Lots to do

Tell HHS to undo the abortion coverage ban here.

Prevent toxic mining runoff in Bristol Bay here.

Save Polar Bears: Stop the Dirty Air Act here.

Stop inhumane wild horse roundups here.

Clean up politics and save gulf wildlife here.

Boycott Target and sign the petition here.

Click here to take action on all kinds of issues.

Such crap

From Planned Parenthood:

This is not what we worked for. This is not what we fought for. 

You and I, and millions of Planned Parenthood supporters, fought for a year to make sure that health care reform would provide comprehensive coverage to every woman, man, and child in America. We achieved some tremendous victories, including defeating the Stupak amendment that would have banned private insurance coverage of abortion for millions of women. 

Now, a Stupak-like rule is back — and it came from the Obama administration.Tell the Obama administration to reverse this decision and allow women to secure the coverage they need.

The final health care reform bill included extensive restrictions on using federal funds to pay for abortion coverage, but the decision announced by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services yesterday goes beyond even these restrictions. 

The Obama administration has decided that no woman in the new high-risk insurance pools will be allowed to obtain abortion coverage beyond limited cases (rape, incest, endangering the life of the woman). Not even if she pays for that coverage with her own money. 

We need to make sure the Obama administration knows this is unacceptable. Click here to do your part and tell the Obama administration to reverse this decision.

The high-risk insurance pools are for some of the most medically vulnerable women in the country — those with pre-existing conditions such as breast and ovarian cancer, AIDS, diabetes, and other conditions that may make pregnancy extraordinarily dangerous. These women will be locked out from abortion coverage, even if they pay for it out of their own pockets. 

Tell the Obama administration to reverse this decision immediately.

The president committed his administration to preventing any federal funds from being spent on abortion care. But the fact is, this announcement from HHS goes well beyond that. Nothing in the new health care reform law requires a ban on abortion coverage in the high-risk pools. No law passed by Congress forced this decision. The Obama administration has chosen to place a new burden on ill and medically vulnerable women seeking abortion coverage. 

After all the amazing work and the unyielding dedication from Planned Parenthood supporters like you that helped get us this far, I can't just let that happen. This is not what we fought for — which means it's time to fight back against the Obama administration's abortion coverage ban now. Click here to take action.

Thank you so very much for standing with us and the women, men, and teens who rely on Planned Parenthood.

Lions, abortions, and a victory, oh my!

A federal law bans enlisted women serving overseas and other women who rely on military hospitals for their health care from accessing abortion — even if they pay for the services with their own money...

The ban on privately funded abortion services in overseas military facilities endangers the health and safety of servicewomen and military dependents who rely on the military for their health care. Our servicewomen deserve better.

Click here to sign a petition urging the repeal of this ban.

Just a handful of carbofuran— a product that the Environmental Protection Agency says is too toxic for use in the U.S.— can kill an entire pride of lions. Sadly, this awful poison is still sold in stores (and widely used) in many African nations.

Help save something wild. Help save imperiled wild lions. Fill out the form below to sign our petition urging the heads of Botswana, Rwanda and Kenya to keep carbofuran off the shelves— and out of the hands of those who would use it to kill these big cats— and support new protections for Africa's remaining wild lions.

Click here to sign the petition.

Update on action:

Good news, New York! The NYC Senate and Assembly passed the budget bill preserving the statewide spay/neuter program for low-income New Yorkers' animals. This humane legislation that will funnel hundreds of thousands of dollars annually toward this service has been signed into law by Governor Paterson.

This was due in part to action taken at the ASPCA site and The Animal Rescue Site. Thanks for clicking!

Get busy people

More ways to stop Stupak here,  here,  here, and here. (Still wondering why we are in reactive mode - did nobody see this coming?)


Another one from Credo - they'll send a coat hanger if you sign the petition. Coat hangers FTW!

Tell Walmart to cut the crap with demerits for sick employees. Enough already. Gah!


Tell the U.N. to appoint a special representative to hold groups accountable for gender-based violence. That is, stop the rapes NOW.


