. At 5 weeks and 5 days pregnant, I saw my son's heartbeat for the first time. It IS a LIFE!! You can ultrasound a rock until the cows-come-home, but you'll never get a heartbeat. Why? That rock isn't alive. But, that heart beat in my belly at 5 weeks 5 days... THAT IS LIFE!!! He is now 8 months old and into everything. To say a "fetus" is not a life is a great lie women tell to themselves to appease themselves of guilt! We're all about individual freedoms but women have a special role in this world. We have the ability to carry children! And, that means, that sometimes, it is NOT all about us!
THANK YOU!!! A wonderful reproductive endocrinologist helped me & my husband conceive. When I saw his heartbeat at 5 weeks and 5 days on the first ultrasound... it was LIFE!!! We were successful with IUI but had chosen not to go with IVF for reasons I'm sure you understand. Thanks for all you do and thanks for taking a stand!
Let nature take its course? Seriously?!
I got pregnant when I was 20. After my 3rd trip to the ER in the first 9 weeks, my doctor told me there was a good chance that only one of us - myself or my baby - would live if I continued the pregnancy. That was not a chance I was willing to take, so I had an abortion. It is my belief that I can always make another baby, but I can't make another me. 13 years later, I am happily married and my husband and I are expecting our first child together. Thankfully, this pregnancy is much healthier than the last. However, if I had let nature run its course, I may not be typing this today.
I don't believe in abortion as a form of birth control. However, I do believe there are certain situations in which it truly is the best choice... and no one deserves to have that choice taken away.
This is in response to Kathy several comments up. For some reason, I can't reply to her directly.
Let nature take its course? Seriously?!
I got pregnant when I was 20. After my 3rd trip to the ER in the first 9 weeks, my doctor told me there was a good chance that only one of us - myself or my baby - would live if I continued the pregnancy. That was not a chance I was willing to take, so I had an abortion. It is my belief that I can always make another baby, but I can't make another me. 13 years later, I am happily married and my husband and I are expecting our first child together. Thankfully, this pregnancy is much healthier than the last. However, if I had let nature run its course, I may not be typing this today.
I don't believe in abortion as a form of birth control. However, I do believe there are certain situations in which it truly is the best choice... and no one deserves to have that choice taken away.
Oh God. Just...just oh God. How the hell could this happen? I am 15 years old, and knowing that I could possibly loose the rights to my OWN BODY makes me sick to my stomach. If you don't have a uterus, then you should NOT be able to decide what goes on in one. If my baby is sick or could possibly suffer horribly, then you sure as hell better tell me what the fuck is wrong with him/her. Would I ever get an abortion? Honest answer: I DON'T KNOW. I have never been in a desperate, hopeless situation where there seemed to be no way out. And unless all you damn politicians would like to personally pay for all of the unwanted children and expensive hospital bills that women can't pay for, you better back the fuck off and leave our reproductive business to US.
My brother was 6, I was 4 and my sister was one when my mother, despite the use of birth control, got pregnant again. She nearly died giving birth to my sister and she, my father and her doctor made the very difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy because it would more than likely killed her. They felt that it was more important for her to be alive to care for her existing family than risk death giving birth to another child. This was not an easy decision and one that she still mourns to this day but has never regretted her decision. Under this Kansas bill, the doctor could have lied to my mother and we would have grown up motherless. This shouts the beginnings of Sharia Law and should make all women very, very scared! What's next Stoning of rape victims for committing "adultery"?
I am currently pregnant with twins and am pretty horrified by the idea of abortion, but I do understand in times rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother it may be warranted. The government should never dictate what should be done in our bedrooms or in our uterus's. Leave that to the fanatics in the middle east!
Actually yes, Maria--they do consider women incapable of making rational, well-formed decisions. And if they need any proof, they can always look to the complete and utter twits that comprise the female politicians within the Republican party. Certainly no intelligence there.
I love your blog, Jen! I always look forward to your posts! And this is no exception! Very well written!
