header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
April 25
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store


Commentary by Samantha Graham
| Friday, Nov 4, 2016

samanthagrahamA few weeks ago, I attended a function at which U.S. Rep. Steve Knight spoke. The congressman openly and honestly shared his opinions on the hot-topic issues facing this district.

Unfortunately, in the political realm, facts tend to get mutilated, issues become emotionally charged, and public interest clings to personalities instead of ideas. Therefore, hearing Knight personally express his views in an honest, conversational manner was helpful and informative to me. I enjoyed hearing him recap his achievements from his past service, describe his vision for future service, and address his political positions.

One matter he addressed was especially interesting: his pro-life stance. Just last week, I heard Knight being attacked for this position on the radio. His opponent and the various facets of the political sphere have been quick to criticize the congressman’s “pro-life, no exceptions” stance; yet nobody explains why he holds this view.

At this function, the congressman shared with us that his wife works at Antelope Valley Hospital as a NICU nurse. Recently, his wife cared for a 23-week-old baby who is not only viable and surviving, but thriving. This baby, born below the 24-week viability assumption of current science gives perspective that each of us must consider. Steve Knight embraces the medical advances of our nation and the great potential of life that our country holds.

Knight affirmed that although he holds a personal pro-life belief, he is not out to repeal the precedent of Roe v. Wade. He is simply an elected official bravely upholding his personal moral belief: When given the opportunity, life must be chosen, not death.

We must elect those who support our country’s great capacity for life. Lily Knight’s care of babies who could have otherwise been aborted shows the value of life we must hold, regardless of the age of the person.

We must respect the beliefs of Mr. Knight, whether we agree or disagree on abortion-related policy and positions. An individual’s support of life deserves admiration, and I believe it deserves your vote on Tuesday, Nov. 8.

 

Samantha Graham is a resident of Santa Clarita and a senior at The Master’s University. 

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

5 Comments

  1. Samantha Graham-Tolmach

  2. Kieran Wong says:

    Thank you for taking the time to meet with him as well as writing about it.

  3. Steve & Mary Ann says:

    One of many reasons Steve Knight has our family’s vote.

  4. I am in full agreement that hearing the candidates in person is very important–the sound bites that are used for campaigning are very mis-leading. I am a big Bryan Caforio fan in that I have heard Bryan speak three times and have spent time around him and his wife. They are top notch people. The ads that paint him as a slick Beverly Hills Lawyer are so off base. But I guess this is what politics have come to. It makes me sad–the only way to really know a candidate is to hear them question them, look at their platforms, and listen to their debates.

  5. Anita Meyer says:

    Elizabeth, the irony of your comment is that Mr. Caforio has been the one sending out mass attacks towards the Congressman. I do agree with the value of meeting candidates in person, but Mr. Caforio’s campaign has been the guilty culprit in regards to painting someone in a disrespectful manner.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Thursday, Apr 25, 2024
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Tuesday, Apr 23, 2024
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer’s presentation of a $45.4 billion budget for the forthcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
Monday, Apr 22, 2024
Recently I had the opportunity, along with spcaLA President Madeline Bernstein and Inland Valley Humane Society & SPCA President Nikole Bresciani, to meet with NBC 4 reporter Kathy Vara to discuss the current challenges facing animal sheltering organizations.
Monday, Apr 22, 2024
As city manager for 12 years now and a longtime resident of Santa Clarita, I am always proud to see how our community continues to grow.
Tuesday, Apr 16, 2024
Supervisor Barger issued the following statement today, after the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to implement the Rental Housing Habitability Program
Monday, Apr 15, 2024
Cowboy Festival weekend is upon us!

