Political Campaigns
Allow me comment briefly on the Ohio “heartbeat” bill, anti-abortion legislation.
First, I would like to note that opposing abortion seems to have become a requisite for would-be Republican representatives. There comes a point when moral correctness must be ascertained and the test is opposition to abortion. This anti-abortion statement has been effective in areas where intolerance to everything, including “classical” music, is widespread.
I hope no Republican political candidate ever has to approve the Ohio “heartbeat” test.
The Ohio “heartbeat” bill
For instance, the Ohio ‘heartbeat’ bill (Wikipedia) seems a disguised anti-abortion bill. If a heartbeat can be detected at six or seven weeks during a pregnancy, it may be detected at nearly the same time a woman learns that she is pregnant or very soon thereafter. It may therefore preclude an abortion on any grounds. At such an early stage in a pregnancy it may be difficult to determine that a woman is fit to carry a baby and give birth. It may also be difficult to determine the condition of the fetus. In fact, at that stage in pregnancy, a woman may not have had the time to see a doctor. The bill is therefore unrealistic.
But, let us first clear the deck. The author of this post has never had an abortion and would not encourage a woman to undergo an abortion unless circumstances dictated such a procedure. For the record, the author’s mother lost a large number of babies to a congenital blood disease. These babies were born after a normal pregnancy, but died a few days or a few weeks after birth. The author’s mother was forbidden the use of contraceptives under pain of excommunication. She was a devout Roman Catholic. (See Religion and birth control, Wikipedia.)
Opposing abortion can earn a Republican candidate many votes and has done so. But are we about to coerce women into a pregnancy? Not only is the “heartbeat” bill unrealistic, but it does not accommodate most of the conditions that justify or dictate an abortion. Many factors militate against a pregnancy. Age is a factor. A woman may be too old or she may still be a child. Moreover, if at the time of conception the woman was medicated, that medication may have seriously jeopardized the health of the fetus. There are pregnancies that must be terminated, which most politicians know little about.
If the “heartbeat” bill is voted into law and a pregnancy proves inadvisable, a doctor may no longer be able to intervene, in which case a woman would have no recourse. Despair may lead her to commit suicide. If a desperate woman commits suicide, I should think she was not fit to be pregnant to begin with and two lives would be lost. Having no safe medical recourse may also lead women to seek the services of backstreet abortionists who do not know what they are doing and may cause irreparable harm. Moreover, in the case of a life-threatening pregnancy, a woman could die and a pregnancy would have caused her death.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/dec/07/ohio-abortion-ban-bill-heartbeat-passes-state-house
Genocidal Rape & Human Rights
We should perhaps look at genocidal rape. This discussion began primarily as a result of the Armenian Genocide. Several studies conducted following massive genocidal rape have led to the recognition that forced pregnancies are “crimes against humanity if part of a widespread or systematic practice.” (See Forced pregnancy, Wikipedia.)
“Rape, sexual slavery, and related actions including forced pregnancy and sexual slavery, are now recognized under the Geneva Convention as crimes against humanity and war crimes; in particular from 1949, Article 27 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and later also the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, explicitly prohibit wartime rape and enforced prostitution. The Rome Statute Explanatory Memorandum, which defines the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court, recognises rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, and forced pregnancy as crimes against humanity if part of a widespread or systematic practice.” (See Forced pregnancy, Wikipedia.)
Coercion
In the case of the Ohio “heartbeat” bill, forced pregnancies would not be “part of a widespread or systematic practice,” but forced pregnancies would remain forced pregnancies. Several years ago, an eminent professor of psychiatry and the author of several books told me that most women never recover from rape. If such is the case, can we expect rape victims to recover from the forced pregnancy that ensues.
It would be my opinion that, in the area of sexuality, coercion is particularly unacceptable. For all practical purposes, the Ohio heartbeat bill is an anti-abortion bill and, as such, coercive. No condition would warrant an abortion. A woman would therefore be subjected to a forced pregnancy and that forced pregnancy may harm and perhaps destroy her.
