Seeking Permission

You know what science fiction novel I could have lived without coming true? The Handmaid's Tale.

Ohio - Led by Rep. John Adams, a group of state legislators have submitted a bill that would give fathers of unborn children a final say in whether or not an abortion can take place.

It's a measure that, supporters say, would finally give fathers a choice.

"This is important because there are always two parents and fathers should have a say in the birth or the destruction of that child," said Adams, a Republican from Sidney. "I didn't bring it up to draw attention to myself or to be controversial. In most cases, when a child is born the father has financial responsibility for that child, so he should have a say."

As written, the bill would ban women from seeking an abortion without written consent from the father of the fetus. In cases where the identity of the father is unknown, women would be required to submit a list of possible fathers. The physician would be forced to conduct a paternity test from the provided list and then seek paternal permission to abort.

Claiming to not know the father's identity is not a viable excuse, according to the proposed legislation. Simply put: no father means no abortion.

No word on whether rapists must give their victims permission to abort, or exceptions for incest or the health of the mother. These are trivial details to the minds that put this monstrosity on the Ohio legislature order paper.

Critics of the proposed legislation point out that even in the unlikely event it passed in the state legislature, the law would certainly be thrown out by the courts. Then the far right religious fanatics that think this is a fine idea, can rant about activist judges. Win win political theater at the expense of women's rights and a costly legislature hijacking.