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Dear Friend of Cornerstone,
Working on the Fetal Pain legislation (Idaho’s Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act) this session was a difficult battle with multiple twists and turns. While the obstacles thrown in the path were intense and the arguments against the bill disturbing, it was rewarding to experience God’s hand as we partnered with Right to Life Idaho each step of the way.
Since the 1973 Roe decision, science has advanced in leaps and bounds. Medical evidence from over 50 peer-reviewed studies, intrauterine surgery, and ultrasound has conclusively determined that a pre-born baby at 20 weeks post-fertilization feels significant pain. Many studies that show the unborn baby feels pain sooner are being challenged. However, at this point in history, the 20-week evidence is irrefutable. S1165, Idaho’s Fetal Pain bill prohibits abortion from 20 weeks onward.
Sometimes you wonder how someone can argue against protecting those so vulnerable. But, passionately argue they did! Joining other Senate Democrats calling S1165 an affront to women, Sen. Werk (D-Boise) stated that he heaped his scorn on this bill and those behind it.
The most appalling arguments against protecting unborn babies from excruciating pain starkly underscored the differences in the worldviews of the pro-life and the pro-abortion legislators. While House Minority Leader Rusche (D-Lewiston), as a doctor, agreed there is no question that an unborn baby at 20-plus weeks feels pain, he did not consider that to be the issue. While anomalies are diagnosed before 16 weeks, his greater concern was for the woman “burdened” with a disabled baby. In his opinion, “forcing” her to carry a baby with a fatal anomaly would be “cruel.”
Rep. Burgoyne (D-Boise) took this a step further asserting that if a woman, who becomes pregnant due to rape, is unable to exercise self-defense at the time of the attack, she should be able to retroactively engage in self-defense by eliminating the fruits of the crime…aborting the pregnancy. This type of rationalization is nothing short of shocking. The baby is punished because of the crime of her father.
However, sponsors Senator Winder (R-Boise), Representatives Crane (R-Nampa) and Luker (R-Boise), and their team of 16 co-sponsors successfully defended the unborn and their moms passionately and brilliantly. Joining them were two of Cornerstone’s Capstone-trained students who persuasively gained the respect of the committee members with their testimony. We are truly blessed in Idaho to have a majority of legislators who affirm life with a 78-24 vote. Please take a moment to review the vote and to thank them.
S1165 will be considered one of the most protective laws in the country, as it establishes the state’s interest in protecting its citizens from barbaric pain…at the point in life they can experience that pain. We, in the pro-life community, remain committed to protecting all life from the moment of conception until natural death.
To read my 2011 Legislative Recap of the eight pieces of successful pro-family, pro-life legislation in which Cornerstone was involved during this past session, go to our new website. Each month I will brief you on one of these issues as we work off-session to continue to move forward to gain more ground in 2012.
A significant part of that effort is our week-long training of 100 students and their parents in our Capstone & Stonesetters Student Legislatures. We urge your family to view the video on our website and apply before the July 1st deadline.
This session there were multiple pieces of legislation that cried out for our attention, but there simply was not enough time or staff to research, lobby, and debate on every issue. Many of the same anti-family, pro-homosexual agenda bills will show up again in 2012.
Cornerstone Family Council seriously needs your off-session financial support every month to be prepared to protect, defend and strengthen your family. Will you join our team with your online or mailed gift today? And will you please forward this letter to others who share our passion to defend our families, life, and liberty.
Gratefully,
Julie
Julie Lynde, Executive Director
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