History: It's All in the Interpretation

The Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum opened Sunday, the day before what would've been her birthday. In addition to several local dignitaries, a small group of protesters gathered to distribute leaflets and point toward a website, with what they deem to be "the truth" about Ms. Anthony's abortion stance.

It seems that her birthplace had been sold at auction in 2006 to Carol Crossed, a New York state anti-abortion activist and the museum board consists primarily of people from "Feminists for Life".

Additionally in December, a trained historian abruptly resigned as the museum's director and was replaced by a Vice-President of the New York organization, plus the museum's mission statement describes the suffragette hero as being "pro-life".

Not a lot is actually known about Ms. Anthony's stance on the abortion question; Activists point toward the fact that her newsletter didn't allow advertising from companies peddling chemical abortions and reportedly this is highlighted in the museum's "Restellism" exhibit, but if you read an excellent history of "Madame Restelle", you'll find that Horace Greeley and other giants of New York City media regularly railed against the smaller publications which featured her advertisements. Perhaps, Ms. Anthony was at least partially motivated by a desire to keep her publication in a separate sphere than the lesser press.

Apparently, based on a local blogger's account, there may not be any exhibits in the museum directly referencing the one Revolution article anti-abortion activists have long used to co-opt Ms. Anthony's legacy, but whose authorship is in dispute.

The article, which was signed simply "A", used the phrase "the horrible crime of child-murder" while journalist Lynn Sherr, who has publisheda collection of Susan B. Anthony's writings and other scholars say that she only signed things with the initials "S.B.A.".

Personally, I didn't know that there was such a controversy surrounding the thoughts of Ms. Anthony and not only do I think that the anecdotal evidence may be stretch, but it's also a lot of hoopla about a couple of isolated examples which can easily be dismissed or explained.

If there's anything that can be taken from this situation, other than it producing more work for researchers, it'd be that any future historical leaders should write it all down and should really sign their name.

Narragansett N'er-a-clue?

Christopher Young tried to physically confront Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI) over abortion funding at a November health care forum held at Brown University. Afterwards, he returned to the microphone and refused to stop speaking until police dragged him from the room.

As a result, he pled not guilty to disorderly conduct this morning and in response to his December 4th banishment from university property, Mr. Young released the following statement;

"This is clearly a retaliatory action against me as a candidate for Mayor of Providence, because I have publicly stated my desire to tax Brown University property and to remove private police powers from Brown University security," he said in a statement in advance of the arraignment. "Brown University obviously has a vested interest in trying to stop me from becoming Mayor of Providence. They know, clearly, I will tax Brown University property and use the money to reduce rents and property taxes for the rest of the residents and voters in the city of Providence."

Semi-Related: After town hall threats, lawmakers still wait for answers

Perform an Abortion - Go to Jail

The Mobile Press-Register is reporting that all seven Republican candidates for Alabama Governor favor a ban on abortions.

Five say that doctors should be imprisoned if they violate the ban and one would like to jail both the patient and the doctor. A sixth, former State Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore would leave any penalties facing the doctor and patient, up to the legislature.

Three, if given the opportunity would enact an outright ban in all cases, no exceptions and two would allow for rape, incest and to protect the health of the mother.

While another believes that "health" could be abused, but would allow an exception, if the woman's life is in jeopardy and the seventh, the only woman in the race, says that she would not allow an exception for rape or incest, but would agree to let the mother to live.

Scorecard

• All seven would ban abortions.
• Five would jail the doctors, one would not say.
• Three would ban all abortions, no exceptions.
• Two would allow for rape, incest and mother's health
• One would exempt rape, incest and to protect the woman's life
• One would protect the woman's life, but disallow rape and incest

The most recent poll that I can quickly find, shows that in June, the front-runner for the Republican nod was Bradley Byrne and he also led the Democratic front runner by four points at the time.

At least Mr. Byrne is the one, who told the Press-Register that he'd accept an exception for rape, incest and the woman's life (not health, life), but I can find nothing in the article to indicate whether or not, he's the one who wouldn't send a doctor to jail.