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Chloe Angyal

Student/Intern/Writer

Chloe Angyal is a senior majoring in Sociology at Princeton University. Raised in Sydney, Australia, Chloe aspires to be a writer, a voice for her generation, and an all-around good person. In her spare time, she loves to dance, sing, ice skate, drink good wine, eat good food, rock out to bad music ...

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Jon Stewart on reproductive rights

A huge shout-out to Jon Stewart for his awesome interview with Newt Gingrich last night. They talked about Sarah Palin and about whether or not she’s a good pick for the Republicans, and what the Democrats need to do to successfully argue that Palin doesn’t have the experience to be VP, but that Obama has the resumé for the top job.

Then, Jon raised the issue of Palin in relation to teen pregnancy, which a lot of commentators haven’t been touching after calls to respect Bristol Palin’s privacy.
This is how it went down:

JS: One serious issue that I do want to discuss, that is sort of, close to my heart, is the issue of teen pregnancy. They have said that this was Bristol’s decision, and we should honour that. I have a daughter.
The reason I think it’s fair game is, Sarah Palin is on record as saying she would veto abortions for women, even in the event of being raped. So what she is in essence saying is, “Respect my family’s ability to make this decision, and elect me, so that I can prevent your family from having the same opportunity.” It’s hypocrisy.

Gingrich then argued that the question is one of policy, and that Obama and Palin simply sit at opposite ends of the reproductive rights policy spectrum.

JS: Yes, but she’s also saying, “Respect her decision”.

NG: She said to respect the privacy of her daughter.

JS: She said, “It was Bristol’s decision.” That’s another word for choice. I’m just saying, if she was President, that choice would be removed from the family, and the government would make it, and that’s why I think it’s a legitimate issue.

In an ideal world, I wouldn’t be expressing surprise that a man is supporting women’s reproductive rights. But reproductive rights are all too often considered a women’s issue (until of course, a man has his life forever changed by an unplanned pregnancy. Then, everyone has an opinion). So I’m a little surprised, and perhaps a little more impressed by Jon Stewart than I wish I were. That said, he is awesome.

The truth of the matter is, even if you don’t have a uterus, and even if the issue of choice doesn’t evoke an emotional reaction in you as a voter, reproductive rights affect you. They affect your family life, your sex life and your wallet. Reproductive rights aren’t just a women’s issue. They’re a family issue. They’re an issue for all of us who have mothers, sisters, wives, nieces, goddaughters, and beloved women friends, and who want those women to be able to make their own decisions and determine the courses of their own lives.

Check out the whole episode here. The Gingrich segment is toward the end. Also, a huge thanks to my Aunt Nancy,  who alerted me to all the Daily Show goodness I missed while I was out of the country.