Doonesbury by Garry Trudeau for March 15, 2012

It isn’t rape if it’s legal.

I hope Republicans (men and women) in Virginia and Arizona see this strip.

What a ghastly parody of the Marriage Service (“I thee wed”)! Texas has turned the clinic into a satanic ritual where the fatherless child is baptized by the state.

This is what happens to an unwed mother when, as rmleon put it, she make Satan her inspiration instead of God.

Will…will it hurt the child when he or she is aborted?

Yes, the Republican party still owns Texas, unfortunately, and this is the kind of garbage Texans will have to put up with until the voters finally wise up and vote them out of office. We need more women in office who aren’t “Eagle Forum” or “Tea Party” types.

Texas Republican legislators: the problem is their brain development ended in that first trimester, not even a notochord.

So… when GT makes a crude joke, comparing a very uncomfortable medical procedure to rape, it’s okay?Would it be okay if, say… Rush Limbaugh made a similar joke?

@pouncingtigeryeah, I live in arizona and I know for a fact that they are refusing to run this story arc. They are doing reruns instead.

The difference is, for GT. the woman is the victim and the legislators the villains. For Limbaugh, the woman is a slut, and the men just audience members getting their moneys worth.

If she doesn’t want the sonogram/ultrasound, she can get up off the table and leave. It’s not rape.

By Trudeau’s logic, the abortion is rape. The abortion tools penetrate not only the vagina but also the cervix.

A sonogram is standard procedure performed by abortionists anyway. They want to see where the baby is so they can kill her more easily. Also, they are checking to see if the baby is in the uterus or in the fallopian tube. Even with our current laws, it would be malpractice to commit abortion on a woman’s empty uterus, failing to end an ectopic pregnancy, and putting the woman at risk of death when her fallopian tube bursts.

But the abortionists often turn the screen away from the mom. Moms, you have a right to demand that they show you the screen when your pre-abortion is performed. You have a right to make an informed decision.

That’s pre-abortion sonogram.

The Republican Ideal: Small, non-intrusive government, with individual liberty so people can make their own decisions.

Since (as I understand US law) abortion is still legal in the US (Roe v Wade), the point of this new Texan law appears to be to make abortion harder to obtain, although phrased as making sure the potential mother has all the available information. Two questions:To anyone who has had (or considering) an abortion, Would the current Texan pre-abortion procedures have made you change your decision?Secondly, How long has this new law been enacted, and has anyone actually been dissuaded from having an abortion?

“If she gets off the table and leaves, how is she supposed to get the procedure?”

If she gets up off the table and leaves, she won’t get the abortion, and her baby’s life will be spared. Yay!!!!

“Why would the non-mother want to see her victim? That would be rather sadistic, wouldn’t it?” Pregnant women are mothers. And the men who get them pregnant who get them pregnant are fathers.

Why would she want to see the baby? To understand what she is aborting, and make an informed decision. To be inspired to have mercy on the would-be victim and relent from her wicked, murderous plan.

“How many fetuses did we murder in Iraq and Afghanistan, to appease the war profiteers?”

I don’t know how many fetuses were murdered in Iraq and Afghanistan, but here in the U.S. we’ve murdered over 40 million fetuses since 1973 Roe v. Wade. Isn’t that enough? It’s time to stop the killing, both here and around the world. On Sept. 11, 2001, we killed more fetuses that day than the number of people killed by the 9/11 terrorists. And we keep killing about 3000 babies here every day.

Lots of differences, and one of them has to do with whether or not the audience is pleased and amused. Most of the jerks I know from Texas have no idea that there are people who have different values.

I wonder why the Devil has been able to turn so many bottomfeeding financial criminals into good Texans?

It’s not ‘real" rape if it’s sanctioned by god.

Ouch! Garry isn’t holding back this week!

rincon2010I see you’ve read the Old Testament

Separation of Church and State isn’t enough. There must be Separation of Church and Politics, which will require the Separation of Church and the GOP.

Religion prospers based on the lie that only religion is the source of morality. The wish to feel moral is a powerful force. How else can you get people to commit all the evils perpetrated by religions throughout history? If the GOP doesn’t go secular, it will be the end of them.

