Tag: politics

Abstinence-only advocates have developed new strategies in their campaign aimed at teens, including producing glossy magazines with misleading information about contraception, abortion and sex: (via alternet.org).

The Republican Majority for Choice is asking for language endorsing a constitutional amendment banning abortion, which most Republicans do not support, be removed from the party platform and would like to see John McCain select a pro-choice running mate, but admits that both goals are unlikely to be met this year: (via RH Reality Check).

Though Chicago Tribune journalist Eric Zorn is very clear about John McCain's anti-choice record and beliefs, Debra Bartoshevich, the former Clinton supporter turned McCain campaign ad star shows her lack of understanding by citing a McCain quote in support of Roe from 9 years ago, a position he has clearly since abandoned.

The final version of the proposed HHS regulation protecting so-called medical conscience has been released by Secretary Leavitt, and though it leaves out the redefinition of birth control as abortion, the omission has been taken as a sign by anti-choice activists to pursue their ability to deny contraception based on personal beliefs: (via Slate.com)

Comments on the rule can be sent to consciencecomment@hhs.gov until Sept. 20th.

A health article in the New York Times examines blog responses from another article by women of child-bearing age who feel they are treated as "pre-pregnant" by doctors who seem solely worried about the hypothetical fetus the woman may be carrying and not the entirety of her health.

An Op-Ed in the Washington Post praises Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton's speeches at the Democratic National Convention for setting the right tone for the event and spotlighting the accomplishments and capability of both women.

Tim Rutten writes an opinion piece for the Los Angeles Times on how the GOP uses abortion as a wedge issue for Catholic voters, despite many Catholics' belief that in a pluralistic society we cannot expect laws to cater to one religion's beliefs.

The New York Times' Judith Warner agrees, saying that abortion opponents who hoped to gain ground with the Democrats are frustrated that the Platform does not provide additional ammunition for a moral debate.  

Nancy Keenan, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America, responds to John McCain's comments that he has not ruled out a pro-choice vice president, noting that the president is the one who sets policy and will nominate a Supreme Court justice (via Huffington Post)

A new study from the Guttmacher Institute says that the percentage of U.S. women using contraception has increased from 36% in 1995 to 41% in 2002, with one quarter of them obtaining contraceptive services used publicly funded clinics (via Washington Post).

RH Reality Check analyzes McCain's latest ads which seeks to portray Obama's popularity with young female voters as a negative, commenting that McCain's stance on reproductive rights was already dismissive of young women and his latest ads assume that he has already lost their vote.

Time magazine follows up on the boom of teen pregnancies at Gloucester High in Massachusetts, where health officials resigned after their recommendation to offer contraception was rejected.  Out of the 17 pregnant teens at Gloucester; more than half (who are under 16) said they had a pact to get pregnant and raise their babies together

Planned Parenthood Action Fund president Cecile Richards, daughter of former Texas Governor Ann Richards, suggests that her mother would have campaigned for Barack Obama

The Wonk Room details John McCain's anti-birth control, anti-choice views

Anti-abortion groups are planning to protest outside the Democratic National Convention in Denver during August.  They also plan to have a presence outside Barack Obama's hotel

Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, sent a letter to the editor of the New York Times about maternal mortality, saying that `every woman has the right to survive pregnancy

The UK government plans to offer the cervical cancer vaccine to all 12 and 13 year old girls beginning this September

Ruth Marcus writes about the Supreme Court John McCain could create if he were president; a court that could overturn or severely damage Roe v. Wade

Daily Kos reports on John McCain's voting record and public statements that indicate his views on women and children

Cristina Page urges Barack Obama to hold John McCain's feet to the fire on choice, and cheers NARAL affiliates' work on prevention

"Daily Kos" exposes McCain's dismal record on reproductive rights

Nicholas Kristof suggests that Obama make a speech on gender comparable to his previous one on race, and offers him talking points

Both McCain and Obama are reaching out to women voters

Due to changes in Washington State's primary rules, Dino Rossi was able to list himself as a GOP candidate - not a Republican

"Prochoice.com" has been revealed as an anti-choice website, featuring misleading information about abortion

The LA Times profiles a young woman who educates her peers on birth control and STDs

The Supreme Court has changed since Sandra Day O'Connor left, and not in positive ways, suggests USA Today

The AP has reported that John McCain does not support a constitutional amendment banning abortion, though in fact, he does

