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The New York Times' Board blog covered this ad last week aiming to engage voters. It comes from this awesome new campaign that I've been honored to be a part of. After last night's primaries, I think we should get back to focusing on what's at stake if McCain is elected.
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Comments
Didn't he already answer this during the youtube debate? I thought he said he would punish the doctors, not the women getting the abortions. I cannot recall this with certainty, however.
Well, it's not so much about making *women* criminals, but about making the doctors who perform the actual procedure criminals. Still, I would like to have seen actual quotes from McCain indicating his personal feelings on the issue. I'm no fan of McCain's, but I dislike excessive hyperbole, too.
Well, it's not so much about making *women* criminals, but about making the doctors who perform the actual procedure criminals. Still, I would like to have seen actual quotes from McCain indicating his personal feelings on the issue. I'm no fan of McCain's, but I dislike excessive hyperbole, too.
I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice. That is how we sell it too, my body, my choice. I also know that most aborted fetuses would be born. Our infant mortality rate is quite low. 6.37 deaths per 1000 is less than 1% (.64% to be exact).
Now, let's look at this:
Revolutionary War - 4,435 deaths
Civil War (both sides) - 498,332 deaths
World War I - 116,708 deaths
World War II - 407,316 deaths
Korea - 25,604 deaths
Vietnam - 58,168 deaths
Operation Desert Storm (Combat - 147)
Afghanistan - 322
Operation Iraqi Freedom to the present day - 2,106
Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 48,000,000 (48 MILLION) deaths
Now with the numbers we have, we can reduce that 48 Million down by only 305,760. That means that 47,694,240 WOULD HAVE SURVIVED.
Comparing the numbers with wars it is easy to see how much damage Roe vs Wade caused in such a short amount of time. Therefore, I am pro-life. I am sure my position will be unpopular here but I know there are some pro-life feminists as I am one and I have met a few over the years.
well, I don't know exactly who or what would be punished, however, even if the women are not punished, and the doctors are, the doctors are going to get scared of doing the procedure, therefore women are going to be at the losing end as well. So, not only would doctors be affected, but women, too!
I looked on the McCain site and all it says is that we have to overturn Roe V. Wade, promote the sanctity of marriage and promote adoption-which this in and of itself, isn't a bad thing. But, I am NOT for overturning Roe V. Wade and although I believe in the sacrament of marriage, I do believe that people should choose whom they want to marry not on the basis of sex and gender, but based on love and compassion.
Earlier I posted that I don't know who I would vote for b/c I think all the candidates stink, but I thank Vanessa because this makes me more want to vote for Obama. I can't say Hillary b/c I don't she's going to get the nomination
SLS- regardless of the statistics, a woman should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion or not. The government should not dictate what people should do with their bodies and their lives.
SweetLittleSister: You say "I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice." - but who are you to decide what is necessity and what is not? I am pro-choice because I think the only person capable of deciding what is "necessary" and what isn't in my life is ME.
Also, though I reject your premise that an abortion is a death, I have to wonder what you think the result of 48 million unwanted pregnancies would be.
The typical suggestion is adoption, but our adoption system can't handle the kids it's charge with now. Add 48 million to the load, and what do you have then? What do these unwanted people grow up to be?
"SweetLittleSister: You forgot to account for miscarriages."
So did you, I am listening.
"SLS- regardless of the statistics, a woman should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion or not. The government should not dictate what people should do with their bodies and their lives. "
over 47 million deaths and the only thing that matters are choices? How many would it takee before it matters because wars catch alot more scrutiny for alot less loss of life.
SLS, it's not that I think you're practicing pedantry, but neglecting the fact that this -- "Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 48,000,000 (48 MILLION) deaths" -- isn't across-the-board objectively realized and unanimously agreed on as being true, sort of debunks using statistics in the first place.
SLS, I would genuinely like to know what punishment you would propose for women and their doctors. Remember that only punishing doctors does not answer the question in those cases where their is no doctor, but women have performed them themselves (with coat hangers and so forth). And a follow up question, I would also like to note that comparing abortion to military deaths is interesting, because when a U.S. Soldier kills an "enemy" soldier, that is not punishable as murder either. So, I am wondering if you would also like to give the same punishment to soldiers who kill that you would advocate for women who have abortions, since you know, you compared the two.
but wars create more hated and are UNNECESSARY! The Iraq war is in no way justified and those poor men are out their dying for this countries greed and Bush doesn't give a flying fuck about our soldiers. They-the soldiers- were forced into going to war and dying. An abortion is a personal choice-it doesn't affect the entire world.
And...imagine if all those 48 million were on the world today..yeah...this world would be well beyond populated!! Talk about saving the environment...
"You wanted to include miscarriages, so do so, show us the statistics."
But it's your argument, not mine.
Personally, I don't care what the number is, and I don't think it matters. To a pro-life person, even 10 would be a lot. To a pro-choice person, who likely doesn't consider an abortion a death, any number you come up with is invalid.
Not pro-life... anti-abortion. You can call yourself pro-life when you have a comprehensive plan to provide healthcare and good homes to the children who will result from the millions of pregnancies you are planning on forcing women to carry to term.
If men had the babies we would not be discussing the legality of abortion. I think it’s a shame that the GOP has glommed onto the issue of abortion at all since they only do it for votes – nobody recognizes it as such because they think the anti-choice position is “right.” Deep down I think a lot of them (politicians) probably think it should be legal but cant say so or theyd lose their re-election(s). I am sad when I see any anti-choice woman, but I can’t change their mind. One cannot argue someone’s position of faith with fact, waste of time. But here I go anyway.
SweetLittleSister- I don’t have much to add to others comments in response to your post, but I will say this about labeling yourself as pro-life with the inference that abortion = death. The two opposing sides to this very important issue do not even argue two opposite sides of the same argument. People that are pro-choice are for a woman’s right to choose, but they are not pro-abortion nor are they anti-life. However, since the issue is choice (ultimately meaning privacy within one’s doctor’s office) it renders the label of pro-life as moot. Pro-choicers are not anti-life, but pro-lifers are anti-choice so that is what I label you as – Anti-Choice.
The issue of abortion has nothing to do with life or the taking away of life, but with the audacity of others (whoever they are) that think they have any right to control when a woman reproduces and when she does not. The decision is not made when she opened her legs – this is a religious position which has no place in this discussion.
The problem with the anti-choice movement is that it provides no solutions to lower the numbers of unwanted pregnancies. It doesn’t promote or support comprehensive sex education. It is a completely religious based position that has no place interfering in the doctor’s office. One religion’s position on a medical procedure should not prevent others from having access to said procedure. The entire anti-choice position, in my opinion, is ludicrous and completely out of touch with reality. The legalization of abortion went so far as to change the language in the Hippocratic Oath so doctors could not be arrested and prosecuted for performing a legal medical procedure.
