Roe v. Wade, Part 1
Those of us Democrats who are not supporting Obama are being bombarded with a very ugly scare tactic------Roe v Wade. I want to share my thoughts on the subject with you as we continue on our path to either vote for McCain, write in Hillary, or abstain.
First of all, our cause is just. For most of you, I don't need to retell the story of our fury at being disrespected and abused by the mainstream media, the party, and the Obama campaign. The blatant sexism expressed was UNACCEPTABLE, and it still goes on day after day. It happened because we didn't stand up to it. Well, those days are over. We are here, we are united, and we will never be quiet again.
The party and the Obama campaign are worried by our protest. They should be-----close to 1 million of you have weighed in in a matter of two weeks to express solidarity with our cause. And that doesn't include the many millions more who haven't expressed their outrage and are keeping it to themselves.
The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign are responding to this by trying to scare us into thinking that if we protest the sexism by not voting for Obama that Roe v. Wade will be overturned and women will be sent back to the dark ages of back-alley abortions and zero women's rights.
Well, we must stand up to them and reveal that tactic for what it is------FEAR MONGERING.
First of all, Roe v Wade is the law of the land and has been for many years now. The chances of any Supreme Court overturning it in its entirety is slim. They may chip away at it, but they will not overturn it. Also states will have the right to pass their own laws keeping abortion legal. The legal system churns exceedingly slowly and is done piecemeal. The idea of losing abortion rights overnight just like that is ridiculous.
Secondly, even though the Democratic Congress was completely impotent in making any effort to stop the Alito and Roberts nominations, they will use everything in their power to stop a Supreme Court nominee whom they felt was going to tip the balance. This should be a very good year for the Democratic down-ticket races. Although some have expressed that they will abandon the Democratic ticket in its entirety (and bravo for your protest), many will use their protest vote only in the presidential contest. That means that those Democratic votes will go for the Democratic Congressional candidates we need for a veto-proof majority. The Democratic Party and the Obama campaign would be well-advised not to continue on with this ugly tactic lest they lose the down ticket support that they enjoy at the moment from our millions of supporters.
This is an election of change this year. The women's agenda needs to change as well. For too long, abortion has become the only item on anyone's feminist agenda. We need to move beyond that and bring to the forefront other pressing issues. Women For Fair Politics is doing that by insisting that our society needs to understand that sexism will not be tolerated. Our agenda is to help our society understand what sexism is and that expreessions of it will not be tolerated. But first, we need by our presidential protest vote make everyone understand that we are a force to be reckoned with.
And that means that we will not be letting the Roe v Wade scare tactic stop us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
posted by Cynthia @ 12:45 PM
30 Comments
30 Comments:
Yes, I totally agree! I marched a few years back at the Women's Rights March in DC along with Ann Richards and one million other underreported people who stood up for Roe vs. Wade.
When I recently protested DNC at a Howard Dean event in Dallas, TX I was approached by an Obama supporter who threated me with the Roe vs. Wade issue, when I told her I WOULD NOT support Obama and was casting my vote to McCain.
My belief is that we are still making approx 77 cents per dollar to males and it's been that way since I was in college in the 70's. This sexism is ongoing and was only displayed so grossly when Senator Clinton threw her hat in the ring as a Presidential candidate.
I stand firm in NO VOTE FOR OBAMA. For the Democrats to LOSE and recognize that they are being punished by the women for their bad behavior and will continue to lose if they continue to treat us like second class citizens is the ONLY way to get their attention.
I don't care about respect...I care about RESULTS! Show me the money. We respect ourselves, we respect Senator Clinton, and we most cetainly RESPECT OUR VOTE!
Rise Hillary Rise!
