NOTE: those who got a crazy computer language version of the Rodham Clinton speeches are requested to email istuber@cswnet.com for "English" versions. Sorry. The new email program got dumped in a hurry. !.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.! ! ! ! Catt's Claws ... A Feminist Newsletter #69 .. September 26 , 1995 ! ! ! !.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.! We don't know how to start this tale ... Our skin crawls and we see barbed wire and concentration camps; we see emaciated bodies and faces without hope as fanaticism rules over common sense and decency. We see individual rights trampled under the rule of fists and prejudice. We see what our future may be if the good people of this country don't start drawing a line in the sand against these horrid people who have two- way conversations with their gawds, all of which agree with their biogotry. From a copyrighted story in the September 25, 1995, New York _Times_ by Tamar Lewin: Almost a year ago, a 15-year-girl from Blair, Nebraska, 25 miles from Omaha, told her parents that she was pregnant. The father was a 16-year-old boyfriend. At the time she was 23-weeks pregnant. What occurred then in the name of religion was strictly blackshirt, Christian Coalition type storm troop tactics that would warm the hearts of any Nazi. According to a suit filed by the parents, Connie and Carl Scott, their home was broken into (the door kicked in) by the boyfriend, his parents and their friends, and the pregnant daughter arrested by law-enforcement officers who put her in foster care to prevent an abortion, and then, in a complete unconstitutional action, the girl was ordered not to have an abortion by a judge. (One of our readers who considers herself a wag suggested I issue seat belts with some of these stories.) The Scotts are suing the boyfriend's family (his name can't he used because he's a minor), the sheriff's deputies, the police officers, a doctor and his assistant, and the county prosecutor in federal court with things ranging from assault, to false arrest, and violation of constitutional rights. According to reporter Tamar Lewin, none were willing to be interview but "none appeared to dispute the facts of the case. Rather, the issue appeared to be whether actions taken by a community strongly opposed to abortion were an acceptable use of the legal system or an example of anti-abortion extremism." The boyfriend's mother Kathy Tull claims that they did what they did because the baby had no rights and the father had no rights. But Janet Gallagher, a lawyer with the American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Project, which is representing the family, said: "There was an outrageous violation of this girl's individual rights and her family's rights. Boyfriend interference with women's choice to go ahead with, or end, a pregnancy has been a continuing problem all over the country, despite the fact that the courts have ruled over and over that this is a decision to be made by the women. And this is the most flagrant instance I've seen of public authorities being drawn into and assisting that interference." According to the Scott's complaint, after the Tull's kicked in the door, injuring the elder Scott and his daughter, the Tulls dragged the girl outside screaming "baby killers." Police officers who answered the complain actually asked the girl if she had made an appointment for an abortion. A deputy sheriff active in the anti-abortion movement, according to the complaint and Lewin's article arrived separately and tried to give the girl anti-abortion literature. The Scott family went to a cousin's house to sleep, according to Lewin's story and then " Shortly after midnight, the complaint says, the family awakened to the noise of more than 10 squad cars surrounding the cousin's house. "The police took the girl away, giving her parents little explanation, except to show them a letter, addressed `To Whom It May Concern,' that Mrs. Tull (the boyfriend's mother) had obtained from a local doctor and his assistant. Though neither had ever examined the girl, they wrote that an abortion at 23 weeks could be harmful, or even fatal, to the mother." On the strength of that letter, the police said, County Attorney John Samson had directed them to take the girl into custody. The police took her to the Blair police station for several hours and then to the home of a foster family who were strangers to her." Samson interrogated the girl and using the above letter, prosecuted her in juvenile court. Judge F. A. Gossett III, according to Lewin's article, although ordering an end to her temporary foster placement only released her to her parents `on the condition that no abortion shall be performed on the subject's unborn child without further order of the court.' The Tulls, their friends, and those in the anti-abortion camp put up flyers all over town stating that the Scotts were "murderers." Lewin went on to say, "In the weeks afterward, the complaint said, the girl was followed by friends of her former boyfriend whenever she left the house, was threatened with assault, and became afraid to leave the house alone. She stopped going to school and was tutored at home." The girl gave birth to a daughter in December after the family moved away from Blair because