I'MMA LET YOU FINISH
Frist?
funny how the bushies (i and ii) have provoked roe v wade as far from washington as new dehli.
Um, actually, it's tomorrow, Sunday, April 25th. But thanks for posting about it--we're going to have lots of fun 
(And, not to start the religion discussion again, but I'll be there marching with the People of Faith For Choice group with my local church.)
actually, it's tomorrow...
oops. my bad.
YAY I'm sooooo excited! This will be my first March on Washington, and surely not to be my last. P.S. Kerry addressed the press yesterday at the Marriott in Washington on CSPAN... I think I'm falling in love! :">
Cross posted from my blog:
This Sunday, people from around the country will descend on Washington D.C. for the March for Women's Lives. The demonstration promises to be the largest reproductive freedom demonstration in years, with anywhere from five hundred thousand to one million people expected. With over 1,000 co-sponsors, the protest is expected to reflect the broad diversity of the pro-choice movement. For the first time, organizations primarily led by women of color have taken major leadership rolls. This has broadened the message of the demonstration:
Silvia Henriquez, executive director of the Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and member of the steering committee, predicts that the focus on reproductive rights as part of a broader context will attract substantial numbers of Hispanic women. "Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnicity in the country, and in the next twenty years millions of Latinas are going to be looking to raise their families in safe, healthy environments with full access to education and healthcare," she says, adding, "it's not that Latinas don't support abortion, or don't care about that issue. They do but they tend to think of reproductive rights as part of their overall human rights and those of their families."Moving from a simple "pro-choice" message to "Reproductive Justice" is a important move for thefeministt movement in the United States.
-snip-
"I firmly believe that if the politicians could figure out a way to make abortion illegal for white women but not women of color, they'd be sending limos to take us to the clinics," says [Loretta Ross, executive director of the National Center for Human Rights Education]. She wants more discussion on the lack of choices for low-income women, believing that many choose abortion precisely because they have no other option. "This collective supports women's right to have an abortion, but we've got to recognize that reproductive justice means the right to have a child as well as the right not to have a child. How many women who want to parent don't because they can't afford it? What social services are there to help them?"
The demonstration couldn't happen at a more important time. The Bush Administration has made a major connerstone of their domestic agenda the erosion of abortion rights. Necessary for firing up their religious base, the President has declared his intention to nominate an anti-choicenomineee to the Supreme Court.
Of course, it's not just happening at the federal level. Abortion rights have been under attack at all levels:
"In the past few years, federal and state governments have systematically stripped away women's reproductive rights," charged Kate Michelman, head of NARAL Pro-Choice Americ
Atrios, could you please correct the headline for those not venturing into comments area?
I can't be at the march with my feet, so I'm sending the funds I'd otherwise use to get there to pro-choice groups.
I'm also writing to anti-choice politicians and pundits asking them to publicly guarantee that their activities have never involved:
(a) sexual activity outside the strictest guidelines of their respective religion (eg, pre- or extramarital affairs, any kind of adultery, non-procreative sex, sodomy, same-sex activity, etc.)
(b) an unplanned pregnancy within or outside marriage;
(c) an abortion.
As someone who has volunteered as an escort at family clinics, I know for a fact that a considerable number of people seeking abortions maintain the public face of hardline religious fundamentalism, but avail themselves of abortion services when it suits them. This includes Jeebus-fearing Christian boys and men who continue to blame their sexual partners' evil sluttishness for an inconvenient pregnancy, and well-heeled Jeebus-fearing Christian girls and women who regard a financial and social advantage as God's message that it's only other women exercising reproductive rights who are the sinners.
Birth control has been practiced since the Ice Age. The only method proven throughout history to be 100% ineffective is ABSTINENCE, mainly because, 99.999999% of humankind has never practiced it and ain't gonna start now. (Just ask abstinence poster child Britney Spears.)
If you want something to do today in DC, though, you can come protest at the IMF meetings, which always prove interesting.
Or, come hang out at Kramer's in a bit.
My girlfriend and I are proudly attending the march. We are getting prepared now; it's going to be a long day tomorrow (bus from NYC departs at 5:00 am).
Probably a stupid question, but: can men go? I'd like to attend. My wife's going. We'd like to bring our young sons too...
Grok: Of course men can go! Kids to! Feminism for the whole family
What would you rather do?
1. Take a hard stand on abortion now, and drive many people who and loose the election to bush in Nov.
2. Be somewhat cautious with the abortion debate now, and win the election in Nov.
I hate to rain on you parade, but many people vote rebulican because they think republicans have the moral high ground due to 3 things. a) Gay rights b) Choice c) Lewinsky
Grok, of course men can attend! Go and march for me; I spent this early morning in an emergency room having my hand fixed, and now I can't go.
"I hate to rain on you parade, but many people vote rebulican because they think republicans have the moral high ground due to 3 things. a) Gay rights b) Choice c) Lewinsky
Dan | Email | Homepage | 04.24.04 - 11:43 am | #"
I don't think those folks would vote Democratic if Jesus himself were on the ticket.
