Today's popular content
- Resources for Investigating ALEC/NRA Gun Bills (27,310)
- Wisconsin Bill Would Treat Organic Milk, Sharp Cheddar, Brown Eggs as "Junk Food" (22,696)
- Marco Rubio, Geo Group, and a Legacy of Corruption (17,557)
- The Health Care Industry vs. Health Reform (15,690)
- Blessed Unrest for a Wiser Earth: John Stauber Interviews Paul Hawken (15,147)
- How Far Have We Really Come from the "One-Drop Rule"? (10,257)
- This Is Going to Hurt: What Your Doctor Doesn't Say Can Cost You (9,561)
- Backgrounder: the History of the NRA/ALEC Gun Agenda (9,130)
- About ALEC Exposed (7,773)
- A Side of Climate Change Denial with Your Coffee? ALEC Dishes up Some Hard to Swallow Spin with the Heartland Institute (7,421)
Readers' Comments
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: pbarnrob
-
Submitted by: EarlBowden
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: Anonymous
-
Submitted by: AndrewG
I agree with Sara. June 12, 2013 was my 1 yr anniversary of my bilateral mastectomy. I remember the day of my ultrasound like it was yesterday and the sound of Dr Brook's voice telling me that she was 99% sure we were looking at breast cancer. I even argued that it couldn't be because there was no history in my family. I was totally freaked out and even more so when the biopsy results from the three tumors came back. I had donated to breast cancer charities, especially Komen, and bought so many items over the years and paid higher prices just because of the pink ribbons to support "the cause." As a woman, I always imagined how awful it must be to have breast cancer. Let me just say, I found out that it is worse than the "awful" I had imagined. After I left the breast center that day with a 99% chance I would need to have a mastectomy, I didn't know what to do next so I just sat in my car in the parking lot with the last half hour replaying over and over in my head. Was it really no big deal? Was I supposed to laugh about it and be happy I didn't have to pay for a boob job? Maybe with all the pink ribbon awareness and funding for research, breast cancer wasn't really like I had imagined. I really had no idea. If my female radiologist made a joke out of my pre-biopsy diagnosis, it must not be as bad as it used to be or what I had thought, right? Did she see me starting to panic and then decide to downplay breast cancer? "Honey, these days insurance pays for everything so you should just go ahead and have a double mastectomy, get yourself a brand new pair of boobs, exactly the way you want them, custom ordered! Girl, your insurance is going to pay for you to get what a whole lot of women have to pay for out of their own pockets...Ha ha!" Fast forward to a week or so later when I reached out to my local Susan G. Komen office in between getting the biopsy test results and my appointment to consult with an oncology breast surgeon. I wanted to find other women like me. I needed to talk to a live person or people. I wanted to find a support group. However, when I identified myself as recently being diagnosed and that I was looking for resources available to me, information, support, etc, she interrupted and said they only did fundraising. She said she really didn't know what to tell me since she was the only one in the office at the time but maybe I could try calling the Church Health Center. I looked up the number and called them. I was transferred several times and then told that since I was not looking for financial support for medical care, she didn't know what to tell me except maybe the Komen office could refer me to a support group. When I told her that Komen referred me to them, she suggested I look on the Internet or wait until my appointment to talk with my doctor.
Please do not misunderstand me. I am grateful for being alive because of the research and medical technology, and also grateful for my new, partially reconstructed uneven breasts that have no feeling but do have battle scars all the way across both breasts and it is a reminder everyday when I shower... I didn't mean to get into all that but a year later with the bilateral mastectomy behind me, 6 rounds of chemo behind me, reconstruction partially finished, and anxiety with me at all times, it would be nice as a survivor and pink charitable donor to see and recognize exactly how the pink ribbon dollars donated helps breast cancer patients...? By the way, I just found a support group that starts next Monday but it is not specific to breast cancer; it is for women facing or who have faced any type of cancer.
