Created by: Jillian
Many pro-choice advocates and supporters are struggling to express their grief over the loss of Dr. George Tiller. Over the past 24 hours, there has been a great deal of conversation surrounding this horrific killing and the impact that this death will have on the issue of abortion in America today.
I have been pleased to see that many people are expressing their disapproval of anti-abortion hate speech and the demonizing of abortion care providers. Because, although I completely understand that Dr. Tiller's murderer does not represent the entirety of the anti-choice movement, he does represent what can happen when we continue to allow this debate to be divisive and hateful.
I would love to hear your thoughts, concerns, and feelings surrounding Dr. George Tiller's death.
If you would like to do more or read more, we have a variety of services available to you, including:
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Monday, June 1, 2009
Dr. George Tiller Killed
Created by: Jillian
Yesterday morning, while serving as an usher at his Lutheran Church, Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed. Dr. Tiller was an abortion care provider in Wichita, Kansas who experienced multiple threats to himself, his family and his practice over his career. As an advocate who believes in and protects the rights of women to access safe and legal abortion, these threats against abortion providers impact a woman's access by terrifying practitioners thereby limiting the number of medical providers available for abortion services.
Sunday morning's violent act of murder against Dr. Tiller is not only traumatic for his family, friends and community, but is also infuriating to those of us who struggle to find common ground approaches to preventing unintended pregnancy when it appears that there will always be an extreme faction of "pro-lifers" who apparently believe that they have the right to judge whose life is worth saving.
Dr. George Tiller was called many things over the course of his life because he was willing to perform late-term abortion. Late-term abortion is one of the anti-choice movement's favorite topics surrounding abortion because they can distort it and make it appear as though pro-choicers support killing. So, here's a little information to clarify the truth of Dr. Tiller's work and a refresher on Roe v. Wade.
If anyone attempts to justify Dr. Tiller's death...take a deep breath, and cite the information below. It's completely normal to feel angry and outraged over someone who doesn't understand the hypocrisy of being "pro-life" and supporting violence against providers, but our anger will only fuel their belief that they are right. So take a moment to retort with the information below--know the facts.
Dr. George Tiller was a good man, performing medical procedures that were deemed necessary. He did not deserve a life of threats. He did not deserve to die.
Roe v. Wade Refresher:
Blackmun then cited medical evidence suggesting that in the second trimester, an abortion posed a greater threat to a woman’s health than one performed in the first trimester. Based on this evidence, Blackmun wrote that during the second trimester the state could regulate abortion only to protect the health of a pregnant woman. For example, the state could establish certain legal qualifications for people who would be licensed to perform abortions, or the state could establish legal requirements for the facilities where abortions would be performed.
Finally, Blackmun cited medical evidence suggesting that in the third trimester the fetus is usually considered viable—that is, capable of meaningful life outside the womb. Blackmun argued that only at this final stage of pregnancy does the state have a strong enough responsibility to protect the life of the fetus to override the privacy concerns of the woman and to forbid an abortion. Even at this stage, however, a woman has a right to an abortion if the pregnancy threatens her life.
Kansas law prohibits aborting viable fetuses, which is generally midway through the second trimester, unless two doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy would cause the woman "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
Tiller went on trial in March 2009, charged with nineteen misdemeanors for allegedly consulting a second physician in late-term abortion cases who was not truly "independent" as required by Kansas state law. The case became a cause célèbre for both supporters and opponents of abortion rights.
On March 27, 2009, Tiller was found not guilty of all 19 misdemeanor charges stemming from some abortions he performed at his Wichita clinic in 2003. Although acquitted of criminal charges, the state’s Board of Healing Arts continued to investigate ethical violations that mirrored the prosecutors' allegations.
Citations for Dr. Tiller information:
· Tiller Jury Selection, Kansas City Star, March 18.
· Jury set in trial of Wichita late-term abortionist, Kansas Liberty, March 18, 2009
· Why George Tiller is on trial in Wichita, World Net Daily, March 19, 2009
· Los Angeles Times, March 21, 2009
· "Kan. doctor acquitted in abortion case - Crime & courts- msnbc.com". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29918417/. Retrieved on 2009-04-23.
