I knew marrying this woman was a good idea

Here is her note to Gov. Rounds...

Dear Governor Rounds,

I returned home today after a weekend trip visiting my family in California. As is often the case when flying, I found myself chatting with folks in the airports as we all waited for our connections or baggage. For the first time since moving here in 1992, I can honestly say that by the time I got home, I was embarrassed to tell people where I was from. One gentleman even asked me if "we're ALL a bunch of wingnuts back there in South Dakota." I assured him that most people in South Dakota are reasonable people, and his response was, "Well, I guess I won't be finding out anytime soon. I'd never visit a place where people have so little compassion." Not one person I spoke to today (and I spoke to many) thought that passing this abortion ban was a positive step forward. In fact, most thought it was cruel and unnecessary, epsecially given the fact that South Dakota has just one clinic in the entire state that performs abortion procedures. As it is, abortions are not considered very accessible in South Dakota.

I am currently doing an internship at the Juvenile Services Center in Rapid City, and if the Legislators of our state showed half the concern for neglected teens (who often have done nothing wrong except have the misfortune of having drug-dealing parents) as they do for the unborn, our society would be in much better shape. I find it so hypocritical when people claim to be pro-life, yet seem to have very little or no regard for these "fetuses" once they are out on the street trying to find fundamental ways to survive. I don't see any of these State Senators ! lining up to take any of these kids in as foster children, or signing up to adopt a baby with fetal alcohol syndrome, do you?

If there is one thing I have learned in my life, it's that there are very few absolutes. Even though I am very much pro-life, I cannot say with any degree of certainty that choosing an abortion is wrong in all situations, or even in most. There is no compassion in this bill at all. THIS is wrong, and South Dakota is already paying dearly for it. If you sign this bill into law, the repercussions will be profound. Do not underestimate the power of a boycott and what it could do to our economy. Do not assume that the legislators who passed this bill speak for the majority of the people in this state or in this nation. They do not.

You have the power to do the right thing. Please do not take South Dakota and our country down this path.