Greetings, Dot Calm Readers -

If you scroll down through today's offerings, you will see the following headline in great big friendly letters:

Colo. Family Planning Program Linked to 48% Decline in Teen Birth, Abortion Rates

Why oh WHY, then, do Tea Partiers and evangelical Christians want to deprive women of access to birth control?

Aren't they all up in arms about hating abortion?

Don't they see the connection...?

Keep reading...you will find some reminiscences that show why this fight was so important to Dot Calm--and, therefore, why it is so important to me, Dot's faithful shadow.

Read on; then fight on!

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My body, my decision;

your body, your decision.

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BREAKING: Supreme Court to Decide Most Important Abortion Case in Decades

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URGENT PETITION: Demand the Supreme Court leave Roe v. Wade untouched >>

We just got word that the Supreme Court has decided to hear Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole, a case that threatens to shut down nearly every abortion clinic in Texas.

Make no mistake: this case could change everything.

The decision in Roe v. Wade -- and critical women’s health protections -- are on the line. We need to make sure the Supreme Court upholds women’s rights.

  Demand the Supreme Court reaffirm, not undermine, Roe v. Wade >>

Since our current Supreme Court often leans Republican 5-4, women’s rights are in jeopardy.

This could go one of two ways: Either the Court can shut down these attacks on women’s rights, or they can send us back 45 years to a pre-Roe era where women can’t access the reproductive care they need.

Sign your name now to tell the Supreme Court to protect women’s rights:

http://go.boldpac.com/protect-womens-rights

Thanks for standing with us on this,

BOLD PAC

WOMEN'S HEALTH Policy Report

Quote Round Up: Editorial Denounces Challenge to Contraceptive Coverage Rules, Provider Speaks Out Against Harassment, More Media outlets and key stakeholders in women's health call on the Supreme Court to uphold the federal contraceptive coverages rules' accommodation, condemn violence against abortion providers and more. More » SCOTUS Will Hear Contraceptive Coverage Rules Challenge The Supreme Court on Friday announced that it will hear several cases challenging an accommodation to federal contraceptive rules for not-for-profits that hold themselves out as religious and oppose contraception, the New York Times reports. More » Editorial Calls on Supreme Court To Reject Organizations' 'Extravagant Interpretation' of RFRA "It's vital that the [Supreme Court] reject the ... extravagant interpretation" of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (PL 103-141) used by organizations challenging the federal contraceptive coverage rules' accommodation for not-for-profits that hold themselves out as religious and oppose contraception, a Los Angeles Times editorial states. More » Report: Share of Birth Control Users Opting for LARC Up Over Last Decade U.S. women on birth control increasingly are opting to use long-acting reversible contraception, although oral contraception remains the most popular form of birth control, according to a report released Tuesday from the National Center for Health Statistics, the New York Times reports. More » Pelosi Picks Abortion-Rights Supporters To Join Special Committee Investigating Planned Parenthood House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week announced the six legislators she has selected to join a special House subcommittee investigating abortion providers, The Hill reports. More » Op-Ed: Feticide Laws, Bans on Abortion Used To Criminalize Asian-American and Immigrant Women Across the country, Asian American women's reproductive rights are being challenged and their family-planning decisions are being policed based on racial stereotypes held by anti-choice activists and officials," Miriam Yeung, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, writes in a Washington Post opinion piece. More » Blogs Comment on Pittsburgh 'Buffer Zone' Lawsuit, the 'Latest Reach of Feticide Laws,' More Read some of the best commentary from bloggers at the Women's Law Project blog, RH Reality Check and more. More » NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin Launches Housing Program for Women Traveling for Abortion Care NARAL Pro-Choice Wisconsin has launched a pilot program that provides women who are traveling long distances to access abortion services in the state with free housing and food, the Madison Capital Times reports. More » Thousands in R.I. Could Lose Abortion Coverage Many Rhode Island residents who have health plans through the state's insurance marketplace could lose their existing abortion care coverage and be enrolled automatically in a plan with less comprehensive abortion care benefits for 2016, the Providence Journal reports. More » New Social Media Campaign Urges Repeal of Irish Abortion Restrictions Abortion-rights supporters in Ireland are tweeting about their menstrual cycles to Prime Minister Enda Kenny as part of a viral campaign to repeal restrictive abortion laws there, Reuters reports. More » Blogs Comment on SCOTUS' Decision To Review Contraceptive Coverage Rules Again, Planned Parenthood Fundraising in Colo., More Read some of the best commentaries from bloggers at the Center for American Progress' "ThinkProgress," RH Reality Check and more. More »

