The governor of South Dakota has signed the state's abortion ban law.
While the law will likely be suspended/unenforced until all legal challenges are addressed (see Supreme Court) it still sets a horrible precedent and encourages legislatures and governors in other states to follow suit. Supporters of the ban are banking on the Roberts court (with Alito toeing the line) to back the ban and overturn Roe v. Wade.
Not that there's a great deal of surprise here. Since Alito's confirmation, many have simply been counting the days until a state legislature passed an abortion ban. There are several winding their way through state politics, SD just hit the finish line first.
"In the history of the world, the true test of a civilization is how well people treat the most vulnerable and most helpless in their society. The sponsors and supporters of this bill believe that abortion is wrong because unborn children are the most vulnerable and most helpless persons in our society. I agree with them." Gov. Mike Rounds, who apparently does not think rape and incest victims are in any way "vulnerable" or "helpless" as the law makes no exception for victims of these crimes, just for the life of the mother.
Contact Gov. Rounds to voice your opinion. Whether you're a SD resident or not, this is going to hit the national consciousness like a sledgehammer.
Thanks to CNN.com for the quote.
