Listening to the arguments today in the Supreme Court, one might have imagined that there is readily available abortion services on every corner. That women are gleefully lining up their appointments to terminate a pesky pregnancy. Easy, right? Let’s not forget how not easy the country has always made it for women. Roe v. Wade aside, the social pressure on women to conceive and be happy and content is large and overwhelming. Not so long ago, anti-abortion zealots would line up outside abortion clinics, pamphlets in hand, urging and pressuring women to reconsider their terrible decisions. As if reconsideration had not already been in play. It is astonishing how cold and unforgiving women can be toward each other. When Roe became law, many women were “meh”. And then sometimes life and reality intrudes and those terrible decisions must be made. Judge not….

But then, of course, in many areas of the country, women are still considered chattel. Not legally, but societal attitudes are rarely shaped by legalities. Social attitudes are nurtured. Old habits die hard. Women raised in that environment will, unless mentally quite strong and resilient, accept and comply with social dictates. Smile and wave, boys.

And let’s not forget that spate of unfortunate targeting of abortion providers. One doctor shot and killed outside his clinic. And the white guy who shot him? Well, he did it to protect the little babies. But they’re not babies, not yet. And therein lies the legal problem. Viability. The question asked today, what’s the difference…15 weeks, 26 weeks? I am not sure where Roberts pulled that number from, but suffice it to say it’s a stall and a dodge.

The mistake made in today’s arguments for and against the Mississippi law, were not the arguments themselves. But rather the presenters. A white guy defending dismantling a woman’s right to choice, and two women defending a woman’s right to choice. If the case was important enough to be heard by the Supreme Court, then surely it must have been important enough for a guy to do the talking. But guys don’t defend abortion rights. And in this country, if it’s an area dominated by women, the pay is less and the credibility is dubious.

Divide and conquer defeats women. Defenders of abortion rights will argue that overturning Roe would have a greater impact on women of color, who are traditionally poorer and without resources. The hardship to all women cannot be understated and separating us out only dilutes the arguments. And it will be interesting to see how state politicians will entertain the idea of undue hardship. All the compassion they can muster will bring a tear to the eye.

Also sure to follow will be the penalties for a woman who travels across state lines to get an abortion. What will the reward be for that betrayal. The possibilities are endless and brutal.

In Vegas we like to play the odds. But you’re crazy to bet a game that’s rigged against you. Hope for the best, but plan for the worst? When the law is no longer the law, but a frat house drinking game, watch your wallets and your daughters.