This blogaround brought to you by pillows.
Recommended Reading:
Glenn: [TW for violence] The Due-Process-Free Assassination of US Citizens Is Now Reality
Brian: [TW for fat hatred and body policing] On Gov. Chris Christie and Fat Bodies Being Made into a Public Concern
moyazb: From Margin to Center: Health for Brown Bois
Andy: [TW for homophobia] NC Senator James Forrester, Sponsor of Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment, Exposed as Ignorant Liar
Pam: [TW for homophobia] Two Peas in a Truth-Obfuscating Pod: James and Mary Frances Forrester
Adrienne: [TW for racism] Random Appropriation of the Day! Lush "Pow Wow" Lip Scrub
Melissa: Interview with Agnieszka Holland, Director of In Darkness
Leave your links and recommendations in comments...
Friday Blogaround
Repro Rights Updates
In Arizona, the only clinic providing abortion services is the one in Phoenix.
FLAGSTAFF – Beth Otterstein, a nurse practitioner at Planned Parenthood Arizona’s clinic here, says patients sometimes break down and cry when they hear the news: If they want abortions, they now have to travel to Phoenix for a 15-minute consultation with a doctor and then stay overnight to have the procedure. It’s an expense that some can’t afford, and no other facility in the area provides abortions.While Planned Parenthood always has a physician provide surgical abortion care, medication/chemical abortion has been previously provided by a nurse practitioner. Until now. Hiring physicians to perform abortion services at the more rural clinics will not be easy:
“It’s devastating because they don’t have anywhere else to go,” she said.
Planned Parenthood halted abortion services at clinics in Flagstaff, Prescott Valley and Yuma because of provisions in state laws that took effect this month. Legislation passed this year requires that only licensed physicians to provide abortion services, while a 2009 law that Planned Parenthood decided to stop fighting in court requires women seeking abortions to meet in person with doctors 24 hours before the procedure.
The clinic here and those in Prescott Valley and Yuma have only nurse practitioners on staff.
Otterstein said some patients tell her they can’t take time away from work or find someone to take care of their children, while others worry about what to tell family members and friends about a trip out of town.
[N]ot only because of a doctor shortage in Arizona but because a provision of this year’s law prohibits using any public money, tuition or student fees to teach how to perform abortions.Roe doesn't do much when there's no choice to be had.
“It’s going to take some time because it’s not like new graduates from the University of Arizona medical school are going to receive this training because the legislation says they can’t,” Howard [Bryan, CEO of Planned Parenthood Arizona] said.
***
In Florida, changes to minors' access to abortion services takes effect starting tomorrow:
Also controversial is another law that kicks in Saturday. The bill (HB 1247) makes a number of changes to the current laws requiring parental notification when juveniles seek an abortion. Among the changes, the bill lengthens the time a judge has to act on request for a judicial bypass.Let's check this out, shall we? (underlines are the additions, strike outs are their deletions)
The measure also requires minors seeking a judicial waiver from the requirement to seek a judge within their judicial circuit. Minors can now seek a judge residing within their appellate district, a much larger geographic area.
Backers say the measure still provides protections for minors who feel they can't tell their parents. Critics say that in some small judicial circuits, the new law will make it difficult for the minor to remain anonymous.
The court shall rule, and issue written findings of fact andGood thing BOOTSTRAPS!™ grow on trees in Florida, among all those oranges, amirite? Anyway...
133 conclusions of law, within 3 business days 48 hours after the
134 petition is filed, except that the 3-business-day48-hour
135 limitation may be extended at the request of the minor. If the
136 court fails to rule within the 3-business-day48-hourperiod and
137 an extension has not been requested, the minor may immediately
138 petition for a hearing upon the expiration of the 3-business-day
139 period to the chief judge of the circuit, who must ensure a
140 hearing is held within48 hoursafter receipt of the minor's
141 petition and an order is entered within 24 hours after the
142 hearing the petition is granted, and the notice requirement is
143 waived.
144 2. If the circuit court does not grant judicial waiver of
145 notice, the minor has the right to appeal. An appellate court
146 must rule within 7 days after receipt of appeal, but a ruling
147 may be remanded with further instruction for a ruling within 3
148 business days after the remand. The reason for overturning a
149 ruling on appeal must be based on abuse of discretion by the
150 court and may not be based on the weight of the evidence
151 presented to the circuit court since the proceeding is a
152 nonadversarial proceeding.
(c) If the court finds, by clear and convincing evidence,
154 that the minor is sufficiently mature to decide whether to
155 terminate her pregnancy, the court shall issue an order
156 authorizing the minor to consent to the performance or
57 inducement of a termination of pregnancy without the
158 notification of a parent or guardian. If the court does not make
159 the finding specified in this paragraph or paragraph (d), it
160 must dismiss the petition. Factors the court shall consider
161 include:
162 1. The minor's:
163 a. Age.
