You're not seeing double: The Illinois state legislature has taken positive action on reproductive health care and access. Veronica Arreola has covered [11] this progressive, justice-oriented bill for RH Reality Check. HB 2354 has been approved by the Illinois House Human Services Committee [12] and will now be heard by the full House. Activists in Illinois say that legislators are being deluged by anti-choicers calling in to oppose the act, so if you live in Illinois, take action here [13].
Bristol, Levi Split; Bristol Shamed
I'm sorry, I can't help it: I'm linking to US Weekly [14]. Yes, Bristol Palin and Levi Johnston have called off their engagement. Lauren on Feministe [15] has a brave, impassioned shout-out to newly-single teen mom Bristol, while Steven Waldman wonders [16] whether Bristol ought to have given her child up for adoption (see, even when women have the baby, their choices are still questioned, doubted, and shamed!).
Arizona State House Approves Anti-Choice Law
MSNBC reports [17] that Arizona's State House has approved a law that mandates a waiting period and biased counseling:
HB 2564 would require a 24-hour waiting period before a woman could terminate a pregnancy. During that time, the woman would have to be told "the probable anatomical and physiological characteristics" of the unborn child at that point.
The state no longer has Janet Napolitano around to veto measures like this -- "Gov. Jan Brewer already is on record as supporting a waiting period."
Michael Steele Does Damage Control for Pro-Choice InterviewSalon's War Room [18] has Michael Steele's "damage control" on his GQ interview, in which he sounded awfully pro-choice (calling abortion "an individual choice.")
Salon writes, "Steele is 'reaching out to anti-abortion leaders,' Politico's Ben Smith reports [19], and he's put out this statement:"
I am pro-life, always have been, always will be.
I tried to present why I am pro life while recognizing that my mother had a "choice" before deciding to put me up for adoption. I thank her every day for supporting life. The strength of the pro life movement lies in choosing life and sharing the wisdom of that choice with those who face difficult circumstances. They did that for my mother and I am here today because they did. In my view Roe vs. Wade was wrongly decided and should be repealed. I realize that there are good people in our party who disagree with me on this issue.
But the Republican Party is and will continue to be the party of life. I support our platform and its call for a Human Life Amendment. It is important that we stand up for the defenseless and that we continue to work to change the hearts and minds of our fellow countrymen so that we can welcome all children and protect them under the law.
Meanwhile, on Huffington Post Sam Stein reports [20] that Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, "one of the fastest rising Republicans in the House of Representatives" said "that RNC Chair Michael Steele was 'pro-choice' -- and that he was okay with that."
New Era for International Women's Rights
A Friday pick-me-up: Joan Walsh celebrates [21] a new era for international women's rights - Hillary Clinton at State Department, a new ambassador for Global Women's Issues, a new Interagency Task Force on Women and Girls - and a renewed working partnership between Michelle Obama and Hillary Clinton.
Other News to Note
March 12: Rasmussen Reports: RESEARCH: 52% of Americans Agree with Obama's Stem Cell Decision [22]
March 12: Huffpo: The Activist's "Conscience Cause:" How to Be a Partner in Power [23]
March 12: SPI: Bill could lower birth control costs at colleges [24]
March 12: Washington Independent: Ogden Headed for Confirmation Despite Right’s Fears of Porn and Abortion [25]
March 12: LifeSite: Illinois "FOCA" Moves to House Floor - Would
Eliminate All Abortion Restrictions in State
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/mar/09031207.html [12]
March 12: The Tufts Daily: Pro-life feminist pushes for solutions to social causes of abortion [26]
March 12: GOP12: DAMAGE CONTROL: Palin travels to attend huge pro-life event after pro-abortion pick [27]
March 12: LifeNews: Minneapolis City Officials Face Lawsuit Hearing Over Firing Pro-Life Psychologist [28]
March 12: Spero News: US pro-life movement seeks Vatican help [29] : Randall
Terry, founder of Operation Rescue, presented materials at the Vatican
showing that the majority of Catholic bishops in the U.S. do not
support the teachings of their church regarding abortion.
March 12: Science News: Bottled water may contain ‘hormones’: Plastics [30]
March 12: Phil Star: World population to exceed 9 billion by 2050: UN report [31]