I feel blessed that I have never been in a situation where I've needed to make this most difficult decision. With that in mind, it's really easy for me to say that I am pro-life (for myself personally). However, I understand and respect that other women do not share my stance for any number of reasons, and it is not my place to tell others what they should believe. It is apalling that the government, both federal and state, believes that they have any place telling women how they should be treating their reproductive systems.
The worst part is that this is not the only disregard for women's health, women's choice, and women's dignity by government entities in recent months. First, there was the whole birth control debacle! Don't even get me started on that one... I wrote my own punch on my blog regarding that one. There was also the legislation in Virginia where they wanted to force women who wanted abortions to have an invasive internal ultrasound... just despicable! And now this??? What is going on in our state and federal government houses??? Don't they know that there are bigger problems than women taking care of themselves and their families? What about balancing budgets, and creating jobs, and a host of a million other domestic and international issues that are more relevant to government oversight than the specific services and products available to support women's health.
And if they feel the need to oversee women's health issues, they need to open their eyes, lose the tunnel vision, and see the whole picture. There are so many reasons that women should have the right to choose from ALL of their available options... victims of rape and incest, women who's lives are endangered by carrying a pregnancy to term, and a host of other possible reasons. Similarly, there are so many good reasons for taking the pill (or using other forms of contraceptives. Of course, there's the obvious - avoiding unplanned pregnancies. There are other good medical reasons for the pill, as well, such as acne control, menstrual regularity, hormonal regularity, etc. Why are these things not considered in the contraceptive debate?
Ugh... it's sooooo disgusting!!! I guess to make a long story short, Jen, I couldn't agree with you more. Government and news media - get out of my uterus! If anybody needs to know what's going on there, it's me, my husband, and my doctor. There is no reason for anybody else on the planet to concern themselves with the goings-on in my uterus!
I agree with your very well written post. I am saddened that this is the way our country is going.
I commented earlier, but it's storming where I live and I don't know if it went through so I'm going to comment again. If it shows up twice, I'm sorry.
This literally makes me sick to my stomach. I am 15 years old and the thought that I could possibly lose the rights to my own body is so impossibly frustrating. Would I ever get an abortion? Honest answer: I DON'T KNOW. I have never been in a desperate, hopeless situation where I felt as if I had nobody to turn to. And as for the whole "doctors not having to tell you important info about your kid" this- WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU? If there is something wrong with my baby that could make him suffer, then you sure as hell better tell me what that is. And to all of those rich white MALE legislators, I have one thing to say to you:
If you don't have a uterus, you don't get to decide what goes on in one!
Maddie
I find it truly strange that a First World country like the US would actively regress to a Third World Women's issue!! With everything else that needs to be addressed, the govt actually wants Doctors to lie against the Hippocratic oath AND legalize it......wow!! Wonder what they will come up with next!! BTW, they need to consider the fact that the OBGYN's primary concern is the woman under their care!!! I continue to be amazed by such a dictatorial attitude and that these representatives actually have supporters to validate them!
I have researched this topic alot and I have to say....I disagree completely with people trying to go back in time and take away abortions and make it illegal. However you feel about abortions, you can't give us safe, clean places to go, then take it away. People already have the medical knowledge to do it and there are people who are adimant about a woman's right to choose, and will keep offering services, regardless of where or how clean they might be. Women, since the beginning of time, have figured out how to have abortions. If you look back in history, there were some pretty unsafe ways of doing it (and I am talking, WAY back). People seem to forget this issue isn't new, nor is abortion something that is just becoming an option. Whether you say it's legal or not, women, who are desperate (or not), will do what they have to do. Has anyone seen Revolutionary Road? That's not just a movie, people. That is something someone who could do themselves in their own living room. These politicians have no right to decide this. I am a Christian, without a doubt, but my thoughts on the morality of abortion is a completely moot point, as that is a sin for you and God to deal with, not me and you, or the government and you. It's naive and uneducated to think that making something "illegal" does anything about reducing the amount of times it happens. Um, prohibition? How well did that work out for us, America? Marijuana? Yeah, people grow it constantly.
