BabySafeHaven
05-21-2004, 11:46 AM
MASSACHUSETTS
http://www.townonline.com/arlington/news/opinion/aa_letaarussian05202004.htm
Letter: Shocked by Town Meeting vote
OPINION / COLUMNISTS
Thursday, May 20, 2004
"This is a no brainer. There won't even be any discussion. It will be a
unanimous vote. Finally, an easy warrant article."
At least so I thought...
They started raising their hands to be recognized.
"Obviously, I'm on the wrong page," I mused.
Feeling rather foolish, I furtively glanced around to see what the others were
reading, but everyone seemed to be perusing the same leaflet. The one that
outlined the pros and cons of the Baby Safe Haven law.
"Cons?" I muttered to myself. "What cons can there be?"
What followed was like nothing short of an episode of "The Twilight Zone."
People were applauding speeches that made no sense. To more rousing applause, a
nonsensical Planned Parenthood placard was raised aloft by a woman who declared
she was "pro-choice."
"We don't need this law." "No one can prove that it helps." "There's no
evidence to suggest that desperate young mothers will necessarily dispose of
newborn babies just because there's no safe, anonymous, legal alternative."
"Teens need education." "We need programs." "We need funding."
Smiling, normal-looking people clapped their hands in approval.
"Where am I?" I wondered as I bolted to my feet to stand with the sparse,
bewildered smattering of "yea" voters.
I was suddenly transported from the land of Rod Serling to "The Invasion of the
Body Snatchers" as I peered around at the vast sea of those who used to be my
neighbors as they rose in opposition to a law that could save the lives of
helpless newborns and their young mothers.
How and when did they do it? Will I remember anything afterward? I wonder if it
hurts... I'm scared.
Donnarose Russian
Town Meeting member
Precinct 10
http://www.townonline.com/arlington/news/opinion/aa_letaarussian05202004.htm
Letter: Shocked by Town Meeting vote
OPINION / COLUMNISTS
Thursday, May 20, 2004
"This is a no brainer. There won't even be any discussion. It will be a
unanimous vote. Finally, an easy warrant article."
At least so I thought...
They started raising their hands to be recognized.
"Obviously, I'm on the wrong page," I mused.
Feeling rather foolish, I furtively glanced around to see what the others were
reading, but everyone seemed to be perusing the same leaflet. The one that
outlined the pros and cons of the Baby Safe Haven law.
"Cons?" I muttered to myself. "What cons can there be?"
What followed was like nothing short of an episode of "The Twilight Zone."
People were applauding speeches that made no sense. To more rousing applause, a
nonsensical Planned Parenthood placard was raised aloft by a woman who declared
she was "pro-choice."
"We don't need this law." "No one can prove that it helps." "There's no
evidence to suggest that desperate young mothers will necessarily dispose of
newborn babies just because there's no safe, anonymous, legal alternative."
"Teens need education." "We need programs." "We need funding."
Smiling, normal-looking people clapped their hands in approval.
"Where am I?" I wondered as I bolted to my feet to stand with the sparse,
bewildered smattering of "yea" voters.
I was suddenly transported from the land of Rod Serling to "The Invasion of the
Body Snatchers" as I peered around at the vast sea of those who used to be my
neighbors as they rose in opposition to a law that could save the lives of
helpless newborns and their young mothers.
How and when did they do it? Will I remember anything afterward? I wonder if it
hurts... I'm scared.
Donnarose Russian
Town Meeting member
Precinct 10
