ACLU Statement: “Bill could allow those bent on killing abortion providers to do so with impunity"

[kpete]

ACLU Decries Proposed South Dakota Law That Places Abortion Providers In Danger

February 16, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: [phone]; [e-mail]

PIERRE, S.D. – A law being considered by the South Dakota House of Representatives today would provide legal protection for committing murder in order to prevent conduct “likely to result in the death of” an embryo or fetus. The law raises serious concerns about the safety of abortion providers. The language of the bill is such that if a woman chooses to end a pregnancy, the new law would provide protection to her husband or boyfriend for killing the medical personnel involved. The law would classify such an act as “justifiable homicide.”

The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of South Dakota warned that such a law could lead to violence against medical staff who provide abortion care.

The following can be attributed to Robert Doody, ACLU of South Dakota Chapter Director:

“This bill could allow those bent on killing abortion providers to do so with impunity. The women of South Dakota are already badly in need of health services. This law would place those that wish to provide badly needed medical care to South Dakota women in grave danger. It would be irresponsible and dangerous to pass this law.”

The following can be attributed to Talcott Camp, Deputy Director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project:

“This law is a stark example of the degree to which women’s health is under assault nationwide. It is outrageous to suggest that it is justifiable to murder a doctor for providing legal medical care. It is particularly shocking to introduce such a bill in light of the real threats of murder abortion providers already face across the country – threats that have been carried out all too often. To pass a bill that could provide legal protections for harming abortion providers recklessly endangers the lives of doctors, their staff and the women they serve.”

http://www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom/aclu-decries-proposed-south-dakota-law-places-abortion-providers-danger

[Solly Mack]

1. K&R

[PDJane]

2. Every time I think I've hit the limit of disgust and outrage,

The reich wing sets out to prove me wrong....and it gets further and further and further away from civilized behaviour.

[Lindsay]

3. Yay for the ACLU.

The bill is appalling.

k&r for the right for women to make their own health choices

[Guilded Lilly]

4. The level of hatred for the living that some *Pro-Lifers* exhibit...

is not really a surprise anymore in this country, is it?

Sad sad days.

[Kablooie]

5. This bill is a good start.

We should have series of bills that define situations where you are legally allowed to kill people you don't like.

Excellent idea! American will become a shining beacon of hatred and intolerance for all the world to emulate.



(Don't mind me. I had a large bourbon awhile ago and it's effects are just kicking in.)

[Ichingcarpenter]

10. LOL....The American Wild West, East, South and North

Bill Hicks


"I'm so sick of arming the world, then sending troops over to destroy the fucking arms, you know what I mean? We keep arming these little countries, then we go and blow the shit out of them. We're like the bullies of the world, y'know. We're like Jack Palance in the movie Shane, throwing the pistol at the sheepherder's feet.

"Pick it up."

"I don't wanna pick it up, Mister, you'll shoot me."

"Pick up the gun."

"Mister, I don't want no trouble. I just came downtown here to get some hard rock candy for my kids, some gingham for my wife. I don't even know what gingham is, but she goes through about ten rolls a week of that stuff. I ain't looking for no trouble, Mister."

"Pick up the gun."

(He picks it up. Three shots ring out.)

"You all saw him - he had a gun."

[kcks]

6. If this

is the same bill I looked up the other day it only pertains to women defending herself and the baby. It spells out the no third party is covered by the bill.

[Maru Kitteh]

8. Huh. Link? Not that I don't believe you or anything.

Let's just call it healthy skepticism.

[kcks]

9. Here is

what I found read section 2.

http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2011/Bills/HB1171P.pdf

[Initech]

7. We're pro life and we'll kill your ass!!

:eyes:

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. The term "justifiable homicide"

is a "dog whistle" IMHO to the anti-abortion zealots whom believe that no steps taken to stop an abortion procedure are too extreme and that the practical effect of such a law being on the books would, contrary to the lawmaker's innocuous description of the law, leave the door wide open for somebody like Scott Roeder to kill an abortion provider and claim defense under this law, if enacted. Self-defense and/or defense of others is already universally recognized as a justifiable reason to use lethal force against another person. Why (else) would this law be considered necessary? I don't get it. :shrug:

[el_bryanto]

12. I wonder what chance it has of passing.

Hopefully little; not that it shouldn't be taken seriously, but I'm hopefull it doesn't have much of a chance.

Bryant