The Supreme Court announced that it will hear several controversial and highly political cases during its upcoming term. These cases include abortion rights, employment rights for LGBTQ persons, immigration rights under “DACA” (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and gun rights/gun control. In weighing the outcomes on these issues, the Supreme Court may vote along political party lines. Trump’s nominations and appointment of Justices Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh to the conservative block may determine the fate of these issues. The justices will hear a Louisiana abortion case as the first case among the recent conservative abortion restriction cases—in the early 2020 term. Among the many recent conservative/restrictive abortion laws passed, it will be the first test abortion test case to be decided with the all new majority of Supreme Court conservative justices appointed by Trump. The Louisiana law would require that a doctor performing an abortion have admitting privileges to a … [Read more...] about SCOTUS May End Abortion, DACA and LGBTQ Rights
abortion
Alabama’s Abortion Laws Have No Place in America
An Alabama grand jury indicted Marshae Jones, a 27-year old black woman, with manslaughter for allegedly starting and getting into a fight for which she was shot. The gunshot resulted in the death of her unborn baby. Alabama prosecutors are reviewing the case to determine if they should pursue the charges. Every prosecutor’s office has discretion to determine which cases are brought and charged—regardless of a grand jury indictment. The fact remains that a prosecutor went before a grand jury seeking the charges, in the first place. Alabama recently passed restrictive abortion laws which subject a woman to jail time for receiving an abortion and doctors up to 99 years in jail for performing an abortion. Ultimately, the law or similar ones recently passed in other states may end up at the Supreme Court. America – are you listening? Alabama’s barbaric abortion law should be a wake -up call with sirens blasting for every woman and every man who has a wife, mother, sister, daughter or … [Read more...] about Alabama’s Abortion Laws Have No Place in America
New Abortion Laws May Reach a Snag
The states of Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Utah, Iowa and the latest one Alabama have been waging an all-out war against a woman’s right to choose. From laws ruling abortion illegal at a baby’s detectable heartbeat, 18 weeks (6 less than Roe v. Wade requires), the conservative movement against abortion has been diligently working towards reaching the Supreme Court to outlaw Roe v. Wade. Roe v. Wade became the law of the U. S. in 1973. Ever since then, multiple states have attempted to reverse Roe. The most recent attempts, some of which will go into effect in 2020, appear to rely on the recent change of the Supreme Court to a 5-member conservative court. But perhaps these states need to go slower before attempting a Hail Mary pass to the Supreme Court. In sports as well as in law, Hail Mary’s never seem to go as planned. The Supreme Court is highly selective in the cases that it takes up to review. The acceptance rate is extremely low and varies from 2-3 %. You … [Read more...] about New Abortion Laws May Reach a Snag
Supreme Court Sweeps in Final Week
The Supreme Court decided important cases today on political bribery, abortion rights and gun rights. The highest court struck down a restrictive Texas abortion law and vacated former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell’s bribery conviction. It upheld a federal gun law that forbids gun ownership if convicted of domestic violence. The court ruled that Texas’ HB2 draconian abortion law is unconstitutional and struck down the abortion law which unduly interferes with the rights of women to obtain an abortion. In a decided ruling of 5-3, the Supreme Court ruled that Texas HB2 law which placed strict standards against abortion doctors, clinics and almost closed all access to abortion in Texas is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court rejected Texas’ argument that the law was intended to protect women’s safety. The law was written to block women’s access to abortions in the State of Texas. While Congress or the Senate has failed to pass any meaningful laws on gun control, the Supreme … [Read more...] about Supreme Court Sweeps in Final Week
Justice Scalia’s Presence in Texas Abortion Case
On March 2, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on a Texas abortion law that aims to make it extremely difficult for abortion clinics to operate in Texas. The case of Whole Women’s Health versus Hellerstetd will determine whether Texas may require that abortion clinics have admitting privileges at a local hospital and whether abortion clinics must meet ambulatory surgical center requirements. Meeting ambulatory surgical center requirements may cost millions of dollars for a clinic. Texas law also forbids abortion after 20 weeks. While these two requirements may seem reasonable on their face, there is no apparent medical need for them. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists state there is no need for admitting requirements for abortion providers, citing abortions’ low complication rates. And a 2013 study that reviewed the health departments of every state, found no medical reason for admitting requirements. The 2013 study arose as a result of the … [Read more...] about Justice Scalia’s Presence in Texas Abortion Case