perhaps the sickest thing I have read in a long time.
With two days left in the legislative session, the Republican-held Florida Senate passed a controversial amendment 22-17 Wednesday requiring women who are seeking abortions to pay for ultrasound exams, using legislative manuevering to deliver an election-year victory to religious conservatives.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/...
before you say how can such a thing happen read this
Women could refuse to view the ultrasound image after filling out a form. Exceptions to the ultrasound requirement are provided to victms of rape, incest and domestic violence — but they would have to provide proof.
so basically if you were raped you now have to provide proof you were raped, if you were beat by your bf you now have to prove you were, and if your stepfather or father has sex with you now you have to have proof OR ELSE you have to watch and pay for your ultrasound.
since the FL senate is dominated by republicans such a thing you would assume would of already been passed, but it was already tried and failed cause enough republicans voted against.. but now that 3 of those republicans left office they were replaced by right wingers who gladly voted for this joke.
"It's actually, to me, the ultimate insult to women," said Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston. "It's saying women can't make up their own minds, can't use their own judgment, as to what they want to do with their bodies. The Legislature is making a medical decision for women."
Sen. Dave Aronberg, D-Greenacres, called the ultrasound requirement an "assault on the poor," noting they'd have to pay for the ultrasound exams.
"This imposes an unfunded mandate on the poorest women of our state. How can you justify that?" Aronberg asked.
oh those sneaky republicans and their opinions here we go
Supporters of the amendment noted that the decision to have an abortion is very serious and said the ultrasound mandate would simply provide women with more information.
"What we're talking about is not an appendectomy, we're not talking about cancer treatment," said Sen. Steve Oelrich, R-Gainesville. "What we're talking about is ending a human life."
"To you ladies, I really respect your point of view," said Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami. "However, I just don't see the problem with having somebody have a little bit more information before they make a decision."
lets give a special thanks to the biggest sellout and heartless person here. The only female senator to vote for the ultrasound requirement was Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico.
how bout sending her a nice email or calling her office to let her know how she would feel if her daughter was raped then had to watch and pay for an ultrasound
http://www.flsenate.gov/...
now it heads to the house which is even more dominated by republicans (dems only picked up 1 seat in 2008) thanks to gerrymandering they have done a good job making sure they can't lose even when the state voted blue.
please urgent action is needed. the problem is 2 fold.. it will pass the house and go on Crist desk. he may or may not veto it.. don't forget it was announced he will try to hold moderate republicans and go after indies to win a 3 way race. but the bigger problem is even if he veto's it, there is a very close race in November pitting a very right wing republican vs. Alex Sink.. our only hope is to swamp Crist and the republicans who voted for this, and then make sure Alex Sink is elected this November..
UPDATE: it appears pressure has mounted, now we have to keep hammering away to let them know we are watching and this crap isn't gonna work
http://www.postonpolitics.com/...
House Democrats stopped bills from moving this morning over a controversial measure that would require all women to have ultrasounds before they can get an abortion.
The Democrats will refuse to take a final vote on any bills today unless Republican leaders promise not to take up and hear the bill, House Democrats spokesman Mark Hollis said.