Pro-Choice Ohio

Support Reproductive Choice while shopping on line.

Emily — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:35:01 EST

Here is a good idea for Christmas shopping:
You can support women's reproductive choice in Ohio by using the link below:

http://www.iGive.com/welcome/warmwelcome.cfm?c=11976&m=153626

igive.com stores (everything from books to clothes to toys) donate a percentage of the purchase price to a charity. If you use the link above, and shop within 5 or 6 weeks, Women Have Options will receive an extra $5.00 !

So you can get your Christmas shopping done and support Women Have Options at the same time !

For more information about Women Have Options, look at our website www.womenhaveoptions.org. We have been supporting reproductive choice since 1992. We need your help to continue to help women in these difficult economic times.

Although I have no idea what to do with the following links, perhaps you will, as Women Have Options is now on Facebook and Twitter:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/WHOohio
Facebook Cause Page: http://tinyurl.com/y8dlhxo
Facebook Group Page: http://tinyurl.com/yla3mn4

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING WOMEN'S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS !

Further Ideas

4TheFuture — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 12:13:37 EDT

OK, I'm going to add to my last blog. I really feel that bailing out these big companies like AIG isn't the right thing to do. Taxing the big bonuses that the CEOS/Executives is the right thing to do. It was absolutely wrong for AIG to use millions of dollars of bailout money to give bonuses to the "higher ups" of the company. The company should be forced to give back all of the money used for bonuses. Bailing out these huge companies is only a temporary fix to the big problem. If all these companies are begging for money, why in the world would they give that all so precious, needed money as bonuses? I am completely appalled and I'm sure a lot of other Americans are too. President Obama has every right to be angry at AIG for not using the bailout money properly. The AIG executives are completely greedy and selfish. They should be reprimanded in some way for accepting money that should go straight to bailing out the company. Maybe President Obama will now rethink giving bailout money if this is what is going to happen with it.

The American View

4TheFuture — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:56:35 EDT

George Bush is to blame for so much demise and damage to the economy amongst many other things. Hopefully, Obama can step up to the challenge in the next 6 months and approach the situation willing to make a difference. Now, spending isn't the way that we can get where we need to be at as a country. To get out of debt, we can't spend money that isn't there, or as I like to call it, "invisible money". I really think implementing a payroll tax would be in the best interest of all americans and our economy. Just think about it, our economy would stimulate from the payroll tax by our government getting money from taxing each american's income. I believe it was Mitt Romney who is known for this idea, and he is an economic expert. Now, on to other matters. Bailing out every large company such as GM and others isn't the way to do things, it's only a "temporary" fix. You've got to be in it for the long run. Now, I know my ideas don't always have a lot of detail, but I think logically. Think permanent.

WVKO Farewell

Liberty Belle — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:10:07 EST

The marketplace of ideas is being strangled.

After one year of service to the progressive community of Central Ohio--with virtually no warning and despite enormous support, Monday, December 22 will be the last day of progressive broadcasts at WVKO.

Six companies own 80% of our media outlets, but the majority of people "they serve" are not buying the conservative stations' rhetoric. Latin Catholic masses and other Catholic programming will replace WVKO programming.

I can barely perceive the [not-so] subtle message.

60th Anniversary of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Lorraine Bieber — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 14:12:46 EST

Activists will gather in Columbus this Wednesday, December 10 to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the adoption of The Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

At 4:00PM at the State House (exact location TBD), the declaration will be read in its entirety, and speakers will make commentary.

Sponsors and participants include: United Nations Association - Columbus Chapter, Central Ohioans for Peace, Faith Communities Uniting for Peace, Interfaith Association of Central Ohio, SweatFree Ohio, Ohio AFL-CIO, Ohio Conference on Fair Trade, and Columbus Area Jobs with Justice

Click here to RSVP and comment.

Click on the image to read the full declaration.

From the Introduction:

All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms.

The United Nations is committed to upholding, promoting and protecting the human rights of every individual. This commitment stems from the United Nations Charter, which reaffirms the faith of the peoples of the world in fundamental human rights and in the dignity and worth of the human person.

In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations has stated in clear and simple terms the rights which belong equally to every person.

These rights belong to you.

They are your rights. Familiarize yourself with them. Help to promote and defend them for yourself as well as for your fellow human beings.

