MAVOCKE--Deschire Nationalist Sen. Jhinny Addelson lashed out at her Conservative colleagues Thursday, telling Mavocke radio host Jim Weatherby the CNS has "launched a major ideologically-based war on women" in regard to reproductive rights.
"What we're seeing from the other side is an extreme, out-dated ideology that states that government should be able to limit women's rights and tell them how to manage their bodies. The Conservative Party of Grassadellia has declared war on women in this country," Addelson said.
Addelson was answering a question from Weatherby about a proposed bill sponsored by Wellington Conservative Rep. Joe Wilsey, member for Claremonte-White Pines, that would outlaw late-term abortions outright after 20 weeks. The bill, which is still in committee, is seen only as a symbolic move, as it is unlikely to pass. Currently, there is no federal law banning late-term abortions, although most states have laws in place.
Addelson says the proposed bill, although unlikely to pass, is a threat to women's rights. She also addressed the battle over employer-issued insurance and birth control, as well as a recent effort in Monomi to prohibit public schools from handing out birth control to teenagers.
"Not only is the CNS out of touch with the sentiment of the electorate on this issue, but their policy on women's rights is clearly degrading and threatening public health. Women need to have access to clinics that offer these services. They need to have access to safe birth control. And anyone who wants to take that right away from [women] needs to get a bucket of cold water thrown in their face and wake up," Addelson chimed.
Wilsey's bill is still in the preliminary drafting stages, but already, many members have signed on.
Trinton Conservative Sen. Greg Baxter, who has not endorsed Wilsey's bill but has supported restrictions on abortion in the past, appeared on the GBC's Parlour Chat program Thursday and responded to Addelson's claims.
"This kind of rhetoric from the other side is what's making this argument so divisive and emotional," Baxter said. "There is no 'war on women,' as Miss Addelson claims. Obviously, some members are more opposed to abortion than others and want more restrictions in place than others. But what we can all agree on is that we want less abortions, and we don't want these decisions to be made lightly. We want them to be made deliberately and with discernment.
"And when it comes to the issue of birth control, we want to make sure that employers are not forced to violate their deeply-held religious convictions on this issue. That's where the CNS stands on this. The other side believes that religious liberties should be over-ridden, and I think that's a view most Grassadellians disagree with," Baxter added.
Rep. Wilsey's office had no comment, but ensured the assemblyman will have plenty to say at a press conference next week. Senate Majority Leader John Morandi's office also had no comment, however, a private NAT source hinted the party will continue to bring up the controversial topic as part of an election-year campaign offensive.
"What we're seeing from the other side is an extreme, out-dated ideology that states that government should be able to limit women's rights and tell them how to manage their bodies. The Conservative Party of Grassadellia has declared war on women in this country," Addelson said.
Addelson was answering a question from Weatherby about a proposed bill sponsored by Wellington Conservative Rep. Joe Wilsey, member for Claremonte-White Pines, that would outlaw late-term abortions outright after 20 weeks. The bill, which is still in committee, is seen only as a symbolic move, as it is unlikely to pass. Currently, there is no federal law banning late-term abortions, although most states have laws in place.
Addelson says the proposed bill, although unlikely to pass, is a threat to women's rights. She also addressed the battle over employer-issued insurance and birth control, as well as a recent effort in Monomi to prohibit public schools from handing out birth control to teenagers.
"Not only is the CNS out of touch with the sentiment of the electorate on this issue, but their policy on women's rights is clearly degrading and threatening public health. Women need to have access to clinics that offer these services. They need to have access to safe birth control. And anyone who wants to take that right away from [women] needs to get a bucket of cold water thrown in their face and wake up," Addelson chimed.
Wilsey's bill is still in the preliminary drafting stages, but already, many members have signed on.
Trinton Conservative Sen. Greg Baxter, who has not endorsed Wilsey's bill but has supported restrictions on abortion in the past, appeared on the GBC's Parlour Chat program Thursday and responded to Addelson's claims.
"This kind of rhetoric from the other side is what's making this argument so divisive and emotional," Baxter said. "There is no 'war on women,' as Miss Addelson claims. Obviously, some members are more opposed to abortion than others and want more restrictions in place than others. But what we can all agree on is that we want less abortions, and we don't want these decisions to be made lightly. We want them to be made deliberately and with discernment.
"And when it comes to the issue of birth control, we want to make sure that employers are not forced to violate their deeply-held religious convictions on this issue. That's where the CNS stands on this. The other side believes that religious liberties should be over-ridden, and I think that's a view most Grassadellians disagree with," Baxter added.
Rep. Wilsey's office had no comment, but ensured the assemblyman will have plenty to say at a press conference next week. Senate Majority Leader John Morandi's office also had no comment, however, a private NAT source hinted the party will continue to bring up the controversial topic as part of an election-year campaign offensive.
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