Rooting for choice: South Dakota's abortion ban has spurred a progressive

[NVMojo]

June 22, 2006 Issue

Traditionally, the pro-choice movement has followed a set top-down path, dismissing rural, conservative states in favor of the federal courts. But the pro-choice establishment could learn a thing or two from one of those rural, conservative states: South Dakota. The state earned its place as one of the least choice-friendly states earlier this year when Gov. Mike Rounds signed a bill criminalizing abortion (in all cases -- including incest, rape, and fetal anomaly -- except when the mother's life is threatened). So it would seem that anyone looking for tips to revitalize the pro-choice movement should be looking elsewhere. But, writing for The Nation, Katha Pollitt uncovers a South Dakota that's not all anti-abortion billboards.

Perhaps unexpectedly, the state's new standing as a symbol of the anti-abortion movement's hopes and dreams drew the ire of many South Dakotans. The bipartisan South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families quickly and successfully petitioned to get a ban-repeal referendum on the ballot for the November elections, collecting 38,000 signatures -- essentially one in every 20 citizens -- in record time.

more...


http://www.utne.com/webwatch/2006_255/news/12152-1.html

[Erika]

1. Wonder if the right wing fanatics can turn out the vote?

I can't believe a state would force a woman to carry a child of her rapist. I saw a documentary on Dafur where a woman was raped and gave delivery. She contemplated suicide for both her and her daughter. She looked into her daughter's face and saw the rapist. She lives a life of misery.

[beyurslf]

2. I hope this doesn't backfire.

If we lose the vote, and challenge it in federal court (where we will win), we will look exaclty like the religious nutbags say. We will defy the popular opinion with the courts to get our way. I just hope we win the vote and can put an end to this.

[Erika]

3. What do the religious nutbags say?

You're in tune with them? Got a pipeline?

Most people don't want a woman forced by the goverment to bear the child of her rapist.

[agates]

4. I'm cautiously optimistic

I carried a petition. All my Republican friends signed, in fact, several sought out the opportunity to sign. My Democratic friends didn't sign, but they are ALL Catholic. Several told me they plan to vote to overturn the ban but they didn't dare sign the petition. For what that's worth...

I'm optimistic that we'll win this in November. If not, it'll be close.

[Erika]

5. If I were a woman in South Dakota and they forced me to

carry a child of a rapist, I would try every ground to sue them under. Since when, does a woman lose her rights to the government?

[Tom Joad]

6. Who is going to challange Gov. Blanco of LA? She is a rightist

POS also.

[rodeodance]

7. women everywhere are the same in this respect=they need contraception

and yes, abortion at times.