Republicans, in an attempt to see Roe v. Wade rolled back, have been aggressively working within state legislatures to pass restrictive anti-abortion laws that they know will be challenged in the courts, with the hope being that one of these cases might make its way all the way up to the Supreme Court, where the landmark 1973 decision could either be struck down once and for all, or weakened to the point of uselessness. Of all of these coordinated legislative attacks, which are now underway in over one dozen states, the one that was signed into law earlier this evening by Alabama Governor Kay Ivey is by far the worst, as it does not even make exceptions for women who have become pregnant as a result of either incest or rape. It’s so extreme, in fact, that televangelist Pat Robertson said the the Alabama legislature had “gone too far“. [I suspect he said this not because he disagreed with the bill, but because he knows how it will be greeted by the American electorate, which overwhelmingly believes that abortion rights should be protected.]
If you’re wondering how a bill like this — a bill that would force a 12 year old rape victim to carry her attacker’s child to term — could possibly make its way through the legislative process, I have 25 images that I’d like to show you… These are the 25 Republicans who voted earlier today to put this bill on Kay Ivey’s desk. As you can see, they’re all very white and male. [Alabama’s Sate Senate has 35 members. 27 are presently Republicans. Of those, 25 voted for the Human Life Protection Act, which passed 25 to 6. These are those 25 Republicans.]
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
One would hope that maybe, just maybe, Republican women might see this, and realize that perhaps they need to start voting for fewer white, conservative men. I doubt that will happen in any significant way, as I suspect most Republican women don’t feel as though these laws really apply to them, as they could always just send their daughters out-of-state to have their abortions performed, but I have to think that some will see this and come to their senses, especially as their college-educated adult children begin fleeing the state in droves. [What college-education young woman would remain in a state with laws like this on the books?]
In the interest of fairness, here’s an argument in favor of the legislation… Sure, this new law would sentence any doctor caught performing an abortion on a 12 year old incest victim to prison for up to 99 years, but, on the up side, it would ensure that the evidence of said incest would be preserved in the form of a human life that could be entered into evidence!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
[Of course, you know the father, in this scenario, would get no where near the 99 years given to a doctor found guilty of having performed an abortion.]
There’s very little positive to say about this, as it’s completely fucking terrifying, but maybe this will swing enough Alabamans away from the Republicans in 2020 that Democratic Senator Doug Jones can squeak out a win and hold onto his seat, giving us a chance of flipping the Senate, and forcing the very evil Mitch McConnell from power… Here, speaking of Jones, is what he had to say today.
I refuse to believe that these Republican men represent the views of most Alabamians. Their action is both unconstitutional and shameful. The people of Alabama deserve to be on the #rightsideofhistory – not the side of extremists. Women deserve better. https://t.co/ky3oSeEDXC
— Doug Jones (@DougJones) May 15, 2019
I wish I could say more, as there’s a lot more to be said, but I need to sleep. Sorry, folks.