Posted on 04/06/2016 6:53:10 PM PDT by Morgana
On Tuesday morning, the trial began. Lawyers for Planned Parenthood activists are arguing that the state’s long-established process for counting votes and ratifying amendments to the state constitution somehow violated the rights of pro-abortion voters who opposed pro-life Amendment 1.
Unable to win at the ballot box on November 4, 2014, Planned Parenthood Board Chair Tracey George waited just 3 days before filing her legal challenge to overturn the outcome of the election. They claim violation of federal rights, disenfranchisement, and a “fundamentally unfair” system. And, most critically, the pro-abortion activists demand that Amendment 1—and the votes of pro-life Tennesseans—be thrown out.
Your prayers are needed now to defend the hard-won victory on Amendment 1 and to protect Tennessee’s abortion-vulnerable women, girls, and unborn children.
SIGN THE PETITION! Congress Must De-Fund Planned Parenthood Immediately
The office of the Tennessee Attorney General Herbert Slatery has worked hard and has made legal defense of Amendment 1 a priority. His team will argue that the pro-abortion claims lack textual or historical basis and that the process for ratifying an amendment in Tennessee is constitutional and consistent. Chief Judge Kevin Sharp will hear arguments and make a ruling that will truly have life and death implications for the unborn.
Should Amendment 1 be struck down, Tennessee will once again be known as an abortion destination with an ever-increasing number of out-of-state abortions due to lack of regulation at the facilities. Newly-passed protections enacted by our pro-life Legislature and Governor would be struck down without the possibility of passing others. Abortion would again be a so-called fundamental right in the Tennessee Constitution.
Tennessee Right to Life is confident that Amendment 1 will ultimately be upheld. But we remember that this is, first and foremost, a spiritual battle and prayer is necessary for us to prevail. Thank you in advance for joining with us one more time as we make the case for life.
The State Legislature CONTROLS THE COURTS, they should tell them to go pound sand and they face immediate impeachment for even hearing the case.
My state had an absolute abomination of a constitution which gave abortionists more rights than New York did. It would be nice if the will of the people, and more importantly the will of the LORD, were retained. Haslam can’t ruin this thanks to the supermajorities in our legislature, so the feds need to be given a stern warning to leave this state.
Details as to the provisions of Amendment 1?
From their point of view, why not? Even though millions of Californians voted to ban pervert marriage, a single (pervert) judge overturned it.
Essentially reversed an earlier court decision which ruled that the TN state constitution granted an expansive right to abortion. If amendment 1 stands, the TN state legislature will have the power to limit abortion to the extent allowed by federal law.
Amendment 1 states that nothing in the TN state constitution secures a right to abortion or funding of abortion, and also empowers the legislature to restrict abortion, effectively removing the bogus "strict scrutiny" clause. Not even Roe v Wade put abortion under strict scrutiny.
Thanks to both of you and to the voters of Tennessee. May God bless you and yours!
Filing deadline for Congress has passed in TN.
Joe Carr (a Ted Cruz delegate) was a surprise last minute entry, he’s running against Diane Black in CD 6. Politics1 lists 2 minor candidates also in that race.
Scott DesJarlais is again facing a strong challenge, this time by Attorney Grant Starrett (and 2 minor foes). Starrett sounds like a strong conservative but you may be put off that he worked for the Romney campaign.
Crowded primary for the open CD 8.
Thoughts?
I have no idea why Carr is running, and he certainly won’t dislodge Diane Black.
As for Grant Starrett, he is a thoroughgoing joke who has been ripped to shreds by TN’s Conservative Blog, Rocky Top Politics. He has no legit connections to Tennessee, let alone the rural 4th district. He is a carpetbagger from California whose candidacy is being bankrolled by his parents hoping to buy Junior a Congressional seat.
https://rockytoppolitics.com/?s=grant+starrett
Amusing exchange between the blog and Starrett. Maybe he is a carpetbagger but I think they’re being a little hard on him. I read my mom’s national review when I was a kid.
Desjarlais is a sleaze.
Don’t think Carr has a chance? Does Black deserve replacement?
I think they’re justified. The kid should show some bonafides before trying to make the leap to Congress. If he wants to run, do it in California, which badly needs candidates for the GOP. We’re not lacking in TN these days.
DesJarlais ain’t running for Pope, but even the Pope ain’t much these days. He still remains the best-voting member of the TN delegation, and none of his pre-Congressional scandals has altered his voting habits. If they did, I’d be wanting him out on his ass. I don’t know if he made a pledge about length of service, this would be his 3rd term (the spoilage term).
Black was elected with DesJarlais in the adjacent district in 2010, so Carr may be taking the “3 terms and she needs to retire” tack. That won’t be enough to dislodge her, though, and she’s gotten through tough primaries before. Carr, unless he wanted to return to the State House, doesn’t really have an open office to run for that is winnable at present.
Frankly, I’d rather he run for State Senate in the primary against Jim Tracy, who is up this year. Tracy really embarrassed himself as a candidate running against DesJarlais and firmly aligned himself with the establishment. He’s been in the Senate for 12 years, so it’s time to go.
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