Archive for Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Morrison wants Kline to hold off on abortion records
November 8, 2006
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Topeka — Atty. Gen.-elect Paul Morrison today said he hoped Atty. Gen. Phill Kline would not file any charges related to the abortion records in Kline's possession.
"I do hope that he will not file cases. I hope that he works with us, and I believe that he will," Morrison said.
Morrison, a Democrat, defeated Kline, a Republican, in a race that focused on Kline's investigation into two abortion clinics.
Kline, an ardent opponent of abortion, has the records of 90 women and girls, saying he is investigating allegations of child rape and illegal late-term abortions.
The clinics have said Kline has been on a fishing expedition, while Morrison charged during the campaign that Kline's probe was an abuse of power and invasion of privacy.
When asked what he would do with the investigation when he takes office in January, Morrison said, "That is an open case now, and I have an obligation to look at all open cases up there, which we will do, and we'll do that quickly. We will give that the attention that deserves. Whether that's a lot or a little, remains to be seen," he said.
The clinics have asked the Kansas Supreme Court to take possession of the records because they allege information from the records has been leaked.
Morrison today said that would be OK with him.
"For the short term, it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have some third party that is truly neutral to look at those things," Morrison said.
Morrison also said he intended to revamp the attorney general's office to focus on stopping violent crime, consumer fraud and helping victims.
"There's a lot to be done," he said.
More like this
- Ads refer to abortion without saying it 99 comments / October 10, 2006
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- Abortion doctor behind anti-Kline mailing 44 comments / October 25, 2006
- Truth in question at latest AG debate 50 comments / September 25, 2006
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8 November 2006
at 12:53 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
WOW!!!! Surprise surprise!!! Sounds like Morrison is already paying off for Tiller.
8 November 2006
at 1:01 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
How? By assuring that the records are protected and not disclosed to hate-radio pundits? Asking the current AG to hold off on making any more baseless legal decisions?
Sounds like prudence to me.
8 November 2006
at 1:14 p.m.
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ryanjasondesch (Anonymous) says…
BigDog: Surprise Surprise!! Sounds like Morrison's doing excatly what Kansan's voted him in to do. It has nothing to do with Tiller. Time to move on.
8 November 2006
at 1:19 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Not suspicious that this is the first issue he is concerned about ……. I thought it was stopping violent crime
Do you have any proof that these records have been disclosed to anyone? If not it is just baseless allegations.
8 November 2006
at 1:32 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
ryanjasondesch: The people may have voted him in yesterday but it is not his job until January.
8 November 2006
at 1:33 p.m.
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nugget (Anonymous) says…
Morrison's overwhelmingly victory margain last night required a lot of Republican voters in this state, both in the moderate and Christian conservative category. They saw the criminal actions he's taken and crossed over to vote for someone with ethics.
It's time for a change and for an attorney that will get back to the job of enforcing the laws of this state instead of pushing an anti-abortion agenda. As I said yesterday, Kline has been a soldier for his cause and will be amply rewarded financially soon with a job within an organization that caters to his agenda. Good for him, but we don't need someone posing as our Attorney General doing that.
It's an election. It's expected sour grapes will abound.
The people have spoken.
8 November 2006
at 1:34 p.m.
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crazyks (Anonymous) says…
This is probably the main issue that got the man elected. People were tired of Phil's constant diatribes about it. And Morrison, like evidently the majority of voting Kansas, don't think there was anything there anyway, and that it was a BIG violation of privacy.
No, I'm not suspicious at all. I voted for Morrison. Evidently you did not, and Kline lost anyway.
Get over it.
8 November 2006
at 1:38 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Why get over it ….. many of you have been banging on Kline for four years …… now its my turn.
8 November 2006
at 1:38 p.m.
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nekansan (Anonymous) says…
Sounds like Morrison is doing exactly what he said he would and the voters clearly desire. If he is tied up dealing with an existing case with questionable merit then he can't exactly make violent crime his focus.
8 November 2006
at 1:39 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Bill O'Reilly claims to be privy to information only contained in the records. Maybe O'Reilly is lying. I never can tell with the “traditionalists.”
8 November 2006
at 2:01 p.m.
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pelliott (Anonymous) says…
I hope that consumer protection will return as an active policy in the AG office. Kline has let the scam artists and crooks feast at consumer throats. We have some good laws that need to be enforced. Now that pk is off the air and Morrison is in the office, I have a lot more hope. It is a dangerous time for the elderly and families, heck for everyone trying to do business when fraud and cheats are ignored for so long.
8 November 2006
at 2:04 p.m.
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Informed (Anonymous) says…
Nugget wrote, “…and crossed over to vote for someone with ethics.” Ethics? Morrison? Are you kidding? You need to talk to people in the JoCo DA's office, past and present. And, no, I'm not talking simply about the allegations that were dredged up for the election.
