NYT: Lawmakers in Many States Pushing for Abortion Curbs

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/22/us/politics/22abortion.html?partner=EXCITE&ei=5043

By ERIK ECKHOLM
Published: January 21, 2011

Newly energized by their success in November’s midterm elections, conservative legislators in dozens of states are mounting aggressive campaigns to limit abortions.

The lawmakers are drafting, and some have already introduced, bills that would ban most abortions at 20 weeks after conception, push women considering abortions to view a live ultrasound of the fetus, or curb insurance coverage, among other proposals.

In Florida and Kansas, legislators plan to reintroduce measures that were vetoed by previous governors but have the support of the new chief executives, like ultrasound requirements and more stringent regulation of late-term abortions.

“I call on the Legislature to bring to my desk legislation that protects the unborn, establishing a culture of life in Kansas,” Gov. Sam Brownback said last week in his first State of the State message.

“This is the best climate for passing pro-life laws in years,” said Michael Gonidakis, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, expressing the mood in many states. “We’ve got a pro-life governor and a brand new pro-life speaker. Our government now is pro-life from top to bottom.”

Abortion opponents plan marches in Washington and elsewhere this weekend and on Monday to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision, Roe v. Wade, that established a woman’s right to an abortion.

FULL story at link.

[musette_sf]

1. K&R

because anyone who is complacent about this needs to WAKE UP.

I remember all too well living in fear of my own sexuality, in the days before Roe v Wade.

And I remember all too well my mother living in fear of her own sexuality, in the days before Griswold v Connecticut.

[TheWraith]

2. Some people just refuse to learn.

This has been a dead issue now since the late '90s. The case law is increasingly fossilized, and short of a perfect storm to deliver a Rep POTUS and two dead left-wing justices, it's not going anywhere.

[Vogon_Glory]

3. Abortion Curbs: Surprise For Many TEA Party-ers

I suspect that a number of libertarian-minded right-wingers who voted for TEA Party Republicans are probably shaking their heads and wondering why the Radical Right's social reactionaries are once again pushing de-funding not only abortion access but also family planning.

Well, it's very simple, dummies. When you voted TEA Party, you didn't vote for eight-wingers who would just stick to cutting programs and keeping those naughty Democrats from raising your taxes back to where they were when Bill Clinton was President. You weren't really be offered a new, improved libertarian Republican; you bought into a TEA Party image with a whole lot of add-ons that were hidden in plain sight. You voted for hard-right social reactionary Republicans eager and willing to expand the scope of "big government" right into your private lives.

This last election was a classic case of "Let the buyer beware." You all weren't paying attention, and you got snookered.

And if you don't like the hemlock-flavored tea you find yourselves chugging, you have yourselves to blame.

Suckers.

:dem: