Blanco signs law that would ban abortions

[Rose Siding]

NEW ORLEANS (Reuters) - Louisiana Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco signed into law a ban on most abortions that would be triggered if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 1973 ruling legalizing the procedure, a spokesman said on Saturday.
The ban would apply to all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest, except when the mother's life is threatened........

http://go.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=12561199&src=rss/ElectionCoverage

What, no photos? No pens to hand out to admirers? No back-slapping and quotes for reporters and supporters?

http://www.commondreams.org.nyud.net:8090/headlines04/images/0426-10.jpg

[Thickasabrick]

1. I don't get this. I thought she was a democrat

[GrumpyGreg]

2. She's obviously a DINO !

[sarcasmo]

74. Is there really a two party system anymore?

We have about forty to fifty fence sitters that vote with the Republicans. The two party system is close to being eliminated.

[GrumpyGreg]

92. Frankly I think it's time for a strong third party.

The other two parties seem to have lost their foci---with the exception of anything that will get a vote.

[Megahurtz]

155. Honestly I believe that there is no Democratic Party anymore.

It is just looking way too weird lately.
I think that the Dems are selling out behind closed doors or something.
Cutting deals of some kind in secret or something.

Sure looks suspicious to me.
One thing that's clear is they're sure covering their own asses somehow in spite of all of us!:hurts:

[spanone]

156. We have a system run by lobbyists. There is no more 'thinking' in Congress

No more representing 'the people'. Money talks and all else walks...

[lcruiz]

162. could this really happen?

Why is every one so stupid, how could you vote to eliminte abortions. We live in a secular society, all these republicans are letting their religous backgrounds get in the way. We should all be able to make our own opinion and decisions. So many women die in third world countries because abortion is ilegal, is that what they want for us? There is no way if they become illegal that they will stop people from getting them. It's just going to create a larger issue, and can we discuss, POPULATION EXPLOSION and POVERTY increase. A country like Colombia in south america has the second largest crime rate, people become violent and desprete because of poverty. And poverty comes from youth becoming pregnant and not being able to contuine their education thus always stuck in low level jobs that are already scarce in colombia's struggling economy. So many young teenagers die from illegal abortions, and the ones who don't have them it's because they can't afford them. These poor babies, what kind of future do they have to look foward to? My mother had me when she was 18 in colombia, and she has told me how hard life was for her, she had to cease furthering her education to raise me. My father left for the states to finish his education and start a home for us and we met him 3years later, mother was forced to leave eveyrhting behind to give me a better future, she wasn't' able to see her family for five years until her residency was granted. Rarely do teenagers in Colombia have this luck, if you can call it that. I thought she was a democrat, is she not aware of all the orphans already???? OY OY O it pisses me off.

[Freddie Stubbs]

174. No, just a Democrat who doesn't agree with you on abortion

[jody]

3. As a Democratic governor she must represent the majority of her state. n/t

[otohara]

14. Seriously???

I voted for a dem senator in my state because he was the only choice and it was imperative that we have a dem to counter the other senator, who is a Republican.

Turns out this guy is another Joe Lieberman, no, he's worse than Lieberman actually.
This is not what I voted for, it was a very close race in the primary, so while he won in the end, a good amount of voters must be as disappointed as I am.

and I can say for fact that during the run up to the Iraq war, those democrats who voted "yes" disregarded the overwhelming number of phone calls, e-mails, faxes, letters from democrats pleading them the vote no, and what did they do?

[jody]

16. LA Senate approved bill 27-0. Suggest you read the following.

Democrats Appoint Catholic Outreach Coordinator After Abortion Failures
QUOTE
After losing the Catholic vote in 2004 because of their extreme position in favor of all abortions, the Democratic National Committee has appointed a "Catholic outreach coordinator" to help the party win back some of it support. Someone will be hired for the post as early as this month.

“The last cycle was a wake-up call,” said Leslie Brown, coordinator of the Democrats' religious-based outreach efforts.

“When you lose with a Catholic candidate then you've got to go back” and address the problem, she told the National Catholic Reporter.

Pro-abortion Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry, a Catholic, was the Democratic nominee, but he lost the presidential race in large part because of the 22 percent of voters who said moral issues such as abortion were most important.
UNQUOTE

[Violet_Crumble]

18. Please don't bother suggesting we read anti-choice crap...

'Lifenews'?? Since when has that been considered a reliable source, except to anti-choice nutters??

[jody]

22. How do you know the article is useless unless you read it? Do you want

Democratic candidates to be elected?

If so you must find a position on divisive issues that attracts over 50% of the vote.

Blanco realized that if she vetoed the bill her veto would be overridden and her veto would be used against her in the future.

I believe most Democratic and Republican politicians in Louisiana oppose abortion in varying degrees, see Louisiana candidates re abortion

[adriennui]

29. let their wives, sisters and daughters be raped. and have the babies.

sorry for the anger and crude language but i am just sick and tired of these assholes.

[Violet_Crumble]

33. No apology necessary...

They are incapable of feeling the slightest bit of empathy, and I totally understand you being sick and tired of them :)

[jody]

35. I understand but if Blanco had vetoed the bill, her veto would have been

overridden.

[TexasLawyer]

41. And then...

let the rapist fathers sue for custody of the children. Bills like this are called rapists' rights bills.

[Violet_Crumble]

31. Because it's from a nutty anti-choice site, that's why...

I've read enough of their crap in the past to know it's not worth bothering with. Just curious, but are you opposed to abortion?

[jody]

34. IMO the issue is Blanco's vote. LA senate voted 27/0 and House 85/17 for

the bill. IMO Blanco would have been a fool to veto the bill when her veto would have been overridden.