Begin rant - In either the last SOTU address or last year’s Bush (in regard to health insurance mind you) said something along the lines of: ‘decisions should be made between doctors and their patients, not by insurance companies and politicians.’ So apparently, even Bush supports privacy within the doctor’s office, cause hey, he cant be all about privacy with respect to insurance billing but not when it comes to whether a woman wants to carry a pregnancy to full term right? I mean really, who writes and reads this shit before it comes out his piehole! What maroons!!– end rant
SweetLittleSister said: I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice.
But you acknowledge that some abortions occur out of necessity. In fact, all third trimester abortions are out of necessity, by law in many places. The necessity is the life or health of the mother. By outlawing abortion, you've created the following choice for these women: go to jail, or die.
Can you really live with this choice? And still call yourself a feminist?
"Personally, I can't see how someone can be anti-choice and still a feminist. But, that's me."
rose colored glasses, i have a hard time with this as well. i don't want to hold feminism to views on one issue of many that are relevant, but this one seems really, really basic. to paraphrase sarahMC i think in another post, either women own their own bodies or they do not.
I understand that, qwerty, but I don't understand why they're so resolute in that assertion. Why would you want to believe fetuses are babies, especially when there's so much telling you they aren't?
I also don't understand how someone can call them self a feminist and be pro-life. I also don't understand how pro-lifer's can even call themselves pro-life when most of them are republicans who support war... and since when does the life of a fetus(a potential human) count for more than the life of a woman (an existing human)? So, logically as a pro-choice, vegetarian, peace activist, I am more pro-life than these "pro-lifers" will ever be.
If you're looking for a good laugh here's some George Carlin on the subject: Pro-life is anti-woman.
Operation Iraqi Freedom to the present day - 2,106
Not to derail the thread or anything, but that's not even half of the US deaths in the assault on Iraq. The actual death toll is over a million and growing rapidlz.
She copied and pasted from a haphazard, out of date site.
That said, even when the figure was current, it still didn't account for the loss of Iraqi lives because, as far as this country is concerned, those lives don't count.
Which, you know, is a mixed message from a site claiming to be pro-life.
To them, its not about controlling women's bodies, its about killing "babies"
Actually, if we assume this, it's hard to make much sense at all out of the policy initiatives that come from the pro-"life" reactionaries. The so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, for example, does nothing but ban one method of abortion (that happens to be the safest method in some cases). Parental consent and spousal notification (read: "consent") laws do nothing to stop abortions per se; they just ensure added danger to those who need them.
Indeed, even an absolute and total ban on abortions would do nothing to stop abortions. It would just mean that women would die from clandestine abortions.
Moreover, the opposition of many pro-"life" reactionaries to contraceptives, one thing proven to reduce the need for abortion, is further proof that abortion is just a means to an end.
It is important to look at the pro-"life" movement, made up as it is largely of fundamentalists and the demagogues they follow, in the context of the overall attitudes towards women espoused by fundamentalism.
Fundamentalists believe, to one degree or another, that a woman is never her own person. Instead, she is owned first by her father, then by the man her father conveys her to. Her body is thus never her own. Women, in their view, are to be submissive, obedient, and silent to the extent possible.
There have been a million rationalisations for treating women like livestock ("broodmares of the State" in George Carlin's apt phrase), all of which have been put forth with an urgency meant to suggest that the world would end if women were to be free. This is just another step in a long tradition.
One telling indicator here is the way the foetus is increasingly treated like the real person in the pregnancy. The more of a person the blastocyst/embryo/foetus is made out to be, the less of a person the woman becomes. And that is the ultimate goal. Abortion just happens to be a good, opportunistic target.
Let me just say that I am pro-choice. But I think its possible to be anti-abortion and still a feminist. It must be quite a difficult position to be in, being sandwiched between the two movements like that, but if you truly believe that abortion = murder (for religious reasons or whatever), then I guess the issue of choice would seem a bit irrelevant. If you believe abortion is killing a human being, people who say to you 'It's my choice [to kill that human being]' must seem ... frustrating.
The numbers aren't important. 10 billion dead fetuses is not worse than 1 dead fetus because fetuses aren't people and are not, in themselves, worth any moral consideration.
But I think its possible to be anti-abortion and still a feminist.
I would agree, to the extent that one does not seek to impose one's own views on the bodies of others (though I can imagine situations, largely related to the motivation for one's opposition, in which it would even then be a poor fit).
BTW, NO you CANT be a feminist and be anti-choice, anymore than you can be one of those faux feminists associated with Concerned Women for America. A feminists doesnt have distorted ideas about womens choices that concern her OWN body along with some outlandish belief that she is a MURDERER. Anti-choicers always claim that theyre feminists but the real feminist community doesnt consider them one of us. ITs absolutely absurd. What next: mens rights activists?
"BTW, NO you CANT be a feminist and be anti-choice"
I see, then I guess I am not a feminist by your standards. I love how pro-life is turned into anti-choice. Anti=negative and that is why I dropped out of this thread in the first place. I could see where this was going. Just the mere mention of me being pro-life (and backing up my case with statistics) and I'll bet most of you think I was imposing my views on you, which is all the more reason to drop out of this thread. My goal is not to impose my view but rather to share my opinion. I can see though that pro-lifers are not welcome in the feminist community and that is too bad because feminism is much more than just abortion but I will be on my way as I clearly do not belong here. Have a good day everyone. :)
There's a difference between being personally opposed to having an abortion oneself--or even sharing honestly the reasons for that moral stance to others--and legislating that choice for others. That's why being privately anti-abortion can be reconciled with feminism (as Elise points out), but anti-choice activism and beliefs cannot. One is compatible with women's physical and moral autonomy and our personhood; the other is not.
Without the basic right to control what happens to our own bodies there is no feminism. So you're wrong. The pro-choice position is central to feminism.
"There's a difference between being personally opposed to having an abortion oneself--or even sharing honestly the reasons for that moral stance to others--and legislating that choice for others. That's why being privately anti-abortion can be reconciled with feminism (as Elise points out), but anti-choice activism and beliefs cannot. One is compatible with women's physical and moral autonomy and our personhood; the other is not. "
First of all, I am not involved in any pro-life activism. I am simply stating my opinion.
Did I say I was protesting outside clinics or worse? It was just assumed so I guess.
However, isn't it a bit hypocritical to say that a pro-life view should not be legislated but a pro-choice view should? Personally, I am not interested in legislating either way but I did notice the hypocrisy in that statement.
Once again, for the record, I only stated my view and backed it up (a reasonable thing to do in any discussion/debate). I am not involved in any activism regarding abortion.
The tendency to jump to conclusions will make the feminist community exclusive instead of inclusive. If that is your goal, then carry on.
rosiepie,
Religion is based on misogyny and patriarchy and engenders to its adherents a distorted and offensive perspective about women. If, 'for religious reasons' you oppose abortion then its due to misogyny from the religious indoctrination with which you've been saturated with. This is anti-feminist and proves you cant be feminist and be anti-choice.
