California's Prop. 73 Heavily Opposed By Planned Parenthood
by James Lambert
October 14, 2005
(AgapePress) - When Mark Salo recently addressed the North County Times readers concerning an upcoming California ballot initiative, it was not clear until the very end of the story that Salo is the chief executive of Planned Parenthood of San Diego & Riverside Counties. Salo is concerned about the readers' negative perceptions of a bill that would require parental consent for minors who want to get an abortion -- a measure called Proposition 73. Salo and abortion rights organizations like Planned Parenthood, NARAL, and National Organization for Women, and others are working hard to convince the public that this initiative is not good for California.
In a few weeks, voters will decide on a series of hotly contested initiatives, including Proposition 73. According to Prop. 73 proponents, the initiative would require 'a doctor to notify at least one parent 48 hours before doing an abortion on a girl under the age of 18.' Proponents of the proposition (Yes on 73) make their case, noting, 'In California, a daughter under 18 can't get an aspirin from the school nurse, get a flu shot, or have a tooth pulled without the parent knowing. However, surgical or chemical abortions can be secretly performed on minor girls -- even 13 years old or younger without parent's knowledge."
Los Angeles radio talk show host Paul McGuire said on Wednesday, 'the idea that the government or school system can give your daughter an abortion without your knowledge or consent is something that would happen in Russia, Communist China or Cuba, not America.' The popular southern California radio host told his audience this week that 'parents, citizens and churches have a spiritual responsibility to vote yes on 73.'
However, No on 73 advocate Salo believes the proposition places a risk on minor girls' health. He contends that the government 'cannot impose good family communication. It can't force an open dialogue between parents and teens This constitutional amendment would put vulnerable teenagers -- those who need the most protection -- in harm's way.'
Mr. Troy Newman, Director of Operation Rescue West believes Salo is appealing to 'an extreme minority of cases in order to justify the killing of the other 98%.' Newman argues that the abortion industry has repeatedly used this same selectively chosen argument for years, even when Roe v. Wade was argued before the Supreme Court in 1972. (Newman was referring to the statements the National Organization for Women was making in the 1970s in referring to restricting abortions and how that would create incidences of ‘back alley abortions.' In demonstrating that point NOW supporters would often hold up wire coat hangers.)
Newman also thinks Salo has lost his credibility by presenting a conflict of interest. It is generally recognized that Planned Parenthood is the largest abortion provider in San Diego County. The pro-life advocate states that 'the CDC says that over 20% of abortions are given to minors.' If Proposition 73 passes, the abortion industry would be financially impacted around the state.
Spokemen like Salo and Newman also differ on what the proposition can do to help minors. Yes 73 claims that 'Proposition 73 would allow a minor to petition the juvenile court for a waiver (of notifying her parents of having an abortion). In a confidential proceeding, a minor girl can ask the court to find that notifying her parents is not in her best interest.' Salo reasons that such a proceeding is too cumbersome for a minor. 'Think about it. What about the teenage girl who is pregnant and terrified how is she going to navigate a complicated legal process?'
Yes 73 spokesman Alvin Rhomberg responded Friday by saying that this legal process 'is are already set up in more than 30 states and it is working quite well.' Rhomberg continues by saying that Salo 'is creating a false picture of the judicial by-pass system and how it already works.'
With the statewide election just around the corner, it appears the stakes are high for both sides. Proposition 73 has been in the works for pro-life advocates for more than 24 months now. The state of California requires petition proponents to secure 598,000 verifiable, eligible signers for the proposition to be placed on the ballot. The Yes on 73 campaign secured over 1,000,000 signers. The debate should continue to heat up in the coming weeks.
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(My Note: Planned parenthood, the ACLU, and organizations like them will never be running my family - not now and not ever. Christ is the head of my family, then me, and then my wife. Planned parenthood and the ACLU are not in the chain of command, and they WILL butt out!)
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