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
July 22
2000 - Historic Larinan house in Pico Canyon burns down [story]
Larinan house burning


The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina
| Monday, Aug 4, 2014

joemessinamugI have been saying, to the irritation of my friends on the left, that abortion has nothing to do with women’s health.

One of the original questions the Supreme Court had to deal with in the 1970s when it approved this “slaughter law” was, when does life begin? Well, all of the academics and doctors who were willing to take some money and testify said life did not start until the third trimester.

Remember, this was a time when cancer was almost always fatal. AIDS was a death sentence, and in some cases, people still died from the flu.

Medicine has come a long way since then. And now, many agree, scientists and doctors alike, that life begins at conception or shortly thereafter.

Dr. Bill Fifer, a professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, said, “Everything that a newborn baby does, a fetus has pretty much done already.” He said: “We know that a baby’s tiny heart is beating as early as 18 days after sperm-egg fusion. Brain waves are detectable by 6 weeks and babies can experience dream (REM) sleep by 17 weeks. Substantial medical and scientific evidence has demonstrated that unborn children are capable of feeling pain by 20 weeks, if not earlier.”

Not Joe Messina’s opinion, but science. This is now the understanding of many in the medical field. However, I am still perplexed. You see, the left continually beats on right-wing, conservative, Bible-thumping Republicans (like me) for not believing in science but rather the fairy tales of the Bible.

And yet, when confronted by science and facts – not theories like, let’s say, evolution – that don’t line up with their way of thinking, they ignore them and tell us we hate women (in the case of our abortion stance). Why? Because it is easier than discussing the facts.

So, if at 18 days that little blob of cells has a heartbeat, what can we call it? What will it eventually be? A canine? A fish? A tree? Nope. Simply, a human. Its only potential outcome is that it is a developing human.

Now with science we can see, with sonograms and 3D imagery, what the baby looks like. We can’t run from that truth. Our youth are seeing it more and more and are changing the way they view abortion.

So, then: It is a life. But what about the argument for years from the left and the pro-abortion groups that it’s not a life? As of late, some of the abortion proponents are saying life begins when the mother says it does; that the unborn blob of cells can be snuffed out even up to the time it’s exiting the birth canal.

Wow. That’s a stretch.

But wait. Jodi Jacobson, editor in chief of RH Reality Check, a “reproductive and sexual health and justice” blog, says it was never when life beings because “life begins at conception.” Huh?

OMG. Wasn’t the abortion debate all about women having access to clean, safe medical facilities so that when they were seeking this “medical procedure” the mother’s health would not be at risk? The fetus, or as it has been called, this “blob of cells,” needed to be removed to save the mother.

You were duped. Like all things Democrat, there were chapters and chapters between the lines that they hid from you.

According to Ms. Jacobson, this has always been a right to give a woman total control over her body. Well, one thing we can agree on, women should have control of their own bodies. Yes, she should definitely control it. If she doesn’t want a baby, then she should keep her clothes on. If she can’t do that, then at least have protected sex. And if she can’t do that, well then, what kind of control does she really have over her body anyway?

We have come to that point in society where life has no value. If you believe in science, then the baby exists at a minimum within the first 20 days. What makes that life less valuable than the mother’s life? Because the mother says so? Talk about playing God.

Now, understand, even to the irritation of my Christian friends, I am pro-choice but anti-abortion. I believe God gave us choice, so who am I to take it away? God allows you to love or to hate. Love your kids or abuse your kids. Kill or give life. Lie or tell the truth. Help others or help no one. It’s your choice. So, to my Christian friends, the law changes nothing. God saw that His people weren’t abiding by the 10 Commandments He gave them, so He sent Jesus with two simpler ones, and they work just fine.

When it comes to the abortion debate, it boils down to this. People want what they want, and they don’t want to be told what to do.

Ladies, if it’s all about you wanting to control your body, then control it. When you lose control, don’t tag us with the cost of your abortion or contraception pills or the medical and mental treatment you might need because of what you did. Why do we have to pay for your inability to control something you have forced us to allow you to choose?

Be an adult. Be responsible. There are 35 couples waiting for every one baby put up for adoption in this country. More than half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended. Really? Are condoms not available in some parts of this country? From what I can see, they are at every gas station.

Even though abortion is actually on the decrease, abortions are up among poorer Americans, mostly the black community (Margaret Sanger must be very proud). Four of every 10 pregnancies end in abortion. Nine of 10 abortions happen within the first 12 weeks (when the heart is beating and many of the “human” functions are forming). Fifty-six percent are unmarried and 70 percent say they have a religious affiliation (although I don’t know which one).