Dan - the whole point of this march is to show Democrats (and moderate republicans) that there's a whole slew of mainstream voters out there who think reproductive rights are necessary and that they don't have to pander to the religious right to get elected.
Slightly OT: Wanna talk about women's lives? The front page article in the New York Times about a single-mother veteran soldier who is living homeless in New York, and can't get assistance from the government. More here...
many people vote rebulican because they think republicans have the moral high ground
Then I pity them for their illusions and I hope to persuade them otherwise but I see no need to alter my own views and/or actions to suck up to people who make no effort to understand me.
A.
Slightly OT continued: Sorry about the multiple posts at my blog, on the subject of single-mother veterans. It's corrected here
Everyone who can should go! I'll be there in spirit with the million marchers or more! Let's show the world that our "leaders" don't represent who we are.
Last time, I promise re: Single-mother veterans. I'm a retard. The URL is http://www.skydiver-salad.blogspot.com. Try this one on for size...
"What would you rather do?
1. Take a hard stand on abortion now, and drive many people who and loose the election to bush in Nov.
2. Be somewhat cautious with the abortion debate now, and win the election in Nov."
It's "lose," not "loose," Mr. Rove. Nice try. God, I hope the Democratic party isn't stupid enough to fall for this again.
"What would you rather do?
1. Take a hard stand on abortion now, and drive many people who and loose the election to bush in Nov.
2. Be somewhat cautious with the abortion debate now, and win the election in Nov."
It's "lose," not "loose," Mr. Rove. Nice try. God, I hope the Democratic party isn't stupid enough to fall for this again.
Is anyone else beginning to resent the need to *pay ransom money* to make sure our rights aren't taken away? I thought the major job of the president was to protect our rights as represented in the constitution.
I'm just so sick of the extortion aspect of politics. If even 1 percent of the money collected at a single Bush fundraiser went toward (for example) buying actual books for a school library, or supplies for a health clinic, or a literacy program for first-time offenders, or... any other useful, practical program that many of us spend time holding bake sales and Saturday dog-washes and pancake breakfasts to fund, wouldn't the world be changed for the better?
Until that wonderful day comes, I'm afraid we really do have to give like it's ransom. Planned Parenthood is a hugely necessary organization, now more than ever.
If we can't "take back our country," maybe we can "buy it back."
I ask because the last time I tried to get involved in feminist issues, I was discouraged from doing so--often implicitly and on a couple of occasions explicitly. This was a women's movement, and my help wasn't needed, I was told. Maybe that was because we were all younger and stupider, maybe that was just a few extreme activists who'd strayed from the reservation? Or did that represent mainstream opinion which has since shifted?
MSNBC has this poll:
Would you give up a successful career to fight for your country?
Yes
No
Where to begin? What fight? Assumption that you have a "good career," or if you don't what would you "choose?" WTF? Of course this is because of Tillman's death. In a parallel universe he dies in Iraq, and the sentiment(s) would be much different I suspect.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3096434/
Naw, if he died in Iraq, they would use it to legitimate the war, in some perverse way.
Sorry, but I know it's off-topic yet is anyone getting tired of the 'frist' posts that are always at the top?
I don't mind being playful with the first post, but at least be creative and find something else besides 'Frist'?
I just think some of us are getting tired of seeing that f*cking tennessee hillbilly, anti-darwainist state sen's name at the top of every thread.
Be creative at least people! Jeesh!
MYOB'
.
I agree with Planned Parenthood. There are too many people on Earth. 6 billion, should go down to 2 billion. Especially in third world countries there is a big chance to cut down on births. I like the Chinese 1 child a family policy. It should be introduced in other countries too.
Grok - I'm so sorry to hear that. I certainly hope your experiences were with a few extreme activists who had "strayed from the reservation." Trying to exclude or discourage men from participating in the feminist movement is just another form of sexism and incredibly self-defeating. We're all in this together!
Well, I won't be there (am in Blighty right now) but I know some people who know people who will be there. (Say hello to anyone you may see carrying a Union Theological Seminary banner, Julius!)This sounds like a Good Thing. Ben Waxman, that's an excellent post. And Skydiver's NYT article post should be reposted, stat.
Grok, the republicans certainly don't care what gender your money is. Why should we?
But seriously, do you have to be gay or black to support the equal protection clause in the constitution? I think not. "What's in it for me?" is not actually in the preamble.
For sure there's mistrust or hostility if some guy no one knows shows up at a women-oriented meeting and seems like he's only there to provoke or take over or maybe spy for the other side. Try wandering into a group of freepers with the same attitude, and see how comfortable you feel.
I can't go to Washington and march, but I would be delighted if you could go and march in my place, regardless of your gender.
Looking forward to the march and a long day tomorrow.
OT:
Check out Josh Marshall's latest post regarding Chenron's energy policy committee meetings and the regime's policy in Iraq.
Everyone at the march take photos or descriptions - sounds like a shedload of fun, but not all Atrions will be able to attend...
