-Submitted by David Drumm (Nal), Guest Blogger
If the forced-pregnancy crowd continues to win its war on legal abortion, the future of abortion will be personified by Dr. Kermit Gosnell, pictured at left with his “clinic” in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The grand jury’s report on the Gosnell Women’s Medical Services clinic (pdf) is available for those who have the stomach for “a house of horrors.” Gosnell is on trial for 7 counts of first-degree murder regarding the deaths of seven babies, and one count of third-degree murder for the death of a female patient. Many conservatives pundits think there should be greater media coverage. Be careful what you wish for.
Gosnell’s clientele were poor women, predominately of color, who couldn’t afford a legitimate abortion provider since Medicaid doesn’t cover most abortions. Poor people receiving substandard medical care, since when is this the focus of the media?
Some of Gosnell’s survivors intended to go to the Planned Parenthood clinic, a few miles away, but were scared away by the protesters at the Planned Parenthood clinic. The protesters were at the location where abortion was being performed at a high level of medical competence, while there were no protesters at Gosnell’s “clinic.” Maybe the media could ask the anti-abortion protesters why they didn’t picket at Gosnell’s “clinic?” Maybe the media could ask the forced-pregnancy crowd if unrestrained access to safe abortion facilities decreases the likelihood of future Gosnells.
Maybe the media could ask the forced-pregnancy crowd if denying hospital privileges to abortion providers increases the danger to their patients’ health.
The era of safe medical abortions is coming to an end. The demand for abortions has been and will always be there, and it is reasonable to foresee more Gosnells as the result, in addition to attempts at self-induced abortions.
One small glimmer of hope is the ruling by Judge Edward R. Korman, United States district judge serving on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Recently J. Korman ruled in the case of Tummino v. Hamburg, a case involving Kathleen Sebelius’ (Secretary of Health and Human 
Services) overruling the FDA and denying over-the-counter (OTC) access to Plan B. In a well-reasoned and detailed ruling, J. Korman found “the Secretary’s action was politically motivated, scientifically unjustified, and contrary to agency precedent” in addition to being “arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable.” J. Korman reversed the FDA decision and remanded. The Obama administration has yet to decide if it will waste millions of taxpayer dollars on a meritless appeal.
Plan B One-Step, at OTC prices and availability, will, if taken within 72 hours, reduce the chance of pregnancy by 89 percent. This will be a severe setback for the forced-pregnancy crowd. There will be no pharmacist with “religious objections” to interfere with the sale. The forced-pregnancy crowd will claim that Plan B is an abortifacient. This lie was noted by J. Korman who referenced a GAO report that Plan B:
interferes with prefertilization events. It reduces the number of sperm cells in the uterine cavity, immobilizes sperm, and impedes further passage of sperm cells into the uterine cavity. In addition, [Pan B] has the capacity to delay or prevent ovulation from occurring.
The forced-pregnancy crowd will claim that Plan B is not safe. However, J. Korman wrote that Plan B has no “known serious or long-term side effects, though they may have some mild short-term side effects, such as nausea, fatigue, and headache.” Plan B gives women the same control over reproduction that the condom does for men.
H/T: Sarah Posner, Scott Lemieux, Kate Michelman, PZ Myers, Jonathan H. Adler, NPR.
James, I think the state shouldn’t have to pay for abortions, apparently you do maybe your the nut that thinks the state owes you a living.
Abortion is devils feeding on dead babies. The subsequent condemning of the doctors performing the abortions are devils continuing their feast on the souls of people. God alone will be the judge.
Abortion is devils feeding on dead babies. The subsequent condensing of the doctors performing the abortions are devils continuing their feast on the souls of people. God alone will be the judge.
In the battle for demonizing labels, “forced abortion crowd” definitely is a winner.
Thank you, Nal.
Recently some GOP politician, obviously male, stated that Congress should not let itself be bogged down with “trivial” women’s issues and deal with issues that “really matter.” I think that pretty well sums up the Republican ideology: keep them barefoot, pregnant, and in their place with their mouths shut. In my fertile imagination I’m wishing that a blanket Lysistrata tactic employing ALL women could help. If you can’t get to them through their hearts and minds, maybe you can get through to them through other important avenues. But the reality that echoes in my mind as Conservatives continue to restrict just about anything having to do with women’s control of their bodies is Charlie Brown saying, “We’re doomed.”
“Men simply harden the debate and have made it violent.”
Not just this debate, either. Thank you for declaring this truth.
