Roundup: Stupak's Still Mad, Nelson's Unpopular and Justifiable Homicide

December 22, 2009 - 10:54am (Print)

With the Nelson "compromise" language still filling the today's newspapers with editorials and columns debating the pros and cons, the consequences of the vitriolic nature of the abortion debate will be on display today in a Kansas court room.

Scott Roeder, charged with the murder of Dr. George Tiller, wants to use the "necessity defense."

Since the killing, Roeder has confessed to reporters that he shot Tiller, while his anti-abortion allies have urged Roeder to present the so-called "necessity defense" in hopes that an acquittal could turn the larger debate over abortion in their favor.

Courts have never allowed defendants to use justifiable homicide when they are charged with murdering abortion doctors. Despite the fact he has admitted to killing Dr. Tiller, Roeder's lawyers may have another defense they want to use.

Legal experts and others close to the case have suggested his public defenders may actually be aiming at a conviction on a lesser offense such as voluntary manslaughter - defined in Kansas as "an unreasonable but honest belief that circumstances existed that justified deadly force."

That would be an easier argument to make to jurors than a necessity defense, which is unlikely to win, said Melanie Wilson, a University of Kansas law professor. A necessity defense, also known as the "choice of evils defense," requires proof that the defendant reacted to an immediate danger, an argument that is undermined by abortion's legality.

Judge Warren Wilbert will hear arguments today on whether to bar Roeder's lawyers from using this defense.

Of course the Roundup isn't complete without some news about our favorite senator, Ben Nelson.

It seems that despite all his work to make sure women won't have access to abortion services if health care reform bill passes, neither the Republican governor of Nebraska nor its other senator appreciate his efforts to give special treatment to the state.

[Gov. Dave] Heineman joined Republican Sen. Mike Johanns in criticizing special advantages inserted in the legislation after Nebraska was granted full federal funding of expanded Medicaid coverage in lieu of federal-state cost-sharing...

On Monday, Heineman wrote Nelson: "It is imperative that every state is treated fairly and equally or all special deals must be removed" from the bill.

Meanwhile Congressman Bart Stupak still isn't happy with the bill.

In International News

Kenyan women are more afraid of getting pregnant than contracting HIV. Research shows Kenyan women are using emergency contraception as a regular form of birth control because they are afraid of asking their partners to use condoms. Kenyan women are far more worried about preventing pregnancy, which is harder to hide, than contracting an STD.

"Unlike a sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy cannot be hidden; it is a visible consequence and demonstration of a sexual act and for the unmarried girl in our society, the shame that accompanies it is heavy," says [Dr. Marsden Solomon, the Reproductive Health Regional Medical Advisor for Family Health International].

In better news Mexico City's legislative assembly voted to legalized same-sex marriage and adoption by same-sex couples.

Also Ireland is considering passing reforms that would allow 16 and 17 year olds "to ask for or refuse medical and life-sustaining treatment, including surgery and contraception."

Bonus Item: Cynthia Nixon of "Sex in the City" is speaking out against the Stupak-Pitts language being included in the final health care reform bill, relating that her mother had an illegal abortion prior to Roe v. Wade.

December 22, 2009

Both sides question health bill's abortion compromise Washington Post

EDITORIAL: Government's abortion mandate Washington Times

Stupak blasts abortion language The Detroit News

What's the deal on healthcare? Los Angeles Times

Women's rights taken for a ride Ithaca Journal

Former Planned Parenthood CEO teaches at Georgetown's nursing school Catholic Culture

Colorado court pulls the curtain back on adoption records Denver Post

Women on the Verge Huffington Post

Sen. Nelson 'betrayed' pro-lifers back home OneNewsNow

December 21, 2009

Seminar touts importance of abstinence, birth control Jakarta Post