Dark Clouds Forming Over South Dakota

Monday, March 06, 2006

South Dakota just banned abortion in most cases, a direct violation of Roe v. Wade. Oh how the clouds must be forming:

PIERRE, S.D. - Gov. Mike Rounds on Monday signed legislation banning almost all abortions in South Dakota.

The law, designed to raise a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion, is scheduled to take effect July 1.

Under the law, doctors in South Dakota will face up to five years in prison for performing an abortion except when the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life.

South Dakota Planned Parenthood said it planned a quick court challenge.

I will continue to point out in this space that Roe is safely protected by at least five justices of the Supreme Court: Stevens, Kennedy, Souter, Ginsburg, and Breyer. Even if Justices Roberts and Alito vote to overturn the landmark case -- and that's a questionable if -- Bush would have to replace one of the four liberal justices too see a reversal on his watch.

And with John Paul Stevens turning 86 this year, it may just be a matter of time before we see the abortion debate where it beings: in the state legislatures before accountable representatives crafting laws at the pleasure of their constituents.

Around the Blogosphere: ProLifeBlogs is already spreading the word.