8 November 2006
at 2:06 p.m.
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alm77 (Anonymous) says…
I trust that Morrison won't turn a blind eye to any proof of criminal activity that Kline has *if* there is any. Does Kline still have time to put the case together before Morrison steps in? I think if Kline has evidence then Morrison could and would competently prosecute criminals.
8 November 2006
at 2:09 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Did he say he saw the records or did he say he had information or evidence?
I saw the interview and don't believe he said he saw the records.
8 November 2006
at 2:18 p.m.
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ihatejohntravolta (Laura Watkins) says…
Several people I know that were involved in local government in JoCo before and during Morrison's tenure were happy with Morrison. Although your user name is “Informed”, that doesn't mean you actually know everything so please stop trying to stir up controversies that aren't there.
8 November 2006
at 2:19 p.m.
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Jersey_Girl (Anonymous) says…
My dad, who a staunch Republican, even admitted to me that he voted Democrat for a couple people, including Morrison. For my dad to admit to such thing is so shocking, I thought I'd had an aneurism and was hearing things. That just tells me how much he really hates Kline.
8 November 2006
at 2:25 p.m.
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srj (Anonymous) says…
But if Kline found “proof of criminal activity” in a way that was illegal, why continue. It would be Morrison that would have to fight that battle in court.
8 November 2006
at 2:45 p.m.
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cellogrl (Anonymous) says…
Okay here's the big thing BigDog. The fact that Kline was delving into confidential medical records without the patient's permission is a crime in itself. He should thank his lucky stars that he isn't being prosecuted himself.
8 November 2006
at 2:49 p.m.
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optimist (Anonymous) says…
These records are no different than casting a secret ballot. Though they represent individual's medical information pertaining to the treatment they received from the clinic they do not contain their names. Therefore these women and children still have their privacy. The only way that can and will be breached is if the clinic violated the law or a crime was committed against these patients.
No matter your opinion on abortion we must protect children from being prayed upon by adults. If the clinic failed to protect children from abuse they should be held accountable. If they performed an abortion that was illegal under the laws of this state again they should be held responsible.
If we choose to ignore the law because of politics then we aren't a nation of laws and the election that was held yesterday was for not. Whatever happened to abiding by the rule of law?
8 November 2006
at 2:59 p.m.
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Luxor (Anonymous) says…
optimist, I completely agree that we must protect children from being “prayed” upon. Apparently a great number of American voters agree with me as well.
8 November 2006
at 3:13 p.m.
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acg (Anonymous) says…
Luxor, that was beautiful, man, just beautiful!! :)
8 November 2006
at 3:15 p.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
BigDog, I know it's easy to ignore the HIPAA statutes that I keep bringing up. Is it because you really don't think there's a problem… or is my argument that frighteningly strong?
Dig around in my previous posts the past three or four days… you might find something educational and enlightening.
Morrison has asked that the records be given to a neutral third party. He has not asked to keep the records, and he has not asked that they be returned to the clinics.
Do you really see this as “unfair?”
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
8 November 2006
at 3:24 p.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Per my post yesterday afternoon, optimist… yes, you are correct, the current records in Kline's position are “redacted”—identifying information has been removed. It was not redacted records that Kline originally asked for, however… and I think that is what led to his downfall.
Again, as I said yesterday: If the abortion clinics are not reporting suspicious things in the same way that a pediatrician or ER nurse/doctor would, then they need to be fined, have licenses revoked, perhaps.
Abortion providers will always find business, “legal” or “illegal.” The only way to reduce abortions is through promoting abstinence…
Increased sexual awareness/education
Access to birth control…
Access to “Plan B” aka RU-486
These simple measures will greatly reduce the number of women looking for abortions. Some abortion providers might even be unable to find it profitable to stay open, and will shut down.
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
8 November 2006
at 3:26 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Equally as bad as O'Reilly being given access to confidential medical records is the fact that Kline disclosed information contained in some of the records. For example, I seem to remember him saying that the records did not indicate any late-term abortions were performed to protect the life of the mother. Such disclosures would seem to violate the orders put into place by the trial court and the Kansas Supreme Court. It would laos seem to violate HIPAA.
8 November 2006
at 3:29 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Sorry.
The phrase “…O'Reilly being given access to confidential medical records…” connotes that O'Reilly actually saw the records. This may or may not be supported by his on-air comments. He certainly suggested he had knowledge of the contents of those records which would only come from some violation of applicable court orders and/or HIPAA.
8 November 2006
at 3:34 p.m.
