The adventures of Mommy woman

Last night was a very politically poignant night in my opinion.  President Bush had his chance to make the speech of his life and in my opinion, he did.  He was relaxed, well spoken, emotional, open about all the issues and, above all to me, seemed like a real, genuine person.  Then, at the After Hours show for MSNBC, Janeane Garofalo, comedienne turned actress turned "political commentator" chimes in and spews forth her wacked out (IMO) view that it was all just a scam and she just "feels" she's being lied to.

Janeane really didn't get my attention at first (other than for a little chuckle) because she said exactly the sort of things I expected from her and her Air America buddy.  Then she commented on something that just got me infuriated.  She was saying that the language being used by the Republicans was misleading.  I didn't see it but gave her a fair listen...that lasted until she said (not a direct quote because it was about 2AM and I don't remember verbatum) "There is no such thing as partial birth abortion.  It is dilation and extraction.  Calling it Partial birth abortion is like calling an appendectomy an organ ripping."  Wow!  What a load of crap!  If anyone is trying to use misleading language it would be Ms. Garofalo.  Technically, you could call child birth "dilation and extraction".  Since Ms. Garofalo has never experienced child birth, I will ask this, how does she think the "dilation" occurs?  I'll tell you, labor!  Partial birth abortion is exactly that, the woman is induced, the fetus is brought to the point of birth, oh sorry Ms. Garofalo "extraction", then it is killed or terminated or whatever other term you want to use for ending that fetuses possibility for living.

Let me be clear, I am not a person who feels there could never be a need for such a procedure.  I am well aware that there are horrible defects that can't be detected until late in a pregnancy.  The procedure was developed originally because of hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid to build in the fetuses brain.  In such a case, the woman could not deliver the fetus vaginally and the D&X or Dilation & Extraction or Partial Birth Abortion saves the woman from the dangers she would incur with a C-section.

I see Partial Birth Abortion as a very accurate term.  The woman is induced (dilated), the fetus is brought out (birthed or extracted) usually feet first, then the brain is sucked out to collapse the fetal skull which allows an easier delivery.  You can argue that it isn't "abortion" if the fetus isn't viable.  I would agree with that asessment.  However, to my knowledge, there are no records available showing the causes for this procedure.  If it has ever been used to "extract" a viable fetus, it is Partial Birth Abortion.  My money says that it has and therefore, I don't see how anyone can dismiss the term.

I have brought two lives into this world via natural childbirth.  I have also had two miscarriages.  I was very upset the first time I miscarried and had to have a D&C.  My paperwork said "incomplete abortion".  I wanted that baby so the word "abortion" struck me with pain but the truth was, that was what was happening to my body.  My body was trying to abort the fetus because something was wrong.  Sometimes the reality is painful to hear but you have to call it out truthfully.  I do however, find it odd that doctors would call my situation an incomplete abortion but argue that the D&X procedure can't be called "abortion" because it involves a fetus that is not viable.  I tend to think that mine couldn't have ever been viable if my body ejected them.  Mine also occurred by the beginning of the fourth month.

Ms. Garofalo, who are you kidding now?  You really should have stuck to comedy and acting. 


Comments (Page 1)
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on Sep 03, 2004
Janeane Garafaolo is an entertainer?

But seriously...gotta peg you with an insightful for this one!
on Sep 03, 2004
I'm astounded at the frequency with which this type of thing happens ... re-naming or re-characterizing (actually mis-characteriizing) something to make it more palatable.

That seems to be a large part of the intent of political correctness. As if changing the name of something changes the thing, person, or event being described.
on Sep 03, 2004
Like calling murder "Involuntary life force reduction".
on Sep 03, 2004

If she's pro-choice, then why the Hell make such a euphism (that's the word, right?)? If anything, it only makes it seem as though she has some guilt in her for condoning it.

Ever since I saw her on The Daily Show, I've disliked her. I guess bad comedians, like bad singers (i.e. Courtney Love), must find other ways to whore themselves.

on Sep 03, 2004

Gid, thanks a lot.  You made me chuckle with the crack at ole Janeane

Pictoratus, you are right, I don't see how the PC crowd thinks for a second they are fooling anyone.  I don't think they even convince themselves.

Draginol, "Involuntary life reduction", I'll have to use that one some time

Messy, the word is euphemism and you are exactly right. 

on Sep 03, 2004

I think, and it is my OPINON, that if it weren't for the social stigma, many, many of the furthest Left people who are pro-abortion would have no problem with euthanizing babies at birth, either. Before you think of how far fetched it is, remember that it has been a common practice in China since long, long before Communism.

I'm not saying it is a slippery slope, and I'm not saying that everyone that is pro-abortion has the potential to kill babies. I do, though, think that trying to paint some huge difference is very, very subjective. Tthe people who have been at the forefront of the pro-abortion push for the last 30 years have many other "out-there" views about life, the universe, and everythin; many that they don't admit out loud very often.

