Random thoughts on SB-5

Get ready for a brain dump…

Let me start by saying that I’m anti-abortion. But while I was a bit more firm in my beliefs about abortion growing up, I now really wrestle with the issue and how it plays out in the lives of people across our country — and around the world.

I don’t really believe anyone is “pro-abortion” but I think we’ve come to a place where the debate has been over-simplified and become a battle between an unborn child and a woman’s choice. And I think we can all agree that as Americans we’re pretty proud of our “personal freedoms” and will fight to keep them whenever we believe their being infringed on.

Like most issues these days, the talking points make it an either-or issue.

And yet in reality, it no longer feels like the black and white issue both sides want to paint it as. (Read Rachel Held Evans great post on these ideas.)

I hate that any woman would be in a place where they would not feel they have the resources or ability to raise a child – regardless of it being planned or unplanned.

I hate that there are couples across the state and our country who are fighting infertility of their own and would gladly adopt an un-wanted child if a mother would simply choose to follow that path.

I hate that any divisive issue like this becomes a test of one’s “true faith” and that accusations are thrown around like, “How can you say you’re a true ___ if you don’t believe ___.”

I hate that as passions rise on any topic we’re far to quick to demonize the other side as evil monsters.

I hate that “pro-life” has become a single issue phrase and rarely takes in consideration life after birth (of the child, the mother or any others) in the public debate.

I’m glad that we’re not as barbaric as some cultures who simply left unwanted babies on the street to die or to be eaten by wild animals.

I’m glad we have organizations who are willing and do offer a helping hand to mothers in need. There’s a great one in downtown Dallas.

All that said – here are some other random observations from the circus surrounding SB-5 Bill in Texas.

I thought the tactic the Republicans used to limit abortions in the state and tie it in to the timely Kermit Gosnell case was interesting. I would probably say a politically smart maneuver. It reminded me of William Wilberforce’s tricky legislation to end slavery in England. “We’re not saying you can’t have an abortion – we’re just making it really hard to do so.”

From the conversations I’ve heard and been a part of, most conservatives would probably think the same thing about my suggested gun control measures. “I’m not saying you can’t have a gun — although we all know I’d much rather say that — I’m simply saying we should have some measures in place to be sure you’re the right person to own a gun.”

Using a special session to push through legislation at the last minute was also an interesting tact.

While the Republican tactics may have been a smart attempt to outlaw something, I would much rather see statesmen come together and find common ground on issues rather than use political maneuvering – regardless of the side or the viewpoint. Rather than trying to outfox the opponent, is it now impossible to get anything done through finding common ground?

One of the provisions of the law is that abortions must take place in surgical centers. I’m wondering if any hospitals give abortions? If they do that would seem to be a better scenario than going to a clinic somewhere that may not have any ties to a hospital at all.

Making abortion illegal won’t stop people from having abortions (see previous gun control debates) but it will limit the accessibility.

If abortion is outlawed in the US what happens to the mothers who still choose to have an abortion? Will they be sent to jail? Will they join the other 500 people who have been executed by the State of Texas since 1982?

Why does it feel like Texas Republicans are so against providing a safety net or welfare system to individuals and then also limiting their access to abortion? To me it feels like they’re saying, “If you can’t dig yourself out of your own hole, we’re not going to help you. And if you’re a woman and you end up pregnant – you’re double screwed because you’re going to have to raise that kid without any help.”

And at the same time – the father of the unwanted child is usually completely off the hook.

What does that say to women? A group of legislatures (predominately men) making laws that won’t ever personally affect them.

Also, if you’re really going to be against abortions, shouldn’t you be in support of making contraceptives more accessible? The less pregnancies there are to begin with – the less un-wanted pregnancies there are and ultimately the less abortions there are.

SB-5 would have set a new limit on how late in a pregnancy an abortion can take place – 20 weeks. I’m unclear as to why anyone would need beyond 12 weeks to have an abortion (except in cases of medical emergencies). But like the gun debate, when you start talking any limitations the opposing side will get up in arms at the suggestion of any limitations on their rights.

I’ve seen a number of people comment how horrible it was that an unruly mob ruined true democracy. I think if the shoe were on the other foot – the other side would be saying the same thing – but again that’s hard to say for sure in our current Texas climate because the GOP has had control of the legislature for as long as I can remember.

From my limited perspective, I thought the “mob” was quite orderly until Senator Van de Putte (who had buried her father earlier in the day) raised the issue with the presiding Senate president that she had not been recognized before he tried to force a vote. Her comment, “At what point must a female senator raise her voice to be recognized by her male colleagues?” seemed to be the trigger that set the gallery off.

The legislature considered restoring funding to women health providers during the regular session that had been cut during the 2011 session. They began to realize that cutting women’s health resources might not be such a good thing in the long run.

But in the end – I want to see more mothers (and fathers) getting the help they need to raise their children so we can have less abortions, less violence, less generational poverty, less murders, less death row executions, less war and less hatred.

Is that so hard to ask? 😉

And as I mentioned Tuesday night on Twitter – no hearts were changed in the making of this legislation… or this blog post.