---by Phyllis Woods
On Wednesday, November 30, 2005, the US Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the New Hampshire parental notification law which requires that at least one parent or guardian be told when their minor child is going to have an abortion. This law, passed by the legislature in 2003 and signed by Governor Craig Benson, was never allowed to go into effect as Planned Parenthood filed a complaint with the US District Court who ruled it was unconstitutional. The state then appealed that ruling to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston which upheld the ruling of the first court. NH Attorney General Kelly Ayotte appealed the lower court ruling to the US Supreme Court which agreed to hear the case. The bill voted on by the legislature establishing this law, articulates the following reason for enacting such a law:
"It is the intent of the legislature in enacting this parental notification provision to further the important and compelling state interests of protecting minors against their own immaturity, fostering the family structure and preserving it as a viable social unit, and protecting the rights of parents to rear children who are members of their household."
The main argument of the laws opponents, both in the legislature at the time and in the media recently, center around whether the act is constitutional with its medical emergency provision and without a specific exemption for the health of the mother.
Our law was modeled after the Minnesota law which has an identical emergency exemption and which was upheld by the US Supreme Court. Both states waive parental notice when the girl’s life is threatened and both purposely do not waive notice for what is known as the "health loophole." Opponents would like a health exception clause wherein "health" would be so broadly interpreted that every case could claim the need. However, in more than twenty years since the Minnesota law has been in effect, there have been no reported cases of medical emergencies related to abortion. Furthermore, in the very unlikely eventuality of a real health emergency of a young girl it would seem to be even more critical that parents be allowed to exercise their right to be involved on their daughter’s behalf.
A judicial "bypass" was also included, where a girl could bypass her parents by going before a judge. This was to make allowance for the exceptional case in which a girl is determined to be mature and well-informed enough to make a decision about her unplanned pregnancy alone, or in which involvement of a parent is not in her best interest. The general intent of the law, however, is parental notification, not judicial notification. It is a rare situation where a young girl is better off making such a serious decision without the involvement of a parent. A judicial bypass is required by the US Supreme Court and all other states who have enacted parental involvement laws have included a bypass with wording similar to ours.
We should be mindful that the only ones who will benefit if our law is struck down or repealed are the abortion providers who will be free of the responsibility of notifying a parent or guardian and will be accountable to no one.
Those who will be harmed, however, are the young girls who will be deprived of a parent’s support and counsel when making a difficult decision, a complete medical history, careful attention for any post-abortion complications, and relief from the unnecessary and overwhelming burden of keeping a secret they would otherwise be carrying when returning to their families.
The state does, and should, have a compelling interest in fostering the family structure and protecting the rights of parents to rear their children. When abortions are done on young girls in secret it promotes deception and tears apart the fabric of parent-child relations and parental responsibility thereby harming the family unit. Besides undermining the authority of parents and putting the government and the abortion provider between parent and child, it works against the best interest of the child. We need a parental notification law to protect both children and families.
Phyllis Woods
Dover, NH 03820
11.30.2005
11.26.2005
Holiday Suggestions
…By Ron Dupuis
For Senators Reid, Boxer, Kennedy, Kerry, and Biden; Take some time off over the holidays, take a deep breath and think about what you have said about the President over the past year. If President Bush truly “lied while people died” then tell us specifics not opinions. Show the American people proof that you received different intelligence than the White House. If President Bush is just another Hitler and our military is setting up Nazi style concentration camps, as many of you have suggested, then back up the charges with facts instead of jaded opinions.
While I have your attention Senator Kennedy , don’t forget to send the Kopeknes a Christmas card.
For Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic Party; Stop taking what was once the proud party of America’s working class to the extreme left. Your hateful rhetoric and delusional concept of being the “heart and soul” of America is what lost the last election and will continue to stifle your parties chances of ever recovering. Try to be more like Senator Clinton and pretend to move to the center.
By the way, you should probably check your medication.
For Michael “I don’t own a single share of stock” Moore; Take all the shares of stock you “don’t own” and all the profits you have received from those “don’t own” shares and donate the entire portfolio to the Republican Party. You got caught. Take your medicine like a man.
For Kathy (ethics are important) Sullivan; You’ve run your mouth for years. Now you’re a involved in your own illegal ethics violation. Plead guilty and save the taxpayers the expense of a trial. Perhaps the judge will allow you to share a cell with Chuck McGee.
You got caught. Take your medicine like a man
For Governor Lynch; Try to remember the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If Commissioner Curry has the State Employees Association angry at him that possibly means he is doing a good job watching out for the tax payer’s dollars.
I’m sure Chief Wrenn is a fine police officer. I just don’t understand how being the Chief of a small New Hampshire community qualifies him to run a multi-faceted warehouse with a number of different locations. Being a jailer has nothing to do with law enforcement.
For anyone who greets me in the next thirty days; Its not “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” or even “Happy” Christmas. Its “Merry Christmas.” Do you understand that you PC pains. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I’m an American Christian and I celebrate not only the birth of the leader of my church over two thousand years ago, but also the holiday tradition the founding fathers honored over two hundred years ago. I will honor my Jewish friends with a cheerful “Happy Chanukah”, and my black friends, who happen to celebrate it, a “Happy Kwanza.” Please to greet me with good wishes this season, it’s “Merry Christmas.”
