Is‘personhood’ amendment only a symbolic gesture?
Any objective discussion of the abortion question, I know, is like wading into a mine field. However, public dialogue becomes necessary now that voters must decide in November on an initiative to insert a state constitutional amendment purporting to define human life as beginning with conception.
Since this proposed “personhood” amendment conflicts with federal law, voters need to know that should the amendment be adopted, it is virtually certain to be enjoined in court, setting off a long and costly legal challenge at state taxpayers expense.
This is not just this reporter’s opinion. It’s the analysis of Mississippi College law school professor Matt Steffy who has gained a reputation for being on target on a number of state governmental issues that have been decided in the courts.
Desoto Times
1/12/10
