'Pro-life with their wives, pro-choice with their girlfriends'

State senators in Missouri are wrangling over yet another restrictive abortion law.

Last night, State Senator Joan Bray made an impassioned speech. Here's the text of it (emphasis mine):

“After multiple years on this issue, I’m sick of it. I’m totally sick of it.

I’m sick of women being treated like they are so stupid that they can’t make their own decisions regarding their reproductive rights and their bodies.

I’m sick of women having no options, and being coerced to give birth.

I’m sick of a bunch of men around here, year after year after year, piling up restriction after restriction after restriction on women who found themselves in a very unhappy, unpleasant circumstance of an unwanted pregnancy.

Missouri has the most restrictive abortion laws in the country and, as a result, Missouri’s women are put in danger when they finally do ever get to have an abortion — they’re later and they’re tougher abortions to have because there are so many barriers to Missouri women getting to have a safe and legal abortion.

I am sick of the disrespect for women who come to the Capitol defending a woman’s legal right to choose an abortion.

I am sick that they’re being treated dismissively and rudely.

I’m sick of the ethic around here that men are pro-life for their wives and pro-choice for their girlfriends.

I’m sick of the failure to take steps that would, in fact, reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies, through sex education, contraception, family planning and emergency contraception.


No man in this body will ever have an unwanted pregnancy.

But, mark my word, your daughters, your wives, your sisters, your granddaughters, your nieces will.

And your actions here tonight will disrespect and diminish them.”

Well, apparently the male senators were some pissed over that crack. Here's what the blogger said:

Goodman said Bray had insulted “decent, committed families” and Senate spouses who shoulder the job of being a single parent during the week when the Legislature is in session.

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At the link, most of the comments are in support of Senator Bray.