Words, Words, Words--the Positive

On Thursday, Gov. Pence of Indiana signed SB 101: the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" into law. This law goes into effect in July. According to those who support the law, the RFRA does not differ from the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Those people would be wrong.
If you read the Indiana law, it is glaringly apparent that it's not just a human person that can claim religious protection, but businesses as people can claim the same thing. Thank you, Citizens United.
There is now power, not previously given, to businesses, to discriminate on the basis of "religious beliefs". There is now more opportunity to twist and reinterpret the words in the Bible to fit one's own beliefs, no matter how discriminatory they might be. The words of Jesus will be misused, sadly, and his most important--from the Sermon on the Mount--will be conveniently forgotten.
By some.
But not by all.

Yes, there are some positives that will come from the implementation of the RFRA. Some positives already have come from it.
There has been a large, loud outcry against the law. Citizens of Indiana, celebrities, business owners--all have voiced their opinions, and have stated their belief in equality for all. If you're feeling depressed about the passage of RFRA, I suggest you spend some time on social media--the positive, uplifting comments will make you feel better. As you read the outrage, you will find you are not alone.
I firmly believe in keeping an open mind. I firmly believe in listening to both sides of an issue. And, I firmly believe I must treat others as I want to be treated. So, I have listened to the thoughts of people on both sides of this issue. I had a long conversation with a friend I completely disagree with--on this issue, and others. A conversation; not a shouting match, not a one-sided speech (it's so easy to follow the media lead, but will get us nowhere in the long run). We were able to have this honest, frank conversation because we trusted each other, and we knew the other would listen with openness. It was eye-opening for me, and I can only hope I was able to provide a good perspective from my side. I really hope he understands the impact of RFRA on my family and friends. And, I really hope he shares my perspective with others. I hope.
The passage of RFRA has prompted many discussions between parents and children; this will definitely be a teaching moment, and I do hope parents use this power for good. I fear they won't, but I hope they do.
Passage of RFRA has prompted discussions between co-workers, and acquaintances. People are sharing information on social media about businesses who will serve everyone. There are signs of support in shop windows. People will be spending more money at these businesses, I hope. People are taking the time to clarify their positions, and declare what is "not OK" with them. It might be my imagination, but in the past couple of days at my place of employment, people seem to be treating each other with a little more kindness. Maybe people are now hyper-aware of their actions and words? I hope.
I also hope that there are some, who initially thought the RFRA was a good idea, will take some time to reflect on what the real impact will be. If you only heard, over and over, "This will give us the freedom to live our religious beliefs", I hope you stop and consider. If you are a woman who uses birth control, I hope you realize this may impact your relationship with your employer. If you have family and friends who are LGBT, you might be discriminated against through your association with them. You have always had the freedom of religion; what's going to happen now is that some will not have the freedom to live their lives as they want to. I hope everyone will stop and think this through.
And the last positive that has come from the passage of the RFRA? It will motivate people to VOTE. For if you are outraged by this, angry at how this will impact your family and friends, I hope you remember this in 2016, and VOTE! Voting is the best way to tell your government how you feel, and how you want others to be treated. If you VOTE, you elect YOUR representatives.
The positives may not outweigh the negatives, but if people are talking to one another, if people are consciously treating one another as they want to be treated, and if people are VOTING, then maybe...just maybe...this world will become a little better than it is today.
I have hope.

Words, Words, Words--The Negative

On Thursday, Gov. Pence of Indiana signed SB 101: the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act" into law. This law goes into effect in July. According to those who support the law, the RFRA does not differ from the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Those people would be wrong.
If you read the Indiana law, it is glaringly apparent that it's not just a human person that can claim religious protection, but businesses as people can claim the same thing. Thank you, Citizens United.
We have already seen, at the national level, what happens when a "person" called Hobby Lobby, decides they "need" to weigh in on their female employee's health choices--i.e., need to tell those women what birth control they can and cannot use (because Dr. Hobby Lobby knows far more than your personal physician). You only need to look at the photo above to know who's going to be using that argument against women here in the state of Indiana.
I wrote the following as a Letter to the Editor--there is just so much to fear from this law:

