Just Because

The abortion blog gods are smiling upon me!

As soon as I sat down to write this post, I checked my email to review some of the topics that arose recently among The Abortioneers, when I received a strange message from a mysterious sender. I considered not opening it, since I'm on a work computer and didn't want to infect it more than I already have in the last two years. But then I was like "I wanna live like I'm dying!" and decided to take a risk.

And I discovered Because Magazine, the magazine of Ipas. Read it! Lots of good material, especially the cover story about the realities of abortion and how most TV programming sucks at portraying abortion in a fair and honest light. In the same spirit as the "No Easy Decision" program that MTV launched a few months ago, the article presents the true abortion stories of three women, including those who made the decision themselves or with input from others (for better or for worse). I also love it when women come out with their stories, proclaiming proudly that they do not regret their abortions and that it was the best decision they could h

ave made. Really shoves an ice pick into the anti's throat.

Aside from that, there are lots of gems in here, including what men can do to support choice (a theme I'm noticing more and more these days regarding women's rights), a great summary of abortion laws in the U.S. by state, and a tidbit about which states offer pro-choice license plates (you might be surprised!). I also enjoy the name; speaks to the myriad reasons why a woman would choose abortion, or why a person might be pro-choice, but also to the fact that you don't really need a reason at all to exercise your rights, do you?

So there's my plug. I think all our lovely readers should subscribe and keep on top of the latest. You can receive a cool green e-copy - yay environment!

Sign up here!

Regularly-scheduled abortiony material to resume next time. Until then, happy reading!

Conscience Clause

So I finished the book that I reviewed/ranted about a couple weeks ago. Learned a lot and I highly recommend. Makes you very angry about the state of pro-choice affairs, especially internationally. And though I really don't need another reason to hate antis even more, I found one thanks to Christina Page. I'm even shocked that I, in my infinite wisdom, hadn't though of it before.

Why can docs/pharmacists opt out of learning about abortion/performing life-saving abortion services/writing scripts for or dispensing contraceptives, but pro-choice professionals can't opt out of reading the slime to their patients that abortion takes the life of a "little, tiny" person that is a separate being independent of the woman carrying it?

Take a look at all the states that have so-called "conscience clauses", reserving the right of providers and pharmacists to refuse to do their jobs. Consider a doctor in, say, THE GREAT STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA, where the conscience clause exists, plus doctors are required to read this tripe to patients before an abortion:

"Under the law, doctors must say that the woman has "an existing relationship" with the fetus that is protected by the U.S. Constitution and that "her existing constitutional rights with regards to that relationship will be terminated." Also, the doctor is required to say that "abortion increases the risk of suicide ideation and suicide."

Why can't that doctor refuse, based on his/her deeply-held scientific - or even religious - conviction, to speak to something that s/he does not believe? CAN THIS CASE NOT BE MADE?! WHY CAN'T WE TAKE THIS TO COURT?!

Legitimate questions, not just my own anger speaking. Why has this point not been brought up or acted on? (or am I just unaware?) It seems airtight to me, but then again I have common sense. THOUGHTS?!

Book Review

During Superbowl Sunday I was discussing abortion with a relatively pro-choice individual, and the question of the sexual health utopia arose.

Her version: all women would have unfettered access to contraception and would all use it scrupulously.

My version: all women would have unfettered access to abortion and would use it as needed with no fear of stigma or retaliation.

Now, I totally understand her side. A few years ago I was on that side too. But nowadays I understand that a) if abortion access is unfettered than contraceptive access has probably been unfettered for centuries, and b) some women, all types of women, simply don't want to use contraception. And as hard as that is for lots of folks to understand, it's true. And I'm not even talking unfortunate, hopelessly unaware women. I'm talking about fully aware, competent women who make the choice not to use a method. Maybe they don't like the way condoms feel, or they don't like the effects of hormonals on the body, or don't like OB/GYNs telling them what's best. Whatever the case, I'm finding more and more women out there who don't think twice about a) carrying as many pregnancies as they will because they don't practice contraception, or b) having as many abortions as they will because of the same.

And yet, and understandably so, my counterpart was horrified. Why would anyone do that? After the third abortion a woman must just be lazy or plain stupid. She even challenged my assertion that there was no limit to the number of abortions one could have before crossing an ethical line with all the disbelief of Fabio in an "I Can't Believe it's not Butter" commercial. And as strange as these things sounded to my reformed ears, I know that they are common sentiments. Any woman who has that many abortions on purpose must be crazy!

