#5SmartReads - April 12, 2023

Hitha on the future of mifepristone, Queen Charlotte, and the coolest new nonprofits (literally)

April 12, 2023

The conservative argument against gun control that we hear the most is “we’re not going to fix it, criminals are going to be criminals” (that’s a direct quote from Tennessee Representative Tim Burchett).

What does it say about our country when said criminals are able to legally purchase firearms with ease, often days before they commit abhorrent crimes?

77% of mass shooters purchased some of their weapons legally. Some assailants stole firearms from family members, who likely purchased them legally.

While I’m a firm believer of calling your local and congressional representatives to log your support for the gun safety measures you want to see, I also tend to focus on what is passable in this current Congress and what we can do right now.

If guns are easier to purchase than Sudafed in some states, then we need to shore up who can get guns with standard gun permit laws (and adequately funding and staffing the ATF to do this work).

It would be a start, at the very least. And nothing will change unless we demand it to, with voting (especially in local and state elections), calling your representatives, and educating ourselves about the issues (I really appreciate 97Percent’s research and roadmap on this subject, and I firmly believe we need to include gun owners in this conversation in order to shift proposals into actual policy).

“And this isn’t a story about misfortune—it’s about a Black woman who, against all odds, became part of one of the most powerful monarchies in the world. We don’t brush the subject of race under the carpet, either—we explore it. She is different but that’s not the issue—it’s society that needs to change. For me, it would’ve been an honor to be part of the Bridgerton universe anyway, but it’s even more special because this show lays the foundations for Bridgerton and shows us how that world became so diverse and beautiful. We also look at class, mental health, sexuality, and gender, and I feel like all of that is so important. It’s about shining a light on so many things that people have been feeling but maybe haven’t been able to voice.”

I’ve said before that art can change how we view the world and our own opinions more powerfully than reporting or nonfiction work can, and Shonda Rhimes’ works are a clear example of this.

I am counting down the days until Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story hits Netflix (May 4th!), and this interview with India Amerteifio (who plays the titular character) has me immensely grateful that I’ll be on a long flight that day to watch as many episodes as I can.

I’m personally a fan of local businesses being resurrected as nonprofits, or new businesses launching as such to focus on impact. This trend in local and startup newsrooms has been promising, and reopening beloved ski areas is even better.

“It’s not necessarily about drawing overnight or out-of-town guests, but about bringing positive economic impact and a source of physical and mental wellness for the community,” said Adrienne Isaac, marketing director for the National Ski Areas Association.

The mental and physical health benefits and economic impact for the communities aside, what I was most inspired by was how reopening these ski areas is bringing the folks in these towns and areas together on a common goal.

Stories like these give me hope that we can come together and take care of each other, and remind me that we all have more in common than we may think. It also taught me a lot about the logistics of running a ski area and gave me a greater appreciation for these areas.

I love reality television. It helps my brain turn off every evening and gives me some incredibly entertaining dreams (current ones are restaurant-themed, given my deep dive into the world of Vanderpump Rules). I find it absolutely fascinating, studying which drama is real (the Richards sisters in early seasons of RHOBH) and what’s been manufactured (Puppygate, anyone?) and often throwing in the towel when the drama gets too ridiculous (come on, Salt Lake City).

It’s a genre that has filtered into so many parts of our lives - including the books we read. And Kirthana Ramisetti’s new book, inspired by the Housewives themselves, is one I just picked up and can’t stop reading.

This is such a smart essay that had me purchasing the book immediately and rewatching some of my favorite RHONY episodes (season 8, you were perfect). I hope you enjoy this read, the book, and your favorite reality show.

And if you’re a VPR person, please DM me. I have questions and thoughts and weirdly want to go to Sur.

If you’re looking to learn more about the regulatory and legal elements of the mifepristone case after reading my post about it, then this is the read for you.

And it offers a spark of home in an area that feels so dark and depressing.

Here are some key details from the article that grabbed my attention:

  • The plaintiff’s claims (Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine) that “adverse events from chemical abortion drugs can overwhelm the medical system” simply doesn’t match the reality. In the 23 years that mifepristone has been on the market (and under careful monitoring in the REMS program), it’s proven to have a safer profile than pregnancy, Viagra, and even penicillin. In my opinion, Kacsmaryk is one of the only judges who would’ve concluded that the plaintiffs would meet the standing threshold to bring the case forward - and it’s why it was filed in the Armadillo Division of the Northern District of Texas (where he is the sole judge).

  • As mifepristone has been on the market for 23 years, the six-year statue of limitations to challenge final FDA approval has long passed. There is some debate regarding the modifications of use the FDA made on mifepristone in 2016, but it’s a cherry picking of details that bear no clinical significance in terms of safety and efficacy.

  • Justice Kavanaugh may be the unlikeliest ally when this case comes to the Supreme Court, given this statement in his opinion on Dobbs:“[the Supreme Court] do not possess the constitutional authority to override the democratic process and to decree either a pro-life or a pro-choice abortion policy for all 330 million people in the United States.”

Take the time to read this article - it’s very worth your time. And please share it if you found it helpful and hopeful.

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