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After Tiller: What Will Happen To The Women?
(This post originially ran on NPR.)
What will happen to the women?
This central question haunted me Tuesday when I heard that Women's Health Care Services, Inc., where Dr. George Tiller provided care to women for more than 30 years, would close permanently.
I can't imagine the pain Dr. Tiller's wife and children are experiencing. It is a sad day for our country when the very family members who stood by their husband and father as he endured countless attacks are forced--as a result of his murder-- to make a decision to close the medical center that he fought so hard to protect.
I thought about Karen from Pennsylvania, who shared this comment on our blog: "Dr. Tiller, you saved my niece Jeanette's life, you helped our family through one of the darkest, most desperate and unthinkable moments we ever experienced. When we thought there was no where to turn, there you were."
Now only two providers in the country are able to help families like Karen's through similar tragic situations. These women often find out late in their pregnancy that something's gone wrong--and they have to make the most profoundly personal and difficult decision of their lives.
It is for these women that pro-choice Americans organized more than 50 vigils in Dr. Tiller's honor in 24 states. These Americans know that Dr. Tiller's murder is not an isolated incident. It is part of a pattern of harassment and intimidation designed to make it impossible for women to access the safe, legal abortion care they need.
These women's stories must not be forgotten as abortion opponents stand before television cameras to denounce Dr. Tiller's murder, while they continue to use inflammatory rhetoric that demonizes abortion providers in their anti-choice propaganda.
Even before Dr. Tiller's murder, notorious anti-choice blogger Jill Stanek told Newsweek that, after pro-choice gains in the 2008 elections, it was time for "guerilla warfare" against abortion providers. Stanek last week posted the names and locations of two doctors who offer care to the women Dr. Tiller and his staff used to help.
The disdain and disrespect for women's health and privacy doesn't end there.
Troy Newman, the head of Operation Rescue, an organization that moved its headquarters to Wichita specifically to target Dr. Tiller's health center, told The Associated Press that his group "would love to make an offer for the property and that his group had discussed the idea."
Mr. Newman once again demonstrates how callous he is. The question isn't, "What will happen to the building?" It is, "What will happen to the women?"
Follow Nancy Keenan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/NARAL
Nancy Northup: Misremembering Dr. Tiller: How Law & Order Got It Wrong
It's never a good idea to look to primetime television for a fair and accurate depiction of the abortion debate. Without fail, TV writers stretch...
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Hopefully, some brave female doctors will be able to get trained in these procedures and begin one by one to fill the void of Dr. Tiller. Where ever they are I hope they find the courage to step forward.
What a radical idea? Worry about the women themselves?! The administration is to busy triangulating with the evangelical voter. Principles are principles, rights are rights, no matter what the religious say.
What will happen to the women? Same things that happened before late-term abortions - they'll have to incur the risks of a c-section or bear the dead or defective fetus vaginally. Or they'll die in the process.
Yes, back to back street abortions. But of course women's lives are not the "priority" of anti-abortionists. Their priority is to stop women having choices in how they live their lives.
Perhaps it's time for stark pictures of deaths and injury from back street abortions be shown on posters. Perhaps women might think twice about the desperate choices some women have to make if legal abortions are unavailable. Particularly to poor women.
Women in America have lost ground in the past 10 years.
National Day of Protest Sept 15. No work, no spending money. If we do not get equality, especially in the courts, we will protest as long as it takes to stop the economy dead.
Keep the clinic out of the hands of the murderers.
Will not some brave doctor step up to the plate and continue Dr. Tiller's work? Is there no one that will serve the legal needs of these women?
Don't let the murderers win. We need to save this clinic and keep it open to serve the LEGAL medical needs of women throughout the United States.
Operation Murder needs to know they have NOT won.
I remember reading that at least a couple of doctors have said they will take up in Dr. Tiller's tragic absence.
Understandably, they're not being very public about it right now.
Here is an article. It goes well with this one for those interested in furthering the discussion in knowledge. :
www.abortiontv.com/Methods/GeorgeTiller.htm
Yet he never violated Kansas law, huh.
And a 7 year old link, really? You may want to up-date your propaganda.