Do they at least apply anaesthetic gel before putting that inside her? I guess not.I’m frankly more annoyed at the self-righteous “pro-lifers” on the comment thread than I am at the people GBT is targeting.

insertion of an object into the vagina without the consent of the woman meets the legal definition of rape. It is not being done for a good medical reason. The fact that it is state mandated rape and therefore the perpetrators are immune from prosecution does not alter the fact that it is rape, and utterly shameful. I don’t know if those who support this monstrous assault on women understand how disgusting that behavior seems from the relatively safe shores of the UK. Your right wing Christian organisations are already upping the rhetoric on abortion and homosexuality in this country. Please keep your insane people locked up and away from me!

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AN IGNORANT MAN CAN ASK MORE QUESTIONS THAN ALL THE WISE MEN IN THE WORLD CAN ANSWER. THAT BEING SAID, HARLAN ELLISON, A SCIENCE FICTION WRITER HAS STATED THAT ONE IS ONLY INTITLED TO AN INFORMED OPINION. THAT BEING SAID, AS AN IGNORANT MAN, I ASK YOU. HOW CAN ONE HAVE AN INFORMED OPINION IF EVEN COMIC STRIPS ARE CENSORED?

What is rape?Rape is seduction without salesmanship.

I LOVE Garry Trudeau!

i haven’t seen the father holding her hand and comforting her. Maybe she’s not sure who he is.

Ahhh Texas. The state where they’ll kill the crap out of you only after you’ve been born.

Gary Trudeau stays relevant after all these years.

Good one! And, ain’t it the truth?

…I hate taxes…

!. If Texas law requires a sonogram before an abortion, and the only way to get a good image during the first trimester is transvaginal. And if the Abortionist must first due an ultrasound to determine the location of the fetus before an abortion. Then other than sharing / showing the results, what is the imposition?2. SHAMING WAND? Really? This is a medical term? G T with his typical B S

I have to give Trudeau a lot of credit for doing this arc – a brave man living on the cutting edge! It sure shows everyone the papers that are conservative and will censor what they don’t want you to see. This will be a classic series.

This strip was kept out of the Miami Herald today, They should have put it on the editorial page instead of refusing to print it. My question is, how many of these GOP legislators have adopted any unwanted children, how many voted to better fund child services ???

it’s depressing that “pro-lifers” have so much political power in this country. it’s as if vegans were able to force us to first watch a video of a cow’s happy life, then watch a video of it being slaughtered, then endure a forced colonoscopy before we were allowed to eat meat.

This talk of having an abortion because “nobody would want the child” disgusts me! There is adoption, and maybe even a slim chance that you will get over yourself and find enough room in your heart to love the child.Then again if the child goes to someone that values life so little that they can just throw it away, without even taking a look at what they are destroying, than maybe the child is best left unborn.

It’s different when Rush makes his usual ratings getting comments.. because, well, Rush is a lying oxy ridden, ratings obsessive, scum bag. Gee, hope I wasn’t too honest.

Y’all best watch out, talking about government and such:

http://thenewamerican.com/usnews/politics/11160-president-signs-law-placing-prior-restraint-on-free-speechWe all just lost our right to free speech. Goodbye 1st amendment. When will citizens wake up and realize what’s happening?

THE GOP CATS SCREAM ABOUT LOST LIBERTY, UNLESS THEY NEED TO GET IN YOUR PANTS, UP YOUR DRESS OR IN YOUR BEDROOM. IT’S ALL BS. THEY JUST WANT TO RUN YOUR LIVES. SANTORUM IS THE WORST OF THE LOT. HE’S JUST LIKE THE TALIBAN MORALITY POLICE THAT WERE IN AFGHANISTAN AND CURRENTLY IN IRAN. SAME SELF-RIOTOUS RELIGIOUS KOOKS!

IMHO – this strip should be moved to the editorial section. This is one of the most un-funny comics I’ve ever read. I’ve got no problem with the message, or anyone covering an important topic.

In Oklahoma, what is the difference between a fertilized egg, a corporation, and a woman?Only two are people. Boom.Kristen Schall on the Daily Show.

