States dealing with abortion

[Phlegm]

South Carolina Law Would Require Women To See Ultrasound Before Having Abortion.

(CBS/AP) With calls of emotional blackmail from opponents, a measure requiring women seeking abortions to first review ultrasound images of their fetuses advanced Wednesday in the South Carolina Legislature.

The legislation, supported by Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, easily passed 91-23 after lawmakers defeated amendments exempting rape or incest. The House must approve the bill again in a routine vote before it goes to the Senate, where its sponsor expects it to pass.

Some states make ultrasound images available to women before an abortion, but South Carolina would be alone in requiring women to view the pictures.

Supporters hope women would change their minds after seeing an ultrasound and choose instead to keep the child or offer it for adoption.

"I'm just trying to save lives and protect people from regret and inform women with the most accurate non-judgmental information that can be provided," Rep. Greg Delleney, R-Chester, said.

Delleney is the main sponsor of the amendment. There is already a South Carolina law requiring women to review abortion information and undergo a waiting period. Still, Delleney believes women need more information to make a final decision, reports CBS affiliate WLTX-TV in Columbia, S.C.

"From the calls I've gotten, I think some people wished there was an ultrasound requirement at the time they underwent the abortion procedure," he said.

Critics consider the proposal a tool to intimidate women who already have made an agonizing decision. Proponents hope women will change their minds after seeing an ultrasound and choose instead to keep the child or offer it for adoption.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, a Democrat, said the new requirement is emotional blackmail for a woman who has already made an agonizing decision.

“You love them in the womb but once they get here, it's a different story,” said Cobb-Hunter, a social worker. “You're sitting here passing judgment? Who gave you the right?”

Rep. Alan Clemmons, choking back tears as he talked about his two adopted children, recalled a prayer given by his 11-year-old daughter.

“She thanked her God, her father in heaven for her birth mother for loving her enough to give her life,” said Clemmons, a Republican. “I thank my God for those young mothers who chose to give them life.”

The state's three abortion clinics already perform ultrasounds, paid for by the woman seeking the procedure, to determine the fetus' age. The state's informed-consent law, passed in 1994, requires abortion doctors to tell women the likely age of their fetus and give them information about fetal development and alternatives to abortion.

Women must think about the information for at least an hour before terminating their pregnancy.

[Phlegm]

Texas offer $500 to not abort.

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (Reuters) -- A Texas legislator has proposed that pregnant women considering abortion be offered $500 not to end their pregnancies.

Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick, who also is a conservative radio talk show host, said Friday the money might persuade the women to go ahead and have babies, then give them up for adoption.

He said during a legislative conference in New Braunfels, 45 miles south of Austin, there were 75,000 abortions in Texas last year.

"If this incentive would give pause and change the mind of 5 percent of those women, that's 3,000 lives. That's almost as many people as we've lost in Iraq," Patrick said.

Patrick has filed legislation to make the payment state law, but the legislature has not voted on it.

His proposal calls for giving any woman going to an abortion clinic the $500 option, to be paid no more than 30 days after the baby is born and given up for adoption.

Critics say the proposal would violate Texas and federal laws against buying babies, which Patrick rejected as "the typical ridiculous criticism."

Heather Paffe, political director of Planned Parenthood of Texas, said Patrick's proposal "is very cynical and insulting to women and their families."

"It's insulting to think women would make that kind of decision so easily," she said.

[Lueyen]

I don't like abortion, but the Texas proposal seems stupid to me and the S. Carolina measure seems dangerous.

For the theoretical Texas woman life is cheap... and now we can put a price on it!!!

For the theoretical S. Carolina woman lets try to guilt her into keeping the baby, and if she doesn't it will likely add to any emotional distress she incurs. I oppose this sort of thing for exactly the same reason I'm supportive of parental notification laws. I believe that with all but the most callous and heartless women that having an abortion will come with some form of emotional or mental pain. In as much as a teen having done so will need the support of her parents, it's down right mean and vindictive to force something that will likely increase any later pain.

[Jennay]

Nice going, Texas. More than half of those girls will take the money and run. It's not very much money, but then again to the kind of girls who are in that situation, it's probably like winning the lottery to them.

[Martrae]

Why aren't they spending that money on programs to prevent pregnancies? I would think a better solution would be to help these girls NOT get pregnant in the first place.

[The Kizzy]

h there is a solution, give them $500 now, and then let them milk the system for 18 more years. The government really needs to stay out of people's lives.

[Alphonso]

I think along with abortions that dont include rape/incest it should be required for the mother to get her tubes tied permanently.

[Spazz]

Abortion is a horrible thing but i dont think anyone should have the right to add more baggage becuase they dont agree with the decision. People really need to stay out of other peoples lives.

[Narrock]

h there is a solution, give them $500 now, and then let them milk the system for 18 more years. The government really needs to stay out of people's lives.

And you're a democrat? lol

[The Kizzy]

Im not a democrat or a republican, DEFINETLY not a republican

[Narrock]

Im not a democrat or a republican, DEFINETLY not a republican

kk I wasn't trying to be offensive... I was just laughing at the irony because I thought you were a democrat who was wanting less government intervention in your life. :P

[Harrison]

I don't like abortion, but the Texas proposal seems stupid to me and the S. Carolina measure seems dangerous.

For the theoretical Texas woman life is cheap... and now we can put a price on it!!!

