MetaChat - Bush Choice for Family-Planning Post Criticized.

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17 November 2006

Bush Choice for Family-Planning Post Criticized. The Bush administration has appointed a new chief of family-planning programs at the Department of Health and Human Services who worked at a Christian pregnancy-counseling organization that regards the distribution of contraceptives as "demeaning to women." →[More:]The organization at which he worked "is persuaded that the crass commercialization and distribution of birth control is demeaning to women, degrading of human sexuality and adverse to human health and happiness," according to its website.

Huzzah.

post by: occhiblu at: 16:04 | 12 comments

I meant to also post a reminder link to gaspode's post about being able to get Plan B emergency contraception online.

posted by occhiblu 17 November | 16:09

The organization at which he worked "is persuaded that the crass commercialization and distribution of birth control

Yes, just the other day I saw an ad for Ortho Tri Cyclen on the side of a stock car, can you believe it?*

/sarcasm

These peoples entreaties to 'Save The Children' would ring a lot truer if they lifted a finger to help kids once they've actually been born is what I'm saying

*it could happen. we got women in NASCAR and male drivers with cars like this. It'll be a great day, seriously.

posted by jonmc 17 November | 16:12

Demeaning to a woman, and economically damaging to the woman's father, husband, or other owner.

posted by orthogonality 17 November | 16:20

Actually, this is merely another example of the religious right co-opting femist and liberal rhetoric for their own ends (and badly, I might add). And the purpose of commercialization is to sell things, right? If more birth control gets sold and there's less unplanned pregnancies, that's a good thing, right?

posted by jonmc 17 November | 16:30

this is merely another example of the religious right co-opting feminist and liberal rhetoric for their own ends

Exactly, which is why it's almost funny. "Don't step out of the role that we have set for you! Following your own ideas is demeaning to you! Let us think for you! There, don't you feel more empowered!"

But only "almost funny," given the federal appointment.

posted by occhiblu 17 November | 16:46

Exactly, which is why it's almost funny.

It would be scarier if they were actually good at it, but thankfully they aren't. And trust me, most Americans are pretty fond of their birth control, so this guy won't get too far.

posted by jonmc 17 November | 16:54

Yeah, I'm on the hopeful-optimistic side that believes once the anti-contraception aspects of these groups comes out -- even when increased contraceptive use has been shown to ACHIEVE THEIR ANTI-ABORTION GOALS -- they'll start losing credibility.

But I suspect it'll get ugly for women in the interim.

posted by occhiblu 17 November | 17:02

come on, the Senate switched and it'll be much harder for Bush to get another anti-Roe nut on the Supreme Court. Bush did have to throw something, anything, a little little bone to his base, ie the Fetus Folk.

rational contraception policy from the Bush administration? come on.

but what metachat really wants to know is, what does Mr Keroack think of sex on teh rag?

posted by matteo 17 November | 17:39

*it could happen. we got women in NASCAR and male drivers with cars like this. It'll be a great day, seriously.

When did Danica Patrick switch to NASCAR? As far as I know, she's still in open-wheeled racing, where the real talent is.

posted by mullacc 17 November | 18:02

Don't ruin a good joke with details, mullacc. ;)

posted by jonmc 17 November | 18:05

what does Mr Keroack think of sex on teh rag?

Well, [plays bongos] Jack was a free spirit,a desolation angel of spontaneous bob of the moment's revelations, cat...

*checks spelling*

Never mind...

posted by jonmc 17 November | 18:07

Sorry, the NASCAR thing puts me in blinders.

posted by mullacc 17 November | 18:17

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