NEW YORK – Ahead of polls opening next month, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco is asking the local faithful “why would anyone want to stigmatize a primary health care facility and a pregnancy resource center that gives pregnant women support for having their babies?”

The question pertains to a San Francisco ballot measure, Proposition O, that Cordileone argues would do just that, and for that reason, is urging the faithful to reject it. In part, the measure would require signs placed outside of pregnancy resource centers that do not offer abortions, or refer for abortions.

Cordileone, in a recent video message, highlighted the double standard of the proposal.

“Why doesn’t Proposition O require the city to install signage outside facilities that do abortions to direct women to places where they will be supported in giving birth?” Cordileone asked. “Why doesn’t it require such facilities to post the same signage announcing that they do not provide the full range of reproductive rights because they only provide abortion and contraception and do not offer life affirming alternatives? Do the authors truly believe in choice?”

Proposition O, or the San Francisco Reproductive Freedom Act, essentially reiterates many of the abortion laws that already exist in California to bring them to a local level, while adding the piece about the signage and a website that will be maintained by the Department of Public Health (DPH).

The website would list pregnancy service centers in the city that provide or offer referrals for abortions or emergency contraception, as well as “limited service pregnancy centers,” which are those that do not. The latter will also have the signs installed outside of the facility.

“DPH may install signage outside of limited services pregnancy centers in the City to inform the public that those facilities do not provide or offer referrals for abortions or emergency contraception, and to provide information about where those services may be available,” the measure’s text states. “DPH may prioritize installing such signage in geographic areas of the City where there is a greater need for abortion or emergency contraception services.”

According to the legal text, DPH would provide so-called limited service pregnancy centers at least 30 days’ written notice before installing the signage. The facility or owner of the premises can file a petition with the Director of Public Health to prevent the signage, however the director’s decision will be final.

In a proponent’s statement for the measure, San Francisco May London Breed said that it “ensures that everyone in our city has the autonomy to make decisions about their reproductive health.”

“Passing Prop O is not just about preserving rights; it’s about protecting lives,” Breed said. “Comprehensive reproductive care leads to healthier families and communities. Prop O ensures that women and all people who can become pregnant are not forced into dangerous or untenable situations.”

Conversely, Cordileone argues in his Oct. 3 video message if it becomes law, Proposition O would endanger the employees, volunteers, patients, and clients of life-affirming state licensed health clinics “because by singling out facilities that refuse to perform abortions, it potentially opens them up to abusive behavior by opponents.”

“This flies in the face of the measure’s language that states ‘People in San Francisco should always be able to access reproductive health care services free from coercion, threat, violence, or fear’,” Cordileone said, also noting that having babies is something that falls under reproductive health care.

“Both organizations targeted by Proposition O help women, children, and the entire family without regard to ability to pay. Both are licensed medical facilities,” Cordileone said. “If we want to create a civil society we must affirm across the board support for human life. That means alternatives to abortion and euthanasia, repealing the death penalty, and working to end all racial and ethnic discrimination.”

“I urge you to vote no on Proposition O,” the archbishop concluded.

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The Denver Broncos kept the momentum rolling as they steamrolled the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-18, on Sunday. The Denver defense hammered the Raiders so severely that they made a quarterback change, and Bo Nix had his best statistical game as a pro.

When the Broncos are firing on all cylinders, they have the confidence to beat any team in front of them, as proven by their three-game win streak. Denver continues to climb NFL.com’s Power Rankings and has reached the top 15, climbing six spots heading into Week 6 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Here’s Eric Edholm’s analysis of the Broncos hitting No. 14, and the sideline interaction between Nix and head coach Sean Payton. 

“Pat Surtain II intercepted both Raiders quarterbacks on Sunday, running the first pick back 100 yards for a touchdown when the Broncos’ offense was still stuck in a rut. That tied the game at 10 apiece, and the Broncos found their groove soon after. Denver’s defense and special teams really set things up nicely with field position in the second half. There’s the potential for things to go awry with a banged-up offensive line heading into a big divisional game against the Chargers, but I wasn’t worried after seeing the Bo Nix-Sean Payton sideline discussion or hearing Payton’s Ferris Bueller quote after the game. First of all, it was funny. Secondly, this is how Payton shows love, I think. He knows that things have turned around to the point where this could be one of the more interesting Broncos seasons in years. If Nix responds, we’ll know he is the right guy for this team. It’s hard not to already think he’s that guy, with the rookie boasting mostly solid play through five games,” Edholm wrote.

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Patrick Surtain ll proved once again that he’s the best corner in the NFL today despite what Pro Football Focus might have you believe. Surtain doesn’t get the love he deserves partly because opposing quarterbacks don’t throw in his direction, and Gardner Minshew and Aiden O’Connell were reminded of why.

Those two interceptions, one being a 100-yard pick-six, put Surtain in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation where he belongs. The defense continues to play at a high level and keep the Broncos competitive, while the offense continues to gel and improve.

Nix showed his competitive fire when he and Payton had a heated discussion on the sideline after Troy Franklin’s dropped touchdown pass. Some may see this as a problem coming from a rookie signal-caller, but Nix showed more competitive spirit and passion for the game than Russell Wilson ever did in Denver.

The willingness to push back and let your coach know you have confidence in yourself is healthy for the coach-quarterback relationship. It’s a massive breath of fresh air from Wilson’s passive and meek attitude that led to his losing favor in the locker room.

Nix is improving each week, and Sunday was no different as he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another. If he and the offense start hotter, this team will be formidable regardless of who it lines up against.

The Broncos will face another AFC West foe at home this week, in the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coming off their bye. If the Broncos can get after a banged-up Justin Herbert and continue to develop on offense, they’ll put themselves in a great position to challenge for the division title. 

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