The Utah House and Senate this week passed a bill criminalizing women who attempt abortion through their own means outside of the normal legal channels. In addition the bill contains wording that makes it potentially possible to charge a woman with murder if she “engages in reckless behavior” that unintentionally induces a miscarriage. In other words, if the bill is signed by the governor of Utah it is theoretically going to be possible to charge a woman who drinks while she is pregnant and has a miscarriage with murder.
Now then, Utah is the state famous for being controlled by Mormons who have what they refer to as “traditional values” when it comes to the ladies. So it is not unexpected that the state would pass laws giving men even more control over the bodies of women than they already legally have. But come on Utah, you’ve come so far. You’ve given us the creators of “Gentlemen Broncos” and “Napoleon Dynamite,” which are hilarious. “SLC Punk” was a pretty cool movie. I heard you’ve even let there be coffee shops in your state. We all appreciate the advances you’ve made. Also, polygamy–props for polygamy, you guys are way ahead of us on that one. But come on guys, women are people too. How about we let them make their own decisions and not put them in jail for life for them. Look, nobody likes “The View,” we all agree that women have made a bad decision by allowing it to continue to be on TV, but no one thinks its a good idea to throw women who watch “The View” in jail. So I’ll tell you what Utah, let’s give women the right to choose and to watch “The View”, and in exchange they will continue to let you have sex with them.
Whaddya say?
Comments
James
March 2nd, 2010 - 1:38:22 PM
While I would never counsel someone to get an abortion, this has to be the stupidest law...EVER. A reckless activity? Like... driving a car?
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Rytch Yunder
March 2nd, 2010 - 9:05:28 PM
I really don't understand why Utah is being attacked over this; hurting babies is wrong. I thought that the increased safety of a doctor-performed abortion is the whole reason that legal abortions are so great -- how many times have I had to hear about the deaths of women who had back-alley abortions pre-Roe vs. Wade? And to you, O author of the above, do you think that a woman who knowingly drinks alcohol while pregnant is not guilty of abuse? If so, you're a horrible person. (Then again, maybe your mother imbibed while you were in the womb, so I shouldn't rush to judgment.)
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Diana
March 4th, 2010 - 9:17:56 AM
Just like a Jezebel article, this has been blown out of proportion. What most of you people who blog on this stuff, and those who comment, don't seem to realize is that abortion is LEGAL in Utah. So to waggle your fingers at us and say that men are controlling women's bodies is ignorant. Second, this isn't about people having accidents that cause miscarriage. It's about people intentionally causing their miscarriage. Which in and of itself is stupid since abortion is LEGAL in Utah and if you don't want your baby, abort it. I admit that Utah has some of the dumbest laws or tries to pass some of the dumbest laws. I admit that Utah sucks. I have lived here most of my life and I am constantly embarrassed by the backwoods way it operates. But when you put information out there like that, even with a link to a genuine news source, please try not to sensationalize it. I know, it gets you more readers, which gets you more money. But come on! "..the bill contains wording that makes it potentially possible to charge a woman with murder if she 'engages in reckless behavior' that unintentionally induces a miscarriage." For realz? Contains WORDING that makes it POTENTIALLY POSSIBLE? Wow, you were really reaching there, weren't you? Please, get your facts straight and quit sensationalizing everything. Please make sure you are giving people accurate information so that you are not causing others (in this case, Utah) to be an (continuing) object of hate.
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