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Virginia Backpedals as Abortion Debate Blows Up

Bob McDonnell waffles on signing; media piles on

By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 22, 2012 7:45 AM CST

(Newser) – Besieged by protests, national outcry among feminists, and even an SNL sketch, Virginia is quickly rethinking its pre-abortion ultrasound bill, with the House of Delegates yesterday again delaying a vote, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Gov. Bob McDonnell, who had initially promised to sign the measure if it reached his desk, is no longer committed to that, reports the Washington Post, noting that many supporters of the bill weren't aware just how invasive the ultrasounds could be.

McDonnell's staff was scrambling to meet with delegates last night to find a compromise, but right now he'll only promise to "review" the bill if it passes a final vote. "They are freaked out by the reaction it's gotten across the country," says a Fairfax Democrat.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is being eyed as a possible vice presidential candidate, making signing the ultrasound bill a political landmine.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell is being eyed as a possible vice presidential candidate, making signing the ultrasound bill a political landmine.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 36 comments
fractal
Feb 22, 2012 2:25 PM CST
There are a lot more below the belt attacks happening with abortion clinics across the country, that make trans-vaginal ultrasounds look tame.  For instance, the Kansas Board of Healing Arts has been invaded by fundy righty.  They are attacking smaller clinics who have less funding than Planned Parenthood with outrageous regulations designed to HURT women.   While a few women don't feel much pain during an abortion, it is more painful than childbirth to others---you are scraping out the lining of the uterus, for gods sakes.  I personally know a clinic that has been safely and effectively giving IV meds to induce a light sleep state during the procedure for over 30 years.  Thanks to lawsuits and harrassment by the KANSAS BOARD OF HEALING ARTS, the clinic cannot give the IV meds anymore--the same meds I got at my doctors office during my colonscopy.  And they have the gall to say they are doing this to protect women's safety!!!!!! All you get is a valium to swallow.  Imagine sitting in your doctors office, listening to women SCREAM thru the walls, and knowing YOU will be next.  All because fundy Governor BROWNBACK has stacked the board with anti-choice nuts.  They apparently figure if you spread your legs, they are going to make sure you SUFFER BIG TIME.  This sadistic move has gone totally unnoticed, except by those women who are actually screaming, and the clinic staff who have to work there. Hey guys, how would you like it if someone was scraping out the inside of your urethra, and just told you to "bite the bullet"? What if they told you your STATE had decided you could get your vasectomy, but you could not get any pain control during the procedure, just because the STATE has a vested interest in "protecting" you?
GaryGuss
Feb 22, 2012 1:12 PM CST
Crap... apparently forgot that women still have the vote and there are lots of them
Radzyn
Feb 22, 2012 11:56 AM CST
"noting that many supporters of the bill weren't aware just how invasive the ultrasounds could be" Maybe, just maaaaaybe, if you're going to vote on a bill, YOU SHOULD FUCKING READ IT FIRST!
 

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