Mon Feb 20, 2012, 03:30 PM
babylonsister (166,933 posts)
Silent protest outside, Virginia House puts off ultrasound vote
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/20/10459213-silent-protest-outside-virginia-house-puts-off-ultrasound-vote
Silent protest outside, Virginia House puts off ultrasound vote By Laura Conaway - Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:14 PM EST What appears to be a crowd of several hundred people gathered today at the Virginia state capitol. Standing silently in the cold, they lined the walkway used by the legislators who have been voting on -- and voting away -- women's rights in Virginia. From their Facebook page: The Capitol ground rules say that we cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest. We think silence in the face of this struggle and their unconstitutional rules presents the strongest response to their assault on women. Please come out and stand up for our rights and for the rights of all women in VA to choose the best reproductive route for themselves. These people are used to signs, yelling, chanting etc. It is not new. They are not used to silently being stared at and having to look us in the eye. It gives us the power.
A new poll out today from the Christopher Newport University and the Richmond Times-Dispatch shows Virginia's Republican majority to the right of Virginians. About 55 percent of them say they don't like the measure that would require women seeking an abortion to first undergo a medically unnecessary transvaginal ultrasound. The Richmond paper reports the House was to vote on the bill today, but its patron chose instead to hold off for the day.
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54 replies, 12643 views
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Author | Time | Post |
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babylonsister | Feb 2012 | OP |
Demeter | Feb 2012 | #1 | |
yellerpup | Feb 2012 | #2 | |
woodsprite | Feb 2012 | #3 | |
Brettongarcia | Feb 2012 | #42 | |
woodsprite | Feb 2012 | #48 | |
annabanana | Feb 2012 | #4 | |
gratuitous | Feb 2012 | #14 | |
HockeyMom | Feb 2012 | #5 | |
OregonBlue | Feb 2012 | #6 | |
babylonsister | Feb 2012 | #8 | |
KamaAina | Feb 2012 | #12 | |
RainDog | Feb 2012 | #30 | |
justiceischeap | Feb 2012 | #39 | |
emsimon33 | Feb 2012 | #7 | |
CTyankee | Feb 2012 | #9 | |
AlbertCat | Feb 2012 | #22 | |
fizzgig | Feb 2012 | #32 | |
CTyankee | Feb 2012 | #33 | |
Lifelong Protester | Feb 2012 | #17 | |
lark | Feb 2012 | #45 | |
jwirr | Feb 2012 | #10 | |
appal_jack | Feb 2012 | #11 | |
marlakay | Feb 2012 | #13 | |
AlbertCat | Feb 2012 | #23 | |
The Last Democrat | Feb 2012 | #28 | |
tblue37 | Feb 2012 | #15 | |
titaniumsalute | Feb 2012 | #20 | |
csziggy | Feb 2012 | #26 | |
UCmeNdc | Feb 2012 | #35 | |
evilhime | Feb 2012 | #16 | |
underpants | Feb 2012 | #18 | |
Tx4obama | Feb 2012 | #19 | |
Doctor_J | Feb 2012 | #49 | |
sabrina 1 | Feb 2012 | #53 | |
leftyohiolib | Feb 2012 | #21 | |
lonestarnot | Feb 2012 | #24 | |
Iliyah | Feb 2012 | #25 | |
mwooldri | Feb 2012 | #46 | |
CaliforniaPeggy | Feb 2012 | #27 | |
Chorophyll | Feb 2012 | #29 | |
angrychair | Feb 2012 | #31 | |
Skittles | Feb 2012 | #34 | |
spicegal | Feb 2012 | #36 | |
dixiegrrrrl | Feb 2012 | #37 | |
dfhjkyulyu | Feb 2012 | #38 | |
malaise | Feb 2012 | #40 | |
MADem | Feb 2012 | #41 | |
BlancheSplanchnik | Feb 2012 | #43 | |
DirkGently | Feb 2012 | #44 | |
JTFrog | Feb 2012 | #47 | |
Doctor_J | Feb 2012 | #50 | |
RainDog | Feb 2012 | #51 | |
Doctor_J | Feb 2012 | #52 | |
RainDog | Feb 2012 | #54 |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 03:32 PM
Demeter (85,373 posts)
1. Silence Speaking Truth to the Power Mad
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 03:55 PM
yellerpup (12,153 posts)
2. I love the people who stand up to power.
Show up, stand up, and we'll win.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 04:01 PM
woodsprite (10,602 posts)
3. Hmmm, could someone who had the ultrasound
and changed her mind about the abortion sue their asses if there was a miscarriage after rooting around in there with the ultrasound. I've had them (infertility treatments and IVF) and they usually are not very gentle when prodding around with that stick.
