But 11 percent of the roughly 600 pharmacies NARAL surveyed earlier this year said they would require a prescription for all women seeking Plan B. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they were unaware the drug was effective for up to 72 hours after sex. Quoted prices for Plan B ranged from $20 to $500.

Requiring a prescription for an OTC drug, unfamiliar with the drug's effectiveness, and charging $500 for it. Are these people really qualified to sell any drugs to the public?

That woman who did in LA- its sad, but at the same time, it kind of seems to be her fault for not returning to complete her medical treatment. The whole thing seems a little weird, honestly, as I am (not a scientist but) confused as to why she would start etting disoriented from the seaweed (really?) sticks.

I loooooved Nancy Drew as a child, in the 90s, especially since she had all that fun autonomy and stuff. I also loved that the Babysitter's Club had a member that read ND all the time. The movie seems entirely wrong in all ways, and so I am avoiding it.

India is completely stupid if they ban vibrating condoms as sex toys.

I am thrilled to hear that the pill and the ring are basically the same.

Re: India banning sex toys.

God forbid people have a satisfying, mutually pleasurable sex life.

India bans sex toys? What kind of backwards fascist nation bans would possibly intrude on private citizens sex lives?

http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1090180191546

Apparently some states in the U.S. also. For all this talk of freedom all I see is hot air and jingoism.

On the topless women...
The fact that women can't walk around topless has always been intersting to me, especially since we see men shirtless so often, not in an erotic way, but if women are just standing there topless, it's seen as erotic. I can't figure it out, but maybe it has something to do with our hatred of fat; breats are fat. The hatred of anything fat may be why we are forced to cover up more than men. Anyone else have a different opinion/experience? I'm just guessing...

I always thought women couldn't go topless not because our culture hates fat, but becuase our culture considers female breasts erotic objects. Look at any discussion about breastfeeding in public for examples; "it's indecent" "children shouldn't be exposed to that" "it should be done in private" because we've decided that breasts are sexual objects ONLY and to see them in any other context is taboo. There's no other reason for it, all children of either gender have nipples, it can't possibly be damaging for them to see adults have nipples too.

Jenlovesponies I think it is half the woman's fault. It's entirely her fault if she didn't tell PP that she had a vaginal infection, but if she didn't know about it they probably should've checked before putting the dilators in. And they must be oversimplifying when they say seaweed, because I know there's a gelatin like compound made from seaweed, so maybe that's what they were. I don't know, the whole case read as very strange and unfortunate for everyone involved.

Not OT but off Genny's comment re: breastfeeding--
I find the anti-public-breastfeeding argument "children shouldn't be exposed to that" sidesplittingly hilarious in its profound stupidity, what with children being the primary participants in breastfeeding as an activity, and all.

I guess some people think only adults should be allowed to nurse. Presumably they're old enough to "handle" it?

Completely agreed that our aversion to women being topless reflects the extent to which breasts have been eroticized, not breasts being "fat." They're not even for babies anymore...they're ALWAYS sexual objects!

Also wanted to say how ironic, but unsurprising, that the man angry at his girlfriend for getting an abortion *killed her toddler* as revenge. Must be another one of those "pro-life" advocates, huh. Further indication that opposition to abortion has more to do with controlling women than with concern for *life*.

Thank you for the link to the piece about the treatment of Nashville rape victims. We have numerous hospitals and ERs in this city, and right now only one will provide forensic rape exams (and women were being billed for them, in some cases being turned over to collections agents). The original article on the topic includes quotes from hospital reps saying they don't offer the exams because they won't get paid and/or that's what the cops want them to do.

I definitely think it should be legal for women to be topless in public. There is no rational reason why they shouldn't be allowed to. The only excuse might be that it'd drive the menz crazy and force them to rape us or some shit.
Men have breasts too. Yet they're legally and socially permitted to walk around topless while women aren't. Forcing us to cover up sends the message that female breasts are shameful, dirty and erotic.

I think there are a number of places that being bare- breasted is perfectly legal, but not practiced because it isn't socially acceptable and the cops make harass you anyway. Maybe we should start a million breast march.

For the woman in CA - the dilators were inserted on Jan 31, she wasn't taken to a hospital until Feb 4, but she didn't die until the 14th? So, what was the hospital doing during those 10 days?