We do not know precisely when life begins, but we do know that the “heartbeat” of a pregnant woman, or female child, is detectable, that her brain is fully developed, and that she is conscious.
Ironically, people who oppose abortion are also advocates of the death penalty and may have no respect for the environment. There seems to be a profile to these individuals. For one thing, they would be punitive but they also sorely lack any form of compassion.
I doubt very much that respect for life guided Ohio lawmakers. The welfare of women was not taken into consideration, which is disrespect for the life of a woman. In an earlier post, I wrote that we could not let women suffer and die because of a pregnancy. Savita Halappanavar had the right to live.
In Ireland abortion is banned upon implantation. Savita Halappanavar was denied an abortion while the hospital could still detect a heartbeat, leading to her eventual death. (Fetal hearbeat bill, Wikipedia.)
Love to everyone ♥
Don McLean sings Vincent
© Micheline Walker
10 December 2016
WordPress
Fariba said:
I agree Micheline. I am pro-life (including pro environment, pro gun control, and anti death penalty) but when I heard that this bill may be passed in my home state I was disturbed. Things aren’t black and white. I would never want a woman to commit suicide because she was forced to have a child conceived in rape. The bill definitely reads as anti-woman. I hope it’s not passed.
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Fariba,
This bill does read as anti-woman legislation. Suicide is not the answer, but desperate women do commit suicide rather than carry and give birth to the child of a rapist or an unwanted child. If an abortion can save a woman’s life, denying intervention is paramount to institutionalized murder. The bill also suggests that sex is right in the case of men and wrong in the case of women. I strongly object to the theory that women are morally and intellectually crippled. It began with Eve doing what the serpent suggested. This matter has therefore been mythologized. I thank you for writing.
Best,
Micheline
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Bumba said:
Correction: Insert “Republican”before candidate. Nearly all democratic representatives favor a woman’s right to choose – which you would think would be a conservative’s position too.
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michelinewalker said:
Thank you Bumba. I knew this, but did not write it down. 🙂
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Gallivanta said:
Abortion is a vexed issue. I would rather it wasn’t needed but I certainly wouldn’t want anyone controlling what I can or can’t do with my own body, as if I had no ability to think for myself.
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Gallivanta,
Abortion is indeed a vexed issue, but women should have the right to control what they do with their body and should be looked upon as capable of making decisions. This legislation is an insult to women. It suggests that women are extremely frivolous and dumb: Barbie dolls! We have just begun being seen as a little more than chattel. To let a woman die when an abortion would save her life is criminal. I hesitated to write this imperfect post, but decided I was in a good position to bring up the subject. I am known as a woman who steers a middle course. We cannot put inhumanity at the service of so-called morality. I hope you are well. Micheline
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Gallivanta said:
I thought your post was well-balanced.
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michelinewalker said:
Thank you Gallivanta, I am not an extremist and I am not judgemental. I refuse to be. At this stage in my life, I am unlikely to change. The parable of the woman caught in adultery has been useful to me. My best regards. Micheline
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Aquileana said:
Dear Micheline… I hope this bill does not pass. I believe that every woman has the right to make her own decissions when it comes to her body, under any circumstance… not just in extreme cases such as rape. An embryo is not considered life at some time since he is begotten, either. I am reading the comments here too, and I am hinting this bill is biased.
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Aquileana
Whether or not a woman should carry a child should be her decision “under any circumstance.” There are ways of avoiding a pregnancy but safe and effective contraceptives are too expensive for certain women to purchase. We cannot expect the Republicans to cover the cost of contraceptives. They never will. This complicates matters.
This bill is indeed “biased.” A heartbeat is delectable at a very early stage in pregnancy, much too early to assume the fetus is conscious.
The 2016 Presidential election was an American tragedy.
Take good care of yourself.