Many atheists are pro-life as well. I am atheist and the reason I am pro-life is because 48 Million potential lives being destroyed is a moral issue in my mind. I guess you can't see that reasoning either can you?
SWL - i am not sure you followed my point on the explanation of anti-choice, sorry if i was not clear -- it is bringing the two opposing sides into the same argument so they actually ARE debating the same issue -- and again, the issue is not life, its choice -- i dont know any pro-choice people who are pro-abortion or anti-life (the insinuation is a bit ridiculous dont you think?) but ALL pro-lifers ARE anti-choice -- pro-lifers like to say they are prolife because they think they are morally right so by labeling themselves as pro-life they come off as the "right" side of the debate, "we're for life and they are for death" but this is just smoke and mirrors and does nothing to address the issue at all -- its all about the language with this issue and we know this is true because the Partial Birth Abortion Ban was actually called that and in its assent opinion SCOTUS judges referred to a medical procedure as PBA (a medically incorrect term) so many times it was one of the most politically charged SCOTUS opinions ive read in a long time -- there was SO much mis-information in the assent opinion it was redonkulous
it doesnt matter to me if those werent your views at all and you were just playing devils advocate - i am ok with stirring up the pot =) - BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure? why should the position that restricts a practice be considered over the one which would allow a practice to be regulated and voluntary? it doesnt make sense --- if its voluntary there is no need to restrict it
SWL - i am not sure you followed my point on the explanation of anti-choice, sorry if i was not clear -- it is bringing the two opposing sides into the same argument so they actually ARE debating the same issue -- and again, the issue is not life, its choice -- i dont know any pro-choice people who are pro-abortion or anti-life (the insinuation is a bit ridiculous dont you think?) but ALL pro-lifers ARE anti-choice -- pro-lifers like to say they are prolife because they think they are morally right so by labeling themselves as pro-life they come off as the "right" side of the debate, "we're for life and they are for death" but this is just smoke and mirrors and does nothing to address the issue at all -- its all about the language with this issue and we know this is true because the Partial Birth Abortion Ban was actually called that and in its assent opinion SCOTUS judges referred to a medical procedure as PBA (a medically incorrect term) so many times it was one of the most politically charged SCOTUS opinions ive read in a long time -- there was SO much mis-information in the assent opinion it was redonkulous
it doesnt matter to me if those werent your views at all and you were just playing devils advocate - i am ok with stirring up the pot =) - BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure? why should the position that restricts a practice be considered over the one which would allow a practice to be regulated and voluntary? it doesnt make sense --- if its voluntary there is no need to restrict it
I say pro-life and pro-choice. Trying to be as fair as possible because I believe in fairness and equality. Something which this statement:
"BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure?"
proves that you do not.
The way I see it, the difference in the pro-life and the pro-choice viewpoints are that pro-lifers see the fetus as a potential life and the pro-choicers see the fetus as nothing more than tissue and cells. However, I think even you would find it hard to dispute that the tissue and cells are a potential life if not aborted.
That a womans choice overrides the loss of 48 million potential lives is scary to me and it makes us (women) look very bad. No longer can we complain about the losses of a war when their numbers are much lower compared to ours. Oh and BTW, mentioning the lost lives of Iraqi citizens is irrelevent to these stats bcause that 48 million is in the US only and so the war numbers must also be comparably calculated. US citizens to US citizens.
I understand the pro-choice view and I was pro-choice for many years but 48 million lost potetial lives is enough to shake my moral compass. How much will it take to shake yours?
The way I see it, the difference in the pro-life and the pro-choice viewpoints are that pro-lifers see the fetus as a potential life and the pro-choicers see the fetus as nothing more than tissue and cells.
Nope. I definitely see the fetus as potential life. But so long as that life is unsustainable outside the mother's body it must be counted as part of her body and she must be given the right to make choices about what happens to her own body.
Nobody suggests there isn't a life process going on that could result in a baby. So long as that potential life is dependent on another life though, it isn't an autonomous being in its own right. It is part of the mother's body. And the individual whose body it is must be allowed to control her own body.
Have I said that enough times?
Without that autonomy women are slaves.
Can I say that again? Without that autonomy... without that choice... women are slaves. Which is not a feminist position. See that?
"Can I say that again? Without that autonomy... without that choice... women are slaves. Which is not a feminist position. See that?"
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves. Having a baby affects a mans body as well since labor brings home the money to raise that baby. Be it via child support or being in the home.
If we are to believe that no choice = slavery then men should also have abortion rights. I don't, for a second see it as slavery on either the part of the man or the woman.
Let's face it, if you choose not to abort and this child is now forcing you to work longer hours...wouldn't that also fit your definition of slavery? Should you be able to simply kill the child to prevent slavery?
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves.
Men don't have the choice to what? Do with their own bodies as they choose? Of course they do.
Keeping abortion legal or making it illegal does not affect the choices men have to make with their own bodies.
It's women's bodies that are used by the fetuses during pregnancy. Therefore, if a woman is forced to continue a pregnancy she doesn't want, it's only the women whose bodies are enslaved, used without their permission or recompense.
Should you be able to simply kill the child to prevent slavery?
We're not talking about children, we're talking about fetuses.
Masturbation by men or women does not create life.
But each of those sperm cells has the potential to create life. And isn't it all of the millions of potential lives you're worried about?
Also, the statistic for miscarriages after implantation is 1/3 mortality. So divide your number of abortions by 3 to get a more accurate count.
"Men don't have the choice to what? Do with their own bodies as they choose? Of course they do."
When a woman decided to have a baby he can look forward to 18 years of extra labor that is forced to take of that child. He had no choice after the pregnancy occured. That extra, forced labor sure sounds like it fits your definition of slavery to me.
Likewise, a woman can decide to kill the baby with him also having no choice.
Are you sure no choice = slavery? If so, then I must assume you support that nonsensical Roe vs Wade for men that came up last year. If I was pro-choice I would have to support that nonsense too in the interest of equality, luckily I am not pro-choice.
"We're not talking about children, we're talking about fetuses."
Fetuses have a very large chance of becoming children if not aborted.
"But each of those sperm cells has the potential to create life. And isn't it all of the millions of potential lives you're worried about?"
Even when pregnancy occurs, millions of sperm are unused. That trashes your argument.
"Also, the statistic for miscarriages after implantation is 1/3 mortality. So divide your number of abortions by 3 to get a more accurate count."
Ok, reducing the number by 1/3 still leaves it at 32 Million. Ouch, Hitler only killed 6 million.
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves. Having a baby affects a mans body as well since labor brings home the money to raise that baby. Be it via child support or being in the home.
No no no no no. You don't get it. Men do not physically support a fetus with their own body. Nothing ever grows inside of them that is physically dependent upon them for its continued existence. Your example is a dishonest one. It denies the physical reality that the rest of us are working with.