So, in short, it doesn't surprise me that someone could be comfortable with the idea of partial birth abortion. If it can be a common practice in other parts of the world, and if kids can leave babies in dumpsters in the US, then I have no doubt the furthest left would be comfortable with killing babies in or out of the womb.

on Sep 03, 2004
Helix, you are so right!  She's not a politician but she tries to play one on TV and radio.  It just disgusts me that people like that get such attention for their views just because they have some success in entertainment.  I guess the merging of Hollywood and Washington just doesn't sit well with me.  There are occasional exceptions like Ronald Reagan (late President not his weeny, annoying son).  Even Arnold is a little of a stretch for me but I have heard that he puts in a lot of public service and truly strives to help his fellow man.
on Sep 03, 2004
Holiday Inn Express, but who's tracking, right?

Until such people get serious and take up public service as a profession, I can't pay much attention to anything political they say, even the conservatives among them. Once Reagan, Bono & Schwartzenegger made the move, they deserved the opportunity to participate in the process & have their opinions and positions taken seriously. But there is a sense among many such celebrities that the right to a mass forum for spewing whatever they want to spew comes with the job. Our media feed into this shamelessly, in no small part because it is built around celebrity personalities, too. Birds of a feather & all that. I cringe every time I see one of the countless billboards in every town splashed with the faces of the local newscasters, as if who reads the news matters. When people get air time because of who they are, the media are depriving folks who deserve air time because of what they do. In that regard, I have to give Fox a bit of credit for featuring both Bono & P. Diddy during the Republican convention for the non-partisan work they are doing. They are both trying to capitalize on their celebrity, admittedly, but not for pushing a personal political agenda, a distinction that I think is important and real.

Cheers,
Daiwa
on Sep 03, 2004
The first Bono was Sonny. Sorry for the confusion. The second Bono is... well, Bono.

Cheers,
Daiwa
on Sep 03, 2004

Until such people get serious and take up public service as a profession, I can't pay much attention to anything political they say, even the conservatives among them.
Great point!  You put the finger on it for me.  I couldn't exactly figure why I wasn't as annoyed with Arnold and I think you nailed it. 


Thanks for the great comments!

on Sep 03, 2004
For a good look deep into the abyss that is the hollywood a-hole's mind;
check out Ben STein and ?? Helmuth's book, Can America Survive?
It is a quick but enlightening read about the damage knee jerk leftism can cause.
Baker~ funny how the left ends up all the way right on certain issues, that is if it
is convenient for them. (WAAYYY RIGHT, Euthanasia)
on Sep 03, 2004
check out Ben STein and ?? Helmuth's book, Can America Survive?
I think my hubby bought that book recently so I will give it a look when he finishes.  Thanks SSG.
on Sep 04, 2004
Helix - No problem

Don't know how many of you caught O'Reilly's interview of Alec Baldwin, but he was fairly typical of the Hollywood elite left. Great actor, really wish he had stuck with the Jack Ryan franchise after Red October, but what the hey. He was pleasant and courteous to Bill, but his comments were heavy on accusation & scornful innuendo, light on facts, mostly following the Michael Moore party line. Granted, he didn't seek the interview, O'Reilly sought him out, but he's been vocal through other outlets. I also think Sarandon & Robbins are great actors & I enjoy seeing their work, but their political opinions carry no more weight than mine. I just never get a microphone on national TV. Damn, gonna have to work on that... 'bout the only way that's likely to happen is if I take a 5-year old hostage in front of the TV station & threaten to kill us both if I don't get a live 5-minute spot on the evening news.

Those celebrities should realize how what they take for granted is precious indeed and act a bit more responsibly. Obviously, it's tough for them to do, human nature being what it is.

Cheers,
Daiwa
on Sep 04, 2004
Those celebrities should realize how what they take for granted is precious indeed and act a bit more responsibly.


Is responsibility not standing up for what you believe in, then? Whatever you think of their opinions, they have just as much a right to have them and to express them as anyone else. Nevermind the fact that people don't make their own decisions on what to believe based on what they hear a celebrity say on TV. I don't think it helps anyone's cause really, but it's their right to express their opinions as they wish. There's a hollywood "elite right" too. I think it's kind of sad that people go around patronizing and insulting people for expressing what they believe in. If anyone has an opinion, they should be allowed to express it to the best of their ability.
on Sep 04, 2004
Eswiv -

I apparently failed to make my point clear. I have no problem with them having and expressing opinions and "standing up" for what they believe in, left or right. I encourage them to vote and to share their views with whoever. The issue is access to a mass media podium, which is not easy to come by, being considered their prerogative and handed to them on a silver platter by our celebrity-based media machine. There is no inherent political, social or economic wisdom borne of acting that entitles them to such access, any more than what I do for a living entitles me to it. But they get the microphone, and they don't appreciate the privilege and its significance.

I've never really understood the media cult of personality; it makes no sense to treat & pay newsreaders like rock stars, as if who reads it makes the news somehow different. Would the number of children killed at that school in Russia be different if Dan Rather reported it than if Peter Jennings did? Some of the comments critical of Fox News for "masquerading" as a news organization are kind of funny when you think about it. The mainstream news organizations (NBC, CBS, ABC) have been masquerading as news outlets for far longer, basing their appeal on the spin/tone or looks/delivery of the reader.

Of course, the Opinion Show hosts are rock stars, because their intent is a blend of entertainment and analysis and they get paid in accordance with what they bring in, same as Mick Jagger. But the opinion show boom is a fairly recent development and the media cult of celebrity has been around for a long time.

Cheers,
Daiwa
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