Womens' rights: A collective voice
 

Back in the fold, I want to contribute a thread that i hope will be ongoing and actively participated in.
Increasingly i read things that I feel all people, but in particular women, should be aware of
as it will /may/or has the potential to affect her, strictly because of her gender, in some negative manner,
now or in the future, such as setting a precedent, backward steps, or even misguided thinking.
A thread where our gender can be aware of our history, changes made both positive, but often negative,
and what is happening to/with us in a social way now and ongoing, as a group.

---------- Post added at 11:51 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:38 PM ----------

Today I read an editorial by Susan Nielsen, Behind the Abortion Law...

I dont wish to debate abortion in this thread, as that would put me over the edge. However, two things Ms. Neilsen wrote, that have nothing to do with abortion itself, glared out and frankly scare me.

1) The bill recently passed by the TX house that requires a MD to describe fetal details allows women to close their eyes and cover their ears. I believe I can close my eyes without permission at any given time, without any kind of allowance.

More importantly though is

2) Indiana may soon join 5 other states that require MDs to warn that abortions can cause breast cancer. I do not understand how any state government can mandate that a caregiver outright lie to his patient, nor how any caregiver can comply.

#1. Ludicrous.
#2. Insane.

Who comes up with this stuff anyway?

1) A doctor typically is required to make sure that their patient is fully aware of their health, and to assess whether the patient is capable of understanding. If a doctor saw a grown woman covering her ears and humming, I would think that it would be highly disturbing. I would also feel disrespectful if encouraged to engage in such behavior by a law. In my mind, it would make more sense for the law to require a doctor to omit all detail on the child's health and development unless the mother requests such information.

2) I'm curious what studies have linked abortion to breast cancer. Smells like a spurrious correlation. Certainly different procedures would pose different risks, and they should be fully disclosed. But breast cancer?

I hope that the spirit of your thread will allow me to share a bit about women who are seeking to establish their rights in various parts of the world. Yesterday I heard a radio news report that highlighted the women protesters in Yemen. In an interview, a woman stated that the revolution has already happened - the fact that they are stepping out of their homes and engaging in protests is a revolution in itself. Unfortunately the Yemeni police are doing their best to discourage such supposed misbehavior. Here is a news article on the matter: Protesters beaten in Yemeni women's march - World - CBC News

It's interesting I read this...yesterday I went to Planned Parenthood. I use their services because I have a very high insurance deductable and PP is much more affordable than going to a local ob/gyn clinic or using my family practitioner for such services.

Anyway, there were a bunch of protesters in front of the clinic yesterday. One of the protesters was kneeling in the grass right in front of the parking entrance, holding her necklace cross up, and praying fervently. It startled me somewhat, especially because they all gave me the evil eye as I drove into the parking lot, but it really didn't surprise me. With all of the talk of defunding PP, abortion being an ever-present political topic, and the bullshit conservative outcry about PP's abortion statistics, I'm sure this type of activity will continue, especially leading up to the next election cycle. I'm astounded by the apathy displayed by Americans at the eroding rights of women in this country. It's disgusting.

I blame our fore mothers for giving men the vote. Boudica didnt put up with this type of guff. On the womens rights to choose topic, I remember there was a girl - under 16, lived in Ireland and was pregnant as a result of rape. She came to England as in Ireland she could not get a termination, and she faced the priests telling her it was evil to kill an innocent - which is what she would still have been, one assumes, had some sicko kept his dick in his pants - should have been cut off with pinking shears. Adoption - a child carrying a child concieved in such a way, and after birthing it it would have been whisked away to some other catholic family and she would have been left with the pieces of her life. At a time long past in our history, men would have had no say in such matters.

---------- Post added at 09:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:59 AM ----------

On another track, equal rights go both ways. I once worked telesales for a company offering glamorous portrait shots and makeovers for ladies (I was student). Company was outraged that I sold one to a transvestite. But hes a man! Yes, I said, and I fought for equal rights (mayhap one day we will get them), and he has the right to be treated with equality too. They said he couldnt use their clothes or make up - but I said thats okay, his own are better quality.

Chinese Crested, I love your response about the transvestite. His clothes probably were better!

I was thinking about the concept of male menopause for a while after reading your post yesterday. Today I got a news alert from my old school that included this little gem on the topic: The Lowdown on Low T

Genuinegirly - the 93yr old gentleman who told me 'we get it too' said that it included hot flushes too. Bless em. I am all for them being equal - they should get cramps too though.
Slightly adrift perhaps, but I think you might like this one. Seems although we ladies are safer drivers and because of that get lower insurance, thats against the rules now (bloody complaining penis wearer somewhere kicked up a fuss I guess). Anyway, now insurance must be equal regardless of gender - which means we ladies will pay more. Bit silly, like giving the same odds to all the horses in a race - including one with three legs.
There is, my car insurance lady told me, an alternative. If men want the lower rates we ladies have earnt through all those decades of safer driving - all they need to do is have their dumb stick lopped off and the outer skin from it 'tucked up'. As soon as they are medicaly female - their policies drop - she had done one - policy not op. Does that mean its evidence that it realy is a dumb stick?