The Virginia Senate passed Republican-backed legislation Wednesday requiring pregnant women to undergo an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. But don't think for one second that the Democrats went down without fighting the good fight -- au contraire! During the debate State Sen. Janet Howell attached an amendment to the bill so, she explained, there could be a "little gender equality." Just what did she propose?

Gentlemen, cover your eyes ...

Every family has those special heirloom recipes they pass down from generation to generation. I come from a family of huge football fans and the recipes that we pass down all revolve around football party food. Seriously, I'm not kidding: In fact, our annual Super Bowl party was something I'd look forward to literally all year.

Here's what we'd do for the big day: We'd make a huge crock pot of chili and then a second crock of BBQ pulled pork. (And then, of course, provide all the chips, dips, and beer your stomach could handle.) You can mess around with coleslaw or pickles for toppings on the pork, but really all you need are big, fresh, toasted buns to sop up all those savory, meaty, barbecuey drippings. Are you drooling yet?

If you find yourself responding with complacency or even satisfaction to the news that Susan G. Komen for the Cure is halting its partnership with Planned Parenthood affiliates and cutting off hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants for breast exams and other breast health services, then you REALLY AREN'T GETTING IT.

The reason the nation's leading breast-cancer charity gave for why it is ending this years-long partnership? A recently adopted rule that forbids it from funding any organization under government investigation (as we know, PP is currently being investigated by Congress to determine whether it uses public money to fund abortions). Of course, PP in turn is accusing Komen of bowing to pressure from anti-abortion activists.

I know it's difficult, but try to put aside your abortion politics for just one minute and recognize this split for what it is -- a sad and devastating assault on ALL women and their health here in America.