In response to the controversy over a story line about Texas' latest abortion law, which requires women seeking an abortion to submit to a transvaginal ultrasound---a procedure that involves being prodded for several minutes with a ten-inch plastic wand---numerous papers around the nation are either refusing to run the strip or are moving it to their news or editorial pages. The Seattle Times , PubliCola has learned, is among them: The paper is moving the comic to its news section to avoid "offending children."

Dave Ross at KIRO FM quotes Times executive editor David Boardman as saying one of the paper's editors "spoke passionately as a parent about not wanting to have to explain some of the more graphic elements of this to her child," and said the strip gets more explicit throughout the week.

Here's Monday's strip:



And here, according to Jim Romenesko , is the rest of the plot line that Boardman found too "graphic" for the readers of the Times' funny pages:

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.”

Saturday: Back in the reception area, she asks where she goes now for the actual abortion. Receptionist tells her there’s a 24-hour waiting period: “The Republican Party is hoping you get caught in a shame spiral and change your mind.” Last panel: She says, “A final indignity.” Receptionist replies, “Not quite. Here’s your bill.”