Jaime, I think you need to really ask yourself what this could mean for you. Is it politics? Yes. But the decisions they are making affect us all. I had a huge problem when they defunded Planned Parenthood. You might never be broke enough to have to use that clinic, or might never be in a position to have to decide to have an abortion, but if you ever did, you would know that those decisions they are making in capital buildings affect us, every single day. It's got nothing to do with our "morality." It's all about politics and trying to impose choices and take choices away that they have not right to decide from "up high." Preach on, sister.
I was faced with an unplanned pregnancy at the end of my senior year in college. After telling my mom she told me to have an abortion so I could go on to law school. I told her no, I was not going to kill my child. For me an abortion is not an option, so I was a single mom at 22. It was hard for me to see a friend have two abortions, but it was her choice, not mine. Who am I to say to another person what they can or can't do with their body? Granted I don't like woman who use abortion as birth control, but it should still be up to the woman. If a woman isn't ready for a child then why should she have to have a child she doesn't want...which is worse? Our politicians need to stop forcing their ideals on us and get back to fixing actual issues. Maybe the problem is they don't know how to fix the actual issues, so all they can do is meddle in our lives.
How exactly does health care reform have ANYTHING to do with limiting access to abortion, birth control, and basic information?
I'm in NC, too- And I totally agree. Our society appears to be regressing at a terrifying pace. It kind of makes me want to go live alone on an undiscovered island for the rest of my life.
Follow the link, and then tell me...
Do you see:
A) A wire coat hanger?
B) A desperate method of abortion?
Remember how far we have come before voting "conscience".
Amen and right on! My mother fought to have the freedom for her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters to have control over their bodies, and I will do the same! It doesn't matter what your choice is, as long as you have one!
I could not agree with you or said it better than you did Jen. I am 58 years old and remember when Abortions were not legal in this country. I feel like we are constantly going backward with not only womans rights but all rights in this country. Makes me sick. I will take back to the streets to protect womans rights to choose!
Hearing things like this, reinforces my pride in Canada. We have legalized abortion and gay marriage. Now we can focus on the REAL issues. Good luck with your fight for sanity. It breaks my heart that this type of political mindset still exists, especially in a first world country.
Spot on. This is terrifying and it makes me sick. I am strongly considering moving to another country so I don't have to raise my 4 month daughter in a country that is coming to hate our sex. Disgusting.
I think it's unfair to lump all republicans and all pro-life supporters together with the fringe extremists-that KS law is cra-cra. I also think it's hypocritical to ask people to be respectful in their reply when you angrily disrespect their point of view. A fetus and a uterus are connected yet separate. No one is concerned with your uterus just the defenseless unborn child inside of it. There are those who wish only to protect the unborn who they sincerely believe are human beings with a right to pursue life. A 2004 survey found that only 8 percent of abortions of those surveyed were medically necessary or due to rape/incest. The other 92 percent were unexpected/unwanted pregnancies.
They just tried to pass this bull in Mississippi. It got voted down on the ballot, but the new governor is trying to push it through legislature now. The more I think about it, the less I want to make fun of Canada.....
"If Adolpha was born alive and breathing at 26 weeks could you "legally" put a pillow over her face until she stopped breathing? No? Why not? Oh, but if she is tucked just inches beneath your skin it would be fine?"
As a mother I find it fucking deplorable that you would even talk about a persons child like this. There are a hundred ways to say the same thing without bringing Jen's child's name into it. Very, very few women would say that abortion is a good option - but the reality is it's not the governments decision. PERIOD.
"I really don't understand why not killing unborn babies is consider a bad thing."
Do you understand why not having the right to make your own decisions is a bad thing? or why it's bad for a doctor to be able to legally lie to someone they're supposed to be taking care of??
Oh, and me four.
It's one thing to try to persuade a woman to not abort, but for any physician to use scare tactics that just arent true is illegal i thought...perhaps you interpreted it that way, but I dont think any law would say a healthcare provider is allowed to LIE to a patient. that being said, I also dont believe that ANYONE should deny anyone birth control, that's just craaaaaazy. this law sounds really horrible; bottom line is: why do people always want to police other people's moral decisions? live and let live and let the gays marry too while we're at it==whats it to anyone else? if it doesnt affect you, why try to police it? why cant every person decide for himself/herself what is morally right/wrong?? It's my conscience that should dictate my behavior, not some lawmaker!
