MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Nationally syndicated columnist Cal Thomas said a debate currently taking place in West Virginia is happening around the nation.
Thomas, who is scheduled to speak Friday evening in Morgantown at West Virginians for Life 16th annual Rose Dinner, said the debate focuses on getting pregnant women as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision.
“Those who had abortions and regret them, that I’ve talked to, said ‘If I’d only known. If I’d seen a picture or known about alternatives I would have made a different choice,'” Thomas said during a recent appearance on MetroNews Talkline.
The 30-year columnist said advanced technology gives women an earlier look at their unborn child.
West Virginians For Life scored a significant legislative victory in the recently completed regular session when lawmakers approved the fetal pain bill that would make abortions illegal in West Virginia after 20 weeks. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin didn’t receive the bill until late this week and he has until Tuesday, April 1, to decide whether to sign it or veto it. Tomblin has noted legislative lawyers have expressed concern about the constitutionality of the bill’s provisions.
Thomas said the abortion argument goes to the heart “of who were are.”
“Are we material in energy shaped by pure chance in a random evolutionary universe or do we have a purpose for life and were we endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights?” Thomas asked.
The Rose Dinner begins at 6 p.m. Friday at Lakeview Resort in Morgantown.