An excellent piece by Rep. Jackie Speier (U.S. Congresswoman from California)

In our nation’s political dictionary “abortion” is a word employed by intolerant people to cast shame on women who choose it. When one of my colleagues on the House floor trivialized a woman’s decision to have a second trimester abortion, I stood to correct his mischaracterization by giving my own account of a painful time in my life when the pregnancy my husband and I prayed for was unsuccessful.

The fires of journalistic sensationalism struck quickly. Some news outlets reported: “Congresswoman Admits to Having an Abortion.” You admit guilt, but for me there was no guilt, only the pain of a pregnancy that did not work. The fetus had slipped from my uterus into my vagina and could not survive. To stave off a life-threatening infection and to keep the possibility of a future birth alive, I had what’s called dilation and evacuation or “d & e.” But for people, particularly my colleagues who don’t want Planned Parenthood to be funded, I simply had an abortion.

I am saddened and angered by how politicians misuse women’s health. For some, describing a procedure like the one I endured is nothing more than talking points. But for millions of women like me, it’s much more — it’s something that will always be a part of us.

The day after I spoke on the floor, my district office was flooded with phone calls from women and men in support of what I said. But there was one voicemail from a man who asked, “How does it feel to be a baby killer?” A local television station later reported that I was 17 when I had an abortion — that would have been a sensational news story if not for that fact that it was untrue. I was in my 17th week of pregnancy and over 40 and married — not so sensational, but true.

I ask that we collectively inhale, calm down and consider the vital services provided by Planned Parenthood to women. The benefits of family planning and cervical cancer screenings need to continue and I am troubled that the House passed the Pence amendment to defund these efforts. This action threatens to turn back the clock on women’s health and reproductive rights. I trust the Senate will defeat the amendment. It is time to stop playing politics with our lives.

____________

Now here’s how you can help:

Every member of Congress needs to hear from voters who support Planned Parenthood right away—can you call Rep. West today? Tell him to vote “no” on the amendment to strip Planned Parenthood’s funding.

Here’s where to call:

Representative Allen West
Phone: 202-225-3026

Then, please report your call by clicking here:
http://pol.moveon.org/call?tg=FHFL_22&cp_id=1524&id=26130-9432445-uSPDcBx&t=3Progressives in Congress are fighting back. Representative Barbara Lee, among a group of Democrats leading the charge against Republican efforts to cut family planning funding, said “This is a war on women. They’re trying to inject their politics and their religion into local family planning.”

But facing a concerted right-wing attack, Planned Parenthood is in real danger—and we need to speak out, now. Can you call Rep. West right away?

Here’s where to call:
Representative Allen West
Phone: 202-225-3026

Sources:
1. “Dems vow Planned Parenthood fight,” Politico, February 15, 2011
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49556.html

2. “Who We Are,” Planned Parenthood website, accessed February 15, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=205967&id=26130-9432445-uSPDcBx&t=5

“Next Steps for America’s Family Planning Program,” The Guttmacher Institute, 2009
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/NextSteps.pdf (PDF)

3. “Planned Parenthood Action Center,” Planned Parenthood website, access February 15, 2011
http://www.moveon.org/r?r=206092&id=26130-9432445-uSPDcBx&t=6

4. “Dems vow Planned Parenthood fight,” Politico, February 15, 2011
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0211/49556.html

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everything borrowed in this blog post is shared for informational/educational purposes only

I originally wanted my contribution to this Friday’s session to be silly and light..saw a great show on Wednesday (Guided By Voices – original lineup…haven’t played together since 1994 —the old guys still got it. A whole lotta tequila drinking, chain-smoking and spazzed out, punk moves coming from Pollard & co) Times New Viking opened….saw them open for Yo La Tengo back in January and was pretty excited to catch them again this time around..They feel like an ‘in the know’ band..I dig their style..

Caught Daniel Tosh last night @ the majestic theater downtown (kudos to you, Daniel, for kicking that fat, drunk and annoying heckler out of the show).

So I’m pissed off. And I don’t feel like being silly or light. I want to use hateful words and tear bigoted people a new asshole. I’m sick of the religious right and intolerant, homophobic and ignorant shits who basically think it’s ok to spread hate. Now…I get the hypocrisy of my words..I want to use hate in order to fight hate..and that simply never works. And it probably also makes me just as close-minded as the charmers I want to skin alive. It saddens me to the core to read about the increase of gay suicides that have occurred this week..and it angers me to no end to hear about closeted schmucks like Andrew Shirvell who get national attention for being a radical homosexual activist, racist and a liar.