I'm not sure why I felt the need to write but I'm sure it was therapy for me, and I need all the therapy I can get, that's for sure. Thanks for reading and for the therapy. :-)
Monsanto doesn't make neonicotinoid insecticides. They do have a vested interest in bee health, since farmers are Monsanto's customers. Your case for conspiracy is pretty weak. No matter, just by invoking the name "Monsanto" in a hit piece, you'll garner the belief of thousands of rabid haters. Bravo!
One great place to look, is foriegners that own restaurants, they mix deer meat with their food.--all the time
I agree that this nation was a republic. I don't know what happen to this nation.
Yes. Or, to parrot-phrase, "Awwwwk. This country is a Republic, not a democracy. Rrrrawk!" :-)
This country is a Repuplic, not a democracy.
Why didn't you SIC Larry Pratt's misuse of the word Democrat?
My beliefs on abortion are my own and as long as someone else is not trying to force their religion on me I respect their beliefs as well. A traditional ultrasound on the abdomen if fine. However a transvaginal ultrasound is very invasive. They basically push a big shaft into you as far as it will go and then to have the doctor describe the fetus to you would be tramatic to the point of sexual assult
I can't wait for this "moron"-torium to be removed. I was wondering if Times Square novelty stores sell caricatures of "Liberal Bubble Heads." Right! Let's pay more for our fuel, gasoline, diesel, oil and natural gas. Can't wait for that 5.00 per gallon rates to arrive. You can just purchase another 40k "hybrid." Hey remember Shoreham Nuclear Plant? No plant for Long Islanders... keep those utility prices high, tear it down, they'll pay for it because they are "environmentalists." How many billions was that thrown down-the-sewer? Than Lilco morphs into LIPO. Gee who did that? Was that Daddy C? You bet. Now the Governor conveniently forgets that he oversees LIPO (it reports to him) and then complains about "misfeasance" blaming management to oversee them by spending more of our tax money. Hey...you all voted for him. "Touchy-feelies." Maybe you can get your hybrids to run on non-fat yogurt.
I understand what you are saying but want to share this. I called my doctor and made an appointment for a pap smear and to check my body for any signs of moles etc. that might need to be removed. I go and he performs the pap smear. When I asked about the body scan he stated I needed to tell the desk clerk when I call what I was coming in for. I had done that. So next time I had a visit and requested the visit for several things. Once again I was not given all of the requested checks. So I explained that I had told the clerk when I called. Then he stated we are allowed so much time for each issue. Ok.. then make that clear and post these fees and time as they pertain to these various concerns. No one suggest anyone work for nothing but I fail to believe every issue is a 15 min issue or even a 10 min issue etc. So if there is time remaining that is my time and it should be used for my concerns. And if I explain why I am coming in then enough time should be allowed to handle all of my concerns even if it takes 40 min and you charge not an additional fee but an additional amount. Remember every visit is another co-pay and full charge to the doctor. There has to be a fair medium for all concerned. I do not see this doctor anymore for this reason and another one that I called him on. I respect the medical profession and expect the same. I do not go to the doctor because I want to be there but because I need a service in my best interest. They should be paid fairly but sadly there are many that are using the system in their best interest which is just wrong.
Yes, there needs to be a "real" regulation on what doctors charge for an office visit and the time allowed for that visit specific to the visit. There was a time that seeing a doctor did not result in just a specific issue but the doctor would entertain a question that might arise during the visit regarding another concern. And at one time you were seen for several things at the same time. Now they want you to schedule for every single thing separately. And if you are uninsured the doctors are charging huge amounts for a visit. How does $300.00 sound for a single office visit. Plus they are requesting cash. Does that lead one to believe they are hiding income? It is out of control. They have put themselves in financial ruin buying large facilities while the public can not afford insurance or visits and have decided food and shelter is more important than seeing a doctor or taking meds. Meds are also out of control. The pharmacies are loaded with scripts. No doubt the doctors get a kickback form prescriptions which should be illegal plain and simple. It is a conflict of interest without a doubt. The doctors are just waiting for the babyboomers to roll in to line their pockets across the next 15-20 years. Is anyone paying attention to this issue. Sad state of affairs for sure.
Somehow, thinking a transvaginal ultrasound is no big deal doesn't seem very consistent with not having an opinion about abortion.
