A certain commenter on this blog stated that “abortion is killing a living soul not tissue”. I would like to address the topic of abortion. I whole-heartedly support the right of a woman to get an abortion. In fact, I’d have to say that the issue of abortion is one that I feel most strongly about.
While I don’t agree with the pro-life stance, I understand the reasoning. A fetus is a living thing, and therefore, abortion is murder. Because murder is wrong, abortion is wrong. It is a sin, in fact. So, did I cover all the bases? Okay.
Now’s my cue to use my “liberal education” to tell it like it is, to point out the glaring hypocrisy in that argument, and to essentially OWN SHIT. I’ve got something to say, people, and HERE IT IS:
As always, I hate to generalize, but being pro-life is largely a republican position. Also a largely republican position is support of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. I think it’s so IRONIC, that you would fervently oppose abortion because it is murder, yet you’re gung-ho about wars that are arguably pointless. You don’t seem to care as much about the thousands upon THOUSANDS of American, Afghan, and Iraqi lives being lost overseas, yet “HOW DARE YOU HAVE AN ABORTION, YOU SLUT, YOU’RE MURDERING AN INNOCENT FETUS!!!!”
So there’s the glaring hypocrisy. If you don’t support abortion, then okay. But then you should also be against the war, and you should probably be vegetarian, too. Because, guess what? The fried chicken you’re eating? It once was a living organism. YOU MURDERER!
A misconception held by pro-lifers is that women are running around getting abortions just for the heck of it. The following is NOT the typical scenario surrounding an abortion: Hmm, what shall I do today? Go to the movies? Nah, there’s nothing good in the theaters. Go for a nice jog? Nah, the weather is crappy today. Hmm, I do have a fetus in me. I’m not really in the mood to have a fetus in me. Hey, maybe I’ll get an abortion today. Yeah, that sounds fun!! Should I tell George?? Nah, screw him! Now, where are the car keys???
Let’s get something stick straight: I assure you that a woman wouldn’t get an abortion unless she was in an utterly hopeless situation. Perhaps a situation such as she already has two kids who she can barely feed, never mind herself. She’s behind on rent. She was recently fired from one of her three jobs because she was late (but only because she had to pick up her kids from daycare…and by the way, the day care is threatening to refuse to let her kids come anymore because she can barely pay for it). She had sex with her boyfriend but the condom broke, and now she’s pregnant. She knows that she can’t support another child. She knows that ultimately it would probably die from starvation. So she feels the need to get an abortion.
Do you think the woman in that scenario WANTS to get an abortion? Absolutely not. I am not a mother, but I know for a fact that a mother’s love begins the moment she finds out she is pregnant. Getting an abortion for that woman would be traumatizing. Even after the abortion, she would love that child she never had, because that is simply the way a mother’s love works. I know this because I have recently witnessed a mother’s love transcend death. And it is one of the purest loves I have ever seen. So, the fact that any woman would choose to get an abortion means that she is completely hopeless and desperate and feels like there is NO other way.
It is cruel to assume that that woman is evil and a sinner because she chose to get an abortion. She is neither evil or a sinner – just a human trying to survive in a heartless world. And it is cruel to deny her the right to an abortion because “the Bible says it’s wrong”. Yes, the Bible and religion is a guiding force for many people who only get through life because of their faith. But in the end, the “Bible” doesn’t know the life of that woman – what she’s been through, the suffering she has endured, and the strength she requires just to get out of bed each day.
It’s okay to think abortion is wrong. It’s okay to elect to never get one, no matter what. But don’t deny that right to somebody else. Because you’ve never walked in their shoes, and you don’t truly know what life is like for them.
JPW
June 26, 2011
Oh brother… somehow, I knew abortion would be high on your list of liberal ideas. Once again, it’s hard to follow your logic; but allow me to unravel your distorted point of view. Firstly, we agree, it’s murder; that is a good start. Secondly, you established that you believe in religion, that’s another good thing. You are 2 for 2. Thirdly, you are correct, pro-life is a conservative platform. You are 3 for 3.
After that, it’s hard to even respond. You confuse the war with abortion; and, yet again, assume I LOVE WAR and KILLING PEOPLE (yikes?!). I do believe, the war had bi-partisan support and your pro-choice OBAMA expanded it (after criticizing it in congress). I guess you are trying to prove that anybody that supports the war can’t be pro-life. Sorry your logic is simply flawed. With that logic, in reverse, you should not care if people are killed in war…. .. BTW… there have been 40 million abortions… that’s worse than ALL WARS combined!!!!