Now, it's not the road that I've chosen. I've never had an abortion or needed one, and I quite enjoy the daily hormones that have saved me over $100 in tampons over the last couple years. But when is it ever my place to tell Sue how many abortions she can have before I stop being her friend? I couldn't, wouldn't do it! The logical flaw is that I don't have an ethical dilemma with abortion, therefore the number of times a non-unethical act is committed makes no difference to me.

Man, that was a tough conversation to get through. Anyway, I relayed this incident with a friend of mine, who recommended to me the following book: [/rant] [actual blog topic]

I'm not really familiar with the author (Cristina Page, anyone?), but she's great because she says everything I already know to be true but in a way that makes you actually want to listen and not cringe at my boisterousness. And her basic premise is something we all know to be true, but don't articulate quite enough: Antis are not simply anti-abortion, or even anti-contraceptive. They are anti-sex!

This is true enough, and I enjoy that Page makes a series of logical steps to prove this beyond the shadow of a doubt. Most importantly, by pointing out how antis refuse to accept any scientific evidence you provide, make up their own to counter it, and reject the most sensible compromises that will ensure that abortion rates plummet.

Wanna hear some funny things about antis? (As if you haven't heard enough by now.) On the prolife.com website, masturbation is identified as a "homosexual" behavior, that is, "sex with a person of the same sex, namely, yourself." Ah, if only I'd had a nickel for every time an anti whacked off. But you can find this and other philosophical gems in the book. Very excited to finish it and report back to you all the musings of dumb-dumbs and do-dos.

Ta!

Thinkin' bout love

Valentine's Day has got me thinking about love. I once read an essay about "love" by bell hooks. As a writer bell hooks has explored the complexities of love in ways I have never even considered. In a women's studies class at the age of 19 years old bell hook's analysis of love changed my outlook on dating, love, and partnership. bell hooks made the point that love is a choice, when people look at love as though it happens to them it can be destructive. Its important to stand in love rather than "fall" in love and be victimized by "love". hooks has written a book called All About Love, in this book she looks at people's desire for love and difficulty communicating about the subject. As a black feminist writer she has covered topics that are far beyond relationships and love but this is writer has touched my heart and made me think about what it means to love someone and to be in relationships with other people.

Prochoice.org

The name of this organization has often conjured images of abortioneers lined like soldiers fighting the war on abortion in my head.

But alas, the National Abortion Federation is a non-profit organization best-known for its annually-updated clinical policy guidelines, and certifiable quality-assurance among independent abortion clinics and Planned Parenthood facilities across the US and Canada.

Furthermore, their national, toll-free, hotline counselors offer compassionate, unbiased, factual information about abortion care.

Looking for a quality abortion clinic? You may choose to start your search here.

You may be surprised to find that Blue Mountain Clinic in Montana was built, staffed, and rebuilt by Missoulans to provide high-quality medical care to women, men and children. As a fully service family medical practice, they treat illnesses and injuries of all types. They provide integrated western medical and complementary alternative therapies including acupuncture, Chinese medicine and mental health counseling.

Or that Curtis Boyd, M.D., P.C. in New Mexico has been providing pregnancy termination services in New Mexico since June 1972, shortly after abortion services were legalized in New Mexico. Dr. Boyd worked closely with Clergy Consultation for Problem Pregnancies, a national organization to provide safe medical abortion and he was one of the first physicians to provide high quality, low cost outpatient procedures in the southwest.

Or that the philosophy of Women's Health Specialists of California is to promote positive images of women and provide their clients with a new perspective on their bodies and health. They give women the tools to evaluate their authentic health care needs - not based on a societal myth, but on women's reality and experience. They put women's health in women's hands.

Or that the Knoxville Center for Reproductive Health has been a vital resource for the women of Tennessee, Kentucky, Georgia, and Virginia since 1975.

Or that Northland Family Planning Centers just released a special new film, Every Day, Good Women Choose Abortion.

Or that Allentown Women’s Center has a You Tube channel, Warrior’s for Choice.

(Or that they don’t link to the Abortioneers) :(

Or that the Washington Surgi-Clinic is one of the only NAF-certified clinics in the Mid-Atlantic region providing abortion services up to 24 weeks.

Or that you have the right to choose to terminate your pregnancy, safely and legally anywhere in Canada, thanks to the courage and compassion of one man: Dr. Henry Morgentaler.

You will not be surprised that I didn’t even tip the iceberg of comprehensive, compassionate care currently available to women seeking abortion-services in the US and Canada.

We would love for you to share your thoughts.

Reminder: When Daughter of Wands sez: We’d love to hear your thoughts, she does also mean: Your thoughts should not include hints of anti-abortion slander of any kind.