WELL WRITTEN. THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME- OBAMA/DNC WILL DO anyhing IT SEEMS. NOW THEY ARE PLAYING ON OUR EMOTIONS AFTER THE INSULTS. WELL, I WILL NOT SUPPORT AN EMPTY SUIT AND MY VOTE WILL BE COUNTED IN NOV AND IT WILL BE AGAINST OBAMA/DNC. IT WILL BE FOR MCCAIN. AT LEAST WE KNOW WHERE HE STANDS RATHER THAN VOTE FOR SOMEONE THAT IS READY TO THROW AWAY HIS PASTOR, CORE BELIEVES, YES CORE BELIEFS AS HE LISTENED TO WRIGHT/HIS CHURCH FOR 20 YEARS. IF THIS IS JUDGEMENT THEN I WANT ONE THAT I KNOW HIS RECORDS WHICH IS MCCAIN. OH HILLARY I WISH YOU WILL RUN AS AN INDEPENDENT SINCE THIS IS NOT HAPPENING MCCAIN GETS MY VOTE AND I HOPE HE WINS. AT LEAST MCCAIN HAS THE RECORD OF GETTING STUFF DONE. OBAMA IS READY TO SAY ANYTHING IT SEEMS, NOW HE THINKS IRAN IS DANGEROUS. AMERICA PLEASE BEWARE AS WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE ANOTHER BUSH IN THE HOUSE - YES TO ME OBAMA MIGHT AS WELL BE BUSH. HE DOES NOT HAVE JUDGMENT NOR EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THE RIGHT CALLS WHEN/IF NEEDED. HE WILL TAKE ANYTHING THAT COMES HIS WAY - YES CASE IN POINT IS HIM LISTENING TO HIS PASTOR AND CHURCH FOR 20+ YEARS. HIS CHANGE IS NOT ONE THAT I NEED FOR ME OR MY FAMILY.
Totally agree on the Roe deal. And while we are being threatened, lets all remember that there were 7democrats in the "Gang of 14" to confirm Justice Roberts; in addition, 22 democrats voted for him.
Hillary was also very clear that Obama was not ready for the presidency. It's important to remember that. We have to think about Roe, sure, but would you really want Obama in the White House making national security decisions..?? Hillary did not think he was too inexperienced, and she told us that over and over again.
April
I couldn't agree more!! And, all that you've said about the fearmongering is so true. We must stay strong.
And, I repeat, we must become a solid voting block and make our voices heard!
On another blog concerning RvW, a poster pointed out that the Judge who wrote the majority opinion on RvW was a REPUBLICAN nominated by Nixon. The poster pointed out that if the Dem senate was strong they would vote against judges too far to the right. They try to blame us for jeopardizing RvW when its the DNCs problem for "selecting" a candidate that cannot win.
If the Supreme Court should overturn Roe vs. Wade it will ultimately go back to the states. The cycle will repeat itself with each state voting on abortion rights. Maybe, many of the young women who find it difficult to understand the struggle (women's rights) will get a chance to see firsthand. Thank you for a great website.
I have no ear of losing Roe v. Wade. I have fear of a Barack Obama presidency and his financial bakers: ethanol. Ethanol is far more dangerous to the future of our country. McCain is anti-ethanol. McCain's environmental record is far superior to BArack's.
Thirty states are poised to make abortion illegal within a year if the Supreme Court rules that Roe v Wade is states right according to The Center for Reproductive Rights. 18 States have trigger laws banning abortion if and when Supreme Courts rules it’s a state issue it becomes illegal in those 18. 4 States are currently passing legislation to ban abortion for the sole purpose of getting the supreme court to hear these cases. As much as 12 others are currently thinking of passing trigger laws. The Supreme Court upheld the nationwide ban on the procedure in the case Gonzales v. Carhart on April 18, 2007. The 5-4 ruling said the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act does not conflict with previous Court decisions regarding abortion. John McCain says he supports a constitutional amendment banning abortion. This is what bills in Missouri would do. The bills would criminalize all abortions unless needed to save the life of the woman. No exception clauses are currently included in the bills to allow abortion in cases of rape or incest. A woman who faces serious health problems or serious and perhaps permanent disability would not be able to obtain a legal abortion in the state. Anyone performing an abortion, except to save the life of the woman, would be guilty of a felony and subject to 5 to 15 years in prison. State senator Jason Crowell and State representative Wayne Henke hope is that McCain wins and is able to appoint one Justice in line with Roberts, Scalia, or Thomas like he says he will do. They Then will Bring these Bills to the Floor and have it Pass and have the newly SCOTUS hear this case. These are the Facts.
