One of the most frustrating things about dealing with the issue of abortion rights in DC is the degree to which I sense many of the people on the pro side of the ledger don't view it as a first tier issue. I suppose that stems in part from the fact that many of those who lead public opinion in these matters are male and middle-aged or older.
Well, I'm one middle-aged guy who calls bullshit on this. I can think of virtually nothing that is more fundamentally life changing than having a child. And no, it's not always a blessing. Romanticization of parenthood, and particularly motherhood, really bugs the fuck out of me. Yes, it can be a rewarding and meaningful thing -- it can also be an absolute anchor tied around your neck. But the bottom line is that no one, absolutely fucking no one, should have the arrogance to presume that they can force a woman to bear a child she does not wish to have. And that's why whenever I read a Will Saletan or an Amy Sullivan or some article by that bullshit Third Way organization implying that there is a legitimate case to be made to make abortion illegal I want to reach for the safety catch on my revolver. (It's a metaphorical revolver however -- don't own one and have never even fired one.)
It is thus infuriating to see an anti-choice asshole like Bart Stupak -- an arrogant and stupid fuck if ever there was one -- holding health care reform hostage to his forced pregnancy agenda. And doubly galling that he will likely succeed.
This should be a day for celebrating if a health care reform bill -- however flawed -- gets through the House. If the Stupak amendment is a part of it though, health care for millions of women has objectively gotten worse. And that's an absolute utter fucking shame.
(I've only had one beer and I'm already cursing like the Rude Pundit -- God help the poor people [and their children] with whom I'm having dinner with tonight -- I feel an embarrassing and inappropriate rant coming on -- but this is really a travesty.)
