Wednesday, September 14, 2005

I was listening to NPR this morning and I'm getting more and more anxious about the prospect of John Roberts becoming the next Supreme Court Justice. He is going to roll right in and reverse Roe v Wade. I just know it. And I'm not sure that people really understand the consequences of that.

First of all, I am NOT a proponent of abortion. I'm not sure anyone is. I am adopted so the idea of abortion is very difficult for me. It's not something that I could ever do. I am a big supporter of sex education as a preventative measure. Of course, most conservatives won't let us have that either. The main problem with saying that a woman does not have the right to decide what to do with her own body is that is sets a dangerous precedent. We could slide down that slippery slope to things like not being able to decide whether or not you can die with dignity. Or, in an extreme case, in Guatemala the government has been systematically sterilizing indigenous women. That is a perfect example of the government being able to decide what women can or cannot do with their own bodies. Do we really want to go down that road? How much personal autonomy does an individual have when it comes it his/her own body?

And do we want John Roberts to decide that for us?

5 comments:

Genevieve said...

you know, I know I'm going to be mad at myself later if Roberts is appointed, because I haven't been going to any protests or even watching/listening/reading about the confirmation hearings. I'm so wrapped up in the hurricane that I can't think about other news right now.

Anonymous said...

Considering Roberts is replacing the ultra-conservative Rehnquist, and thus replacing his vote, I'd like you to explain the math that will allow Roberts to "roll right in and reverse Roe v. Wade."

Genevieve said...

it's not because Roberts is replacing Rehnquist, it's because he's replacing O'Connor. Who is a moderate and often a tie breaker in voting. And often the only reason that things like Roe are still around.

Anonymous said...

You must be "so wrapped up in the hurricane" that you haven't realized Rehnquist died and Roberts is up for his seat now. Replacing Rehnquist's vote with Roberts' at best swings the court towards the left, but at worst it hasn't changed the balance.

The important nominee will be the next one.

Of course, none of this should be a surprise. It's always been assumed that if Bush won in 2004 he would get to put some conservatives on the court.

Genevieve said...

Of course I realize Rehnquist died! Are you crazy? O'Connor is still retiring though!! And it doesn't matter which actual seat Roberts is up for -- O'Connor is still a moderate swing vote, and she'll still be gone.