SWL: You yourself state that an embryo or fetus is a "potential" life. In what legal system should a "potential" person be given more rights than a born person? Abortion is a case of competing rights only if a fetus is a person with rights. As you don't seem to think that a fetus is a person, because you call them "potential" lives, than you should understand why they have no rights in society.
Barring that you state fetii are "potential" lives, even if a fetus were a person with a full set of rights, they would STILL not have the right to usage of a woman's body against her will. No person in society has that right. If I need blood that I will die without receiving, I can't force a woman off the street to give of her body to save my life. It is nice when people donate blood, but they are under no obligation to do so.
Shimp v. McFall - Federal Court case before Roe v. Wade which said that no person can force another person to give of their body (in this case, it was bone marrow) to save the other person's life.
Therefore, no matter what way you look at it, there is no fair and equal legal balance that would support the pro-life position, ever. If the pro-life position were to become law, it would give fetuses more rights than any other member of society.
"No no no no no. You don't get it. Men do not physically support a fetus with their own body. Nothing ever grows inside of them that is physically dependent upon them for its continued existence. Your example is a dishonest one. It denies the physical reality that the rest of us are working with."
Denying that men have any stake in how their future shapes or the amount of labor they are forced to endure because of a baby they did not want and could not abort would be a dishonest argument.
One side having more choices than the other is a slap in the face of equality.
There are two possible solutions, get rid of abortion (except in cases of rape or when the mothers life is in danger) or give men abortion rights.
How many of you feel it is ok to abort a baby because you aren't ready for the burden of having a child? This is exactly the choice men do not have and to dismiss that is dishonest.
Of course, you could say "fuck the men" as you are now and continue to lose male feminists to the mens rights groups.
Personally, I think that giving men abortion rights is absurd but if you continue down the path you are on, men WILL eventually get it in the name of equality. This concerns me because there will be MORE abortion then.
The "right to an abortion" is a misnomer. Women do not have a right that men are denied, women just have a way to exercise that right that doesn't come up for men because of their biological differences. Men and women in society both have the right not to have their bodies used against their will for any purpose. This right is part of why rape is illegal. It is also part of why forced organ donation is illegal. Forcing a woman to continue gestating when they do not wish for their body to be used for gestation is violating their rights, and is similar to forced organ donation. A man cannot be forced to allow a dying person to have use his kidneys, just as a woman cannot be forced to allow another being to have use of her uterus.
'Personally, I think that giving men abortion rights is absurd but if you continue down the path you are on, men WILL eventually get it in the name of equality.'
So we've got two choices - One, outlaw abortion, letting the state decide what women do with their reproductive organs, or two, let men decide what women do with their reproductive organs! Awesome.
I'm still gonna hold on to the belief that people will come round to the idea of letting WOMEN decide what women do with their reproductive organs, thanks.
When a person demonstrates that they will continually reiterate lies and misrepresent the truth in order to further an argument that results in me losing my bodily autonomy then yes, I refuse to go further with a discussion. You don't even deserve this response. You have been lying throughout this thread. Your position is a lie, you defend it with lies, and you lose because you refuse to admit a truthful argument when it is presented (and it has been ably presented by FemiDancer among others). You have failed. You are made of fail. You lose lose lose.
Comments
Didn't he already answer this during the youtube debate? I thought he said he would punish the doctors, not the women getting the abortions. I cannot recall this with certainty, however.
Posted by: noname
|
May 7, 2008 02:50 PM
Well, it's not so much about making *women* criminals, but about making the doctors who perform the actual procedure criminals. Still, I would like to have seen actual quotes from McCain indicating his personal feelings on the issue. I'm no fan of McCain's, but I dislike excessive hyperbole, too.
Posted by: rtred
|
May 7, 2008 02:52 PM
Well, it's not so much about making *women* criminals, but about making the doctors who perform the actual procedure criminals. Still, I would like to have seen actual quotes from McCain indicating his personal feelings on the issue. I'm no fan of McCain's, but I dislike excessive hyperbole, too.
Posted by: rtred
|
May 7, 2008 02:54 PM
I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice. That is how we sell it too, my body, my choice. I also know that most aborted fetuses would be born. Our infant mortality rate is quite low. 6.37 deaths per 1000 is less than 1% (.64% to be exact).
Now, let's look at this:
Revolutionary War - 4,435 deaths
Civil War (both sides) - 498,332 deaths
World War I - 116,708 deaths
World War II - 407,316 deaths
Korea - 25,604 deaths
Vietnam - 58,168 deaths
Operation Desert Storm (Combat - 147)
Afghanistan - 322
Operation Iraqi Freedom to the present day - 2,106
Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 48,000,000 (48 MILLION) deaths
Now with the numbers we have, we can reduce that 48 Million down by only 305,760. That means that 47,694,240 WOULD HAVE SURVIVED.
Comparing the numbers with wars it is easy to see how much damage Roe vs Wade caused in such a short amount of time. Therefore, I am pro-life. I am sure my position will be unpopular here but I know there are some pro-life feminists as I am one and I have met a few over the years.
Links:
http://www.geographyiq.com/ranking/ranking_Infant_Mortality_Rate_aall.htm
http://www.clinicquotes.com/war.html
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 7, 2008 02:56 PM
well, I don't know exactly who or what would be punished, however, even if the women are not punished, and the doctors are, the doctors are going to get scared of doing the procedure, therefore women are going to be at the losing end as well. So, not only would doctors be affected, but women, too!
I looked on the McCain site and all it says is that we have to overturn Roe V. Wade, promote the sanctity of marriage and promote adoption-which this in and of itself, isn't a bad thing. But, I am NOT for overturning Roe V. Wade and although I believe in the sacrament of marriage, I do believe that people should choose whom they want to marry not on the basis of sex and gender, but based on love and compassion.
Earlier I posted that I don't know who I would vote for b/c I think all the candidates stink, but I thank Vanessa because this makes me more want to vote for Obama. I can't say Hillary b/c I don't she's going to get the nomination
Posted by: RoseColoredGlasses
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May 7, 2008 03:00 PM
SweetLittleSister: You forgot to account for miscarriages.
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 03:10 PM
SLS- regardless of the statistics, a woman should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion or not. The government should not dictate what people should do with their bodies and their lives.
Posted by: RoseColoredGlasses
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May 7, 2008 03:11 PM
SweetLittleSister: You say "I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice." - but who are you to decide what is necessity and what is not? I am pro-choice because I think the only person capable of deciding what is "necessary" and what isn't in my life is ME.
Posted by: -jro-
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May 7, 2008 03:13 PM
Also, though I reject your premise that an abortion is a death, I have to wonder what you think the result of 48 million unwanted pregnancies would be.
The typical suggestion is adoption, but our adoption system can't handle the kids it's charge with now. Add 48 million to the load, and what do you have then? What do these unwanted people grow up to be?
