We need a strategy, now, versus Roe v. Wade and the antics of the human-puppy-mill squad on the Supreme Court. Were Roe v. Wade to be overturned, the blowback would be immense and you would think the Rs get this. (They don’t because they assume that most women do what their husbands tell them to, that most husbands want their wives and daughters used as breeding stock, and most women want to become extras in “The Handmaid’s Tale.”)
But this is the sort of thing where we can turn shit into gasoline (to recycle an old redneck phrase). Here’s how it needs to work.
1. Start going after Republicans now. Especially Senators, especially Republicans. Don’t run ads that “Senator Hawley wants to ban abortion.” Run ads that say, “Senator Hawley wants put your daughter and her doctor in jail for having an abortion”, “Senator Hawley wants to ban contraception of any kind (this is what happens when the wingnuts go after Griswold)”, “Senator Hawley wants to ban any kind of sex other than missionary sex between married couples.” Run ads in every state against every R Senator and congresscritter.
2. In every state with a D legislature, pass a state-level Roe v. Wade. In states where the Rs are in the way, where they have referenda, start it as a referendum. In states like Florida, go for 60% of the vote and write it into the constitution. Note that in most states with initiative/referendum, the legislature has nothing to say in the matter.
3. Keep sponsoring legislation in Congress to legislate Roe V. Wade. Let it lose, but force the votes.
4. You want to see a partisan attack on SCOTUS? Let all of the conservatives have it, in personally insulting terms. Amy Coney Barrett is an SNL skit all by herself (even better, have some of the more characteristically profane diarists here — you know who you are — to get really creative). Rapey Brett Kavanaugh? This is a credibly accused rapist who was drunk at his confirmation hearing. Make sure he has a chance to read this about himself. Clarence Thomas? Bring back pubic hairs on Coke cans, not to mention perjuring yourself in your confirmation hearings.
5. Use the issue in every election in 2022, from Senate to dog catcher. If your local alderman insists this is not an issue that concerns the town government of Schitt’s Creek, explain that town governments play a role in protecting/inhibiting a woman’s right to choose. School committees? This shouldn’t be hard to understand. Emphasize that the pro-life movement takes its directions from Putin, the Taliban/ISIS, global neo-Nazi elements, and any other crackpot religion worth bringing up. Describe the issue as “forced birth” which is what it is. Pose the issue as “do you want to ban contraception” and “do you want to require childbirth” and “should women and their doctors be jailed/sued.”
6. Conservatives love their guns and their open carry, right? Have a few open-carry pro-choice rallies in states with R legislatures. (We are presumably not stupid enough to actually use them on anyone.) It will scare the shit out of conservatives, and maybe even shake loose some gun control laws once the wingnuts see the “wrong” people brandishing assault rifles. If this is too violent, just don’t carry your guns loaded (a good safety precaution, anyway). Or even carry fake guns (as long as they look convincing and scary).
7. Confront anyone pro-life. You might get kicked out of your next Christmas dinner but it’s worth it.
8. If you are out advocating for choice, and the knuckledraggers show up, video recording is better than guns. Flipping off people with “it’s a child, not a choice” bumper stickers is good; it’s even better if they get lively (and the video of their road rage is useful for prosecuting them).
9. It bears repeating again: this isn’t a women’s issue; I don’t want to have to fill up Josh Hawley’s earthen vessel (we can work with that one, but keep the brain bleach handy) any more than any women I know want to. If they kill this, they will criminalize anything LGBTQ, criminalize abortion and contraception in 50 states, and criminalize most consensual sex between adults (except for the right kind of conservative uber-males).
