NOW - New York State

It's the Court, Stupid by Sandy Rapp

It's The Court, Stupid

by Sandy Rapp

Pride Entertainment -10/1/2008

http://prideentertainment.net/Politics01.aspx

Because it is likely that at least three justices will retire in the next four years, our next president will determine the makeup of the Supreme Court for half a century to follow.

The historic 1973 Roe v. Wade decision affirmed early abortion as a privacy right with which the individual states may not interfere. Immediately before it, in 1972, Baird v. Eisenstadt affirmed birth control rights for singles, also on a privacy rights foundation.

On these two decisions the 2003 Lawrence v. Texas ruling was based. Lawrence overturned the god awful Hardwick decision which had upheld the "anti-sodomy" laws (almost always selectively-enforced against gay people) in half these United States. Without Lawerence v. Texas, and its decriminalization of gay relations, we would not be in the enviable position of holding some successes on same-gender marriage. And even today, most of the States do not provide even minimal civil rights positions for LGBT people.

Republican VP Pic is No Hillary Clinton

In a shameless grab to appear ground-breaking and cutting edge, Republican candidate John McCain has chosen a woman, Governor Sarah Palin, for his Vice Presidential running mate. One thing we know for sure; Palin is no Hillary Clinton. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin is so adamantly anti-choice that it has been reported she would not allow her daughter to have an abortion, even if her daughter was raped. Further, John McCain would be the oldest president ever elected and Governor Palin has absolutely no experience in foreign affairs, this against the backdrop of our being in the middle of an utterly insane war both of these candidates support. One wonders, are these the same Republicans who labored so hard to deny women their right to choose safe and legal abortions? Are these the same Republicans who fought against affirmative action at every available turn, denying minorities and women equal opportunities in education and employment? Are these the Republicans who have packed the US Supreme Court against equal rights for women? Are these the Republicans who deny same-sex couples full benefits in our society? And do they now think they look progressive with this reactionary and inexperienced woman as their VP choice? Democratic candidate Barack Obama must campaign hard for the women he lost to Hillary. He must bring focus to the issues of judicial appointments and of what could happen to birth control and basic autonomy under a fundamentalist Republican regime. We implore Senator Obama to emphasis and advertise the pro-choice, pro-women, equal rights, and war-only-as-a-last-result positions of his party's platform. The courts are at stake, the country is at stake and perhaps the world as we know it.

This man is not in the NOW or in the KNOW

If I recall, presidents are expected to know the price of a gallon of milk or gasoline.  They are voting on bills that influence the market.  For me health and reproductive justice are on the list as well.  Senator McCain can't even hold a conversation about bills he has voted on in regards to this subject.  The news shows are calling it an, "akward moment."  Akward?  Really?  Why invest in diminising the fact that McCain has no idea what is happening in 2008 for women or men ~ though he votes on bills that will shape the future.  (except Fair Pay, of course, he did not show up that day) 

And why is it being touted as a question about Viagra?  It is about birth control, reporductive justice, women's self-determination and priorities.  Earlier this week while stumping for McCain, Carly Fiorina said that women should be able to obtain birth control through their insurance.  He voted no.  Let's pull up a chair and see if McCain is teachable or if he takes a blue pill and lets Carly have it. 

Now ~ I am Distressed

That horrible word ABORTION is in the news.  NO one is PRO-ABORTION.  I have had two and I am not PRO-abortion.  Both were extraordinarily difficult and rocked my soul.  But going through the process made me even more certain that each woman needs to have all options obtainable, must be able to consult with people of her own choosing and deserves compassion before, during and after her decision.

After 35 years of legal abortions and experiencing some of the years before, I really have come to accept that minds are made up.  Most people have really formed their opinion, that opinion has taken on meaning beyond their own lives and, somehow, adherence to that opinion demonstrates their morality.  Almost no one is actually arguing about the woman, the pregnancy, the circumstances.  They are arguing about their right to hold a moral decision that they hold as correct for all humanity.

The point being that in 1972, the US Supreme Court ruled that each woman has the right to choose how to exercise her conscience.  Some people are offended.  Some people take it for granted.  All people have opinions about it.  But lets state the one thing that is always true, an unwanted pregnancy is a terrible circumstance.  It can be a danger to one’s health; mental or physical. 

So what happened this last weekend that Barack Obama, Constitutional Law Professor, said publicly that he was in favor of permitting late term abortions only when the health of the mother was threatened, BUT THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH.

Here is the quote - I have repeatedly said that I think it’s entirely appropriate for states to restrict or even prohibit late-term abortions as long as there is a strict, well-defined exception for the health of the mother. Now, I don’t think that “mental distress” qualifies as the health of the mother. I think it has to be a serious physical issue that arises in pregnancy, where there are real, significant problems to the mother carrying that child to term. Otherwise, as long as there is such a medical exception in place, I think we can prohibit late-term abortions.

What does this mean?   Lets just put the abortion issue entirely off the table – it still leaves me with a terrible conclusion, that MENTAL DISTRESS is not equal to physical.  Mental distress can not carry “real significant problems to the mother.” 

I just don’t know what to say – this really distresses me.

Hillary's Supporters Feel Sting of Betrayal Beyond Politics

Hillary Clinton's supporters are hearing over and over again that it is a shame that the Senator is not making history this year. As the first woman to run as a major party nominee, we must remember that the Senator did indeed make history. She garnered more votes (eighteen million) than any other candidate in the history of the presidential primary. She enjoyed the majority of the votes from women, Latino's, Asians, and working-class citizens. She won the swing states that would have guaranteed her the White House. Now the Democrats have a real uphill battle.

Hillary's supporters are sad and angry about the political scam that was the Rules Committee meeting, where the party took earned delegates from Senator Clinton and gave them to Obama. Hillary's supporters are sad and mad that the Democratic party did not stand up against sexism in the media.