Why is Kathleen Blanco signing an abortion ban into law?

[CatWoman]

Louisiana Governer Kathleen Blanco, a Democrat, says she'll sign the state's abortion ban, which was recently passed by both the House and Senate.

says she believes an exception for rape and incest victims to get an abortion, a proposal rejected by both the House and Senate, would have "been reasonable," but she said she wouldn't reject the bill for that reason.
This is why it's unreasonable for pro-choicers to support politicians just because they're nominally Democrats. When we elect people like Blanco to "win back" the South, we really lose.

http://feministing.com/archives/005158.html

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

1. Because it's Louisiana?

:shrug:

[Nikki Stone 1]

2. WHAT?

???????

[napi21]

3. Simple! Re-election!!!!!!! n/t

[iconoclastNYC]

7. So do anything to get reelected?

Yeah that's a great way to build a party.

[napi21]

25. I suspect every politician will do a similar thing. In her favor though,

I bet this is what her constituents want. Isn't that what we are always asking our politicians to do...vote for, and sign the laws WE WANT?

[iconoclastNYC]

29. How do you know that?

Are you making assumptions? Becaue they did this thing in another state and the governor who signed the bill lost 20-30 points on his approval rating.

America is pro-choice. Not pro-abortion. Most people think the decision should be left up to the patient. Not the church and not the politicians.

Do you have a poll out of LA that backs up your contention?

[napi21]

49. Nope. It's that I live in Ga. and I KNOW the majority of people in Ga.,

SC, Al, & Ms all want it banned! I a;so lived in TX, and the mojority there want abortions banned too. I could be wrong, but somehow, I doubt La, in the middle of all these bible belt states would be different.

[Zhade]

62. Where do you get the idea that just because people WANT something...

...that it's okay, or even Constitutional?

Rights are NOT up for majority vote. If you don't believe that...hell, I don't even know WHERE to begin telling you how wrong that is.

[Justitia]

67. People forget that MOB RULES, does not a democracy make. That's tyranny.

Our Constitution exists to protect the rights of the minority from the tyranny of the majority.

[rucky]

28. If that's what it takes to get elected in Louisiana...

it's time to move to another state (voluntarily, this time).

[Mr_Spock]

64. 100% true

If the people elect evil reps who would pass this easily, she feels like blocking it will only hurt her politically.

[BrklynLiberal]

4. I don't get it either. She was elected as a Democrat..pro-life?

She and the entire state were treated like a piece of crap by Bush during Katrina, so why give into his Right-wing Fundie base? It makes absolutely no sense to me.

[im10ashus]

5. Why? Because she is a RW shill. eom

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

50. My opinion exactly!

:hi:

[CatWoman]

here's more:

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (AP) - Governor Kathleen Blanco was expected to sign a strict abortion ban into law after the Senate gave the measure final legislative approval Monday.


The bill would ban nearly all abortions in Louisiana, though it could take effect only under two circumstances: if the U.S. Constitution is amended to allow states to ban abortion, or if the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade abortion rights ruling.


The Louisiana bill is similar to a South Dakota law passed this year that is expected to land before the U.S. Supreme Court.


Doctors in Louisiana found guilty of performing abortions would face as many as 10 years in prison and fines as high as $100,000 (77,172).


Originally, the bill would have allowed abortions only to save the life of the mother, with no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The House added a provision to allow abortions when the mother's health faces permanent harm.


The Senate voted 27-0 to approve the change and send the bill to Blanco.

http://news.aol.com/topnews/articles/_a/louisiana-senate-sends-abortion-ban-to/n20060605183809990016

[Oreo]

10. So this is just window dressing for the hatemongers

The only way it will go into effect is if Roe is overturned or we have an amendment banning abortion.

It still doesn't make it ok for her to sign. What are her veto powers?

[AndyTiedye]

17. This Will Be Used To Try to Overturn Roe v. Wade

We have delayed and may have prevented the South Dakota bill from reaching the USSC.
Now they are going to do it in Louisiana.

[Ilsa]

60. I'd love to send them some wire coat hangers and a bottle of

alcohol. Just a reminder.

[iconoclastNYC]

6. Because consultants and the DLC have ruined our party

Now being a good democratic politician means running away from every fight and being afraid to defend our core principals....meaning privacy and medical choice.

