I just finished reading an article I had stumbled across in my Twitter feed; it's from a recent issue of Vanity Fair.
Its author, a seasoned journalist named Kurt Eichenwald has illustrated the abject cruelty of many right-wing legislators from a very personal perspective --- in a manner which I never could. (Just google [or "bing", if you prefer], My Family, Our Cancer to read the article. It's well worth it!).
I often wonder whether many of the folks who cast their votes for these uncompromising, uninformed legislators --- not only in Texas --- ever fully realize the consequences of their ballot choices.
Recalling my experiences as a volunteer canvasser, primarily in metro Chicago, southern Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana, I can readily recall hundreds of folks I've met in my travels, who seemed to be very nice, decent people --- the kind of folks who'd immediately rush to help someone in distress. Yet without missing a beat, they declare their allegiance to candidates with agendas that betray a spirit of meanness.
I often think to myself, "How can we get through to these people? They're not evil beings." Yet, who has the time to read Vanity Fair? So many wage-earners are working multiple part-time jobs these days, just trying to cobble together a survival-level income. And they're working damned hard, too! With whatever free time they have, they just wanna kick back and relax. Who can blame them?
Really, about all we can do is keep after the folks who flocked to the polls in 2008 and 2012, but sat out 2010: the young voters especially. Next year's midterm elections will be vital. The Rick Perrys and Scott Walkers do not reflect our true values either as a society or as individuals. Nor does Congress. (Issue-oriented polls prove it).
We can and must do better in 2014.
Thursday, July 18, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Republican Texas Legislators are NOT "Pro-Life".
I'd like to believe that the genie is out of the bottle, at least in the state of Texas. Last week, State Senator Wendy Davis successfully filibustered a draconian anti-women's-choice bill that would have shut down many of the state's women's health clinics.
Unfortunately, it was a pyrrhic victory. The legislature reconvened this week and passed the measure, known as Senate Bill 1 (SB1). But many folks are fighting back. The testimony of an eloquent young woman named Sarah Slamen was captured on video which has since gone viral. (Just google "youtube" and key "Sarah Slamen" in the Youtube search engine).
As the video shows, Ms. Slamen was forcibly removed from the room before her allotted time was up --- as directed by Jane Nelson (R-12th), the chairman of the Senate Committee on --- uh --- Health & Human Services(!!!) Not a pretty picture.
SB1 forbids abortions beyond 20 weeks of fertilization. However, the devil is in the details. Because of the way the bill was crafted, forcing abortion clinics to adopt the same standards as hospital-style clinics, all but five of the 42 women's health clinics performing abortions --- even on embryos --- would likely be forced to close. And Texas isn't the only state affected.
Similar statutes have been legislated in other states dominated by Tea Party Republicans, including North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Ohio, and Wisconsin, also resulting in clinic closures.
According to the Center for Disease Control, over 90% of abortions nationwide are performed during the first trimester (12 weeks); in other words, on embryos. In contrast, SB1, with its 20-week threshold, would apply to only 1.3% of all abortions. Yet the bill would effectively make it exceedingly difficult for most women to obtain any abortion.
I believe that there are many folks who truly believe in the sanctity of life: people of good will. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago composed a document he called The Consistency of Life Ethic. Also known as the Principle of the Seamless Garment (feel free to correct me if I have this wrong), the ethic questions the death penalty and unjust wars, as well as economic and social injustices.
Yet Texas Governor Rick Perry and his legislative allies have presided over more executions than their counterparts in any other state. They've also butchered funding for education, health, and nutrition programs, all of which help make the lives of struggling Texans more bearable. Pro-life?
Still, the Good Governor heralded the passage of SB1 with the following statement: " (Today) the Texas legislature took its final step in our historic effort to protect life." No shame, no shame at all!
Some political prognosticators believe that, considering the rapid demographic change occurring in the Lone Star State, that its political complexion could turn purple by 2016. That might seem a bit bold, but it would be nice.
In the meantime, it's reassuring to hear some voices emerging from the wilderness, such as those of Wendy Davis and Sarah Slamen. It's a start!
Unfortunately, it was a pyrrhic victory. The legislature reconvened this week and passed the measure, known as Senate Bill 1 (SB1). But many folks are fighting back. The testimony of an eloquent young woman named Sarah Slamen was captured on video which has since gone viral. (Just google "youtube" and key "Sarah Slamen" in the Youtube search engine).
As the video shows, Ms. Slamen was forcibly removed from the room before her allotted time was up --- as directed by Jane Nelson (R-12th), the chairman of the Senate Committee on --- uh --- Health & Human Services(!!!) Not a pretty picture.
SB1 forbids abortions beyond 20 weeks of fertilization. However, the devil is in the details. Because of the way the bill was crafted, forcing abortion clinics to adopt the same standards as hospital-style clinics, all but five of the 42 women's health clinics performing abortions --- even on embryos --- would likely be forced to close. And Texas isn't the only state affected.
Similar statutes have been legislated in other states dominated by Tea Party Republicans, including North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, Ohio, and Wisconsin, also resulting in clinic closures.
According to the Center for Disease Control, over 90% of abortions nationwide are performed during the first trimester (12 weeks); in other words, on embryos. In contrast, SB1, with its 20-week threshold, would apply to only 1.3% of all abortions. Yet the bill would effectively make it exceedingly difficult for most women to obtain any abortion.
I believe that there are many folks who truly believe in the sanctity of life: people of good will. The late Cardinal Joseph Bernardin of Chicago composed a document he called The Consistency of Life Ethic. Also known as the Principle of the Seamless Garment (feel free to correct me if I have this wrong), the ethic questions the death penalty and unjust wars, as well as economic and social injustices.
Yet Texas Governor Rick Perry and his legislative allies have presided over more executions than their counterparts in any other state. They've also butchered funding for education, health, and nutrition programs, all of which help make the lives of struggling Texans more bearable. Pro-life?
Still, the Good Governor heralded the passage of SB1 with the following statement: " (Today) the Texas legislature took its final step in our historic effort to protect life." No shame, no shame at all!
Some political prognosticators believe that, considering the rapid demographic change occurring in the Lone Star State, that its political complexion could turn purple by 2016. That might seem a bit bold, but it would be nice.
In the meantime, it's reassuring to hear some voices emerging from the wilderness, such as those of Wendy Davis and Sarah Slamen. It's a start!
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