What appears to be a crowd of several hundred people gathered today at the Virginia state capitol. Standing silently in the cold, they lined the walkway used by the legislators who have been voting on -- and voting away -- women's rights in Virginia.
The Capitol ground rules say that we cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest. We think silence in the face of this struggle and their unconstitutional rules presents the strongest response to their assault on women. Please come out and stand up for our rights and for the rights of all women in VA to choose the best reproductive route for themselves. These people are used to signs, yelling, chanting etc. It is not new. They are not used to silently being stared at and having to look us in the eye. It gives us the power.
A new poll out today from the Christopher Newport University and the Richmond Times-Dispatch shows Virginia's Republican majority to the right of Virginians. About 55 percent of them say they don't like the measure that would require women seeking an abortion to first undergo a medically unnecessary transvaginal ultrasound. The Richmond paper reports the House was to vote on the bill today, but its patron chose instead to hold off for the day.
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Mandatory prostate exams for anyone wanting to go to a DC "massage parlor" or "gentleman's club."
Actually, an amendment was proposed to the ultrasound legislation to force men seeking prescriptions for Viagra and similar sexual aids to undergo prostate exams and heart health screenings - you know, to provide information to them that would help protect their health?? - but it was summarily shot down... BIG surprise...
Don't be an @$$h0le.
;)
What's the matter, Tom from Iowa? You worried that YOUR private parts will be examined?
I am a long-time resident of Vaginia, formerly known as Virginia.
If the Vaginia legislature and Gov. Bob I-hate-women McDonnell sign this vulgar transvaginal ultrasound bill into law, I want a Bill introduced to require that all MEN must have a cystoscope, the standard RIGID one, to be shoved up their penis with vengeance before they can have Viagra, Cialis or any other ED penis pep pill - oh yeah, and it must be performed AGAINST THEIR WILL. Excuse me, but what benefit does Viagra provide other than to boost a man's ego? Birth control has a myriad of health benefits, besides the benefit to society by reducing unplanned pregnancies, and far fewer abortions!
Picture of standard rigid cystoscope:
http://milamurology.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Rigid_Cystoscope.35065719_std.jpg
I'm so proud of all these people that showed up for this silent protest! It reminds me of the silent UCDavis protest after the horrendous pepper-spraying of the sitting students - very effective and made the Dean feel like she was in the Alfred Hitchcock movie "The Birds".
Thank you, ProChoiceGrandma--I'm one, also. Right on!
Forget about Viagra and boner pills, I think they should have all the unnecessary and invasive tests if they want to have a vasectomy, THAT'S the one that kills "babies" isn't it? Are vasectomies covered by people's insurance? Do religious institutions have to cover vasectomies? Why don't we hear about this?
Katy, very few men opt for a vasectomy, they are afraid their 'jewels' might be damaged, so it is usually up to the woman to continue on birth control pills or have her tubes tied.
I'm somewhat ashamed of Virginians that only 55% of them disapprove of this idiotic idea. It should be more like 95%. But at least there's some good news here.
It seems that, as dense as the state's Republican legislators are, it's beginning to dawn on even them that this may not be the road to future electoral success.
Yeah, I wouldn't count on that. More likely, the bill's sponsor will wait until it quiets down or there's some distraction, and then they'll force it through, probably in the dead of night.
Call me The Amazing Kreskin, but, if it does go thru, I predict that women will be forced to get this procedure from "authorized providor's", who will turn out to be donor buddies of the Republicans who pushed it thru, who will receive no-bid contracts for providing this violation, er, 'service', and who will profit from doing this to women against their will, and who will return the favor with more donations back to their fav GOP pols.
Yes, they are that greedy, morally corrupt, and craven.
And they want to run everything.
you nailed it. Just Like rick Scott and his welfare drug testing , with the bulk of the business going to his health care conglomerate buddies.
The best government money can buy.
Only 55% of Virginia Republicans may oppose the bill, but at least only 36% support it.
Love all of the above comments!
"Only 55% of Virginia Republicans may oppose the bill, but at least only 36% support it"
It isn't republicans at 55%, Madison, it is 55% of Virginians, which is a very low percentage. The bills Chief Patron is from central Va., Kathy Byron. She figures, probably, that if she holds off the vote for a day the hubub will die down. We can only hope that she is so very wrong.
Ruth - agreed. They need to pay attention to what happens to these women who undergo abortion in non-sterile settings. Indiana has the highest amount of restrictions on abortions, and not coincidentally had one of the most horrific deaths of a pregnant teenager (Becky Bell) at the hands of an illegal abortion. Just forcing a woman to have a baby when she doesn't want to doesn't automatically make her a happy, well adjusted person or a good mother, and certainly puts the children at higher risk of abuse. I wish people would get their head out of the sand, truly.
Madscientist74, you are making the mistake of assuming the republicans care about children. They don't. They only care about the pre-born, and the humans with a portfolio of half a million.