EDITORS Debra Ness, publisher & president, National Partnership Sarah Lipton-Lubet, associate editor & director of reproductive health programs, National Partnership Jessi Leigh Swenson, associate editor & senor policy counsel, National Partnership Freya Riedlin, associate editor & reproductive health law fellow, National Partnership Lauren Sogor, assistant editor & health communications manager, National Partnership Cindy Romero, assistant editor & communications associate, National Partnership Marcelle Maginnis, associate editor Justyn Ware, senior editor Amanda Wolfe, senior director Joe Infantino, Rachel Schulze, staff writers Tucker Ball, chief digital officer, National Partnership CONTACT INFO For questions about your e-mail subscription or content contained within Women's Health Policy report: Contact Info » Frequently Asked Questions »

My body, my decision; your body, your decision. Can we please keep that distinction straight?

The fight for reproductive rights was tremendously important to Dot Calm.

You might even call it a crusade.

Dot was one of the first women to try birth control as it became available.

She was happily married and simply wanted a healthy sexual relationship with her beloved husband.

She had given birth to two healthy daughters, but neither pregnancy had gone smoothly. She hemorrhaged with the first, nearly full term, and went on bed rest until she delivered. The second was born ten weeks early and under three pounds, long before "preemies" had become a household word. An additional pregnancy ended in miscarriage after a few months. Each pregnancy sapped her strength--permanently, she once told me--and she knew that she would not survive another. Add to that a letter from a Catholic friend with eight (or more) children already, saying that she had had enough and was going to start using birth control.

Thus began Dot's adventure into the new world of reproductive choice.

"The Pill," when first introduced, caused severe-enough side effects to discourage Dot from taking it for very long. Her body rejected the IUD. But she dutifully tried all the forms of birth control on offer.

She knew that, even if none of them worked for her, she was still providing modern medicine with data they could use to make birth control better. Like for when her daughters grew up.

Ultimately, Mr. Calm "got snipped," and Dot's experiences helped create today's "mini-pill" that arguably both of her daughters used at one time or another--including to treat migraines.

Apparently, Hobby Lobby does not allow its female employees to have estrogen-related migraines...but I digress.

Dot did not believe in pre- or extra-marital sex, but she also knew that it was not up to her to decide for the next woman.

If a friend or one of her daughters had come to her for advice, she would have coached her to have enough self respect not to throw her body around like loose change. But Dot also said that a man lusting for sex can usually find a woman stupid enough to give it up.

And Dot flat-out refused to dump the entire responsibility onto only half of the participants. 

Given her harrowing experiences with pregnancy and childbirth, Dot Calm concluded that it has to be the woman's right to terminate her pregnancy.

"Once a woman is pregnant, it's too late to start yelling at her," Dot once said. Once a woman has an unwanted pregnancy, the thing to do is HELP her, Dot said--help her as she WANTS to be helped.

Case in point. One of Dot's daughter's high school classmates got pregnant out of wedlock. The Catholic school principal tried to intimidate the girl into getting an abortion to avert scandal. Dot was incensed. "They kicked the girl out of the Honor Society, but they probably patted the boy on the back, if they cared to find out who he was," she derided. "They SHOULD be asking this girl what SHE wants and then supporting her. I heard that the girl wants to have the baby and give it up for adoption. They should be helping her do that. Either way, it is the girl's decision--not the school's, and not even her parents'."

Dot knew that there were women out there whom she'd never meet who would want or need abortions for reasons she could never imagine. Having heard too many stories about coat hangers and back-alleys, Dot wanted these women to be able to make their own decisions about their own bodies in safety.

Like Molly Ivins, Dot Calm was frustrated that so many Christians seem to think that women don't have any morals.

