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Cheerio's avatar

My niece Allie flew to DC yesterday to testify before a Senate Committee (Budget Committee on the No Rights to Speak Of: The Economic Harms of Restrictions on Reproductive Freedom today at 10 am, Wednesday on her experience having to leave her state (TN) to get an abortion. Her fetus was not viable and by the time she arrived at Planned Parenthood, she discovered it was dead and had to get an emergency procedure. Tennessee is a no exception state. She is running for state legislature in her district but this trip is not campaign related, she has become and advocate for women in her state. She is also suing her state as part of a class action.

https://www.tiktok.com/@.allie.phillips/video/7340287813377772846

https://clarksvillenow.com/local/allie-phillips-announces-candidacy-for-democratic-nomination-to-state-house-district-75/

At any rate, I am very proud of her. She has turned a very devastating life experience into a positive action to benefit others.

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

I’ve benefited from what I’ve learned today. I’ll try to pass it on.

For a moment of self-indulgence, I was raised a Methodist in Texas, but my deepest (Christian) values came from books that taught me empathy.

Books that are often banned today.

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

For subscribers to the NYT, David French had an important point in his opinion piece yesterday in defense of the vast majority of Christians. Only a small percentage are SEVEN MOUNTAIN crazies, but the few hold some very powerful positions in the current Republican Party and U S government.

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

I’m making an effort to distinguish the 10% of far right wing Pentecostal Christian Nationalists from the vast majority of Christians. I’m learning more and more about extreme groups like the NEW APOSTOLIC MOVEMENT of which Mike Johnson seems to be a part. Also Ms Palmer who advises Trump on religious issues.

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Terry Hilldale's avatar

If you have to assume it, then it cannot be the basis of a law. "Neuroscientists BELIEVE that, in humans and mammals, the cerebral cortex is the “seat of consciousness,” Belief means that neurologist are NOT all but certain. Viability is a tried and true standard.

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BigDaddy52's avatar

If Haley takes a third party plunge, who gets hurt worse? Trump’s base won’t peel off. Will she capture enough never-trump Republicans and independents to hurt Biden?

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

Something good may come of all the talk and action regarding IVF. The ultra right may be the dog who caught the car. The anti- democratic, authoritarian wing is being exposed for who they really are and for what they really want. Keep thinking, feeling and asking questions and sharing with others. Onward!

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

Max, what you wrote ties in nicely with the SEVEN MOUNTAIN ? Something.

Th 7 mountains refer to seven areas of life fe that should be “under the control” of the “new” apostolic order. These seven areas

include not only religion and the family, but also media, education, entertainment …

I forget. What it doesn’t include is our Constitution nor democracy.

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Dennis E Coyle's avatar

Just a correction on your caption showing in vitro fertilization. The photo is not from an electron microscope. Electron microscoped use an electron beam to image in a vacuum. This image is using a light microscope at 400 x or above. A micopipett is used to hold the egg with suction (left side) and a sharp pipette to inject the sperm nuclear contents (right side).

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Rebecca Jones's avatar

Fascinating information. I went back to look at the photo since you identified all of the elements. TYFS.

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Eric Klein's avatar

MAGA will return us to the dark ages when science, facts and reality were suspended. MAGA would have all of us believe only what they want us to believe. Like Trump, they are a cancer of the heart, brain and conscience. It will kill all of us if it’s not cured soon.

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Christy's avatar

Minor error but the legend for the IVF photo is incorrect. Electron microscopy is not used for any type of IVF procedure. Various types of light microscopy are used.

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WDD's avatar

Beyond "affirming" that an embryo is a "pre-born" human life with innate rights, it seems that the Talabama Supreme Court also confirmed the legal interest of the parents in the fate of said embryo.

Is it a stretch to think that this means that a sperm contributor can claim harm and seek reparation if the uterine host of the embryo elects to terminate a pregnancy? Restated, "I will sue you if you don't carry our child to term, even if the procedure itself is legal."

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BigDaddy52's avatar

'TALABAMA'. Exactly. Most worrisome about mike johnson and the American taliban is the fanaticism. 'Religion' based. Mindless.

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

TomD, please speak. I’m not having much luck with a search.

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TomD's avatar

"Right to Life" makes a better bumper sticker than it does an ethical maxim. The impossibility of any exceptions has already done serious damage to their position. The Alabama ruling reduces it to absurdity.

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Christine's avatar

It’s crucial to recognize the source of the backlash legislators received after the Alabama ruling versus Dobbs. Families who can afford IVF can travel out of state for an abortion. Traveling out of state for all of the steps of IVF would be untenable.

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Rebecca Jones's avatar

Thank you for bringing up this aspect of IVF. About how many visits to an IVF 'doctor' or 'clinic' must be made prior to finding success in IVF?

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Christine's avatar

When my sister tried, it involved about ten visits for a single cycle.

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CHICKERING LOIS's avatar

So many opinions, so little useful information. Thank you for sharing real knowledge

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