Mississippi advances bill to ban most abortions-No exceptions for rape and incest

[wvjules]

Mississippi advances bill to ban most abortions
No exceptions would be made in cases of rape and incest
The Associated Press
Updated: 1:18 p.m. ET March 1, 2006

JACKSON, Miss. - A state House committee voted to ban most abortions in Mississippi, which already has some of the strictest abortion laws in the nation.

The bill approved by the House Public Health Committee on Tuesday would allow abortion only to save the pregnant woman’s life. It would make no exception in cases of rape or incest. The bill now goes to the full House, which could vote next week, and then to the Senate.

South Dakota lawmakers passed a similar bill last week that was intended to provoke a court showdown over the legality of abortion.

The Mississippi lawmaker who introduced the near-ban, Democrat Steve Holland, said he acted because he was tired of piecemeal attempts to add new abortion restrictions year after year.

Holland said he has voted for some abortion restrictions and against others in the past. “I have a strong dilemma within myself on this,” Holland said. “I can only impregnate. I can’t get pregnant myself.”

Mississippi already requires a 24-hour waiting period and counseling for all abortions, plus the consent of both parents for minors who seek the procedure. Republican Gov. Haley Barbour favors restrictions on abortion, but he has not spoken about the current legislation.

One abortion clinic statewide
The state has one abortion clinic, in Jackson, and its leaders plan to fight if more restrictions are imposed.

“We’re realists. We know we’re in a state where the Legislature is anti-choice,” said Susan Hill, president of the National Women’s Health Organization, which runs the clinic.

The South Dakota legislation went to Republican Gov. Mike Rounds on Tuesday, and he has 15 days to act. Rounds has said he’s inclined to sign the bill into law.
© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

© 2006 MSNBC.com

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11621741/

Two states with this in the news in a few weeks time. Is this a sign of things to come?

 

[cardaway]

 

[Toby'sFriend]

yes, I agree that it is a sign of things to come.

I feel very troubled about it. Neither of these two states which have come forward so far (South Dakota and Mississippi) really have abortion at all to speak of - SD has a couple of Doctors that visit the state a couple of times a month, Mississippi has one clinic for the entire state.

I'm not comfortable with allowing places where abortion is already pretty much eliminated, setting legal precedent for all.

 

[punkin]

We as American take many of our rights pretty much for granted. Unfortunately, while most people do not want to go back to the bad old days of back alley butcher abortions, unless these right are under serious attack, many people will not make it a priority to fight for them.

I almost feel like SD and Miss. are doing the pro-choice movement a favor. These laws are clearly not constitutional under present-day jurisprudence; they will not be implemented unless the Supreme Court does a complete 180 on Rowe and reverses 30 years of precedent. I doubt that will happen, but people who are in the middle who want some choice and some restrictions will finally be scared enough of what is hapening to start fighting for their rights.

 

[What the Heck]

I also don't think this court will reverse Roe v. Wade, at least not at this point. It will open up a huge can of worms (and really hurt the Republican chances in the future, although I don't think that will, nor should it be, a part of the SC's decision). I don't see these surviving. In fact, if they are defeated, it could make Roe v. Wade even stronger.

Just my thoughts.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

All I'll say is I hope they get their orphanages and foster care system in tip-top shape within the next 9 months. I also hope they have the funds to care for the children born out of insest and their medical problems, and the funds to provide counseling to the girls and women who are forced to carry their rapists child. Oh and the funding for a suicide prevention hotline to talk to the women who are so depressed about being forced to have a child for whatever reason that they would rather die then have it.

 

[punkin]

All I'll say is I hope they get their orphanages and foster care system in tip-top shape within the next 9 months. I also hope they have the funds to care for the children born out of insest and their medical problems, and the funds to provide counseling to the girls and women who are forced to carry their rapists child. Oh and the funding for a suicide prevention hotline to talk to the women who are so depressed about being forced to have a child for whatever reason that they would rather die then have it.

