Recognize civil rights for unborn children

The good in all of us often rallies to the defense of those who seem to be victims of circumstance. For example, some of us will defend a person's right to same-sex marry. And many will defend a woman's right to choose.

Will we stand up for the civil rights of the most defenseless of all - the unborn child?

Recently, House File 153 was introduced in the Iowa Legislature. It simply states that an unborn child has life and is a person with rights in need of protection. Some will say that this bill is unconstitutional. It is true that the U.S. Supreme Court declined to say that an unborn child is a person under the Constitution (Roe v. Wade).

But the U.S. Constitution only sets the bare minimum standard of civil rights. Each state has the option to raise the bar. For example, there is no federal protection for same-sex marriage. But there is here in Iowa.

The unborn child is the greatest victim of circumstance. Surely we want to recognize the civil rights of the most innocent. After all, the bare minimum has never been good enough for Iowans.

John Hesling

Oskaloosa