Happy Birthday, Roe v. Wade! Today marks 41 years of safe, legal personal choice for all American women. No matter what you believe about the many reproductive health options that modern medicine offers, thanks to that landmark decision decades ago, you are free to choose what’s right for you.
From Pied Type three years ago:
The Roe v. Wade decision was handed down 38 years ago today. In it the Supreme Court said all women have the right to privacy in making medical decisions for themselves, including abortion if they so choose.
In the 21st Century, despite all the advances of medicine, science, law, and education, there are still some who believe they are entitled to tell others — usually complete strangers — what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. There are still those who think their religious and personal views supersede the legal and personal rights of others and will resort to almost anything to impose those views.
Roe v. Wade ensures the right of every woman in the country to decide for herself whether or not to have an abortion. It also means that any woman who opposes abortion can choose not to have one.
Today, no matter how you feel about abortion, celebrate your right to choose for yourself. And respect everyone else’s right to do the same.
President Obama’s statement today:
Today, as we reflect on the 41st anniversary of the Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade, we recommit ourselves to the decision’s guiding principle: that every woman should be able to make her own choices about her body and her health. We reaffirm our steadfast commitment to protecting a woman’s access to safe, affordable health care and her constitutional right to privacy, including the right to reproductive freedom. And we resolve to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, support maternal and child health, and continue to build safe and healthy communities for all our children. Because this is a country where everyone deserves the same freedom and opportunities to fulfill their dreams.
i agree, and thank you for this
No thanks needed.
I’m with you all the way PT. Denying the rights of some is denying the rights of all!
I’ll never understand why the anti-abortion crowd thinks forcing their (usually religion-based) views on others is more appropriate or just than freedom of choice for everyone.
It’s like the old “justice defined as ‘just us’” thing PT – their version of freedom of choice only recognizes selections from the list they’ve pre-approved!
Or the old “your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins.”
I completely agree.
Thanks for saying so. I’ve always respected your opinion.
Truly a monumental decision with great benefits. If you subscribe to the ideas presented by Steven Levitt in “Freakonomics,” Roe v. Wade has even played a major role in reducing violent crime rates in the U.S.
I hadn’t heard that, but it makes sense. More women with access to sex education, contraceptives, health care, and abortions means fewer unwanted children being born to poor women who aren’t equipped to give them a decent life.
I believe the number of unborn children who have died as a result of the Roe V Wade decision is now approximately 55 million. Sadly both the women and their unborn children are victims of abortion. How can anyone celebrate such a sad situation.
That those 55 million women were free to make safe, legal, private medical decisions for themselves is definitely cause for celebration.
… to the millions of unborn children’s ultimate demise.
You are entitled to your opinion. However, let’s be perfectly clear: