Teresa Fedor Speaks Out. HB 69. Rape. Abortion. Women's Rights. Right To Choose. Heartbeat.

This past March 25, 2015, Ohio State Representative Teresa Fedor (D., Toledo) stood up and spoke up during the debate over HB 69. During her talk, she stated that over 35 years ago she had been the victim of rape resulting in pregnancy for which she consequently underwent an abortion. The rape had occured while Teresa Fedor was in the military service; she served in the United States Air Force (1975-1978) and in the Ohio Air National Guard (1980-1983).

State Representative Teresa Fedor is no stranger to women's rights issues and a woman’s right to choose; however, before March 25, she had never publicly revealed her own very personal experience with rape and abortion.

Ohio HB 69 is also known as the “heartbeat bill” because it bans an abortion after a fetal heartbeat can be detected; it has no provision of any kind for, and allows no exceptions for, victims of rape or incest. As proponents of HB 69 spoke in favor of the proposed legislation without giving any reason for excluding victims of incest or rape as exceptions, Representative Teresa Fedor felt the "overwhelming need" to voice her opinion.

For more readings on the subject of this Roland Hansen Commentary, I suggest you go on over to the following embedded linked articles:

• Ohio legislator stands and says she was raped, and had an abortion, during debate on ‘fetal heartbeat’ bill by Deborah Hastings, New York Daily News, Thursday, March 26, 2015, 4:52 PM
• Ohio State Rep. Teresa Fedor Opens Up About Her Rape And Abortion During Debate Over 'Heartbeat Bill' by Paige Lavender, The Huffington Post, Posted: 03/26/2015 12:29 pm EDT Updated: 03/26/2015 12:59 pm EDT
• US politician Teresa Fedor bravely admits she was raped - is interrupted by laughter from opposing party, Cosmopolitan.co.uk, Reports Abortion Rape, March 30, 2015.
• This Lawmaker Publicly Discussed Her Rape and Abortion. And Some Dude Laughed., by Inae Oh, Mother Jones, Thursday, March 26, 2015 4:42 PM EDT
• A Jerk Actually Laughed While A Lawmaker Revealed Story Of Her Own Rape, Crooks and Liars, 3/28/15 1:00pm, March 27, 2015, Anomaly, Posted with permission from FreakOutNation.com.

There are opposing views on the overall subject of abortion. Take, for example the article by Daniel Payne published on April 15, 2015 in the FEDERALIST. Click onto the following with its embedded link:
Rape Does Not Justify Abortion. One crime does not require another. We can both love rape victims and any children they conceive.

I realize different people have different perspectives on different issues. I respect the right of people to have their own opinion. However, I do not believe people have the right to impose their belief and values system unto others when the opposing perspective does not infringe on the rights of others.

The debate over abortion is a very sticky wicket, made even more so when there is no universal agreement on when 'life as a human being entitled to individual rights' begins. I believe in the sanctity of life; however, I also firmly believe a woman's right to choose. I do not believe that abortion should be used as a birth control mechanism; but, I do support the right of a woman to make decisions that involve her own body and her own emotional, psychologial, and physical health. As one who believes in the sanctity of life, I am against the use of the death penaly. I do not understand how people who profess in the sanctity of life can be against abortion and yet be in favor of capital punishment, i.e. support the death penalty, at the same time.

But, I digress. 

Back to Teresa Fedor Speaks Out. HB 69. Rape. Abortion. Women's Rights. Right To Choose. Heartbeat. BUT, I shall do so in a somewhat circumvented manner. Ergo, in conclusion, as compared with another current event and to put the words and actions of Teresa Fedor in its proper perspective, in my opinion:

There has been a lot of hype with many people citing that when Jenner stood up, spoke up, and came out, that it was brave. 

I assert and want to cite that when Teresa Fedor stood up and spoke up, THAT was a real act of bravery.