Sarah Palin Backs Abortion Ballot Measure, Bypassing Legislature

Anchorage Daily News:

Gov. Sarah Palin is backing a ballot measure to bypass the Legislature and make it illegal for teenagers to get an abortion without telling their parents.

The initiative sponsors, including former Lt. Gov. Loren Leman, applied last week to start gathering signatures. The measure would generally forbid a girl under 18 from getting an abortion unless the doctor informed at least one of her parents beforehand.

Read the whole story: Anchorage Daily News

Comments

[LeftRight]

swo68 See Profile I'm a Fan of swo68 I'm a fan of this user permalink

"What I AM trying to stop is YOU telling a young woman that she MUST tell her parents..."

I'm not talking about young women. I'm talking about a minor child.
Reply Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 05:39 PM on 05/07/2009

No, you're talking about a young woman, you just seem to think that because the law has determined (for reasons unknown) that she is unable to make her own decisions. Here's a newsflash for you, teenagers can make up their own minds about MANY MANY MANY things, including their own sex lives!! Sometimes that includes an abortion, and often that abortion includes not telling their parents because it's not an acceptable choice for them!!!!

[LeftRight]

@ swo68

Let's look at it this way, forgetting abortions completely, okay?

You want to raise your child to believe in God, okay? And so you start teaching your minor child about God. Then, some liberal comes up and declares God to be illegal, and so you cannot teach your child about God anymore. That would be wrong. That's what YOU are advocating here.

The other POV is quite simple: You want to teach your child about Christ, but your child wants to learn about Buddha. So they go out on their own to the library and learn ALL about Buddha. Should your child be required to notify you of this?? What *I* am advocating here is for the young woman to make the decision that is best for her at that time, allowing for all the variables that we can and cannot forsee at this time!

And one more time, if YOU want YOUR teenager to tell you before she gets an abortion, I'm not saying that's forbidden, which would be butting into your life. What I AM saying is that if I DON'T want my child to have to inform me, then they shouldn't have to, and you telling them that they MUST *IS* butting into MY life!

[CJWebber]

Palin's own daughter couldn't tell her parents she was pregnant. Her friend did it. (Bristol's interview with Greta Van Susteren).

If a teen from a good family can't tell her parents, how can a teen from a questionable family be expected to?

[swo68]

Please don't get all twisty with the truth. Bristol was right there beside her friend. Her friend just blurted it it. It's not like Bristol was in a different area code or something.

[CJWebber]

BRISTOL: Well, we were sitting on the couch, my best friend and Levi, and we had my parents come and sit on the couch, too. And we had my sisters go upstairs. And we just sat them down, and I just — I couldn’t even say it. I was just sick to my stomach. And so finally, my best friend just, like, blurted it out. And it was just, like — I don’t even remember it because it was just, like, something I don’t want to remember.

Don't get all twisty with the truth?

[swo68]

Good. It's insanity to think a minor can have an abortion without involving the parent.

[formerprosecutor]

Even if they are the one that cause dthe pregancy? Even if they may beat her? Even if?

Even if they froce to carry the baby against her will?

[ladylove114]

Stop throwing incest into everything, that is the only way a parent could "cause" the pregnancy. If a child, and that is what we are talking about here, is that afraid of her parents then a third party should be involved.

[swo68]

Since laws are generally not written on a single line, i would expect some caveats.

[chitown8]

My question is if a teen is raped and the parent decides to make the teen keep the baby how is that fair?

[swo68]

That would not be fair.

[digdeeper]

Once and for all. Abortion is a private matter and nobody else' business
Butt out

[swo68]

You want to tell me to but out of my MINOR child's business? You can eat crap.

[formerprosecutor]

Then the AK supreme court will hear challenges on this stupid law if it doesn't inlcude a jufdcial bypass (and I would bet it doesn't).

The Queen of AK has once again is attempting to impose her religiously crafted moral onthe entire population.

Girls (and I mean this term in the legal sense) that already have a healthy relationship with a parent(s), will already communicate with them in thislife changing event (whether they carry the baby or not)

I have witnessed , first hand, (numerous times) the horriffic emotional and physical consequences girls have endured, suffered at the hands of their parent(s) upon the discovery of a pregnancy. The "punishment" has ranged from d.e ath to a lifetime of disdain and everything in bewteen. Whatever dysfunction already exists, that the girl wouldnb't go to her parent(s), is magnified by this event. Only selfish, sadistic thinking could be behid such law that would expose a young woman to even more trauma.

This decision should stay bewteen the girl and her physician. Physicians advocate, even demand counseling pre and post for young patients.

[swo68]

Calilng a minor female a "young woman" is like calling a 10 year old a "young teenager."

[RageCage]

It sounds like a reasonable law to me. My only problem I guess is that it really should be passed by the legislative making body.

