Supreme parents

Remember those liberal judges on the Florida Supreme Court who tried so hard to keep George W. Bush out of the White House? Now they want to keep parents out of their children's affairs.

In a 5-1 decision, the justices this month struck down a 1999 law signed by Gov. Jeb Bush that requires parents to be notified at least 48 hours before their children under 18 can obtain abortions. Their reasoning: The privacy guarantee under the Florida constitution applies to everyone, including minors, and is stronger than such rights provided under the U.S. Constitution.

Enforcement of the law was on hold pending the outcome of legal challenges by abortion providers.

An "outrageous and terrible" ruling, said Mike McCarron, executive director of the Florida Catholic Conference. "It robs children of their parents' involvement in vital health decisions, and it robs the parents of their right to raise and properly care for their children."