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)
Elaine M,
The bigger question is, where have all the cowboys gone? 😀
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPR108kwNo4&w=640&h=390]
Mike & Woosty,
One thing’s for sure–I’m not going to go looking for any “real” men in the ranks of Republican politicians. That said, I don’t think I’ll find too many in the Democratic ranks either.
Where have all the real men gone?
Long time passing
Where have all the real men gone?
Long time ago
Where have all the real men gone?
Where should one look today??
Not down in Washington!
Not down in Washington!
woosty,
I’m blushing, but it feels nice.
Mike Spindell,
I like nearly everything that you say…but this time I must say, like doesn’t even come close….Thank you! for showing us that there are real, compassionate, and rational men in the world….you put the ‘man’ in manly!
Thanks everyone for the nice comments on my post. I must admit that in my re-reading it, there were many macho aspects expressed. Sometimes I believe that when faced with such tactics in others, one needs to reply in kind, even though you may have to go over the top to do it. Sexuality is not about prowess, agility or size. It’s about respect for one’s partner and the mutual enjoyment of one of the great benefits of being alive. The definition of manhood likewise, is not about false measures of “toughness,” or even penis size. It is about how one takes care of their responsibilities and their dealing with others, which when you think of it is the same for women also. The differences that society/religion create between male/female hood are for the most part false dichotomies.
lol
Great smackdown on the Tootles there, Mike S.
Her compassion clearly ends at the tip of her nose.
Elaine M,
“I’m pro-choice. I’m not pro-abortion. Some people don’t see a distinction. Some people don’t consider the exceptional circumstances some girls/women find themselves in through no fault of their own. Some poeple don’t have any empathy for those girls/women.”
Here, here! If life were as black and white as some seem delude themselves into thinking, life would be far easier than it is. But it is not. That’s why reasonable individuals see the grey and people like Tootie continue to fall off the turnip truck.
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Mike S,
Great post @ 11:56 😉
“I am Grammy Rue-Barb, the sage of Big Beaver Lick, KY.”~Grammy Rue-Barb
No Kidding! We used to be neighbors! I lived on a wee spit of land on a couple of boulders in Big Bone Lick. One day those rocks shifted and that bit of land dropped like a bad souffle’……..I never could get that there cabin to stand up again….but it was a purty place….
Woosty:
are you refering to me? I am not Tootie, nor do I wish to be so.
I am Grammy Rue-Barb, the sage of Big Beaver Lick, KY.
Tootie!
yet ANOTHER doppelganger??????!!!
Mike Spindell:
“Tootie, I’ve had more sex in my lifetime than your “old man,” or men as the case may be.”
Hey big boy.
Mr. Spindell, Tootie,
“… and that bespeaks a bitter person whose life hasn’t turned out as she expected and blames others rather than looking at herself.”
Have tried hard not to state those very words, but they are the thoughts that occupied my mind as I saw Tootie lashing out over and over again.
This is my attempt at remedying my past address to Tootie, “I don’t usually read your stuff but I do enjoy it on rare occasion 🙂 ” Not any more, but I am glad your here and standing up for what you believe, even though your anger makes me sad.
“What you are whining a sniveling about is that you don’t like the Constitution and expect ME to usurp it along with you.”
Tootie,
I love the Constitution, but the difference between you and me is that I have some understanding of it, rather than that of a traitor loving faux religionist, who claims to want to limit government but also wants it to delve into the most personal aspects of our lives. By the way I don’t snivel or whine. That’s because I’m a real ma, not like those you hook with, who need their guns to make up for their deficient sexual skills.
“I contend, and it is a fact, that the FEDERAL government has NO authorization to provide social services.”
You might contend it but you are wrong. The government is to provide for the general welfare of the people.
“My response: I took care of my offspring. I expect everyone to take care of their own offspring.”
The BS continues and exposes the thought processes underneath.
I would expect the difference is that you wanted your offspring and were not forced to have them. Was it though that you just didn’t understand about birth control and that man you hooked up with didn’t either, so your one minute of fun turned into a baby nine months later. Religious convictions BS. You want to punish the woman for having sex whether consensually or through force.
“I belong to a religious organization that helps the disadvantaged, including the children of an orphanage. It has done this for decades. I’m not saying you are lying about me in this regard. You are just evil and cannot help the vile things you say.”
Isn’t that precious you belong to an organization. No doubt a bunch of self-righteous bigots such as yourself. As far as my being evil tootie, I’ll face your conception of God anytime and if there is an eternal reward for a life well lived then I’m in simply because I’ve striven to follow the”Golden Rule.” It ain’t about Faith, it’s about Acts. As for the vile things I’ve said there is a written record to look back on. You came onto this blog purposely saying vile things about people who believe as I do. Now you whine that people are not being nice to you. Your actions have been returned in kind and that to hypocrites like you seems so unfair.