You're kidding me! That bill passed?! I agree with the woman above me (Janna). I have the right to UNBIASED information. That better not ever be something that's taken away from me. And don't get me started on the abortion part; women should always have a choice, regardless of the beliefs of the rest of the population.
Well said Jen, as always.
I agree, I love those portions of her blog. =)
Furthermore, I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me how Republicans attack women's health and then when women protest and get outraged, it becomes a "liberal agenda". How'd that happen? Did we liberals use our mind-controlling skills to MAKE the Republican legislators pitch this stuff so that we could revolt? Ahhh, we are clever. Or it's possible that your argument lacks logic.
Every woman I know who has had an abortion regrets the circumstances around the decision, but is at peace with her reasons and her actions. It's a sad thing, but some times it's the right thing.
Ugh... here's another misogynist who deserves a good punch in the throat: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/jesse-lee-peterson-fox-news-womens-rights-voting_n_1501070.html
I am so sick and tired of all of this anti-feminist sentiment in the government and media these days. What is going on? As a nation of [supposedly] educated citizens, I just don't understand how people can be so ignorant as to believe or support the rants of these ultra-conservative morons!!...
P.S. I am a moderate, conservative woman. I am a Catholic. I vote. I have a career. I want to be a mom, relatively soon (I'm fairly certain I won't be an overachiever, though... :-p). And I am really sick and tired of all the crap that has been spewed out of conservatives mouths in the last several months... years...
Doesn't the Catholic Church oppose all IVF and any type of precreative act that doesn't occur between a man and a woman? Aside from that, that life can't live on it's own, can it?
Those that are 'pro-life' and cannot get past the fetus' rights, or those that would like some stronger arguments to defend abortion, look at Judith Jarvis Thompson's "A Defense of Abortion".
I'd also like to ask those that claim women use it as a form of birth control, where do you get this information? I'd think that a seriously hard decision like that would not be taken lightly by a MAJORITY of those seeking abortion. Yes, some people may take it lightly, but there's always going to be a few exceptions to the 'rules'-it doesn't mean we can say those few are enough to make it bad enough to ban. There's alcoholics out there and they aren't enough to make us considering banning alcohol for everyone.
I'd like to point out also, that even if they did use abortion as birth control, it would seem to me it is used as a LAST means of birth control. No means of birth control, other than total abstinence is 100% effective. Both of my parents were 'fixed' via tubal ligation and vasectomy and yet I was still conceived. Had I had the problems my brother did, which was their reasoning behind being fixed, I think it would have been RIGHT for them to choose abortion.
I actually read the blog to see what kind of nonsense people can come up with in the comments, and you have certainly delivered.
"If there really was nothing wrong with abortion, then why would we have to say things like, "I personally would never do it, but I think other women should be able to." Why? Why wouldn't they do it?"
You can think it's morally wrong and still understand that women sometimes get pregnant when they don't want to be. My mom is one of these women. She couldn't have an abortion because of her religious beliefs, but she sure as hell understands that if I ever want one I am legally entitled to one.
Personally, I wish people never said "I wouldn't get one, but..." because it's hurtful to the women who need an abortion. They don't need to know if you're *above* that.
Regarding the rest of your post, I understand that some people think life begins at conception. But if that's true, then my life started then too, and I've been living it for decades now and I'd like to KEEP living it. If I need to get an abortion to do that, then my rights as a person who does not rely on anyone else's body to live are more important than the person who does. Doctors do it with siamese twins too, if one is relying on the other's organs, it dies when they're separated, and no one is trying to say that it isn't a baby.
AngelaB, you hit the nail on the head, that is exactly what this is all about "uneducated, brainwashed religious nut jobs". How in the world have we taken such a huge step backwards as a country? A country that was founded by people looking for religious freedom, separation of church and state. Shouldn't this kind of legislation somehow be unconstitutional? -Leia
I respect your opinions and agree with some and disagree with others. I must protest at the description "abortion happy" Those words couldn't be more polar opposite to women who have had to make that horrible choice.
