Finally, reason prevails. At least in Mississippi. At least this week.
It seems Mississippi passed a law in 2012 that would have effectively shut down the last abortion clinic in the state. The law requires that abortion doctors have admitting privileges at a local hospital and only one of the three doctors at the clinic was able to get such privileges. The other two were denied by seven different hospitals because their “medical practice is inconsistent with” the hospitals’ practices.
Tuesday a federal court ruled against the law. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals noted this isn’t a matter of whether abortion is legal; the Supreme Court “long ago” established that it is.
As reported by CNN, the judges wrote:
“The ultimate issue in this appeal is whether the state of Mississippi can impose a regulation that effectively will close its only abortion clinic.” …
“We … hold that Mississippi may not shift its obligation to respect the established constitutional rights of its citizens to another state. Such a proposal would not only place an undue burden on the exercise of a constitutional right, but would also disregard a state’s obligation under the principle of federalism — applicable to all 50 states.” …
… “a state cannot lean on its sovereign neighbors to provide protection of its citizens’ federal constitutional rights.”
Nice to know there is still some sanity left in at least one U.S. court.
Good news PT. I congratulate the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for being able to see what’s really at stake here. Of course, your “at least this week” comment is well made, for I’m sure the dingbats are plotting their little hearts out at this very moment!
Oh yeah, it’s a week-to-week situation, if not day-to-day. Neverending stream of new laws, new court rulings.
insanity must be a virus. Which means it can spread.
Seriously people – quit mooching off the neighbors so you can brag about how good you are. Geesh – truly backwards world
Gets crazier every day, doesn’t it?
Everyday screaming “It’s a nightmare – wake up! Wake up!” Backwards world.
(and everyone email and melt those phone lines to the Congressmen telling them no vacation until work we sent you there to do is done. Cowards or fools – it doesn’t matter get back up there)
They’ve already left on vacation, only this time it will be so they can campaign at home. Or will that be yet another “vacation” this fall? They make me sick, the lot of them. Did they ever feel accountable to us? Or was it just my youthful naivete that made me think they did?
Many are holding townhall meetings during the recess – and they do have local offices. THey and staff do have to check email and phones.
So true they are ‘way too isolated.
Trouble with “Law” is that its mostly been made and passed by men; too many men and not enough women amongst the lawmakers everywhere.
An astute observation. I can’t speak for the male/female balance in the state legislatures that pass a lot of these onerous laws, but we all know what happens when the 5-Catholic-men majority on the Supreme Court gets to rule on them.