For all people that do their shopping on T.V.; This is the time of year when every other commercial ends with “Not sold in stores,” “Order now.” Don’t believe it for a minute. All that junk can be found in stores throughout the country. Gonzsu knives, Popile pocket fisherman, and even old Andy Williams/ Osmond Brothers Christmas albums. All sold in stores so there is no need to “have your credit card handy and call today.”
For the brave men and women volunteers in today’s Armed Forces; Keep alert, stay safe, and remember, despite what you may read in the liberal press, more Americans are behind you and your efforts to keep us safe here at home. I, as most Americans, will pray for you each and every day until your mission is complete and you return to the arms of your families and loved ones. God bless you all.
For Senators Reid, Boxer, Kennedy, Kerry, and Biden; Take some time off over the holidays, take a deep breath and think about what you have said about the President over the past year. If President Bush truly “lied while people died” then tell us specifics not opinions. Show the American people proof that you received different intelligence than the White House. If President Bush is just another Hitler and our military is setting up Nazi style concentration camps, as many of you have suggested, then back up the charges with facts instead of jaded opinions.
While I have your attention Senator Kennedy , don’t forget to send the Kopeknes a Christmas card.
For Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic Party; Stop taking what was once the proud party of America’s working class to the extreme left. Your hateful rhetoric and delusional concept of being the “heart and soul” of America is what lost the last election and will continue to stifle your parties chances of ever recovering. Try to be more like Senator Clinton and pretend to move to the center.
By the way, you should probably check your medication.
For Michael “I don’t own a single share of stock” Moore; Take all the shares of stock you “don’t own” and all the profits you have received from those “don’t own” shares and donate the entire portfolio to the Republican Party. You got caught. Take your medicine like a man.
For Kathy (ethics are important) Sullivan; You’ve run your mouth for years. Now you’re a involved in your own illegal ethics violation. Plead guilty and save the taxpayers the expense of a trial. Perhaps the judge will allow you to share a cell with Chuck McGee.
You got caught. Take your medicine like a man
For Governor Lynch; Try to remember the old saying “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If Commissioner Curry has the State Employees Association angry at him that possibly means he is doing a good job watching out for the tax payer’s dollars.
I’m sure Chief Wrenn is a fine police officer. I just don’t understand how being the Chief of a small New Hampshire community qualifies him to run a multi-faceted warehouse with a number of different locations. Being a jailer has nothing to do with law enforcement.
For anyone who greets me in the next thirty days; Its not “Happy Holidays” or “Seasons Greetings” or even “Happy” Christmas. Its “Merry Christmas.” Do you understand that you PC pains. MERRY CHRISTMAS!! I’m an American Christian and I celebrate not only the birth of the leader of my church over two thousand years ago, but also the holiday tradition the founding fathers honored over two hundred years ago. I will honor my Jewish friends with a cheerful “Happy Chanukah”, and my black friends, who happen to celebrate it, a “Happy Kwanza.” Please to greet me with good wishes this season, it’s “Merry Christmas.”
For all people that do their shopping on T.V.; This is the time of year when every other commercial ends with “Not sold in stores,” “Order now.” Don’t believe it for a minute. All that junk can be found in stores throughout the country. Gonzsu knives, Popile pocket fisherman, and even old Andy Williams/ Osmond Brothers Christmas albums. All sold in stores so there is no need to “have your credit card handy and call today.”
For the brave men and women volunteers in today’s Armed Forces; Keep alert, stay safe, and remember, despite what you may read in the liberal press, more Americans are behind you and your efforts to keep us safe here at home. I, as most Americans, will pray for you each and every day until your mission is complete and you return to the arms of your families and loved ones. God bless you all.
11.25.2005
Hospital Acquired Infections Legislation
...By State Rep. Howie Lund, Derry
There were a number of pieces of legislation filed this fall dealing with the issue of hospital-acquired infections. It was felt that the public should be able to access information by hospital. This will help the citizens of the state make more informed decisions as to where to send loved ones when important medical procedures are needed. It was decided by the legislators involved to consolidate their efforts into one piece of legislation that they would all get behind and support. The six legislators involved are Rep. Leo Pepino (Manchester), Rep Howie Lund (Derry), Rep Dave Hess (Hooksett), Rep Rogers Johnson (Stratham), Rep James Powers (Portsmouth) and Rep Robert Giuda (Warren) .
Latest estimates show that 90,000 patients a year die from hospital acquired infections. That is more than die per year from auto accidents and breast cancer combined. It is more than died in the Vietnam War (58,000), which lasted for nearly ten years. Were we to look at the length of the Vietnam War and put the same number of years on hospital acquired infection deaths, we would be looking at nearly million (1,000,000) deaths. This legislation is not intended to diminish the positive contributions made by the hospitals of our state but rather to bring the issue into the light of day, which should accomplish two things. First is to provide the public with information to make informed decisions on the most important issues in their lives. Second, to bring about improvement in hospital procedures that will reduce the loss of life and the unnecessary suffering related to hospital acquired infections.
