Jivin J’s Life Links 3-9-11
by JivinJ, host of the blog, JivinJehoshaphat
- Remember how after the Arizona shootings there was this big debate over the importance of language and rhetoric and how numerous liberals blamed the shootings on conservative rhetoric? Well, now the pro-choice blog Feministing has a bowling team for a bowl-a-thon to raise money for the National Abortion Access Fund.Their name: The Boehner Killers.
- Pro-choice college students in Amherst organized a small protest against a local crisis pregnancy center on International Women’s Day. While the protesters claimed Birthright International is deceptive and tries to pass themselves off as a “comprehensive reproductive health clinic,” the reporter notes a description of their services from Birthright’s web site:On the homepage of Birthright’s website they ask, “Are you pregnant and in need of help?” Below the question the homepage reads, “we can offer you free pregnancy testing, completely confidential help, non-judgmental and caring advice, friendship and emotional support, legal, medical and educational referrals, prenatal information, maternity and baby clothes, housing referrals, social agency referrals, information on other community services, adoption information.”
Yep, that sure sounds like an organization trying to pass itself off as an abortion clinic to me.
- The Indianapolis Star has a piece about a pro-Planned Parenthood protest outside the state capital. The article also includes information on various pieces of pro-life legislation including a measure to defund PP’s state funding and ban abortions after 20 weeks:“There’s virtually nothing to stop these now that there’s a Republican majority in both houses and a Republican governor,” said Robert Dion, political science professor at the University of Evansville.
Mar.09, 2011 2:00 pm |
Blogs |
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
I had to leave a comment at the Birthright protest article. It’s awaiting approval from the moderator. I doubt it will be posted. Here’s what I posted:
I didn’t receive the promised counseling from the abortion clinic and lived with regret for years. It was help from a crisis pregnancy center that helped me towards healing. This article fails to mention that. It is a shame that on International Women’s Day there was a protest at Birthright. So much for giving women more options. I don’t feel at all empowered having an abortion. I was pro-choice at the time of the abortion, but after having my feelings of regret dismissed during my “counseling” appointment in which my counselor did not show up, I realize that I was only important when I had the abortion. Abortion clinic staff said they would be there for me anytime after the abortion; however, they did not make it clear that they would NOT be there for me if I had regret. Maybe abortion clinics should be forced to post, “If you have regret after your abortion, seek services elsewhere.”
I tried to leave a comment there but couldn’t for some reason.
Hmm . . . with all the horrendous problems facing women today, I just wonder if these women couldn’t volunteer at a shelter for battered women or something? But I guess they were more concerned about the thousands of women who die and or injured every year in these horrible CPC’s.
Secondly, couldn’t anyone of average intelligence discern from the name “Birthright” and the services offered that this organization does NOT offer abortions? And from one of the protestors:
Gutierrez added that while she was happy with her decision to have an abortion, she wished more resources were available for women to explore their options in a safe environment.
CPC’s are trying to offer women options, but apparently these protestors only think abortions is the only viable one.
Hi phillymiss,
Excellent points.
As a birthright volunteer I never recall any client being incapable of standing up and leaving, or hanging up a phone, when she determined she did not want to avail herself of the services offered.
It just amazes me that women can head governments, serve in the military, run businesses, head families, even pilot spacecraft, but are rendered totally helpless when they cross the threshold of a CPC.
I also know of no women who were ever injured, overdosed, or killed at our Birthright center.
RCH… hope your comment is posted. It was excellent.
Phillymiss, you’re right! Very pro-woman of them to try to deny women REAL options. Those CPC’s do kill and maim women by the thousands every year. Pffft.
Mary, I volunteer at Birthright too. We are there for the moms who need diapers or formula and HELP. We give it willingly and FOR FREE. Do abortion clinics give help for free? Didn’t think so.
Did you say the “Boehner Killers” or the “Baby Killers”?
RCH, looks like yours is the only comment there!
Me too, Sydney and Mary ;) Or at least I USED to until I moved out of the area where Birthright is located. I loved volunteering there, though.
The students at Amherst are not pro-choice – they are pro-abortion.
They don’t have a clue what choice means.
