The Incredible Shrinking Woman

John's post about the "pro-choice" vs. "pro-abortion" issue reminded me of a fantastic article I read in Elle magazine last month regarding a recent Supreme Court decision.

The Supreme Court decided this spring to uphold a federal law that allows state legislatures, if they choose, to criminalize one form of second-trimester abortion, known as partial-birth abortion. Procedures beyond 12 weeks account for 12 percent of the country's 1.3 million abortions a year, some of which are performed for women who learn during prenatal testing that their fetuses are seriously deformed or destined to die. Another type of late-term abortion is still available under the ruling, though the Court heard evidence that the partial-birth procedure is actually safer for some women. That's disturbing—but what is truly shocking is how Justice Anthony Kennedy, the author of Gonzales v. Carhart, portrayed women in the Court's decision.

The rest of the article continues with several insightful and respected writers weighing in with their opinions. I highly suggest you read it here. The most disturbing issue this article brings to mind isn't even about abortion, it's about the way women are continually marginalized in our society. It's generally acknowledged that women have all the same rights and capabilities as men (as if that should even be a question!), and yet we're still being treated like children who can not think or act for ourselves. This ruling points to the much larger trend in our society, as women's rights seem to be moving backwards. Where are our women leaders? Why is there only one woman serving on the Supreme Court? However you feel about Hillary Clinton personally, it's ridiculous that she would be our only female president in our country's entire history, and it's even more ridiculous that many people believe our country isn't ready for her. Women are capable of, and deserve, a lot more than our current administration is giving us credit for.

A Link Between Abortion and Immigration? WHAT?

Most of us are familiar with former Republican Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Tom DeLay, for his radically, conservative views (and numerous indictments). Yet, this one might just take the cake. A friend of ours at The Green Room, Scott, brought to my attention this recent statement by DeLay, in which the former Majority Leader believes there is a link between abortion and immigration:

I contend [abortion] affects you in immigration," Tom DeLay told the
Washington-area gathering of College Republicans. "If we had those 40
million children that were killed over the last 30 years, we wouldn't need
the illegal immigrants to fill the jobs that they are doing today. Think
about it.

His remarks above were posted on The Huffington Post, a politically progressive-online website and blog.

First and foremost, I would just like to respond in saying...ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Is he insane? On the one hand, I am in utter shock that someone who is more commonly recognized by the public and is a pretty established politician (despite his numerous indictments), would even try to think that somehow the use of abortion (a completely distinct issue) could cause an illegal immigration "problem." Yet, on the other hand, I'm not surprised. With controversy surrounding DeLay for a variety of things, including his indictments for money laundering and conspiracy charges in Texas, and his highly unpopular views, his statement still proves to be, in my opinion, utterly ridiculous.

DeLay's idea of trying to "kill two birds with one stone" on the Republican's idealistic agenda, in my opinion, does not show any kind of intelligence on his part. Obviously this tie of abortion and illegal immigration has zero proof or any legitimate backing whatsoever. In fact, it only further divides both parties and misrepresents what the issues are truly about.

As far as "killing children" is concerned....it just goes to show how such language by the Republican party sets up such a misrepresentation of a Democrat's view on being pro-choice. I've had this discussion plenty of times with many of my college friends who have a pro-life view and the first thing they always ask me is: Are you pro-abortion? Pro-abortion? What? No, I'm pro-choice. Being pro-choice does not mean I am advocating any kind of "killing of children"- it's ridiculous that anyone would even try to accuse someone of something like that. News flash! No one likes abortions - Democrats and Republicans alike. Having an abortion is a very difficult decision to make for a woman, there is no doubt about that. All the Democrats are saying is that a pro-choice view will give women the opportunity or the choice to have one if they wish. Being pro-choice does not mean Democrats want every pregnant woman to line up at an abortion clinic to terminate their pregnancy. Obviously that would be INSANE.

Illegal immigration? Have we forgot that there's something called fulfilling "The American Dream?" Immigrants come to the United States to fulfill such a dream by working hard for less pay than the average American to help support their families. And yes - citizenship can be granted to those entering if only the Bush Administration would help expedite that process instead of deciding how much higher, farther, and stronger a wall/fence should be built to keep them out.

So Mr. DeLay, I hate to inform you of this, but I don't think many immigrants coming to the U.S. have acquired jobs because such an employment vacancy is due to abortion rates. Think about it.