Believers Against Abuse and Neglect of Kids (BAANK)

21 years ago a beautiful young girl was taken from us and we still remember.

It was eleven years ago that Carlie was abducted and murdered. She was found at the Central Church of Christ in Sarasota, and out of this dark and tragic event sprang BAANK (Believers Against the Abuse and Neglect of Kids). We vowed to keep her memory alive, and to cause light to shine out of darkness. We are still keeping to promise. Come visit her garden and contact us about how you can join the fight for abused and neglected kids.

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #14)

The second sentence of the amendment reads “This amendment does not change the legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.” Technically this is true. The legislature has the authority to require parental notification under this amendment. However, the legislature has already passed a law requiring parental consent before a minor can have an abortion. If this amendment is passed the legislature will not be able to make a law to “prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion….” This amendment could be read to say that neither consent nor notification is required for a minor to get an abortion. The amendment actually gives the legislature an authority it cannot exercise because the opening sentence prevents legislation regarding abortion. This second sentence is a bait and switch to make one think that a minor’s decision must come with parental approval. It does not. Furthermore, “notification” is not defined. What method? Is it prior to the abortion? Is it after the abortion? Does notification have to be confirmed or merely attempted? Even if the parent or guardian is notified before the abortion, they cannot legally intervene to stop the abortion from taking place. The crafters of this amendment were very slick in their language. Do not be deceived. The second sentence is mere illusive fluff to make it appear that parents will be involved. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #13)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the phrase “a patient’s health care provider.” Who makes the determination that a woman can have an abortion after viability (still undefined)? The person the patient, the women, selects as her “health care provider.” Who is that? What is the definition of a “health care provider?” Remember the legislature cannot interfere even to define these terms. It sounds ambiguous to me. It is an OB/GYN, a GP, an ENT, a nurse, a CNA, a Vet? Who knows? What level of training do they have to have? What experience is required? Do they need certification? Do they need oversight? Is there a certain kind of facility required? Who knows? Could an LMHC determine the necessity of a late term abortion? Could a pastor? Who is entrusted with the decision? It is no longer the woman after viability. Her abortion is totally dependent on a “health care provider.” Don’t you think this should be defined before you install this Amendment within the Constitution of the State of Florida, the supreme law of our state? Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #12)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “determined.” This is in relationship to a woman’s health. Someone must determine or decide what is in the best interest of the woman’s health. There is a decision involved. This decision implies power or authority. Listen carefully. In this Amendment who has determinative power? It is not our elected officials. One might argue that the determination lies with the people of Florida who could pass this Amendment with 60% of the vote. But this is not what the Amendment says. Once it is passed the decision for allowing abortion past the age of viability will not even be totally in the hands of the woman seeking the abortion. Someone else will be saying yes or no to whether she can have the abortion at 30 weeks, or 35 weeks, or 40 weeks. By voting for Amendment 4 you will give the power and authority to determine to a very select group of people. You might want to stay tuned. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #11)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “health.” This word can only be understood contextually. Since it is not defined, it can refer to any kind of health condition: emotional, spiritual, financial, physical, relational, vocational, recreational, and the like. Health has to do with quality of life. Broadly speaking, a woman is allowed to may a qualitative judgement regarding the life in her womb. Will having this child negatively impact my quality of life? Every parent would have to answer in the affirmative. Of course, there is another question to ask. Will having this child positively impact my quality of life? Nearly all the parents I know have no regrets having children. They could not imagine life without them. Can abortion negatively impact a woman’s health? It certainly can and does in most cases. Even if there are no discernable physical effects, the emotional toll is almost always present at some point in time. Even if the woman sees the abortion as the lesser of two evils, it is still an evil. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #10)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the words “the patient’s” in the Amendment. Who is the patient? It is implied that it is the woman seeking the abortion. This language excludes everyone else. It excludes the boyfriend, husband, and parent. It certainly excludes the baby. In almost any other medical situation all these individuals would have some interest in the matter. When a woman desires to mother her baby, the baby becomes a co-patient with the mother. The physician has an obligation to do what is in the best interest of both the mother and the child. This Amendment has one focus. The patient is the woman. This is where the abortionist declares “it is a woman’s body, and no one should tell her what she can do with her body.” Yet we do. Most RX carry a warning for pregnant women. We run campaigns to convince women not to smoke or drink when pregnant. Why? Because we know there is another life involved, a life that needs protection. Do you want an Amendment that ignores everyone except the woman? Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #9)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “protect.” In anyone’s book protection is a good thing. Who can argue with protection? Yet the word "protect” is circumstantial as is the word “necessary.” We say, “I am doing such and such for your own protection.” The one being “protected” might not see it that way. They may just think you are being controlling. Protection implies some type of potential harm. In the case of abortion, the idea of protection begs the question of what the woman is being protected from. It also assumes that the protection will not create new harm. After 50 years of ministry, I have never had one woman who has had an abortion fail to express profound grief for her decision. The negative effects of abortion demand protection as well. Think about it. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #8)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the words “when necessary.” Something that is necessary must be defined circumstantially. An action that is necessary in one circumstance may not be in another. Necessity requires judgement. Someone must decide what is necessary. If someone were to tell me they had to cut my arm off to save my life, I think I would want to get a second opinion. The point is there is always a degree, and sometimes a large degree, of opinion as to what is truly necessary. Air conditioning is necessary in Florida. Is it? What about the early settlers? AC was not necessary for their survival. It is only necessary today for us because of our convenience. Rarely is abortion necessary to save the life of the mother. The question is what necessitates abortion? As we will see, the answer is strictly subjective. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #7)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “or.” This might be the most powerful word in the entire Amendment. Viability will at least give us a range of 21-24 weeks, typically. But the “or” makes it clear that 24 weeks is not the outer limits of legal abortions in the state under this Amendment. The word “or” means there is an alternative to viability. The abortionist is not hemmed in by viability, however that is defined, which it is not. You might think the legislature would be able to “prohibit, penalize, delay or restrict” abortions after “viability.” But that is not the case because of this little word “or.” The big loophole is coming. Beware when you see the word “or.” It means “viability” was just thrown into the Amendment to make it seem like there were limits. “Or” opens a brand-new door, one wide enough for a Mac truck. Pay attention. Rod Myers.

