What Is the Comstock Act? Texas Judge Cites 1873 Anti-Obscenity Law to Halt Abortion Pill Approval

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  • čas přidán 9. 04. 2023
  • When U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk ruled Friday the Food and Drug Administration’s two-decade old approval of the leading abortion drug mifepristone violates the law, he cited the 19th century Comstock Act, a so-called anti-vice law that prohibits the mailing of contraceptives and instruments or drugs that can be used in an abortion. It has been dormant for half a century. We speak to Lauren MacIvor Thompson, a historian of birth control, about the Comstock Act and its legacy.
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Komentáře • 539

  • @lharris4118
    @lharris4118 Před rokem +61

    I'm so tired of the GOP

    • @priceisright1580
      @priceisright1580 Před 11 měsíci

      Many would say the exact opposite 😅

    • @lharris4118
      @lharris4118 Před 11 měsíci

      @priceisright1580 Actually it is a few vocal traitors to the rule of law. Who would rather destroy this great nation than work to dismantle institutionalized privilege.

    • @lisapetersen150
      @lisapetersen150 Před 2 měsíci +1

      So am i

    • @lisapetersen150
      @lisapetersen150 Před 2 měsíci

      no they wouldn't. The GOP has become so crazy lately due to DT@@priceisright1580

    • @BigNews2021
      @BigNews2021 Před měsícem +1

      Me too. They've become a mix of Idiocracy and Gilead.

  • @Iluvchknz
    @Iluvchknz Před rokem +220

    This is truly dystopian. Citing laws from the late 1800 as a benchmark for 2023. Absolutely astounding.

    • @littlerayofsunshine69
      @littlerayofsunshine69 Před rokem +7

      Guess when the Constitution was written... 🤣

    • @elmerkilred159
      @elmerkilred159 Před rokem

      It's the Christian Conservatives using laws from the past that should have been repealed on their constitutionality weight alone. There have been watchdog groups warning about this for the last 60+ years, but nobody took them serious enough to create contingency plans. (obviously). If you think this law is bad, just wait until they have assumed control of the U.S. and use the Patriot Act against Americans.

    • @Chulitatr
      @Chulitatr Před rokem

      The abortion pill is given to sexual assault victims and it's used to induce labor when necessary too. The banning of the pill is going to force women to bare their sexual assaulter's baby. Women have become too powerful, so the Republicant's are enslaving them to be incubators.

    • @Lerian_V
      @Lerian_V Před rokem +1

      ​@@littlerayofsunshine69 Don't tell him.😅

    • @meb1879
      @meb1879 Před rokem +11

      Well, SCOTUS cited laws from before the Constitution was written in the Dobbs decision (if I'm not mistaken they went as far back as English Medieval law), so citing a law from 1873 is not a surprise. You know, anything from before the Civil Rights Movement and before women had the vote is fair game, that was after all last when the US was "great", right?!

  • @lorrainekopp6504
    @lorrainekopp6504 Před rokem +58

    Funny, I'm citing the constitution.
    Laws based on religious opinions are unconstitutional.
    🤔

    • @toneyingram732
      @toneyingram732 Před rokem +1

      It's against God because he said never go against anyone and love all people gay or not just love your race

    • @dianahill5116
      @dianahill5116 Před rokem

      @@toneyingram732
      I hate pedophile priests.
      They should be arrested, indicted and prosecuted. And have to register as sex offenders.

    • @ptrinch
      @ptrinch Před rokem +7

      @@toneyingram732 Is this the same god that gave instructions on how to force an abortion on your wife if you suspect infidelity? Numbers 5:11-31

  • @billmitchell2080
    @billmitchell2080 Před rokem +90

    The curse of The Federalist Society. Leonard Leo should be prosecuted.

    • @Chulitatr
      @Chulitatr Před rokem

      The abortion pill is given to sexual assault victims and it's used to induce labor when necessary too. The banning of the pill is going to force women to bare their sexual assaulter's baby. Women have become too powerful, so the Republicant's are enslaving them to be incubators.

    • @Lerian_V
      @Lerian_V Před rokem

      Prosecuted? Making the left mad is not a crime.

    • @AudioPervert1
      @AudioPervert1 Před rokem

      While the savage white trshx and rednecks were marauding north america, while the white anglo-saxon class and all it's pony-stock colonizing vast land in the name of god .. Did they
      ever think of Anti-Obscenity? F**K this woke trash. The whole nation is built on violence, and that includes all types of women and all types of rights vanquished. Now redneck white trshx Texas or what state have you, is back to 1873 or be it 1773 .. Pathetic this redcoat mainstream media trash!

    • @zur13l13
      @zur13l13 Před rokem +1

      At least.

    • @jscullyandmulderx25
      @jscullyandmulderx25 Před rokem +3

      I agree and the money he has and made to pay for all the things that come with this. Personally if your so insisted that the money all of it go to people and children families this effects. You don't get off. Don't tell me oh a aspirin or if you can't take care off money wise or to some church adoption agency.

  • @JustSayPie
    @JustSayPie Před rokem +76

    Im so sick of being harmed by Republican's sick relationship with sex. Abortion is a medical procedure. The idea that a zygote, an embryo, or a fetus has MORE rights than a pregnant person is just insane.

    • @ohgawd
      @ohgawd Před rokem +1

      They don't want their daughters getting abortions after they commit rape and incest and impregnate them with their 🤢"seed". They want those deformed and mentally disabled babies being raised to the voting age so they can increase their voter base. That's at the heart of their insistence on making abortion illegal.

    • @victoriabaker4400
      @victoriabaker4400 Před rokem +1

      Dead bodies have more rights than a pregnant woman. If I die in a car accident and I have not checked the box on my driver's license to be an organ donor, NOBODY can touch my organs, skin, NOTHING. This is absolute, PERIOD. If someone needs a blood transfusion to save their life and they have a very rare blood type and I'm the only person who can give them that life-saving blood, NOBODY can force me to give that blood donation. PERIOD.

