Nature and time doesn't factore into Arizona law

[Smeghead]

Pregnancy begins 2 weeks before conception now the law in Arizona

There comes a moment when one has to say "Seriusly, this can't be true!" and this is the time.
Seriusly, this can't be true! Someone please tell me it isn't!

So yeah, Arizona making wierd laws again, this time the laws of nature and time have to bend over for Arizona.

"In Arizona, women are now legally pregnant two weeks before conception, according to a new law, the Orwellianly-named, “Women’s Health and Safety Act,” signed yesterday by Republican Governor Jan Brewer"

So if you are a woman living in Arizona; congratullations! you might now legaly be pregnant if you end up having sex in the next 2 weeks.

no seriusly, someone tell me this is all a bad joke

[The_Doctor]

and this is why there should be a competancy test for taking public office...

[Drinnik]

My brain just broke reading that. Surely there's something in the constitution they can use to block this?

[Smeghead]

My brain just broke reading that. Surely there's something in the constitution they can use to block this?

How about the laws of nature?

[Keab42]

the laws of causality perhaps.

[Lyinginbedmon]

I'd say common sense but we all know that doesn't often appear in politics.

Does anyone have the actual text of this legislature for me to look over? Having trouble finding it and I'd really like to know precisely what the frack was going through their heads.

[gcninja]

If I do a kickstarter called 'Get ninja the fuck outta here', would anybody donate?

[Smeghead]

If I do a kickstarter called 'Get ninja the fuck outta here', would anybody donate?

if I had any money, I would

[gcninja]

Well do a twofer and ill get sable out too

[Theremin]

Ah, but will there be posters? Every Kickstarter needs posters.

[Master Gunner]

I'd say common sense but we all know that doesn't often appear in politics.

Does anyone have the actual text of this legislature for me to look over? Having trouble finding it and I'd really like to know precisely what the frack was going through their heads.

What I got from the article is that the goal of this is to make the window in which women can get abortions to be as narrow as possible. Under the law, you can get an abortion only before the point of viability, when the fetus could survive outside the womb, which occurs at 22-24 weeks. If a fetus has a severe or life-threatening problem, it is not likely to be discovered until an ultrasound at around 20 weeks. So at present, there is a window of 2-4 weeks where a woman may discover that her fetus is at severe risk, and can choose to abort it.

Now, the new law redefines how to calculate the present gestation length, starting the timer at the first day of the last menstrual period (basically, the last time a woman started bleeding), rather than the likely date of conception. This is where the two weeks comes from. Combined with other parts of the bill, this means that a woman may learn that the fetus she is carrying is almost certain to die within hours of being born (and also possibly threaten her life as well, especially as births are more dangerous than abortions), but already be past the deadline for her to legally have an abortion (or be unable to have an abortion before the deadline), forcing her to carry the doomed fetus to term.

Regardless of ones stance on abortion, this appears to be a ridiculous and dangerous law, that completely ignores the rights and safety of pregnant women.

[Smeghead]

I do hope someone make a case about this, exploiting the law somehow.

Back in the 20:th century, homosexuality was considdered a "mental illness" here in sweden until a large group of gay people in the 1970s decided to make a gesture and exploit that by all calling in sick since they were legally considdered "ill".
The government got the hint and dropped the mentally ill thing.

[Drdiggit42]

Could they have an abortion out of state though? Also, I'm not familiar with state laws, but can't laws be voted down by the people. Surely the majority of Arizona doesn't agree with this.

[Lyinginbedmon]

Could they have an abortion out of state though? Also, I'm not familiar with state laws, but can't laws be voted down by the people. Surely the majority of Arizona doesn't agree with this.

One thing I've learned over the years is to never underestimate the stupidity of the vox populi of American states.

[the amativeness]

What.

What.

...

What.

[EnglishMQ]

So once you enter Arizona you enter into a perpetual state of pregnancy?

[The_Doctor]

Combined with other parts of the bill, this means that a woman may learn that the fetus she is carrying is almost certain to die within hours of being born (and also possibly threaten her life as well, especially as births are more dangerous than abortions), but already be past the deadline for her to legally have an abortion (or be unable to have an abortion before the deadline), forcing her to carry the doomed fetus to term.

Sounds like a pretty solid manslaughter case if somebody dies as a result of this.

[the amativeness]

Just remember, you can't spell manslaughter without laughter!

[Lyinginbedmon]

That sentence and your avatar mesh perfectly.

[Avistew]

So once you enter Arizona you enter into a perpetual state of pregnancy?

More like Schroedinger's pregnancy. You might be pregnant every cycle, but you can only know it retroactively.

[Phailhammer]

I heard this on the radio over here yesterday. The first thought that ran through my (and presumably the presenter's) head was "Wait, what? That's not how biology works."

[Deedles]

*return to repeatedly slamming my head into my desk*

[Drinnik]

Just thinking about this is giving my brain a nosebleed.

[Tally]

I, for one, am deeply concerned about MEN'S health and safety. Anyone else? I mean, from what I've heard no one is passing medical laws on behalf of all the menfolk out there, and that doesn't seem fair. How can we, in good conscience, worry about the health and safety of half the population, while ignoring the health and safety of the other half?

I say we we find a way to recklessly endanger the lives of everyone who has a penis while taking away their voices in the matter, to be quite sure that we are looking after everyone equally.

[JustAName]

Oh, no, I think there was some senator or representative who was trying to draft an anti-viagra bill to point out how ridiculous some of this women's health stuff can be. Let me see if I can find it...

Edit: Well, here's the first link you get when you google anti viagra bill http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/13/nina-turner-viagra-contraception-bills_n_1341642.html