Those emoticons really sum up my reaction to this. Except they're swearing less.

Here is what I wrote the "honorable" representative, and all are welcome to copy and use it, unless you have something better (which you probably do):

I find your attempt to make an end run around Roe v. Wade outrageous, unconscionable, and entirely objectionable. Until you act with as much concern for born infants, children, and the poor in general, as you pretend to for the unborn, you have absolutely no right to make a difficult decision and procedure out of reach for those who need it the most. Your anti-woman, chauvinistic and paternalistic attitude is sickening. If you don't believe a woman can be trusted with a choice, how on earth do you trust them with a child? Your logic is extremely flawed, and were it not so dangerous, considering your public position, it would be laughable.

I do really like your supreme release! Could you compose the biography term paper for example? Because I know that an experienced essay writing service would compose well researched research papers of good enough quality.

This is ridiculous! It didn't ruin my Friday because (I really hope) it is more funny/illogical than something that would actually pass. But as you said, wtf.

Sometimes the human race baffles me. Exactly on the what year is it comment... 2010? Come on Van Sant, get your head out of your ass.

I notice here that the bill doesn't make any stipulations for the pregnant victims of rape, only "if the woman's life is endanger." This is a trend I've noticed in the language of pro-lifers since-and even before- Sarah Palin made public her views on abortion. It's hard not to view this disregard for rape victims as a statement akin to "you must have been asking for it, not suffer the consequences!" I agree that despite its slim chances of passing, it is disheartening to know that this bill was actually introduced.

Michelle - you rock. It's SO true - the states where the majority are "anti-choice" have the worst child care available to mothers. I don't know about you ladies, but that sounds ridiculously hypocritical to me. "We don't want you to have an abortion, but we're sure as hell not going to help you after the baby is born!" Lame. (that's an understatement)

I live in Georgia, where every session the exact same (male) state Representative races down, on the first day of session, to introduce HB 1, which would criminalize abortion. It never passes, but he does it every session. Also we have giant billboards in downtown Atlanta that say "black children are an endangered species," accusing Planned Parenthood and abortion providers of targeting black women specifically. Never mind the sheer offensiveness in referring to black children as a separate species, it's just utter lies. I was lobbying with PP recently to ask legislators to support a Healthy Babies Medicaid initiative instead of supporting those crap billboards. Of course, Georgia is Florida's northern neighbor and shares a lot, ideologically and politically, with 'em.

/rant

While this is a terrible piece of legislation, abortion cannot be outlawed in Florida, or any other state, while Roe v Wade is still in place. The federal law does not allow individual states (currently) to make the decision about abortion. However, states can impose limitations (requiring parental consent for minors, limiting later-term procedures, instituting informed consent laws with misleading names that allow the general public to believe that women would be "helped", such as the Women's Right to Know Act that gets introduced here in RI every year, a bill which would put a 24 hour waiting period on abortions and require women to receive state mandated counseling and literatire provided by the state which may or may not be medically accurate and would cost the state hundreds of thousands of dollars to implement..) Laws that outlaw abortion in individual states are called trigger bans, and they are put in place by legislators hoping that Roe v Wade WILL be overturned eventually. In the event of a federal overturn of Roe v Wade, the states with these laws on the books would immediately become states where abortion of any kind is illegal. That said, this type of harmful and discriminatory legislation should still be fought - go to your state's legislative hearings and testify. They are open to the public. Your state government works for YOU, and they need to hear from you.

We have a related issue going on here in Utah. This last legislative session House Bill 12 was passed (and is just awaiting the governors signature) that will now make it so that a woman who has had a fetal loss that was not performed by a physician can now be charged with homicide if the state can prove it was caused by reckless behavior. The problem with this being, reckless behavior is not defined. This opens up a huge can of worms that could lead to women being prosecuted for miscarriages or for women who choose to use herbal abortificants. As a student homebirth midwife preparing to open my practice, this is terrifying for me. It means that my clients who have had a fetal loss but are having difficulty actually passing their baby and choose to use less invasive measures than a D&C will open themselves up to being charged with homicide (making me an accessory). Knowing the state senator who wrote this bill assures me that this kind of action is part of the intent behind this piece of legislation. While unlikely, it also means that any behavior deemed reckless (dyeing hair and smoking cigarettes come immediately to mind) could put a woman at risk for prosecution should she miscarry.

I was just reading that about Utah this morning. I am sorry for the stress it must be causing you as you get ready to begin your practice. Are there any pro-choice activist groups in Utah? Do you have a NARAL branch? Is anyone working toward defeating this legislation?

It snuck through, but we are writing the governor right now urging him not to sign. I know though that he will. I'm not sure about NARAL, but will look into it.

Other organizations who may have advice for you regarding fighting legislation and organizing are the National Organization for Women (I am assuming your state has at least one chapter..), The Center for Reproductive Rights (they do work all over the US), and the Feminist Majority Foundation. Good luck.

sounds like a complicated post to me