. . . free pregnancy testing, completely confidential help, non-judgmental and caring advice, friendship and emotional support, legal, medical and educational referrals, prenatal information, maternity and baby clothes, housing referrals, social agency referrals, information on other community services, adoption information.”
OH THE HORROR!!
I clicked on one of the bowler’s pages and added the following comment (which I expect to be deleted):
Wow. In NYC, 4 out of every 10 pregnancies end in abortion. Among African Americans in NYC, 6 out of 10 pregnancies end in abortion. And you don’t think that’s enough? When will the stats be high enough? When 10 out of 10 pregnancies end in abortion?
On that page the bowler herself has written: By raising money, I am filling a vital health care gap by helping women pay for abortion care, emergency contraception, options counseling, child care during abortion procedures, and transportation costs to clinics. I’m supporting our community members when they need me most.
Again, I say wow. Just what gap does this woman think she’s closing?
ninek,
The pro-choicers spout the same stuff over and over – they must be women’s studies majors over at Amherst. Lord help them if they are. I have to wonder if they know any girls who got pregnant and decided to give birth to their child. Seriously. Abortion seems like a reflex to them. This quote you wrote above is typical – they cannot see that you don’t help a community by destroying its people; you help with offers to baby sit, make meals, go grocery shopping, give rides to the doctor, to women who have new babies. Babies should not be seen as the enemy!
OH THE HORROR!!
Phillymiss @ 5:03,
I’d be there in a NY minute if I could get a fraction of that kind of support!
Janet, it’s really sad. They do see babies as the enemy because babies (but not sex) interfere with their plans for their futures. Most of them can’t fathom themselves having children until their 30s – at least according to a lot of the women I’ve talked to who are single and in their 20s. And as you can see from Ashley’s example about her own life – women of this age group are pressured (I think possibly even moreso than boys!) to “make something of themselves.” And that implies that there are to be no babies. Sure, we can’t expect them to abstain from sex, but they’d better not experience any natural consequence of that sex. The modern feminist movement implies that unless we stuff our fertility, we’re not equal to men.
women of this age group are pressured (I think possibly even moreso than boys!) to “make something of themselves.”
Kel,
I experienced the pressure growing up in the ’70’s at the height of the feminist revolution. It’s not too late to let girls know that being a mom is a noble profession/vocation. I’m encouraged by the many commenters here who believe that and are teaching their children! Boys need to be taught that as well! Too many men expect women to go back to work as soon as their baby is 4 or 5, so they can pay the mortgage on their 3,000 Sq.ft. home. What a disaster that can be when a woman feels drawn to stay home!
Kel,
I say, we’re equal to men, but not the SAME. :)
Dropped this at the Indianapolis Star.
You can see for yourself how Planned Parenthood helps Indiana women in need. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTxsWZz9whg .
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You can learn more about Planned Parenthood cancer screenings here: http://themorningafter.us/no-mammograms-at-planned-parenthood/ . Did you know that the Komen Foundation and Planned Parenthood collaborate in this effort?
women of this age group are pressured (I think possibly even moreso than boys!) to “make something of themselves.”
OH, the horror, the horror, Let’s go back to the good old days when daddy made the “bread” and mommy made babies. Education is so wasted on those silly gals who should just be content to be barefoot and pregnant. Those silly Amherst gals could save their parents so much money if they just did what nature wants them to – have lots of babies. Meaningful careers for women – balderdash, I say!
Seriously. Abortion seems like a reflex to them.
And seriously, that’s your business how?
CC,
Seriously. Abortion seems like a reflex to them.
And seriously, that’s your business how?
Because I don’t like to see innocent babies die. (I think you knew that already.)
So you have nothing else to say about an “abortion reflex” besides it’s none of my business?
Lovely.
CC,
Since you are so gun hoe on women in the workplace, what kinds of jobs do women’s studies majors go for? How has that major empowered women???? Don’t you think it’s kind of a waste of time, unless you want to go to grad school in law or become a professor and teach it to the next generation?
Seriously, CC, it’s too bad your generation was so busy killing babies, you never thought to make pregnancy a normal part of a woman’s life. You never thought that daycare at work and lunch hours with your kids should be part of a normal life. You never thought that a pregnant girl taking finals in high school should be a normal part of life. Oh, no, not you. “Kill them all!” You cry, ”Kill them all!”