[LynneSin]

15. DLC? Hell even Joe Lieberman is a big supporter of choice

DLC had nothing to do with this - this is more of a culteral thing with the Southern and heavily catholic heritage of the state

[iconoclastNYC]

18. I disagree.

The DLC advocates changing the debate about Abortion to a sort of mushy middle type discussion.

[LynneSin]

26. That's Al From speaking

I'm talking voting records. Even Carper, who is the DLC vice-chair, is very pro-choice!

[iconoclastNYC]

21. He's a big supporter of choice?

Does that include the choice to use the morning after pill? Guess not. He said rape victims shoudln't be too inconvienced if the hospital they go to refuses to dispense emmergency contraception since another hospital isn't too far away in CT.

Clearly Liberman is an enemy to reproductive freedom.

[bunkerbuster1]

39. As infuriating as Jomentum can be, and as much as I hated that remark

face facts--he's a northeasterner, and his constituency is solidly pro-choice.

In the South, well, they loves them some unborn BAYBEEZ. It's huge. And the Democrats have been total wimps, in allowing the Rethugs to totally frame the argument as being either pro-life or BAYBEE-KILLER.

I say it over and over and over and over again--

Make it about CRIMINALIZATION and the whole dynamic changes. Pro-lifers are not necessarily wedded to the idea of actually applying criminal penalties to all elective abortions. Many really are content to just be a total pain in the ass about restricting access.

I don't like restricting access, not at all, but if we can reframe it so we force the rethugs to take pro-criminalization stances, we could win on this issue. Even in the South.

But to get back to the original point--while Southerners claim they would support a "Lieberman-style Democrat," virtually none of them are aware that Joe's always voted pro-choice, and that would turn them around almost instantly. As would his environmental voting record.

[Teaser]

8. Go to a map

and find the state Louisiana.


Then look at a compass. Also find the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland.


Would you say that the state Louisiana is *very close* to this line? Or is it very far to the south of this line?

[CatWoman]

11. I'm in Atlanta

and Louisiana is right next door (figuratively)

Can't say that our governor is comtemplating the same - tho he is a RW shill of a gasbag.

[Jacobin]

35. Hey. I looked at a map. Its right next to South Dakota!!!

:eyes:

What's with the south bashing shit?

(for those who don't know, SD was the FIRST to IMPLEMENT the abortion ban, whereas Louisiana's idiocy only takes place if Roe is overturned)

[Justitia]

9. Because she thinks women's bodies should be subservient to the

whims and ideologies of RW fascists.
That's the only answer.
And it's a bad one.

[robinlynne]

12. Youa re so right. People keep on saying, leave the right wing democrats

alone, so we can have a majority. Here in LA people used that as a reason not to endrose marcy Winograd, a fantastic candidate for congress, and she just lost in the primary. That makes us responsible for this sort of thing.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. "Smart Politics", "Realistic Politics", "Winning the South",

Just thought I'd save the DLC types the trouble of jusifying political cowardice and lack of ethics.

[Xithras]

14. I never understood the support for Blanco or Nagin.

Blanco is a traditional southern Democrat by any yardstick...that means she's a CONSERVATIVE Democrat. Nagin won re-election by courting the conservative white voters in the city. Why? Because he's a big business supporter, former corporate VP, and that plays well with their conservative meme. Has anyone mentioned here that Nagin also contributed financially to the Bush campaign? Didn't think so.

I agree with you. The problem with party politics is that we sometimes get trapped into supporting otherwise objectionable candidates simply because they claim affiliation with our party. We forget sometimes that there is nobody approving that claim...David Duke could run for office claiming to be a Democrat, and nobody could stop him. This was complicated even more with Blanco because many people gained the false perception that since Bush screwed her over, the must be one of the good guys.

My guess is that this vote will dispel that myth.

[WI_DEM]

16. so they even denied for rape and incest--that's unbelievable

Blanco should have vetoed it.

[Justitia]

20. Yup, RAPISTS are held in more esteem than WOMEN. Misogyny. -eom

[ComerPerro]

47. Well, obviously its the woman's fault for being raped

[Justitia]

48. We haven't really progressed much in all these yrs, have we? -eom

[cigsandcoffee]

19. I'd guess she's following the polls in her state...

...and fears taking an unpopular stand based on principle. Either that, or her principles are all out of whack entirely.

