To the people who celebrate the murder of Dr. George Tiller,
Trust Women…
Trust that we have the ability to comprehend the magnitude of our reproductive choices. Trust women to choose wisely, based on an unflinching analysis of our circumstances, our abilities, our resources, the unique realities of our lives. Trust that we understand that life is not something to be fecklessly thrown away. That when we are forced to make difficult choices, we lend those choices all the gravity and importance they deserve. Trust that sometimes we are forced by circumstance to make the most difficult and painful of choices.
Trust us, for we are not little girls. We are not children. We do not need laws that reduce us to infants, that fence in our ability to choose for ourselves. We do not need legislative interference in our lives. Those laws put us at risk; they do not protect us. Trust that we are capable of determining our own boundaries and our own borders, the lines of when or how or why.
In return, we would like to trust that you will no longer commit murder in our name or the name of the unborn.
We would like to trust that you will not commit acts of violence or intimidation against those who we have entrusted with our well being, who offer us the blessing of legal, safe, clean, and compassionate medical care.
We would like to trust that you will not commit acts of violence and intimidation against us as we seek out appropriate care.
We would like to trust that you will no longer dance in fancy circles around your own commandments; breaking your own moral laws in the pursuit of getting your own way, no matter what the cost.
Trust us when we tell you that choice is the only reasonable, sane, and ethical option.
Trust us when we tell you that we will not stand down, we will not give up, we will never stop fighting to maintain our fundamental right to reproductive choice, to be the last and most important voice in what happens with our own bodies. Trust us when we tell you that you can not and will not intimidate us into backing down from this issue. You can not and will not intimidate our doctors and nurses into refusing us the medical care that we have chosen. Not with signs, not with threats, and not with bullets. Someone, somewhere, will always stand up for what is right.
If you trust nothing else, trust me on this one.
...a homeschooling, unjobbing mama and modern day Mrs. Lovett. Knitter. Cat lady. Artist. Tattooed and irreverent, with a twist. My purpose on this earth is to bring a little inspiration and delight to all of y'all. Life is amazing! Grace is everywhere. Let me show you...
*applause*
Well put.
You know… I had a Sicilian grandfather who was, as you would expect, very conservative about his views and also very protective of his women-folk. However, he also was an OB/GYN in the 40s, 50s and 60s. And he patched up a lot of coat-hanger abortions, and was 100% pro-choice. If he could be see how rational a concept it is, I still cannot see why other people cannot.
Good post.
Amen!
Bravo!
I was infuriated when the so-called health bill specified that it would not cover abortions. Excuse me? Are not abortions legal?
Why do have to fight this battle over and over?
Amen! Totally agree and you couldn’t have said it better.
It’s gratifying that I still see posts like this occasionally. Thanks, hon…
I can’t tell you how many people in my neck of the woods think that my “one-issue-knee-jerk-bleeding-heart-liberal-voting-litmus-test” is outdated, and no longer necessary.
I am constantly told that “we’ll never go back, you don’t have to fight this battle any longer.”
But as long as people keep shooting people like Dr. Tiller, and holding up “baby-killer” hate-filled signs on the street corners I pass on my way to work, I don’t think the war is won yet…
Yes!