of harassment. She is raising the baby and there is no word of financial support from the father who is still on Blair's high school football team and an honored member of the community. No one has purchased the Scotts' home in Blair which is constantly being vandalized. Lewin wrote, "Mrs. Tull, the boyfriend's mother, said that she and her family were stunned by the lawsuit and appalled that the Scotts would take public action that their granddaughter might learn of when she got older. "`At one point," Mrs. Tull said, `I said to my son that if whatever he was going through from all this was the price he had to pay for that darling little baby to be alive, it was worth it.'" There is absolutely no word about the son paying child support. -- Several newspaper carried very sanitized versions of the above, pointing out that the girl was in juvenile court and under foster care, (not explaining why) and it was a second trimester pregnancy. ....................... * ........................ The mother of Tammy Haas of Yankton, SD, who was found murdered in a northern town of Nebraska, has still not received any word from the police regarding the arrest and release of the accused murdered of her daughter on $5,000 bond. See the last few editions of Catt's Claws for further details: http://worcester.lm.com/lmann/feminist/cattsclaws.html The FTPs for Catt's Claws being archived by William Affleck-Asch, are: ftp://ftp.eskimo.com/u/f/feminist/ (or NCFTP open ftp.eskimo.com cd /u/f/feminist/) The FTPs for Catt's Claws being archieved by Dorothy Dean are: FTP.execpc.com ....................... * ........................ One of the more deserving groups that aren't directly tied to women's advocacy, but is a beating heart of women's dignity is The Women's Philharmonic, 330 Townsend St., San Francisco, CA 94107-1630 - any donations accepted and desperately needed. This fine group under the baton of maestro JoAn Falletta with Judy Patrick, Executive director needs $50,000 to guarantee its survival. They had to cancel the last concert of the season 1994-95 because of the shortage of money. It is the ONLY women's orchestra playing women's classical music. The group has made two recordings and a third is in the works. Won't you send even a dollar bill? ......................... * ...................... The latest newsletter of the Breast Cancer Fund features the women breast cancer survivors who climbed the 23,000-foot Anancogua, the highest peak outside of the Himalayas. On its slopes, they planted hundreds of specially designed prayer flags inscribed with the names of women who have faced breast cancer: "May the winds bring healing. May the winds bring serenity and remembrance. May we be free from illness." Ashley Cox, 22, was the youngest member of the team of climbers. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at 18 and had a single mastectomy during her senior year at high school. Three women, Nancy Knoble of Tiburon, CA, Laura Evans of Ketchum, ID, and Claudia Berryman-Shafer, Fernley, NV actually reached the peak while 14 stopped slightly short of the top because of conditions. Prayer flags may be purchased to honor a breast cancer survivor or in memory of a loved one lost to the disease. The flags will become part of a permanent exhibit which will be similar to the AIDS Names Quilt. For more information (and where to send donations: The Breast Cancer Fund, 1280 Columbus Ave., #201, San Francisco, CA 94133. One of the things the fund has done is build a system of data collection and counseling for women identified with the hereditary breast cancer gene. (In the name of all that's holy, you of the hypocrites oath, why didn't the medical community do this on its own, long ago?) ......................... * ...................... "If you aren't outraged, you aren't paying attention." ......................... * ...................... The National Organization for Women (NOW) has released a new introductory brochure which someone unfortunately decided should feature real, modern people, forgetting that real, living people sometimes stumble in their real lives of facing tomorrow and adversity. The new brochure features a statement by Shannon Faulkner. While we laud SH's brave actions and do not fault her for withdrawing from The Citadel in the face of threats of physical violence to herself and her family (more than 100 men dropped out of The Citadel's freshman class along with Faulkner) we wonder about NOW including her or any particular, living woman in a general brochure. With so many of the bigtime brains in PR belonging to women, one wonders why NOW can't or won't utilize them to put out brochures with pizzaz. There are so many women out here who would be GLAD to help, FREE ... why are the executives of national NOW so afraid to let its members do things? NOW chapters may get copies of the new brochure and the updated lesbian rights brochure by calling Cindy at the National NOW office. ......................... * ...................... California NOW is offering a _Guide to Women and Affirmative Action_ which provides documentation, talking points to facilitate debate, political strategies, and assistance in developing legislation to counter the movement to eliminate all affirmative actions policies being proposed by the Republican