If you honestly do not think Roe v Wade is seriously being Threatened you may want to do some serious research on this issue. They are not Fear mongering just to Fear monger there doing it because Abortion is being seriously threatened in this Country.
the democratic party uses roe v. wade to control women, just as the republican party would like to use the loss of roe v. wade to control women. either way, we're being controlled.
we need the ERA.
roe v. wade, title ix and affirmative action have helped, but women still do NOT have equal rights in this country. should our right to choose really be dependent on case law? it's just not enough.
aim higher, girls. aim higher!
in eight years, george w. bush -- with republican control of both houses and two supreme court appointments -- hasn't been able to get roe v. wade overturned. i'm not really worried about four years of mccain.
frankly, losing roe v. wade might be just what's needed to revitalise the women's movement. and, either way, it's certainly no reason to vote for obama. he's NOT qualified to be president.
i'm voting for john mccain.
P.S. I am a republican feminist since June 3 2008. Prior to that I was a lifelong democrat. After the events of the primary I decided that it really didn't matter what party I belonged to.
I figured going independent wouldn't matter much to the DNC. To go Republican, no that packed more punch.
P.S.S. McCain is much better on environmental issues than Barack. Much better!
I agree completely. I have several women friends who supported HRC, but who feel they have to support BO for the sake of protecting the Supreme Court. I made the same argument to them you did. I also pointed out that our generation fought for these rights while the younger generation of women appear to have either opted out of the cause of women's rights or just don't even think about them. It is time for them to grow up and to take some responsibility for their rights. Finally, with the morning after pill and better education young women have more options than abortion than we did.
The point is that the overt sexism about which we are protesting is so fundamental to the struggle women face that it is worth these risks. When the Democratic Party turns out to be sexist and unrepentant about their hostility toward women, what choice do we have? To stay with BO's nomination is like staying in an abusive relationship--hoping that your man will stop beating you, if you are just nicer....
I'm an Obama supporter, and I just hope you find the party and candidate that best suits your beliefs. I'm okay with McCain personally, I just think his policies are all wrong for America right now. His take on the Iraq situation in particular makes me very nervous, along with his general belief in military solutions to our problems. I disagree in the strongest terms, and feel that mentality has been a disaster for us.
But that's my belief, and if his ideas suit you, then he is a good choice for you in November. Hopefully your vote will be one that you feel proud of.
The Supreme Court rules on a lot of other life-and-death issues of deepest concern to Americans, both male and female.
If only nine demigods stand between us and the disintegration of the foundations of our society, we're in deeper trouble than we thought.
The Roe v. Wade scare tactic is deeply sexist because it reinforces the idea that the women's issues do not extend beyond reproductive rights. In fact, Obama calling a reporter 'sweetie' and a Senator 'cutie' are much more worrisome because that kind of shit rolls right down hill. I hope those young, female, college-educated Obama supporters are looking forward to a lifetime of making coffee and ordering sandwiches for the guys.
I don't think we should just hand our votes and support to McCain. I've written the McCain campaign and have explained that I am a life-long Democrat who is willing to support him. For this support I'd like to see him back off some of his hard positions and talk against abortion and women's issues. I think we have an opportunity to pull him more to the center so that the Supreme Court will not--definitely--go to the far right. We--angry--women have power. Let's use it--positively....
