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In 2022 the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with their ruling on a case called Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, allowing states to pass severely restrictive anti-abortion laws. In the majority opinion Justice Alito referenced a 17th century jurist named Sir Matthew Hale no less than eight times.

Season Two of Chainsaw History begins as podcasting siblings Jamie and Bambi dissect the baffling and infuriating influence of Sir Matthew Hale, a 17th-century English jurist with outdated ideas (even for his time!). They talk about how Hale relates to modern American law, particularly concerning women's rights and sexual assault. Get ready for a wild ride through history with Hale's Puritan-flavored nonsense and the lingering consequences of his backward beliefs.

Here's what you can expect from this hilarious and eye-opening episode:

• The life and times of Judge Hale, Puritan extraordinaire (oh, joy!).
• How religion mixed with his legal opinions like a bad cocktail.
• Hale's role in witch trials and other bizarre legal endeavors.
• Coverture, the ultimate marital buzzkill, suppressing women's legal rights.
• Sir Matthew Hale's cringeworthy views on rape, consent, and the credibility of women.
• How the "Hale rule" crawled into modern American law, casting doubt on rape victims' testimonies.
• The California Supreme Court finally giving the Hale rule a much-deserved kick to the curb.

Jamie and Bambi can't believe that Sir Matthew Hale's ideas still manage to haunt women's rights and legal proceedings in the United States, centuries after he kicked the bucket. It's time to say goodbye to these ancient, harmful perspectives and let progress reign supreme.

CW: In this episode we discuss challenging topics including sexual violence and abortion.

In this episode recommend people donate to RAINN to help victims of sexual violence or help out at a local domestic violence shelter. We also express support and solidarity with the Atlanta Forest Defenders and encourage you to learn more and help stop Cop City.

Mentioned in this episode:

Stop Cop City!

The destruction of our forests and the militarization of our police is an issue of national concern. Please visit DefendTheAtlantaForest.org to learn more and stand in solidarity with the movement to defend the Weelaunee Forest in Atlanta.