    • @suzbone
      @suzbone Před rokem +15

      Amen. I will never apologize for being more important than a zygote or a fetus.

    • @priceisright1580
      @priceisright1580 Před rokem

      Everyone that has been born has a relationship with sex ..

  • @johnkelly3886
    @johnkelly3886 Před rokem +19

    It is time to repeal the Comstock act.

    • @michaelgreaves2375
      @michaelgreaves2375 Před měsícem +2

      Holy Crap! Carville was right! They're trying to revitalize the Comstock act!

  • @nellwhiteside3042
    @nellwhiteside3042 Před rokem +31

    Patriarchal irrationality. Women are not baby-making machines. It is their choice to decide to continue a pregnancy - not some fascist dude.

    • @qjtvaddict
      @qjtvaddict Před rokem

      Take your womb to better countries

    • @littlerayofsunshine69
      @littlerayofsunshine69 Před rokem

      It's also their decision to say no to sex. 🤔

    • @denishawalters1813
      @denishawalters1813 Před rokem

      Not always. Not a LOT of the times. There’s many women that consent only for a roof over their heads too thanks to the wage gaps and stupid religious brainwashing that says the man is the head of the house and women’s only purpose is children. There’s a bunch of sad souls that think they have to consent to literally get into heaven but then have unviable fetuses. Men should be forced to sterile until a child license is earned. Bet you don’t agree to that; just bc the woman is the host doesn’t mean a man wasn’t responsible too yet has less to no burden for their actions.

    • @yourmother2739
      @yourmother2739 Před rokem +11

      @@littlerayofsunshine69 Get a life.

    • @littlerayofsunshine69
      @littlerayofsunshine69 Před rokem

      @@yourmother2739 tell that to an abortion baby.

  • @kittys.2870
    @kittys.2870 Před rokem +25

    Women and children will be declared property again.

  • @johnkesich8696
    @johnkesich8696 Před rokem +47

    This judge belongs back in 1873, and I hope he gets there one day.
    Sooner rather than later.

  • @bbrigman9382
    @bbrigman9382 Před rokem +72

    So what about Erectile Disfunction drugs? Wouldn't the Comstock Act prohibit them as well?

    • @makslargu5799
      @makslargu5799 Před rokem +17

      Sounds like a good potential Avenue for malicious compliance.
      I wonder if menstrual products, condoms, underwear, physical copies of R and NC-17 movies would also count? It has to be lights out for the adult toy industry if it’s adhered to.

    • @toneyingram732
      @toneyingram732 Před rokem

      Bet they want go against meth

    • @marilynjackson5752
      @marilynjackson5752 Před rokem

      Absolutely!

    • @jetta2134
      @jetta2134 Před rokem +8

      The advertisement and production for erectile dysfunction problems and medication should be outlawed! That is surely an unnecessary thing! Sex should be an unnecessary activity for males as it is considered unimportant to women! No erection, no need for contraceptives!win! win!

    • @jujutrini8412
      @jujutrini8412 Před rokem

      Doesn’t it also cover condoms too? So condoms are illegal in that Texas too?
      And sex toys? People can go to jail for ordering a dildo?

  • @magnubeido8832
    @magnubeido8832 Před rokem +33

    When ideologues become judges

  • @hangdogit
    @hangdogit Před rokem +38

    This is like Alito dragging out some guy named Hale from the 1600s to try to prove that women have no rights.

    • @victoriabaker4400
      @victoriabaker4400 Před rokem +8

      Yes, and Matthew Hale was considered a woman-hating extremist IN HIS OWN LIFETIME!!!!!!

    • @hangdogit
      @hangdogit Před rokem +2

      @@victoriabaker4400
      Alito’s Idol!

    • @jetta2134
      @jetta2134 Před rokem +4

      What! Never heard that about Alito! So I am thinking twice about how supreme this court is! Now I understand how Ted Cruz and his gnashing of teeth was so important in his interview with Justice Jackson! Asking President Biden to even the scale of Justice and appoint two women to the court! If we are now using the 1800 laws ! And please appoint women to do the interviews!

    • @jturtle5318
      @jturtle5318 Před rokem +3

      ​@@jetta2134 Alito used that in the Dobbs decision.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem +2

      @@victoriabaker4400 And, if I remember correctly, he either passed a law, or upheld one to allow “witches” to be burned at the stake. Great guy all around to base modern decisions on, right? (Last sentence = Sarcasm).

  • @sullen2420
    @sullen2420 Před rokem +12

    These religious fanatics need to be locked up. Charge them with violation of human rights and malicious discrimination....charge them with whatever sticks...but these people HAVE to be locked up.

    • @kicunya12
      @kicunya12 Před rokem +4

      Disbarred at least. We have separation of State and religion. Those rulings are unconstitutional.

  • @orionfl79
    @orionfl79 Před rokem +43

    And who the hell are these people to go pushing the beliefs of their religion down the throats of everyone else who thinks differently? That alone is a violation of the worst kind and is intolerable and unforgivable. That judge is obviously incapable of being impartial and needs to be removed.

    • @letsomethingshine
      @letsomethingshine Před rokem +2

      I consider all Republican materials, all fascist anti-book materials, and Abrahamic materials to be “obscene, lewd or lascivious,” “immoral,” or “indecent.” No wonder the law went cold and was kept asleep underground after the power-hungry were done attacking those they wanted to attack. Time to vote! Time to letter! Time to fund!

    • @MegaCassie83
      @MegaCassie83 Před rokem +8

      Christofascism

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem +3

      Unfortunately, since these laws will ultimately end up at the Supreme Court, “that judge”, now encompasses six judges in the top court. At least four, preferably five, maybe all six, need to be removed.

