National attention, correctly, focused on the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision to enforce an 1864 law banning abortions in the state. Most of that attention has focused on the potential political fallout of the decision.
That makes some sense, as Arizona is considered one of the critical “swing states” in this November’s presidential election. And if that managed to elude anyone, national Republicans called on the Arizona Legislature to modify the territorial-era law to something less draconian…even dare I say it… a change allowing women to have a choice. As GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake said:
“I chose life, but I’m not every woman. I want to make sure that every woman who finds herself pregnant has more choices so that she can make that choice that I made,” she said.
We’ll see how that plays out….particularly as the Arizona Legislature seems to be in no great hurry to do anything on the matter right now. As state Rep. Teresa Martinez said:
“We do not want to repeal the pre-Roe law without first having a conversation about it,” she said in a floor speech. “There is no reason to rush on this very important topic. We must listen to all viewpoints thoroughly. We cannot do that when our colleagues are acting in the way they did this morning.”
Okay…but to be fair, when any politician says they want more discussion to hear all sides of important issues, they are usually just stalling for time as they search for political cover.
But let’s set our cynicism about politicians for a moment and take the idea of discussion at face value. The New York Times has a fascinating piece on the context that surrounded the adoption of the 1864 law – and the “moralistic streak” that helped make it possible.
And while the Arizona worthies are having a discussion, perhaps they may wish to include a story brewing in Indiana. There, state courts have ruled that there is a religious exemption to Indiana’s stringent abortion law. The reasoning: different faiths have different beliefs about when life begins. A law using an explicitly conservative Christian view of when life beings to craft an abortion law violates another state law – the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
As Religion News Service’s Mark Silk noted, one appeals court judge was clear that one sect cannot dictate policy for all:
…Judge L. Mark Bailey put it bluntly in a short concurrence:
Legislators, an overwhelming majority of whom have not experienced childbirth, nevertheless dictate that virtually all pregnancies in this State must proceed to birth notwithstanding the onerous burden upon women and girls. They have done so not based upon science or viability but upon a blanket assertion that they are the protectors of “life” from the moment of conception. In my view, this is an adoption of a religious viewpoint held by some, but certainly not all, Hoosiers. The least that can be expected is that the remaining Hoosiers of child bearing ability will be given the opportunity to act in accordance with their own consciences and religious creeds.
That might be useful for the Arizona pols to add to their full, complete and wide-ranging discussion on whether to change that state’s law.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
Norman Leahy has written about national and Virginia politics for more than 30 years with outlets ranging from The Washington Post to BearingDrift.com. A consulting writer, editor, recovering think tank executive and campaign operative, Norman lives in Virginia.
Norman Leahy has written about national and Virginia politics for more than 30 years with outlets ranging from The Washington Post to BearingDrift.com. A consulting writer, editor, recovering think tank executive and campaign operative, Norman lives in Virginia.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Pentagon will begin annual testosterone deficiency
At American Liberty News, we eschew the mainstream media’s tightly controlled narrative to provide our readers with real news, real insights, and the means to take action. We seek out insightful coverage – and partner with knowledgeable and experienced people and organizations to bring you the information and insight our readers demand.
We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
Uncertainty Rocks Traditional Republican States: Imminent Reckoning Ahead?
National attention, correctly, focused on the Arizona Supreme Court’s decision to enforce an 1864 law banning abortions in the state. Most of that attention has focused on the potential political fallout of the decision.
That makes some sense, as Arizona is considered one of the critical “swing states” in this November’s presidential election. And if that managed to elude anyone, national Republicans called on the Arizona Legislature to modify the territorial-era law to something less draconian…even dare I say it… a change allowing women to have a choice. As GOP Senate candidate Kari Lake said:
We’ll see how that plays out….particularly as the Arizona Legislature seems to be in no great hurry to do anything on the matter right now. As state Rep. Teresa Martinez said:
Okay…but to be fair, when any politician says they want more discussion to hear all sides of important issues, they are usually just stalling for time as they search for political cover.
But let’s set our cynicism about politicians for a moment and take the idea of discussion at face value. The New York Times has a fascinating piece on the context that surrounded the adoption of the 1864 law – and the “moralistic streak” that helped make it possible.
