Monday, March 06, 2006

Governor of South Dakota Signs Anti-Abortion Law

I have been reporting on this since the story broke that the South Dakota Legislature passed a bill that would ban abortion within its borders. Now, the Governor of that state, Republican Mike Rounds, has officially signed the bill into law. Rounds says this legislation is a "frontal assault" on Roe v. Wade. Here is how the law works:
The new law bans abortion in virtually all cases, punishing doctors who perform one with a $5,000 fine and five years in prison.
The measure bans abortion even in cases where a woman is pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or if giving birth would damage the health of the mother. It creates a narrow exemption in cases in which a physicians effort to save a pregnant woman's life results in the accidental death or injury of ther fetus.

Planned Parenthood has said that it will challenge this ruling in court--duh. Moreover, it will be interesting to see now if the state of Mississippi, whom also has recently passed similar legislation awaiting the governor's signature, will follow suit. Will there then be a domino effect of conservative states? I cant answer that, but you better believe that a showdown over the 33 year old Roe v. Wade decision is on a collision course with the Supreme Court, and it will be one of the biggest political fights of our lifetimes. Stay tuned.

-Brad

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