100 greatest innovations of 2019: Best of What’s New – Popular Science

Within days of giving birth, a womans estrogen and progesterone levels quickly drop, leading to chemical changes in the brain that might give rise to shifts in mood. In fact, as many as three in four mothers experience symptoms of depression soon after childbirth. But for one in nine mothers, those symptoms result in a more serious, longer-lasting, and potentially life-threatening condition known as postpartum depression. The disorder, which manifests as a significant change in mood within hours to weeks of giving birth, is the most common complication of pregnancy. Currently, the depression drugs used to treat it take weeks to months to kick intime that new mothers (and their infants) cant afford. Zulresso is the first FDA-approved medication designed to tackle postpartum depression, and it does so at speed. The drug is a synthetic form of allopregnanolone, a hormone that dampens neural activity and eases depression symptoms when estrogen and progesterone levels dip. In double-blind control studies run by the creators at Sage Therapeutics, Zulresso worked within 60 hours. Right now, the drug is administered via a 60-hour intravenous infusion (common among new medicines), but alternative treatments, including a pill form, are currently in clinical trials.

Read more here:
100 greatest innovations of 2019: Best of What's New - Popular Science

Alum’s New Book Recounts His Fight to Help First Responders Sickened after 9/11 – BU Today

The 9/11 al-Qaeda attacks stirred the United States and its allies to respond with a war on terror that continues to play out today. Al-Qaeda launched another lethal, but less visible, attack that dayon the emergency responders who worked at Ground Zero in New York City for the better part of a year after the September 2001 disaster. Rooting in toxic dust and debris at the graveyard of the World Trade Center, many developed cancers, respiratory diseases, trauma, and other ailments.

But medical studies couldnt definitively tie the physical illnesses to Ground Zero; some of the cancers, for example, were not known to arise so soon after toxic exposure. Rudolph Giuliani, then mayor of New York City, and Environmental Protection Agency head Christine Todd Whitman pronounced the area safe.

As far as the City of New York and many members of the medical and scientific community were concerned, there was no connection and no proof, writes William Groner (LAW80) in 9/12: The Epic Battle of the Ground Zero Responders (Potomac Books, 2019). The book, coauthored with journalist Tom Teicholz, recounts the nine-year legal and legislative battles culminating in 2011 in more than $800 million in compensation for the sickened responders.

Groner is the Groner in Worby Groner Edelman Napoli Bern (WGENB), a joint venture among several law firms representing more than 10,000 first responderspolice, firefighters, construction workers, EMTs and nurses, and others. Bostonia talked with Groner about his experience and his new book.

Q&Awith William Groner

Gary was head of AT&Ts Network Disaster Recovery Team. On 9/11, he and his team raced to Ground Zero, overcoming bridge and tunnel closings, to arrive at midnight to help restore phone service to Lower Manhattan. Their first priority was to restore police communications; then they worked at manning phone lines across from the pile. Gary had about a dozen members of his team going all night, and he personally worked on the cleanup through July 2002.

At first, Garys doctors thought he merely was suffering from World Trade Center cough, but he was sick for most of the next year. He complained about a pain in his side that he thought might be just another kidney stone. In 2005, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. By that time, it was advanced and had spread to his bones, requiring daily chemotherapy treatments. Following chemo, he needed to undergo a stem cell transplant, and it took its toll. The [compensation] settlement came too late. In 2012, Gary, age 59, passed away at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital with Alison, his wife of 39 years, at his side.

Valuing someones pain and suffering, and translating that into compensation, is wholly subjective. I didnt feel the settlement was even remotely enough. Mild asthma was awarded around $80,000. I would have loved to argue before a jury that such an injury was worth 5 to 10 times that. However, after almost a decade of litigation, with no real ability of the court system to handle 10,000 trials, and given the incredibly complicated burden of causation issues we faced with no certainty of success, it was unrealistic to seek maximum compensation. What we needed to do was to get the best settlement we could, and I think that that is what we achieved. My clients, even more critically, got closure.