[formerprosecutor]

Are youa teenage girl? If not, what criteria did you use to come to the conclusion that such a law is "reasonable". Generally, in the legislative process, there are eharing held, testimony given, by STAKEHOLDERS or their representative. That information is the crucial part of the legislative provcess to determine whether a law is "reasonable".

[RageCage]

My criteria is based on the fact that parents have the right to know what is going on with their children. Surely you agree with this? Surely you can see the danger in allowing 14-year olds to make rash decisions without the advisement of their parents.

[LeftRight]

It's only a reasonable law if you don't consider any of the exceptions that should be placed into it. What happens if a sick bastard rapes his own daughter and she gets pregnant? Should that poor girl be forced to bear that child if she refuses to tell her parents?

[roudy]

Why would failin palin worry about teen abortion? She and her daughter, both who became pregnant while single, have convinced all Alaska teens and maybe all teens in the country that abstinence is the only course. So there will be no need for teen abortions in Alaska, therefore no need for this ballot initiative.

[ladylove114]

Ok I have one more question on this topic. So, let's say I am a teenager and don't want my parents, who support me financially, to know that I am getting an abortion. Who is going to pay for this abortion? I don't even know how much they cost. But I am guessing the govt. would be the one to pay for this? You know there are consequences to your actions. This a mentality I see a lot now - I will suffer no consequence for making a bad decision and the govt. will take care of it. I am not speaking of rape or incest so don't go there. I am talking about a teen that just does not want to hear Mama and Daddy yelling because she got pregnant. I have a daughter and this is one thing I agree 100% with Palin on.

[incognito-ergo-sum]

Ladylove114, call the nearest office of Planned Parenthood and ask them the price and if government pays for those who can't. ( it doesn't).

I do not know what you are talking about with the idea that people think the government will take care of the consequenses of their actions. Could you be more specific.

If I drink and drive how does gov take care of me? If I gamble away all my money how does the gov step in to rescue me?

It sounds like you view having a child as punishment for making bad choices. So if your daughter gets pregnant you want the final say in the matter? Is that what this is all about for you? Who has control of whom?

[CR46]

I feel sorry for your daughter.

[ladylove114]

You shouldn't feel sorry for her at all. Actually all my lib co-posters on here would have been extremely proud of the way these topics were handled (she is grown and married now) in my house. I probably did what most of you would have done if you had a teenage daughter but that is our business.

[formerprosecutor]

WHY does there need to be "consequences"; what century do you live in, that a woman, young or old, shoul;d be punished for her s. exuality.

Good grief. Enlightenment is just around the corner of you try.

[ladylove114]

Ok the consequence is you have a child to raise or mom and dad may yell at you. Let me explain something to you about where I live. We have a VERY high rate of unwed mothers. I live in the deep south in a county that is 80% African American. Everyone here has access for free to birth control at the health depart. My town is so small one could walk there form anywhere in town. Having a baby every year is the norm. It is accepted by everyone and nobody is ashamed at all. There is no effort made not to get pregnant. Most of these mothers are on welfare, medicaid, food stamps. YOU are paying for that. So my question is WHO is going to pay for the abortions the teens get, nobody has answered that.
FYI, in the deep south abortion will get you shunned by the AA community. I have witnessed it. One lady I know chose that route and she was ostracized by her friends.

[ladylove114]

former, there is a huge difference in consequences and punishment. I never said someone should be punished for their sexuality. If you have sex without birth control there is a consequence if you get pregnant.

[MadamDeal]

She's not protecting AK's daughters. She just doesn't want anyone to have an abortion. "Culture of life here in Alaska." "Sanctity of Life."

When HB 35 stalled, she considered sponsoring the initiative herself but would have faced ethics violations. She said she would therefore "exercise her First Amendment rights" and be the first to sign the initiative.

HB 2 did pass which provides birth certificates in stillbirths. I would wholeheartedly support recognition of a profound loss and wish it were not a disingenuous bill. The "pro" lifers are using a tragedy to further their agenda:

The bill is a stepping stone to pave the way for conferring "personhood" on "babies". From the moment of conception it is a "baby" and if they are by law considered "persons" then Roe v. Wade would be nullified. Several states are considering it. Can't find the link.

[formerprosecutor]

ALL, puiblic employees, even elected ones, give up a degree of "free speech" in order to serve ALL of the public. (Palin still has no clue onher role; other than Queen)

[canfemlib]

I find it rather amusing that everyone is thinking that the only women looking to terminate pregnancies are teens. Don't kid yourself. There are a lot more abortions happening in the 42 to 50 range that you would guess. I imagine the demand will in fact increase in this with the widespread use of Viagara among men whose wives mistakenly thought they were "past that age".

[jesseandrews]

If the person is a teen the parents should be there unless it is related to rape or incest. I think they should let the mothers know they will have more compassion for the girl, but I know lots of women you party and go out and have unprotected sex then use abortion as a means of protection. Women should have the right but also should be held responsible for it to.