Ha, Ha, Ha. ånd no it is not funny, but these are the same people who blather on about personal responsibility. Any resulting children will NOT be taken care of.

However, these laws will never be enforced because they are squarely against Roe, which (thank God) is still the law of the land.

 

[WatchinCaptKangaroo]

Ha, Ha, Ha. ånd no it is not funny, but these are the same people who blather on about personal responsibility. Any resulting children will NOT be taken care of.

I know. I'm well aware of the state of our foster care system and support services in southern states. Not to say that other states are better, but I have heard stories out of MI, NC that will make your toes curl and would never be acceptable in CA.

However, these laws will never be enforced because they are squarely against Roe, which (thank God) is still the law of the land.

Thank God is right! And Thank God I live in a state that will keep abortion legal even if Roe is overturned.

 

[LukenDC]

By not making a exception in the case of rape or incest, the religious fanatics behind this legislation have assured that it will lose the support of the public. The majority of the public is already pro-choice and a hefty majority support abortion rights in the event of rape or incest.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

yes, I agree that it is a sign of things to come.

I feel very troubled about it. Neither of these two states which have come forward so far (South Dakota and Mississippi) really have abortion at all to speak of - SD has a couple of Doctors that visit the state a couple of times a month, Mississippi has one clinic for the entire state.

I'm not comfortable with allowing places where abortion is already pretty much eliminated, setting legal precedent for all.

ita! very well said

 

[punkin]

Yes, interesting times ahead. http://nytimes.com/2006/03/02/politics/politicsspecial1/02alito.html?hp&ex=1141275600&en=c750fb88359b9d08&ei=5094&partner=homepage

 

[Saphire]

Two states with this in the news in a few weeks time. Is this a sign of things to come?

Yes, hopefully. Finally, the (deadly) tide may be turning. Thank you, South Dakota and Mississippi.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

What else can I say that describes this state better than to say they're willing to spit in the face of US Federal law for religious conviction...but then again, racism is also alive and well here too.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

doesn't Miss. have bigger problems to fix? like the current state of residents on the gulf coast still suffering after Katrina?

you'd think the religious right would be focusing on the living families in need, not trying to fight an uphill supreme court battle that they will eventually lose.

it's rather disgusting.

 

[Saphire]

you'd think the religious right would be focusing on the living families in need, not trying to fight an uphill supreme court battle that they will eventually lose.

it's rather disgusting.

They can do both. Many of the 'religious right' are down there right now helping, and have been for months. My own son will be arriving (his spring break from college) in Gulfport on Saturday to help with clean-up and rebuilding. Oh yeah, he opposes abortion, too.

 

[eyeoreismyhero]

doesn't Miss. have bigger problems to fix? like the current state of residents on the gulf coast still suffering after Katrina?

you'd think the religious right would be focusing on the living families in need, not trying to fight an uphill supreme court battle that they will eventually lose.

it's rather disgusting.

How many times have you been to help! I hope several throwing out comments like that?

 

[hentob]

. My own son will be arriving (his spring break from college) in Gulfport on Saturday to help with clean-up and rebuilding. Oh yeah, he opposes abortion, too.

Good for your son. But, the thought of a little girl being raped and then having to carry out the pregnancy is very wrong. Now add being raped by her father, her uncle, a cousin............

Keep abortion safe and legal. In my opinion, it is as simple as that.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

How many times have you been to help! I hope several throwing out comments like that?

absolutely zero. I'm sure you're there helping in your free time, though.

 

[caitycaity]

I almost feel like SD and Miss. are doing the pro-choice movement a favor. These laws are clearly not constitutional under present-day jurisprudence; they will not be implemented unless the Supreme Court does a complete 180 on Rowe and reverses 30 years of precedent. I doubt that will happen, but people who are in the middle who want some choice and some restrictions will finally be scared enough of what is hapening to start fighting for their rights.

i agree.

 

[Disney-Kim]

If they are a sign of things to come, it scares me.