Dems now look to regulate vasectomies

A Democrat in the state House in Georgia has proposed the state regulate vasectomies, because "thousands of children are deprived of birth in this state every year because of a lack of state regulation."

Rep. Yasmin Neal, a Democrat from the state's 75th House district, said, "It is patently unfair that the men can avoid the rewards of unwanted fatherhood by presuming that their judgment is more valid than the General Assembly while women's ability to decide is constantly up for debate."

Democrats in the House posted a Facebook announcement about a public hearing on the issue Wednesday "to call attention to the double standard on reproductive rights."

House Democrat Leader Stacey Abrams added, "The Republican attack on women's reproductive rights is unconscionable. What is more deplorable is the hypocrisy of HB 954's author. If we follow his logic, we believe it is the obligation of this General Assembly to assert an equally invasive state interest in the reproductive habits of men and substitute the will of the government over the will of adult men."

The target of their fury is a proposal pending in the legislature that would reduce the time allowed for performing abortions in the state from 24 weeks to 20 weeks.

The bill, sponsored by Doug McKillip, R-Athens, makes other changes, stating regarding life of the mother exceptions, "No such condition shall be deemed to exist if is based on a diagnosis or claim of a mental or emotional condition of the pregnant woman or that the pregnant women will purposefully engage in conduct which she intends to result in her death or in substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function."

On the video's YouTube page, one commenter patiently explained that the proposal was made to make a political point.

TheShell10 wrote, "The point is this happens to women all the time. Now you're complaining about this because it's about lack of choice for men. Get it??? It's called a double standard."

But another pointed out that the issues are not really the same.

CaffOMHW wrote, "There is a difference between a contraceptive and post conception abortion. No one (except the Catholics) have an issue with women being responsible for their fertility through use of hormones (the pill). This is an act of deflection probably because she is incapable of discussing the issue at hand. This isn't just unprofessional, it's downright childish."

Neal's video challenge:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3vsI1_YFUo