And why? Why can’t a woman be pregnant? Why do her fellow females treat her like she’s second class? Why do you treat babies as if they’re an enemy? What about girl babies? Are girls your enemy?
Abortion is treason against the human species.
CC,
Uh, yeah, because that’s exactly what was suggested- women go back to making babies and stay out of school…
I love how someone can say, “I’m pro-life and strongly support women’s rights,” and you say, “AHA! So you are against women’s rights! GOTCHA!”
You and Joan, actually. You’re almost the same person.
Really, if it must be explained: girls shouldn’t be pressured to abort, nor should we as a society force girls to choose between education and children. No man or boy is pressured to pick between one or the other. Social change is necessary.
But I will disagree with Janet in this instance about the usefulness of women’s studies.
OH, the horror, the horror, Let’s go back to the good old days when daddy made the “bread” and mommy made babies. Education is so wasted on those silly gals who should just be content to be barefoot and pregnant. Those silly Amherst gals could save their parents so much money if they just did what nature wants them to – have lots of babies. Meaningful careers for women – balderdash, I say!
*eyeroll* Oh, yes, that’s EXACTLY what I meant, CC. I want my daughter to have less opportunity than my sons. Yup. Uh huh. That must be it.
You gotta love that making babies means you can’t do anything else. :D LOL!! No wonder you hate people like Sarah Palin. Five children AND a career without aborting them? Oh, the HORRORS! How dare you remind us of the children we aborted so we could “have it all!”
This turn around never, ever works with deathmongers, but just for those of you lurking and not commenting:
If you think dead babies are none of my business, what about you? What if a group of people declares war on you because you are in their way? Should I let them kill you and shrug and say, “oh well, it’s none of my business…”
Oh, this could be the new slogan:
“Every old woman a wanted old woman. And if she’s not wanted: off with her head!”
Really, if it must be explained: girls shouldn’t be pressured to abort, nor should we as a society force girls to choose between education and children. No man or boy is pressured to pick between one or the other. Social change is necessary.
Well said, Vannah.
OH, the horror, the horror, Let’s go back to the good old days when daddy made the “bread” and mommy made babies. Education is so wasted on those silly gals who should just be content to be barefoot and pregnant. Those silly Amherst gals could save their parents so much money if they just did what nature wants them to – have lots of babies. Meaningful careers for women – balderdash, I say!
CC,
I don’t see why you have such a thing against women being stay-at-home mothers–if that’s what they want to do, what are you objecting to?
If a woman wants to have a career, that’s fine, but aborting a baby in favor of a career is a skewed perception of the dignity of life.
A woman doesn’t have to quit her job to be a mother (it’s certainly easier, but it’s not a requirement). I know women who have worked outside the home and I know women who have given up their careers to be with their kids. As far as I know, neither side aborted their babies in favor of either career move.
Motherhood is the hardest BEST job I’ve ever had. I may not get a paycheck, but my offspring’s hugs are worth more to me than any paycheck. My husband is the primary breadwinner and I’m cool with that. I have a part-time job, and I’m working on another career move. No corporate or any other kind of outside-the-home work has ever pleased me as much as what I’m doing now.
Education isn’t everything, CC. It is important and it has it’s place, but it’s not the only thing that determines a person’s financial/emotional/mental/physical/psychological or spiritual success.
LOL!! No wonder you hate people like Sarah Palin. Five children AND a career without aborting them? Oh, the HORRORS! How dare you remind us of the children we aborted so we could “have it all!”
There are actually a lot of reasons to dislike Sarah Palin, and this isn’t one. I had one abortion because the father convinced me I would never graduate or have a career. (Apparently, pregnant women can’t handle things like reading and going to class.) I spent the next 2 years getting drunk on my couch, going to bars, and being unemployed for over a year. (Mostly out of sheer laziness and lack of motivation to do anything with my life.) I’m pregnant now, working, and about 12,000 words into my first novel, which I’ve wanted to do my entire life. I actually started working long hours on it when I found out I was pregnant and could no longer go out drinking 5 nights a week. So I’ll let you judge the wisdom of the “unplanned pregnancy will ruin your life plans” canard.
