What a great day for a walk about. So, as I walk today my mind will wander on various and sundry topics. In no particular order.
A draft Supreme Court ruling has been leaked which appears Roe v Wade may get overturned. The fact it was leaked may be due to the justices wanting to gauge reaction, which politicians do often. If the justices did this it would be highly disappointing as they need to be above politics. Or, it may be a leak by someone who is troubled by the ruling.
If this draft turns out to be the eventual ruling, some Republicans who voted for the recent judges are feeling betrayed – notably two females in Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski. Yet, my first reaction was the Republicans who went along with this to garner the vote of evangelicals are now like the dog who caught the bus. My guess is women may rise up and squash them. While I personally would not advocate an abortion, I also support the right for a woman to determine what happens to her body and the limitations that exist provide sufficient governance.
What also frustrates me is measures that reduce abortions are also frowned on by the evangelical crowd. Holistic sex education (which includes abstinence and self-esteem discussions) with birth control approaches and tools being taught and made available, are proven to reduce unwanted pregnancies, reduce poverty and save healthcare costs. What also frustrates me is some people who are so against abortions also are in not in favor of helping people in time of need, not in favor of better gun laws and not in favor of doing something about climate change, water shortages or environmental degradation.
I realize this draft is not official, but I am curious how the justices may react to a groundswell of women who do not like this.
musingsofanoldfart 
Key words Keith “I also support the right for a woman to determine what happens to her body and the limitations that exist provide sufficient governance.”
My girls kept saying “Mom could never, will never get overturned”. I just looked at them with that mom stare and here we are.
Thanks for your post. 💖🙏
Cindy, it seems we are in a period where even “A Handmaid’s Tale” is possible. I am tired of issues being highlighted by the whims of a strident minority in order to garner their votes. I hope women make their voice heard as they did in 2018. I otherwise worry about the continued degradation of our rights among other things. Keith
My wife’s favorite line is, “if you don’t like abortion, don’t have one.”
The issue as I see it is: how much of a role do you want the government to play in your personal life?
I don’t, and I feel that the anti-abortion crowd has no clue about the potential for further government actions that they are enabling. Back in the day, there were laws about the kinds of sex people could have, even regarding holding hands and kissing in public, and people payed penalties for failure to attend church. Do we really want police watching our every action?
Vic, well said. The failure of folks to realize that this also impacts them is of interest to me. I recall Sarah Palin during the 2008 campaign as VP running mate saying her daughter chose to have her baby, but that connotes her daughter had a choice. Keith
I am with your wife and have said the very same thing more times than I can count. Nobody is forcing another to have an abortion!!! Isn’t it funny, though, how that 30% or so who are avidly against Roe v Wade, are all in for dominating women’s rights (or lack thereof) were the most vocal among the anti-mask, anti-vaccine crowd, plainly stating “My body, my choice”. Can we say … “double standard”?
Jill, hypocrisy abounds. I saw where one Senator is backtracking on wanting Loving v Virginia overturned which permitted different races to marry. It only passed 9 to 0. Keith
Yes, Loving is one of the ones I’m afraid will come up on the chopping block, although it would be difficult, just as Obergefell would be. You can’t order married couples to divorce! I’m coming to the conclusion that we might need to expand the Court after all. I had been against the idea, but with the relatively young age of several justices, the bigots could dominate our law for decades to come.
Jill, this one is just people blowing smoke. The last data point I saw which was about ten years ago is 13% of married couples are interracial. My guess is it is higher now. Also, just take a look at most TV commercials. The couples are interracial to garner greater audience. The same will hold true if they try to outlaw contraceptives. As am example, the last statistic I saw, over 90% of Catholic women in the US believe in contraception in direct conflict to the Pope. Keith
Yes, and one thing I’ve wondered when there has been talk of reversing Obergefell v Hodges, what then? Do they nullify any marriages that took place? Talk about grounds for a revolution! Same with interracial marriages. Yes, it may be just blowing smoke, but … too many people will lap up that smoke, my friend. Too many people are eager to turn back the hands of time and deny even life to those who aren’t in their church, their group, who don’t share their beliefs. And the politicians, especially the Republicans, have learned to turn that bigotry into votes, to cash in by appearing to agree, whether they do in fact or not.
Double standard or simply brain dead.
True
Jill, as we speak of things never happening, we also did not see the day when a president would instigate an insurrection on a branch of government because he is not man enough to admit he lost an election. Two other things that actually should give us pause is a minister now being able to be more political from the pulpit and not harm the tax exemption of the church and this extension of public education money to be used as vouchers for parochial schools. If we dumb down education, we will end up with inane comments like those from the Senator from Wisconsin about science and medicine. Back to the initial topic, when Margaret Atwood says her dystopian novel “A Hands Maid Tale” could possibly happen in the new order, it is scary. Keith
You are right, my friend. We have seen so many norms shattered in the past decade, most all by the ‘conservative’ members of our government.
Not just one minister, but many … and I agree, their churches should lose their tax-exempt status when they start preaching politics from the pulpit.
As I look around at some of the more ludicrous claims by members of the Republican Party, I think that we have already ‘dumbed down’ our education system, for ignorance runs rampant these days.
Yes, Keith, it is scary … and maddening. I don’t know which is worse, being afraid or being furious.
Jill, it is hard to debate you on this. I am not in favor of name calling at all, but I would say if people in or running for office want to be taken seriously, they need to be serious-minded with their comments. Saying obvious untrue things is not a step down that path. Keith
Agreed on all counts, my friend.
As much as I am furious over this, it isn’t unexpected. My greater concern at the moment is two-fold: This is further proof, as if we needed any, that women are STILL in this 21st century, considered second-class citizens, subservient to males; and what comes next? How far backward can we go before there is a major uprising? Obergefell v Hodges? Loving v Virginia? Griswold v Connecticut? In the past year or so, I’ve seen calls to remove equal opportunities for Blacks and women in housing and employment. Where do we end up in 50 years or 100 years? We are heading in the wrong direction and I don’t understand it … not at all.
Jill, women need to make their voice heard. They need to tell these Neanderthal thinkers to get with it. I saw the Loving v Virginia issue being raised and immediately backtracked on. See my answer above. Keith
No worries there, Keith … I suspect we will make our voices heard loud and clear! Might see a new hashtag … @WomensLivesMatter
The dog that caught the bus —- you made me laugh! Hugh would be proud!
Lisa, I am flattered. Thanks. It is one thing to complain about something, but the old saying is what happens when you get what you want. I recall an old Twilight Zone episode were a crook died and wound up in place where everything he wanted was granted. He got quite agitated over time and asked if he could leave heaven and go to the other place. His host said you are already here in hell. Keith
Hugh laughs with us, I am certain.
I loved those old shows; the ‘Night Gallery’ I also loved, but then I had to stay up for another hour and watch the next comedy – or else fear turning out the lights and going to sleep!
Lisa, I understand that. Watching macabre things before bed is a recipe for tossing and turning. Keith