Comments on: Live blog from the ZBA hearing tonight

By: Student

Student — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 13:48:30 +0000

Dan, I think I agree with most of what you said. I'm confused as to your statement, "The media puts out alerts on how fasting 1 day a month can help with heart disease, but the press doesn't see fit for the masses to digest this information."

Aren't the media and the press the same? I'm confused when you say the media puts out the alert and the press doesn't…… To be honest, I haven't heard anything about the fasting claim.

As to the Presidential race, I agree that we need to hear a lot more on the issues. Frankly, I'm sick of the back-biting, accusations and just plain bad behavior on the part of the candidates — both Democratic and Republican.

By: Dan the Methodist

Dan the Methodist — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 03:44:44 +0000

If they have to put a warning on cigarettes. Don't you think it wise to alert people? The media puts out alerts on how fasting 1 day a month can help with heart disease, but the press doesn't see fit for the masses to digest this information. Good thing big press is looking out for women.
Comments not directed at you Student, at the press and government. It seems that research and grant money has become a dog and pony show that has little to do with the issues, kind of like our elections.
I am angry that I have heard little about issues from the presidential race down to our own US Congressional races. It seems to be marketing, because big government likes us to be IGNORANT. Ignorance and big government need each other to exist.

Sorry, hope you got my point.

By: Student

Student — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:59:10 +0000

Dan ~ Perhaps there are some bridges being built…..who woulda thunk it! LOL

I think we pretty much agree on the sex education issue. From my point of view, it's irrelevant whether or not that education comes from PP, the VNA or a well educated and informed adult. It's the information and education that matters to me. If it would make you feel better that it not be done by PP, I'd have no problem w/that whatsoever.

Teenagers can get birth control without parental notification and/or consent now — and not just from PP. I know we disagree here, but I believe that access is necessary. There are some parents who would never allow that access who do have teenagers that are sexually active. I want those kids to have some protection. You may believe that birth control is playing Russian Roulette, but using nothing is just suicide.

I'm afraid we have to agree to disagree as to the link between abortion/breast cancer. I grant you that there seems to be a connection among the group of women who have had an abortion and never a subsequent full term pregnancy. However, for those women who have had an abortion and then a full-term pregnancy there isn't much of a link.

By: Student

Student — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:48:54 +0000

Cathy ~ If the complications arose due to negligence or some type of medical malpractice, yes. If not, then no. DISCLAIMER: You can pretty much sue anyone for anything — winning/collecting is another matter entirely.

By: Cathy

Cathy — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 02:25:44 +0000

I have a question to our budding lawyers who post here: if my minor daughter goes to PP and has an abortion with my knowledge (let alone my consent!) and there are medical complications resulting from that abortion, I understand that I am legally responsible to be sure she is treated for those complications (and I would want to do that) - but… could I sue the PP facility for the cost of treating those complications, since my minor child IS a minor, and isn't able to enter into a contract with them?

By: Dan the Methodist

Dan the Methodist — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:00:42 +0000

Student,

My response to your abstinence analogy.

You have a point about abstinence only. I do not reject reasonable sex education with parental OK. What I do reject is having planned parenthood doing it in schools. Clearly the largest form of revenue to PP clinics is Abortions and this is the end goal. I do reject the idea that underage kids should be able to get BC without parental notification.(not even going to consent) Abortion without parental notifications is INSANE. I can appreciate all the good intentions, but I cannot allow morality and rationality stink up Aurora. It does not pass the smell test.
If you were to acknowledge the ABC link with abortion and breast cancer. How could you give money to an organization whose slogan was "A Race for the CURE," when they are contributing to an outfit that increases risk?
In a similar way I could not support planned parenthood teaching, having access, and conveniencing kids into sex without even making them aware of the true consequences and doing it all without parental involvement up to and including performing outpatient surgery.

Thanks in advance to your response.
I hope there is some bridges being built here.

By: Student

Student — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:48:29 +0000

Sorry Erin….that last post should have been directed to you, not Tara. My bad!

By: Student

Student — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 20:47:36 +0000

Tara,
Thanks for the info. Actually, the paper I'm currently working on is about emancipation and minors — how abortion law relates to that is only a minor part of it. The case law I've read to date (and it only pertains to the State of Illinois) is that becoming a parent emancipates a child. However, I'll certainly check out your info.

Thanks again!

By: Erin

Erin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 19:05:13 +0000

Student:

You are a law student, so you probably know a lot more about this than I do, but I don't think having a child automatically emancipates someone. Here is a quote from the Juvenile Law Center (www.jlc.org):

"Does becoming a parent automatically lead to emancipation?

No, becoming a parent does not emancipate a minor for all purposes. If a minor is not able to support herself and does not live independently of her parents, she is not considered emancipated, whether or not she has a child.
Teenagers do acquire some of the rights of adults when they have a child. For example, teenage parents have the right to custody of their child and to make decisions regarding the child’s upbringing, such as consenting to medical treatment, educational planning, and adoption. Teenage parents maintain these rights regardless of whether they live with their own parents or not, as long as they adequately care for their child. Teenage mothers also have the right to consent to their own health care, except for abortions. 12
Please refer to the section below on Public Assistance for more on how the requirements for TANF and General Assistance affect emancipation."

By: Student

Student — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:17:58 +0000

Thanks Erin (and I apologize for not getting my stuff to you via e-mail — been a busy week w/school & I haven't gotten my questionaire quite finished — it's on my To-Do List for this weekend) for the response. Actually, no, that's not where my argument goes. I'm just trying to guage whether people are looking for "consent" or "notification." Obviously, they are very different things. I certainly agree with your nose job analogy. Conversely, I don't think a parent should be able to force a child to become a parent hereself. Thus, if the same 14 y.o. chose to have terminate a pregnancy, I believe she should have that option. So I guess I'm just interested in learning more about whether the PL community (and I know you can only speak for yourself — I can only speak for myself as opposed to the entire PC community) is looking for notification or consent.

Under current law, a minor becomes emancipated when they are a parent. So in other words, if your 14 y.o. daughter gave birth, she would no longer need the consent of her parents to do anything — strictly from a legal perspective. I am currently researching the conflicting rights that occur in such situations.

Thanks for responding. I do very much appreciate it.