Thanks To South Dakota, Abortion Once Again At The Forefront Of American Life
Robert Paul Reyes
March 09, 2006
Some issues, like the "flat tax", can be discussed in a calm, reasonable and logical manner. Then there's the lightning rod issue of abortion, that seemingly cannot be debated without resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.
This divisive issue is once again at the forefront of American politics, because of a landmark decision in South Dakota to ban abortions in almost all circumstances.
True believers on both sides are sharpening their claws and preparing their legal briefs as they prepare for the inevitable legal battle that will most likely go all the way to the Supreme Court.
The controversial legislation signed by Governor Mike Rounds, makes abortion illegal in every circumstance except where the life of the woman is at stake. There are no exceptions, even for cases of rape or incest.
This draconian legislation would not be out of place in a theocracy like Iran or Saudi Arabia, but it has no place in a democracy. Even this editorialist can't consider abortion without forgoing parsing his words and just writing from his heart.
Most legal experts predict that a judge will suspend the new legislation before it comes into effect on July 1, thereby opening the way for the matter to be decided by the Supreme Court.
The issue of abortion has already been decided by the Supreme Court in their landmark "Roe v. Wade" ruling.
The South Dakota legislation is in direct violation of "Roe V. Wade" which made abortion legal for all women.
Despite President George W. Bush's two recent appointments to the Supreme Court, there is still not a majority to overturn "Roe v, Wade." But if Bush makes one more appointment to the high court before he leaves office, all bets are off.
Unfortunately, true believers like Thomas and Scalia, have no respect for precedent, common sense or privacy rights. A solid conservative majority on the Supreme Court will overturn Roe, conservative jurists don't give a fig about the Constitution, the book they hold dear is the Bible. Never mind that the Bible has nothing to say about abortion.
And so the abortion wars go on, it doesn't do any good to take a moderate stand, you will still be run over by the zealots on both sides.
I will engage this issue in a civilized manner by writing editorials and making my views known to my elected representatives.
I hope that Americans will strongly denounce anyone, from either side, who lets heated rhetoric escalate into acts of intimidation and violence.
This divisive issue is once again at the forefront of American politics, because of a landmark decision in South Dakota to ban abortions in almost all circumstances.
True believers on both sides are sharpening their claws and preparing their legal briefs as they prepare for the inevitable legal battle that will most likely go all the way to the Supreme Court.
The controversial legislation signed by Governor Mike Rounds, makes abortion illegal in every circumstance except where the life of the woman is at stake. There are no exceptions, even for cases of rape or incest.
This draconian legislation would not be out of place in a theocracy like Iran or Saudi Arabia, but it has no place in a democracy. Even this editorialist can't consider abortion without forgoing parsing his words and just writing from his heart.
Most legal experts predict that a judge will suspend the new legislation before it comes into effect on July 1, thereby opening the way for the matter to be decided by the Supreme Court.
The issue of abortion has already been decided by the Supreme Court in their landmark "Roe v. Wade" ruling.
The South Dakota legislation is in direct violation of "Roe V. Wade" which made abortion legal for all women.
Despite President George W. Bush's two recent appointments to the Supreme Court, there is still not a majority to overturn "Roe v, Wade." But if Bush makes one more appointment to the high court before he leaves office, all bets are off.
Unfortunately, true believers like Thomas and Scalia, have no respect for precedent, common sense or privacy rights. A solid conservative majority on the Supreme Court will overturn Roe, conservative jurists don't give a fig about the Constitution, the book they hold dear is the Bible. Never mind that the Bible has nothing to say about abortion.
And so the abortion wars go on, it doesn't do any good to take a moderate stand, you will still be run over by the zealots on both sides.
I will engage this issue in a civilized manner by writing editorials and making my views known to my elected representatives.
I hope that Americans will strongly denounce anyone, from either side, who lets heated rhetoric escalate into acts of intimidation and violence.
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