    • @conniegrant939
      @conniegrant939 Před rokem

      These Christian religious people have a history of doing this, and they want to regain their control in America. Tell women what to do tell blacks and people of color what to do. You have no rights when it comes to them.

  • @nostromo7928
    @nostromo7928 Před rokem +29

    Ladies, let's march. 🙄😤😠

    • @thealternative9580
      @thealternative9580 Před rokem

      You’re gonna have to do more than March with pussy hats. The radical right is willing to die for their beliefs.

    • @qjtvaddict
      @qjtvaddict Před rokem

      Move to China

    • @Jessica-gy6kr
      @Jessica-gy6kr Před rokem +2

      I think we should collectively abstain from relations with men. They will learn real quick.

    • @riareed1269
      @riareed1269 Před rokem

      @@Jessica-gy6kr the amount of seggs has actually decreased in the U.S. especially wmn/mn. Abstaining would be the best option especially since their god supposedly loves that. Though that’s not really what they want. They want to find a way to force wmn back into needing mn again for survival. It’s not going to work.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      In numbers way too large for them to ignore. Like the women did in Iceland, who all walked out of their jobs and homes to get equal rights.

  • @yourmother2739
    @yourmother2739 Před rokem +18

    Patriarchy must end.

  • @moe9196
    @moe9196 Před rokem +21

    WTF does a 1800's Anti-obscenity law have to do with the abortion pill which didn't exist back then ???

    • @lisapetersen150
      @lisapetersen150 Před 2 měsíci +2

      Exactly!

    • @user-zb9lv3gh8s
      @user-zb9lv3gh8s Před měsícem

      It makes supplying or mailing anything involved with pornography, contraception, abortion, or any other immorality.
      It's insanely broad, and by today's standards it's completely nuts... 5 years in prison for mailing a condom to someone!

  • @pattoneill2402
    @pattoneill2402 Před rokem +13

    Good grief! What century are these male judges (Kacsmaryk and Alito) living in?

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      They simply hate, and want to control and punish, all women.

  • @terryreynolds200
    @terryreynolds200 Před rokem +34

    “Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they're sure trying to do so, it's going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can't and won't compromise. I know, I've tried to deal with them.” - Barry Goldwater November 1994

    • @priceisright1580
      @priceisright1580 Před 11 měsíci

      What about preachers getting control in the democratic party which there are many the great reverend AL Sharpton comes to mind and there are many that influence democratic leaders like Obama was influenced check it out ..

  • @ssamelion1sard914
    @ssamelion1sard914 Před rokem +11

    FYI - Josh Hawley's (R-MO) WIFE works
    uns this coalition that filed this motion with this judge in TX....

    • @cmgweb6951
      @cmgweb6951 Před rokem +3

      Why am I not surprised.

    • @lisapetersen150
      @lisapetersen150 Před 2 měsíci +1

      Josh Hawley, the same guy in the photo showing support by raising a fist encouraging insurrectionist on Jan 6, 2021

  • @ernestoxavier5426
    @ernestoxavier5426 Před rokem +7

    Pro-choice pro democracy, I'm definitely voteing straight-ticket Democrat in 2024, not to mention Greg Abbott pardoning a convicted. murderer. ⚔

    • @GreenDragon11
      @GreenDragon11 Před rokem

      I live in Texas. It's so CORRUPT and has gotten worse due to Texas almost turning blue in the 2020 election. It's nearly impossible for any other Party to win here and it is not because there isn't enough money!

  • @brandym.williams7314
    @brandym.williams7314 Před rokem +10

    IT is Now 2023 take that BS off the books.

  • @007peeper1
    @007peeper1 Před rokem +31

    Zombie GOP Republicans

  • @randyping6036
    @randyping6036 Před rokem +34

    Well, I guess that if they want to go there, maybe the Comstock Act COULD be used to stop guns sales... Hmmm?

    • @jscullyandmulderx25
      @jscullyandmulderx25 Před rokem +2

      Sounds great to me.

    • @bellavita521
      @bellavita521 Před rokem +2

      Now, wouldn't that be interesting.

    • @wills2140
      @wills2140 Před 11 měsíci

      Nope. No law or act can contradict established constitutional law. Besides guns are not purchased and then shipped to your house through the mail or by delivery, so no chance Comstock would apply to buying a firearm - which has to be done in person.

  • @timtebone1843
    @timtebone1843 Před rokem +20

    Thanks Democracy Now

    • @Chulitatr
      @Chulitatr Před rokem

      The abortion pill is given to sexual assault victims and it's used to induce labor when necessary too. The banning of the pill is going to force women to bare their sexual assaulter's baby. Women have become too powerful, so the Republicant's are enslaving them to be incubators.

  • @ekmickley
    @ekmickley Před rokem +29

    Well, then porn, most music, magazines, condoms, sex toys, etc. needs to be halted as well if the mailing of obscene material is against the law in TX.

    • @lorrainekopp6504
      @lorrainekopp6504 Před rokem +2

      That's the plan. 🤔

    • @qjtvaddict
      @qjtvaddict Před rokem +4

      That’s when war begins

    • @denishawalters1813
      @denishawalters1813 Před rokem

      Doubt it bc that would affect men. I’m sure they’ll write a loophole or rewrite science like how they never call semen unborn children like they call a clump of parasitic cells aka a fetus a child.

    • @jetta2134
      @jetta2134 Před rokem

      Vogue is sent to me for free and I didn't ask for it! Some of the dress designs are porn to me so I just dump them in the trash! The post office doesn't want them back,! maybe they will go against dress designs and bring back high collar and Long dresses! With wide brim feathered hats,! The Model T cars are kinda cute so maybe some judge can get Elon Musk to make them again ! None electric refrigerator with a tub of ice can save money on the electric bill! Men will have to go without Viagra because it sounds like an artificial act!