Yesterday morning, while serving as an usher at his Lutheran Church, Dr. George Tiller was shot and killed. Dr. Tiller was an abortion care provider in Wichita, Kansas who experienced multiple threats to himself, his family and his practice over his career. As an advocate who believes in and protects the rights of women to access safe and legal abortion, these threats against abortion providers impact a woman's access by terrifying practitioners thereby limiting the number of medical providers available for abortion services.
Sunday morning's violent act of murder against Dr. Tiller is not only traumatic for his family, friends and community, but is also infuriating to those of us who struggle to find common ground approaches to preventing unintended pregnancy when it appears that there will always be an extreme faction of "pro-lifers" who apparently believe that they have the right to judge whose life is worth saving.
Dr. George Tiller was called many things over the course of his life because he was willing to perform late-term abortion. Late-term abortion is one of the anti-choice movement's favorite topics surrounding abortion because they can distort it and make it appear as though pro-choicers support killing. So, here's a little information to clarify the truth of Dr. Tiller's work and a refresher on Roe v. Wade.
If anyone attempts to justify Dr. Tiller's death...take a deep breath, and cite the information below. It's completely normal to feel angry and outraged over someone who doesn't understand the hypocrisy of being "pro-life" and supporting violence against providers, but our anger will only fuel their belief that they are right. So take a moment to retort with the information below--know the facts.
Dr. George Tiller was a good man, performing medical procedures that were deemed necessary. He did not deserve a life of threats. He did not deserve to die.
Roe v. Wade Refresher:
Blackmun argued that as a woman approaches the final stages of her pregnancy, the state has an increasing responsibility to protect both the woman’s health and the life of the fetus. However, he wrote that in the first trimester (stage of pregnancy lasting about three months), the state has no compelling reason to interfere. At this stage a woman has an essentially unrestricted right to choose an abortion.
Blackmun then cited medical evidence suggesting that in the second trimester, an abortion posed a greater threat to a woman’s health than one performed in the first trimester. Based on this evidence, Blackmun wrote that during the second trimester the state could regulate abortion only to protect the health of a pregnant woman. For example, the state could establish certain legal qualifications for people who would be licensed to perform abortions, or the state could establish legal requirements for the facilities where abortions would be performed.
Finally, Blackmun cited medical evidence suggesting that in the third trimester the fetus is usually considered viable—that is, capable of meaningful life outside the womb. Blackmun argued that only at this final stage of pregnancy does the state have a strong enough responsibility to protect the life of the fetus to override the privacy concerns of the woman and to forbid an abortion. Even at this stage, however, a woman has a right to an abortion if the pregnancy threatens her life.
The Controversy Surrounding Dr. George Tiller:
Kansas law prohibits aborting viable fetuses, which is generally midway through the second trimester, unless two doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy would cause the woman "substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function."
Tiller went on trial in March 2009, charged with nineteen misdemeanors for allegedly consulting a second physician in late-term abortion cases who was not truly "independent" as required by Kansas state law. The case became a cause célèbre for both supporters and opponents of abortion rights.
On March 27, 2009, Tiller was found not guilty of all 19 misdemeanor charges stemming from some abortions he performed at his Wichita clinic in 2003. Although acquitted of criminal charges, the state’s Board of Healing Arts continued to investigate ethical violations that mirrored the prosecutors' allegations.
Citations for Dr. Tiller information:
·[http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124379172024269869.html Abortion Provider Is Shot Dead;] George Tiller, Attacked at His Church, Had Long Been a Focal Point of Protests, By Stephanie Simon and Miguel Bustillo, Wall Street Journal, June 1, 2009
· Tiller Jury Selection, Kansas City Star, March 18.
· Jury set in trial of Wichita late-term abortionist, Kansas Liberty, March 18, 2009
· Why George Tiller is on trial in Wichita, World Net Daily, March 19, 2009
· Los Angeles Times, March 21, 2009
· "Kan. doctor acquitted in abortion case - Crime & courts- msnbc.com". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29918417/. Retrieved on 2009-04-23.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Obama Nominates Judge Sonia Sotomayor
Create by: Jillian
President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. As usual, the press jumped all over the abortion divide, questioning Sotomayor's position and the future of Roe v. Wade.