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 03:15 PM
"SweetLittleSister: You forgot to account for miscarriages."
So did you, I am listening.
"SLS- regardless of the statistics, a woman should have the right to choose if she wants an abortion or not. The government should not dictate what people should do with their bodies and their lives. "
over 47 million deaths and the only thing that matters are choices? How many would it takee before it matters because wars catch alot more scrutiny for alot less loss of life.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 7, 2008 03:16 PM
noname - I looked it up. I was wrong. Paul and Thompson were the ones saying doctors should be punished. McCain did not take part in that segment.
Posted by: noname
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May 7, 2008 03:18 PM
""SweetLittleSister: You forgot to account for miscarriages."
So did you, I am listening."
Uhmm... what?
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 03:19 PM
SLS, it's not that I think you're practicing pedantry, but neglecting the fact that this -- "Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 48,000,000 (48 MILLION) deaths" -- isn't across-the-board objectively realized and unanimously agreed on as being true, sort of debunks using statistics in the first place.
Posted by: JamesBallard
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May 7, 2008 03:20 PM
"Uhmm... what?"
You wanted to include miscarriages, so do so, show us the statistics.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 7, 2008 03:33 PM
SLS, I would genuinely like to know what punishment you would propose for women and their doctors. Remember that only punishing doctors does not answer the question in those cases where their is no doctor, but women have performed them themselves (with coat hangers and so forth). And a follow up question, I would also like to note that comparing abortion to military deaths is interesting, because when a U.S. Soldier kills an "enemy" soldier, that is not punishable as murder either. So, I am wondering if you would also like to give the same punishment to soldiers who kill that you would advocate for women who have abortions, since you know, you compared the two.
Posted by: biancamarisa
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May 7, 2008 03:40 PM
but wars create more hated and are UNNECESSARY! The Iraq war is in no way justified and those poor men are out their dying for this countries greed and Bush doesn't give a flying fuck about our soldiers. They-the soldiers- were forced into going to war and dying. An abortion is a personal choice-it doesn't affect the entire world.
And...imagine if all those 48 million were on the world today..yeah...this world would be well beyond populated!! Talk about saving the environment...
Posted by: RoseColoredGlasses
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May 7, 2008 03:42 PM
"Uhmm... what?"
You wanted to include miscarriages, so do so, show us the statistics.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 7, 2008 03:45 PM
"You wanted to include miscarriages, so do so, show us the statistics."
But it's your argument, not mine.
Personally, I don't care what the number is, and I don't think it matters. To a pro-life person, even 10 would be a lot. To a pro-choice person, who likely doesn't consider an abortion a death, any number you come up with is invalid.
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 03:55 PM
pro-life feminists
Not pro-life... anti-abortion. You can call yourself pro-life when you have a comprehensive plan to provide healthcare and good homes to the children who will result from the millions of pregnancies you are planning on forcing women to carry to term.
Posted by: sgzax
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May 7, 2008 03:57 PM
SLS,
First of all, do better research:
-492 dead in Operation Enduring Freedom*
-4,073 dead in Operation Iraqi Freedom*
That is all. I give props to others but I simply can't bother to debate on abortion with anti-choice "feminists."
*As of today.
Posted by: Jem
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May 7, 2008 04:03 PM
"Not pro-life... anti-abortion. "
Alright, I end my role in this here. I won't get banned over this one issue.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 7, 2008 04:05 PM
Last I checked, feminism wasn't about silencing women you don't agree with. I doubt you're in any danger of being banned.
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 04:07 PM
If men had the babies we would not be discussing the legality of abortion. I think it’s a shame that the GOP has glommed onto the issue of abortion at all since they only do it for votes – nobody recognizes it as such because they think the anti-choice position is “right.” Deep down I think a lot of them (politicians) probably think it should be legal but cant say so or theyd lose their re-election(s). I am sad when I see any anti-choice woman, but I can’t change their mind. One cannot argue someone’s position of faith with fact, waste of time. But here I go anyway.
SweetLittleSister- I don’t have much to add to others comments in response to your post, but I will say this about labeling yourself as pro-life with the inference that abortion = death. The two opposing sides to this very important issue do not even argue two opposite sides of the same argument. People that are pro-choice are for a woman’s right to choose, but they are not pro-abortion nor are they anti-life. However, since the issue is choice (ultimately meaning privacy within one’s doctor’s office) it renders the label of pro-life as moot. Pro-choicers are not anti-life, but pro-lifers are anti-choice so that is what I label you as – Anti-Choice.
The issue of abortion has nothing to do with life or the taking away of life, but with the audacity of others (whoever they are) that think they have any right to control when a woman reproduces and when she does not. The decision is not made when she opened her legs – this is a religious position which has no place in this discussion.
The problem with the anti-choice movement is that it provides no solutions to lower the numbers of unwanted pregnancies. It doesn’t promote or support comprehensive sex education. It is a completely religious based position that has no place interfering in the doctor’s office. One religion’s position on a medical procedure should not prevent others from having access to said procedure. The entire anti-choice position, in my opinion, is ludicrous and completely out of touch with reality. The legalization of abortion went so far as to change the language in the Hippocratic Oath so doctors could not be arrested and prosecuted for performing a legal medical procedure.
Begin rant - In either the last SOTU address or last year’s Bush (in regard to health insurance mind you) said something along the lines of: ‘decisions should be made between doctors and their patients, not by insurance companies and politicians.’ So apparently, even Bush supports privacy within the doctor’s office, cause hey, he cant be all about privacy with respect to insurance billing but not when it comes to whether a woman wants to carry a pregnancy to full term right? I mean really, who writes and reads this shit before it comes out his piehole! What maroons!!– end rant
Posted by: enhancedvibes
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May 7, 2008 04:07 PM
Personally, I can't see how someone can be anti-choice and still a feminist. But, that's me.
Oh..and kudos to Jem for bringing the REAL statistics on how many poor souls were lost in Iraq due to Bush! :)
Posted by: RoseColoredGlasses
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May 7, 2008 04:10 PM
About our infant mortality rate:
Ummm...for supposedly being the most advanced ("the greatest") country in the world, isn't the infant mortality rate a little high?
Seriously, the country with the lowest infant mortality rate is Singapore, with 2.3 deaths per 1000 live births!
Posted by: VGC
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May 7, 2008 04:34 PM
What enhancedvibes said, rant and all.
Posted by: Voila
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May 7, 2008 04:41 PM
SweetLittleSister said: I am pro-life because I know most abortions occur not out of necessity, but by choice.
But you acknowledge that some abortions occur out of necessity. In fact, all third trimester abortions are out of necessity, by law in many places. The necessity is the life or health of the mother. By outlawing abortion, you've created the following choice for these women: go to jail, or die.
Can you really live with this choice? And still call yourself a feminist?