Technically Ottawa is "topfree", but there are so many bylaws and "no shirt, no shoes, no service" places that you really only see bare breasts at the beach.

I read Nancy Drew as a child as well. I haven't seen the recent movie; I'd have written it as a period piece set in the 1930s or so.

On an unrelated note, I am certainly in favor of women going topless in public. ;)

Even if we could go topless in public, I sure wouldn't do it.
Men feel entitled to harass women as it is.
I can't imagine how much more violent and humiliating it'd get. People would absolutely freak out if, among the women wearing tops, strolled a few with bare torsos. I suppose we have to change attitudes before we go and change laws. Sigh.

Re: abortion death

It seems to me that this is an issue of hospital malpractice, not Planned Parenthood. I don't understand why the woman didn't return to PP, and how it was that the hospital staff didn't realize what the problem was. I agree that PP should have called instead of sending letters . . . but they couldn't treat her if she didn't return to their clinic.

Change the laws, the attitudes will follow.

I honestly don't know why women would want to go topless in summer without a bra. I mean . . . boob sweat? Or does that only happen to large-breasted women?

Of course, women should be able to. And if a woman wants to, good for her. I'm just saying.

That thought popped into my head right after clicking "post," Cate.
Anyway, the backlash against such a law would be both terrifying and amusing.

“Or does that only happen to large-breasted women?�

Yes, I think so. I have small boobs and I am almost always braless. They jiggle but it doesn’t bother me (unless I am on a trampoline or something). I would love to be able to take off my shirt when jogging.

Wow, a life without under-boob sweat sounds AWESOME.

Re: The PP death,

I'm curious if they had her number/permission to call. I would go to the PP when I was in high school and I very adamantly marked off they shouldn't call me under any circumstances.

Also, it may not be unusual for people to see a private physician for follow up care. Sending her a few reminders seems adamant with out being too pushy.

It's ridiculous PP is even named in this suit. As a responsible adult, it's up to the patients to pay attention, follow up and be aware that they should seek medical attention immediately if there are complications. The hospital is likely remiss in their treatment, but it's a stretch to say it's PP's fault.

It seems to me that this is an issue of hospital malpractice, not Planned Parenthood.

Yeah, seems like a weak case against PP, but they might have one against the hospital. Seriously, not treating her when she was delusional?

And I hate when the anti-choice people try to use these cases against legal abortion. I see a lot of malpractice cases at my job, and if we are going to ban procedures based on the number of times it goes wrong (for whatever reason), well then I can tell you childbirth and thoracic surgery should be first in line for illegalization.

Wow, a life without under-boob sweat sounds AWESOME.

I completely agree, Cara. And it would be nice to be able to wear button-up shirts without the risk of poppage and live without the lower back pain as well.

Care and Soupcann,

I would totally give up my no-under-boob- sweat life to get bigger boobs any day, if that were possible (w/o surgery that is).

I'm with you, sojourner. It's especially sucky to have small boobs when half of each boob occupies my underarm. No cleavage whatsoever. And I'm often mistaken for a pregnant woman because my tummy sticks out further than my chest. Bah!

Re: women being topless.

I was always under the impression it wasn't so much the breast as the woman's nipple that was the problem for "decency". I can walk around with pasties over both nipples and while it might seem unusual I wouldn't be arrested unless the pasties fell off (see: Lil Kim MTV Awards). If you look at any of the "lad" mags you'll see that the fat of the breasts are pretty prominent and only the nipple is covered. On TV it's the nipple that is pretty much blurred, though they do sometimes blur the whole breast area.

Women's nipples are the focus and as far as breast feeding I think it makes people uncomfortable because there is something (a baby) sucking on a nipple and yes, that's usually the domain of men to do. Though I'm pretty sure if there was a grown couple and the dude was sucking in his girlfriend's nipple then the anti-breastfeeding crowd would go nuts as well. ;)

I think women should be allowed to walk around topless just like men, seeing as in the early 20th century it was not allowed for both men and women to show nipples, even at the beach (hence the whole body bathing suits for men). If anyone knows when this changed so that men could go topless I'd love to know.

