I admit I have not paid close attention to International Women's Day in the past. But today, as we find ourselves in a bizarre retro fight for our reproductive rights again, we all took notice! In the early 1900's, a National Women's Day was created to mobilize women to press for the issue of the day: the vote.... and birth control and sex education! About 1910, the National Day was expanded to International. International Women's Day 2012 in the U.S. will go down in history as women everywhere are speaking up, speaking out, writing, protesting, tweeting, FB, blogging, reading and talking....and don't forget. . .
WE VOTE!!
The irony of it!! From the same Republican men who are calling for small, less intrusive government when it comes to the IRS, health care, banking education, business and how to pray in schools. The only area they seem to have the confidence to intrude is into women's wombs and our reproductive rights and health. They seem to feel they own that part of us. How much more intrusive could Republican men get than in the manner in which we decide how and whether or not to bear our children.What could be a more private matter?
Another reason we will remember International Women's Day 2012 is because:
Yesterday, Virginia's Republican Governor, Bob McDonnell, signed into law a controversial bill that will FORCE women to have an ultrasound before having an abortion. This law defies a woman's right to informed consent. However, McConnell is confused or convinced that having an ultrasound provides information she will need to make her decision. His argument does not hold water: a woman already knows she is pregnant, an ultrasound will not provide additional information critical to her decision. He thinks he did women a favor by backing off on the vaginal ultrasound, but any unwished-for ultrasound procedure is intrusive.
This new law also defies physicians and caregivers their right and responsibility to provide and honor informed consent with their patient.
Many friends consoled me earlier this week; they were certain the bill would not be signed because of the public outcry and pressure from other politicians. The bill was signed in spite of overwhelming response in protest from women. I thought Santorum was Comstock reincarnate; he is not the only one!!
Today my housemate, Toby, told me to put on his headphones and he turned on a taping of the Rush Limbaugh show. When Limbaugh went to a commercial break at the usual time.... it was silent for over a minute, then later for over two minutes. Limbaugh didn't realize it at first, but there was silence where there should have been an advertisement. BoycottRush is working! Silence.
There is power in numbers. Keep putting pressure on legislators and "the men"-- so we can Silence "the men."
In-Love,
Pam
