Abortion rights boosted with defeat of Kentucky amendment

[BumRushDaShow]

Last edited Wed Nov 9, 2022, 10:47 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky voters rejected a ballot measure aimed at denying any constitutional protections for abortion, handing a victory to abortion-rights supporters who have seen access to the procedure eroded by Republican lawmakers in the deeply red state.

The outcome of Tuesday’s election highlighted what appeared to be a gap between voter sentiment and the expectations of Kentucky’s Republican-dominated legislature, which imposed a near-total ban on abortions and put the proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot.

While a significant moral victory for abortion-rights advocates, the amendment’s defeat will have no practical impact on the right to an abortion if a sweeping ban on the procedure approved by lawmakers survives a legal challenge presently before the state Supreme Court. Still, the amendment’s rejection leaves open the possibility that abortion could be declared a state right by the court.

Rachel Sweet of Protect Kentucky Access, an abortion-rights coalition, hailed the outcome as a “historic win” against “government overreach” into the personal medical decisions of Kentuckians. “The people of Kentucky have spoken and their answer is no –- no to extremist politicians banning abortion and making private medical decisions on their behalf,” said Amber Duke, interim executive director for the ACLU of Kentucky.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-abortion-us-supreme-court-health-constitutions-3fa387a4cdc355d50a223f4788aa0ae8

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Do I need to even comment on this and the "abortion rights issue isn't priority" narrative that went viral?

Article headline updated.

Original article headline -

Kentucky voters reject constitutional amendment on abortion

[Baitball Blogger]

1. So, they voted in favor of not being beaten, but they voted for the beaters?

[BumRushDaShow]

2. There is apparently

one functional brain cell left in some of them.

But actually, this whole thing - the contraceptives and abortion services - is still all on the woman so it keeps the status quo and allows their men to continue to "get some" without having to do anything that inconveniences them.

[oldsoftie]

3. Since this decision, it should be on the ballot everywhere.

THEN you see how MOST people really think. Look at bright red Kansas.

[lark]

4. Woohoo for the women of KY and a big FU to their legislature! n/t

[BradBo]

5. Their going to drive the youth right out of that state.

It’s a shithole state already.

[Bayard]

6. HEY!!

Enough with the KY is a shit state comments! Some of us live here, and we love our state for non-political reasons.

I am very sad that Charles Booker lost. I volunteered for his campaign, and donated frequently. I was told by some on DU not to waste my money. That's how much support he got here. Rand Paul, like McConnell, has many, many wealthy backers.

I stayed up till 2:00 watching results, and had to get up early for a doctor appointment. They just called to reschedule it. So, I'm pissed already. Especially seeing what's going on with the House.

[BumRushDaShow]

8. I think so far

every state codifying reproductive rights in their state Constitutions or putting the question up as a ballot referendum, has had enormous support for those rights, whether a red state or a blue state.

[Corgigal]

11. Thank you.

This is a beautiful state, and I could have retired anywhere. I just love the mountains. If DUers could see what I see when I’m outside on my porch, most would shut up. I also live in a college town and it’s progressive.

Sorry about Booker too. I never understood why he didn’t show a commercial with Rand Paul going to Moscow on the 4th of July. I forgot who was running his campaign, but I need to check on that. They weren’t aggressive enough.

Just wanted you to know you’re not alone. They just hate our 2 crappy senators, but so do we.

[Bayard]

13. Thank you!

[yellowdogintexas]

14. KY Expat here in Texas. I am also tired of the KY bashing

I will always love Kentucky - I spent my formative years there after all, in a very small town (pop 200) surrounded by farms

Looking out over a field of winter wheat when it sprouts in March, enjoying the aroma of the Dark Fired Tobacco barns in Sept-Oct, attending small town festivals, enjoying the gentle beauty of the farmland areas- these are some of my favorite memories.

KY was solid blue until 1965; it took a while for the Red Menace to creep in. We do still tend to elect Democratic Governors, and the KY State Assembly held the last Democratic majority in the South.

Gov Beshear is up for re-election in 2023, and I plan to write postcards and phone bank for him.

Corgigal, are you in Morehead, Berea or another college town in the mountains? I am from Western Ky just south of Bowling Green, almost in Tennessee.

(I do NOT miss the horrid allergy storm I had every year from mid August until late October - it was epic)

[Corgigal]

15. Berea.

My son graduated from Berea college and just love the place. I was raised outside of NYC , about 30 miles but at the beginning of the Catskills. Mountains have always been a pleasure to me eye. My husband, raised in Tampa Florida never experienced the mountains, but wanted to try.

My whole neighborhood is progressive, and never met nicer people. I have lived in 6 different states.

Here’s what I see when I turn on to my road. We will turn blue again, just ebb and flow.

[yellowdogintexas]

16. that is gorgeous! I have never been to that part of the state

I have been in the mountains but it was too early to be green!
We went to Sandy Hook which is south east of Morehead to visit my grandfather's old stomping grounds in his 30s. My uncle was born up there.

I have not spent enough time in eastern KY, that is for certain. That has to be amazing in the fall!

When I was looking at colleges, my parents had friends who were on the faculty at Berea. So my dad asked if I should try to go there, and they said we weren't poor enough. Is it still like that, and do they still have the crafts and such?

[in2herbs]

7. From what I've observed voters in red states told their legislators to get out of

women's vaginas, which is great. However, in some state races after voting this way they still voted R and for the candidate who is against abortion. At the beginning I was of the opinion that they were stupid but I've changed my mind. They are not stupid. I am convinced that more than half of the country is full of hate towards others and for that reason their abortion vote benefits them but they don't want others to benefit.

[yellowdogintexas]

17. guns/gays/CRT/Biden/Christian Dominionism/Owning The Libs

are all contributing factors.

The hatred is huge and may be the most frightening part of the whole thing.

It seems this will be a peaceful transition, but it isn't over yet

[republianmushroom]

9. I like it

[Aristus]

12. Maybe the people of Dogpatch just got tired of all the rape and incest.

n/t