Senate votes to confirm Alito

I think there needs to be more of a focus from the direction of how groups and politicians are legislating their religious beliefs, and a focus on the separation of church and state. For example, Jewish law states that personhood and life begins at birth, and that abortion is required in instances where the mother's life is in danger. It is only when the child is born that it is considered equal in life to the mother.

http://www.jewfaq.org/birth.htm

America prides itself on diversity (and in theory, tolerance of different religions), yet so many people act as if our legislative and judicial systems are the appropriate battle grounds to try to progress their radical ideas and force them upon the entire population. I suppose it's also quite sad that these "radical" ideas are written directly into the Republican party platform--that certainly doesn't make this battle any easier.

There's not a whole lot that I'm able to do (being on Disability), but I do donate once a year to Naral (your Gov't $$s at work!!) and sign whatever petition comes my way. I'm just furious and I hope you'll allow me to vent!!

On the tail end of hearing about the bad Alito news, I came across a petition: Congress is voting TOMORROW on a bill that would cut $600 million to the foster care system!! How do we speak to unenlightened people who don't understand their own hypocrisy? Sure, let's "save the unborn" but let's cut funding when the "saved newborn" is abused and needs to be removed from the home?!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/476310954

I had an interesting vision as I pondered this situation. Wouldn't it be interesting, if pro-choice volunteers got up early Sunday morning, stood in front of the churches, and passed out this information... informing them of their own hypocrisy? Such as abandoning the mother-in-need once she has a squalling infant, or cutting funding from Medicaid and children's programs, not to mention Foster Care, or the teen that is kicked out of her own house because her Christian parents don't believe in pre-marital sex. I mean, they all stand in front of women's health clinics, why shouldn't we hit them where they stew in their propoganda and lies? Just a thought anyway. Thanks for listening.

I believe pro-choice volunteers should be canvassing high schools, colleges, and universities; informing male and female students and staff of the advantages of a woman's right to choose and the disadvantages of legislation removing or hindering a woman from exercising that right. The propensity to vote for senators, congressmen, state and local measures is all determined by each person's conviction that their vote counts and that their opinions can be represented by the legislature if supplied in sufficient numbers toward the same goal.

From my blog, Bad Feminist: For the most part, I agree with Alito's conservative judicial philosophy despite my strong beliefs in feminist and progressive politics. The Constitution is not what it would have been had I written it. It doesn't protect minority groups the way I would have liked it to. It doesn't protect women the way I would have liked it to. It doesn't protect people's autonomy or their bodily integrity in the ways that I would have liked it to. I don't believe that it protects women's right to choose abortion. And yet, I strongly believe that these are flaws in our current Constitution and not in the interpretive abilities of justices like Alito. What our Constitution does give us, however, is a process, by which to amend it and I believe with all my heart that we need to be, and can be, activists for constitutional change. Unfortunately, most feminists and our progressive allies insist instead on fighting the wrong battle, attempting to read into the Constitution what is not there rather than doing the difficult political work of inscribing it there. One day I hope that feminist organizations like NOW, the Feminist Majority, and NARAL will re-invest resources into a long-range plan for constitutional change, rather than dipping into their coffers for every Supreme Court nomination. To me, this is the equivalent for women of spending millions on band-aids to patch up a levee about to burst.

Well, many Democrats in the senate did not stand up for us. Makes you want to rethink whether to be a democrat. I think I will continue to be a Green Party member, unless the democratic party becomes much more progressive, less timid. And frankly I don't see that happening. With every Senator making over $ 1.000000 a year not many will want to stick their necks out and alienate some moderate voters. We need to get rid of this " middle of the road" symptom!

I agree w/ Bad_Feminist. It was a very weak attempt at standing up for us. I was very disappointed. I give Kerry & Kennedy some credit for at least attempting to filibuster. At least they had to balls to speak of it. The lack of support from others in the party was shameful. The response to the address was weak as well. I tried to get behind it, but there was no anger, no fire. It's time for us to get radical again. I'm tired of the middle as well.

I also give a great big "Here Here" to A.D Kay for the suggestion that we go out there and expose the hypocrisy and lies of the "pro-lifers". I'm sick and tired of hearing how much they want to "save the unborn/pre-born". How about the "already here", the "we need food, shelter" or the "hey,I'm being beaten to death by by parents". Those pro-lifers are markedly absent when those issues come up.

This is the most intellegent, well formed opinions I have read in a long time. Sorry if I break that record by replying here.
JMB! You struck at the heart of the matter with what is the failure of our government policies, today
Our society is too diverse to allow a particular religious entity to impose it's will on the general population, as the republican Christian Right has attempted to do so. Jewish,as well as Islamic, and Atheist concerns must be given equal consideration, according to to a constitution that was deliberately formulated to embrace all beliefs under a secular umbrella. The key word is SECULAR! Devoid of any one religious dogma. To stray from that formula brings us in danger of past paths that lead us oppression, whether the extreme case of the holocaust, or other cases of suppresion.
LilacSpryte
I certainly support your idea of protesting in front of churches. Can you you imagine the indignance on the faces of the self- righteous walking out of church and faced with their hypocricy? How many of them support unwanted chidren? How many volunteer adoption of children born in ghettos by women addicted to drugs, or offer to support those same women in raising their children?

BAD FEMINIST
I totally agree with your take on the constitution. The Document was framed by "landed gentlemen" as liberal as they may have been considered for their epoch. We are not an agricultural society as was the case in that era.
Women were considered to frail to engage in the give and take of politics as was viewed in that era. Obviously that is a paradigm that would fit well with the ancient Ceasars of rome, not with our society as it exists today. The Constitution must be a "living" document that adjusts to the conditions prevalent in current society. Women are hardly the frail addle-brained persons once legally condidered as so. Let's get the legal system up to par with reality

I have just one message here, and it goes out to goodasgold. I demand all posters read her message and get a grip on what we are fighting for. I urge you to continue to post and tell us about you ,and your beautiful daughters. I for one want to hear more from you and your personal circumstance. I want to see you get a forum that will be addressed and your message to be listened to by as many people as you can reach out to. Please feel the strenght to continue to do so,and I wish your daughters the best that life can offer them. We must have a heart here in regards to the personal agonies women suffer. Why should this just be a blog of contention within adversaries? You sound like a mother worthy of Medals and such if they were available,today. Again, my best wishes to you and your daughters, Please count me as a supporter of the rights and values you are all entitled to.

I have been here when the blog became total anarchy, seized by right wing religious fanatics who referred to women here as whores and skanks, according to their definition. Intelligent discource was impossible to promote here at one time. The religious right seized this blog and chased away many pro-and anti- choice people who had many good points to consider. Their constant refference to scripture according to their interpretation was a powerfull force in leading good people to abandon any thought of debate here.
I have supported NARAL for 2 decades now and will continue to do so. If they make a political error, now,and then, so do we as individuals.
Jessica may lighten up on her deletions, but it is not for me to say. This is a Private funded organisation. It is up to NARAl to decide what road they take.
AS for me, I will continue to support NARAL in conjunction with other minded organisations I support in the belief the pendulum will turn, as it always does.