Look at the numbers (of abortions performed in the US) which have been on a steady decline since their peak of 1.4 million in 1990. While US population continues to decrease, each year a smaller percentage of women are forced to make this choice.
Hopefully, the reason is due to better access to birth control, education, and life choices. That is the true meaning of Pro choice.
This bill and the Arizona one that allows employees to fire someone for using birth control for contraception make me so mad! Are these republicans saying that they only have sex to procreate? They must if they're against birth control and against choice/abortion. Check out Kate Beckinsale's Funny or Die video on this matter. http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/87be7156f5/republicans-get-in-my-vagina
I read recently that there is a new birth control for men -- involving a needle shooting the sperm killing gel into the penis.
http://www.yourtango.com/2012150056/new-birth-control-men-horizon
Every bill that proposes limitations on a woman's right to control her body should also contain provisions mandating that any man, who has already created a child out of wedlock, receive this injection thereby preventing further unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
There are two individuals involved in the creation of a child -- the man and the woman -- if politicians believe reproduction should be legislated then so be it but it goes both ways otherwise back off!
I couldn't agree with you more! Amen sista!
agree with slafleur: "It's all particularly stupid considering that the anti-abortion people are also anti-contraception and anti-sex ed." Are you telling me that all these republicans are celibate unless they are procreating? Every time they have sex, they hope it creates a baby?
and for those who have been raped....?
YES!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!
I was brutally raped and stabbed. I was asked if I was wearing provacative clothing by the police as I lay in a hospital bed. I was screamed at and spat upon by protesters. I had an abortion and it was a hard decision but the right one for me. I have met many women who have made that choice. None of them said it was an easy choice but it was the right choice for them. Ultimately I respect pro lifers stance but they should respect ours too. It's frightening how much Christian beliefs are being held up as a rallying point for these issues. Not everyone is Christian, not every Christian shares the same beliefs. There is a serious lack of respect for differing opinions.
I also find the suggestion that abortions cause cancer ridiculous. I actually have stage 4 cancer because my pregnancy hormones accelerated the growth of my melanoma.
And as for the notion that only certain victims deserve abortions is pretty awful. You are judging people who went through something devestating and they had to male a choice. You don't understand until you've been there. Maybe you would make the same choice maybe you wouldn't but don't judge others so harshly.
I could not agree with you more. I am an attorney, have studied the constitution and right to privacy, but agree with you that one right (to privacy) does not trump another (to life.) It's also a very slippery slope when we start judging who "should" live and who - in most cases those will be born with some sort of disability - should not. Very well said.
There needs to be another party that people will actually vote for that doesn't have these silly ideals (ideals is not the right word), but on the other hand won't tax us silly and give my hard earned money to every poor slob.
I coach a group of high school students, and a lot of them went to the Pro-Life rally in DC *because they feel that/have been taught that women who have abortions are soulless people* and the government needs to protect the general public in the same way they'd protect the public from serial killers. They aren't Catholic school kids; they go to a public school. It broke my heart to listen to them preaching about going - one of my fellow instructors (she's a close friend, as well) had to have an abortion. She is far from soulless, thinks about the decision she made more often than not, and shouldn't have to deal with anyone saying abortion is an "easy out" or claiming she is a murderer. (Obviously, the kids don't know... I wonder if it would change their opinion of her if they did)
Watching what is happening in other parts of the country is downright terrifying. I routinely forget how good we have it on this front in Massachusetts... But I always wonder how long that will last.
If the best presidential candiate is one who is going to endorse setting Women's Rights back 50 years, as seems to be the only way to win a Republican nod right now and is a defining factor for the party (being Pro-Life, I mean), then it stands to reason, for many women, that current Republicans will never be the best presidential candidate.
I think most people have said "I will vote Democrat until these shinanigans stop." Until human rights (issues like equality and women's health) issues are no longer being debated, it's difficult to focus on fiscal responsibility or issues. Granted, as far as voting for politicians, it really depends on which issues you think are most important.
