[TW: Misogyny and assault]
Just in case you were wondering, after eastsidekate's post, if Supreme Court Justice David Prosser grabbing Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley by the throat in anger was somehow actually her fault, guess what?
You're right.
It's always the woman's fault. Always.
Of Course It Is
In Which Scatx and I Talk About Some Stuff
[Trigger warning for misogyny and violence. Emails in which we discuss media reactions to the new book by Mara Hvistendahl, Unnatural Selection: Choosing Boys Over Girls and the Consequences of a World Full of Men, have been shared with Scatx's permission.]
Scatx: I'm sure you are all over this like peanut butter on toast, but just in case: Ross Douthat's newest column, "160 Million and Counting." Why, New York Times, do you pay this man? WHY? Best part: The bottom where it says, "Paul Krugman is off today." I think we can ALL see that.
Liss: Have you seen this one? Jonathan Last in the Wall Street Journal: "The War Against Girls." Very interesting (by which I mean NOT INTERESTING AT ALL) that there are dudes using this book (which is purportedly NOT anti-choice) to make anti-choice arguments. Anyway, I hope men keep talking about this, so they can tell us ladies what to do!
Scatx: Wow—I can't even bring myself to read all of that. Skimming made me want to barf on my shoes. I feel for the author of the book—the WSJ guy makes it clear that she knows that her writing about this will be used by the wrong people for the wrong reasons. Also: The colonialism of this whole thing is so problematic. The blatant disregard for systemic misogyny (which is, you know, a product of systemic misogyny). Seeing abortion as the problem instead of a symptom of larger inequalities and prejudices. I just don't even know how to think through all the elements at play. Of course, there was that new Gallup poll showing that, here in the US, we still love having baby boys more than we love having baby girls, just like in 1941 (when abortion was illegal). I'm sure that won't get the same level of press from anti-choice advocates that they love to give to India and China. GAH!
Liss: There's an article by Ujala Sehgal at The Atlantic that makes the point about cultural double-standards pretty well. And then there's the issue of infanticide, which is being conveniently left out of some of the posts who want to attribute "unnatural selection" exclusively to the West "exporting abortion technology." P.S. Here's another dude talking about it! Wheeeeeeeeeee!
Scatx: I was wondering about infanticide (I have written on it as a historian of the colonial period and remember studying it back when I was going to be a classicist). I just went to a huge women's history conference and was on a panel about it. It was interesting because there is (and always has been) so much infanticide in societies where contraception is limited or unavailable and slut-shaming and/or "bastard"-shaming is rampant. It is obvious to me that even if we were suddenly to all agree that abortion is morally wrong, it will NEVER stop. Nothing in history ever has shown that making abortion illegal will stop it. Nothing. Ever. Not paying attention to that kind of history, that overwhelming and in-your-face reality that we can see across millennia, boggles my brain to no end. The only way to end the boys-over-girls problem is for people to stop thinking that there is something better about boys. That's it.
Liss: Absolutely. And, of course, for us—the collective us, the global us—to stop actually providing material benefits to being a boy or having a boy. Plus all the other stuff that's wrapped up in the gender binary, and in the heterocentrism that hears "it's a boy" and axiomatically thinks "he'll have a wife," and in the poverty and lack of education and void of female role models and religiosity that feed gender prejudices and and and… I see why it's easy to say "damn feminists and their abortion exporting!" becomes such an easy refrain in lieu of embracing a vast challenge with such a complicated array of interrelated solutions.
Scatx: Plus, this bullshit of "we are against abortion to protect GIRLS" is so infuriating. Grown women literally can't be less of this story. Is there ANY other way for them to write pregnant ADULTS out?
Liss: Probably.
[H/T to Shaker Bonny_Swan for the WSJ piece.]
Chipping Away...
