Everytime I go to write about CEDAW, my inbox is filled with fascinating stories for you!
Like how everyone is going nuts that Giuliani donates to Planned Parenthood. Some are asking if this means that the GOP is becoming more flexible on abortion. Certainly, in recent history the Republican party has been an outspoken critic of choice (in terms of your vagina, not the market). Nonetheless, the traditional Republican view is for a small government and self-sufficient individuals who make their own decisions. There are many Republicans who are pro-choice, just not the ones running for President (except for Giuliani).
There's other news, especially about disabled kids. The NYT has a story on pre-natal testing for Down's Syndrome. The article reports that 90% of women who are told their fetus has Down's Syndrome abort. A movement has started to de-stigmatize Down's Syndrome, and explain that children and adults with Down's can live fairly normal and productive lives.
Another story takes us back to that young girl whose parents had her physical development halted due to her severe retardation. The news is reporting that the surgery to sterilize and stunt Ashley was a violation of the law. (Who will be the first small-government Republican to offer "Ashely's Law" - a federal law prohibiting this type of surgery?).
It seems that the US has higher birth rates than other developed countries - even non-Hispanic white women in the US have more children than their counterparts in Canada. This article points out the fact that we have a lack of pro-natalist laws (laws that would encourage people to have kids, like paid maternity leave), but instead attributes the high birth rate to our values.
Kids conceived in summer months score lower on tests; Virginia is experiencing a surge in syphilis (there is also a rise in syphilis among gay and bi men); another use for embryonic stem cells discovered; veterans are getting paid by the government for contracting STDs while in service; wealthy Chinese are having more than one child; activists want a chimp declared a 'person'; and, the Well-Timed Period writes about the possible suspension of FDA's approval of RU-486.
Fucked up story of the week: Hiring a hit man to kill a baby.
