By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – Congressman Brad Sherman has announced from his Washington office that he has introduced legislation that would preclude San Francisco and other municipalities from banning the practice of circumcision within their municipal boundaries.
The Jewish Democrat, who represents a portion of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, said in a press release: “Male circumcision has been practiced for thousands of years and is a deeply important ceremony for two major religions. Circumcision is obligatory for Jewish-born males – it must be performed on the eighth day after birth and is only postponed in the case of threat to life or health of the child. Muslim parents also circumcise their male children.”
Sherman said that no compelling case has been made that circumcision is harmful to boys; instead, he said, “the medical literature actually shows clear benefits of male circumcision.” He cited a United Nations study on AIDS that reported male circumcision offers a 60 percent reduction in HIV risk.
“I agree with the American Academy of Pediatrics that parents should clearly have the right to freely decide whether circumcision is in the best interest of their male children,” said Sherman. “In fact, American parents have chosen circumcision for over 75 percent of male children.”
Laws made by Congress and the President take precedence over those of municipalities and states under the doctrine of federal supremacy.
“Congress has historically legislated to protect the free exercise of religious rights from state and local intrusions,” Sherman said. “In 2000, Congress passed the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, design to protect religious institutions from unduly burdensome local zoning laws.
“The Religious and Parental Rights Defense Act of 2011 ensures that Jewish and Muslim families will continue to be able to enjoy the free exercise of religious belief,” he said.
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In San Diego, meanwhile, County Supervisor Ron Roberts became another well-known political figure to endorse District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis for mayor, an office that he himself had sought unsuccessfully in the past.
“Bonnie and I have worked together for more than a decade to create a safer, healthier San Diego,” he said in a press release. “I’m proud to endorse Bonnie and know she will use her chief executive experience to continue moving the city forward in the areas of pension reform, job creation and fiscal responsibility. Bonnie has the integrity and innovative leadership style we need right now to continue San Diego’s economic recovery. We’re both long-time resident of the city and we’re both committed to making San Diego a better place.”
Dumanis, Roberts and two other big names who endorsed her recently – Mayor Jerry Sanders and City Councilman Kevin Faulconer – all are registered Republicans. So far the only major Democratic figure to announce his intention to enter the race is Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), making it at least a possibility that if Dumanis were to oppose Filner in November, the runoff election would pit two members of the Jewish community against each other.
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com