Here we are again...
Feb 10, 2024 by Nina Herschlikowitz Gabelko
Neither my high school friends nor I can ever get over that day when we heard on the radio that our good friend had been found dead on the lawn of a local hospital. Her mother had arranged for the illegal medical procedure at some backstreet butcher shop because that was the only possible option. Our friend had at 15 years old gone out of state to marry a gas station attendant she’d met when she was walking from Wilshire to Santa Monica Blvd. She’d insisted that it was love at first sight and quickly talked him into getting married.
When they’d married, because it was known that she had carnal knowledge, she had to leave high school. Her mother finally convinced her that she didn’t really want to remain married to this “uneducated gas pumper,” and she must not be saddled with the early-stage fetus she was carrying. So, an illegal, back street, abortion was the only “right” choice. She did as her mother instructed and she was subsequently dumped, at night, on the lawn.
It may have been a mystery to the LA Times, but it was certainly not to us. We all grieved for the loss of our friend whom we’d adored and admired.
In my case, I was greatly impressed that she’d read Cervantes while we were still in junior high school—I didn’t, until college. I have a small statue of Don Quixote in a planter guarding my front door, and as a reminder of what happens when those with no brains legislate medical procedures. But in 1973, it seems that the worm(s) had turned; medical decisions had moved into the hands of those who had standing in those choices.
I for one, did know that the no-brains, hostile-to-women legislators would again have the power to make medical decisions. But here we are again, in so many states, back at great, great risk by being under the thumbs of dangerous brokers who have less than no authority over medical decisions. Shouldn’t they be under arrest for both practicing medicine without a license and enslaving women, all of us, really, through their grabbed authority? Hell, they’ve even breached the separation between church and state—convinced that they are the ultimate arbiters of the greater good. Yes, it’s obvious to each and every one of you.
Then why did I even go here? To insist that each one of us assert our non-authority by demanding that everyone vote, no excuses. You know that when I lived in Australia eligible voters who didn’t fulfill their duty were fined?
Why on earth did I subject you to this tirade? Because I’m blessed to live in California and received my ballot in the mail this morning—and also received an email from both Alameda County and the League of Women Voters telling of the ways I can fulfill my duty. Remember that we’re in a position to do something even more powerful than a fine: we can annoy the daylights out of everyone who needs more than a reminder to vote. And I’ll wager that some of you are as capable as I to be annoying!
When they’d married, because it was known that she had carnal knowledge, she had to leave high school. Her mother finally convinced her that she didn’t really want to remain married to this “uneducated gas pumper,” and she must not be saddled with the early-stage fetus she was carrying. So, an illegal, back street, abortion was the only “right” choice. She did as her mother instructed and she was subsequently dumped, at night, on the lawn.It may have been a mystery to the LA Times, but it was certainly not to us. We all grieved for the loss of our friend whom we’d adored and admired.
In my case, I was greatly impressed that she’d read Cervantes while we were still in junior high school—I didn’t, until college. I have a small statue of Don Quixote in a planter guarding my front door, and as a reminder of what happens when those with no brains legislate medical procedures. But in 1973, it seems that the worm(s) had turned; medical decisions had moved into the hands of those who had standing in those choices.
I for one, did know that the no-brains, hostile-to-women legislators would again have the power to make medical decisions. But here we are again, in so many states, back at great, great risk by being under the thumbs of dangerous brokers who have less than no authority over medical decisions. Shouldn’t they be under arrest for both practicing medicine without a license and enslaving women, all of us, really, through their grabbed authority? Hell, they’ve even breached the separation between church and state—convinced that they are the ultimate arbiters of the greater good. Yes, it’s obvious to each and every one of you.
Then why did I even go here? To insist that each one of us assert our non-authority by demanding that everyone vote, no excuses. You know that when I lived in Australia eligible voters who didn’t fulfill their duty were fined?
Why on earth did I subject you to this tirade? Because I’m blessed to live in California and received my ballot in the mail this morning—and also received an email from both Alameda County and the League of Women Voters telling of the ways I can fulfill my duty. Remember that we’re in a position to do something even more powerful than a fine: we can annoy the daylights out of everyone who needs more than a reminder to vote. And I’ll wager that some of you are as capable as I to be annoying!
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