"Your new freedom still brings questions for rest of us
Now that Senate Bill 101 has passed and religious "freedom" has been "restored," I have a few questions.
One: Where do I get my ID card? Or will I be issued an identifying patch? Should my friends and family — my supporters — get one, too? How far will this religious judgment extend? And, should a woman go to her doctor first, to verify her fertility status and choice of contraception, or will you actually take her word for it?
And what happens next? When you are only serving those customers you approve of, will that mean you have "won"? Judging by the comments attached to recent articles, you haven't won many converts by your new-found "freedom."
Will the state of Indiana, with your added layers of discrimination, be a better place? Will you have improved the lot of humankind by your actions, by your judgment? When the divisions in this state are insurmountable, when we are no longer providing good examples for our children because we have taught them to judge first, before getting to know the person, I will remember to ask you again if you've "won."
Jesus spoke of an important rule during his Sermon on the Mount. It's called the Golden Rule. I guess it doesn't have the same pizzazz as the "Religious Freedom Restoration Act." But it's a rule we all could live with. In peace. No signage or badges needed."


Women might not be denied service here in Indiana, thanks to this new law, but they WILL be denied the basic right to protect their own health as employees of business "people" who most certainly will raise religious objections to methods of birth control. There most certainly will be women who have high-risk pregnancies because their employer has demanded they use something other than the most effective birth control suggested by their doctor.
The other group that will feel the impact of the RFRA will be the LGBT community. For while it's not cool to discriminate on the basis of skin color these days, it's definitely OK to deny service to someone who looks like someone who might possibly love a person of the same sex. It's definitely OK to throw someone out of your place of business because they "don't look right" i.e., they look like they might be trying to be a gender that you don't think they actually are. Keep in mind, these judgmental "calls" happen on the basis of visual "cues", not because the person is actually known to the business, but because of how they are perceived.
This--THIS--is the real gist of my objection to RFRA--that it is completely judgmental, and will hasten our demise as a civilized society. Do you think I'm being a little "over the top"?! How about you travel with me to Northern Ireland, and as we puzzle over who is Catholic and who is Protestant, and why they hate each other so, any citizen there will tell you, "Of course I know who's who. I can tell by the way they look." I've said it before, and I will say it again--the rapists, murderers, and child molesters--people who REALLY deserve to be shunned--will get a pass, because they are those fine, upstanding-looking white men. LOOKING.
Finally, there will come the day when a conservative "Christian" will deny service to a Muslim person, or a Jewish family. We all know that will happen; because those in power will tell you how discriminated against they are, when they've actually never once been discriminated against, and will feel the need to demonstrate this power by throwing out a person of another faith. The rest of us? We will continue to welcome everyone, because at one time or another, we've felt the sting of judgement. Or, we will continue to serve everyone because we really know what Jesus was doing and saying when he walked this earth.
Not all Christians are bad, not all LGBT people are going to Hell (at least not for the reason you think), not all Muslims are terrorists, women aren't less-than equal, and......I could go on. The reason this RFRA is bad for the real people of Indiana is that it will make it harder for us to really relate to one another; it will be harder for us to see another real human as a real being. Instead, first looks will determine who gets served, and those of us who know what that's like will avoid certain places, will feel like we have to bow our heads in shame when there is absolutely nothing we need to be shamed of. And, you can only imagine the anger and hatred that will bubble up from some of us because of the RFRA. Not love. Anger. Not caring. Hatred.
Worst of all, our children will learn this behavior; will know that to be different is bad, and will hightail it out of this state as quickly as possible. Which will be sad, because we need those people, whatever their differences are. We NEED diversity.
The RFRA will have a real negative impact on the state of Indiana; human relations will suffer. We are now seeing the fiscal impact of this law, as companies and other entities begin to withdraw their money, employees, and business from the state. While I am glad to know they are coming out against a discriminatory law, I worry about this loss of revenue. I work in a place that depends on tax dollars--how will this impact my job? How will the RFRA impact funding for education, for cities and towns? I can only hope our legislators realize the huge mistake they've made, and rectify it quickly, before Indiana falls further down the state-by-state list of quality of life.
There are so many negatives about the passage of this law. Are there any positives? Keep reading.

