Letters To The Editor: O’Bannon Holds Inexcusable Views

O'Bannon Holds Inexcusable Views
Editor, Times-Dispatch: In the article, "Delegate O'Bannon Says Shields' Charges Are False," John O'Bannon continues to insist that his vote in support for HB563 would not have affected the ability of rape and incest survivors to obtain emergency contraception. This is the real false charge.

HB563 was a thinly veiled attempt to expand the already-existing conscience clause, which allows doctors and other medical practitioners the right to refuse to perform an abortion -- surgical or medical. The specific goal of HB563 was to give pharmacists and medical providers this same right of refusal when it came to birth control and emergency contraception -- hormone dosages that prevent an unintended pregnancy. It is simply mind-blowing that someone who is so vocally anti-choice would also be so vocally anti-prevention. But, such is John O'Bannon's record.

In his nine years in office, O'Bannon has voted against more than 35 anti-reproductive health care bills, including 2003's SB1104, which would have legally acknowledged that contraception is "not subject to or governed by the abortion law," because it is not an abortant.

It seems as though O'Bannon, delegate for the 73rd district, either failed to research what the bill proposed, or simply dismissed scientific fact about birth control and emergency contraception, despite being a doctor. Either of these options is frightening and inexcusable.

Nine years of him as delegate is simply nine years too many for the women of Henrico. When it comes to reproductive health care, these voters deserve better. Tarina Keene, Executive Director, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia.


Alexandria.

Cantor Should Show Respect, Empathy
Editor, Times-Dispatch:

Although I do not live in Rep. Eric Cantor's district, I have gotten to watch him the past few years over here in Nottoway. There are a couple of things that kind of intrigue me about him.

First, I felt it was very rude of him to fiddle with his BlackBerry while President Obama gave his health care speech a couple of weeks ago. Judging from other letters to the paper it seems a lot of other people feel the same way. I know as a parent I would be upset with a child of mine if one of them did that while I was talking about a serious topic.

I understand Cantor would have policy differences with President Obama and might even have personal animosity toward him, but if he cannot respect the person, he should at least respect the office.

Also, I have the feeling Cantor is having a hard time dealing with the inevitable cost that is going to come with some kind of reform of the health care system. Everything costs money, but I would be willing to bet the mortgage he doesn't have a problem sending billions of dollars in foreign aid to a country that really does not need it. That country is, of course, Israel. And please, this does not make me anti-Semitic any more than someone disagreeing with President Obama makes one a racist.

Cantor should show a little respect to our president and a little empathy for the folks out there in his district and elsewhere who could lose a home because of a catastrophic health situation.

Jerry Ring.
Blackstone.

Now that Iran has admitted its construction of a second nuclear enrichment site, there exists the possibility that real sanctions may be possible to force Iran to abandon its quest for nuclear capability. However, nothing will bring the Iranian leadership to comply with UN resolutions on its nuclear program without the cooperation of China.

The Financial Times reported recently that Chinese state companies have begun supplying refined gasoline to Iran and now account for one-third of Iran's refined imports.

Should China refuse to cooperate with the free nations of the world in banning gasoline imports to Iran, the Obama administration, along with its allies, should ban all Chinese imports until China complies. Nothing less will bring China to its senses and fulfill its obligation and responsibility to world order. Nothing less will have any chance of Iran abandoning its nuclear weapons program.

If China refuses and sanctions by other countries don't succeed, the only recourse would be for the U.S. to join with Israel and attack and destroy as much of Iran's nuclear facilities as are known to exist.

Enough talk -- just do it.

Paul Schoenbaum.
Williamsburg.