one for the "Right. On." files

[the_siobhan]

Story yoinked from kightp.

So it was all over LJ and the news when South Dakota and Senator Bill Napoli banned abortion even in the case of rape.

The latest development is that now Sioux tribal President Cecelia Fire Thunder has offered to open a Planned Parenthood clinic on the Pine Ridge reservation to serve South Dakota women.

kathrynt got permission from President Fire Thunder to post contact info in case anybody wants to send donations to help out.

I expect to see this all over the blogosphere by tomorrow. Ha! In your face Napoli!

Comments

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

If RvW gets overturned, all it means is that states are allowed to make their own laws on the matter. It doesn't require it to be banned. So as long as no federal laws are passed making it illegal, the reservations aren't restricted.

The big concern would be if states made it illegal to cross state lines to obtain one.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

There's always Canada, eh?
Or Mexico.

[emzebel.livejournal.com]

U.S. lawyer weighing in...Siobhan, you have it exactly right, that overturning Roe v. Wade would only allow states to invidually regulate and ban abortion, but would not create a federal mandate to do so. Theoretically, Congress could pass a national law outlawing abortions nationally, but I think, perhaps with a little too much hope, that at least at the moment, the will would not be there to do so.

I also think that it would be very tough to justify a state law making it illegal for a woman to go to another state an engage in activity that is legal in that state - I can see a state trying it, but I cannot see such a law withstanding any sort of Constitutional scrutinity if challenged.

This whole thing makes my stomach turn, but cheers to President Fire Thunder.

[the-siobhan.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the clarification. The difference between federal and state jurisdiction is a bit confusing for non-Americans.

[emzebel.livejournal.com]

Heh. Sadly, it is indeed more than a bit confusing for a large percentage of Americans as well. Unfortunately, some of them appear to hold high-level public office, and not just work at McDonalds.

Y'all explained it better than I think at least 50% of my fellow countryfolk could.

Pardon me while I go drown my sorrows in some tea, now. :P

(Speaking of which, anyone know a good source for snarky political icons?)