Court: Texas can cut off Planned Parenthood funds

[maddezmom]

Source: AP

WILL WEISSERT, Associated Press
Updated 6:06 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that Texas can cut off funding for Planned Parenthood clinics that provide health services to low-income women before a trial over a new law that bans state money from going to organizations tied to abortion providers.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans lifted a federal judge's temporary injunction calling for the funding to continue pending an October trial on Planned Parenthood's challenge to the law.

Texas officials sought to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood clinics that provide family planning and health services to poor women after the state's Republican-led Legislature passed a law banning funds to organizations linked to abortion providers. No state money goes to pay for abortions.

Planned Parenthood sued, saying the law violates its free speech rights. The Texas attorney general argued lawmakers may decide which organizations receive state funds.

The judge in Austin recently ruled that the funding should continue pending the trial on Planned Parenthood's lawsuit, saying there's sufficient evidence the state's law is unconstitutional.

The appeals court's decision comes as conservative groups across the nation try to pass and enforce laws to put Planned Parenthood out of business and make getting an abortion more difficult. Earlier this year the same court upheld a new Texas law requiring doctors to perform a sonogram and provide women with a detailed description of the fetus before carrying out an abortion.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/article/Court-Texas-can-cut-off-Planned-Parenthood-funds-3805010.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

---

[a geek named Bob]

1. Then I predict

an exodus of smart and enterprising women from Texas.

Nasty backwards place anyway

[SoapBox]

2. Ditto

[justabob]

3. maybe so

But is *is* home for a lot of us, and just packing up and leaving is not so easy for various reasons.

[a geek named Bob]

4. I've moved more than a few times...

When the local community doesn't support you, it's best to leave.

My wife and I stayed in a nasty part of maryland, for more than a few years, until we found jobs in a better area (there are vanishingly few places in Maryland worth staying in)

Many of the people in town were surprised we were leaving.

Too many places try to foist "we're the only place to be." They are, of course, wrong.

To hell with Texas.

[justabob]

6. I can only speak for myself

I cannot leave. Period. If you know some magical money tree orchard, let me know. I can't even make it to the county line with the four dollars and change that is currently the sum total of my finances. Beyond that, with family, generations of ties, ,and a son still in school, moving is not so easy as throwing everything in the car and setting out for somewhere new.

I'd rather stay here and make it better anyway. Why should I surrender and make it that much easier for these fuckers?

[a geek named Bob]

7. hmmm

1.) if you want to leave, I can find some cash to toss into your gas tank
2.) It's not surrender to leave a place that can't be protected, nor bettered beyond a certain amount.

[justabob]

10. there's a little more to it than gas money

Thanks for the offer anyway.

[a geek named Bob]

16. No problems

If you need it, I'll toss in some free eats.

[atreides1]

26. Custer didn't surrender either!

Sorry justabob, but there aren't enough like you to affect a real change in Texas...you're outnumbered by religious fanatics, racists, bigots, and now a judge who wants to raise taxes to support he delusional idea of a civil war, if Obama wins the election.

Good luck to you and others like you in Texas...but you'll end being the reincarnation of the Little Big Horn!

[justabob]

34. ok I didn't choose the best word

Moving doesn't solve the effing problem though. As others have noted, very few places are "safe" for women. There are loons in every state doing everything they can to stomp on women, glbtq, minorities, et al. Yes, Texas politics is currently batshit crazy, but that wasn't always so, and even now all the major cities are a nice dark purple and heading in the direction of blue. (exception Ft Worth). No, we're not going to turn it around in one cycle, but if there was some more serious D-party investment it would be happening faster. That was actually happening under the 50 state strategy, which has now stalled with predictable results. As recently as eight years ago there weren't even Dem candidates in a lot of the races on my ballot on election day. There are now, or there were four/two years ago.

Moving simply isn't an option for a lot of people. I'd love to move to the east coast, but it just isn't possible with family issues, job situation, bad credit (for housing and utilities), loss of support systems we have developed, and countless other issues.

[maddezmom]

13. agreed, I'm here due to my 50-50 custody agreement

not to say I don't like it but I'd live closer to my family if I could.

[justabob]

14. that is an issue for me as well

Mine isn't a court ordered thing, but it comes to the same thing. I can't run away with my son because his dad and grandmas aunts etc are all here. I suppose I could head to Austin, or a more interesting city than Dallas, but this is my hometown. Except for summer and idiot drivers, I don't hate it.

Having said that, it is very disheartening to watch as the assholes in the Lege (and City Hall) do everything they can to make Texas suck. The war against women and Planned Parenthood is only part of it. I do think it will start to get better before too long. I think even here that people have reached the limits of what they will take.

[awoke_in_2003]

18. Not everyone...

can afford to leave. What about them?

[a geek named Bob]

19. sigh...

How consistent are your Liberal political values?

What about all of the folks here each chip in 5 bucks... for transportation fees.

One of my rules is don't stay in a burning house.

