Pregnant Women Could Be Punished Under Utah Abortion Ban
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) A proposal to ban abortions in Utah might also carry with it a criminal penalty for women who get an abortion. Representative Paul Ray thinks it's not just the doctor who deserves to be punished in what he calls "killing babies.""It's a two-way street," says Ray. "The provider's not forcing the woman to do it - she's opting to go there and to pay for it."
The question, then, is whether or not the man involved in a pregnancy should be punished for an abortion. The answer is less clear-cut for Ray:
"I don't know that you could criminally punish him because she got pregnant," says Ray. "It's like if my wife robs a bank, am I guilty because I married her? Absolutely not. So I think you have to look at the whole picture and not say just because she got pregnant, he's at fault."
If the man helps pay for the abortion or is clearly complicit, Ray admits perhaps he should be punished.
No penalties are included in the abortion ban as currently drafted, but Ray says lawmakers will consider those options during floor debate. Five states, including Utah, are now considering similar bans. Ray expects that number to reach a dozen before the session ends.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom, Legislative Coverage, and 2007 Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2009 KCPW
1. Linda said:
I am sadden by our legislature. I did not believe anyone in 2007 would hold a woman solely accountable for pregnancy. Do we really have the "stork" mindset that a man is not responsible for planting the seeds of life? Should the women also be asked to wear the scarlet A (for abortion that is) to be publically shamed by society while the man is free? Would the Represetative not expect a father to be responsible for raising this child and therefore equally responsible for the fetus?
And this is the same legislatures that said they had no right to pass a bill that seatbelts are mandatory because that has to do with personal choices.
Does anyone see the hypocracy they are spewing and when will someone stand up to their tyranny?
3. Lauren said:
I'm astounded by the total lack of choice here.
And all of this solely based on the belief that the life inside the woman has a soul.
I don't really care what it is you believe in. No woman should be denied the right to terminate the pregnancy.Weather you believe that it is 'right' or not!
Is it to late to fight this?
Where can my voice be heard?
This is so wrong.
4. Micah said:
Wow. What a clearly appauling title. "Pregnant Women Could Be Punished Under Utah Abortion Ban". Are there any messages being sent here? What it should say is, "Pregnant Women Who Murder Their Children Could Be Punished Under Utah Abortion Ban". How hard is it to see, really?
5. Ashleigh Smith said:
How is the analogy of an abortion and a bank robbery similar? I really am not sure. That is one of the worst argumetns I have ever heard.
And no one should be penalized for having an abortion, it will stay legal.
6. Missy Larsen said:
Lauren, your voice can be heard. Give Planned Parenthood Action Council a call at 328.8939 and see how you can help!
7. Tim Heaton said:
To Linda:
Surely nobody, including you, is arguing that a man be liable for a woman independently aborting a fetus.
Clearly, if a woman is criminally liable for aborting a fetus, any man (not just the one who impregnated her) must be criminally liable for encouraging, financing, or aiding an abortion in any significant way.
I do not think Ray disagrees with the above position. Notice that Ray never said "perhaps" anything, as if he casually ignored a man's role. That word came from the summary to which we are responding. By using words like "admits" and "perhaps," (which Ray never said) the writer subtly mischaracterizes Ray's position, likely intentionally.
Linda, you have certainly noticed that all law imposes negative consequences upon certain choices. That is what a law is, governmentally imposed consequences on certain choices for societal good. Only ignorance, therefore, argues against a law based solely on choice. The intelligent question is whether a law limits the right choices. Until you explain why your view is the right choice, instead of simply arguing for choice in general, you are, in effect, saying nothing at all.
To Eli:
Again, you are quoting something that nobody actually said. The summary writer, no doubt, would have loved to have such a quote, but he didn't, so he invented it.
To Lauren:
You suggest all of "this" is "based on the belief that the life inside the woman has a soul." I wonder if you could be more ridiculous. What all of "this" is based on is that a person is ALIVE inside of a pregnant woman. Then, they kill that life. The question of whether a baby is alive is a biological one, not a religious one. Talk of "souls" need not be addressed. If you're going to attack religious beliefs, at least make it relevant.
To Micah:
Thank you for pointing out this unethical verbal manipulation by abortion activists. That title leaves out the very reason for the potential consequences, which is abortion, not being pregnant.
To Ashleigh:
What he is saying is that a man cannot be punished when a women gets an abortion unless he has something to do with the abortion besides getting her pregnant. That should be obvious.
Tim
2. Eli said:
I see the hypocracy. Nicely put Linda. "if a man participates in the termination or pays for the abortion, he MAY be held accountable". WOW! This is appalling and ridiculous. No wonder Utah is seen as a backwards, redneck state. KUDOS to you Paul Ray...