Abortion measure could mean big legal battle

[Jon8503]

By Michael Conlon - Sun Feb 26, 3:43 PM ET


CHICAGO (Reuters) - Restrictions on abortion that would be the most severe since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized the practice 33 years ago are likely to turn South Dakota into an expensive legal battleground should they become law.

Legislation on Republican Gov. Mike Rounds' desk would ban abortion in virtually all cases, punishing doctors who perform one with a $5,000 fine and five years in prison, and directly challenging what is currently the law of the land.

The measure would ban abortion if a woman was pregnant as a result of rape or incest, or if giving birth would damage the health of the mother. It would allow an abortion to save a woman's life.

Rounds indicated he would sign the proposal into law after scrutinizing it. He vetoed a similar provision two years ago on a technicality, although he favored it on merit.

"If the bill is correctly written, then I will seriously consider signing the bill. It would be a direct frontal assault on Roe vs. Wade," the Republican governor said on ABC News' "Good Morning America" on Saturday.

Even before he acts, there is money on the table. An anonymous donor has pledged $1 million to help the state fight the inevitable legal battle for the measure, backers of the provision say. Abortion foes also are urging those in their camp to mail in donations of $10 each to Rounds for the same purpose.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060226/ts_nm/rights_abortion_dc


----------This could actually work towards more democratic wins this November. People have to see what is going on with this radical religious right agenda. This may help in the elections coming up. Trying to find a postive.

[cali]

1. I think it will help in November.

It exposes how rabid they are.

I'm actually more fearful of Roe dying of a million cuts than it being overturned. Outrageous actions are far simpler to explain to people.