Thank you Jessica. As a paid subscriber I made a donation. I hope MAGA or the anti abortion people don’t come after substack. In my opinion I don’t think the valorizing women who suffer or die rather than get abortion care will take hold in the general public. Yes with CN and Catholics. Since they honor suffering and sacrifice. We do have each other and that is important. All I can say is I am going to stay strong and do what I can to help pregnant people during these difficult times ❤️❤️❤️
I am thinking that before 2006 (I got a new job then) a coworker informed me that a doctor in another country was proclaimed a saint. I may be remembering this wrong, but she had a life-threatening disease (cancer, I think) but refused to get an abortion, so she could be treated. She gave birth to a healthy child but died shortly afterwards. Does anyone else remember this?
Thank you so much for your work, Jessica! It's so frustrating to me that these issues don't get enough coverage and attention. It feels like no one actually cares. I recently became a paid subscriber and also just made a donation because this is so important to me. I'm grateful to you and everyone here who does care!
"And MAGA Republicans have proposed a bill to impose a national abortion ban, along with a bill urging Congress to support a consortium of antiabortion doctors for women because, the bill says, 'health care should emphasize the whole woman, including her physical, mental, and spiritual wellness,' and 'health care for women should also address the needs of men, families, and communities.' "
From Heather Cox Richardson's "Letters from an American" for January 8.
I’m a paid subscriber but I would be willing, when I’m financially able, to make an additional one time contribution to the cause. Is there a mechanism for doing that?
She has a link for 'donating directly to the newsletter' in the second-to-last paragraph of this post, so I think that would do it if that's what you mean.
Dearest Jessica, are you convinced you need a studio & a technician to simply record your columns? Robert Hubbell does his every evening w.out much fuss. I'd be willing to look into the best, low-tech way to move this forward if you'd like. At your service.
I think the FDAs treatment of mifepristone will be an interesting test bc it seems a lot of complacent women in blue states apparently sat out the election. Waiting for more data but something to watch.
VA & NJ have elections in 2025. Spanberger in VA needs support & she’s pro-choice. VA Dems running for legislative seats need help too! I think it’s very important to keep VA blue or it will be detrimental for southerners needing care.
The anti-abortionist will be fighting heavily in these 2 states & we need to also. They are good states to pay attention to attacks & verbiage that will be tested for 2026.
I love your plans for the future Jessica! Thank you!
- That 81% is misleading. Based on the referenda results around the country, I'd guess that only around 60% would vote our way. Which means there are a lot of 'pro-choice' Republicans who will still swallow the party line that actually enshrining it in law 'goes too far'. If we can't even get them in referendums we're certainly not getting them in partisan elections.
- If abortion is 'never medically necessary' 🙄🙄 then why does one need abortion training to be accredited as an OB/GYN? Any sense that they're going after that next? It would be logical for them unfortunately.
- I don't like misinformation but the problem with fact-checking is it can be weaponized too. Would our claims about what Republicans are going to do with abortion, contraception, no-fault divorce, etc. pass muster, or would we be branded misinformation because 'Trump said he wouldn't do it' 🙄 My concern is that we won't get the same free speech rights as the MAGAts. We need to watch for Republicans going after journalists, and anyone who speaks truth to power; we don't know whether the regime will jail us or worse but it would be a mistake to assume it couldn't happen here.
- I suspect mifepristone's days in the U.S. are numbered. The Republican position will be they didn't want to pull the drug, but they have no choice because they have to 'protect' states like Texas from states like New York. The quintessential abuser line: "You made me do it." The question is whether procedural abortions remain legal in blue states or if they try to use something like Comstock to stop it, by banning the shipment of medical supplies. I would guess not but who knows. And if they can't pull misoprostol I would expect to see it become a controlled substance in all red states.
- Obviously a lot worse than even all of this could happen, but the only way out of it is to preserve our freedom to tell the truth, and hope that wins out eventually. These kinds of regimes tend to try to restrict the free flow of information, and mass media is no use because they are more concerned about staying in Trump's good graces (it's always been all about the money for them).
The only thing I think I can do is post the truth on social platforms. Counter lies with facts. We probably can’t change the minds of the anti-abortionists, but to remain silent is unacceptable.
