So… are you up on this law that was passed by the GOP-dominated state legislature in Virginia and that Virginia’s anti-lady, anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-sex Republican governor has pledged to sign?
The Virginia state House of Delegates voted 63 to 36 to pass a bill requiring that women seeking abortions undergo a transvaginal ultrasound, which requires a probe being inserted into the vagina. Delegate Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) criticized the bill, saying “We’re talking about inside a woman’s body. This is the first time, if we pass this bill, that we will be dictating a medical procedure to a physician.” The House also voted down by a vote of 64 to 34 an amendment, which requires the women’s consent for the transvaginal ultrasound probe. This means a probe must be inserted into the woman’s vagina with or without her consent if she seeks an abortion. The bill will now go to the state Senate. Republican Governor Bob McDonnell indicated that he will sign the bill.
Why so restrained, Ms. Magazine? Call it what it is: state-sanctioned rape. And that blogger isn’t being hyperbolic: forcing a vaginal probe into a woman’s vagina without her consent meets the legal definition of rape in Virginia. Rachel Maddow did anger/fury/rage-inducing segments on the new law on her February 14th and February 15th broadcasts. Watch both segments. Right now. Watch Rachel go.
Did you watch? Okay…
It seems to me that a large, loud, and highly disruptive protest is in order. Here’s a suggestion: if the Virginia GOP and Virginia’s Republican state legislators and Virginia’s Republican governor want a look inside your vagina—with a vaginal ultrasound—why not let ’em have a look? Project images of vaginas and vaginal canals onto the state capitol, the buildings that surround it, and the Virginia state GOP party’s HQ; pack the public galleries in the state house and senate chambers with few hundred women and have ’em throw thousands of flyers with images of vaginas on ’em down on the heads and desks of Virginia’s legislators. Blanket both chambers with vaginas—give the GOPervs what they want and grind state business to a halt.
But, ensuring access to contraception represents a violation of religious freedom. OK. Got it.
The people running things in Virginia have precedent in world government. But they typically hold power in places where you hear about virginity tests and female circumcision. I’m so “proud” that we have this kind of religious fanaticism in the US.
There is actually a silent protest being organized. People are standing along the walkway that the members of the general assembly use to enter and exit the building.
Too bad the woman has to actually see what she is killing. It’s better to just let something inside you be killed without seeing it and go into denial? Denial is a bad thing and if a woman can go through with an abortion and know what she is killing, then go for it with a clear and rationale conscience. But this cowardly taking the easy way out crap is BS. People need to be fully responsible for their behaviors and that’s something too many people of Portland hate to face up to.
Better yet, they should try to pass a bill that says men have to be probed with a sand paper covered dildo if they want medication for erectile dysfunction.
@ #4 you’re assuming that women are making such an important decision, without thinking it through first. Thank you for assuming that all women make hasty decisions and that we’re all ignorant twats. Go fuck yourself.