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Response to woodsprite (Reply #3)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 08:01 AM
Brettongarcia (2,262 posts)
42. In Texas, we're trying to have this inter-vaginal ultrasound defined as RAPE
What if you don't want the ultrasound? But they stick it in you anyway?
There's a very good case here, for a rape case. |
Response to Brettongarcia (Reply #42)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 04:07 PM
woodsprite (10,602 posts)
48. I wish you the best in getting that designation in TX.
I just can't help but thinking there are a whole lot of pervert repubs getting off on the whole idea of forcing women to have this done.
I hated having to have them done, but it was a necessity in my case. We tried for 4 yrs. Thankfully, our successful, single embryo-transfer kidcicle is now 11 yrs old and just made honor roll for the 2nd marking period ![]() |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 04:06 PM
annabanana (52,791 posts)
4. "They are not used to silently being stared at "
They'll remember this, I think.
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Response to annabanana (Reply #4)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 06:36 PM
gratuitous (73,002 posts)
14. They'll remember it, and pass another law prohibiting it
I'm being persuaded that these maniacs will stop at nothing. And it's not such a big jump from outlawing speaking or holding signs at a demonstration to outlawing the mass gathering. Heck, now that 9/11 has changed everything, we don't need a First Amendment anymore, and anyone who says otherwise is clearly some kind of terrorist.
When last checked, the remains of Thomas Jefferson were spinning at approximately 4,500 rpm in his grave. |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 04:25 PM
HockeyMom (14,323 posts)
5. You don't this procedure to see an early embryo
I had an ultrasound in 1981 of my 5 week embryo in my fallopian tube. Actually, I asked to see it and the catholic hospital didn't want me to see it. Why? Because at 5 weeks it doesn't look HUMAN. I was already a mother and had seen many, many pictures in my doctor's office. At that early stage, it looked like a kidney bean. You cannot an early human embryo from a pig or a dog embryo because there are no little head, little arms, legs, etc. Women who already ARE mothers, know exactly what is going on.
This procedure is just for humiliation. |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 05:11 PM
OregonBlue (6,738 posts)
6. Now lead story at Richmond Times Dispatch
With hundreds protesting outside the Capitol, the House of Delegates delayed multiple contentious bills that appeared poised for final passage today.
The chamber pushed back votes on a measure that would require an ultrasound of all women considering an abortion as well as adoption- and gun-related legislation. All three were Senate bills, meaning House passage would ensure that they go to Gov. Bob McDonnell’s desk. The House has already passed similar versions of each. Senate Bill 484, sponsored by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel, R-Fauquier, would require an ultrasound of every female seeking an abortion and the opportunity to view the image of her fetus prior to the procedure. http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/news/2012/feb/20/5/hundreds-at-capitol-for-womens-rights-rally-ar-1702583/ This is the DU member formerly known as OregonBlue.
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Response to OregonBlue (Reply #6)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 05:32 PM
babylonsister (166,933 posts)
8. Great news! This needs lots of exposure. nt
Response to OregonBlue (Reply #6)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 06:19 PM
KamaAina (78,249 posts)
12. It's sponsored by a woman??!!
![]() That's like a turkey sponsoring a resolution declaring Thanksgiving Day a holiday. ![]() |
Response to KamaAina (Reply #12)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:17 AM
RainDog (28,784 posts)
30. Women led the early fight against equal rights in the 1970s
a recent author noted women led the fight trying to control other women's sexuality as well as their access to equal rights in the workplace and elsewhere.
and if a woman holds religious beliefs that consign her to permanent second-class status and incorporates this into her life, unconsciously, she probably gets some sort of sadistic satisfaction in attempting to consign all women to her worldview. ...another reason I find monotheisms noxious. |
Response to KamaAina (Reply #12)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 07:22 AM
justiceischeap (14,040 posts)
39. She was probably asked to sponsor it so it appeared to have some female support n/t
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 05:13 PM
emsimon33 (3,128 posts)
7. I wish I were there to stand with them!
As a Virginian (living in California at the moment or I would be standing right there in the snow with my fellow Virginians), I am so embarrassed by the General Assembly and governor of Virginia.
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Response to emsimon33 (Reply #7)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 05:42 PM
CTyankee (58,357 posts)
9. Me, to. I used to live there but wouldn't go back on a bet, except maybe for this.
I sure wouldn't spend any money in the state. In and out, full tank of gas bought somewhere else and bring my own sandwiches and coffee. Ugh.
