Posted on 11/28/2005 5:46:56 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
WASHINGTON, November 28, 2005 (LifeSiteNews.com) – As the New Hampshire Attorney General gets ready to defend a challenge of the state’s parental notification law at the US Supreme Court, a recent poll has found almost 70% of Americans support the measure.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll conducted earlier this month found 69% of 1,006 adults questioned favored parental consent before a minor child’s abortion, with 28% of respondents opposed. The poll also found that 64% were in favor of spousal notification before abortion, while 34% opposed spousal notification. Although the majority of respondents opposed an all-out constitutional ban on abortion, more than three-fourths were in favor of tighter restrictions on abortion.
Planned Parenthood of Northern New England successfully challenged New Hampshire’s parental notification law in 2000, when a 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston ruled the law unconstitutional because it did not have an exception for the so-called “health” of the mother.
The Supreme Court upheld a similar challenge to the Minnesota parental notification law in 1990, although in 2000 the high court ruled the partial-birth abortion ban unconstitutional because it did not include an exception for the health of the mother. The exception for ‘health’ has proven to be a wide open door for abortion on demand at any stage of pregnancy, with the term ‘health’ being interpreted so broadly as to make it effectively meaningless.
New Hampshire officials argue in their appeal that it is not necessary for the notification law to have a specific health exception, as at least 34 other state abortion laws already cover this. In addition, the 2000 partial-birth abortion ruling does not necessarily require that all abortion laws include the mother’s health exception, they said.
The case will highlight the positions of new Court members, including Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as, if confirmed, federal appeals Judge Samuel Alito. Based on past cases, it appears most likely that the current Court would split 4-4 on the case, with Alito, who would replace former Justice Sandra Day-O’Connor, if confirmed, casting the deciding vote. In 1990, Alito ruled in favor of a spousal notification law for Pennsylvania.
“Health” of the Mother as Defined by the Supreme Court: In the companion case to Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court declared “health” of the mother includes, “all factors—physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the woman’s age— relevant to the wellbeing of the patient. All these factors may relate to health.” —1973 Supreme Court decision Doe v. Bolton http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?navby=CASE&court=US&vol=410&page=17
I really want to believe that statistic Aussie. But I have come to doubt it now. Yes, I lived in Kaleefornia. And Yes, I voted for the measure. Yet, it was defeated. I am truly disgusted with the voters. And I suspect, and I hope I am wrong, that a lot of states will turn down similar measures. A bit cynical, but until I see a lot more states actually passing such a measure, I won't believe that 70% support parental notification.
Would be interesting to see what percent of those who oppose are not parents.
Sort of like the left's campaign against men having a say regarding abortion. "You won't face this decision".
Forget about notification, there should be parental CONSENT required.
A minor child cannot have any other surgical procedure without informed consent by a parent or legal guardian. Somehow abortion is magically removed from this requirement. I just don't get why!
The thing I keep wondering about is suppose a 15 year old daughter has an abortion without the knowledge of her parents. Later that night, said daughter begins hemoraging or has some kind of complication. Daughter is rushed to hospital in an emergency situation. Who pays? The parents never consented...they never even knew. Surely the parents insurance should not be billed. I guess you just have to wind up suing for the clinic to pay? the state? who? Anyone have an answer?
I'll hold my virtual tongue over your snarky comment and just say it's conservatives who sat on their hands in California. And evangelicals. And Republicans, generally. They were against the governor for other reasons and by failing to go to the polls, Prop 73 failed.
The polls have actually been running like this for years - why so many people who consider abortion an important issue continue to vote for the 'rat party which consistently opposes parental and spousal notification is one of the many baffling mysteries of American politics......
I guess it means that 70% of Americans, are ultra-conservative, right-wing Christian, Bushofascist, anti-choice, clinic-bombing, and abortionist-killing zealots. At least that's what NARAL says about people who support parental notification (not to mention the ones who support spousal notification).
The 30% is made up of:
1) people who have never had children and never want to,
2) parents who have only had sons, not daughters, and
3) employees of Planned Parenthood.
One never need dismember a baby to supposedly save the
mother's health.
At the very least, deliver the baby early and try to save both
lives.
The doctor has two patients he is responsible for, unless he is
a paid hit man.
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