An Anti-Abortion Activist’s Quest to End the Rape Exception

Plus: the best movies of 2022; the last days of the Georgia runoff; and shopping for a Christmas tree. View in browser | Update your preferences Monday, December 5, 2022 In today’s newsletter, the rise of pro-life feminists, and then: • The best movies of 2022 • The end of the Warnock-Walker race in Georgia • Pádraig Ó Tuama’s poetic spirituality An Anti-Abortion Activist’s Quest to End the Rape Exception For Rebecca Kiessling, helping mothers who’ve conceived children through sexual assault is part of a strategy for curtailing reproductive rights. Photograph by Danna Singer for The New Yorker The Michigan attorney Rebecca Kiessling describes herself as a child of rape who narrowly “survived” abortion, after her birth mother went through with her pregnancy and gave her up for adoption when she was a newborn. “I believe I am the living embodiment of what is at stake,” she says, of her work advocating against the inclusion of rape or incest exceptions in anti-abortion legislation. In addition to her political activism, as a lawyer Kiessling represents women who find themselves in a rare but potentially terrifying circumstance: fighting battles against their alleged assailants for custody of children. In a thoughtful and nuanced story in this week’s issue, Eren Orbey probes the complications and contradictions inherent in Kiessling’s ideology and advocacy, and considers where her crusade stands following the Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court and the results of the midterms, in which Michigan voters rallied in favor of abortion rights. —Ian Crouch, newsletter editor Read the story Support The New Yorker’s award-winning journalism. Subscribe today » The Year in Review 2022 in Review The Best Movies of 2022 There was something new and extraordinary in the air this year, and it had to do with the intersection of history and memory. By Richard Brody From the News Desk Comment After the January 6th Committee It will cease to exist, as a result of the Republicans’ regaining control of the House. Can the committee’s work move forward without the committee itself? By Amy Davidson Sorkin Campaign Chronicles Will Republicans Who Have Soured on Trump Turn Out for Herschel Walker? With the Senate not in play, some conservatives fear that Walker won’t inspire voters. “I think a lot of people’s consciences will allow them to, like me, stay home,” one said. By Charles Bethea Tune in: On The Political Scene podcast, David Remnick talks with J. Michael Luttig, a former judge, prominent conservative, and co-counsel on a Supreme Court case that could upend our democratic process. Cover Story Matthieu Forichon, the artist behind this week’s cover, titled “Evergreens,” talks about the joys of Christmas-tree shopping with his children. “Amid the grand decorum of Christmas,” he says, “the small moments of intimate time are what forge the most beautiful memories.” Culture Dept. The Pictures The Nivola Kids Enter the Family Business Alessandro Nivola and Emily Mortimer didn’t want their kids, Sam and May, to get into movies; Noah Baumbach, the director of “White Noise,” had other ideas. By Michael Schulman On Religion Pádraig Ó Tuama’s Poetic Spirituality In a new book, the writer and podcast host treats poetry as a form of agnostic prayer. By Eliza Griswold Tables for Two The Spectrum of Congee New outposts of Congee Village and Maya Congee Café serve the rice porridge in traditional and unexpected iterations. By Hannah Goldfield Fun & Games Dept. Name Drop Play Today’s Quiz Can you guess the notable person in six clues or fewer? By Will Nediger Daily Shouts The Punch-Card Graveyard R.I.P. to all the loyalty punch cards that you will never redeem. By Caroline Cotter Illustration by Quinn Elyse Scott Crossword A Challenging Puzzle Machine whose outputs are identical to its inputs: six letters. By Elizabeth C. Gorski Daily Cartoon Monday, December 5th By Ivan Ehlers and John McNamee P.S. Bob McGrath, an original cast member on “Sesame Street,” who played a music teacher on the show for nearly fifty years, died yesterday at the age of ninety. Sarah Larson once wrote about meeting McGrath for the first time at an event at the New York Public Library. “When he saw me, his face lit up, and he smiled and waved. For a brief second I wondered if he somehow had seen me through the television.” Later, she recalled the experience: “Anyone who grew up with ‘Sesame Street’ might understand.” Today’s newsletter was written by Ian Crouch. Thanks for reading. Let us know your thoughts about today’s edition. Plus, browse more newsletters and invite a friend to sign up for The Daily. You’re receiving this e-mail because you signed up for The Daily from The New Yorker. Manage your preferences | View our Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe Copyright © Condé Nast 2022. One World Trade Center, New York, NY 10007. All rights reserved.