North Dakota trumps itself, now wants to ban all abortions

This is getting ridiculous. Just two weeks ago, the Republican-controlled North Dakota Legislature passed a bill banning abortion at a mere twelve weeks, well before fetal viability and in direct violation of Roe v. Wade. Then, just a week later, they trumped themselves by becoming the first to pass a “fetal heartbeat” bill banning abortion at only six weeks, before many women even suspect they may be pregnant.

Well, it appears they still aren’t happy that the occasional lucky woman might still be able to enjoy some reproductive agency, as they’ve now decided to try and just ban abortion outright:

Lawmakers on Friday took a step toward outlawing abortion altogether in the state by passing a so-called personhood resolution that says a fertilized egg has the same right to life as a person. The House's approval sends the matter to voters, who will decide whether to add the wording to the state's constitution in November 2014.

It's one of several anti-abortion measures to pass the Legislature. Most are awaiting the signature of Republican Gov. Jack Dalrymple, who hasn't yet indicated whether he supports the laws. Even if he were to veto them, some could have the support for the Legislature to override him.

I can’t be the only one to find grim amusement in the irony of patriarchal ideologues declaring that mere eggs should have all the rights and protections they’re trying to strip from actual adult women who simply want to make their own decisions regarding their well-being, can I?

There’s little in Gov. Dalrymple’s record to indicate which way he swings on abortion rights in general, though he appears to be a consummate Republican in just about everything, which isn’t exactly reassuring. At any rate, should he enact these laws, it’s all but guaranteed that they’d meet certain doom in the inevitable court battles to ensue, given how very clear the Supreme Court made their view in 1973. It’s almost like Republicans enjoy a good spanking by the courts these days … which, given how many of their “traditional values” hypocrites end up making headlines for their quirky bedroom proclivities, is comedic fodder all on its own.

Who knows; there may just be hope for the state’s lone functioning abortion clinic yet.

(via @BreakingNews)