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Posted by G lib on 2007-04-19 13:48:32 +0000

This makes me sad and angry, but not at all surprised. The procedure is gruesome and horrific, but taking legitimate medical options from the hands of trained MDs is really a precedent the supreme court should not be setting. Anyone want to talk about "Jesus Camp"? Chippy and I just saw it, and talked a little about it with TGL and the Mrs. "I pledge allegience to the christian flag"

Posted by Miriam on 2007-04-19 13:59:10 +0000

Caught it in theater in Nashville last fall. Weird audience reaction. Half of us were there to be floored, the other half were there to cheer on the scary mind control.

Posted by virtue on 2007-04-20 11:24:00 +0000

As much as I hate to admit it, I am increasingly persuaded by Jonathan Rauch. Kick Roe v. Wade to the curb and let the states duke it out. Let's refocus the women's movement on equal pay for equal work (the pay gap has not diminished all that significantly since the '70s) instead wasting our energy on an issue that many people feel very ambivelant about. What does it matter if Roe stands but doctors don't want to perform abortions for fear of being shot down or blown up? What difference does it make if South Dakota passes restrictive abortion laws if, as a practical matter, most women, and especially poor women, don't really have access to one anyway? Fight for economic justice and succeed, and those women can come to Mass for a safe and legal abortion. Or, shit, just spend some of the money we spend fighting for Roe on transportation costs.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-20 11:57:22 +0000

In the netflix queue

Posted by Miriam on 2007-04-20 15:13:45 +0000

I think that's easy to say from a state with forced medical coverage and lower poverty rates than most of the country. Truly poor women may never be able to gain access to regular medical care, nevermind abortions. I agree that wage disparities must be dealt with, but the right to a safe and legal abortion should not be thrown to the wind.

Posted by tgl on 2007-04-20 15:56:20 +0000

I have to admit my prognostication of Evangelicals getting what they want from this Administration seems to be a bit off. Still, "Jesus Camp" was filmed in 2005, here in mid-2007 the country's wheels don't seem to be as shaky as they did then.

Posted by tgl on 2007-04-20 16:05:35 +0000

Abortion is practically illegal in states like Mississippi right now. What does it matter if a Doctor is free to choose a procedure if the only abortion provider in the state is flown in Tuesdays and Thursdays? Yes, I feel bad for women who might be hurt by the loss of choice, but, life is tough. Witness: VA Tech, witness: Iraq _every_single_day_. The Court is there to redress wrongs, supposedly, but it's been spectacularly wrong on many many many issues. Dred Scott, anyone? While I support additional legal action to overturn the so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban, the best way to protect abortion rights in this country is via Legislative majorities. Pelosi & Reid need to overturn this law, not Souter & Ginsberg.

Posted by MF DU on 2007-04-20 16:11:17 +0000

I agree with TGL on this. Uh yes, waiter, I'll have The Dred Scott with a side order of eminent domain and a Korematsu shake. To go. thanks!

Posted by mahatma chani on 2007-04-20 16:22:54 +0000

Wow! POTD.

Posted by Miriam on 2007-04-20 16:50:55 +0000

Democracy, by design, is unfair. The minority almost always loses. Ergo, if poor people don't vote for people who will support their needs, they sink deeper into a state of inability to gain access to goods and services. Limited access is still access. As it stands, at least people in rural areas can get to a doctor if they need one...within their own state...the larger problem of doctors being threatened or feeling threatened for performing a legal medical procedure is insane and should be addressed.

Posted by tgl on 2007-04-20 17:03:42 +0000

I was sympathetic to Jonathon Rauch until I watched FRONTLINE's the last abortion clinic. Then I decide "let States decide" was the only way to maximize access. Yes, idealistically limited access is still access. Pragmatically, access to a safe abortion is harder now than before Roe, regardless of what the Court says.

Posted by Miriam on 2007-04-20 17:05:55 +0000

My concern is for states, like the one where I currently reside, which would deny access. There are lots of others, too. Like I said, democracy is unfair.