Posted on 02/28/2006 6:36:43 PM PST by Aussie Dasher
US President George W. Bush signalled his opposition to a South Dakota abortion ban that forbids the procedure even in cases of rape or incest, saying he favors such exceptions.
But Bush declined to predict the outcome of any legal challenges to the legislation, which would make it illegal to terminate a pregnancy except in rare cases when it may be necessary to save the life of the mother.
"That, of course, is a state law, but my position has always been three exceptions: Rape, incest, and the life of the mother," the US president told ABC news in an interview.
Asked whether he would include "health" of the mother, Bush replied: "I said life of the mother, and health is a very vague term, but my position has been clear on that ever since I started running for office."
The bill, which recently gained final approval from South Dakota's House of Representatives, directly contradicts the precedent set in 1973 when the US Supreme Court ruled that bans on abortion violate a woman's constitutional right to privacy.
The bill grants no allowances for women who have been raped or are victims of incest. Doctors who perform abortion would be charged with a crime. It also prohibits the sale of emergency contraception and asserts that life begins at fertilization.
The governor of South Dakota has indicated he is likely to sign the bill.
A leading pro-choice advocacy group has already vowed to challenge the ban in federal court. But that seems to be exactly what many promoters of the legislation seek.
Advocates of the ban do not deny they aim much higher than South Dakota, a rural and socially conservative state, which even today has only one abortion clinic.
Instead, they are hoping the bill will offer a full frontal assault on legal abortions now that the balance of power in the Supreme Court appears to have shifted with the confirmation of conservative jurists John Roberts and Samuel Alito, both of whom are seen as pro-life.
Well said, and one of the best "comparisons" of this I've ever seen. Thank you.
I wasn't commenting on anyone's thoughts, motivations or beliefs, but on actions.
**Bush disagrees with South Dakota abortion ban **
Why?
How lovely.
I reckon that's a point. I just liked the conciseness of Aussie Dasher's statement. It captured the essence of the argument within the context of this thread. Nothing more.
I am what I believe, nothing more.
Great post. I had the same reaction as a young girl, when I learned what abortion is. I had the same reaction when I learned about rape as well. They are both evils to be eradicated.
She had her first ultrasound at 4-1/2 months...and decided to keep the baby.
Teegan will be 3 in August. She is gorgeous, smart, and funny.
I thank God every day that her mother changed her mind and let her daughter live.
I think that is where the current court wants to go.
They will allow parental notice and even restrictions, they will allow prohibition of certain procedures, but right now an outright ban is not in the books.
I think this case was set up to fail.
She will thank you. Over and over.
Because they're fanatics.
I'd love to see how tough they'd talk if it was their wife that got raped and was forced to carry some crack-head's baby to term.
I believe Bush is only opposing the fact that no exceptions were made for rape or incest, not the ban itself.
Any woman who is raped should have the option . Aside from the exceptions , I feel that it is an easy way out for irresponsible behavior which should not be allowed.
This will be the last that I say regarding this matter , no minds will be changed here .
Yikes!
It should have read:
I am long not for this site.
Support it? I'd demand it with all the husbandly authority I had to wield.
they key is not to change minds!
touch hearts... and change LIVES....
that is the key!
What I'd love is if people would quit with the, "Wait'll it happens to you" argument. That's no kind of argument.
Especially since there are people on this thread who DO HAVE ACTUAL PERSONAL EXPERIENCE in this area, and the majority (perhaps all of them) are coming down on the side of not killing babies.
I don't hate Bush on this issue, as usual, he has been consistent. I really think he should have just said, "While I personally disagree with the law, I believe this a matter left to the states."
LOL! I was wondering what the heck you were sayin'!
LOL!
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