In case you missed it - this morning, the United States Supreme Court announced its ruling for the case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade - a case that had previously enshrined the right to obtain an abortion as a constitutional right.
In an opinion drafted by Associate Justice, Samuel Alito, he outlines the majority opinion and why Roe and its progeny must be overturned:
Roe was egregiously wrong from the start. Its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences. And far from bringing about a national settlement of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey have enflamed debate and deepened division. It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.
Just to be sure. . . let's check the text decision itself:
Yep, there it is. . . wild stuff, bet you thought you'd never see the day. . .
Since this is such a landmark opinion, we thought it would be worthwhile to share how members of the Flappr Editorial Board reacted the news:
@elderbartleby: "When you strip away every emotional argument in favor of (or against) abortion - the fact remains that Roe was always a legal disgrace and removed from the arena an issue that should've been left to Americans to debate and choose for themselves. The Burger court thought they were settling an issue for eternity when ruling on Roe, but that didn't happen - the debate remained (intensified, even) and pro-life advocates refused to accept defeat. Now with Roe overturned, we can finally debate this issue in earnest. Pro Life / Pro Choice advocates will now have to convince Americans that their position is the just and righteous position at the state (or potentially the federal) level - the way it should've always been."
Professor James O’Flannery: "Given the staggering ignorance of our times, it is important to stress what this ruling does and does not do. This ruling does NOT ban abortion anywhere in the nation, NOR does it prevent the Congress from codifying and protecting abortion at some point in the future. All it does is revert the country to the status quo ante, which is a fancy way of saying some states will permit all abortions, some states will permit some abortions, and some states will prohibit all abortions.
That’s it. That’s all it does. A woman in a state that prohibits abortion can still travel to a state that doesn’t and get the little parasite ripped out of her if that’s what she really wants to do. Very little has actually changed. The question of abortion is simply back in the hands of the states and the people, which is where it always rightfully belonged.
Of course, none of that will prevent the usual suspects from sounding the trumpets of the apocalypse, slathering themselves in calf’s blood, and bewailing their cruel fate to be born in such unjust times. Get your popcorn ready, folks. There should be some amusing scenes in the next few days. And yet, perhaps the outrage will be less widespread than some would have you believe.
Maybe this is one of those issues without a defensible middle ground. Of course, there are many people (and many Americans in particular) whose basic tendency is to seek out the “moderate” or “centrist” position on any controversy that appears before them. In many instances, I would say this impulse is both prudent and wise – but perhaps not for every instance. Perhaps, some issues may be far closer to black-and-white than we care to admit, and any who attempt to navigate a middle passage will find themselves crashing up against the rocks of hard inescapable questions before too long."
@Soylent_Lament: "Papa warned you. You wouldn't listen."
@WesleyKushner: "Today will go down in history as the day that it truly was over for them hoes."
@Richard_Harambe: "I have a solution that should make everyone happy"
@mannurfa: "Hahahahahahaha hahahahahahaha hahahahahah ahahahahahahahaha hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Best day for the country since election night 2016"
@ywst_ac: "Infanticide was never a right, it was an appeasement to undisciplined and unprincipled people."
@nonpromqueen: "Come to Canada for your abortions, but only if you're vaccinated."
@adventurenero: "Just say I was too busy consoling thots to be reached for comment."
@michcusejac5: "Every single (melting down) coastal millennial white woman shares the same exact reposts in their Instagram story. It’s pretty hilarious and fun to watch."
@ThatAwfulNick: "1400 IQ play by the Supreme Court to solve the logistics problems caused by the baby formula shortage by increasing the number of pregnant women who will be available to donate breast milk in the near future by increasing the number of pregnant women who stay pregnant."
Yes, tensions will be very high over the next few days, but it's also important to remember that reactions on social media are most often not indicative of real life.
Yes a lot of people will learn about Dobbs and have severe and emotional reactions, but most of them will move on with their lives.
Go outside this weekend, touch some grass, hug your loved ones.
Happy Friday, Cloth Off and God Bless America.