2012.02.22
The ridicule continues
First SNL mocked Virginia for the General Assembly’s drive to override the rights of women. Last night, it was The Daily Show with Jon Steward. We truly have become, as many predicted, a national laughingstock. Way to go Gov. Bob McDonnell and the General Assembly’s Republicans. Mission accomplished.
There’s one good bit of news: Maybe all of the ridicule is working. The Washington Post reports that McDonnell is backing off his unconditional support for the ultrasound bill. Meanwhile, votes on other radical bills in the House of Delegates have been postponed.
“They are freaked out by the (ultrasound) bill and the reaction it’s gotten across the country,” said Del. Mark D. Sickles, D-Fairfax. “I think they’re probably trying to figure out a media strategy to figure out a way to get off the front pages.”
The fun might not be over, either. The above linked Washington Post story also mentioned that The Daily Show was in Richmond filming yesterday. I didn’t see any of their footage in last night’s segment …
Ridiculing sonograms as unnecessary and radical. I see. What next? Pre-natal care as barbaric?
“other radical bills”
No bias there.
Comment by Henry — February 22, 2012 @ 9:29 am
The Daily Show. Saturday Night Live. Hmmmmm. When’s President Obama weighing in or did I miss that? That outta complete the circle.
Comment by Uptheriver — February 22, 2012 @ 9:53 am
A sonogram before an abortion is unnecessary and radical IMO. It is like checking your blood sugar after you die. It is a right wing attempt to further bully and control desperate women and it is just to satisfy some weird religious belief. Way to go, maybe you can bully some homeless children next…oh wait.
I will believe you care about women, babies and children when you stop treating them like chattel.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 22, 2012 @ 9:59 am
How about we shut down the overblown rhetoric on both sides.
Sonography in abortions is NOT anything new. In fact it is recommended by NAF (National Abortion Federation)in the first trimester according to their 2012 clinic guidelines. Go to pages 9 & 10.
http://www.prochoice.org/pubs_research/publications/downloads/professional_education/2012_CPGs.pdf
http://www.prochoice.org
Comment by Alton Foley — February 22, 2012 @ 11:25 am
While I understand that sonograms are common during the first trimester, there’s a difference between a woman and her doctor making the decision to do one and the government forcing her to get one against her will regardless of whether or not it’s medically necessary.
There are a lot of reasons to be concerned about this but two really stick out for me. First, the federal government defines rape as, (1)“The penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim.” It’s not rhetoric to call this out for what it is: government-sponsored rape.
The second reason that sticks out for me is that this is being pushed by the same people who claim to advocate for personal liberty and freedom. These same politicians rail against the Affordable Care Act because it ‘violates personal liberty’ and ‘puts the government between a person and his/her doctor’. They speak at length about the recent contraception controversy because it ‘violates religious freedom and people’s personal and moral consciousnesses.’ Yet, they have no problem forcing this on women. The shear amount of hypocrisy on display is astounding!
These are by no means the only reasons and certainly aren’t the most important to some but they really resonate with me.
(1): http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/attorney-general-eric-holder-announces-revisions-to-the-uniform-crime-reports-definition-of-rape
Comment by Dave F — February 22, 2012 @ 12:38 pm
Just a plain ultrasound is not what this is about Alton Foley. This is not a “recommendation” is is a required insertion of the vaginal probe type of ultrasound and that is neither routine, required or realistic in first trimester abortions.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 22, 2012 @ 12:41 pm
The point being, the procedure is being FORCED upon a woman. Not acceptable in any way shape or form!
Comment by Blue John — February 22, 2012 @ 12:45 pm
Sonograms are “unnecessary and radical”? Really??? Wonder why Virginia Planned Parenthood clinics routinely conduct them?
http://www.commentarymagazine.com/2012/02/21/ultrasounds-va-planned-parenthood-abortion-procedure/
Where’s the outrage? After all, aren’t PP clinics guilty of “rape” (as defined by several on this blog thread yesterday):
http://blogs.roanoke.com/roundtable/2012/02/the-nation-laughs/
Comment by The Other Rick — February 22, 2012 @ 12:50 pm
@7 – “Not acceptable in any way shape or form!”
Some would argue neither is an abortion.
Comment by Uptheriver — February 22, 2012 @ 1:00 pm
@9,
“Some would argue neither is an abortion.”
And they are certainly entitled to their opinion, but their opinion does not trump a personal decision made by a woman concerning her body. It’s unbelievable that in 2012 abortion rights are an issue.
Comment by Blue John — February 22, 2012 @ 1:51 pm
UTR, OR, Henry,
Are you willing to go on record in support of the draconian reproductive bills currently before the General Assembly?
Comment by Art Hill — February 22, 2012 @ 1:56 pm
Planned Parenthood is forcing women to have sonograms. Where is the outrage for this extreme, radical behavior?
In #7 even BlueJohn condemns Planned Parenthood for this invasion of women. Cut off government funding of Planned Parenthood for their anti-women stance
Comment by Henry — February 22, 2012 @ 2:05 pm
Read an interesting comment today. Guy pointed out corporations are considered people. Some would like fetuses to be people. It’s too bad women aren’t treated as people.
Comment by Scott M. — February 22, 2012 @ 2:06 pm
#1 Henry, I know this is a tough concept to understand, but editorial writing involves some “bias.” It’s part of the job.
Comment by gdad — February 22, 2012 @ 2:08 pm
No, not the current bills.
Comment by Uptheriver — February 22, 2012 @ 2:55 pm
The House is considering the ultrasound bill now ans some amendments. You can watch online at http://virginia-house.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3
Comment by C. Trejbal — February 22, 2012 @ 3:27 pm
@12,
Educate yourself, you guys need to stop reading the right wing propaganda and get the facts. The furnished link is from the Planned Parenthood website. Again, it’s the womans choice and between her and her physician, not FORCED upon her by a politician.
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/abortion/in-clinic-abortion-procedures-4359.asp
Comment by Blue John — February 22, 2012 @ 4:08 pm
At what point does a fetus become a person?
Comment by PeterJ — February 22, 2012 @ 4:20 pm
“At what point does a fetus become a person?”
Depends on who you ask. Delegate Bob Marshall believes life begins at erection.
Comment by Art Hill — February 22, 2012 @ 4:36 pm
18 – at the very point at which interruptions in the natural course of the pregnancy do not stop a life from beginning.
Comment by 89Hoo — February 22, 2012 @ 4:44 pm
A fetus becomes a person when it is born and can live outside of the womb. Sometimes that means with the help of doctors, machines and medications, and sometimes that is not enough, but that is the definition of when a fetus becomes a person to me. I have two children and there is no comparison to the odd feeling of something growing inside of you but to say that I “knew” either baby or felt like they were already a person is just emotion.
A fetus is generally viable after approximately 24-26 weeks IMO. There is certainly an argument over that but that is my own opinion.
I am comfortable with a woman choosing abortion, simply because I cannot condemn a woman for the choice. I know it is not made lightly, easily or with anything more happy than pure anguish. I wish we had a society that helped many, many more women feel they could have and keep their baby, but I do not condemn women for wanting or seeking an abortion.
After the first trimester, there needs to be a legitimate reason to terminate a pregnancy, not “convenience” but I do accept poverty, rape, incest, or emotional duress. And after the second trimester, there should be severe restrictions and conditions on abortion. I believe there are and I am comfortable with that.
No one who has an abortion is not aware of what they are doing and ending.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 22, 2012 @ 4:53 pm
@18 Peter J, according to Del. Bob Marshall, when a sperm meets an egg, it becomes a person.
Comment by Scott M. — February 22, 2012 @ 5:36 pm
You fellas remind we why we always say “go ask your father”.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 22, 2012 @ 6:54 pm
While I do not approve of an abortion for anything other than rape, incest or health dangers I do not desire to be the judge of someone elses decisions. I think the ultimate judge will make that call someday and it will be made with an open mind. My govt. Has no business making those decisions. It is a PERSONAL decision between individual and their moral compass. Only goes to conclude the ultrasound should be decided by dr. And patient. Agree with earlier post we get too consumed regulating personal decisions but fight regulating actions that hurt every single citizen because major corporations should not have to abide by any moral codes.(banking, insurance, oil, utility, drug, investment, etc.)
Comment by alwaysOandM — February 22, 2012 @ 9:00 pm
11 – no, not in their current form.
Comment by The Other Rick — February 23, 2012 @ 7:03 am
The Talipublicans want to hide in your bedroom closet.
Comment by Earl Eakin — February 24, 2012 @ 5:24 am
Earl I agree, they want to hide in a lot of places. The best way to establish and enforce their Theocracy is to catch all the sinners first and point them out. Do you smell the pyre? Puritans love the smell of their crosses burning.
Comment by Sandi Saunders — February 24, 2012 @ 10:30 am