Why would Gov. Blanco so gladly sign that awful abortion ban bill?

[madfloridian]

I do not understand this, and I think it is time some of the women in the party had opinions on this. This is wrong, there is no excuse for a Democratic governor to this, or to excuse that there is no exception for rape or incest.

http://www.dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060601/APN/606011010

"Gov. Kathleen Blanco said Thursday that she'll sign a near-total ban on abortion - without exceptions for rape or incest victims - that is nearing final legislative passage.

The Louisiana House and Senate have approved the measure by Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, but it awaits one final approval from the Senate of House changes before it reaches Blanco's desk. It only would allow abortion in cases where the woman's life is in danger or when childbirth would permanently harm her health.

I anticipate signing that bill. It's got a safety measure for extreme situations for the life of the mother and some other health issues," Blanco said in an interview with The Associated Press.

She said she believed an exception for rape and incest victims to get an abortion, a proposal rejected by both the House and Senate, would have "been reasonable," but she said she wouldn't reject the bill for that reason.

"The Legislature has spoken," Blanco said."

I find this an outrage that a Democratic governor would do this.

[Jim Sagle]

1. Forget it, Jake. It's Louisiana.

;(

[madfloridian]

2. It's just as wrong in Louisiana as it would be in Florida.

I am very angry over this issue.

[Jim Sagle]

11. Sorry, I was making a flip movie reference in a context where I

shouldn't have. Peace.

[Hippo_Tron]

3. Because she's an idiot

As are all of the wonderful members of the legislature who passed this abomination.

I know my state and I know its politics and I know that we are socially conservative. That said, Katrina dominates our politics and will continue to do so at least until after the state elections in 2007. Passing a redundant ban on abortion puts the issue back into the news cycle and allows for Republicans to exploit it. For example, when Bobby Jindal runs against her he will play the soundbyte of her saying that the exception for rape and incest victims would have been reasonable and say that his policy is no abortions no exceptions. It won't matter that she signed the bill and thus the pro-lifers got what they wanted anyway, he will still find a way to paint it as the pro-lifers still have to fight to throw the pro-abortion democrats out of power to save the lives of unborn children.

Honestly, if Bobby Jindal weren't such a hack for the RNC I would seriously be considering voting for him in 2007. He's certainly a lot smarter than Blanco.

[RB TexLa]

9. Just like when she said "we are all going to have to sacrifice"

then signs a $20+ billion budget. Guess she said "well, not really," after that.

[Triana]

4. It was WRITTEN BY A DEMOCRAT?

:wtf: kind of DEMOCRAT would write a trash law like this and push it through. NO woman and NO Democrat would EVER promote or sign this.

:wtf:

[madfloridian]

5. Yes, I understand it was written by a Democrat, a woman.

I am angry.

[Kurovski]

6. I dunno, did BushCo threaten to cut off funding if she didn't?

Maybe take TWO weeks instead of one to show up for the next storm?

[Yupster]

7. A pro-life Democratic governor?

that's my guess.

[madfloridian]

8. Excluding rape and incest goes beyond pro-life.

That goes way beyond just being pro-life. No Democrat should sign on to a bill that excludes those two things which makes women the victims of others, made to bear the children of a family member or rapist.

You sounded as though that did not bother you, and I hope I misread that.

[Djinn]

12. actually makes more sense

to say that one believes abortion is wrong or murder but to accept it in cases of rape means you're basically saying that it's OK to murder someone if they are the spawn of a criminal.

before anyone gets their knickers in a knot I'm 100% pro-choice, I don't care when someone has an abortion or for what reasons, if people want an abortion at 8 and a half months because they want to get back into their size 6 jeans then I certainly wouldn't try to stop them, but if it's morally wrong then it's morally wrong, proviso's don't make sense to me.

as for why did this women do this? um call me a cynic but I'm guessing because she figured it'd be more electorally popular than not signing, she's a politician. she may well find out she was wrong on that call but asking why she did it seems a tad superfluous.

[madfloridian]

13. What if no one questioned it?

Because someone said it would be superfluous if they asked about it?

I actually don't know the woman, so I asked. I think she is wrong.

You said "to say that one believes abortion is wrong or murder but to accept it in cases of rape means you're basically saying that it's OK to murder someone if they are the spawn of a criminal"

In fact, I am very surprised you would interpret it that way.

No, it does not mean that at all. There is no comparison between someone who is against abortion saying that if it is the woman's fault....then no abortion. But if she is a victim, there are very very very few who would force such a thing as making her carry it.

I often ask why. I often get slammed for asking why. I think if Louisiana women take this without fighting back, then they have a problem as well as Blanco.

I think it is very important to question, even if one has to leave forums in which they are overly questioned for being who they are.

Blanco is doing more than being a politician. She is flat out selling out.

[Djinn]

14. still nonsensical

she's a POLITICIAN MF, she does things because she thinks (whether she is correct or not I dunno, wait and see I s'pose) they will be electorally popular. That's it.

No, it does not mean that at all. There is no comparison between someone who is against abortion saying that if it is the woman's fault....then no abortion. But if she is a victim, there are very very very few who would force such a thing as making her carry it.

those people who view abortions that weren't the result of rapes as wrong (woman "at fault"???) tend to feel that way BECAUSE they feel abortion is immoral, otherwise it doesn't make a lot of sense, few people say "I'm against abortion, I don't think it's immoral I just like the banners better at pro-life". If it IS immoral then it makes NO sense to exclude rape/incest. Just becuase people hold certain beliefs doesn't make them logical or sensical.

[madfloridian]

15. You are very wrong on that.

Most people who are against abortion are against it because they think it is used in place of taking a moral stand on having sex before marriage.

What she is doing is just exactly what Joe Lieberman did when he said it would be no problem for a rape victim to find a ride to another hospital if they wound up at a Catholic one that would not give them the morning after pill.

http://ctbob.blogspot.com/2006/05/lieberman-vs-day-after-pill.html

What she is doing is inserting her religion into her public life, and thus into our lives.

The people in South Dakota got over 30,000 signatures to get that ban there on the ballot, instead of just letting it go unopposed.

The people in Louisiana will either step up about this, or they will give in. I hope for the former.

[Djinn]

16. what makes you think that

Most people who are against abortion are against it because they think it is used in place of taking a moral stand on having sex before marriage.

in that case they'd have no problems with a married woman having an abortion and the vast majority of prolife people don't think that at all, most people oppose abortion (some all, at any stage, and some after a certain point) because they think it's killing someone. Maybe it is, but if it is, it's also "killing" if the fetus' DNA came from a rapist

[kaygore]

10. Guess Emily's List won't be supporting her next election

I can now understand what happened in New Orleans: The state's Democrats are DINOs.

[Lars39]

17. She's a New Democrat.

:spit:

[Mr. Blonde]

18. Interesting the paragraph you left out

"The bill could only go into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision is overturned."

That is an important provision since it means that this law is on the books but won't take effect until some indefinite time in the future.

[Lars39]

19. What's your point?

It doesn't matter because you think Roe v Wade won't ever be overturned?

[Mr. Blonde]

21. No, I think it doesn't matter because

a lot can happen between now and when (or if) Roe v. Wade is overturned. Like a new legislature writing a new law making this one null and void.

And if this is what the people of LA want, then that is what they get. They elected the legislature who passed this law.

[Lars39]

22. I'd rather not chance it.

There would also be nothing stopping the House and Senate from passing an abortion ban.

[pitohui]

20. it's a catholic state

apparently this is what the majority wants, at my age it's not my problem any more, if younger women are not willing to stand up for themselves i'm tired you know? and the younger women either don't care or actually think abortion is genocide or some such nonsense, blacks are being told abortion kills black babies, whites are being told abortion kills white babies, it's all a big ball of nonsense and superstition


be that as it may, i suppose in a democracy, the majority is entitled to their superstitions

[madfloridian]

23. Injecting religion into politics is wrong.

I don't care which party, I don't care if it is a Catholic state or a Southern Baptist state (like most of the South). It is just wrong.

But you are right about this....if the women of Louisiana let their state get away with this then it must be what they want. If they disapprove they will make their views known, I hope.

[donsu]

24. they are democrats in name only

like there are feminists in name only