RICHMOND — Virginia’s health commissioner abruptly stepped down Thursday over proposed new regulations that would require abortion facilities to meet strict, hospital-style building standards that many clinics say would put them out of business.
In her resignation letter, Karen Remley, a pediatrician first appointed by then-governor Timothy M. Kaine in 2008, said: “Unfortunately, how specific sections of the Virginia Code pertaining to the development and enforcement of these regulations have been and continue to be interpreted has created an environment in which my ability to fulfill my duties is compromised and in good faith I can no longer serve in my role.”
I doubt that the anti-choice right will be crying the blues over her resignation. That frees up another spot for an extremist position. The extremists will say and do anything to advance their agenda.
Dr. Karen Remley is to be commended for her personal integrity as well as her dedication to safe women’s health practices in Virginia. She knows that the TRAP laws turning abortion clinics into mini hospitals are simply a ruse to make abortion more difficult, less accessible and more expensive. She knows that Ken Cuccinelli acted unethically and perhaps illegally when he failed to certifiy the recommendation of the State Health Board.
We should all be worried when someone’s zealotry replaces the Rule of Law.
Don’t go away mad, Karen…..just go away!!
Screw you, slowpoke. I would guess that you have no idea what you are talking about.
@Moon-howler
Double that!!!
Government interferance unwanted by Republicans? HAH!!!
I’m not aware of any sentient being who believes Republicans don’t like Government interference. The reason independents like me smile at your outrage is due to your lefty hypocrisy. You love this Government intrusion, but not that. You don’t seem to realize that Government intrusion is a double-edge sword. So folks like me get a kick out out of watching liberals get burned by their own zeal for Government intrusion! Screw me? Wow, didn’t think too long about that, did you?
I stand and salute her integrity, and her candor in phrasing her opposition to the way things were handled. I watch when citizens – most not of this fair City – stand before the City Council at Citizens Time and wail about the clinic here in the City with the same, tired rhetoric about unsafe care. The Clinic made the effort to comply with the new laws and regulations, and became the second such clinic in the Commonwealth to be licensed under them. What is interesting to see are the City residents stepping forward before the Council and saying they have concerns for the safety of both clients and staff of the Clinic given the current political climate. Commendable, that.
Unless they have been in that clinic, those citizens really don’t know. I doubt if they are going to admit to having been in there. 😈
I wish they showed the same concern over the other outpatient services. Wasn’t it Andy who had had all sorts of trouble with outpatient services?
As an old soldier of the reproductive rights wars who has walked away with more than one bump and bruise, I am not sure the climate is any worse now than it is ever been. Citizens just have to report if they see anything unusual or know of any of their friends or acquaintances who is threatening to do something illegal or dangerous.
I can see the protesters from my gym. I haven’t seen any particular hostility towards them and they aren’t bothering anyone…just doing their vigilant duty.
Ray, what are citizens saying they fear is going to happen?
http://www.manassascity.org/MediaCenter.aspx?CID=City-of-Manassas-2#player
Listen at 2:17:00 Citizens Time at the Oct. 8 City Council meeting.
Thanks Cindy. I feel sorry for the Council having to listen to all that week after week.
The lady who spoke of violence doesn’t seem to have any inside track.
There is always a chance someone will take their zealotry too far.
The Manassas police have always been very responsive, to my knowledge. One can never be too careful and people who think something is amiss should certainly report it.
I dont think times are any more risky now than they always have been. Any time emotions are high on a subject, there is always the risk that someone will go overboard, like in the case of Dr. George Tiller.