| The Supreme Court has opted not to block a Texas law banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Now, the only women in the state entitled to abortions will be "the lucky ones," Ruth Marcus writes, "who figure out they are pregnant early enough (just six weeks after their last menstrual period) and manage to surmount the additional hurdles that the state has put in their way." One of the most chilling, cynical aspects of this case is Texas's plan for enforcing the ban, which includes offering free rein — and at least $10,000 — to antiabortion vigilantes, who can sue anyone they believe has performed or assisted in an illegal abortion. If you, as I, find yourself in need of a cleansing exhalation after reading this, may I recommend you check out Alexandra Petri's latest satirical column, which somehow wrings humor from developments that make one want to cry: "Let me explain! Here in Texas, your body is your own, and the government is not going to … interfere with people's lives, ever, except the minor degree to which someone's life is interfered with by having to carry a fetus to term inside themself. Which is barely an inconvenience at all." If only it were so. Instead, as Marcus writes, the Supreme Court has made this "a sad day for women, but also for the rule of law" — as Texas women seeking agency over their bodies and lives contend with outrageous obstacles, and "those sworn to uphold and enforce the Constitution stand by, approving."  (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) The Texas fetal heartbeat law is blatantly unconstitutional, but that didn't stope the Supreme Court from letting it take effect. By Ruth Marcus ● Read more » | | | | The court's conservative majority was on the correct side of the law. By Henry Olsen ● Read more » | | | | If Democrats are motivated by the Supreme Court's abortion decision, we'll see it in Virginia. By Paul Waldman and Greg Sargent ● Read more » | | | | In embracing Trumpism, the House minority leader is affirming the most dangerous ideologies of the new GOP. By Michael Gerson ● Read more » | | | | The U.S can't treat the Taliban as a permanent enemy. But the Taliban needs to prove it deserves U.S. trust and support. By David Ignatius ● Read more » | | | | Agreeing to censorship in exchange for money is a bad look under any circumstances. As recent developments show, it can also turn out to be a bad bargain. By Alyssa Rosenberg ● Read more » | | | |
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