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Forty years after Roe v. Wade, the decision itself is intact, but in wide swaths of the country, safe, legal abortion looks more like a privilege than a right.  Some 87% of U.S. counties lack a single abortion provider. As state legislators devise new ways to restrict women’s access, and physicians eschew the procedure to avoid threats and intimidation, the prospects for reproductive freedom can start to look bleak.  But technology may yet hold a trump card. 

Forty years after Roe v. Wade, the decision itself is intact, but in wide swaths of the country, safe, legal abortion looks more like a privilege than a right.  Some 87% of U.S. counties lack a single abortion provider. As state legislators devise new ways to restrict women’s access, and physicians eschew the procedure to avoid threats and intimidation, the prospects for reproductive freedom can start to look bleak.  But technology may yet hold a trump card. 

Obama’s not from Kenya. He’s from the Bronx As the election returns began to trickle in last November, Louis Ortiz, a laid-off telephone man from the Bronx, bit his nails, squeezed his eyes shut and prayed like he’d never prayed before. But when he opened his eyes, all he saw on TV was a wave of Republican red sweeping up from Texas and into the Midwest. “It was too stressful,” said Ortiz. “I couldn’t deal. So I just went to bed.” (Photo credit: Trymaine Lee/MSNBC)

Obama’s not from Kenya. He’s from the Bronx

As the election returns began to trickle in last November, Louis Ortiz, a laid-off telephone man from the Bronx, bit his nails, squeezed his eyes shut and prayed like he’d never prayed before. But when he opened his eyes, all he saw on TV was a wave of Republican red sweeping up from Texas and into the Midwest. “It was too stressful,” said Ortiz. “I couldn’t deal. So I just went to bed.”

(Photo credit: Trymaine Lee/MSNBC)

From PoliticsNation: The White House released a new official portrait of President Obama just a few days before his second term in office is set to begin. The photo, taken by White House photographer Pete Souza on Dec. 6 of last year, shows the president standing hin front of his desk in the Oval Office with a big smile on his face.

From PoliticsNation:

The White House released a new official portrait of President Obama just a few days before his second term in office is set to begin.

The photo, taken by White House photographer Pete Souza on Dec. 6 of last year, shows the president standing hin front of his desk in the Oval Office with a big smile on his face.

“Yes.” “Yes.” “Yes.” Did Lance Armstrong take performance-enhancing drugs? Use banned substances including blood-boosting EPO? Transfuse his own blood? Use testosterone, cortisone and human growth hormone? Did he cheat in all seven Tour de France wins? Oprah Winfrey opened her interview of the disgraced cyclist with a series of yes-or-no questions. He copped to the charges. He can never again play the innocent. 

“Yes.” “Yes.” “Yes.” Did Lance Armstrong take performance-enhancing drugs? Use banned substances including blood-boosting EPO? Transfuse his own blood? Use testosterone, cortisone and human growth hormone? Did he cheat in all seven Tour de France wins? Oprah Winfrey opened her interview of the disgraced cyclist with a series of yes-or-no questions. He copped to the charges. He can never again play the innocent. 

From The Cycle: For six-year-old Noah Pozner, President Obama’s action plan to reduce gun violence came 33 days too late. On December 14, 2012, deranged gunman Adam Lanza stormed Noah’s school, shot his way into his classroom and fired 11 bullets into his small body at close range. Noah was the youngest of Lanza’s 26 victims, and the first to be laid to rest.

From The Cycle:

For six-year-old Noah Pozner, President Obama’s action plan to reduce gun violence came 33 days too late. On December 14, 2012, deranged gunman Adam Lanza stormed Noah’s school, shot his way into his classroom and fired 11 bullets into his small body at close range. Noah was the youngest of Lanza’s 26 victims, and the first to be laid to rest.

From MHP: Marsha Godard paid nearly $2,000 in fees to Chicago Bulls College Prep for her 16-year-old son’s disciplinary offenses that included not sitting up straight, and violating the school’s uniform dress code. Godard, whose story we’ve highlighted before, said this week that the rise of charter schools is robbing public schools of necessary funding to help its students learn.

From MHP:

Marsha Godard paid nearly $2,000 in fees to Chicago Bulls College Prep for her 16-year-old son’s disciplinary offenses that included not sitting up straight, and violating the school’s uniform dress code. Godard, whose story we’ve highlighted before, said this week that the rise of charter schools is robbing public schools of necessary funding to help its students learn.

From PoliticsNation: The NRA is pushing back against critics taking issue with its new ad that references President Obama’s daughter Sasha and Malia. In a statement released Wednesday, spokesman Andrew Arulanandam says, ”Whoever thinks the ad is about President Obama’s daughters are missing the point completely or they’re trying to change the subject.” (Photo credit: NRA ad)

From PoliticsNation:

The NRA is pushing back against critics taking issue with its new ad that references President Obama’s daughter Sasha and Malia.

In a statement released Wednesday, spokesman Andrew Arulanandam says, ”Whoever thinks the ad is about President Obama’s daughters are missing the point completely or they’re trying to change the subject.”

(Photo credit: NRA ad)

From Andrea Mitchell Reports:

New York isn’t exactly representative of the American political landscape, but when it comes to the issue of gun control, the Empire State could be a good indicator for the rest of the country.  On Tuesday New York became the first state to pass tough new gun control measures in the aftermath of the tragedy in Newtown. Governor Andrew Cuomo  made gun control a priority after the school shooting in neighboring Connecticut, and now his state will boast the strictest gun laws in the nation.

From The Rachel Maddow Show: Chris Cillizza made the case yesterday that Chuck Hagel’s meeting with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) amounted to a “make-or-break moment for the Nebraska Republican’s chances at leading the Pentagon in President Obama’s second term.” Cillizza added, “[M]ake no mistake: Chuck Schumer is the decider on the fate of Chuck Hagel’s nomination.”

From The Rachel Maddow Show:

Chris Cillizza made the case yesterday that Chuck Hagel’s meeting with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) amounted to a “make-or-break moment for the Nebraska Republican’s chances at leading the Pentagon in President Obama’s second term.” Cillizza added, “[M]ake no mistake: Chuck Schumer is the decider on the fate of Chuck Hagel’s nomination.”

From PoliticsNation: Presidential limos will be sporting some new license plates for Inauguration Day. The White House announced today that President Obama has decided all presidential vehicles will bear the Washington D.C. standard “Taxation Without Representation” license plates starting this weekend. (Photo credit: Washington DC DMV)

From PoliticsNation:

Presidential limos will be sporting some new license plates for Inauguration Day. The White House announced today that President Obama has decided all presidential vehicles will bear the Washington D.C. standard “Taxation Without Representation” license plates starting this weekend.

(Photo credit: Washington DC DMV)