I am not aware that they did, but I believe strongly that they, other municipalities, and governments, must learn deeply from this. We need a disaster preparedness team that is expert in dealing with environmental toxic disasters such as 9/11. Incredibly, Giuliani waved off the federal government from leading the effort, yet he was wholly unprepared for a disaster of 9/11s magnitude. I think because the federal government has the best resources, it is beyond discussion that they need to be the lead in any similar disasters in the future.

Secondly, the respiratory protection was wholly inadequate to handle the Ground Zero dust. This needs to be addressed. Thirdly, we should have a fund-type compensation system in the future, so that our heroes who sacrifice themselves dont have to become litigants to get the compensation they deserve.

As a taxpayer, I understand the city was concerned about settling the matter and being exposed to an untold number of future lawsuits that could have a detrimental impact on finances. But as someone representing the interests of 10,000 heroes who sacrificed themselves for city, state, and country, I was and still am absolutely outraged as to how they were treated by the city and its contractors and how intensely they fought to dismiss the cases. [They] spent over $200 million in legal fees to attempt to defeat our clients cases and have them thrown out of court.

This is a one-of-a-kind situation. But we could have another situation where there are scores of injuries suffered by individuals that would have to be handled better. There is a myriad of things that could be done, such as grouping similar cases together and trying them simultaneously, or adopting other creative mass resolution techniques. Or better, we should simply develop a fund to distribute, so our heroes dont have to become litigants to get what is owed to them.

I felt I had no choice but to remove myself from my usual life and dedicate myself 24/7 to the task. I stopped handling any other case, brought in my partner to take over my managing partner responsibilities, removed myself from various community positions, and even stopped commuting, which saved an hour a day of travel. For almost 10 years, I worked on the case, often from home, as my partners and I had staff, sometimes in excess of 100 people, who worked from multiple locations across the country.

This was a labor of love. While handling the case was pretty surreal, I felt honored to have this responsibility. To get justice for folks who were heroeswell, lawyers dream of being able to do that type of good.

Read the original here:
Alum's New Book Recounts His Fight to Help First Responders Sickened after 9/11 - BU Today

Susan J. Demas: Right-wing lies on abortion paved the way for Trump – Michigan Advance