[sweepstop]

My take is that regardless of the medical procedure in question, parental consent should be required unless waiting for that consent would endanger the minor's life. No responsible doctor would perform most medical procedures on a 16 yr old without their parent's consent. Thats a malpractice lawsuit waiting to happen.

[keepemhonest]

Sweetstop,
You are wrong ... minors do get medical procedures all the time without fear of malpractice lawsuits.

BTW: Remember Sarah Palin CONSIDERED aborting her own child with Down's ... I will give YOU the transcript of HER WORDS .... Oh, Please try to refrain from adding your untruths & putting false words in her mouth ....

Transcript:
Palin said, "just for a fleeting moment I thought, 'No one knows me here; no one would ever know.' ...My amniocentesis came back and then I understood why some people would think they could change their circumstances, just take care of it. Todd didn't even know so no one would know."

Palin continued & said, "my moments of doubt was whether I could love the child enough. Believe it or not, I didn't even know what a baby with Down syndrome was going to look like or feel like."

Palin said, "I found the subject of Down Syndrome hard to research. I had to ask that my heart be filled up" with feeling for her unborn son."
..... end of transcript

... hmmm ... sounds like Sarah was the only one pressuring herself to abort a Downs child ...

Palin considered aborting her child when NO ONE WOULD KNOW NOT EVEN TODD .... That is what she said .... but she will take $$ from antichoice people & will say anything for a buck.

[minimalist syntax]

It is possible that a young girl who is sexually active at a young age has a lot of problems in her family, including possibly sexual abuse. The parents might not be very safe people to turn to in this situation.

[MadamDeal]

You say you know:
"Lots of you women Party and Go Out and Have Sex and Use Abortion?"

What an astonishingly low opinion of women.

[formerprosecutor]

How does parental involvement equate to responsibility.

I guess in your" lollipop world" parents never physically harm their daughters when they are confronted with issues of s. exu. allity of their daughters.

[johnr49]

Let's not forget that Sarah Palin in on record as stating that she is opposed to ALL abortion, even in cases of rape and incest.

[keepemhonest]

Johnr

Didn't you read the transcript from Palin's Indiana speech?

Sarah Palin considered aborting her Downs Child right after she found out he had Downs - at 13 weeks ... that's right ... Sarah Palin believes in abortion all right

... Palin supports HER right to choice but wants to deny all other women that same choice.

[keepemhonest]

Palin said, "just for a fleeting moment I thought, 'No one knows me here; no one would ever know.' ...My amniocentesis came back and then I understood why some people would think they could change their circumstances, just take care of it. Todd didn't even know so no one would know."

Palin continued & said, "my moments of doubt was whether I could love the child enough. Believe it or not, I didn't even know what a baby with Down syndrome was going to look like or feel like."

Palin said, "I found the subject of Down Syndrome hard to research. I had to ask that my heart be filled up" with feeling for her unborn son."

... hmmm ... sounds like Sarah was the only one pressuring herself to abort a Downs child ...

Palin made HER choice without interference from: a) government, b) nor her hubby's knowledge, and c) without the advise from her AntiChoice hanger-on-ers.

That makes Palin a ACINO ... Anti-Choice In Name Only ... or Anti-Choice for $$ backing

[askmeificare]

She's not wanting to block abortion. She just wants the parents of the teen wanting the abortion to be notified.

[RainbowPhoenix]

Yeah, so the parents can "persuade" their daughter not to get it.

[sweepstop]

Kids need parental permission to receive a Tylenol at school in most states. Why don't they need it for a medical procedure?

[CR46]

If the age of consent (example Alaska for women) is 16, then they should be able to make that decision for themselves.

[formerprosecutor]

So they can beat the c. r. ap out if her at home; or worse.

[LarBear]

Parenting advice from Sarah Palin is on par with Life Coaching from Michelle Bachmann... Sarah's son may have made his escape from Sarah's clutches, but Bristol has apparently failed to escape... Willow, there is still hope for.... Piper is already emulating Mommy Sarah and seeking Media attention....

[kathy001]

I'm completely and utterly shocked and dismayed to find myself in agreement in any way with Palin on this. (I'm thinking of seeing my doctor.) But I do believe that parents should be notified of a teenager's intended abortion. Teens are very vulnerable and need the support of their family. While I realize that many families will not give their support, I still believe that parents are responsible and need to be held accountable for their teenaged children. They also need to be aware of medical procedures that their children undergo.

I do not believe, though, that the parents should have the unqualified right to prevent the teen's abortion. And I believe that the bill should include increased access to birth control and sex education. If you are going to place restrictions on abortion then you must offer greater birth control resources. Otherwise, you are doing nothing but punishing young women for being human and fertile.