Valley Hospital Association is only the most recent example of the court's abuse of power. Exceptions were allowed for pregnancies endangering the life of the mother, pregnancies caused by an act of rape or incest, and also in cases of severe fetal deformity. Under court order, Valley Hospital is now being forced to provide abortions, in violation of the consciences of its directors, members, and employees. It has now become a weapon to coerce people and institutions to participate in what many consider to be an act of violence against an unborn child. The arrogance displayed in the Valley Hospital decision is unfortunately not an isolated incident.
Many judges are no longer content to interpret the law.
This trend recently came under sharp criticism from no less an authority than U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia. Justice Scalia's comments ring true for me. I am a lifelong Alaskan, yet I do not recognize the Alaska which the court is attempting to create when it renders decisions such as Valley Hospital . It is a place alien to the values of my family and most Alaskans. Left unchecked, the courts acquire frightening power.