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Jersey_Girl (Anonymous) says…
ihatejohntravolta - why?
optimist - if the records don't have the patients' names on them, then how did Kline expect to know who the victims are and who abused them? I'm pretty sure that it's not necessary to name the father in order to get an abortion. And even if he collected “anonymous” charts, who brought it to his attention that underage girls where getting abortions? If the parents are not bringing charges, I'm pretty sure Kline wouldn't have much of a case. If I'm wrong, I'm sure one of you will correct me.
8 November 2006
at 3:34 p.m.
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Agnostick (Anonymous) says…
Dicey at best, Baille…
HIPAA is about personal privacy. If I hold up a folder in my hand and say “I have medical records from a certain doctor in town, and these 50 patients have all had face lifts”… well, that's not really saying much of anything. Lots of people have face lifts.
On the other hand… if I say, “I have medical records from the office of doctor Graham, over on Spring Avenue. These 50 patients, all women over the age of 45, have all had face lifts in January and February of this year.”
Whoops. Now I'm thinking… “Gee, doesn't Jane, our secretary, go see Dr. Graham?
“And wasn't Jane out for a couple of weeks, right after Valentine's Day?
“And didn't she look a little pink around the eyes when she came back to work?”
Jane's name hasn't been released, so it probably wouldn't hold up in court. Makes you wonder, though, what could be next.
“Next up on 'The Factor,' seems some of our favorite California Democrats have been getting a little bit of the ol' 'nip and tuck.' In fact, our insider at one of Beverly Hill's swankiest plastic surgery clinics has revealed that none other than Nancy…”
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
8 November 2006
at 3:41 p.m.
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annieinkansas (Anonymous) says…
Morrison wasn't just handed this office, he was handed a Mandate.
Read my lips:
m-a-n-d-a-t-e
He'll stop all the stinky stuff Kline was doing and go after criminals. I hope he starts with the real estate people who tried to sell Johnson County taxpayers a piece of land for double the price.
The People Have Spoken and Kansas is No Longer Red — it is purple.
go CATS.
8 November 2006
at 3:41 p.m.
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badger (Anonymous) says…
Agnostick:
Plan B =/= RU-486.
8 November 2006
at 3:45 p.m.
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Jersey_Girl (Anonymous) says…
agnostick - “abortion providers” are medical doctors. If it is legal in their state and the doctor's personal feelings are not anti-abortion, many OBGYNs will perform an abortion if their patient requests one in their affiliated hospital.
8 November 2006
at 3:46 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Fair enough, Agnostick. Frankly, I think HIPAA is a pain in the butt. Leave it up to a bunch of politicians and their industry paid staff to really screw up physician/patient confidentiality.
Anyway, I am just going to enjoy watching how it all plays out. Did Kline violate the protection order - again? Did Bill get his knowledge of the sealed medical records from Kline or someone in Kline's office? This is better than Telemundo.
8 November 2006
at 3:53 p.m.
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Jersey_Girl (Anonymous) says…
I guess I should finish my comment to agnostick. My point was, even if everyone either used birth control or practice abstinence, “abortion providers” would still have jobs.
8 November 2006
at 3:59 p.m.
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Bunny_Hotcakes (Anonymous) says…
Thank you, badger. To further explain…
Plan B:
http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/…
RU-486 aka Mifepristone:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug…
Not the same thing at all.
8 November 2006
at 4:06 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Posted by cellogrl
Okay here's the big thing BigDog. The fact that Kline was delving into confidential medical records without the patient's permission is a crime in itself. He should thank his lucky stars that he isn't being prosecuted himself.
*******************************************
The records were requested through the courts …. Kline did not just walk inot the abortion clinics and take the records.
8 November 2006
at 4:11 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
He'll stop all the stinky stuff Kline was doing and go after criminals. I hope he starts with the real estate people who tried to sell Johnson County taxpayers a piece of land for double the price.
********************************************
Can't Morrison do this now as the District Attorney in Johnson County?
8 November 2006
at 4:14 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
But I will also say if Kline's office is proven to have released these records to Bill O'Reilly or anyone else ……. they should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
8 November 2006
at 4:27 p.m.
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Baille (Anonymous) says…
Maybe Phill can pull all the “w” keys off the keyboards as well.
8 November 2006
at 5:08 p.m.
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Centrist (Anonymous) says…
What really will suck now is that the women who are in those records will magically start being harassed by “pro-lifers” …. you know, the people who murder abortionists in the name of LIFE.
I feel sorry for any woman who ever had an abortion in the state of Kansas.
I'd bet that the ultra-religio-nazis already have names and possibly addresses as well.
Phill Kline - Irresponsible M_F … literally (think about it haha)
Justice has been served.
8 November 2006
at 5:14 p.m.
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BigDog (Anonymous) says…
Ok Centrist ….. put on your tinfoil hat or Phill might be able to intercept your thoughts.
8 November 2006
at 5:20 p.m.
