If it were up to some, abortion would be illegal in every state. And even helping someone obtain one would be a crime. This past week, a judge in Texas, Matthew Kacsmaryk, put a hold on the abortion pill, mifepristone. From the Washington Post:
“In a 67-page decision, [Judge Kacsmaryk] put a hold on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, used in over half of all abortions in the United States. Kacsmaryk wrote in his opinion that the approval process was rushed and that the pill is unsafe, arguments that have been debunked by leading medical associations. The ruling will not take effect for at least seven days, and it was quickly met Friday night with a contradictory opinion from a judge in Washington state. The case could go to the conservative-leaning U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and then probably end up at the Supreme Court.”
From this same article, it states that this judge has been immersed in the anti-abortion world—family, friends and church— for much of his life. His personal beliefs affect his work as a judge. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs on pro-choice and abortion, but not entitled to impose those beliefs on others as a rule of law. It is the decision of a woman and her physician.
I worry that even if it makes it to the Supreme Court, with the leanings of that body, the ruling might be upheld. I remain hopeful on other fronts, however, because I know there are many activists and groups behind-the-scenes and under the radar, working to help women get the medical attention they need and want. You can follow the writing and reporting of Jessica Valenti, who tirelessly reports on these cases in her newsletter.
So sad to see women’s choices batted about without having any say in the matter. As President Joe said, we need to elect a Congress that can settle the matter as national law. Meanwhile, Colorado is also a great choice.
Sadly, I write as a resident of TX, and while I don't believe we have a monopoly on narrow minded busy bodies, it sure looks like we're winning a race to the shallow end of the pool. I hope for an improvement in our laws, and a retreat from men writing laws about womens' bodies.
George Hawkins