Inexplicably, Democrats have spent little time pointing out that exceptions aren’t real—even though they have all the proof they need.
The Democrats prove once again they are COMPLETELY INEPT at marketing -- which is EXACTLY what the Republicans do and do so fng well! The Dems are completely and totally trounced and annihilated by the Republicans every.single.time. They are always pulling the high road when the Republicans are the (successful) pigs in the mud.
If Dems had any capability what-so-ever Roe v Wade would NEVER have been overturned.
And instead of focusing on WOMEN'S RIGHTS -- which is what abortion is -- they are too busy trying to be all things to all people, I e defending the trans madness, which kicks the women to the curb. "Chestfeeding" and "pregnant person" makes Republican women (and men) want to puke. And the ones who MAY have been on our side -- that women need to control their internal organs and destiny -- simply "check out "that the Democrats are pathetic, unfocused, and batshit crazy.
I see you want to blame me before an event occurs. That is actually stopping imagination and ingenuity and is harmful to creativity. Pause and please stop your violence of blame, I do not agree or accept the premise of defeat you posit.
The problem with the whole "compromise" scenario is compromise is necessarily based on trust. At this point, I trust a pit viper more than I trust Republicans.
I’m currently watching Love & the Constitution on MSNBC, which is about Rep. Jamie Raskin. I think he’s one of the bright lights of the Democratic Party. I think you should ensure he gets a copy of this particular column. While he’s smart as a whip, and staunchly pro-choice, he’s a man, and my guess is that the misogyny underneath the exceptions probably slip right past him.
"We have the truth on our side so let's use it." I absolutely agree and think we need to acknowledge that the we in that sentence is not democrats and for this we boat needs to launch without them if they are not seen taking active and vocal measures to get on the boat with us. Looking at you Biden, stop being misogynistic and help get everyone the access to Healthcare and dignity they deserve in a country that has religious freedom. Stop letting religion dictate our laws, Biden, please do better.
Yes, we only really have two options: take to the streets and demand a new constitution, or Democrats win more elections. The public doesn't seem ready for that first one yet.
We also have the choice to hold all politicians accountable for their abortion stance as individuals and not give them a pass based on faulty binary logic or party affiliation.
Oh yes, I agree, but the way you hold them accountable is in Democratic party primaries. The way our system works it has to be done there. Third parties only help elect Republicans, and unless someone has a plan for making the Republican party pro-choice, it has to happen with Democrats. But yes I've been on the record here before that Democratic politicians who don't understand the urgency need to be replaced (in a primary) by someone else who does.
That is another false binary though, we can create a plurality system by breaking the two party system and implementing other ways to vote like Rank Choice Voting. This would also break the donor stranglehold on the binary voting system we currently endure. We need not endure oppression- we can be imaginative and dream of a different way and take actions on multiple fronts to get there. Say no to oppression in all its forms.
The problem with that is - what are we willing to give up to get there? Because a third party on the left means Republican victory, period.
IMO, the way to build another option is not to start at the top, but at the bottom. We’d have to build support on the local and state level first, so that when we run a presidential candidate, there’s an existing base of support.
Starting over at the top every four years just means defeat for the third party, and defeat for the Democrats. It doesn’t build a solid party that can last and be effective over the long term. Only by starting with school boards and city councils, then state wide offices, before living to federal offices, can we build a party with the power to make real, lasting change.
Please stop derailing the original point. We get to hold politicans accountable AND vote for them if we want to - we get choice. I asked for Biden to do better. Stop conflating my asking him to do better with him losing an election. Stop blaming people who ask their politicians to do better as the reason they lose elections. Stop the false binary and violence of blaming people who ask others to do better for all of us. Stop the violence of you own low expectations and giveothers the freedom of a dream that is inclusive and pluralistic and beyond what we have right now.
Well I'm also on record that the current constitution is lousy, and I certainly think there are better ways to elect officials than first past the post. So I don't disagree. But at the end of the day when there's an election, one must vote, and vote for the least bad option that can plausibly win. Those who say it's all oppression help hand the keys over to the fascists.
