South Dakota Bill Would Legalize Murder Of Abortion Providers

[DearAbby]

Killing a doctor who performs abortions could soon be legal in South Dakota -- that is, if a bill passed out of committee in the state House of Representatives on Monday, which makes it a "justifiable homicide" for someone to kill anyone attempting to harm an unborn child, becomes law.

State Rep. Phil Jensen (R), who introduced the bill, was quick to deny that the law is designed to prevent women from having abortions, telling TPM that it is instead a way to provide "consistency" to South Dakota law, and afford "a greater degree of personhood to an unborn child."

Kate Sheppard of Mother Jones first reported on Tuesday that HB 1171 would amend the current law to include the following language (bold parts are new):


More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/02/south-dakota-bill-would-legalize-murder-of-abortion-providers.php

[Courtesy Flush]

1. I came here to post that story. Thanks. nt.

[DearAbby]

5. Those Anti - choice people are working overtime

People like Scott Roter are considered heroes, can't have him languishing in a jail cell for life. Sick Phucks

[uppityperson]

6. So did I. Here is a link to another article. Thanks both of you.

http://m.motherjones.com/politics/2011/02/south-dakota-hb-1171-legalize-killing-abortion-providers

[DearAbby]

12. Thanks guys for helping flesh out this story

:)

[Ian David]

2. Here's an idea....

How about a law making it "justifiable homicide" to kill someone interfering with lawful medical services?

[Johonny]

3. so if Jensen say cut welfare to poor pregnant women

you could legally shoot him? That's some terrible legislating.

[jpak]

4. Time for the Federal Justice Dept. to step in on this

yup

[truebrit71]

7. I'll hold my breath for that one...I'll be the blue guy in the corner..

...What is it about that State that makes them hate their women so much?

I drove through S.D. on my way to yellowstone last year, and it has a rugged beauty to it, and the folks I met seemed pleasant enough..is it just the nutters in office?

[DearAbby]

8. David Corn just tweeted about this story

DavidCornDC

South Dakota Moves To Legalize Killing Abortion Providers. Yes, really. Read the scoop here: http://bit.ly/ge5ntV

[gratuitous]

9. Does the shootee have to actually be attempting to harm an unborn child?

Or is mere suspicion enough under the proposed statute? Looks like a sure-fire way to reduce the prison population: "Sure, I beat that guy featureless with a pool cue, but he was gonna attempt to harm an unborn child, I'm pretty sure of it!" "Not guilty, your honor."

[Solly Mack]

10. k/r

[Proud Liberal Dem]

11. How is it even legal to PROPOSE this?

:puke:
:wtf:

I'm rendered speechless by such a proposal. I know that people like Scott Roeder have tried to use that "defense" in criminal proceedings, which has, thankfully, never been successful but trying to codfy it into law?
:wow: :scared:

I hope that the South Dakota legislature gets a LOT of (negative) attention about this! I can't imagine that this becomes law but it's scary to think that somebody is so over the top that they would actually PROPOSE it. The anti-choice folks seem to be getting rather bold nowadays.

[PBS Poll-435]

13. Sounds like somebody is trying to get a jump on the 2012 Republican Nomination. nt

[Vincardog]

14. I assume it is also justifiable to kill anyone voting to overturn such an illegal law?

[jillan]

15. Omg - what is wrong with society when murder becomes acceptable?

[FiveGoodMen]

16. We're going to have to have another Civil War.

[hamsterjill]

17. Guess that thing that happened in Arizon several weeks ago has been completely forgotten!

This bill is nothing more than trying to promote more violence and hate. Representative Jensen will have on his hands the blood of any doctor who is harmed because of this ridiculous attempt to pander to the right-wing-crazies!

[uppityperson]

18. Does this mean open season on pharmacists who sell OCs, since any of them can be used for Plan B?

[DearAbby]

19. Kick