Abortion really brings out the crazy in people

Tara Culp-Ressler for ThinkProgress posted about Arkansas Representatives wanting to jail doctors who perform abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. A bill proposed in Arkansas this week would ban abortions in all cases after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur after six-weeks. It would charge any doctor who performs abortions after the arbitrary cut-off with a Class D felony, which is punishable by up to six years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. I guess Arkansas didn’t want to be upstaged by New Mexico, and who can blame them? Oh, yeah the people harmed by this legislation. 

The GOP member responsible, Jason Rapert filed the legislation on Monday, and 18 of the 35 state Senators have already signed on as co-sponsors. Rapert says he may bring the bill before Arkansas Senate’s Public Health Committee this week.

These “heartbeat bills” are designed to redefine pregnancy and challenge women’s constitutional rights. Medical professionals agree the point of viability is 22 or 23 weeks along, and Roe v. Wade grants women the right to terminate a pregnancy until the point of viability. In Ohio, a measure like this failed because of descent in the anti-choice ranks, but it looks good to go in Arkansas.

At least Rapert and friends know the bill is going to face legal challenges. 20-week abortion bans are being blocked by the courts already. Rapert defines human life as a heartbeat so he feels compelled to prioritize that human over the woman carrying it.

Arkansas is hostile to reproductive rights already; they have one surgical abortion clinic in the state, but it looks like some state level representatives want to make names for themselves and are targeting reproductive rights. I really just don’t understand how women aren’t seen at protected under law and cells are. That is what this comes down to some dudes decided women aren’t people and are just breeders.