My Weekend of Activism

As those of you that read this blog are aware, an assassination took place in my community a week ago today.  Like many I have sat on the sidelines and watched as our rights have been eroded.  Bill after bill has been passed restricting abortion.  Pharmacists refused to fill valid prescriptions.  Clinic after clinic has closed.  Doctor after doctor has been vilified and harassed.  Our lone clinic in this area is now closed because a zealot decided to execute Dr. George Tiller.  Let me be clear for my readers that might not get it.  I see no difference in what Scott Roeder allegedly did and what the Taliban, Al Qaeda, Hezbollah or Hamas do.  There is NO moral justification for this crime.  This type of fanaticism is unacceptable no matter which religion’s brand is on it. 

In a statement to the Associated Press today, alleged assassin Scott Roeder claimed "I know there are many other similar events planned around the country as long as abortion remains legal," Roeder said. He would not elaborate.”  That is terrorism my friends.

On Friday, the Kansas chapter of the National Organization for Women organized Speak Out: a Community Discussion on Choice.  State board members from Kansas NOW, Attorney Pedro Irigonegaray and Attorney Gloria Allred participated.

Ms. Allred felt the need to be here in Wichita after hearing of the “horrific assassination of Dr. Tiller”.  Having been forced to endure a pre-Roe illegal abortion – and almost dying from it.   Ms. Allred is acutely aware of what is at stake.  She was very nice, by the way (I even got my picture taken with her). Many there  just wanted to know – what do we do now?  And many of us are still trying to figure that out.

Saturday was Dr. Tiller’s funeral – I arrived at the church at 8:30 a.m. thinking that a hour and a half before would be enough – but the parking lot was already nearly full.  Members of the American Legion Riders (many of whom are also part of the Patriot Guard) were already there with their motorcycles and their American Flags.  When word spread that Fred Phelps and his band of morons would be making an appearance and out of fear that other groups might choose to disrupt the service – KS NOW organized a “Martyr Guard” to protect the friends and family of Dr. Tiller.  Nearly 100 of us stood at the curb attempting to shield them as much as we could from those driving by with a bible out the window, the press and protesters.  ******EDIT:  I should say that people came from Iowa, Colorado and New York to take part in the forum, as well as stand in the Martyr Guard with us.

Luckily, the service was not disrupted, the press while pushy was not particularly bad – and Phelps cult was relegated to a corner about a block or so away.  I have only seen that many security personnel in one place before and that was the Democratic convention in 2004 – they were everywhere.  And it’s sad that they had to be.

I guess what I take from this weekend is that those of us that value our reproductive rights have a responsibility to step up and fight for them. 

Here are some statistics that I bet you didn’t know: (emphasis added – info is global in nature not just U.S.)

World Health Organization research shows that abortion rates are consistent regardless of prohibitive law, and demonstrates that where the procedure is illegal, women turn to unsafe means. Women in lower income brackets, who cannot afford the high prices of underground providers, or the travel costs to countries where abortion is legal, are especially vulnerable.

Complications due to these unsafe methods - for example inserting coat hangers into the uterus or drinking turpentine - cause upwards of 67,000 deaths and 5 million hospitalizations, and orphan a quarter-million children, every year. These statistics suggest that the global abortion debate is not about whether or not abortions happen; it is about whether or not they happen safely.

My Weekend of Activism

Speak Out: a Community Discussion on Choice

Kansas NOW hosted a forum this evening discussing the assassination of Dr. George Tiller and where we go from here.  Attorneys Gloria Allred (yes, that Gloria Allred) and Pedro Irigonegaray (Fmr Atty for Dr. Tiller and Planned Parenthood), as well as Marla Patrick (State Coordinator for NOW) and Kari Rinker (State Lobbyist for NOW) were on the panel.  I will have a full rundown of the forum, plus some info on my Saturday, later.

I leave you with this thought:  Make-up worn by famous people is way better than what we get at the store. 

Speak Out: a Community Discussion on Choice

R.I.P. Dr. George Tiller

Today, Dr. George Tiller was gunned down in the church he attended every Sunday with his family.  Dr. Tiller is survived by his wife, his four children and his ten grandchildren.  This is a day that many of us feared was inevitable – but always hoped to be proven wrong.

I wish that I were more eloquent, so that I could adequately convey the outrage, anger, sadness and hopelessness I feel by what has transpired today.  Sadly, I’m not.  My anger clouds my ability to write this in a way that is uplifting.