    • @thehylers1021
      @thehylers1021 Před rokem +2

      Except Viagra

  • @caseyjones9716
    @caseyjones9716 Před rokem +10

    Thank goodness for WA State Federal Judge Thomas Rice, who upheld the right of women to obtain mefipristone. Thank you, Sir. Thank you also to our GREAT A G, Bob Ferguson !!

  • @jamesfox2857
    @jamesfox2857 Před rokem +58

    The Comstock Act of 1873 made it illegal to send “obscene, lewd or lascivious,” “immoral,” or “indecent” publications through the mail. The law also made it a misdemeanor for anyone to sell, give away, or possess an obscene book, pamphlet, picture, drawing, or advertisement
    !!! """"
    this states only behavior to written literature not contraceptives = RE -READ This = made it illegal to send “obscene, lewd or lascivious,” “immoral,” or “indecent” publications through the mail
    """ !!!!
    ONE MORE TIME = made it illegal to send publications through the mail = NOT PRODUCTS = A DIRECT ATTACK ON PUBLIC INFORMATION = Now Could Be Seen As Same Outlook They Are Using Against JOURNALISM = It Applies =
    The law also made it a misdemeanor for anyone to sell, give away, or possess an obscene book, pamphlet, picture, drawing, or advertisement
    DO YOU SEE NOW ?
    NO MATTER WHAT """ ANYONE WANTS TO STATE """ = Their Conception Of Reality to Purpose Is Very Misleading and Illegal By Subject of Altered Meaning and Purpose of This ACT = IN FULL if not in Part = Per =
    Definition of written literature = Written literature is the form of human expression through writing. That is to say, it is a literature which is expressed or conveyed through written forms. Unlike oral literature, this kind of literature began with the invention of writing
    Definition of a Product Sold = Definition: A product is the item offered for sale. A product can be a service or an item. It can be physical or in virtual or cyber form. Every product is made at a cost and each is sold at a price. The price that can be charged depends on the market, the quality, the marketing and the segment that is targeted
    Is a contraceptive a Product or literature =
    Example : Birth control, also known as contraception, is the use of medicines, devices, or surgery to prevent pregnancy. There are many different types. Some are reversable, while others are permanent. Some types can also help prevent sexually transmitted diseases
    Example : poetry. contributions to collective works. compilations of data or other literary subject matter. dissertations
    Which Entails Literature Here ? And Which Is a Product =
    ONE MORE TIME = made it illegal to send publications through the mail + made it a misdemeanor for anyone to sell, give away, or possess an obscene book, pamphlet, picture, drawing, or advertisement = IS A PUBLICATION OF LITERATURE = NOT A PRODUCT = They Cannot Use Such To Make The Statement As Presented = It`s Afoul Of Justifiable Reasoning Thusly Mutting Their stance as a Whole on Subject =Any Real Judge Could easily See This very Clear Flaw In Arguement

    • @littlerayofsunshine69
      @littlerayofsunshine69 Před rokem +3

      DOES INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PRODUCT COME IN THE BOX? Loophole!

    • @Lerian_V
      @Lerian_V Před rokem

      ​@@littlerayofsunshine69 Interesting question

    • @TheNotSure
      @TheNotSure Před rokem

      LOL. Drawings. The level of stupid is outstanding in Texas. Look! Or don't look? Obscene material alert!
      🍑💨 --> in Texas's general direction -->

    • @Muhdah1972
      @Muhdah1972 Před rokem +2

      It's a product but Comstock shouldn't automatically be applied . The feds have filed an appeal so they should know how to structure their argument to point out why Comstock doesn't, or cannot apply. 🤞

    • @tiffparz8749
      @tiffparz8749 Před rokem +5

      Don’t people still get Playboy magazine etc. in the mail ?? Pretty sure they did between now and 150 years ago… wtaf ?!

  • @sandramorey2529
    @sandramorey2529 Před rokem +55

    Thank you, Amy for such a fine show this morning. I don't think all this anti abortion maneuvering has only a religious background. I think it is to get women out of political life. Keep them busy with being pregnant and raising kids until they can't do that anymore. I know some women can handle political office and all the home duties, but most of us really can't. Many of us have no
    support and are single parents.

    • @zxbc1
      @zxbc1 Před rokem +3

      Of course, this is all part of the big fascist movement of controlling and subjugating women and minorities. They're literally following the playbook from 1930s and doing so blatantly. It works because majority of Americans are now illiterate in just about everything except memes.

    • @jimmcloughlin
      @jimmcloughlin Před rokem +8

      Friendly old Brit: Spot on. Ignore all progress and return to old American values of Motherhood and apple pie is the new order of the day.

    • @schmoborama
      @schmoborama Před rokem +2

      right, it's half religious and half misogyny - but religion is at least half misogynist.

    • @FL-Mimo
      @FL-Mimo Před rokem +8

      Woman living in Orlando, Florida: You're more correct than you realize. DeSantis hired a speech writer for his presidential run who believes that women should have never been allowed (ALLOWED) to work firstly, in any political position nor work in general.(DeSantis is running for president. He is pushing through new Florida laws saying he can use taxpayer funds for his presidential campaign needs and travel expenses. Actually, There has been an explosion of new laws here designed to eliminate all democracy protections, including free press, giving the governor unlimited & unclimbed LEGAL power to do as he pleases. I would not be surprised if DeSantis eliminates the "resign to run" law and the 2 term governor max law - ea being 4 yrs. Yes, he is THAT dangerous to democracy. Yes, he has quietly become the de facto political lead for the Proud Boys - proof was overt in 2022 with the yellow gator banners & flags prominent behind podiums, etc.
      This is what happens in an illegally gerrymandered (DeSantis drew the district lines himself) state with super majorities in both houses of the state legislature.
      Buckle up, y'all. It's happening in 18 other similar states.
      Vote them all out in 2024! We must cut the head off the snake! Get out the vote! Shine lights on the true impact of what's happening behind the legislative curtains!

