The debate over Virginia’s new abortion bill is raging. While there are good-faith debates over the scope of state authority vis-a-vis women in cases of abortion, the legislation would appear to require an invasive ultrasound procedure for women in the first 12 weeks of a pregnancy — tipping the scales in terms of the burden on women. However, conservative CNN Contributor Dana Loesch went on the air this week to make the rather astonishing claim that such an involuntary procedure is no different from voluntary sex.
I have previously criticized CNN for its use of Nancy Grace as a legal analyst and show host. However, there remains a tendency on all cable shows to play to the extremes of political and legal analysis — degrading what are sometimes legitimate disagreements over constitutional law
On this occasion, Loesch (who is associated with Andrew Breitbart) defended the law against objections to the invasive procedure:
LOESCH: That’s the big thing that progressives are trying to say, that it’s rape and so on and so forth. […] There were individuals saying, “Oh what about the Virginia rape? The rapes that, the forced rapes of women who are pregnant?” What? Wait a minute, they had no problem having similar to a trans-vaginal procedure when they engaged in the act that resulted in their pregnancy.
There is an obvious difference between consensual sexual relations and an intrusive procedure ordered by the state. The premise of such comments appears to be that, like sex, abortion is a choice. Thus, Loesch stated simply “Don’t get an abortion and you don’t have to worry about any sort of mandated ultrasound.” However, the Supreme Court has said it is part of a protected right of privacy (albeit a right balanced against certain state interests).
Here is the tape:
There is a legal difference. It is also an example of how movement Republicans can differ from libertarian Republicans. Many Republicans (particularly women) would find this comment highly offensive. For civil libertarians and libertarians, there is no greater example of government intrusion than an invasive medical procedure. One can certainly argue over whether abortion is protected as a right by the Constitution, but this argument reflects a more fundamental difference on the scope of permissible government action. While the Tea Party (with which Loesch is also associated) has often been described as libertarian, the views of some members often embrace governmental power over civil liberties.
Virginia House puts off ultrasound bill again
The Virginia House of Delegates again today decided to put off voting on the Senate’s version of a bill to require women seeking an abortion to first undergo medically unnecessary transvaginal ultrasounds.
A little light of publicity and the cockroaches scurry away.
Bron,
sympathiae but that’s the way we are, first you demonize, then you mistreat/murder, etc.
Kathleen,
As for voyeurs, can’t you demand they leave? Here they ask first.
There’s something steely-eyed about this one and her eager willingness to offer up our essential freedom to her warped ideology. Maybe it’s this:
“The love of liberty is the love of others; the love of power is the love of ourselves.”
~William Hazlitt (British literary critic and essayist)
And to my good friend, Gene: Pretty is as pretty does.
Kathleen, I am so sorry for what you have been through.ione too was for med reasons.
When I was talking to person at my Pa senator’s office I was also remindd of a colposcopy I had to have, similar in where itis done. It was done by a manbut because I was a clinic patient, there were also 4 med studens in the room, 3 of them also male.
If tyhis women thinks it is like consensual sex and she believes that this is an enjoyable thing let her see, not only as a woman, but a poorer woman to boot, what kind of fun it is, including the high potential of having voyeurs in the room (yes I know for learning purposes nevertheless they stand around and watch as a woman is penetrated.)
Bron,
Republicans think like that.
this woman is a fruit cake. Involuntary medical procedures? Where have I heard about those before. Holy Ultrasound Dr. Mengele, can forced abortions be far behind?
What type of people think like this?
To clarify my last comment…
The more thorough exam by the radiologist was of the films, not of me personally. I don’t think the exam itself that I experienced was uncharacteristic of what is being demanded of women before having their LEGAL pregnancy termination, especially for those who have very early pregnancies, which are difficult to find and therefore require more probing around.
The result of such legislation is that more women will wait longer for their abortion, such that an abdominal ultrasound will provide an image. This is probably the intent behind the legislation, because they believe that forcing women to wait will make them reconsider, something that is not supported by the research. Of course, if they miscalculate their dates, much gets further complicated–also part of the intent.
Elaine
It’s a shame, for reason of fear of the Secret Service, we can’t wish the same things or worse for Rick Santorum.
There are too many slimes in our nation. Amazing. And it’s not among the immigrants either, I believe. So who/what generated them?
That should have been “she had NO right to complain”
The GOP sponsor of this abomination was quoted as saying since the woman had already been penetrated she had to right to complain about additional penetrations. (!?!)
I guess that means his mom and his wife can be raped & should not complain since they have already been penetrated. And someone should ask him if he has had a prostate exam or a colonoscopy. If he has he certainly has no right to complain if he were to be violated again!
http://feministing.com/2012/02/21/virginia-transvaginal-ultrasound-bill-delayed-after-a-thousand-protest-outside-capitol/
They have not yet passed it and the gov changing his statement about it, ” Gov. McDonnell’s spokesperson recently gave some indication the governor may be backing away from the bill (after previously saying it was a sure thing). ”
Washington post article also says “The House also passed a bill stating that life begins at conception.” http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/saturday-night-live-mocks-virginia-anti-abortion-bills/2012/02/20/gIQA9WJQPR_blog.html
(SNL also here for Seth and Amy’s takeon this bill)
Just talked with my Pa. senators office, they have a HB, HB 1077 Best I can tell provides for regular ultrasound, screen must be turned towards women and she must hear heartbeat and know gestational age. This is also an invasion into a woman’s life and her medical care.
I understand Elaine. She is slime.
I forgot to mention that the women would be forced to PAY for it too. It isn’t cheap. My insurance covered it 100% but UCSF charged close to $1000, although that would have included a thorough look by a radiologist, not just a simple snapshot.
rafflaw,
I tried hard not to post that comment–but this woman is the nearest thing to human slime mold. She has no idea what she is talking about. Someone stick a gag in her mouth and toss her off the Brooklyn Bridge…please!
Kathleen,
Thank you for sharing your personal experience with this so-called procedure.
Blouise and Carol – I too have had this procedure, twice, for legitimate health reasons. The first time was bad enough that I was quite reluctant to have the second one many years later, and I spent the exam time trying simultaneously dissociate from my body and to decide if it was more like torture or more like rape (which I have also experienced) and I finally decided that it shared major similarities with both.
The procedure caused me indescribable pain as it was forced against other internal organs. Oh, and no one mentioned that it must be done with a very full bladder, just to get the full sense of what fun it is.
These fools who opine on it being akin to consensual sex are either complete morons or they’ve never enjoyed sex. Either way I pity them, and either way they have no standing to comment on what the experience entails.
It is, simply, penetration with a foreign object, and if it is forced on someone for reasons unrelated to that person’s own health, it is rape. I am afraid to wonder what new torment they will come up with next.
Elaine,
Don’t hold back! 🙂
Someone should tell Dana Loesch to go “trans-vaginal procedure” herself.
Revenge.
Men being sampled urethally for gonorrhea shall without exception be subjected to proctoscopic examination for infection, in a prone position.
Preferably surrounded by a gang of student nurses giggling and making demeaning jokes about certain organs, hirsuteness or lack thereof, anal tonus, etc.
Any one second the motion. The ayes have it.
DonS
Get out of my gutter.
She could have other preferences. She could prefer anal intercourse. In fact some do in my experience, as they have willingly told me their preferences.
Or maybe she prefers scissor sisters, or , or , or! Your choice.
As for the women facing violation for no other reason than humiliation, I’ll be damned what would be an adequate deed or expression with which to condemn.