Oklahoma provides a victory to reproductive rights advocates

On Monday common sense rang true. The Supreme Court rejected without comment a bid by Personhood Oklahoma to place an initiative on the Oklahoma ballot that would grant personhood to fertilized human eggs. One more blow to these idiots. You have to wonder if these people think fertilized human eggs can vote. Women (or incubators as these people like to think of us as) can vote, and vote at a higher rate than our male counterparts. But back to the point, brought to you by Jessica Mason Pieklo and RH Reality Check…

In April, the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the measure (forcefully and unanimously) that would ask voters to amend the state constitution to expand the definition of person to include fertilized eggs, granting fertilized eggs full and equal protection under law. Just a note, according to Justice Scalia women’s aren’t equal under the law, nor are gays. People of color make it in though because they have an amendment explicitly stating such. Oklahoma wanted to make give a fertilized egg more protections under law than the woman carrying it, at least based on Supreme Court Justice Scalia’s interpretation of the Constitution. The Supreme Court called the measure “clearly unconstitutional” and the state’s high court called the proposal “void on its face” and demanded it stricken from the November ballot. 

Personhood Oklahoma appealed the order to the US Supreme Court arguing that the Oklahoma Supreme Court was wrong to block the initiative which amounted to a violation of free speech. Weak argument, bro. You have to do this the way people have generally suppressed the rights of others, claim it is in women’s best interests to protect us from ourselves, see preventing women from voting, slavery (the 3/5 rule), preventing people of color from voting. There is a time tested method here. The supporters claim they were on the cusp of getting enough signatures to have the initiative on the ballot when the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled. Naturally, the wing-nuts thing the voters should have had a chance to vote on the measure. 

The US Supreme Court rejected Personhood Oklahoma’s appeal, clearly not interested in second-guessing the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s judgment. While the US Supreme Court didn’t say it, by refusing to consider the issue this is perceived as a win for reproductive rights advocates. The case is Personhood Oklahoma v. Barber et al, U.S. Supreme Court, No. 12-145.

Personhood Passes in Oklahoma, and surprises no one

The Oklahoma Senate approved a personhood bill declaring life begins at conception.  The vote came down on Wednesday and upset physicians who think the new law will jeopardize reproductive medicine, because it will.  The bill is now going into the House, where it is expected to pass.  The Governor, Mary Fallin (R.) won't discuss pending legislation, but has described herself as "pro-life." The bill grants all the embryos and fetuses with "all the rights, privileges, and immunities" of other citizens. The Republicans claim it is modeled after a 1968 Missouri law that was deemed constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Naturally, the Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes the bill because it may affect reproductive medicine and bans come forms of birth control.

Anyone else getting really concerned about all these personhood bills? Because there is at least one more set to pass this week or the next.  This is insane.  I'm actually not up for a lengthy discussion on this because how many times can you say this is bat-shit crazy.

North Dakota is Going to Ban Abortion (whether or not that have the power)

Yep, you read that right. North Dakota is attempting yet again to ban abortion...I lost count of how many times this state has tried. Here is the run down: The North Dakota House has approved a bill that gives a fertilized egg the rights of a human being. This effectively outlaws abortion, and further more miscarriages so don't go having those either you baby killing liberals. The author of the bill, Representative Dan Sullivan claims the measure would prevent people (women) from aborting a fetus based on the sex (he of course says gender as though there is no difference).

There must be some epidemic out in the Midwest and West the rest of us have no idea about. Both Oklahoma and North Dakota have to ban abortion so "people" stop aborting fetuses based on their sex. Of course, in Oklahoma they can't come up with a care where this actually came up. Sounds like someone is hoping to get lucky on the slippery slope effect...

Anti-Abortion Law: Delayed!

Oklahoma passed an anti-abortion law, but due to a temporary injunction the law, Senate Bill 1878, did not go into effect on November 1.  This law would require doctors to perform an ultrasound and provide the woman with a detailed description of her fetus an hour before receiving an abortion.  The injunction was filed by Nova Health Systems, the parent group of Tulsa's Reproductive Services.  The injunction claimed the law violates a "woman's right to privacy because it would force her to listen to unwelcome, government dictated language in a private setting."  The Attorney General's Office has no objection to the injunction provided the process moves forward.  The injunction is in effect through March 27, 2009.

Also, from MsMagazine.com.