[FredScuttle]

52. Yeah, why take a stand for reproductive rights?

"It's inevitable, so just lay back and enjoy it" - Bobby Knight

:sarcasm:

[jody]

53. If Blanco had vetoed the bill it would still be law and its conditional

upon SCOTUS declaring a woman does not have an inalienable right to her body.

SCOTUS is systematically ruling a person has few inalienable rights while giving corporations and their owners more rights.

Our government of the people, by the people, for the people is threatened because SCOTUS is a tool of the one percent who own about 50% of our financial wealth, control every major multinational corporation in the U.S., and finance/control congress and the executive branch.

[FredScuttle]

66. Why grease the wheels?

Why in the hell would a Democrat, no matter where they are, fall in line with a GOP red-meat issue? And I could frankly care less that her veto would be overridden....she'd be on the record and on the right side of history.

SCOTUS has not reversed Roe v. Wade yet, and I wouldn't be too sure that's it's a fait accompli. Even a neanderthal like Scalia (well, maybe not Scalia, but one of the other, less insane fundies on the Court) knows reversing Roe v. Wade unleashes a social civil war. We don't have to let the events of our time wash over us like we were pebbles on a goddamn beach....we can take a morally right stand and stick with it!

[jody]

68. Do you oppose all Democratic candidates who do not support 100% our Dem

Party Platform?

[FredScuttle]

79. Do you support "Democratic" candidates who sell out our values?

I understand that we practice what we preach about being an inclusive party while the GOP just pays lip service to the "big tent" concept, but, for me, a woman's right to consult with her physician concerning her pregnancy is sacrosanct.

So, to answer your question, if a candidate wants to pick and choose which planks of the platform he or she wants to support, it is less than likely I will support them.

It's in the platform for a reason.

Now, to preempt you bringing up Reid or Murtha...let me ask this - when was the last time you heard either gentleman pontificate on abortion?

[Zhade]

87. "Values" my ass! This is about RIGHTS!

(I know you understand this, just making it clearer for the others.)

Blanco is signing away rights SHE HAS NO RIGHT TO SIGN AWAY.

[FredScuttle]

91. Right!

Thanks for the correction.

[Zhade]

93. Anytime! Keep fighting the good fight.

:pals:

[jody]

98. Many prominent Democrats oppose platform positions such as Ted Kennedy ,

Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer.

I assume you support them so why do you pick and choose?

[FredScuttle]

105. You care to provide any specifics?

Or is a blanket attack against three prominent Democratic senators sufficient for you?

Like I said upthread...we're talking about abortion here. You've were asked first why you're so quick to defend Blanco's ash-canning a woman's right to choose. Why?

[jody]

109. See post #99. n/t

[FredScuttle]

121. I saw it and it still doesn't answer my question

you want to spell out exactly how the three Dems you mentioned are contradicting the party platform on guns?

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

73. You didn't answer Violet's question. -nt

[jody]

100. My position is irrelevant since the thread is about Blanco's action. n/t

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

103. So's the article in the RW site you cited, which is what prompted...

...the question. So, no, we will not stop talking about things because they're inconvenient for you.

I repeat what Violet asked: are you opposed to abortion?

You, of course, are perfectly free NOT to answer, whether by staying silent or by dodging. We, on the other hand, are free to arrive to the logical conclusions of what you say, and to call a spade a spade.

[ProudDad]

165. Yeah, why should any politician show any courage

or principled stand?

:sarcasm:

WHEN IS THIS COWARDLY SHIT GOING TO STOP???

Or maybe she's really anti-choice and should be thrown out in the next election?

[saracat]

40. What good is electing them if they are going to take your rights away?

Why would I want an anti choice Dem elected? Are you serious? As a woman this is the line in the sand for me. Anti-choice no vote. My human rights are not negotiable. Period.

[jody]

48. Apparently Blanco did what those who voted for her wanted. n/t

[FredScuttle]

80. So did the Dixiecrats. n/t

[jus_the_facts]

113. Apparently she DID NOT do what I wanted her to do.....

....yet I voted for her...the weak lame assed excuses like..."at least she's not a republican...and she's gotta go along to get along down there with all those conservatives..." the La.state government is MAJORITY DEMOCRAT...SURE SEEMS LIKE THERE'S NO DAMN DIFFERENCE BETWEEN *PARTIES* and DINO's everywhere you look these days. :eyes:

[wellst0nev0ter]

44. The Raped And Sodomized Virgin Will Thank Her

If I recall correctly, that would be the only type of girls protected under these phillistine laws that are being passed.

[jody]

50. SB 33 is even more stringent, its purpose is

"to prohibit abortion of a human being, except when necessary to save the life of the mother and when necessary to prevent substantial risk of death or permanent impairment under certain circumstances; to provide for criminal consequences for violations; to provide for the act to only become effective upon the occurrence of certain events; to provide for severability; and to provide for related matters."

See SB33 - 2006 Regular Session

[Pacifist Patriot]

158. What an insult to the Phillistines.

;)

I'm so angry I'm numb.

[Mountainman]

62. So you are one of those who believe in abandoning principal to win

elections. Through away a woman's right to chose to win elections. Not my kind of Dem. Be like a reed in the wind and turn which ever way the wind blows.

[jody]

69. By principle do you mean our Dem Party Platform? Do you oppose every

Democratic candidate who does not support 100% our party platform?

[fudge stripe cookays]

77. Goddamn right I do.

This is a make or break for me, and anyone abandoning it does NOT get a check next to their name.

Wy exactly are you arguing so stringently FOR Blanco's vote? /sarcasm

[jody]

99. Many prominent Democrats oppose platform positions such as Ted Kennedy ,

Dianne Feinstein and Chuck Schumer who oppose our party's position that says, "We will protect Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms". See http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

I assume you support them so why do you pick and choose?