Oh Baby

I'm writing this as the world awaits the birth of William and Kate's baby.
A couple of days ago, this video made the rounds of the internet.  In case the link does not work, it's a video of a baby boy, made by a very proud father--the video captures oneish seconds every day of the baby's life for the first year.  I watched it all, fascinated by the newborn growing to a toddler in about 9 minutes.  I was struck, as I watched it, by the wealth of experiences this child had in his first year--baths, cuddles, time with old people, young people, travel to exotic places (old castles and the beach), tasting of various foods, and so many toys and clothes!  [In the interest of full disclosure, this baby's life was much like the life of my firstborn...]  What a very fortunate child.
And I thought about how wonderful it would be if every child's life could be just like this child's life, at least for the first year.  If every child had enough food, enough love, enough life experience for their first year.  If every child had just one person who loved them so much that they would take time to document that life in such detail.  What a difference that could make!  
     And then I woke up this morning to hear that the Duchess of Cambridge is in hospital, ready to give birth. The whole world is watching (at least it seems that way), and are ready to wish this baby every possible happiness, and a very long life.  What if every child was welcomed into the world this way?  What if every child got even 1% of the attention that this royal baby will receive?

What a very different world we would live in.

I think some people fantasize about this, think that by taking away women's reproductive choices, that every child will magically be born with shouts of joy, will be surrounded by people who love them, and will never want for anything.  As a matter of fact, I know there are politicians and their supporters who do believe this,because they say they are "pro-life", but do nothing to help a child once it is born.  These people have some misguided notions, perhaps based on their own life experience, that once a child is born, it has everything it will ever need; how else can you explain their decisions to cut prenatal healthcare, Head Start, food stamps, education, and to pass bills that would repeal parental leave allowances, healthcare for all, and marriage equality (family is family, and kids need to know their families are important)?  How else can you explain their non-support for the DREAM Act?  The reality is much harder to imagine for most people; it's almost beyond our capacity to go to that dark place that some children are born in to, are raised in.  But we need to go to that place, to go beyond our comfort level, to that reality in order to properly dedicate ourselves to care, to do all we can.  To ensure that every baby is a wanted baby; not to just imagine it will be, but to ensure it will be.  We need to make sure that resources are dedicated to prenatal care, to birth control, to sex education, to education, to end poverty.

I wish...I wish that every child had a life like that royal baby.  In the meantime, I will do what I can to ensure that every child is a wanted child.

Will you?

Scenario # 1

The year is 2026.  It's an off-election year, and President Rand Paul knows the GOP face very little opposition in these elections from the dispirited and decimated Democratic Party.  In fact, he sees this off-year election as an opportunity to showcase his Vice President, Rick Perry, and to add numbers to the 47 out of 50 GOP-controlled state legislatures--as if they need any help!  On the national level, control of the Senate is not a "given", as the Democrats learned in 2014-2024.  All it takes is being complacent, and a turn of 2-5 seats.  The House is pretty secure, as you can count on voters to bitch but vote for the same darn guy every time.
But to be fair, the legislatures of those 47 GOP-controlled states are pretty much staffed with figure heads--everyone knows the real power rests in the hands of ALEC .  ALEC has always been 2 steps ahead of everyone, all the time.  Back in 2010, the GOP put all their resources into state elections, and it paid off--districts were gerrymandered to ensure safe seats, and then ALEC went to work, drawing up legislation to be passed in states--Voting Right laws and Anti-Abortion Laws were their crowning achievements, and by the time the average American adult woke up, it was all over.  Now, President Paul is not only secure in his re-election, but has to spend very little money to get there.  There are such deep, grateful GOP pockets out there--ha ha!!!  The rich just keep getting richer, and once the Koch brothers learned how to sign on to Facebook, the ballgame was over. 
Not that any "average" American has time to "surf the net".....
The turning point was definitely Texas, in 2013.  Women's health clinics were closed throughout the state, and abortions after 20 weeks were banned.  Oh sure, women (and some men) were angry, just as they had been in Wisconsin, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Virginia, and other states, but the GOP (and ALEC) knew the attention span of an average voter was about 2 days, and then they were distracted by something on television, or the internet....Add to this the fact that young voters, once they feel defeated by something, just stop voting, and it was the beginning of a GOP cakewalk.
Soon, Americans just forgot, because it was the law, and it really wasn't so bad, and well......it seemed like it was just the poor it really affected.  And, it's hard to be angry clear until the next election....
2014 was a really good election year for the GOP.
And 2016?  The GOP was ready for that sucker that got elected president--they had learned much from the previous eight years--distract the voters, keep the "riff raff" from voting, and bury the elected president under with "scandals".  Then there was their media--Fox and other "friends"--they kept the GOP base riled up and voting, and it worked!  By 2018, the Democratic Party never knew what hit them, and now?  It's like people don't care any more...
The GOP knew it had it made when Obamacare was repealed.
So, what's life like for Americans in 2026?
It depends.  If you're wealthy, things never change--they just keep getting better.  If your wife, daughter, or girlfriend gets into "trouble", there are plenty of other countries to fly them to, countries where abortions and birth control are safe and legal.
But here, in the good ol' US of A?