“Who is the father?” is the embarrassing question laid to rest by the Texas shaming clinics. The “shaming wand” stands for the G.O.P(ricks) re-enacting her conception. The GOP hate the thought that she enjoyed sex out of wedlock, and they’re going to make sure she never forgets her sin even if she manages to bury it with an abortion.

Trudeau may have in mind the episode in Faulkner’s Sanctuary where the impotent murderer, Popeye, rapes the heroine with his corn-cob pipe. Temple Drake survives to become a prostitute—-what rmleon would call a follower of Satan who has to have an abortion each time she gets pregnant.

In some ways, the Iranian thugs who brutalized the protesters a couple of years ago were less inhumane than the Texas G.O.P(ricks). Islamic law forbids the kllling of a virgin, so they raped the girls before taking their lives. But our laws prohibit killing a woman who has killed her fetus, so the Texas brand her and shame her instead.

All men should have to submit to a transanal ultrasound before being prescribed Viagra. It really is in their best interest to have detailed and accurate information about their prostate. It’s the only way they’ll be able to make an informed decision as to whether or not they want to start taking Viagra.

if anything they should be aborting future Republitards!

Republicans want a smaller government so it will fit up inside a woman. Sorry, no room for the capital dome up in there folks…Sounds like republicans are turning into rapists instead of creating jobs…A vote for the GOP is a vote for more wars in the middle east. Evidently they found Iraq fun…

the GOP needs to stop invading women’s vaginas.

I rarely read Doonsebury, but the controversy caught my attention. So far, I am loving how Trudeau is addressing this controversial issue!

so true…and don’t forget the other unbelievable spew of obscene garbage spewing out of the RUSH (obviously directed at his main audience : white guys) that if he has to pay for a young woman’s contraception, then he gets to watch a video of that woman having sex…..and what does the big fat idiot do with his hand while the video is being played?

@ rmbdot has a valid point. The right wing apparently has no monopoly on narrow-minded self-righteousness.

BobMcK, no one has brought up this “fact” because it isn’t one. Perhaps some research is in order before quoting the Tea Party…

The problem is that most Republicans aren’t intelligent enough to read this, let alone “get” it! Anything can happen in Tex-ass!

Doing a sonogram of this sort before an abortion is standard procedure, and keeps the operation from being as dangerous as that previously performed with a coat hanger. So if we strip all of that out of Trudeau’s wildly offensive cartoon, we’re left with the question of whether or not a medical procedure as serious as abortion should be done without the informed consent of the patient. Texas says it shouldn’t, Trudeau (and most of the people here) say it should. So women can make “choices about their own bodies,” but only get the information which will assure that choice is in line with Liberal dogma.

Ding, ding, ding. You’ve just won the award for the dumbest post ever. Have you considered running for president?

Is Trudeau pushing the envelope with these or what?

There should be one of those thumbs up buttons here so we can show our support. I give Garry a thumbs up for what he’s doing here.

Hmm… I think I see the problem here! The GOP that sanctioned this unwanted and invasive procedure because they all worship a GOD who RAPED Mary (who was told by a couple of lackeys after the fact, but never asked before-hand) in order to have a Son on Earth! This deadbeat Dad never visited his Son, never made any child support payments, and condemned him to die by being nailed to a couple of pieces of lumber (after carrying this burden in a parade of public shame) on public display for further abuse as he expired…

Sure, now it all makes sense! As long as you’re a misguided, hypocritical, religious zealot willing to continue to suppress women’s rights in the name of “GOD”, then everything is “okay.”

Thanks Mr. Trudeau for putting a humorous spin on a truly awful situation, that will hopefully help people to wake up and repeal this ignorant legislation!

Your proof of this contention? Where are your figures? What are the sources of these figures?

Uncomfortable and being forced on someone? Bah! Do you think the kid thinks being killed is comfy and fun?

For the most part I like Doonesbury for the different perspective it gives. But let’s see how brave Trudeau really is. Feature a pregnant woman walking into a NY Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic saying, “I want to muder my baby.” Then have the response be, “Wow, wait a second. First its not murder, it’s an elective procedure. Second, it’s not a baby, it’s a fetus. And third, this all adds up to women’s health rights, pro-choice, etc.” Thanks for your work, even though I don’t always agree. Thanks also for your support of Johnny Hart years ago when others turned against him. That was courageous. God rest his soul.

