Aside from a bill that defines personhood at conception and bans some methods of contraception(very close in tone to the recent bill passed by the Oklahoma Senate), the Virginia House of Delegates also passed a preliminary measure, sponsored by Republican Delegate Kathy J. Byron, requiring a woman to receive an ultrasound before having an abortion.  Also under the second House bill, the woman can opt to view and receive a image of the forced ultrasound.  A similar bill passed the Virginia Senate earlier this session which Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, rumored to be in consideration as a running mate for the 2012 Republican Presidential ticket, has been clear he would sign, but has not indicated if he would sign the ‘personhood’ bill.  A forced ultrasound is cruel, some would say, but, hey, having an abortion is a tough decision for a woman or girl to make.  Until you learn that the only way to perform said ultrasound during the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy, is by using trans-vaginal probe. This bill just illustrates the utter contempt for women and their right to control their bodies exhibited by the Republican legislature these days.  This procedure is more than just a roadblock to women having abortions of ‘convenience’.  Imagine being a rape victim at a clinic seeking an abortion, with all the powerful emotions you would be experiencing, and then having to submit to another unwanted penetration.  Insanity.  Where is the public outrage over this transparent advancement of the Pro-life agenda?  What kind of legislative madness is going to come next from the increasingly emboldened Republican controlled state senates, in this polarized presidential year?