Reduce, reuse, recycle. Check out why here.

Take a News Alert Survey at the ASPCA and enter to win a Flip Video camera (I have one - they are super cool). 

Ban dog and cat fur imports to Canada here. Yes, you read that right. Ewwww.


Asst. Majority leader Dick Durbin has a poll on the public option floating around. Fill it out here if so inclined.

Stupak petition

Click here to sign onto an open letter from 40 Democratic Congresswomen that says the Stupak amendment cannot stand and they will NOT vote for it on a conference report.

Quickie: Action on Choice

Drunkenatheist compiled a list of things to do to support a woman's right to choose. Click here for the full list. Many of the ideas have links to organizations, action items, and research information. Good stuff. Some highlights:

8. Volunteer! Local clinics often have a variety of regular volunteering opportunities. They range from stuffing envelopes to administrative duties. Bonus: Volunteering for a clinic is a great way to get your foot in the door with non-profit employers!
9. Thank your local abortion providers! National Abortion Provider Appreciation Day is March 10th. Send out postcards to thank clinics, doctors and staff members for staying open despite the dangers they face every day.
21. Are you crafty? Artsy? Have a lot of junk lying around? eBay your stuff and donate a portion of the proceeds to a pro-choice group through eBay’s partnership with Missionfish.
22. Contact your local or preferred clinic/non-profit if they aren’t listed through Missionfish. They might not be aware that you can easily donate money via eBay & Missionfish’s partnership.
28. Get involved in pro-choice politicians’ campaigns. This can be as seemingly small as donating $10 to a campaign or as time-consuming as volunteering to canvas for him or her.
29. Find out how your money is being spent. Don’t support anti-choice companies unless it is unavoidable.

h/t WeNews

Quickie: Condemn the killing of Dr. Tiller

Please go to Change.org's petition here.

This terrible tragedy is a chilling reminder of what can happen when the debate over women's reproductive health is conducted without responsible bounds and without recognition that people of conscience can hold different views.

Join people across the country in condemning the unspeakable murder of Dr. Tiller and express your support for doctors and other health care providers who refuse to be intimidated.

Tragedy - UPDATED ACTION ITEMS

Update: Click here to find out more "what to do's" in the wake of Dr. Tiller's death.

Dr. George Tiller, an outspoken advocate for abortion rights, and one of only a few physicians in the U.S. to perform the rarely- used late-term abortion procedure, was shot dead in church. The shooter, who is in custody, is a coward, a hypocrite, and, in some circles considered a domestic terrorist.

What to do? Educate yourself on late-term abortion by reading a first-hand account here. Donate to Medical Students for Choice (h/t Feministing).

My favorite quote by him?

“My feeling is that prenatal testing without prenatal choice is medical fraud.”

And one from the comments on Jezebel:

"Late term abortions are sometimes medically necessary. They save lives. That doctor was a hero."

Amen.

May his killer be brought to justice and may this be a huge pox on the fanatical anti-choice extremists and their hateful words and deeds.

Reproductive Health

I had to post this. Madame Secretary provides some really helpful talking points on the issue of global reproductive justice:

Thirty six years - and at least 4 more: UPDATED

Today is the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. From Planned Parenthood:

On January 22, 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its landmark decision, Roe v. Wade, recognizing the constitutional right to privacy and a woman’s right to choose abortion. Many of us don’t recall the deadly days before Roe when abortions were illegal and "choice" for too many women meant a dangerous back-alley procedure. In fact, in 1965, before Roe, nearly one-fifth of all maternal deaths in the United States were due to illegal, unsafe abortions.
It’s more than three decades later, yet a woman’s constitutional right to choose still isn’t safe and Roe is in serious jeopardy. In 2005, Congress confirmed the appointment of two new anti-choice Supreme Court justices — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. and Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., both of whom had been nominated by President George W. Bush. As a result, the court is closer than ever to overturning Roe.