I have said all of that to say: We were lied to. If this were really a women’s health issue, then prove it. Currently, the fights are about abortion on demand for just about any reason, and that now includes gender and race selection. Yep, you read that right: race.

Does life have value or not? Is one life worth more than another? Says who? And why do you get to play God?

 

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also the current president of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

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.

76 Comments

  1. Alex Rich says:

    SCVTV can you please stop giving this idiot a platform to speak on? You’re embarassing us.

    -Santa Clarita

    • I disagree. Someone like Joe Messina has the right to write whatever he wants, however predictable. It’s only Facebook, he isn’t changing minds. Let him drag his knuckles, he’ll just keep walking in circles by himself.

    • I disagree. Someone like Joe Messina has the right to write whatever he wants, however predictable. It’s only Facebook, he isn’t changing minds. Let him drag his knuckles, he’ll just keep walking in circles by himself.

    • msc545 says:

      No, sorry, I don’t always agree with this guy, but he has an absolute right to express his views even if you don’t like them. I hate his politics, but I absolutely defend his right to express his opinions. In the present case, I for once agree with him, but that really does not matter – what matters is the principle of free speech.

    • Alex Rich says:

      lol Jared Gardner no one has a right to be represented by SCVTV that’s not how freedom of speech works. SCVTV has the right to choose who they want to write for them, but Joe has no legally protected right to writing articles for SCVTV. If they fire him he can’t go to the courts to reinstate him because SCVTV is oppressing his freedom of speech. I, however, have the right to ask SCVTV to stop letting him spew his idiocy and with enough people agreeing with me perhaps SCVTV will realize he’s more of a bumbling burden on business than a spokesman who helps bring in viewers.

    • Alex Rich says:

      lol Jared Gardner no one has a right to be represented by SCVTV that’s not how freedom of speech works. SCVTV has the right to choose who they want to write for them, but Joe has no legally protected right to writing articles for SCVTV. If they fire him he can’t go to the courts to reinstate him because SCVTV is oppressing his freedom of speech. I, however, have the right to ask SCVTV to stop letting him spew his idiocy and with enough people agreeing with me perhaps SCVTV will realize he’s more of a bumbling burden on business than a spokesman who helps bring in viewers.

      • msc545 says:

        Alex, I rarely agree with Joe, but you have to admit, he stirs up a lot of discussion. I think that discussion is a very healthy thing.

    • I know how freedom of speech works. All I’m saying is that sometimes it’s better to let people like Joe have posts on a dinky little local access “TV” shows Facebook page. It’s like containing a old rabid dog to a crate.

  2. msc545 says:

    Ok, I think you finally wrote something I can agree with, although it would have helped if you had expounded a bit on the actual definition of “life”, difficult though that is.

    That said, one definition frequently used is when the fetus “can survive on it’s own” – which actually has led to some real horror stories about babies who were aborted and then heroic efforts were made to save their lives. I think a better definition is the one that you (sort of) suggested – life begins at conception, a definition I subscribe to. If this is true, then anything that a person does to harm a fetus constitutes murder.

    Why is it that a woman’s life is somehow deemed more valuable than the life of an unborn child? Why do we allow women to decide when to kill babies and when to keep them ? (It occurs to me that just because the baby is growing inside of you, that does not confer on you the right to kill it – yet most women argue that it does.)

    Perhaps you can write some more about this whole issue – it’s very important.

  3. msc545 says:

    Oh – I forgot. As much as I disagree with you politically, this is one area where we have common ground. Even if we did not, I commend you for having the courage to write this column. You are going to get a LOT of blowback, I suspect – be ready for it, and keep writing about this issue.

  4. I like how he completely neglects to mention unwanted pregnancies at the result of rape, a situation where protection was used and didn’t work, or any sort of pregnancy that features health issues of the mother and/or baby. Instead he tells women to “keep their clothes on” and “control themselves.”

  5. Last time I checked, the majority of sex offenders in prison are men. Who has difficulty controlling themselves?

  6. Wow I am really confused? Is this writer a woman with reproductive organs does he know what it is like to be a woman with the choice to bare a child?Again this is not news in regards to what is going on current events in the Santa Clarita Valley.

  7. Kim Sloan says:

    100% the woman’s choice! Hey Joe stay out of women’s vagina’s!