Reproductive Choice in Today's Economy

Emily — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:59:26 EST

Chances are the economy has been on your mind lately. I know it has been on mine. One way or another it is affecting us all. You may find yourself cutting back.... or feeling anxious about the future.
Imagine being a single mom trying to take care of your child on $1200 a month in this economy. Now imagine that you find out you are pregnant, and the abortion you want is going to cost almost half a month's pay.
How could you possibly come up with the $550 you need to pay for your abortion ?? How could you even pay for contraceptives to prevent another pregnancy ??

Wages are down. Costs are up. And the most marginalized people in our society are the hardest hit: low income women, people of color, and immigrants.

It has never been harder for women to scrape together money on their own for their abortions. In the best of times, women have to use money they need for basic necessities to help pay for real reproductive choice. Imagine what it is like today !
That is why we have never needed you more. Women Have Options helps Ohio women with the costs of contraception and abortion. We work with clinics all over the state.

Please help us continue to help women in desperate circumstances by sending a contribution today. You can contribute on line at www.womenhaveoptions.org or you can send a check to Women Have Options, P.O. Box 5, Granville, OH, 43023. We appreciate your help which makes an immense difference in the lives of women in our communities.

SUPPORT WOMEN WHILE ENJOYING ICE CREAM !

Emily — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:27:48 EDT

How good an idea is that ??? Women Have Options (www.womenhaveoptions.org) helps women all over Ohio with the costs of abortion and contraception. You can support women's reproductive choice AND earn a free pint of Graeter's icecream by sending a check
(minimum $25.00) to WHO/O, P.O. Box 5, Granville OH 43023. Be sure to include a note that says "Tell Emily". Or donate on line. (This offer is good until November 15,2008 for the first 10 people who donate.)

Pat Tiberi Just Says NO! But Then Says YES!

Liberty Belle — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 01:18:47 EDT

Congressman Pat Tiberi and David Robinson square off on the BAilout and Economy

*Note: NO! photo or video is available for this story. Please see “Pat Tiberi Seeks to Silence the Free Press” for details.

On Monday, September 29 Representative Pat Tiberi and Democratic challenger David Robinson faced off in their first debate. This was following at least four previously held events where “Our Congressman” had disappointed the 12th District electorate by being unable to attend while the Democratic challenger David Robinson maintained perfect debate attendance.

The Delaware, Ohio debate was held in a local vocational school. Tiberi flew in from Washington just hours after he went “His Own Way” and said NO! to the $700 Billion bailout package.

That evening, Tiberi confidently addressed the audience of approximately 150 Delawareans saying:

“We had a vote today that I told the President, 'NO!'

"Some say I can't tell the president, 'NO!'

"But I told my party leadership, 'NO!'

“Because at the end of the day, when I look into my daughter's eyes, it's about her.

"It's about the next generation of Americans. It's not about party. It's about doing the right thing.”

Based on his opposition to the bill, The Liberty Voice posted our support on our website saying, “We salute Pat Tiberi on this choice.”

The Delaware Gazette reported, “Tiberi felt the bill didn’t adequately protect consumers and was jammed through Congress.”

According to Tiberi on Monday, his NO! vote represented the will of his constituents. He said,

“Main Street wasn't protected in that bill. That's who I got the phone calls from.

"The phone calls from Central Ohio were AGAINST it!!!

“We've got to deal with the reality of what we can do, cause at the end of the day, guess who's going to pay for it--WE ARE!”

Platinum Bootstraps, Pat Tiberi and Michael Moore

Liberty Belle — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:22:51 EDT

Economic collapse brings together the strangest bedfellows: Michael Moore and RINO Pat Tiberi.

Despite Pat Tiberi's voting record which has handed taxpayer money over to no-bid contractors and often supported corporate welfare, Pat Tiberi decided to actually "go his own way" (despite a 93% lock-step record with President Bush).

This is ironically the same choice of Michael Moore. We salute Pat Tiberi on this choice. I guess with $830,000 already in the Tiberi's WAR chest from financial and security companies over the past eight years, Tiberi would rather finally side with his voting block (and just in time for the election!) rather than again rewarding bad behavior. It remains to be seen however if the voters of Ohio's 12th Congressional District will have amnesia of the trillions of no-bid appropriations and corporate bailouts Tiberi has already approved.