Two years later, in a 5–4 decision, the court upheld the federal abortion ban passed by Congress and signed by President Bush in 2003. Although Roe v. Wade is still the law of the land, the ban criminalizes abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy that doctors say are often the safest and best to protect women's health. Thus, the ruling allows politicians to make medical decisions that should be made by women and their doctors. Now, anti-choice legislators are attempting to launch a wave of state abortion bans, in the hope that the new anti-choice court will overturn Roe, leaving a woman’s right to choose safe and legal abortion in the hands of 50 different state legislatures...

Here are ways to commemorate the day:

• Blog for Choice - it's not too late...
  
• Find an event in your area
  
• Support President Obama's efforts at repealing the global gag rule
  
• Learn the history of women's health care prior to legalized abortion
  
• Send a letter to your members of congress urging them to support pro-choice legislation
  
• Write a letter to the editor about why Roe is important and how thankful you are to have at least 4 more years of choice.
  
  UPDATE:
  

Press release from the President:

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

Word.

Tell Bush to keep his word

From Planned Parenthood:

You just can't trust them.

This summer, the Bush administration tried to keep secret a proposed federal regulation that would allow health care providers to redefine abortion to include birth control. With your help, we forced Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt to make the plans public.

Then the administration submitted the proposed rule for public comments. More than 200,000 people — including more than 90,000 Planned Parenthood supporters like you, and more than 150 members of Congress — immediately called on the Bush administration to withdraw this damaging proposal that could keep millions of people from receiving basic health information and necessary medical care.

The Bush administration promised not to release any new regulations after November 1.

Well, it's now November 14, and guess what? President Bush is poised to implement this disastrous new policy as soon as next week. Tell the Bush administration: Keep your word. Stop the attack on women's health.

Click here for background on this issue. Click here to sign the petition telling Bush to keep his word and stop the attacks on women's health. It's the least he can do, but I have strong doubts he'll leave the White House with a shred of dignity or decency. So, the very least you should do is sign the petition.

Yes we did!

Thank you.

The anti-choice ballot measures in Colorado, South Dakota, and California went down. As of this entry, however, Prop 8 in California and 102 in Arizona are winning. Ack! I'm hoping against hope that when all the dust settles these measures will also go down.

More on anti-choice initatives (Updated w/video)

This time? Ohio. The state legislature has a bill aimed at outlawing all abortions, including those necessary to protect the woman's life. While you and I know this is unconstitutional, and probably an attempt to test Roe at the Supreme Court level, it is still an outrageous and shameful bill. Indeed it reminds me of the Clinic Defense chant I learned back in the early 90's: "Pro-life is a lie, you don't care if women die." And by die, we meant either by illegal abortion or for the sake of the fetus. Ugh.


What to do? Sign this petition showing your support for legal, safe, and accessible abortions in Ohio, and, as always, vote Obama/Biden (duh!).

h/t ProgressOhio.org

Can't help myself

I know everyone is talking about this moment, but seeing it over and over again makes me happy:


This, however, does not. I don't like that Obama supports any type of ban, but McCain? What an asshole.


What to do? Vote. Only 19 more days to volunteer, donate, and do what you can to ensure Obama and Biden win.

h/t TPM for the videos

Choice USA

Choice USA

mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future.

and,

as a national pro-choice organization, Choice USA gives emerging leaders the tools they need to organize, network, and exchange ideas to build a youth centered pro-choice agenda and mobilize communities for reproductive justice.

With less than 3 weeks until Bush's proposed HHS changes take effect, it is past time to get involved.

Although I don't agree

with all of his views on abortion rights, this is a good analysis of abortion and faith:




Obama/Biden 2008

Ugh

From Planned Parenthood:

For the past month, we have been aware that the Bush administration was planning to release a rule that would limit the rights of patients to receive complete and accurate birth control and other reproductive health information and services. With your help, we did all we could to stop the president from going through with the threat to release the new rule. But Bush was intent on delivering this "gift" to his extreme anti-choice supporters before he left office. Yesterday was their lucky day.