Party and Religious Supremacists. For a copy, send $15 to California "NOW," 962 "J" Street, Suite 523, Sacramento, CA 95814. ......................... * ...................... Consciousness Raising (CR) which was one of the mainstays of the women's movement in the 1970's (Remember the redstockings who developed the program???) will be brought up to date by a national NOW committee. Any NOW members interested in participating in the revision or has ideas is requested to contact Catt's Claws and we'll forward your name to the committee. doesn't list home addresses. Some more NOW stuff (and remember, we're only a member of NOW and do not serve in any leadership capacity). The Texas NOW conference is Oct. 20-22 at San Marco between San Antonio and Austin. We will be giving a workshop on "Women's Herstory: ignored history" at 2 pm, Saturday Oct. 21. The Alabama NOW conference will be Nov. 17-19 in Tuscaloosa, and the Tennessee NOW conference is the SAME weekend in Nashville. ......................... * ...................... Marianne Das writes: "Many thanks for emailing the texts of speeches by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Donna Shalala ... Before the (U.N. Women's Conference) meeting, the Philadelphia Inquirer had the gall to urge Hillary not to attend for fear she'd screw up the diplomatic process! At least they ate crow and wrote a glowing editorial (the editor in charge of the editorial page is a woman), but only brief excerpts of the speech appeared in print. The New York _Times_ didn't do any better. "I', passing on copies of the speeches to some interested friends." (And she enclosed a check to help defray the costs of posting Women of Achievement and Catt's Claws for which we are grateful.) Copies of the speeches are still available from Catt's Claws. Just email istuber@cswnet.com or irenstuber@delphi.com. NOTICE: IF YOU GOT A NINHEX OR SOME OTHER STRANGE TRANSLATION OF THE SPEECHES DURING THE PERIOD I WAS CHANGING EMAIL SYSTEMS, PLEASE WRITE istuber@cswnet.com AND SAY, "THANKS, BUT THIS TIME IN ENGLISH, PLEASE." ....................... * ........................ We're beginning to worry about Nebraska ... Heisman Trophy contender Lawrence Phillips was suspended from his Nebraska football team after allegedly beating (assaulting) a woman. The woman, identified as Katherine McEwen, a member of the Nebraska women's basketball team "has left the state for her own protection" according to the Lincoln, Neb., police chief. According to reports, Phillips scaled a wall to reach the THIRD floor apartment of quarter back Scott Frost and assaulted McEwen in the apartment, then dragged her downstairs continuing to beat on her with his hands until apartment residents pulled them apart. All the papers dutifully reported McEwen had once been Phillips' girlfriend - as if that makes a difference. Nebraska coach Tom Osborne, in announcing the suspension, left the door open for junior Phillips' return in his senior year. What the blankety-blank is it with these guys? It's manly to beat on women? Once "my women," always "my possession?" Get a grip on reality guys. And yes there are some women who do this sort of thing although obviously not so many. But the bigger problem is why should McEwen be forced to flee for her safety? This situation of "possession," or "if I can't have her no one else can," has gotten out of hand. As my "dark side of peace" statement was taken way out of context and twisted, this next one will probably be too. But our "justice" system remains in the stone ages system of rights and wrongs and controls. We still allow might to dictate the social rules. The "alleged" criminal will be rewarded. (Phillips although he may not play for Nebraska most certainly will get a multi-million dollar pro contract as did a number of other marauding college sports "heroes" such as the Arkansas raping basketball players.) And while Phillips and other vicious men get big buck rewards, the women they beat, assaulted, and terrorized have to flee,their lives in ruin. The criminal-men are allowed to get on with their lives (after a year or two of repaying society but no remorse like Tyson) while the women are forced to live forever in constant fear. Society and the law must come up with other basic standards than those that were laid out in the stone age, namely the Ten Commandments and other religious rules formulated in a time when might was right and men's comfort were enforced by fists and beatings. Odd that we have devised criminal investigations and punishments for computer crimes but not for social crimes committed by psychotic, albeit good athletes ... By the way, one way to stop some of this violence of sportsmen can start with the athletic association which could, if they REALLY cared about anything except box offices, declare a set of behavioral SOCIAL standards, not just business standards ... Remember the days of family values when a WOMAN runner was suspended from her school for running "without a chaperon" in the Boston marathon. But men were/are not suspended from their football/ basketball/ rugby/ soccer teams for rape ???? ......................... * ...................... OK - flex the fingers and get out an email, or better yet and email AND a snail letter to your U.S. Congressional delegation (Senators and Congressional Representative). There is a bill before Congress that would FORCE hospital stays of at least 48 hours for mothers and their newborns. To save money, MHO's have been ordering mothers and their infants discharged as soon as 12 hours after birth. Testimony by mothers who have lost infants because the short hospital stays failed to give enough time for the infant's illnesses to be manifest are heartbreaking. A bill by Sen. Nancy Kassebaum, R-Kan., and Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J.