[gatorboy]

22. Because she's under 30% in the polls? n/t

[jus_the_facts]

23. Never have liked her....held my nose when I voted for her....

....and have repeatedly gotten flamed for voicin' my loathing of her and Mary Landrieu...couple o'DINO'S suckin' on the GOP knob whenever it's presented to 'em...I DARE SAY! :banghead:

:hi:

[CatWoman]

30. Hi Amber

:hi:

you have my sympathies

[jus_the_facts]

37. Thanks Midori....

.....is it any wonder I'm an overly cynical pessimist?! :crazy:

:pals:

[skipos]

24. Because democrats in deep red states are not like DU democrats

[Justitia]

32. Dixiecrats. -eom

[finecraft]

33. Some, not all ...so don't make us Louisiana DU Democrats

come kick your butt for making a blanket generalization. :evilgrin: Yes, not all Southern Democrats hang out on DU, but there are some of us. Are we frustrated with our state legislators? You bet. Are we frustrated with our Governor? You bet. Are there enough of us to vote her and every other DINO out of office and elect some progressives? No, not by a long shot. We do the best we can, we work as hard as we can and we keep hoping that some day there will be more of us "DU Democrats". :)

[skipos]

36. You are right on all accounts. Didn't intend the blanket statement. nt

:hi:

[CottonBear]

44. I'm a proud GA DUer who grew up in TN & was born in NC.

I'm a true blue liberal. There are lots of us in the Deep South but there are also lots of conservative Democrats. Most of the old time Dixiecrats turned into Republicans.

There a lot of good LA DUers out there! :)

edit: My in-laws live in LA. They are conservative Catholics. LA has a huge Catholic population. Many Democrats are devout Catholics there. There are also many conservative protestants tere too.

[finecraft]

54. Thanks CottonBear!

We LA Duers need a little love right now. :hug: Louisiana is an interesting place. Our politicians come in two types, right and far right. We hold "family values" in high regard, but consider things like cockfighting, gambling, and drinking as "unique to our Cajun culture", a "part of our heritage", so they are ok. Heck, we even have a provision in our state constitution that gives us the constitutional right to hunt and fish. We preach against drinking and driving, but there are drive-through daiquiri places on every corner.:crazy: Go figure.

[CottonBear]

56. You are welcome finecraft! I send love to all LA DUers! I love LA!

Mr CB is a native of NOLA. He grew up in a shotgun house near the zoo and the levees. He is a true blue liberal and a musician and an artist and a real NOLA character (as is his family). His family came over from France many generations ago and inter-married with the Germans and the Native Americans. NOLA is a big gumbo of culture!

My mom's extended family, including my great aunts and uncles, my Nana & PawPaw and my Maw Maw (great grandmother) (originally from western NC) lived down in NOLA, Mobile and coastal AL. I grew up visiting family in Mobile and Gulf Shores and hearing stories of my mom driving with her family to NOLA from western NC back in the 50s. (Must have been a long and hot drive.)

LA is the most unique state in the USA! The Gulf Coast is a treasure of culture and natural resources and beauty.

My LA sister in law just recently got her house fixed (finally) so that she could sleep in her own bed for the first time since Katrina. Mr. CB's cousin lost her home and now lives in a 5th wheel RV in a friend's driveway. I love LA and the Gulf Coast. LA is an anomoly that one can not truly understand unless one is from the south.

I hope all is well with you down there in LA. Greetings from NE GA! :hi:

We'll be down there this summer. I'm going to have lunch with BOSSHOG when I visit. He lives close to where my in laws live. I can't wait to meet him and see my family.

[Ilsa]

61. I know what you are saying. And I tend to think there are

Rethuglicans in deep blue states that are more like Texas Democrats in philosophy and priorities.

[Zhade]

63. Southern Democrats are against civil rights?

Then they don't fucking deserve to be called Democrats. They're a fucking disgrace.

[RB TexLa]

27. because she is not pro-choice

When did her saying that she is not pro-choice indicate that she would be anything but anti-choice? :shrug:

[Beelzebud]

31. I wonder the same thing...

IMO she's been a terrible governor, and this is just the final proof I need. Hopefully the voters in LA will fire her sometime.