.current-menu-item > a, .td-header-wrap .black-menu .sf-menu > .current-menu-ancestor > a, .td-header-wrap .black-menu .sf-menu > .current-category-ancestor > a, .td-header-wrap .black-menu .sf-menu > li > a:hover, .td-header-wrap .black-menu .sf-menu > .sfHover > a, .td-header-style-12 .td-header-menu-wrap-full, .sf-menu > .current-menu-item > a:after, .sf-menu > .current-menu-ancestor > a:after, .sf-menu > .current-category-ancestor > a:after, .sf-menu > li:hover > a:after, .sf-menu > .sfHover > a:after, .td-header-style-12 .td-affix, .header-search-wrap .td-drop-down-search:after, .header-search-wrap .td-drop-down-search .btn:hover, input[type=submit]:hover, .td-read-more a, .td-post-category:hover, .td-grid-style-1.td-hover-1 .td-big-grid-post:hover .td-post-category, .td-grid-style-5.td-hover-1 .td-big-grid-post:hover .td-post-category, .td_top_authors .td-active .td-author-post-count, .td_top_authors .td-active .td-author-comments-count, .td_top_authors .td_mod_wrap:hover .td-author-post-count, .td_top_authors .td_mod_wrap:hover .td-author-comments-count, .td-404-sub-sub-title a:hover, .td-search-form-widget .wpb_button:hover, .td-rating-bar-wrap div, .td_category_template_3 .td-current-sub-category, .dropcap, .td_wrapper_video_playlist .td_video_controls_playlist_wrapper, .wpb_default, .wpb_default:hover, .td-left-smart-list:hover, .td-right-smart-list:hover, .woocommerce-checkout .woocommerce input.button:hover, .woocommerce-page .woocommerce a.button:hover, .woocommerce-account div.woocommerce .button:hover, #bbpress-forums button:hover, .bbp_widget_login .button:hover, .td-footer-wrapper .td-post-category, .td-footer-wrapper .widget_product_search input[type="submit"]:hover, .woocommerce .product a.button:hover, .woocommerce .product #respond input#submit:hover, .woocommerce .checkout input#place_order:hover, .woocommerce .woocommerce.widget .button:hover, .single-product .product .summary .cart .button:hover, .woocommerce-cart .woocommerce table.cart .button:hover, .woocommerce-cart .woocommerce .shipping-calculator-form .button:hover, .td-next-prev-wrap a:hover, .td-load-more-wrap a:hover, .td-post-small-box a:hover, .page-nav .current, .page-nav:first-child > div, .td_category_template_8 .td-category-header .td-category a.td-current-sub-category, .td_category_template_4 .td-category-siblings .td-category a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-pagination .current, #bbpress-forums #bbp-single-user-details #bbp-user-navigation li.current a, .td-theme-slider:hover .slide-meta-cat a, a.vc_btn-black:hover, .td-trending-now-wrapper:hover .td-trending-now-title, .td-scroll-up, .td-smart-list-button:hover, .td-weather-information:before, .td-weather-week:before, .td_block_exchange .td-exchange-header:before, .td_block_big_grid_9.td-grid-style-1 .td-post-category, .td_block_big_grid_9.td-grid-style-5 .td-post-category, .td-grid-style-6.td-hover-1 .td-module-thumb:after, .td-pulldown-syle-2 .td-subcat-dropdown ul:after, .td_block_template_9 .td-block-title:after, .td_block_template_15 .td-block-title:before, div.wpforms-container .wpforms-form div.wpforms-submit-container button[type=submit] { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .td_block_template_4 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item:before { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82) transparent transparent transparent !important; } .woocommerce .woocommerce-message .button:hover, .woocommerce .woocommerce-error .button:hover, .woocommerce .woocommerce-info .button:hover { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82) !important; } .td_block_template_4 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_3 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_9 .td-related-title:after { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .woocommerce .product .onsale, .woocommerce.widget .ui-slider .ui-slider-handle { background: none rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .woocommerce.widget.widget_layered_nav_filters ul li a { background: none repeat scroll 0 0 rgba(26,102,65,0.82) !important; } a, cite a:hover, .td_mega_menu_sub_cats .cur-sub-cat, .td-mega-span h3 a:hover, .td_mod_mega_menu:hover .entry-title a, .header-search-wrap .result-msg a:hover, .td-header-top-menu .td-drop-down-search .td_module_wrap:hover .entry-title a, .td-header-top-menu .td-icon-search:hover, .td-header-wrap .result-msg a:hover, .top-header-menu li a:hover, .top-header-menu .current-menu-item > a, .top-header-menu .current-menu-ancestor > a, .top-header-menu .current-category-ancestor > a, .td-social-icon-wrap > a:hover, .td-header-sp-top-widget .td-social-icon-wrap a:hover, .td-page-content blockquote p, .td-post-content blockquote p, .mce-content-body blockquote p, .comment-content blockquote p, .wpb_text_column blockquote p, .td_block_text_with_title blockquote p, .td_module_wrap:hover .entry-title a, .td-subcat-filter .td-subcat-list a:hover, .td-subcat-filter .td-subcat-dropdown a:hover, .td_quote_on_blocks, .dropcap2, .dropcap3, .td_top_authors .td-active .td-authors-name a, .td_top_authors .td_mod_wrap:hover .td-authors-name a, .td-post-next-prev-content a:hover, .author-box-wrap .td-author-social a:hover, .td-author-name a:hover, .td-author-url a:hover, .td_mod_related_posts:hover h3 > a, .td-post-template-11 .td-related-title .td-related-left:hover, .td-post-template-11 .td-related-title .td-related-right:hover, .td-post-template-11 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td-post-template-11 .td_block_related_posts .td-next-prev-wrap a:hover, .comment-reply-link:hover, .logged-in-as a:hover, #cancel-comment-reply-link:hover, .td-search-query, .td-category-header .td-pulldown-category-filter-link:hover, .td-category-siblings .td-subcat-dropdown a:hover, .td-category-siblings .td-subcat-dropdown a.td-current-sub-category, .widget a:hover, .td_wp_recentcomments a:hover, .archive .widget_archive .current, .archive .widget_archive .current a, .widget_calendar tfoot a:hover, .woocommerce a.added_to_cart:hover, .woocommerce-account .woocommerce-MyAccount-navigation a:hover, #bbpress-forums li.bbp-header .bbp-reply-content span a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-forum-freshness a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-topic-freshness