Governor Bob Agrees With Me

It pains me (well, mildly) to go against the conservative tide here in Virginia.  But when they go too far, I find myself in the unenviable position of having to bitchslap those who otherwise think and act like Reagan Republicans.

I wrote the other day (see "Ever Wonder Why Feminism Died?"):

"They [meaning America's aged and not-all-that-bright feminists] couldn't leave well enough alone and make the sane argument that the Virginia law is the kind of intrusive government mandate that conservatives regularly argue against, though conservatives here, oddly, support government intrusion when it comes to ultrasounding for fetuses."

Meaning: Conservatives don't do such things. Liberals do. So back off.

Well, look who else is uncomfortable with Virginia Republicans pushing for government-mandated invasion of privacy:

McDonnell, Virginia Republicans back off mandatory invasive ultrasounds
By Anita Kumar and Laura Vozzella, Washington Post

Richmond — A controversial bill that would require women to get an ultrasound before an abortion is now in doubt after Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell diluted the measure Wednesday by making it optional in many cases.

The legislation initially sought to require ultrasounds, which early last week prompted opponents to raise concerns over the procedures’ potentially invasive nature. In many cases, the ultrasounds would require a vaginal probe to establish gestational age.

On Wednesday, citing concerns over that intrusiveness, McDonnell (R), an abortion opponent who had repeatedly said he would sign the bill, asked state lawmakers to amend the measure. House members approved the governor’s amendments, but the bill’s Republican sponsor in the Senate said she would try to pull the measure for the session.

“Mandating an invasive procedure in order to give informed consent is not a proper role for the state,” McDonnell said in a statement. “No person should be directed to undergo an invasive procedure by the state, without their consent, as a precondition to another medical procedure.” He did not comment further. [link]

I'll not comment further either, except to say to those who put this legislation in motion:

I understand your heartfelt concern and motivation. I too hate the thought that more babies will be killed in Virginia's Planned Parenthood slaughterhouses today. But you can't let that thought, that concern, destroy everything else you hold dear. 

We will win this fight against abortion by winning the hearts of the Commonwealth's women, not by the government requiring that probes be sent up vaginas.

We will stop Planned Parenthood. And we'll do it in such a way as to not sacrifice all our guiding principles in the process.

To life!

* I should note, this story appears in the Washington Post. So it may be a complete fabrication. Assess its veracity with that understanding.