Regretful in Virginia (Explicit Language/Content)
rvapete
Posts: 488
Posted this on "The Porch" without realizing "A Moving Train" existed. We have been protesting on the matter for weeks now and after such promising trends last week are livid following yesterday's events....
I want to personally apologize for the goings on here in Richmond and the State of Virginia . As many of you know there has been a laughable attempt by "Freshman" members of the Virginia General Assembly, (similar to their national counterparts), to overturn fundamental progressive legislation that has existed decades. While many of you nationwide/worldwide were made known of this nonsense recently by comical media outlets, the resulting fallout seems to have fallen on deaf ears here in the Commonwealth. Many got a good chuckle on late night television when hearing ultrasounds were going to be a requirement for abortion and were flabbergasted at such a violation of a woman's rights and body could even be suggested. This was heightened when it was revealed transvaginal ultrasounds would be necessary. This was due to the fact that "Jelly on the Belly" ultrasounds are not feasible, as they cannot produce any fetal information during the first trimester of pregnancy. Virginia lawmakers have decided to follow up the black eye they received last week by leading with their chin this round. While you would assume they learnt their lesson, I am disappointed to inform that you are sadly mistaken. The legislation has been tweaked (in an effort to try and deflect negative PR) and PASSED in the Senate of Virginia yesterday 21-19. Considering The House of Delegates and Governor already approved of the last week's legislation (before the backlash ) I don't see much chance of this being voted down or vetoed. While not transvaginal, women will be required to undergo an ultrasound ("Jelly on the Belly") to pursue aborting a fetus. As proven, this serves no legitimate medical purpose and is just a mechanism designed to harass and invade a woman's right to choose. The original unconstitutional framework is essentially the same, the only exception to be granted is for a woman who report to police an instance of rape/incest. Not to diminish the disgusting horrors these women have endured, but the right to choose is a right ALL women are entitled to as was decided in Roe v Wade by our Supreme Court 40 years ago.
Again, sorry for the negligence and bias exhibited by Virginia's elected officials. Injustices like this need all the attention and dialogue they can get to raise awareness, unfortunately it's the women of Virginia's rights only hope.
Thank you for your time and attention
I want to personally apologize for the goings on here in Richmond and the State of Virginia . As many of you know there has been a laughable attempt by "Freshman" members of the Virginia General Assembly, (similar to their national counterparts), to overturn fundamental progressive legislation that has existed decades. While many of you nationwide/worldwide were made known of this nonsense recently by comical media outlets, the resulting fallout seems to have fallen on deaf ears here in the Commonwealth. Many got a good chuckle on late night television when hearing ultrasounds were going to be a requirement for abortion and were flabbergasted at such a violation of a woman's rights and body could even be suggested. This was heightened when it was revealed transvaginal ultrasounds would be necessary. This was due to the fact that "Jelly on the Belly" ultrasounds are not feasible, as they cannot produce any fetal information during the first trimester of pregnancy. Virginia lawmakers have decided to follow up the black eye they received last week by leading with their chin this round. While you would assume they learnt their lesson, I am disappointed to inform that you are sadly mistaken. The legislation has been tweaked (in an effort to try and deflect negative PR) and PASSED in the Senate of Virginia yesterday 21-19. Considering The House of Delegates and Governor already approved of the last week's legislation (before the backlash ) I don't see much chance of this being voted down or vetoed. While not transvaginal, women will be required to undergo an ultrasound ("Jelly on the Belly") to pursue aborting a fetus. As proven, this serves no legitimate medical purpose and is just a mechanism designed to harass and invade a woman's right to choose. The original unconstitutional framework is essentially the same, the only exception to be granted is for a woman who report to police an instance of rape/incest. Not to diminish the disgusting horrors these women have endured, but the right to choose is a right ALL women are entitled to as was decided in Roe v Wade by our Supreme Court 40 years ago.
Again, sorry for the negligence and bias exhibited by Virginia's elected officials. Injustices like this need all the attention and dialogue they can get to raise awareness, unfortunately it's the women of Virginia's rights only hope.
Thank you for your time and attention
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Take Care
This is happening all over the country as my hometown of Washington DC is a fine example. DC is a puppet for national lawmakers to do what they will as such a high percent of their funding comes from the United States Federal Government. What many fail to take into account is that occurs because Washington is a district slightly smaller that 100 square miles. The two main occupiers of this small space are the United States Federal Government and it's employees residences. Unable to have the necessary spatial needs to promote enough taxable revenue to run a municipality in line with being a major metropolis and the capital of The United States of America, the District receives this necessary Federal funding.