Here is an excerpt from Michael Moore's proposal:

The richest 400 Americans -- that's right, just four hundred people -- own MORE than the bottom 150 million Americans combined. 400 rich Americans have got more stashed away than half the entire country! Their combined net worth is $1.6 trillion. During the eight years of the Bush Administration, their wealth has increased by nearly $700 billion -- the same amount that they are now demanding we give to them for the "bailout."
Why don't they just spend the money they made under Bush to bail themselves out? They'd still have nearly a trillion dollars left over to spread amongst themselves! Of course, they are not going to do that -- at least not voluntarily.
George W. Bush was handed a $127 billion surplus when Bill Clinton left office. Because that money was OUR money and not his, he did what the rich prefer to do -- spend it and never look back. Now we have a $9.5 trillion debt. Why on earth would we even think of giving these robber barons any more of our money?
I would like to propose my own bailout plan. My suggestions, listed below, are predicated on the singular and simple belief that the rich must pull themselves up by their own platinum bootstraps.
Sorry, fellows, but you drilled it into our heads one too many times: There... is... no... free... lunch. And thank you for encouraging us to hate people on welfare! So, there will be no handouts from us to you.

Read the rest of Michael's proposal here.

Tiberi Seeks to Silence the "Free" Press

Liberty Belle — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:19:53 EDT

Thelibertyvoice.com

“I, Pat Tiberi, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.”

Amendment I
“Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press…”

As the publisher of The Liberty Voice, I had made preparations to record the September 29th public debate sponsored by the League of Women Voters, The Delaware Gazette and the Farm Bureau. This forum for local, state and federal candidates was held in a publicly-funded local school. As I am not able to write every word live, it is necessary that I record such events so that I may accurately transcribe what is said.

This was an especially important service to perform this evening, as “our Congressman” Pat Tiberi has repeatedly refused to answer our questions concerning his voting record which illustrates his gross and repeated violations of the US Constitution.

Lately, I have recorded similar debates sponsored by two of the above-mentioned organizations without incident, so what changed?

Incumbent Pat Tiberi was there.

In the past four debates–all of which had invited “our Congressman” to come, he never bothered to make an appearance. However, it was anticipated that this would be a widely-attended debate, so there was great pressure for him to make a showing. Judging by what happened later in the evening, as a condition for Tiberi’s long-awaited participation in the debates and unbeknownst to me, Tiberi pressured the sponsoring groups to forbid the use of any recording devises–without exception granted even to the press.

As I was setting up my equipment before the debate began, I was asked to put my video recording devise away, as it was an event rule that all involved had agreed to in advance. When I challenged this, the organizers–in order to “prevent making a scene” –which most definitely did make a scene, reluctantly agreed that I could record.

Pat Tiberi is endorsed by the Columbus Dispatch Printing Company

Liberty Belle — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:17:59 EDT

ShareThis

Central Ohio residents were treated to yet more of the Columbus Dispatch Printing Company’s (CDPC) ‘fair and balanced’ judgment; Pat Tiberi, a republican currently holding the 12th Congressional seat at the People’s House, has gotten the local daily printing company’s endorsement for Congress.

Hopefully, CDPC readers will remember the past ‘judgment’ of the company’s endorsements–including George W. Bush for president in both 2000 and 2004, when shortly before the 2004 election, even the CDPC seemed to know better. In the midst of this latest fill-in-the-blank-shock-and-awe crisis, that presidential endorsement has shown where the loyalties of the Wolfe family media empire really LIE. Much like Washington serves its lobbyists, the CDPC likewise serves the corporations who pay for thier ads.

The fact that a local printing company’s public informational monopoly would find it within their job description to endorse a candidate before even informing the population of where all candidates stand on the issues that affect them most, is discrediting to not only to the endorsement, but raises questions as to the credibility of the CDPC itself.

The CDPC wrote, “Tiberi [is a] moderate Republican, reasonable in [his] approaches to policy issues and capable of the nitty-gritty legislative work that’s required.”

The most glaring omission in this statement is that Tiberi has never sponsored and passed even one piece of legislation in his nearly eight years of [dis]service.

By this same CDPC standard, Tiberi’s voting record indicates that he is as “moderate” as he is “capable”!

Let’s look at his “moderate” and “reasonable approach” from his congressional voting record, for as even the CDPC noted, “most candidates are fiscal conservatives during the campaign season; the proof is what happens when they get to Capitol Hill.”

Exactly.

The question is, why didn’t the CDPC look at that “proof” and relate that to their readers? The [t]reason is that Tiberi’s record is far from moderate.

An All-American Race

Liberty Belle — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 11:16:59 EDT

The 12th Ohio Congressional district, an "all-American district" in the view of Michael Alwood of WVKO's "Blue State Diner" offers a uniquely relevant contrast of candidates in this year's election that goes directly to the point of who controls our wayward government. David Robinson is a first-time candidate who has pledged devotion to the Constitution and is leading an all-volunteer group of supporters in an attempt to dislodge the four-term incumbent, Pat Tiberi, a Bush-loyalist. The following is excerpted from this interview on July 26, 2008.

