Abortion Ban Clears North Dakota's House of Representatives

February 18, 2009

The North Dakota House of Representatives just recognized a new set of constituents: fertilized eggs. The House voted 51-41 to declare that a fertilized egg has all the rights of a person.

As you might have guess this vote amounts to a vote for banning abortion. If a fertilized egg has all the rights of a person, then abortion is murder. The bill's sponsor says it's in line with Roe v. Wade. Rep. Ruby said:

This is the exact language that's required by Roe vs. Wade. It stipulated that before a challenge can be made, we have to identify when life begins, and that's what this does.

The bill will now go to the state senate for final approval, and if it passes, I'm sure it will make an appearance at the US Supreme Court.

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69 Comments

stephley 4 years 12 weeks

Yes it is. But from being on Citizen we know what a lot of people who would support this legislation have said about helping people after they are born so bill would be Good for Birth but wouldn't add much to anything after.

UnDave35 4 years 12 weeks

Isn't birth the first step in life?

stephley 4 years 12 weeks

Really, it's just Good for Birth.

vinigrette 4 years 13 weeks

No matter what your view on abortion, this method of going about its prohibition is a poor attempt; it's far too broad. Think about it, people. What sorts of rights do adults, or even children have that fetuses do not? There are many implications the follow. Will we be 9 months old when we are born, making our first birthday 3 months later? Will fetuses be subject to capital gains taxes if you invest for them while you're pregnant? Will "risky" (real or imagined risk) behaviors now become infanticide if a pregnant woman does them when she's 2 or 3 months pregnant?

vinigrette 4 years 13 weeks

No matter what your view on abortion, this method of going about its prohibition is a poor attempt; it's far too broad.Think about it, people. What sorts of rights do adults, or even children have that fetuses do not? There are many implications the follow. Will we be 9 months old when we are born, making our first birthday 3 months later? Will fetuses be subject to capital gains taxes if you invest for them while you're pregnant? Will "risky" (real or imagined risk) behaviors now become infanticide if a pregnant woman does them when she's 2 or 3 months pregnant?

CaterpillarGirl 4 years 13 weeks

Good for North Dakota! Good for life!

emily_88_88 4 years 13 weeks

*and many women experience emotional trauma

emily_88_88 4 years 13 weeks

To be honest, I don't really know, but I'm going to assume that clamps would be involved to keep, erm, 'canals open'. But, I just wanted to point out that even when abortions are legal, it is a tough decision for women to make. Oftentimes it is extremely emotionally taxing on women, and many women experience . I'm not trying to belittle your view whatsoever. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on what you think about the repercussions of making abortion illegal. Because, of Course nobody wants abortions to happen. Even pro-choice people, I'm assuming (hoping), don't want them. But the truth is that things happen, and people have to make tough decisions, and weigh options. And an abortion is one of them. They always been around, and they always will, whether it's in a dingy alleyway with a coat hanger and an incredibly high risk of death/infection, or in a sanitary hospital with sedatives and medication.

emily_88_88 4 years 13 weeks

To be honest, I don't really know, but I'm going to assume that clamps would be involved to keep, erm, 'canals open'.But, I just wanted to point out that even when abortions are legal, it is a tough decision for women to make. Oftentimes it is extremely emotionally taxing on women, and many women experience .I'm not trying to belittle your view whatsoever. I just wanted to hear your thoughts on what you think about the repercussions of making abortion illegal. Because, of Course nobody wants abortions to happen. Even pro-choice people, I'm assuming (hoping), don't want them. But the truth is that things happen, and people have to make tough decisions, and weigh options. And an abortion is one of them. They always been around, and they always will, whether it's in a dingy alleyway with a coat hanger and an incredibly high risk of death/infection, or in a sanitary hospital with sedatives and medication.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

If it makes you feel better to think that we are saying abortions are a walk in the park, continue down that trail. But if you actually read what is being posted here you will see that isn't the case. No one is saying that at all. And at what point are clamps used in abortions? Maybe late term.