a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-forums-list li a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-forum-title:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-topic-permalink:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-topic-started-by a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-topic-started-in a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-body .super-sticky li.bbp-topic-title .bbp-topic-permalink, #bbpress-forums .bbp-body .sticky li.bbp-topic-title .bbp-topic-permalink, .widget_display_replies .bbp-author-name, .widget_display_topics .bbp-author-name, .footer-text-wrap .footer-email-wrap a, .td-subfooter-menu li a:hover, .footer-social-wrap a:hover, a.vc_btn-black:hover, .td-smart-list-dropdown-wrap .td-smart-list-button:hover, .td_module_17 .td-read-more a:hover, .td_module_18 .td-read-more a:hover, .td_module_19 .td-post-author-name a:hover, .td-instagram-user a, .td-pulldown-syle-2 .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more span, .td-pulldown-syle-2 .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more i, .td-pulldown-syle-3 .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more span, .td-pulldown-syle-3 .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more i, .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option:hover, .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option:hover i, .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-link:hover, .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-item .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_2 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_5 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_6 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_7 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_8 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_9 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_10 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_11 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_12 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_13 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_14 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_15 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_16 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td_block_template_17 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .td-theme-wrap .sf-menu ul .td-menu-item > a:hover, .td-theme-wrap .sf-menu ul .sfHover > a, .td-theme-wrap .sf-menu ul .current-menu-ancestor > a, .td-theme-wrap .sf-menu ul .current-category-ancestor > a, .td-theme-wrap .sf-menu ul .current-menu-item > a, .td_outlined_btn { color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } a.vc_btn-black.vc_btn_square_outlined:hover, a.vc_btn-black.vc_btn_outlined:hover, .td-mega-menu-page .wpb_content_element ul li a:hover, .td-theme-wrap .td-aj-search-results .td_module_wrap:hover .entry-title a, .td-theme-wrap .header-search-wrap .result-msg a:hover { color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82) !important; } .td-next-prev-wrap a:hover, .td-load-more-wrap a:hover, .td-post-small-box a:hover, .page-nav .current, .page-nav:first-child > div, .td_category_template_8 .td-category-header .td-category a.td-current-sub-category, .td_category_template_4 .td-category-siblings .td-category a:hover, #bbpress-forums .bbp-pagination .current, .post .td_quote_box, .page .td_quote_box, a.vc_btn-black:hover, .td_block_template_5 .td-block-title > *, .td_outlined_btn { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .td_wrapper_video_playlist .td_video_currently_playing:after { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82) !important; } .header-search-wrap .td-drop-down-search:before { border-color: transparent transparent rgba(26,102,65,0.82) transparent; } .block-title > span, .block-title > a, .block-title > label, .widgettitle, .widgettitle:after, .td-trending-now-title, .td-trending-now-wrapper:hover .td-trending-now-title, .wpb_tabs li.ui-tabs-active a, .wpb_tabs li:hover a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab.vc_active > a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab:hover > a, .td_block_template_1 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .woocommerce .product .products h2:not(.woocommerce-loop-product__title), .td-subcat-filter .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more, .td_3D_btn, .td_shadow_btn, .td_default_btn, .td_round_btn, .td_outlined_btn:hover { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li.active { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82) !important; } .block-title, .td_block_template_1 .td-related-title, .wpb_tabs .wpb_tabs_nav, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container, .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs:before { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .td_block_wrap .td-subcat-item a.td-cur-simple-item { color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82);} .td-grid-style-4 .entry-title { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .block-title > span, .block-title > span > a, .block-title > a, .block-title > label, .widgettitle, .widgettitle:after, .td-trending-now-title, .td-trending-now-wrapper:hover .td-trending-now-title, .wpb_tabs li.ui-tabs-active a, .wpb_tabs li:hover a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab.vc_active > a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab:hover > a, .td_block_template_1 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .woocommerce .product .products h2:not(.woocommerce-loop-product__title), .td-subcat-filter .td-subcat-dropdown:hover .td-subcat-more, .td-weather-information:before, .td-weather-week:before, .td_block_exchange .td-exchange-header:before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_3 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_4 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_7 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_9 .td-block-title:after, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_10 .td-block-title::before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_11 .td-block-title::before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_11 .td-block-title::after, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_15 .td-block-title:before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_17 .td-block-title:before { background-color: #ffcc06; } .