Two Reasons Why Virginia Legislators Are Lying Whenever They Say They Didn’t Know Transvaginal Ultrasound Was Invasive.
“[D]elegates and governor’s staff were scheduled to meet Tuesday night to strike a compromise after learning that some ultrasounds could be more invasive than first thought, according to two officials who were aware of the meeting but not authorized to speak about it publicly. Many of the bill’s supporters were apparently unaware of how invasive the procedure could be, one of the officials added.” [Emphasis added]
Washington Post, 02-21-2012
That assertion of ignorance is what is formally called mendacity. Informally it’s called balderdash, hogwash, and bullsh*t. Despite their pleaas of innocence, Virginia legislators were – indisputably – informed of the invasiveness of transvaginal ultrasound well in advance of their vote to approve it. Here are two reasons why their denial is, well, balderdash . . .
1. Delegate Bob Englin formally put them all on notice on February 13th, the day before the mandatory ultrasound bill (HB462) passed by a 64-34 margin the next day. Delegate Englin, a fourth term Democratic Delegate representing portions of the populous northern Virginia, proposed this amendment:
“The qualified medical professional performing fetal ultrasound imaging pursuant to subsection B shall determine whether a fetal ultrasound image can be obtained without the use of a transvaginal ultrasound or other ultrasound method requiring vaginal penetration. The qualified medical professional performing fetal ultrasound imaging pursuant to subsection B shall not perform an ultrasound requiring vaginal penetration without the prior written consent of the pregnant woman. If the qualified medical professional performing the fetal ultrasound imaging pursuant to subsection B determines that a fetal ultrasound image can only be obtained with an ultrasound requiring vaginal penetration and the pregnant woman declines to provide written consent to an ultrasound requiring vaginal penetration, then the provisions of this section related to performance of fetal ultrasound imaging shall not apply and fetal ultrasound imaging for the purpose of determining fetal age shall not be required.” [emphasis added]
As you can see, the term “vaginal penetration” appears four times. Were the legislators informed? Yes. How did they vote? 64-34 to kill Englin’s amendment.
2. Since Englin’s amendment failed, the differences between transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound have been a staple of the news cycle, even in Virginia newspapers, radio shows, and televised local news. So, presumably these “confused” GOP legislators had more than adequate time to learn the distinctions. They could, therefore, have reconvened and modified the bill, in effect, enacting Delegate Englin’s amendment which they had recently consigned to the compost heap.
It’s simple. Either the legislators were informed more than adequately, or they are so mentally challenged that they do not read proposed amendments by Democrats and just reflexively vote “Nay” and remain blissfully unaware of all criticism voiced throughout all media outlets.
Which do you choose?