[FredScuttle]

104. Who's taking away your gun?

Please, do tell which scary librul Dem you mentioned wants to take away your gun and your rights.

[fudge stripe cookays]

106. Ah but see...

Jody is a male from Alabama, according to his profile.

I think that says about all we need to know; defending a position Dems find untenable, scared of having his guns taken away, and quel surprise...mud thrown at Ted Kennedy!

Do we NEED to say anymore to this idiot? Maybe he'll go away on his own. But I doubt it.

[jody]

112. Is an ad hominine attack the best you can do? n/t

[FredScuttle]

122. BTW, it's "ad hominem" n/t

[jody]

127. The term is used with both spellings but thanks. n/t

[FredScuttle]

128. Really? Where?

Mr. Webster doesn't seem to recognize "ad hominine"

http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/ad%20hominine

Maybe you have some hip, updated dictionary us elitist abortion factory advocates aren't privy to.

[jody]

130. Just google "ad hominine" and you'll see. n/t

[FredScuttle]

136. Just because it's used incorrectly in a lot of places

doesn't mean it's a valid alternate spelling.

Try googling "loose" as in "we've got nothing to loose"

[jody]

140. Thanks for the fun and games. n/t

[VegasWolf]

143. The dictionary draws a blank on "ad hominine". Even a 12 year old knows

that you don't use Google as a spellchecker.

[jody]

111. Reread #99. n/t

[FredScuttle]

120. You are ducking better that a WH Press Secy

YOU, my friend, still haven't answered my question....how are Kennedy, Feinstein, et. al. advocating taking away your civil right to own a firearm? Spell out exactly how they are contradicting the plank in the party platform you reference:

"We will protect Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms, and we will keep guns out of the hands of criminals and terrorists by fighting gun crime, reauthorizing the assault weapons ban, and closing the gun show loophole, as President Bush proposed and failed to do." (you left the bolded part out, by accident, I'm sure)

How are they contradicting or disobeying that? Hmmmmm?

Or, are you (as I suspect) equating supporting gun control with wanting a repeal of the 2nd Amendment? And, if that's the case, are you serious?

[jody]

Please visit DU's Guns forum and read the numerous threads about

the efforts of Feinstein et al who wish to ban all handguns or all guns.

[FredScuttle]

126. No thanks

I'd rather hear you quote one statement....ONE STATEMENT OR QUOTE...from Feinstein, Schumer or Kennedy in which they explicitly say "I wish to ban all guns in the United States" or "I advocate a repeal of the Second Amendment"

Your pro-gun, GOP-talking point blather is rather unconvincing.

[jody]

129. OK, one quote and I win. Diane Feinstein said about guns "If I could have

gotten 51 votes in the Senate of the United States for an outright ban, picking up every one of them... "Mr. and Mrs. America, turn 'em all in," I would have done it. I could not do that. The votes weren't here." --U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), CBS- TV's "60 Minutes,"

Source is the Pink Pistols

[FredScuttle]

134. Fine....you win. Diane Feinstein is a nut

I don't support her and I reject that statement if she was talking about all guns, not just assault weapons (a ban on which she sponsored around the time of that interview).

Now...why can't you do the same about Gov. Blanco instead of defending her?

on edit - by the way, referring to your source, don't you find it odd that a gay/lesbian site would have a section mocking Al Gore? Did they steal that from Rush's site?

[jody]

139. Blanco made a political choice in signing a bill. That's Dem politics at

the state level.

I wonder how many Dem candidates would get elected in Louisiana if they aggressively supported pro-choice on abortion? IMO very, very few.

I don't believe it's chance that NARAL reports the following for Louisiana:
* Governor Kathleen Blanco (D) is anti-choice.
* Lieutenant Governor Mitch Landrieu (D) is mixed-choice.
* Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr. (D) is anti-choice.

[FredScuttle]

144. Hmmmm

I see your train of thought....kind of like how ridiculous it would be to get an NRA-endorsed candidate elected governor in kooky, librul Vermont. Er, um....

[FredScuttle]

146. And another thing

You're the one who brought up Feinstein as contradicting the party platform, so if you have a problem with a Federal vs. State situation, it's of your own choice.

[ProudDad]

166. No thanks

You pro-gun wack-jobs are from cloud-cuckoo land.

You're just too weird...

[jody]

171. You oppose the Dem Party Platform that says, "We will protect

Americans' Second Amendment right to own firearms". See http://www.democrats.org/pdfs/2004platform.pdf

It's sad that you can't support all inalienable rights including the right to keep and bear arms for self defense.

[fudge stripe cookays]

107. Because I don't give a shit about firearms.

And because I am a WOMAN. You weigh the party positions according to their importance to you.

Yeah, I'd like the amendment to be upheld, because we may need those guns down the road. But my civil rights are non-negotiable.

[jody]

114. You know the right to keep and bear arms is a civil right, don't you? n/t

[fudge stripe cookays]

116. So is me calling the shots for my uterus.

But you don't seem to have a problem with them overturning that.

Ad hominem attacks come very easily when I'm faced with such a transparent person. What was your point in coming here, if not to stir the pot a bit?

[jody]

118. Where have I said I wanted to overturn your right to calling the shots for

your uterus?

I've been talking about Blanco's decision to sign a bill passed 25/0 by the senate and 85/17 by the house. That's a Louisiana issue not a National Democratic Party issue.

[FredScuttle]

124. You haven't said you want to take away a woman's right to choose

but you're carrying water for a governor who just signed a bill into law doing exactly that.

[jody]

131. My question was not to you. n/t

[FredScuttle]

138. but my statement was to you

if you don't want to respond to my assertion that you're carrying water for a governor who just signed a bill taking away a fundamental human right, that's your prerogative.

