Getting Opinionated
Just needed to bring something to everyone’s attention…South Dakota just banned abortions.The law that was signed today makes it illegal for any woman to seek an abortion in the state of SD. The only exception made in the law is for women whose health would be affected by going through with a pregnancy. It does not make exceptions for incest or rape.
I can’t even express to you how wrong this is.
As a woman, it is severely alarming that my health rights are going down the tubes. It just pisses me off. I understand that everyone has their opinions on whether an abortion is right or wrong, but who gives anyone the right to impose their personal beliefs onto those of others?
I think the meaning of pro-choice has been warped in recent years. “Pro-choice” was never a concept developed to mean “pro-abortion”…it was intended to convey the notion of respecting everyone’s personal choices as they apply them to their own lives.
This law essentially equates to banning an entire religion based on one group's notion that those religious beliefs are wrong. It equates to banning Viagra because some people don’t like the idea of horny old men running around this country. It equates to banning McDonalds because their food is too fatty and poses a health risk. Bottom line: everything is a choice people. Don’t penalize others because they don’t agree with how you live your life.
So why is this law so worrisome - aside from the obvious? Well, SD had just set a legal battle into motion that will eventually end up at the Supreme Court challenging Roe V. Wade. Not coincidental that this is rolling out just after two conservative judges were named to the court.
Yes, I’m opinionated. No, I’ve never been the protesting type, but this issue is enough to motivate me to do one of two things: 1) Fly to DC to start severely bothering ignorant lawmakers or 2) leave the country.
NARAL Pro-Choice America
posted by Lisa @ 3:27 PM
9 Comments:
Well, no need to book those flights just yet Elle. This is likely to get tied up in courts for a long time, and when it does go back to the Supreme Court, it will certainly be shot down. The entire judicial system would be in an uproar and this could definitely threaten all branches of government if it was to go through and overturn RvW.
Clearly it will take a long time to figure out, however there are other states that have similar laws in the works...SD was just the first to go batty.
Thank god I live in a blue state.
ditto on the sentiments. this country is gonna be one scary place if the religious right tightens its grip on things at the next election. what happened in SD is yet another step the bible bashers have managed towards regulating the freedom of choice, speech and life itself.
Damn! Now I wish things had worked out with my Brit.... ;)
Thanks for posting on this. I had no idea this was happening. Despite that it will get all tied up in court, it is still scary to think about it becoming law even in just one state.
Sorry, but being a guy I think that this should be a woman vote issue. I know we were there and responsible for what happens, but this is a woman's decision.
i think this law is ridiculous. i've had an abortion before, yes it was my choice and i'm happy with it, but not being able to have that choice anymore really is the most absurd thing i've ever heard of.
i live in a red state and i'm conservative on most issues, this isn't one of them. we have rights, we should be able to choose whatever the fuck we want to. just b/c the passed the law in SD, hopefully it won't go into a widespread law and lead to all states having this same law. it just isn't fair.
surely there are enough people in this country that can voice their opinions enough an call all the right people and have this not go into effect. one would think, right?
i agree with you on this so much. it kind of makes my head hurt thinking about it...
wildrover...I agree with you on the SD issue. It is known that women frequently do travel outside of the state for abortions. You're right...it's not right, but a fact.
Your prediction re: laws being moved through the pipeline down to a municipality level would follow a logic that I could see happening, but only after years of debate and legal manuvering.
My argument simply was that the act of banning abortion itself is wrong and shouldn't be up for discussion in the first place. Why? Because the risk of going through any period of time where women don't have a full choice for their own health care is just not acceptable.
Wildrover, that information is incorrect. There is a Planned Parenthood in South Dakota that performs abortions.
And even if this became a state issue in the instance that Roe v. Wade was overturned, the issue becomes one of economic status, which to me is not acceptable. It is simply a fact that poorer women do not have the means to travel to get abortions, and such a case would undoubtedly deter safe, legal abortions that would have otherwise occurred within the states where abortion is banned. This is not a "hollow" problem to be underestimated -- we should all be enraged and ready for a fight.
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