I also broke up with the father and latched onto the next guy–the second one to get me pregnant. (The first one ended in a very early miscarriage or “chemical pregnancy” last summer.) I became clingy and emotionally needy. I had some problems with drinking and unhealthy relationships before the abortion, but nothing compared to after. I wouldn’t say I was empowered to take control of my life and my future, which is another pro-choice talking point.
I don’t speak for all women, obviously, and I know all of them do not feel this way about their abortions. I just know what it did to me.
Mississippi:
Highest teen birth rate in the country and incredible restrictions on abortion. State with one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the country; less than 40% of teen moms will graduate from high school. Where are the Pregnancy Resource Centers, hmm?
I volunteer at one of those “old folks homes” that CC better pray she doesn’t end up in (cuz then she’ll be as helpless as the fetus she hates so badly).
Guess what is on the walls in their rooms? Family photos.
Guess what’s NOT on the walls? Their diplomas.
Megan
Not to worry people who really care about women will be there to help. There will just be no dead baby as an incentive.
But “I will disagree with Janet in this instance about the usefulness of women’s studies.”
Vannah,
Since Amherst is mentioned above, I’ll use that school as an example. I see Women’s Studies as too narrow – an area of study that could be incorporated into a Sociology curriculum, for example. Here’s the description from the Amherst website:
Women’s and Gender Studies is an interdisciplinary and cross-cultural exploration of the creation, meaning, function, and perpetuation of gender in human societies, both past and present. It is also an inquiry specifically into women’s material, cultural, and economic productions, their self-descriptions and collective undertakings. We invite you to join us.
What do you think are the redeeming qualities of this degree? I should reveal that I’m a big fan of a broad liberal arts education which definitely influences my opinion on this subject.
There are actually a lot of reasons to dislike Sarah Palin, and this isn’t one.
I agree that there are a lot of reasons people dislike her. AND this is one reason among many. She represents what a lot of modern feminists insist cannot be done.
“Where are the Pregnancy Resource Centers, hmm?”
http://ramahinternational.org/mississippi.html
http://www.christianaction.com/images/…/Pregnancy_Care_Centers_List.pdf
Also, I’d like to know what low high school graduation rates have to do with an assumed lack of pregnancy care assistance in Mississippi.
Megan 8:16PM
Where has 37 year of legal abortion been? I thought abortion would solve these problems. There is also a PP in Mississippi. Certainly they have made a major difference?
@Ashley: This is very off-topic, but… Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo, and if not, can I encourage you to do it? A month of novel-writing craziness and it’s so super fun, even if it does require you to become slightly deranged for the duration.
Ashley,
Novels- yay! Happy writing to you, from a fellow writer! I wish you the best. :)
Janet,
The redeeming qualities of such a degree would be education on the state of women around the world, a broad knowledge of history, and perhaps a passion for social justice. Obviously, we’re all different- my biggest concern would be questions of ethnocentrism, but surely that is an issue that is addressed.
I wouldn’t mind a class in women’s studies myself- it perhaps is less financially valuable as a degree. You can use it to get a broad understanding of the world; or you can teach or join an organization that works in women’s issues.
And I agree with you about the liberal arts. I love them! It’s the single most difficult factor of my education- what should I study? Eek! Right now, I study two anthropology courses, two science courses, one history course, and a philosophy course. I study anthropology here, but when I move schools, I will study something else. What sorts of things interest you? :)
Hi Vannah,
A class in women’s studies might be interesting just to get a feel for what they’re teaching.
What’s most important in your education is to learn to think for yourself in the end, and not to take everything you’re taught at face value or let others tell you how you should think, IMHO. That goes for any discipline.
If you love to write, do it as much as possible in between your classes. As I’m sure you know, the more well-rounded you are in other subjects, the more (writing) job options you’ll have. Maybe you’ll be the next J.K. Rowling! I studied International Business, Spanish and Liberal Arts when I was in college many years ago. Obviously, I’m dedicated to the pro-life movement now, I enjoy historical novels, anything Church related – history, etc…, photography, learning Photoshop and being a mom and wife. Learning keeps life interesting!
I also left a comment at the Birthright protest article, posted here in case it gets ‘lost’ in moderation limbo:
“These women are clearly misinformed. Women unable to get prenatal health care or provide for their babies are more likely to feel that abortion is their only choice. Having help available from Birthright makes sure they actually have a viable choice to keep or make an adoption plan for their babies, too. These women can continue to preach about ‘choice’, when abortion clinics start giving out free baby cribs and diapers to families in need.