Posted by: Theaetetus
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May 7, 2008 05:00 PM
"Personally, I can't see how someone can be anti-choice and still a feminist. But, that's me."
rose colored glasses, i have a hard time with this as well. i don't want to hold feminism to views on one issue of many that are relevant, but this one seems really, really basic. to paraphrase sarahMC i think in another post, either women own their own bodies or they do not.
Posted by: rileystclair
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May 7, 2008 06:54 PM
You have to remember that pro-lifers consider fetuses as babies.
To them, its not about controlling women's bodies, its about killing "babies"
(im not pro-life)
Posted by: qwerty
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May 7, 2008 08:52 PM
I understand that, qwerty, but I don't understand why they're so resolute in that assertion. Why would you want to believe fetuses are babies, especially when there's so much telling you they aren't?
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 09:17 PM
I also don't understand how someone can call them self a feminist and be pro-life. I also don't understand how pro-lifer's can even call themselves pro-life when most of them are republicans who support war... and since when does the life of a fetus(a potential human) count for more than the life of a woman (an existing human)? So, logically as a pro-choice, vegetarian, peace activist, I am more pro-life than these "pro-lifers" will ever be.
If you're looking for a good laugh here's some George Carlin on the subject: Pro-life is anti-woman.
Posted by: Cha-el-see
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May 7, 2008 09:26 PM
They are resolute on that assertion largely due to the teachings of religion.
Posted by: qwerty
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May 7, 2008 09:40 PM
Operation Iraqi Freedom to the present day - 2,106
Not to derail the thread or anything, but that's not even half of the US deaths in the assault on Iraq. The actual death toll is over a million and growing rapidlz.
Posted by: Elise
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May 7, 2008 09:56 PM
She copied and pasted from a haphazard, out of date site.
That said, even when the figure was current, it still didn't account for the loss of Iraqi lives because, as far as this country is concerned, those lives don't count.
Which, you know, is a mixed message from a site claiming to be pro-life.
Posted by: Robos A Go Go
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May 7, 2008 10:04 PM
To them, its not about controlling women's bodies, its about killing "babies"
Actually, if we assume this, it's hard to make much sense at all out of the policy initiatives that come from the pro-"life" reactionaries. The so-called Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act, for example, does nothing but ban one method of abortion (that happens to be the safest method in some cases). Parental consent and spousal notification (read: "consent") laws do nothing to stop abortions per se; they just ensure added danger to those who need them.
Indeed, even an absolute and total ban on abortions would do nothing to stop abortions. It would just mean that women would die from clandestine abortions.
Moreover, the opposition of many pro-"life" reactionaries to contraceptives, one thing proven to reduce the need for abortion, is further proof that abortion is just a means to an end.
It is important to look at the pro-"life" movement, made up as it is largely of fundamentalists and the demagogues they follow, in the context of the overall attitudes towards women espoused by fundamentalism.
Fundamentalists believe, to one degree or another, that a woman is never her own person. Instead, she is owned first by her father, then by the man her father conveys her to. Her body is thus never her own. Women, in their view, are to be submissive, obedient, and silent to the extent possible.
There have been a million rationalisations for treating women like livestock ("broodmares of the State" in George Carlin's apt phrase), all of which have been put forth with an urgency meant to suggest that the world would end if women were to be free. This is just another step in a long tradition.
One telling indicator here is the way the foetus is increasingly treated like the real person in the pregnancy. The more of a person the blastocyst/embryo/foetus is made out to be, the less of a person the woman becomes. And that is the ultimate goal. Abortion just happens to be a good, opportunistic target.
Posted by: Elise
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May 7, 2008 10:25 PM
*sighs* I thought feministing was the one place I could go to and not have to deal with these people.
Posted by: meggers
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May 7, 2008 11:17 PM
Let me just say that I am pro-choice. But I think its possible to be anti-abortion and still a feminist. It must be quite a difficult position to be in, being sandwiched between the two movements like that, but if you truly believe that abortion = murder (for religious reasons or whatever), then I guess the issue of choice would seem a bit irrelevant. If you believe abortion is killing a human being, people who say to you 'It's my choice [to kill that human being]' must seem ... frustrating.
Posted by: rosiepie
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May 8, 2008 04:23 AM
The numbers aren't important. 10 billion dead fetuses is not worse than 1 dead fetus because fetuses aren't people and are not, in themselves, worth any moral consideration.
Posted by: Alice
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May 8, 2008 04:42 AM
But I think its possible to be anti-abortion and still a feminist.
I would agree, to the extent that one does not seek to impose one's own views on the bodies of others (though I can imagine situations, largely related to the motivation for one's opposition, in which it would even then be a poor fit).
Posted by: Elise
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May 8, 2008 05:09 AM
Great commercial. I'd like to get involved in political and cause advertising as one of the avenuess I'd like to consider with my mass comm degree.
Posted by: GopherII
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May 8, 2008 03:27 PM
"sweetlittlesister,"
BTW, NO you CANT be a feminist and be anti-choice, anymore than you can be one of those faux feminists associated with Concerned Women for America. A feminists doesnt have distorted ideas about womens choices that concern her OWN body along with some outlandish belief that she is a MURDERER. Anti-choicers always claim that theyre feminists but the real feminist community doesnt consider them one of us. ITs absolutely absurd. What next: mens rights activists?
Posted by: GopherII
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May 8, 2008 03:34 PM
SWL,
Do you consider abortion murder, or killing? I mean, you'd have to, in order to have the views you do.
Posted by: GopherII
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May 8, 2008 03:38 PM
"those poor MEN are out their dying for this countries greed"
rosecoloredglasses,
....And women. Jeesh, I have to remind you about this on a FEMINISTS forum?
Posted by: GopherII
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May 8, 2008 03:42 PM
"BTW, NO you CANT be a feminist and be anti-choice"
I see, then I guess I am not a feminist by your standards. I love how pro-life is turned into anti-choice. Anti=negative and that is why I dropped out of this thread in the first place. I could see where this was going. Just the mere mention of me being pro-life (and backing up my case with statistics) and I'll bet most of you think I was imposing my views on you, which is all the more reason to drop out of this thread. My goal is not to impose my view but rather to share my opinion. I can see though that pro-lifers are not welcome in the feminist community and that is too bad because feminism is much more than just abortion but I will be on my way as I clearly do not belong here. Have a good day everyone. :)
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 03:44 PM
There's a difference between being personally opposed to having an abortion oneself--or even sharing honestly the reasons for that moral stance to others--and legislating that choice for others. That's why being privately anti-abortion can be reconciled with feminism (as Elise points out), but anti-choice activism and beliefs cannot. One is compatible with women's physical and moral autonomy and our personhood; the other is not.
Posted by: annajcook
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May 8, 2008 03:51 PM
feminism is much more than just abortion
Without the basic right to control what happens to our own bodies there is no feminism. So you're wrong. The pro-choice position is central to feminism.
Posted by: sgzax
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May 8, 2008 03:52 PM
"There's a difference between being personally opposed to having an abortion oneself--or even sharing honestly the reasons for that moral stance to others--and legislating that choice for others. That's why being privately anti-abortion can be reconciled with feminism (as Elise points out), but anti-choice activism and beliefs cannot. One is compatible with women's physical and moral autonomy and our personhood; the other is not. "
First of all, I am not involved in any pro-life activism. I am simply stating my opinion.
Did I say I was protesting outside clinics or worse? It was just assumed so I guess.
However, isn't it a bit hypocritical to say that a pro-life view should not be legislated but a pro-choice view should? Personally, I am not interested in legislating either way but I did notice the hypocrisy in that statement.
Once again, for the record, I only stated my view and backed it up (a reasonable thing to do in any discussion/debate). I am not involved in any activism regarding abortion.
The tendency to jump to conclusions will make the feminist community exclusive instead of inclusive. If that is your goal, then carry on.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 04:00 PM
rosiepie,
Religion is based on misogyny and patriarchy and engenders to its adherents a distorted and offensive perspective about women. If, 'for religious reasons' you oppose abortion then its due to misogyny from the religious indoctrination with which you've been saturated with. This is anti-feminist and proves you cant be feminist and be anti-choice.
Posted by: GopherII
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May 8, 2008 04:04 PM
GopherII,
Many atheists are pro-life as well. I am atheist and the reason I am pro-life is because 48 Million potential lives being destroyed is a moral issue in my mind. I guess you can't see that reasoning either can you?
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 04:12 PM
SWL - i am not sure you followed my point on the explanation of anti-choice, sorry if i was not clear -- it is bringing the two opposing sides into the same argument so they actually ARE debating the same issue -- and again, the issue is not life, its choice -- i dont know any pro-choice people who are pro-abortion or anti-life (the insinuation is a bit ridiculous dont you think?) but ALL pro-lifers ARE anti-choice -- pro-lifers like to say they are prolife because they think they are morally right so by labeling themselves as pro-life they come off as the "right" side of the debate, "we're for life and they are for death" but this is just smoke and mirrors and does nothing to address the issue at all -- its all about the language with this issue and we know this is true because the Partial Birth Abortion Ban was actually called that and in its assent opinion SCOTUS judges referred to a medical procedure as PBA (a medically incorrect term) so many times it was one of the most politically charged SCOTUS opinions ive read in a long time -- there was SO much mis-information in the assent opinion it was redonkulous
it doesnt matter to me if those werent your views at all and you were just playing devils advocate - i am ok with stirring up the pot =) - BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure? why should the position that restricts a practice be considered over the one which would allow a practice to be regulated and voluntary? it doesnt make sense --- if its voluntary there is no need to restrict it
Posted by: enhancedvibes
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May 8, 2008 04:19 PM
SWL - i am not sure you followed my point on the explanation of anti-choice, sorry if i was not clear -- it is bringing the two opposing sides into the same argument so they actually ARE debating the same issue -- and again, the issue is not life, its choice -- i dont know any pro-choice people who are pro-abortion or anti-life (the insinuation is a bit ridiculous dont you think?) but ALL pro-lifers ARE anti-choice -- pro-lifers like to say they are prolife because they think they are morally right so by labeling themselves as pro-life they come off as the "right" side of the debate, "we're for life and they are for death" but this is just smoke and mirrors and does nothing to address the issue at all -- its all about the language with this issue and we know this is true because the Partial Birth Abortion Ban was actually called that and in its assent opinion SCOTUS judges referred to a medical procedure as PBA (a medically incorrect term) so many times it was one of the most politically charged SCOTUS opinions ive read in a long time -- there was SO much mis-information in the assent opinion it was redonkulous
it doesnt matter to me if those werent your views at all and you were just playing devils advocate - i am ok with stirring up the pot =) - BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure? why should the position that restricts a practice be considered over the one which would allow a practice to be regulated and voluntary? it doesnt make sense --- if its voluntary there is no need to restrict it
Posted by: enhancedvibes
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May 8, 2008 04:19 PM
Isn't it interesting.
You see, I don't apply an anti to your position.
I say pro-life and pro-choice. Trying to be as fair as possible because I believe in fairness and equality. Something which this statement:
"BUT why should the anti-choice movements position be regulated or given equal or more consideration than the prochoice position when all it would do is restrict access to a medical procedure?"
proves that you do not.
The way I see it, the difference in the pro-life and the pro-choice viewpoints are that pro-lifers see the fetus as a potential life and the pro-choicers see the fetus as nothing more than tissue and cells. However, I think even you would find it hard to dispute that the tissue and cells are a potential life if not aborted.
That a womans choice overrides the loss of 48 million potential lives is scary to me and it makes us (women) look very bad. No longer can we complain about the losses of a war when their numbers are much lower compared to ours. Oh and BTW, mentioning the lost lives of Iraqi citizens is irrelevent to these stats bcause that 48 million is in the US only and so the war numbers must also be comparably calculated. US citizens to US citizens.
I understand the pro-choice view and I was pro-choice for many years but 48 million lost potetial lives is enough to shake my moral compass. How much will it take to shake yours?
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 04:33 PM
The way I see it, the difference in the pro-life and the pro-choice viewpoints are that pro-lifers see the fetus as a potential life and the pro-choicers see the fetus as nothing more than tissue and cells.
Nope. I definitely see the fetus as potential life. But so long as that life is unsustainable outside the mother's body it must be counted as part of her body and she must be given the right to make choices about what happens to her own body.
Nobody suggests there isn't a life process going on that could result in a baby. So long as that potential life is dependent on another life though, it isn't an autonomous being in its own right. It is part of the mother's body. And the individual whose body it is must be allowed to control her own body.
Have I said that enough times?
Without that autonomy women are slaves.
Can I say that again? Without that autonomy... without that choice... women are slaves. Which is not a feminist position. See that?
Posted by: sgzax
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May 8, 2008 04:43 PM
"Can I say that again? Without that autonomy... without that choice... women are slaves. Which is not a feminist position. See that?"
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves. Having a baby affects a mans body as well since labor brings home the money to raise that baby. Be it via child support or being in the home.
If we are to believe that no choice = slavery then men should also have abortion rights. I don't, for a second see it as slavery on either the part of the man or the woman.
Let's face it, if you choose not to abort and this child is now forcing you to work longer hours...wouldn't that also fit your definition of slavery? Should you be able to simply kill the child to prevent slavery?
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 04:49 PM
SweetLittleSister - "Potential life"? How do you define that? How do you feel about birth control? Male masturbation?
Posted by: noname
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May 8, 2008 05:08 PM
"SweetLittleSister - "Potential life"? How do you define that? How do you feel about birth control? Male masturbation?"
Masturbation by men or women does not create life. It takes both the sperm and the egg to create life. That is nature's intent.
