McCollum Supports Ultrasound Bill

A reason for pro-choicers not to vote for Bill McCollum: Florida's Attorney General wants Gov. Charlie Crist to sign the ultrasound bill. HB 1143 has not reached Crist's desk yet. However, this is an election year. McCollum is attempting to solidify his conservative creditionals by oppsing abortion and President Barack Obama's health care plan. McCollum could care less if government will make quality health care harder to obtain for many Floridians.

McCollum's letter to Crist:

I am writing to urge you to sign HB 1143. While this legislationmakes many changes to the health care statues, I would like to express my support for three specific provisions.

First, the bill provides that government cannot compel Floridians to buy health insurance except in certain situations, such as the condition of employment or enrollment in a state university. The bill also extends my office's ability to sue and advocate on the behalf of individuals who will be forced to pay a tax or fine for choosing not to purchase health insurance.

Second, the bill prohibits taxpayer-funded abortions. The bill specifically prohibits health insurance purchased through an exchange with any state or federal funds, from providing coverage from an abortion unless it is performed to save the life or health of the mother or in cases of rape and incest. The bill does not prohibit coverage for abortion if the coverage is not purchased with tax dollars. For the past 34 years, our country has has had the policy of no tax dollar funded abortions. This bill keeps that protection in place by ensuring that no state dollars are used for this purpose.

I have a hard time taking McCollum seriously. McCollum is so unserious about his job that he reccommended Christian conservative George Rekers be paid $120,000 as a witness against a gay adoption case the adoption case of a gay Florida couple. Rekers testmony actually damaged the state's case.

"Dr. Rekers' beliefs are motivated by his strong ideological convictions," wrote Judge Cindy Lederman. "The court cannot consider his testimony credible nor worthy of forming the basis of public policy.

President Obama's executive order and the Hyde amendment will keep federal dollars from going to pay for abortion. I hate the Hyde Amendment but it is the law of the land. The Commerce Clause gives the federal goverment power to regulate the health care industry. McCollum's lawsuit doesn't stand a chance in court. Unfortunately, taxpayers will pay for McCollum's political grandstanding.

Judge Cindy Lederman Demoted

Judge David J. Audlin Jr. was the first rule Florida's gay adoption ban was unconstitutional. Judge Cindy Lederman was the second judge. Neither ruling changed Florida's anti gay adoption law. Both rulings only effected the communities the decisions was cast.

Lederman is getting demoted.

The new chief judge, Joel H. Brown, issued a short statement Monday to The Miami Herald through a spokeswoman, saying he had tapped Circuit Judge Orlando Prescott, currently in criminal court, as the new administrative judge in juvenile. Circuit Judge George Sarduy, already in child welfare court, will serve as Prescott's deputy.

''Since being elected chief judge in February, I have carefully assessed the current and future needs of the circuit,'' Brown said.

''Judges Prescott and Sarduy were chosen in an effort to allow for new leadership opportunities and to bring fresh perspectives, as well as their own strong backgrounds, to the leadership of the Juvenile Division,'' Brown said. ``Both are well respected for their passionate commitment to the law and to the community they serve.''

Waymon Hudson recounts his experiences with Lederson.

When we appeared before her to become the foster parents of our son, she was fair, smart, and completely invested in doing what was best for him. She teared up when we gave him a permanent home (as permanent as possible under the ban) and saw how happy we all were in subsequent court appearances. She had been his judge for years, often corresponding with him during tough times, like when the state made horrible decisions that ended up leaving him homeless.

She even hugged him and us after the initial hearing.

My family, and the many other families that Judge Lederman helped form and became part of, will miss her leadership and compassion.

It is hard not to see Brown's decision to demote Lederman as not being about politics. Brown is an elected official and has to run again. Lederman will continue to serve in juvenile court. She will no longer be the head judge.