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li.active { background-color: #ffcc06 !important; } .block-title, .td_block_template_1 .td-related-title, .wpb_tabs .wpb_tabs_nav, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container, .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs:before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_5 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_17 .td-block-title, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_17 .td-block-title::before { border-color: #ffcc06; } .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_4 .td-block-title > *:before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_17 .td-block-title::after { border-color: #ffcc06 transparent transparent transparent; } .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_4 .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item:before { border-color: #ffcc06 transparent transparent transparent !important; } .td-theme-wrap .block-title > span, .td-theme-wrap .block-title > span > a, .td-theme-wrap .widget_rss .block-title .rsswidget, .td-theme-wrap .block-title > a, .widgettitle, .widgettitle > a, .td-trending-now-title, .wpb_tabs li.ui-tabs-active a, .wpb_tabs li:hover a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab.vc_active > a, .vc_tta-container .vc_tta-color-grey.vc_tta-tabs-position-top.vc_tta-style-classic .vc_tta-tabs-container .vc_tta-tab:hover > a, .td-related-title .td-cur-simple-item, .woocommerce div.product .woocommerce-tabs ul.tabs li.active, .woocommerce .product .products h2:not(.woocommerce-loop-product__title), .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_2 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_3 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_4 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_5 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_6 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_6 .td-block-title:before, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_7 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_8 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_9 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_10 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_11 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_12 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_13 .td-block-title > span, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_13 .td-block-title > a, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option i, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option:hover, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_14 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter .td-pulldown-filter-display-option:hover i, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_15 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_15 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_15 .td-block-title-wrap .td-wrapper-pulldown-filter i, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_16 .td-block-title > *, .td-theme-wrap .td_block_template_17 .td-block-title > * { color: #3043a0; } .td-header-bg:before { background-image: url('https://www.michiganadvance.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/2012-and-2013-366-3.jpg'); } .td-header-bg:before { background-size: 100% auto; } .td-header-bg:before { background-position: center center; } .td-header-bg:before { opacity: .75; } .current-category-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style3 .tdm-header.td-header-wrap .sf-menu > .current-menu-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style3 .tdm-header.td-header-wrap .sf-menu > .current-menu-item > a, .tdm-menu-active-style3 .tdm-header.td-header-wrap .sf-menu > .sfHover > a, .tdm-menu-active-style3 .tdm-header.td-header-wrap .sf-menu > li > a:hover, .tdm_block_column_content:hover .tdm-col-content-title-url .tdm-title, .tds-button2 .tdm-btn-text, .tds-button2 i, .tds-button5:hover .tdm-btn-text, .tds-button5:hover i, .tds-button6 .tdm-btn-text, .tds-button6 i, .tdm_block_list .tdm-list-item i, .tdm_block_pricing .tdm-pricing-feature i, .tdm-social-item i { color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .tdm-menu-active-style5 .td-header-menu-wrap .sf-menu > .current-menu-item > a, .tdm-menu-active-style5 .td-header-menu-wrap .sf-menu > .current-menu-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style5 .td-header-menu-wrap .sf-menu > .current-category-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style5 .td-header-menu-wrap .sf-menu > li > a:hover, .tdm-menu-active-style5 .td-header-menu-wrap .sf-menu > .sfHover > a, .tds-button1, .tds-button6:after, .tds-title2 .tdm-title-line:after, .tds-title3 .tdm-title-line:after, .tdm_block_pricing.tdm-pricing-featured:before, .tdm_block_pricing.tds_pricing2_block.tdm-pricing-featured .tdm-pricing-header, .tds-progress-bar1 .tdm-progress-bar:after, .tds-progress-bar2 .tdm-progress-bar:after, .tds-social3 .tdm-social-item { background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .tdm-menu-active-style4 .tdm-header .sf-menu > .current-menu-item > a, .tdm-menu-active-style4 .tdm-header .sf-menu > .current-menu-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style4 .tdm-header .sf-menu > .current-category-ancestor > a, .tdm-menu-active-style4 .tdm-header .sf-menu > li > a:hover, .tdm-menu-active-style4 .tdm-header .sf-menu > .sfHover > a, .tds-button2:before, .tds-button6:before, .tds-progress-bar3 .tdm-progress-bar:after { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82); } .tdm-btn-style1 {background-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82);}.tdm-btn-style2:before { border-color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82);}.tdm-btn-style2 { color: rgba(26,102,65,0.82);}.tdm-btn-style3 { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 2px 16px rgba(26,102,65,0.82); -moz-box-shadow: 0 2px 16px rgba(26,102,65,0.82); box-shadow: 0 2px 16px rgba(26,102,65,0.82);}.tdm-btn-style3:hover { -webkit-box-shadow: 0 4px 26px rgba(26,102,65,0.82); -moz-box-shadow: 0 4px 26px rgba(26,102,65,0.82); box-shadow: 0 4px 26px rgba(26,102,65,0.82);}

