Weekly Opinion/Editorial

WILL SENATE PRO-LIFERS STAND UP TO THE GUV?
by Steve Fair

Governor Brad Henry vetoed two pro-life bills last week, including one that would require a woman to see an ultrasound of their unborn baby before having an abortion. Henry vetoed similar legislation in 2008, but the Republican led legislature overrode the veto, but the bills were overturned in court because they were “bundled.” Opponents say they are prepared to challenge in court again if the bills becomes law- particularly HB #2780.
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In his veto message Henry said,“This bill was an unconstitutional attempt to insert government into the private lives and decisions of its citizens. State policymakers should never mandate that a citizen be forced to undergo any medical procedure against his or her will, especially when such a procedure could cause physical or mental trauma.” Are you kidding me??? What about the physical and mental trauma forced onto the unborn child by an abortion?
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HB #2780 was authored by State Representative Lisa Billy, (R-Lindsay), and Senator Anthony Sykes, (R-Moore). Sykes, an attorney, said one of the primary reasons for the measure is to provide women with additional information before they have an abortion. When HB #2780 (the ultrasound bill) came up for a vote in the legislature it passed the Senate 35-11 and the House by a margin of 87-7. Because this bill would take effect immediately, ¾ of the legislature must vote to override the Governor’s veto. That means the Senate needs to have 36 votes. Will the conservative Democrats in the Senate vote to override the Governor’s veto? The House seems pretty safe, but the Senate is where the battle will be waged.
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Tony Lauinger of Oklahomans for Life says overturning the veto in the Senate is crucial. Lauinger thinks that Senate Democrats who voted for the bill the first time will be pressured to waffle on the veto vote. Lauinger says "Senate Democrats who voted pro-life will be subjected to intense pro-abortion pressure to switch their votes if the Governor vetoes any of the bills. Thus it is essential that these pro-life Democrats hear from us."
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One who is likely not to vote for the bill is Senator Jim Wilson, (D-Tahlequah). Wilson says, "The Legislature and the Senate are acting like an amateur gynecologist. This is not about abortion. This is about the Bible." Wilson is right about abortion being a biblical issue. The Bible clearly teaches that life begins at conception.
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A passage in what is widely believed to the oldest book in the Bible- Job 10:18, the scripture says, "Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me." This passage shows without a doubt that Job believed he had a spirit inside the womb. This proves that the unborn child is alive. Since "the body without the spirit is dead, " then the spirit is essential to life. The unborn child has a spirit so he has life. What kind of life? Human life, that's easy. If it were a dog, it would be dog's life, since it is a human we are discussing, it would be human life.
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In his book, Culture Shift, Engaging Current Issues, Dr. Albert Mohler talks about the use of ultrasound technology by crisis-pregnancy centers. Mohler says, “The abortion-rights movement has finally met its match. The abortion industry is scared to death of the fetus, knowing that the mere image of a living baby in the womb is the refutation of every argument they can assert and all the coercion they would employ.”
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Mohler contends liberals are scared of the fetus- the unborn child making their case for life from the womb. And it is effective! According to Care Net Pregnancy Centers, 86% of women who see the image of their unborn child before the abortion procedure choose not to go ahead with it.
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Oklahoma is a politically conservative state. According to Sooner Polls, 63% of Oklahomans consider themselves pro-life and over 75% disapprove of abortion. Governor Henry is out of touch with Oklahoma! Senate Democrats better stand up for the unborn by voting to override the Governor’s veto, or they will face the wrath of the voter in November.

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UPDATE

Both the State House and Senate voted to overturn the Governor's veto- the Senate with exactly the number of votes needed- 36, so #2780 will become law immediately.