On Consciences, and Rules

WWOD about George W. Bush's Health and Human Services "conscience rule" enacted just before the Deciderer exited, stage extreme right?

Surely a SuperFeminist president like Barack Obama, one who earned the glowing praise and endorsement of every pro-choice organization there is, could not fail to overtunr the rule immediately, one would think. Yet it's not quite that simple because, well, it's just COMPLICATED  when teh wimminz wanna like control their own bodies and stuff. Why can't they just ask their pastors and husbands and health care providers what to do?

The Baltimore Sun has the story about the plans, or lack thereof, to overturn the rule.

First, just in case there are some people out there who think the rule won't REALLY affect women, think again:

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology has reported cases such as that of a Virginia mother of two who became pregnant because she was denied emergency contraception. In Texas, according to the group, a rape victim found her prescription for emergency contraception rejected by a pharmacist.

Just as many of us suspected, this rule is actually creating unwanted pregnancies, and for rape victims, no less - as if they have not been through enough. Isn't it interesting that men are making these rules, and women are the ones who have to bear the consequences in their own wombs? Or perhaps not so much interesting, as 100% pure evil. Yes, that's the word I was looking for!

In any case, not to worry, ladies and gents. President Re-Election Barack Obama has now decreed that the rule shall be overturned. Or...has he?

On Thursday, officials stressed that the administration is looking for input from people across the ideological spectrum before it finalizes the rollback after the standard 30-day comment period.

"We believe that this is a complex issue that requires a thoughtful process where all voices can be heard," said one official, who was not authorized to speak on the record about the policy change.

The officials said the administration will consider drafting a new rule to clarify what health care workers can reasonably refuse to do for their patients.

Drafting a new rule after input from folks "all across the ideological spectrum"? What an interesting approach. Or perhaps not so much interesting, as blatantly cynical. Yes, that's the word I was looking for!

You see, there is already protection for health care workers to refuse abortion services due to "conscience," and has been for 30 years. This federal law is not subject to the type of "rule" that Bush enstated in the waning days of his benighted Reign of Error. The fact is that the conscience rule is aimed not at abortion, but at contraception, and it's already hitting its target.

I would like to ask our President a question: What is complicated about preventing forced pregnancies? Does Barack Obama truly believe that a woman who has been raped does not deserve to have control over whether or not she has her rapist's baby? Is this the 21st, or the 14th century?

The Sun's story ends with this none-too-encouraging paragraph:

Obama officials said the administration's goal is to make the rule clearer rather than force doctors to provide abortions.

"The Bush provider refusal regulation has created confusion about the scope and original intent of the law," one official said.

"It went into effect in the last days of the Bush administration, claiming to bring clarity to current law. But instead it created much confusion. ... Not only does it potentially make it harder for women to get the care they need, but it is worded so vaguely, that some have argued it could limit counseling, family planning, even blood transfusions and end-of-life care."

If after 30 days of comments, the administration throws out the Bush rule, it would have to begin a new rule-making process to enact a replacement.

I think it's pretty clear that Barack Obama's decision-making process will be this: Determine how upset women are about the rule, determine how upset the anti-contraception crowd will be if he overturns it, and balance the two in terms of his re-election chances. The calculation is that cold, and that simple, and it's the same for every issue.

At this point, I don't know who's winning, but since so many news outlets have misrepresented what is actually going on, I wonder how many comments Obama is getting from feminists?

So, ladies and gentlemen, now is your chance. Men, do you want your wives and girlfriends getting pregnant because they forgot to take their birth control pills or you wouldn't wear a condom, and some sanctimonious schmuck of a pharmacist decided they wouldn't dispense the morning-after pregnancy prevention pill? Ladies, do you want to turn over control of your body to Barack Obama and the evangelical community?

I tried to locate links to the area where people could comment about this rule, but I couldn't find any. Instead, here is a link to the President's contact form. 

Contact President Obama

You know what to do.