This will be about an old law, the law of unintended consequences. But, first, we have to talk about a new law, and Ohio - that wonderful and creative state - looks like it is about to jump head-first into the great unknown future. And take us all with it.
Yes, we’re talking about Roe v. Wade.
Now Roe v. Wade has been around for a long time, and it was never as simple as most people today see it. We all know that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1973 that a woman had the right to have an abortion without the interference of the government - that it was a matter of privacy, and that keeping the government out of a woman’ s decision with her doctor was protected by the Constitution of the United States.
But what, exactly, is it?
It led to a frenzy of laws in different places, with advocates claiming all sorts of things. THe ACLU’s Sexual Privacy Project said it also defended the rights of gays and lesbians, women living with boyfriends, adult porn stars, sex workers and people arrested for cross-dressing in public. And several states began a campaign that has lasted more than 40 years, saying that even though abortion may well be legal, they could make it difficult to get by putting restrictions on where abortions could be done, on the age of the fetus being aborted, on the required credentials and hospital affiliation of the doctor performing it. Things like that. You know, make it so expensive that only really rich women could get one.
Well now we have Ohio, and its newly proposed law - passed by the Ohio House of Representatives - that would make it a felony to perform an abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected. With modern ultrasound equipment that can be done about six weeks after conception, before most woman even know they are pregnant.
It’s similar to a bill passed two years ago in Ohio and vetoed by Gov. John Kasich, who said it was illegal under Roe v. Wade.
Now the Ohio Senate gets to vote on it again, and Republican Christina Hagan, one of HB 258’s sponsors, said Roe v. Wade was exactly the point. She believes that high court decision was wrong, and her bill will lead to a friendlier Supreme Court overturning the landmark federal decision.
Oh, and forget about another veto. Republican Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine has already indicated he would sign a heartbeat bill after he takes office in January.
Why Should We Care?
When abortion opponents started attacking Roe v. Wade all those long years ago, they focused on how wrong abortion was, not about the right to privacy. And it worked well - ask anyone you know what Roe v. Wade is about and almost everyone will say abortion. Some may say abortion, duh. Very few will say the right to privacy.
Now where could that take us as a nation? Well, let’s say you have a gun in your house and the government thinks you are a criminal, or you commit domestic violence, or you drink a lot. Why, their right to protect lives trumps your right to privacy, and the cops can come in with a no-knock warrant. After all, you have a gun.
Or let’s say you worship God in a way that is not popular with today’s religious conservatives. Not even Cristian, or not even the right sect. Or, maybe not really worshiping from their bible. Who knows what you may be doing behind closed doors?
Well, the government should know. After all, you have no right to privacy.
Here’s a better one. Let’s say that sometime soon a liberal Democratic President is elected and a liberal Democratic Congress is elected, and you have contributed money to Republicans. To overthrow the government, obviously. Want to donate without anyone knowing it? Well, forget that. You have no right to privacy.
But those are big things. What about something closer? You know, that neighbor down the street who is doing something suspicious. Quick, call 911.
Oh, wait, you can’t get on the phone. Your wife is busy calling police to report her cheating husband. Don’t worry, you will be able to clear your name in court, but if you don’t make bail, you will be in jail a long, long time. The docket is kind of crowded.
No comments :
Post a Comment