I attended the Bans Off Our Bodies/Pro-Choice rally in Palm Springs, CA. The speakers were excellent, galvanizing and included Joy Silver from the Democratic Women of the Desert. Hundreds attended. I was going to bring a sign that said: MY CHOICE, MY BODY, MY FUTURE, MY VOICE, which I loved... but I couldn't pass up another I found on the internet:
I think that White Supremacist groups in this country must be labeled by the FBI as home grown terrorists and members put on a watch list.
I also believe that the hate filled white supremacist web sites must be monitored for such extreme manifestos as the shooter in Buffalo posted and these people brought in for evaluation and questioning. They must not be permitted to own firearms.
I went to the "Bans Off Our Bodies" Planned Parenthood rally in Sacramento on Saturday. I heard about it the night before from a friend. Even though I give a monthly contribution to Planned Parenthood, they did not send me notice of the nation-wide rallies on Saturday! If there had been greater publicity, many many more people would have attended. As it was, it was a good rally; several hundred people with lots of signs marched around a few blocks, leaving from the steps of the State Capital. It was covered on the evening news as the beginning of a week-long bus tour by Planned Parenthood; the news didn't even report on the number of people at the rally! I was very glad I was there. I am firmly convinced that the Supreme Court's ruling against Roe v. Wade will help the Democrats hold onto the House in November, and maybe, even increase the number of Dem. Senators! Thanks for your positive encouragement!
This evening, a conservative candidate (interesting that he didn't call himself a Republican) for County Commissioner knocked on my door. We had a great discussion on several topics including what he would do as Commissioner but extending to abortion and vaccines. It seemed we were both enjoying the banter even when we didn't agree on much. I congratulated him for running for office. On abortion I hope I conveyed that I didn't know if I could vote for any Republican based on the anti-abortion law passed by Texas Republicans. Told him Republicans need to beware of women scorned. I'm feeling confident that women's rights will be a significant if not the deciding factor in the elections and the success of Democrats keeping control of the House and Senate in 2022. What Alito and Thomas are espousing makes me more and more adamant about protecting and securing women's rights. The Supremacist Court has absolutely no credibility with me. They are dismantling democracy. I will do the right thing by all the People around me in upholding our rights no matter how the Roberts Court rules. They are the Pigs of Animal Farm rewriting the Constitution for no one's benefit but their own. Wonder if whatever-it- takes-to-get-re-elected Mitch will in the next couple of months lead a delegation to tell Alito and Thomas they need to resign, that it would be better for the country than being impeached in the same manner that convinced Nixon to resign. I am determined. I know thousands are just as determined. We, the People, all of us this time - everyone one of us!
Thank you, Robert for your invitation here to write about this issue. On Mother’s Day on 5/8/22 I attended a rally for abortion rights at the Boston State House along with about 50 other people. I was there on the 40th anniversary of my mother’s death and her birthday the previous day to celebrate her at such a rally. As a teenager, she took me to rallies and fundraisers for abortion rights before Roe was codified. I’m proud to be her daughter.
On Saturday I attended the rally sponsored by the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now, and ACLU of Ma along with thousands of people in record breaking heat. Massachusetts is among 16 states where abortion rights are expected to remain intact after the Supreme Court ruling.
I was happy to hear our Attorney General Maura Healey, who is running for governor, say she would never enforce an abortion ban and would protect abortion rights as well as help out-of-state patients who travel here for abortion services.
In 2020, MA passed the ROE act over Republican Governor Charlie Baker’s veto, codifying and expanding the right to abortion in MA. It is legal through 24 weeks gestation and after that threshold in cases of fetal anomaly or to preserve the health of a pregnant woman. The Roe Act also allows 16-17 year olds to seek abortion without parental consent. As a Newborn ICU nurse, I understand and witness the significance of these situations and the complex decisions families make.
Advocacy groups announced new efforts to position MA is a leader in providing affordable reproductive care of all kinds under the name “Beyond Roe Coalition”. It calls for full spectrum pregnancy care which includes insurance coverage for abortion, prenatal and postpartum care with no out-of-pocket costs.
It also calls for no-cost coverage for all forms of emergency contraception. Currently over the counter emergency contraception is available at a much higher cost than prescription versions that are covered by insurance but take longer to dispense. The bill, now before our House ways and Means Committee would make all forms readily available.
Advocates are also drafting a measure to protect Massachusetts residents and abortion providers from prosecution under a law line Texas’ SB8.
