Grown-up WIN!

North Dakota is one of those benighted US states with a rabid pro-lie movement. Recently, its legislature passed a law mandating that abortion clinics had offer women an ultrasound -- which they already do -- AND make them listen to 'fetal heartbeat'. The only clinic in the state challenged the law in court.

The judge just ruled.

A North Dakota judge says an abortion clinic does not have to provide audio of a fetal heartbeat for women who want to end their pregnancies.

OK, OK, it's a small thing. But amidst all the batshit craziness going on down there, I need to remark cases of sanity. For the sake of my own.

North Dakota: Grown-Ups in Charge

There are several 'personhood' initiatives at various stages in various US state legislatures. Fetus fetishists want to use a religious -- as opposed to accepted medical -- definition of pregnancy and to create rights for a two-celled blastocyte.

While the measure passed the House in North Dakota, the Senate is obviously saner.

Senators voted 29-16 Friday to reject legislation that sought to define as a human being "any organism with the genome of homo sapiens." The "personhood" status would include a developing embryo from the moment of conception, whether inside or outside the womb.

Hmmm. 29 to 16. Pretty convincing majority of normal people, eh?

Yeah, well, we know they will never give up. Blob Blogging Wingnut said of the 'personhood' initiatives:

It's only a matter of time before the equality of all human beings is recognized. Get used to it.

Um. No. YOU get used to having grown-ups in charge.

Protecting the Innocent in North Dakota, Part 2

Well. Who knew Protecting the Innocent in North Dakota would turn into a series?

Today, we find out that the legislative body that voted to confer constitutional rights on fertilized human eggs is also fighting for the rights of smokers and bar owners.

Bars should remain as one of North Dakota's last outposts of public smoking, the state House has decided, although one lawmaker believes a citizen initiative will reach the smoke-free goal lawmakers avoided.

Representatives voted 59-33 on Thursday to defeat legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joyce Kingsbury, R-Grafton, that would have prohibited lighting up in bars and motels.

Dern tootin'! Smokers have rights! Business owners have rights! North Dakota ain't no dad-blamed nanny state!

Oh. Wait.

"Why should we become even more of a nanny government and tell business owners that are providing a legal product, in a legal establishment, with their own investment, how they should run their business?" said Rep. Craig Headland, R-Montpelier. "I believe it's time to draw the line."

Let's try that again:

"But it's totally fine to become a nanny government and tell women who are living their lives, in their own bodies, with their own livelihoods, how they should run their lives." said Rep. Craig Headcase, R-Montpelier. "Just who the hell do these broads think they are -- bar owners?"

Protecting the Innocent

More news from North Dakota.

Protection -- indeed, constitutional rights -- for two-celled 'persons'. No protection for fully grown human whistleblowers.

A proposal to beef up North Dakota's whistleblower protection law for state workers has failed in the North Dakota Senate.

The bill was in response to problems at North Dakota's workers compensation agency that resulted in the firing of four employees.

It sought to give North Dakota's labor commissioner power to order the reinstatement of state employees who were fired for reporting possible wrongdoing in their agencies.

It kept employee complaints confidential and gave North Dakota's state auditor authority to check out allegations of wrongdoing.

Senators voted 25-21 on Thursday to defeat the bill. Republicans opposed the measure and Democrats supported it.

It looks like North Dakota wants to vie with Kansas for the 'Most Benighted State' title.