(don't tell me politics don't make strange bedfellows) would require insurers to cover at least a 48-hour stay for mothers and infants after normal births, and 96 hours after Caesareans. Shorter stays would be permitted if neither the mother nor doctor objects, and home care is provided. Proponents say many mothers and infants are being discharged before many problems can be detected. The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are supporting the bill. ....................... * ........................ While Pakistan and other Islamic women were at the U.N. Women's Conference in Beijing saying how much freedom they had... meanwhile, back at the ranch, the women of Karachi, Pakistan, that country's largest city are getting their own bus service. Seems like the women riding the public busses in Pakistan are being harassed. Men are groping them, and women are being subjected to all sorts of humiliation according the director of operation of the Karchi Road Transport Corporation. Instead of saying the men's actions were wrong, the right-wing religious Jamaat-e-Islami welcomed the buses and seemed to encourage the harassment, because it fits in with the Islamic teachings of strict segregation of the sexes. So it seems the women of Islam will be separated publicly on their way back to the segregated harems if the energumens have their way. Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto who was returned to power in 1993 has set up a series of special services for women which include police stations and banks. ....................... * ........................ Hypocrisy, thy name is Republican Congressional Representatives. While slashing billions from programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, and child support, the Reps turned down a proposal to cut $13.4 billion from farm program subsidies over the next seven years. Most Reps voting against it are from farming areas that would be hurt by the cuts. Seems like farmers vote but poor people and children don't. ....................... * ........................ It caused a flurry of speculation but is being handled very low key by the media. The House ethics committee is tentatively interviewing "potential" candidates for an independent counsel to investigate House Speaker Newt Gingrich's book deal with TV and publishing mogul Rupert Murdock for $4.5 million. The two met and discussed congressional action that would profit Murdoch hugely. Gingrich, of course, opposes the investigation. A polite note to the Committee of Standards of Official Conduct (the ethics committee) chair Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., encouraging her stated "open" position on the matter couldn't hurt. ....................... * ........................ In keeping with our END THE SILENCE campaign, the "suspects" in the raping of a 12-year-old girl in Okinawas are Marine Pfc. Rodrico Harp, 21, of Grifen, Ga.; Pfc. Kendrick M. Ledet, 20, of Waycross, Ga.; and Navy Seaman Marcus D. Gill, 22, of Jasper, Texas. ....................... * ........................ ATTENTION MAINE: After failing to pass statewide anti-gay measures last year in Idaho and Oregon, radical right groups this year have targeted the first state east of the Mississippi. Question #1 will appear on ballots throughout Maine on November 7, 1995. The measure seeks to deny basic rights to lesbians, gays and other people by keeping them off the list of groups protected under Maine's anti-discrimination laws. The Maine Council of Churches, the Maine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Independent Governor Angus King and the Maine Lesbian/Gay Political Alliance have joined more than 70 groups throughout the state working to defeat Question #1. Contact "Maine Won't Discriminate" at mecampaign@aol.com ....................... * ........................ Catt's Claws salutes volunteers Jennifer Gagliardi for posting Catt's Claws through her listserv and Paula Levine for her proofreading (but not for this issue because of prior commitments). All the mistakes belong to IS. ....................... * ........................ Women's rights are young and tender and we must protect them from the plagues of holy hypocrisy and newts. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- >>> Send your ideas, comments, and news to istuber@cswnet.com for inclusion in the Catt's Claws feminist newsletter which will be emailed three times a week: Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. This is NOT an interactive discussion net but an exchange of information and is NOT sponsored by any organization. We are accepting *limited* donations (only what can be spared) to help offset the online costs of posting Catt's Claws. Irene Stuber. PO Box 6185, Hot Springs, AR 71902.<<<<