[jody]

141. Goodby. n/t

[FredScuttle]

147. Giving up so soon?

You must be an absolute milquetoast on the Gun forums. I should venture over there...I'll have you mewling like a born-again Diane Feinstein.

[fudge stripe cookays]

148. Fred beat me to answering your question.

And he did it very well.

Thanks Fred!
:hi: fsc

[FredScuttle]

149. Didn't mean to step on your toes, Fudge

You're a lot closer to the situation at hand than I am!

:hi:

edit - waving back

[fudge stripe cookays]

151. No worries!

You're doing an excellent job. Thanks for that!
:D
fsc

[jody]

153. Sorry but which post said I wanted to take away your right? n/t

[fudge stripe cookays]

168. All of them.

Agreeing with what she did and coming here to justify it says more than anything else.

[jody]

170. You are wrong. I was discussing the reality of politics in Louisiana. n/t

[FredScuttle]

175. You posted that you support a governor taking away a woman's choice

You can't possibly be this obtuse....you come on here applauding Blanco for having the "political skill" to sign a piece of shit legislation served up by a DINO legislature that tells the women of Lousiana that their uteruses now belong to the state and you're surprised when you're attacked? Ther reality here is that you're applauding a bill written by Neanderthals and signed by a craven fake Democrat. Congrats.

[fudge stripe cookays]

178. Bull.

You are lauding her choice. Otherwise you would not be so vociferous about defending her here for her decision.

Get off it.

[jody]

179. You just don't understand politics. Have a nice day and goodbye. n/t

[Zhade]

86. Do you not even READ the bullshit you post?

That source called Kerry "pro-abortion", which is a flat-out LIE, since he specifically stated during the presidential debates that he is personally AGAINST abortion.

If you don't even read enough of your source to realize it's LYING about Democrats, what gives you the right to accuse others of not reading it?

And once again: majority rule does not trump civil rights.

[orleans]

96. maybe she used a SIGNING STATEMENT like the resident

fuckhead has used over 750 times

(her signing statement wouldn't be for her personally but for all the women of LA)

winning, yes, i understand but can't we stand for anything on principle???

if she believes it and signed it may she find herself as an unexpected high risk pregnancy due to her AGE and other crucial factors!

[Bjorn Against]

163. Any article that calls Kerry "pro-abortion" is useless.

Kerry is by no means my favorite politician, but to call him "pro-abortion" is quite simply a lie. He is personally opposed to abortion although he supports keeping it safe and legal. No one can find me a single quote of Kerry's in which he actually came out in favor of abortion, in fact I doubt anyone could find me a quote from ANY Democrat who has been on a national ticket that actually came out and said "people should have more abortions."

The use of the term "pro-abortion" is not only extremely loaded, it is quite simply a lie and that discredits the source as far as I am concerned.

[BlueIris]

169. What's this? A post from a sane person?

Thanks for sharing your SANITY in this thread. It's nice to meet people who can be critical of Kerry and other Democrats without being insane. I think you're the first one I've met on this board. Hi! Once again, nice to meet you.

[Thickasabrick]

23. Actually, the "values" crap that people said was important to

them was never defined in the exit polls. The Anti-Choice people wanted to believe that it was all about abortion, so they took a page from uncle Karl's playbook and "made it so"....in their minds...and any type of propaganda they could distribute.

[jody]

25. IMO, the majority of LA voters oppose abortion except for unusual cases.

[daleo]

39. Unusual cases

Like themselves, their wives, or daughters.

[FredScuttle]

125. Do you have any statistics to support that

or is that your gut feeling...kind of like Chris Matthews' gut feeling that people "really like" Dumbya?

[jody]

133. IMO means "In My Opinion". You might want to remember that. n/t

[FredScuttle]

137. Yes, I'm aware of that

You must know a lot of people in Louisiana to claim to represent their views on abortion in such detail. I was just wondering if you had anything....you know, like facts or evidence, to support that opinion.

[Lars39]

24. Well, I read the article and these anti-abortion "Democrats"

can just go fuck themselves.
Trojan horse

[jody]

26. OK but anti-abortion "Democrats" vote also. n/t

[wellst0nev0ter]

45. Then Fuck Their Votes Too

might as well fish for the vote of Fred Phelps. I hear he's still a registered Democrat.

[AndyTiedye]

28. I Take It That You Want The Dems To Abandon Our Pro-Choice Position…

…and adopt a more "moderate" position of banning all abortions. :puke:
Please pardon us if we don't rush to agree with you.

[jody]

32. My point is Dems in each state must deal differently with divisive issues.

In Louisiana, the Senate voted 27 to 0 for the bill opposing abortion and the House approved it 85 to 17.

IMO Blanco correctly signed the bill.

[VegasWolf]

123. Then blacks would still be sitting in the back of the bus in your state.nt

[jody]

132. My point is that absent a SCOTUS decision, each state must choose its

own course. That's why I support every inalienable right the same and expect the federal government to protect those rights against every form of oppression including state laws.

[VegasWolf]

145. There is one, Roe Vs Wade. My point is that backward leaning states

will never stand up for rights if left to their own devices.

[jody]

152. I understand but without a SCOTUS decision such as Roe, then each state

is left to decide such issues based on their own constitutions.

There are several states that have or are considering laws like Louisiana's anti-abortion law making them conditional upon SCOTUS overturning Roe. NARAL says, "As of June 18, 2006, legislatures in 14 states have considered or are considering abortion bans that would outlaw abortion in all or most circumstances: AL, GA, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, OH, OK, RI, SC, SD, TN, WV. On June 13, the Ohio House of Representatives held a hearing on a bill that would ban abortion."

On any particular divisive, polarizing issue, each side calls the other names and that doesn't make for productive debate.

