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The anti-choice contingent descended on Washington, D.C. last Thursday and Friday, and I am confident in saying the average age of those attending was less than my 23. The combination of the sheer fact that these protesters were children – literally, though I’m sure the mental definition extended to some of their chaperons – and the continued opposition by the movement to any “abortion reduction” strategies (as if the “we want abortions banned or we want nothing at all!” strategy that isn’t just shooting yourself in the foot) only further illustrates for me that the people who proclaim themselves “Pro Life” have no concept of the lives they would affect. I don’t expect a child (and we are talking children, the groups I saw were no older than 16, and at times definitely no older than 12) to understand the nuances of the pro-choice movement, the arguments for ownership of one’s body and personal volition and the many complicated, individual situations that can arise involving a woman + pregnancy. So I sure as hell don’t expect these children to understand “pro life” in any more complex terms than “don’t kill babies, it’s wrong,” though the social and political implications of what they’re trying to enforce are vastly more complicated.
That said, today’s article in Newsweek about anti-choice advocates daring to commit the heresy of pushing for abortion reduction (while still, I’m sure, wanting a total ban at the end of the day) is kind of heartening. It is, I hope, something that can bridge the gap between some people on the anti-choice side, and some on the pro-choice. Because, despite the “Stop the Abortion Agenda” stickers that were ever so popular Thurs/Fri, there just isn’t any such thing. No one who is pro-choice wants a woman to have an abortion. We want her to have the option of having a (safe, legal) abortion. And though I doubt “safe, legal and rare” will become the mantra of those on the right pushing for abortion reduction, they might, at least, come around to resembling something that really is “pro-life” – both “pro” for babies, so they are conceived and born into healthy, supportive and loving situations, and for those women who would much prefer not to get pregnant in the first place than have an abortion.
EDIT: Just brought to my attention via Jezebel, the Vatican calls Obama arrogant for the repeal of the gag rule that previously prevented overseas funding for anything that even breathed the word abortion ever. According to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, this particular flavor of arrogance is “the arrogance of someone who believes they are right.” The Archbishop went on, “What is important is to know how to listen, without locking oneself into ideological visions with the arrogance of a person who, having the power, thinks they can decide on life and death.”
That strikes me as funny, good sir, because I’m pretty sure that’s what the Vatican and all those who subscribe to its ideological visions have been up to since… forever? Only I guess you’re just right, not arrogant because you <i>think</i> you’re right and imposing your worldviews on others to damaging and sometimes fatal consequences. Right? Right.
Pardon my frustration, but I’m always confused with how the woman in these equations, if the religious right ever considered her a person to begin with, suddenly stops being a “life” herself.
Today was an all-around depressing day to live in Washington, DC. I’m sure New York City had similar issues. My cousin and I went to the new Pentagon Memorial after it opened to the public, and I was duly impressed with the public’s ability to remain stony-faced and vaguely gawking in the face of tragedy. Also, maybe I am a crybaby in certain situations, but my cousin kept trying to talk to me about how the little brochure said the benches/metaphorical graves were laid out in order of age and I was about to lose it.
But anyway, it was very beautiful, particularly at night. Pictures to be uploaded shortly.
I’ve been in DC for 1 1/2 weeks. My room is 9′x8′ and may, in fact, be smaller than the space I had in Kajigaya. It’s hard to tell, since a full bed was put in here, and it would definitely feel more spacious if I had gotten my way and had a futon. But it’s my cousin’s house, the rent is currently free, and if I only have enough room to use the bedroom for sleeping then it’s a small price to pay.
Living in Los Angeles was an unmitigated disaster. The tale is so epic and Odyssey-like with its many trials and multiple-headed beasts and/or bitches it really deserves its own post, so I’ll get to it when I get to it.
Right now I would really just like a paying job. I don’t think I have enough money to support myself until the American Gladiators tryouts in February.