Comparing a chicken to a human life is just stupid. I doubt even your liberal friends get this one? But, okay? Let’s move forward.
I never inferred that any woman takes an abortion lightly (like going to the movies). In fact, I feel sad for each of them. Clearly they are desperate and I consider them to be a victim too in a sense. They were misled to believe that murdering a human life was okay because Row vs Wade said so? It’s sad. What did women do prior to 1973? How did we all survive without abortion? Somehow, unmarried women lived with their “mistake.”
Your hypothetical story of a woman behind in “rent” and unable to afford a child is simply sad?! And confusing?!? It’s called “adoption.” Also, it assumes every abortion is due to economic issues, so I guess only poor people get abortions?!? My guess is that your assumption is not valid?!
If a woman has 2 children and can’t afford a 3rd; then tie your tubes; have responsible safe sex; or ABSTAIN. All of these options are valid and physically possible. Otherwise, live with the consequences.
I know women that have had 3 or 4 abortions? At what point do you just draw the line? With all due respect, many abortions could and should be AVOIDED!!!! Late term abortions make me want to cry… I am also aware that many women suffer from lifelong depression AFTER this procedure; and it ruins their lives in a whole different way…. Very sad!
Lastly, what about the “rights” of the fetus? What about the “rights” of the dad? Why does he not get to “choose”? The living fetus is 1/2 his making, yet he has not rights??? The ACLU should be all over this issue!!! You liberals are all about “rights”; why not expand the rights of men for once??? Again, a good argument could be made for this?
Anyway, I feel sad for every woman that was misled by the pro-choice movement. I feel worse for the fetus that never was given a chance to live. I know many women that REGRET their decision.
Look, I think you actually agree with me. Row vs Wade is just a court ruling and is the LAW of the Land! But, even you, seem to understand abortion is morally wrong and amounts to murder.
BTW…. I don’t think every woman is a “slut” that gets knocked up. IT HAPPENS!!! But, i do think a lot of girls are way too casual with their bodies given the consequences…. but, that’s just a “close minded” old fashion conservative.. What do I know????
Grace
June 26, 2011
You seem to pick and choose things I say and take them out of context. Let me clear some things up:
1. I don’t think abortion is murder. I said that’s the argument made by pro-lifers.
2. I wasn’t “confusing” abortion and the war. I was simply making the point that if you are against abortion because you feel it’s murder, then you should be against the war because a lot of unnecessary death has occurred in the war as well. I was making the point that many pro-lifers also support the war, which is ironic to me.
3. I was using EXAGGERATION when I said a pro-lifer should be a vegetarian too, in order to make a point. I guess you didn’t pick up on that. After all, if you’re going to go to such great lengths to protect a fetus, then why not protect chickens and cows and pigs!?! They have rights too, man!!!!
4. You wonder what women did prior to 1973 when there was no legal abortions available?? It’s called a clothes hanger dude. Is that what you want women to be doing?
5. I gave one scenario, but never said that only the poor get abortions. But take a look at this article, published in May: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/WomensHealth/abortion-rate-poor-women/story?id=13665925. The abortion rate is decreasing, but it is increasing among poor women.
6. Just because a woman is in a position in which she couldn’t afford another child doesn’t mean she should have to have her tubes tied or abstain. That’s just horrible, okay? That’s one of the coldest things you could possibly say. I do, however, think it’s important to teach people safe sex. That is something that people should be more educated about. But what if, like in the scenario I gave, the condom breaks and she gets pregnant? Is she just screwed? Is that fair, when she took the precautions to be careful?
7. “Human Rights” are applied to HUMANS. A “fetus”, while it is a living organism, is not YET a human. So human rights apply to the mother, not the fetus. And don’t give me crap about the father. The right to an abortion EXPANDS the rights of the mother, it doesn’t DIMINISH the rights of the father. Personally, I think it’s wrong for a woman to get an abortion without talking to her partner. But in the end, the fetus is inside HER not the father. So SHE makes the ultimate decision. And what about women who are on their own, whose partners abandoned them? Should they be denied an abortion because it “infringes” on the rights of the father????
8. I’m sure there are many women who regret having an abortion. But I’m sure there are an equal number of women who are thankful they were able to have one. Just because there are women who had a negative experience from it, does not mean every woman should be denied the right.
