Several days ago, State Rep. Jean Schmidt, who represents Ohio’s 65ht district, was questioned by fellow legislators about a bill she sponsored – House Bill 598 or The Human Life Protection Act. Her bill would make performing an abortion in Ohio a fourth-degree felony and would criminalize the use of abortion medication. There’s no exception for rape or incest.
As the Washington Post reported, she was presented with a hypothetical:”A 13-year-old girl is raped and becomes pregnant as a result. Would the Republican’s bill force that teenager to have her rapist’s baby?”
Her incredible response? “It is a shame that it happens, but there’s an opportunity for that woman, no matter how young or old she is, to make a determination about what she’s going to do to help that life be a productive human being.”
Seriously? How the hell could any woman actually believe this? That response is straight out of Gilead.
Take a look at which Republican-dominated state legislatures have passed abortion bans, fully expecting the supremes to overturn Roe V Wade this summer when they hear a Mississippi case.
So as soon as this summer, Roe v. Wade, which became law in January 1973, will be history. And the U.S. will be marching even closer to Gilead. For those of you haven’t read or seen The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood’s brilliant depiction of a Dystopian society, all women in Gilead are subjugated in a patriarchal society supposedly built on theological principles.
The irony, of course, is that Republicans are right to lifers ONLY until the baby is born. After that, well, sorry kid. You’re on your own. No guaranteed health care, no paid family leave, nada.
UPDATE: Politico broke a story this evening – May 2- that is a draft of the supreme court’s decision to overturn Roe v Wade. It apparently was written by Justice Alito on February 10. Sickening.
Beyond depressing. (*&%##
Yeah, it is.