Roe v. Wade

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Rip from womb, chop chop chop, stash in trash

Why does abortion hold such a “don’t disturb” status in our country? It is especially puzzling, since most polls have shown that a majority of our people are actually pro-life. The Roe v. Wade decision, made 33 years ago, is now a much disputed keystone law in our land.

In March of 1857, Dred Scott, a slave who had been brought into a "Free Territory" was denied freedom by the U.S. Supreme Court. In its decerebrate decision, it declared that "Negroes, being of an inferior order" could not qualify to become American citizens. The Civil War followed and in 1863 Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation, which freed all slaves. He had no constitutional qualms about superseding a judiciary act. Indeed, he had already suspended Habeas Corpus! But then, that was Lincoln, whom history treats with far greater reverence than did his countless number of critics (including The New York Times).

In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Roe versus Wade. After much circumlocution as to "if" and "when" the animate fetus is human (even Pythagorean philosophy was cited) the Court sided with the woman and distanced itself from the fetus. But it declared that at the very worst, if feticide were to be viewed as a crime, it would be classified as a "misprision" (a non-punitive misdemeanor). Incidentally, Rehnquist sat on that court and he dissented. (On close inspection, the premises of Dred and Roe do not appear to be too dissimilar)

The abortion issue has become so supercharged politically that rational discourse between people and parties of opposing points of view is currently impossible and our nation suffers. But now that contraception is more effective, no woman need enter into an unwanted or "inconvenient" pregnancy. Therefore, why do we not officially declare what inevitably we must all accept, that fetuses are not subhuman. They are budding persons endowed with legitimate constitutional rights. If an abortion is required, let it be on morally sound and medically appropriate grounds.

Democrats have painted themselves into a corner on this issue. They wear Roe like an albatross around their necks. While they dare not alienate themselves from their myriad activist groups, their appeal to their voting base is eroding. Whereas this party has always risen compassionately to the defense of the weak, the poor, the underprivileged and the endangered, their manifest indifference to the dismemberment of a fetus being torn from the womb of a pregnant woman is paradoxical. And it is becoming more difficult to justify it to their constituency.

Comments: domgab85@aol.com

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Papa,

Ray and I just read your blog about abortion. We just had a lengthy conversation about this while dining with friends. We couldn't agree with you more. It is unconscionable to me that these Zealots can protect trees and animals, but can't defend the poor innocent babies that are being disposed of like the Monday morning trash. Listening to some of the questions and comments that the democratic senators have addressed to Judge Alito, makes me crazy because when it comes down to it one of the biggest problems democrats have with conservatives is the stance on Abortion. I don't think it should be under the government's domain either. If someone has an abortion, that decision MUST lie solely with their own consciences and at their own expense. ~ Elaine Connery

I fully agree with your entry. As a 25 year old woman unable to have children and as someone who has grown up with examples of adoption all around her, I fail to understand why the option of adoption isn't more discussed in our culture. While I don't believe that it is the right solution in every case, I believe a lot more emphasis could be placed on adoption.As for abortion, I simply don't understand how anyone could make that decision, unless in the extreme case in which the life of the mother hangs in the balance.Thank you for yet another thought provoking entry. ~ Lindsey Russell