[awoke_in_2003]

20. And what about a job?

It is not easy for most Americans to relocate, especially when they are barely getting by as it is. And where do they go? The religious loonies are attacking planned parenthood everywhere. Unless you can relocate to a civilized place like Europe (where funnies are just now getting a toe hold) the only thing you can do is stand and fight where you are.

[a geek named Bob]

25. Awoke...

1.) The fundies are pretty much not even a loud minority, here in CT
2.) "Stay and fight" sounds great, as long as you've got the material and emotional support to do so. (fighting a protracted battle takes a LOT of time/money/energy. Are you willing to see it through? It's very easy to just say "yes," and assume a moral pose.)
2a.) One of the things I learned as a kid: "Choose your battles wisely." How many allies do you have i nthe "Stay and fight" area? Are the bad guys willing to get violent? If so, what are your plans for response?

3.) Besides the moral victory of staying and fighting, what will you/your position gain, by not going to a sanctuary spot?

...Sigh...

[awoke_in_2003]

41. Believe me...

if I could afford to live in CT, I would. Not much call for flight simulation technicians in your neck of the woods, sadly. The only thing that would stop me is the cold- it would kill my wife. With her RA and neuropathy, even Texas winters can be too much for her sometimes.

[a geek named Bob]

42. Forgive me...

But I don't know what RA is.

Those are obviously things to add to your personal balance sheet.

If cold weather is a problem, I suppose New Mexico or Southern Cali might be good.

That, or wait for Global Warming to heat if the Northeast to Miami temps.

Boston Vice?

[Odin2005]

22. You must be upper-middle class, because not everyone...

...can afford to quit their job and move across the country.

[a geek named Bob]

27. Oy Vey

It's easy to make a one line sneering comment...

Let's unpack your comment, shall we?

From roughly 1910 - 1930, a large number (America in our Time lists the number as "over 500,000&quot of African Americans escaped the South, to find work and escape the systematic terror of the remnants of slavery. Were they upper middle class? (Mind you, while they were able to move, the living situations were only marginally better, so pick your battles wisely).

My Maternal Grandfather left Ireland during the Famine. He scraped up money for passage, didn't have enough. He worked passage in the Black Gang (coal shovelers) to get to the USA. He then took odd jobs, until he could get steady work in the coal mines. He was decidedly not upper middle class. (Mind you, he swore that all of his family would go to college.) (As a further addendum, this was during the time when there were a plethora of signs reading NINA: No Irish Need Apply.)

If you want to stay in your area, fine.
If you don't like what's going on in your area, either fix it, or move. Don't endlessly whinge about fighting the good fight.

And don't make one line sneering comments, it tends to cheapen your argument.

[FAHQ69_7]

23. There are still smart and enterprising women in Texas?

Last edited Thu Aug 23, 2012, 12:32 PM - Edit history (1)

All the smart ones left Texas decades ago.

Sadly those that stay will be second class citizens now and many will dies because of it.

The GOP War on Women Continues and will contine for a very long time.

[a geek named Bob]

28. How about we start up a collection

to help those that want to, leave Texas.

How much does a bus ticket cost? How much would it cost to get a few folks from DU to wander down to Texas with a truck, help somebody load up (after they have a money raising garage sale) and then get back to civilization land?

first rule of any game is develop a sanctuary. Texas isn't it.

[FAHQ69_7]

29. If a large group of liberals and progressives in Texas publically

announced that they would willingly leave Texass for good if they had the funds to move North to freedom, the money would magically appear from rich nameless donors in Texass to assist them.

The reality is that most in Texass like the place for whatever reason they have and will stay despite all the down side of residing in such a place.

[a geek named Bob]

31. Up to Them

Well all have to make a mental balance sheet, and make our decisions. I'm just exploring how to help people get out if they want. "Only Game In Town" can be a really rotten situation to be in.

[FAHQ69_7]

32. If someone really wants to leave they will

regardless of their current financial situation.

If a person is willing to walk from Central America, through Mexico into the USA illegally to be free one can easily walk from Texass to freedom.

Those that stay choose to do so.

[a geek named Bob]

33. Okay...

Now it sounds we are on the same side, at least on the point of choice.

On the other hand, I have to admit to a little bit of fascination with developing a mutual aid and transportation society...

[FAHQ69_7]

35. It should be more than a fascination

it should be out in the open and encouraged.

Blue States should openly court liberals and progressives in Red States, encourage them to move to freedom, even offer incentives. Blue Stares should also encourage Pubs and TeaHadists in Blue States to move to Red States where they will be much happier, even offer incentives for them to move too.

Win/Win for everyone.

[a geek named Bob]

37. Another reason to invest in national rails...

Mind you, if Fivethirtyeight is right about Texas going Blue by 2024, then I could see pockets of red, in a sea of blue.

The demographics seem to show that the repubs are throwing off the last sparks of their fire.

[FAHQ69_7]

38. They are becoming a cornered animal now

They will be very dangerous for a long time.

They have plenty of ‘Lone Wolfs” to will do lots of harm.

[a geek named Bob]

39. figure on rate of change, earliest age of craziness, and then

make the calculations.