Kansas, the state notoriously opposed to women's rights, appears to have found a bureaucratic means to deny women, esp. poor and uninsured women, health care. On May 16th of this year, Gov. Brownback signed a law that targeted abortion providers with special regulations and any clinic which offered the health care service must be in compliance by July 1st or else they will not receive their special operating license. It was ten days later that the clinics received notice that the new regulations were coming. This week they got the most recent listing of medications that must be on hand and room dimension size. Let's not forget all that goes into this: they had to try and be compliant with new regs, get inspected (and perhaps reinspected), and file the paperwork and wait for approval.
One of three abortion providers in Kansas appeared likely to close after being denied a state license to continue terminating pregnancies at its Kansas City-area clinic, and abortion rights supporters feared Friday that the anti-abortion governor's administration will reject licenses for the other two.
I'd call the licensing process "nefarious and sinister". If the license is pending July 1st or later, any abortion performed will be deemed illegal. This an extremely disturbing back-door method of denying women necessary health care. As Ms. Pilate said:
[...]
A lawyer for the Aid for Women clinic in Kansas City, Kan., said Friday that it received a notice that its application for a license had been denied by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment without an inspection. Attorney Cheryl Pilate said the clinic was looking at its legal options but would have to close, at least temporarily.
The clinic received its notice on the same day the leader of a regional Planned Parenthood chapter said inspectors who spent two days at its Overland Park clinic found it will comply with all new regulations. An inspection of the third provider is scheduled for Wednesday. All three are in the Kansas City area.
"We're doomed," said Dr. Herbert Hodes, who performs abortions for the third provider, the Women's Health Center, also in Overland Park.
[...]
The new law requires a separate, annual license for any hospital, clinic or office that performs at least five non-emergency abortions a month, and it requires state inspections, including at least one unannounced visit each year. The health department can fine providers and go to court to revoke their licenses.
Pilate said the health department told Aid for Women its application was denied because it had disclosed that it would need extensive renovations.
Also, she said, the clinic reported the physician who performs abortions is in the process of seeking privileges at an area hospital. The new law requires that a physician have privileges at a hospital within 30 miles.
The department's notice said that for those reasons, "an on-site inspection will not be necessary and will not be scheduled."
Pilate said the clinic couldn't have even obtained remodeling plans or a building permit for renovations by July 1. She called the licensing process "rushed and absurdly unrealistic."
"There are patients with scheduled appointments with few or no other options," Pilate said. "It's going to hurt poor women."
What's the matter with Kansas? The politicians.
Speaking of odious, woman-hating legislation, recall the Ohio "Heartbeat" Bill? If not:
[A]n abortion would be illegal once the heartbeat of a fetus is detected. The bill would require the doctor to find that heartbeat using "standard medical practice," a term not defined.
That bill, HB 125, is scheduled for floor vote tomorrow. There is a rally scheduled for tomorrow morning, if you live in or near the area.
A doctor who violates the law could be found guilty of a fifth-degree felony, punishable by up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine. The mother could not be charged.
As I said in the Ohio post--GOP: Pro-Fetus; Pro-Forced Birth; Anti-Woman, Anti-Family, Anti-Decency.
Quote of the Day
[Trigger warning for homophobia, sexual violence, Christian Supremacy.]
"There isn't one single civilization that has survived that had openly embraced homosexuality. So you say, 'What's going to happen to America?' Well, if history is any guide, the same thing's gonna happen to us."—Pat Robertson, professional gay-hating wankstain, on his comedy show The 700 Club, after New York enacted marriage equality.
Earthquakes, floods, fire, brimstone, locusts, farts. Do shut up, Reverend Fucky.
