Day: February 23, 2006

Ladybusiness, News & Politics

It Begins in South Dakota

Shelly

And just when I was thinking this day would be an improvement over yesterday (it’s Friday for me, and Survivor is on tonight), there is this little news gem (via Feministing): South Dakota’s senate has passed an absolutely fucktacular piece of legislation that totally bans abortion. The only exception is if the mother’s life is at risk There are no exceptions for rape or incest, or for the protection of the mother’s mental or physical heath and well being. The state’s governor, who is of the anti-choice persuasion, still has to sign it into law, but there is absolutely no doubt that he will. The ramifications of this go way beyond women in South Dakota being unable to obtain in-state abortions. This is a stepping stone to the overturn of Roe v. Wade. It also opens the door for all sorts of squicky laws aimed at controlling the freedoms of women. Cuz, yaknow, we’re just big ol’ incubators with feet.

Un-fucking-believable.

Pets

Unconditional Love

Shelly

Gina at Dogma, a pet writer whose blog I very much enjoy, posted yesterday on the subject of unconditional love. While I believe that dogs are capable of experiencing love, and I think that the majority of dogs develop bonds of love easily, I’m not in 100% agreement with her claim that dogs love unconditionally. It seems pretty clear to me that there are strings attached. Surely no one expects a dog whose owner mistreats him to unconditionally love his abuser?

For example: My own dog’s love is intertwined with her ability to trust. She does not trust many people, but those she does, she loves and would walk over hot coals to be with. But break her trust, and the love will disappear, as well. For Harriet, things like fairness and consistency are major components in the trust-love equation. She is bewildered by inconsistent treatment, and reacts by withdrawing and shutting down. She cools toward the person who breaks her trust and it can take a long time to rebuild it. “Fool me once…” she says. There are lots of strings attached to Miss Brown’s love, but that’s okay. Part of the bargain we struck was that I would be the one supplying the unconditional love and light refreshments. She just needs to bring the entertainment.