Thursday, July 26, 2007

Spiderman teaching life lessons...

A friend emailed this link to a 1970's lost Spiderman Comic that tackles the issue of sexuality and pregnancy prevention.

This is great http://andrewfarago.livejournal.com/16145.html.

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Will Women Go Out of State?

SB 139 is going to haunt the low-income women who have complicated pregnancies in Oklahoma. We worked so hard to stop this bill from becoming law in the form of SB 714 but were unsuccessful when it became SB 139. The bill flew through the House and Senate in three days. The bill passed without the signature of Governor Henry and desperatly needs amendments for the sake of women's health in our state.

Jennifer Mock with the Daily Oklahoman wrote this article on the possible implications of this terrible bill.

"Will women go out of state?"

Bravo CNN!

If you didn't get a chance to watch the CNN/You Tube Democratic Presidential Debate, you missed a heck of a good show. Eight candidates were asked questions, via a You Tube video, from normal (some not so normal) concerned citizens. It was fascinating to see the video's as well as hear the responses from candidates.

To see highlights go to www.cnn.com!

Well worth the hour...

Friday, July 13, 2007

Positive News about Teens and Reproductive Health!

Great news today out of Washington. A report released by the government reveals fewer teens are having sex and the teens who are having sex are using protection.

Read more http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/13/us/13children.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Why can't you say the word RAPE...

It's bad enough this brave woman has to face her attacker to file charges, now the judge wants her to sign an order that states she can't use the word "RAPE" in her testimony. She is at risk of jail if she uses any words listed in the order...

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2007/07/10/digiacomo.ne.rape.censored.trial.ketv

Monday, July 9, 2007

Opinion Article from the Kansas City Star

Received this opinion article the other day. It is thought provoking and terrifying as we face a continous battle to protect the reproductive rights.

http://www.kansascity.com/273/story/161638.html.

What are your thoughts on this article?

Friday, July 6, 2007

Check out this story...

Pro-lifers, progressives miss rendezvous in D.C.There's common ground on which both progressives and conservative pro-life Democrats can agree _ the common ground of electoral self-interest. But is there any ideological accord?http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19317637/from/ET/

From the National Advocates for Pregnant Women

Prosecution of Woman for Pregnancy Loss Draws State and National Criticism

Over 150 Leading Medical and Public Health Organizations, Experts, and Related Advocates Say Prosecution Will Undermine Fetal and Maternal Health

Today over 150 medical, public health, and advocacy groups, as well as leading medical health care providers and experts, sent an open letter to the Oklahoma County District Attorney's office opposing the prosecution of Theresa Lee Hernandez. She has been charged with first-degree murder for suffering a stillbirth at 32 weeks of pregnancy based on the highly questionable medical claim that the pregnancy loss can be attributed to Ms. Hernandezs drug use during pregnancy. Ms. Hernandez is being held in jail awaiting disposition of her case.

The letters signatories, including the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and organizations concerned with perinatal loss and bereavement, state that while they do not in any way condone a persons use of alcohol, cigarettes, or other drugs that might affect pregnancy outcome or a persons ability to parent, their commitment to the care of pregnant women and their children, as well as the interests of society as a whole, requires us to speak out against dangerous and counterproductive measures such as the arrest of pregnant women and new mothers as murderers subject to life imprisonment.

The signatories stance aligns them with every leading medical organization to address this issue, including the American Medical Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American College of Nurse Midwives, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the March of Dimes. All agree that the problem of alcohol and drug use during pregnancy is a health issue best addressed through education and community-based treatment, not through the criminal justice system.

As Dr. Dana Stone, the Oklahoma state chair for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and one of the experts signing the letter, explained: "Stillbirths and miscarriages are unfortunately a risk of pregnancy for all women. Prosecuting women for pregnancy loss based on what they allegedly did or didn't do will only deter women from
seeking prenatal care and drug treatment, and that's ultimately bad for babies."

For a complete text of the letter and signatories, click here.

Mary Fallin comments...

Copyright 2007 The Oklahoman, All Rights Reserved
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK)
June 22, 2007 Friday City Edition

HEADLINE: House passes aid bill tied to abortion


WASHINGTON - The House voted narrowly Thursday to reverse a ban on contraception aid to groups overseas that offer abortions, challenging a pillar of President Bush's foreign aid policy.
If the proposal passes the Senate, Bush is likely to veto it and be upheld by conservative lawmakers, who say no assistance of any kind should be given to organizations that promote or offer abortions.

The measure is intended by Democrats to crack open debate on a policy barring any assistance to organizations abroad that perform or promote abortion as a method of family planning - a policy they say is failing badly.

In a speech on the House floor, Rep. Mary Fallin, R-Oklahoma City, said that if Congress gives aid for contraceptives to organizations that promote abortion, it would free up money for those organizations to use abortion as a method of family planning.

"Let's show that the United States will not be in the business of exporting abortion to foreign countries," Fallin said.

Contributing: Chris Casteel, Washington Bureau

Thursday, July 5, 2007

"Are you a feminist yet?"

"Are you a feminist yet?" I know, what the heck kind of question is that? My 18 year old cousin returned to Wichita Falls this summer after her freshman year at an all female college in Philadelphia. I'm so fascinated with her decision to attend a liberal college from her very religious small town back ground. As an active member of her baptist church, she spent most of her high school years going on mission trips, singing in the church choir and teaching bible school on Sundays. Don't know if she had a boyfriend or was popular but I do know her world was perfect in her eyes...that really is all that mattered.

So when my cousin decided to hit the road for college and move to Philadelphia...not to mention that she would attend an all female college, I couldn't help wonder...how would this change her both from her baptist views of the world and her life in a small Texas town. She was conservative because she didn't know any other way.

After six months at this college, she came home from Christmas break. We had our usual family gathering and I couldn't wait to ask, "Are you a feminist yet?" She immediately said "NO!" and proceeded to follow it with look that meant I was crazy for asking.

Hmm. No change so far. I believe Philadelphia was voted most liberal city in the United States not to long ago. Okay, she's got time, I mean she's only spent six months at school, what should I expect. Especially as a freshman, I can't even remember my freshman year of college.

So three more months pass, she now has a myspace page...cool...I'm so out of date, I can't figure out how to find the damn thing. Prince Charles and Carmela visit the college and she is elected to represent and give them flowers upon their arrival...that's pretty big stuff.

Two more months pass, she has a entry in her department's fashion show, wins a category for her work...very cool. Seems acclimated to the college and doing well. Good.

Two days ago, after one full year under her belt, I asked the question "Are you a feminist yet?" "Weeeelllll, what do you mean by feminist?" Wow, she didn't say "NO!" Not only didn't she say "NO!" she continued on for 20 minutes about her views of strong females and the hope of equality and "her professors are homosexuals and some of the most loving people in the world."

Maybe someday she'll realize that my question has nothing to do with being a feminist, it has everything to do with having an open mind, a strong heart and the will to dream.