February 13, 2015 Radio Commentary

Legalizing More Abortions

Radio Commentary, 90.7, 91.7 New Life FM, February 13, 2015 – By Sue Ella Deadwyler

In recent years, pro-life advocates worked long and hard to get the Woman’s Right to Know Act passed to limit as many abortions as possible. Now, that law is under attack. S.B. 39 was introduced by Senator Nan Orrock January 26th to authorize abortions after the second trimester, if two physicians and two consulting physicians certify abortion would preserve the life of the woman, which they never identify as an expectant mother.

S.B. 39 would eliminate current law requiring abortion doctors to preserve the life of the unborn child. In fact, it removes the word “child” from current law and substitutes the phrase “product of the abortion,” then requires medical aid for a surviving fetus to be supplied ONLY if the “product of abortion” is capable of “meaningful life,” a totally subject phrase that allows the abortion doctor to choose life or death for any child that survives an abortion.

A “medical emergency” is redefined as any condition that so complicates the medical condition of the female that an abortion is necessary to avert her death or serious risk of substantial impairment of her bodily function, but the bill has no “emergency” care for the baby.

S.B. 39 would repeal over 40 lines of the Woman’s Right to Know Act and would prohibit only one form of abortion – the grisly partial-birth procedure that takes the baby’s life as its head emerges at birth. It’s interesting to note that S.B. 39 boldly deletes the section of law that currently allows abortion doctors to be sued for negligence.

S.B. 39 is in Senator Renee Unterman’s Health and Human Services Committee. Call her at 404 463-1368 to express your opinion about this bill. I think it should be defeated.

On January 26th Senator Fort passed S.B. 49 to repeal Georgia’s “stand-your-ground” law, which authorizes a person to defend himself and others, if his home or property is threatened. The threatened individual has no duty to retreat and has a legal right to use force, including deadly force.

If S.B. 49 passes, Georgians could NOT adequately defend themselves, their families, property or vehicles, even when faced with threats of deadly force. S.B. 49 is in the Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Josh McKoon. Call him at 404 463-3931, and ask him to keep this bill in committee. For Georgia Insight I’m Sue Ella Deadwyler, your Capitol correspondent.