VA Gov. Kaine Signs Anti-Choice Bill

As a native Virginian, I am ashamed. What a huge leap backward.

A few points to consider:

The plate itself. "Choose life" is an interesting slogan for the other side to utilize - not because of the second word, which is obvious, but the first one, which is surprising. "Choose" is a word not often featured in their lexicon. I'd argue that is, on its face, a positive development.

Now, the funding. From what I've read, drivers will pay the special fee for the special plate, and those monies will be sent to CPC's. In effect, then, Virginia only acts as the middle man in the transaction; as a practical matter, it's really no different than people making donations directly. I suppose one can argue that the legislature shouldn't insert itself into the process at all, but at the end of the day, it's really not making a huge difference. People who feel that strongly would donate (and do donate) even without this avenue. It's not like funds already slated for Planned Parenthood are being rerouted in another direction.

Speaking of Planned Parenthood, Ms. Keenan dismisses Gov. Kaine's point that they (or the pro-choice side generally) are free to pursue their own speciality plate, arguing that it would do nothing to stop the CPC funding from the choose life plates. True enough, but that's a pretty passive response. Why not fight fire with fire? A plate of our own would signal that we can do more than simply oppose what the other side does; but that we can use their idea to our advantage as well. Is there really no Virginia legislator who'd be willing to introduce such a bill, and fight to get it passed? I'd find that hard to believe.

Finally, as NARAL often points out, CPCs are a mixed bag. Some do good things for pregnant women; others are more concerned with the abortion debate than helping those in need. My question is: which ones in Virginia do which? Presumably, extra funding for the good ones isn't a bad thing. Can the Virginia affiliate identify which ones are good for pregnant women seeking real help, and which ones are best to avoid? Seems to me that would help pregnant women in Virginia significantly.

I don't know how you can consider it choosing life when the baby would live on its own if the doctor would only allow a few more minutes maybe less to go by. I can understand your arguments for abortion up to the point of a partial brth abortion. When we have children who survive birth as early as the fifth month how can you say that this procedure is anything other than causing the death of a human being. consider this, If a mother gives birth to a baby when when she is seven month pregnant and it determine that baby could have survived on its own she can carged with murder if she dosen't care for that child. Why is partial birth abortion any different?

Is partial birth abortion challenging when society should assign “personhood” status?

"Why not fight fire with fire? A plate of our own would signal that we can do more than simply oppose what the other side does; but that we can use their idea to our advantage as well. Is there really no Virginia legislator who'd be willing to introduce such a bill, and fight to get it passed? I'd find that hard to believe."

This sounds like a good idea to me.

But I agree that, "The revenue from the 'Choose Life' plates would go to many CPCs that use deceptive, intimidating, and emotionally manipulative tactics to block women from learning the facts about, or choosing, legal abortion," the pro-choice leaders said. "No pro-choice license plate would make that right."

What would a pro choice license plate say?

They have Pro-Choice plates in florida that say "United for Choice." So, I'd imagine something along those lines.

Would the anti abortion understand that the prenatal would not be united in this choice?

What would you suggest that the plate should say? I'd be interested to hear other ideas. I'm just using Florida as an example.

How is this an anti- choice bill? This bill takes user money and transfers it to a place where the user actually wants to send it. I am unsure of why people have a problem with this, no matter the side

Is “Choice not to be killed” a pro choice option?

thank god for this woman.

The anti-choice will use the funds from these license plates for only one thing, to further fund their mission to try to overturn Roe v. Wade. They are not fooling me.

The anti-choice will use the funds from these license plates for only one thing, to further fund their mission to try to overturn