What the HELL is the Laci Peterson law?

[Blue_Roses]

Saw Bush's ad and it's a first for me. I didn't even know there was such a law.

[Cocoa]

1. you get charged with a crime against the fetus

it's a stepping stone to anti-abortion laws.

[Wind Dancer]

4. I believe it's been cited once already in a legal case!

[lovedems]

5. Didn't the dems vote against it because of the language?

The language with how the fetus was described while in utero?

[niceypoo]

2. Typical GOP...every time theres a sensational crime make a new law

[liberalhistorian]

7. Particularly when it comes to something happening

to a viable fetus. Not that I'm minimizing the horror of that, but I'm getting a little tired of their hypocrisy in that regard.

They can't be bothered to pass any legislation at all benefitting children and families, indeed go out of their way to cut as much as they can from any such program, and get their jollies off at the execution of juveniles, are often racist as hell when it comes to minority children, etc., etc., etc. But they scream and rant and rave about the "sanctity of life" and the "sacredness of life", etc., etc., ad nauseaum, when it comes to something happening to a viable fetus. Once it's born, though, particularly if it's female, black/minority, or poor, fuggedaboutit, they couldn't give a flying fuck. THAT is what bothers me the most about this law.

[Guaranteed]

10. This is why the case is in the national news in the first place. nt

[Swamp Rat]

3. I just saw it on C-SPAN also and am wondering the same thing.

Maybe, if someone kills a woman pregnant with a fertilized egg, they can be hung in the town square?

[happynewyear]

6. hey same here!

I had not a clue (nor do I care) what the Laci Peterson law is/was/could be. I don't give a damn!!!!

Another piece of garbage crap that means nothing IMO. It just shows how DESPERATE these thugs are for even a tiny piece of slimeball crap that might stick on any level against the Kerry/Edwards ticket.

Why don't they focus on real issues. For example: What does it take to be tried and convicted as a war criminal? Any takers on that issue *? :grr:

:dem: :kick:

[chelsea0011]

8. The Republicans like federal intrusion in our lives

Most states deal with a fetus' death after a violent act to the mother with laws in their own ways, but Repukes love Federal intrusion when it suits them. It is as posted above a blow against abortion rights.

[against all enemies]

9. The Bu$h ad makes it sound that Kerry voted against protecting

women. What crap, Do you really think that whoever killed Lacie would have not killed her if this new law was in place? Trying to get the fetus defined as a life, then Doctors beware.

[notbush]

11. What was the vote count when this law passed?

[Cats Against Frist]

12. "protects pregnant women from violence."

I think that's how the misleading and twisting statement goes.

What a bunch of assholes.

[Misunderestimator]

19. The ad said something about protecting women...

and insinuated that it would be from violence... as if a murderer would have second thoughts about murdering because they would be charged with two murders instead of one... YEAH... I feel protected... If someone approaches me to murder me, I'll just tell them that I'm pregnant... that's the ticket.

[Bariztr]

13. A bit of information on the Laci Law

Since this trial is just up the road from where I live, here is some information on this recently signed law.

The Unborn Victims of Violence Act makes it a crime to harm a fetus during an assault on a pregnant woman. Bush signed the bill, which took five years to get through Congress, in an elaborate Rose Garden ceremony.

The bill only applies during commission of federal crimes, such as a terrorist attack or drug-related shooting, and only when it is being committed against the pregnant mother.

The bill defines an "unborn child" as a child in utero, which means "a member of the species homo sapiens, at any stage of development, who is carried in the womb."

Hope this helps.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi Bariztr!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Wind Dancer]

14. Here is one link I found

from NRLC website.

http://www.nrlc.org/Unborn_Victims/BushsignsUVVA.html

[Blue_Roses]

15. Ahhhhhh...now I have heard of this law

but didn't realize it was called the "Laci Peterson" law and for Bush to use it to try and implicate John Kerry is "anti-women" is shit. What a LOAD of shit. The only ads Bush can make are attack ads. Kerry needs to debunk this one fast.

Rove is at it again. Trying to pull at the heart strings...:eyes:

[Catt03]

16. Passed as" Unborn Victims of Violence Act"

Renamed by the Republicans as the Laci and Conner Peterson Act.

Per Republican thinking, Scott Peterson may not get the death penalty if he is convicted but certainly will if he killed an unborn fetus.

This administration really does not like women.

H.R. 1997, the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act." This bill would create penalties for anyone who causes injury or death to a fetus while committing a federal crime, separate from any penalties assessed for the actual assault on the woman.

Not a single provision of the bill addresses the underlying problem of violence against women.

This bill would do nothing to protect women. In fact, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence strongly opposes the bill specifically because it does nothing to help women who are victims of violence. The bill's proponents ignore the fact that a woman must be subject to violence if a fetus is harmed. The bill emphasizes the fetus over the woman, diverts attention away from violence against women, and fails to recognize that the best way to protect a fetus is to better protect women against violence. If the supporters of this bill truly were concerned with protecting pregnant women from violence, they would focus their time and energy on legislation that would actually do so.


http://www.prochoice.org/Legal/Legislation/uvva.htm

[Doctor_J]

17. it probably contained a rider

providing a billion dollars per week to Halliburton.

[Endangered Specie]

18. I think it is that if you kill a pregnant mother...

you get a double murder charge?

[physioex]

20. Pathetic attempt by Shrub to shore up his base as usual...EOM

[Jack_DeLeon]

21. Is this law anti-abortion?

I havent read the law so I dont know specifically how it works.

Personally I dont see anything wrong with making it a crime similar to murder to if some violent criminal beats a women and because of that she loses the baby, or if both the mother and child are killed.

IMO there is a big difference from a criminal causing a mother to lose her child against her will and a doctor ending a pregnancy with the mothers consent.

The former should definately be a crime.

[flobee1kenobi]

23. as The Doctor noted

Was there a rider or two?
is there any way to find out?