Pride, if you are so worried about Roe v wade, then you have two options. Elect state level politicians that are not opposed to abortion, or run for office yourself. Don't put your burden of trying to protect Roe v Wade on our shoulders, we have enough already. We have to now compensate for the fact that you and other obama supporters have succeeded in throwing this election to a man that has exactly 2 years of real experience in the US Senate, passed two bills, one to name a post office and one to pass a resolution to approve democracy in the Congo. What has the man done for this country? Not one single thing. He is inept, inexperienced, unqualified, and ignorant. So now we have to try and prevent your bad choice for a Democratic nominee from becoming the new leader of the free world and the world's only superpower. Roe v Wade is the law of the land. Justic Roberts in his testimony before the Senate stated he saw no reason to revisit it. Courts are loathe to overturn its own decisions, its called stare decisis. Take your fear mongering elsewhere because we are too busy trying to correct the wrong that you and the rest of Obama's minions have brought to this country.
Very nice article.
The Gallup Poll today showed Obama ahead by 2 points, with 15% saying they do not support either candidate.
We must unite and make sure that 15% goes to McCain or Obama will win by default.
As long as we keep our eye on the goal - to make sure that Obama is not elected in November - we will be strong enough to make positive changes.
I wholeheartedly agree with you, Cynthia. And I admire you and your group, enourmously!
The majority opinion of Roe v. Wade was written by a life-long Republican, Justice Harry Blackmun, who was a Nixon appointee! The most liberal court in our history (with all of the Civil Rts rulings, etc) was the Warren Court. Chief Justice Earl Warren, another life-long Republican, was appointed by Eisenhower! All of this talk about Obama standing up for women's rights is hooey!!How do we know? It's simple: Obama is a Democrat who did NOT want a WOMAN to be President! He did all he could do to ensure that, and defeat the first woman who had any chance of being elected President! THAT'S what Obama thinks of women!
Leave it to the DNC to think the only appropriate "women's issue" is about reproduction.
It's so ridiculous to let the naive people try to use the fear of Roe vs. Wade to support an inept candidate who would likely do more to jeopardize women's rights then we can imagine. O will certainly NOT be focusing on women's rights as part of his mission. I'm voting McCain because I feel he has enough experience and forethought to do a really good job. I remember the Carter years and I don't want to go back there. And for those who are so "tired" of the war, I just wonder where you were when the women of Iraq were pleading for our help under Hussein? Do you even care what they are left with? No one seems to mention women's rights in terms of the war. I personally know women who have escaped that kind of oppression and they are not happy to be born into it.
for Roe v. Wade to be overturned, it would take more than the election of any one politician.
first, there must be a case that mounts a serious challenge to the constitutionality of Roe v. Wade. then, that case must make its way through all the levels of the judicial system. then, the Supreme Court must agree to hear the case (they don't agree to hear every case and in fact, many are shot down).
in the 35+ years since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land, no such case has arisen, despite extremely well organized, highly motivated groups of evangelicals who have left no stone unturned trying to find one.
in fact, no case has even come close to reaching Supreme Court level in all that time.
What protects Roe v. Wade more than any politician or any court appointment ever could is that it was a constitutionally sound decision. that's why it's gone unchallenged for 35 years.
I totally agree with you here! I am sick and tired of our wombs being held prisoner to men's advantage in policy and politics. As if that's the only issue women are concerned about. I'm sorry but like lunatic posted:
in eight years, george w. bush -- with republican control of both houses and two supreme court appointments -- hasn't been able to get roe v. wade overturned. i'm not really worried about four years of mccain. frankly, losing roe v. wade might be just what's needed to revitalise the women's movement. and, either way, it's certainly no reason to vote for obama. he's NOT qualified to be president.
One issue is NO reason to support a man whose campaign and supporters used vile and abusive postings on the internet to defame and attack us. We were disrespected for supporting Hillary Clinton, websites were hacked and hijacked, we were called c*nts, whores, and other vile names and NOW they want our votes? Party Unity? PUMA! I could no more vote for Barack Obama than I could disown my typical white Italian granny! :)
I have a lot of respect for John McCain as a war hero and Senator. He has shown and proven he can and has reached across the aisle to work with Democrats.