Since when is trying to protect a child's life a "radical" uneducated decision???? And it's certainly not that child's fault if his/her conception just happened to be an inconvenience.
I don't condone doctors "lying" ....not really sure if that is what the bill is really stating because I haven't thoroughly read it...but Obama sure does throw some "whoppers" out there. Apparently that seems to be ok if you are voting dem???
Do you have any stats on abortion being used as birth control "far too much?" Over half of women who seek abortions use another form of birth control (though consistency is an issue).
"Fifty-four percent of women who have abortions had used a contraceptive method (usually the condom or the pill) during the month they became pregnant. Among those women, 76% of pill users and 49% of condom users report having used their method inconsistently, while 13% of pill users and 14% of condom users report correct use."
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/fb_induced_abortion.html
The fact is, people are NOT using abortion as birth control. It doesn't make fiscal sense, even if it was more convenient than consistent birth control. Condoms are cheap, and birth control is a lot cheaper than an abortion, which is several hundred dollars even with insurance.
So pregnancy should be a punishment? I'm sorry but I have a right to healthcare and I have a right to have sex. If I get in a car, I don't expect to get in an accident and I take precautions against it, but if it still happens, I damn sure have a right to any medical care.
"Keeping your legs closed?" slut-shaming at its finest. I have a right to my sexuality. I should take precautions against any consequences I don't want, and I do. But I have a right not to have a parasite in my body.
Just curious. What does his "white" ass have to do with anything?
I understand what you’re saying but answer this for me… Who will be there to take care of these children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for by their mother? It’s a lose/lose situation but which is worse? Allowing a woman who cannot or will not be a good mother have a legal abortion or bringing an unloved, unwanted child into this world who will be neglected, abused and suffer an unimaginable life which could end at the hands of their mother after years of abuse? In a perfect world, these children would be placed for adoption. This is not a perfect world. If the Republicans want to ban abortion, contraception, sex education and medical care and aide, they need to step up and raise and support these children to adulthood. They also need to stay out of mine, my daughters’ and my granddaughters’ uterus. Valerie in PA
I understand what you’re saying but answer this for me…Who will be there to take care of these children who are unwanted or unable to be cared for by their mother? It’s a lose/lose situation but which is worse? Allowing a woman who cannot or will not be a good mother have a legal abortion or bringing an unloved, unwanted child into this world who will be neglected, abused and suffer an unimaginable life which could end at the hands of their mother after years of abuse? In a perfect world, these children would be placed for adoption. This is not a perfect world. If the Republicans want to ban abortion, contraception, sex education and medical care and aide, they need to step up and raise and support these children to adulthood. They also need to stay out of mine, my daughters’ and my granddaughters’ uterus. Valerie in PA
what about the rights of the human being inside of the womb? have they none? at what point of the pregnancy is it not okay to end another innocent human's life? curious.
I think "Politicians are so busy worrying about gays and lesbians ruining the precious sanctity of marriage and unborn fetuses, and women's reproductive health that they're forgetting that we're in a recession and that we have millions of people looking for work and that we're fighting a fucking war. Get out of our bedrooms and get back to work, you fucking tools." is the best thing I've read all year, if not for all eternity.
You forgot to add the counterpoint to "I don't want the government taxing me to help out lazy poor people! No handouts! No charity! It ain't the government's place!"
Which is, "I don't want my Medicare or Social Security cut! I want my Interstates in better shape! I want a strong Army to defend our country!" All of which are paid for by our taxes.
Great post! The first thing I thought when reading this is "woman are going to find their own way." If they can't get their BC or Abortion from a DR then they will find a way and sadly it won't always be safe. Dumbasses.
Thank you for speaking the truth so concisely, Jen. Fighting amongst ourselves about this is fucking ridiculous because it's so goddamn obvious! MEN SHOULD NOT BE MAKING WOMEN'S CHOICES FOR THEM. And the women that let men do are just perpetuating the lie that men tell themselves about being smarter/better/stronger/whatever. Why? Because her daddy treated her mommy like an inferior, and mommy never stood up for herself. Girls, they've been working on this lie for CENTURIES through the oppressive forces of religion and guilt. WE ARE SMARTER THAN THAT! Why is what I do with my body of any concern to anyone else? It's none of your fucking business, thank you. Does it hurt you or affect your life at all if I marry another woman or if I make an informed, adult decision to terminate a pregnancy safely? NO. SO FUCK OFF with your anti-choice laws and your invasive ultrasounds. You make your own decisions about your body and I'll make mine. And the old white men that "run" this country can fucking burn in hell for being gaping, stinking, crusty assholes.