1. Women's clinics are a thing of the past.  With the GOP landslide wins, and the Supreme Court increasingly conservative, Roe v Wade was overturned in 2021.  The citizens of the US rapidly learned that the GOP and ALEC were not just aiming to prevent abortions--they were aiming to prevent ALL forms of birth control.  One by one, states are successfully passing "Personhood Amendments" (stating life begins at conception), and the Supreme Court is upholding them.  
2. There is not one organization left to fight for reproductive rights, or to actually fight for women and their families.  People became complacent, thought Planned Parenthood would always be there, forgot to mail them a check once in a while.  Same with all those other organizations fighting for social justice for all people. 
3. There are far fewer women in the workforce.  There is no maternity leave anymore, and with families getting larger and larger, most women decide it's less expensive to stay home.  Most families could use the extra income though; 5-8 kids are a lot to feed.  The average man has to work 2 jobs to support his family.
4. Less than 30% of women go to college or a trade school.  There's just no money to send them, or the money is spent on their brothers' education.  College is extremely expensive, and why would a woman want to go to college anyway?  She's just going to get pregnant and have to give up her job.
5. Most students are not qualified to go to college anyway.  Back in 2008-2014, after the financial crisis's hit, most states decided it was a good idea to 1) Cut education funding, and 2) Keep women from making their own reproductive choices.  So now, with so many extra kids in schools, states are woefully unprepared, there are teacher shortages, and class sizes of 40-45 are the norm.  Unless, of course, you can afford to send your kids to private school...
6. Prisons are overflowing.  Poverty rates are sky-high, so kids are not ready for school (Head Start and free early childhood education is a thing of the past).  Kids drop out early--to help support their families, because they can't learn anything anyway, or because the local drug dealer has made them an offer they can't refuse.  It's a vicious cycle:  poverty--->low education attainment---->prison...And to think we almost had a handle on it in 2014...Add to this the women and doctors who have been imprisoned for trying to end a pregnancy--dwindling every year, but still trying to get away with it.
7. Women are dying at a rate not seen since the 1800's.  Clinics are closed, the Affordable Care Act was overturned...women can't afford prenatal care, so there are far more complications during childbirth.  Women who used birth control to prevent pregnancy for health reasons do not have access now.  There are no exceptions for rape and incest, so the rate of children (10, 11, 12-year olds) giving birth is at a rate never seen before, and the death rate of these "mothers" is so very, very high.  Women who wish to end a pregnancy for whatever reason are resorting to the methods women used prior to 1970--coat hangers, "potions" sold by quacks (now available on the internet!), knitting needles, "back alley" doctors.  And many of them are dying.  Horrible, painful deaths.
8. Tuberculosis and other communicable diseases, once thought "extinct", are spreading so very rapidly through cities and suburbs in the US.  Larger families, a shortage of affordable housing, rising poverty rates, no affordable heathcare--contagious diseases are epidemic.    
9. There are just too many people on this planet, and far too few resources.  When women and men could decide when to have children, or even whether to have children at all, our planet stood a chance.  But not anymore. Clean water, clean air?  Ha!  The GOP deregulated industry as fast as it could, once it could.  Other countries followed suit.  Not that it really mattered--more people need more resources; resources that are not always in infinite supply.  And all those extra people, using all those things that heated up our environment?  The planet got warmer.  The drought of 2012 and the flooding of 2013 paled in comparison to what's happening in 2026!  Crops are failing at alarming rates, just as the population is exploding.  There are food shortages, and food riots, across the United States.   Animals and plants that were once abundant are extinct--eaten.     
10. Canada has closed its borders to Americans, and they are constructing a fence.  There are just too many Americans, desperate for affordable health care, desperate for birth control, desperate for jobs, for a better future for their children, just desperate--they are streaming over the border, and the Canadian economy just cannot support any more.

In 2026, there are a couple of bright spots, as President Paul is quick to point out.

1. "Illegal immigration" is no longer an issue.  Nobody has crossed INTO America in years.  
2. Marriage equality for all.  You see, with mothers dying in childbirth, and orphanages filling with kids whose parents have died from disease, or who just can't afford to keep them, it's "every couple on deck"--even those lesbians and gays have to be counted on to take a kid...or 4...
3. And, "God Bless America"!  The 1% have finally killed the last union--with all those extra citizens, corporations don't need to put up with any backtalk from anyone; you complain, you're fired.  And your family is out on the street.   

