The Weakest Argument for Overturning Roe v. Wade I've Ever Heard
Let's say that the state of Texas makes a law that men have to be kicked in the balls once a day. Now a lone Texan comes along and doesn't like that law. He takes it to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. The Supreme Court, after carefully studying the Constitution, decides that each man should get to decide for himself if and when he wants to be kicked in the balls.
Now, because of this decision, a huge politcal rift is created. The Pro-Ball-Kickers and the Anti-Ball-Kickers.
And then a 'journalist' comes along, and blames the Supreme Court for the huge political divide that was created and all the nastiness between the Senate Pro-Ball-Kickers and the Anti-Ball-Kickers. The Supreme Court had to make a decision one way or another, and they made the decision that made the most sense. Men should not have to be kicked in the balls. Each man should get to decide whether he gets kicked in the balls or not.
Now, I can see, if you were a big fan of Ball-Kicking, how you could take the angle of blaming the Supreme Court for putting a damper on your Ball-Kicking activities, but blaming them for yours and other's politcal viciousness? Come on David Brooks, you're stretching it a bit. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions, whether we are Ball-Kickers, Democrats, Republicans, or abortion clinic bombers.
If your teacher tells you that you can't chew gum in class, you can't blame her if you beat somebody up at recess, even if gum chewing is involved.
UPDATE: The Rude Pundit goes after Brooks too, but in a much more poetically than I.
What a complete misunderstanding of history, of the workings of the American government, what a fuckin' blame-the-victim mentality. Let's toss this around for a moment or two. Why blame the Supreme Court? Why not blame the Texas legislature, which had outlawed abortion, thus forcing Norma McCorvey to go to court in order to overturn the law? Why not blame Richard Nixon, for appointing Harry Blackmun and Lewis Powell to the Supreme Court? Or Ike for appointing Potter Stewart and William Brennan? Or how about blaming the sperm that nuzzled with the egg in McCorvey's womb? The penis from which the sperm spewed? Do you see the absurdity of attempting to isolate Roe v. Wade?
Now, because of this decision, a huge politcal rift is created. The Pro-Ball-Kickers and the Anti-Ball-Kickers.
And then a 'journalist' comes along, and blames the Supreme Court for the huge political divide that was created and all the nastiness between the Senate Pro-Ball-Kickers and the Anti-Ball-Kickers. The Supreme Court had to make a decision one way or another, and they made the decision that made the most sense. Men should not have to be kicked in the balls. Each man should get to decide whether he gets kicked in the balls or not.
Now, I can see, if you were a big fan of Ball-Kicking, how you could take the angle of blaming the Supreme Court for putting a damper on your Ball-Kicking activities, but blaming them for yours and other's politcal viciousness? Come on David Brooks, you're stretching it a bit. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions, whether we are Ball-Kickers, Democrats, Republicans, or abortion clinic bombers.
If your teacher tells you that you can't chew gum in class, you can't blame her if you beat somebody up at recess, even if gum chewing is involved.
UPDATE: The Rude Pundit goes after Brooks too, but in a much more poetically than I.
What a complete misunderstanding of history, of the workings of the American government, what a fuckin' blame-the-victim mentality. Let's toss this around for a moment or two. Why blame the Supreme Court? Why not blame the Texas legislature, which had outlawed abortion, thus forcing Norma McCorvey to go to court in order to overturn the law? Why not blame Richard Nixon, for appointing Harry Blackmun and Lewis Powell to the Supreme Court? Or Ike for appointing Potter Stewart and William Brennan? Or how about blaming the sperm that nuzzled with the egg in McCorvey's womb? The penis from which the sperm spewed? Do you see the absurdity of attempting to isolate Roe v. Wade?
posted by cookie christine @ 4/21/2005
5 Comments:
At April 21, 2005,
Anonymous said…
That is the BEST post I have seen regarding the abortion laws. I do believe if the ultra conservatives had their way, they would throw out the constitution and replace it with the bible.
At April 21, 2005,
cookie christine said…
And if they think they can legislate what we do with our uteruses, by golly, we should be able to legislate what happens to their balls.
At April 21, 2005,
Anonymous said…
My favorite post on Brooks:
http://www.busybusybusy.com/b3_arc_05_0418.shtml#Apri21050400PM
On the one hand, when I read, "We should be able to legislate what happens to their balls", I get kind of turned on.
It's like one of those late night science fiction movies on Cinemax where a totally hot legislature of leather clad, big busted women debate the pressing issue of what to do with the ball issue!
On the other hand, while I think Roe v. Wade is an endlessly reasonable, sensible, and morally correct decision, sometimes, I just feel like I'd like to see these Republican nuts overturn it.
They won't. They don't want to. What the ignorant rubes who vote Republican don't understand is that Republican politicians LOVE Roe v. Wade.
Roe v. Wade is the greatest thing that ever happened to the Republican party. Republicans have been getting elected for twenty years because of Roe v. Wade, and they haven't done SHIT about it.
Republican politicians would DIE if Roe v. Wade were overturned. Without Roe v. Wade, there wouldn't be ANY reason to vote Republican.
And Republican politicians KNOW that. Even if Republicans don't.
So, again, sometimes I just feel like liberals should call their bluff--like liberals should ALL say, "Hey, if the Republican House, Senate, President, and Supreme Court would like to overturn Roe v. Wade, well, we won't stand in your way."
I'd LOVE to see their reaction to THAT.
At April 22, 2005,
cookie christine said…
On the one hand, when I read, "We should be able to legislate what happens to their balls", I get kind of turned on.
It's like one of those late night science fiction movies on Cinemax where a totally hot legislature of leather clad, big busted women debate the pressing issue of what to do with the ball issue!
I don't really have anything to say about that, I just wanted to repeat it in italics.
But if they want to keep Roe v Wade as a talking point, I say go ahead. Make it last forever if it helps their cause, as it will also help countless numbers of women.
At April 22, 2005,
Anonymous said…
Well, about the movies, what can I say? I'm a huge Andy Sedaris fan.
About Roe v. Wade, I'm with you, sister. I'm just saying, while a certain nutball faction of the Republican voting populace would love to see Roe go, Republican politicians are more value it more than Democratic politicians.
For different reasons, of course.
For the Gee Oh Pee, it's just gin for the rubes.
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