There's I-agree-but-I'm-a-bit-concerned trolling and there's do-some-research trolling. Now I think we've got a what's-the-big-deal troll.
Women of all ages, races, classes, appearances, and political beliefs get raped and get pregnant. Lazich is helping to perpetuate rape culture by sponsoring this reactionary bill; please don't help perpetuate it yourself by using insulting stereotypes like this.
I am so very sorry to miss this year's Netroots Nation. It will be the first time since the very first one. My thoughts and best wishes are with you. You do such good work in keeping the public aware of the damage ALEC is doing to our democracy. Greetings to all of you, especially Lisa.
I see you've never had a transvaginal ultrasound. Trust me... sticking a 8" long plastic apparatus up your vagina, having to sit there with your legs spread in front of a stranger, and having it shoved around this way and that for 15 or more minutes is pretty damned invasive. And humiliating.
You know Mary Lazich, just because your face kept you from ever having any chance in hell of getting knocked up, doesn't mean you have to go out of your way to humiliate the ones who do. I love how Republicans cry about wanting smaller government unless it's in regard to a woman's vagina.
If gov. walker, god forbid, ends up as the presidential nominee for the GOP in 2016, this will be his undoing. I guarantee it. 10 days to pass such a bill. Overreach of the worst kind. We will not forget.
It can be difficult to detect a heartbeat with an abdominal ultrasound, thus making an invasive transvaginal ultrasound mandatory. Many lawmakers and citizens expressed concern about the adverse psychological impact of a mandatory transvaginal ultrasound, particularly for women who are seeking an abortion after being the victim of a rape or after learning that their pregnancy is not viable.
_______________
Tattoo Designs
Corn tortillas are banned. look you wack jobs, the point here is that the list of allowed, and another list of banned foods is a complete joke. Makes NO SENSE. The purpose of this bill is to piss everyone off, screw up the works, and accomplish nothing of value to anyone. The people who came up with this list have no idea what they are doing. That much is obvious.
But welfare for rich corporations is just fine. These idiots like that.
This country has turned into a giant ponzi scheme. If you kicked half the people off of snap, the economy would take a big hit. SNAP is just a big subsidy for the entire food industry. But people gotta eat. Hard to work when you don't have food. Anyone who blows their SNAP on junk food finds out real quick that they can be hungry, or they can spend that money WISELY.
The definitions of junk food in this bill make no sense. Period. That's what is wrong with this bill.
It is embarrassing that a person, unfortunately a clearly ignorant--I hate to say it--woman can get elected to a position of such national power in our country. I Thought Wisconson was better than this.
and I Quote: "Congress SHALL MAKE NO LAW respecting an establishment of religion..." This means quite clearly that Congress MAY NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES pass a law which speaks about (respecting) religion.
There are two reasons for this mandate. One is that they had come from a place where a particular religion was REQUIRED for all practical purposes.
The second is that some of these great men were agnostics ("I accept that there is a God, I'm just not sure that it's YOUR "God") and atheists ("I don't believe that there is a "God" instead I believe that WE are RESPONSIBLE for our actions)
These folks did not want a religion (or it's prejudices) rammed down their throats in the Law.
Bottom line: IF you want to live in a nation which mandates your religion and enshrines it in Law...please leave, The USA is NOT that place. I have as much (and perhaps MORE) RIGHTS to be FREE of your religion as you have to practice it!
Although "religion" isn't mentioned in this article, I think this is definitely a sign of how strong the influence of the fundamentalist religious right has become.
It seems that, as if there aren't enough crises to deal with, american is being driven toward theocracy. One of the hallmarks of the male dominated, hierarchic structures of all organised religions is their misogynous nature.
Think of the british government that was depicted in the movie "V for Vendetta" and I think you'll have a fair estimate of where america is headed.
