Mexico City Legalizes Abortion

Lawmakers Approve Law Amid Fasts, Vigils And Protests In Heavily Roman Catholic Nation

(AP)  Mexico City lawmakers voted to legalize abortion Tuesday, a decision likely to influence policies and health practices across Mexico and other parts of heavily Roman Catholic Latin America.

The proposal, approved 46-19, with one abstention, would take effect with the expected signing by the federal district's leftist mayor. But abortion opponents have already vowed to appeal the law to the Supreme Court, a move likely to extend the bitter and emotional debate in this predominantly Catholic nation.

The law alarmed Mexico's conservative ruling party and prompted the Vatican to send its top anti-abortion campaigner to the Mexican capital, where ranks of riot police separated chanting throngs of demonstrators from both sides outside the city legislature.

Nationally, Mexico allows abortion only in cases of rape, severe birth defects or if the woman's life is at risk, and doctors sometimes deny the procedure even under those circumstances.

The new law will require city hospitals to provide the procedure and opens the way for private abortion clinics. Girls under 18 would have to get their parents' consent.

The procedure will be almost free for poor or insured city residents, but is unlikely to attract patients from the United States, where later-term abortion is legal in many states. Under the Mexico City law, abortion after 12 weeks would be punished by three to six months in jail.

The only other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean with legalized abortion for all women are Cuba and Guyana. Most others allow it only in cases of rape or when the woman's life is at risk. Nicaragua, El Salvador and Chile ban it completely.

[wiccantexan]

"Please don't force your pro-abortion views on me" --Unborn Child
Posted by blazercoach1 at 10:43 AM : Apr 25, 2007

I would much rather die slowly and deliberately by the scared teen who's carrying me, or the woman with no maternal instincts who made a careless mistake. Can you let me do this instead, because you "love me as a gift from God?"

[randalds]

Is that sickening or what?
Posted by sy2502 at 07:17 PM : Apr 25, 2007

Right on and it's the same argument they use against ga*y marriage. No one is forcing them to marry a ga*y person when ga*y marriage is completely legalized (and it certainly will be someday soon), but because their version of a god that they believe in tells them that ga*ys are an "abomination" they think that gives them the right to tell others that they must behave as their gods say, instead of as free people. I'm an ateist and I don't have to follow the rules that they want me to. I follow my own rules and as long as I stay within the law there's not a da*mn thing they can do about it.

[sy2502]

Religion is based on a belief system that some people have, but other don't and the faith of one group of people must never be allowed to change the rights of the others.
Posted by RandalDS at 01:17 AM : Apr 25, 2007

Good point Randal, because look at the difference between pro-abortionists and anti-abortionists: a pro-abortionist leaves the door open for those who don't want to have an abortion, it's your choice, do what you want. An anti-abortionist isn't content with not having an abortion, NOOOO, he want EVERYBODY ELSE not to have one! How would they feel if the pro-abortionists ever passed a law that said you have to have at least one abortion in your life or you'll go to jail? Oh, how pissed off they would be: somebody is passing a law forcing them to do what they think is wrong, forcing other beliefs on them by means of the law! But do they have a problem passing laws that force others to do what they want? Absolutely not!

Is that sickening or what?

[randalds]

"Please don't force your pro-abortion views on me" --Unborn Child
Posted by blazercoach1 at 10:43 AM : Apr 25, 2007

You know there's a word for people who hear voices like you seems too. It's called delusional. Perhaps some good meds would help you and others who claim to hear some sort of "god" or fetus'. I also know a few friends of mine who are Psychiatrists who could help you with some therapy too. Just a thought.

[freedomisnot]

Religion is based on a belief system that some people have, but other don't and the faith of one group of people must never be allowed to change the rights of the others. That is what the separation of church and state is all about and why I say religion has no place in the government of any nation. Our founding father knew the wisdom of this and put it as the first amendment to the Constitution.

Oh and we invade other countries and slaughter people too, but that's for a different part of this blog.
Posted by RandalDS at 01:17 AM : Apr 25, 2007

Good point Randal the Islamist do not agree however. Go down to your friendly neighborhood Mosque and preach the wisdom of separation of Church and State, Forced conversion, and religious tolerance. See how long they let you stay.

[duhrer]

The fundies are slowly getting their way. One by one they whittle away at our democracy. Please, don't shine your light on me... I've seen enough of what that does and I don't want any. "Save the fetus, but wage war. Protect women from their evil murderous decisions." Next you know, women will be charged for attempted murder because they had a glass of wine while pregnant. Or men charged with manslaughter because they chose to exercise their "given rights" as a husband and the act itself damaged the unborn. And all this self-righteous scatology erodes our nation daily. More power to the people of Mexico.

"Keep your rosaries off her ovaries."

[wiccantexan]

Yes, it's SO much better to bring a child into a situation where they are unwanted, and the resentful mother takes society's forced decision out on the child for years, slowly and deliberately.

[sy2502]

Women in Mexico were having plenty of illegal abortions before this. All this law does is to help avoid women to die in the process. Abortion has been done since the beginning of time, it's ridiculous to think it can ever be stopped. As long as women get pregnant, some of them will want out of it, and will go to any length to do so. Therefore if you are really pro-life you should be in favor of saving at least the life of the woman, by giving her access to proper and safe abortions.
But of course, pro-life is just a name they give themselves to feel good about their holier-than-thou attitude towards everybody else who doesn't share their religious beliefs.

[soldat44]

When you look at history and the bloody stained pages where Religion and governments have merged you should be able to undertand. The Soviet Union's abuses had nothing to do with Religion and has nothing to do with the drive, in this nation, by the Religious Reich, to tear down the Seperation of Church and State. Instead of saying there is no Wall of Seperation why aren't people saying why shouldn't there be. NO NATION has EVER in the history of man combined Religion and Government then stayed at piece with itself while remaining free. Has never happened... just look at this nation right now!!
Posted by MCVet at 07:38 AM : Apr 25, 2007

All the great theological leaders left the Bush administration early on because they were fed up with the two-faced sanctimonious bs they were confronted with. This administration is no more closer to God than you obviously are. The Church represents the moral compass of the world as expounded by Jesus Christ Himself. Is there any higher authority than Him? Doctors...scientists? Where do you think that your own personal morals came from? Osmosis? Don't let your Pride get the best of as it is the great downfall for all mankind. No malice intended...just trying to Shine the Light.

Peace be with you.

[blazercoach1]

"Abortion is a decision best left between a woman and her doctor" is like saying that owning a slave is a decision best left between a plantation owner and his banker.

"Please don't force your pro-abortion views on me" --Unborn Child