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Friday, March 16, 2012

choice

I don't know if you have been following the kerfuffle over Doonesbury and the anti-abortion campaigning in Texas, but it's ramping up, daily.

Here's the link to the start of the Doonesbury strips. They're still in play, and of course a day behind us, so the last one (he usually works in weekly sequences) is yet to be released.

Here's a link to a bunch of photos that I keep turning to that helps me feel better, because young people are fighting back. It's good to know that even if they think feminism is a dirty, hairy word, many young women (and men) still want to fight the good fight in their own way, and all hail to them.

It doesn't matter which side of the fence you stand on with this issue, the crux of it is CHOICE. If you think someone should/will go to hell for their choice, that's your decision, but it's still their choice, so please let them make it.

I know this looks like an American fight, but government intervention in issues of the body happens all the time in Australia, in many ways. There are often one or two people outside the ACT Health Dept picketing against abortion. It seems to be members of one family. It's sad, the woman always looks so grim. I wonder what her story is, but I'm too scared to approach, which is My Bad.

Anyhoo, have a nice day y'all.

5 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

The story as it is unfolding in America is truly terrifying. I have been following it intermittently and cringing. And yes, it could so easily fly over here like the 'Ditch the Witch' crowd Scary stuff.

Catherine said...

I walked past a clinic in Adelaide the other day where it looked like a family had settled in for the long haul anti-abortion protest, two of them were children and would have to have been 12 or under, they just looked bored.

I agree whole-heartedly with your comments about choice. I've never understood how those that call themselves 'pro-life' can be so aggressive towards those just trying to live theirs.

Lilit said...

Totally agree. Personal choice is what marks our individuality and while the U.S. drumbeaters may not beat Obama in November, the great danger from Australia's point of view is the likelihood at the moment of an Abbott led Conservative Government at the next election. Abbott's outmoded views on womens' choice is well-known, dangerous and unless many of us start the old fights again soon in Australia we face the same campaign. I'm not sure our present-day cartoonists are up to making a contribution - female or male.

Ampersand Duck said...

Thank you, people. I have grave fears for the rights of women if Mr Rabbit is handed power. And the best cartoonist in the country to stand up to the issues is David Pope, at the Canberra Times. He cut his teeth on the Green Left Weekly, and seems scared of no-one. He's brilliant!

C said...

Incisive Doonesbury & excellent photo. Thanks for sharing &Duck!