Think about it....my scenario is not too far off the mark, is it?

If I Could Address the Court...

This week, the US Supreme Court hears oral arguments on two cases:  Hollingsworth v Perry, which seeks to overturn Prop 8 in California, by declaring the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment prohibits limiting marriage to "one man, one woman", and US v Windsor, which challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (the law of the country) as a violation of the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
If I could, I would like to remind the justices of the Supreme Court of a few things:

• Our country is a Republic, not a Theocracy..  The moment an attorney, arguing in favor of marriage inequality, mentions the Bible, or religion of an kind, I fully expect them to be interrupted. The justices could take turns, beginning for the hell of it with Justice Thomas, although I imagine he will be his silent, sullen, impolite self.  I hope a laugh track is involved! Anyone whose argument begins:  "I believe marriage is a union between one man and one woman because "it's what my church teaches me.""  should have their license to practice law revoked.  There should be no religious citations allowed--arguments involving religious doctrine don't belong here.  Not in the Supreme Court of the nation.  
• Marriage is a legal contract.  Traditionally, women were treated as property in these contracts; their new husband had complete control over them and their offspring.  We seem to have forgotten this little tidbit.  The legal contract that same sex couples are seeking would not give one complete control over the other, but would allow them to have the same legal rights as heterosexual couples.  They would be allowed to have the over 1100+ federal rights now enjoyed by their heterosexual friends.  These are 1100+ rights that are huge.  HUGE.  Don't believe me?  Then YOU go without them, give them up, and let me know how that works for you.  
• Justice is blind.  The justices should put their personal feelings aside, especially if they feel "ewww" about two men or two women kissing and being in a sexual relationship.  I know there are people out there, especially men, who just can't handle the thought of same sex sex.  The justices need to grow up and remember why they are there--to uphold the Constitution for everyone.  EVERYONE.  This is one of the most important decisions they will render this term, and will probably be one of the most important (certainly the most discussed) of their time on the bench. 
• Politics has no place in this decision either.  Equality is not a Democrat or Republican issue.  It's a very human one.  
• Finally, I would ask them to read a blog I wrote back in 2008.  I try to explain what marriage equality would mean to me, as a person.  It goes beyond the love I have for Karen; I have very real concerns about what the lack of a legally-recognized marriage means for us, beginning with medical decisions.  

If asked, what would I say to the justices of the Supreme Court?
"I am a legal citizen of the United States.  I work, I pay taxes, I try to do what's right.  And I love another person, very deeply and without reservation.  My family and my friends are supportive of us, and our relationship.  It's time for my government to step up and give Karen and I the same equal protection other couples enjoy.  Actually, it's well past time, and many, many couples have died without this equal protection.  I grieve for them, and have hope for us."

In Which I Imitate Paul Harvey....

Well, not really, because Paul Harvey tended to bother the heck out of me, but I couldn't think of any better way to begin this post but to say....
"And here's the rest of the story"....

If you are an NPR listener (maybe you heard it somewhere else), you may have caught this story this morning:
"Scientists Say Baby Born with HIV Apparently Cured"
It was such good news, that I woke from my post-alarm stupor to hear it all:   A toddler, who was born with HIV, now does not have the virus in her system!  Who wouldn't be happy about that?
But as I listened, intrigued by the circumstances, one sentence seemed louder than all the rest....
And here's the rest of the story....
"In the Mississippi case, the mother had had no prenatal care when she came to a rural emergency room in advanced labor." (Emphasis mine).  I will let that sink in for a moment.  
The mother had had no prenatal care.  
"Oh sure," you might say, "that happens all the time."  Really?  Does it?  ALL the time?  
Not in most developed countries.  
Except maybe in the United States.  (Cue patriotic music, because "God Bless America" after all).
The mother, who was unlucky enough to live in Mississippi, did not have prenatal care.  To be fair, maybe she was in denial about the pregnancy; didn't care.  
But more likely, she couldn't find a clinic or couldn't afford one.  Because Mississippi's Republican-controlled government is making it nearly impossible for women to find clinics, let alone ones they can afford.  Because. They. Can.
They are on a mission....
Lt. Governor Tate Reeves proudly declares, "These are strong, common-sense pro-life bills that will not only end abortion in Mississippi but will enhance efforts to protect children from abuse. I appreciate the hard work by these senators to shape laws that make Mississippi an even safer place for children.” 
Except it doesn't end abortion.  It just makes it harder for Mississippi women to get them.  And sadly, the bills do nothing to protect children.  It just makes it harder for poor families to find good health care for the parents, and allows things to happen like a baby, born with HIV, to "fall through the cracks" for months at a time.
Fortunately, this story had a happy ending.  I hope it's the first of many HIV stories with a happy ending.  
But we're not hearing the rest of the story.  And in not hearing it, we are ignoring the very real possibility that other states will follow Mississippi's lead.  And women will lose not only access to health care, but will lose their lives.
And that's the rest of the story.