I think we need to remember the term 'sodomy' came from a town known as Sodom, and Sodom was destroyed by God Almighty, and the thing that they practiced was homosexual activity, and even they tried to rape angels who came down there, so that's the kind of people they were. But, uh, beyond that, Jesus didn't—when He spoke of Sodom, he didn't say anything about the homosexuality; he talked about just the fact that business was as usual until God decided to destroy it. And he sent an angel down there, and he said to Lot and his family, 'Get out now 'cause I'm gonna destroy this whole area.' So, that's where sodomy came from. We use the term sodomy, and it means Sodom. What's it like? Well, we're heading that way as a nation. In history, there's never been a civilization ever in history that has embraced homosexuality and turned away from traditional fidelity, traditional marriage, traditional child-rearing, and has survived. There isn't one single civilization that has survived that had openly embraced homosexuality. So you say, "What's going to happen to America?" Well, if history is any guide, the same thing's gonna happen to us. [edit] It's not a pretty world we live in right now, and we need all of God's help we can get, and I don't think we are exactly setting ourselves up for his favor.[Via Right Wing Watch.]
Number of the Day
0.1%: How much consumer spending slipped last month in the US.
Consumer spending was flat in May, breaking a string of 10 straight months of gains, as households struggled with rising prices and automakers failed to deliver the models Americans wanted.Well, that's pretty much the noest of all the doys.
When adjusted for inflation, spending slipped 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department said on Monday, falling for a second straight month.
The report, which showed underlying inflation quickening, suggested that consumer spending would offer little support to the economy in the second quarter.
Hey, I've got an idea to stimulate the economy: Legalize same-sex marriage nationally. The average amount spent on a wedding in the US is $25,000, which doesn't even include the cost of a honeymoon or any jewelry that may be exchanged before and/or as part of the ceremony.
Hey, I've got another idea to stimulate the economy: Stop chipping away at Roe. Give women access to affordable birth control and abortion so that they can have the most control over their reproduction possible, which will give them more disposable income.
Hey, I've got yet another idea to stimulate the economy: Amnesty for undocumented workers. Let's offer citizenship to immigrant and migrant workers who don't have it, but want it, providing them easier opportunities to obtain credit, invest, and make large, long-term purchases.
Hey, I've got a fourth idea to stimulate the economy: Legalize weed. Not only would legalizing weed provide new business opportunities for entrepreneurs (and thus new jobs) and create a whole new industry for a legal, taxable product, but it would also eliminate the wasteful spending of extended sentences in for-profit prisons for pot busts.
Et fucking cetera.
I could do this all day. Social justice is inextricably linked to a robust economy. We don't just need progressive economic policies; we also need progressive social policies to empower marginalized people economically as well as legally.
I 
New York
The lovely Ms. Anna, 3, holds a sign with her mom, Shaker Westsidebecca, during a rally Saturday in Syracuse to celebrate marriage equality in New York State. At left in adorbz polka-dot dress is Ms. Anna's other mom, Eastsidekate. Photograph by Lauren Long for The Post-Standard. Posted with the family's permission.So, Friday night, the New York State legislature voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. This has already been much-discussed in the Open Threads, but I wanted to offer a dedicated thread for the decision, too.
There was much rejoicing at Shakes Manor Friday night, not only because we are fervent supporters of marriage equality generally, but because we have New York peeps, including family, who are personally positively effected by this decision.
On a personal level, I blubbed my face off.
On a political level, well, I blubbed my face off. But I also observed: "The fact is, in New York tonight, there are Republicans to the left of Obama on marriage equality." This is something that did not escape the notice of the New York Times editors, either. Their editorial "Gay Marriage: Where's Mr. Obama?" is really very good.
Fundamental equality, however, is hardly the equivalent of a liquor law that can vary on opposite sides of a state line. Why is Mr. Obama so reluctant to say the words that could lend strength to a national effort now backed by a majority of Americans?The US is ready for marriage equality. This is the time.
Congratulations, New York.
Here's the Deal About Respect
[Trigger warning for misogyny and assault]
During Clarence Thomas' confirmation hearings, one of the topics of discussion was his history of sexually harassing women. This was an issue for a couple of reasons. First, sexually harassing women is wrong. Second, if you're the kind of privileged asshole who thinks it's okay to violate women's autonomy, there's a good chance that you'll be an abusive and generally fucked-up Supreme Court Justice.