After his clinic was bombed, he was shot, his name and address was listed on right-wing websites, his clinic vandalized and he was targeted for prosecution – he still came to work everyday and provided a service that women needed, that they requested.

Dr. Tiller trusted women.  He felt they were competent to decide the direction of their lives.  He was compassionate enough to understand that for some women, giving birth to a dead or dying baby was worse than having a late-term abortion.  He was one of only three doctors providing these procedures.

Women came from far and wide for the services that Dr. Tiller courageously provided. 

Tonight they came from far and wide to pay tribute to an assassinated champion of women’s rights.

I think it is important to call this event what it is.  This murder was a political assassination.  Dr. Tiller was gunned down in his house of worship for the beliefs he held, as much as for the services he provided.

While Operation Rescue and other groups scramble to absolve themselves of responsibility for this tragedy, my hope is that they are not allowed to.  Many of them (Randall Terry I’m looking at you!) are just as guilty in this as the shooter. 

I can only hope that this tragedy will end the complacency regarding reproductive rights.  Everyday, every legislative session – the ability for women to control their destiny is under attack.  We must stand, we must fight.

R.I.P. Dr. George Tiller

Confessions of a SCOTUSphile

I have been fascinated by the Supreme Court since I was a kid.  Yes, even then I was a political nerd.  Between the nomination of Sandra Day O’Connor, the Bork and Thomas hearings, the Pelican Brief – I watched it all! 

Now brings us to another such pivotal moment in our nation’s history.  As you are all aware David Souter has decided to hang up his robe and bid the town he despises adieu. 

Souter’s tenure has been interesting.  Nominated post Bork and Thomas – Daddy Bush, was looking for an easy sell.  He found a judge that he thought was pretty conservative, but one that had very little in the way of a paper trail.  In the end, Bush was very surprised by the judge he got.  Honestly, it was a lucky mistake for those of us that prefer a progressive court.  Souter has never liked D.C., and if you believe certain reports he was brought to tears by the deciding of Bush v. Gore (as anyone with a shred of judicial integrity should have).  So it really shouldn’t be a surprise that Souter would wish to cut his time on the bench a bit short. 

What we all should be asking ourselves now is – Who will it be?  Not that President Obama probably cares, but my advice would be to make this a “swing for the fences” kind of pick.  This is a situation where you have a near filibuster proof  majority – go for it.  The court tilts conservative – balancing the court is very important.  While he will probably have the chance to nominate at least one, probably two more justices, but who knows what the congressional make up will be at that time or how support will be for the President at that time. 

Here’s what I want:  Sorry guys, but I want a female justice.  I want an unashamed liberal, who will reaffirm Roe and that believes in the rights of people.  Who believes in the Separation between Church and State.    Basically, I want the kind of justice that will make Eric Cantor’s nog pop off. 

So Mr. President, Swing for the Fences. 

Confessions of a SCOTUSphile

Please Veto! (A.K.A. Huelskamp is a Tool!)

  The healthcare of Kansas women is once again imperiled by men with an agenda.  I wish I could say I’m surprised, but I’m really not.  Well – I’m not surprised by the action, so much as the lack of rationality displayed by the supporters. 

State Senator Tim Huelskamp again brought an amendment to the budget that defunds Planned Parenthood.  This time instead of being removed in committee, it is in the final bill that our new (and somewhat questionable) Governor will be signing.  The only hope now is that Governor Parkinson realizes the damage this will do Kansas women.

Huelskamp’s reasoning for offering this amendment was clear, Planned Parenthood provides abortion services (at limited clinics and as far as I know only one in the state) and being the good little zealot he is – he doesn’t want a dime of state money going to the big, evil Planned Parenthood.  What seems to be lost on Sen. Huelskamp is that funding from the state is used for education services only.  I’m sure Sen. Huelskamp is a member of the abstinence-only crowd, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. 

If Governor Parkinson doesn’t veto this bill – Kansas will become the 7th state to defund Planned Parenthood.  Wow, we should be so proud (yes that was sarcasm). 

At times of economic hardship family planning services become even more vital.  Studies have shown a strong uptick in abortion rates at times of economic struggle – how is this so hard to understand?  We are having a severe downturn in our state and they pick now to defund family planning education?  If they are as anti-abortion as they claim, they should be increasing funds for family planning.

