Democrats Finally Discuss Preventing Unwanted Pregnancies, Louisiana Debates Abortion Ban

"As two senators on opposite sides of the abortion debate, we recognize that one side will not suddenly convince the other to drop its deeply held beliefs. And we believe that, while disagreeing, we can work together to find common ground. We believe that it is necessary for all Americans to join together and embrace policies that will reduce the number of unintended pregnancies, decrease abortions and improve access to women's health care."
-Senators Hillary Clinton and Harry Reid in a Times Union op-ed piece about preventing unwanted pregnancies and abortion

Reproductive Rights

Clinton and Reid co-author "common ground" abortion piece - AP
Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid have co-authored an op-ed piece about finding "common ground" on the abortion issue. The Democrats from New York and Nevada, respectively, are on opposite sides of the abortion issue. Clinton, the former first lady and potential 2008 presidential candidate, favors abortion rights while Reid is anti-abortion. "As two senators on opposite sides of the abortion debate, we recognize that one side will not suddenly convince the other to drop its deeply held beliefs," the two Democrats wrote in the piece that ran in Tuesday's Albany Times Union newspaper. "And we believe that, while disagreeing, we can work together to find common ground."

Debate set for today on push to limit abortion - The Times-Picqyune
The state's [Louisiana's] first major attempt in 15 years to pass a strict abortion bill that outlaws the procedure in all cases except to save a mother's life will get a hearing today in the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare. Supporters said they are unsure how lawmakers will react to Senate Bill 33 by Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, one of several anti-abortion measures filed for the session. The big question is whether the measure can survive without amendments expanding the number of exceptions.

Judge rules for Kan. abortion rights group - AP
In a victory for an abortion rights group, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that abortion clinic doctors and other professionals are not required under Kansas law to report underage sex between consenting youths. The ruling by U.S. District Judge J. Thomas Marten was a setback for Kansas Attorney General Phill Kline, an abortion foe. Kline contended a 1982 Kansas law requiring doctors, teachers and others to alert the state and law enforcement about potential child abuse covers consensual sex between minors. He argued that the law applies to abortion clinics, and later extended that to other health professionals and teachers. The Center for Reproductive Rights challenged that interpretation in court, and the judge sided with the organization. Kline said he had not decided whether to appeal.

Vetoes put abortion back into campaign - The Arizona Republic
A string of vetoes by Gov. Janet Napolitano has brought new focus to an abortion issue that has been overshadowed by immigration and other matters this legislative session. Napolitano has used her veto stamp on abortion bills three times in the last week and soon could issue still another with the Senate's approval Tuesday of a measure restricting access to abortion for minors. That measure, House Bill 2776, now returns to the House for consideration of Senate amendments. The debate is a likely preview of an upcoming clash between the Democratic governor, long a defender of abortion rights, and presumed GOP frontrunner Len Munsil, a staunch opponent of the practice and former president of the conservative Center for Arizona Policy.

Judge overturns West Palm's clinic buffer law - Palm Beach Post
A federal judge has ruled that a city law imposing a buffer zone on abortion protesters violates free-speech rights and has ordered the city not to enforce it. The law -- enacted in October after someone set fire to the Presidential Women's Center, the last clinic in Palm Beach County where abortions are done -- created a 20-foot buffer around entrances and other public areas outside health-care facilities. U.S. District Judge Donald Middlebrooks ruled that the city didn't prove the existence of problems that it said the law addressed: restricted patient access and a threat to public safety. Even if it had, the law is too strict, he ruled. "Freedom of speech is rarely an issue when everyone agrees," Middlebrooks wrote. "Perhaps more than at any other place and any other time, in cases such as this, speech guaranteed by the First Amendment must be protected."

Let's (Not) Talk About Sex - IPS
Although many countries in Latin America have laws stating that sex education must be made available in primary and secondary schools, these are implemented in a haphazard way, and in some cases not at all. An informal survey by IPS correspondents in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Cuba, Mexico and Venezuela shows that sex education is patchy or nonexistent in the region, with the exception of Cuba. "There are girls who get pregnant because they get sick, so they need help," said Sara, a seven-year-old Mexican girl, in a conversation with her private school classmates. The conclusion reached by Sara, based on a television ad not designed with children in mind, is an illustration of the lack of adequate information about sex faced by millions of children in Latin America.

General

Duke Rape Suspects Come From Money - AP
They grew up in privileged surroundings in the suburbs of New York City. Collin Finnerty of Long Island and Reade Seligmann of New Jersey both come from a world of golf courses and multimillion-dollar homes and were educated at exclusive all-boys Catholic prep schools. Their paths merged after the high school lacrosse stars won admission to Duke University, and continued their athletic and academic careers. On Tuesday, they stood as co-defendants, accused of raping a stripper at an off-campus party in Durham, N.C.

Politics

Giuliani Stumps for Conservative Senator, Despite Differences - NY Times
Former Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani of New York campaigned on Tuesday for Senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, a social conservative who is facing a tough re-election fight in one of the most competitive battles in the nation this year. While both men are Republicans, Mr. Giuliani supports abortion rights and is considered more moderate, while Mr. Santorum is known for his strong opposition to abortion and gay marriage. In campaigning for Mr. Santorum, Mr. Giuliani could be mending fences with more conservative Republican leaders in advance of a possible national bid in 2008.

International

Tehran police chief warns Iranian women over dress code - M&C News
Tehran's police chief on Tuesday warned women in Iran to observe the Islamic dress code or face consequences. General Morteza Talaei told Fars news agency that within the next few days some 50 squads, including female officers, will start checking dress codes in Tehran. All women in Iran, including foreigners, are expected to respect the Islamic dress code of contour-hiding gowns or long coats, and scarves hiding the hair. Many women in Tehran and other big cities have been ignoring strict observation of the rules. The police chief warned that the squads would confront all women wearing Bermuda-style pants, tight coats, loose scarves and no socks.