  • @cmaurice9133
    @cmaurice9133 Před rokem +19

    1873 LAW" incredible"

  • @lindafox1679
    @lindafox1679 Před rokem +9

    Omg! They are such desperate, miserable souls!

  • @consepcionchaisson1832
    @consepcionchaisson1832 Před rokem +6

    What is it with the GOP, if they want to live in the 17th centry , tell them to buy a time machine and go back in time, IF ITS A BIG DEAL, for the United States we want to move FORWARD NOT BACKWARDS!!!!!!!!!!!

  • @cinthyayanez6238
    @cinthyayanez6238 Před rokem +5

    Fetal-personhood? The right's of a fetus? This is ridiculous!

    • @trinleywangmo
      @trinleywangmo Před 11 měsíci

      They make their own decision by communicating telepathically with Republican lawmakers...

  • @fiendssanctuary
    @fiendssanctuary Před rokem +20

    This is an example of why bad laws should be repealed instead of just creating new laws to counteract them. No law hurts people, it's the people using the laws in a way to injure someone that has been, and will always be, the problem.

    • @OnlyFactsPlease
      @OnlyFactsPlease Před rokem

      100% Strike all "dead law" from the books. Force whatever new regime, no matter the positions, to write new law to suit the age they live in.

  • @karenhousley610
    @karenhousley610 Před rokem +46

    Viagra is obscene

    • @tschorsch
      @tschorsch Před rokem +10

      Fundamental Christianity is obscene.

    • @TheNotSure
      @TheNotSure Před rokem

      Boner ads are obscene too. I wonder how "the obscene" is determined? Can't be religious based either. muriKKKa for ya.

    • @alexdubrovensky914
      @alexdubrovensky914 Před rokem +3

      Catholic fundamentalism is obscene.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      @@alexdubrovensky914 All religions are obscene when ruled by extremists.

    • @alexdubrovensky914
      @alexdubrovensky914 Před rokem

      @@kgs2280 All religions are ruled by extremists.
      Religion by nature is extreme.
      It pins unrealistic religious ideology against the reality of the real world. It simply is a necessity to be an extremist in order to override the reality of the real world and subject people to suffering, injury, and death in the name of the good lord.

  • @Laura-hk8wn
    @Laura-hk8wn Před rokem +8

    Well, then, i guess those little blue pills that men take should also be illegal.

  • @EmilyBltz
    @EmilyBltz Před rokem +10

    I wonder how many congressmen would panic if porn was illegal. Sure sounds like it could be under the Comstock act.

    • @jcepri
      @jcepri Před rokem

      banning all porn is next. i assure you it's on the gop agenda

    • @loveworld-tv7vw
      @loveworld-tv7vw Před měsícem

      The religious fanatics who want to ban abortion also want to ban porn. Don't you see Texas? They passed ridiculous laws to ban porn.

  • @Mike-B.
    @Mike-B. Před 11 měsíci +1

    This is DemocracyNow at its best, connecting the audience to the HISTORY of the issues. FABUlous. Fantastic. Great Work!!!!

  • @suezbell1
    @suezbell1 Před rokem +9

    Comstock Act could ban music, movies, magazines -- any and all forms of entertainment that are not "handmaid" focused. Will the entertainment industry permit that?

  • @davidschneider6306
    @davidschneider6306 Před rokem +9

    This ruling is a small taste of what fanatical Christians like him are capable of. History teaches us that they are willing to burn apostates to death at the stake.

    • @terryreynolds200
      @terryreynolds200 Před rokem +6

      There was a time when religion ruled the world. It is known as the Dark Ages.

    • @FL-Mimo
      @FL-Mimo Před rokem +2

      Salem witch trials.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      They don’t see The Handmaid’s Tale as a warning, but as a blueprint.

  • @karldubhe8619
    @karldubhe8619 Před rokem +22

    Wasn't the Comstock Act overturned by the Supreme Court? (on edit) it was withdrawn as a law in 1957.

    • @GregoryPhillip
      @GregoryPhillip Před rokem +9

      @karldubhe8619--The restrictions on birth control in the Comstock laws were effectively rendered null and void by Supreme Court decisions Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) and Eisenstadt v. Baird (1972).Furthermore Congress removed the restrictions on contraception in 1971 but let the rest of the Comstock law stand.

    • @blanketyblank604
      @blanketyblank604 Před rokem +1

      @@GregoryPhillip The Comstock Law was terminated in 1957, just before the Roth v. United States court case, but it defined obscenity laws as anything that appealed to the prurient interest of the consumer.

  • @tiffparz8749
    @tiffparz8749 Před rokem +3

    This is infuriating !

  • @takiskatakis3945
    @takiskatakis3945 Před rokem +10

    And yet people can't figure out what's going on literally it's right in front of there eyes

  • @rebekahcuriel-alessi2239
    @rebekahcuriel-alessi2239 Před rokem +11

    I'm horrified. Were choice removed from my decision to be a mother, it'd be a completely different experience.

  • @neryskkiran1820
    @neryskkiran1820 Před rokem +6

    So... NO to abortion pills, YES to viagra. Got it.

  • @akeleven
    @akeleven Před rokem +3

    This is so absurd. Now I see why lawmakers are saying ignore this judge. His ruling is obscene.

  • @f.demascio1857
    @f.demascio1857 Před rokem +5

    The GQP trying to develop reverse time travel.
    Watch out!

  • @davestambaugh7282
    @davestambaugh7282 Před rokem +32

    The law refers to mailing. Would that include FED X or UPS??