At both rallies I carried a sign that said “We are Ruth-less now…ACT accordingly”. I’m proud to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Acting accordingly, I am working to support Democratic candidates in other states in the primaries and midterms and urging my legislators to support Abortion rights and reproductive health care. I’m just getting started.
May 16, 2022·edited May 16, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I attended our local “ Bans off Our Bodies “rally in Florida with my Pro-choice Adoptee sign ( on the flip side was my husband’s wit: Banning Abortions = More baby Gaetz 😱)
I was encouraged by…
1) Diversity of protestors
2)Diversity of strong candidates running against our Fl House bully Rep,Freedom Caucus US Rep and unqualified CFO.
3)Conversations with fellow protestors. Some expressed they were “pushed over the edge” by recent abortion legislation. I believe many more out there !
4) Relatively few motorists giving us the single finger salute or colorful words.
Predictably, the right wing will blame “mental illness” for the Buffalo massacre. Even the WSJ carries such a suggestion. “Mental illness” is an easy way to deflect responsibility from people like Tucker Carlson and organizations like Fox. Of course, we don’t know these specifics. Perhaps the shooter was in fact crazy. But I submit it is more likely he is perfectly sane but inspired by conspiracy theories promoted by “respectable” members of the media and even Congress. We will now hear professions of horror from those who should spend time in front of a mirror.
Of Thomas's hypocrisy, Jesse Wegman of the NYT wrote this gem: "There is no question that the court has become politicized, to its and the nation’s great detriment. But to be subjected to a lecture on that fact by Clarence Thomas, of all people, is like listening to a plutocrat lounging by his infinity pool in a bathrobe, eating a gold-plated steak while bemoaning the horrors of extreme income inequality."
I believe that too many of us don't realize that by not voting, we allow the worst of us to get elected to political office and then control the action from reasonable laws on guns, voting limitations and abortion, just to name a few. We tend to get upset when another mass shooting occurs and hen when no action occurs t pass legislation blame everyone but themselves. If it is really true that most people favor legislation to impact al these matters then get out and vote. The dems should learn from the reps to work together instead of fighting among them selves. There is to little said about all the house passed legislation that die in the senate, legislation that would actually help people. VOTE or stop complaining; establish car pooling in the states to get people to the polls
I did not attend a rally here in Wisconsin but my 26-year-old daughter attended in Charleston where she lives. She went despite not having politically active friends down in that area. She made her own signs and when they asked for volunteers to speak and people are not raising their hands, she willingly went up and spoke in front of a crowd of 2 to 3000 people. She said she was terrified but she spoke about the fact that she is a Nicu/pediatric nurse and loves children but that is not the point. She spoke about her own sexual assault and the fact that she was advised not to press charges because he was from a prominent family, she spoke about the fact that that assault could have led to pregnancy. I looked for coverage online and there was a bit. My own rally here and Kenosha was said to have about 2 to 300 people in contrast
May 16, 2022·edited May 16, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I attended a rally for Bans off our Bodies in Broward county and there were 3,000 very energized and angry people. The cars passing by honked in solidarity enthusiastically. https://twitter.com/browardprogress/status/1526005531365855234 The local news chose not to cover it!
Words to express the feelings of betrayal by the right wing Justices are inadequate. The highest Court in our society which is a wonderful privilege and is so influential is faltering in it's duty. Of course, there are the few good Justices who maintain their equilibrium and focus on the "rights" of all people, not just the few. I pray for them and uphold them with positive thoughts and words of encouragement. Hopefully, an increase in the number of Justices to the Supreme Court will prove effective.Taking surveys and donating to it's cause seems too little, but if enough of us participate, it will become a reality. Thank you for your continued inspiration.
Thank you very much for naming the Buffalo deceased. The liability issues arising from Twitch's
weak efforts to stop "Hate Raids" are signicant. Per Twitch itself (actually Twitch Interactive) hate speech gets amplified by Bots many times per minute. Question: Did the Buffalo murders get amplified by Bots? Hopefully, these issues will be addressed by NY state prosecutors.
Thank you for starting out my day with your intelligence. When our country seems to have lost all semblance of ethics and hope there is your voice lighting the way.
I attended the Bans Off Our Bodies/Pro-Choice rally in Palm Springs, CA. The speakers were excellent, galvanizing and included Joy Silver from the Democratic Women of the Desert. Hundreds attended. I was going to bring a sign that said: MY CHOICE, MY BODY, MY FUTURE, MY VOICE, which I loved... but I couldn't pass up another I found on the internet:
ABORT THE COURT!