So I Write Letters....

I write letters to the editor of the local newspaper, and I'm delighted they print them. 
Here is my latest:


"Recently, we elected people to our state legislature because they promised: “We will create jobs!” They said this so often, you might think they were experts in the field of job creation. Or the economy, because they promised — over and over — they could fix that.
So we elected them, because we thought we should send “experts” to Indianapolis — “experts” in job creation and economy-fixing.
Now, they have magically become experts in women’s health, completely forgetting about their “expertise” in jobs.
“I need to have an abortion,” says a woman. Her medical doctor agrees.
“Hold on,” says the new “expert” in the field (the Indiana legislature). “You do not need that. But if you insist — think it’s your ‘right,’ then fine. You need two ultrasounds.” “That’s not medically necessary,” says the medical doctor. “Yes, it is. Do it,” orders the new “expert.”
“But I do not want a transvaginal probe,” protests the woman. “I do not want that in my body.”
“But we know what’s best for you,” says the new “expert.” And the Indiana legislature orders the doctor to sexually assault (Look up the definition. You’re a grownup; you should know these words and understand the meaning) the woman. Twice.
Because Indiana legislators are the all-knowing, powerful “experts” in women’s health. Imagine how great it would be if they actually cared about women.
Last questions: How much jail time will a woman get if she refuses? How soon can we fire the “experts?”"

Unfortunately, my amazing gift did not sway the State Senate (as if!), so I wrote to my state representative this morning.  This is what I wrote:
"Rep. Truitt--I urge you to vote "no" on SB371.  My reasons are many, but perhaps the most persuasive argument is one that you have used before--less government is better.  If you are against government overreach, you have to be against this bill, for it is government intervention at its' worst.

I appeal to you as a husband and father as well--I cannot believe that you would vote for the government to intrude on a decision that should be left to a woman (your mother, wife, daughter) and her doctor.  I also appeal to you as a man--can you imagine having to stand by while the government imposes its will on someone you love?  

Finally, I appeal to you as a pragmatic, thoughtful person.  Bills like this do not "end abortion".  They just make abortions more unsafe.  Women will die.  

Make a good government decision, based on your Republican principle of limited government, and what you know to be right . 

Vote against SB 371."

Granted, it was "written on the fly", but I thought it was pretty persuasive.  I certainly expected a thoughtful response, because this bill has such real ramifications for women.  You cannot get more real than a transvaginal ultrasound.

 This is what I received: 
"Thanks for your comments and thoughts on this bill.  This is a bill that has passionate positions on both sides.  We will wait and see what the bill is like once it gets through Committee (assuming that it does). Thank you for being part of the process."
Am I wrong to expect more from an elected official?  I guess it would be different if he had already expressed himself in the media, but he hasn't.  It seems that, over and over, men don't want to talk about these "women things", but are perfectly willing to vote on them.
Shame on them.

There are No Words, but I'll Try

There are no words for this tragedy.  Savita Halappanavar was killed by the Irish government.  Her crime?  Being pregnant.
She was having a miscarriage, which in itself is tragic enough.  The fetus was dying--the doctors knew that.  But because Ireland is a Catholic church-ruled country (and no, do not take me to task for that--check it out yourself and then we will talk), the doctors would not perform an abortion.  Savita died THREE DAYS later.  She fucking DIED because the government of Ireland values the life of anything else over the life of a woman.
And sadly, this kind of thing happens over and over and over again, daily--in every country in the world (including the United States) that has laws that put women at risk.
We came...this...close to having a Theocracy-ruled country in this last election.  It shouldn't ever happen here, but it does.  Every time a state legislature has a majority of men in power, it can happen.  And it did--a LOT--in 2011.
We must always be vigilant.  We must use our voices and our money to elect people who will not kill women.  We must elect more and more and more people who believe women have a right to their own bodies.
We must not forget Savita Halappanavar.
You know what makes me sickest of all?  Until 1869, the "Holy" Roman Catholic Church did not have much of an opinion on abortion.  Popes and priests of the past were actually pretty happy their mistresses were able to have abortions, to save them explaining stuff to their parishioners.  Then, I guess God changed his mind, and ruled that women could no longer have control over their own bodies.
I think it's high time God changes her mind.  Actually, it's too late.  For so many women who died so unnecessarily.
Fuck you, Irish government.  How about seceding from the Catholic Church?
And, oh God, how many more?  

