Last week, we talked about this year's class of pandering, unconstitutional abortion laws that are being pushed by the Oklahoma legislature.
The most noteworthy was HB 1441. Introduced by Brokeback Mountain cosplayer Justin Humphrey, it would require the "father" of the unborn fetus to consent to an abortion, and in the process, launch a bustling new "Consenting Father For Hire" trade in Oklahoma. I think it's one of 164 new services Mary Fallin wants to tax.
In our article, I made the following the observation about the abortion bills:
"The only thing dumber than the bills themselves is what some of our lawmakers have to say about them."
Well, it looks like my psychic powers are still pretty sharp… or Justin Humphrey wants to make me look really smart.
A few days after our article was published, Humphrey gave this now infamous quote to the Intercept. I'm sure you've already read it on Facebook or Twitter, but let's take a second look so we can question the future of society:
“I believe one of the breakdowns in our society is that we have excluded the man out of all of these types of decisions. I understand that [women] feel like that is their body. I feel like it is a separate — what I call them is, is you’re a ‘host.’ And you know when you enter into a relationship you’re going to be that host and so, you know, if you pre-know that then take all precautions and don’t get pregnant,” he explained.
That's nice. Finally a man who gets it. You're the "hosts," ladies. We're not saying it's fair. We're not saying it's right. It's just a fact. Now go cook me dinner. Also, be sure to take the prenatals for that parasite growing inside you.
Seriously, what is this nut job thinking? The only time it's appropriate to call a woman a host is when they're serving cake at a bridal shower or taking you to your table at Chili's.
Here's more:
“So that’s where I’m at. I’m like, hey, your body is your body and be responsible with it. But after you’re irresponsible then don’t claim, well, I can just go and do this with another body, when you’re the host and you invited that in.”
On a positive note, at least he's trying to use logic and reason (in his mind) to prove a moral point. Sure, his statement was flawed, embarrassing, misguided, offensive and wrong, but you have to start somewhere.
Idiotic comments aside, the real scary part about this legislation is that it passed through the House Public Health Committee by a 5 - 2 vote. Knowing how things work in Oklahoma, it will probably arrive on Mary Fallin's desk, she'll sign it into law, women's rights groups will challenge it in court, the state will waste time and resources defending it, and then it will be found unconstitutional by a judge. Basically, it will be a typical law passed by the Oklahoma legislature.
Editor's Note: On the topic of hosts and odd segues, we've had some issues with our hosting set up over the last week or so, hence the delay in a post about this topic. Things seem to be resolved for now. Thanks for your support of TLO.
