Tara Tainton

And I still find myself continually shocked by the fact that the politics and majority opinions of the very state I live and have worked in are so contrary to my own, so backwards compared to what I feel is truly best for the world at large, all of us as global citizens. In fact, it gives me chills to see that conservative US President on the local news and my television right now. He's waving to my fellow Indianapolis residents today. So kind of him to visit. I'm feeling claustrophobic. I like him better over there on the eastern coast or down south where I don't ever need to be.

Indiana's extension of the Planned Parenthood Action Network reports, "A new national report places Indiana near the bottom of a survey of states’ efforts to help women avoid unintended pregnancy. Indiana ranked 49th in service availability, 42nd in laws and policies and 35th in public funding for a 49th overall placement. 'Half of all pregnancies are unintended, and half of those end in abortion,' said Betty Cockrum, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Indiana. 'Hoosiers need better sex education and better access to birth control – the two main factors that can bring our state out of our near last-place ranking in this survey.' Cockrum said the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) continuous delays on making emergency contraception available over-the-counter further hurt Hoosier women’s attempts to prevent unintended pregnancy. However, in Indiana the greatest public attention continues to focus on burdening women seeking abortions rather than helping them well before they need an abortion. 'As we know, and the study indicates, states can play a major role in helping women to avoid unintended pregnancy – particularly low-income women,' said Cockrum. 'Hoosiers should question their policy makers’ lack of attention to means of prevention, such as better sex education and access to contraceptives.'" You can read the national version of this report here.

When our local paper, the Indianapolis Star, polled residents, they found that only 51% of us actually disagree with banning all abortion procedures except those to save a mother's life. 39% completely disagree, and 10% just don't know what they think. And who are those who are in favor of banning most abortion procedures? Men and the older generation, of course, the same ones with little to no repercussions to face in the carrying and birth of a child, anyone's child.

And you had to have heard the latest: "One million dollars. That's how much an anonymous anti-choice donor offered South Dakota to defend its abortion ban in court and overturn Roe v. Wade. The battle for choice has moved to the states. In South Dakota's wake, 11 more states are considering criminalizing abortion. Mississippi's ban could be days away. Can you believe it? South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds (R) has just signed into law a ban that criminalizes abortion in the state of South Dakota! Americans across the nation are outraged by this severe attack on women's health and safety. Make no mistake — this ban is part of a larger plan by hardline extremists to eliminate the right to abortion in the United States." (Planned Parenthood) In fact, Indiana's one of those states falling with the rest of the dominoes with an proposed abortion ban lying on the table at the moment.

I can see the future now. It consists of Bush-like leaders running the USA and a more sparsely populated country of nothing but puritans and conservatives after the more open-minded and democratic of us have signed up for an unusually large amount of fraudulent marriages, embarked on the ex-pat lifestyle, and left America in our dust. Okay, I don't think it'll come to that. I have more faith...faith in fellow citizens just like myself.

At some point, we'll join together and stop this nonsense. At some point, we'll say "enough is enough." And we'll probably grow in our open-minded, truly freedom-fighting numbers as the others realize they kinda like the few freedoms they'd grown accustomed to in their own lives and aren't ready to give them up for no good reason.

Well, how about now? When's that "some point" gonna come? If all you have is your voice (take advantage of it while we still have the right to speak our minds!), why not use it? If everyone in the country merely said, "Whoa, wait a minute. I want my right to choose," the politicians would have no leg to stand on when it comes to questioning our personal rights. They'd have no support. Realize that your silence is assumed to be confirmation, confirmation that the folks in office making all the laws and deleting already established freedoms are doing just what you want them to. But are they?

Let's start by keeping informed. It's easy, harmless, and free. Know what's going on in your own part of the world, and if it ruffles your feathers one bit, say something about it. Let your personal opinion be known. That's easy, harmless, and free as well. Oh, and completely non-fat and non-toxic. And it's 100% good for the entire world.

Sign up for notices and news from the freedom-fighting organizations below. It's just email; it won't hurt you.

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Anonymous | 2009-12-03 18:35 StripGoddess 03/25/2006 03:52 PM Rock on sister. I agree vehemently that we need to band together and fight the loss of rights and freedoms before it gets too late. I am already working with NARAL, so I'm right there with you. Hopefully, the petition going around in SD will result in elections that will allow the residents of that fucked up state to show the legislators that they believe abortions ought to be safe and legal. ~SG michael g.b. 03/26/2006 11:53 AM reminds me of another old song (i can't remember "who" recorded it though): "Indiana wants me . . but i can't go back there . . . " :) no matter what someone's view or opinion may be on these issues -- it is ALWAYS a major wrong to "pass laws legislating" people's lives and life-decisions. we ARE on the road back to the "puritan communities" and witch-hunts and witch-trials . . . i believe the pendulum will turn and swing the other direction sooner or later . . . and i hope "sooner" than "too late". Tara, your Relocating WebMistress 03/26/2006 04:34 PM Sometimes, I wonder if the best thing about Indiana is that old song. :) That'd cheer me up as I'm leaving in just over a week...now, where'd I pack all my oldies CD collections...

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3.23 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."