OpEdNews, Columbia, SC: Today the legislature voted to force women seeking abortion to see ultrasound images of the fetus they wish to abort before they would then have permission to actually have the abortion preformed. This measure has passed through the legislature but must by South Carolina Law, must pass through the legislature again, possibly tomorrow.

This law was designed by SC lawmakers to make women “think twice” before getting an abortion. One lawmaker said that he didn’t like the idea of making someone do something they do not want to do. Rep. Todd Rutherford, a Columbia Democrat who proposed creating exceptions for rape or incest victims, told male opponents that they were "sick" for voting for the bill without the amendment "because (rape) could never happen to you”, but it was passed anyway. The amendment was tabled 71-45.

“The biggest issue is not that the ultrasounds be shown, but if they should be shown to rape and incest victims. One lawmaker, Rep. Greg Delleney, said that it didn’t matter how a child was conceived, it still had a right to life. He was a co-sponsor of this bill, others argued that the rape/incest exemption could be abused by women who would make up sexual assaults to get abortions. Rep. Leon Stavrinakis, a Charleston Democrat and former prosecutor, said such an argument is unjustified. He said "legions" of women who are raped don't report the crimes. And he said it is immediately apparent they are victims.

"You'll have all the verification you need when you see the terror in that woman's or young girl's face," he said.” A proposal that would only grant the exception to rape victims in cases in which a judge has found probable cause or issued a warrant also failed, 60-52.

Portions of this story were taken from the Greenville News.