Editor;
As we remember the American lives lost to one brand of extremism in 2001 I write to express my concern as yet another example moves through our government and our courts.
Although a brave Texas district judge has issued a temporary restraining order against Texas Right to Life the fact that an anti-abortion group has managed to turn the nation’s clock back and impose a Taliban-worthy restriction on women and the people who care for them in that state has me deeply concerned.
For those unfamiliar, the law which went into effect this week bans abortions after as early as six weeks into pregnancy and allows private citizens to bring civil suits against anyone who ASSISTS a pregnant person seeking an abortion. The fact that it bars abortions just after a fetal heartbeat is detected and in many cases BEFORE a woman knows that she is pregnant is troubling for me. I believe it may be for others, too, especially as it passed review by our Supreme Court and was APPROVED by an expected 5-4 vote.
The court’s established and rookie conservatives voted as expected – a majority opinion regarded by many as a signal for how they will vote in November, when the real challenge to federal abortion rights will come before the court.
I would hope that all thinking people stop to consider this move and others, a callous attempt to hurt Americans and their loved ones in the name of some misguided religious fervor.
Sincerely,
Anne Bascombe/ Concord
I’m pro choice, but unless you’re a woman in Texas, quit worrying about it. Worry about your own life.
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Niemöller
Never more applicable as it is today.
Texas is a very conservative state. They don’t need anyone to speak for them, especially liberal Californians. A lot of women are probably pro-life anyway, and if they’re not they can have an abortion before 6 weeks. Unless you’re the mother or father of the child, MYOB.
The other ‘extreme’ are late term abortions – aborting babies at 8, 9 months gestation. Ghastly and quite common. Many “Pro choice” advocates even support those.
Most Americans are in the middle, and I’ve read surveys where most want abortions limited to 3 months gestation.
How many abortions have we tallied now? 50 Million? 100 Million?
Quite common? I see you’re spreading lies again.
The notion that this issue is confined to Texas only is false and dangerous. If Roe falls, which is what the evangelically backed Right wants, abortion will immediately become unavailable in 10 states. The Right is working very hard to make sure that happens. The danger is very real and it is happening now. It’s time for real Americans to organize and fight.
It’s NOT false and dangerous. What happens in Texas applies to TEXANS. They haven’t done away with abortion, they’ve done away with abortions after six weeks. Liberalism is all about control, so quit trying to control what is happening 1500 miles away. It’s none of your business. Californians worrying about what is happening in Texas is as asinine as other states worrying about the California recall. Abortion will NEVER be outlawed in California. Relax.
How many women know they are pregnant in the first six weeks? The “Texas model” for this is being emulated right now in multiple states. This is about access for poor women and about constitutional rights. Maybe you should let the women speak to this issue and lend an ear instead of mansplaining why it’s nothing to them.
Some of the strongest, most formidable women I know come from or live in Texas. They will take care of this and make things right again.