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Starting Monday, April 29, construction on the South Fork Trail will begin to replace a portion of the lodgepole fencing, the city of Santa Clarita announced.
South Fork Trail Construction to Begin April 29
College of the Canyons dual-sport athlete Sam Regez will continue his career at University of Portland with plans to run on both the cross country and track and field programs.
COC Standout Sam Regez Signs with University of Portland
An entertainment industry initiative to support the voices of California State University, Northridge film and TV students was celebrated with a recent screening of stories they created. 
‘Changing Lenses’ Initiative Lends Voice to CSUN Film, TV Students
How important is Film and Tourism to the Santa Clarita Valley Economy? 
SCVEDC Delves into Santa Clarita Film, Tourism Impact
Earlier this month, a team of biology students at The Master’s University won a distinguished award at one of the oldest intercollegiate research conferences in the country.
TMU Biology Students Earn Recognition at Annual Research Conference
Lisa Zamroz has announced her intent to step down as the head coach of The Master's University's women's basketball team effective July 1, 2024.
TMU Women’s Basketball Coach to Resign
Spring heralds a time of renewal and rejuvenation, not just in the natural world, but within our homes and lives as well.
Cameron Smyth | Spring Cleaning Your Neighborhood
College of the Canyons student-athletes Gigi Garcia (softball) and Hannes Yngve (men's golf) have been named the COC Athletic Department's Women's and Men's Student-Athletes of the Week for the period running April 15-20.
COC Names Gigi Garcia, Hannes Yngve Athletes of the Week
California Institute of the Arts' Community Weekend kicks off on Friday, April 26 and runs through Sunday, April 28.
April 26-28: Community Weekend Returns to CalArts
May is National Foster Parent Appreciation Month! Celebrate by applying to become a resource parent and fostering or foster-adopting siblings.
May 16: Children’s Bureau Foster Care Orientation
Santa Clarita resident Edina Lemus has been appointed Administrator of the Veterans Home of California in Lancaster by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
Newsom Appoints SCV Resident Veterans Home Administrator
The California Department of Transportation has scheduled Lane Closures on the northbound and southbound State Route 14 between Technology Drive in Palmdale and Avenue A in Lancaster, closing up to three lanes.
Caltrans Announces SR-14 Lane Closures
1906 - Bercaw General Store opens in Surrey (Saugus) [story]
Bercaw Store
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond testified today in the Senate Education Committee about the need for results-proven training for all teachers of reading and math.
State Superintendent Makes Historic Push for Results-Proven Training in Literacy, Math as Sponsor of SB 1115
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
Ocean Water Warning for April 24
Dust off the boots and get ready to holler, because Boots In The Park making its way to back to Santa Clarita, y’all. 
May 10: Boots In the Park Returns to Santa Clarita
State Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) and Supervisor Kathryn Barger honor the memory of those lost 109 years ago in Armenian Genocide. 
Barger, Wilk Recognize Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
The Salvation Army Santa Clarita Valley Corps is excited to announce the inaugural Donut Day event.
June 7: Salvation Army SCV Announces Inaugural Donut Day Event
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation has approved $370,000 in funding to support the Vet@ThePark program operated by the County of Los Angeles Department of Animal Care and Control.
LAC Animal Care Foundation Provides $370K Grant to Support Vet@ThePark
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging Californians to take part in National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on April 27.
CDPH Urges Californians to Support Prescription Drug Take Back Day
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion, introduced by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and co-authored by Board Chair Lindsey P. Horvath, proclaiming May 2024 as Mental Health Awareness Month in Los Angeles County.
Supes Proclaim May as Mental Health Awareness Month
The Grammy-award winning rock ‘n’ roll group Blues Traveler will take the stage of the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center at 8 p.m. May 9. 
May 9: Blues Traveler to Perform at PAC
1962 - SCV residents vote to connect to State Water Project, creating Castaic Lake Water Agency (now part of SCV Water) [story]
Castaic Lake
Los Angeles County Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement in support of the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Officer’s presentation of a $45.4 billion budget for the forthcoming 2024-25 fiscal year.
Kathryn Barger | Statement in Support of $45.4B County Budget
SCVNews.com