Let South Dakota know what you think about criminalizing abortion

[Minnesota Raindog]

Disgusted and outraged at the state of South Dakota criminalizing abortion? Let them know loud and clear that you won’t be spending a nickel in South Dakota, nor be doing business with SD businesses, nor moving a business there, nor traveling there other than passing through on the way to more hospitable states. As Minnesotans right next door, our voices can be especially powerful. This is huge. Do it now!

Contact:

South Dakota Economic Development
Mary Lehecka Nelson
[phone]
[e-mail]

Billie Jo Waara, director of tourism
[e-mail]

South Dakota state legislators:
http://legis.state.sd.us/email/index.aspx?FuseAction=Member

[preciousdove]

1. Done

[dflprincess]

2. And here's a link to let the governor know what you think

He is the one who'll be signing the bill.

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/

[loveable liberal]

3. done.

[indigo32]

4. Got it

thx

[mac56]

5. Done

Here's my letter to the tourism director.

Dear Ms. Waara:

It's impossible for me to overstate my disappointment with the state of South Dakota's recent decision to re-criminalize abortion.

South Dakota has been a vacation spot for me and my family for several years. We've visited Mount Rushmore, the Black Hills, the Crazy Horse Monument, Wall Drug, the Badlands, Custer State Park, Deadwood, Rapid City, Sioux Falls, Chamberlain, the Laura Ingalls Wilder sites in DeSmet, and even stopped at the Corn Palace in Mitchell several times. Just last summer we spent a very enjoyable weekend in Big Stone City and Milbank. The convenience of being next door in Minnesota, plus the beauty and serenity of the surroundings, made it a wonderful place to visit.

No more. My family and I won’t be spending a nickel in South Dakota again. I can't justify spending any of my discretionary income in a state that shows such disdain for women's choices, health, and dignity. Not to mention the laws of our country.

Moreover, I plan to actively discourage all of my friends and family from doing so.

Tourism is such an integral part of South Dakota's image and economy. I fear deeply that this decision will hurt state tourism in ways that haven't even been imagined yet.

I urge you to take all steps available to get the state Legislature to reconsider this decision.

Sincerely,

A former South Dakota enthusiast,

(mac56)

[Spike from MN]

6. Thanks for the links.

I had actually planned to vacation in SD this year but needless to say, I have since changed my plans and I made sure to let them know why. SD has definitely seen the last of my tourism dollars. Here's a couple more links that shows how the legislators voted in case you want to contact them to let you know what you think. Looks like I'll be busy this weekend sending out emails.

http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2006/rollcallv022018.htm

http://legis.state.sd.us/sessions/2006/rollcall1746.htm

I don't know about you but I feel so much better knowing that SD is pro-rapist. From an article on yahoo:

If a rape victim becomes pregnant and bears a child, the rapist could have the same parental rights as the mother, said Krista Heeren-Graber, executive director of the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.

"The idea the rapist could be in the child's life ... makes the woman very, very fearful. Sometimes they need to have choice," Heeren-Graber said.

Link to full article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060225/ap_on_re_us/abortion_south_dakota

Hey, rapists have rights too ya know. :puke:
Unreal. Disgusted and outraged doesn't even begin to describe how I feel about the bill. Hmmm...I might be wrong on this but wasn't there something awhile back about the MN DMV outsourcing a contract to some business located in SD? Maybe we need to pressure our legislators to keep MN tax dollars in MN instead of sending them out of state. If we can put the squeeze on SD at the same time, that's even better.

On edit: Correction. Oops. Not the DMV. It's the DNR state parks reservation services that we have oursourced to SD. Hey, I had one letter right anyway. ;) Here's a link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=160&topic_id=2023

Looks like I'll have even more emailing to do this weekend. I'll definitely be hammering our legislators on this one.

[Minnesota Raindog]

7. Bachmann: SD law is "one step closer to protecting life"

Michele Bachmann wants to make South Dakota's law the law of the land. This is from her most recent "Campaign Insider" newsletter:

One Step Closer To Protecting Life

"The recent news of the law banning abortions in South Dakota is yet another victory in our pro-life movement. I really think that the time is coming when our efforts of the past 30-plus years will be rewarded. This legislation sets the stage for a challenge of Roe vs. Wade, and it is because of folks such as you who've been inciting this conservative revolution.

"This is just one small victory, and we still have much work to do. I can't wait to work with you to accomplish it."

Bachmann should be asked at every opportunity why rapists should have more rights than the rape victim, who will be forced to bear his child under South Dakota's law.

[Spike from MN]

8. Bachmann: pro-rape, pro-incest.

Yeah, she needs to be hammered on this one every chance we get. Hmmm...maybe we could start by plastering her district with "Rapists for Bachmann" posters. Yeah, that would be nice. Let the voters know who her "base" really is. :evilgrin:

[Minnesota Raindog]

9. Kick

Now that SD has passed their medieval abortion ban law, just a reminder to let them know what you think about it. Here's the governor's contact website:

http://www.state.sd.us/governor/

[Minnesota Raindog]

10. New South Dakota tourism logo

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x604487