In response to Sen. Ellen Roberts’ column (Herald, May 24): Senate Bill 268, the latest Colorado “personhood” bill that failed, stated that “a ‘person’ includes an unborn child at every stage of gestation from conception to birth.”
The vote went along party lines: Republicans, including Roberts, for and Democrats opposed.
Roberts accuses Planned Parenthood of attacking her “for the sin of speaking her mind.” But they opposed her because her support of a law defining a zygote as a “person” would initiate a slippery slope toward repeal of Roe v. Wade. Why? Because it would help trigger what’s known as the “collapse” clause in Roe v. Wade. Justice Blackman, in the majority opinion: “If this suggestion of person-hood is established, the appellant’s case, of course, collapses, for the fetus’ right to life would then be guaranteed specifically by the (14th) Amendment.” The Supreme Court concluded that personhood was defined as “after the birth.” This is why Planned Parenthood stated that “you cannot support fetal personhood and be pro-choice.”
Colorado law doesn’t need to define a fetus as a “person” in order for the state to charge homicide. The “existing gap” in Colorado law could be closed by adopting California’s fetal-homicide act which states:
“Murder is defined as the unlawful killing of a human being or a fetus with malice aforethought.” Scott Peterson, who murdered his wife and her fetus, was convicted of double homicide under this law.
Roberts must know that SB 268 copies the boilerplate language of Americans United for Life. AUL’s goals, listed on its website: “Establishing fetal-homicide laws is a key component of AUL’s goal to overturn Roe v. Wade ... Reversing Roe v. Wade can be accomplished through deliberate, legal strategies that accumulate victories, build momentum, and restore a culture of life.”
Roberts’ claims that “an intellectually honest legislator could vote for SB 268 and still hold to the principle that abortion in Colorado should remain legal.” Her statement is either very naive or politically calculated to mislead Colorado voters in future elections, when some Republican state senators will challenge pro-choice U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.
Mary Benson
Durango
