17 July 2022 — 1851 mdt
Idaho GOP adopts platform plank opposing
abortions that would save the lives of women
By James Conner
Religious fundamentalists and right wing ideologues of Talibanic rigidity and intensity now control Idaho’s Republican Party. At their convention this weekend, they replaced their incumbent leaders with the likes of their new head honcho, Dorothy Moon, daughter of Missouri, former teacher, former Idaho legislator, and gold miner who, the Idaho Statesman reports, said :
“We hate being told what to do,” Regan said. “‘Wear the mask, take the jab, use these pronouns, bake the cake.’ … We need a fighter who will lead by example, while giving counties and legislative districts the latitude to fight in a way that’s effective for them.”
“We have to make sure, with the Democrats coming at us in full force, that we have our barriers are up,” Moon said. “Our guns are loaded and ready to keep this state free.”
Lay that pistol down, babe, lay that pistol down.
Actually, Moon misspoke. As the platform that was adopted proves, she meant to say “…ready to keep this state free for men.” Here, courtesy of Ruth Brown at Idaho Reports, is the lowdown on the abortion plank:
On Saturday, party delegates approved changes to the party’s “American family” platform regarding abortion. The change states “We affirm that abortion is murder from the moment of fertilization. All children should be protected regardless of the circumstances of conception, including persons conceived in rape and incest.”
The change also supports criminalizing abortion and strengthening Idaho’s constitution to protect “preborn children.”
Some delegates shared stories or concerns about ectopic pregnancies, which are non-viable pregnancies that endanger the mother, and suggested adding an exemption for abortion if the life of the mother is in “lethal danger.” A motion for amendment including that exception failed in a 412-164 vote.
In an ectopic pregnancy, a fertilized egg implants and begins growing outside the main cavity of the mother’s uterus, such as in the fallopian tube. The pregnancy is never viable, and without treatment, would threaten the mother’s life.
Scott Herndon, who unseated Sen. Jim Woodward in District 1 and will be on the November ballot for a Senate seat, vocally opposed adding the exemption. Herndon argued that both lives, meaning fetus and mother, are of equal value in that situation.
This is ideology über alles, a terrible and cruel absolute and unreviewable certainty devoid of compassion, kindness, love, and allowances for individual predicaments. It will kill women in Idaho, and that that is what the Idaho GOP wants sends one’s mind reeling.
If reports on Twitter are right, this weekend Montana’s Republican Party may have adopted a similar platform plank on abortion. Here’s Montana pediatric physician Lauren Wilson’s reaction:
The Montana GOP just passed a party platform that seeks to ban abortion with no exception for rape or incest.
— Lauren Wilson MD (@DrLaurenWilson) July 17, 2022
Meanwhile, I'm hearing prominent politicians say a 10 year old didn't get pregnant, or if she did, she should carry the baby to term and make the best of it.
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