  8. Alana Smith says:

    This guy should be raped and forced to have a baby! @SCVTV

  9. Garrett Noah says:

    “…when confronted by science and facts – not theories like, let’s say, evolution…”

    See, the problem is that “theory” in the scientific community does not mean “mere conjecture.” A “theory” in science is subjected to rigorous criticism and corroborated by swaths of empirical data. So, I’m supposed to believe a “scientifically founded” argument from a person who clearly lacks a fundamental sense of scientific literacy? You could see why even looking past his rhetoric, I’m skeptical. It would serve Joe Messina well to understanding another term: “confirmation bias.”

    Of course, his supporters will say he included that quip to irritate people like me and that he clearly succeeded. To which I respond, if he doesn’t take his writing seriously, why should we?

  10. Pearl Obispo says:

    You’re so ignorant, you don’t even know you can have sex and get pregnant with your clothes on. Thanks for the weekly laugh!

  11. You sir are a moron!

  12. Why do you give this guy space? He’s a total________ (fill in the blanks)/Vote him out of office the next time.

  13. Why do you give this guy space? He’s a total________ (fill in the blanks)/Vote him out of office the next time.

  14. Hahahahahahahahaha I love this guy. Can always count on him for a good laugh. Hahahahahahahaha

  15. Hahahahahahahahaha I love this guy. Can always count on him for a good laugh. Hahahahahahahaha

  16. Thanks Joe. As usual, the Me Me Me crowd cannot think of a 9 month sacrifice for the sake of a life that could change the world. I used to think like them too. Thank God I matured. May God change their hearts as well.

    • It’s not a matter of changing hearts. It’s a matter of choice. Period.

      • Phil says:

        While I’m not a big fan of Joe, he raises a reasonable point that many on the Pro-Choice of the debate like to ignore.

        In my mind, the question is not about “a woman’s right to choose” what to do with her body. The question is at what point does the fetus/zygote/baby/ect become a human life. At that point it should have the same legal protection as any of us. I don’t know at what point this happens. Smarter people than me cannot figure it out, but it’s a question that needs to be examined. Whichever sexual organs I might have does not influence the truth of this.

        And, before I get the inevitable hate spam from those who cannot stand when somebody disagrees with them, I’m generally pro choice, but with a lot of reservations about it.

        • msc545 says:

          Phil you have to decide when life begins. Once you do that, you reach the inescapable conclusion that anything that is done to a fetus after it is alive to harm it constitutes murder, since if it is alive, it is a person.

          I think decisions like this should be based on as much science as is available, not on political considerations, such as the convenience of women.

          If you review the science, I think you will conclude, as I have, that life begins at the moment of conception, primarily because there is really no other meaningful marker that would indicate that life has appeared.

  17. Thanks Joe. As usual, the Me Me Me crowd cannot think of a 9 month sacrifice for the sake of a life that could change the world. I used to think like them too. Thank God I matured. May God change their hearts as well.

  18. Tommy Rini says:

    I say grow a vagina and then talk about the problems with tenants

  19. msc545 says:

    Hey Joe, remember I spoke about blowback ? Well – you seem to be getting it, in spades, from a bunch of very angry women who don’t want their right to kill babies taken away. Don’t let them push you around, and keep writing on this issue no matter what is said to you.

  20. Cathy says:

    Joe, men are NOT being responsible for THEIR ACTIONS. Women do not get pregnant on their own. Hiding behind religion is a pitiful excuse.

  21. The Quickening says:

    Young women were dying by the hundreds of thousands from illegal abortions before 1974. Before 1900 or so, there were no laws against abortion and even the Catholic Church tacitly condoned abortions performed before the “quickening” around five months–curious that abortion was outlawed at the same time women were demanding the right to vote, divorce, and own property.

    Women have gotten too uppity for the chauvinists: “Back in the kitchen, girls!”

  22. Y’all shouldn’t let Joe push your buttons. It’s what he’s trying to do with his typical posts. Which makes it obvious how sincere his words actually are. Gotta laugh!

  23. John T says:

    The more vehemently you object and call for SCVTV to “fire” him, the more SCVTV realizes that lots of people are actually reading his column (which I’m 100% POSITIVE that the majority of his dissenters did NOT do). Read the article, he has some good points. How many of you dissenters even read the line saying that he is pro choice? HMMMM????

  24. I’m not even going to read this. I already know what rubbish you spew! Again, not sure why you’re given a platform!

  25. mike says:

    Well his logic starts off by saying remember when people (in some cases) died from the flu? You mean like in 2014? What an idiot, I’m a man and I know unless I am going to be the one risking my life and health to carry a baby, I have no right to tell a woman how to live with that issue. Women who are raped get pregnant everyday, are we going to force them to carry the spawn of Satan? Close your legs? What the hell? Was he a virgin until he was married?

