I've been in a rage these last few weeks and South Dakota is to blame. Or more specifically - the state legislature there. I can't put my finger on it either - I don't live in SD and I don't have family there. In fact - I've never even met anyone from that state. But the thought that a handful of religious fanatics can put a law on the books that could eventually overturn a law that's protected my right to choose - under
my watch has me pissed off beyond belief.
The "my watch" is what's getting to me. My mother's generation secured this right for us and it's being eroded - wiped out even under the neglectful watch of my own generation. I feel like I've let my mom down. Worse yet - I feel like I've let my little girl down. She may never know the rights I've enjoyed and I shudder to think of the kind of world she'll inherit from us.
Look I know South Dakota's old news by now - we've had countless diaries about this horrendous attack on our rights. But the fact that the Gov. just signed the bill in to law gave me the shivers when I saw it on CNN this afternoon...
http://www.cnn.com/...
"PIERRE, South Dakota (AP) -- Gov. Mike Rounds signed legislation Monday banning nearly all abortions in South Dakota, setting up a court fight aimed at challenging the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion.
The bill would make it a crime for doctors to perform an abortion unless the procedure was necessary to save the woman's life. It would make no exception for cases of rape or incest.
Planned Parenthood, which operates the state's only abortion clinic, in Sioux Falls, has pledged to challenge the measure in court. (Read the text of the law)
Rounds issued a written statement saying he expects the law will be tied up in court for years and will not take effect unless the Supreme Court upholds it.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them," Rounds said in the statement.
The governor declined all media requests for interviews Monday.
The Legislature passed the bill last month after supporters argued that the recent appointment of conservative justices John Roberts and Samuel Alito have made the Supreme Court more likely to overturn Roe v. Wade.
South Dakota's abortion ban is to take effect July 1, but a federal judge is likely to suspend it during a legal challenge.
Rounds has said abortion opponents already are offering money to help the state pay legal bills for the anticipated court challenge. Lawmakers said an anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to defend the ban, and the Legislature set up a special account to accept donations for legal fees.
Under the new law, doctors could get up to five years in prison for performing an illegal abortion.
Rounds previously issued a technical veto of a similar bill passed two years ago because it would have wiped out all existing restrictions on abortion while the bill was tied up for years in a court challenge.
The statement he issued Monday noted that this year's bill was written to make sure existing restrictions will be enforced during the legal battle. Current state law sets increasingly stringent restrictions on abortions as pregnancy progresses. After the 24th week, the procedure is allowed only to protect the woman's health and safety.
About 800 abortions are performed each year in South Dakota. Planned Parenthood has said other women cross state lines to reach clinics."
Me again - sorry I don't know how to off-set things as a quote.
I don't know about you but it's time I put this anger to good use and hooked up with my local Planned Parenthood group in MD. Here's a link to help you locate the local offices & groups in your area...
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/...
Lastly, I thought I'd share Planned Parenthood's press release today re this latest development. It's an eye-opener - I never realized that so many laws were already on the books in other states...
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/...
"South Dakota Outlaws Abortion
South Dakota Governor Signs Sweeping Abortion Ban; Planned Parenthood to Fight Ban in Court; 10 States Poised to Pass Similar Bans
March 6, 2006 CONTACTS:
Erin Kiernon, PPFA 202-973-4975
Marta Coursey, PPMNS, 612-821-6157
NEW YORK -- Planned Parenthood denounced South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds' signing of the South Dakota abortion ban today, vowing to fight the ban in court to protect the rights and health of women and families in South Dakota and across the country.
"South Dakota has made abortion a criminal act. Ever since the South Dakota legislators cast their votes last week, people across the country have been calling Planned Parenthood in shock, fear, and outrage," said Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards. "A 92-year-old woman, horrified by the governor's action, picked up the phone to make her first-ever gift to the reproductive rights movement, and a mother of three called us, crying, to send her support. And South Dakota may not be the only state to ban abortion -- 10 other states currently have abortion ban bills pending."
Across the country, anti-choice politicians are creating a gauntlet of legislation that attempts to put roadblocks between women and reproductive health care. Currently there are approximately 850 pieces of state legislation related to choice -- only a small minority of which support women's access to reproductive health services. Eighteen states are currently considering a range of abortion bans that take decisions about health care out of the hands of women, their families and their doctors. Ten of those states are considering bans similar to that of South Dakota, or laws that would ban abortion automatically if Roe were overturned. They include: Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
"This is proof-positive that Governor Rounds cares more about politics than about the health and safety of women in South Dakota," said Sarah Stoesz, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Minnesota North Dakota South Dakota. "In every state, women, their families, and their doctors should be making private, personal health care decisions -- not politicians."
"These abortion bans, and the politicians supporting them, are far outside the mainstream of America," added Richards. "Planned Parenthood will fight these attacks in court, in the state houses, and at the ballot boxes, to ensure that women, with their doctors and families, continue to be able to make personal health care decisions without government interference."
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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's leading sexual and reproductive health care advocate and provider. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate more than 850 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.
For medical questions, or to schedule an appointment with the nearest Planned Parenthood health center, call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN
or 1-800-230-7526.
Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers provide culturally competent, high quality, affordable health care to millions of diverse women, men, and teens every year. Planned Parenthood welcomes everyone -- regardless of race, age, disability, sexual orientation, or income."
