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.