Any thing inserted into the vagina without full consent of the woman is rape – the vaginal probe is even shaped like a penis.Poor women – poor children if born unwanted to any woman but especially to those who have few resources – lets give out free contraceptives so all women can have the choice to conceive or not

And I think we would be better served without support like yours.

This strip has certainly hit a raw nerve. I think this Texas law is unconsionable & every legislator supporting it should get the shame wand. Our society needs to stop being so invasive & telling other people how to live, what to eat & what women choose to do that is a very personal matter

We all were brought up with a book of rules. Our parents, our school, our neighborhood and church had a hand in making them and in allowing us the figure out what rules we do not want to follow.We are supposed to live in a free society. A free society makes laws that allow everyone to live together with the least conflict. Our morality is our own and should stay so. Just as a presidential candidate can say that he will obey the Constitution and not let the elders(or pope) of his religion tell him what to do, the laws should be there, to allow people to make their own judgments. I have a family and grandchildren and would hope that my daughter (or granddaughter) would feel able to come to me for support. That is not so in many homes, so I can not judge her at all.

My local paper didn’t have the cojones to print today’s strip. They ran an old one instead.

I think the procedure should be carried out on the Public Square. If they’re mandating she be humiliated, why go part way?

I hope GT will do another arc from the perspective of the fetus.

This is disgusting and is typical of liberal lies and deceit. Democrats were able to turn an attack on church to a women’s rights issue. Great politics, no morality.

Heavy-handed cynical misrepresentation works better in “Dilbert” than in “Doonesbury.” Trudeau’s too bitter to be funny anymore.

The problem here in Texas is education. Republicans have learned that stupid people vote Republican, so they have lowered our education standards to compete with Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. If you don’t raise education standards, you won’t raise caring, empathetic people who want all of America to succeed, not just the top 1%.

In re *Doonesbury*’s use of the word “rape”: "’Texas’s HB-15 isn’t hard to explain: The bill says that in order for a woman to obtain a perfectly legal medical procedure, she is first compelled by law to endure a vaginal probe with a hard, plastic 10-inch wand. The World Health Organization defines rape as “physically forced or otherwise coerced penetration — even if slight — of the vulva or anus, using a penis, other body parts or an object.” You tell me the difference,’ Trudeau said in the interview" (http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/03/doonesbury-takes-on-texas-abortion-law/).The interview referred to was in The Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/comic-riffs/post/the-doonesbury-interview-garry-trudeau-says-to-ignore-abortion-debate-would-have-been-comedy-malpractice/2012/03/09/gIQAjTHy1R_blog.html?tid=pm_entertainment_pop.(They’re probably not links. You’ll need to copy-&-paste. Sorry. Thanks.)

tomkey1012: No, the Dad didn’t show up because he raped her. Oh, he is also her brother.

Grow up people, yes an ultrasound is done, but NOT transvaginal!

Thank you Garry for bringing this to light and shining a searchlight on Texas.

This has been a powerful week making an important point about PERSONAL issures. It was not shown, but substituted in the Tucson paper

By the way, Doonesbury has struck a nerve. Governor Oops said that abortion was a “life-ending decision”. No, it’s the right of a raped girl to retake control of her body, a control that the rapist took away.

I love Doonesbury, and I think this is a great story line, but I think calling this “rape” goes too far and is an insult to victims of sexual assault. The wand is used in fertility clinics, to check ovaries especially, and it’s not bad— far less uncomfortable than a speculum. I strongly agree that this shouldn’t be required, but it isn’t a rape.

What a load of BULL!

The Republicans want to turn back the clock to when women were only a second thought……Maybe! Ultra sound recognizes a heartbeat, and that’s when life begins. So MEN, you ready to pay support for children you produce ….whether you’re married or playing around on your wife?

I don’t know about Texas, but the Virginia law was, in essence, legally mandated rape.