[bunkerbuster1]

150. "in favor of all abortions,"?

Oh, that's a good one.

Yeah, that's us evil liberals, we want ALL PREGNANCIES TERMINATED! NOW!

what fucknuts.

[greekspeak]

46. This black and white thinking of simply "majority rules" is NOT the way

The government has a responsibility to protect those among us whose freedoms are stripped from them. If "majority rules" every time, I can guarantee you that the cruel racial laws of the south would still exist today. I do not know if you are a man or a woman. Thus, I do not know if the government is trying to legislate what you can and cannot do with YOUR womb--all to please a religious demographic. I am a man, I of course have no womb. But I am a man who thinks women's wombs--like all the rest of women's bodies--belong to the women who carry them around. The majority want the government to own those wombs? Who gives a damn; the wombs do not belong to "the majority." And Blanco clearly hasn't the guts to acknowledge that. Instead she buckles like a crushed milk carton.

Another thing...please don't throw that "ooh, the pukes will win if we don't pass x legislation." That is RED legislation she signed. If bad law is signed into effect, does the party affiliation of the signer really matter? She should stand up for what is RIGHT and JUST, not just what will get her reelected and give a red state a pretty bluer veneer. If she looses her job for it, then too bad; maybe she could come back and try for a better job next election.

[jody]

51. Majority rules unless a person's inalienable rights are threatened and

that's SCOTUS's job.

That's why many of us were concerned when * stole another election and gained the opportunity to stack SCOTUS with right wing judges.

The people who elected Blanco are not nearly as guilty as Dems across the nation who allowed * to have another four years in office.

[fudge stripe cookays]

78. Yes, MANY of us were concerned...

when * stole another election and gained the opportunity to stack SCOTUS with right wing judges because of THIS issue.

[Zhade]

88. "Majority rules unless a person's inalienable rights are threatened"

You mean, like a woman's inalienable right to control her own body?

Like I said, majority will doesn't trump that. It seems you fail to understand the concepts of "tyranny of the majority" and "protection of minority rights".

Get thee to a Constitutional primer!

[Zhade]

72. "My constituents don't support blacks voting."

Despicable - as if majority will trumps civil rights. Here's a clue: THEY DON'T, per the Constitution.

You should read it sometime.

[paulk]

75. States routinely pass laws that violate the Constitution

Which make their way through the court system, sometimes even eventually to the Supreme Court, where they are more often than not overturned.

That's the way things work - there's no guarantee, in our democracy, that the rights of a minority are protected at the state level.

and -

why personalize this discussion with the snark? It's uncalled for.

[Zhade]

85. It's not snark, it's concern that a DUer doesn't understand civil rights.

Anyone arguing that majority rule somehow trumps civil rights clearly doesn't understand the Constitution.

And yes, bad, unconstitutional laws get passed - like the one Blanco signed. That doesn't negate the need to fight vociferously against them, of course.

[jody]

102. The U.S. constitution says in Amendment 14,

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

[raccoon]

101. Once they get into office, they don't really care what the constituents

want. They'll do what their donors want them to do and/or what is best for their political career, regardless of what party they belong to.

SOMETIMES they do what their constituents want, when it suits their convenience.

[redqueen]

110. The same way a democratic president served the majority

by forcing them to integrate schools?

Sorry, no.

[JerseygirlCT]

159. No. Not at all. She has to do what is right. And that is protecting

the rights of women to make their own private medical decisions without interference from the state. This is an absolutely shameful vote.

[Acadia Blue]

10. she is a Casey type democrat. A catholic. And she is under lots

of pressure from church leaders who whould treat her like they did Kerry, and of course the crazy fundis and catholics. Being in a red red state is difficult.

[finecraft]

21. Welcome to DU, and a big hello from New Iberia!

Glad you could join us Louisiana DU folks. It wasn't only the church leaders that treated Kerry like crap down here, Kathleen did her share of Kerry bashing too. It made my stomach churn when she said that she felt that she couldn't take him around Louisiana to places that would be a "natural fit" (insert Catholic) for him because of his "extreme liberal views". What a crock of crap. The breaking point for me was when her buddy Jim from the Shaw group (Republican turned Democrat for Kathleen's election) was named as the head of the Louisiana state Democratic Party. :puke:

[Acadia Blue]

61. Hello to you also. I hope Blanco reads these posts so she knows

what many of us think about her actions.

[Megahurtz]

161. Lol hilarious cat butts! n/t

[adriennui]

49. if she can't stand the heat

let her get out of the f-ckin kitchen. abortion rights shouldn't even be an issue. if you don't want an abortion, don't have one.
i do not believe for a nanosec that these religious yahoos never had a wife, daughter, funded, or somehow been involved in someone having an abortion.

the hypocrisy is breathtaking.:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[AX10]

65. It's a good thing I repented my Catholocism. Should I ever...

run for public office, those child molesters will have NO sway over me whatsoever.

[jus_the_facts]

117. HERE ARE THE STATS.....LA STATE LEGISLATURE ISN'T RED......

.....IT'S MAJORITY *DEMOCRAT/DINO* :eyes:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/cu.php?az=state&state=LA

State Senate
Democrats 24
Republicans 15
Other 0

State House
Democrats 67
Republicans 37
Other

:think:

[Igel]

13. She has faith.

It'll never be used for the purpose written, why waste time haranguing over it.

But I'm sure it will be used during the next campaign for state-wide office, in many ways.

[Zhade]

89. Sure it will - this was written for at least two reasons.

1) Outlawing abortion in LA, should RvW ever be overturned (against the will of the majority of Americans)

and

2) to point at and say "See, even Democrats think abortion should be banned!"

If #2 isn't going to be used in this way, I'm the pope.

