Alabama politics were recently compared to ancient Greek warfare in a recent episode of Dan Carlin’s “Hardcore History” podcast. Just like the ancient Greeks formed phalanxes to protect themselves from attacks, Alabama politicians tend to lean to the right to avoid backlash from extreme groups.
This shift to the right influences the way politicians tackle controversial issues, such as the preservation of statues of white supremacists, treatment of transgender individuals, and reproductive rights for victims of sexual assault. With a one-party system, leaders prioritize appeasing extreme party members in order to secure their position, leaving marginalized groups vulnerable.
A recent focus on in vitro fertilization (IVF) in Alabama highlights this trend, as the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children, leading to restrictions on IVF clinics. While the Republican-controlled Legislature passed a law to protect IVF providers, the future of reproductive rights in the state remains uncertain, with some lawmakers even comparing IVF procedures to the Holocaust.
Despite the popularity of IVF and public outcry against restrictions, there are concerns about lawmakers moving further to the right and limiting access to reproductive services. The fate of IVF in Alabama depends on the actions of politicians, who must navigate between appeasing extreme factions and supporting the rights of infertile couples.
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