Posted on 03/06/2006 2:55:47 PM PST by LdSentinal
WASHINGTON, March 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The National Pro-Life Action Center (NPLAC)-the uncompromising voice of pro-life America on Capitol Hill-is pleased that Gov. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) has signed the South Dakota Women's Health and Human Life Protection Act into law.
Paul Chaim Schenck, director of NPLAC, stated the following: "The people of South Dakota have done a wonderful thing. Like heroes before them who opposed the fugitive slave act, Dred Scott and Plessy v. Ferguson, they've refused to abide by a deeply flawed and false interpretation of the Constitution, and have voted to restore human and civil rights to all Americans. Now, it is up to the courts to decide whether they will defend bad law and even worse policy. It's time for Roe to go, and it can't go soon enough."
Stephen G. Peroutka, NPLAC chairman and a Maryland attorney, issued the following response to the news: "I am very happy that Gov. Rounds signed this bill. It is a rare display of political courage in our present day. I believe the people of South Dakota are doing exactly the right thing by passing this law. South Dakotans know that this will not end all abortion, but is the beginning of that process. This law will now have to pass the scrutiny of the state, federal and Supreme Courts. We are hopeful that it will, but even if it does not, it is absolutely worth trying.
"This law creates a platform for debate over the foundation of decriminalized abortion-Roe and Doe-that is not often afforded pro-lifers. We welcome the opportunity to expose the horrors of abortion and the culture of death.
"To those naysayers who believe this is 'not the right time' to challenge Roe and Doe, I would offer the following: In the recent Supreme Court confirmation hearings we were repeatedly told that these decisions were 'super-duper precedent' because they had been reaffirmed 28 times. What would it hurt if we get to 29? I cannot, in good conscience, tell the nearly 4,000 babies who will die from abortion in this country today that now is not the right time to protect them.
"Many pro-lifers anchor their hope in the Supreme Court. I do not. I rest my hope in an all-powerful God, exercising His judgment through a righteous people."
A great day for life...
And, even if this effort ends in a temporary defeat, perhaps this principled stand will lay the groundwork for eventual victory...
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Why the drop after 1960? (in deaths of women from illegal abortions)
The reasons were new and better antibiotics, better surgery and the establishment of intensive care units in hospitals. This was in the face of a rising population. Between 1967 and 1970 sixteen states legalized abortion. In most it was limited, only for rape, incest and severe fetal handicap (life of mother was legal in all states). There were two big exceptions California in 1967, and New York in 1970 allowed abortion on demand. Now look at the chart carefully.
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Abortion Statistics - Decision to Have an Abortion (U.S.)
· 25.5% of women deciding to have an abortion want to postpone childbearing
· 21.3% of women cannot afford a baby
· 14.1% of women have a relationship issue or their partner does not want a child
· 12.2% of women are too young (their parents or others object to the pregnancy)
· 10.8% of women feel a child will disrupt their education or career
· 7.9% of women want no (more) children
· 3.3% of women have an abortion due to a risk to fetal health
2.8% of women have an abortion due to a risk to maternal health
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So how many womens lives have been saved by abortion?
Only about 3% of abortions since 1972 were reported to be due to a risk to maternal health. A reasonable person would recognize that not all of those cases represent a lethal risk. But lets say they did. That means that nearly 45 million fetuses were butchered to save the lives of about 1.3 million women. Or put another way; 35 babies are killed to save each woman.
Abortion was legal in all 50 states prior to Roe v. Wade in cases of danger to the life of the woman.
Roe v Wade: FULL Text (The Decision that wiped out an entire Generation 33 years ago today)
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