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In reply to the discussion: Abortion actually is becoming RARE. Jailing women for "suspicious miscarriages" is trending. Coincidence? [View all]nashville_brook
(20,958 posts)32. this is what happened in my life this week, in abortion politics -->
KILLING US SOFTLY On abortion were one compromise away from third world status
The Florida Squeeze
by nashville_brook
http://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/04/19/killing-us-softly-on-abortion-were-one-compromise-away-from-third-world-status/
This week I traveled to Tallahassee to tell my abortion story to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Along with two other women, we went to make womens voices heard as the fate of the Mandatory Wait Bill (SB 724) was considered.
I put considered in scare quotes because we all know that theres no consideration in these matters. And, the fact that I was the only one of the three of us who was able to tell my story proves they never intended to deliberate. They hid behind a procedural rule to cut off testimony, because what could women possibly add to a debate thats already been decided? The suppressed testimony of the two other women can be found below. They had a lot to add, as youll learn when you watch these videos, and its outrageous that they werent permitted to be heard.
Diane's unheard story:
Barbara's unheard story:
My own testimony focused on the fact that while our stories are different, we share the opinion that we dont need Tallahassee politicians inserting themselves into our lives to remind us of the seriousness of our decisions. Everyone knows that mandatory wait laws are impediments made in bad faith by snickering opponents of reproductive rights.
Its clear to me that the only way to fight back is to step out of the shadows, so let the headlines read Local Woman Has Abortion 25 Years ago: Still Doesnt Regret It.
In the 40-plus years since Roe v. Wade, weve lost so much ground that reproductive freedom barely exists anymore, and this threatens our basic human rights as women. I believe that if we dont put a human face on it were ceding another victory to our opposition.
It was a mistake we made in the 90s. We thought that finally having a Democratic president after 12 years of Reagan/Bush meant we could rest easy on this issue of womens rights. The rising tide would float all boats. We were wrong.
This is precisely when things went haywire. Political thinkers and Democrats in Congress began asking, Where can women compromise? And the answer was late term abortion, which is a procedure thats used only under the most extreme circumstances when the life of mother or child is at stake. People needing this procedure arent seeking birth control. Theyre fighting for their lives. And yet this seemed a reasonable place to cede ground and it was the camels nose under the tent.
Once you abandon the foundational premise that were equal members of society with full agency over our healthcare decisions, the forces that desire to keep us in our place are empowered on all levels. Forget equal pay, or the right to seek healthcare without discrimination. Were all daddys little girls now.
more at link --> http://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/04/19/killing-us-softly-on-abortion-were-one-compromise-away-from-third-world-status/
The Florida Squeeze
by nashville_brook
http://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/04/19/killing-us-softly-on-abortion-were-one-compromise-away-from-third-world-status/
This week I traveled to Tallahassee to tell my abortion story to the Senate Judiciary Committee. Along with two other women, we went to make womens voices heard as the fate of the Mandatory Wait Bill (SB 724) was considered.
I put considered in scare quotes because we all know that theres no consideration in these matters. And, the fact that I was the only one of the three of us who was able to tell my story proves they never intended to deliberate. They hid behind a procedural rule to cut off testimony, because what could women possibly add to a debate thats already been decided? The suppressed testimony of the two other women can be found below. They had a lot to add, as youll learn when you watch these videos, and its outrageous that they werent permitted to be heard.
Diane's unheard story:
Barbara's unheard story:
My own testimony focused on the fact that while our stories are different, we share the opinion that we dont need Tallahassee politicians inserting themselves into our lives to remind us of the seriousness of our decisions. Everyone knows that mandatory wait laws are impediments made in bad faith by snickering opponents of reproductive rights.
Its clear to me that the only way to fight back is to step out of the shadows, so let the headlines read Local Woman Has Abortion 25 Years ago: Still Doesnt Regret It.
In the 40-plus years since Roe v. Wade, weve lost so much ground that reproductive freedom barely exists anymore, and this threatens our basic human rights as women. I believe that if we dont put a human face on it were ceding another victory to our opposition.
It was a mistake we made in the 90s. We thought that finally having a Democratic president after 12 years of Reagan/Bush meant we could rest easy on this issue of womens rights. The rising tide would float all boats. We were wrong.
This is precisely when things went haywire. Political thinkers and Democrats in Congress began asking, Where can women compromise? And the answer was late term abortion, which is a procedure thats used only under the most extreme circumstances when the life of mother or child is at stake. People needing this procedure arent seeking birth control. Theyre fighting for their lives. And yet this seemed a reasonable place to cede ground and it was the camels nose under the tent.
Once you abandon the foundational premise that were equal members of society with full agency over our healthcare decisions, the forces that desire to keep us in our place are empowered on all levels. Forget equal pay, or the right to seek healthcare without discrimination. Were all daddys little girls now.
more at link --> http://thefloridasqueeze.com/2015/04/19/killing-us-softly-on-abortion-were-one-compromise-away-from-third-world-status/
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Abortion actually is becoming RARE. Jailing women for "suspicious miscarriages" is trending. Coincidence? [View all]
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
OP
i think that people believe we have full rights on this b/c Roe still exists
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#6
we're let down all too often on matters concerning women's rights by fellow DUers
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#14
lip service = passing laws with no enforcement mechanism + claim victory
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#38
YES TO THIS --> "invented contempt for women's health to keep us from ruling the world"
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#34
i've been an activist on this issue since high school, and it wasn't until that thread
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#18
true this. we have to deal with individual states and the supreme crt. that is a MUST.
seabeyond
Apr 2015
#21
The gop War on Women rolls on like a tidal wave bulldozing everything in its path.
Dont call me Shirley
Apr 2015
#24
We have got to recognize their millennia-old games and refuse to play.
Dont call me Shirley
Apr 2015
#83
mobilize and persuade -- get ppl to the polls by actually standing up for us
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#73
What the hell are you aiming. If you are talking about Hillary calling abortions "rare" and you
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#39
the language of the "rare" abortion is counter-productive per the reasons i set out.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#40
I am glad to hear there are Hillary supporters. Hillary is not advocating for RW states to make
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#53
this isn't an anti-Hillary sentiment or thread...there's PLENTY of those.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#55
RE Hillary -- here's what i published earlier today. does this sound anti-HRC?
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#69
i'd also like back surgery to be rare...but that doesn't imply moral hazard
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#50
There isn't any comparsion of back surgery and pregnancy. Can a woman who isn't pregnant get an
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#58
so you just refuse to accept there's a value judgement in the "rare" abortion.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#61
You have this turned around and upside down. I accept making abortions rare, a no pregnancy does
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#62
And abortions are in order for these cases. Look I sorta understand ther are "accidents" ergo
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#65
Then you just may be wrong headed if you think Hillary was not talking about birth
Thinkingabout
Apr 2015
#56
so, if women just stopped getting knocked up we wouldn't be having this discussion.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#57
well, that's what's implied in the moral hazard of the "rare" abortion. own it.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#60
just this week Oregon DEMOCRATS (super-majority, btw) killed a bill to expand abortion rights.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#52
this is exactly what i'm talking about -- it's our job to provide political cover.
nashville_brook
Apr 2015
#78
I think it totally sucks that not very many self-identified males HERE AT DU
bullwinkle428
Apr 2015
#85