    • @MahkyVmedia1
      @MahkyVmedia1 Před rokem +6

      No

    • @FaeQueenCory
      @FaeQueenCory Před rokem +9

      ​@@MahkyVmedia1 "no, but yes" would be more accurate.
      While they are private businesses, they still have to comply with federal regulations. That's why you can't do things like FedEx human remains and such.

    • @tamaraescobar7211
      @tamaraescobar7211 Před rokem

      ​@FaeQueenCory All once mailed become Federal offenses.

  • @anhedonic-voting
    @anhedonic-voting Před 11 měsíci +1

    Thank you 🌎 ✊️ 🗽 🌹

  • @artimidz3451
    @artimidz3451 Před rokem +2

    Tell it like it is, brilliant sister!🌹

  • @michelebriere9569
    @michelebriere9569 Před rokem +5

    Comstock was probably in the closet.

  • @adamk5937
    @adamk5937 Před rokem +3

    Thank you, Lauren for pointing out "white doctors working with white legislators" against abortion and birth control in the 1850s. Makes you think.

  • @bapam2
    @bapam2 Před rokem +6

    My home state is a freaking JOKE !

    • @suzbone
      @suzbone Před rokem +1

      Empathy hugs from Texas 😢

  • @stub2022
    @stub2022 Před rokem +3

    It completely makes sense, these degenerates are living are the past.

  • @bovinityleak2066
    @bovinityleak2066 Před rokem +2

    1873! smh Thats called reaching and these ghouls are reaching waaay back in the past to get their boots back on the necks of all women.
    Just outrageous 🤬

  • @dapaw
    @dapaw Před rokem +5

    This would make all the SDT pamphlet illegal

  • @TragoudistrosMPH
    @TragoudistrosMPH Před rokem +3

    Wait... obscene mail?
    So Viagra can be banned nationwide because it too is obscene...

  • @bovinityleak2066
    @bovinityleak2066 Před rokem +2

    Great interview! Very informative but infuriating as well.

  • @tedrobinson372
    @tedrobinson372 Před rokem +10

    In 1873, U.S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States.

    • @zxbc1
      @zxbc1 Před rokem +1

      And he's the only other president arrested by law enforcement. I guess this judge lost his mind and thought this was 1873 after seeing Trump arrested.

  • @fixerupperer
    @fixerupperer Před rokem +4

    So laws against abortion came about very close to the time that traditional American slavery "ended" and also as the industrial revolution was getting underway which requires more bodies for factory work.

    • @FL-Mimo
      @FL-Mimo Před rokem

      Abortion laws happened when men began graduating from a brand new medical school program (only men could be formally educated.) These white men wanted total control over everything medical. This is how they systematically took control and also eliminated the midwife - women, highly knowledgeable through experience training for the purpose of a woman's pregnancy health.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem +2

      It was primarily motivated by the men who had just newly established medical schools because they didn’t want midwives and other women (women who used herbal remedies and such) usurping their newly-defined status as “educated” (male-only) doctors, or the income derived from that practice. I believe that was around the time that men and doctors believed that a woman’s uterus wasn’t fixed in it’s location in the body, but “wandered around inside her body, it’s location depending on the time of the month, and which caused so many of her emotional and mental problems.

  • @cherylmatthews5507
    @cherylmatthews5507 Před rokem +1

    Now he needs to be disbarred as this public display of obscene over-reach of law fully demonstrating his ignorance 🙄

  • @heidi9547
    @heidi9547 Před rokem +3

    The prudes of the Victorian age of the 1800's

  • @PeterMayer
    @PeterMayer Před rokem +6

    Fascist! 1873???

  • @kathyjones274
    @kathyjones274 Před rokem +1

    This guy and many like him have lied going into their position. They should be expelled

  • @VictoriaAlfredSmythe
    @VictoriaAlfredSmythe Před měsícem +1

    Free The Republican Party (we need them back)

  • @Oldcrow96
    @Oldcrow96 Před rokem +3

    Glad we are qoating pre flight laws in the space age.

  • @stellanatore
    @stellanatore Před rokem +2

    They cite laws from the time they wish we were still living in...think about that.

  • @mathisnotforthefaintofheart

    This act is from 1873. That's Eighteen-seventy three!! Anyone dare to say that Conservatives aren't BACKwards? We are in 2023 and a Texas ultra conservative judge cites a 1873 law? What a joke!

  • @BILLHENRY239
    @BILLHENRY239 Před rokem +6

    The path of the righteous person is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men!

  • @jeanseigfried9339
    @jeanseigfried9339 Před rokem +1

    Our bodies our choice!

  • @beratnabodhi
    @beratnabodhi Před rokem +4

    Hmmm... Fascism anyone?
    Anyone?
    Buller?
    Anyone?

  • @1m2rich
    @1m2rich Před rokem +1

    He has 5 kids. Not everyone wants a big family or can afford to feed them. The world is not him.

  • @wookinooki9023
    @wookinooki9023 Před rokem +5

    wanna bet it was the judge who told the PLAINtiffs what to comPLAIN about?

    • @wookinooki9023
      @wookinooki9023 Před rokem +6

      i wonder if the judge or plaintiffs ever used a condom or looked at a magazine? or used the phone or texting to make a date with a partner or spouse? or sent a love letter?

  • @louiselincoln6557
    @louiselincoln6557 Před rokem +7

    How can medication be obscene? And if it’s all about mailing things, then get it the from clinics or doctors nurse practitioners. I have to say (again), I'm shocked at the cruel and thoughtless arrogance of these Republicans.
    And because men are equally responsible as women for a pregnancy, what punishment do they get?Maybe they should all wear chastity belts and go without sex.... it seems like the Republican men are obsessed with it. Maybe we women should just deny them - ya think the bill would last very long?Then there would be no need for the pills, and even better, we’d be in control for a change!