  26. Well his logic starts off by saying remember when people (in some cases) died from the flu? You mean like in 2014? What an idiot, I’m a man and I know unless I am going to be the one risking my life and health to carry a baby, I have no right to tell a woman how to live with that issue. Women who are raped get pregnant everyday, are we going to force them to carry the spawn of Satan? Close your legs? What the hell? Was he a virgin until he was married? I do not agree with abortion and I do feel it is wrong. But that is my view and I do not feel it is my place to pass judgement on women who make that choice. I understand that as a man it is easier for me to have an opinion against it, men get to go out and have sex without worrying about waking up pregnant. I know that as a guy I wouldn’t want a woman telling me I couldn’t get a vasectomy, or wear a condom. It is ignorant and closed minded to say such things.

  27. J Schwartz says:

    He has “friends on the left”??? Couldn’t read beyond that.

  28. msc545 says:

    Yes, he has friends on the left, at least in this case. You would be surprised at how many people on the left are against murder. Remember, we are the people that think that war is unacceptable. Many of us also think that abortion is unacceptable as well.

  29. SCV Janie says:

    If one uses abortion as a sex selection, I question that person’s ability to be a good parent to a child of either sex.

    • msc545 says:

      Janie, I agree, but not just gender selection. Also for convenience, race selection, to conceal it from the husband or boyfriend who clearly is not the father, and a plethora of other things – all selfish.

      I think things change when someone is going to have a baby that cannot possibly live because of illness, or when having the child may kill the mother and the child, but thankfully these things are statistically rare.

      That said, I have no interest in preserving a “woman’s right to choose” – for her convenience.

  30. Alex – what class…..NOT.

  31. msc545 says:

    Oh, and Michael erickson, the individual who referred to a child conceived as a result of a rape as “The spawn of Satan” isn’t fit to care for a houseplant let alone a human being. that was just disgusting.

  32. Don Clark says:

    Abortion can WELL be a health issue. but it is sadly misused.

  33. msc545 says:

    I don’t and have ever denied that it can be a health issue, and when it is, under some circumstances, it is justified and in some cases even merciful.

    What I object to is when it is used capriciously which more often than not is the case. Does everyone know about the woman who posted a complete video of her abortion on youtube ? There are many more videos on youtube for those that have the stomach to watch a perfectly healthy baby being killed for some woman’s convenience. I call it murder, and I will continue to call it murder, because that is what it is.

  34. Abortion doesn’t have to be a religious issue. You don’t have to be a bible thumper to believe that abortion is murder.

  35. msc545 says:

    Chris, as an Agnostic myself, I completely agree with you. This has nothing at all to do with religion, and I wish Joe had left that part out – it’s not relevant.