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BOE (Anonymous) says…
Phill's just had a bad case of PMS (Paul Morrison Stompin')
He'd love to leave Morrison (and Kansas) with a tangled up, expensive mess, and then blame him for any negative outcome.
Vengence is mine, sayeth the Kline.
8 November 2006
at 6:20 p.m.
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yourworstnightmare (Anonymous) says…
I have a new job idea for the recently-unemployed Ryun and Kline. They can wear cockroach outfits and prance around at Governor Sebelius' press conferences.
8 November 2006
at 7:23 p.m.
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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…
“The phrase “…O'Reilly being given access to confidential medical records…” connotes that O'Reilly actually saw the records. This may or may not be supported by his on-air comments.”
..
For what it is worth, I learned from the Dennis Dailey episode that O'Reilly is certainly not bounded by the notions of truth which are shared by real journalists. He is entertainment…just like the sports pages.
8 November 2006
at 8:47 p.m.
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mommy3 (Anonymous) says…
So what is the question? Did Kline break the law, or did the women who murdered babies break the law? I'm not sure which is worse…Murder? Snooping? Man, that's a hard choice! Get real! Who cares who did what, it all boils down to the acts comitted against those babies. So Kline wants the abortion clinics to try a little harder to save a few lives, instead of making a buck.
8 November 2006
at 9:10 p.m.
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crazyks (Anonymous) says…
It doesn't really matter what your personal opinion is on abortion, mommy. Right now, abortion is legal in this country.
It is none of Kline's business. Abortion is legal.
8 November 2006
at 10:15 p.m.
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xenophonschild (Anonymous) says…
Republicans are bad, Democrats are good; it's that simple.
Abortion is legal. It is the law. A woman has a right to choose whether to carry and have a child, or remove a nodule of cells from her uterus.
Kline lost. Ryun lost. Bush lost … big. Any questions, refer to my initial sentiment.
9 November 2006
at 6:44 a.m.
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Valkyrie_of_Reason (Kathy Getto) says…
parkay - you said those words again! post-viable babies. WTH?
9 November 2006
at 8:06 a.m.
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Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
Morrison is actually worried that Kline's investigations will prove that he, Kline, was correct.
This is why Morrison is asking Kline to hold off.
Thanks.
Marion.
9 November 2006
at 3:27 p.m.
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75x55 (Anonymous) says…
I thought I saw it mentioned earlier, but all these fine people got mis-directed on the abortion issue. IF the redacted records show clear evidence of possible crimes against minors, and/or illegal medical procedures - it will be interesting to see if the new AG will pursue them with the appropriate vigor.
11 November 2006
at 3:38 p.m.
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Lifesupport (Anonymous) says…
“What really will suck now is that the women who are in those records will magically start being harassed by “pro-lifers” …. you know, the people who murder abortionists in the name of LIFE.” – Centrist
Seven murdered abortionists is nothing compared to more than 7000 documented acts of violence and illegal activities committed by pro-abortionists. These crimes include:
* 880 homicides and other killings
* 86 attempted murders
* 23 arsons and bombings
* 787 assaults
* 1,798 sex crimes
(including 169 rapes)
* 59 kidnappings
* 420 cases of vandalism
* 270 drug-related crimes
* 1,577 medical crimes
Also, 520 murders and 360 fatal botched abortions by pro abortionists, including;
* 145 pregnant women
* 360 abortion clients
* 71 other women
* 110 born children
* 164 wanted preborn children, and
* 30 men (including two pro-life activists,
two abortionists, and a sheriff's deputy)
Check prochoiceviolence.com to see the details for yourself. The pro-choice movement is more violent than the pro-life side. The national news media tends to ignore pro-abortion violence. When was the last time you saw one of the above cases on national news. They usually do not mention the peaceful million people march against abortion in Washington DC every January 22. Abortion facilities claim that pro-lifers standing outside and peacefully praying is a form of harassment.
While you may want to paint pro-lifers as ultra-religio-nazis extremists, nothing could be further from the truth. Perhaps you should remember that it was the Nazis who denied basic human rights to whole classes of people who did not fit their master plan. First, they denied they were people at all by calling them parasites. Then, they systematically murdered and used them for brutal experiments. Pro-lifers seek to defend, protect, and raise respect for all human life - just the opposite of what the Nazis were doing.
I guess you never heard of Feminists for Life.
“Abortion is legal. It is the law. A woman has a right to choose whether to carry and have a child, or remove a nodule of cells from her uterus.” – xenophonschild
You really need to get past the “nodule of cells.” Technically, we all are a collection of cells. A developing embryo is certainly past merely being a nodule of cells by the fourth week. The heart has already started beating. Most abortions occur between 8 and 12 weeks when there are already little arms and legs and a whole lot more.