emily_88_88 4 years 13 weeks

Snarky, I totally agree with you!Abortions are totally frivolous things women do when they have free time. Who needs condoms these days? They are such an inconvenience. Unlike abortions, which are basically relaxing days in the spa, minus the aromatherapy, manicures, and back massages. It's more like a pelvis massage. Involving clamps. And, I know many women would cherish a day when they can get a coupon book with a "buy 1 get 1 free abortion!" special.But seriously, under this law, if passed, IUD's would totally be illegal, since that's exactly what they are there for; to prevent implantation. Oral contraceptives, probably not, since the majority of them prevent ovulation all together. But, hypothetically, what about a woman having a miscarriage? Would that be manslaughter? Could she get 5-20 years for having a miscarriage? These would be very real and very serious questions that would need to be addressed.

emily_88_88 4 years 13 weeks

Snarky, I totally agree with you! Abortions are totally frivolous things women do when they have free time. Who needs condoms these days? They are such an inconvenience. Unlike abortions, which are basically relaxing days in the spa, minus the aromatherapy, manicures, and back massages. It's more like a pelvis massage. Involving clamps. And, I know many women would cherish a day when they can get a coupon book with a "buy 1 get 1 free abortion!" special. But seriously, under this law, if passed, IUD's would totally be illegal, since that's exactly what they are there for; to prevent implantation. Oral contraceptives, probably not, since the majority of them prevent ovulation all together. But, hypothetically, what about a woman having a miscarriage? Would that be manslaughter? Could she get 5-20 years for having a miscarriage? These would be very real and very serious questions that would need to be addressed.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

Thank you.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

Thank you.

chatondeneige 4 years 13 weeks

Well said, GS!

chatondeneige 4 years 13 weeks

Well said, GS!

UnDave35 4 years 13 weeks

Great comments GS. I would like to add that the "situation" these people are in is totally and completely their choice. Sex is a choice, and children is a consequence of that choice. IF you don't want to have kids, don't have sex.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

"You're not in that situation"That is another thing, you have no idea if we have been in that situation. You are, here is the magic word, judging us.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

"You're not in that situation" That is another thing, you have no idea if we have been in that situation. You are, here is the magic word, judging us.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

That's the funny thing about supporters:1. Jump down our throats for having a differing opinion and for "Judging" the situation, when in reality, that is what you are doing, judging the situation, just in the mother's favor.2. Calling the baby, it.3. You are talking to parents. We know exactly what it's like to carry a baby, how expensive they are, and the like. We also, judging by your avatar, are older and have more life experience in knowing people who have made this decision and how it effects them in the short and long term. The ones I have known, were pure convenience. All weren't destitute, all had parents who would have helped. All from middle to upper middle class families. The two rape cases that I have known on the other hand that resulted in pregnancy both chose to have the baby. One of these ladies is my hero. For more than that reason, but that was the icing on the cake.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

That's the funny thing about supporters: 1. Jump down our throats for having a differing opinion and for "Judging" the situation, when in reality, that is what you are doing, judging the situation, just in the mother's favor. 2. Calling the baby, it. 3. You are talking to parents. We know exactly what it's like to carry a baby, how expensive they are, and the like. We also, judging by your avatar, are older and have more life experience in knowing people who have made this decision and how it effects them in the short and long term. The ones I have known, were pure convenience. All weren't destitute, all had parents who would have helped. All from middle to upper middle class families. The two rape cases that I have known on the other hand that resulted in pregnancy both chose to have the baby. One of these ladies is my hero. For more than that reason, but that was the icing on the cake.

poissondujour 4 years 13 weeks

And who are you to judge? It's not your body that would be going through nine months of carrying a child that you weren't ready for, not to mention the emotional *and* financial toll of raising it or putting it up for adoption. You're not in that situation, so you have no right to decide for her. But my main point was that there are dire situations out there and this law puts women in horrible situations. I love how all the supposed "pro-lifers" don't really stop to think about the quality of the mother's life.

poissondujour 4 years 13 weeks

And who are you to judge? It's not your body that would be going through nine months of carrying a child that you weren't ready for, not to mention the emotional *and* financial toll of raising it or putting it up for adoption. You're not in that situation, so you have no right to decide for her.But my main point was that there are dire situations out there and this law puts women in horrible situations. I love how all the supposed "pro-lifers" don't really stop to think about the quality of the mother's life.

UnDave35 4 years 13 weeks

Of the girls I know who've gotten abortions, not one was because of a life threatening situation. It was purely an inconvenience. Sometimes I wish I could do the same thing with all my inconveniences. If you don't like something, kill it.

Great Sommelier 4 years 13 weeks

Pois, I've known plenty of women who got abortions who's situations couldn't even begin to be described as dire. Just unwanted.

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