wildernesse

No problem, yahwehyadayada, this topic is rather upsetting to me as well. I had a hard time believing the email when I read it, which is why I dug up the state website in the first place. (I don't know why it was hard to believe in reality, but in my head I imagine that I live in a nice progressive land--which makes reality such a rude awakening!)

Also, I'm sorry for being defensive. Sometimes I'm a little paranoid that people here won't take *anything* I say seriously because they know I'm a Christian.



--tibac

Puck

I'm so upset I'm shaking after reading this. Once I get another cup of coffee into my system, you can bet everyone I know will be aware of this.

Cripes, no one, will apply their religous beliefs on me and my body. NO ONE.

'Till I wake up more, I remain,
AN ANGRY WOMAN

Puck

Okay, I've had my coffee dose and calmed down. A bit. I guess I've known this was coming, after the way the recent elections turned out. It still stuns me, none the less.

I cannot allow another human being to impose their religous belief on me.

Although the folks who will propose/sponser any such bill will try to bury the fact that this is being done because of some people's religous beliefs, everyone knows that's where this comes from. Everyone. The left, right and in between.

That said, does anyone have any idea how this will be argued from those who would attempt to impose it? The focus must remain on the true source, religous beliefs, but it would help to know the 'plan of attack' that will be used to disguise it.

That this is happening here in Georgia is no surprise, I suppose. Just as the pigs in a crate issue was brought up in Florida, because there is no major pig farming in FL, thus not a strong opposition to a ban, this is coming to GA as it has a strong fundy baptist base who will vote to ban abortion. No thought given to the rights of people who believe different. None. The churches have always been strong here, but I've watched an increase in their power over the last 7 years; in politics, and the parishinors every day lives.

Okay, I'm off to learn about this Franklin person, know thine enemy and all...gotta learn about some arse I could care less about, damn, damn, damn.

[ November 23, 2002: Message edited by: Puck ]</p>

Puck

I scrolled down the page and found these:

HB 23.

By Representative Walker of the 71st:

A BILL to amend Chapter 12 of Title 16 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to offenses against health and morals, so as to provide for a short title; to provide for definitions; to require that a female give her informed consent prior to an abortion; and for other purposes.

HR 1.

By Representative Franklin of the 17th:

A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to provide for the design and description of the state flag; and for other purposes.

Here is Mr. Frankilins page:
<a href="http://www.legis.state.ga.us/Legis/2001_02/house/gash039.htm" target="_blank">http://www.legis.state.ga.us/Legis/2001_02/house/gash039.htm</a>
Note he doesn't have an email addy listed, but then, I'm not surprised. Neither would he want to hear from his constituants, or be living in the real world where email addy's are an important and effective way of communicating.

[ November 23, 2002: Message edited by: Puck ]</p>

RufusAtticus

Puck,

Franklin is from Cobb County, IIRC, and has sponcered so hideously creationist bills in recent years.

Puck

Yes, I knew there were some folks up that-a-way attempting to do such. Same person though, huh?
Are there any organized groups working on this? I would assume NOW, but they won't hold much truck around here. It's going to take local folks, I'm afraid. Especially in Frankilin's home district. I'll see what I can do to get some people willing to send letters from around here. We have many vocal anti choice people around here, but I have no idea how many would be willing to speak up pro choice. Since we are dependent on our neighbors for our living in these parts, it's harder to be vocal. Small communities are more prone to keep quite and not rock the boat. I may be the solo boat rocker! If this guy thinks he's going to do like they did with the Flag (which was for the best) and sneak it by us, he's dead wrong. I've already sent out email info to a bunch of friends.
Do we need a form letter to hand out?

Toto

I would classify this legislation as grandstanding. It probably has little chance of passing and it blatantly unconstitutional under Roe v. Wade, which is still the law of the land.

On the other hand, Franklin's list of legislation that he has sponsored or cosponsored includes <a href="http://www.legis.state.ga.us/Legis/2001_02/fulltext/hb244.htm" target="_blank">a 24 hour waiting period plus "informed consent" requirements</a>. He also seems concerned with eliminating taxes (where are the welfare funds to support all those babies going to come from?)

And, or course, he sponsors "pro-gun" legislation because he's so much in favor of life.

You have your work cut out for you.

wildernesse

Puck,

NARAL has a Georgia Legislative Initiative group that you can contact at 404 875-6338.

It's important that we get people to actually talk about the implications of this bill if enacted. What about women who miscarry? Will they be investigated to be sure that they didn't undergo a medical abortion in Georgia?

What about families who haven't been able to conceive, and then find that their precious child to be has a very serious birth defect? Care to make them undergo a public procedure acknowledging their lost hopes and dreams?

And what about the time it would take to convene a jury and decide? Would this be part of the criminal system? What are other areas of life that are subject to a court of review?

Not to mention Roe v. Wade which doesn't allow for there to be restrictions in the first trimester. Having to wait on a court's decision would seem to be a restriction.

A nice chance to talk about pro-choice issues with people you don't normally speak to about these things. As soon as I stop procrastinating about graduate school applications, I will go on to work on writing letters for this.

--tibac