I am fairly certain the data won't change. You can't do any more abortions in years that have passed. ;)
Remember: Lawful does not equal right.
No, pure numbers do not change but perspectives and knowledge hopefully does.
"Lawful does not equal right"
That is your opinion only. Fact is, lawful does equal a right that is protected by law. See; the FACE act.
"The federal FACE law is designed to protect both those providing and those receiving reproductive health care services. It forbids the use of "force, threat of force or physical obstruction" to prevent someone from providing or receiving reproductive health services. The law also provides for both criminal and civil penalties for those who break the law."
http://www.prochoice.org/about_abortion/violence/FACE_act.html
As for your link from a christian website...I did a little studying up on the Brian D. Parks (funny thing, can't seem to find any educational credentials for him) who wrote that essay, seems he writes for catholic publications as well and is a contributing member to the catholic newsletter "Crusader Chronicle"
http://magis.strakejesuit.org/alumni/Chronicle/ccfall02.pdf
So, to say his essay would be a little skewed is an understatement. His interpretation of data is seen through the lens of his ideology. But, if you'd like to bring forth a link that is credible with verifiable sorces I'd be more than happy to engage you in a discussion. Otherwise, arguing Mr.Parks essay would be tantamount to arguing religion and I have no intention of wasting time on a non-reality based topic.
Christian websites don't count.
And humanist websites? Athiest websites...?
You limit your understanding and your validity.
Great article! It's hard to believe that our nation, the most affluent on earth, still has millions of uneducated primitive thugs that understand nothing.
It probably has something to do with the under-funded American public education system and the ability of the Right to be unchallenged in their promotion of backwards, irrational, and thoroughly illiberal beliefs. If there is to be any hope that one day these conservatives will be enlightened too, people will have to start a counter-movement against their's. Only when they realize that their right-wing ideology limits their own freedoms and their own capacity to grow (like learn actual science), can the entire American nation move forwards into the future--and leave all bigotry behind.
I don't think that thoughtful, balanced understanding of the issues is a focus of christian schools.
"I don't think that thoughtful, balanced understanding of the issues is a focus of christian schools."
How would you know?
I hope that in Kansas, another brave soul will step forward to take Dr. Tiller's place.
Young physicians are not being trained in these procedures.
And Dr. Tiller was one of the very few who could train them.
Have hope! Look at this!
http://iamdrtiller.com/
Eventually, it is going to be a winger's wife who needs Dr. Tiller. But, Tiller won't be there for her. Oh well.
Thinker...sadly..that brave soul..will practice with a target embedded on his/her scrubs...(are there no female doctors doing the terrible but necessary last term terminations?...just a thought)..
We read the news...young and old people literally taking their immediate lives in their hands in protest against the Iranian elections... We americans kvetched in 2000 and again with less vigor in 2004)...when W took the election(s)...we bitch some more when a brave man like Tiller stepped up..knowing the danger...but sadly (and I'm including myself in shame)...we do NOT take to the streets en mass.... frankly, compared to the Iranians we're seeing up front and personal...we are shamefully timid and spineless...angry...yes...but still a bit too comfortable to tip the apple cart and spend a night in jail....
I deplore abortion...but...it's NOT MY BODY...period..and you evangelicals..that baby..straight shot to heaven...no crap or pain..just pearly gates...
our nation...had a shot at greatness..in the 60's...and we blew it...for comfort... I imagine there is a special ring in Dante's inferno for cowards.....
I would hope that no one has to lay thier head on their pillow at night and see the horrific vision of what they just did to kill an unborn baby. What a horrible wish for you to make for someone. Why do you not go to school to become a Dr and then you can do these proceedures yourself.
The word "procedures" has one "e", not 2. Your home schoolin' is showing.
A Radical Notion: Women's Health Care as Mainstream
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cecile-richards/a-radical-notion-womens-h_b_217505.html
How about something like that?
This is terror - simple and pure. If this country is serious about terrorism they should start right here with anti-abortion lunatics. It is one thing to oppose abortion and completely another to go and kill doctors. Everyone who had ever harassed Dr. Tillman should be charged with murder. They are all complicit. Only than will they learn to obey the law.
