Extremism At Work - Part Deux or The Handmaid's Tale Comes True

Back in February I wrote about the extremists trying to control me and the reproductive decisions I make.  The immediate issue was about abortion, but it was clear to me at the time that the instigators would not stop there.  This article, along with this discussion about conservative Catholic reaction to the Guttmacher Institute report on contraception strongly suggests a desire to turn back the clock, and the effort to defund Planned Parenthood is the first salvo.  That initiative is the shot across the bow women need to pay attention to.  These wingnuts (yes they are indeed) will not rest until we are back under male control.


I know that sounds extreme, but do you really believe it will stop with rolling back legal abortion, or rolling back access to contraception, or rolling back (insert your personal nightmare here)?  I don't.  I hope I don't live to see it and that those coming up behind me put their collective foot down and hold the line against this effort to keep women from living as fully human beings who are capable of making their own decisions.  It starts with controlling our bodies and exercising our capabilities in defense of our right to be that fully human being, living in relationship with the world and all who populate it.  It means men must respect us as being fully human and no one, not men or other women, has the right to claim otherwise or impose their will because of our gender.


For my Catholic friends and family who may be reading this rant, I offer you this analysis from The National Catholic Reporter.  It appears the issue over contraception for Catholics would have been mooted if Paul VI had been willing to listen to the committee studying the issue, rather than finding a way to impose his will.