Submitted by Elaine Magliaro, Guest Blogger
On the National Level
In late January, I wrote a post titled Rape Redefined and Brought to You by the US House of Representatives in which I 
talked about members of Congress—mostly Republicans—who were attempting to “redefine” what the only REAL kind of rape is—that would be “forcible rape.” (I wasn’t aware there was any other kind of rape.) These Congressmen were proposing legislation that would no longer consider the following types of sexual assault as rape: The rapes of women with limited mental capacity and rapes in which women were drugged or given excessive amounts of alcohol.
Last week, Lawrence Rafferty (rafflaw) wrote a post titled The Right’s War on Women in which he discussed legislation proposed by Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana) that would eliminate the entire budget for Title X. Lawrence wrote: “Rep. Pence and his fellow Republicans are trying to defund Planned Parenthood because it receives millions from Title X funds to assist women in their family planning and health matters. In order to try to end abortions without testing the strength of Roe v. Wade in the courts, the sponsors and backers of this bill don’t care if low-income women suffer by not getting the health care that they so desperately need. Many of these same legislators also backed the repeal of the Affordable Health Care act which would also assist low-income women get affordable health care.”
And Now from the State of Georgia
Just yesterday, I read about State Rep. Bobby Franklin of Georgia who is introducing legislation in his state that would require proof that a miscarriage—aka a spontaneous abortion—was the result of natural causes. If this legislation passes, there would have to be proof that a woman’s miscarriage was the result of natural causes. If a woman can’t prove that—she might face felony charges!
From a piece in Daily Kos: “Franklin wants to create a Uterus Police to investigate miscarriages, and requires that any time a miscarriage occurs, whether in a hospital or without medical assistance, it must be reported and a fetal death certificate issued. If the cause of death is unknown, it must be investigated. If the woman can’t tell how it happened, then those Uterus Police can ask family members and friends how it happened. Hospitals are required to keep records of anyone who has a spontaneous abortion and report it. Yup, we’ve been waiting for someone to suggest this–and Franklin has.”
Here’s the link to Franklin’s bill:
http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display.aspx?Legislation=31965
There are millions and millions of American women who suffer/have suffered miscarriages through no fault of their own. Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman. Imagine losing a much wanted pregnancy–and then having to prove the miscarriage was the result of natural causes. How does a woman do that, Rep. Franklin? Can you explain to the women of Georgia how they should go about gathering evidence to prove that they haven’t committed a felony when they have a miscarriage?
By the way, Rep. Franklin also introduced a bill to change Georgia’s criminal codes so that victims of rape, stalking, and family violence could only be referred to as “accusers” until defendants have been convicted.
FYI
Here are some statistics on miscarriage for you:
From WebMed
Frequency of Miscarriages in the United States
The overall miscarriage rate is reported as 15-20%, which means 15-20% of recognized pregnancies result in miscarriage. The frequency of spontaneous miscarriage increases further with maternal age. With the development of highly sensitive assays for hCG levels, pregnancies can be detected prior to the expected next period. When these highly sensitive hCG assays are used early, the magnitude of pregnancy loss significantly increases to about 60-70%. Late implantation by the conceptus beyond the usual 8-10 days after ovulation also has an increased risk of miscarriage.
About 80% of miscarriages occur within the first trimester. The frequency of miscarriage decreases with increasing gestational age. Recurrent miscarriage, defined as 2-3 pregnancy losses, affects about 1% of all couples.
From American Pregnancy Association
Miscarriage is the most common type of pregnancy loss, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Studies reveal that anywhere from 10-25% of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage. Chemical pregnancies may account for 50-75% of all miscarriages. This occurs when a pregnancy is lost shortly after implantation, resulting in bleeding that occurs around the time of her expected period. The woman may not realize that she conceived when she experiences a chemical pregnancy.
Sources
Washington Monthly (Political Animal)
Bdaman,
Are you playing games….
It ain’t no mo shame fo a black womez to nurzz ah baby than it is fer a wit men to nurz froma a black womez. U wit azzed honkies.
“Suffering a miscarriage can be an emotionally wrenching experience for a woman.”
Why?
rafflaw,
Agreed … it’s a Republican War on America with many fronts.
Blouise,
you have point that the Republicans have a financial interest in the union bashing, but the attacks on women are all part of the same plan. They need their base riled up as much as possible and they are using multiple approaches to soliidify power at all levels of governmetn.