For the theoretical S. Carolina woman lets try to guilt her into keeping the baby, and if she doesn't it will likely add to any emotional distress she incurs. I oppose this sort of thing for exactly the same reason I'm supportive of parental notification laws. I believe that with all but the most callous and heartless women that having an abortion will come with some form of emotional or mental pain. In as much as a teen having done so will need the support of her parents, it's down right mean and vindictive to force something that will likely increase any later pain.

They probably should have thought of that before they decided to murder a defenseless baby because they're selfish whores. It might make life difficult?! boo fucking hoo, use a condom whore.

[Narrock]

I don't like abortion, but the Texas proposal seems stupid to me and the S. Carolina measure seems dangerous.

For the theoretical Texas woman life is cheap... and now we can put a price on it!!!

For the theoretical S. Carolina woman lets try to guilt her into keeping the baby, and if she doesn't it will likely add to any emotional distress she incurs. I oppose this sort of thing for exactly the same reason I'm supportive of parental notification laws. I believe that with all but the most callous and heartless women that having an abortion will come with some form of emotional or mental pain. In as much as a teen having done so will need the support of her parents, it's down right mean and vindictive to force something that will likely increase any later pain.

They probably should have thought of that before they decided to murder a defenseless baby because they're selfish whores. It might make life difficult?! boo fucking hoo, use a condom whore.

I agree with Harrison. Again.

[The Kizzy]

I guess I am am independant.

Oh, and condoms ALWAYS work.

[Jay]

I'm kinda torn on the whole abortion thing. First off, I wouldn't want one if it were my kid but at the same time I think pro choice is the way to go. Then again, I think that abortions for convenience should be illegal. I think it should only be acceptable if the mother's life is in danger or if it was a case of rape or incest. Sure, it'll hurt to give birth, but that "I can't give it a good life" stuff is bullshit. Adoption k? That's my 2 cents. Again, I'm torn on the whole thing so I probably haven't enough convincing arguements on both sides yet to have a solid opinion.

[Trielelvan]

Nice going, Texas. More than half of those girls will take the money and run. It's not very much money, but then again to the kind of girls who are in that situation, it's probably like winning the lottery to them.

h there is a solution, give them $500 now, and then let them milk the system for 18 more years. The government really needs to stay out of people's lives.

Um, gals, I think you got the wrong idea...

His proposal calls for giving any woman going to an abortion clinic the $500 option, to be paid no more than 30 days after the baby is born and given up for adoption.

There is no taking the money and running.
There is no milking of the system for 18 more years.
Unless I misunderstood this, they don't get the money until after the child is born and given up. So, signed legal contract etc etc, and I am quite sure there will be a clause in fine print stating that should the mother, after giving birth to the child, change her mind and not wish to give up the child for adoption, she is no longer entitled to the $500 payout since keeping the child would be a breach of contract.

Either way, this is one of Texas' more retarded ideas... not that that's saying much. How ridiculous ><

[Lueyen]

They probably should have thought of that before they decided to murder a defenseless baby because they're selfish whores. It might make life difficult?! boo fucking hoo, use a condom whore.

I agree with Harrison. Again.

How compassionate.

[Spazz]

I love how if a girl gets prego she must be a whore who cant keep her legs closed. This is really one of those issues people need to mind thier own fucking buisness about.

[Iccarra]

The N.Carolina one sounds like blackmail and the Texas one sounds like a cheap attempt at bribery. I don't believe that abortion should be something you decide to do because the child is unplanned or inconvenient. My personal feelings are that a child is a child at conception...and it's the responsibility of both parties to take preventative measures if one or both of them do not want to have a child together.

So you can call women "whores" for becoming pregnant even if the man in the relationship chooses to not keep it in his pants or use protection himself? Hmm...

[Yamori]

I love how people talk about pregnancy and birthing like it's as trivial as a routine trip to the dentist.

I'm glad I'm not a woman, it would suck to have politicians arguing whether or not you should be reduced to a rightless breeding-mare.

[Spazz]

I love how people talk about pregnancy and birthing like it's as trivial as a routine trip to the dentist.

I couldnt agree more.

[Harrison]

Then use a fucking condom, birth control, etc.

I mean hey, it's obviously an inconvenience, let's just kill the baby instead of preemptively PREVENTING the pregnancy like any civilized person should.

[Spazz]

I love how people talk about pregnancy and birthing like it's as trivial as a routine trip to the dentist.

Dont want to respond to that statement Harriwin ? Seeing as youve never had sex before I can see how you wouldnt understand prevention gone wrong. You say its horrible to KILL THE BABY. I say its just as horrible to tell a woman when to create a life. If abortion was to become against the law like some of you would like it would be a huge step backwards in womens rights.

[Lueyen]

Even under perfect use of the various forms of contraception and birth control prevention of pregnancy is not guaranteed.

Typical Contraceptive Failure Rates

* Implants and injectables
2-4%

* Oral contraceptives
9%

* Diaphragm and cervical cap
13%

* Male condom
15%

* Periodic abstinence
22%

* Withdrawal
26%

* Spermicides
28%

Those figures are from a study done in 95 (most current I could find with a quick look). They are not figures based on perfect conditions and usage but on real world practice.

[Lueyen]

I love how people talk about pregnancy and birthing like it's as trivial as a routine trip to the dentist.

The same could be said for abortion.