Posted on 10/14/2005 10:12:46 PM PDT by SmithL
Kansas City, Mo. (AP) --
The U.S. Supreme Court late Friday temporarily blocked a federal judge's order that Missouri prison officials drive a pregnant inmate to a clinic on Saturday for an abortion.
Justice Clarence Thomas, acting alone, granted the temporary stay pending a further decision by himself or the full court.
Missouri state law forbids spending tax dollars to facilitate an abortion. However, U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple ruled Thursday that the prison system was blocking the woman from exercising her right to an abortion and ordered that the woman be taken to the clinic Saturday.
An appeals court on Friday refused to stay the ruling.
The woman, whose name was not disclosed in court papers, has said she will borrow money for the abortion from friends and family but cannot afford to pay for transportation.
Under a policy adopted in July, Missouri's prison system does not provide transportation or security for inmates seeking abortions. The policy is based on a state law that prohibits the spending of public funds "for the purpose of performing or assisting an abortion not necessary to save the life of the mother."
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
He squeezed the Charmin!
HUH? She can borrow the money for the procedure, but not the cab fare or a ride to get there?
Something isn't right about this. It's a set-up case.
Go Clarence!
U.S. District Judge Dean Whipple
Reagan appointee 1987
Yes it sounds screwey. I would have thought that Planned Barrenhood would have been thrilled to chip in.
Probably Judge Dean Whipple's most famous ruling:
http://boards.biography.com/thread.jspa?threadID=500002501&tstart=45&start=-1
Justice Clarence Thomas
Bush (41) appointee 1991
Man oh man, time flies, Clarence has a nice head of gray hair these days.
Thomas can nix this all of his lonesome? That's news to me.
Incredible. Thanks for the link.
----------------------------------------Sure...haven't you heard of the Star Chamber?
Only temporarily. Each district is overseen by a single judge who can rule until the the whole court decides to intervene or no.
I would guess that because she's in prison, she wouldn't be able to just take a cab or get a family member to drive her. Security risks and all. I doubt if the state would be able to send guards with her if they can't use state funds to take her there in the first place.
Any of the stories mention if she became pregnant while she was an inmate? If she did, maybe they should re-think the types of visits allowed while incarcerated if the female inmates aren't going to either use birth control or abstain.
OK, you made me look, but all I found were pictures dating back to his confimation and swearing-in. What have you got?
US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas laughs as he leaves St. Matthew's Cathedral after attending the 52th annual Red Mass, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005 in Washington. The Red Mass is held on the Sunday prior to the opening of the Supreme Court's session. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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