Re: "Keep your laws out of my body"

This post is in response to Evan's blog concerning abortion. I agree that someone's sexual and reproductive rights are their own, and are not to be dictated to them by a government. The Supreme Court set the precedent of privacy in Griswold v. Connecticut, and backed it up in Roe v. Wade. The Women's Rights movement in this country is still very young. We are underrepresented in every level of government. It is scary to think that the majority of those who are making laws-- abortion laws in particular-- do not own a womb and will never know what it's like.

Abortion has been a controversial option of birth control for a long, long time. It needn't be such a divisive issue. I truly think it comes down to the question of equality. If having intercourse caused a man to develop a life-sucking tumor in his abdomen, he would be able to cure it. Women should have the option to decide whether or not to keep the tumor. The lines get blurry as to when the government has a stake in the wellbeing of that tumor. At some point, it can survive without the mother. The tumor then deserves all of the protections of its government.

Also, studies in population growth show a decline in birthrate when young girls are educated to the 4th grade level. It is important to teach and empower young women, so that they can make healthy decisions regarding birth control and sexual activity. I think we do a disservice to young people when we degrade the act of sex by claiming it immoral and corrupt. Adolescence is difficult and confusing enough... It would be awesome to see Sex Ed. classes be more unbiased, and for them to even include curriculum for the gay/lesbian and transgendered kids. Openness, honesty, and actual useful information would make for a whole, healthy society.

A Latina on the Bench!

Over the weekend, Sonia Sotomayor was sworn in as associate Justice of the Supreme Court. She is the first Hispanic woman on the bench, and she is replacing the liberal Justice David Souter. It is not surprising to me that President Obama's first nominee for the Supreme Court was someone like Sonia Sotomayor. She is very well qualified, and represents a portion of the population that remains underrepresented in U.S. government.
Sotomayor's confirmation hearing give me even less hope for the Republican party, with one Republican Senator making references to Ricky Ricardo. Others held tightly to partisan issues such as abortion or gun laws. Some cited Sotomayor's decision that the 2nd amendment does not apply to states as their reason for not confirming her. This is disheartening, as the issue of judicial selection is supposed to go beyond partisan ideology. A fact about her career is that she was chosen by George H.W. Bush in 1991 to serve on the district court. Her credentials go beyond partisan leanings. It is not surprising, though, that only nine Republican senators voted in her favor, while not a single Democrat voted against her.
Saturday, she swore to "administer justice without respect to persons" and "do equal right to the poor and to the rich." I share the Hispanic community's excitement of her place on the Supreme Court. She was raised in a housing project in the South Bronx. She understands firsthand the struggle of many Americans and the uphill battles minorities and women face. It is not necessary to fear her perspective, even if you are a wealthy white male.

Rush: A destructive force for Republicans

I am writing in response to "Rush Limbaugh Influential Clout," in which the author raises his/her concerns about Rush Limbaugh and his influence within the Republican party. I agree that the Republican party is on a path of self-destruction. The evidence is that they have lost the Senate, House, and Executive. It doesn't look hopeful for them in the 2010 elections either. It is unfortunate for the party that someone like Mr. Limbaugh has taken it upon himself to speak on behalf of the Republicans.
In my opinion, his popularity ties in with what we've learned about our uninformed electorate. For example, say someone is uneducated about actual issues, and is trained to believe what he or she is told. It would be easy to conceive of that person being duped by Rush's scare tactics.
Also, people like to dislike those unlike themselves. President Obama clearly does not fit the same profile of other American presidents. Limbaugh saw the opportunity to cash in on bigotry and small-mindedness. He feeds his gun-toting listeners unfounded propaganda to keep them scared and intolerant.
Keeping that in mind, we live in a country that allows for freedom of speech and self-expression. He has the right to say what he thinks necessary. We don't have to agree with his opinions or his perceptions of the world. For the sake of the Republican party, it'd be nice if they realized that they don't agree with him either.