Friday, October 09, 2015

Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood, says that Roe vs Wade is on the ballot in 2016.

Courtesy of The Guardian: 

Last Tuesday, when Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood, appeared at a hearing to account for her organisation’s federal funding, it might have only attracted political diehards. But during the course of a day-long appearance, Richards was interrogated with such undisguised contempt, such outright hostility and disregard for the facts, that video of the hearing jumped out of the political and into the popular realm. 

In the days that followed, Richards was stopped at every juncture – on the train back to New York, on the subway, in the coffee shop next to her office – by people echoing disbelief both at how she had been treated, and the things ostensibly sane Republican congressmen had said. The footage was so bananas, says Richards, that “it has really ignited people who don’t think about this day in and day out”. 

“This” is women’s reproductive rights, an issue that, 40-odd years after Roe v Wade, is still as central to US electoral politics as it ever was.

...........

“In this primary, I think they’ve moved even further to the right than Governor Romney,” says Richards, quite an achievement given Mitt Romney’s 2012 campaign pledge to eliminate Planned Parenthood. 

“In this coming presidential election, Roe v Wade is on the ballot. The battle lines were drawn last week. This isn’t about Planned Parenthood or fetal tissue” – one of the charges against the organisation is that it sells fetal tissue to scientific researchers – “it’s about whether abortion is going to be legal any more in this country.”

You really cannot argue with this statement considering what we have seen these last few months.

There is an incredibly aggressive effort by the conservatives to  undermine or do away with legal abortion in this country, and there are NO indications that they are going to stop any time soon.

This is why it is incredibly important to support the Democratic candidate in 2016.

And I think it's clear that no matter who wins they will fight for the preservation of Roe vs Wade.

Which is why I get so angry when people say that if Hillary is the candidate that they will sit out this election.

My response to that is "Fuck you! If that is true you might as well go register as a Republican now because you are essentially working to promote their agenda."

This is NOT the time to take your ball and go home because the game is not going the way you envisioned it in your fantasies. Now is the time to take your lumps, dust yourself off, and get back into the game.

And if you need any more incentive just keep this in mind: 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the oldest justice, was born on March 15, 1933. She is now 82. When the next presidential term ends she will be 87 years and 10 months old — or 87.8 years old.

Antonin Scalia, the second oldest justice, was born on March 11, 1936. He is now 79. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 84 years and 10 months — or 84.8 years old.

Anthony Kennedy, the third oldest justice, was born on July 23, 1936. He is now 78. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 84 years and 5 months — or 84.4 years old.

Stephen Breyer, the fourth oldest justice, was born on August 15, 1938. He is now 76. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 82 years and 5 months — or 82.4 years old.

Clarence Thomas, the fifth oldest justice, was born on June 23, 1948. He is now 66 — and will turn 67 next week. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 72 years and 6 months — or 72.5 years old.

Samuel Alito, the sixth oldest justice, was born on April 1, 1950. He is now 65. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 70 years and 9 months — or 70.8 years old.

Sonia Sotomayor, the seventh oldest justice, was born on June 25, 1954. She is now 60 — and will turn 61 next week. When the next presidential term ends, she will be 66 years and 6 months — or 66.5 years old.

Chief Justice John Roberts, the eighth oldest, was born on January 27, 1955. He is now 60. When the next presidential term ends, he will be 65 years and 11 months — or 65.9 years old.

Elena Kagan, the youngest justice, was born on April 28, 1960. She is now 55. When the next presidential term ends, she will be 60 years and 8 months — or 60.7 years old.

By 2020 the average age of the Justices will be 75 years old.

However it is very unlikely that all of them will remain in the Court until then, and if the next President is lucky enough to get two terms it is relatively certain they will have to replace four or more of the Supreme Court Justices during that time.

Still feel like sitting this one out?

41 comments:

  1. Anonymous4:52 PM

    It makes me quite angry when people say they won't vote for Hillary, too. And you're right, those people may as well register as Teapublicans because is the net result. I understand the appeal of Bernie Sanders, but it is quite possible that he won't be the nominee, and if not, Democrats still need to support other Democrats.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scruffer6:11 PM

      That's ridiculous, needless to say. One can vote for Bernie Sanders and, if he's not the nominee, can still vote for Hilary Clinton if she's the nominee.
      Why register as a so-called 'Teapublican' if your preferred nominee doesn't win?
      That sounds like you're one of those that 'if my person doesn't win I'll take my toys and go home'.
      It's childish thinking. And yes, I'm accusing you of that.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous6:20 PM

      Maybe you misunderstood the OP, because he/she was saying the exact same thing.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous7:32 PM

      Scruffer6:11 PM

      You might want to re-read the comment to which you replied.

      Delete
    4. The best response to Bernie supporters who don't want to vote for Hillary in the general is "I'll be voting for the person Bernie is voting for." Bernie has always made it clear that he puts the good of the party and the country ahead of his own ego. If Hillary is the nominee he'll vote for her and will want his supporters to do so.

      And of course the same applies the other way around. I'm supporting Hillary, but if Bernie is the nominee, I'll vote for him and do everything possible to see that he's elected.

