Way of the Mind

This concerns mostly my own country, but I felt I had to post about this.

While way too many people were too self-centered (”this doesn’t concern me, so I won’t move my ass”) to do anything at all (only about 40% of the population actually voted), still, the results were positive: the “don’t send women to prison anymore” side won. It shows that the Portuguese people are slowly, but surely, leaving the Middle Ages.

Today’s referendum, no matter what the fundies said, wasn’t about “saving lives” (anyone who really needs to have an abortion, will almost surely get one — even if it involves falling down a flight of stairs –, and who is concerned about their lives?). It was, instead, a choice between those who believe people should be free to decide things for themselves, and those who feel they have the “right” to control other people’s lives, to impose their own morality upon the rest.

Fortunately, and while the result isn’t “binding” (the turnout was too low), the former group won, and the prime minister has promised to use their parliament majority to change the law. It’s great to feel proud of my country, for a change.