164 b. Overall intelligence.
165 c. Emotional development and stability.
166 d. Credibility and demeanor as a witness.
167 e. Ability to accept responsibility.
168 f. Ability to assess both the immediate and long-range
169 consequences of the minor's choices.
170 g. Ability to understand and explain the medical risks of
171 terminating her pregnancy and to apply that understanding to her
172 decision.
173 2. Whether there may be any undue influence by another on
174 the minor's decision to have an abortion.
(d) If the court finds, by a preponderance of the
176 evidence, that the petitioner is the victimthere is evidenceof
177 child abuse or sexual abuse inflictedof the petitionerby one
178 or both of her parents or her guardian, or by clear and
179 convincing evidence that the notification of a parent or
180 guardian is not in the best interest of the petitioner, the
181 court shall issue an order authorizing the minor to consent to
182 the performance or inducement of a termination of pregnancy
183 without the notification of a parent or guardian. The best-
184 interest standard does not include financial best interest or
185 financial considerations or the potential financial impact on
186 the minor or the minor's family if the minor does not terminate
187 the pregnancy. ...
(e) A court that conducts proceedings under this section shall:Well, Florida. Trying to catch up to Ohio, I see.
[...]
3. Order that a confidential record be maintained, as
202 required under s. 390.01116.At the hearing, the court shall
203 hear evidence relating to the emotional development, maturity,
204 intellect, and understanding of the minor, and all other
205 relevant evidence.
***
If you live in Nebraska, Planned Parenthood is considering opening a few new clinics. There is opposition to this, of course. A group of anti-Planned Parenthood people are touring the state, trying to rile people up into opposing the clinics. They hold public meetings to "give out information" (re: lie) about the group. Here is an example of a recent meeting in Kearney:
KEARNEY - A national anti-Planned Parenthood speaker shared tips to keep a proposed clinic out of Kearney Thursday.Kearney, Hastings, North Platte and Grand Island are some of the communities being considered for new clinics, so this traveling misinformer and fear-monger will certainly be showing up there soon.
Jim Sedlak, vice president of the American Life League and founder of Stop Planned Parenthood International, spoke to more than 30 people at Trinity Presbyterian Church about the history of Planned Parenthood, the goals of the organization and why it would like to come to Kearney.
"Planned Parenthood is not only after your child's money, but after their soul," he said.
[...]
"Premarital sexual activity among young people is a sin," Sedlak said. "They won't say that, but you will and I will."
"The key to keeping Planned Parenthood out of communities is to make an unwelcome environment for them, Sedlak said.
Occupy Wall Street: News Round-Up
Watch live streaming video from globalrevolution at livestream.com
Above is the live feed from the ongoing Occupy Wall Street protest, which continues to grow in scope as it heads toward its third week. Here's what I've been reading this morning...
Business Insider—A Massive Union Just Voted To Side With The Wall Street Protesters: "According to Daily Kos, The New York Transit Workers Union (TWU) voted to support the Wall Street Protestors at their meeting last night. A member of TWU Local 100 told a reporter that they would join the protest Friday at 4PM."
Crain's New York—Veteran agitators flock to Occupy Wall Street:
The city's most experienced agitators—the labor and community groups that typically organize local marches, rallies and sit-ins—have been largely missing from the Occupy Wall Street protest that is in its 13th day at Zuccotti Park in lower Manhattan.Raw Story—Unions and liberal groups to join ‘Occupy Wall Street' protest: "Among unions, the United Federation of Teachers, 32BJ SEIU, 1199 SEIU, Workers United and Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100 have said they will participate in the protest next Wednesday. The Working Families Party, MoveOn.org, Make the Road New York, the Coalition for the Homeless, the Alliance for Quality Education, Community Voices Heard, United New York and Strong Economy For All also plan to support the demonstration."
But that's about to change.
A loose coalition of labor and community groups said Thursday that they would join the protest next week. They are organizing a solidarity march scheduled for Wednesday that is expected to start at City Hall and finish a few blocks south at Zuccotti Park.
ThinkProgress: Scenes from the Streets.
Digby: Something's Happening Here.
danps: The Many Successes of Occupy Wall Street.
I really don't understand the concern trolling from other progressives about how Occupy Wall Street needs to have a "cohesive message" or a "set of demands" or a "list of proposed solutions" or wevthefuck. There's a lot to be said for a good, old-fashioned awareness-raising event, and, with 90% (ninety percent!) of USians saying the economy stinks, this protest ain't happening in a void of evident motivation. Making some goddamn noise is as good a place to start as any, and better than most options we've got anymore.
Question of the Day
What habit do you have that you never noticed until someone else pointed it out to you?