If kids have to learn to be "Lone Wolf," then we can figure out the earliest age then could go off.
I'd make a large bet that the Lone Wolves grow up around other Lone Wolves.
1.) Figure out the population of the Direct Action strain of the Tea-Hadists. (The true population, as opposed to the guys with the mics.)
2.) How many give up violent ways? From that loss factor, we can start graphing a basic chart.

From the way things are going, I give the conservatives about 20-30 years.

[LiberalAndProud]

40. See you later, FAHQ69_7

At Thu Aug 23, 2012, 03:52 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

There are still smart and enterprising women in Texas?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=204240

REASON FOR ALERT:

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate. (See <a href="http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=aboutus#communitystandards" target="_blank">Community Standards</a>.)

ALERTER'S COMMENTS:

Regional bigotry. TOS checked for MIRT attention

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Thu Aug 23, 2012, 04:11 PM, and the Jury voted 2-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to HIDE IT and said: This is clearly offensive to a good number of our fellow DUers. My decision favors the smart and enterprising DUers from Texas, male and especially female in this case
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT and said: Borderline... But I'll take the regional bigotry as reason enough to hide
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: FAHQ was responding to a post that said virtually the same thing he did -- that smart and enterprising women would be leaving Texas. All FAHQ did was say they already left. This alert is hardly worth breaking a sweat for.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Regional "bigotry" (and that's a made-up term) isn't against the TOS. Bigotry in general is, but this is the key sentence: "In determining what constitutes bigotry, please be aware that we cannot know what is in anyone's heart, and we will give members the benefit of the doubt, when — and only when — such doubt exists." This poster deserves the benefit of the doubt. It is obvious that this poster is FOR Women's Rights on the topic of Reproductive Choice, and s/he's on the Democratic side of the fence in this regard. S/He was being snarky in a clumsy way. If the post is not hidden, I would suggest that the alerter either contribute to the thread and tell the poster that his or her remarks were insulting, or send a DUmail saying the same thing. I live in a region where people enjoy making fun of us--it's part of the fabric of America. We're NOT all alike, there are regions of the country that are more racist than others, more tree hugging than others, fatter than others, stupider than others, less tolerant than others, overall--it doesn't mean that everyone in the region is that way, it just means the region got more than their fair share. Look at Missouri--they nominated an idiot to be their GOP senatorial candidate. No, not everyone in Missouri is an idiot...but they have more than their fair share. In TX, we know they got more of their fair share of assholes and nitwits (they gave us GWB, after all) even though not everyone is like that--that's the point the poster is trying to make in an inarticulate way.
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: Get a grip, people. It was just a broad brushstroke typical of message board comments. I'm sure the poster didn't literally mean EVERY SINGLE SMART WOMAN. Instead of being over sensitive, why not take the opportunity to rationally discuss why the statement is innacuate? Can't we all just get along?
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE and said: I suspect this is a troll. He's whining in Meta about someone having him on ignore. Now I see why.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=profile&uid=289217

[vlyons]

5. and the poor women, who can't afford to move?

Guess there's always Hatpin Hattie and Coat-hanger Cathy to do the job. Jesus, I hate these horrible self-righteous republicans. and that's putting it mildly.

[a geek named Bob]

8. okay then

How about if some folks step up to the plate...

and help their sisters move?

Let's turn Texas into the third world country it's trying to become!

[Iliyah]

9. The so called "Christians" doing the bidding of their devil GAWD

Don't care about raped victims and sure do not care about the lest of us.

Fuck the GOP.

[elbloggoZY27]

11. Big State little else

I will boycott Texas and never spend a dime in the State.

Obviously the GOP has forgotten that we have a United States Constitution.

Extremely poor and very ugly decision by any standards. I also remember it is State where President Kennedy was assassinated.

Planned Parenthood Clinics help a lot of Women and I do not think they discriminate about Health Need.

[Socal31]

12. OK sounds good.

Now this judge can start paying child support to all of the unwanted children that are born due to this.

[47of74]

15. We were far too magnanimous to Texas and the South after the Civil War

[FAHQ69_7]

24. +1

[oldsarge54]

17. Move Hell, I've just begun to Fight

Advising people to move out of Texas is just not the game. Granted, the only way we can get rid of our governors is to send them to Washington, but there are a lot of real democrats down here. I was on the convention floor in Austin when Hillery ended her campaign, and after a brief moment of grief start one of many joint Obama/Hillery conga lines. For years, my CFC contributions went to Planned Parenthood because I do believe in what they do for women, all the things they do.

The point I'm attempting to make is that the libs down here don't have a good record for running away. In the words of the immortal John Paul Jones, "I've just begun to fight." Except in this case, the operative word I should be we.

[sarcasmo]

21. Stupid is as Stupid does.

[catbyte]

30. It's really disturbing that all these court decisions are upholding

voter suppression and anti-women legislation.

[hedgehog]

36. 25,674,681 people live in Texas

This is a fucking big deal.

[Skittles]

43. yup

http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/Texas-takes-steps-to-run-womens-health-without-Planned-Parenthood-168526816.html

but be careful lest you be accused of "bashing the south"