Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Arkansas Politics ...And more fetuses
Posted by Max Brantley on Wed, Feb 20, 2013 at 7:21 PM
Legislation by Sen. Jim Hendren would modify the state code for criminal purposes and for wrongful death lawsuits to say that an "unborn child" is an offspring of humans — whew, glad he included that or the Poultry Federation would have been on his butt — from conception until birth.
This legislature is going to severely restrict the right to sue for damaged living human beings, but Hendren would have it extend the right to sue in behalf of zygotes.
Careful how you handle those in vitro materials, UAMS! Will a pharmacist really want to dispense a morning after pill to a rape victim fearful of a possible pregnancy? What if the fertilized egg had already implanted? What if mom later had second thoughts and regretted that termination? She could sue somebody, couldn't she? You know those trial lawyers. They can think up an excuse to sue anybody for just about anything.
I only wonder why Hendren is stopping with criminal violations and wrongful death actions in behalf of terminated zygotes.
Let's give them inheritance rights. That might make a carousing legislator think twice before a night of wanton abandon. Would a sonogram qualify a five-week-old fetus for a voter-eligible ID? Social Security benefits? This whole life-begins-at-conception position — if applied as a legal construct — shouldn't be used only to give lawyers an easy pass to the courthouse. If a zygote is a child, let's give them all rights a born child has.
The Stepford Republican Caucus, likely will ratify this promptly. The fetus (not adult women) and guns are part of their Holy Trinity, along with gold.
Next up: Finding a way to pass a law that makes thinking about an act that might create a human being a potential civil and criminal wrong. You laugh. We're prosecuting people now for talking about having sex with adult men who pretend to be underage girls.
Thinking is a dangerous thing.
Speaking of...
-
Appeals court strikes down 20-week abortion ban
May 21, 2013The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has struck down the Arizona law that put a ban on abortions beginning with the 20th week of pregnancy. /more/
-
Stormy morning: Shoffner, hospitals, abortion
May 21, 2013A morning report as Arkansas watches the stormy skies: * THE STATE TREASURER WATCH: Can Martha Shoffner really return to work today as state treasurer, overseeing billions in state investments, after admitting to FBI agents that she wrongfully accepted a pie stuffed with a cash kickback from a securities salesman she inordinately favored with state business? /more/
-
Practicing law with Bro. Rapert
May 18, 2013Sen. Jason Rapert, author of the patently unconstitutional bill to ban most abortions in Arkansas at the 12th week of pregnancy, took heart yesterday at Judge Susan Webber Wright's indication that she was inclined to uphold the part of the law that requires women seeking an abortion in the 12th week of pregnancy or later to have an ultrasound and to be shown the results of that test. /more/
-
Judge Wright issues injunction against abortion law
May 17, 2013The word from the federal courthouse is that federal Judge Susan Webber Wright has issued a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the new Arkansas law that was meant to bar most abortions at the 12th week of pregnancy. /more/
-
Women's rights in court this morning
May 17, 2013Leslie Newell Peacock will be in federal court for us this morning for the preliminary injunction hearing on the lawsuit challenging the new state law prohibiting most abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy. /more/
-
Guns and fetuses: A legislative review
May 16, 2013Crazy Davy Carter, the House speaker who is a potential Republican candidate for governor, won headlines all over today for remarks at a legislative conference in Hot Springs that Republicans need to move beyond guns and abortion to focus on issues more important to average Arkies. /more/
-
Judge refuses to dismiss suit challenging new 12-week abortion limit
May 15, 2013Federal Judge Susan Webber Wright has denied the state of Arkansas's motion to dismiss the ACLU-backed lawsuit challenging the new state law, passed over Gov. Mike Beebe's veto, to prevent most abortions after the 12th week of pregnancy. /more/
-
Morning report: Prescription drug watch
May 13, 2013The morning again begins slowly. But among others: * MONITORING DOCTORS' PRESCRIPTION PRACTICES: Pro Publica has published with the Washington Post a deep look at doctors' prescription practices under Medicare. /more/
-
Flash: Texas grows enlightened on women's issues
May 7, 2013Interesting story from Texas on the Texas legislature. Republicans, who control nearly everything in Texas, apparently suffered huge blowback from their war on women in the last legislative session that cut health care to women in the battle to destroy Planned Parenthood. /more/
-
Planned Parenthood plans to press Mike Ross on record
April 22, 2013Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mike Ross made encouraging sounds about looking out for women's medical services and the ability to choose abortion when he announced last week. /more/
- More »
Comments (36)
Showing 1-36 of 36
More by Max Brantley
-
Greed rules
The Arkansas legislature earns its low regard daily, last Friday with committee approval of a constitutional amendment labeled "ethics reform."
- Apr 11, 2013
-
The readers take over
The Tuesday line commences. Finishing up: * BILL HALTER!: The two Teamster union locals have added their names to the list of unions endorsing Bill Halter's Democratic candidacy for governor.
- Mar 19, 2013
- More »
Event Calendar
-
Re: Morning report: ExxonMobil caught; city directors get big pay raise; the return of Ken Starr
LR Board of Director$ are the Key$tone cop$ of municipal mi$-government. Gov't of the big…
- on May 22, 2013
-
Re: Escaping traffic in America: The remotest place in Arkansas
My aging ringing ears can hear the two lane state hwy. which is well over…
- on May 22, 2013
-
Re: Morning report: ExxonMobil caught; city directors get big pay raise; the return of Ken Starr
These boobs will never get over Nixon. But, more importantly, a second term scandal is…
- on May 22, 2013
Top Commenters
Blogroll
Slideshows
-
May 16, 2013
Site Index
News
Cover Story / Arkansas Reporter / The Week That Was / Smart Talk / The Insider / The Observer / Editorial / Max Brantley / Ernest Dumas / Gene Lyons / Bob Lancaster / Words / Guest Writer / Letters
Entertainment
A&E Feature / To-Do List / In Brief / Movie Reviews / Music Reviews / Theater Reviews / A&E News / Art Notes / Graham Gordy / Books / Media / Dining Reviews / Dining Guide / What's Cookin' / Calendar / The Televisionist / Movie Listings / Gallery Listings
This Week's Cover
Quick Links
Special Publications
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