[no_hypocrisy]

27. Maybe it's to bribe the Administration and Congress to free up more

money for NOLA and the levies.

[jerry611]

37. Not all Democrats are pro-choice

A woman I work with is flaming liberal on everything from the environment to being anti-war. But she is dead serious when it comes to abortion. She's 100% against it.

Just like I've known conservatives to be pro-choice.

Abortion is not limited to a political party.

[FredScuttle]

81. Conservatives who are pro-choice are reasonable

Liberals who oppose a woman's right to choose are fucking kidding themselves.

[JerseygirlCT]

160. She's welcome to be 100% against it as a personal choice.

She's not welcome to restrict the rights of other women.

[pitohui]

43. it's a catholic state, this is what the majority wants

there comes a time when i have to step aside since i am past child bearing age, if this is what the majority of women want and apparently it is, then whatever

i don't see how she could refuse to sign this in a catholic state really

[jus_the_facts]

119. Here are the demographics of our state legislature....

.....make of it what thou will?! :(

http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/cu.php?az=state&state=LA

State Senate
Democrats 24
Republicans 15
Other 0



State House
Democrats 67
Republicans 37
Other
Males: 86 Percentage: 81.90%
Females: 18 Percentage: 17.14%
Whites: 82 Percentage: 78.09%
Blacks: 22 Percentage: 20.95%
Hispanics: 0


Women in the Senate (17.95%)
Senator Diana E. Bajoie
Senator Sharon Weston Broome
Senator Sherri Smith Cheek
Senator Ann Duplessis
Senator Lydia P. Jackson
Senator Willie L. Mount
Senator Julie Quinn


Minorities in the Senate (23.08%)
Senator Diana E. Bajoie
Senator Sharon Weston Broome
Senator Donald R. "Don" Cravins
Senator Ann Duplessis
Senator Cleo Fields
Senator Lydia P. Jackson
Senator Charles D. "C.D." Jones
Senator Edwin R. Murray
Senator Derrick Shepherd


Democrats in the Senate (61.54%)
Senator Robert Adley
Senator "Jody" Amedee
Senator Diana E. Bajoie
Senator Sharon Weston Broome
Senator Joel T. Chaisson, II
Senator Donald R. "Don" Cravins
Senator Ann Duplessis
Senator Reggie P. Dupre, Jr.
Senator Noble E. Ellington
Senator Cleo Fields
Senator "Nick" Gautreaux
Senator D. A. "Butch" Gautreaux
Senator Francis C. Heitmeier
Senator Donald E. Hines, M.D.
Senator Lydia P. Jackson
Senator Charles D. "C.D." Jones
Senator Robert "Rob" Marionneaux, Jr.
Senator Joe McPherson
Senator Willie L. Mount
Senator Edwin R. Murray
Senator Ben Nevers
Senator Derrick Shepherd
Senator Kenneth M. "Mike" Smith
Senator J. Chris Ullo


Republicans in the Senate (38.46%)
Senator Robert J. Barham
Senator Walter J. Boasso
Senator James David Cain
Senator Sherri Smith Cheek
Senator Jay Dardenne
Senator Heulette "Clo" Fontenot
Senator Ken Hollis
Senator Robert W. "Bob" Kostelka
Senator Arthur J. "Art" Lentini
Senator Max T. Malone
Senator Michael J. "Mike" Michot
Senator Julie Quinn
Senator Craig F. Romero
Senator John T. "Tom" Schedler
Senator Gerald J. Theunissen

http://senate.legis.state.la.us/senators/data.asp

[Name removed]

70. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[RB TexLa]

167. She is a Democrat that is not pro-choice

There is no suprise here she has never been pro-choice

[Freddie Stubbs]

173. She is a pro-life Democrat

There are many of them, especially in the South and rural areas.

[madaboutharry]

4. What is wrong with her?

These faux democrats serving as governors and serving in the congress need to watch Gov. Janet Napolitano and how she gloriously sticks it to the wackos in Phoenix almost daily. Napolitano knows who she is and people respect her for that.

[pitohui]

71. she is not faux, she is real, however, this is a catholic state

i don't know if there are any other catholic states but louisiana is one and many democrats as well as many republicans oppose abortion as a matter of religious belief and heritage

many of our most loyal "yellow dog" democrats feel that abortion is genocide or that poor, young, black mothers are unfairly targeted to be encouraged to abort their babies, i don't agree, but that is what some people think, you cannot automatically in this state assume that a good loyal democrat is pro-choice

i don't like it, i think the decision should always be the woman's and not the state's, but i can't go around calling people "faux democrats" if they disagree because i would just be acting silly if i did

[sakabatou]

5. In the words of Frank from "Everybody Loves Raymond..."

"Holy crap!"

[VegasWolf]

6. Don't forget Zell Miller was a Democrat. Threre are pro-choice

Republicans. Democrats aren't liberals, except for a few, they're politicans. Same as Republicans are not conservative, they simply use conservatives for their personal means.

[Thickasabrick]

82. But I'm trying so hard to forget Zell..... n/t

[drthais]

7. Blanco IS a Democrat, but...

just like Mary Landrieu,
she thinks that towing the conservative line
when there's no immediate penalty
is the 'safe' thing to do
it makes me furious (and I'm sure I'm not alone here in Louisiana)

you'd think we have ENOUGH problems right now
without the legislature wasting their time
with abortion and smoking bans and flag crap
we are suffering STILL from Katrina
and there are SO MANY important issues that need to be addressed
sometimes, I wonder what in hell these people in Baton Rouge are thinking

are they all just stupid or what?
and the voters are lazy too

[Thickasabrick]

9. I think that people don't know. If our only news source was a

local paper.....would we be as appalled? I think one of our biggest challenges is educating the general population - especially lower income people that things will never get better unless they question and vote.

