Freedom? Constitution? Not if You're A Woman.

I knew this was coming. We all did. In 2001, once George W. Bush became president, my girlfriends and I knew...this was the end of Roe v Wade.

Oh sure, it's still the law of the land, but is it? Is it really? If abortion exists, but no one is there to provide it, is it still viable? Look at these statistics:

"87% of counties in the United States and 31% of metropolitan areas have no abortion services. Roe or not, an abortion maybe not be a choice for some women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says that “the availability of abortion services is in jeopardy.”

I have mentioned the fact that Cape Cod no longer offers abortion services to women. Since I live here, and strongly believe in a woman's right to control her own destiny, this chills me to the bone.

Given the fact that abortion is legal and perfectly condoned by the Constitution, it makes me wonder who these people are who advocate for the repeal of Roe v Wade. Are these people against the Constitution? Are they against the laws of America? Are they against individual freedom? Because with all their talk of freedom, if they have their way, a woman will be forced to carry a pregnancy to term: By Order of the State!

Think about that. And then think about your own daughter or wife. Think about rape and incest and deadly pregnancies. "Oh" you say--"that won't be included." But I have one question for you...where will she be able to find a doctor to perform the abortion? If they are all terrorized out of existence, what will her choices be?

Freedom? Constitution? I don't think so. I think it's back to the Dark Ages when Church dogma reigned Supreme. Because make no mistake about it, it is the Christian Right that is behind this push for repeal. They have been at if for a very long time. Since 1973, when Roe was made the law of the land, there has been an organized assault. Don't believe me?

"Needless to say, Christian Right leaders were very pleased when Bush nominated John Roberts to the Supreme Court. “It is time to make good on those campaign promises, Mr. President,” said Troy Newman, president of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue. “You have been given a mandate to end abortion in our nation by the American people who cast their votes for you.”

I think it's no love of the Constitution at all.

I think it's a huge step backwards for the women of this country. Women who had to fight long and hard for the right to control their own destiny.

Margaret Sanger, an early advocate for reproductive rights, wrote a book about her experiences working with poor women on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. One fact that always stuck in my head is the crushing poverty of these women. Due to circumstances beyond their control, they had baby after baby after baby. With very little income, and very rough living conditions, it was hard hard going for all involved. Sanger once asked one of the mother's if her doctor couldn't do something to stop her from getting pregnant. The doctor's reply? "Tell your husband to sleep on the roof."

This was the extent of birth control back in the 1800's, and I think the Christian Right would like that just fine for 2010. Even the day-after pill is being phased out of use. And why? The doctor orders it, the law protects it, but who is stopping it?

Separation of Church and State is under attack as well.

Well, you might say, doctors can still perform abortions, so what's the problem?

Here's the problem:

"Operation Rescue’s, Randall Terry zealously attempts to prevent med students from entering this field and proudly told the Post, “We want them tormented. If they become a child killer, we will make their lives miserable. It will be so costly for them socially and emotionally,” he continued. “What young person is going to want that lifestyle?” Not only are they trying to terrorize women from obtaining an abortion, they are also seeking to frighten away future doctors from practicing."

Need I say more? Targeting doctors, giving their names and adresses out on the internet, advertising what schools their kids attend, and telling them to go after them. This is terrorism, plain and simple, and it has been ongoing in America with nary a peep since 1973.

And I'm sure you all recall Bill O'Reilly's constant rants about George Tiller. Tiller the Baby Killer,Tiller the Baby Killer, over and over on his show. No surprise that Tiller was killed by an anti-abortion fanatic. Was O'Reilly yelling fire in a crowded theatre? You bet!

Now we have a Healthcare Bill passed by Congress with this mandate: No federal funding for abortions allowed for American women--American citizens who pay federal taxes will continue to be denied a legal medical procedure. For shame. I get that the Lifers had to be placated and the Bill had to pass, but it makes me angry that women's rights are thrown under the bus. Ah well, Ce La Vie.

One last point: There is a direct correlation between the tactics used by Operation Rescue and the Republican/Tea-Bagger "Kill the Bill" mantra. All kinds of things are said about this bill that don't ring true...and yet, you find yourself questioning....asking... "wait a minute, can that be true?" It's not.

Same tactic. Same people. Same results.

"For thirty-five years, the anti-abortion crusade has relentlessly pursued an activist strategy centered on promoting the false impression that women choose abortion for so-called frivolous reasons, or as a substitute for birth control, while irresponsibly delaying their abortions until the third trimester for the sake of convenience."

Yes, America; women have abortions for convenience. It's not a heart-breaking, agonizing decision. They make it as easy as deciding what clothes to wear that day.

Really?

Shame on you. For lying. For demonizing women. For not giving women credit. For not allowing people to hear the truth.

And shame on you too for using the same tactics...for lying about and distorting the truth about this Healthcare Bill.

Shame on you--and don't you ever tell me you value Freedom or the Constitution. Those are not ideals that are up for grabs to the lowest common denominator.

Either they apply to everyone, or they apply to none at all.

*********sources******

The Republican Majority for Choice Blog

Legal Or Not, Abortion May Disappear: Medical Students Face Violence And Lack Of Education.

Posted on September 3, 2009.

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International Socialist Review Issue 42, September–October 2005="left">

Abortion rights under attack
Time to build a new movement By SHARON SMITH

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anti-abortion violence
by Russ Kick (russ@mindpollen.com) - March 04, 2001