"Taliban Bob" McDonnell Signs Forced Ultrasound Bill

As referenced in the prior post, Bob "Taliban Bob" McDonnell has lived up to his nickname and signed legislation that will force any woman seeking an abortion to under go a non-medically necessary (and possibly non-insurance covered) trans-abdominal ultrasound. In addition, the bill requires that the woman be "offered" the opportunity to view the image and listen to the heartbeat. Obviously, the goal is not to "inform women" but to brow beat them and intimidate them. I cannot help but wonder if the ordeal won't be enough to push some women to harm themselves or end their lives. As to why Taliban Bob decided to sign the bill, the speculation varies. Some believe that it merely proves McDonnell is a religious extremist as indicated by his 1989 thesis at Pat Robertson's CBN University Law School. Others believe he was afraid to cross the Christofascists at The Family Foundation who the GOP will need this November and in November 2013. Still others speculate that Taliban Bob thought becoming "Ultrasound Bob" - to quote Rachel Maddow - might make him a more attractive VP nominee. Here are highlights from the Virginian Pilot:

After a debate that drew protesters to the state Capitol and put Virginia in the national spotlight, Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed legislation that will require women to submit to an abdominal ultrasound before having an abortion.

Weakening the law did little to quell the firestorm that surrounded it. Sen. Louise Lucas, D-Portsmouth, said the governor's endorsement shows he "cares more about pandering to his extreme conservative political base than the rights of women."

Many of the comments on the article rip criticize McDonnell and "rip him a new one." One summed up the overall failure of the GOP controlled General Assembly:

We have very pressing issues in the Commonwealth regarding transportation infrastructure, the economy, and jobs...and this is what the big debates were during the session. Oh sure, saw Jeff McWaters touting some various minor bills that were passed. But with the majority of the gen. assy on his side, the gov. had no earth shaking legislation that would help our Hampton Roads economies. We ended up with the 'McDonnell tolling' that will cripple many industries that rely heavily on the tunnels. Basically, I am not impressed. This will hurt McDonnell in this area if he has designs on higher office.

Another telling comment was this one:

Dr. Bob McDonnell, said " I believe that we become a more compassionate society when we enact reasonable legislation to protect innocent human life...."
Which is why he signed a low permitting anyone to purchase an unlimited number of guns in the State of Virginia.