Republicans don't have to care about living children... that would be "socialist" They don't really care much about the unborn either. It is an issue they can use to distract their base so they will continue to vote for the policies that only serve those in power. They care about dictating what is acceptable & what is not. They care about their real God, Unlimited Profit, & how to increase it even at the expese of others . They care about getting The current President of the United States out of THEIR White House
I'm glad to see that creative means were used to demonstrate. Well done, Virginians!
Urethral probes required for Viagra prescriptions.
And leave 'em in -- then the impotentates won't need the Cialis or the Viagra or the Enzyte...
OUCH!!! URETHRAL PROBE.....DOUBLE OUCH!
Love all the above comments!
I say make vasectomies illegal. After all, aren't they ending the chances of millions of lives by prevention of spilling seed? See what happens when a man goes to an illegal vasectomy provider and gets an infection. Then we'll see how quickly these rules get changed.
I wonder how many MEN would let some back alley pseudo-doc do a snip and tuck on their family jewels?
So true!
Holy cow...how did Ricky overlook this? We need to point it out to him so he can add this to his list of things god wants us to do.....
Since only 55% oppose the bill to further infringe on a women's right to privacy, I wonder if the voters understand what their legislature is doing to them. I also find it strange that such a large percent of Virginians think the state is headed in the right direction and so few think it is headed in the wrong direction.
Can Virginians really be so misinformed and/or nonthinking? In the words of SNL - REALLY?
Media kinda has an information stranglehold... I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out that the other 45% really don't know what's going on.
Under-informed seems more likely. A whole lot of them (the 45-'centers) may have misunderstood the full extent of the proposed policy or only heard 'ultra-sound' which, as a procedute, is rendered benign-sounding by virtue of repetition. I need to see a photo of the intra-vaginal device to be used ... heh. Does it also vibrate? Heheh.
Check the dates on the poles. Only in the last week has the news of this been in the popular media. Pole the state next week, once everyone gets time to think about it. By then, of course, it may be too late. It is too bad that in this state, like most, the extreme social conservatives were elected with the tea party upsurge.
UNINformed is what most of us are as there is no media "journalism" or "investigative reporting" any more. I watched for a report on the all male Congressional team that denied the only female present a right to speak as they whiled away a family's right to contraception.
Oh, and that big population drop reported by USA Today..you can forget about THAT good news being reported in the future when Congress is through managing all our vaginas.
Nothing more than rape by the state!
Maybe you mean nothing less... because there is arguably more than that wrong with the law.
EXACTLY danw5-3064452. This law is nothing more than state sanctioned RAPE!
You are totally right. It gives me the creeps to even think of it...this is horrendous!!!! Anyone who says this is for anyone's good is lying. It is rape.
There in spirit - stand tall & make a difference!
Me too! I may actually be able to vacation in VA again if they change their sexist ways!
We had planned to vacation there, but even at 75, we can't tolerate the citizens being treated like cattle. We stand with you in spirit, Virginians.
Since when do state capitol grounds rules trump the first amendment?
Citizens United says corporations can spend unlimited amounts of money to sway elections, but in Virginia, apparently actual citizens aren't allowed to even open their mouths. Screwed up world.
Taxpayers built that capitol. Taxpayers should have unlimited access to it.
Absolutely sick that this legislation was sponsored by a WOMAN!! Our rights are slowly but surely being chipped away. If we aren't careful we will find ourselves sitting in our kitchens barefoot and pregnant wondering what the heck happened.
Not only find ourselves barefoot and pregnant but homeschooling our children, if Rick Santorum has his way. I am ashamed of being a Virginian. We are, literally, a national joke. Wonder who is organizing these protests and how I can be a part of it. We have got to take this outrage and support Tim Kaine, get Eric Cantor out and hopefully Terry McAuliffe for Gov.
Many women stood against our being given the right to vote. Women have no less a chance of being led then men, sadly. It would be nice to think that all women were willing to think and vote for what was in the best interests of women, but sadly, many are to brainwashed.
Someone did. :)
http://dcist.com/2012/01/ultrasounds_before_abortions_only_i.php
Of course anuses all over government clenched up tight on the thought and the amendment was immediately defeated...
But it was a worthy try.
As long as Cuccinelli and McDonnell are in power, they'll do anything to appeal to the TEAtard base. However, as a Virginian, I'm glad they're pushing these radical ideas. They're making it that much easier for the President to win Virginia again.
And hopefully turn the Senate, House, and State Legislature blue in the face of the state.
Time to get busy. GOTV
OMG @ Dutch.... Cuccinelli and Mac Donald ( of the farm...) are just like all the old white men who RULE Va. And until they are gone, we may as well go veiled. What is wrong with them? No wives? no daughters? No sense? I am sooo embarrassed by VA. AGAIN. ( And my brother lives in Alaska!)
The Christian right will not be deterred. Only voting can stop them. The movements for Prohibition and women's voting rights were achieved on a state by state basis. The anti-abortion movement is doing the same. Politicians want to stay in office and public opinion is usually enough to keep them in check. But there are fanatics who care little about public opinion. That is where voting works.
As this latest protest in Virginia makes abundantly clear; any woman voting Republican in November does so against her own best interests.
Her own and her sister's and mother's and women friends" interests.
