Georgia Bill Allows Rapists to Sue Their Victims' Abortion Providers

[Modem Butterfly]

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/legis05/0205/09legabortion.html

The "Woman's Right to Know Act" contains a section allowing the father or grandparents of an aborted fetus to sue a physician who performs an abortion in "knowing or reckless" violation of the legislation. The legislation would require a physician performing an abortion to give a woman information on the medical risks of abortion, development of the fetus, alternatives to abortion including adoption, medical assistance benefits available for childbirth and child support liabilities of the father.

But Benfield and other abortion rights supporters say the wording of the section would allow any father — or his parents — to sue a doctor, even if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. While Benfield acknowledges the likelihood of a court challenge by a criminal is not high, she believes it's an inherent flaw that opens the door to such litigation.

"What they're saying is even if the woman says she had satisfactory information and care, this gives third parties the right to sue doctors anyway — which I think is troubling," said Maggie Garrett, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia.

...

"If a third party sues, and it's not the patient herself, the only situation where that can be the case is a situation where her wishes are being overridden," Cwiak said. "So why do we want to introduce a bill where a third party can come and override the wishes of an adult with a competent mind?"

Benfield said she believes it's ironic that Republicans are pushing medical malpractice reform, while at the same time opening up abortion providers to third-party lawsuits.

"That's perfect," Benfield said. "It's OK to sue abortion provider doctors. But it's not OK to sue medical malpractice doctors."

[davidinalameda]

1. can we all say slippery slope here?

I can't even imagine the most hard core anti-choice people supporting this

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

2. Oh no?

You're in denial if you think these assholes won't support anything and everything, including execution of someone who has an abortion.

[Modem Butterfly]

4. Yes, I do believe that's the ultimate goal

If the Xian Taliban have their way, American will resemble Afghanistan.

[MissB]

13. I think they would embrace it.

The most hard-core ones don't care about the mother at all.

[Zenlitened]

3. "Protections" for grandparents in this measure?

That just says it all, doesn't it? Women as progeny-bearing property of the family.

Like the worst of the Old Testament stuff, and here we are (allegedly) in 2005. Outrageous.

[CottonBear]

5. The GA GOP has gone Taliban on us.

The state of Georgia is devolving before our eyes. Did you hear about the state rep who wants high school teachers to teach "only facts not theories?" How about the proposal for the use of eminent domain to take property for private developers not to mention the secret purchase of land for landfills and reservoirs. Our meme should be "is this the GOP that is the party of less government?"

[BurgherHoldtheLies]

6. OK, Georgia, Pennsylvania briefly stole the spotlight from you

with the Intelligent Design nonsense being taught in Dover Schools here in PA...but you have once again stolen the theocracy-state crown. Congrats.

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. That is just insane

[PROGRESSIVE1]

8. Again, Georgia is also the birthplace of the KKK!

What else can be said?

:argh:

[Modem Butterfly]

11. Actually, the KKK was born in Pulaski, TN

The KKK's rebirth was at Stone Mountin, GA, now suburban Atlanta.

[gollygee]

9. Strategy

If we can't make it illegal, let's open doctors up to huge potential lawsuits so they decide not to do it anymore.

It just makes me angry.

[smirkymonkey]

10. This country just gets more and more fucked up every day!

I mean, does anybody remember a period in time when fucked up crap like this showed up as regularly as it has since the Chimp took office? And it's only Feb 2005!!

I honestly don't know how the sane and the liberal live in the South. It sounds like a nightmare that just won't end.

[Modem Butterfly]

12. You can tell a southern liberal from the red marks on our foreheads

...from all the constant head slapping we have to give ourselves.

[fortyfeetunder]

14. Suppose Mother Nature provided the abortion?

WTF do these crazy men do with her?

:wtf:

[Solly Mack]

15. bunch of ignorant paternalistic fuckers

fuck'em all.