Inner Sanctum Santorum

No doubt jealous of progressively medieval states like Texas and Alabama, Interior Alaska legislators have whelped Alaska SB191. 
“An Act requiring an ultrasound before an abortion” is the love-child of North Pole Senator John Coghill, but note that it is also co-sponsored by two other men and two women - one each of whom are Democrats - proving once again that Alaska really does unite the batshit crazy, and that cruel, vindictive stupidity transcends partisanship and gender. 

As it also happens, the legal definition of committing rape/1st degree sexual assault in Alaska is "when a person sexually penetrates you without your consent." Therefore I submit that Mr. Coghill, and for that matter Senators Dyson, Giessel, Huggins and Olson too, should be held as an accomplice, if not personally charged with a felony count, each and every time this bill parts a single pair of legs. This bill is nothing short of sick punishment that aims to denigrate and humiliate women for their sexuality. Opponents of a similar measure in Virginia quite rightly labeled this as "state sponsored rape," and the Senators in question behind this Alaskan counterpart should be equally ashamed, if not resign outright in shame.

Here's one particularly appropriate response to these political fetishes, and another example from Kansas: let the legislators know just how much you appreciate their interest in the details. And here's a link to Senator John Coghill's Facebook page.

Again, the male and female cosponsors of this legislation points up the uncomfortable fact that everyone in government, regardless of their gender, just needs to get the hell out of our pants and out of our bedrooms. It's also Exhibit "A" for those who champion so-called "states rights": every time you hear that dog-whistle just look at Alaskan politics + politicians, and envision these local yokels being in control of any core liberties, or entrusted with any basic American rights. As it stands of this posting, over 135 bills have been passed nationwide restricting a woman's choice.

Another outcome of this legislation is a bizarre position espoused by the Senator’s conservative centerfold, Rick Santorum. According to these folks, besides contraceptives, even prenatal screening should be outlawed because it somehow promotes abortion. But this undermines the other prong on their political speculum, which seeks to mandate ultrasounds because they are supposed to inhibit intimidate women from choosing abortions in the first place. Sadly this is one of the many examples of creating cognitive dissonance, courtesy of morally perverted “pro-life”politicians who hypocritically cheer-lead war, and work to undermine a healthy future for our life-supporting environment.

Update: Here's a must-read guest post by a doctor on transvaginal ultrasounds.

And again, be sure to catch the continuing strip from Garry Trudeau's Doonesbury feature, which is getting yanked for telling the truth.