veganism and pro-choice politics are compatible

Every once in a while, I hear the argument that, if a vegan valued life, a vegan would necessarily be anti-choice. This is incorrect.

For the sake of argument, let's talk first-trimester abortion. Pro-choicers, including myself, often hold that a fetus in its first trimester is not conscious and, as such, may be aborted without violating an ethical duty to the fetus.

The abortion debate from a pro-choice perspective can only logically relate to eggs--not animals. Animals are conscious, and many are intelligent. Like a fetus in its first trimester, however, a chicken fetus is also unconscious. By my same rationale, then, a chicken fetus could be aborted without violating an ethical duty to the fetus.

Then why don't vegans eat eggs?

I suppose different vegans may have different views on eggs, so I will only speak for myself. I do not abstain from eggs because I believe the chicken fetus is tortured in the egg production process; rather, I abstain from eggs because the hen is tortured in order to produce the egg (and free-range is legally meaningless).

Both the abortion debate and my vegan perspective on eggs turn on the same issue: the rights of the animal producing the offspring (humans are animals). I do not think that women or hens should be forced to reproduce, particularly when the circumstances are abusive or disenfranchising to either animal.

I'm sure some reader is wondering, then, whether I would eat an egg if it were produced without coercion in a natural setting. Honestly, that answer has changed over time. I have been a vegan for over 2.5 years. If I were given that option in year 1, perhaps it would have sounded appealing. But now eggs are so off my radar that I no longer frame them as food and have zero desire to consume them under any circumstances--apart from the unlikely event that I were starving and only eggs could save me.

Although I believe that a vegan can logically be pro-choice, I do not believe that an anti-choicer can logically be omnivorous. If one values unconscious life before birth, then it would seem one would certainly value conscious life after birth. Pigs, after all, are believed to have the intelligence of three-year-old children; chickens can process surrounding circumstances enough to flap wildly when shackled in the live hang.

I suppose the only scapegoat would be a brutal sense of speciesm where pre-human consciousness is priceless and animal consciousness is worthless. I find that problematic.

It is very difficult for me to wrap my head around a person who will protest an abortion, but be perfectly comfortable with the institutionalized torture of animals.



While I realize the narrator has an agenda, I think the footage speaks for itself.

Bush eliminates choice before he leaves office

The Bush administration has now limited the rights of women seeking reproductive care by a federally funded health care provider. Anti-choice staff does not have to provide information about abortion, birth control or sex education to their patients.

According to Planned Parenthood:

Facilities that receive family planning funding, like Planned Parenthood, will have to certify that they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth control. For example, a doctor who opposes pre-marital sex could refuse to provide a prescription or even information about emergency contraception to an unmarried woman.

Please ask the Obama administration to take action against this.

Bush, get out of office and leave women alone

Despite the fact that the Bush administration promised not to make any regulations past November 1st, Dubya has decided to impose new ultra right wing restrictions on female access to health care. According to Planned Parenthood:

The rule could allow health care organizations that receive federal funding to redefine abortion to include the most common forms of birth control — and then refuse to provide these basic services. For any health care provider to intentionally withhold information about widely embraced health care options from a patient is absolutely unconscionable under any circumstances. The federal government has no business funding providers who do not abide by this most fundamental standard of care.

Senator Clinton added:

"In the final days of his administration, the president is again putting ideology first and attempting to roll back health care protections for women and families. This HHS rule will threaten patients' rights, stand in the way of health care professionals, and restrict access to critical health care services for those who need them most. Senator Murray and I are standing up once again to the administration against this rule and will continue to fight for women's reproductive rights."

You can take action here

Mexico City struggles to provide abortions

Although Mexico City made abortions legal last year, 85% of gynecologists are conscientious objectors. So much more reducing illegal abortion clinics and dangerous infection-prone back-alley procedures.

Protect reproductive freedom in California--NO ON PROP 4

For the third time, reproductive freedom is threatened in California. Proposition 4 seeks to amend the California Constitution, and specifically:

The initiative would prohibit abortion for unemancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member.

Let's stop trying to control the reproductive organs of others.

NARAL endorses Obama

Despite a history of supporting Hillary, NARAL Pro-Choice America has endorsed Obama.

NARAL president Nancy Keenan said, "Today, we are proud to put our organization's grass-roots and political support behind the pro-choice candidate whom we believe will secure the Democratic nomination and advance to the general election. That candidate is Senator Obama."

No point in staying on a sinking ship.

Kansas Supreme Court protecting abortion record

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Supreme Court temporarily blocked a grand jury Tuesday from obtaining patient records from a physician who is one of the nation's few providers of late-term abortions.

The grand jury is investigating whether Dr. George Tiller has broken Kansas laws restricting abortion, as many abortion opponents allege. The grand jury subpoenaed the medical files of about 2,000 women, including some who decided against having abortions.

Tiller's attorneys asked the Supreme Court to quash the grand jury's subpoenas, and the court agreed to block their enforcement until it considers the issue.

Chief Justice Kay McFarland said Tiller's challenge raised "significant issues" about patients' privacy and a grand jury's power to subpoena records.

I am glad that the Kansas Supreme Court is upholding the Constitution thus far...but I feel like this is going to get ugly.

Huckabee, GET YOUR POLITICS OFF MY BODY!

A friend once commented that if Huckabee were to become president, she would leave the United States of America. I share those sentiments.

Campaigning in Missouri, Huckabee declared, “Whether the life is in a mother’s womb or the bed of a long-term care facility, or that of a disabled, chronically ill or even terminally ill person, we would still treat that person with dignity and respect.”

Let's not even get started on the ambiguous and frightening "right to life amendment" that Fuckabee wants to slap on our Constitution.

bad news from Planned Parenthood

Today's Planned Parenthood newsletter reports some very repulsive news from Colorado, where a new clinic is being built.

Protesters are are now marching and carrying signs outside the homes of the construction and security workers who are building the new clinic — now, as in during the holidays.

Talk about an invasion of privacy.

Anyway, Planned Parenthood--like so many other incredible organizations--needs funds to support the cause. You can donate here. A donor is matching all contributions made before December 31st.

Albuquerque Has Renewal of Attacks on Abortion

A rash of attacks on abortion and family planning clinics has struck Albuquerque this month, the first such violence there in nearly a decade.