1. This @DouthatNYT column tries to do something valuable (distinguish between reasonable anti-abortion case & Williamsonian bloodthirsty desire for retribution) but it's far too short & raises more questions than it answers.
-
-
3. It's true, as Douthat points out, that in the pre-Roe v. Wade world, women who had abortions were almost never punished (as Williamson wants) like murderer. Williamson's position is not at all conservative but genuinely radical.
Show this thread -
4. But the pre-Roe world was very different, had many more levers of paternalist control. And in meantime we've had decades of "abortion=murder" rhetoric. Williamson is the product of that.
Show this thread -
5. I'm not sure Williamson can be dismissed as just outlier (although grant that most serious anti-abortion people wisely avoid talking about draconian punishments). He's the reductio ad absurdum of a common rhetoric.
Show this thread -
6. Also, the historical record is that contemporary regimes that adopt anti-abortion policies do end up extremely punitive. El Salvador is a prime example.
Show this thread -
7. Anyways, I'd like to see
@DouthatNYT try & explain the mechanics of how his position works, perhaps ideally in debate with someone versed in the history & policies (like@KathaPollitt).Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
-
-
Can't be done.
-
SSSSHHHH. You're giving away the game.
- Show replies
New conversation -
-
-
This Tweet is unavailable.
-
Tell me how large the police force will be that investgates miscarriages.
- Show replies
-
-
-
You're literally the only person in the world who wants this
Thanks. Twitter will use this to make your timeline better. UndoUndo
-
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.