At this point in time, we really don't know too much about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's position on choice because she hasn't had the opportunity to directly rule on it's merits. What we do know is that President Obama has selected a nominee with a distinguished record of professional accomplishments as a judge, prosecutor, and community leader and that Judge Sotomayor receives strong support from her peers and other legal scholars. She has also been confirmed twice for federal judgeships.
For now, we are looking forward to the Senate giving Judge Sonia Sotomayor a fair hearing that includes questions about the right to privacy as defined in Roe v. Wade.
For more information or to request that the Senate ask about Roe v. Wade visit NARAL Pro-Choice America's website.
President Obama has nominated Judge Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court. As usual, the press jumped all over the abortion divide, questioning Sotomayor's position and the future of Roe v. Wade.
At this point in time, we really don't know too much about Judge Sonia Sotomayor's position on choice because she hasn't had the opportunity to directly rule on it's merits. What we do know is that President Obama has selected a nominee with a distinguished record of professional accomplishments as a judge, prosecutor, and community leader and that Judge Sotomayor receives strong support from her peers and other legal scholars. She has also been confirmed twice for federal judgeships.
For now, we are looking forward to the Senate giving Judge Sonia Sotomayor a fair hearing that includes questions about the right to privacy as defined in Roe v. Wade.
For more information or to request that the Senate ask about Roe v. Wade visit NARAL Pro-Choice America's website.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Latina Teen Birth Rates Double National Average
Created by: Jillian
In the Latina community, the teen birth rate is about double that of the National average. Whereas, in 2007, the birth rate among non-Hispanic whites ages 15 to 19 was 27.2 per 1,000, and 64.3 per 1,000 for non-Hispanic black teens in the same age range, the teen birth rate among Hispanic teens ages 15 to 19 was 81.7 per 1,000.
A new survey finds that 84 percent of Latino teens and 91 percent of Latino parents believe that graduating from college or university or having a promising career is the most important goal for a teen's future, and yet, 69% of Latina teen moms drop out of school.
Not surprisingly, the survey highlighted unsafe sex practices as a major reason for teen pregnancy, once again reinforcing that our country's youth deserve comprehensive, medically accurate and age appropriate sex education.
The issue of high teen birth rate in the Latina community is not happening in isolation.
"Despite a rich culture and the growing influence of Hispanics in America, the Latino community disproportionately suffers from troubling social indicators. Consider that fewer than six in 10 Latino adults in the United States have a high school diploma. Latino teens are more likely to drop out than their non-Hispanic counterparts, and of all the children living in poverty, 30 percent are Latino."
Connecticut's racial and ethnic reproductive health disparities are shockingly large. Our state has the highest poverty gap in the country and our teen pregnancy rates reflect what is outlined above. It is time we step up and provide all youth with the information they need to protect themselves and prosper!
In the Latina community, the teen birth rate is about double that of the National average. Whereas, in 2007, the birth rate among non-Hispanic whites ages 15 to 19 was 27.2 per 1,000, and 64.3 per 1,000 for non-Hispanic black teens in the same age range, the teen birth rate among Hispanic teens ages 15 to 19 was 81.7 per 1,000.
A new survey finds that 84 percent of Latino teens and 91 percent of Latino parents believe that graduating from college or university or having a promising career is the most important goal for a teen's future, and yet, 69% of Latina teen moms drop out of school.
Not surprisingly, the survey highlighted unsafe sex practices as a major reason for teen pregnancy, once again reinforcing that our country's youth deserve comprehensive, medically accurate and age appropriate sex education.
The issue of high teen birth rate in the Latina community is not happening in isolation.
"Despite a rich culture and the growing influence of Hispanics in America, the Latino community disproportionately suffers from troubling social indicators. Consider that fewer than six in 10 Latino adults in the United States have a high school diploma. Latino teens are more likely to drop out than their non-Hispanic counterparts, and of all the children living in poverty, 30 percent are Latino."
Connecticut's racial and ethnic reproductive health disparities are shockingly large. Our state has the highest poverty gap in the country and our teen pregnancy rates reflect what is outlined above. It is time we step up and provide all youth with the information they need to protect themselves and prosper!