We all know how that worked out.
Poorly.
I'm not going to go all Weiner on you, but permit me to be the nth person to assert that it's pretty hard to trust a man in power who abuses women.
Claiming the privilege to abuse people in one's private life (or public life), and using one's political privilege to abuse people are two manifestations of the same fundamental disease. Violence against women is a political issue, then, not only because HOLY SHIT ABUSING WOMEN IS WRONG, but also because government is, or damn well should be, about people working together to make sure everyone's needs are met. It's about respect.
Sadly, I'm not terribly surprised to hear about the latest case of a governmental leader who cares fuck all about justice abusing women.
Today's example is Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser. You may recall that he just won a hotly-contested re-election bid. You may also recall that he sided with a four-to-three conservative majority in ruling that Republican legislators' secretive and outrageous disenfranchisement of many Wisconsinites was a-okay. Bully for bullying!
This [TW] March,
Prosser acknowledged...that he called Chief Justice Shirley Abrahamson a "bitch" and threatened to "destroy" her during a closed-door meeting...Over the weekend, Supreme Court Justice Ann Walsh Bradley reported that Prosser put her into a headlock during the um, deliberations on the above four-to-three decision.
"In the context of this, I said, 'You are a total bitch," Prosser said. "I probably overreacted, but I think it was entirely . . . warranted". [Emphasis mine.]
If the latest allegations are true, Judge Prosser needs to resign.
If you think my political beliefs are the reason I'm calling for Prosser's resignation, you're right. People who hold public office should be in the business of respecting others. If that's not a succinct description of my political philosophy, I don't know what is.
H/t to Shaker BlueRidge
Two Facts
1. My garbage governor, Mitch Daniels, is still not running for president. Phew.
2. His garbage governance is still being considered a model of Republican leadership to be rolled out in statehouses across this nation. Eek.
By the way, despite Republican's constantly touting the "success" of Daniels' highway privatization scheme, I will just note, as a user of the privatized highway, that I used to be able to drive to Chicago on the Indiana Toll Road for 80 cents. Since it has been privatized a couple years ago, it now costs 3 times that, the quality of the road has significantly diminished, and the toll booths have been automated and all the booth attendants put out of work. SUCCESS!
The Virtual Pub Is Open
[Explanations: lol your fat. pathetic anger bread. hey your gay. Skadoodlies.]
TFIF, Shakers!
Belly up to the bar,
and name your poison!
President Cool Car
Hey, remember when I posted that video of President Obama being very cute with a baby? And remember when Shaker everstar said, "Maybe if we as constituents put on diapers and bawled our heads off...?" And remember when we all "liked" that comment and thought it was so funny? Well, now is the time to stop laughing and start stocking up on nappies (which is what the Founding Fathers called them) because that idea was actually genius. EVIDENCE:
Video Description: President Obama sits in his limo with two young white children, a girl and a boy. He hands the phone handset to the boy and asks, "Who do you want to call?" (The phone is corded, btw. POTUS Code Name: Mannix!) The boy answers, "Uh, I'm gonna call my mom's cell." The president responds, "All right. Let's see if she picks up." Pause. "Did she pick up?" asks the girl. "Is it ringing?" asks the president. The boy tells him it's gone to her voicemail, and the president tells him to leave a message. "Hi, mom," says the boy into the phone. "I'm in the president's—Mr. President's car." Obama laughs; it's almost a giggle. "Soooo," the boy continues, "call me! It's really cool." He hands the phone to the president, who says, "All right—bye!" and hangs up.
Please, Mr. President, do some policying that makes me like you this much!
[Via Kelly.]
STOP
"MGM will reboot the 1983 thriller WarGames." No.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
No.
"Shall we play a game, Professor Falken?"
"Love to. How about Global Thermonuclear War?"