I think that White Supremacist groups in this country must be labeled by the FBI as home grown terrorists and members put on a watch list.
I also believe that the hate filled white supremacist web sites must be monitored for such extreme manifestos as the shooter in Buffalo posted and these people brought in for evaluation and questioning. They must not be permitted to own firearms.
I went to the "Bans Off Our Bodies" Planned Parenthood rally in Sacramento on Saturday. I heard about it the night before from a friend. Even though I give a monthly contribution to Planned Parenthood, they did not send me notice of the nation-wide rallies on Saturday! If there had been greater publicity, many many more people would have attended. As it was, it was a good rally; several hundred people with lots of signs marched around a few blocks, leaving from the steps of the State Capital. It was covered on the evening news as the beginning of a week-long bus tour by Planned Parenthood; the news didn't even report on the number of people at the rally! I was very glad I was there. I am firmly convinced that the Supreme Court's ruling against Roe v. Wade will help the Democrats hold onto the House in November, and maybe, even increase the number of Dem. Senators! Thanks for your positive encouragement!
This evening, a conservative candidate (interesting that he didn't call himself a Republican) for County Commissioner knocked on my door. We had a great discussion on several topics including what he would do as Commissioner but extending to abortion and vaccines. It seemed we were both enjoying the banter even when we didn't agree on much. I congratulated him for running for office. On abortion I hope I conveyed that I didn't know if I could vote for any Republican based on the anti-abortion law passed by Texas Republicans. Told him Republicans need to beware of women scorned. I'm feeling confident that women's rights will be a significant if not the deciding factor in the elections and the success of Democrats keeping control of the House and Senate in 2022. What Alito and Thomas are espousing makes me more and more adamant about protecting and securing women's rights. The Supremacist Court has absolutely no credibility with me. They are dismantling democracy. I will do the right thing by all the People around me in upholding our rights no matter how the Roberts Court rules. They are the Pigs of Animal Farm rewriting the Constitution for no one's benefit but their own. Wonder if whatever-it- takes-to-get-re-elected Mitch will in the next couple of months lead a delegation to tell Alito and Thomas they need to resign, that it would be better for the country than being impeached in the same manner that convinced Nixon to resign. I am determined. I know thousands are just as determined. We, the People, all of us this time - everyone one of us!
Thank you, Robert for your invitation here to write about this issue. On Mother’s Day on 5/8/22 I attended a rally for abortion rights at the Boston State House along with about 50 other people. I was there on the 40th anniversary of my mother’s death and her birthday the previous day to celebrate her at such a rally. As a teenager, she took me to rallies and fundraisers for abortion rights before Roe was codified. I’m proud to be her daughter.
On Saturday I attended the rally sponsored by the Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, Reproductive Equity Now, and ACLU of Ma along with thousands of people in record breaking heat. Massachusetts is among 16 states where abortion rights are expected to remain intact after the Supreme Court ruling.
I was happy to hear our Attorney General Maura Healey, who is running for governor, say she would never enforce an abortion ban and would protect abortion rights as well as help out-of-state patients who travel here for abortion services.
In 2020, MA passed the ROE act over Republican Governor Charlie Baker’s veto, codifying and expanding the right to abortion in MA. It is legal through 24 weeks gestation and after that threshold in cases of fetal anomaly or to preserve the health of a pregnant woman. The Roe Act also allows 16-17 year olds to seek abortion without parental consent. As a Newborn ICU nurse, I understand and witness the significance of these situations and the complex decisions families make.
Advocacy groups announced new efforts to position MA is a leader in providing affordable reproductive care of all kinds under the name “Beyond Roe Coalition”. It calls for full spectrum pregnancy care which includes insurance coverage for abortion, prenatal and postpartum care with no out-of-pocket costs.
It also calls for no-cost coverage for all forms of emergency contraception. Currently over the counter emergency contraception is available at a much higher cost than prescription versions that are covered by insurance but take longer to dispense. The bill, now before our House ways and Means Committee would make all forms readily available.
Advocates are also drafting a measure to protect Massachusetts residents and abortion providers from prosecution under a law line Texas’ SB8.
At both rallies I carried a sign that said “We are Ruth-less now…ACT accordingly”. I’m proud to be a citizen of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Acting accordingly, I am working to support Democratic candidates in other states in the primaries and midterms and urging my legislators to support Abortion rights and reproductive health care. I’m just getting started.
