February 17, 2005
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THURSDAY WHATEVERJust when you thought it was safe……another hot button issue. Recognize either of those women? Know the names Norma McCorvey or Sarah Weddington? Back around this time of year in 1973 they were both young and famous. Sarah Weddington was 26 and had just argued successfully the case of Roe vs. Wade (see her interesting lecture about this here. Norma McCorvey was unmarried, pregnant and seeking an abortion in the state of Texas where it was illegal. She became known as Jane Roe. The upshot was history. Today Chief Justice William Rehnquist is 80 and suffering from thyroid cancer. Soon Bush will have the opportunity to replace him with a judge who will vote to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Norma McCorvey was converted to evangelical Christianity in 1995 and has completely reversed her position. There could hardly be a more emotional issue. Try googling on this subject and you’ll see how many angry and scared people are posting on both sides of the line. Here’s Norma McCorvey’s own site. And here’s what the other side has to offer where you can find out what your own state is up to. We live in perilous times. Which way will the future take us?
Deep Thought: “I think the monkeys at the zoo should have to wear sunglasses so they can’t hypnotize you.”
Today I am grateful for: Voice mail
Guess the Movie: “Take off your clothes.” Answer: The Unbearable Lightness of Being, 1988.
For Democrats, Rethinking Abortion Runs Risks
by David D. Kirkpatrick
WASHINGTON – In their search for middle ground on the subject of abortion, Democrats are encountering a mixture of resistance and retreat from abortion rights advocates in their own party.
Since its defeats in the November elections, nothing has put the fractured soul of the Democratic Party on display more vividly than abortion. Party leaders, including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and the new chairman, Howard Dean, have repeatedly signaled an effort to recalibrate the party’s thinking about new restrictions on abortion. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 9:09 pm
+ = Saw Hotel Rwanda today and liked it.
- = Plumber found water leak under house (besides toilet leak) to start fixing Monday for almost $1000.
Comments (10)
I imagine McCorvey must feel a personal shock each time her “name” is used in connection with something she so violently opposes. I do hope she gets that it’s not about her any longer, and never really was. Sometimes the picture is too small for the people involved, small minds, small scope. Strange times, these, strange, scary times.
It is most certainly a hot topic. I am definitely on the side of pro-choice. Sometimes I’m ashamed to say that I live in Texas.
I still think Bill Clinton put it best, “safe, legal, and rare.” but we need a drastic shift in educational thinking to even begin to make it rare. (and abstinence only programs have the opposite effect)
You know it makes me absolutely sick to my stomach that there could be a law saying what I could/couldn’t do with my own body… I hope that it doesn’t get overturned – won’t we get to vote or have some say? I’ll have to Google and find more info…
Enjoying the nice weather your way? It’s been awfully windy here.
Take heart in the fact that Judges have a way of surprising even those who appoint them.
Reproductive rights are at the heart of women’s freedom! But! But! Sorry to say this: I sure am glad I live in Canada. We are busy fighting over legalizing gay marriage; so giving rights rather than stripping them (as I fear, as I fear).
I have mentioned before this will be centerpiece and the only reversal will come when the ‘conservatives’ overreach…
Women have the right to choose, period
I agree with brendaclews above… and wish we were more involved in U.S. with GIVING more rights and freedom than restricting it!!
Interesting how time changes attitudes. I do not see how a gvt. especially one that espouses a divide between religion and state has the right to interfere with a woman’s decisions about her body.
I came from your comment on SteveJ. I think you have to be British to get the references and there were many, in that story. However, if it interested you, and as a photographer I think this might anyway, you might check out Alison Lapper. She has her own photography site, but this one provides a good introduction to the wondrous strong woman she is.