McCain in '08 - Hillary Rodham Clinton 2012!!!!!
Barack Nobama NEVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PDMM in L.A.
Great thoughts! I agree whole heart with what you wrote. I posted it on my myspace with the url for this site.. I will not be scared or threatened into voting for someone who is probably not qualified to be a US Senator let alone the President and leader of the free world..hell no to BO!
To Prideisourdownfall:
You paint a vivid picture of what COULD happen if Roe vs. Wade goes back to the states. However, these events are unlikely to occur due to the current political climate. The democrats stand to gain seats in the house and senate. A McCain presidency will not overturn abortion but it would send a strong message to the political parties that be that women are not going to take it anymore. Hillary Clinton Supporters for John McCain--you'll hear from all of us in November!
I am so angry that so many youn women have voiced that they do not relate to the feminist movement. I am 42, so i didn't have to march for abortion rights i have always enjoyed those freedoms. But i did study history. So when young women tell me that they aren't affected by the issues of the feminist movement it makes me angry. When they refer to a qualified female candidate as simply the "politics of the past" then i think if Roe vs Wade is overturned then those young female Obama supporters can fight that fight. I will not allow abortion to be used against me. I will not stuff my anger and vote for Obama. Before we can fight any issues, we must first stand up and say that this Democratic party has taken their female voters for granted.
No vote for OB.
What I cannot understand is how the polls keep saying (CNN in particular) Senator Obama is gaining among women. Next week he and Senator Clinton will appear together to raise funds to retire her debt (or appease angry Clinton supporters). When Obama appeared with the governor of Michigan yesterday, the place broke out in boos when Hillary Clinton's name was mentioned. So much for party unity.
Whew. I was feeling alone and then I found this site. No way no how nobama. I agree with most of what I read here. At first I was so angry I just wanted to pound on somebody, but I though better of it and perhaps casting my vote is a better way to express the molten lava within. If I were positive we would only have McCain for 4 years then Hillary in 2012, maybe??? Frankly I have been on this roller coaster for years and I want Hillary NOW. Isn't there some way we can ram this stupid "boys club” mentality down the DNC throats and get Hillary now?
obviously the obama camp have no good reason for us to vote for obama, but they try to scare us to vote against mccain. this doesn't make any sense to me. whereas, hillary was always showing why we should vote for her, not against obama and not against mccain. she has a real agenda with concrete written out goals that she can cross off each one like a checklist as they are each done. but people just don't get it. and i don't get them for not voting for her when she has proven time and again that she will do what she says she will do to no end. i want a president who will get stuff done, not one that i voted for because i was scared to have to have an illegal abortion. i mean it is all backwards to me and i for one just won't fall for this obama and new dnc way of getting my vote. stupid... and if it wasn't overturned with bush who was very right and had the religious right to back him up, then it for certain won't happen under mccain who is way more in the middle and to the critics of the republicans as well, just not on the right enough for them.
I would like to thank Geraldine Ferrarro for her continuing support of Hillary Clinton. Does anyone have an e-mail or postal address? If so, can you post it here? I'm so glad I found this group. I am still angry and in mourning. Have e-mailed the women Senators who called for PU. Donna Brazile's e-mail address is closed. Guess she got too many e-mails from us. Courage, sisters!!
I wouldn't trust the CNN polls. They want the young Obama supporters to tune in, and need headlines that will make them look. When you actually check the figures you find more telling information. Such as the fact that according to the Gallup poll, the independent voter percentage has increased by 6% in just the last week. Right after Obama stole the nomination, it was only 9%. Now it is 15%. Lets guess why? Hillary's supporters perhaps?
According to the Rasmussen poll, the two candidates are considered just as liberal by the voters. The voters perceptions of them are changing back and forth rapidly, and the election is going to be close.
I don't think the DNC expected that.
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