Portrait of a woman, Fibers Exhibition, Savannah College of Art & Design, June 2008.
On Thursday, US President Barack Obama issued a statement reaffirming women's rights and reproductive freedom:
"On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women’s health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman’s right to choose.
"While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.
"On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere."
Key Bush policies reversed
President Obama also signed an executive order lifting a ban on U.S. funding for international family planning groups that provide heatlh care, contraceptive services, HIV prevention and perform abortions and provide counseling about the procedure.
The order rescinds the Mexico City Policy, also known as the "gag rule," originally instituted by Ronald Reagan in 1984. The "gag rule" was rescinded by Bill Clinton and revived by George W. Bush.
"For eight long years the global gag rule has been used by the Bush administration to play politics with the lives of poor women across the world," said Gill Greer of the International Planned Parenthood Federation in London. "In rescinding this disastrous and unjust policy, President Obama has returned the United States to the international consensus on women's health."
President Obama also reversed key Bush "war on terror" policies. The president signed orders ending torture; closing the CIA's black sites and closing Guantanamo Bay. Not bad for a day's work, eh?
Wasn't that fabulous? The government not making private decisions? yay!
Thanks for this picture. How pretty.
Posted by: Chris | 27 January 2009 at 16:26
I think many countries are watching with interest to see what President Obama is able to accomplish. When he was elected, several French political and cultural figures took out a full-page ad calling for France to learn from the Americans and address the issue of racism.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 18:27
This is great news. I wonder if he is up to teaching all the rest of the worlds top politicians.
Posted by: Gimme A Dream | 24 January 2009 at 17:10
Allegra, you're absolutely right. Habeas corpus is critical and to see it restored is a joy. I agree with your comments and Dorothy Parker was right - wonder what she'd say about this bunch??!! :)
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 13:08
Yes, we're lucky to have a man of action as president. The Fox "news" team doesn't know how to do anything else but manufacture controversy!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 13:07
Thanks for your comments, Marilyn. Unfortunately, negative comments are par for the course, when writing about anything political.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 13:06
To me the best gift so far, one I have been waiting for, writing and pestering his website about was when he signed an executive order today containing the sacred words: habeas corpus. The first Human Right in my book. And it is now, once again the shield against the perversity of regimens such as the Bush-Cheney one. "Faux news" has a very limited scope and so do those who listen to it. To enlighten them you would have to a: educate them; b: expose them to something other than Nascar, the NRA and Bill O'Reilly, which means there is little hope of that in this generation. Maybe I am a cynic but I cannot help but remember Dorothy Parker's phrase about taking a horse to water.
Posted by: Allegra | 24 January 2009 at 08:19
I am so glad he has hit the ground running. As to the Fox news freaks, do you know they were criticizing the speach as the man was giving it?
Posted by: Yoli | 24 January 2009 at 07:55
Not bad at all!
Sorry you are receiving negative comments again.
Posted by: Marilyn | 24 January 2009 at 06:21
It's a very important issue, I agree. I think it's okay to be a little "greedy" when it comes to such matters.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 02:52
Waking them up? Wouldn't that be a fine thing? One can only hope. I really admire that Obama is a man of action and is following through with his campaign promises, one by one, as well as restoring civil liberties and human rights.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 02:50
Leau, I love your daddy's expression. As for the wild ride, I'm right there with you! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 24 January 2009 at 02:47
Tara -
So far, so good!
If this keeps up , it may even wake up some of those "pathetic" Fox news fans.
There are plenty who need a good shake.
Posted by: judith | 23 January 2009 at 23:53
My daddy used to say it like this: "start out like you can hold out" it was his advice at every wedding and new job. I think Barry H is doing just that. I feel like I should sit up straighter and smile bigger each time I hear of the start he's got going! We are in for a wild ride and I can't wait! I'm in it for the long haul and have great faith and trust in that man. smooches
Posted by: Leau | 23 January 2009 at 22:56
I am practically a single-issue voter, and this is my pet issue. Oh how I wish the Supreme Court needed some new justices soon. Am I being too greedy?
Posted by: dutchbaby | 23 January 2009 at 21:35
I read that piece and smiled, then felt indignant that one apparently xenophobic person dared to presume to speak for all Americans. Sigh. The negative nellies are really coming out of the woodwork now, aren't they?
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 23 January 2009 at 21:18
He's such a fast worker.
I have had one of those nasty comments today on my post I did the day before Obama became President. I have left it on and replied. This person thinks in the most weird way and is totally anti European - that's a new one on me :) Read it and smile like I did.
Posted by: Di Overton | 23 January 2009 at 21:07
And it's JUST the beginning - lots of positive progress ahead!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 23 January 2009 at 18:25
I'm all over this! What an important beginning!
Posted by: Christina | 23 January 2009 at 18:02
Helen, I appreciate the kind words. It's such a huge story about the rights of women - but I wouldn't expect Fox "news" to focus on anything that might be positive. Instead, they spend the day nitpicking over the switching around of a single word by a Supreme Court Justice. Fox "news" is run by people who care only about money and directed at an audience of morons who never look beyond their reality television to question anything. Pathetic.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 23 January 2009 at 16:38
Me, too! Reminds me of that expression, "Begin as you intend to go on..."
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 23 January 2009 at 16:36
This statement about womens' rights was barely in the media. The day was devoted to the story about the re-doing the swearing in.
I had to really search around to hear real news and scour the Internet for stories. Tara, you do a great job of getting timely info out there so we can read it.
Posted by: Helen | 23 January 2009 at 16:15
He is off and running to a really good start. So happy so far!!!
Posted by: My Melange | 23 January 2009 at 13:02