The Republican Party has declared war on the dignity of women. This war on women is emerging as a centerpiece of the Republicans' 2012 election strategy. Around the country, women are being told that they should feel shame about their bodies, their sexuality, and the choices that they make as adults. The latest assault is taking place in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the invasion of women's bodies is so literal that it would qualify as farce if it were not chilling reality.
The Virginia legislature has passed a bill that will force women seeking an abortion to undergo a medically unnecessary transvaginal ultrasound. The mandated procedure requires that a probe be inserted into the woman's vagina and manipulated around so as to produce a high-resolution picture of the uterus and surrounding organs -- once again, for no medically sound reason. Governor Bob McDonnell has said that he will sign the bill. As part of the same package, the legislature also enacted a "personhood" law that would define life to begin at the stage of a fertilized egg, even before implantation, and hence would outlaw many forms of contraception and all abortions.
The Republican Party of Virginia showed no apparent irony in enacting this vaginal invasion bill on Valentine's Day. This, apparently, is what was on their minds.
I am a man who believes in coalition politics. The strength of a people is measured not solely by their ability to advance their own interests but also by their success in joining with allied communities in mutual support and solidarity. We become better people and more effective advocates when we show up for other people's issues. My strong support for the rights of women is an expression of that philosophy.
This Virginia legislation, however, is not a matter of coalition politics. Every person who has a body should view this law as a direct assault. So, too, should every person who believes that women are human beings.
Take a moment. Try to envision the mindset of a legislator who would enact a bill the sole purpose of which is to mandate the forcible, medically unnecessary invasion of a woman's vagina as the price -- the attempt at forced shame -- for terminating a pregnancy. Whatever a person's views on abortion might be, this is an assault of a different order. It is one thing to believe that abortion should be restricted; it is quite another to use the law to impose humiliation and invasion upon women who seek out the procedure. A person cannot enact such a law without embracing a willful disregard for the personhood and dignity of all women.
Imagine that a State were to enact a law that requires men to undergo an invasive rectal probing and prostate exam, for no medical reason, before obtaining a prescription for Viagra or undergoing a vasectomy. Such a law is unthinkable, because our public policies are responsive to the priorities and sensibilities of men. Protecting the basic dignity of women requires greater vigilance.
And yes, there were women among the Virginia Republicans who enacted this appalling legislation. Sometimes members of a group disregard each other's personhood and dignity -- a cautionary tale for us all.
The rights of women are under systematic assault -- in Virginia, in states around the country that have enacted similar draconian laws, and in the hysterical Republican response to the suggestion that women's contraceptive care should be included in their health insurance coverage. Simply put, the Republican Party has declared war on women. If Virginia can enact laws that invade a woman's vagina in this fashion, then there is no limit to the indignity that can be directed at "unworthy" or "undeserving" people -- the category that Virginia Republicans obviously consider women who seek abortions to occupy. If we allow this attack to go unchallenged, then who will be next?
The Republican war on women stops here, and it stops now.
This post has been modified since its original publication.
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Virginia Senate passes bill requiring women to undergo ultrasound before abortion
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He has assaulted every women's Constitutional rights and evey woman's personhood in this state.
the midnight ride of Paul Revere”
If only we could have a Revere now that we really need one.
That voice would ring in the midnight air like this:
(not the British are coming) “women beware the Republicans are coming and they are aiming for your vagina with their ultra probes!!”
And not just that of their wives, mistresses or sweethearts but all women, black or white, brown or yellow, Christians or agnostics irrespectively. They are charging in with their ultra probes in readiness ready to strike with hardly a moments notice. Women man (or woman) your battle stations. The time has come for another Lexington or Bunker Hill! Sound the alarm by land or by sea!
Leading the charge is Vagi-probe Bob (Governor Donnell of Virginia). Right behind him is Senator Blunt. Man, no woman the barricades. Be like the woman state legislator who today carried a sign
which read “If I wanted government in my womb, I would (bleep: word meaning copulate) some Senator.
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VA also does not allow women (or men) to buy sex toys, but they certainly can have a transvaginal probe inserted at the literal pleasure of the GOP party
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As a republican, I fight myself on abortion issues all of the time. At the end of the day, I find myself agreeing with a women's right to choose.
I think the most painful thing to me is when people view abortion as a birth control, meaning, they are reluctant to practice safe sex because they can always get an abortion.
Liberals and democrats, find comfort in this - There is a large group of conservative/republicans who are sick and tired of being completely misrepresented by our elected officials. Sick to the point we are starting to jump ship on the party. I have many friends who are republican, none of whom would get behind this bill in Virginia.
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YES they are........ re-read the article. there is no way for a woman (or her doctor) to contest this
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VA House of Reps are criminally facilitating rape
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Let's examine something you said, in response to me. "Do you really think that that's the typical person seeking an abortion?" If typical is a euphemism for "better portion" than YES! Here is why. People seeking abortions are sexually active. They can either choose to follow preventative methods (which there are many) to avoid pregnancy, or not. Even just fertile awareness has a 75% success rate for avoiding pregnancy! However, there are cases where couples do take preventative methods, and wind up pregnant anyway. These are the rarer cases.
Finally, the male is left out of this discussion. Here is why. When a woman conceives (consensual sex I remind you), it is solely her decision to keep the baby or not. If the male had a role in the baby's future (inside the womb), I would agree with you 100% that he is also responsible for birth control.