This just in:
A lawmaker in Alabama is backing off a provision that would have required women in his state to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound before getting an abortion — similar to a much-maligned measure in Virginia that was also eventually scrapped.
State Sen. Clay Scofield (R) submitted a bill last week that would have required a woman to undergo an ultrasound before she could get an abortion. The bill would have mandated that the doctor decide whether to perform a transabdominal or transvaginal ultrasound, “whichever would display the embryo or fetus more clearly.”
“We’re not requiring it unless the woman wants to get an abortion. If she doesn’t want to get an abortion, she doesn’t have to do it,” Scofield said last week.
~snip~
The bill passed out of Alabama’s Senate Health Committee by a 4-1 vote last Wednesday, but on Monday Scofield indicated that he is having second thoughts. Scofield said that he’s planning to amend the bill so that the woman can choose which type of ultrasound she prefers — though she would still be required to receive an ultrasound before getting an abortion.
”I am committed to amending this (bill) to specify that it is the woman’s choice which method of ultrasound that she would be more comfortable with,” Scofield said.
Well gee whiz, Clay. You mean you’re not going to require an ultrasound before getting an abortion if the woman doesn’t want to get an abortion?
You can’t buy logic like that, people.
Also, part of the reason that woman are grabbing their rusty pitchforks™ and poking them in the hindquarters of those who support these bills is that “jelly on the belly” ultrasounds don’t result in a clear image:
According to the Guttmacher Institute, 88 percent of abortions occur during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Because the fetus is so small at this stage, traditional ultrasounds performed through the abdominal wall, “jelly on the belly,” often cannot produce a clear image. Therefore, a transvaginal probe is most often necessary, especially up to 10 weeks to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The probe is inserted into the vagina, sending sound waves to reflect off body structures to produce an image of the fetus. Under this new law, a woman’s vagina will be penetrated without an opportunity for her to refuse due to coercion from the so-called “public servants” who passed and signed this bill into law.
But whatever. Logic isn’t these folks’ strongsuit.
In any event, this is another minor victory for the Uterati. Celebrate it, then continue setting the world on fire in the name of the almighty vagina.
***If you haven’t checked out Team Uterati’s new website, then I don’t know what you’re waiting for.
[via TPM]
The right not to be state-sanctioned raped. Sigh. I know it’s a victory, but it still rankles.
Seriously. I have to keep reminding myself that this isn’t 1812, it’s 2012. Anyone who thinks we don’t need feminism anymore, needs to have a seat at the Idiot Table.
Asia, OT but I hope you see this:
“Native Tongue” by Suzette Haden Elgin, 1984 & the sequel “The Judas Rose” 1987, SciFi. Chilling social commentary, a bit heavy on linguistics because Elgin is a linguist but I think they are worth reading even now if you want a picture of what life could be like under some of our Repugnants.
Not sure if they are still in print but you might be able to find the books if you are interested. While you read be prepared to grind your teeth, but enjoy seeing when women get the POWER! ♥
Thanks, Aquagranny! I Googled her name, and it’s actually trilogy. I put it on my Amazon Wishlist. It also reminds me that I haven’t actually read The Handmaiden’s Tale. I need to do that, though I’d rather not.
Wow, I didn’t know she had a third book. I must have been out of that loop somehow. ’87 through ’95 was somewhat of a blur for me, working, trying to finish graduate school & kicking teenage butt while moving 4 times takes a lot of energy. I will definitely look that third book up.
I have to tell you that I really didn’t care all that much for “The Handmaid’s Tale. It was OK but I have read better SciFi stuff on the same issues. That’s just, mho.