Michael Alwood: If you look at the twelfth district, it is about as American as it gets. It parallels-almost exactly the national average demographics across the board. We are talking about the all-American district. I think of an all-American district as the people who are being hardest hit in these tough economic times. The institutions who back Republican incumbent Pat Tiberi-insurance companies, financial institutions, some pharmaceutical companies, and these are not people who have the best interest of average Americans in mind-they have the best interest of their stockholders in mind.

David Robinson: One of my central tasks in this campaign is to focus on Mr. Tiberi's voting record and awaken the citizenship to exactly what he is doing in DC. Voters should be asking themselves whether he's representing their interests and values.

The policy we articulated during the primary was the Apollo II Energy Initiative. Stated simply, it recognizes that many of the long-term problems facing our country: loss of jobs, national security issues and environmental concerns-all trace back to energy. It is my belief that by boldly changing the direction of our country-away from fossil fuels and towards next-generation renewables, we can revitalize our economy-especially here in Ohio. We are bound to benefit immensely from this program.

My current thoughts on voting

4TheFuture — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:12:19 EDT

I have been keeping up with the 2008 election, and so far I am not impressed with Obama or McCain. If I chose between voting for Obama or McCain or not voting at all, I would choose not voting. I wouldn't consider myself Apathetic because I do care about who runs our country and I do know that my vote counts. I'm in the position where I don't think either candidate would put our country back on track and keep it there. Obama says that our country needs "change" when he hasn't explained in depth what he means by "change." I want a president who is very straight forward and says alright, this is what we're going to do and this is how we will do it. But, I know that will never happen.

McCain campaign cancels event w/TX oilman who compared rape to the weather

Jill Miller Zimon — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 22:36:59 EDT

Just in case people can't come up with enough reasons on their own why John McCain is not the choice for women, ABC News reports on how one Texas oilman, Clayton Williams, who is a McCain supporter slipped up:

ABC's Rick Klein reports: Sen. John McCain on Friday abruptly cancelled a Monday fundraiser that had been scheduled at the home of a Texas oilman, after ABC News contacted the campaign inquiring about a verbal blunder the Texan made during an unsuccessful 1990 campaign for governor. Clayton Williams stirred controversy during his 1990 campaign for governor of Texas with a botched attempt at humor in which he compared rape to weather. Within earshot of a reporter, Williams said: “As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it.”

McCain's campaign is on the record for nixing the event due to those comments:

McCain campaign spokesman Brian Rogers said the Monday event was being cancelled, given the offensive comments. He said he could not yet say what McCain would do with donations brought into the campaign by Williams. "These were obviously incredibly offensive remarks that the campaign was unaware of at the time this event was scheduled," Rogers said. He added that Williams apologized for the comments back in 1990, but he said that does not excuse them.

But, there's one more thing, from the ABC item:

Williams told the Midland Reporter-Telegram recently that he had already raised more than $300,000 for McCain and the fundraiser to be held at his home in Midland. Williams said that he needed to help McCain raise money to stop an Obama campaign that would enact “socialist” policies if elected to office.

Really now? Tracy Russo of Rural Votes has this suggestion:

It’s not enough that Senator McCain cancels an event because the media got wind of it. It’s not enough. Senator McCain should publicly reject and denounce this man. He should donate every single dirty dollar that this man has raised for him - all $300,000 - to an organization working to combat rape in our society - like RAINN or RVA. And he should apologize immediately and completely to his female supporters for daring to entertain the thought of keeping company with this despicable, disgusting individual. Rape isn’t something that’s funny, it’s tragic. It’s a blight on all of society. Women should be able to trust Senator McCain to recognize that, and to do the right thing.

I completely agree. Cross-posted at Writes Like She Talks and The Moderate Voice.

Clinton drops out of presidential race; endorses Obama

4TheFuture — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 17:47:19 EDT

So, Clinton has officially dropped out of the presidential race. This isn't a surprise to me and I'm sure it isn't a surprise to a lot of other people either. Hillary was way behind Obama in the delegate count and in fundraising. She has endorsed Obama and I really think she didn't want to endorse him.

Obama, without a doubt

4TheFuture — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:22:29 EDT

Folks, Hillary doesn't have a chance at winning the delegates, let alone the democratic nomination! She is way behind Obama. At this point, she should probably discontinue her journey to be the first female president, as she stands little or no chance at winning.