The human costs are foremost but there is another important issue and that is financial. Just imagine what the costs are associated with repeated admittance to the hospital for hospital-acquired infection. Our insurance rates increase, our state Health and Human Services bill escalates (Medicare). Presently 29% of our state budget is spent on HHS. In states, such as Penn., that have implemented this type of legislation they are already experiencing a reduction in hospital-acquired infection. We expect to experience the same type of positive results with our legislation hear in New Hampshire.
There were a number of pieces of legislation filed this fall dealing with the issue of hospital-acquired infections. It was felt that the public should be able to access information by hospital. This will help the citizens of the state make more informed decisions as to where to send loved ones when important medical procedures are needed. It was decided by the legislators involved to consolidate their efforts into one piece of legislation that they would all get behind and support. The six legislators involved are Rep. Leo Pepino (Manchester), Rep Howie Lund (Derry), Rep Dave Hess (Hooksett), Rep Rogers Johnson (Stratham), Rep James Powers (Portsmouth) and Rep Robert Giuda (Warren) .
Latest estimates show that 90,000 patients a year die from hospital acquired infections. That is more than die per year from auto accidents and breast cancer combined. It is more than died in the Vietnam War (58,000), which lasted for nearly ten years. Were we to look at the length of the Vietnam War and put the same number of years on hospital acquired infection deaths, we would be looking at nearly million (1,000,000) deaths. This legislation is not intended to diminish the positive contributions made by the hospitals of our state but rather to bring the issue into the light of day, which should accomplish two things. First is to provide the public with information to make informed decisions on the most important issues in their lives. Second, to bring about improvement in hospital procedures that will reduce the loss of life and the unnecessary suffering related to hospital acquired infections.
The human costs are foremost but there is another important issue and that is financial. Just imagine what the costs are associated with repeated admittance to the hospital for hospital-acquired infection. Our insurance rates increase, our state Health and Human Services bill escalates (Medicare). Presently 29% of our state budget is spent on HHS. In states, such as Penn., that have implemented this type of legislation they are already experiencing a reduction in hospital-acquired infection. We expect to experience the same type of positive results with our legislation hear in New Hampshire.
American Ingenuity
--- by Ed Naile
I was reading on Drudge about the 80 kilometer benzene slick in China flowing down the Songhua River to the northern city of Harbin. Harbin is a provincial capital up near Russia and almost dead west of Sapporo Japan.
The pollution slick has people fleeing the city of nine million by all means possible. The trains are full, planes booked solid, and roads choked full of people leaving. If you have ever been to China you would note that is what traffic looks like on a good day, after you throw in a few million overloaded bicycles.
The benzene slick is 100 times higher than the national safety standard - the Chinese National Safety Standard where people weld without goggles and jack-hammer in shorts and sandals.
The Financial Times article I read had quotes such as this one from a local guy:
“I am fleeing,” said Pang Shijun, a 50-year-old man among the crowds at the central railway station. He said his wife had already left the night before to go to the nearby city of Jixi. “I just do not trust the government to provide true information on this.”
The situation was magnified by the contradictory news releases issued by the city government and the plant owner, PetroChina, which stalled evacuation efforts. The city also turned off water supplies in anticipation of the ecological disaster, creating a water buying panic..
But! Wouldn't you know it there is an American beer plant in Harbin. Here is part of what they had to say.
“Anheuser-Busch, the US brewer which has a plant in the city, issued a statement saying the water shutdown had “not significantly affected” its beer production in Harbin.”
At least they have everything in perspective.
I was reading on Drudge about the 80 kilometer benzene slick in China flowing down the Songhua River to the northern city of Harbin. Harbin is a provincial capital up near Russia and almost dead west of Sapporo Japan.
The pollution slick has people fleeing the city of nine million by all means possible. The trains are full, planes booked solid, and roads choked full of people leaving. If you have ever been to China you would note that is what traffic looks like on a good day, after you throw in a few million overloaded bicycles.
The benzene slick is 100 times higher than the national safety standard - the Chinese National Safety Standard where people weld without goggles and jack-hammer in shorts and sandals.
The Financial Times article I read had quotes such as this one from a local guy:
“I am fleeing,” said Pang Shijun, a 50-year-old man among the crowds at the central railway station. He said his wife had already left the night before to go to the nearby city of Jixi. “I just do not trust the government to provide true information on this.”
The situation was magnified by the contradictory news releases issued by the city government and the plant owner, PetroChina, which stalled evacuation efforts. The city also turned off water supplies in anticipation of the ecological disaster, creating a water buying panic..
But! Wouldn't you know it there is an American beer plant in Harbin. Here is part of what they had to say.
“Anheuser-Busch, the US brewer which has a plant in the city, issued a statement saying the water shutdown had “not significantly affected” its beer production in Harbin.”
At least they have everything in perspective.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)