Thursday, Birthday, Unfortunateness in Book Five: Working Through the Maze 2018

It is my 34th Birthday today but what I want to talk about first is the news out of Iowa that you all may or may not have heard. It is a pretty big deal and has been part of BBC reports, ACLU memos, and Facebook Memes since yesterday.

In the middle of the night this week, Iowa’s primarily GOP government passed what is being called, “The most restrictive anti-abortion law in the United States” (some say the most restrictive anti-abortion law in ‘The Free World.’) The law has been signed and is going to the Governor where it is almost certain to be signed. The specific item being focused upon is called “the fetal heartbeat bill” which says that if the fetus has a detectable heartbeat, it cannot be aborted. This means that the only abortions allowed in the state of Iowa will now be required to take place between conception and the end of the 5th week of pregnancy. In other words… if you get pregnant and your way of finding out is to see if you miss your period? Well… you’d better find another way because you may not be able to do that in Iowa.

A few quick things.
(1) My own feelings on abortion are complicated and very layered. I do believe that we need to view abortion as a medical issue instead of a moral or religious issue. Other than that… a small little writing thing here won’t be adequate to discuss the issue.
(2) The Iowa Legislature has been actively trying to outlaw abortion for years. When I was in college, they passed a bill that said NO ABORTION (or abortion-like procedures) after a specific number of months even if it were detrimental to the mother’s health to have the baby. That is… that was… I was infuriated. So… the Iowa Government, under the auspices of being for ‘less government’, tried to pass a bill that said, “No, yeah… let the mom die just so long as that baby gets born so we can send it immediately to an orphanage and ignore it for the next 19 years.” Pissed me off.
(3) The specific reason for this bill isn’t even to “limit abortion.” The Iowa GOP is largely controlled by outside influences… they call them “Nationally Focused Interest Groups.” In other words… people from outside of Iowa are heavily influencing Iowa law in order to set National Precedent. Yes, this law that Iowa passed and Iowa will live with and Iowa will have to defend at the Supreme Court Level (using Iowa Tax Payer Money) was designed/written/for outside of Iowa interests. All because those interests are absolutely gagging to get Roe v. Wade overturned.
(4) The western portion (4th District) of Iowa has been militantly Pro Life for the last decade (or more) in significant and detrimental ways. Meaning: They’ve consistently voted for someone who has absolutely destroyed their district… but they keep voting for him because he has vehemently said things along the lines of “Abortion is legalized murder!”

Steve King said of the bill: “The Iowa General Assembly just passed Heartbeat legislation that will protect nearly every baby from abortionists. If a heartbeat can be detected, the baby is protected. The most consequential legislation in Iowa history. America thanks you!

NBC News: Iowa Lawmakers fast-tracked a bill that would ban most abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detected, sending what could be the nation’s most restrictive abortion legislation to the governor.

Rob Sand: Iowa R leaders wasted 1000s in taxpayer $ to push heartbeat bill they know will cost more in court, and is unconstitutional. Credit to Rs who voted no. Btw, this Christian will point out Bible says in 3 places that life begins at breath. #wewontgoback #iapolitics

I will say this, personally..... several Pro Life Iowans have said versions of the following: “Iowa passed the fetal heartbeat bill and people are saying ‘back ally abortions will come back.’ If you do it in a doctors office or in a back ally (sic), it’s murder either way.”

That… is a painfully disappointing way of looking at it. A medical procedure that could murder the patient… should that be done by amateurs? Scared teenagers? Adults with significant health concerns desperately looking for help? Should these people be allowed to receive a medical procedure from a doctor?

My birthday so far has been okay. Drove an hour to Ames, saw Nephew Dog who was super excited to see me, then went to lunch. After lunch toured brother’s office them went to the Indian Grocer to pick up Wife’s favorite snack. I was going to do some actual grocery shopping and pick up some other stuff but… the hour drive back from Ames was rougher than I expected. Like…just tired and drained. So after barely surviving the drive back, it was nap without sleeping time. No idea what this evening will be but I can 100% promise you that it will be watching TV with Wife.

Honestly… wish it wasn’t but… I’m so tired right now that such may be the best way to spend this evening.