Obama All The Way

4TheFuture — Wed, 21 May 2008 19:21:57 EDT

Let's face it folks, Obama has the majority of the delegates. He has fundraised $30 Million while Hillary has fundraised $22 Million. With the endorsement of John Edwards and Robert C. Byrd, Obama can now be provided with the opportunity to reach out to blue collar voters. He wouldn't have had much success reaching blue collar voters without John Edwards. The endorsement of Robert C. Byrd is great considering Hillary's more than 2 to 1 ratio win in West Virginia. Hillary has said that if she becomes the president, she will be the president of all 50 states; way to state the obvious Hillary. Obama has been slowly gaining more and more delegates than Clinton. They have traded wins between the states. Hillary doesn't really have a chance at winning at this point.

Columbus Campaign Training Event

Kelley Wenzlaff, The "Mom" for the House! — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:53:41 EDT

White House Project
GO RUN LEAD Training Program
Columbus Ohio
June 6 - 8, 2008

"If it takes a village to raise a child, the likelihood is slim that a woman would be governing that village in Central Ohio."

That statement is the conclusion of recent research conducted by Laralyn & Associates on Women's Political Presence. For decades Ohio has received failing marks on women's rights and representation and currently we are losing ground on the precious little territory we do occupy.

• Ohio ranks a dismal 43rd among the 50 states for the number of women in state legislature
• Only 12 of 59 judges on the bench in the 7 county Central Ohio area are women
• Women represent 51% of the population and only 28% of key elected and appointed positions

The Whitehouse Project is working to change that.

Mothers Day: "Arise then... women of this day!"

Lorraine Bieber — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:55:33 EDT

It is indeed puzzling that so many Republican members of Ohio's congressional delegation voted no on H.R. 1113, “Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day” (full warm and fuzzy text here).

...until you consider the origins of Mother's Day.

Julia Ward Howe, who penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic, also authored a mothers' Declaration calling on women to oppose war, and worked to get recognition of a Mother’s Day for Peace. Says Code Pink: "Were she alive today, Julia probably would have told her kids to dispense with the roses and chocolates, and instead join her in an anti-war rally. Yes, Julia Ward Howe was a peacenik."

[Howe] saw some of the worst effects of the [civil] war -- not only the death and disease which killed and maimed the soldiers. She worked with the widows and orphans of soldiers on both sides of the war, and realized that the effects of the war go beyond the killing of soldiers in battle. She also saw the economic devastation of the Civil War, the economic crises that followed the war, the restructuring of the economies of both North and South.
In 1870, Julia Ward Howe took on a new issue and a new cause….She called in 1870 for women to rise up and oppose war in all its forms. She wanted women to come together across national lines, to recognize what we hold in common above what divides us, and commit to finding peaceful resolutions to conflicts. She issued a Declaration, hoping to gather together women in a congress of action.

Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace, but her effort was carried on by Anna Jarvis, who had organized women during the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and then toward reconciliation of Union and Confederate neighbors.

Jarvis’ daughter, of the same name, then took up the campaign for Mother’s Day. After the custom spread to 45 states, President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother’s Day in 1914.

Julia Ward Howe's Mothers' Declaration:

Arise then...women of this day!
Arise, all women who have hearts!
Whether your baptism be of water or of tears!
Say firmly:
"We will not have questions answered by irrelevant agencies,
Our husbands will not come to us, reeking with carnage,
For caresses and applause.
Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.
We, the women of one country,
Will be too tender of those of another country
To allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs."

From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice."
Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil
At the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means
Whereby the great human family can live in peace...
Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar,
But of God -
In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask
That a general congress of women without limit of nationality,
May be appointed and held at someplace deemed most convenient
And the earliest period consistent with its objects,
To promote the alliance of the different nationalities,
The amicable settlement of international questions,
The great and general interests of peace.

Maybe Pryce, Schmidt, Tiberi, Chabot, Boehner, Regula, LaTourette, Hobson, and Turner have a thing against moms. But YOU can make this Mother's Day a Mother's Day For Peace.

Help CodePink help Iraqi refugee moms here.

Send a MomsRising Mother's Day card and tell the presidential candidates to fight for family-friendly policies. here.

Oh and don't forget to call the Congressional Switchboard at 1-800-839-5276 to give the above members of Congress a piece of your mind about H.R. 1113.

Do you have another suggestion for honoring Julia Ward Howe's Mothers' Declaration? Are you a mom working for peace? Leave a comment below.

Barack Obama

4TheFuture — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 09:54:15 EDT

He's the best of the three main candidates for president for several reasons. Barack has good plans, and he is smart with words. We most definitely don't need "McBush" as our president.