    • @PraiseTheFSMonster
      @PraiseTheFSMonster Před rokem +2

      I think we should deny them until Roe v Wade is reinstated. There is no birth control that's 100% effective, so really the only way to be sure we won't get pregnant is to obstain. Sorry boys, can't risk it 🤷🏽‍♀️

    • @FL-Mimo
      @FL-Mimo Před rokem +6

      Florida legislature is passing a 6 week abortion ban. It states that medication abortion must be done in front of a physician, in an office setting. (If I'm right, the medication version takes 3 or more days to complete. This means that physician and patient must be in the office 24 hours until complete. And please do recall that DeSantis removed an AG from his duly elected office because he said he wouldn't prosecute for abortions. There is no prosecution law in Florida, by the way.

    • @PraiseTheFSMonster
      @PraiseTheFSMonster Před rokem

      @@FL-Mimo Tomorrow we're all going to be in burkas. Bikini burkas in Florida's case. Those good ol boys still want to see a woman's body, they just want her to know they're in complete control of her.

  • @FM-kl3iu
    @FM-kl3iu Před rokem +2

    Would a workaround to the "compsock" act would be to mail the product with a link to an online pamphlet .. therefore no pamphlet in the mail.

    • @FL-Mimo
      @FL-Mimo Před rokem +1

      Even a digital copy is considered printable material.

  • @rrosen7370
    @rrosen7370 Před rokem +1

    Man! This guys really wayyyyyy out there! 😮

  • @Jimusmc0311
    @Jimusmc0311 Před rokem +2

    Private delivery is not mail..so I am sure you can have ANY delivery service deliver .. time to challenge the judge to stop free enterprise

  • @neuroticnation144
    @neuroticnation144 Před rokem +1

    So does that mean all medications will soon be banned from mailing? Some of us have transportation issues and mobility issues.

  • @jamesburge1983
    @jamesburge1983 Před rokem +1

    He aligned himself with the YMCA............. Just gonna leave it right there.

  • @totonow6955
    @totonow6955 Před rokem +6

    I guess we live in Deadwood now. Will we finally just have to call Al S. In to this?

  • @ralphacosta3630
    @ralphacosta3630 Před rokem +3

    They won't improve the education, so it's much easier to control the consummation

  • @itsROMPERS...
    @itsROMPERS... Před rokem +2

    Just look at this guy: he clearly knows things about babies no one should know.

  • @steve-real
    @steve-real Před rokem +1

    Anthony Comstock: The Man Who Hated Sex (But Loved Censorship)
    Meet Anthony Comstock, the ultimate soul-sucking vampire of the 19th century. He was born in New Canaan, Connecticut in 1844, and as a devout Christian, he was appalled by the "decadence" he saw on the streets of New York City, where he worked as a salesman. You know, like that shocking epidemic of human beings enjoying themselves and maybe even having sex for reasons other than procreation. The horror!
    But don't worry, folks. Comstock was here to save the day with his signature mix of Puritanical fervor and utter lack of self-awareness. In 1873, he got Congress to pass a law that would make birth control a federal crime. Yes, you read that right. A crime! Because apparently, people enjoying sex responsibly was the biggest problem the country faced at the time.
    The Comstock Act went even further than just banning contraceptives. It also banned any information or literature related to contraception. That meant doctors and scientists couldn't conduct research or provide information about birth control without risking arrest and prosecution. Comstock had basically turned America into a giant, prudish bubble where nothing remotely related to sex could exist. It was like he wanted to put blinders on everyone so they couldn't see the "decadence" he so despised.
    Comstock wasn't content to just stop people from using birth control, though. Oh no, he had to go and become a special agent for the U.S. Postal Service to enforce the Comstock Law. His job was to confiscate anything he deemed "obscene, lewd, or lascivious" from the mail. You know, like letters between consenting adults who happened to use words like "love" and "desire." How obscene! It's not like people should be allowed to express their feelings or anything.
    And nothing screams freedom like the government going through your mail. It's no wonder that New England residents lived under the most restrictive laws in the country, with Connecticut being the most restrictive of all. The law was so absurd that married couples could be arrested for using birth control in the privacy of their own bedrooms and subjected to a one-year prison sentence. Because nothing says "protecting the sanctity of marriage" like throwing people in jail for wanting to plan their families.
    But don't worry, folks. The Comstock Act wasn't all bad. It also had a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, like immigrants, people of color, and low-income individuals, who were more likely to be targeted and prosecuted under the law. You know, because they weren't already dealing with enough challenges and discrimination. It's like Comstock wanted to make sure that everyone who wasn't a wealthy, white, Christian male suffered under his oppressive regime.
    His legacy is one of repression and censorship, but it is also a reminder that there will always be people who want to control other people's bodies and choices. We must fight back and protect our rights, no matter how hard they try to take them away. The Comstock Act was finally repealed in 1936, but the legacy of Comstock and his prudish, controlling ways lives on. It's like he left a dark cloud of censorship and repression over the country that took decades to lift.
    .

  • @MrBoobie55
    @MrBoobie55 Před rokem +1

    But the right has no problem with all the weapons and gun magazines that are mailed monthly... and ghost gun downloads

  • @terrierkeeper
    @terrierkeeper Před rokem +1

    Sanity, sad poor Uncle Tony failed at so much at his efforts to improve society well at least he has achieved some good.

