Dismantling Rights: Our Supreme Court in Action

Today's decision--overruling Roe v. Wade--was a first--taking away constitutional rights previously granted to Americans. Of course, it's only women's rights to bodily autonomy; denying women rights is in the current Republican Party's DNA.

I've read opinions and analyses that are more thoughtful than my reaction, which is to curse the justices. Five of them are reactionary: out of touch with the American people on cases about gun safety and women's health/rights. 

Between this Supreme Court and insurrection attempts by Trump and company, I'm afraid for/of my country.

Rally for Abortion Justice

Last Saturday October 2, I participated in a rally for abortion justice. We met on a bridge heading into the main shopping area of Westport, CT. We waved our signs, chanted "My body, my choice," "Mister, Mister, keep your laws off my sister," and "We won't go back," and cheered as passing motorists beeped at us. We were most encouraged by truck and bus drivers beeping to show their support. 

At first, I was annoyed that the organizers expected us to bring banners. Then I figured out what would work for me. I played around with sizes and fonts on my pc and printed out two 8.5 x 11 pages: one read "Abortion is Healthcare," and the second read "Keep Abortion Legal." I glued them on 9 x 12 mixed media pages. Next I taped them to a yardstick, so I had a two sided sign. My sign (not me) made the local News 12 telecast.

Here are two of my favorite signs from the rally.  I cropped out the people because I don't have permission to use them in my blog.

                "When government controls decisions for her, she is being treated as 

           less than a fully adult human, responsible for her own choices."

Other favorites:

"Hey GOP I'm only three but I already know it's my body."

"Nevertheless, she persisted."

There were a few signs with coat hanger imagery, "I Stand with Planned Parenthood" (I had this on a bumper sticker on my last car) and "My body my choice." I think I was the only one with "Abortion is Healthcare."

I only saw three people in cars who gave us a thumbs down. Many cars just drove by, but many beeped in support or waved. 

Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal showed up with a local candidate I didn't know (I don't live in Westport.)

I hope the politicians paid attention to us and all of the rallies across the nation.

Keep Abortion Legal.

Abortion is Healthcare. 

Is Texas Bizarro World?

Bizarro World is ruled by a Bizarro Code in which everything is the opposite of Earthly things. I learned about this through Elaine's experience on Seinfeld.

Today the Texas legislature had its own Bizarro Code--outlawing tampons while allowing guns. Yes, it's true.

I just don't know what to say. Trying to silence women isn't enough. Let's search women for feminine hygiene products and confiscate those products.

I guess in Texas it's hunting season on women.

This is Freedom?

Today is Independence Day, a day when we celebrate our freedom, our independence from Great Britain.

What's happened to our freedoms lately?

We've discovered that our government is is spying on us.

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act threatens the right to vote.

Are you a woman? Your rights to safe, legal medical care are threatened in
Texas, North Carolina, Ohio and--oh hell--everywhere. And we're supposed to remain silent as our rights are being systematically destroyed.

At least this is good news.

Four Years After Dr. George Tiller

We won't forget how you were gunned down in your church.

Please read this. As usual, Melissa McEwan breaks it down logically and eloquently.

Life Without Roe

I am following up on yesterday's post about the anniversary of Roe v. Wade because I wanted to link to this post and this article.

Fear and desperation.

40 Years

Today is the 40th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision of Roe v. Wade. I have been lucky enough to have been part of the generation that has had legal access to abortion. At least in theory.

No one aspires to have an abortion (despite what Rush Limbaugh says--I don't even want to look for that link.)  But the absence of abortion rights means forced birth.

Even worse is that people who want to outlaw abortion are also looking to limit or outlaw contraception. They don't care that access to contraception reduces the number of abortions; they want to control women.

Outlawing contraception will not lead to a more "moral" nation--whatever that means. It will lead to unwanted pregnancies, fear and desperation.

Prohibiting abortion will not stop abortion. It will just kill women. 

Three Years Ago

He died for me, for all women. He died because he believed in women; he believed we could make our own choices; he believed that we deserved self-determination.

RIP Dr. George Tiller http://abortiongang.org/2012/05/honoring-dr-tiller-a-collective-remembrance/