As reported by the Associated Press, the Supreme Court today in a 5-4 decision decided that the “Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act” passed by Congress in 2003 holds muster and does not violate a woman’s right to choose an abortion. One of the main bones of contention with this act was the fact that it didn’t discriminate on a case-by-case basis — if a partial birth abortion is necessary to try and save the life of the mother, too fucking bad. Justice Kennedy wrote in his decision, “the law need not give abortion doctors unfettered choice in the course of their medical practice.” Because, you know, a judge knows better than your doctor.

Not surprisingly, besides Kennedy the other justices in the majority were John Roberts, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Antonin Scalia. Justice Ginsberg offered this opinion:

“Today’s decision is alarming,” Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg wrote in dissent. She said the ruling “refuses to take … seriously” previous Supreme Court decisions on abortion. Ginsburg said the latest decision “tolerates, indeed applauds, federal intervention to ban nationwide a procedure found necessary and proper in certain cases by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.”

Look, I’m not a big fan of abortion — I think it’s a tragic circumstance and a serious medical procedure that should not be taken lightly. But I also realize that’s my personal opinion, and if you want to base your thoughts regarding abortion solely on an ancient religious text, then feel free to mind your own house and don’t impose your view of morality on the rest of us.

Bookmark to: