Oh Politics.....

I understand that the fight over abortion had never been clean, but Virginia State Delegate Bob Marshall (R) has hit a new low. Marshall stated, in a press conference opposing funding for Planned Parenthood,

"The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children,"

Furthermore, Marshall went on to state:

"Looking at it from a cultural, historical perspective, this organization should be called 'Planned Barrenhood' because they have nothing to do with families; they have nothing to do with responsibility,"

There are so many factual inaccuracies in these statements, but I will focus on the two things that are blatantly wrong with this occurrence.

First, does anyone remember that little legal decree where the United States adopted a stance of Separation of Church and state? As a political science major, I respect the importance of differing views on contentious issues, such as abortion. I could not imagine ever forcing my religious or personal beliefs onto the general public. Part of a democracy is having the freedom and ability to disagree, but when you start forcing your views onto people it becomes a dictatorship (or in this case a theocracy)

Next, it appears that Marshall is not aware of what Planned Parenthood really does. Planned Parenthood offers more than just abortion services, they offer things like:
· Gynecological exams
· STI diagnosis and treatment
· Breast exams
· Male reproductive heal services
· Pregnancy testing and options counseling
· Birth control

· Pregnancy resources (prenatal services, childbirth classes etc.)
· AND educational programming

Perhaps Marshall should think about his role as a public representative and do a little fact checking before he makes unfounded claims.