I received the following communication from MoveOn warning about Bush's plan toward to restrict access to contraceptive methods deemed to be "abortificants" by the Right-To-Lifers. The letter includes a link to sign on to a letter protesting Bush's planned moves to circumvent the Congress to install new rules in the guise of "regulations."

Click here to sign an emergency message to the Department of Health and Human Services: "Contraception is NOT abortion.

Christian Conservatives with support from the Bush Administration are extending their campaign against abortion and sex education to also try to turn back the clock on contraception. They now support legislation to prevent any institution that receives federal funding from refusing to hire doctors or health workers who refuse to provide abortion, contraceptives and information on birth control to patients.

Dr. Susan Wicklund has devoted most of her 20-year medical career to helping women who are faced with the hard choice of whether or not to terminate a pregnancy during their first trimester—the only cases she herself treats. Now she has written a gripping account of her experiences, in THIS COMMON SECRET, My Journey as an Abortion Doctor.

Even though practicing abortion had been legal in the United States since 1973, in order to provide abortions, Wicklund has had to face right-to-life terrorists who not only threatened her own life but relentlessly persecuted her young daughter. Some of the experiences she writes about are horrible, but her triumph over intimidation and her sensitive treatment of her patients inspiring.

She grew up in a small working class community in Wisconsin—no one in her family had gone beyond high school—nor had she planned a different life. However after she underwent a legal abortion under horrible conditions she was drawn to midwifery, and then to the bold move of becoming a doctor. Her aim was to practice women’s medicine but she was drawn to becoming an abortionist when she realized that even though it was legal, it was still very difficult for women to get help in terminating a pregnancy.

Originally conceived, written and published on DailyKos but far too important not to crosspost here.

Recently, Zwoof posted a diary called Romney 'The Brethren in Salt Lake City told me I could take this position'. The diary gave kudos to Bob Love, who called our attention to the issue in his comment here. Bob, in turn, credits daristani's comment as his source.

In a nutshell, Romney's candidacy is now toast. Make the jump for the short finish, then go Rec Zwoof's piece and give mucho kudos to Bob Love and daristani wherever you find 'em today.