Politics
Tuesday October 17, 2006
Scalia Says Roe vs. Wade Abortion Decision Was "improper" Action of Liberal Judges
Statement made during C-Span broadcasted debate with ACLU pres Nadine Strossen
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By Gudrun Schultz
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 17, 2006 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia defended his opposition to legalized abortion on Sunday, reiterating his long-held position that nothing in the U.S. Constitution guarantees a woman's "right" to abortion.
In a one-hour televised debate with American Civil Liberties Union president Nadine Strossen, broadcast by C-SPAN, Scalia said un-elected judges have no authority to decide on issues that are not addressed by the Constitution, such as abortion, reported the Associated Press. He said the Roe vs. Wade decision in 1973 that made abortion a constitutional right was the "improper" action of liberal judges granting new political rights.
"Someday, you're going to get a very conservative Supreme Court and regret that approach," Scalia said. "On controversial issues on stuff like homosexual rights, abortion, we debate with each other and persuade each other and vote on it either through representatives or a constitutional amendment."
"Whether it's good or bad is not my job. My job is simply to say if those things you find desirable are contained in the Constitution."
Justice Scalia, 70, has consistently battled to overturn abortion laws since his appointment to the Supreme Court 20 years ago under President Reagan. One of the strongest conservative voices on the Court, Scalia has taken intense criticism for his insistence on an interpretation of the Constitution that is faithful to the original context and meaning.
The Supreme Court will revisit the volatile issue of partial birth abortion this term, examining a 2003 legislative act signed by President Bush that would impose a federal ban on the brutal procedure. The late-term abortion method kills a viable baby as it partially exits the birth canal--scissors are thrust into the base of the child's skull and the brain is suctioned out.
See the actual C-Span debate as a Real Media Internet stream at
rtsp://video.c-span.org/15days/e101506_civilrights.rm
Read ABC News coverage:
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2571055&page=3
See related LifeSiteNews coverage:
Supreme Court to Expand Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Review
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2006/jun/06061910.html
Scalia Questions 'Sanity' of Important Moral Decisions like Abortion Being Decided by 'Unelected Judges'
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2005/aug/05083001.html
SCALIA CHASTISES COURTS FOR OVERSTEPPING BOUNDS
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/jan/03011309.html
SCALIA BLAMES POLITICIZATION OF COURT NOMINATIONS ON JUDICIAL ACTIVISM
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2003/feb/03021401.html
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