The University of Kansas has about 300 students going; I was supposed to be one of them but all of a sudden I got an avalanche of homework piled on me for the next week. So beware of the Jayhawks; they'll be riled up from the IMF/World Bank protests today.
Dan: What would you rather do?
1. Take a hard stand on abortion now, and drive many people who and loose the election to bush in Nov.
2. Be somewhat cautious with the abortion debate now, and win the election in Nov.
I hate to rain on you parade, but many people vote rebulican because they think republicans have the moral high ground due to 3 things. a) Gay rights b) Choice c) Lewinsky
Dan, you're the one who's in the dark. A hard line on abortion would be to tell people who don't want one that they HAD to have one.
Most people are PRO-CHOICE, meaning, they want girls, women and families to have healthy, sane, modern, fact-base, compassionate counselling on their reproductive rights. If you are against abortion for personal ethics or religious reasons, don't have one.
The rhetoric on abortion doesn't match the empirical realities simply because a small, vocal, extremist minority continues to pretend it represents the mainstream. And don't think these fanatics aren't having abortions. They're more likely to have them than people who have access too and practice intelligent birth control.
Grok, to be fair there are some feminists who believe that the movement is not for men, but I have found them to be very much in the minority. It is true, though, as someone said above that a takeover approach would not be welcomed, just as is the case with other movements of similar type.
One of the co-directors of the feminist group on my campus is a man.
I'm taking a bus from Chicago! We're leaving this evening, riding all night, being feministy all day, and gettin back on Monday morning in time for midterms! I did it 3 years ago, it's fun. However, if there aren't drag queens dressed as nuns leading pro-choice sing-alongs this time, I will be somewhat disappointed.
These women organizations are good places to support. They're in an important and brutal battle right now and women's rights are flat out under assault by Bush. I think we all know that.
I did some volunteer work for the local NARAL chapter about a year ago. I put together a list of local pharmacies that distribute emergency contraception without a prescription. (I'm in Washington State, where that's legal.) Anyway, they were very grateful for the help. I then went to a meeting on doing some volunteer work at my college for this year, along with about five women.
Unfortunately, so far as I can tell, none of the tabling or outreach work on the campus took place. At least, the woman who was supposed to be organizing it never contacted me. I should have tried to do more personally, or maybe get the ball rolling, but I never did.
So they can use help. Money is good and volunteering is probably better. It's been hell trying to hold the line during the Bush administration. And if Bush gets in for another four years, the damage to women's rights will be terrible, widespread and extensive.
- Joel
----
Nightmares For Sale - another damn blog (that you really should check out)
CHEERS for the men who will march!!
Grok, I'm so sorry you had that experience. I do believe that most women involved feel the opposite. I certainly do.
The Big Lie is that reproductive rights don't affect men.
Do, you, or will you ever, have a wife, girlfriend, sister, or woman friend who's affected?
Do you know someone who does?
Hard line Republicans believe that an embryo is not only important (which it is), but is MORE important than the woman carrying it. If a woman's health is threatened...so what, according to them. Deal.
Don't tell me this doesn't affect the men who love her. I wish that no one has to make this painful choice, but it happens every day.
Grok, welcome to the march! I hope to see you there.
Julie, I assume your questions were rhetorical, but in case they weren't: my sister had one abortion. (My wife, to my knowledge, hasn't had any, and we've got two kids.) So, yes, I take this stuff fairly seriously, both for personal reasons and because it's what's right.
See you at the march tomorrow. I'll be the, um, guy.
Here's a reason to march - one that combines why resisting Iraq destruction is critical and why we must cherish the children who are here, not fantasise about xygotes - http://tinyurl.com/2yonj
(A Falujah refugee, arriving in Baghdad - did some jackass on another thread make comments about 'them' and 'savages'?)
I just think some of us are getting tired of seeing that f*cking tennessee hillbilly, anti-darwainist state sen's name at the top of every thread.
you left out eli lilly loving mercury barron hmo prince md.
Woohoo, I'm about to get on a bus for DC... this should be fun.
If Kerry's smart he'll be joining me there.
Men took a integral role in recruiting for the trip here on campus, and they got lots of positive comments, especially when the Choice USA chapter here camped out for a week in the center of campus. Probably a quarter of the people that went from Lawrence/KU were guys of the male persuasion.
Everyone at the march take photos or descriptions - sounds like a shedload of fun, but not all Atrions will be able to attend...
TheaLogie
My wife'll be there bright and early (I'd be there too, but I'll be watching our toddler twins) and she's bringing a camera as well as a camcorder. I asked her to try to get a pic of the inevitable counter-protesters...the dumber the better. Since I'm missing this, I could use the cheering up.
I'm reminded that I am so tired of these leftist (and I say that word proudly) blogs shunting women's issues aside so frequently. I like to read sites like Atrios, but I need some supplementary sites dealing with women's issues. I'm curious to know, does anyone know of any major blogs that focus on women's issues? Can you suggest any URLs? Thanks.
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