I am so smart. S-M-R-T.

I am so smart. S-M-R-T.

And what exactly does it mean to “promote” abortion? Providing a patient with a referral to a facility that performs abortions, referring to abortion as “within the continuum of family planning services,” “furnishing or displaying” information to a patient that “publicizes or advertises an abortion service or provider,” or displaying a “brand name” of a healthcare provider that performs abortions.

Because Republicans know that the bond between patient and doctor is sacred and that government meddling with that is the worstest thing ever conceived by anyone, an injustice that will not be tolerated, and so on and so forth—oh wait, here's the newest proposed anti-abortion rules from the Texas Department of Health and Human Services. To participate in Texas' newly revamped/disemboweled Women's Health Program (now Medicaid-funds-free, because freedom!), your doctor can't so much as "promote" abortion, by which we now mean doctors in Texas aren't allowed to even talk about it anymore That "continuum of family planning services" thing is interesting. I guess it means that you can still mention abortion, so long as you make it clear that it is not an actual valid medical option but an abomination unto the Lord and Rick Perry, and for more information consult your local pit of fire.

Among the things that can be taken from this: One, that if you're a doctor in Texas, free speech can go to hell. Two, that whole business about government not getting between doctors and patients? Oh my God, that one was a riot, wasn't it? Yeah, so never mind that, it can go to hell too. Three, this is important enough to Rick Perry's Texas that all you poor folks can especially go straight to hell, especially you women, and take your damn doctor-patient relationship and free speech and Medicare with you.

I wonder how long it is before Republic of Gilead doctors aren't allowed to say "vagina" anymore. Or maybe they'll just do away with lady-part doctors entirely.