I am going to suggest, for your consideration, that the Republican’s War Against Women is a definite threat and should not be ignored, but that it is also a diversion from the real war which is that which we see going on in Wisconsin … Corporate America benefits greatly from the Republican’s Wisconsin War … not as much from the Republican’s War Against Women. I suggest this from the stand point of “following the money”.
Elaine and eniobob,
Remember how the Republicans used the Christian Right and once those “leaders” within the Christian Right died off or quit, all of a sudden the rank and file began to complain about how they were used.
Well, Elaine’s post above is just another illustration of that tactic but this time using the so-called teabaggers. The leadership of the movement might be complicit and making all sorts of money in the process (early back-room meetings)and the rank and file are getting used again. The 14,000 in George who voted for Franklin are a perfect example of those open to such targeting.
eniobob,
Amen!
Mrs M:
“I don’t think they really care.”
I guess that explains it.
I am glad to see the interest in keeping an eye on these fanatics who are attacking women around the country. Elaine and eniobob, I don’t think alot of the Tea Party members will back out because even though some may be realizing that they have been voting against their best interests, look at the Republicans who voted for Bush twice even when they were not wealthy and their interests weren’t being taken care of. Plus. I think many of the Tea Party members were motivated by race and not economics. No evidence except the lack of diversity in their numbers.
eniobob,
“These people seem to forget that in this age of information,if you said it some one has it on tape or in print.”
I don’t think they really care. They know most people aren’t going to check out what they’ve said in the past. Besides, a lot of people want to believe the propaganda they are fed by Faux News, Breitbart, Coulter, et al. Truth isn’t always important to all of us.
OS:
“I wonder if this is really about protecting the profits of companies that make formula and baby bottles.”
Never know,whats that saying?”for every action there’s a reaction”
Considering:
FLASHBACK: Palin Proclaimed Oct. 2007 “Breastfeeding Awareness Month”
February 17, 2011 4:43 pm ET by Sarah Pavlus
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201102170043
These people seem to forget that in this age of information,if you said it some one has it on tape or in print.
Otteray Scribe,
Do you think these conservatives would have criticized Laura Bush if she had advocated breast feeding?
Do not overlook the attack on the First Lady for advocating for breast feeding. Here is the story from CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/02/18/nanny.state/
I wonder if this is really about protecting the profits of companies that make formula and baby bottles.
Ms.B:
Regarding that link and the Tea Party itself.
“and someone is sitting back LTAO at it all.”
eniobob,
Voting AND fighting against their own self-interest. I know there are some tea partiers who are fed up with at least one of the largest tea party groups–Tea Party Patriots. Mother Jones has a three-part series in the subject.
Here’s a link to Part 1 and a brief excerpt:
Tea Party Patriots Investigated: “They Use You and Abuse You”
Pricey political consultants, constant fundraising, fame-seeking leaders: A grassroots group cozies up to the DC establishment and alienates the activists who put it on the map.
http://motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/tea-party-patriots-investigated
As TPP’s leaders entrench themselves in Washington, local activists the group represents have accused them of exploiting the grassroots for their own fame and fortune while failing to deliver any meaningful political results. “Tea Party Patriots? I can’t attribute one victory to them at all,” says Laura Boatright, a former TPP regional coordinator in Southern California who has become an outspoken critic. “Where’s the success with what they’ve done with all this money? My view is that it’s just a career plan” for its national leaders—namely Jenny Beth Martin, who in 2010 was named by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, and Mark Meckler, now a regular commentator on Fox News. (Meckler and Martin did not respond to a request to comment for this story.)
eniobob,
We are talking about folks like the 14,000 Georgians who keep sending Rep. Bobby Franklin back to his seat of power. These people are in a self-induced deep coma … waking up is not an option.
Ms.B:
I just wonder how much longer before folks are going to wake up and realize that they have voted against their own self interest.
eniobob,
Don’t you find it incredibly interesting that the Republicans chose going to war against women as their winning tactic for 2012?
Women’s History at AFSCME
A Part of History: Women in Unions
Explore the challenges women faced becoming union members, achieving better work hours and conditions and finding pay equity. This online program covers early working women at the Lowell Mills to the recent passing of the Lilly Ledbetter Act.
http://afscme.org/issues/25229.cfm?__utma=1.1027031472.1298050795.1298050795.1298050795.1&__utmb=1.2.10.1298050795&__utmc=1&__utmx=-&__utmz=1.1298050795.1.1.utmcsr=%28direct%29|utmccn=%28direct%29|utmcmd=%28none%29&__utmv=-&__utmk=125623946