"Wouldn't you prefer a nice game of COME UP WITH A NEW IDEA AND STOP PILFERING IDEAS FROM MY CHILDHOOD IN A DESPERATE BID TO AVOID GLOBAL THERMONUCLEAR CREATIVE BANKRUPTCY?"
"You make a strong case. Let's play THAT GAME."
On Symbolism
[The Brooklyn Bridge]
I took this picture while I, Mother of the Year candidate that I am, let my daughter play in the East River (she's fine). I like the picture so much, a few months back I made it my computer wallpaper.
This morning, I was staring at my monitor, thinking about Albany, and it struck me. If the New York State Senate approves gay marriage, same-sex couples will be allowed to marry in New York. I'm slow on the uptake, sometimes.
Now, not to overlook the fact that millions of folks live Upstate or on Long Island, but New York City is pretty special. CENTER OF THE KNOWN UNIVERSE special.
I grew up hating New York, because as every child of the Midwest knows, everybody in New York City is the villain from a 1980s movie. Also: Yankees suuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.
Having actually spent time in The City at this point in my life, I now know that exactly one of those two assertions is incorrect.
I've now met tons of ex-New Yorkers. I've learned from their [TW for ableist language. video opens at link] culture, or more to the point, cultures. It's definitely made me a better person.
I've learned to accept that the dominant culture in the US doesn't seem to fully appreciate fly-over land. Whatever, assholes. That just leaves more corn for us. (And if you think the Midwest is all corn, permit me to remind you: Yankees suuuuuuuuuuuuuuck.)
Having lived abroad, I'm pretty aware that the United States is actually comprised of two states: New York and San Angeles. It's struck me that most folks seem to have very strong feelings, one way or another, about those states.
And honestly, New York (which as far as most of the planet is concerned is a city attached to some vestigial wilderness) is the most American part of America. I don't mean that in a good way, or a bad way. It's just that New York is legendary as this Triangle Shirtwaist-Bodega-Coney Island-Gordon Gecko-Harlem Renaissance kinda place.
When I think of the original thirteen colonies, I recall New England as being run by Jesus types-- not the fun Jesus-types, mind you, but the boring-ass Stephen King kind. Virginia talked a good game, but I'm not so sure they ever wanted to be American in the first place. And as much as I love Pennsylvania, it's precisely the sort of cheap knockoff that you'd buy from some guy on Canal Street.
In other words, in the eyes of the world, New York is the United States. Sure, that's a colossal misconception, but when you consider the number of US residents whose ancestors called New York home at some point, I can think of more outlandish statements.
Sooner or later, gay couples in New York City, the densely populated expanse the world so often conflates with a state and a nation, will be allowed to marry.
As important as marriage equality is, it also has its own symbolic qualities. It is not the endgame in the struggle for universal human rights.
Marriage equality in New York, is, however, a big step in the right direction. Consider the alternative. What does the lack of equality in New York OF ALL PLACES say to the world about the US as a country?
UPDATE: Hells. Yeah.
Friday Blogaround
This blogaround brought to you by Shaxco, publishers of Deeky and Liss' Guide to Why "Nurse Jackie" Is Awesome.
Recommended Reading:
Kate: Kansas: The First Abortion-Free State?
The Angry Black Woman: [TW for racism] US Justice System Disparity in Two Headlines
Resistance: [TW for racism] Privilege-a-Go-Go
Ragen: [TW for body policing; fat hatred] The Trouble with Proving It
Alex: [TW for rape culture] Sex Trafficking Survivors Group to Dilbert Creator: Rape Isn't "Natural Instinct"
Andy: [TW for homophobia] Sally Kern: Same Sex Marriage Will Lead to Man-Animal Marriage
Veronica: Sandals vs. Shoes for Girls, and Movement in Summertime
Adrienne: Dental School Application Supports Indigenous Languages
Leave your links and recommendations in comments...
