Rethuglican state legislatures in Virginia, Alabama, Pennsylvania, and Arizona, among other states, are considering or enacting legislation intruding on womens' privacy and reproductive rights. Reading the off-year 2010 elections as some kind of mandate for extreme right positions on social issues, Rethuglicans have overplayed their hand in dramatic ways, none so much as impacts women. However, as Jessica Valenti notes, this really isn't a recent development:
"Their fear of sex—of women’s sexuality in particular—has become a major media talking point, and a source of outrage among American women. But what I don’t understand is why anyone is surprised. Republicans have long based their agenda for women in a deep-rooted disdain for all things female. We’ve been down this road many, many times before."The good news is that the majority is pushing back hard, and forcing the misogynist wingnuts to water down their proposals. But voters have a long memory when it comes to issues affecting their personal lives, and the Rethugs have awakened a sleeping giant with their overreach.
UPDATE: The Virginia Senate today passed its version of the ultrasound bill, requiring external ultrasound procedures. The bill passed along party lines, with unanimous Rethuglican support. The bill goes back to the Virginia House of Delegates now.