"Women take sex, pregnancy, and child-bearing very seriously. VERY seriously," Dot said. "It is wrong to treat them as if only men are qualified to make decisions for them. And the men who want to run women's lives are not even doctors. They are churchmen or politicians.

"If you don't have a uterus, you don't get a say!"

Whose property is a woman's body?

The Supreme Court will review a clinic closure law out of Texas. BREAKING: The Supreme Court just announced the justices will take up a once-in-a-generation case on abortion access. Click here to take action NOW. Dear Dot Calm's Shadow, It's the case that could redefine abortion access for decades to come. Texas' package of debilitating anti-choice laws—which was responsible for shuttering dozens of abortion clinics in the state—is headed to the Supreme Court. What happens next will have ramifications to rival Roe v. Wade for millions of women and families. Add your name if you're committed to fighting alongside us for reproductive freedom. Targeted regulation of abortion providers (or TRAP) laws—harsh rules and regulations not levied against other medical providers—are designed by the anti-choice movement to shut down clinics, and they've been working. In Texas today, some women wait 23 days just to get an appointment! If SCOTUS rules against us, these draconian laws will be sanctioned nationwide. Make no mistake: This could send us back to a pre-Roe era—where a dangerous, back-alley abortion was a woman's only choice. This fight will be long and tough, and we need to know we have legions of NARAL supporters on our side. Click here to affirm you're with us for this fight. Thank you for all you do for reproductive freedom, and for what you'll continue to do from now until abortion access is firmly protected across the country. Ilyse Hogue President, NARAL Pro-Choice America

ter·ror·ism

ˈterəˌrizəm/

noun

 

the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims.

Don't you think that burning and bombing women's clinics and screaming at and physically attacking the patients and caregivers constitutes domestic terrorism?

I will be calling. Will you?

Dear Dot Calm's Shadow,

The calls for the Department of Justice to do something about the terrorist attacks on Planned Parenthood health clinics are growing.¹

More than 200,000 people--including you--have demanded that the Department of Justice investigate the attacks as domestic terrorism. That's huge--but we need to take it a step further and flood their lines with phone calls demanding they take action. Can you call?

Here is the number to call:

Department of Justice, National Comment Line

• 202-353-1555

After you call, please click here to let us know how it went.

It's always best to speak in your own words, but here are some bullet points that can guide you.

The Department of Justice must treat the attacks at Planned Parenthood as they are: domestic terrorism.

• There have been violent attacks on Planned Parenthood health clinics in FIVE states since July. 

• The Department of Justice committed to stopping acts of domestic terrorism just like these with the announcement of the Domestic Terrorism Counsel. They must stay true to that commitment.

• The Department of Justice has a strong history of protecting freedom from domestic terrorism, including prosecuting bombings of the Olympics and the World Trade Center. Women's constitutionally protected freedom to access safe reproductive care must be also protected.

Will you make the call now?

Thanks for speaking out.

--Nita, Shaunna, Kat, Karin, Adam, Holly, Kaili, Kathy, Onyi, Susan, Clarise, Anathea, Audine, Ryan, Shannon, Vanessa, Megan, Kaytee, and Libby, the UltraViolet team


Sources:

1. NARAL Wants Attacks on Abortion Clinics Investigated as Domestic Terrorism, Slate, October 19, 2015

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Want to support our work? UltraViolet is funded by members like you, and our tiny staff ensures small contributions go a long way. Chip in here.

Domestic terrorists attack 4 PP clinics in 74 days

Planned Parenthood clinics attacked

Tell the Department of Justice: “Investigate attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics as acts of domestic terrorism.” Add your name:

