The comic strip is a liberal icon and occassionally skewers Democrats. But there are apparently several newspapers who won't be carrying the "live" stip next week due to its commentary on the Texas ultrasound law.

I asked around and was told that the Oregonian and Dallas Morning News are among the papers that have discussed pulling the strips. (I've left messages with editors at both newspapers to see what they've decided.) UPDATE: "We thought the strips were over the line for the comics pages and won't be running them," says Oregonian features editor JoLene Krawczak. "We'll tell readers where they can read them online."

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Here's what's in the strips:

Monday: Young woman arrives for her pre-termination sonogram, is told to take a seat in the shaming room, a middle-aged male state legislator will be right with her.

Tuesday: He asks her if this is her first visit to the center, she replies no, that she's been using the contraceptive services for some time. He says, "I see. Do your parents know you're a slut?"

Wednesday: A different male is reading to her about the transvaginal exam process.

Thursday: In the stirrups, she is telling a nurse that she doesn't want a transvaginal exam. Doctor says "Sorry miss, you're first trimester. The male Republicans who run Texas require that all abortion seekers be examined with a 10″ shaming wand." She asks "Will it hurt?" Nurse says, "Well, it's not comfortable, honey. But Texas feels you should have thought of that." Doctor says, "By the authority invested in me by the GOP base, I thee rape."

Friday: Doctor is explaining that the Texas GOP requires her to have an intimate encounter with her fetus. He begins describing it to her. Last panel, he says, "Shall I describe it's hopes and dreams?" She replies, "If it wants to be the next Rick Perry, I've made up my mind."

If that isn't "over the line," then there are no standards left.

The impetus for this law has not come from "Republican men" but rather pro-life women who aren't necessarily Republican at all. Trudeau is injecting rank sexism and partisanship into his strip, making no pretense of fairness, or even truthfulness. It is a political attack with no effort to entertain or inform. It is a legitimate question whetherTrudeau should be forced to register as a lobbyist for his efforts to affect the vote.

Newspapers should run a disclaimer with his strip indicating that it is Democratic party propaganda and its message should be viewed in that light.

I would write to your local paper and demand the strip not run.