Virginia Governor Tim Kaine signed legislation Monday that will enable the sale of a "Choose Life" license plate in the state. According to the Washington Post, $15 of the $25 fee for the license plates will go towards funding crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs). CPCs pose as legitimate health centers and offer "free" pregnancy tests. Some CPCs coerce and intimidate women out of considering abortion as an option, and prevent women from receiving neutral and comprehensive medical advice. They are typically run by anti-abortion volunteers who are not licensed medical professionals.
In a press release, Governor Kaine defended his decision: "I sign this legislation today in keeping with the Commonwealth's longtime practice of approving specialty plates with all manner of political and social messages. Furthermore, if Planned Parenthood--an organization that is already a recipient of state budget funds--or another similar organization ever chooses to seek a specialty license plate in Virginia, I believe the Constitution would require the state to approve that plate to protect against any viewpoint discrimination."
NARAL Pro Choice America released a statement from National President Nancy Keenan and Virginia NARAL President Tarina Keene. Both leaders said "the revenue from the 'Choose Life' plates would go to many CPCs that use deceptive, intimidating, and emotionally manipulative tactics to block women from learning the facts about, or choosing, legal abortion…No pro-choice license plate would make that right."
Virginia NOW released a statement that they are “outraged by Governor Kaine's shameful decision to allow 'Choose Life' license plates to be sold by the state. His rationale in today's press release -- basically, there are lots of message license plates out there, this is just one more -- ignores women's health and safety. It also insults us by suggesting that the remedy is for pro-choice supporters to get their own license plate. Virginia NOW does not think that license plates are the place to debate this sensitive personal issue."
It is offensive but, honestly, shock? It's like being surprised when a scorpion stings you. What did you think it was going to do? Bring you the paper?
Right about now Ms. magazine is choking on that infamous cover.
The clues were always there. "Mrs. Obama" as opposed to "Ms. Obama." Michelle's eagerness to tell the world she wasn't a feminist. The sexist campaign her husband ran and, hey, her White House bio.
When people ask Michelle Obama to describe herself, she doesn't hesitate. First and foremost, she is Malia and Sasha's mom.
Congrats, America, you've got Dr. Laura as First Lady!
But before she was a mother -- or a wife, lawyer, or public servant -- she was Fraser and Marian Robinson's daughter.
When was she ever her own person? Oh, she's never been that. Got you.
We'll skip the fairy tale version of her parents because we know reality.
A product of Chicago public schools, Michelle studied sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin, where she later met the man who would become the love of her life.
Wait. She joined a law firm and . . .
Met the man of her dreams? Did she work? Of course not, college was just one long holding pattern for Michelle. It was about preparing her to be a wife and mother.
After a few years, Michelle decided her true calling lay in encouraging people to serve their communities and their neighbors. She served as assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago's City Hall before becoming the founding executive director of the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service.
Ourselves, we love the rumors that Michelle had to leave the practice of law. But the Disney-fied version where she suddenly decides that a law degree is something to be tossed aside is so very Haley Mills. Let's jump cut and flash forward:
As First Lady, Michelle Obama looks forward to continuing her work on the issues close to her heart -- supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, and encouraging national service.
Working women without children? You aren't close to Michelle's heart. Get the message?
It took a lot of lying and self-lying to ever dress Barack (or Michelle) up as feminists. This period will be one of shame in feminist history and the longer it takes feminist 'leaders' to come out swinging, the more shameful it will be. Translation, you remember Susan Anthony because she fought the power. What some forget is that she also had to fight enablers among her own movement.
