Obama + Planned Parenthood = <3

I just read on Feministing that Planned Parenthood has officially endorsed Obama.

Watch their president, Cecile Richards, announce their endorsement, and Obama accept the endorsement... HERE.

I have previously mentioned my affinity for Obama.

I have also mentioned my affinity for Planned Parenthood.

I think it is important that we remember that Planned Parenthood does not only offer abortion procedures.

As a young woman they have given me free condoms, a prescription for affordable oral contraceptives, emergency contraception, and they have tested my partner and I for sexually transmitted diseases at a fraction of the cost of a normal physician.

They, most likely, have saved me from facing an unintended pregnancy. Because of their presence in this community I have never been faced with the decision of abortion.

I am glad to see that they have endorsed Obama. A lot is riding on this election, including the next nomination for the Supreme Court.

McCain has sworn to do everything in his power to overthrow Roe v. Wade. I am glad that Planned Parenthood is speaking out in favor of the better candidate, one who trusts women with their own bodies.

City Hall Wrap-Up

Last night, I spoke at City Hall with Ryan and Amber there to cheer me on. Also, the Grassroots Director for Planned Parenthood of Southwest Missouri attended to listen.

The meeting began with a prayer. Yes, everybody was asked to stand, bow their heads, and councilman Gary Danver led us in prayer. Of course, we Pastafarians exuberantly cried "Ramen!" when they were done. All the same, this was not a good omen for my upcoming speech about diverting more funding to STD screening. (It should be noted that we are probably going to make some noise in the future about this whole prayer thing...I mean, surely they've heard of the Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, the Establishment Clause...stuff like that.)

After about two hours, I got my five minutes and delivered my speech as best I could. Surprisingly, they listened. They asked questions, expressed their concern, and promised to get the Health Department on it, and to have them send me all relevant information as well - not what I expected at all, but most certainly a pleasant surprise.

Overall, I'd say it was a victory. I will keep you apprised to what happens next.

Speaking to City Council

Tonight, I address City Council about Beautiful Flower and Penis's experience a few weeks ago at the Greene County Health Clinic.

Thank you for allowing me the time to speak.

I can best explain why I'm here by explaining the events that led up to it. Some friends and I run an internet show, the goal of which is to strike down the taboos on discussing sex. Three weeks ago, in the process of filming an episode on getting tested for STDs, we went to the Greene Co. Health Clinic and were turned away at 8:15am in the morning. The woman at the desk informed us that if we wanted to get in, we should get there a half an hour early.

Later that week, we complied. Upon arriving at 7:25am, we found three slips of papers with numbers 1 through 3 written on them set out by the check-in window. Believing they were just to keep things organized once the clinic opened, we took them and began filling out the paperwork. Shortly thereafter, a man walked in - two of us noticed that he was favoring his groin when he walked - and asked if any more numbers were available. The man had tried to get in before, but had not been able to. As it turns out, these numbers represented the only three slots available, not just a means of organizing things for the initial rush.

Over the next half hour, before the doors even opened, over 10 people arrived, many of which were likely there to be treated or tested for STDs. Now, all of us are almost certain that we are clean, having been tested before, so it was apparent to us that the needs of these people were much greater. We all elected to give our numbers to the people we thought needed them most, and left...even as more people were coming in.

Which is when I set up this appointment. I'm hear to ask that you find a way to allocate more resources to STD testing at the Green County Health Clinic. Aside from general human compassion and a clear excess of demand, there is also an economic case to be made for why you should do this.

My initial suspicion is that, like with anything else, preventative maintenance is far less costly than treating the developed problems that arise from allowing new infections to grow into something far more sinister. My suspicion is confirmed to be true by virtually every credible medical body in this country that has voiced an opinion on the subject. For instance, a study performed in 2004, as reported by the peer-review medical journal The Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine Vol. 158 indicated that keeping people from such testing would have serious health and economic consequences.