This is not only disgusting but severely disturbing. These politicians are being elected too office how?? Wake up ladies! Stop listening to lies & false promises. Stop voting for politicians just because that's the party you "belong to" or your parents did or your significant other does. This isn't about them, it's about YOU! Think about your health & safety. Think about the health & safety of your daughters & granddaughters. These repulsive bills being passed are founded on LIES made up by politicians seeking too control you, not protect you. That's a matter of verifiable fact. Stop voting them in, stop letting them make life altering decisions for you, stop letting them tell you your worth as a woman, stop letting them tell you how to live your life. Stop being silent! We have a voice, we've proved that in the past. It's time for us to remind these backwards politicians of that fact.
I am an adopted child. My mother wanted very much to give birth to me and to raise me as her own but she was disabled due to having Polio as a young child. She was also unable to financially raise me. This was in 1950 and a woman was scorned and treated as an outcast at that time but she chose to have me and abortion was not an option. The government should stay out of this decision. There should not be any "abortion clinics" but it should be treated as any other surgical procedure--performed because it is medically necessary. Where the government should get involved is when a young girl--yes, I did not say woman, but a young girl who is told if she wants benefits she should "go home and get pregnant". Don't say this doesn't happen. It happened to my daughter! There should be Family planning and counseling funded by the government because if you are going to say it's ok to keep your baby they should be supported, financially and with counseling. My personal opinion is that there are souls that will come back to us after they die. A mother may lose a child to SIDS and may have another child born with that child's spirit. What if you decide to kill that spirit? If it is medically necessary, the doctor will agree and the abortion will need to be performed. It should be noted, though, that the doctor does not have the last word. Just as with any surgery, the patient has to agree with the doctor's advice.
so since Mary doesn't want me to choose what to do with my life & body, does that mean she will pay my medical bills to have a child my doctor thinks will be dangerous to have? And I hope she will be raising that child as well, since I physically can't! And to think, all these years, I thought I was a woman, but since I haven't had an abortion, I guess I'm NOT! Good to know! And I hope SHE is paying for the psychological care I will need after having to listen to a doctor describe what they see on the transvaginal ultrasound? GOOD! I'll send the bills to her! anyone got her address? And I guess those women who didn't report a rape to the police weren't really raped, I mean we all know that every rape is reported & rape victims are always treated really well by police & lawyers, right? So why not add another place that a rape victim could be treated badly! I'm sure the people in the 81% of unreported rapes aren't going thru enough, let's add to that by saying they will have to go thru a transvaginal ultrasound, THAT WON'T CAUSE THEM MORE PAIN, DON'T WORRY! IT WAS PROBABLY THEIR FAULT FOR BEING RAPED ANYWAY! Forget the fact that abortions are legal, let's do whatever we can to make it impossible to have one. You don't want me to have access to birth control, you are doing everything you possibly can to stop me from choosing what to do with my life/my body--but you want me to respect your right to have as many guns (which kill people as well) as you want? And what if the abortion is medically necessary? Now my insurance won't pay for that? And you won't pay for my birth control? GREAT IDEA! And they passed the bill from beginning to end in 8 days? I guess there is no real time to research this bill because they are doing to much in Wisconsin senate! That is great! I hope that Governor Scott Walker is going to have a transvaginal ultrasound, since "ultrasounds are just fine"! I had to have one for another reason, and it wasn't like the ultrasound I had when I was pregnant--IT WAS NOT JUST FINE! I guess free speech in Wisconsin is not recognized, that's a shame! So you take way my right to do what might be medically necessary, and now the Sergeant-at-Arms is not allowing women to SILENTLY PROTEST HAVING OUR RIGHTS TAKEN AWAY! I AM SO GLAD I LIVE IN A COUNTRY THAT WAS BASED ON THE FREEDOMS WE SHOULD HAVE! The GOP is all about freedoms, except when THEY don't want you to have them! SO GLAD MY GOVERNMENT RESPECTS ME! The GOP believes in the death penalty? The GOP believes you should be allowed to own an arsenal of guns that go way beyond "protection"? The GOP believes in personal freedoms? The GOP believe THEY know what is best for me, better than myself and my doctor? As long as I'm clear on the rules, I would say that as a woman, I must be too stupid to make my own decisions, but since I haven't had an abortion I'm not really a woman--Glad I know where I stand in this country! I wonder where the GOP would stand if MEN were the ones who were having abortions? Would they be legal?