So I have no problem with masturbation at all from either men or women. Masturbation does not equal abortion.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 05:13 PM
Ooops, I guess I didn't answer your other two questions.
Potential Life occurs once a woman is pregnant. That cannot happen due to masturbation.
Birth control, I have no problem with preventing pregnancy but once that pregnancy occurs, we cross over into potential life.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 05:25 PM
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves.
Men don't have the choice to what? Do with their own bodies as they choose? Of course they do.
Keeping abortion legal or making it illegal does not affect the choices men have to make with their own bodies.
It's women's bodies that are used by the fetuses during pregnancy. Therefore, if a woman is forced to continue a pregnancy she doesn't want, it's only the women whose bodies are enslaved, used without their permission or recompense.
Should you be able to simply kill the child to prevent slavery?
We're not talking about children, we're talking about fetuses.
Masturbation by men or women does not create life.
But each of those sperm cells has the potential to create life. And isn't it all of the millions of potential lives you're worried about?
Also, the statistic for miscarriages after implantation is 1/3 mortality. So divide your number of abortions by 3 to get a more accurate count.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?sec=health&res=940DE0DC1439F934A15754C0A96E94826
Posted by: ellestar
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May 8, 2008 05:32 PM
"Men don't have the choice to what? Do with their own bodies as they choose? Of course they do."
When a woman decided to have a baby he can look forward to 18 years of extra labor that is forced to take of that child. He had no choice after the pregnancy occured. That extra, forced labor sure sounds like it fits your definition of slavery to me.
Likewise, a woman can decide to kill the baby with him also having no choice.
Are you sure no choice = slavery? If so, then I must assume you support that nonsensical Roe vs Wade for men that came up last year. If I was pro-choice I would have to support that nonsense too in the interest of equality, luckily I am not pro-choice.
"We're not talking about children, we're talking about fetuses."
Fetuses have a very large chance of becoming children if not aborted.
"But each of those sperm cells has the potential to create life. And isn't it all of the millions of potential lives you're worried about?"
Even when pregnancy occurs, millions of sperm are unused. That trashes your argument.
"Also, the statistic for miscarriages after implantation is 1/3 mortality. So divide your number of abortions by 3 to get a more accurate count."
Ok, reducing the number by 1/3 still leaves it at 32 Million. Ouch, Hitler only killed 6 million.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 05:57 PM
Not really because men don't have that choice and I don't see them as slaves. Having a baby affects a mans body as well since labor brings home the money to raise that baby. Be it via child support or being in the home.
No no no no no. You don't get it. Men do not physically support a fetus with their own body. Nothing ever grows inside of them that is physically dependent upon them for its continued existence. Your example is a dishonest one. It denies the physical reality that the rest of us are working with.
Posted by: sgzax
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May 8, 2008 05:57 PM
SWL: You yourself state that an embryo or fetus is a "potential" life. In what legal system should a "potential" person be given more rights than a born person? Abortion is a case of competing rights only if a fetus is a person with rights. As you don't seem to think that a fetus is a person, because you call them "potential" lives, than you should understand why they have no rights in society.
Barring that you state fetii are "potential" lives, even if a fetus were a person with a full set of rights, they would STILL not have the right to usage of a woman's body against her will. No person in society has that right. If I need blood that I will die without receiving, I can't force a woman off the street to give of her body to save my life. It is nice when people donate blood, but they are under no obligation to do so.
Shimp v. McFall - Federal Court case before Roe v. Wade which said that no person can force another person to give of their body (in this case, it was bone marrow) to save the other person's life.
Therefore, no matter what way you look at it, there is no fair and equal legal balance that would support the pro-life position, ever. If the pro-life position were to become law, it would give fetuses more rights than any other member of society.
Posted by: FemiDancer
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May 8, 2008 06:07 PM
"No no no no no. You don't get it. Men do not physically support a fetus with their own body. Nothing ever grows inside of them that is physically dependent upon them for its continued existence. Your example is a dishonest one. It denies the physical reality that the rest of us are working with."
Denying that men have any stake in how their future shapes or the amount of labor they are forced to endure because of a baby they did not want and could not abort would be a dishonest argument.
One side having more choices than the other is a slap in the face of equality.
There are two possible solutions, get rid of abortion (except in cases of rape or when the mothers life is in danger) or give men abortion rights.
How many of you feel it is ok to abort a baby because you aren't ready for the burden of having a child? This is exactly the choice men do not have and to dismiss that is dishonest.
Of course, you could say "fuck the men" as you are now and continue to lose male feminists to the mens rights groups.
Personally, I think that giving men abortion rights is absurd but if you continue down the path you are on, men WILL eventually get it in the name of equality. This concerns me because there will be MORE abortion then.
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 06:28 PM
FemiDancer stole the words right out of my mouth. Brava!
Posted by: leah
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May 8, 2008 06:29 PM
Oh my God , SLS, you just played your cards. You're an MRA.
I won't engage anymore. Your arguments are dishonest to their core and not subject to reason. You lose.
Posted by: sgzax
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May 8, 2008 06:34 PM
The "right to an abortion" is a misnomer. Women do not have a right that men are denied, women just have a way to exercise that right that doesn't come up for men because of their biological differences. Men and women in society both have the right not to have their bodies used against their will for any purpose. This right is part of why rape is illegal. It is also part of why forced organ donation is illegal. Forcing a woman to continue gestating when they do not wish for their body to be used for gestation is violating their rights, and is similar to forced organ donation. A man cannot be forced to allow a dying person to have use his kidneys, just as a woman cannot be forced to allow another being to have use of her uterus.
Posted by: FemiDancer
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May 8, 2008 06:36 PM
'Personally, I think that giving men abortion rights is absurd but if you continue down the path you are on, men WILL eventually get it in the name of equality.'
So we've got two choices - One, outlaw abortion, letting the state decide what women do with their reproductive organs, or two, let men decide what women do with their reproductive organs! Awesome.
I'm still gonna hold on to the belief that people will come round to the idea of letting WOMEN decide what women do with their reproductive organs, thanks.
Posted by: rosiepie
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May 8, 2008 06:39 PM
"Oh my God , SLS, you just played your cards. You're an MRA.
I won't engage anymore. Your arguments are dishonest to their core and not subject to reason. You lose.
"
Are you telling me that if a poster is percieved to be an MRA, you won't even talk to them?
Posted by: SweetLittleSister
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May 8, 2008 06:41 PM
When a person demonstrates that they will continually reiterate lies and misrepresent the truth in order to further an argument that results in me losing my bodily autonomy then yes, I refuse to go further with a discussion. You don't even deserve this response. You have been lying throughout this thread. Your position is a lie, you defend it with lies, and you lose because you refuse to admit a truthful argument when it is presented (and it has been ably presented by FemiDancer among others). You have failed. You are made of fail. You lose lose lose.
Posted by: sgzax
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May 8, 2008 06:45 PM