Most Republicans I know have defiantly told me that there is no war on women. Literally, I agree. Figuratively I strongly disagree.
First off, I usually give Republicans credit, with great fanfare, for having the best control of the sound-bites and the bumper sticker slogans. They are just better at it that Democrats and like-minded people. Not in this case– the women snatched the sound bite and owned it. War on Women is ours and we will use it as we please. We own it.
There isn’t a person in the world who can realistically deny that women had a great deal to do with the outcome of the election. I don’t just mean the presidential election–that was probably the least significant. The war on women showed up in senatorial and congressional races all over this country and the women most definitely threw the some of the bastards out.
Any time men sit around and make up laws that affect mainly women, it will be seen as a war on women. If you don’t like that expression, help us change it to something else. It sure feels like an assault to me. The louder the protest, the more I feel the assault is being confirmed.
How to change the terms of engagement is relatively simple: Shut up the loud mouth bullies like Limbaugh. Denounce him when he crawls out from under his rock and calls women “femi-nazis” or sluts.
Leave reproductive laws alone. “Pro-life” isn’t your boss. Everyone is pro-life. Look for common ground if you must. Stop dividing. I am not a “baby killer.”
Accept that financing contraception for poor women is the smart thing to do and that not everyone can afford that extra $50 a month for contraception. If you can’t wrap your brain around it, just accept it.
Accept that stopping unwanted pregnancy reduces the need for abortion. Its a simple concept.
Get over Planned Parenthood. It isn’t the enemy. If you think it is, you really don’t know much about it.
Finally, you might want to listen to Karen Hughes…yes, THE Karen Hughes: (Huffington Post)
“And if another Republican man says anything about rape other than it is a horrific, violent crime, I want to personally cut out his tongue,” she wrote. “The college-age daughters of many of my friends voted for Obama because they were completely turned off by Neanderthal comments like the suggestion of ‘legitimate rape.'”
While Hughes’ language is quite graphic, the underlying advice appears solid. A host of Republican candidates who drew fervent criticism for their comments about rape ended up losing last week.
Karen Hughes worked for Bush administration and was a spokesperson for anti abortion efforts. Her involvement in various movements since she left the White House is unknown.
Other hints will be given from time to time, as the need arises.
This is what it has come to: “Get over it…, Accept it…, and Shut up.” Usually that comes from the realization that reasoned argument is lost and only a resort to force and intimidation will win the day. Sad. Really sad. I would agree there is a war against women, and abortion is a literal part of that war: physical, bloody, and deadly- nothing figurative about it. Over a million babies a year dead, using PP numbers. “Get over, accept, shut up?” Not a chance.
Rick,not everyone agrees with you and none of us can force our religious beliefs on others.
Rick, do you think you could seek common ground with someone pro choice?
Yes, of course. We agree there is a war on women, although we mean different things. But it is place to start. Could be an interesting dialog.
I would think that all of us would agree that the closer to term abortion gets, the more repugnant. Perhaps we should define late term.
Yes, I believe there is an ongoing “War on Women” being led by conservatives and members of certain religious groups. While I refuse to agree to the terms “Anti-abortion” or “Pro-life” I fully accept the term, “Pro-choice.” I believe women should have a choice of what they want to do regarding their health care and reproductive care (don’t know if that is the proper term) but my point is that women should be able to make their own choices regarding what to do about a pregnancy. If they chose abortion, it should be safe, which it has been. Governments should not throw up unnecessary barriers to abortion services all in the thinly disguised name of patient safety. I hope women will continue to stand up and speak out–it is the only path to personal freedom. Congratulations on this piece Moon and Elena.
Karen Hughs said it best!
George, even in the “safest” abortion it is deadly for the baby. Please don’t write off an entire class of people just because they are unborn. Both women and babies need defended from the horror of abortion.
MH, I’m am no medical expert, so I would not presume to make definitive staements about the definitions of various stages of pregnancy. One thing is obvious: The reason later term abortions are appear more repugnant is that it is plain what is going on.
Rick, are you one of those people who feel that fertilized eggs or zygotes have the same rights as senient women?
I don’t argue abortion because people don’t change each other’s minds. All of our beliefs on the subject are generally based on our faith, our ethical viewp[oints, or our life circumstances.
Have you ever known someone who desperately wanted a child and who discovered they were were carrying a fetus with a severe deformity where life post birth really wasn’t possible? It is very sad.
Sorry about the typos, sent this from my iPad. Still haven’t mastered this electronic keyboard.
I won’t master it either, Rick. Is it a virtual or do you have real keyboard? I have a real keyboard and I won’t use it.
Nevertheless, the decision should be left to the mother, not politicians
Absolutely, Starry. I have no problem churches telling their own flock how to behave. I mind governments sticking their nose where their nose doesn’t belong. Imind churches telling other than their own flock how to behave.
s@Rick
So I am presuming you don’t believe in abortion under any circumstances–is that correct? And who do you believe should “defend” the women? Is that the job of some testosterone producing politician? I’m sorry to disagree that women need defending–they are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves without your interference or the interference of politicians and other misguided souls. Obviously, you believe you know best and like Moon et al why try to change your mind. Not worth the effort since there is no chance.
Women are not merely vessels to carry babies…..Period.
Nor are they involuntary incubators–
Rick,
Because you will never be faced with such a heart wrenching choice, you will never be able to walk in a womans shoes. Abortion is almost never an easy decision. As long as women have had unwanted pregnancies there has been abortion. The question is under what parameters WILL it happen. Will it be safe or unsafe? Because you don’t remember what it was like when it was illegal, you simply cannot fathom the suffering women endured.
Moon has said it best, you are either woman centered or fetus centered, I am woman centered. I believe that in the first trimester a woman should be able to have easy access to safe and legal abortion. Beyond that, there needs to be mitigating circumstances.
Another attempt on the iPad! (it is an electronic keyboard)
It is fair to say none of us have walked in each others shoes. But, man though I be, it is personal. I refuse to be silent about the slaughter of the unborn, nearly 3500 a day in our country. It is a grave injustice against women and their babies. You’re right George, I can’t see this other than the monstrosity that it is. If you think that makes me misguided, than so be it. But you might think differently, if this conversation was over a cup of coffee. I would hope that you would see my passion is from compassion not anger. I get the sense from these responses that there is little real understanding of what it means to be really pro-life. For an insight into where I’m coming from take a look at this story by Jen Fulwiler.
http://www.conversiondiary.com/2008/01/how-i-became-pro-life.html
In reference to that article, MH, your analysis that one’s worldview(ie., religion) affects understanding is correct. But truth is not relative, and is quite unaffected by opinion. The difficulty in making an argument is that many of us cannot see this. It is so easy for any of us to accept the lie.
RickBW, your approach is obviously from your faith. You believe your faith is the one and only true faith. I don’t share your beliefs.
I actually think most people very much understand the “pro life position.” Some folks are fetus focused and some are woman focused. I am women focused. Isn’t it great when everything is in sync?
Rick, you should probably know that I feel it is immoral to have more children than a person can take care of. I am very pro contraception. I think I have a pretty good grasp on the truth.