Rep. Tom Franks (Arizona) has introduced legislation banning abortion in Washington after 20 weeks of a pregnancy. While it generally accepted that (should they occur) abortions try to happen as early as possible, this legislation eliminates any extenuating circumstance putting the health of the mother and mother-fetus at risk with no say on the matter by her or professional medical opinion. While Rep. Franks is certainly entitled to his own opinion, he is not a resident of the District of Columbia and no result of this legislation relates to him whatsoever. He has taken the common stance of Politicians from afar who believe Washington is their "Policy Terrarium" for conducting experiments they hope to one day pursue on the national level but need a test copy for credibility.
What they don't take into account is that people's rights are infringed by this as THERE ARE ACTUAL RESIDENTS OF DC. Washingtonians cannot even attempt to defend these rights because their basic right to representation in national government has never existed. While in it's inception this was to prevent States from seceding from each other and the United States (An occupational hazard of a budding nation). Over the last half decade or so it's existence is based solely on the proliferation of the Two-Party System and it's participants unwillingness for concession of any kind. Washington is the highest % disparity between political parties of any municipality reporting to the Electoral College. To overturn a US Constitutional Amendment it requires a "Two-Thirds Supermajority" vote by the national legislature. Knowing our country's political climate there is no chance one party will concede to potentially redistrict seats/power with as close to a guarantee that the other will gain from their concession. The fact the difference between majority and minority is currently as miniscule as it is and spiteful straight-ticket voting has become the norm, DC has no chance of convincing 67% to fulfill a Supermajority. This apparently is more important these days than providing American citizens the basic rights of Congressional representation.
Rep. Franks has employed the unfair advantage of manipulating his role as an elected official and the system of federalism the United States practices to create a monster DC residents are all to familiar with. Constituents have the power to say no to politicians that don't represent the ideals and concerns of the majority of the constituency by not voting for them when it comes time for reelection. Rep. Franks seat is controlled by residents of the Greater Phoenix area (I believe) and the citizens of Washington DC jurisdictionally cannot vote for or against him.
If there are any Pearl Jam Faithful out there from Rep. Franks voting district in the great state of Arizona we need your help. Please contact Rep. Franks and voice your displeasure with the way he is infringing on the rights so many of us take for granted, but some of us Americans still don't have.
Thanks again for your time, attention and commentary on the subject :thumbup:
-Rep. Judy McIntyre, one of just four women in the 48-member Oklahoma State Senate protesting legislation that would bestow “personhood” on fetuses Tuesday after it passed in her chamber and is up for vote in the House.
On Thursday even more unconstitutional legislation was passed here in the Commonwealth as state legislators seem buoyed by their successful crisis management from last weekend and subsequent victories over the rights of women as ruled by the Supreme Court of the United States. The now notorious Virginia House of Delegates approved legislation bestowing individuals (including a father) the right to pursue a lawsuit over the death of a fetus. This is a blatant violation of a woman's right to choose and even takes it a step further and suggests legal action/harassment for exercising this right.
While I realize their ruling earlier this week suggests otherwise, many of the unbridled attacks on social programs here in Virginia have been defeated. Responsible Virginians (citizens and legislators) have been instrumental in killing measures that would have subjected welfare recipients to drug testing; defined a fertilized egg as a person; denied state-funded abortions to poor women with grossly deformed fetuses; and freed schoolgirls from a mandate to get immunized against a sexually transmitted virus linked to cervical cancer. Even the disappointing "ultrasound" legislation (now on its way to be signed by Gov. CYOA) only passed by a tiny 2 vote majority in the Senate. We are having a protest today at Capitol Square and any in the Richmond area are encouraged to attend. The event, organized by Speak Loud with Silence, will start with a march through downtown Richmond and end with a rally outside the Capitol. Events will begin at the bell tower on Bank St. at Noon and last till 3pm. If you cannot attend and are a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia please contact your elected representatives and voice your outcry at this violation. For those outside Virginia please be aware of these attacks on Roe v Wade as they are sure to be coming to a legislative body near you.
Once again thank you for your time attention and support for the rights of women and all Americans.
And you're right - this can happen anywhere.