Attack on Women's Rights

Five states have passed bills that will prohibit private health insurance plans sold on its new state-based insurance marketplaces from covering abortion, except in dire circumstances such as to save the mother's life. Now 22 more states are considering similar abortion bills.

Nearly half of those states are also contemplating an even more sweeping proposal: making it illegal for all private plans to cover abortion, regardless of whether they are sold on exchanges. That step is already the law of four states.

Aside from the policy issue of unwarranted governmental interference in private matters, isn't this unlawful discrimination against women? Isn't it unconstitutional as violating equal protection? Could a state permit coverage for all cancers except breast cancer? ( I don't know if these points have been raised in court actions - maybe someone can enlighten me.)

i was pleasantly surprised the other day at the conclusion of the report on the Middle East by NPR reporter Peter Kenyon. The news anchor thanked him and Mr. Kenyon responded with the traditional "You're welcome" instead of something like "no problem" or a reciprocal "Thank you".

As noted in the copy of earlier post, below, I have for some time been bemoaning the almost complete absence of this traditional reply.

THANK YOU.....YOU'RE WELCOME

About 10 years ago, I wrote a little piece about the response to "thank yous" on radio and television as hosts thank guests and corespondents. Nothing has changed; the response is still rarely the traditional "you're welcome".

Occurring most often is a replying "thank you", which theoretically could lead to an endless round of dueling "thank yous". It doesn't, however, and there are many other responses that end the segment. These range from "my pleasure"and "any time" to "no problem", "OK", and "sure".

Don't know the reason for the absence of "you're welcome", but I would welcome it back.

SUB-ROSA NEWS

Some of the News
That may be True

HUCKABEE CORRECTS RECORD
Meant Obama's Youth in Atlantis, not Kenya

On Meet the Press this morning, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee explained that he misspoke when he referred to the influence of President Obama's father and grandfather during his childhood years in Kenya. Actually Mr. Obama was born and raised in the island nation of Atlantis.

Mr. Huckabee added that since Atlantis is a matriarchy, run by Amazons, this explains Mr. Obama's deferral to Michelle Obama on affairs of state and smoking.