[Rose Siding]

11. Landrieu is pro-choice.

Her famous debate line was something like "that's a decision between a woman, her doctor, and her God"

[greenohio]

38. What she says and what she does are two different things.

She voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime.
She voted YES on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life.
She voted YES on banning partial birth abortions.

Her NARAL percentage is 43%. Of course, thats better than Blanco, but its no hard core pro choicer either, since she votes pro-life over half the time.

[Freddie Stubbs]

177. Apparently she isn't anymore

Perhaps his position on the issue 'evolved' as it has for other politicians.

[CatFelyne]

42. why is Blanco playing it safe?

I'm a CT liberal that's been in grad school since just before the hurricanes, so my views are biased but I will share my opinion as an outsider observing the political situation here.

IMHO, a lot of this anti-abortion crap is just political posturing in an attempt to mitigate the blame that's been placed by the locals on these politicians for whats happened during and since the hurricanes. Pandering to the conservative base. And the timing is suspect as well. Think about it, Blanco signing this just as the hurricane season begins...hmmm

I am living in Baton Rouge, and I have seen NO pro-Dem signs, stickers on local properties or vehicles. The dems are being blamed for what has happened and what has not happened in regards to the hurricanes. Life is hard here in LA and no relief in sight. There is more people here, traffic is comparable to conditions I left up North, rents have increased tremendously, food gas commodities are more costly than ever. Not to mention the NIMBY attitude to the hurricane survivors. For a town that opened itself up to them, it appears they now are treating them like guests that have long overstayed their welcome. In a time where many have lost everything, there's an undercurrent of hostility and resentment.

The mayor openly stated he does NOT want any more shelters in Baton Rouge, does not want to be involved in housing evacuees during the next hurricane, he will not allow no more FEMA trailers in BR. In a way I understand part of the reasoning. We almost doubled our size overnight, and the infrastructure can't handle it. The help the town has requested has still not been forthcoming.

People want to blame someone, and Blanco is an easy target. Doesn't seem to be a lot of blame of the federal response, but a heck of a lot of blame on the local response.

In a time where so many have lost everything, they want to force people to have children they can't handle financially or emotionally. And add insult to injury forcing the rape and incest victims to have the baby. I feel for these people here, I really do. Nothing good can come of a ban here, nothing.

Honestly, I don't think any Democrat is safe here, especially Landreau and Blanco. I would not be a bit surprised if they weren't thrown out on their asses during reelection year, in fact that's what I expect will happen. In my opinion, Blanco sees the writing on the wall, and this abortion ban is a way to try appease the locals.

Playing it safe isn't going to make a difference now. Personally, I think she would have had nothing to lose by vetoing the bill, or refusing till there's an exception for rape and incest as well. Why, cause I think she's toast here, and she knows it.

[Zhade]

90. I don't see how this can be considered playing it safe.

After all, if your distressing "the Dems are being blamed for stuff not getting done" news is true (and I have no reason to doubt you), this just looks like Blanco paying attention to matters less urgent than, say, food and shelter and jobs and rebuilding.

She's helping to foster the image of 'do-nothing Democrats' by doing this, as are the Dems who voted for it!

[Freddie Stubbs]

176. LA Democrats are a bit less liberal than Democrats from most other states

[williesgirl]

8. Fuck her. I hope she loses her next election to a real Democrat.

These people make me sick. If they don't want abortion, fine, don't have one. Stop legislating what others can or can't do. Put your religion back in church where it belongs.

[Acadia Blue]

12. I don't like what she did either, but you can imagine what a republican

replacement would be like! Foster the last rePIG gutted hospital services at Chairty to the very poor and good ole Bobby Jindal was the man who set it up. Republicans in Louisiana hate poor people and at least Blanco, conservative dem that she is, is not like that.

[jus_the_facts]

57. This action of hers mimics her supposed nemesis to their very core...

....she IS JUST LIKE THEM when this action of hers advocates the creation of MORE POOR...the hypocrisy is disgusting and pathetically obvious that she's NOT THINKING at all about the poor by signing this into law...she has never seemed to me as being very bright...this proves it yet again! :eyes:

ON EDIT...but logically there has to be a lot of poor too keep getting these DINO's elected...so I guess she's not so retarded..afterall she NEEDS A BASE!! :grr:

[VegasWolf]

15. Jay Leno, "Being a politican is what ugly people do to get movie star

power, status, prestige and money."

[Danmel]

56. He should talk!

Seriously- this is disturbing, not just because Blanco is a Democrat (in theory, anyway) but because there is such overwhelming support for such a restrictive law. I understand that there is middle ground in this debate- I am pro-choice, but I don't think a pregnancy should be terminated late unless there is a compelling reason. And I have known women who have had compelling reasons and I fully understand why they made the decisions they did and would likely do the same if I were unfortunate in their situation.

I find it troubling though that such a large majority would completely deny women choice., even in cases of rape and incest. I would hope that there would be more sympathy for women in that situation, but apparently women deserve to be punished not only for consensual sex but for forced sex as well.

[VegasWolf]

64. What does that have to do with a Jay Leno joke? He was not talking

about abortion. Most liberals are pro-choice, even Leno says that he is a socially liberal.

My point is that MOST politicians are like Blanco, neither conservative nor liberal. They are just Republicans or Democrats playing the role of conservatives or liberals and constantly polling the winds to determine which way to vote if they have not already sold that vote to the corporations and lobbyists.

[Danmel]

76. I just meant that he shouldn't comment about ugly people

and their career choices. He ain't exactly hot.