There are a whole host of other reasons why women can't go topless, having to do with class and culture issues (like those Time Life Discover magazines can display African women topless and it's not considered "nudity") and also if breasts became as appealing as a knee, something you see every day, then a lot of companies who make money from women's breasts would be at a loss. Which is probably not a bad thing.

The hilarious part of the condom ban in India is that the right honorable( neither right nor honorable) minister is against it on the grounds of it being for "pleasure" not contraception.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Bachi_Karkaria/articleshow/2144455.cms
This is a tongue in cheek retort to the news.

You're spot-on, UltraMagnus. I'd really like for breasts/nipples to become about as controversial as kneecaps.
While initially the number of auto accidents would surely rise, the long-term effects would be well worth it.

Jeremy F- America is also stupid to ban sex toys or vibrating condoms. Any nation that bans birth control is stupid. Any nation that wants to ban sex toys is stupid. But the article was about India, and I was talking about the article.

Re: sojourner and sarah mc- that's funny, because I'm planning to pay thousands of dollars to have the size of my breasts reduced significantly. :(

Re: abortion death

I've been to the hospital that she had her abortion at. That place is horrible. The nurses, surgeons and even the front desk people have no compassion treat the patients like dogs. They totally deserve to be sued.

Re: abortion death

That's a good point about PP potentially not having the right to call. A lot of patients would NOT want to be called. Obviously this woman WAS mistreated as a patient if she died from something so simple and common. There's no doubting it. As a PP volunteer, I'm biased. But I really do think that this is a hospital issue. Jessica's personal experience backs that up.

Re: boobs

My boobs aren't big enough to cause lower-back pain . . . yet, anyway, since I'm only 22. Fingers crossed. I wouldn't trade them, because other than the under-boob sweat, I rather like them. I have little to complain about. But it's summer, and my apartment is like an oven right now. So under-boob sweat is on my mind and PISSING ME OFF :)

I only get underboob sweat if I'm wearing a bra, but I'm definitely smaller breasted. It's definitely legal to go topless anywhere in Ontario (not just Ottawa). It's not very common, but every once in awhile I'll see a woman walking around topless. I'm always curious as to why they choose to go topless. I'm perified of going out in a bikini in public, so I've never really had the urge to go completely topless. I do like having the choice though! There are restrictions, such as the "no shirt, no shoes, no service" thing, but that applies to everyone and I don't have a huge problem with it.

Alrighty:
Abortion death: it seems to me like PP really isn't responsible for her death at all. She didn't return to finish her treatment, and its not like PP has the funding to send people out to get the stragglers and bring them in. She may have very well requested to not be contacted by phone- the article specifically says that she didn't tell her mom, and how exactly would she explain that phone call then?

Single people: Interesting, but what exactly is an "excess" single person? Someone who remains after everyone else has been paired off? "Excess" feels a little mean, like saying "unnecessary." And the definition of "single" needs to be defined. Does it include homosexuals? People in prisons?

Nashville: Not only does this really suck for Nashville, but it also got me wondering on how many hospitals in my area treat sexual assault victims. Anyone know how I could find out?

I feel bad for the woman whose baby was killed by her boyfriend. Obviously she was right not to keep his baby, but she shouldn't have had to lose her little boy to find out just how right she was.

Rock Star:
I totally feel for people who have very large breasts. A friend of mine had a breast reduction a few years ago because hers gave her terrible back pain. While I'm not exactly thrilled with the size of mine, I also wouldn't want huge boobs. I have enough back problems as it is. Those things sure can make life difficult! People with "too small" boobs and people with "too big" boobs also have a hard time finding tops and dresses that fit - I know I do.

Re: Radar Mag

Is this satirizing summer fashion spreads or young, female celebrities like Paris Hilton? The comments associated with each picture would seem to indicate the latter. And it’s not critiquing anything other than these women's bodies. Not clever or funny.

The link to the North Carolina story is broken, but the title's not surprising.

Regarding the article about the British teen, what kind of a name is Lydia Playfoot for a chaste Christian girl?

The link to the North Carolina story is broken, but the title's not surprising.

Regarding the article about the British teen, what kind of a name is Lydia Playfoot for a chaste Christian girl?