The sign saying "No laws exist to control men's bodies" should have an asterisk, as trans men's bodies are definitely being controlled, as are black men's bodies, as are…
It still fits though. For those picking these bans restricting trans men’s bodies makes sense because misogynists don’t consider them men and as a tiny minority percentage wise they don’t have the same cultural influence. That isn’t to dismiss them or to deny the real pain that trans and non binary people face just trying to live their lives. It’s to make clear that for the sexism about this issue be transparent we need to point out that if the cis straight male bodies were legislated, there would be am armed revolt, but women, that’s fine.
We need to stop playing the oppression Olympics. It’s all patriarchy. Same struggle different difference.
Meta users are now allowed to refer to “women as household objects or property” or “transgender or non-binary people as ‘it,’. I'm figuring out how to get off of FB and IG and still stay connected to the news and important causes.
Fortunately there are tons of reliable, independent media sources available now, many on Substack alone. I'm adoption to AED, there's Media Matters, Scott Dworkin Report, Robert Reich, Heather Cox Richardson, Jay Kuo, Slate (especially Dahlia Lithwicke), and much more. And BTW, there's a Resistance action to boycott mainstream media for 6 days, starting on Jan. 20th with boycotting watching the inauguration. Great time to discover and support independent media!
Bluesky has a very low tolerance for trumpers and nazis being abusive. I recommend you and all your friends migrate there. The Zuck does not deserve our business.
I deactivated my Instacooties account and my Nazibook author account this morning. I'm going to deactivate my main Nazibook account no later than January 19th. No regrets--it's like breaking up with a narcissist.
Thank you Jessica. As a paid subscriber I made a donation. I hope MAGA or the anti abortion people don’t come after substack. In my opinion I don’t think the valorizing women who suffer or die rather than get abortion care will take hold in the general public. Yes with CN and Catholics. Since they honor suffering and sacrifice. We do have each other and that is important. All I can say is I am going to stay strong and do what I can to help pregnant people during these difficult times ❤️❤️❤️
I am thinking that before 2006 (I got a new job then) a coworker informed me that a doctor in another country was proclaimed a saint. I may be remembering this wrong, but she had a life-threatening disease (cancer, I think) but refused to get an abortion, so she could be treated. She gave birth to a healthy child but died shortly afterwards. Does anyone else remember this?
If abortion Meds are poisoning our water, so is erectile disfunction Meds. Why is no one talking about that?
Thank you so much for your work, Jessica! It's so frustrating to me that these issues don't get enough coverage and attention. It feels like no one actually cares. I recently became a paid subscriber and also just made a donation because this is so important to me. I'm grateful to you and everyone here who does care!
Jessica, have you seen anything on this House Resolution 7? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Well, there it is:
"And MAGA Republicans have proposed a bill to impose a national abortion ban, along with a bill urging Congress to support a consortium of antiabortion doctors for women because, the bill says, 'health care should emphasize the whole woman, including her physical, mental, and spiritual wellness,' and 'health care for women should also address the needs of men, families, and communities.' "
From Heather Cox Richardson's "Letters from an American" for January 8.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/january-8-2024-d1f
I’m a paid subscriber but I would be willing, when I’m financially able, to make an additional one time contribution to the cause. Is there a mechanism for doing that?
She has a link for 'donating directly to the newsletter' in the second-to-last paragraph of this post, so I think that would do it if that's what you mean.
Dearest Jessica, are you convinced you need a studio & a technician to simply record your columns? Robert Hubbell does his every evening w.out much fuss. I'd be willing to look into the best, low-tech way to move this forward if you'd like. At your service.
Totally agree!!
Anyone on here from WV House District 91? Dems will choose a replacement. Applications being taken
I think the FDAs treatment of mifepristone will be an interesting test bc it seems a lot of complacent women in blue states apparently sat out the election. Waiting for more data but something to watch.
The "purity Ponies" sure did.
VA & NJ have elections in 2025. Spanberger in VA needs support & she’s pro-choice. VA Dems running for legislative seats need help too! I think it’s very important to keep VA blue or it will be detrimental for southerners needing care.
The anti-abortionist will be fighting heavily in these 2 states & we need to also. They are good states to pay attention to attacks & verbiage that will be tested for 2026.
