Another unsettling week, this time with news from France. ISIS and Boko Haram continued to attack villagers. And, of course, wasting no time, Congressional Republicans got right to work on abortion, setting a 20 week limit in their proposed bill. There was also plenty of bad advice for women coming from the usual places. I'll note some new issues, update some previous issues and end with poetry and activism.
Here's the list:
Republicans and abortion; health care attacks
The announced retirement of Senator Barbara Boxer
More bad advice for women
The demoted Cardinal
Update on UVA
Poetry and Activism
Follow me over the orange squiggle.
Republican legislation
No surprise: They're back, sure once again that they have a mandate. As reported by Laura Bassett Huffington Post, it's not just one bill but several.
Emboldened by a new Senate majority, Republicans in Congress introduced five abortion restrictions in the first three days of the new legislative session that would severely limit women's access to the procedure.
Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) on Monday reintroduced a ban on abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, which the GOP-controlled House already passed once in 2013. And Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) introduced four bills on Wednesday that would bar Planned Parenthood from receiving federal family planning funds, require all abortion providers to have admitting privileges at a local hospital, ban abortions performed on the basis of gender, and allow hospitals, doctors and nurses to refuse to provide or participate in abortion care for women, even in cases of emergency.
One hopes that even a much weaker set of Democrats in the Senate can avoid this massive interference in women's private health concerns and their relation with their doctors.
Another source Politicususa gives and extensive list of Republican bills that could easily be thought of as a war on women.
In Texas, The Austin Chronicle examines the impact of health care cuts and restrictions on women's health.
Senator Barbara Boxer is retiring in 2016
Not much to say. This is a loss to all of us. And the California primary will probably be filled with candidates.
Bad Advice for Women
Feministing tells us Fox News hasn't let us down: women, be submissive to your man. And Phyllis Schafly, again via Feministing says there are just too many women on campus to control sexual violence. Sigh.
The Demoted Cardinal
The wisdom of Pope Francis is apparent from these remarks Salon. Women are even to blame for the priesthood's rate of pedophelia. Uh-huh.
Update on UVA
I'm posting this one because it comes from such a strange source--the UK's Daily Mail. The article includes a number of items that support the original victim's account The Daily Mail. Apparently the account is still under discussion there.
Poetry and Activism
I wanted to finish on a positive note. First, I offer a list of noted female poets whose work you might find encouraging, uplifting, or common sadness. Flavor Wire.
Second, UltraViolet suggests getting active, talking, meeting, planning strategy for women and gender issues.
Hope this is a good week for all of us.