I read this yesterday about pro-control/ pro-forced births. What do you think about it?

Here’s the thing

It doesn’t matter.

It doesn’t matter when life begins.

It doesn’t matter whether a fetus is a human being or not.

That entire argument is a red herring, a distraction, a subjective and unwinnable argument that could not matter less.

It doesn’t matter whether we’re talking about a fertilized egg or a fetus, or a baby or a five-year-old, or a Nobel Prize-winning pediatric oncologist.

NOBODY has the right to use your body, against your will, even to save their life, or the life of another person.

That’s it.

That’s the argument.

You cannot be forced to donate blood, marrow, or organs, even though hundreds of thousands die every year on waiting lists.

They cannot even harvest your organs after your death without explicit, written, pre-mortem permission.

Denying women the right to an abortion means we have less bodily autonomy than a corpse.

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Graylight · 51-55, F Best Comment

It rings true, and it's a ruse with deep tradition among conservatives and those who would seek to maintain power.

Those in power have long, long been white men. They've stayed in power through misogyny and prejudice. You can call that CRT or history or whatever you like, but it's the truth. To that end, they find smaller channels like tributaries on a river through which to funnel their brand of oppression; marriage rights, rights that would extend to minorities, liberties that offer more voting power to the wrong kinds of groups. All channels lead to the same sea - power through misogyny and prejudice.

Unfortunately, the destination of this argument is as simple as the embarkation - conservatives just don't care that we know what they're up to. As long as they get away with it, they need no platform on which to argue the issue.

Randi1125 · 31-35, F

@Graylight You are so spot on as usual. (I've missed you). I told you via private message that I wanted to eventually move to the U.S.. No way in hell would I move there now. I'm seriously looking to move to Denmark. Are you with me?

Graylight · 51-55, F

@Randi1125 (Thought you ghosted me. 👻) Beginning to seriously look into Spain or Italy. I'd try Denmark in a heartbeat, but it's really, really, cold. I'd need a summer getaway. Or a pit of eternal fire. But what I'd give up for a quality of life is substantial.

We're truly beginning to legislate this country right into the past, and it's not hyperbole; it happens every few centuries. Whatever happened to waking up, saying hello to your neighbors and then spending the whole rest of the day not giving a good godd*mn what they do on their own time? Or is it that we actually buy into the fear-mongering and pandering?

Randi1125 · 31-35, F

@Graylight

Haha!! I would never ghost you. I've been a busy lil bee.

Ahh, Spain is beautiful. The small towns are the best; Benalmadena, Calpe, Frigiliana, Segovia, and Setenil de las Bodegas are my favorites. I was in Sevilla last May for a wedding. While there we took a day trip to Cordoba. It took us an hour and a half to get there. So worth it and so underrated! It was during Fiesta de Los Patios so the city was exceptionally beautiful. So yes, I agree with you. I’m in for the move.

And then there’s Italy. I spent 6 months there in 2019 and still wasn’t able to see everything. It goes without saying that Positano, Venice, Tuscany, Capri, Lake Como, and Milan are the hottest tourist spots. Well, there are many others. But if you want to visit and you’re on a budget, I recommend Calabria. You will be blown away by the crystal clear waters. It's on the coast for the ancient history, natural reserves, and artisanal culture. Look for it on a map and you will see it's between the island of Sicily and Basilicata but also really close to Puglia so the climate is really warm. It's beautiful but under-hyped so it's not visited as much. The truth is it’s one of the poorest regions in Italy and one of the most underdeveloped as well so there’s less tourism which makes it cheap. If you’re okay with things being a little rougher around the edges compared to the more touristic Americanized places, you will love it. Absolutely beautiful, the people are really friendly, and the food and culture are amazing. I’m in for the move with this one as well.

You already know I love Denmark.

Hmmm, I suggest Rock, Paper, Scissors.

Graylight · 51-55, F

@Randi1125 Hmm, maybe a small place in each location? Or one really great place with holidays elsewhere? I could honor the Danish in me a discover roots (The Viking who Didn't Love the Cold). Or I could spend an eternal summer learning proper Spanish. Ah, but the richness of life in Italy... And then there's Greece, Malta, even the Eastern European countries.

It just occurred again to me that for the brave or slightly foolish, the world is wide open. Rock, paper and scissors.