South Dakota Governor Signs Abortion Ban Into Law

[ChristinaM 0]

Matt, you might want to find the previous thread about this law.... Hunt back a few pages, I'm sure you'll find it.

It's pretty explicit in terms of the views of a lot of people (me included!), and might give you an idea of who you're dealing with here on VJ!!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Well, I know a rape victim who gave birth, gave her child up for adoption and the family that adopted him loves him very much. He is now 2 years old. His natural mother does not regret her decision.

Nice that she had a choice and was able and allowed to make the one that's right for her. Doesn't mean or prove that it would be the right choice for everyone. Yet that is precisely what that bill is saying. It's just not a one size fits all situation.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Well, I know a rape victim who gave birth, gave her child up for adoption and the family that adopted him loves him very much. He is now 2 years old. His natural mother does not regret her decision.

Nice that she had a choice and was able and allowed to make the one that's right for her. Doesn't mean or prove that it would be the right choice for everyone. Yet that is precisely what that bill is saying. It's just not a one size fits all situation.

100% agreed!

[BASIL 0]

yes abolish abortion then we can find more children in the dumpsters i think they should also pass stricter laws and punishments for the people who have the babies then throw them in the dumpsters. so which is really murder????

[Carol&Marc 0]

Well, I know a rape victim who gave birth, gave her child up for adoption and the family that adopted him loves him very much. He is now 2 years old. His natural mother does not regret her decision.

All I have to say.

yes abolish abortion then we can find more children in the dumpsters i think they should also pass stricter laws and punishments for the people who have the babies then throw them in the dumpsters. so which is really murder????

Where the hell do they end up after an abortion hmmmmmm? Maybe the dumpster in little pieces! YAY so much better dont you think!

[rclouse 0]

Well, I know a rape victim who gave birth, gave her child up for adoption and the family that adopted him loves him very much. He is now 2 years old. His natural mother does not regret her decision.

All I have to say.

I know of a rape victim who couldn't get the abortion she wanted, used a coat hanger and died from an infection.

All I have to say.

[I'm Gone 60]

A travesty

How is this a travesty? Was anything underhand done in the passing of this law? You seem to be all for democracy on other topics, but if something doesn't go your way it's a travesty. Elected reprsentatives voted on the bill and a elected governor signed it. That's the way things are supposed to work. If the people of SD don't like the law, then elect people that will overturn the law.

[faith 0]

A travesty

How is this a travesty? Was anything underhand done in the passing of this law? You seem to be all for democracy on other topics, but if something doesn't go your way it's a travesty. Elected reprsentatives voted on the bill and a elected governor signed it. That's the way things are supposed to work. If the people of SD don't like the law, then elect people that will overturn the law.

it won't be up to the people of south dakota. it will become a supreme court case.

And try to remember that ELECTED officials were the ones that started prohibition and then had to repeal it when it shot the country to hell. They don't always pass laws that the people want. Elected officials aren't superheroes that read the minds of the people of the state or the country.

[I'm Gone 60]

it won't be up to the people of south dakota. it will become a supreme court case.

Hopefully, if it does go there they will get it right this time and rule it's a state issue, not some make believe right found in the Constitution.

[pax 0]

The real question is whether rights are ever subject to majority rule.

I suspect that most are not.

[rclouse 0]

it won't be up to the people of south dakota. it will become a supreme court case.

Actually I was reading in the paper today that the pro-life movement is beginning to think they're going too fast. Also saw something on the news last night saying that the Supremes don't like this sort of case. The SCOTUS sees cases that arise naturally, after they've gone through the entire system, since they're the final court in the country. This law as written is blatantly unconstitutional and they may not even hear it.

[ChristinaM 0]

It's a forced issue. There's been no progression and no reason for reasoned debate. There's no "human interest"; real-life cases in So. Dak. right now. If the law is blatantly unconstitutional (and I don't know that it is - I'll leave that to wiser people than I) then it should be thrown out.

And that will be the Coathanger Lobby's fault for being too damn greedy.

Edited March 7, 2006 by clmarsh

[Matt_Stevens 5]

Everyone needs to chill. The attitude that only the liberal point of view is welcome here is very wrong. People need to respect other opinions and not get so hostile. One side wants to cry about women killing themselves with coat hangers while the other wants to cry about ehe unborn babies being murdered. Both viewpoints have a right to be heard without malice or anger or name calling or anything else.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

A travesty

How is this a travesty? Was anything underhand done in the passing of this law? You seem to be all for democracy on other topics, but if something doesn't go your way it's a travesty. Elected reprsentatives voted on the bill and a elected governor signed it. That's the way things are supposed to work. If the people of SD don't like the law, then elect people that will overturn the law.

I have my own opinions on this issue quite apart from those expressed by the reactionary "you're either with it or against it" factions that these debates tend to dredge up.

Personally I don't oppose the right for a woman to have an abortion, but I can honestly say I don't think too much about it either. As was said in an earlier thread about this - the debate over the morality of abortion was (largely) settled a long time ago in Europe, which is why you don't get this bizarre polarisation of opinion that we see in the US. There's a broad concensus of opinion that abortion, while distasteful, provides a necessary social function and recognises an individuals right to control biological changes in their own body.

Yes as you say, I'm all for democracy, but its not an end unto itself. Voters can approve laws that trample all over their own self interests (I mean you voted for Bush). Yes its democracy, but the opinion of the majority can still be wrong.