2 posts tagged “abortion”
I've been one of several pot stirrers today regarding the closing of ALL seven Planned Parenthood locations in my hometown. I'm pleased to have gained a top perch at one point and also to be part of the force applying pressure so we can find out just what in hell happened. You can read my bit here: http://newspapertree.com/opinion/4011-so-planned-parenthood-closed-what-s-the-back-up-plan
I would have, of course, preferred that the closures had never happened at all. It's a damn dark day. Planned Parenthood's been operating in El Paso since 1937. You wouldn't believe the disgusting press it's getting among certain circles. How's this for a quote?
“We expect many more closures in the days to come, as people become aware of Planned Parenthood’s sex-crazed birth control and abortion business,” said Rita Diller, director of American Life League’s STOP Planned Parenthood project.
You can see more of the insanity here.
I've contacted the national office for comment, but so far not a peep beyond regurgitating the press release on the Planned Parenthood Facebook page. Maybe someone would like to go post to their wall and politely pressure them for some info? Hint, hint.
I haven't done enough. I gave money. More than I should have, but still...I've been stingy with time. Can a last ditch effort at phonebanking tomorrow be enough?
This is a billboard that's apparently up in my hometown, El Paso, where traffic moves back and forth from New Mexico on I-10. I'm sick to my stomach. It is, after all, a heavily Catholic area.
Volunteers from both parties are stumping in nearby New Mexico. Even my parents--never before active in a political campaign--went door to door in rural Anthony a few weekends ago. I have friends who are extremely active in the political scene in Albuquerque and parts elsewhere, and are organizing at the grass roots level to the point of finding volunteers to drive abuelitas to the polls on Tuesday. But dear god, can it really come down to 5 electoral votes?
And will it be ok if it does? On either side. Win or lose by just that much and the country's still divided, still at odds with itself, and left with a losing side that will seethe and plot revenge at the nearest opportunity. That's why I hope for more than an eeking-by of the Obama vote. And I hope, too, that with the win will come a Democratic party and cadre of leaders that won't seek to punish Republicans and supporters, that won't spin their wheels on a thousand investigations and recriminations, but will really try to carry the message of Hope forward.
Winning on Tuesday buys us four years to convince our neighbors and naysayers that so much of what has been said and claimed of 'my kind' - my 'liberal', non-religious, free-thinking, recycling, hard-working, 'cultural-elite' but somehow-still-broke kind - is false. More than words, it will be our actions that create that understanding. The first step will be to keep from rubbing it in...the next step will be to get to work.
But if we lose...well, then I don't know what will happen. I know I will be very, very disappointed...but I hope we won't all pack up our toys and go home. Both sides need to find a way to play together again. The country needs to find a way to move forward.
I have a feeling that, win or lose, Obama will be part of that journey. I hope that, win or lose, I will too.