I had to have a T-V ultrasound when I was pregnant because of suspected complications. Even when medically necessary, it is an invasive, uncomfortable and traumatizing procedure. I think all the right-wing-wing-nuts who are in favour of it should be bum-raped with a length of steel pipe, just so they get an idea what it feels like.

Ps. to my last: That suggests a better way to define abortion: “A medically-assisted miscarriage, performed in the best interests of the mother and her unwanted pre-infant.”

Has any supporters of these policies- limiting/preventing abortion and complicating/ending access to contraceptives- ever suggested what penalties will be enacted against people seeking or providing these things? All people are “pro-life”, but isn’t it important to be pro-“QUALITY OF LIFE”? Why is “retroactive abortion”—death by abuse or lackof health care, or food- at age 2 months, or 2 years, or 12 less tragic than before its eyes can look up at us and ask us why? Respectfully, C

I’m astonished and embarrassed that the Miami Herald (Miami, FL) refused to print this cartoon (!) Dashed my notion of Miami being a progressive, somewhat free-thinking outpost in the south… If your newspaper printed this comic, BE THANKFUL you are able to see UNSENSORED news, comics or otherwise, regardless of where you stand on this issue. The Herald’s retraction seemed to imply that because this was a comic, it was “…offensive or inappropriate for children.” How cowardly! A newspaper representing free press is not held to a ‘General Audiences’ standard, and if the 1 page of comics must be child-friendly, FINE. In such a case, the comic in question should be printed on the OPINION page, NOT censored.

This is a great way to explain what this law is really about – punishing women. If Texas passed a law that said every man had to have a rectal exam before getting viagra to ensure he wasn’t diseased before having sex – there would be an uproar about abuse of men. It is the law of the US that abortion is legal. Women should only be required to do what’s medically mecessary which a trasnvaginal sonogram is not! hooray that Doonesbury tells the truth about this. Most of the news media have not taken any trouble to find out about the procedure, identify if it causes miscarriages, or creates dangers for women. Nobody belongs in my vagina unless I say so.

also @ rmbdot: Now that you have admitted this is a “medical procedure” do you REALLY believe the government should be allowed to do this to women against their will? It sounds like the Nazis to me!

Thank you Garry Trudeau. These laws are such an outrage.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Texas. TEXANS, however are a F-ked up bunch.

That has all the intelligence of a Rush Limbaugh broadcast – NONE WHAT SO EVER. You use the same hate speech and ludicrous name calling he does. Rush must really get you hard for him.

Thank you, Garry Trudeau, for exposing the vile right wing hatred for women.

Thanks for the Nazi Eugenics hyperbole! Too bad your mother didn’t explore this option.

As someone who has had one of these procedures – not in conjunction with an abortion – - it was called an ultrasound and I was EXPECTING the gel and the transducer that looks sort of like an electric razor to be run OVER my belly – I was horribly embarrassed, felt horribly violated, hurt for a day, and never returned to that doctor (a female) again. For most women, no matter the circumstance – choosing to have an abortion is an agonizing decision to make, and to be subjected to this is simply despicable.

I HATE MY FELLOW MEN WHO THINK THEY GET TO TELL WOMEN WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!! Look at a right to life protest and count the men to women………

I find it very disturbing that Garry T. can make light of the murdering of babies.

Obviously Trudeau and the leftwing nuts here have never had a transvaginal sonogram. It’s not painful; it’s not akin to rape. Why don’t you all grow up and get some morals.

Trudeau is spot-on with his description of it as rape. It is painful, and if it is not medically necessary then there is no reason to require it except to extract revenge and to inflict an uncovered extra expense on the woman. It is especially disdainful of the poor.

Having had a relative with an illness wherein she would have died had she been pregnant widened my world view on the whole abortion thing. I don’t like them, but it is not my call nor my life. My only valid place is to support and befriend all, whether they keep their pregnancy or not. All these Christians throwing stones at the adulterer—have they never opened their beloved Bibles to read how Christ responded? With love and empathy and supporting the woman’s emotional state and defending her against those clamoring against her, regardless of what she had done.

Try it.

Minneapolis MN is not running this string either. You didn’t really think we were liberal, did you?

