“Feminism is nonnegotiable” says the great comedian Margaret Cho in her recent book I Have Chosen to Stay and Fight. “If you’re not a feminist, you do not deserve to live.”
To wit: South Dakota. The Mount Rushmore state, where you can drive almost all the way to the western edge and stand underneath that shrine of democracy in the Black Hills. Gaze up at those great stony men and shudder because the state legislature has just passed a bill that will ban abortion, even in cases of rape and incest. Even when giving birth would damage the health of the woman. The only exception would be to save the life of the woman. This of course begs the question of whether anyone would even know how to perform an abortion in this situation, given that the procedure is currently available in the state only at one Planned Parenthood clinic, which is actually staffed by heroic doctors from neighbouring Minnesota.
The bill was sponsored by DFL senator Julie Bartling. The misogyny is breathtaking. Don’t worry, I’ve already mailed her a lovely scarlet Handmaid’s Tale-style burqa since she seems so keen on giving away our rights. Who do you think would win in a rumble? Senator Bartling or Margaret Cho?
The bill is on the desk of pro-life Governor Mike Rounds, who has to sign before it becomes law. Maybe you should write and tell him what you think.
Back at Mount Rushmore, I have to ask WWJD? That’s what would Jefferson do, Chicklets. Remember him? Author of the Declaration of Independence, originator of the phrase “separation of church and state,” which you know, became the basis for a little thing called the First Amendment. Remember that?