Ingles

Congratulations to Ireland on finally allowing a woman to make her own life decisions

macliam

I voted against the 8th when it was introduced because it meant that nobody, not a doctor, not a judge, not even the President, could authorise an abortion in any but the very narrow set of reasons laid down in the constitution. At that time the Church still had huge influence - contraception had only been legalised in 1980 - and the door to abortion was slammed shut by the restrictions of the 8th amendment. Arguing for "the right to choose" was radical in the extreme.

But, making abortion illegal in Ireland did no more to stop it, than a ban on contraceptives had seen every Irish girl remain a virgin until marriage. The Bus Eireann service from any Irish city to England was full of women forced to leave home and others have taken to using pills bought online to induce miscarriages, risking their health and a possible 14 -year prison sentence.

Now there may be the opportunity to create a law which does not criminalise many women or force them to leave the country. I hope the legislators are wise, but, like Brexit, the decision to change is only the opening gambit.......

007Steve

From my standpoint if it slows the right-wing-bible-bashing-morality-crusade-of-a-contagion that's swept over Europe since the 2008 crash, I'm all in favour. Congrats Eire!

PS - If it helps in exposing Arlene & her mates in NI as having the mindset of 18th Cent. Bigots ... That's even better.

GeniB

And when I am proud to be a Mancunian ..

GeniB

Looking forward to that....and the box of chocs from Guy Pas

GeniB

About time.. It has been a matter of deep shame for Ireland .. People tended not to think about it in real terms of suffering for the women involved.. They had no understanding of the horrors involved for women with ectopic pregnancies who died.women who bled to death in back street abortions.women who went to jail for attempting abortions... So many ... Thank god this stone age attitude is finally changing

GeniB

Been feeling very down since a doctor 'forced ' me to take a BP test ( when I have a diagnosed phobia ). It caused another 'blip' in my arterial circulation.. It has been keeping me awake the last week or so. so not only feeling sorry for myself,but very tired as well
Then my lovely Goldie got up from under a cafe table and suddenly couldn't walk on her right front paw... Maybe because I was so down. I felt it was the end for her. (she's 11 ) I iced her paw ,but conceded the next day that I would have to take her to the vets....Vet did every test and then gave her a shot and some tablets.

This morning I was awakened by my OH.. who just said 'Look at this ..He opened the french doors. and there was Senga rolling on her back on the lawn,kicking her legs for all she was worth.Full of the joys of spring... I not only smiled.. I cried...

Lion in Winter

The Little Lion, off to prom. He's pretty pleased with how he cleaned up.

Jerseygirl

What a handsome lion he is.

Dorothy

He looks very handsome.

Dreamy

Aw what a lovely photo!

My three all refused to go to prom. They also refuse to have their photos taken, except for one that I made them do on New Year's Day this year, it's possibly the only photo of us all as a family, since they were adults (oh, tell a lie, I managed to get one of us all when we became citizens too - so that's 2 photos in 8 years )

Lion in Winter

Thanks. And well I think so, but then I would. What made me happy was that he thought so too. It has been a journey. He dropped about 45-50 lbs in weight over the last year and a half , put on a load of muscle from wrestling, and has really blossomed out. Now he's gone to prom with a pretty girl. What could possibly go wrong....

Lion in Winter

Mine refused to go to junior prom last year, but this year, as a senior, he wanted to go. He's going with a group of friends, and they've organized a limo among themselves to the place where the dining and dancing will take place.

He doesn't normally like me taking photos, but since he was rather pleased with himself in this outfit he was quite keen.

spouse of scouse

Lovely looking lad, LiW. I hope he has a wonderful time at the prom.

scrubbedexpat097

wow, he is all grown up! Gorgeous picture.