I think your state bill is ridiculous! I think allowing Doctors to lie like that (not that any that I know would lie to patients unless they just super hate abortions and then they shouldn't be in a specialty that addresses that issue if you ask me) is breaking the oaths they take as doctors.
But as for the legislative part, it's my understanding under the federal law that if a fetus hasn't taken a breathe and is still attached to the umbilical cord then it can be aborted. Which means you could legally push the baby out and kill it before it breaths. That is aweful! And I believe that is why states come up with their own abortion laws to protect fetuses (or in that case infants!). Some (KS) have taken this to more extremes then others...
If you are curious I believe in the women's right to choice, but I also believe life begins at conception and that abortion is not for me. I believe that religiously and scientifically; they meet all 7 rules of life (reproduction when they reach maturity) and they have their own DNA, not the mother's so it's not like cutting off a mole or something. But that's just my opinion...
Well said, Jen! I wonder if women senators, esp. Sen Pilcher-Cook in Kansas, ever feel how lucky they are to be able to control their uterus' in order to show up to their campaigns and elections not pregnant every year? It's personal now!
Original poster,
I trust you have adopted several children of your own so you can speak to this first hand? Surely you have taken it upon yourself to give a loving and stable home to a number of unwanted children?
You are clearly mis-informed about the broken adoption process in the US and the completely inadequate foster care system.
I nearly died of pneumonia when I was 20 weeks pregnant with my son. I was unconscious and essentially on life support. At one point one of the physicians told my husband that if I didn't turn around it was likely they would have to terminate the pregnancy so that they could treat the infection more aggressively. The fetus was not viable at 20 weeks so it would not have survived an early delivery. Thankfully we both pulled through.
So by your logic had my condition continued to worsen the doctors should have let both of us die rather than terminate the pregnancy to allow me to survive? That would have been better in your opinion? Just want to make sure I understand.
Oh so naive people who obviously haven't lived in this world where children are forcefully brought into this world and raised by people who should not be parents and the end result- higher rates of child abuse, children born addicted to cocaine, homelessness, poverty that would make u throw up your religious rants because YES we know what God intended but obviously it doesnt always happen that way. THEN as soon as these mothers race to get welfare or assistance for this child they couldnt abort or get bc for they have cut thw majority of the programs aimed for poverty level homes. My all time favorite response is tell them to get a job HA! WITH all the best resources I have a hard time with that. Then let's say she finds a job...who's watching this kid cause the father is GONE. PRETTY please dont say put him on child support because he would need a job for that. I can go on and on but ill stop there because im sure this wont go over well with our republican friends who will surely have a remedy for everything they have never lived through.
i dont agree with abortions, i will never get one but i do beleive that if you feel you need one, you should go to the safest place possible. being lied to by a doctor can mean that a lot of women wont have a choice and can actually cause health problems. has anyone thought of the women who have dissorders who if they get pregnant can die from it? i think that the government has no room to tell us what we can and cant do with our own bodies.
I'll right away take hold of your rss as I can't to find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you've any? Please permit me realize in order that I could subscribe. Thanks.
My web page > Prince Or Princess
I realize this comment is from awhile ago, but on the off chance that you'll see this...look up motion M-312. It's starting here...
Wow...typical liberal garbage, and spewed by someone lacking in education. What a surprise.
not only is your entire argument invalidated by pretending you're responsible and not spreading your legs for every other guy you bump into...but you lack the ability to convey said point without calling people names.
Overall, a well-argued rant for a six-year-old. Tell your parents that I said you did a good job.
No doctor would go public with use of the term "WTF." Lying isn't going to impress anyone on the internet, lady.
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