Posted on 07/02/2005 7:18:48 AM PDT by ConservativeGadfly
NOW declares 'state of emergency,' plans march after news of O'Connor's retirement
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ROSE FRENCH
Sat July 2, 2005 09:41 EDT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ The president of the National Organization for Women declared a ``state of emergency'' for women's rights and planned a march on the state Capitol as news of Sandra Day O'Connor's retirement reverberated through the group's annual convention.
NOW president Kim Gandy told about 800 NOW members Friday that women need to send a message that they won't tolerate ``extremist'' judges who set back women's rights.
``This is our time. This is our challenge,'' Gandy said as the crowd replied by clapping and chanting, ``Hell no, we won't go'' and ``We won't go back.''
The group shifted the agenda for their three-day convention to include a march to the Tennessee Capitol on Saturday to ``make sure Senator Frist and all senators are going to hear our voices. We're going to march on every Capitol in this country,'' Gandy said.
The first woman on the Supreme Court, O'Connor was often the swing vote on 5-4 decisions supporting abortion, affirmative action and other contentious social issues. Her retirement leaves Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg as the only woman on the court.
Gandy and former NOW president Eleanor Smeal, now president of the Feminist Majority Foundation, praised O'Connor as a moderate.
``Twenty-four years ago, as president of the National Organization for Women, I testified for Sandra Day O'Connor before the Senate Judiciary Committee,'' Smeal said. ``I knew then that O'Connor, although a conservative voice, would be one who would not permit the elimination of women's fundamental rights, including the right to privacy.''
Gandy said the group fears ``a nominee along the lines of some of the extremist judges that have been put on the appellate court by George Bush.''
NOW members are set to elect their president Saturday night. Gandy, elected in 2001, is being challenged by Rosemary J. Dempsey, a Connecticut lawyer who's held several national and state leadership roles since joining NOW in 1970.
Dempsey wants to focus on attracting younger members and opposing President Bush's economic agenda, which she says inflicts disproportionate harm on women.
``We were effective in the 70s, and we're effective now,'' Dempsey said. ``But there has been a backlash. Most young women don't know about NOW these days. If NOW is visible and relevant where they (young members) live, that's what makes NOW powerful.''
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(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Maybe someone should go there and throw Laura Ingram's name in the hat. That would twist their panties boxer shorts.
I just want one of them to go to take pictures of the six protestors who actually show up.
just think ,... all summer , with this S**T
It still cracks me up that Tammy Bruce was a closet republican when she was NOW president.
Wow, and I thought NOW was too busy beating back centuries of women's rights neglect and abuse in Afghanistan and Iraq... Whoda' thunk they had time to get to Nashville?
Does anyone find it ironic that it was a TN Republican legislator that gave women a one vote margin to pass the amendment that GAVE WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE?????
Sigh. Nutty. These gals are just nutty.
I live in East TN, but know quite a few conservative activists in the Nashville area. TnEagle Forum is pretty active with the legislature and many, as you may recall, showed up at Legislative Plaza during the attempt to institute an income tax. I wouldn't be surprised to see some FReepers show up.
NOW jumped the shark when they remained silent over Bubba's sexual issues. They are irrelevant.
Most of the "women" in NOW are as old as the Supreme Court justices.
Were it not for the abortions, Gloria Steinem would be a great grandmother by now.
Yes, they really showed their asses on during that Clinton revelation!! National Organization for (Clinton's)Whores!
Bunch of lesbos, who don't have to worry about unwanted pregnancies, marching for abortion?!? Beam me up.
To prevent duplicates, please do not alter the heading. Thanks.
My WIFE said this is idiotic. She stated that anyone who gets pregnant by mistake?? today with all the birth control available is STUPID!!!
How about a state of idiot liberal hysteria?
If that doesn't prove the Supreme Court has evolved into a "rule by oligarchy" branch of the government which is the most powerful of all three, I don't know what does!
State of Emergency for this retirement?
What time of the month is it for NOW?
Can't come but If I could my sign would say "NOW WAS"
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