I love your plans for the future Jessica! Thank you!
- That 81% is misleading. Based on the referenda results around the country, I'd guess that only around 60% would vote our way. Which means there are a lot of 'pro-choice' Republicans who will still swallow the party line that actually enshrining it in law 'goes too far'. If we can't even get them in referendums we're certainly not getting them in partisan elections.
- If abortion is 'never medically necessary' 🙄🙄 then why does one need abortion training to be accredited as an OB/GYN? Any sense that they're going after that next? It would be logical for them unfortunately.
- I don't like misinformation but the problem with fact-checking is it can be weaponized too. Would our claims about what Republicans are going to do with abortion, contraception, no-fault divorce, etc. pass muster, or would we be branded misinformation because 'Trump said he wouldn't do it' 🙄 My concern is that we won't get the same free speech rights as the MAGAts. We need to watch for Republicans going after journalists, and anyone who speaks truth to power; we don't know whether the regime will jail us or worse but it would be a mistake to assume it couldn't happen here.
- I suspect mifepristone's days in the U.S. are numbered. The Republican position will be they didn't want to pull the drug, but they have no choice because they have to 'protect' states like Texas from states like New York. The quintessential abuser line: "You made me do it." The question is whether procedural abortions remain legal in blue states or if they try to use something like Comstock to stop it, by banning the shipment of medical supplies. I would guess not but who knows. And if they can't pull misoprostol I would expect to see it become a controlled substance in all red states.
- Obviously a lot worse than even all of this could happen, but the only way out of it is to preserve our freedom to tell the truth, and hope that wins out eventually. These kinds of regimes tend to try to restrict the free flow of information, and mass media is no use because they are more concerned about staying in Trump's good graces (it's always been all about the money for them).
Thanks Zach. Very wise words. I’m concerned about Substack and will it withstand the pressure from MAGA
The only thing I think I can do is post the truth on social platforms. Counter lies with facts. We probably can’t change the minds of the anti-abortionists, but to remain silent is unacceptable.
The sign saying "No laws exist to control men's bodies" should have an asterisk, as trans men's bodies are definitely being controlled, as are black men's bodies, as are…
It still fits though. For those picking these bans restricting trans men’s bodies makes sense because misogynists don’t consider them men and as a tiny minority percentage wise they don’t have the same cultural influence. That isn’t to dismiss them or to deny the real pain that trans and non binary people face just trying to live their lives. It’s to make clear that for the sexism about this issue be transparent we need to point out that if the cis straight male bodies were legislated, there would be am armed revolt, but women, that’s fine.
We need to stop playing the oppression Olympics. It’s all patriarchy. Same struggle different difference.
Good point. And I’m not trying to play oppression Olympics but asking for inclusion is all.
(I’m a trans woman. Tans rights and reproductive rights are the exact same struggle, and that is bodily autonomy.)
Love these plans!!! This gives me so much hope! Thank you for all you’re doing!
Meta users are now allowed to refer to “women as household objects or property” or “transgender or non-binary people as ‘it,’. I'm figuring out how to get off of FB and IG and still stay connected to the news and important causes.
Fortunately there are tons of reliable, independent media sources available now, many on Substack alone. I'm adoption to AED, there's Media Matters, Scott Dworkin Report, Robert Reich, Heather Cox Richardson, Jay Kuo, Slate (especially Dahlia Lithwicke), and much more. And BTW, there's a Resistance action to boycott mainstream media for 6 days, starting on Jan. 20th with boycotting watching the inauguration. Great time to discover and support independent media!
Bluesky has a very low tolerance for trumpers and nazis being abusive. I recommend you and all your friends migrate there. The Zuck does not deserve our business.
It’s on my to do lists. I will miss my donkey and dog videos 😕
I just have to find my frigging fb password so I can close my account......
I hear you! I had two IG accounts, (accidentally) and couldn’t find the right password to shut them down, I’m still not sure I got them both.
I deactivated my Instacooties account and my Nazibook author account this morning. I'm going to deactivate my main Nazibook account no later than January 19th. No regrets--it's like breaking up with a narcissist.
Bluesky is my favorite socisl media now.
I'm ready for a fight!! AND A PODCAST!!! YES!