“I am excited that both chambers of the Kansas Legislature have approved my amendment to remove taxpayer funding of Planned Parenthood. With Kansas facing a budget crunch, this would be a big victory for the taxpayers," he told LifeNews.com.

Senator Huelskamp obviously doesn’t understand (or is willfully ignoring) is that unwanted pregnancies cost the taxpayers of Kansas way more than funding education services at Planned Parenthood.

I strongly urge my Kansas readers to reach out to Governor Parkinson and urge him to veto.

It is disgraceful that one man’s vendetta against women’s reproductive freedom has gotten this far.

Please Veto! (A.K.A. Huelskamp is a Tool!)

Beating a Dead Horse?

I realize that I tend to talk a lot about healthcare on this blog – I really feel like it’s one of the most important issues facing our nation.  I also realize I’m preaching to the choir for most of you – so thanks for humoring me.  LOL

Senators Baucus and Grassley held committee hearings on Tuesday.  On the agenda was “Expanding Health Care Coverage”.

From Senator Baucus’s prepared statement: (Emphasis Added)

“First, the U.S. is the only developed country without health coverage for all of its citizens.  Approximately 87 million people – one in three Americans – went without health insurance for some period during 2007 and 2008.  And the situation is only getting worse.

Second, the economic climate has caused even more people to become uninsured.  According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, for every one percent increase in the unemployment rate, Medicaid and CHIP enrollment increases by one million.  And the number of uninsured Americans increases by one point one million.

In today’s economy, that means a lot of folks are affected.  In March 2009, the unemployment rate rose to eight point one percent.  According to the Center of American Progress, 14,000 more people lose their health insurance coverage every day.

Third, why is covering all Americans so critical?  It is because people without health coverage generally experience poorer health and worse health outcomes than those who are insured.  The Urban Institute reports that 22,000 uninsured adults die prematurely every year because they lack access to care.

In addition to the uninsured, another 25 million Americans are “underinsured”.  They don’t have enough coverage to keep their medical bills manageable.  Despite their insurance coverage, medical debt keeps these Americans from feeding their families, paying their rent, or heating their homes.”

From that statement – it would seem that Senator Baucus “gets it”.  Unfortunately, the Senator chose to ignore the possibility of a single payer system.  He and Senator Grassley refused to allow a representative of a single payer system a seat on their panel. Several organizations decided to protest this “oversight”, resulting in a minor disruption of the events.

The most popular argument against government sponsored single payer healthcare is “I don’t want the government choosing my doctor!”  How exactly is this different that the current insurance system?  Doctors credential themselves with insurances in order to be “in network” – if the doctor you “choose” is not in network your benefit is severely reduced.  The best example would be an employer provided health care plan that locks you into a Catholic hospital system.  Your access to reproductive healthcare (hysterectomy, vasectomy, tubal ligation, etc.) is reduced because of this “choice”.  

Of course single payer detractors never mention that.

Beating a Dead Horse?

Sick and Tired

I really don't even know where to start this post.  I'm a big ball of frustration and that doesn't lend itself well to eloquent writing, but well here goes.

When will our elected officials get it?  While we all expect our Government to accomplish things, if it requires completely abandoning the principles that got you elected - it probably shouldn't be done.

For example: Healthcare.  Tomorrow (well actually later today) there will be hearings on the hill regarding our healthcare crisis.  Unless the line up has changed - single payer healthcare will not be represented.  Why?  Because it isn't popular with politicians that line their pockets with insurance money.  (Ben Nelson - you are a tool!)

For those that don't get it:

1) A lot of people cannot afford the astronomical premiums charged by the insurance companies.

2) Not everyone's employer assists them with healthcare costs. (In fact more and more companies are not offering group coverage)

3) Most insured people do not understand their policies and will be in for a rude surprise, should they actually have to use it.

4) If you have a pre-existing condition - you are probably S.O.L. in finding your own coverage.

The people of this country NEED help!  It is the responsibility of our elected officials to work for US - not for their re-election or for their next campaign donation.

Our Congresspeople do not understand the issue as it effects average Americans.  

How many of them are worried about paying for food because they need to get a prescription filled?  

How many of them have missed a check up because they just didn't have the money/coverage? How many of them are one illness away from losing everything?  

Not a single one.

Sick and Tired