La Gallinero

i have never been as afraid of foreign terrorist as i have been of homegrown ones; namely those who profess to be protecting unborn babies.  There are plenty of people i am afraid of, like our government between 2000 and Jan. 20th 2009, like the police in Portland and like aggressive drivers but the people i fear the most are the self-righteous religious fanatics... of all strips.

i believe the reason congress will not give us single-payor healthcare is because they don't want to have a fight with those who want to keep women down.  That is the only way to put it. Barefoot and pregnant, is the old fashion phrase but it is the reality.  The men i know get very defensive when i speak up for women's rights.  There are a lot of reasons for that and i won't go into them but that keeps me from talking about women's rights in 'polite' company.  So many people, not just men, think the fight for our rights is over.  They are so wrong.  Roe v Wade is law but in practice women are denied their right to sovereignty over their own body by constricting access.  Equal pay for equal work is the law but we are not allowed to know the wages of fellow employee so we cannot confirm compliance to the law (another good reason to pass the card check law).

It occurred to me today that by law we protect the privacy of healthcare records (i work in medical billing and know the lengths we must go to protect medical records) but in the case of women's reproductive health all bets are off.  If a woman wants an abortion (for whatever reason) or wants birth control (either the pill or the morning after variety) she is subjected to a marathon of hurdles from healthcare professionals and pharmacists.  When it comes to a women's reproductive medical issues her privacy is lost.  She must seek cooperative professionals thus exposing her medical issue.  Where is equal protection?

i am mourning the assassination of Dr. Tiller and am having trouble processing it all.  i get so angry at people's deliberate ignorance.  Dr. Tiller performed late term abortions.  These types of abortions are agonizing decisions for the women involved but if you believe the lies of the righteous pro-lifers these women are callous baby killers who decide weeks before delivery that they no longer want the baby.  Holier-than-thous!  

There is a vigil here in Portland on Sunday at 6pm.  Go to Oregon Naral for more information.  i think i am going to go and maybe i will start volunteering at a women's health clinic.  Perhaps it's time to put my body where my mouth is.

Signing off in sorrow, chickies and roos,

Cynthia