A backward leap in women's rights......

Everyone who knows me knows I am not a bra-burning feminist type. But I do believe in equality for women in many areas, including health care, voting and job salaries. Sadly, though, women are still fighting battles on many of those fronts. The illusion of equality is there, but in reality, we are far behind our male counterparts.

This morning I got an email from a friend of mine, warning me about new rules President Bush is trying to pass under the table (meaning without Congressional approval) concerning the legality of birth control pills. Mr. Bush would like to have our right to use them taken away by adding wording to existing legislation that would equate the use of birth control to abortion. Here's one story about it if you want to read it: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/5935532.html

I do not wish to debate whether birth control is the same as abortion. I believe that's a personal decision for people and is none of my business. However, as a woman who is on birth control for reasons other than prevention of pregnancy, I find this very disturbing. The very suggestion that birth control is used only for that purpose shows Mr. Bush's ignorance of women's health issues. Many women, like myself, have medical conditions that can be helped by using the pill. If he takes that option away, he is compromising my well being, and I am not OK with that. If you are not OK with that, either, write or call your local Congressman or woman and tell them.