Another example comes from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention. According the the USCDC, "untreated STDs result in billions of dollars in preventable healthcare spending." One example is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, which is a frequent result of untreated Chlamydia. According to the USCDC, the annual cost of this disease is four billion dollars nationwide. This is one disease out of a long, long list that result of untreated STDs.

I could go on and on, but I'm only allowed five minutes, so I need to be wrapping this up.

While Aids Project of the Ozarks here in Springfield will perform HIV testing for free, the STIs that should worry us financially are the cureable ones, namely gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, scabies and crabs, of which syphillis, scabies, and crabs can be transmitted via skin-to-skin contact. These are the STIs that can be caught earlier and treated cheaply, and the cheapest way to get tested for them in this area is at Planned Parenthood for $110 per person.

For many of us, this puts us into a situation where we must choose whether to pay the rent of to get tested for STIs. The city has already taken steps towards fixing this problem by providing the testing, but they have not done enough. The liabilities for this are shared by everybody, including not only the citizens of Springfield, but by the city of Springfield itself. The only reasonable argument I can imagine for why you would not do everything in your power to fix this problem is if people would not use the services if they were made available, but clearly they would. Even with the diminished ability to get free testing, demand is still excessive, and it would only grow if the option to be responsible for no cost, or reduced cost, were made available. The people of Springfield clearly want to help the city keep the cost of treating full blown diseases resultant of undetected STDs down, and we only need you to give us the means.

Thank you very much for allowing me the time to speak. I am available via e-mail at john454@missouristate.edu if you have any questions or if you require any more of my research.

Ryan will be dressing up for this. If you knew Ryan, you'd realize what a rare occurance this is. He just asked me to help him button his shirt sleeves and I almost declined asking "Is this really the leader of the Revolution?"

To which Ryan responded "Shit, the Revolution begins by looking this good."

We're the Juggernauts, and we're bringing style back to fighting the good fight. :D

STD Testing

A few days ago, Amber, JT, and I went to the free clinic in Springfield to get tested for STDs in order to create a video blog about the experience for Beautiful Flower and Penis. We were hoping that, by setting an example, kids would feel better about going out to get their goods looked at.

When we got there, we found a stack of three numbers on the reception desk, which we dispersed amongst ourselves. Minutes passed, and it became clear to us that those numbers represented the three individuals who would be seen that morning by the clinic nurse. Three people. Once we realized this, we immediately gave up our numbers to the others who had shown up. It was painfully obvious that their needs greatly outweighed our own.

As we left the clinic, we were absolutely sickened by the entire situation. It turns out that only three people are seen two (thanks, Amber!) times a day. The population of Springfield is 151580, with approximately 16% living at a poverty level. I fail to see how this can adequately meet the needs of the city. How are we supposed to stop the spread of STDs, much less offer somewhere to be seen for maintaining your general health, when the free clinic is so limited in its capabilities?

Teh Juggernauts immediately took action. JT is planning on speaking at a community meeting to funnel more funding towards the free clinic, Amber is contacting various media outlets, and I...am bitching about it on the interwebz. 'Cause I'm cool like that.

Anyhow, since I am about 300 miles away from Springfield at the moment, I thought that I would look up some places you can go be tested for STDs.

1. The Free Clinic
1. This choice isn't for everyone and is very limited (*ahem*, see above experience), but it is still a valid option.
2. Planned Parenthood
1. Always a good option. They offer a wide range of services for a nominal fee. And, as far as I can tell, they are thoroughly nonsketchy.
   
3. College Health Facility
1. For us college kids, this is a good way to go. It's always cheaper than going to a regular doctor...but it can be a little bit sketchy. As far as I know, Taylor Health and Wellness at MSU doesn't offer STD testing. It turns out that they do offer on site STD testing. Thanks, Carly!
   
4. Your Lady Parts/Dude Thingies Doctor
1. I suppose this is the most obvious option, but can get pretty pricey. But knowing what's up with your junk is very integral to anyone's well being.

Does anyone know of other options that I am missing?


Lauren