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Abortion and Depression In Women

August 19th 2008 19:56
Fuck me
I've heard some anti-choicers claim that abortion causes mental issues and depression in women. It's a real world version of the concern troll, wanting you to give in to their demands for your own good. It's a claim I've always been skeptical of. If there was a true link between abortions and depression or mental issues there would be some sort of figure to back that up rather than anecdotes.


My pet theory has been that if there is a link it is because of one of two things. First, any depression could be linked to a hormonal drop much like the drop that occurs, and causes depression in some, after giving birth. In that case to blame abortion would mean to also blame childbirth. Second would be more circumstances than the actual abortion. Partly from the circumstances that would have caused a woman to need an abortion and partly from the shame and guilt that are placed on a woman for having the abortion. You can only be called a murderer so many times before it starts to have an affect on your self-esteem. Now it seems that my theories aren't that wrong. From Melissa's article:

Over the last two years, the task force reviewed and analysed "all of the empirical studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals since 1989 that compared the mental health of women who had an induced abortion to comparison groups of women, or that examined factors that predict mental health among women who have had an elective abortion in the United States". They found that, while some women do indeed experience negative feelings or suffer clinical depression after an abortion, there's nothing to suggest that such feelings are directly attributable to the abortion itself as opposed to other circumstances, like, say the 73% of abortion seekers who terminate because they can't afford a baby, for reasons ranging from unemployment to lack of healthcare to supporting the maximum number of dependents possible already. The report also notes that "women terminating a wanted pregnancy, who perceived pressure from others to terminate their pregnancy, or who perceived a need to keep their abortion secret from their family and friends because of stigma associated with abortion, were more likely to experience negative psychological reactions following abortion" – which suggests that fundamentalist religion might be a better indicator of post-abortion distress than abortion, ahem.


The rest of the article is certainly well worth the read also. At the end she touches on the current trend of legislation in which some think a woman seeking an abortion does not really understand that she is pregnant. Hence the doctor being required to tell her that she is pregnant with a human fetus, or requiring ultrasounds prior, or the 24 hour wait period. More than just assuming women are not aware of what they are doing it also dismisses whatever issues are behind the need for the abortion. As if a 24 hour wait will make their financial issues disappear, or change their family's status, or make the circumstances behind the pregnancy disappear.

(image source - miss pupik)
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How Low Can You Go?

August 19th 2008 11:35
How low can you go?

Well, if you're John Hawkins of RightWingNews the answer is pretty damn low. How about a "Obama only got the job 'cause he's black" ad? Not low enough for you? Well, toss in some "Clinton lost to a black man, because he's a black man, and it's like losing to a child's TV show character from the 70s, so vote for McCain." Via Pandagon, the most offensive ad I've seen yet.



(image source - Canadian Veggie)
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Sexism At The Olympics (LINK)

August 15th 2008 12:53
Apparently at the Olympics there are two types of competitors: the athletes and the sex objects.

I've been avoiding any and all Olympic hoopla this year. A) I'm just not a sports person, B) I'm not a fan of China and many of their policies, and C) I don't need another reason to get my blood pressure up. Well, now C has been blown out of the water by this side by side comparison of the uniforms worn by both male and female athletes. You'll notice that the male athletes get to dress comfortably while the female athletes have to dress like they're about to walk into some guy's wet dream. Be sure to also read the comments sections for a lot of great insight as to why they wear what they wear and the issues of mandating the amount of skin that must be shown.

Olympics Beach Vollyball


I don't know about you, but I don't think I could play very well with a wedgie half way up my ass.

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Fox News Fake News
Holly at Menstrual Poetry shared a great video she found on YouTube showing off the "news" that Fox likes to spout off. Or, more accurately, the lies they like to pass off as facts. truth in journalism? Not for Fox, the only truth they want is the kind they can make up. Thank you Fox, without you we'd have to vote based on facts and reality rather than paranoid slandering! And really, who would want that?

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McCain: The Anti-Choice Zealot

August 13th 2008 14:33
McCain
The New Republic has a great article up regarding McCain and his anti-choice views. His reputation as a moderate slowly slips away as more and more people learn about his real views. Such as his opposition to Roe v. Wade and his desire to fill the Supreme Court with ultra-conservatives. Out of his 130 votes on reproductive heath, McCain voted anti-choice on 125 of them, which includes the global gag rule that prevented funds to international family-planning clinics.

The opening of the article shows a glimpse of the real McCain


[ Click here to read more ]
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Monday Morning Reading

August 11th 2008 11:35
tired kitten
tired kitten


It's Monday morning and I'd like nothing better than to sit back, watch some cartoons, and sip on a hot cup of coffee. So this kitten is taking a break. Instead of my usual ranting I'll just leave you with a few good reads that crossed my path. Feel free to add your own rant


[ Click here to read more ]
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Did You Hear About Edwards

August 11th 2008 02:56
John Edwards
So John Edwards has admitted to an affair. Yes, I think it's crappy that he had the affair while his wife was sick with cancer. But I'm also not putting it at the top of my need to know news list. Why?

Well in case you haven't noticed there has been some actually important news going on. Other than which politician is sleeping with or has slept with whom. Like the war between Russia and Georgia. The return of the South Dakota abortion consent law. Back peddling and avoiding the questions were had by all in the attempts at labeling birth control as abortions. And over in Sweden they are looking at mandatory castration for transgendered people. It's just been a busy weekend, so Edwards sex life has had to take a backseat.
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Politics Is Hawt!

August 10th 2008 12:03
See You At The Debates Bitches
I've never been a Paris Hilton fan, which probably isn't all the shocking. But her response to the McCain ad featuring her and Britney Spears has certainly won a special place in my heart. Funny, smart, and a nice play on her stereotypical image. If anything it shows that she has a great sense of humor. Stopping to flip through th magazine before getting to her energy plan? I love when people can laugh at themselves rather than get offended at stuff like that.

27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000">
See more funny videos at Funny or Die

[ Click here to read more ]
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Female Political Bloggers

August 8th 2008 16:48
women bloggers
How many political bloggers out there are women? Give it a good guess. 100? 200? 300? Would you believe more than 500 women are blogging politics? The Political Voices of Women is celebrating this week that their list finally topped the 500 mark. Visit the site to catch a glimpse at some of those amazing women who are proving politics is certainly not a men's game. And if you're not added to the list be sure to speak up and get yourself on board.

I can't wait to pass the 1000 mark!
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Hillary McCain
It seems the old "Hillary supporters are turning to McCain" story is still alive and well. It's one that, frankly, I cannot understand.

An article on Winning Women over at BlogHer discussed how some women are not happy with Obama and many of the sexist tactics that the media played during the campaign. And so the story goes that feeling snubbed and upset these women are turning to Mccain for presidential comfort. Which is a pretty classic example of cutting off your nose to spite your face


[ Click here to read more ]
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