Your Moment Of Zen

Here's your President on the 36th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision:

On the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded that this decision not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters. I remain committed to protecting a woman's right to choose.

While this is a sensitive and often divisive issue, no matter what our views, we are united in our determination to prevent unintended pregnancies, reduce the need for abortion, and support women and families in the choices they make. To accomplish these goals, we must work to find common ground to expand access to affordable contraception, accurate health information, and preventative services.

On this anniversary, we must also recommit ourselves more broadly to ensuring that our daughters have the same rights and opportunities as our sons: the chance to attain a world-class education; to have fulfilling careers in any industry; to be treated fairly and paid equally for their work; and to have no limits on their dreams. That is what I want for women everywhere.

To quote Peggy Noonan, let us savor.

Some may quibble with the wording and the emphasis on finding common ground, but on this issue I look at the top line, and the commitment to preserving the right to choose and the right to privacy. This is pretty strong language, and compared to the past eight years, it's yet another sea change. However, he'd better get around to repealing the global gag rule, which didn't happen today. Carrots and sticks.

See also this great piece at Feministing on why Roe isn't enough. We already have a de facto ban on abortion in many states that have limited or eliminated access, and that has to stop.