“Look. I realize that Democrats and liberals are too stupid to know how this sex stuff works and so they are surprised that sex often produces another human being.”
You are projecting your own ignorance onto us, tootie. We have had sexual education either from our parents and/or schools. The sex education where you come from consists of the abstinence movement that leads kids to believe that condoms are evil and so results in high rates of STD’s and unwanted pregnancy.
“And I realize that Democrats and liberals are really so utterly disgusting that they feel compelled to rid themselves of the product of their coupling.”
Tootie, I’ve had more sex in my lifetime than your “old man,” or men as the case may be. None of its’ been disgusting and no women who had sex with me had an unwanted pregnancy or STD. Why. Because I cherish women, more than my truck, guns or beers that characterize the men you hang with. you know who I’m talking about the “one minute” wonders in bed, “wham bam thank you maam,” types that infest where you live. They believe in keeping you females “barefoot and pregnant,” while comparing their guns and trucks to each other over cases of beer. You think and live by stereotypes, so I’ll respond with them.
“I also sympathize with liberal men. They don’t want to be connected with such horrible disgusting women and have to deal with her through their child.”
There you go again tootie, exposing what’s beyond your phony concern for the fetus. You and your kind want to punish women for having sex outside of a man’s control. You may be a woman, but even that’s in doubt, but that doesn’t mean you can’t hate them. In contradiction of you Christian beliefs tootie, you are a hater of extreme proportions and that bespeaks a bitter person whose life hasn’t turned out as she expected and blames others rather than looking at herself.
Finally, as an obvious ploy you asked why a woman cries after a miscarriage? Your point was that you equate the loss of one’s fetus to the abortion of a fetus. Most miscarriages occur in women who want to have a child and so there is disappointment and despair, when the birth terminates. Some women have ectopic pregnancies where the fetus must be removed to save the child’s life. I’ve gone through both these experiences as a husband and a father and I cried at the outcomes. However, as someone who worked for 37 years in fields that touched upon the results of unwanted pregnancies I am pro-abortion, by experience of the destruction unwanted pregnancies can cause.
The difference twixt you and me tootie is I have empathy for my fellow humans and am not guided by a false religious belief that I want to impose on everyone. I say false because my religion believes that the life of a child begins with its’ first breath and I choose to follow that belief. The difference between my beliefs and yours is also that my religion doesn’t believe someone has to follow it to be considered pleasing to the eye of God, even Christians can be righteous people in the eyes of God.
You don’t believe that and thus think of God blasphemously and
anthropomorphically because you align God with your own prejudice. Now I know your thinking that you follow the words of your bible, but by the hatred you spew I know you have no understanding of what those words mean.
Restricting health care to women,and even men, of child bearing years and even of child rearing years, which often includes grandparents, is exactly the same as restricting health care to children and particularly to fetuses.
One of the most important things that Planned Parenthood does is ensure that pregnant women have adequate prenatal care.
If the Republican love fetuses so much why deny them health care during the time when it is most vital to them.
Or isn’t it that Republicans hate women more than they love fetuses.
“That comment strokes both ways, I am sure a good number of people would abort liberal embryos if they could figure out the gene for that particular form of imbecility.” Granny Rue
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sorry Granny, that comment was not directed towards liberal or conservative ideology…it was directed at bigotry, hatred and other pre-cursors to violence…
I believe that liberalism is less genetic than you may think…perhaps you should look into it….maybe the ‘miscarriage police’ could do some sort of pre-natal genetic testing to make sure that ALL embryos have their proper fundamentalist conservatist genes and/orindoctrination prior to….oh let’s say the end of the first tri-mester…
Valuing Pregnancy: A Matter of Legal Protection
‘Protection for women who are pregnant cannot be provided without the support of a legal and policy framework. Some of the most obvious laws and policies include establishing a minimum age for marriage, criminalizing violence against women, prohibiting harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, and enforcing birth registration. All countries have ratified at least one (and many have ratified all) of the international human rights treaties. These place the legal obligation on countries to take measures to ensure that their citizens’ rights are protected and fulfilled, and provide a starting point for effective protection.’
‘Many women intend to get pregnant. Each year an estimated 123 million succeed. But a substantial additional number of women – around 87 million – become pregnant unintentionally. For some women and their partners this may be a pleasant surprise, but for others the pregnancy may be mistimed or simply unwanted ( 77 ). Of the estimated 211 million pregnancies that occur each year, about 46 million end in induced abortion (see Figure 3.2) ( 78 ). ‘
http://www.who.int/whr/2005/chapter3/en/index1.html
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So why defund an agency that actually EDUCATES and works to
prevent the unintended pregnancy? If you are so f*****g concerned about abortion?
Elaine M:
Most people on the right, shall we say the conservative not hard core religious right think pretty much the same way.
But in reality the hard core “religious right” are more closely aligned with the hard core left in their desire to control people’s lives.