  • @woden198
    @woden198 Před rokem

    Notes:
    Broad interpretation of two sections of the Comstock act, (§1461 and 1462) will result in a de facto national abortion ban. Both §1461 and 1462 criminalize the mailing, interstate transportation, intrastate transportation, import and export of any instrument, medication, substances, device, equipment of any other items used for the purpose of abortion. Since the operation and existence of all abortion facilities, female reproductive health centers depend on the inbound and outbound of any equipment, items, substances, devices or medication for abortion or abortion related procedures. It will have profound, devastating and consequential effects on the ability of all abortion facilities, female reproductive health centers to operate. Abortion facilities and female reproductive health centers will be forced to closed, or they could
    not perform abortions because of the circumstances of any equipment, items, substances, devices or medication for abortion or abortion related procedures would not be delivered, refilled, replenished, or restocked due to §1461 and 1462.

  • @georgelayton6641
    @georgelayton6641 Před rokem +1

    So, Major Burns then. An 1873 Major Burns.

  • @nannetteprata2715
    @nannetteprata2715 Před rokem +1

    So where we are going literally backwards. Isntb"backwards" a slur against ignorance?

  • @cassycreates481
    @cassycreates481 Před rokem +2

    They trying on revival of old laws huh

  • @amyjones2490
    @amyjones2490 Před rokem +1

    I guess those men can’t get mail order viagra any more either?

  • @geezzzwdf
    @geezzzwdf Před rokem +2

    but a medical nessasary medication when a MISCARAGE HAPPENS THESE DRUGS ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE THE COMPLETE FLUSHING OF THE PLASENTA. WITHOUT THIS SET OF PILLS THE WOMAN GETS INFECTED WITH SEPSIS AND DIES.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      They really don’t care if logic gets in the way of their ability to control and punish women and girls. If a bunch of women die because of their laws, they figure it’s worth it, as long as they get their way.

  • @8ofwands300
    @8ofwands300 Před rokem +2

    An acorn is not an oak tree. 😐

    • @cmgweb6951
      @cmgweb6951 Před rokem +1

      I've been looking for the perfect analogy and you hit it out of the park with this one
      Of course "they" will claim they are not "plants". Which I would counter with "then stop acting like you're a vegetable!! 😮

    • @8ofwands300
      @8ofwands300 Před rokem

      @@cmgweb6951 I'm sick and tired of them calling zygotes " babies"! You'd think they'd be in favor of medication abortions as they expell very early pregnancies, literally a cluster of cells. But no, every fertilizer egg MUST be born. These wackos infuriate me. 😠😠

  • @55WeRfamily
    @55WeRfamily Před rokem +1

    Has any law makers begun any suits against the companies that make the ED pills? Also, the advertisers for the ED pills? Has any lawmakers looked for ways to go after holding any males accountable legally for pregnancies? If the female can not be safe for privacy and self medical care, it seems that this type of crazy will not stop until the actions of taking sex and the results of sex back to the sources. This will cause the millions of males who are staying silent during this abuse to rise up with clarity. Time to chase after the true source of ALL pregnant 'humans'. Males. Mandate databases to make male sex 'potential humans' public. Time to fight insanity.

    • @kgs2280
      @kgs2280 Před rokem

      Oh, but these laws are only meant to control and punish women. Men’s rights, wishes and desires are the only things that matter in their minds. Men will always be the top of the food chain here, unless women rise up “in numbers too big to ignore”. It’s time, ladies. We, and our supporters must take to the streets, every street in every state in the nation.

  • @madison9582
    @madison9582 Před rokem +1

    Next thing. Chastity belts will be back. This is so ridiculous. Men should not have control over a woman's body. What right does a male stranger have over a female body, Just stupid.

  • @kenthibeault4258
    @kenthibeault4258 Před rokem

    What can do since it's company make the drug couldn't they argue interstate commence if a state out law the drug on fed level idk.

  • @denillefleming2942
    @denillefleming2942 Před rokem

    It's not merrick

  • @jimcarlblack3989
    @jimcarlblack3989 Před rokem

    Tex Mex special mix
    Place your "order" now
    Comstock Is not
    Woodstock.....

  • @grahamjones5400
    @grahamjones5400 Před rokem

    It's time to ignore these laws and get the medicine anyway how.
    If politicians pass an bad law that restricts abortion access , people must break that law.

    • @dalpz205
      @dalpz205 Před rokem

      Here in Tx there's still a bounty law going on.. anyone helping someone else get an abortion can be sued for $10k. The defendent wins nothing if they win the case. Someone is already trying it.

  • @kgs2280
    @kgs2280 Před rokem

    The #1 problem in the conversation regarding women’s health and lives is that women do not have equal rights in the law in this country. The Equal Rights Amendment was NEVER put into the Constitution, even though it has been brought up in Congress many, many times since it was written one hundred years ago, and was finally ratified by the required 38th state (Virginia) in January of 2020. Every single time it’s brought up, some in Congress always find some “reason” (excuse) as to why it should not be added to the Constitution. And, of course, the primary reason (the dreaded, and passed, deadline) was purposely written into the subtext (but not the main text) of the Amendment. In fact, the ONLY right women have, per the U.S. Constitution is the right to vote (although a few states, like California, have added an Equal Rights Amendment to their state constitutions). If the Equal Rights Amendment had been added to the U.S. Constitution in 2020 after being ratified by Virginia, Roe v. Wade could not have fallen, nor could all these other bans on abortion and abortion pills ever have happened, which indicates, to me, that was their plan all along. This proves, to me, that men’s (of course, not all men, but at least those in politics and religion, which is a prime mover in our politics) hatred and/or fear of women, along with their desperate need to control every facet of women’s lives, runs very deep indeed, as it always has in our country. Until the Equal Rights Amendment is finally included in our Constitution, women will always be attacked and controlled by these unjust laws. It’s going to take a massive movement by women and their supporters in order to rectify this problem.
    BTW, the main text of the Equal Rights Amendment is incredibly simple: “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex”, yet it would change the lives of millions of people in this country, which is, of course, the problem for some.

  • @thehouseofcm
    @thehouseofcm Před rokem

    She should appreciate history