To conclude, I would like to thank you for being slightly more respectful with your response this time. Do you see that it’s not necessary to constantly attack me by calling me a “naive schoolgirl living in a liberal bubble who knows nothing about anything because I haven’t experienced real life”? It’s so insulting that you would write me off in that way when I certainly have legitimate things to say. So thank you for being less attacking this time.
JPW
June 26, 2011
Grace:
I think you should take a look at a basic ultra sound of a fetus; and then tell me a “fetus” is NOT HUMAN??! ONE QUESTION TO YOUR RESPONSE, At what point does this tissue (i.e. “fetus”) become “human” in your mind? At birth? Please give me 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10th month? And then compare your answer to an ultra sound. And then tell me it’s not human. I don’t believe you can get an abortion after 6 months, so even the courts seem to believe there is a limit.
Allow me to use some “exaggerations”… should a mother be able to give birth into a trashcan; and throw out her “inconvenient” problem? Are all women so desperate? Can we agree that sex is taken way way to lightly in today’s world (i.e. Thanks Pres Clinton)? Can we agree, more women should consider the consequences of sex? After all, the purely biological purpose of sex is for humans to recreate or procreate. You do understand that don’t you? 1 billion sperm plus 1 egg = pregnant… There does seem to be a higher reason other than it just feels good? Can we agree?
So, before, 1973, ALL women used a coat hanger? I doubt it. I think many gave birth and took responsibility and others opted for adoption. Also, I think, as time goes one, you will see the “rights” of a fetus increased and the “rights” of men (whose sperm created the fetus) expanded (Arz). In fact, in California, if a pregnant woman is murdered, the perpetrator can be charged with 2 murders, the women and the fetus. That freaks out pro-abortion people because you see where this logic is headed.
If you have 2 children and can’t afford a 3rd; you can’t tie your tubes. You can use the birth control plus a condom? You can’t abstain? Really? At what point do you hold anybody to a higher standard of responsibility? Life without consequences is just a liberal utopia.
You see, none of my arguments are going to make sense to you because you don’t have children (I covered that in my 1st blog). And, you have listened to MSNBC and ABC and the View; and they tell you that the women’s rights are above all else? Enough said. Until you come to the realization that a fetus is a living human being, there really isn’t any room for debate?
Look, we disagree. I accept the Row vs Wade decision as US law because I have too. I don’t think women are sluts, I don’t think they are sinners. I happened to think they are the victims too. They will live with that decision the rest of their lives; and, not even you, can tell me that had she decided to keep the baby (i.e. NOT abort), than the “fetus” wouldn’t have grown up to cure cancer or discover a new plant. I guess we will never know the potential of these non-human “fetuses” since they will never be allowed to become “human” and save the world.
Grace
June 26, 2011
I don’t believe a fetus is a human. Just because it may resemble a human in the ultra sound doesn’t mean it is human yet. To be human means you can perform basic functions, which a fetus is unable to do. A fetus relies on a human to live. It cannot live on its own, therefore it is not yet a human itself. That being said, I do think there is a cutoff. I think if one is going to have an abortion, it should be done in the first trimester, if not right away. Look, abortion is a very sticky issue. Of course I think abortions are incredibly sad. But at the same time, I think there are circumstances in which they are justifiable. I’m sure there are women who are irresponsible with abortions, but I have the feeling that is a VERY small number. And it certainly doesn’t mean that no woman should have the right to an abortion. Oh and PS. your people tried to shut down planned parenthood, which would make it very hard for many women to get condoms/birth control so they COULD have safe, responsible sex. Good going…
JPW
June 26, 2011
Grace:
So, here is YOUR slippery slope!… A fetus is NOT HUMAN; but, something changes after the 1st trimester and it is “living”. So, at least you admit the fetus has rights (or imply it has rights after 90 days). You see grace, we agree, whether you want to admit it or not, I believe the “cut of” is day one. You believe its day 90 (or whatever). And you seem to understand that 90 to birth is a problem. I think as life goes on, you will realize that the “looks” do in fact indicate the fetus is human.
Again, your response does not make anybody responsible for their actions. And, again, what about the rights of men? I think you said you didn’t give a shit? That seems pretty cold hearted … can you even imagine if a women aborted a fetus and the man wanted the baby agreed to care for it? Doesn’t seem right… I would think a liberal would have more compassion.
