Protest of abortion rights being overturned

More than 100 people in downtown LaPorte turned out for a demonstration against the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to an abortion. The high court on June 24 voted 6 to 3 against the landmark Roe v Wade case declaring abortion a right under the U.S. Constitution in 1973. The protest two days later outside the courthouse was called by Brianna Holzer, a 21-year-old LaPorte woman clinging to hope a majority of the justices would not follow through on their written judgement She added that they need to have the leaked to members of the media several weeks ago. “I am quite emotional. I have cried quite a few times today because there was a little bit of hope in my mind that maybe, just maybe, the U.S. would realize that people who have uteruses are actually human beings. We deserve rights. It’s a little disheartening and quite angering,” she said. The high court decision allows states to decide whether to ban or restrict abortion in their own jurisdictions.

Holzer said her fear is abortion will be banned in Indiana, forcing women to travel across state lines to terminate their pregnancies.

The Indiana State Legislature is scheduled to meet in special session July 6 to begin crafting the state’s abortion law.

Gov. Eric Holcomb didn’t specify what should be contained in the state’s abortion law but said he is pro-life.

He said the right to an abortion nationwide being overturned presents an opportunity to further protect the sanctity of life and “that’s what we’re going to do.”

State Rep. Jim Pressel (R) Rolling Prairie did not offer an opinion on any ban or restrictions the state should impose on abortion.

“It’s too early to speculate on what form any legislation may take, but I’m ready to go to work and look forward to having discussions with constituents and my fellow legislators about what this Supreme Court decision means for Indiana,” Pressel said.

Holzer said she fears Indiana being a mostly conservative state will ban the practice, forcing women to travel across state lines to have the procedure.

She disagrees with people who call abortion murder.

Holzer said late term abortion rarely occurs and she doesn’t consider a fetus a human being in the very early stages of pregnancies.

“It’s just a few cells clumped together in a woman’s uterus and I just don’t see how that can be murder,” she said.

Bethany Lutheran Church Pastor Dennis Meyer said he agree with the U.S. Supreme Court opinion that abortion is not a right under the U.S. Constitution.

“We live in a Federalist system, and that means the national government decides some things and states decide other things,” Meyer said.

Meyer also said women will still have a right to exercise their choice in states that allow for abortion.

Meyer also said he believes in the sanctity of life and there are better options than abortion.

“I know there are a lot of families that I have worked with over the years that have had infertility issues that would love to be able to adopt a child,” Meyer said.

LaPorte County Democrat Party Chairman Dr. Vidya Kora said he’s concerned the decision will further divide the country and lead to more political related violence.

Kora, a physician with a medical practice in Michigan City, said he doesn’t support abortion and early termination of pregnancy should be kept to a minimum but a woman should have a choice.

“It’s a decision that should be left to the individual, their families in consultation with their physicians and their faith. It’s a very difficult decision some families have to make,” he said.

Kora also said the Supreme Court is an example of government overreach into the lives of people on matters that should be decided privately.

“I’m frankly disappointed,” he said.

BY STAN MADDUX

New host for downtown racing events

BY STAN MADDUX

Heavily attended events in downtown Michigan City during the annual race this year to support local merchants. “This event will allow us to showcase our downtown in a new and exciting way,” he said. Great Lakes Grand Prix will have a new host.

The LaPorte County Convention and Visitors Bureau has taken over the Boat Parade and Block Party after the Michigan City Mainstreet Association backed away from the events the group has put on since the powerboat race came to the lakefront at Michigan City in 2009.

LCCVB Chief Executive Officer Jack Arnett said his organization had no other choice but to step in to ensure the events drawing tens of thousands of people each year go on as scheduled.

“It’s certainly a big deal for the community,” he said.

Arnett said the size of the downtown events became too much to handle for the MCMA consisting strictly of volunteers.

“A lot of volunteer time. A lot of hard work,” he said.

Arnett said about one-third of the estimated 250,000 people attending the two days of racing and all of the related events last year went to the block party and boat parade.

The Great Lakes Grand Prix this year is scheduled from Aug. 4-7.

Arnett said a new Shop Sip Support on Friday evening has been added to the downtown schedule of events for the There will also be a new Race Team Welcome Party on Friday evening at Washington Park featuring live entertainment, food and beverages. “This will be open to the public and give everyone a great opportunity to get up close and mingle with the race teams,” he said. The block party will continue to be on Friday and Saturday evenings, while the boat parade remains on the schedule for Saturday evening. The Saturday boat parade and block party will continue to feature food provided by local vendors along with live entertainment and adult beverage vendors. Arnett said the new events, along with preserving the boat parade and block party, “will continue to make Michigan City the number one destination for Offshore Racing in North America.” “We are so excited to see what the Great Lakes Grand Prix does with the Boat Parade and Block Party. Jack Arnett and his team have done an amazing job bringing the boat race to the level it is,” said Michigan City Mayor Duane Parry. For a full schedule of events go to www.greatlakesgrandprix. com.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

So, what a week it’s been.

Right is left, up is down, east is west. You better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, for the times, they are a-changing. My apologies to Bob Dylan but I don’t think that even while he was writing that wonderful song he could have imagined a time when the Supreme Court of the United States would seem to forget that they were supposed to be above, and separate from, politics. Because this is a column about sports, and not politics, I’m going to move on, and that’s probably a good thing. Who knows how much trouble I could get into?

Let’s turn to baseball. At least some things remain the same. Two stories touched my heart this week. First, an outfielder, I think with the Angels, caught a fly ball to end an inning and threw it into the stands. A young adult male caught it, celebrated, then tossed it to a youngster. Later in the game, the youngster’s dad caught a homer and gave his son the ball. The youngster immediately turned around and returned his original ball to the young adult. Baseball brings out the best in people.

Next, I want to praise the White Sox for making a day special for a young fan. This little guy has battled cancer and is currently battling it again. The Sox made the day special and brought him joy. He got to throw out the first pitch, hit, and run the bases. When he rounded third and headed toward home, most if not all of the players lined his path and gave him high fives. I know that a lot of people are trying to change the game and make it more exciting, but for my money, it’s still the best sport ever. Football, basketball, and hockey are all great sports, and there are plenty of other great sports as well, but for me, baseball will always reign supreme.

Oh yeah, the Cubs knocked off their bitter rivals, the Cardinals, two out of three over the weekend to knock the Cards out of first. The Cubs owners have failed the fans by not even trying to compete but the team on the field is doing the best they can. They aren’t as talented as most of the teams they oppose, but occasionally they come up with a super human effort and knock off some of the best teams.

The Bulls didn’t make any moves on draft night, staying with the 18th pick and choosing Arizona point guard Daley Terry. Terry didn’t score a lot in college, but he’s a tenacious defender who should help the Bulls. The team just needs to re-sign Zach Lavine and stay healthy to be a force in the NBA this season. It wouldn’t hurt to get another shooter and an enforcer and with a little luck they can compete with the best.

Pete Rose said, “I’d walk through hell in a gasoline suit to play baseball.”

Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.