You can bet that anti-choice activists are thrilled that President Bush made good on his promise to them. This rule will allow them to (among other things - ed.)receive federal funds for so-called "crisis pregnancy centers" — anti-choice facilities whose purpose is to deceive and dissuade women from accessing birth control and abortion information and services.

We've got a fight on our hands — and it's a big one. We have 30 days to dispute the rule with everything we've got. That includes you. It is during crises like the one happening now when your support for Planned Parenthood and the people it serves is most needed. We need your emergency contribution. We're launching a massive campaign immediately. Click here to help.

Here is the actual text of the proposed rule change. Please read it and familiarize yourself with it in order to effectively combat it.

Also, leave a comment on Secretary Leavitt's blog (try to be respectful - I know it's hard!), sign an on-line petition at HillPac (Sens. Clinton and Murray have been fighting this thing tooth and nail), and head over to MoveOn.org to take action.

This is outrageous and pathetic and we must make our voices heard LOUD and CLEAR.

Birth control = Abortion?

If you've been reading this blog, you know that Bush is trying to ram through a Health and Human Services "rule change" that equates birth control with abortion. Please take a moment to sign the Moveon.Org and Planned Parenthood emergency petition to HHS Secretary Leavitt. This is outrageous and there needs to be a very strong, unequivocal public response. Send the message to Sec. Leavitt that women deserve better than this back door approach to limiting our health care options. Bastards.

Here's the petition link again. Sign it. Now. Please.

FYI

Abortion does not cause mental illness.

Women who choose to abort an unwanted pregnancy may experience feelings of grief and loss, but there is no evidence that a single abortion causes significant mental health problems, a panel of the American Psychological Association reported after two years of study.

and,

“The best scientific evidence published indicates that among adult women who have an unplanned pregnancy, the relative risk of mental health problems is no greater if they have a single elective, first-trimester abortion or deliver that pregnancy,” Brenda Major, chairwoman of the panel, said in a statement.

Duh.

This is something pro-choice advocates know, something competent mental health providers know, and something most doctors know. Now, will someone please make the anti-choice lunatics STOP with the b.s. scare tactics and outright lies? Here's how you can help stop the insanity: learn about "crisis pregnancy centers" and help shut them down, urge your members of Congress to support the Stop Deceptive Advertising in Women's Services Act, and, vote the anti-choice critters out of office.

Honestly?

Oh, those pesky California right wingers will stop at nothing to chip away at abortion rights. Although they failed to mislead the voters in 2005 and 2006, the idiots have put up yet another parental notification law - Proposition 4. They used the case of a young woman named "Sarah" to draw attention to the "need" for such a law. Turns out "Sarah" was actually a Texan named Jammie Garcia Yanez-Villegas, a married*, 15-year old mother of one child, who died of complications from an abortion. So, Planned Parenthood is arguing that the information about "Sarah's Law," published in voter information guides no less, is misleading because parental notification laws would not have been "triggered in her case." (May she rest in peace not knowing that her life and death are being used in an effort to endanger young girls in California.)

As Megan over at Jezebel writes,

In other words, right-wingers took a sad story, twisted it to fit the facts they wanted to make their case and are trying to sell a law that will limit a woman's access to abortion services based on false pretenses to California voters who wouldn't otherwise vote for it.

So, who to boycott? Here are the two major (and I mean MAJOR) donors:
James Holman - owner of the San Diego Reader
Don Sebastini - vineyard owner - Smoking Loon

What else can you do to stop the insanity? Educate yourself on the very nuanced issues surrounding parental notification here and here and, if you live in California, vote NO on Proposition 4 and encourage others to do the same.

Lastly, why "Sarah's Law" when the girl's name was Jammie? I'll leave that for you to ponder and come to your own conclusions as the white-washing of her name is fodder for another day...

*In court papers filed in her home state of Texas after her death, the man with whom she lived declared himself her common-law husband in an effort to secure custody of the child. Texas recognizes common-law marriage and does not view a married 15-year-old as a minor, according to an attorney for Planned Parenthood.

h/t Jezebel