Today Oklahoma's new anti-abortion law was temporarily blocked while it is reviewed for constitutionality. In my view, the law is a good one and will be allowed to stand. The Center for Reproductive Rights is arguing to have it struck down. It stands to cut into their profits as abortionists. The Oklahoma law seems to be the bridge that has been needed for a long time. While many people nation-wide are reluctant to completely disallow abortion in favor of maternal right to choose, this law allows the mother to choose, with a caveat.
Before undergoing an abortion, under this new law, a mother would have to have an ultrasound, see the beating heart, and hear about the stage of development of her child. She should know this before terminating a pregnancy. It's a medical fact and shouldn't we all be informed before any surgical procedure?
While this new law is among the strictest in the nation, it makes the most sense. In counseling women who were post-abortion, I have heard many times, "I had no idea what I had done until I got pregnant again. I didn't know that the heart was beating in the first trimester. I didn't know that the baby was fully formed. What did I do?". In abortion, there is as much psychological damage as physical damage -- sometimes more. So making sure that women know what they are doing seems prudent and is in keeping with the overall care of the mother.
When a woman undergoes any medical procedure, her physician is required to describe the procedure and the risks to her. Why should abortion be any different? It's different because given the information and viewing an ultrasound would likely change the minds of many who are considering abortion. This would put a big kink in the budgets of family planning clinics around the country. Some people couldn't afford the new cars and perks. Abortion is big business and big profit. It's less about womens rights and more about selling them the alternative -- an alternative that means some people get wealthy from others' mistakes. Planned Parenthood and The Center for Reproductive Rights have a lot to lose. They're defending their way of life. Now there is an irony.
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oklahoma. Show all posts
Monday, May 3, 2010
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Native American Tribal Wealth And The Greed It Spawns
Congress is asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to investigate five major American Indian tribes in Oklahoma. The investigation alleges that tribes have illegally expelled descendants of freedmen and has denied them federal education, housing, and health benefits. This has been an issue that has been brought up in California as well. Newly wealthy tribes (as a result of tribal gaming) are expelling members previously admitted for a variety of reasons. Some believe it is more related to greed than tribal eligibility. The Cherokee, Seminole, Creek, Choctaw, and Chickasaw tribes (historically called "the five civilized tribes") are some of the richest in the nation. They are being investigated for allegedly expelling tribal members who are black.
Mike Miller, a spokesman for the Cherokee Nation has said, "As the Cherokee Nation has explained to more than 100 members of Congress through meetings, this issue has never been about race, but only about who is a citizen of an Indian Nation". Of course, as citizens of an Indian Nation, one would be entitled to benefits and tribal monies.
In adoption, we have seen tribal discrimination first hand. I have yet to encounter a tribe willing to fight for a part African-American baby. They will let them go. However, if a Caucasian baby who is part Native American is to be placed for adoption, they may very well intervene. Isn't a part black child just as entitled to tribal benefits as a part white child if the amount of Indian blood is the same? And what does that say about the value that is placed on the life of a black child versus that of a white child? Discrimination lives and thrives in the tribal communities and, yet, how do they respond if a Native American perceives that they are the one being discriminated against?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Congress. Tribes are sovereign nations and, as such, want and are entitled to make all of their own rules and laws. So how, then, are they being held accountable? The fact is, they aren't. Greed has prevailed for too long and there is finally some light being shed on the issue. I hope the Department of Justice will review the matter and find a way to preserve the rights of the smallest Native Americans, whether black or white. The whole idea of making the determination based on race is offensive. Even though it is being denied, it is apparent. Adoption is just a small part of the issue. I wonder, too, when they will consider the birth mother's right to choose what she believes is the best path for her child, whether that be inside or outside the tribe. Tribal benefits and greed are currently the basis for life and lifetime decisions. That's a sad commentary and Native Americans should be outraged.
Mike Miller, a spokesman for the Cherokee Nation has said, "As the Cherokee Nation has explained to more than 100 members of Congress through meetings, this issue has never been about race, but only about who is a citizen of an Indian Nation". Of course, as citizens of an Indian Nation, one would be entitled to benefits and tribal monies.
In adoption, we have seen tribal discrimination first hand. I have yet to encounter a tribe willing to fight for a part African-American baby. They will let them go. However, if a Caucasian baby who is part Native American is to be placed for adoption, they may very well intervene. Isn't a part black child just as entitled to tribal benefits as a part white child if the amount of Indian blood is the same? And what does that say about the value that is placed on the life of a black child versus that of a white child? Discrimination lives and thrives in the tribal communities and, yet, how do they respond if a Native American perceives that they are the one being discriminated against?
It will be interesting to see how this plays out in Congress. Tribes are sovereign nations and, as such, want and are entitled to make all of their own rules and laws. So how, then, are they being held accountable? The fact is, they aren't. Greed has prevailed for too long and there is finally some light being shed on the issue. I hope the Department of Justice will review the matter and find a way to preserve the rights of the smallest Native Americans, whether black or white. The whole idea of making the determination based on race is offensive. Even though it is being denied, it is apparent. Adoption is just a small part of the issue. I wonder, too, when they will consider the birth mother's right to choose what she believes is the best path for her child, whether that be inside or outside the tribe. Tribal benefits and greed are currently the basis for life and lifetime decisions. That's a sad commentary and Native Americans should be outraged.
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