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Response to CTyankee (Reply #9)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 09:35 PM
AlbertCat (17,505 posts)
22. I used to live there but wouldn't go back on a bet,
Richmond, VA is one of the crappiest towns I've ever worked in. I couldn't stand it. I'd hate to have to live in it. Yuk!
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Response to CTyankee (Reply #9)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 02:13 AM
fizzgig (24,146 posts)
32. my husband is from there and wants to go back
every fiber of me screams against it
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Response to fizzgig (Reply #32)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 03:16 AM
CTyankee (58,357 posts)
33. I lived there (suburbs of D.C.) during the ERA battle of the early 1980s, and the VA lege
was one of 3 states that finished ERA off. I have never forgiven the state for that.
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Response to emsimon33 (Reply #7)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:37 PM
Lifelong Protester (8,398 posts)
17. I am so with you!
If there is a nationwide protest, I will be there.
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Response to emsimon33 (Reply #7)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:03 PM
lark (17,586 posts)
45. All women are Virginians today
This isn't about coeercing and raping just the women of VA, they want this right everywhere. RW'ers are at heart women haters because women represent life and sex and they hate that.
They want to return us to the middle ages where the church and state ruled everything and the peasants had no rights whatsoever. That's the real goal. ![]() ![]() |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 05:53 PM
jwirr (39,215 posts)
10. Hopefully this one day delay will be time for the word to get out and bring even more people the
next day.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 06:01 PM
appal_jack (3,813 posts)
11. k&r - These protestors are heroic. n/t
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 06:30 PM
marlakay (8,692 posts)
13. Loudest voice is no voice sometimes
And this seems to be the time...they are soooo stupid. Polls for Obama going up this week over just this one issue..what are they thinking the good little republican women will do and vote what they say?
Votes are in secret so even if they said they would vote R I bet a bunch don't! This is the DU member formerly known as marlakay.
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Response to marlakay (Reply #13)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 09:36 PM
AlbertCat (17,505 posts)
23. Loudest voice is no voice sometimes
Silence... the ultra sound!
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Response to marlakay (Reply #13)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 12:59 AM
The Last Democrat (73 posts)
28. thats why they have
curtains around the voting both so republicans can vote for the democrats and not be seen doing it. LOL
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 07:51 PM
tblue37 (45,967 posts)
15. Remember this video of Chancellor Linda Katehi of UC Davis
and her walk of shame through rows silent protesters following the infamous pepper spraying incident?
&feature=player_embedded |
Response to tblue37 (Reply #15)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:49 PM
titaniumsalute (4,742 posts)
20. Wow.,..how erie. That seems more powerful than yelling at people.
Response to tblue37 (Reply #15)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 10:33 PM
csziggy (31,455 posts)
26. Thank you for posting that - a great reminder of how effective silence can be
That was the first thing I thought of when reading the OP but I was too tired tonight to hunt up the video.
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Response to tblue37 (Reply #15)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 05:52 AM
UCmeNdc (8,193 posts)
35. Boy the silence is effective!
You almost feel a tension and a sadness from the silence of so many people.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:34 PM
evilhime (323 posts)
16. When I moved to MD
and we were looking for a house, I asked my husband why don't we look in VA, since that's where he worked. He said that he needed to live in a blue state, that VA was just too radical for him. I am so glad we live in MD.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:42 PM
underpants (160,486 posts)
18. Kicking this because I duped you
I had the day off - I should have known that this was going on.
GREAT for them. |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:43 PM
Tx4obama (36,974 posts)
19. POLL: 55% of Virginians OPPOSE requiring women to undergo ultrasound prior to abortion, 36% support
ThinkProgress @thinkprogress POLL: 55% of Virginians oppose requiring women to undergo ultrasound prior to abortion, 36% support thkpr.gs/xmVpSo http://twitter.com/thinkprogress/status/171742189603389440 Article below... Poll finds most Virginians oppose changes in abortion, gun laws http://www2.timesdispatch.com/news/virginia-politics/2012/feb/19/tdmain01-poll-finds-most-back-status-quo-ar-1700089/ |
Response to Tx4obama (Reply #19)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 06:46 PM
Doctor_J (36,392 posts)
49. As long as hate radio runs the country, the reps don't have to
obey their constituents.
