Once again, politics before people... Gov. Romney of Massachusets has used his veto power to strike down a measure that would increase access to Emergency Contraception. While it won't necessarily affect the measure (it passed by veto-proof margins in both the house and senate) - Romney's action illustrated quite chillingly the trend of politicians turning away from women in their states in order to win conservative votes in the future. Perhaps Romney now thinks that conservatives will think he's "life" enough to run for president. If he's as "pro-life" now as he says he is in this Boston Globe Opinion piece, then how can he turn his back on the women of Massachusets who need access to EC? It's also a little disconcerting that his views have morphed so much since he became govenor - in the beginning he believed that women should have access to abortions, EC, etc - now little by little his beliefs have been chipped away. Makes you wonder who's doing the carving...

And, one little piece of this puzzle that continues to frusterate me beyond belief is this notion that EC is an "abortion pill." EC is nothing more than a highly concentrated dose of regular hormonal contraception - the birth control pill. And while yes, some extremists say that even birth control should be banned because it can prevent a fertilized egg from being implanted in the womb - mainstream America - conservatives and liberals alike, would rise up heavily against this extreme viewpoint. So, what's the double standard then? Why is birth control okay and EC not --- when they work the VERY SAME WAY. Neither causes a pregnancy to be terminated because a pregancy is (medically, scientifically) defined as beginning when the fertilized egg implants itself into the uterus - NOT at conception. And, more often than not, birth control pills and EC prevent an egg from being fertilized in the first place. So, again, I raise the question--- why is birth control not being attacked? My hunch is that it will be. Maybe not in the near future - but if the same people that have been carving away at Romney's mind reach others - reproductive rights as we know them will cease to exist.

I also think our society holds the belief that once you've screwed up - you're screwed. Taking birth control at least is a proactive, preventative measure (unless you're in an abstinence only classroom)- but when a woman needs EC - well, she must have been irresponsible - and should deal with the consequences.

A form of this bill is reaching NY Govenor Pataki's desk soon. And he, more than Romney - needs to convince the conservative base that he's not as moderate as he looks. I only hope that the women of NY look to Massachusets and learn a thing or two. We must speak up and demand our lives be counted...