During no-filter November, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey sent shockwaves across Michigans Capitol when he compared abortion to the scourge we endured when we still had slavery in this country.

This, of course, wasnt the first time the Clarklake Republican popped off; he also recently declared that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats were on the batshit crazy spectrum.

But Shirkey was merely parroting a popular and completely offensive and ahistorical anti-abortion talking point, just like other GOP leaders, including U.S. Housing Secretary Ben Carson and former Arizona U.S. Rep. Trent Franks (who resigned after creepily offering an aide $5 million to be his surrogate).

Extremist and inaccurate language begets extremist and medically inaccurate and sometimes impossible policy, like in Ohio, where a new bill would require doctors to re-implant an ectopic pregnancy. Such a procedure doesnt exist. Ectopic pregnancies can kill women. Republican legislators apparently dont care.

I dont believe Im typing this again but, thats impossible. Well all be going to jail, Ohio ob-gyn David N. Hackney wrote on Twitter.

Shirkey offers no apology for comparing abortion to slavery in radio interview

And this isnt even the worst legislation to come from our neighbors to the southeast. Another bill creates two new felonies, abortion murder and aggravated abortion murder, which Rewire News says would make it possible in some cases for both abortion providers and pregnant people who obtain abortions to be put to death.

Nothing says pro-life like state-sanctioned murder over health care.

As deplorable as Shirkeys rhetoric was, its nothing compared to the president, whose impeachment for attempting to extort a foreign power to investigate his political enemies hurts [Shirkeys] heart.

The new popular Republican lie spread by President Trump in a rambling, gruesome fashion is that doctors are actually killing live babies after theyre born something that is absolutely not happening. And as millions of women, like myself, have given birth in hospitals, we are aware firsthand that this is not a standard medical practice.

Susan J. Demas: Trumps dehumanizing abortion lie is about bringing home the base for 2020

But its not just Trump being Trump, even though hes lied 13,435 times in his presidency through Oct. 19 alone. Hes just spreading the infanticide myth endorsed by more genteel Republicans like Meghan McCain and U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.).

And theres a crass political reason to amp up the anti-abortion fight for 2020. The Republican is getting impeached, his popularity remains dangerously low (despite the bizarrely stubborn Trump voters still love Trump genre) and people are sick of his tweets and constant drama. A thrice-married president who was caught paying off a porn star isnt the most inspiring figure for evangelicals, the GOPs most-reliable voting block.