And while the Arizona worthies are having a discussion, perhaps they may wish to include a story brewing in Indiana. There, state courts have ruled that there is a religious exemption to Indiana’s stringent abortion law. The reasoning: different faiths have different beliefs about when life begins. A law using an explicitly conservative Christian view of when life beings to craft an abortion law violates another state law – the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
As Religion News Service’s Mark Silk noted, one appeals court judge was clear that one sect cannot dictate policy for all:
That might be useful for the Arizona pols to add to their full, complete and wide-ranging discussion on whether to change that state’s law.
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: GOP House Votes To Repeal Hugely Controversial Law
Norman Leahy
Norman Leahy has written about national and Virginia politics for more than 30 years with outlets ranging from The Washington Post to BearingDrift.com. A consulting writer, editor, recovering think tank executive and campaign operative, Norman lives in Virginia.
Norman Leahy
Norman Leahy has written about national and Virginia politics for more than 30 years with outlets ranging from The Washington Post to BearingDrift.com. A consulting writer, editor, recovering think tank executive and campaign operative, Norman lives in Virginia.
Search
follow us
subscribe
TRENDING STORIES
When Dissent Goes Corporate: Neville Roy Singham Meets Jay Clayton’s Grand Jury
Not Mission Capable: The Flaws In Trump’s Interim Air Force One
The Dangerous Luxury Of Forgetting How Socialism Ends
The Death Penalty Is Justice, But Can We Trust Our Government?
SECURITY
Army Spent $469 Million On Texas Artillery Plant That Produced Zero Usable Shell Parts
A Texas ammunition factory built with nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer funding
Hegseth Releases Dramatic Image Of Chabahar Control Tower Collapse As US Intensifies Strikes On Iran
Friday campaign appears to mark the heaviest day of renewed U.S. operations Secretary of
Tehran Billboard Depicts Trump In Coffin As US-Iran Conflict Escalates
A giant billboard depicting a disheveled caricature of President Donald Trump lying in a
Iran’s Strikes On Gulf States Follow US Attacks, Egypt Sounds Alarm
Iran launched missiles and drones at several Gulf states hosting U.S. military forces Thursday
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Joe Scarborough Asks Ro Khanna If West Bank Detention Was A Publicity Stunt
MS NOW host Joe Scarborough questioned Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) about allegations that the
Russia Suffers Setback As China Rejects Key Terms For Power Of Siberia 2 Pipeline
Russia’s long-running effort to secure a second major natural gas pipeline to China has
Trump Threatens New Tariffs Over Canada’s Wildfire Smoke
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose new tariffs on Canada, accusing Ottawa of
Powerful 7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Rattles Southern Coast Of Mexico
A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off Mexico’s southern Pacific coast Friday morning, shaking communities
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS
Trump Threatens New Tariffs Over Canada’s Wildfire Smoke
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose new tariffs on Canada, accusing Ottawa of
Xbox CEO’s Federal Reserve Appointment Sparks Backlash Following Microsoft Layoffs
The Federal Reserve is facing criticism after appointing Xbox CEO Asha Sharma to a
The AI Jobs Apocalypse Just Failed Its First Contact With The Evidence
Imagine a chief executive standing before his investors after a bruising quarter. He overhired
Trump Orders Immediate Halt to Trade With Spain Over NATO Dispute
President Donald Trump dramatically escalated his pressure campaign against NATO allies on Wednesday by
HEALTH & SCIENCE
Trump Threatens New Tariffs Over Canada’s Wildfire Smoke
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to impose new tariffs on Canada, accusing Ottawa of
JD Vance Says He Didn’t Know Biden Underwent Brain Surgeries, Faults Media During Rogan Interview
Vice President JD Vance expressed astonishment after learning during an interview with podcast host
Famous Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger Announces Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
Capt. Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, the celebrated pilot who saved 155 lives during the “Miracle
Hegseth Orders Annual Testosterone Tests For Troops Over 30
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Wednesday that the Pentagon will begin annual testosterone deficiency
At American Liberty News, we eschew the mainstream media’s tightly controlled narrative to provide our readers with real news, real insights, and the means to take action. We seek out insightful coverage – and partner with knowledgeable and experienced people and organizations to bring you the information and insight our readers demand.
We humbly seek to provide the tools and information necessary for our readers to decide for themselves what is true and what is right.
TOP TAGS
TOP CATEGORIES
FEATURES
American Liberty News ©2024
Evolution Digital Media
1900 Reston Metro Plz
Suite 600
Reston, VA 20190