“As for the supposed false advertising, who in their right mind would think an organization with the word “birth” in the name would do abortions?
“It’s sad to see women treating other women this way. Our fertility is not a disease! Places like Birthright refuse to treat it like one.”
So for those who think they should abort just to have a career….I hope you realize that when you’re old and gray and you have retired…
your career wont visit you when your sick
your career wont be joining you for the holidays
your career wont be on your bedside when you take your last breath.
And also for CC. I am a working mother….I give 8-10 hours a day to my career. But the best part of my daily life is when I come home and I am greeted by hugs and kisses. My career will never be able to give me the same satisfaction.
By the way, you have no proof Sarah Palin has never had an abortion, you’re just assuming she hasn’t. The more open I am about mine, the more women admit to me that they have too, including some very unlikely suspects. And a lot of them call themselves pro-life.
I haven’t tried novel writing month, but I’d like to.
As for abortion-pushers, it’s not just that they think you’ll ruin your career/future plans if you don’t abort. What’s really shocked me is the materialism. When people were giving me their reasons I should have an abortion, a lot of it included missing out on the supposed “finer things in life,” like vacations, a fancy wedding, and a fancy house, because our incomes would need to go toward the baby and law school for now. I’d say about 25% of it was “concerns” about my future and the other 75% was about money and/or image. (“You won’t have a nice wedding!”)
Which is disgusting.
Abort or face a life of misery without the “finer things” right, Ashley?
You will have one of the FINEST!! A baby!
By the way, you have no proof Sarah Palin has never had an abortion, you’re just assuming she hasn’t. The more open I am about mine, the more women admit to me that they have too, including some very unlikely suspects. And a lot of them call themselves pro-life.
That’s true, we don’t have public proof that Sarah Palin has never aborted. But I guess when we see how her last pregnancy went – with accusations that she wasn’t even pregnant, isn’t Trig’s mother, and the diagnosis of DS before his birth – we realize that she could have taken that road had she and Todd not been pro-life.
One of the reason why many of the women you talk to call themselves pro-life even though they’ve had abortions (which, btw, is not necessarily a contradiction – you know that, right?) is because they have suffered greatly from their abortions. I think that sounds a little bit like your story, doesn’t it?
Ashley….a fancy wedding can’t smile at you, but your baby will. Prayers and thoughts for a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby. Make sure to get plenty of rest while you can.
my sister in law is a stay at home mom now, but 7 years ago, she was working part time (I think it was part time) as a speech pathologist at a public school. After baby number 2 was born (which was seven years ago), she decided not to go back to work.
When people were giving me their reasons I should have an abortion, a lot of it included missing out on the supposed “finer things in life,” like vacations, a fancy wedding, and a fancy house,….
Ashley,
You’ve got a good attitude. Take a good look at all the wealthy people in Hollywood who’ve completely messed up their personal lives. A lifestyle alone doesn’t make one content with their life.
Ashley and Janet:
To quote a popular song: “Money can’t buy me looooveeee” :-)
CC you say, that’s your business how?
It’s our business because we live in this country and have a right to speak out on something that is immoral. I think it is wrong to kill an innocent person for the sake of a career and that’s what it comes down to.
Are the unborn human and Is it okay for a woman to kill them for their career or to maintain their lifestyle?
Ashley, I really doubt that Sarah Palin ever had an abortion. Whatever else you might think about her, I think it’s pretty obvious that she’s open and upfront about her life and her beliefs. Also, if you look at her wedding date and her oldest child’s birthdate, it appears she was pregnant whe she and Todd got married. She talks in one of her books about finding out Trig had Down Syndrome, being away from home, realizing she could have an abortion and no one would find out, and understanding why so many women have abortions. There are a lot of things people do and don’t admit, but that doesn’t point at Sarah Palin having secretly done any of them.
It sounds to me like a lot of the people you know are more obsessed with money than anything else. Are there any other pregnant women you know that you could be friends with?
On the subject of Birthright, I don’t volunteer there (I tried, but I couldn’t fit it into my class schedule), but I’ve donated there several times. Buying baby clothes on clearance is fun. :D