      Delete
  2. Anonymous4:54 PM

    GOP is also trying to capture piece of Latino vote that opposes abortion.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Scruffer6:12 PM

      Catholic leadership (all males) oppose abortion.
      Most reality-based catholics support both contraception as well as abortion.
      So there's that.

      Delete
  3. Anonymous5:19 PM

    1st in Line for next Justice. Our current President Barack H. Obama. No one is more qualified, no one..
    all the way to Chief Justice...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:03 PM

      You understand the current chief would have to resign or die....it's not like he could move his way up. Taft is the only time that's happened.

      Delete
    2. Stuff happens.

      Roberts could get hit by a bus or be in a car crash.

      Despite the best healthcare available people die of the flu and pneumonia.

      There is no guarantee any of the justices no matter what age won't die tomorrow.

      It is essential that the next president be a Democrat unless we want to see the end to Roe v Wade, Obamacare and a host of other laws we've fought for and rights we take for granted tossed out the window.

      This court as it is gave us Citizen's United.

      It could get a lot worse.

      The Republicans are leading us down the road to Fascism. If the next President is a Republican, you can kiss Democracy as we know it in this country goodbye.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous5:19 PM

    I really love Cecile. Such a calm, respectable and intelligent rep for a great organization. Those repubs came out looking like the bastards they really are. Sometimes it's difficult for me to understand how so fucking many of these people came to power. I know Dems need to vote EVERY election not just the biggies. The R's just blow so much with their selective interpretation of "the good book". Stick your bible up your ass.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous4:25 AM

      Great comment, and I totally agree with everything you said.

      Delete
  5. Anonymous5:45 PM

    If you will allow me, Gryph, this upcoming election scares the crap out of me. Darn straight, we need to vote if it even matters anymore.

    I saw the local coverage of President Obama's trip to Roseburg and, thankfully, they did not give much coverage to the protesters. There's just not enough tin foil in the world for some people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:40 PM

      It's not Oregon its Organ. Many hicks and many hippies. Oh yea, and a lot of guns. That's why they act so fuckin' tough.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous8:27 PM

      A very RED area.
      And a false flag sheriff.
      What could go wrong?

      Delete
  6. Anonymous5:50 PM

    "My response to that is "Fuck you! If that is true you might as well go register as a Republican now because you are essentially working to promote their agenda.""

    I completly echo your sentiment.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous5:55 PM

    Two good things about getting older: (1) my ovaries shriveled up years ago; and (2) I get to vote absentee ballot in advance of election day, so I don't have to worry about a blizzard keeping me from votingi in general, and in voting Democratic in particular.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Cracklin Charlie6:01 PM

    You know another really great thing to like about about Cecile Richards?

    Her mother was the fabulous Ann Richards, Democratic Governor of Texas. I thought Cecile did a great job at that Republican hatchet job, I mean hearing, about Planned Parenthood.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Scruffer6:06 PM

    What's the christian equivalent of sharia law?
    I mean, sharia law is an extreme of the muslim faith, much like the orthodox jews are to judaism.
    So what's the equivalent in christianity? Is there a name for that?
    I'm serious...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous6:20 PM

      The repub version is "fuck them before they fuck you".
      The Dem version is, "do unto others as you would have them do unto you"..
      The Christain version is what ever you want it to be since there is so much shit in that bible you can make it anything you want.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:20 PM

      Got that right, 6:20 PM.

      Delete
    3. Anonymous8:03 PM

      They're called Southern Baptists, Scruffer.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous9:19 PM

      Fundamentalism. Women have no rights; submission to male leadership. Period.

      And/or Dominionism over all; theocratic (global, America First) government. Pseudo-christiany leadership; must be the right kind of Christian, mostly defined by 'righteous' oligarchs.

      dowl

      Delete
    5. Anonymous10:03 PM

      There is no equating anything in christianity to sharia law.

      Delete
    6. Fundamentalists and their literal interpretation of selective passages of the bible, leaning heavily on old testament, Paul and anything to do with suffering and punishment. They are the thou shalt not grazers.

      Lots of Southern Baptists are Fundamentalists.

      There are also the End of Days Dominionist crazies.

      Some of the Jehovah's Witnesses, Seventh Day Adventists and Mormons could probably be included in that lot.

      They don't call it Sharia Law. They call it Biblical Law or just Christian Law. Or like Kim Davis it's God's Law and it trumps everything else including our Constitution.

      Theocratic Fascism.

      Delete
  10. Anonymous6:22 PM

    OT-Issa said he "did everything but carry Ryan's gymbag to try to get him to run". Please...for speaker..

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous6:39 PM

    I'm tired of women who are jealous of Hillary. Those women are not married to intelligent, charming, successful men who women are drawn to. Those women don't have the accomplishments of Hillary and

    those women don't have the strength of character to stand by their love and convictions and forgive their husbands in front of the entire world.

    None of those jealous, lazy bitches "sitting out" the election will ever be half the woman that Hillary Clinton is.

    They can all go to hell with Sarah Palin.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:32 PM

      I've been married to a man for 32 years of whom has been disabled for five years, and it is a struggle to keep everything together. How condescending can you be?