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
Monday, Jul 22, 2024
Picture this…a cozy blanket laid out on the grass, the warm evening breeze and your favorite film playing on the big screen.
Thursday, Jul 18, 2024
Summer is here! With the season in full swing and kids starting their school break, the city of Santa Clarita welcomes youth to one of its most popular and long-standing programs:
Monday, Jul 15, 2024
Santa Clarita consistently earns recognition as one of the best places to live in the nation, boasting a high quality of life, strong safety record and a business-friendly atmosphere.
Thursday, Jul 11, 2024
Santa Clarita is known, not only for its scenic open spaces and family-friendly community, but also for its commitment to nurturing the arts and fostering a thriving, dynamic environment where creativity can flourish.
Monday, Jul 8, 2024
I am pleased to say that during our last City Council meeting in June, our City Council adopted yet another on-time, balanced budget for the 2024/25 Fiscal Year.
Friday, Jul 5, 2024
Growing up in the 1980s, I have many fond memories of spending time with friends at the Skate-N-Place on Soledad Canyon Road.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Picture this…a cozy blanket laid out on the grass, the warm evening breeze and your favorite film playing on the big screen.
Ken Striplin | City Cinemas Brings Back Movies Under the Stars
The California State University, Los Angeles Golden Eagle volleyball team, which included middle blocker Shelby Grubbs from Newhall, was welcomed to the White House on Monday, alongside other national champions from the past academic year, to celebrate their accomplishments as part of NCAA Sports Day.
Former Hart High Standout Honored at White House’s NCAA Sports Day
The Friends of Hart Park - in partnership with the Natural History Museum and Los Angeles County Parks - is pleased to announce the return of their signature event “Silents Under the Stars” on Saturday, Sept. 7, starting at 6 p.m., at William S. Hart Park.
Sept. 7: ‘Silents Under the Stars’ Returns to Hart Park
To help students balance education with their diverse work and family responsibilities, College of the Canyons will offer a wide variety of flexible learning options during the fall 2024 semester.
COC Fall 2024 Offering Flexible Learning Options
Beginning Monday, July 29, crews will start the construction of traffic circulation modifications on two intersections, part of the federally-funded, Traffic and Pedestrian Circulation and Safety Improvements Project.
Santa Clarita Announces Upcoming Lane Closures
Circle of Hope's Annual Tea is one of Santa Clarita’s most anticipated fundraisers bringing awareness of breast cancer and raising funds to help those in our local community fighting this disease.
Oct. 19: Save the Date for Circle of Hope’s Annual Tea
The city of Santa Clarita’s Film Office has released the list of four productions currently filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, July 22 - Sunday, July 28.
‘S.W.A.T.’ Among Four Productions Filming in Santa Clarita
The Santa Clarita Valley Special Education Local Plan Area (SCV SELPA) and its member districts actively seek out all individuals with exceptional needs, from birth to age 22, including infants and children parentally placed in private schools.
SCV SELPA Seeking Children with Disabilities
The California Department of Transportation announced the right lane of southbound Interstate 5 will be blocked overnight Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from two miles north of Templin Highway (near the Whitaker Sand Shed) north of Castaic Lake Hughes Road for paving work.
Caltrans Announces Overnight Southbound I-5 Lane Closures in Castaic Area
The Superior Court of Los Angeles County will be closed Monday, July 22, as the Court works diligently to repair and reboot network systems that were severely impacted by a ransomware attack first detected the morning of Friday, July 19.
Ransomware Attack Closes L.A. County Superior Court
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued a heat advisory for the Santa Clarita Valley through Thursday as high temperatures have been forecast.
Heat Advisory Issued for SCV
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has closed two beaches due to a recent sewage spill.
Sewage Spill Closes Two L.A. County Beaches
2000 - Historic Larinan house in Pico Canyon burns down [story]
Larinan house burning
1952 - 7.5-magnitude Kern County earthquake devastates Tehachapi; damage spread from San Diego to Las Vegas [story]
quake map
2001 - Then-Assemblyman George Runner introduces legislation to memorialize the historic Ridge Route. Enacted Oct. 4. [story]
Ridge Route
Each year, since 1959, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors funds the production of a free holiday celebration at The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Dec. 24.
Apply to Appear in 65th Annual L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Caltrans announces the northbound Interstate 5 will be reduced to one or two lanes overnights Monday, July 22 through Friday, July 26 from Lake Hughes Road to two miles north of Templin Highway (near the Whitaker Sand Shed) north of Castaic for paving work.
Northbound I-5 Lanes Reduced Overnights in Castaic Area
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale, Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra and the Child & Family Center have all earned grants from the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
Master Chorale, SCYA, Child & Family Center Earn County Art Grants
Santa Clarita Public Libraries will host Tin Can art craft events at all three of the Santa Clarita branches July 23-25 at 5:30-6:30 p.m.
July 23-25: Tin Can Art Craft Events at Santa Clarita Library Branches
Sign up to volunteer today for the city of Santa Clarita’s Third Annual Graffiti Removal Day on Saturday, Aug. 3, 8-11 a.m. at Soledad Canyon Road and Camp Plenty.
Aug. 3: Third Annual Graffiti Removal Day
The Canyon County Community Center will host "Celebrate," an events series that celebrates cultures, customs and culinary wonders on Friday, Aug. 9, from 6-9 p.m.
Aug. 9: Celebrate Japanese Culture at Canyon Country Community Center
The Valencia Public Library will host a Teens DIY craft event for journals Thursday, July 25 from 3:30- 4:30 p.m. at 23743 Valencia Blvd, Valencia, CA 91355.
July 25: Teen DIY Craft Journal Event at Valencia Public Library
The city of Santa Clarita will present “Textura,” an original paintings and mosaic work exhibition by local artist Naomi Young.
‘Textura’ Exhibition by Naomi Young at The MAIN
Join Amazing Dog Rescue at PetSmart to meet the cutest, most amazing, fluffy friends searching for their forever homes, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sunday, July 21.
July 21: Amazing Dog Adoption Event at Petsmart
SCVNews.com