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Abortion Divide--Will It Ever End?
Created by: Jillian
I avoided posting on the "Notre Dame graduation issue" of having President Obama speak and receive an honorary degree because I thought it was inappropriate. I mean, when all is said and done, this is a graduation day we're talking about--a time for students and parents to celebrate the accomplishment of receiving a college degree...not to be caught in the middle of an ugly debate over abortion.
But after this past weekend I am once again so pleased to have a President who confronts issues face on and is open to discussing them, even ones as controversial as abortion that I can't help but post. In his commencement address, President Obama said the following:
“Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not made casually. It has both moral and spiritual dimension. So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions. Let’s reduce unintended pregnancies. Let’s make adoption more available. Let’s provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term.”
I know I am partial to the pro-choice side, because lets face it, I'm pro-choice, but I am really sick and tired of pro-lifers/anti-choicers thinking that carrying around horrific photos of dead babies is somehow going to settle the debate. It's offensive, completely inappropriate, and isn't going to solve anything.
Abortion isn't going away anytime soon--our country's history proves that. The underlying reason that women seek abortions is because of unintended pregnancies and so if we are ever going to lessen the number of abortions in this country we need to do something to reduce unintended pregnancy.
I hope that the anti-choice movement is willing to listen to President Obama's call for civility and common ground. Do you think we will ever get there?
It's time to put the posters and bullhorns away and have a conversation!
I avoided posting on the "Notre Dame graduation issue" of having President Obama speak and receive an honorary degree because I thought it was inappropriate. I mean, when all is said and done, this is a graduation day we're talking about--a time for students and parents to celebrate the accomplishment of receiving a college degree...not to be caught in the middle of an ugly debate over abortion.
But after this past weekend I am once again so pleased to have a President who confronts issues face on and is open to discussing them, even ones as controversial as abortion that I can't help but post. In his commencement address, President Obama said the following:
“Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not made casually. It has both moral and spiritual dimension. So let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions. Let’s reduce unintended pregnancies. Let’s make adoption more available. Let’s provide care and support for women who do carry their children to term.”
I know I am partial to the pro-choice side, because lets face it, I'm pro-choice, but I am really sick and tired of pro-lifers/anti-choicers thinking that carrying around horrific photos of dead babies is somehow going to settle the debate. It's offensive, completely inappropriate, and isn't going to solve anything.
Abortion isn't going away anytime soon--our country's history proves that. The underlying reason that women seek abortions is because of unintended pregnancies and so if we are ever going to lessen the number of abortions in this country we need to do something to reduce unintended pregnancy.
I hope that the anti-choice movement is willing to listen to President Obama's call for civility and common ground. Do you think we will ever get there?
It's time to put the posters and bullhorns away and have a conversation!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Anti-Choice Legislators at it Again
Created by: Jillian
Last night, four anti-choice law-makers introduced an amendment on the death penalty bill that would change the age of minors counseling prior to an abortion and create a parental notice provision for minors to have an abortion.
First of all, the hypocrisy of these four legislators, REP. ROWE, 123rd Dist., REP. CANDELORA, 86th Dist., REP. CAMILLO, 151st Dist., and REP. HAMZY, 78th Dist. who all voted to continue having the death penalty in Connecticut is enough to drive me mad. According to Rowe,
Besides all that, the amendment that was introduced would do nothing to prevent unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the need for abortion. If our country's history has taught us anything, it is that restricting access to abortion does nothing to prevent abortion.
I think most of us hope that young women will seek the advice and counsel of those who care for her most, but when a young woman cannot, I certainly do not want legislation in place that will restrict her access to abortion, putting her life and health in danger.
We know that these four anti-choice legislators will most likely introduce this amendment on legislation throughout the rest of the legislative session which ends on June 3rd.
Please contact your legislators and tell them to oppose any and all amendments to change the age of minors counseling prior to abortion and to create a parental notice provision for minors to have an abortion. Let's focus our state's efforts on preventing unintended pregnancies in the first place!