The comparison that GT was making of an uncomfortable medical procedure to rape was not really a joke. It is real. It is happening.

She can’t just get up off the table if she wants to proceed with the procedure. The procedure of the transvaginal exam is required for the abortion to proceed. Hence, it is not voluntary.

I have had a transvaginal exam, but it was needed medically and not required by law. Big difference between what is happening here.

That’s just sick. The woman is killing her child. It shouldn’t be easy, comfortable, convenient, affordable, or legal.

The mother doesn’t have any more special “right to murder” than the father, cousin, doctor, or a complete stranger does.

I am one of those left wing nuts and I do have morals.

A simple fact overlooked: These “Republican” legislators in several states are MANDATING an invasive medical procedure that goes beyond that necessary or proper diagnosis and “treatment”; they are “practicing” medicine without a license!!

Maybe they should mandate trans-urethral bladder examinations for all MEN before they can have sex, just to be sure they aren’t transmitting disease? (With the same wand used on women.)

The eyes of Texas are upon you…All your live long day..

One really doesn’t have to worry about abortion being comfortable, since it never is comfortable. The only adjectives which I think should apply to abortion are safe and rare. This would happen through family planning.

I have no idea why the Star Tribune pulled this strip from print, for this week. I would hope that the newspaper had enough faith in their subscribers to let them decide what to read & what NOT to read. I don’t think it’s their call. I’m just sayin’.

Has anyone noticed that this strip is no longer funny? I also feel it is inappropriate material in case any children still read comic strips. Will they be asking mommy about the “shaming wand?” We need political satire that makes us grimace and grin simultaneously.

This is really sick!

Notice that with this arc, we haven’t heard from any of those inane commentators who like to remind us that “It’s just a comic strip!”

I avoid comic strips because I’m never entertained (or diverted from reality) by their mindlessness. At the same time, one mustn’t take life too seriously. GBT’s satire provides a unique, happy balance of reality and humor.

Ouch! Go get ’em, Garry!

This series is censored in Rhode Island. I have to go online to see it. The newspaper doesn’t think we can make our own decisions concerning the content. How demeaning to men and women both.

If Jesus came back tomorrow, you “pro-life” fascists would call him a hippie socialist and crucify him all over again. How sad.

Could someone point me to a list of papers that ARE publishing these strips? Those are the ones I’m going to subscribe to.

Whoa. This is beyond the pale. If this sort of procedure, even accounting for the satire, is actually happening….we are not gonna survive as a species.

Nice!

We cannot continue to violate personal rights. We cannot continue, as a species, if we do not respect one another. In whatever form.

Excellent work GT! They wouldn’t be complaining if you weren’t so on target! Again, if you don’t like the strip you really may as well stop wasting your time…

You have all my support – keep telling it like it is. Women’s rights are human rights. Thank you!

ok

Doonesbury Sucks!

Do the souls of aborted babies get a free pass into heaven? Or are they still tainted by Original Sin, and go straight to hell?Maybe God recycles them?

It seems like the answers to these question would carry great weight when determining the religious ramifications of abortion.

@pouncingtiger — “I hope Republicans (men and women) in Virginia and Arizona see this strip.”

Their fearless leaders have made sure that won’t happen!!

@rmbdot — "So… when GT makes a crude joke, comparing a very uncomfortable medical procedure to rape, it’s okay? Would it be okay if, say… Rush Limbaugh made a similar joke?

It’s not a joke!

@Those who ask “Who is the father?”

A better question is “Where is the father?”

@jkuehn — You are right — sometimes the procedure does cause miscarriage.

@Spider — “If Jesus came back tomorrow, you “pro-life” fascists would call him a hippie socialist and crucify him all over again. How sad.”

And his mom would be an “unwed mother” or worse, a “slut” according to Rush.

“I hate Texas, too, CoolGuy2000. We should hold a national referendum to cede Texas from the Union. Let Mexico have it.”Any chance we could convince them to take Oklahoma, too? Or, at the very least, Inhofe?

@leftwingpatriot — Perhaps you’re being ironic, but it may be “legal” and still rape.

@palin drome — This doesn’t just apply to unmarried women. There’s a particularly sad story out of Texas of a woman and her husband who decided to abort a extremely deformed fetus. She, too, had to go through this degrading procedure.

