Walgreens just lost a multimillion-dollar contract with the state of California after the chain announced it would no longer distribute mifepristone in 21 states.
Mifepristone is an abortion pill. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, several states banned abortions. Now, 21 attorneys general have threatened to sue Walgreens and other pharmacies if they carry abortion pills. Instead of fighting for women’s rights over their own bodies, Walgreens caved in faster than Kevin McCarthy to right-wing Qanon conspiracy theorists.
Governor Gavin Newsome said, “California will not stand by as corporations cave to extremists and cut off critical access to reproductive care and freedom.” He tweeted, “California won’t be doing business with Walgreens or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk.”
The governor directed the California Department of General Services to notify Walgreens that it would withdraw a planned renewal of the contract that was supposed to take effect on May 1. California had paid Walgreens $54 million over the life of the contract, which allowed it to get specialty prescription drugs that were mostly used by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
California has the fourth-largest economy in the world. This is going to hurt Walgreens.
The FDA has approved mifepristone and Texas is challenging that in court, trying to remove it beyond its jurisdiction in states that allow it. Texas also tried to invalidate Pennsylvania’s electoral vote. Texas is that neighbor who lets their dog shit in your yard.
Abortion is healthcare. Mifepristone does have other uses but what’s going on here is that Republicans are exercising their religious zealotry over a woman’s body, they’re trying to dictate a woman’s healthcare. The 21 states, just like the Supreme Court, are basing their opinions, not on science, but on religious zealotry. This mess is an extension of the Trump disaster.
I hope we see other states stand with Governor Newsome and California. Every blue state should join California in standing up for women’s rights and stand against Republican fascism.
Creative note: I made a second version of this cartoon because I’ve been in this business long enough to know that most newspapers would never publish the word “boner.” But, I know some of my alt-weeklies will.
Music Note: I listened to REM.
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
This is the bottom line … “Mifepristone is an abortion pill. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade, several states banned abortions. Now, 21 attorneys general have threatened to sue Walgreens and other pharmacies if they carry abortion pills. Instead of fighting for women’s rights over their own bodies, Walgreens caved in faster than Kevin McCarthy to right-wing Qanon conspiracy theorists.” — I’m heading the way of change … #BoycottWalgreens … same was as Home Depot, Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A!!!
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Bravo to Newsome! Bravo to anyone who follows his lead. The more jurisdictions that stand up to Republican stupidity the sooner Republicans will go 5he way of the Dodoes. (My apology to the Dodoes. They did not deserve their fate!)
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“I listened to REM.”
Excellent!
Green tooth … that is a nice touch Clay!!!
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Clay, I saw an interview with Margaret Atwood a couple of years ago. When she wrote the dystopian novel in 1985 called “The Handmaid’s Tale” which was revitalized in a recent series, she said it was written as if it would never actually happen. After the last former president and his sycophants like the governor of Florida and other places, she noted it was now not so outlandish.
The attack on women who want access to abortion under the circumstances allowed and control over the bodies is just one of several poor decisions made by my former party. Women and men need to stand up to this hypocrisy, in my view. If people don’t believe in abortion, then they have that right and choice. If Republican leaders choose also to ban other forms of contraception, then that would go down as the dumbest decision this party every made.
But, here is the deal. People will find a way. With the price of drugs so high in the US, as we do not outlaw them marking up for R&D here like is done in other countries, many folks get drugs from outside sources. It just happens. The same will be true here.
To me, the Republican Party has catered to their extreme voices and is untethered to the truth. I am not alone in that regard, as several key Republican pundits have said the same thing. It is not a pro-life party, but a pro-birth party. Once born, you are on your own. Keith
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