Dear Reader, Four. That’s the number of reported arson attacks against Planned Parenthood clinics since anti-abortion extremists and congressional Republicans launched their full-scale attack this summer.1 The media has largely ignored these attacks on women’s health care clinics. Congressional Republicans continue to go after Planned Parenthood, but keep sweeping under the rug what appear to be terrorist attacks against the organization. It’s time for the Department of Justice to step in. Tell the Department of Justice: Investigate the arson attacks on Planned Parenthood clinics for what they are: domestic terrorism. Click here to sign the petition. The arson attacks in New Orleans, Louisiana; Pullman, Washington; Thousand Oaks, California; and Aurora, Illinois are part of a long history of violence against women’s healthcare providers, especially abortion clinics, by fanatics who want to intimidate women and close clinics. Between 1977 and 2014, at least 42 bombings, 182 arsons, 99 attempted bombings and arsons, and 662 bomb threats have been directed at abortion providers.2 This violence is the most extreme result of right-wing rhetoric that shames and patronizes women, lies about women’s health care providers and positions politicians as the arbiters of women’s decisions about their bodies and their lives. The despicable attacks on Planned Parenthood are not just acts of hatred but of domestic terrorism — and the Department of Justice should treat them as such. It's time now for an investigation to get to the bottom of this. Tell the Department of Justice: Investigate Planned Parenthood arson attacks as domestic terrorism. Click the link below to sign the petition: https://act.credoaction.com/sign/PP_Attacks_DOJ?t=8&akid=16096.1059363.WE8rj9 Thanks for standing up for women. Heidi Hess, Campaign Manager CREDO Action from Working Assets Add your name: References: “Four Arsons in 74 Days at Planned Parenthood Clinics,” Bill Morlin, Southern Poverty Law Center, 10/2/2015. National Abortion Federation Violence and Disruption Statistics

The extremists have already closed nearly all the abortion clinics in Texas, leaving fewer than a dozen across the entire state!

Breaking: U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear Texas case that could undermine, or reaffirm, Roe v. Wade.


Dear Dot Calm's Shadow,

Moments ago, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will hear a case, Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole, that threatens to shutter almost every abortion clinic in Texas.

We can’t let that happen, and that’s why we need your support more than ever before.

Make no mistake: Women’s health and lives are at stake!

For more than four decades, women’s privacy, dignity and ability to make deeply personal decisions about their health have been protected by Roe v. Wade. But these critical protections are now on the line.

The Court could either shut down these harmful abortion restrictions or turn the clock back even further to the days when women in large swaths of the country could not access the abortion care they needed.

That’s why the National Partnership created the new Women’s Defense Fund — so we can stand up, speak out and fight back — and I urge you to become a charter supporter by donating $5, $50 or even $500 today!

The Texas law (HB 2) at issue in this case is the very definition of what we call “bad medicine.” It interferes with the practice of medicine; replaces medical standards with politicians’ ideology; and has nothing to do with providing safe, high-quality care. It’s a dangerous ideological ruse to shut down trusted health care providers and deny women abortion care.

Sadly, women and health care providers in Texas are not alone. There’s an outbreak of “bad medicine” laws (like HB 2) sweeping the nation, as extremists launch relentless attacks … in the states, in Congress and in the courts.

That’s why we created our new Women’s Defense Fund. And that’s why we're sounding the alarm for all our supporters and donors.

Please chip in $5, $50 or even $500 to ensure the National Partnership has the resources necessary to defend women’s health and rights from these attacks.



Every single dollar will be put to very good use right away!

Thank you!


Sincerely,

Debra Ness
President

Dear Dot Calm's Shadow - When the Supreme Court ruled in last year’s Hobby Lobby decision that some corporations could refuse to provide employees with birth control coverage on religious grounds, it was a troubling victory for extremists. But now, the situation could get even worse. The Court just announced that it will hear another series of cases that challenge women’s right to birth control coverage. This time, the plaintiffs claim that even filling out a form stating they won’t provide the coverage violates their religious freedoms. It’s utterly ridiculous -- but it could turn into another Hobby Lobby. That’s why we need your help. Before the justices begin hearing arguments, will you urge them to protect the interests of women, no matter where they work? Tell the Supreme Court: Protect women’s access to birth control coverage.      The New York Times makes it clear: These cases are “a well orchestrated assault on the right of women to control their bodies, and thus the course of their own lives.” Across the country, conservative politicians and groups have been attacking women’s right to plan their families with a relentless fervor. From attempts to defund Planned Parenthood, to lawsuits against the Affordable Care Act, and even to physical assaults on abortion clinics, it seems the attacks never stop. So we can’t stop, either. Please join us in standing up for women. Will you add your name to tell the Supreme Court to protect access to birth control for women, no matter where they work? This is a critical turning point for birth control access. We need you on our team. Thank you, Team DSCC