[velichay]

A law under consideration in South Dakota would expand the definition of "justifiable homicide" to include killings that are intended to prevent harm to a fetus—a move that could make it legal to kill doctors who perform abortions. The Republican-backed legislation, House Bill 1171, has passed out of committee on a nine-to-three party-line vote, and is expected to face a floor vote in the state's GOP-dominated House of Representatives soon.

"The bill in South Dakota is an invitation to murder abortion providers."
The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Phil Jensen, a committed foe of abortion rights, alters the state's legal definition of justifiable homicide by adding language stating that a homicide is permissible if committed by a person "while resisting an attempt to harm" that person's unborn child or the unborn child of that person's spouse, partner, parent, or child. If the bill passes, it could in theory allow a woman's father, mother, son, daughter, or husband to kill anyone who tried to provide that woman an abortion—even if she wanted one.

Jensen did not return calls to his home or his office requesting comment on the bill, which is cosponsored by 22 other state representatives and four state senators.

"The bill in South Dakota is an invitation to murder abortion providers," says Vicki Saporta, the president of the National Abortion Federation, the professional association of abortion providers. Since 1993, eight doctors have been assassinated at the hands of anti-abortion extremists, and another 17 have been the victims of murder attempts. Some of the perpetrators of those crimes have tried to use the justifiable homicide defense at their trials. "This is not an abstract bill," Saporta says. The measure could have major implications if a "misguided extremist invokes this 'self-defense' statute to justify the murder of a doctor, nurse or volunteer," the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families warned in a message to supporters last week.

http://motherjones.com/politics/2011...tion-providers

[AlexanderPalamayr]

Even if it passes, I'd have to think that would be vetoed.

[JOR4qxYH]

That's bizarre. I mean, you'd have to actually barge in on the doctor while performing the abortion, wouldn't you?!? You couldn't just say "Well, she has an appointment for next Tuesday..."? Some states really do need to seccede.

[DexOnenlyCymn]

That's... I think my brain just exploded.

Especially by the idea that it passed the first hurdles.

[Gromiaaborn]

Disgusting.

[CedssypeEdids]

I got nothing.

[new-nickname-zanovo]

There's no possible way it could ever become a law, but what a bunch of assholes.

[CedssypeEdids]

The governor's biography states:

Dennis became involved in politics in 1996, when he defeated a Democratic incumbent, and was reelected by wide margins in 1998 and 2000. His legislative record was particularly focused on protecting children, helping the disabled, and getting tough on crime. For what it's worth.

[Gromiaaborn]

I've a question here. Since abortion is a federal legal procedure....and since doctors who perform aboritons can be targeted simply on this basis...killed exactly for that...isn't this a hate crime?

If so..wouldn't a law like this be...nullified? Sort of? You all get what I'm saying...

Because if abortion doctors are NOT protected...watch out, this law very well may pass.

[Kamendoriks]

That's bizarre. I mean, you'd have to actually barge in on the doctor while performing the abortion, wouldn't you?!? You couldn't just say "Well, she has an appointment for next Tuesday..."? Some states really do need to seccede.

That was my first thought.

How can something be legal (abortion) and also the murder of someone performing that legal act?

Let's give South Dakota to Canada.

[JOR4qxYH]

That was my first thought.

How can something be legal (abortion) and also the murder of someone performing that legal act?

Let's give South Dakota to Canada.

F that. Just build them a giant wall. Everybody wins.

[gimffnfabaykal]

They could not be serious.

[JOR4qxYH]

I've a question here. Since abortion is a federal legal procedure....and since doctors who perform aboritons can be targeted simply on this basis...killed exactly for that...isn't this a hate crime?

If so..wouldn't a law like this be...nullified? Sort of? You all get what I'm saying...

Because if abortion doctors are NOT protected...watch out, this law very well may pass.

I doubt it. I've never heard of something being termed a hate crime based on the career of the victim. From your fave: "Race, religion, or nation origin", and "gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability" are the only ones I've heard of.

Hopefully it gets nullified because it's... oh, what's the word I'm looking for here... oh, right. MURDER!

[broksaksaak]

Hopefully it gets nullified because it's... oh, what's the word I'm looking for here... oh, right. MURDER!

I think that may be the exact point that they are trying to make, putting out a bill that they know won't pass because they can turn the logic around on those who oppose it. No, wait, I'm giving them way too much credit. I've just gone crazy. I blame Barbora Zahlavova Strycova.

[Ettiominiw]

They need to introduce a bill making it justifiable homicide to kill a person that introduces a bill making it justifiable homicide to kill an abortion doctor.

[BruceCroucshs]

That was my first thought.

How can something be legal (abortion) and also the murder of someone performing that legal act?

Let's give South Dakota to Canada.

No thanks!!

[Kamendoriks]

LOL. Please?

[TughEmotteTug]

No thanks!!

Seconded.

You are stuck with South Dakota.

I really am speechless over this.

Although I'm politically slightly left of center, I acknowledge that a reasonable debate can be had with the right.

The U.S. right wing is truly odious though. I wouldn't even know how to speak to these people.

[squeerisott]

Seconded.

You are stuck with South Dakota.

I really am speechless over this.

Although I'm politically slightly left of center, I acknowledge that a reasonable debate can be had with the right.

The U.S. right wing is truly odious though. I wouldn't even know how to speak to these people.

You can't speak to most of them because they failed Listening 101 and are not willing to take the remedial classes.

[Kamendoriks]

You can't speak to most of them because they failed Listening 101 and are not willing to take the remedial classes.

And that's a wrap.