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By Janet Kelly
IT HAPPENED TODAY, June 24, 2022: The Supreme Court overturned Roe, the 1973 landmark ruling that guaranteed the right to abortion.
In states like Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania, people can still access legal abortions, but half the country will ban or severely limit access to abortions in short order. To add salt to this terrible wound, Justice Clarence Thomas says the Supreme Court should reconsider rulings protecting access to contraception and same-sex marriage.
I was in college in the late ’60s, had an abortion in the late ’70s before my marriage broke up. If this law stands, my granddaughters (one 11, one 15) will not have the same options, the ones my generation fought for so hard.
We all knew it was coming; still, it’s a terrible blow. Tell us what you’re thinking now in the comments section below. And, here’s some important info from an opinion story, “How to Help Women If You’re Mad About Roe v. Wade” in the New York Times.
And though you may be beyond child-bearing age, your daughters and granddaughters may need these abortion resources.
I am furious, devastated, heartsick. How dare some politician hiding behind a black robe impose his/her religious belief system on my bodily autonomy?! This is a truly abhorrent decision absolutely designed to subjugate women. But it will be women without means, of whatever skin color, who will really be at risk, because abortions will continue no matter what. They’ll just move to back alleys and knitting needles again. If these men (for the most part, but there are plenty of women bent on imposing a religious belief on everyone despite what is supposed to be separation of church and state), are so concerned about “children” from the moment of conception, where is the universal prenatal care, free hospital care for delivery, parental leave, free day care, free GOOD education through at least a two-year college, if not four years, clothing, food, NURTURING, etc, etc, etc? I’m truly at a loss as to why they think this is right, or a good thing, when there is nothing, NOTHING, to support unwanted, or unintended, or devastatingly disabled babies, or those resulting from rape and incest. Next they’ll get rid of the “safe harbor” rules some states have, where you can drop a baby at a fire/police station or hospital without any repercussions. This is reprehensible. Handmaids Tale in the 21st century. Heading toward a Christian Nation. First the gun decision on Thursday and now this. Unfortunately, the current Supreme Court will be in power, and it is a political power no matter the protestations otherwise, for many decades. The only thing we can all do is vote, not for our bank accounts, but for our freedoms and our democracy.
Ask me how I really feel…
Thanks for this, Nancy. Yes, we all must vote and encourage everyone in our circle to do the same. And, in Pennsylvania, we all have to support Josh Shapiro for governor. If Mastriano wins, I’m moving.