[RB TexLa]

41. Even if the alternative is Bobby Jindal?

If she makes the runoff with a republican (probably Jindal) there's no way I vote for him.

[Hippo_Tron]

59. If Jindal showed a shred of independence from Bush...

I would actually consider voting for him. He's a lot smarter than Blanco. But again, he's an RNC hack.

[Hippo_Tron]

58. Our alternatives are Bobby Jindal and Charlie Foti

[spanone]

34. In others words, she wouldn't reject the bill for what she believed in.

Worthless.

[Freddie Stubbs]

38. Because she is the Governor of a socially conservative state and

she wants to be reelected. Or perhaps she actually beleives that it is the right thing to do.

[CatWoman]

42. Freddie, Freddie, Freddie

so good to see you :hi:

I miss fighting with you :)

[Sgent]

40. Southern Democrats

are not usually progressive on "social policies". Blanco signed the anit-abortion bill, and a Democratic hose and senate in Mississippi passed an equivalent measure.

What they are is economic populists (compared to their colleagues in the same state). Instead of cutting Medicaid significantly like Barbor -- the MS democrats extended it to include free birth control for everyone under 300% FPL. In many cases they maybe personally much more progressive than their policies -- but they are also realists.

[mtnester]

43. You think this one is bad? Wait until Ohio gets re-revved up

Here are some choice examples from the Ohio Senate and House:

Prohibits abortion throughout all stages of pregnancy without exception. Prohibits state funds from being used to pay for insurance coverage of abortions. Also criminalizes accompanying an Ohio woman to another state to receive abortion care.

Relates to providing funds for anti-choice clinics that are barred from providing women with access to the full range of reproductive health options. Prohibits organizations receiving state funds from counseling or referring women for abortion services. Prohibits public funding of any entity associated with another entity that provides, counsels, or refers for abortion.

Prohibits insurance coverage of abortion for government employees. Requires separate policies be purchased for insurance coverage of abortion. Restricts low-income women's access to abortion except in cases of life endangerment and in limited cases of rape, or incest. Prohibits use of public employees and public facilities for abortion services.

Prohibits certain qualified health care professionals from performing abortions

Want to see more of the most restrictive one on the horizon?

http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/choice-action-center/in_your_state/bill-tracker/state.html?state=OH

[long_green]

45. She was anti-abortion rights when she first started

running for governor in the '90's. Nothing has changed.

[RB TexLa]

51. I wonder if when Casey votes on abortion in the Senate

if there will be the same response to him doing something he has always said he would do.

[SacredCow]

46. Because Blanco is completely and utterly.....

self serving. She will say or do anything to help herself get re-elected, because quite frankly she's having a hell of a time travelling and partying on the state's dime. Of course, that nasty ol' Katrina got in the way a little bit but only for a short time.

[Quantess]

52. what a b*tch

What Dem would do that? Only a DINO.

[Xenotime]

53. How obsurd!!! After all that we have fought for she just signs it away...

[slackmaster]

55. She's a politician

:dunce:

[Hippo_Tron]

57. Her political strategists told her it was a good idea...

And she is too stupid to question them.

These people can see the fine points, but not the big picture. Democrats control the legislature and the Governor's mansion thus they control the agenda. Katrina gave them the opportunity to virtually throw social issues off of the agenda until after the next election and hammer Republicans who want them to bring them up when the future of New Orleans and the surrounding areas are on the line. But, nope, banning abortion polls well and that's all that these people see.

[CornField]

65. Because it is a "trigger law" -- one that Louisiana already has on record

It will not go into affect unless Roe v Wade is overturned at the Federal level.

Also, it is the same damn law which is already on Louisiana's books (and has been since the early 1900s). It's the status quo, the only difference is that she might get a popularity kick out of the deal.

Not saying that I agree with her signing the tripe, just telling you why I think she did.

[Hekate]

66. Because she's a woman of privilege and it won't affect her personally?

My gods. I'm just aghast she would do that to the women of her state. It's despicable.

She and her entire social circle will not be affected by laws like this. They will do what they've always done when a daughter "gets in trouble" or a wife "needs a D&C" -- for them and their kind there will always be a compliant doctor, and if there isn't, then a quick trip over the border will take care of the matter and they can return from their "vacation" looking tanned and refreshed.

The cynicism would gag a goat.

Hekate