Nationwide campaigns to reduce teen sex and STDs are faltering.  Experts say that the increase of abstinence-only education programs that disparage condom use may be to blame

Australia is considering lifting its own "global gag rule."  The U.S. and Australia are the only countries that provide development aid to other nations under the condition that the funds not be used for abortion services

The Huffington Post accuses Dave Reichert of overt sexism, using video as examples

Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination

A spike in teen pregnancy at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts has caused health officials to worry, and they are finally planning to address teen males' role in unintended pregnancy

An abstinence-only education organization has begun a nationwide campaign to lobby parents and officials to adopt abstinence-only programs in schools.  Comprehensive sex education supporters say the group's tactics are misleading

Virginia's attorney general will seek a full hearing before a federal appeals court on a recent law banning late term abortion.  A previous U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled the ban unconstitutional

Questionable behavior by Dave Reichert has been raised in the news lately.  First, analysis of a "joke" he told at the Republican Convention this past weekend involving Hillary Clinton

And possible abuse of campaign mailers that are paid for at taxpayers' expense

A spike in teen pregnancy at Gloucester High School in Massachusetts has caused health officials to worry, and they are finally planning to address teen males' role in unintended pregnancy

An abstinence-only education organization has begun a nationwide campaign to lobby parents and officials to adopt abstinence-only programs in schools.  Comprehensive sex education supporters say the group's tactics are misleading

Virginia's attorney general will seek a full hearing before a federal appeals court on a recent law banning late term abortion.  A previous U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled the ban unconstitutional

Questionable behavior by Dave Reichert has been raised in the news lately.  First, analysis of a "joke" he told at the Republican Convention this past weekend involving Hillary Clinton

And possible abuse of campaign mailers that are paid for at taxpayers' expense

In continued attempts to smear Kansas governor Kathleen Sebelius, anti-choice group Operation Rescue has posted photos of her with embattled abortion provider Dr. George Tiller, along with misleading information about their relationship

A West Virginia reproductive rights group is launching an interesting emergency contraception education campaign -- asking young people to design a new ad for EC

A Chicago abstinence-only education program is being challenged by a mother who says that the materials are dangerously misleading and inadequate.  The program is called "A.C. Green's Game Plan Abstinence Program" after former NBA player A.C. Green

A pro-choice group in the state of Victoria, Australia, is asking Members of Parliament to decriminalize abortion, giving the government three options ranging from abortion only if the woman faces a health risk to abortion during any term of pregnancy

The student government of York University in Canada has decided to ban anti-choice groups from gathering to promote anti-choice views, suggesting that the groups are sexist in nature

U.S. News and World Report has more on anti-choice groups' attempts to create a domestic gag rule

Doulas in the Washington State Corrections Center for Women are offering help and advice to female inmates on pregnancy, birth, family planning and sex education.  It is believed to be the only such program in the nation

Parents in New York are protesting a Planned Parenthood-organized comprehensive sex education program that they say will encourage students to become sexually active.  The materials they object to actually promote healthy knowledge about the body, which the parents say will lead to exploration

The Kansas City Star urges Missouri governor Matt Blunt to resist pressure from anti-choice groups to call a special legislative session in which they hope to restrict abortion rights

Controversial Bush appointee Susan Orr, who was the Assistant Deputy Secretary for Population Affairs, has resigned.  She oversaw programs providing contraception to low-income women, though she had stated her opposition to the use of birth control

Peru is taking strides to improve healthcare for women, including birthing centers that will work with traditional indigenous ways of giving birth

An anti-choice organization at Harvard is encouraging students to ask for a refund of part of their campus health insurance plans because a portion of the health insurance fee goes to fund elective abortions.  Opponents of the group say that the campaign is a misleading, fundamental misunderstanding of the way insurance works

Misleading and false reports about the HPV vaccine have circulated, and health officials fear that people will decline the vaccine, which is safe and beneficial

Emergency contraception has been approved for over-the-counter sales in Canada

Harvey Karman, who helped to make abortions safer in the 1970s, has died

The Columbian reports on NARAL Pro-Choice Washington endorsed Attorney General candidate John Ladenburg's long history of helping people in Washington state

The LA Times details the differences in McCain and Obama's visions for the Supreme Court.  Obama notes that the Roberts-Alito court has rolled back civil rights by rejecting Lilly Ledbetter's fair pay appeal, a case that McCain has also opposed

Time magazine has further coverage of NARAL Pro-Choice America's endorsement of Obama and the decision of some affiliates to remain neutral