[VegasWolf]

95. LOL. That's true enough. nt

[VegasWolf]

17. I guess the fat, pot-bellied, bible thumping, balding, low IQ Freepers

whose only birth-right is a pasty-white skin are overjoyed at this. The must be whacking their little mowhawk heads silly with their bibles. Imagine being stupid enough to believe that some god created the world in 7 days. It would have taken at least 38 days by my calulations.

[jody]

154. You can include the Pope and his staff in those you hate because they also

oppose abortions. Of course most of them are not low IQ Freepers. n/t

[bullimiami]

19. i find myself not liking stuff blanco does, a lot.

i dont know or care what she is. i dont like it.

[goclark]

58. She is a wimp and should be turned out of office ASAP nt

[Isere]

20. EMILY'S LIST

is the proper response to this. Let's support truly pro-choice Democratic women who will stand up for privacy and freedom from government intrusion.

You know what to do. Click away: http://emilyslist.org/

[Zhade]

30. She's a traitor to all who value civil rights.

NT!

[jus_the_facts]

47. Thank You....I've said it time and time again....but get flamed anyway....

....they vote their faith *GAG*...or because La. is soooo conservative they HAVE to vote against the *PARTY* who actually got them elected..eventhough there is a MAJORITY DEMOCRAT STATE LEGISLATURE...blah blah blah...I make NO EXCUSES for the traitors of the ideology they proclaim to uphold yet sell out time after time. :evilfrown: :nopity:

[stepnw1f]

83. Yes She Is

Disgusting...

[LuckyLib]

36. Of all the stuff on the plate of the state of Louisiana, the

LAST thing on the pea-brained minds of the legislature should be abortion. They should be ashamed. Get your butts in gear and start demanding the kind of national support you should have had from BushCo from the beginning. Quit pandering to extraneous shit like flags, gay marriage, and abortion and GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

[The Flaming Red Head]

54. You know what sucks

Prenatal care in Louisiana (for one thing), their social service network, their educational system (always ranks 50th). I had my son in one their teaching (charity) hospitals and I was damn lucky they even let me in, in time to give birth.

You see a state that won’t even provide water when its citizens are dying of thirst and you wonder how anybody could call themselves pro-life (dems or reps) in that place.

[AzDar]

55. A woman's right to choose is NON-negotiable IMNSHO. Blanco

should have taken a stand; especially considering the fact that she seems to be pro-choice. If her veto were overridden,so what?
Another 'Dry-Powder' Democrat we don't need.

[CTLawGuy]

59. My feelings on this can be summed up

by the soundtrack at this site (it may take a min or so to start)

http://www.thesahara.net/deliverance.htm

[donsu]

60. another faux democrat - may she acquire chronic vaginal itch

nt

[kayell]

63. She was going to hand out souvenier coat hangers, in place of pens, but

the order didn't come in on time.

[HockeyMom]

67. Have they ever seen the results of Incest?

There is a reason why in nearly all societies incest is banned. No, we are not talking about morals here, but genetics. I would like to suggest that every person who is advocating banning abortion for incest victims spend a day at a institution for the mentally and physically impaired.

I work with one 32 year old man from a father/daughter conception and a 35 year old man and a 40 year old woman from a brother/sister conception (same parents).

All are classified as profoundly retarded and extremely physically disabled. Their parents have abandoned them and because of their disabilities nobody ever adopted them. They all require round the clock care. They show no human emotions whatsoever. The only thing I can say about "Joey" (father/daughter) is that any domesticated animal is higher functioning, mentally and physically, than he is. I will not even go into the physical aspects of Joey's deformities, only to say they are both simian and reptile. I am not saying this to be cruel. It is a simple fact and a very sad one at that. All three are Wards of the State to the tune of $10 Million Dollars each.

Once again, in their zealotry and ignorance, these people are advocating more of these births. The place where I work is very, very short staffed. Everyone keeps quitting. It is neither an easy, nor financially rewarding occupation. I shudder to think what will happen if even more of these "clients" are forced by these abortion bans to be born.

[Thickasabrick]

84. There was a story about those outlaw mormon people who

just keep inbreeding. There are kids who are born that have no muscle function whatsoever, they just lay there their entire lives and the sect takes care of them. It's really creepy.

[donsu]

108. in Md. where I raised my kids was an incestous family. local teachers

said they got either brainless kids or really smart ones. but they all had pointed teeth. no shit. went to school with my kids.

[BlueIris]

94. Nice work, Governor Coat Hanger.

And that's really all I've got to post about that, except:

[cynatnite]

97. Obvious pandering and not about protecting women's rights

:puke:

[hopeisaplace]

115. Cameras in ALL Bedrooms please.

We cannot risk COITUS INTERRUPTUS.
All those caught pulling out will be hauled off. :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Megahurtz]

135. Fucking Bitch!

:mad:

[superconnected]

142. This is a symptom of a much bigger epidemic.

There is no country on Earth that impedes womens rights and allows gays to exist.

The immigration focus that turns to hatred (ie deciding they take your job), womens rights assult and gay discrimination are interconnected and coming from the same bigotry.

The attack on these groups will affect all other minorities, blacks included.

Once you give give permission for bigotry, all bigotry rises.

Society is going to keep fliping between minorities to hate while acceptance to bigotry is tolerated. There's no greater show of a countrys bigotry tolerance than the public declarations of politicians. They are who we elect. They speak for us. They make our laws. I suspect I will keep reading Du'ers themselves pick on minorities while not seeing that they are helping the bigotry that will eventually turn on us all - as antibush dems.

[Pacifist Patriot]

157. I remain flabbergasted that any politician possessing a uterus...

can place someone else's in chains.

[Mad_Dem_X]

172. I will never understand

how anyone, especially a woman, can pass legislature of this kind - denying abortions even to rape and incest victims!!! :wtf: :nuke:

[ProudDad]

164. Coward isn't she!!

[donsu]

180. yes, a coward

nt