Safe, Legal and Rare

It is quite known that I am not Rick Perry’s number one supporter. I would never use the word hate but I strongly dislike some of the things he has done over the years. The Texas sonogram law which has gained so much popularity recently is the new reason why I dislike Rick Perry so much. This law mandates that women who are seeking an abortion are required to get a sonogram at least 24 hours beforehand. Along with the sonogram, the woman seeking an abortion is required to visit with the doctor who is going to perform the abortion and be told about the baby that they are trying to abort. There are a few exceptions to this law; if the woman is raped or the child is a product of incest then the woman can opt-out sonogram requirement. Also, if the woman lives over 100 miles away from the clinic where the abortion is going to be performed, then the sonogram at least 24 hours prior no longer applies. The woman does not get out of the sonogram and the awkward discussion with the doctor aborting their child, but instead they just have to come to the clinic at least 2 hours prior to their abortion appointment to get all the details.

Is this really what we have come to? I mean, we get it, Rick Perry and his “good ‘ol boy” Republicans want to take away all rights that women have but now it’s getting a little out of hand. What right is it for someone to mandate that a woman has to get a sonogram and discuss her unborn child with a doctor at least 24 hours prior to aborting it/them/he/she? Rick Perry doesn’t have the ability to make abortion illegal (but sometimes I wonder if he’s ever heard of Roe v. Wade) but apparently, he is trying to make it as difficult as possible. Rick Perry believes that if he requires expecting mothers to get a sonogram before aborting their child, then it will pull on their heart strings and make them change their mind.

I tend to agree with Bill Clinton on the issue; “abortion should be safe, legal and rare.” I don’t’ necessarily support or practice my right to be able to have an abortion, but I do believe that other women who do, should be able to do so without this ignorant act. The Perry administration is actively attempting to force their beliefs onto us; it’s one thing for them to say that they are against abortions and do not support them, but forcing women to go through this process is flat out wrong. I bet Rick Perry wouldn't want his wife or daughters to ever be forced to do something they didn't want to do. Maybe he should think about that!