Transvaginal. Ultrasound. Yes, Transvaginal.

Sometimes it's best to have a visual.  I'm not apologizing for the image above.  I hope it shocks you, makes you gasp, look away, get mad....all of the above.  I hope you're pissed as hell, and I hope THIS is the kick in the ass you need to get involved.
Because THAT--up there--is now allowed to happen to women who who are seeking reproductive health services in the state of Virginia.  The Republican governor has promised to sign this bill as soon as it reaches his desk.  Yes, in the United States of America.  In 2012. 
In case you haven't heard, from now on, if a woman in Virginia wants an abortion, the doctor will be REQUIRED to do a transvaginal ultrasound.  For no other reason than the legislature told the doctor to--there is no medical reason why this is necessary.  It's just that men in suits in March 2012 decided that they would love to rape a woman without getting their hands dirty.  They would love to rape a woman because they can.
Let me let that sink in.
Rape--a sexual assault initiated without a person's consent.  This is what the legislature voted to have done to women who don't consent.  Girls who are abused, pregnant, and need an abortion.  They have to be "probed".  Women who are raped, need a abortion--a legal medical procedure, are required to be "probed". Again.  I could go on, but this just makes me sick.
What the hell?  Have men in the United States lost their minds?  Yes, you can remind me that women are legislators too, but they are not a majority of the legislator in any state in the United States.  This is proposed by men, and approved by men.   
I thought it was our economy that sucked, that we needed jobs and infrastructure, and good education; clean air and clean water and safe food.
Turns out that, according to a lot of Republicans, a lot of male legislators, what we really need is to fuck our women any way we can.  Some call it a transvaginal probe, some call it rape.  I call it frightening.
And don't get me started on the "Personhood at Conception" bill that was also passed, most recently in Virginia. 

Please....get mad.  Get involved.  Draw the line in the sand NOW.
At the very least, donate.  To NARAL.  To Planned Parenthood.  To the Democratic Party.  Because the Republicans have just proved all they want to do is fuck you and your women.  Literally.

Consider This

Sometimes you can watch show after show, read endlessly, and then one soft-spoken woman drops a little bombshell of a comment--this is the one Dr. said on Rachel tonight: "Think about it. Women who have abortions are supporting motherhood."

Think about it. Peel away all your opinions, biases, and deeply held beliefs and think about what she said. Because she's right.

Women who have abortions are saying, "I cannot be a good mother at the moment. I have the utmost respect for mothers, but I cannot be one now. Maybe some day, I will be a good mother, but not now. Now I need to take care of myself."