As a Jewish New Yorker who has been living in Dallas, TX for the last 16 months, I can honestly tell you that all of the stereotypes about this part of the country are indeed true. The number of close-minded, religious right homophobes & racists outweigh the number of normal, well-adjusted, open-minded folks (although some of us do indeed exist in these parts). Which is why I’m getting the heck out of here asap…2 months and counting…

East coast, I’m coming home

<insert high five, here>

The more times I see Dr.Dog perform, the deeper I fall in love. They manage to pull off what most other live acts fail to do these days – a true, well-rounded rock show that both exhausts and inspires you – regardless if this is your 1st experience or 29th. I feel like these guys aren’t the types to walk into a venue, say 3 things to the crowd and exit the stage (encore included) after a meticulously laid out,  90 minute set (or less in most cases). These guys are organic and they keep it fresh.. they keep it exciting and definitely play off of whatever energy the crowd is putting out there. I have heard them play one of my favorites, “My Friend” (off of their 2008 release, Fate), multiple times …and each time, it is a new experience.

They exude quirky…but I am willing to put money on it that these dudes are in fact probably more down to earth and ‘normal’ than half of the hipsterkids marching down Bedford Ave. I feel like Dr. Dog has been a little dirty (in a good way) secret that only “in the know” folks have had the privilege of knowing about…but after this last show, I’m beginning to think that the rest of the country is on to what us northeasterner’s have been hip to for quite some time now…

Deer Tick. As I suspected, won me over in full force. I am a massive fan.. I have been digging the crap out of  front-man, John McCauley, for a while. His voice reminds me of a mix between Robert Pollard and Cole Alexander. They opened the show with my favorite track, “Easy” , off of Born on Flag Day (which is, beginning to end, a solid piece of art). If I didn’t have to hold down a job and be a functioning member of society, I would, without a doubt be on tour w/ them right now. The mere thought of throwing out my current lifestyle and checking out of society to go on tour for a while is far too distracting and enticing in my current state….I’m dangerously close to saying “ah, fuck it..I’m down…”

If you have ever lived or been to New Orleans, you understand that this city stands apart from any other city in the world. From the minute you step foot there, you are quickly infected with a contagious energy that stays with you  long after you leave. I know this haunting feeling all too well. I often times go in and out of severe withdrawal from NO and quite frequently try to think of ways to pull off a full time gig there (I have not yet been successful in that dept…working on it…).

Sunday night  HBO premiered David Simon’s newest hit, Treme. Structurally, you can detect both the subtle and obvious parallels between this show and previous ones….most notably, The Wire (which is still the most intelligent and compelling show ever made). Simon is a master storyteller. He has the ability to infuse the viewer with whatever raw emotion he is trying to get across. In this set up, we are brought to New Orleans, 3 months after the levees broke. Simon walked me through it all last night….from anger to hope to humor to disgust to deep pride to a feeling that it is almost my personal job to help protect the deep and rich culture that make up every particle of NO. I came this close (insert hand gesture here) to packing up my car and getting out of dodge last night.

NO moves to its own beats and grooves….which is probably one of the  reasons why I continue to hold it very close to the center of my soul. Anybody that identifies New Orleans with just a storm, has missed the boat. You can’t kill soul.

buy a t-shirt, support ongoing relief efforts:

http://www.reneworleans.com/

A year ago, when my impending move to the lone star state was just a mere conversation amongst friends in sofla, one of the recurring pro’s was the close proximity I would be to austin. this past weekend, I was finally able to check that off of my ever-growing ‘to do’ list. People are not making blind overstatements when they say that austin does not belong in texas. it’s gorgeous..rolling hills, hot springs, nature preserves, water conservation systems, and, my favorite-  bleeding heart hipsters and hippies. the fact that my first time in austin  coincided with the biggest art convention in the world did not suck.

sxsw was a trip. rolling up late friday afternoon, i was promptly faced with Hare Krishnas dancing up and down 6th street…didn’t realize they were still around.. i have early memories in the 80′s of those crazies running around penn station …. just thought such culty groups would have evolved a bit more since then. fun hippie twirler nonsense nonetheless…

I was on full sensory overload for the next 48hrs. kinda hard not to be…the city itself is worth going to on a quiet weekend…but the scene at sxsw was just out of hand. if you go next year, be sure not to go with a strict schedule in place (and do not attempt this festy w/ more than 1-2 people in your ‘group’)….and most likely, trust that you’re not going to see every friend that is in attendance as well.. it’s simply not possible when you’re being pulled in a thousand different directions from the moment you hit the pavement…bands from all over the world are literally spilling out onto every corner….I started my trip with some nice dude sneaking me through the back door of this restaurant/venue (Lustre Pearl – lustrepearlaustin.com) and caught Rogue Wave’s set..

after my first 2 hours in austin, I came to the realization that the chances of me seeing everyone on my little list was becoming a bit of a fools errand..so I threw out said list and vowed to go with every whim that struck my fancy for the next 48 hours (carpe diem’d that shit) …turns out, this was a good decision..ended up seeing some favorite acts (i.e., Chuck Prophet @ yard dog) to  many solid, new, emerging artists on the scene…there were a few parties I regret not making an appearance at..but you simply have to succumb to the realization that you cannot hit them all. every minute was well spent and i’m already making a list on how to do it even better next year.

Have arrived to the Hipster Capitol of the weekend.

Waiting on line to get into She &Him …without a badge..need to get crafty.

Rogue wave. .snuck in.