Also, FYI, Gov. Kim Reynolds, R, Iowa, has called a special session. She really wants an abortion ban in Iowa. The session will be Monday, July 10. Some protests will take place at GOP leadership homes. Wish us luck.
There's a lady on Tic Toc who has been traveling to legislators' homes and talking on a bullhorn with a group banging pots and pans. I will try to find a link. Oh, and my earlier comment is in error. The Special Session is TUESDAY, July 11. The state representative who lives across the street said they are to gavel in at 8:30 a.m. and gavel out by 11 a.m. Public comments on the bill are overwhelmingly against it. Go, Iowans.
The anti-abortion movement’s deep hatred for women is irrefutable. As in your wonderful essay today, this should be the loudest and most prominent response to these inhumane people playing at religious rectitude.
Thank you so much Jessica for reporting so thoroughly on this.
In 2021 I learned personally how meaningless any exceptions would be in a Post-Roe landscape, because Pre-Roe wasn't good, either. And I live in permissive Maryland, needed no "exceptions", but was denied fast access to an abortion anyway. I lost most of the vision in my right eye as a result, but I am lucky to be alive.
I read this several days ago, Layla, and it just broke my heart, along with infuriating me. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so very, very sorry that you went through this.
This article just made me angrier and angrier the longer I read it. This part probably made me the most angry. "And the OB-GYN couldn’t even help Houshmand — she worked at a religiously affiliated hospital and Houshmand’s condition didn’t meet its standard for when abortions could be performed." Can't believe religious hospitals should be in the business of birth at all. So glad you're at least alive but at such an unnecessary cost.
Thank you. It is a huge ethical failure in this country that religious hospitals can practice their religion on patients in the name of medicine. How this was ever deemed legal is beyond me.
Anyone who is pregnant should stay away from Catholic hospitals. Period. And EMTALA should cover miscarriages and other pregnancy related emergencies as well.
It was not a Catholic institution. I agree in general, but not everyone has a choice on facility. Insurance may only cover a religious institution nearby.
So glad Jessica finally pointed this out. This isn't about "saving babies". It's about *using babies* as a justice system to punish women for their "sins". Never forget this underlying motivation when anyone makes these bad faith arguments.
Jessica, please, please, please send this to Rep. Jamie Raskin. He’s so smart, and he’s got a real way with words. But as a man, my guess is that the good girl/bad girl ideology underpinning bans slips past his notice.
But also as a man, he can’t be accused of being a wild-eyed feminist, or of being “just a hysterical woman.”
The last sentence of this column. Over and over and over again. This is Democrats' last chance, because if we fail at this next year, we won't even be able to pretend we have a democracy anymore. Idk maybe that's what has to happen if Democrats can't get their shit together; we replace them with a resistance movement to an authoritarian regime :(
Some people do. It's just not a big enough portion of the electorate yet. By the time it is it's too late. There are always those of us who know, and always a larger number who don't listen. It's fucking infuriating.
This is how I felt for forty plus years telling people that they *were* going to overturn Roe. Nobody effing listened. Everyone told me I was overreacting, that I was a “hysterical woman.” And they all had their “reasons” for why I was wrong.
Now we are facing full blown fascism, and I *still* can’t get anyone who doesn’t already see it to listen. Infuriating doesn’t begin to cover it, but I’m fresh out of words that do.
Lyndon B. Johnson probably said it best. "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
For all that I find LBJ personally distasteful, to put it mildly, what I wouldn’t give for someone like him who knows where the bodies are buried, and isn’t afraid to twist arms, or use what he knows to apply - let’s call it pressure - to get things done.
Inexplicably, Democrats have spent little time pointing out that exceptions aren’t real—even though they have all the proof they need.
The Democrats prove once again they are COMPLETELY INEPT at marketing -- which is EXACTLY what the Republicans do and do so fng well! The Dems are completely and totally trounced and annihilated by the Republicans every.single.time. They are always pulling the high road when the Republicans are the (successful) pigs in the mud.
If Dems had any capability what-so-ever Roe v Wade would NEVER have been overturned.
