‘Where Are The Women?’ Democrats Go On Offense Over Contraception - TPMDC

[WillyT]

‘Where Are The Women?’ Democrats Go On Offense Over Contraception
PEMA LEVY - TPMDC
FEBRUARY 17, 2012, 5:58 AM



<snip>

Democrats have a new rallying cry when it comes to the Obama administration’s hotly contested contraception rule. Thursday, Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) gazed at an all male panel at yesterday’s House Oversight hearing and asked, “Where are the women?” The question is being repeated by Democrats and women’s rights groups as they attempt to shape the narrative of the contraception issue.

The Democrats’ new mantra really began before the hearing convened in a fight over witnesses. Democrats on the Committee had pushed for a specific woman to testify in the hearing. This was Sandra Fluke, a law student at Georgetown University Law School, who was asked to discuss contraception as a health care issue. Republicans rejected her as a witness because they didn’t want access to contraception to be raised as an issue, saying she was an “inappropriate” witness on the subject they wanted to talk about: religious freedom. Instead, the GOP invited another Minority witness, Barry Lynn of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. But Lynn didn’t testify because the Minority had told him they wanted their one allowed witness to be the woman. When the panel convened Thursday morning, Democrats cried foul over a lack of women on the panel. Republicans’ refusal to allow Fluke to testify provided an opening for Democrats to make it a big deal.

Democrats kept Republicans’ feet to the fire throughout the entire hearing, pushing the idea that women were necessary for a hearing about women’s health. Republicans — and their witnesses — hit back that this had nothing to do with women and contraception. “This is an issue of religious liberty and only religious liberty,” one witness said. Republicans on the Committee also countered that there were two women on the second panel at the hearing. But it was too late. This picture of an all-male panel was already making the rounds on the Internet. And as Rep. Chris Murphy (D-CT) responded: “When you’re talking about an issue relevant to women’s health care, to have two of nine witnesses be females I think is offensive to the dialogue that’s happening in the public.”

Speaking to the press during the hearing, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi picked up the new mantra, saying said that Maloney’s point was “a good question for the whole debate. Imagine having a panel on women’s health, and they don’t have any women on the panel,” Pelosi continued, noting that the Democrats had put forward a woman witness that the Majority had declined to invite. That fact is “symbolic” of the whole debate, she said.

Women’s groups began releasing statements...

<snip>

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/democrats-go-on-offense-over-contraception-issue-where-are-the-women.php

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Don't forget to sign...

http://www.dccc.org/pages/wherearethewomen

[WillyT]

2. Done !!! - And Thank You !!!

[Arkansas Granny]

4. Done!

[redqueen]

5. Thanks! nt

[RitchieRich]

3. CaveMan thought origination....

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/games-primates-play/201202/free-will-i-do-not-think-it-is-what-you-think-it-is

the above article poses the theory that Man's thought is a biological mechanism. This it particularly interesting in light of current events, specifically that Men are attacking Women's rights, like animals.

[Skidmore]

6. The other question that needs to be asked is "Will women stand up for themselves

at the ballot box in November?"

[RC]

7. And vote for Liberals and Progressives where they can over

DINO's and Republicans.

[riderinthestorm]

8. Maybe a silver lining to this whole thing is that women realize they can't take anything for granted

For the past 20 years (imho), the younger generation has simply coasted on the hard work of the past generations. There's been a lack of focus since the ERA movement faded away.

Maybe now they understand that their hard won rights need vigilance and constant defense.

[ohheckyeah]

9. .....

the petition says" Women must be brought to the table when discussing women’s health issues."

Fuck that - women need to OWN the table. We shouldn't have to be "brought" to the table. It's OUR FRIGGIN' TABLE.

[csziggy]

10. The other question to ask is "Where are the non-religious?"

I don't have a list of all the witnesses who were allowed to speak but what I have heard of the list is that every single one was representing religious organizations. Where are witnesses to represent those of us who do not believe in organized religion?

From the link in the OP:

<SNIP>

Instead, the GOP invited another Minority witness, Barry Lynn of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. But Lynn didn’t testify because the Minority had told him they wanted their one allowed witness to be the woman. When the panel convened Thursday morning, Democrats cried foul over a lack of women on the panel. Republicans’ refusal to allow Fluke to testify provided an opening for Democrats to make it a big deal.

Democrats kept Republicans’ feet to the fire throughout the entire hearing, pushing the idea that women were necessary for a hearing about women’s health. Republicans — and their witnesses — hit back that this had nothing to do with women and contraception. “This is an issue of religious liberty and only religious liberty,” one witness said.

<SNIP>

As a woman and an agnostic/atheist my views were not represented in any way by this panel, but they are talking about taking away my rights in more ways than one.