About Me
- Pamela Clare
- I grew up in Colorado at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, then lived in Denmark and traveled throughout Europe before coming back to Colorado. I have two adult sons, whom I cherish. I started my writing career as a columnist and investigative reporter and eventually became the first woman editor of two different papers. Along the way, my team and I won numerous state and several national awards, including the National Journalism Award for Public Service. In 2011, I was awarded the Keeper of the Flame Lifetime Achievement Award for Journalism. Now I write historical romance and contemporary romantic suspense.
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Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Shackling bill on the Senate floor UPDATED
The anti-shackling bill, which some of you are calling Megan’s Law in honor of Megan Rawlings from Unlawful Contact, goes to the floor of the Colorado Senate for debate today. I’m pretty certain it will pass second reading today and third reading tomorrow.
Here’s the only hitch: The bill has drawn the attention of people on both sides of the abortion debate, both the pros and the antis, so I expect a bit of a tussle in terms of the bill’s language, which is neutral.
I’ve tried hard to shelter the bill from this issue, because this is not what it’s about. But when people feel they have a chance to beat their drum, that’s apparently what they do. I feel like I’ve said a hundred times: “This bill is not about abortion.” And I’ve said to people on both sides. But they’re all too busy trying to score points for their side to listen.
Hopefully, this little tussle won’t hold the bill back. It did delay the completion of the draft of the bill because there was bickering over language. Drove me nuts! I kept having to say, ”This bill is about unchaining women who are in labor.” Fortunately, the senator carrying the bill totally gets that.
UPDATE: The bill passed second reading on a unanimous voice vote after about 15 minutes of robust debate centered, unfortunately, around the abortion debate. This bill has nothing to do with abortion, of course. Fortunately, everyone seems to realize that at some level.
Tomorrow it goes back to the Senate for a final vote. I expect it to pass with strong bipartisan support. Then it's on to the House, where it will be pushed through quickly before the session ends.
And then change will have happened!
And all the women who end up in prison pregnant from now on will face a different set of circumstances than fictional Megan and all the real, live women she represents, women I've met and interviewed.
I cannot tell you how happy that makes me!
I watched the debate live via the Internet (I'm supposed to be working), and it was mightily strange to hear my name mentioned four times during the floor debate. Whoa! I think my face turned red.
Today’s discussion question: What have you all been reading? Any good books lately?
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8 comments:
Fingers crossed on the bill.
I'm currently reading SINFUL by C. Featherstone. It's an erotic romance and not my usual fare but I was attracted to the character driven storyline. The hero is seriously broken and there are some dark themes being explored. I know my heart will be beaten & crushed before this book is over. But it has me hooked in this dreamlike reading state right now.
Charlotte Featherstone is a very talented writer. I'm so glad you've got a great story to sink your teeth into. I LOVE being in that dreamlike reading state. It's been a while since I've had time to read for fun, but I love, love, love it.
Enjoy!
Wonderful news, Pamela! Truly! :oD
Not sure how folks can make the leap from not cuffing a woman in labor to abortion?!? But then there's a lot of stuff I don't understand....
I will say an extra prayer for this tonight. I'm so proud of you!
I'm reading Melissa Mayhue's Highlander series. I'm on book 4 A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN. I've been drawn to them and must finish the series. LOL
Did you hear? RWA may be postponed or moved due to the flooding in Nashville. It was really bad there.
Yay for the bill, Pamela! I finished Judith James' Highland ebel a bit ago, and now I have to find something new to read.
My heart swelled I'm so proud of you Pamela. A-MAZING.
Read Fallen From Grace by Laura Leone - That KristieJ sure can pick them!!
After my romantic suspense binge I'm now into contemps again:
Nothing But Trouble - Rachel Gibson
With A Twist - Deirdre Martin
Loved them both. Fell in love with Liam a secondary from With A Twist
His book is Straight Up which I just finished. SOOO good.
Liam has to flee to Ireland. He meets the beautiful Irish Aislinn who is the most wonderful, funny, smart mouth, kickass heroine I've read in a long time. Even though she was at a low spot in her life she was just amazing. I'm still smiling.
I love when a book stays with me.
I'm surprised there's room with 4 of yours, 6 Christy Reece and all my other faves LOL.
Will keep you in my prayers and thoughts tomorrow.
Read JR Wards "Lover Mine", Rachel Gibson's "Nothing But Trouble". I am reading Shannon Mckenna and a book by Kat Martin. Early I had gotten ahold of Ride The Fire, it was such a good book. :)
Congrats on the Shackling Bill Pamela!! It must be so satisfying for you!
Now that I just got over the shock that there was a possibility the McKinnon series would die - thank God i did not know that I have been waiting for Connor's story in earnest would have been a big bummer not to get it - i wanted to congratulate you on the new book contracts!!
So, on to what I am reading. I have discovered another great romantic suspense author. i have been searching for a good one but haven't read anything that rivets me. But now I have read Christy Reece's first LCR trilogy and they are great! Have the second trilogy on the way.
I have been in and out of little book slumps. I read more than hald Meredith Duran's Written On you rSkin and while I admit the writing is great the story is so slow i simply could not continue it. I seriously tried but was not successful. Must be the only one around who does not rave about this book although i loved her first too and have Wicked Becomes You in my piles.
Next I tried JoAnn Ross's Crossfire - i read Freefall and was looking forward to Quinn's story but unfortunately something is not working for me here either. I am not stopping it but i just put it aside. Trying for a different genre and switched to contemp romance, which i haven't read in a long time, with Victoria Dahl's Talk Me Down. Love lawmen heroes so this one should work for me.
Happy Writing Pamela!