November 15, 2005
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TUESDAY POLITICSWell, I have to admit I haven’t been paying that much attention to birth control methods for about the last 15 years, but I do know that the climate around such notions hasn’t changed much – in fact, things are looking ReligiousRighter than ever. So I just happened to see a news item that the FDA’s rejection (hmmm what a surprise) in 2004 of the morning-after pill being made available without prescription is being looked into as politically motivated by congressional investigators. The FDA had found this pill (a higher dose of combined oral contraceptives) “safe and effective” in 1997. Reading up (see link on Plan B above), I found that this is not an abortion pill and will not work if you are already pregnant, so I’m guessing this is more about women’s rights or the notion that teenagers won’t be encouraged to have sex if they don’t have access to such resources. (As if they needed encouragement.) Not only did I not know that this medication was available by prescription for use in the first 72 hours, but it is suggested to have it on hand ahead of any such possible mistakes for this reason. Let’s say the condom breaks on a Friday late afternoon. Or that’s when the rape occurs. Or that’s when those darn teenagers just can’t restrain themselves a second longer. Or that Happy Hour started a wee bit too early with that easily available over-the-counter medication called alcohol. Stay tuned.
Deep Thought: “I wish I would have a real tragic love affair and get so bummed out that I’d just quit my job and become a bum for a few years, because I was thinking about doing that anyway.”
Today I am grateful for: The autonomic nervous system
Guess the Movie: “June twenty-ninth. I gotta get in shape. Too much sitting has ruined my body. Too much abuse has gone on for too long. From now on there will be 50 pushups each morning, 50 pullups. There will be no more pills, no more bad food, no more destroyers of my body. From now on will be total organization. Every muscle must be tight.” Answer: Taxi Driver, 1976.
Winner: Eliminate_the_Impossible.
F.D.A.’s Rejection of Contraceptive Is Questioned
by Maria Newman
The Food and Drug Administration did not follow its usual procedures in rejecting an application for over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive pill Plan B, the investigating arm of Congress found today. (Rest of article here.)
Comments (14)
Sheesh. It’s all…it’s all…it’s all too depressing
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As always when I stop by — I love the deep thought!
It’s amazing how effectively the Religious Right has managed to hijack the whole thing. Even people who should know better sometimes refer to it as the abortion pill. As for Target and all those other pharmacies that don’t think theire employs should have to do their jobs?
it is a firebrand issue but the religious right is picking so many fights right now that they are losing their focus. Also as Bush sinks they lose focus and power also…
Boy I hope you’re right. There’s a very scary article about them in this month’s issue of Vanity Fair. Heard of the Rapture?
*shaking head*
but it’s ok to develop and market Viagra…go figure!
Movie guess: Bridget Jones’ Diary
How is something that prevents fertilization any different than not having sex? Kind of strange for them to be pushing their agenda in a world already full of people.
Movie not Bridget Jones Diary but I can see why you’d guess that. Think DeNiro.
That would be Taxi Driver.
And this smacks of the same kind of thinking that had certain conservatives complaining about a vaccine for HPV (Human papilloma viruses), a STD that can cause cervical cancer.
Oh yah, oh yah! Taxi Driver.
The Bush administration is an endless series of scandals and outrages.
And “Taxi Driver” is one of the truly great movies of all time, John Hinkley notwithstanding.
Amazing. But what’s to be expected from the Bush selectively chosen FDA panel?
I think it’s so hypocritical that a woman’s right to determine whether or not she wants to carry a baby for 9 months, or to raise one for life is denied as “encouraging teenagers to have sex.” Then take all the reality crap and soap operas off air since that obviously encourages teenagers to have sex! ARGH, but I guess that would push up against the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. BS.
so true, so true….I couldn’t agree with you more….