And instead of focusing on WOMEN'S RIGHTS -- which is what abortion is -- they are too busy trying to be all things to all people, I e defending the trans madness, which kicks the women to the curb. "Chestfeeding" and "pregnant person" makes Republican women (and men) want to puke. And the ones who MAY have been on our side -- that women need to control their internal organs and destiny -- simply "check out "that the Democrats are pathetic, unfocused, and batshit crazy.
I see you want to blame me before an event occurs. That is actually stopping imagination and ingenuity and is harmful to creativity. Pause and please stop your violence of blame, I do not agree or accept the premise of defeat you posit.
The problem with the whole "compromise" scenario is compromise is necessarily based on trust. At this point, I trust a pit viper more than I trust Republicans.
I’m currently watching Love & the Constitution on MSNBC, which is about Rep. Jamie Raskin. I think he’s one of the bright lights of the Democratic Party. I think you should ensure he gets a copy of this particular column. While he’s smart as a whip, and staunchly pro-choice, he’s a man, and my guess is that the misogyny underneath the exceptions probably slip right past him.
"We have the truth on our side so let's use it." I absolutely agree and think we need to acknowledge that the we in that sentence is not democrats and for this we boat needs to launch without them if they are not seen taking active and vocal measures to get on the boat with us. Looking at you Biden, stop being misogynistic and help get everyone the access to Healthcare and dignity they deserve in a country that has religious freedom. Stop letting religion dictate our laws, Biden, please do better.
Yes, we only really have two options: take to the streets and demand a new constitution, or Democrats win more elections. The public doesn't seem ready for that first one yet.
We also have the choice to hold all politicians accountable for their abortion stance as individuals and not give them a pass based on faulty binary logic or party affiliation.
Oh yes, I agree, but the way you hold them accountable is in Democratic party primaries. The way our system works it has to be done there. Third parties only help elect Republicans, and unless someone has a plan for making the Republican party pro-choice, it has to happen with Democrats. But yes I've been on the record here before that Democratic politicians who don't understand the urgency need to be replaced (in a primary) by someone else who does.
That is another false binary though, we can create a plurality system by breaking the two party system and implementing other ways to vote like Rank Choice Voting. This would also break the donor stranglehold on the binary voting system we currently endure. We need not endure oppression- we can be imaginative and dream of a different way and take actions on multiple fronts to get there. Say no to oppression in all its forms.
The problem with that is - what are we willing to give up to get there? Because a third party on the left means Republican victory, period.
IMO, the way to build another option is not to start at the top, but at the bottom. We’d have to build support on the local and state level first, so that when we run a presidential candidate, there’s an existing base of support.
Starting over at the top every four years just means defeat for the third party, and defeat for the Democrats. It doesn’t build a solid party that can last and be effective over the long term. Only by starting with school boards and city councils, then state wide offices, before living to federal offices, can we build a party with the power to make real, lasting change.
Please stop derailing the original point. We get to hold politicans accountable AND vote for them if we want to - we get choice. I asked for Biden to do better. Stop conflating my asking him to do better with him losing an election. Stop blaming people who ask their politicians to do better as the reason they lose elections. Stop the false binary and violence of blaming people who ask others to do better for all of us. Stop the violence of you own low expectations and giveothers the freedom of a dream that is inclusive and pluralistic and beyond what we have right now.
Well I'm also on record that the current constitution is lousy, and I certainly think there are better ways to elect officials than first past the post. So I don't disagree. But at the end of the day when there's an election, one must vote, and vote for the least bad option that can plausibly win. Those who say it's all oppression help hand the keys over to the fascists.
I disagree and believe in human imagination and ingenuity.
Thanks for your work.
Also, FYI, Gov. Kim Reynolds, R, Iowa, has called a special session. She really wants an abortion ban in Iowa. The session will be Monday, July 10. Some protests will take place at GOP leadership homes. Wish us luck.
I saw that! We included it in the newsletter tonight. Please keep me updated on the protests, I'd love to know more
There's a lady on Tic Toc who has been traveling to legislators' homes and talking on a bullhorn with a group banging pots and pans. I will try to find a link. Oh, and my earlier comment is in error. The Special Session is TUESDAY, July 11. The state representative who lives across the street said they are to gavel in at 8:30 a.m. and gavel out by 11 a.m. Public comments on the bill are overwhelmingly against it. Go, Iowans.