This has happened to me a bunch of times--Iain has always noticed little stuff I've never noticed about myself--but the first one that came to mind was when a high school friend observed that I point at things I've dropped or discovered before I pick them up.
Why do I do this? No idea, lol.
Repro Rights Updates
First up is Florida, where the Florida Catholic Conference wrote up a bill and handed it to Rep. Larry Ahern (R-St. Petersburg), who in turn intro'd it into the state legislature. No, really, Ahern actually says that they just handed it to him. The bill is called: Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act. HB 137 (it's other title), says:
Offenses Against Unborn Children: Designates act "Florida Unborn Victims of Violence Act"; defines term "unborn child" for specified purposes; revises terminology to refer to "unborn child" rather than "viable fetus"; provides legislative intent; provides that certain offenses relating to killing of unborn child by injury to mother do not require specified knowledge or intent or death of mother.Sen. Mike Fasano (R-New Port Richey) intro'd mirror bill, SB 234, in the Senate. Essentially it changes terminology previously present in laws where "viable fetus" was will now be "unborn child".
According to Ahern, the Catholic Conference has been asking legislators to pass such a law for a few years. Ahern says the bill would “more accurately define life” and would make sure that the life “of an unborn child is more protected.”The Florida Catholic Conference, btw, is also responsible for providing legislators with a conscience clause amendment to the state’s Medicaid policies that allows health care workers to "opt out" of giving family planning services.
***
In Ohio, on Tuesday, the Senate passed legislation (which had already passed the House) that makes it even harder for minors to get an abortion without parental consent.
The bill requires a court to ask whether the minor understands the physical and emotional consequences of an abortion and whether the minor has been coached on how to answer the court’s questions when seeking a judicial bypass for parental approval."Shopping", eh? You mean trying to find a sympathetic judge to allow her to have autonomy over her own body. According to Guttmacher (.pdf), in Ohio a minor has all rights regarding seeking adoption as a choice but not abortion.
The Ohio House already approved the bill but will have to agree with a new provision the Senate added before the bill is sent to Republican Gov. John Kasich’s desk for his signature.
The Senate’s version of the bill requires a minor to get approval in the county she lives in or in a surrounding county. Republicans said the change will prevent minors from “shopping” for a friendly court.
The bill, House Bill 63, requires minors to prove with “clear and convincing evidence” that abortions are in their best interests.Yes. That's exactly what judicial bypasses are! Rubber stamps for "the abortion industry". Such astounding depth of critical thinking, right there. Depth? I meant dearth.
“A bypass should not merely be a rubber stamp of the abortion industry,” Sen. Keith Faber, a Republican from Celina, said on the Senate floor.
So, anyway, yes: Ohio is making 15 or 16 year olds go before a judge, near where they live (no "shopping"!), be interrogated regarding how much they know (and if they know too much, perhaps they're coached?! No abortion then!), and have to provide convincing evidence that having a child at this stage of their lives is detrimental. Clear and convincing! Of course, if a young woman is deemed not mature enough to make the choice to have an abortion, she is OBVIOUSLY mature enough to be forced by the state to give birth and deal with parenthood or the possible trauma of having to give a child up for adoption. Let's not forget that abortion is a time-sensitive procedure and courts don't usually have wide-open schedules. Or operate on non-school days during non-school hours. Ohio: won the race to the bottom of the barrel and keeps on digging under it.
****
Back in July, I wrote about an anti-choice, anti-Planned Parenthood group that decided to investigate Planned Parenthood and expose them as, well, something. I still haven't quite figured it out. Possibly as Evil™. One of the group's goals was to get Congress to investigate Planned Parenthood. Well:
WASHINGTON — A Republican-led House panel has asked the Planned Parenthood Federation of America to hand over more than a decade’s worth of documents in a probe of whether the organization improperly spends public money on abortions.Oh HAI! I am an American taxpayer! I'm more than happy to assist pay for abortions for those in need with my tax contributions, just as I am for any other necessary health service. So, stop speaking for me.
[...]
“The committee has questions about the policies in place and actions undertaken by PPFA and its affiliates relating to its use of federal funding and its compliance with federal restrictions on the funding of abortions,” Rep. Cliff Stearns, chairman of the House Energy and Commerce investigations subcommittee, wrote in a Sept. 15 letter to Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards.
Due by the end of the month: internal audits of how much Planned Parenthood received and spent in government money from 1998 to 2010. Stearns also requests any state audits of PPFA for the last 20 years that have not been made public, as well as a description for how “segregation between family planning and abortion services is accomplished,” and how the practice is monitored for compliance.
“The American taxpayer does not want to be in the business of abortion, and this investigation is an important first step toward ending public funding of the nation’s largest abortion provider,” said Charmaine Yoest, president and CEO of Americans United for Life, which earlier this year conducted and presented to Stearns’ committee its own study on Planned Parenthood.
