While the rest of the world was cheering the birth of Great Britain's newest prince, MSNBC host Rachel Maddow rolled out her own royal welcome for North Dakota’s last abortion clinic director after a federal judge blocked a pro-life bill that would ban abortions after six weeks. The legislation is set to go into effect August 1, but the judge has ruled the ban “unconstitutional.”
After her three-minute rant against Republicans for trying to “legislate Roe v. Wade out of existence” (in her summation, “this is what Republicans do.”), MSNBC host Rachel Maddow welcomed Tammi Kromenaker, the director of the Red River Women’s Clinic of Fargo, North Dakota – the only abortion clinic left in the state. Now that pro-choice advocates have won an injunction against the 6-week ban, Kromenaker is focusing on their next hurdle – admitting privileges.
“One down, one to go,” she said, explaining they are hoping to secure this next injunction by July 31 – the day before the bill becomes law.
North Dakota is one of four one-clinic states. Kromenaker discussed how being the sole abortion provider in the state affects women seeking the procedure, “Patients are worried abortion is illegal…rushing to go to the clinic.” She also lamented what she perceives is a lack of national abortion advocacy, “I think the American public has gone to sleep on this issue.” Apparently, Kromenaker has not read the news lately. In Texas alone, abortion rights advocates have loudly used intimidation and mob mentality to try and stop pro-life legislation.
Nonetheless, Kromenaker followed up her panicked statements with a panicked request.
“I wish for national attention to lead to maybe a Supreme Court ruling that redraws the line in the sand. I feel the line in the sand Roe started…has become extremely murky.”
She then echoed Maddow’s fear of the anti-abortion Republicans, “They are just rabidly fixated on abortion and women’s rights.”
I, as I’m sure other pro-lifers do, reject that these two are synonymous. As a woman, I consider it not a right but a crime to end a child’s life. But, not everyone sees abortion as immoral. Maddow proved this by sending her guest off with fanfare, “Stay in touch with us as you keep going with this fight.”
Even more unfortunate? The host ended the segment failing to make a connection between birthdays and abortion.
“Turns out Royal Baby-having day is a spectacular day to bury other totally unrelated news.”
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