Fayetteville Observer Forum: Readers debate the end of federal abortion protections
We recently asked readers their thoughts on the U.S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision last month, ending federal protection for abortion rights. In so doing, all but one of the Court’s conservative members voted to overturn the historic privacy case, Roe v. Wade (1973), as well as Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992).
We received a spirited response from across our community.
Below is a sampling. If you would still like to contribute to the conversation, join the discussion at the Facebook group, “Community Conversations with Myron.”
More: When will NC’s ban on abortions after 20 weeks take effect? Legal experts disagree
We thank all who took the time to weigh in.
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Criminalizing abortion will not stop it, but it will make it more dangerous
Women who can afford it will travel to another state or country to get an abortion; women who can’t afford to get the procedure done and are desperate enough, will turn to dangerous methods to terminate an unwanted pregnancy, whether it means doing it herself, or paying a back-alley quack to do it. Women who are this desperate are more than willing to take a terrible chance with their life and health.
More: Fayetteville activists: Abortion ruling will hurt pregnant Black women
Remember Mrs. Gerri Santoro, who died on the dirty floor of a motel room from an unsafe abortion in 1964? We will see more and more of these tragedies unless Roe v. Wade is restored.
Contrary to what Sen. Ted Cruz (R) of Texas said, that “pregnancy is not a life-threatening illness.” It can be, senator. Just ask any doctor or health care professional. Life-threatening conditions such as eclampsia, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis and any problem with the placenta, can kill a pregnant woman.
Pregnancy is dangerous for young girls under the age of 20, since they are still not physically mature enough to carry a pregnancy through. There was a 10-year-old rape victim who was 6 weeks pregnant, who was forced to travel from Ohio to Indiana to get an abortion. A child having a baby at that age is just wrong. Was the rapist ever brought to justice?
More: The Fayetteville Observer Forum: What do you think of the Supreme Court decision on abortion?
Before Roe v. Wade, women who had an unsafe abortion were rushed to hospitals, suffering from uncontrollable hemorrhaging and sepsis that resulted from botched abortions, and many of them died as a result. Health care professionals who had to deal with the aftermath of unsafe abortions describe what a nightmare it was.
Abortion is a very private and personal decision, and it is no politician’s business to make our health care decisions for us.
Linda H. O’Neil, Fayetteville
I was very glad to see the Supreme Court make its decision on Roe v. Wade. For me, abortion is wrong. Certainly in some cases allowance should be made for things like the life and health of the mother being in danger.
More: Private pain, public policy: Pregnancy, loss and the choices they made
But let’s be honest, that is a small number of cases relative to the total number of abortions each year. Every life counts, especially those unborn.
On the state level, NC has an existing ban on abortions after 20 weeks already on the law books. It had to be set aside after the original Roe decision was made. But it is still on the state books and just needs to be enforced. It appears a battle is brewing between the legislature and the attorney general over this.
Stuart Walters, Fayetteville
I think that the decision is wrong! The right for a woman to have a choice of their reproductive rights should be their right; it is their body.
I don’t hear the government telling men when and where they can or should reproduce. Men, don’t have to deal with any of the emotional or physical issues that may or may not come along with a young girl or woman making a decision on abortion.
Some religious people will state to me what the “Bible” says about taking a life. I just finished studying Development Psychology, in which we study from birth to the end of life. When learning about pregnancy, the three stages, the last organ that is developing is the lungs at the end of the third trimester.
My choice or my granddaughters’ choice of their body should not be up to the government.
Jean Howard, Fayetteville
This court just corrected the 1973’s Supreme Court's abusive use of judicial activism. Abortion should have (and always should be) decided by the PEOPLE. The current Supreme Court did just this; nothing more, nothing less. The decision of abortion now falls to the individual states.
States will vote to ban, regulate, and/or relax abortion law; this will happen in North Carolina and the balance of the country. It's that simple.
Richy Milligan (a Fayetteville native), Greenville, South Carolina
I dissent.
Recently, the Supreme Court issued some of the most egregious rulings of the last 50 years. Let’s start with the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Women have had the right to an abortion for nearly 50 years. This Court chose to ignore the tradition of stare decisis and further divide an already polarized nation.
The Catholic church and its beliefs about abortion, which are held by many members of the Supreme Court, should not be used to take away a Constitutional right for women. This Supreme Court ignored the first clause in the Bill of Rights, which states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” mandating the separation of church and state.
As for other recent Court decisions: America does not need more guns on the street. The ruling by in the case of New York State Rifle and Pistol Association V. Bruen did just that — put more guns on the street. There have been over 250 mass shootings in the U.S. so far and the year is not over.
Additionally, this Supreme Court has restricted the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to mandate carbon emission reductions. The mission of the EPA is to protect human health and the environment. This court should get out of the way and let the EPA do its job.
It’s painfully obvious to me that this Supreme Court does not care about the health of the people, the environment or the economic well-being of this country. This rogue Court should not be allowed to destroy this country just to score political points. One can only conclude that the Court is out of touch, indignant and ruthless. The only recourse is to expand the court or implement term limits.
Daisy B. Foxx, Fayetteville
I think it was a very, very big mistake overturning Roe v. Wade. I think you will see major protests and boycotts from women and supporters of “my body, my choice” movements. If it was “my body, my choice” when it came to wearing masks and getting vaccinations to help protect people’s lives, why has that now changed when it comes to a woman deciding what is best for her body and her life?
Religion should never be a basis for Constitutional rights. Our country was formed on the basis of separation of church and state, and if you are so opposed to abortions and such, don’t have one. It’s that simple, you have the CHOICE to not have one. No one is forcing one upon you.
If we are going to regulate women who get pregnant and bring theology into it, claiming God wanted her to be pregnant, then Viagra should now also be banned — because God gave that man erectile dysfunction. I’m so sick of the double standard and people trying to ram their religion and beliefs down everyone’s throats.
I will fight for your right to choose and believe in your religion, but that does NOT mean I must believe the same thing and follow those same morals.
Rachael, Kenly
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I believe life starts at conception. I also believe that right to life does not stop once the child is born. We need to care for the most vulnerable throughout the life cycle. All lives are valuable and we need to treat them as such.
Connie Marlene Reagan, Fayetteville
I think the Supreme Court decision was God awful. It’s people wanting the baby to not be aborted, but also who want to cut public assistance to those same mothers. Who say that adoption is an alternative to abortion, but who have not solved the issue of the millions who are already in the foster system.
It’s a shame.
Devon Matos, Fayetteville
Myron B. Pitts can be reached at mpitts@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3559.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville forum: Readers debate the end of Roe, federal abortion rights
