With their override of the governors veto of an invasive bill regarding abortion, the Oklahoma state legislature has put in place ghoulish and inappropriate steps that a woman must take to have a lawful abortion. My issue isn't whether or not abortions are good or bad, rather it is the action taken by the state legislature to make exercising this lawful action more difficult than it already is.
Below is the letter I just sent to my state senator and state representative.
Mark
Senator Clark Jolley
State Senate
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
Representative Lewis Moore
State Representative
2300 North Lincoln Boulevard
Oklahoma City, OK 73105
April 28, 2010
Dear Senator Jolley & Representative Moore:
Thanks to the Oklahoma state legislature, our state continues it’s path backwards into the Dark Ages and is being characterized in ways that should make all of its citizens ashamed. I know that I am ashamed to live here.
Since I’m a man I can’t really begin to understand what a woman must go through as she considers whether or not to have a lawful abortion. Of course, neither can the two of you or the vast majority of your colleagues in the state legislature. Yet you still decided to make this already difficult decision even more painful and humiliating for no reason other than your supposed moral superiority. Be sure that you have no moral superiority on this issue.
I assume that this law will both reduce the number of abortions in the state and cause additional mental and emotional stress to the mothers, families, and soon to be borne children. Given that, I would expect that your next order of business will be to increase funding to the various state agencies that will be required support these additional children and their families.
I would expect that all of the members of the state legislature will now decide to become foster parents to some of these children and possibly even propose legislation to require all citizens of Oklahoma spend at least some time as foster parents. Certainly you should all be required to be briefed on a regular basis by the state agencies who will be caring for these children so you can be fully aware of the results of your actions.
I also think you should pass legislation that requires all Oklahoma residents who want to have a drivers license to be required to watch at least 2 hours of film showing horrific car accidents resulting in death and dismemberment of drivers and passengers. After all, even though getting a drivers license is a lawful act, like an abortion, we certainly should be sure that they have a full understanding of what could come as a result of getting a drivers license.
Perhaps legislation should be passed requiring all stores that sell alcohol to post pictures of drunks passed out on the street, people dying of liver disease, people vomiting on themselves, etc. Remember, even though the purchase of alcohol is legal, like abortions, we certainly need to make sure that people know what they are getting into when the make that purchase.
Also, all jury members considering the death penalty should be required to watch film of people being put to death. While it is lawful for them to vote for the death penalty, like it is to get an abortion, we certainly want to be sure that they are fully aware of the consequences of voting for a penalty of death.
Here is one last idea given the current state of the economy. I think legislation should be passed that requires all potential home buyers to see a film about what can happen when you can’t make your payments and your home is foreclosed and you are thrown out on the street. I know that buying a home is legal, like abortions, but I’m sure you want to protect home buyers to so go ahead and get that legislation on the works.
There are so many things that the legislature could be doing to help the people and state of Oklahoma. Your actions on this abortion law doesn’t help the people of Oklahoma or the state. Do you think companies will want to locate here given the reputation that this state is developing? Do you think people will want to vacation here? I don’t think so, heck I don’t even want to live here anymore.
On top of all of that this law will probably be struck down in the courts and all you will have achieved is spending state money we need for more important things and looking like the fools that you are.
I think all of you should have to look at film of women as they go through the ultrasound tests and all the other ghoulish things you have in store for them with this legislation. You especially should have to watch the ones of those women you didn’t protect who became pregnant because of rape or incest. I want you all to watch their hearts break a hundred times because of what you have done. I want you to have those pictures in your mind every day and I fervently hope that they keep you up at night.
Words cannot describe what I think of what you have done.
Sincerely,
Mark Lash