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Response to Tx4obama (Reply #19)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 10:00 PM
sabrina 1 (62,325 posts)
53. Maybe that helped to put the vote off also. Seeing the polls and then the protest
It is clear this is nothing but an attempt to punish and humiliate women. Sick monsters.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 08:56 PM
leftyohiolib (5,917 posts)
21. we cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest. the governmnt legislating away 1st amendmnt
tomorrow there will be a no standing in silence rule. i want to say something about the people who keep voting republican but all that comes to mind are vulgarities about the brain-dead ret.... i cant do it.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 09:51 PM
lonestarnot (77,097 posts)
24. Well that's good.
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 10:08 PM
Iliyah (24,933 posts)
25. Vote them out
and replace with progressive women. Then write a law stating that before a man can obtain any enhancement drug first he must undergo an anul probe.
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Response to Iliyah (Reply #25)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:06 PM
mwooldri (9,579 posts)
46. Too easy.
I like what you're getting at - the anal probe for erectile dysfunction drugs ... an anal probe is unnecessary to determine whether ED drugs are necessary.
If however someone was to put some extra legislation on ED drugs (and it probably should) - I'd say that any man who needs to be prescribed an ED drug needs to undergo various tests - cardiogram, blood tests for heart problems... I am not a medical expert but from my reading I learned that people who require ED drugs usually have some other heart problems and blood circulatory issues. Might have hormonal issues (low testosterone). FWIW my employer pays for any female contracreption considered medically necessary but does not cover ED drugs, even if medically necessary. |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Mon Feb 20, 2012, 10:47 PM
CaliforniaPeggy (136,168 posts)
27. An amazing and powerful action. I stand with them...n/t
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:08 AM
Chorophyll (5,179 posts)
29. That's the stuff. Love these pictures.
Thanks for posting.
Who decided that the protesters "cannot assemble, hold signs, chant, yell or protest?" What the hell? Is this not in violation of our most basic rights as American citizens? |
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:45 AM
angrychair (7,214 posts)
31. HB1 and HB462 are vile
with all the things these so-called learned men could be doing and they make this issue HB1 and their very first action item of the term? With all the things that deserves this much attention and time that could improve our economy or schools here in Virginia, this is what they consider more important? Virginia used to be a much better place to live than it is now. The whole thing just makes me sad on so many levels.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 04:49 AM
Skittles (133,675 posts)
34. proud to be Rec # 100
yes INDEED
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 06:12 AM
spicegal (758 posts)
36. Don't get too excited.
They put it off, but according to the paper, it's scheduled for today. So, unless there's another tsunami of protests, the Va GOP is going to ram this thing right on through. They honestly don't care what a majority of people, let alone women, want.
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Response to spicegal (Reply #36)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 06:41 AM
dixiegrrrrl (59,495 posts)
37. When do they all come up for re-election????
We gotta dump the Regressive incumbents this year....for sure.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Post removed
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 07:23 AM
malaise (225,310 posts)
40. Great coverage from Rachel Maddow
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 07:26 AM
MADem (135,425 posts)
41. I love intelligent protest. Big K/R. nt
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 11:30 AM
BlancheSplanchnik (20,019 posts)
43. .
.
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:00 PM
DirkGently (12,151 posts)
44. Excellent.
Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 01:23 PM
JTFrog (14,274 posts)
47. Beautiful.
K&DUrec
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Response to babylonsister (Original post)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 06:48 PM
Doctor_J (36,392 posts)
50. I don't get this
What effect will 100 people standing silently have? Seriously, folks, we really need to rethink what it means to protest. The replies to this thread are most discouraging.
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Response to Doctor_J (Reply #50)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 09:50 PM
RainDog (28,784 posts)
51. the legislature has delayed the vote
so I guess peaceful protest has some value.
the legislature is no doubt fully aware of the negative impact their actions have had for the state of VA around the world - if they pass this legislation, people can also boycott the state and deny them tourist dollars. I don't know what you think these people should have done, anyway. What do you think the civil rights movement did in the 1960s? They didn't go after the police, the police went after them as they were peacefully, non-violenting protesting. That's what got the attention of the media and made the treatment of Af-Ams a national shame. |
Response to RainDog (Reply #51)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 09:54 PM
Doctor_J (36,392 posts)
52. Yeah, good luck getting the "attention" of the current media
please point to any major source that will take the protestors' side. Here's a hint: The same fascist kooks who support this bill own the media.
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Response to Doctor_J (Reply #52)
Tue Feb 21, 2012, 10:49 PM
RainDog (28,784 posts)
54. Rachel Maddow is major media and this was a story on her program
It also appeared in the Richmond, VA newspaper.
In addition, a lot of editorials have been written in major newspapers about this latest assault on women's rights. Women are leaving the GOP after these legislative decisions in states around the country. |