“I think men should be involved in the abortion issue…”
Precaution is one remedy. But what about after the fact? What does a man then “do” once the decision is taken by a woman? The awful side of this debate appears to view it as an excuse to then rob the woman of her rights based on arbitrary perceptions of what may or may not be growing inside.
There are also men who have real trouble, still, with women making such decisions. Related to one by blood. ++unpretty.
By this point men seem to have three very valuable things they can do: sit down, shut up, and pull around the car when it’s time. Otherwise, it’s time to butt out.
nick,
I think men should be involved in the abortion issue because without men there would be no need for abortions. Men have to step up and take responsibility and precautions, just like women. Men also have to understand that the body being played with by the various state governments is that of a woman and not a thing or a religious tenet.
The answer to abortion is to limit the number of unwanted pregnancies. Plan B is a good start. Better financial security for poor and lower middle class families (raise the minimum wage, provide more jobs).
There are herbs that will cause miscarriages. Lobelia and golden seal are two. There are others. Follow with peach tea to aid in healing.
mahtso, An intelligent question. In past threads on abortion I have been appalled @ the militancy of some here vis a vis abortion. They are a counterbalance for the even more militant anti abortion folks. While I understand passion and understand the need for balance in all things; including politics, I find both extreme camps in this debate disturbing. As I’ve said for years, men should bow out of this debate and allow women on all sides come to a consensus. I have no doubt it would be a good outcome. Men simply harden the debate and have made it violent.
If the politicians chose to just let this issue die out, that is accept that Roe v. Wade is the law of the land and move on to other more pressing issues, it would take a lot of steam out of the movement, but they use it for their selfish political ends on both sides of the issue and it continues indefinately.
David,
Thank you for this piece. As someone more than old enough to remember the days when safe abortion was illegal, except for the wealthy who could afford to fly out of the country to obtain one, the news supplied many tales of women damaged and killed by back alley abortionists.
“It’s not abortion most disagree with, it’s state funded abortion, and late term abortion.”
Bruce,
That statement is clearly untrue. See Paul Ryan’s statement from two days ago.
Bruce is clearly neither a woman nor a physician. If Bruce objects to legal procedures, Bruce is free not to have one. It’s none of Bruce’s business thereafter.
Which seems to drive Bruce a lil’ nutty.
Accepting that there are people who want to restrict abortion, this demonstrates the other side of the coin: there are people who are so avid in support of abortion that they are not willing to apply the same standards that are applied to other medical procedures. What would be the level of outrage if this “doctor” had been providing services other than abortions?
Very interesting Nal. The Plan B decision will be an important one if it is not overturned. I get incensed when I think of the people trying to end abortion and contraception! Where are these people when aid to children is cut in their corporate financed moves toward disastrous austerity?
It’s not abortion most disagree with, it’s state funded abortion, and late term abortion. How about aborting a fetus when it’s half out of the womb, If you think that’s allright maybe you should have been aborted .
Interesting comments so far. I especially enjoyed itchin’s rail on all humans with an R attached to them. Little problem with that scorched earth policy though: it’s beyond hyperbolic and just *slightly* sociopathic. As far as the post, absolutely there will be unintended consequences if this story gets legs, and yes, the consequences mentioned in the post for sure as far as sound access to abortion goes. Btw, “forced-pregnancy crowd”–your phrase David?
“Forced pregnancy crowd”. I like it may I use this term elsewhere. Unfortunately, the forced pregnancy crowd are going to try and paint this criminal as the typical “abortion” provider, evil, cruel and homicidal. They see a way to shore up the withering of their support. I hope that people will see this man for the criminal that he is and his conduct as what will happen if women have to seek out of hospital treatment but I never underestimate the sheer stupidity of Americans.
Until we get religion and mysoginy out of our politics and our government the forced pregnancy crowd will remain inappropriately powerful with the ruling class.
Women can stand up and men can stand with them, in the mid term elections and vote out any RepubliCon on their ballot. The campaign motto should be: Out Any and All RepubliCons. There is no pun intended. There are no Rhinos. As Curley in the Three Stooges once said: “Hotsie, Totsie, I smell a Nazi.” What this so called Party is doing in places like North Carolina is a disgrace to the human race. That shaved headed Governor in FL looks like an ax murderer named Jared. Creeps like Mitch McConnell who speak that fake twang need lobotomies. If your neighbor is a RepubliCon, build a fence. If you are married to one, divorce him. If your kid voted for Mitt cut off his inheritance. If your doctor plays golf, find another doctor. I could go on but my bark is tired.
Well said Nal and AY.
This will start US back to dark alleys and wire coat hangers….. Creeps….