Let's call the Virginia law what it is: State-mandated rape by proxy

[Kelvin Mace]

Last night Rachel Maddow danced around explaining Virginia's proposed law requiring women wanting abortions to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound. She seemed to have problems even saying the word "vagina" and simply talked about "things inserted into your body".

I'm not criticizing Rachel (I'm a loyal fan), who seemed repulsed and embarrassed by the topic, I am simply saying what she couldn't.

Let's stop playing word games

This is legally sanctioned rape, end of discussion.

The state is compelling a doctor to perform an unnecessary medical procedure on an unwilling patient in order to get the medical treatment she needs.

The ultrasound probe is the state of Virginia's penis, and it is being used to sexually assault a woman because some sick and depraved politicians wish to demean women they do not approve of.

The woman is coerced into sitting in stirrups and submitting to a legal rape.

These very same sad, old, sexually deviant white men wish to punish any woman seeking an abortion, but you can bet your last dollar that if any of their mistresses or daughters have an "inconvenient" pregnancy, they will never be subject to this official rape. Instead, they will be given an abortion on the sly from a "helpful" doctor, or after a quick trip to Canada or England.

Let me reiterate, because I cannot stress enough the perversion being perpetrated by the Virginia government:

The Commonwealth (oh, the irony) of Virginia will force an unwilling doctor to vaginally rape with a medical instrument, a coerced and unwilling woman.

Folks, The Handmaid's Tale is now close to being a documentary, the Republic of Gilead is nigh.

The phone number for the Virginia governor's office is 804-786-2211

Cross-posted to my blog

[handmade34]

1. k&r

this bill disgusts me

[Aerows]

2. K & R

This is absolutely ridiculous. You can bet that if this passes, the next thing will be banning abortions altogether & going after birth control.

[Remember Me]

3. Can you just imagine (or please, don't) what

fun they had discussing it, and deciding on the details? All the requirements?

You're absolutely right, Kelvin.

[seabeyond]

5. ya. snicker. giggle. i can. nt

[madamesilverspurs]

4. Can we get a list

naming the legislators who voted in favor of this? We already know they're republicans. I'd bet my last dime that the overwhelming majority are male.

[Kelvin Mace]

12. Yes, but there are a few women

like the bill's sponsor, Kathy Byron who also wants to increase cancer deaths

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?111+sum+HB1419

Rape bill is:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=121&typ=bil&val=hb462

Contact info here:

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?121+mbr+H115

[robinlynne]

6. excellent Op. nt

[GoldenOldie]

7. Sharia Law?

Sharia Law brought to the American women from the very same religious wacko's that tried to sell us the fear of Obama,
a secret Muslim, who would give us "Sharia Law."

How could any sane, intelligent person elect these control freaks, never mind listen to them?

[Ms. Toad]

15. On Sharia law,

you might want to listen to this

It is a bit long, but quite educational. You might be surprised at how distorted the common understanding of Sharia actually is. (It has been distorted in the same way the most vocal fundamentalists distort the perception of Christianity in this country.)

...but aside from not wanting mainstream Muslims tarred with the brush that should be reserved for religious extremists, I agree. It is extremely ironic that people who were fearmongering that Obama would an extremist, claiming authority under their distorted view of Islamic law, are now bringing us the equally oppressive rape by proxy.

[Kalidurga]

8. Funny well not really

I was thinking of the Handmaid's Tale as well. I complained about it to one of my professors.

[LeftyMom]

9. I've been making that point forever.

Further, transvaginal ultrasounds hurt like hell and are kind of awful even if you're not scared, bruised or traumatized. Demanding a woman who is an abuse survivor or rape victim to undergo one is a special kind of evil.

edit: To say nothing of pregnant minors. As far as I know there's no exception, and I can't even begin to imagine how horrid that would be.

[dmr]

10. This makes me very angry. If their goal is to stop an abortion from happening,

I question the danger of inserting a vibrator-size probe inside a pregnant woman's vagina. Why would anyone create a law that forces the chance of a spontaneous abortion when their interest is against aborting?

I had a trans-vaginal probe done last November. It was a part of cancer screening (I have metastatic breast cancer). I didn't want this test, but it was done at the request of my oncologist. It was medically necessary, but I still felt the indignity. No woman should have to experience this indignity because of the whims of self-righteous men sitting in the state legislatures.

There is no medical reason for this to be forced upon a woman. I think this is akin to rape. And possibly child endangerment . It's not cost effective either. Who's suppose to pay for this?

I hope to see lawsuits on this. Shameful, just shameful.

[Kelvin Mace]

13. A similar law was passed in Texas

and was challenged. The district court judge issued a restraining order while the bill was being appealed. A virulent anti-abortion judge on the 5th circuit (a woman) overturned the stay, and allowed the law to go forward during appeal.

[protect our future]

11. Does anyone realize

that this could cause a psychological barrier to having sex at all? Or that women throughout Virginia may suddenly develop really bad headaches?

[Kelvin Mace]

14. I think women should go on strike

and cut the men off until this BS stops.

[Ms. Toad]

16. Count me as one more who has had the pleasure

(suspected ectopic pregnancy).

Rape by proxy is a pretty apt description. The process is not fun - and should not be required unless medically necessary. Mine was - ectopic pregnancies can be fatal. As a prerequisite to an abortion - not so much.

I would add one observation, though. I suspect if the mistress of any of these men got pregnant they would be subjected to the procedure - if only to punish them for getting themselves pregnant.

(And - I would greatly appreciate it if you would remove "sexually deviant" from the description of these men. The phrase "sexual deviants" is used far too frequently to refer to gays and lesbians, and used in the context of insulting these men it feels too close to the insult-them-by-calling-them-gay meme. I suspect you can come up with something more creative to substitute!)

[ohheckyeah]

17. The comment was made that it is

being done to help women "understand" what they are doing. What, we're too damn ignorant to read and understand?