Micheline
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Naomi Baltuck said:
I have never had an abortion, but I strongly believe in every woman’s right to. Yes to “We do not know precisely when life begins, but we do know that the “heartbeat” of a pregnant woman, or female child, is detectable, that her brain is fully developed, and that she is conscious.” This is what I believe in, and you are absolutely right about coercion. I am heartsick about the election, and what it means to our country and to the world.
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Naomi,
How lovely to hear from you. Bernie Sanders did not win the nomination which made it relatively easy for Donald Trump to take over the United States.
The Ohio Heartbeat Bill is merely the beginning of “Trumpist” oppression and it is offensive to women. Couples love their children and they are usually children they have wanted. But forced pregnancies are unacceptable and cruel. If this bill is voted into law, a woman whose pregnancy will lead to death will be left to die. We are not looking at a sane society. The heartbeat of the fetus is detectable at a very early stage in a pregnancy.
I enjoyed hearing from you and I hope you are well. I wish you and your very family happy holidays. It’s that season again.
Best regards,
Micheline
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Naomi Baltuck said:
Dear Micheline, My husband and I are picking up a friend and heading down tonight so we will be at the state capital first thing in the morning to march in a protest rally. I don’t know that it will change the vote, but people in fifty state capitals are gathering to protest Trump and his ugly hateful policies. It is a black cloud hanging over our heads, but we put our boots on the ground, and raise our voices whenever we possibly can, and try to have a happy holiday. My daughter is coming home from Mongolia for a week in January, and just the thought of that raises my spirits. Best wishes to you too, Micheline. It’s lovely to hear from you. Warmly,
Naomi
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Naomi, I apologize for the slight delay: migraines. Donald Trump is the “unthinkable”. He believes he can “rule” America for eight years, but we will make sure he doesn’t. There will be more hateful legislation unless the people of the United States prevent him from doing so. Canadians are with you, not to mention Europe countries and other countries. It will be robust opposition, because he is likely to cause a world war. Moreover, he doesn’t know what a democracy is and that it is his responsibility to look after his people. I have subscribed to very informative newspapers, journals, etc., will do the necessary reading, and will fight using the pen. I’m not an American citizen but Mr Trump is a very dangerous man to the world and so is Vladimir Putin who will be manipulating him. So my dear, I’ll be with you or, better phrased, we will be with you. Would that Bernie Sanders had won the nomination.
It was so lovely to hear from you again, a friendly voice. I wish and your family fine holidays, despite the turbulence. We won’t let him destroy the world. Warmly and sincerely, Micheline
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Naomi Baltuck said:
Dear Micheline,
I hope that your migraine has improved. My husband, sister, and daughter get them, and I know how miserable they can be by watching those who suffer from them.
I am heartsick, but all we can do is keep speaking out and try to be smart about it–by organizing. The protest drew only 7000 people from the fifty state capitals, but I hope this movement will keep building. I know the whole world is watching with fear and trepidation, and how could they not, with an ignorant bellicose racist misogynistic predatory sociopath who will soon have the nuclear codes at his fingertips. Half of all America is suffering collectively from depression, and I feel the weight of it. But I take comfort from your kind words. Best wishes to you for the holidays, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed for the coming year.
Warmly,
Naomi
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michelinewalker said:
Dear Naomi,
Donald Trump is a catastrophe. He is acting as though he had been sworn in before January 20th, blinded by his narcissistic personality. And it will last four years if he is not impeached. Imagine electing a sexual predator, an habitual liar, a racist, etc. and an autocrat to the presidency, with assistance from Vladimir Putin. We Canadians are very sad. We didn’t think it could happen. To make matters worse, he is boasting about the undemocratic support he received from Putin and the black who did not vote, whom he thanked. We will fight him. Canadians are North Americans and your immediate neighbours. We will be there to do whatever you need us to do. Putin will not be allowed to drill in the Arctic, which was his goal. No one is drilling. Trump wants to cancel all executive orders. We can’t let him. It will be quite the struggle!
A Happy Holiday to you, your husband and your children.
Warmly,
Micheline Walker
P.S. Migraines are an affliction.
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