By Jeanne Duncan on 08/22/2009 @ 03:25 PM
Tags: Michele Bachmann, Health Care, Choice, Reproductive Rights
Irony: the use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning b: a usually humorous or sardonic literary style or form characterized by irony c: an ironic expression or utterance
My friends know I am a stickler about the word "irony," which might be the most misused word in the English language. So whenever I see an example of true irony, I like to point it out. This, my friends, is true irony: Right-wing Cong. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.), who is virulently opposed to reproductive rights, including a woman's right to choose, says "under no certain circumstances will I give the government control over my body and my health care decisions." No, she has not changed her views on choice; she's just continuing her campaign of misinformation about Democratic efforts at health insurance reform.
By Emily on 07/24/2009 @ 05:47 PM
Tags: Choice, Feminism
A "man's right to choose"? That's the phrase that's going around after an Ohio legislator introduced a bill recently requiring paternal consent -- in the form of written permission -- before doctors are allowed to perform abortions.
I can't say I'm speechless (because I have lots to say about this), but it's hard to put into words what an outrageous assault this is on a woman's constitutional right to privacy. The bill would require women to provide a list of possible fathers for paternity tests in cases in which the father is not known. And in incidents of rape or incest, women would be forced to provide proof in the form of court documents or police reports.
The state representative, John Adams (yes, really) from Sidney, Ohio, introduced similar legislation two years ago.
The current legislation has already caused an uproar, including immediate reactions from the choice community. From the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Ohio, Gary Daugherty: "The (U.S.) Supreme Court has already spoken on the issue. It is clearly unconstitutional."
By Emily on 07/15/2009 @ 01:42 PM
Tags: Kirsten Gillibrand, Choice, , US Senate
New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is racking up even more endorsements for her 2010 election. Gillibrand, who was appointed in January to be the state's freshman senator after Hillary Clinton was named secretary of state, was endorsed by Planned Parenthood yesterday.
From their letter of endorsement:
During your time in the House and in five short months in the Senate, you have demonstrated consistent leadership on issues important to the women and families of New York State. You have focused on the needs of women including health care, child care affordability and fair pay, and you have been a steadfast supporter of access to confidential family planning services..."
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