Parental Involvement Fact Sheet
Last night, four anti-choice law-makers introduced an amendment on the death penalty bill that would change the age of minors counseling prior to an abortion and create a parental notice provision for minors to have an abortion.
First of all, the hypocrisy of these four legislators, REP. ROWE, 123rd Dist., REP. CANDELORA, 86th Dist., REP. CAMILLO, 151st Dist., and REP. HAMZY, 78th Dist. who all voted to continue having the death penalty in Connecticut is enough to drive me mad. According to Rowe,
"What is more vulnerable than an unborn human life? We can't debate it here, and yet, we can debate whether the state ought to take the lives of the worst of the worst among us. ... The 40 unborn that are taken every day in this state deserve something, and they are getting nothing from this legislature.''
So apparently to these four gentlemen, only certain "life" matters. Makes me sick.Besides all that, the amendment that was introduced would do nothing to prevent unintended pregnancy, thereby reducing the need for abortion. If our country's history has taught us anything, it is that restricting access to abortion does nothing to prevent abortion.
I think most of us hope that young women will seek the advice and counsel of those who care for her most, but when a young woman cannot, I certainly do not want legislation in place that will restrict her access to abortion, putting her life and health in danger.
We know that these four anti-choice legislators will most likely introduce this amendment on legislation throughout the rest of the legislative session which ends on June 3rd.
Please contact your legislators and tell them to oppose any and all amendments to change the age of minors counseling prior to abortion and to create a parental notice provision for minors to have an abortion. Let's focus our state's efforts on preventing unintended pregnancies in the first place!
Parental Involvement Fact Sheet
Friday, May 8, 2009
President Obama Releases 2010 Budget Proposal
Create by: Jillian
President Obama released details of the first budget proposal of his presidency on Thursday. Right off the bat, the president recommends eliminating funding for abstinence-only programs! Woohoo...finally!
He also recommends increases for family-planning programs, including a provision that would allow Connecticut to expand the medicaid family planning services we are currently able to provide. There is also a recommended increase to overseas contraceptive services.
The President's budget proposal does a great deal to address prevention, including a new investment--$173 million for evidence based sex education programs to prevent teen pregnancy! This is very exciting, especially when state's are struggling to provide municipalities with funding and schools are feeling the burden of one too many unfunded mandates.
So what's not to like...well, although the President's budget does propose removing the ban on publicly funded abortions in Washington DC, his budget doesn't do anything to address the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment, first passed in 1976, bans federal funding for abortion in the Medicaid program except under extremely limited circumstances. For the millions of women who rely on medicaid and other federal programs for health services, the President's proposed budget has done them a great disservice.
Although I don't believe that women's reproductive health and choices should in any way be dictated by political rhetoric and policy, I do believe that President Obama understands the importance of working on issues incrementally and how divisive an issue abortion is.
Do you think the President should have proposed a budget that overturns the Hyde Amendment? Do you think he left it out on purpose and if so, is that ok?
President Obama released details of the first budget proposal of his presidency on Thursday. Right off the bat, the president recommends eliminating funding for abstinence-only programs! Woohoo...finally!
He also recommends increases for family-planning programs, including a provision that would allow Connecticut to expand the medicaid family planning services we are currently able to provide. There is also a recommended increase to overseas contraceptive services.
The President's budget proposal does a great deal to address prevention, including a new investment--$173 million for evidence based sex education programs to prevent teen pregnancy! This is very exciting, especially when state's are struggling to provide municipalities with funding and schools are feeling the burden of one too many unfunded mandates.
So what's not to like...well, although the President's budget does propose removing the ban on publicly funded abortions in Washington DC, his budget doesn't do anything to address the Hyde Amendment. The Hyde Amendment, first passed in 1976, bans federal funding for abortion in the Medicaid program except under extremely limited circumstances. For the millions of women who rely on medicaid and other federal programs for health services, the President's proposed budget has done them a great disservice.
Although I don't believe that women's reproductive health and choices should in any way be dictated by political rhetoric and policy, I do believe that President Obama understands the importance of working on issues incrementally and how divisive an issue abortion is.
Do you think the President should have proposed a budget that overturns the Hyde Amendment? Do you think he left it out on purpose and if so, is that ok?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