Step Off and Shut Up

Dr. George Tiller went to his church (Reformation Lutheran Church) this morning with his wife. As she got ready to sing with the rest of the choir, he began his duties as an usher. It was, by all appearances, a beautiful summer morning in America's heartland, and was a scene repeated probably in hundreds of churches this last morning in May. Except Dr. Tiller was killed while being an usher in his church, where presumably he and all the other congregants were getting ready to worship God and his son Jesus Christ.
Why? Was this some crazed Islamic terrorist? A Jewish terrorist? Now, I hate to speculate, but....I will anyway. No, this terrorist was a white male who had listened just once too often to the hate-filled diatribes of Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue (I would provide a link to this website, but for some reason it's just not available at the moment....hmmm). Mr. Terry, when not riling up his minions, provided updates to "Tiller Watch"--a part of the official Operation Rescue website. Since I can't access this part of the website at the moment (hmmm...), I will just have to speculate some more. I would imagine that "Tiller Watch" wasn't an innocuous little blog, with cutesy information such as what Dr. Tiller ate last Friday night at the church supper. No, I would fairly confidently guess that "Tiller Watch" was a dangerous part of a dangerous website--just as dangerous as those websites that can be linked to other terrorist organizations. I do not use the word "terrorist" flippantly. One definition of terrorist is "one who would cause fear and submission by frightening people". By this definition, Randall Terry is a terrorist leader, and this unnamed gunman is a terrorist. Their targets? Women and those who provide health care to women.
Dr. George Tiller provided health care to women. He died because he provided health care to women.
My heart goes out to the family and friends of this brave doctor, who was senselessly killed in the middle of America in his "mainstream protestant" church by a home-grown terrorist. The blood of Dr. Tiller is on the hands of members of Operation Rescue just as surely as it is on the terrorist who pulled the trigger. This was a hate crime, and Randall Terry is directly responsible. He knows it in his heart; why else would his website be closed tonight?
Randall Terry should do the rest of humanity a favor, and shut up.
What did Dr. Tiller do that was so horrible as to cause him to be wounded in another terrorist attack in 1993, and targeted today? Well, and again I'm speculating, it's probably because he provided the very rare procedure called "late term abortion". Basically, he very occasionally provided medical care to a woman who needed an abortion in the last trimester of a pregnancy. These abortions are done for no other reason than to save the life of the woman--in most cases, the fetus is already dead, or will die shortly after birth. They are not done for "convenience" or any other cockamamie reason you might have read. Without the abortion, the woman will die. Randall Terry, when faced with the choice "abortion or die".....oh wait--he will never have to face that choice. Randall Terry needs to shut up.
Which brings me to part two of this blog--the part where I explain "step off".
In the past few years (probably since I turned 40), I've found myself more "radical" in some of my beliefs. In my early years, I guess I was much more willing to see the shades of gray between the black and white. Now, on certain issues, I know there is no gray. I chalk it up to life experience.
One issue is abortion. This is my position: men need to "step off". This is not your issue, and never will be. Find something else, but the issue of abortion needs to be decided by women and women only. Why? Men cannot die in childbirth. When they can, they have every right to have a voice in the discussion. Until then, they need to step off.
You see, a few years ago, a friend of mine died after giving birth. Yes, in the 21st century, in a local hospital, a healthy 23 year old died of complications from childbirth. I miss her every day--she had such potential, had so much to give to this world. She made all of us laugh; she was smart and gifted, and she died from something no male ever will. Sorry guys, but this is our discussion, because it's about our lives.
Truly, the only role for men in this issue is to support --make sure abortions remain always safe, legal, and available. Because I've got news for you--no matter what legislation men pass, no matter how many doctors men kill, women will still find a way to have an abortion if they need one. Don't believe me? Go ask your mothers and grandmothers--they will tell you about the desperate sisters, aunts, friends they helped--helped to find "medicine", sympathetic "back alley" doctors, or emergency care when the coat hanger perforated the uterus.
Today I mourn for my friend, and I mourn for a doctor who cared about women. It makes me angry to know he was killed by a terrorist who was influenced by the hate speech of a man who had no right to voice an opinion, but did it anyway.
Rest in Peace, Dr. George Tiller.

So I wrote a Letter to the Editor

I'm not sure they will be publishing this one, but I just had to say it, or...well...explode. My letter was in response to one from a local priest, who took President Obama to task, and ended by saying, "Respect and defense of innocent life is the only chance we have for true peace and authentic healing." This priest is a one-issue kinda guy, and I'm just tired of reading the same tired rhetoric. Pre-born is cherished, and post-born---well, you're on your own. So here is what I wrote:
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"Recently, this page has contained letters from two individuals who never have anything new to say about their pet subject—“pro-life”, and yet feel compelled to expound on the “evils” of those who actually think beyond the life of the “unborn child”. One writer was so bold as to question the benefits of the Stimulus Plan—I guess putting people to work wasn’t “pro-life” enough.
Here’s my challenge to them, and to all others who feel they are “pro-life”: do something to help those humans who are actually here on earth, and then write to tell about that. Send a large check to the mother who has 8 newborns, and 6 others at home—her address is in California, and she sure could use that money. Open a daycare center that is free to all families. All families—no exceptions. Write letters extolling the virtues of Head Start to Congress--tell them to fund that program to the fullest. Hold fundraisers for those local agencies that help handicapped individuals—dedicate a portion of your own household income to these groups. Be vocal advocates of the proposed Juvenile Center; those kids are most in need of help. Better yet, ask how you can help raise money. Volunteer for the Mental Health Association, Meals on Wheels, or the Community Health Center. Open the doors of your church for an elder daycare center, to go with the free childcare center.
In other words, walk the talk—work for those outside the womb too. "