I attended our local “ Bans off Our Bodies “rally in Florida with my Pro-choice Adoptee sign ( on the flip side was my husband’s wit: Banning Abortions = More baby Gaetz 😱)
I was encouraged by…
1) Diversity of protestors
2)Diversity of strong candidates running against our Fl House bully Rep,Freedom Caucus US Rep and unqualified CFO.
3)Conversations with fellow protestors. Some expressed they were “pushed over the edge” by recent abortion legislation. I believe many more out there !
4) Relatively few motorists giving us the single finger salute or colorful words.
It was an exhilarating and emotional day !
Thanks, Robert!
Predictably, the right wing will blame “mental illness” for the Buffalo massacre. Even the WSJ carries such a suggestion. “Mental illness” is an easy way to deflect responsibility from people like Tucker Carlson and organizations like Fox. Of course, we don’t know these specifics. Perhaps the shooter was in fact crazy. But I submit it is more likely he is perfectly sane but inspired by conspiracy theories promoted by “respectable” members of the media and even Congress. We will now hear professions of horror from those who should spend time in front of a mirror.
Of Thomas's hypocrisy, Jesse Wegman of the NYT wrote this gem: "There is no question that the court has become politicized, to its and the nation’s great detriment. But to be subjected to a lecture on that fact by Clarence Thomas, of all people, is like listening to a plutocrat lounging by his infinity pool in a bathrobe, eating a gold-plated steak while bemoaning the horrors of extreme income inequality."
I believe that too many of us don't realize that by not voting, we allow the worst of us to get elected to political office and then control the action from reasonable laws on guns, voting limitations and abortion, just to name a few. We tend to get upset when another mass shooting occurs and hen when no action occurs t pass legislation blame everyone but themselves. If it is really true that most people favor legislation to impact al these matters then get out and vote. The dems should learn from the reps to work together instead of fighting among them selves. There is to little said about all the house passed legislation that die in the senate, legislation that would actually help people. VOTE or stop complaining; establish car pooling in the states to get people to the polls
I did not attend a rally here in Wisconsin but my 26-year-old daughter attended in Charleston where she lives. She went despite not having politically active friends down in that area. She made her own signs and when they asked for volunteers to speak and people are not raising their hands, she willingly went up and spoke in front of a crowd of 2 to 3000 people. She said she was terrified but she spoke about the fact that she is a Nicu/pediatric nurse and loves children but that is not the point. She spoke about her own sexual assault and the fact that she was advised not to press charges because he was from a prominent family, she spoke about the fact that that assault could have led to pregnancy. I looked for coverage online and there was a bit. My own rally here and Kenosha was said to have about 2 to 300 people in contrast
I attended a rally for Bans off our Bodies in Broward county and there were 3,000 very energized and angry people. The cars passing by honked in solidarity enthusiastically. https://twitter.com/browardprogress/status/1526005531365855234 The local news chose not to cover it!
I am not sure he cares but in this article is a letter from an attorney to Justice Roberts explaining why he is resigning from the SCOTUS Bar. While it is one person, it get me hope that folks are just not going to take this crap! The letter is linked in this article and it is worth a read. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/03/judge-james-dannenberg-supreme-court-bar-roberts-letter.html
There was a time when Ronald Reagan supported controls over access to assault weapons. The GOP then thought it was a good idea: https://www.history.com/news/black-panthers-gun-control-nra-support-mulford-act
Words to express the feelings of betrayal by the right wing Justices are inadequate. The highest Court in our society which is a wonderful privilege and is so influential is faltering in it's duty. Of course, there are the few good Justices who maintain their equilibrium and focus on the "rights" of all people, not just the few. I pray for them and uphold them with positive thoughts and words of encouragement. Hopefully, an increase in the number of Justices to the Supreme Court will prove effective.Taking surveys and donating to it's cause seems too little, but if enough of us participate, it will become a reality. Thank you for your continued inspiration.
Thank you very much for naming the Buffalo deceased. The liability issues arising from Twitch's
weak efforts to stop "Hate Raids" are signicant. Per Twitch itself (actually Twitch Interactive) hate speech gets amplified by Bots many times per minute. Question: Did the Buffalo murders get amplified by Bots? Hopefully, these issues will be addressed by NY state prosecutors.
Thank you for starting out my day with your intelligence. When our country seems to have lost all semblance of ethics and hope there is your voice lighting the way.