Breaking news as of this morning: the Supreme Court of the United States has upheld a 2003 law banning certain abortion procedures. The so-called "Partial Birth Abortion Ban" (text here) was struck down in numerous federal courts for its lack of a health exception. A Nebraska statute banning the same procedure was struck down by the Supreme Court a few years ago for its lack of a health exception. (And this is why our Supreme Court make up is so important).
SCOTUSblog has some info. Excerpts by the AP. CRR has a page on the case.
If you are in DC, Planned Parenthood is organizing a rally at 3pm at the Supreme Court today (On 1st St, NE, between Maryland Ave & E. Capitol). I'm not sure what it will accomplish, but a lot of us are outraged and disappointed. Who wants to get a drink after work?
Planned Parenthood has a petition.
The slip opinion is now up (.pdf).
I don't mean to be an ass, but this is one of the many many reasons it's so important to vote, and to choose your candidates wisely (e.g. not necessarily the one you'd want to have a beer with). See how the '08 candidates feel about today's decision.
Summary:
McCain: boo, I don't even care about him (p.s. he was a co-sponsor of the Senate bill)
Guiliani: shockingly gross considering he was an outspoken pro-choice advocate
Romney: predictably pandering to the right
Hillary: surprisingly adamant and not wimpy for a change (or maybe I read her wrong?)
Edwards: still a dreamboat
Obama: He hearts Ginsburg and I heart Ginsburg, so maybe I heart Barak too?
and there are two others who don't have pictures, so clearly they're not winning the race.
Oh, and Richardson's camp says he's releasing a statement later today. It's up, and I'm taking credit for it.
And lastly, because really, I have other stuff to do, the DNC released a lukewarm statement as well.