@rmbdot — Crude joke? He is lampooning a ridiculous law and the men who support, and exposing the distress it causes women (and in some cases their husbands). The touch of irony he uses just means that more people hear the message. Rush isn’t smart enough to do that, and he’s just base on all levels.

Of course, this isn’t just Texas. Georgia, Virginia, Alabama, one of the Dakotas, and several other states have passed or are considering similar invasions into a woman, or family’s, privacy during a difficult time in the effort to make abortion more difficult, if they can’t make it illegal.

And of course, the rich and well positioned will be able to avoid this sort of thing, just as they were able to get abortions when they were illegal.

“Here is a thought; how many “Pious, self-aggrandizing, Holier-Then-Thou” politicians, of ANY party, have knocked up their young Mistress/intern/aide/whatever they call her, and forced them to get an abortion, rather then have the scandal of a pregnant mistress get out?”There’s a whole book just on the sleaze, mostly sexual, of Republican politicians. It’s titled “You Don’t Know Me,” by Win McCormack. Not that I think the Democrats are innocent—but at least they aren’t pretending that they are the “godly” party.

Doonesbury, You say it like it is! Guess the GOP is digging it’s own grave by degrading women like this again and again and again! Disgusting how the right think it acceptable to actually do this to any woman! It is rape by our own doctors!

“I don’t agree with Farley about the humanity of a fetus …”

pd, you were talking about the opposite association for support of abortion/death penalty the other day, but have you noticed a strong association between hostility to religion and support for abortion? I can think of only one person so far, who sees Old Testament justification for abortion. It gets weirder when a pro-choice senator (Boxer) votes against a law that treats a fetus killed during the murder of the mother as a double homicide, because she didn’t want to grant personhood to the fetus.

You played the Civilized World Card yesterday, but you didn’t say how that world supports your eye for an eye view of vengeance justice, or what your overseas colleagues thought of the death penalty in the US.

Do you think there’s an association, with religious people and support for the death penalty? … what am I saying, just look at the Taliban.

I’m not trying to make a personal association, even though it looks like it.

Welcome to life under the American Taliban. Bunch of freaks.

OH SHIT!UH-UH HE DIDN"T SAY THAT!!!

Sometimes really great comic artists are also really great at being made a koolaid-drinking fool by their very own strip.

Please tell me this is just a parody of what is happening in Texas and not actually true. Or worse..No woman, no matter what she decides and no matter what her reasons should be forced to undergo such mental and physical abuse. .I have a strong feeling of wanting to lynch someone. If this is what it is in Texas – I hope everyone rises up in disgust and exercises their right to protest and vote. .

I think using the word “rape” is an insult to the victims of sexual assault, even though I strongly agree that this shouldn’t be forced on women. The wand is used in fertility clinics, especially to look at ovaries, and it is less uncomfortable than a speculum. I’ve loved Doonesbury since I was a kid, but I don’t like seeing the word “rape” used for anything else.

Guilt and shame, brought to you by the Christian Taliban.

The law only makes itself morally reprehensible.

I had this procedure done for another issue…it is just short of painful…but not as painful as having my rights violated…freedom of religion does not mean you have the right to shove your religious beliefs shoved down my throat…

The truth hurts.

IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT AN IGNORANT MAN CAN ASK MORE QUESTIONS THAN ALL THE WISE MEN IN THE WORLD CAN ANSWER. THAT BEING SAID, HARLAN ELLISON, A SCIENCE FICTION WRITER HAS STATED THAT ONE IS ONLY INTITLED TO AN INFORMED OPINION. THAT BEING SAID, AS AN IGNORANT MAN, I ASK YOU. HOW CAN ONE HAVE AN INFORMED OPINION IF EVEN COMIC STRIPS ARE CENSORED?

Apparentluy the managers of this strip don’t have the guts to print my comments, but I’m not surprised.

Over a thousand comments in four days.(and a few were actually worth reading!)Neither of the last two though.

<when GT makes a crude joke, comparing a very uncomfortable medical procedure to rape, it’s okay?>He isn’t joking.