Anyway, we are not going to agree. When you have a baby, I have no doubt your view will EVOLVE.
JPW
Grace
June 26, 2011
I don’t think the fetus suddenly turns human after the first trimester. I think that the fetus is simply a fetus throughout the whole pregnancy. It is human once it is born. But, I think that abortion is a HUGE decision, which is why it should be done very quickly, if not right away. If abortion is necessary, it shouldn’t take you until the third trimester to figure that out. So yes, I think abortions should be performed within the first trimester, but NOT because the fetus is a human after that point – but because if abortion is necessary, you should know that right away and have it done promptly.
And you are right about one thing: we are not going to agree.
short little rebel
July 1, 2011
so, you agree with late term abortions? Let’s put this on the record: You agree that it is ok to pull the legs and arms off- one at a time- from an 8 month old baby? You agree that it is then ok to torture this child who can absolutely feel what you are doing, by then scooping and scraping out his little stomach? And let me get this straight. You then agree crushing it’s little head until you put the sorry thing out of its misery?
Because it is not human. Even though the baby can survive on it’s own outside the womb?
I’m glad you think it should be done quickly. But I don’t hear you saying to NOT do mid, late & partial birth abortions.
Again, you don’t care who you hurt, Grace. As long as you get your way.
jpw
June 26, 2011
At birth? Really? Wow… its hard to argue with such utter ignorance. Its scary how brainwashed you are? Then why is it such a “huge” decision… its just a living things attached to you? No biggy…. 1st, 2nd or 3rd trimester… ? What is the urgency? Excuse me… a “fetus” has a heart and brain function… What if you mom aborted you??? No Uconn, No Bloggy Bloggy… OMG… Really, I hope you respect life more than this blog seems to suggest…. You are a women, protecting you unborn child is like one of the most if not the MOST important things you will EVER do in life…
Grace
June 26, 2011
Oh…my…freakin…god. This is just getting really frustrating. I never at any point said that I think any old person should just get an abortion for the heck of it. Abortion is a huge decision because that fetus DOES have the capability to become a living, breathing human being. Except there are some situations in which the negatives of giving birth to that fetus outweigh the positives. And it is for THOSE CASES that I think abortion should be legal. If you are able to financially and emotionally support a child should you be getting an abortion? I don’t think so! But if you truly cannot support a child, and you get pregnant, I think you should have the right to get an abortion. That is ALL I’m saying, so please don’t twist my words around anymore! Like I’ve said, abortion is a sticky issue and each situation is different. Abortion is a bad decision for some cases, and a good decision for others. There is no blanket generalization you can make about it. But for all those cases when abortion IS appropriate, it should be kept legal. And for cases when it’s not, I think that should be addressed! I believe young people need to be taught more about safe sex (as opposed to abstinence only) so that abortion isn’t even an issue. You seem to think I’m on the very far left on this issue, but I’m not. I agree that abortion is a HUGE DEAL and should be a LAST RESORT. But that doesn’t mean I think it should be illegal. Because there are some cases where it is appropriate. Okay? Okay.
Lilabell
June 27, 2011
The bottom line is you cannot separate a fetus from the woman – the sentient being. The Pro-Life movement wants to ignore the woman. Demonize her. Make her an afterthought. Unless you believe that a woman should be forced, seriously – forced – to give birth against her will, regardless of the religious or ethical implications – “pro-choice” is what logic dictates. It is a choice, not a mandate.
Grace
June 27, 2011
Good point! I agree. I hate when people argue that it’s the woman’s fault for getting pregnant and she should just live with her decision because it’s her responsibility. What about the guy who took off when she got pregnant? Doesn’t he have a responsibility? Obviously every case of abortion isn’t like that, but overall, pro-lifers do demonize the woman when she absolutely shouldn’t be.
short little rebel
July 1, 2011
no the Pro-life movement does not want to ignore the woman. While I support a woman’s decision within the first two weeks of pregnancy, I can’t abide watching late term abortions or partial birth abortions. And only once in your life. If you are too dumb to figure it out the first time, then you don’t deserve a second.
Congress passed a bill, which Bill Clinton vetoed, that would end these practices forever- exception, the health of the woman.
sick. truly sick.
Lilabell
June 27, 2011
http://hippielib.com/2011/05/04/you-had-to-know-it-was-coming-why-im-pro-choice/
Grace
June 30, 2011
haha, no way!!! That’s pretty cool, thanks for letting me know!!