While the anti-choicers here happily spew misinformation about the "frivolous" nature of abortion in order to demonize, judge, and control women---the truth, not to the mention the law, is firmly on the side pro-choice.
These naysayers have zero medical expertise, but do have plenty of romantic notions about the sanctity of life, and some pretty twisted ideas about the motives of pro-choice women.
Ironically, these are the same people who can easily grasp mercy when it comes to sick and suffering animals; they just can't seem to grasp that concept when it comes to humans.
I disagree with you on, showing mercy on animals. Sarah Palin, a very primitive and uneducated human being for example, has no compassion for animals. Just look at her record on gassing, to death, wolf cubs and other Alaskan wildlife.
I can tell you exactly what will happen.
I grew up during the great depression and every community I lived in had a "special" house to go to where abortions could be carried out. Unfortunately, the providers were not doctors and the places were far from sanitary. There is no need to describe the results.
Meanwhile, there were legitimate facilities where "women's problems" could be solved by a having a D&C. It was all legal, sanitary and effective.
And no midnight police raids here either.
Surveys report that over half of all abortions are solely for economic reasons. So why aren't these anti-abortion fanatics advocating for the re-institution of welfare? Oh, could it be because their real aim is to keep women down?
Great question. These people only seem to care about life before it is born.
So if you're against abortion for whatever reason, you're a "fanatic". But if you want abortions performed with no limitations or allowed for frivalous reasons such as inconvenience or economic reasons (when a woman knew she couldn't afford a baby but got pregnant anyway through carelessness in some cases), then you're a concerned citizen looking out for downtrodden women. Most men aren't looking to keep women down.
The statement in the post didn't refer to 'men' but instead 'fanatics' (both male and female) wanting 'to keep women down'. That's more of a reference to society's bad habit of discussing issues by talking about what 'we' should do about 'them' instead of listening to 'them' tell us what they need - which in this particular case is 'abortions...for frivolous reasons...such as economic reasons'. I find it a little difficult to believe that you think an inability to pay for prenatal care, pay for delivery, and actually FEED the oneself is frivolous. Are you for or against generous 'pregnant woman support pay' and free prenatal care?
You can believe anything you want, when you cross a legal line of trying to deny someone else their rights then you become a fanatic.
Your insulting tone of "..allowed for frivalous (sic) reasons.." shows how little you understand the topic you are discussing.
And while you say "Most men aren't looking to keep women down". That is exactly the outcome of denying someone autonomy over their own body. So, rather if it's conscious or unconscious the damage is the same and will be fought by those who are 'kept down'..the only difference is that those that do it unconsciously will never understand the fight.
This is an issue of PRIVACY. When a woman sees a physician, the door closes and it is NO ONE'S business but hers and the doctor's what happens behind that door.
Bottom line is that people (either pro or against abortion) should have no access to information regarding medical procedures performed by doctors.
You have absolute no idea what women making these decisions go through. Absolutely none.
Pro life people advociate adoption. If the 50% would just carry these babies to term, they could and would find good homes for them. Most people who are waiting for a baby to adopt will also pay the health care for these women while they are preg. also. So, that should answer your question.
That sounds good on paper, except for the irreparable damage that an unwanted pregnancy can do to a woman's emotional health, career, and relationships. My career would be over if I started it as "the pregnant chick." Discriminatory hiring practices still exist. This is even worse if the pregnancy began through violent means. Can you imagine the emotional damage that would come from carrying a pregnancy started by rape to term? The whole "you can just give the baby up" excuse completely disregards the health and welfare of the woman.
There are cultures (and I belong to one of them) which believe that it is more responsible
to abort a baby than give it up for adoption. Because they believe very strongly that children have a right to know their genetic heritage. Most women are not just incubators who can casually hand over their babies at birth to complete strangers. Doesn't work that way.
Keeping women down is the real goal of a percentage of anti-choicers. They are authoritians who believe in male domination.
I'll never forget him. We must do everything to protect women from the Taliban-like religious nuts out there.
Beautifully said, thank you!
Well said thank you!
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