From the
Washington Post:
Court Won't Block Mo. Inmate Abortion
By GINA HOLLAND
The Associated Press
Monday, October 17, 2005; 10:57 AM
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court, in an abortion case of relatively narrow scope, cleared the way Monday for a Missouri prison inmate to terminate her pregnancy.
The high court decision was not a sweeping rendering on the issue of abortion, per se, but rather a holding that Missouri corrections officials must drive the woman to a clinic to have the procedure. It was unclear how soon that would be done.
Late Friday, Justice Clarence Thomas had granted a temporary stay to the state, which prevented the woman from having an abortion on Saturday. But Monday's high court action was unanimous.
Missouri's law forbids spending tax dollars to facilitate an abortion, but the federal judge took the position that the prison system in Missouri was blocking her from exercising that right. Thomas' stay had temporarily blocked the ruling by U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple.
Missouri might try to fight some more, but it seems futile if the court is going to rule against the state without making a comment.
I await the latest quote from Blunt about "renegade judges offending Missouri"
I'll hand the floor over to the rest of you for your comments, or exclaimation point filled statements.