The anti-abortion movement’s deep hatred for women is irrefutable. As in your wonderful essay today, this should be the loudest and most prominent response to these inhumane people playing at religious rectitude.
Thank you so much Jessica for reporting so thoroughly on this.
In 2021 I learned personally how meaningless any exceptions would be in a Post-Roe landscape, because Pre-Roe wasn't good, either. And I live in permissive Maryland, needed no "exceptions", but was denied fast access to an abortion anyway. I lost most of the vision in my right eye as a result, but I am lucky to be alive.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/even-exceptions-to-abortion-bans-pit-a-mothers-life-against-doctors-fears/
I read this several days ago, Layla, and it just broke my heart, along with infuriating me. Thank you for sharing your story. I’m so very, very sorry that you went through this.
jfc I am so sorry. This is a NIGHTMARE. Thank you for sharing this, and your story. It's so important.
Thank you. I have had 5 surgeries by the best surgeons in the world who can handle this specific thing. I still need a 6th.
(I hope your Layla never deals with anything like this!)
This article just made me angrier and angrier the longer I read it. This part probably made me the most angry. "And the OB-GYN couldn’t even help Houshmand — she worked at a religiously affiliated hospital and Houshmand’s condition didn’t meet its standard for when abortions could be performed." Can't believe religious hospitals should be in the business of birth at all. So glad you're at least alive but at such an unnecessary cost.
Thank you. It is a huge ethical failure in this country that religious hospitals can practice their religion on patients in the name of medicine. How this was ever deemed legal is beyond me.
"Practicing their religion on patients" is a good way to put it. It's enraging.
Anyone who is pregnant should stay away from Catholic hospitals. Period. And EMTALA should cover miscarriages and other pregnancy related emergencies as well.
It was not a Catholic institution. I agree in general, but not everyone has a choice on facility. Insurance may only cover a religious institution nearby.
I lived in MD for 20 years and I’m shocked and sorry for your ordeal.
Unfortunately it's not always a choice. They're often the only care available in their area.
Word. But hospitals that get federal dollars should not be able to impose religious doctrine on patients.
Or state dollars either
So glad Jessica finally pointed this out. This isn't about "saving babies". It's about *using babies* as a justice system to punish women for their "sins". Never forget this underlying motivation when anyone makes these bad faith arguments.
Right! People forget too easily that this really is about misogyny
Jessica, please, please, please send this to Rep. Jamie Raskin. He’s so smart, and he’s got a real way with words. But as a man, my guess is that the good girl/bad girl ideology underpinning bans slips past his notice.
But also as a man, he can’t be accused of being a wild-eyed feminist, or of being “just a hysterical woman.”
The last sentence of this column. Over and over and over again. This is Democrats' last chance, because if we fail at this next year, we won't even be able to pretend we have a democracy anymore. Idk maybe that's what has to happen if Democrats can't get their shit together; we replace them with a resistance movement to an authoritarian regime :(
People really seem to have no idea that we are on the precipice of full-blown fascism.
Some people do. It's just not a big enough portion of the electorate yet. By the time it is it's too late. There are always those of us who know, and always a larger number who don't listen. It's fucking infuriating.
This is how I felt for forty plus years telling people that they *were* going to overturn Roe. Nobody effing listened. Everyone told me I was overreacting, that I was a “hysterical woman.” And they all had their “reasons” for why I was wrong.
Now we are facing full blown fascism, and I *still* can’t get anyone who doesn’t already see it to listen. Infuriating doesn’t begin to cover it, but I’m fresh out of words that do.
It's too horrible to think, so people tell themselves it can't happen here, I guess. Big mistake. Possibly a fatal mistake.
It's especially infuriating coming from fascists themselves who don't call it fascism but "freedom". Some seriously Orwellian shit.
They always do. It's freedom for the oppressor, slavery for everyone else. The question is always why so many people identity with the oppressor.
Lyndon B. Johnson probably said it best. "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
For all that I find LBJ personally distasteful, to put it mildly, what I wouldn’t give for someone like him who knows where the bodies are buried, and isn’t afraid to twist arms, or use what he knows to apply - let’s call it pressure - to get things done.