So Trump has no choice but to pretend that hes the white knight of the pro-life movement and sell scared Republican voters on the idea that hes the only thing standing between them and godless liberals sacrificing babies in the delivery room. So far, they seem willing to swallow the big lie.

Its somewhat fitting for one of Trumps biggest lies to be about reproductive freedom, because the anti-abortion movement has trafficked in misinformation and falsehoods for years as scare tactics.

Susan J. Demas: Tyranny of the 3%: How abortion law gets made in Michigan

Theres the lie that abortion causes breast cancer (the American Cancer Society says no). Theres the lie that its a risky procedure so clinics must be overly regulated and shut down (something that fueled legislation in Michigan), even though abortion is an overwhelmingly safe procedure (and indeed, much safer than giving birth). And theres the lie that most women regret their abortions, even though an overwhelming majority do not.

But manufacturing misinformation is a cottage industry for the anti-abortion movement. And the media share a lot of blame in spreading it.

Theres an enormous amount of deference and leeway given to anti-abortion groups because of the premise that they have a moral, often religious objection to a basic part of womens health care. Reporters are trained to be cynical, but its considered rude and disrespectful to question if anti-abortion politics are really rooted in misogyny, even though many pro-life politicians dont support other aspects of womens equality. (Shirkeys advice was to ignore a Michigan equal pay directive this year).

Susan J. Demas: Time for male journalists to step up and call out sexism in politics

Another factor is that well-funded anti-choice groups complain very loudly about coverage they dont like. A decade ago, a newspaper stopped running my columns when I had the audacity to write that a law legalizing embryonic stem cell research probably could have helped my grandfather who just died of Alzheimers indeed, quite the radical argument.

But by printing the lies and mistruths of the anti-abortion movement for the sake of balance and to avoid angry calls and emails from their lobbyists we in the media do our readers a great disservice. We also violate our core mission of informing the public.

Can we really look ourselves in the eye as journalists if we dutifully include a Republican lawmakers babbling that he believes re-implanting ectopic pregnancies will work even though its a twisted fantasy out of Frankenstein with no roots in scientific reality?

Theres a real cost to both-sides journalism.

Anti-abortion group with troubled history earns Whitmer veto

For those shaking their heads and wondering how we ended up with someone who lies with such abandon in the White House, examining the medias longstanding tolerance for lies from some of Trumps biggest backers in the anti-abortion lobby might be a good place to start.

Didnt we send the message that as long as its about a controversial issue or said by a prominent person that well give mistruths oxygen in stories? Wasnt that opening seized upon by Trump, who got endless coverage in 2016 for outrageous lies like declaring Mexicans are rapists and has since continued unabated as president?

This isnt a comfortable place to be for many journalists, but its something we have to reckon with and before 2020.

Susan J. Demas is an 18-year journalism veteran and one of the states foremost experts on Michigan politics, appearing on MSNBC, CNN, NPR and WKAR-TVs Off the Record. In addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief, she is the Advances chief columnist, writing on women, LGBTQs, the state budget, the economy and more. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Farough & Associates, Michigans premier political communications firm. For almost five years, Susan was the Editor and Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, the most-cited political newsletter in the state. Susans award-winning political analysis has run in more than 80 national, international and regional media outlets, including the Guardian U.K., NBC News, the New York Times, the Detroit News and MLive. She is the only Michigan journalist to be named to the Washington Posts list of Best Political Reporters, the Huffington Posts list of Best Political Tweeters and the Washington Posts list of Best Political Bloggers. Susan was the recipient of a prestigious Knight Foundation fellowship in nonprofits and politics. She served as Deputy Editor for MIRS News and helped launch the Michigan Truth Squad, the Center for Michigans fact-checking project. She started her journalism career reporting on the Iowa caucuses for The (Cedar Rapids) Gazette. Susan has hiked over 3,000 solo miles across four continents and climbed more than 60 mountains. She also enjoys dragging her husband and two teenagers along, even if no one else wants to sleep in a tent anymore.

See more here:
Susan J. Demas: Right-wing lies on abortion paved the way for Trump - Michigan Advance