It looks as if America’s religious right is gonna try to cash in their political chips, starting with South Dakota. Clearly it’s a test of Roe v. Wade, and the new composition of the Supreme Court:
PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) — State lawmakers voted Friday to ban nearly all abortions in South Dakota and sent the measure to the governor, who said he is inclined to sign it.
Under the legislation, doctors in South Dakota would face up to five years in prison for performing an abortion unless it was necessary to save the woman’s life.
One of the arguments against Roe v. Wade has always been that such societal decision-making doesn’t belong at the federal level; states should be able to legislate for / react to the will of their local populations. On many levels – maybe most – Polimom agrees with this thinking. However, I’m totally appalled that anyone would propose (much less support) a bill that includes this:
If a woman who is raped becomes pregnant, the rapist would have the same rights to the child as the mother, said Krista Heeren-Graber, executive director of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.
That’s a repulsive thought.
As it happens, Polimom doesn’t live in South Dakota. Instead, she’s in Texas, and I probably don’t need to remind anyone that the Lone Star State is not known for its liberal politics or pro-choice support. Could such rigid legislation happen here? The Houston Chronicle doesn’t think so:
But with South Dakota lawmakers last week approving the nation’s most rigid abortion ban — designed to challenge the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion — one might wonder: Is Texas ready to take it that far?
The answer, according to several of Texas’ most ardent abortion foes, is no. Though they may admire South Dakota’s gusto, most think a law blatantly violating Roe v. Wade at this point is hasty, risky and too brazen for Texas to attempt.
That’s a good thing, yes? Yet Polimom’s stomach churns when she reads:
Hartnett said he wouldn’t be surprised if someone files a bill in the legislative session starting in January that flouts Roe, just to “join the crusade.” But he’d be surprised if it got wide support.
Hmph. If you live in an area like mine, you’ll have no trouble picturing enormous support. Furthermore, the Texas statutes still include a pre-Roe ban on abortion. So if the SD test goes to the Supreme Court, and Roe v. Wade overturns, Texas won’t necessarily have to change a darn thing. This state can just take a big ole step back into the sexist past.
Would it take a while to sort through all this? Absolutely. It’ll take years – just about long enough for my daughter to reach the age where these decisions could be hers. As a mother, Polimom will be watching closely, hoping the fight won’t come here to Texas, but ready nonetheless.
Because my choices – and someday, hers – are not up to anybody else, much less a bunch of religious zealots or sexists.
So there.