Cartoonist Garry Trudeau, of Doonesbury fame, is going to tackle the new Texas ultra-sound abortion law the upcoming Doonesbury comic strip. According to Yahoo.com:
The Texas series features a woman who goes to an abortion clinic and is confronted by several people who suggest she should be ashamed. Among them is a doctor who reads a script on behalf of Texas Gov. Rick Perry welcoming her to a “compulsory trans-vaginal exam,” and a middle-aged legislator who calls her a “slut.”
One panel equates the invasive procedure to rape and describes the device used to perform it as a “10-inch shaming wand.”
Newspapers who don’t want to feature this issue will be offered an alternative. Hopefully, Trudeau’s biting sarcasm will shame a couple of states, including Virginia, into reversing its their recent legislation. Some of Trudeau’s language will be quite graphic for a general audience.
It will be interesting to see which papers carry the syndicated substitute. Mwanwhile, tired of reproductive rights? Thank the religious right. The pro-choice community sure didn’t bring it up. However, they aren’t going to give it a pass. Not by a long shot.
Fact: Most “reputable” abortion clinics provide ultrasounds prior to abortions anyway, mostly to cover their own hides in case of an ectopic or advanced pregnancy. That has always been on the menu of services by Amethyst, our friendly neighborhood abortion provider. Oh, and better be able to pay up front there. They make that ABUNDANTLY clear on their website. It’s not always just about the woman. They’ve got a business to run.
I stopped reading Doonesbury when the humor became more like a left-wing bludgeon. Yeah, Garry, you’re a Bush-Cheney-hating liberal. We got it with the first clubbing years ago. I’m sure this will be just as subtle, kind of like Bill Maher. But then again, subtle humor actually requires some talent.
Emma, are you one of those people who sneaks into Amethyst Clinic to get information? How about one of those ‘volunteers’ from the fake clinic over there who lure in patients, usually young or from out of town who don’t know any better. Once they are in there they take down private information and have even called them at home trying to get them to change their minds. Yes, that used to happen.
Actually, the ultrasound at many clinics is for gestational age. 12 Weeks is a cut off point for first trimester abortions in Virginia. As for quality of service, the pro choice community would like to be able to police their own ranks and insist that excellent, high quality service be given in all areas of reproductive health. If the service isn’t high quality, thank the anti choice zealots who continue to want to drive abortion services back to the back alleys.
To illuminate further, I have had that pig from Philadelphia with the fetus jars and damaged women thrown up in my face many times, despite the fact that NAF, Planned Parenthood and NARAL all sent out statements about him both before and after he was ‘discovered’ by law enforcement. No part of the pro-choice community endorses bad services or would ever support a clinic with those practices, were they known. They want to shut people down with bad practices down more so than the anti choice people. SAFE and legal aren’t just buzz words.
Meanwhile, I certainly am not going to be part of local endorsement of any medical practices for abortion or any other services.
The bottom line is that people feel differently about abortion. All the talk in the world rarely changes a point of view. The only thing that changes one’s point of view, as a rule, is one’s own circumstances or the circumstances of a close friend or relative. That’s one reason I never actually debate abortion. You won’t change my mind nor will I change yours. Very few people know how I feel personally. The only debate I will have is over public policy and what our laws should and should not be. Then each person can make their own morally appropriate choice,should they feel the need to do so.
Emma, with all due respect. I believe most, if not all medical providers require payment in full up front. I certainly know all the doctors, etc. I’ve been to, sure do. I don’t see why the clinic in the city should be any different. Yes, they do have a business to run like all doctors, clinics, and hospitals do.
Emma,
If an ultrasound is done anyway, why the legislation? Because MAYBE , not that you know, since you don’t work in a clinic, it isn’t ALWAYS required in EVERY case.
This is a way to shame women and I find it disgusting. Hows that required visit to the sex therapist sounding now. Should be perfectly fine given your position on the government interfence in this issue. Viagra can have serious side effects and men should be treated like morons before they are allowed to take the medication.
I have NEVER visited ANY doctors office where copay, IF you are insured is not expected before you recieve treatment. When my son had a very expensive gum graft, we had to pay IN FULL, over a grand, for the treatment.
I didn’t ever say here that I agreed with the legislation. But the reality is that it is done pretty much everywhere.
@Emma, I don’t think it should be done. There isn’t a medical reason to do it. If there is, then that should be between the woman and the doctor, not the state. It is all about driving cost up, waiting periods, and making abortions more inaccessble.
Lots of states have been embolden since last election to make all sorts of laws that whittle away at abortion rights. I understand why there haven’t been court challenges. I just don’t agree with that decision.
Where it’s been challenged (as Starry pointed out) the courts have decided with legislators and the state(s).
Marinm,
I believe in Texas a court overturned a decision to prevent the transvaginal ultrasound from becoming law. It was then sent to the next court where that decision was overturned. I am not sure the legal system has exhausted all the possible court venues in TX.
Doonesbury……wow…..now we’ll see some changes!!
@pokie
[Best goofy laugh]
@marinm
It hasn’t hit the Federal Circuit courts yet.
I hope Elena is right.
Pokie probably doesn’t remember the social commentary of the 60’s and early 70’s. Is all political and social satire to effect change or is it to give a voice to those who would otherwise be drowned out?
Does Mark Twain ring any bells?!
@Elena
In Texas it’s now the law of the land as a court hasn’t yet delayed implementation and the original judge that oversaw the case (and was overruled) ruled in favor of Texas as required by the 5th Circuit.
They can appeal to the SCOTUS but I don’t see this turning out your way.
As I’ve said before unless the People limit the reach of govt we have given the power to regulate healthcare to state governments. The Obamacare issue deals with it from a Federale perspective and I don’t think we’ve given them those powers and that’s why I think Florida et al will win.
@Marin
Everyone going to court thinks they will win. I have no idea what would happen. I don’t have a law degree. Do you?
I don’t think a court would approve of someone being forced to have a medical procedure that is unnecessary but stranger things have happened.
I guess our only choice is to play wait and see. Meanwhile…prevention prevention prevention. That’s my mantra and I am sticking to it.
Trudeau:
Socialist def: a black guy with power.
http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/db/
The meanings of individual words can change over time. Definitions must be relative.
Come to the shaming room:
http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/db/
episode 1 Doonsbury
“Take a seat in the shaming room. A middle aged, state legislator will be with you in a moment….”
Virginia has so many:
Shamer Colgan, Shamer Marshall, Shamer Miller, Shamer Lingamfelter, Shamer Anderson, Shamer Black, Shamer Ramadan, and the biggest Shamer, Shamer McDonnell.
hahahaha! That is funny. Trudeau is a hero. Keep posting the funnies.
So when does this show up in Beetle Bailey?
I believe that President Obama restored abortion services to women in uniform when he came to office. It had been suspended during the Bush years. The problem was most severe for uniformed women who were in combat zones or stationed overseas where abortion services weren’t readily available.
From the Shame Room-
Doonsbury-Day 2
Do your parents know you are a slut?
http://wpcomics.washingtonpost.com/client/wpc/db/
LOL!
I’m not seeing the humor. If you have to bludgeon people with your point, it’s never going to be funny.
Its his age, Emma. People of my generation always have to bludgeon people with their opinion. Think about Oliver Stone. He shouts everything he feels.
I don’t see humor as much as I see dark satire. I am used to the loud of my generation. I can see why you might find it offensive though.
Doonesbury was far better 20-25 years ago. The characters had much more depth, and some warmth to them. Now they’re more like animated bumper stickers.