Category Archives: Legal

The next threat to abortion rights

Fierce Planet Posted on by

I’ve pulled together many more articles on the fight over abortion rights as it continues here in the States. Some are quite positive from a pro-choice point of view, as states set themselves up to be abortion sanctuaries. Some showcase the continuing efforts to further force all states to comply with the forced-birth agenda of anti-choice activists. As I have pointed out before, anti-choice activists continue to look for ways to restrict access to abortion pills in particular, since most abortions these days are medication abortions. Since the postal service is federal, there is no easy way to keep pills … Continue reading →

Rejecting democracy

Fierce Planet Posted on by

I’ve been watching the attempted insurrection in Brazil, not with much shock, but with some anger. This is, of course, another expression of the right-wing authoritarians who are doing their best to fracture political systems around the world. They stormed Brazil's National Congress and set fire to the carpet. They attacked presidential offices, rifled through papers and tried to barricade themselves inside. Videos show Jair Bolsonaro's supporters rioting in Brazil’s government offices. https://t.co/dpVKpXYIdo pic.twitter.com/eMDQGA0rpf — The New York Times (@nytimes) January 9, 2023 Apparently Bolsonaro has been working with Steve Bannon, Stephen Miller, and perhaps other Trump-aligned fascist types, which … Continue reading →

Respect for Marriage

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To the ones who can imagine, respect oh yeah. This bill is far from perfect, and I definitely wish for more. But it is an important step nonetheless, to kill the hated Defense of Marriage Act and establish in law the principle that all marriages are equal. Biden makes a case against all forms of bigotry before signing the Respect for Marriage Act pic.twitter.com/Zm8lWg2xIU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 13, 2022 If there is one message that breaks through from today, it's that this law – and the love it defends – strikes a blow against hate in all its … Continue reading →

Two podcasts ~ Choose a side

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This weekend I caught up with a couple of podcasts, and I’d like to highlight a few things. First is a segment on Pod Save America. I’ve set this up so it goes directly to an interview with Strict Scrutiny‘s Kate Shaw, a lawyer talking here about the Supreme Court hearing Moore v. Harper last week. (Strict Scrutiny itself is another excellent podcast, if you’re looking for some top-notch legal minds discussing the issues of the day.) This case presents the “Independent State Legislature Theory”, which you will no doubt hear about a lot in the near future. It is … Continue reading →

Intimidation at the polls, already

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A reminder that if you vote in person, or even use a drop box, you may encounter MAGA types who try to scare you and stop you voting. That’s illegal, and here’s some info on what to do if it happens. If an alleged “poll watcher” tries to impede you at the voting booth:#1 – Tell him to kindly step out of the way#2 – Take his picture with a cell phone#3 – Call the FBIFBI Civil Rights Div. 202-307-2767 or 800-253-3931.US DOJ Civil Rights Div. 202-307-2767 or 800-253-3931 — JenB- I have voted!- 🇺🇦🌻 (@JenSemDem07) October 22, 2022 There … Continue reading →

Fired up

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This matches what I see/feel around the mid-terms this year (gift link, will get you through the paywall for a while). Women Are So Fired Up to Vote, I’ve Never Seen Anything Like It …once the actual Dobbs decision came down, everything changed. For many Americans, confronting the loss of abortion rights was different from anticipating it. In my 28 years analyzing elections, I’ve never seen anything like what’s happened in the past two months in American politics: Women are registering to vote in numbers I’ve never witnessed. I’ve run out of superlatives to describe how different this moment is, … Continue reading →

Medication abortion – will we lose that too?

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We certainly will if the antiabortion groups get their way. They are working now on legislation to ban medication abortions, even if the pills come from a state where abortion is legal. (gift link, should get you past the paywall) Most abortions are done at home. Antiabortion groups are taking aim. Two top antiabortion groups have crafted and successfully lobbied for state legislation to ban or further restrict the predominant way pregnancies are ended in the United States — via drugs taken at home, often facilitated by a network of abortion rights groups…. The groups are pursuing a variety of … Continue reading →

More about that boat

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Slate presents an interview with Amy Autry, who works with a nonprofit organization called PROWESS, which plans to provide surgical abortions in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, a project mentioned in this longer post. She’s got an interesting story to tell, so go read the whole thing! If You Can’t Get an Abortion on Land, Can You Get One on a Boat? A doctor explains her long-brewing plan to set up a floating clinic in the Gulf of Mexico. …Someday soon, they may not have to. To serve patients on the Gulf Coast who may be closer … Continue reading →

Abortion resources

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You might notice I’ve added a new page for abortion resources. So far I’ve only added the links I’d surfaced when Roe v. Wade was murdered. Over the next week or two I’ll add in a few lines about the various organizations, their services, note locations (particularly which orgs are outside the US). I intend to keep the info up to date and online indefinitely. If you know of orgs that aren’t included but should be, let me know. Meanwhile, the free states where abortion is still protected are ramping up services as they must now embrace an increased wave … Continue reading →