As rural feminists it is no surprise that the recent abortion ban legislation in South Dakota has been a topic of discussion within our community. Heck, forget feminist. As women this legislation is of great interest. It was certainly no surprise that the following two news article links were sent to our list mates.
http://rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/03/25/news/top/news01.txt
http://rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/03/25/news/top/news02.txt
While reading the articles, I found myself in absolute disbelief with the following statements by Representive Roger Hunt.
The only piece of sanity I can find in the above statements is yes indeed, it was the great “elected” officials who brought this legislation to the table. Are they so arrogant as to believe that they will forever remain elected officials with this type of garbage legislation? My dear South Dakota sisters — These people need to go!The main sponsor of HB1215, state Rep. Roger Hunt, R-Brandon, on Friday rejected the notion that the ban is outside the mainstream of South Dakota values. The bill was overwhelmingly approved by publicly elected legislators and signed by a publicly elected governor, Hunt said.
“On the basis of the fact that all of these elected officials have considered this legislation and supported this legislation, I think it’s a little strained to say this legislation is too far out,” Hunt said.
Hunt said it is a distortion of the bill to say it doesn’t leave rape victims any other option but to give birth to the children of their rapists. The bill allows women to use emergency contraception from the time of intercourse to the time a pregnancy could be detected, which Hunt said could be five to nine days.
I applaud the efforts of the members of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families to bring the issue to the voters of South Dakota. I pray for their success. How long will it be before these elected officials disregard the needs and desires of South Dakota families again? You hired them through your vote (or lack of vote). You can fire them just as easily. Here’s a thought for you.
If they did not vote NO — They need to GO!