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #6)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the words “before viability.” To know what “before” means we first must know what “viability” means. Do your research. You will find there is no universal agreement as to the age of viability of a fetus. Since the term is not defined, the abortionist is free to take the most accepted and latest age. Is it 21 weeks or 24 weeks? What difference does it make? It makes all the difference to that child in the womb. Those four weeks could be the difference between life and death. The idea of viability is meant to convey the reality of when a child can live outside the mother’s womb. Viability is contextual. “Vi” means life. “Ability” means to what is possible. How long could a full-term baby live outside of the mother’s womb without assistance (food, warmth, protection)? What is the earliest age a child has been born and kept alive? That distinction goes to Curtis Means who was born and survived at 21 weeks. But that is the wrong question. How many children would survive if we just left them inside their mother’s womb until 24-40 weeks? Under the right conditions almost all of them. So, this Amendment says it is okay to take the life of an unborn child somewhere before 24 weeks. Are you okay with that? I hope not. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #5)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “restrict.” Based on the previous three words, this word seems redundant. Perhaps it is meant to be redundant since redundancy makes this Amendment even more bullet-proof if it is ever challenged. Oh, that’s right. It cannot be challenged. It is a constitutional Amendment. The only recourse would be to repeal it. Something that restricts impedes. This Amendment does not allow any legal “wiggle-room” regarding abortion. This Amendment will be the most unrestricted law of any state in the nation. Do you want Florida to be known as the abortion destination for the world? I didn’t think so. Rod Myers

Amendment 4 Under the Microscope ( #4)

“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s health care provider.” This is the first of two sentences which make up Amendment 4. Look at the word “delay.” No waiting is necessary by law. No time must elapse in the process of getting an abortion by law. No delay for an ultrasound by law. No delay for a second opinion by law. No court order for a delay. No need to consult a parent or a clergy person by law. No need to come back tomorrow by law. Nothing in law can slow down the abortion procedure. Can the abortionist delay the abortion? Not legally. Any delay they put in place is strictly voluntary. Is there any other medical procedure that would not be delayed until some steps were taken to ensure the safety of the patient? Would you vote for such a reckless Amendment? I didn’t think so. Rod Myers