Sex In The Public Square - reproductive freedom - Comments

Ballot initiative results are a mixed bag

Elizabeth — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 03:03:00 -0800

Update on results as of November 5 at 6am from the CNN "My races" data:

Proposition K in San Francisco failed. No change in the enforcement of prostitution laws there.

Marriage bans passed everywhere they were on the ballot: Arizona (Prop 102) with 56% approving, California (Prop. 8) with 52% approving and Florida (Amend. 2) with 62% approving.

Voters supported reproductive freedom. The South Dakota abortion ban failed (Init. 11) with 55% of voters rejecting the measure, and in California a parental notification law (Prop. 4) failed by the same percentage. In Colorado Amend. 48 which would have given legal rights to fertilized eggs even before implantation also failed, resoundingly, with 73% of voters saying NO.

Prop K story in the New York Times

Elizabeth — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 11:46:33 -0700

The New York Times this morning has an article on Proposition K. It is pretty much a straight-reporting piece, and unfortunately doesn't do any investigative work to evaluate the claims made by either side. It contains the same quotes from Norma Hoteling et al that the measure would make the city a magnet for pimps and trafficking (unlikely since women could more easily report pimps and traffickers, as could clients). It quotes Carol Leigh (thank goodness) and the reporter did talk to a few sex workers to find out what they thought, and it ends with this bit of an interview with Patricia West, identified as a 22-year-old "independent, in-call escort":

Ms. West said that she enjoyed her work and believed that Proposition K would allow prostitutes to organize into collectives and negotiate for safer working conditions and better wages.

Ms. West concedes that what she does for a living “can be dangerous.” But she hoped Proposition K would make her occupation safer and more legitimate. “Working in a coal mine can be really dangerous, too,” she said “but it pays a lot of money so you’re compensated for your risk.”

The article also sites a local CBS poll of likely voters found opposition running slightly stronger than support but that about a quarter were undecided. If you are undecided and in need of more information, I recommend listening to the voices of those who will be most directly affected. Bound, Not Gagged , has an excellent collection of posts that might help you make up your mind.

I'm just a few miles and a

Iamcuriousblue — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 10:36:48 -0700

I'm just a few miles and a county away from San Francisco, so sadly, I can't vote for Prop K. I sent them a donation, anyway, and best wishes on what, even in a socially liberal city like San Francisco, is surely an uphill battle.

As Always...

Mina — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:28:58 -0700

Thank you... for all that you do. You rock!

Betrayal?

Chris — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:34:54 -0700

I believe the word for which you may be reaching is "betrayal".

If I were feeling very, very polite, that would be the word I would grab for. Generally, my description of the situation would include a lot of very rude descriptions of anatomically impossible acts and speculations upon their lineage.

I'm Feeling It

JanieBelle — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:17:48 -0700

Your pain, that is. I've been utterly discouraged by the (lack of) Democratic actions since they've taken control of the Congress.

They had a resounding mandate to fix things, but have pissed it away.

I believe the word for which you may be reaching is "betrayal".

Thank you

JanieBelle — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:15:03 -0700

Yes, UDoJ is also under the CCNCSA license (with one small exception, noted at the bottom of the right hand side bar).

I was pretty sure you would be OK with it, and I just wanted to get your permission first.

Kisses

The Difficulties of Activism

Chris — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:00:44 -0700

I must be getting old.

Activism like this gets harder and harder for me; much as my brain insists that actions like are necessary, and that I shouldn't surrender to the grip of apathy, it's harder to convince my heart that stuff like this will do anything. I don't think a veto is likely; I think it's certain, unless the Dems get together and make a real push that not only gets them a 2/3rds majority with which to overrrule the veto, but can stand up to the inevitable slanders that the Republicans will hit them with about how the Dems are a bunch of baby-killin' homos and whoremongers. Yeah, it's true that assaults like these are not only ironic but positively ludicrous in light of recent events, but they still work, partly because the Dems fear them so damn much. If more prominent Democrats, like say, Hillary Clinton, were willing to be unambiguous in their support for abortion rights as a good thing, I'd have more faith, but instead they spend their time pussyfooting around and try to triangulate a "third way" that will allow them to keep their base while not looking like they like this abortion thing too much.

In the end, the Republicans aren't the real enemy of liberals; it's the Democrats.

Of course you may

Elizabeth — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:36:00 -0700

That's the beauty of our Creative Commons "By Attribution, Non Commercial, Share Alike" license. UDOJ is still noncommercial, isn't it? Because otherwise you'd need special permission ;)

May I?

JanieBelle — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 14:53:14 -0700

Elizabeth,

Thank you for the link love, for starters, and for posting this as well.

With your permission, I'd like to repost this in toto at UDoJ.

May I?