Hey! As a man I see it as against my best interests also. For one thing I prefer not to wear a condom for another I do not want women to be subjugated I like them free and able to decide these things for themselves. Last thing I want is for women to get ticked off just for wanting to have a little fun without risking their lives or lifestyle.
@Paul
Some men need to control other people, most likely because they cannot deal with people that they believe are inferiors. This goes beyond gender.
Thanks to all who stood up for us in Virginia today. And special thanks to the men who joined the protest. This type of invasive assault on women should not be acceptable to anyone.
Stand tall, Virginian Mom. And I concur; it lends strength, and feels safer that some American men, with respect and integrity, have our back.
Well-stated. I'm on the western edge of VA and a lot of snow lay between me and the Capital - I appreciate every person participating on my behalf.
Will the silent majority rally in larger numbers tomorrow? They should. It seems Virgina legislators need to be reminded they are servants not dictators.
How long until the right begins screaming the demonstrators were all "paid and bussed in by ACORN"?
5...4...3...
LOL--but you are probably correct on that---hey, lunacy abounds!
I would like to know what makes these Republican men such experts about pregnancy, and the uterus. I am no expert on let's be blunt the penis and all it's health issues, however I am very familiar with Dick Cheney and he too was against the women's uterus, and choices. What's with these Republicans
So I am calling on all women..What is the best way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy?Abstinence. Get out your aspirins ladies and let's go on strike..I bet it wouldn't be long before the birth control issue just went away...
The silence of these brave women was heard across the country today. Thanks, Laura, for the posting.
The War on Women by the GOP continues.
Continuous attacks on planned parenthood.
Susan B. Kommen infiltrated by the GOP
Personhood amendment supported by all GOP Presidential candidates
Santorum attack on contraception
Issa's assembled panel of men to attack women rights
If you want more examples watch the daily political news.
Women are just the flavor of the year. They are using this to force religion into politics. Funny how the imaginary ghost of Sharia law as a call to arms while they try to push for Christian laws. Separation of church and state kept all religious laws out.
Women today since they got burnt with their racist attacks on African Americans and Muslim Americans. Tomorrow they will attack each other in attempts to decide whose religion shall rule us all.
Paul S. Cambell
I disagree. I think they have been and continue to be the main course for the American Taliban. Religious fundamentalists have been railing against women rights since we landed at Plymouth. For all I know the Indian men were probably trying to keep women in their place prior to that.
Today's forced rape by a vaginal probe is no different than branding an "A" on a woman's forehead. They are plain and simple punishment for violating some mans version of the Laws of God.
Only the tactics have changed,the goal has always been keeping women submissive to mans will.
I am sure the knuckle dragging Neanderthals had their own flavor of this punishment for women when they still roamed the earth. Again I'm sure only the tactics were different.
This trait is considered by some to be a genetically driven behavior to assure that an individuals genes are passed along. Regardless of it's roots we need to let women control themselves.
Thanks Pat these are all things we should remember.
Laura Conoway, thanks for the article. Can I ask for some legislative process specifics though? My understanding was that VA Senate Bill 484 passed on 2/01 and House Bill 462 passed on 2/14, and that the measure was headed to the Gov for signature. So what is up for a vote now? Was the vote scheduled for today a conference report (or whatever the equivalent is at the state level)? As a Virginian, these details matter to me. Thanks!
Fall Line, here are some good sites: http://legis.virginia.gov/1_cit_guide/how_bills.html
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+sum+SB484
It will be shot down as constitutionally invasive under the 4th Amendment. The intent of the law is to punish those seeking to get an abortion, something the supreme court has ruled is a constitutional right. A federal Judge will be quick to block this bill after it is signed by the VA Governor from becoming law.
so what next? they'll wait til the silent few go home and pass it tomorrow. there should be THOUSANDS there: women and MEN who COUNT on birth control to plan their lives & families.
I was there. It doesn't "Appear to be several hundred" , IT WAS. Counts ranged from 980 to over 1100. Men, women, babies, young, old. And many of us went into the General Assembly building afterwards to leave comments for Delegates and Senators. A comment was made in the Sen chamber by some legislative aides that this was the largest protest seen in 27 years at the Capital grounds. Additionally, we were protesting the 'personhood' bill, defining a fertilized egg as a full person. There is also a rally being held at 2pm. w/ speakers and supporters from the General Assembly. If you live in VA and you care about women's rights, contact your legislator and WRITE YOUR GOVERNOR. This war on women must end here, now.
Thank you all for being there. I had to care for my elderly cousin. :)
I know my words are a bit crass but this bill, if passed, will be like rape. Rape but legal, which sounds rather stupid. Yeah, this bill is stupid. it is wrong and should not be made lawful.
You aren't being crass. They are being crass and disgusting to even consider insisting that a woman put her legs into stirrups and submit to a forced penetration. How isn't that rape? And they are insisting that technicians and doctors participate!!!!! I would NEVER go back to any doctor who did that to me...scary and horrendous.
Thank you to all who showed up today in protest of the assault of our rights. I stood with you today for my Mother, my Daughters and for every one in Virginia who has had enough of this republican social agenda!!!! Vote them out!!!!!!