In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court has upheld a nationwide ban on “partial birth” abortion, “marking a shift on the high-profile issue and underscoring the impact of President George W. Bush’s two high court appointments.” The justices “refused to invalidate the 2003 law even though it lacks an exception for cases posing a risk to the mother’s health. The court also rejected claims that the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act is so vaguely worded it would force doctors to forgo a commonly used, constitutionally protected abortion technique for fear of prosecution. ”
UPDATE: In the majority were swing vote Anthony Kennedy, along with Chief Justice Roberts and Justices Alito, Scalia, and Thomas.UPDATE III: Justice Clarence Thomas authored, and Justice Antonin Scalia joined, a 137-word concurring opinion, which appears to have the sole purpose of stating: “I write separately to reiterate my view that the Courts abortion jurisprudence, including Casey and Roe v. Wade, 410 U. S. 113 (1973), has no basis in the Constitution.”
At the core, I’ve always considered Birth Control and Abortion Medical issues – something to be decided by individuals and their physicians. To my mind, the act of conception is over-ruled by a woman’s desire to raise a child. I don’t know anyone in my profession that thinks otherwise. The central force in healthy development is being a "wanted" child. But I don’t see my perspective as the only one around. What bothers me about what’s happening now is that it’s not part of a thoughtful debate, it’s a religious conviction, and it’s a political hook that dominates our American landscape. At times, 
I feel like saying, "Let them win." It’s too expensive to even fight on this battlefield. We’ll raise money to send women who are pregnant and desire to terminate their pregnancies to another, more sensible country. But I know it wouldn’t matter. They’d just brand such women as criminals. So we have to live with a group that has only one issue or two, [if you throw in Gay Marriage].
I feel like saying, "Let them win." It’s too expensive to even fight on this battlefield. We’ll raise money to send women who are pregnant and desire to terminate their pregnancies to another, more sensible country. But I know it wouldn’t matter. They’d just brand such women as criminals. So we have to live with a group that has only one issue or two, [if you throw in Gay Marriage].My reason for highlighting this decision, however, is to point to the vote – 5 to 4. Anthony Kennedy plus the Bush bloc vote of Roberts Alito Thomas Scalia. Very disturbing…
well done, sir!
best line:
“What bothers me about what’s happening now is that it’s not part of a thoughtful debate, it’s a religious conviction, and it’s a political hook that dominates our American landscape.”