How I Answered a "Right-to-Lifer's" Questionnaire

 It's the Religious, Stupid


One of my Conservative pals sent a questionnaire around to a bunch of us fellow old guys. Here's how I answered the 10 questions. (I'm sure you are breathless to hear.)


The Abortion Questionnaire


Q #1: When does life begin?


Olde Scooter: Life is ongoing.  Egg and sperm are both alive.  A fertilized egg is alive.  Moot question, unless you mean that moment when “God places a soul in the zygote,” a purely religious concept, so it depends on what your belief is, and it is only that — a belief. Others have different beliefs, but yours prevail?


Q #2: When are human rights (right to life and the protections of the Constitution) conferred upon a fetus?


Olde Scooter: A legal question.  Depends on what the applicable laws are in the various political entities.


Q #3: Who has the moral and legal right to end that life?


Olde Scooter: The mother, or a doctor following either medical necessity or the mother’s decision. 


Q #4: Should the 'impregnators' (fathers) have any say in whether the woman they have impregnated receives an abortion


Olde Scooter: Not unless he is legally compelled to provide full support for mom and child for 21 years, and even then, the mother’s decision prevails.


Q #5: If not, why not?


Olde Scooter:_See #4 answer.  


Q #6: If abortions are legalized in your state should there be limits (first, second or third trimester) on when abortions may be performed?


Olde Scooter: The New Mexico limitations suit me fine.


Q #7: Should under-age pregnant women be required to get a medical release from their parents before they can receive an abortion?


Olde Scooter: Hell no.  (If you think zygotes have rights, how is a teen not worthy of her privacy rights?)


Q #8: If not, why not and if there are exceptions what are they?


Olde Scooter:_If the minor’s life is endangered by the procedure, the parents could be advised. 


Q #9: Should federal or state funds be used to defray the costs of travel and hotels for women seeking abortions in states other than their own states of residence?


Olde Scooter: Absolutely, to counteract the fact that women of limited means are overwhelmingly more impacted by this prohibition on bodily autonomy. (Would “means testing” make you feel better?)


Q #10: Should taxpayers who object to state-supported abortions be able to opt out of paying state income taxes to states that are performing abortions at state-run or taxpayer-funded clinics/hospitals?


Olde Scooter:  Should I be able to opt out on, say, the top $3 billion on the annual Pentagon budget?  NO, in both cases.  This state-by-state difference in abortion laws doesn’t imply blue-staters have an opt out option. The whole “why should I pay for other peoples’ kids’ education?” argument rewritten.



After I happily filled it out (I love questionnaires), I was moved to hammer home my answer to Q1.

 

 

Depriving Women of the fundamental right of bodily autonomy is the purest case of theocratic governance. (Does “my body, my choice” apply only to vaccinations?) 


( I hate theocracies)


I drew a historical parallel.


Nation. Carrie Nation

A large part of the movement calling for the prohibition of alcohol was driven by religion. This is even apparent in the name of the main agenda pushers – Women’s ChristianTemperance Union (WCTU). Liquor was seen as something that destroys the values of the church and is ultimately a sin. 

We all know how that worked out.

Your pal,

Olde





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