      Strength of character???? Fuck you.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous7:37 PM

      While I agree with your last line, I take exception with always endowing women with the same old tired stereopical reasons for not agreeing with other women. Would ever say that men were "jealous" or didn't have the strength of character to standby and forgive their wives?

      Delete
    3. 6:36 doesn't sound like he or she knows anything about Hillary Clinton, women, or Democrats.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous8:51 PM

    Ya think?

    GOP Probe Into Planned Parenthood Funding Comes Up Empty

    Jason Chaffetz says he's found no evidence of wrongdoing by the family planning provider.

    Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said Thursday that the GOP's investigation into Planned Parenthood's use of federal funds hasn't turned up anything.

    "Did I look at the finances and have a hearing specifically as to the revenue portion and how they spend? Yes. Was there any wrongdoing? I didn't find any," he said during a Judiciary Committee hearing on the family planning provider.

    Chaffetz, a candidate for House speaker, grilled Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards during a five-hour hearing last week. He questioned her salary, asked about the organization's expenses and revenues, and pressed Richards on why the group had revenue of $127 million last year if it's a nonprofit. (Nonprofits put their revenues back into their programs.)

    But after all that, he concluded that Planned Parenthood isn't doing anything sketchy with its money. "Did we find any wrongdoing? The answer was no," Chaffetz said.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/jason-chaffetz-planned-parenthood-funding_5616ed01e4b0dbb8000de134

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous10:19 PM

    Using the scare tactic to get all the follower sheep into voting for the Hill Gryph?

    What a joke. I'll vote with my brain, and I will never vote for that piece of crap.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:29 AM

      10:19 PM Fuck off troll.

      Delete
    2. Randall2:16 AM

      Look, Hillary may no be perfect, or even desirable in your mind - but the other side is totally, fucking nuts!

      Delete
    3. Anonymous4:24 AM

      What a nasty comment.

      I think the piece of crap here is you.

      Delete
    4. Anonymous8:22 PM

      Hillary loving losers. Sheep. Baaabaaaa.

      It doesn't matter anyways. Hillary will drop out.

      Delete
  14. Randall2:09 AM

    Many have either forgotten or else never knew that way back in '73, when Roe v. Wade was decided, women were dying. By the thousands.

    Real, breathing, ambulant, conscious, laughing, dreaming, living women.

    The indisputable fact of it is: Roe v. Wade has
    saved thousands and thousands of lives.




    ReplyDelete
  15. Anonymous4:22 AM

    Thank you Gryphen, excellent post.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous6:15 AM

    The fact that we are still fighting old cultural battles just means that none of the real problems in the country ever get addressed. Divisive issue are required to stir up bases of both parties, so they perpetuate. The gay issue has abated to a large extent, so the far right had no choice but to double-down on another one: Abortion and women's rights.

    I suppose a young person might open the newspaper and see a cause or cultural debate and feel angry, or energized, or responsive in some way to it. But by the time you've spend 50 decades here, you realize it's like groundhogs day, fighting all the same battles, and getting nowhere. And the other side is doing the same, they're still donating to pro church and pro military and anti abortion anti liberal efforts.

    The wealthy and powerful require us to be at each others throats, to be red and blue, and when necessary black and white, in order to distract us from the fact that our neighborhoods are deteriorating, our food and water is poisoned, our jobs pay nothing, our housing and transportation is too expensive, and our freedoms and privacy are being eroded. And when the distractions aren't enough, when we're not hating our neighbor enough, they just pull the ace out of their pocket and here come the terrorists.

    And in this world of social media and tapped cell phones and read emails and so forth, TPTB know exactly what lever to pull at what time.

    We are all afraid, and we vote out of fear. Fear of what the opposing party will take away. And we're angry, confused and jealous of each other. The voters who never had to rely on welfare are jealous of those that receive it. The welfare recipients are jealous of the middle class and wealthy who don't need it. Language divides us, race divides us, religion divides us. There are so many ways to divide us it's not even funny. And they know this.

    To be honest with you, I thought Obama was the beginning of reform. Obviously he wasn't. Not because he isn't a good man, but because it's impossible. It's impossible because we keep paying attention to the wrong things. Impossible because we never focus on making a freer, fairer, stronger, cleaner, richer, more educated, more informed country for all our citizens.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:59 AM

      You are sounding like you are at the beginnings of why many people turn libertarian.

      Delete
    2. Anonymous10:25 AM

      Anon, perhaps. I've been steadfastly liberal democrat all my life, the last time I tested my preferences it came up Green Party, that was a few years ago. Right now I don't know. I just know what's right and what's fair. I agree with some of libertarianism but disagree on other parts of it.

      Our modern global economy has reached a state where nations don't even matter anymore, and the survival of people depends on planned solutions, not bootstraps. Just like the wildlife - there is no wild lands anymore, just like there are no free people. The animals survive only because we allow it and we manage it and plan for it. Such it has to be for humans, because we can never go back to a time when we pick ourselves up and move to new lands to settle and use our own resources. The resources on the planet have all been seized, and therefore must be shared.

      Delete

Don't feed the trolls!
It just goes directly to their thighs.