You know, I’ve got to admit, I think this is the first time — for quite some time — that I’ve not actually included a photo.
But …
Well …
I know some of my readers may find this contentious.
Adding a photo would be …
Well …
Definitely over-egging the pudding.
You see, I’ve just been chatting — via Twitter — with @kaijuisme, and found myself broadly in agreement with him on something.
We got nattering about a Republic Congressman — Bobby Franklin, if I’ve got the name and the House correct — who is trying to frame a law in Georgiaº to make miscarriage punishable with a death penalty.
Miscarriage, note.
I had to ask Kaiju if he was joking.
He wasn’t.
Which is when I got looking up news services … !
»»•««
Now, I know that the pro-choice/pro-life debate is one that causes a lot of arguments, over in the US.
It certainly has it’s share of yelling people, over here.
Personally … ?
Personally speaking, I’ve got to admit I’m reluctantly in favour of abortions*, however distasteful you or I may find them.
And believe me, I do.
But I’ve know many women over the years who’ve had at least one.
And however painful they’ve found them — from what I’m told, it’s not the easiest procedure to go through, emotionally — they’ve been able to explain exactly why they’ve felt it necessary to have it done.
For the most part, they’ve also gone onto to have families, happily, as and when the time has been right.
OK, they’ve felt regret over what happened. But also feel they’ve done the right thing.
I know I’ve been occasionally accused of incredible arrogance, sometimes.
But I’m not arrogant enough to tell someone facing THAT decision what to do.
Now, there’s a reason I’ve mentioned that.
Because the politician in question has tied that clause into a bill that calls for the death penalty for women who have medical or elective terminations.
And — as I think I mentioned — for spontaneous terminations. Miscarriages, in other words.
I have to ask one thing …
Has Bobby Franklin ever met a woman who’s had a miscarriage … ?
I don’t think he has, to be frank.
The ones I have … ?
Are on the wrong end of a natural process: one they neither desired or asked for.
And as far as I can tell, one they haven’t faked.
To even suggest that they who’ve already suffered what many women see as one of the worst things that can happen to anyone female … ?
Well …
I can only hope this chap gets kicked out of office.
Women don’t need a twit like him in office …
* I really don’t like the word, preferring instead, termination. Whatever one calls it, I’m still not a fan. HOWEVER, I am still — still — behind someone’s right to choose. It’s complicated, but ultimately boils down to this: there are always times it’s going to be needed, for whatever reason. I’m also aware that clinicians in the US have been murdered for carrying out abortions. Carrying out murder to back up your arguments … ? As far as I’m concerned, if the pro-life — AHEM — lobby feels the need to commit murder, then it has already lost.
º There’s something similar going on in Utah, it seems.
