11 replies to this topic

[JustDan]

...to the dark ages...

I personally do not favor abortions, unless in the case of rape or incest. But I strongly support a woman's right to choose her own path. So I was glad to hear that, despite the best efforts that were led by its militant right wing Governor & Attorney General, & the fact that it could very well be a battleground state in the coming presidential election, the Old Dominion has scrapped proposed legislation that would force women to undergo an invasive ultrasound procedure prior having an abortion.


Newsmax.com

RICHMOND, Va. — Amid a public uproar that prompted Virginia's governor to withdraw his support, Republican legislators on Wednesday dropped a bitterly contested proposal to require that women seeking abortions undergo invasive ultrasound imaging, likely dooming the bill.

The Republican-controlled House of Delegates voted 65-32 for an amended bill that requires only an external ultrasound, not the vaginal insertion of a wand-like device that emits ultrasonic waves that are used to create images of the fetus.

The House amended the bill shortly after Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell issued a statement opposing the more invasive procedure. McDonnell, who has been mentioned as a possible vice-presidential candidate, shifted ground after the proposal drew outrage from women, national ridicule from television comedians and appeals from GOP moderates concerned about the political impact in the presidential battleground state.

"Mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state," said McDonnell, a socially conservative Catholic who had voiced support for the legislation last week. "No person should be directed to undergo an invasive procedure by the state, without their consent, as a precondition to another medical procedure." His written statement came as the House's majority Republicans quarreled over how to handle the legislation minutes before it was to be debated. House Republicans twice recessed Wednesday's session to regroup. The final vote was mostly along party lines.

[Mission Man in AZ]

McDonnell still harbors dreams of being asked to run for VP. He could see how the political wind was blowing, thus his more "enlightened" stance. Completely different than the way he saw it when he was prepared to sign the bill last week. Hypocrite.

[JustDan]

Were it not for the DC suburbs, the cities of Richmond, Charlottesville & Norfolk/VA Beach/Hampton Roads, where most of the public outcry against this legislation came from, Virginia would still be in colonial times.

[RummagingBedouin]

I think the R's in VA are still pushing for a required ultrasound, though not the invasive kind.

[53 Esquire]

Were it not for the DC suburbs, the cities of Richmond, Charlottesville & Norfolk/VA Beach/Hampton Roads, where most of the public outcry against this legislation came from, Virginia would still be in colonial times.

I would argue that Virginia was more socially developed in colonial times than in the immediate era before and during the Civil War. they were looking for a return to 1861. Unreconstructed Confederates are certainly a problem.

McDonnell's daughter has quite the history.

[rtb]

Can they get a non-invasive abortion to go with the non-invasive ultrasound?

[JustDan]

You know....You're getting pretty sharp with these little 'Gotcha' drops of your ...

[NikitaC]

Can they get a non-invasive abortion to go with the non-invasive ultrasound?

There shouldn't be ANY ultrasound, invasive or otherwise. Fiscally it's the lamest idea ever. And I really don't know what they hope to accomplish. I know what they say they hope to accomplish, but I just don't see the outcome matching up with the hyperbole.

[Magnus]

Are they doing this just to make the whole procedure even less attractive of an option that it already is? Or is there a legitimate medical reason for a mandatory ultrasound for someone who already knows she wants an abortion?

[NikitaC]

Are they doing this just to make the whole procedure even less attractive of an option that it already is? Or is there a legitimate medical reason for a mandatory ultrasound for someone who already knows she wants an abortion?

It is to shame women into changing their mind. There is already a mandatory discussion regarding the procedure that one must sit through. Having done that, I can say that the nurse is normally respectful and clinical. The reason for the procedure isn't lost on anyone. I see no valid reason to force a woman/girl into looking at an ultrasound. Chances are good that it was a tough decision to get there. Forcing an ultrasound is just a way for the protestors to get into the medical office, their posters they hold across the street aren't enough, they really seem to want gore. Shaming is a drug for some

[Chuck]

Are they doing this just to make the whole procedure even less attractive of an option that it already is? Or is there a legitimate medical reason for a mandatory ultrasound for someone who already knows she wants an abortion?

Ultrasounds are part of routine pre-natal care, though not every pregnant woman chooses to have one. But there's no law that forces a woman who isn't planning on having an abortion to have an ultrasound.

[Flea]

Whatever the outcome of this is for the women of VA, I think "Vaginal" Bob McDonnell just pissed away any dreams of a Republican VP slot in 2012.