For good reason NOW supports Andrea Yates

THE National Organization for Women turned 35 years old this past July. The work of the organization has seen many advances and changes for women and society in general. However, NOW has been maligned and demonized to an incredible degree by the radical right.

NOW has been accused of using the Andrea Pia Yates case as an attack on motherhood. In fact, NOW seeks to help women and their families. Apparently the only way for our critics to establish validity is to discredit feminists. A review of the Web site of one group, the Clare Booth Luce Policy Institute, seems to show that its sole purpose is to demonize feminism and to speak against NOW in particular. It is fine for this group to disagree with us, but it should have full knowledge of what we are doing and why.

Throughout my participation in NOW I have been validated in all aspects of my life including the time I spent as a stay-at-home mom. At a NOW gathering one is as likely to find us talking about our children (or grandchildren), gardening, books and recipes as issues, candidates, public policy and the current political clime.

The Houston Area NOW chapter, along with other socially progressive organizations, faith-based communities, mental-health advocates and caring individuals, has joined in coalition in support of Andrea Pia Yates [acused of drowning her five children]. Many people do not understand the purpose and goals of this coalition because they have not been given full information. Five precious lives were lost to us due to the failure of societal systems. We in the coalition believe that Andrea Yates, in light of her mental health history, which included several suicide attempts, medications, treatment and hospitalizations, should receive treatment rather than be executed by the state of Texas.

It is important to address the ultimate issues that are inherent in this case. The mental health of women, particularly in the area of postpartum depression, is of paramount importance. Without discussing the specifics of this case, the very nature of the disease calls us to address it on a national level. Depression is a very serious illness that has been identified by the World Health Organization as the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity in this century.

Yates' situation presents a credible and compelling platform for discussion of many issues. The awareness of women's health in this area is a priority. Awareness precedes understanding, diagnosis and subsequent care. It is our most sincere hope that our actions will mean that another family will never have to suffer a tragedy such as this.

NOW is back to supporting Andrea Yates. I wonder if Kim Gandy is aware of this. And NOW and their minions can spout the most high-minded nonsense ever. What about the children, Deborah? Five children died by their mother's hand.

Where's the BARF Alert? Yeah how wonderfully compassionate caring and progressive of NOW and its allies to pitch in for a female child killer. Where's the understanding for Nikolas Soltys? The NAGs are back to the old male bashing double standard --- again.

I forgot the gag alert, I was going to add a big one! It is too late, my brain isn't functioning too well. And NOW is being absolutely consistent over this. They support a rapist (Clinton) because he is good on feminist issues, and now they support a child murderer because they can draw attention to the horrible lot we as women allegedly face.

In fact, NOW seeks to help women and their families

Strangely silent on the Clinton victims.

Five precious lives were lost to us due to the failure of societal systems

Silly me. I thought they were drowned by the mother. Let's see 300 million births in the U.S. in the last 40 years. Many women suffered from PPD. We don't tolerate murder as the response. Sorry. Murderers or Murderers with PPD, they are still Murderers. The TERROR of being Murdered by your mother as a small child is infinitely worse than any feelings of PPD. She inflicted this terror 5 times. She deserves nothing less than the needle and NOW needs a firms smack across the face to even insinuate that they are protecting the "family" by defending a family killer.

seems to show that its sole purpose is to demonize feminism

So the author whines about her side being demonized, but notice she refers to the ~RADICAL RIGHT~ in her first paragraph. Looks like she's doing a little demonizing of her own.

However, NOW has been maligned and demonized to an incredible degree by the radical right.

Gee, at least could you wait until the next sentense before showing your hypocripcy.

At a NOW gathering one is as likely to find us talking about our children (or grandchildren)

But they talk about their children differently, they discuss how it was to abort them because they would have interfered with their other plans.

It appears that Mrs Yates was on at least two drugs used for major psychosis (Haloperidol and Remeron). We are not talking about a a little post-partum "blues" here- this woman was as crazy as a loon. Why was she left alone with five small children?

Psychiatrists are generally worthless- they are only good at predicting violence AFTER it has taken place, and their haphazard use of powerful psychotropic drugs is as dangerous as the conditions they claim to be treating.

Just my opinion- I could be wrong.

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