Planned Parenthood is regularly audited by the inspector general of DHHS and also by state Medicaid programs. Results are always public. I, as an American taxpayer, do not want to be in the business of this gigantic waste of time attacking a valuable health care provider. Can I opt out of paying for this shit? Thanks.
Top Chef: Just Desserts Open Thread
I moved into a new apartment yesterday and I don't have cable yet, so I didn't watch this sad disaster of a show last night. I have no idea who made what garbage pie and served it to whatever pissy guest judge they may or may not have had on. Whatever. Someone probably got sent home. Discuss it without me. Or don't. I couldn't care less.
Last night's episode might possibly be discussed in detail, so if you haven't seen it, and don't want any spoilers, pack your pumpkin spice latte and go...
Yay! This Will Definitely Be Very Good!
And not at all totally, unremittingly, and almost inconceivably terrible: "Dane Cook is heading to NBC to headline his own network comedy series. Amid interest from multiple networks, the actor-comedian has signed a development deal with NBC for a half-hour project targeted for next fall. Cook will star in the comedy and produce through his SUperFInger Entertainment banner."
SUperFInger. Whut? There can be only two reasons for that completely stupid capitalization: Either Dane Cook is telling us he's secretly a Sufi, or Dane Cook is telling us he's an unbridled dipshit.
$5 on the latter, Mr. Bookiehead!
Blog Note
I'm still down for the count. It's a little more serious than just a pulled muscle, but hopefully not so serious that a few days of rest won't be all I need. I'm going to be pretty useless in the interim, because I can't sit without extraordinary pain, but I will try to post what I can here and there via mobile.
Meanwhile, I do have at all times at least two excellent attendants keeping me warm and well-cuddled during my convalescence.
The view from/in my sick bed, lulz.
Question of the Day
What's your favorite candy bar? (If you don't eat candy, what's your favorite sweet indulgence?)
Wednesday Blogaround
This blogaround is brought to you by the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, whence I am posting this because my corporate internet provider mysteriously crapped out.
Ada Lovelace Day is coming up on October 7th. There are lots of ways to promote the event, and if you want to add your own content about women in STEM, it can but needn't be in blog post form. Podcasts, videos, and comics are cool too.
Scicurious will be covering the igNobel prizes tomorrow night.
Don McCanne MD at Physicians for a National Health Program's blog: Do we have to accept $15, 000 premiums and higher deductibles? More on the health insurance premium hikes appears in today's New York Times.
Jane Sarasohn-Kahn: Peoples’ home economics are driving DIY Healthcare
Michele Lee: A 7-year-old girl responds to DC Comics’ sexed-up reboot of Starfire
Emelyn Fuhrman: Write Me Something
Elif Batuman: Our Living Language
The Border House has a new series, What Are You Playing Wednesday
Fannie: Guy: PC Culture Too Difficult For Navy Men To Handle
Ideas in Food blog: Cornflake ice cream
OccupyWallSt: A Message From Occupied Wall Street (Day Eleven). The video shows remarks from Dr. Cornel West. I have transcribed the short speech and put the text below the fold (in most browsers)Announcer: We would like to start with some words from Cornel West
Dr. West: There is a sweet spirit in this place. I hope you can feel the love and inspiration of those who spoke for everyday people, who take a stand with great courage and compassion because we oppose the greed of Wall Street oligarchs and corporate plutocrats who squeeze the democratic juices out of this country and other places around the world. I am so blessed to be here--got me spiritually breakdancing all the way here 'cause when you bring folks together--all colors, all cultures, all genders, all sexual orientations the elite will tremble in their boots. And we will send the message that this is the U.S. [world?] responding to the Arab Spring. It has now hit chicago, Los Angeles, and Phoenix Arizona and A-town itself, moving on to Detroit, gonna hit Appalachia, hit the reservations with our red brothers and sisters. Martin Luther King Jr. will smile from the grave and say we're moving step by step to what he called a revolution. Don't be afraid to say revolution. We want a transfer of power from the oligarchs to ordinary citizens and with the poor children of all colors and the orphans and the widows and the elderly and the working folk 'cause we connect the prison-industrial complex with the military industrial complex with the Wall Street oligarchy complex and the corporate media multiplex. I want to thank you and it's a blessing to be a small part of this magnificent gathering. This is the General Assembly, consecrated by your witness and your body and your mind.
Announcer: We the people have found our voice [repeat 5 times]
Blog Note
Hey, Shakers. I am a glaikit fool who's hurt her back doing some shit no person with a bad back should be doing, so I'm taking the day off and will hopefully be better tomorrow. If not, I'll let you know. Sorry for the inconvenience.
