Teresa Heinz Kerry nearly had an abortion some 30 years ago

[ringmastery]

I'm really not sure why she's discussing this. Who cares if she nearly had an abortion 30 years ago?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/200...

WASHINGTON - Teresa Heinz Kerry nearly underwent an abortion some 30 years ago on a doctor's recommendation because she had been taking cortisone early in her pregnancy, but a miscarriage rendered the decision moot.

In an interview that will air Friday on ABC's "20/20," the wife of Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry (news - web sites) discussed her experience, the clamor for her to release her income tax returns, the campaign and her reputation for outspokenness.

During her first marriage, Heinz Kerry said she wanted a fourth child after the birth of her son Christopher in March 1973. She said she had a "severe reaction to something," was taking heavy cortisone medicine and did not realize she was pregnant.

[Love Bug]

1. Oh, swell

Now the fetus fanatics will glom onto this and ride it all the way to November: "Do you want a First Lady who would MURDER HER UNBORN BABY?"

It's a shame she had to go through this, but she should know by now that statements like this will just cause trouble.

[Bunny]

14. Well, I believe Teresa used to be against abortion, but is now pro-choice.

The recent Newsweek article details how she came to this conclusion.

To answer your question: "Do you want a First Lady who would MURDER HER UNBORN BABY"? We already HAVE a First Lady who murdered her ex-boyfriend!

[outinforce]

18. Do You View

being "against abortion" and being "pro-choice" as being mutually exclusive?

Interesting.......

[sangh0]

19. More word games?

If you have a point, why don't you just make it?

[outinforce]

25. Ooopsie.

I almost was rude and responded to your question with a question.

It may seem strange to you, sangh), but before I "make a point" - especially a point regarding what someone else says -- I take the time to ask about the meaning of their words.

It would, I suppose, have been much more satisfying to you if I had "made my point" regarding the words I asked about before even asking to make sure I understood what those words meant.

Of course, that would have given you the oportunity to tell me that "of course, no one would interpret those words that way".

Am I correct?

[Bunny]

28. Well if you had just asked the question, I'd be okay with that.

But you added "Interesting....", which makes me believe that you have formed your own conclusion about my comment.

Now, to answer your question: I do not believe the two are mutually exclusive. You can be personally opposed to abortion, and choose to never have one, while still supporting the right of other women to make up their own minds. Interesting?

[sangh0]

32. bunny, you and I are both correct for suspecting there was more to the Q

being "against abortion" and being "pro-choice" as being mutually exclusive?

It's obvious that outinforce wanted to make the point that one could think that abortion was wrong (ie "against abortion") while also believing that the law should not prohibit and/or restrict it (ie "pro-choice) and I'd like to see outinforce deny that

[outinforce]

39. If You Look At My Post Below

You will see that you come awfully close to stating what I think.

I don't happen to think abortion is "wrong" -- that implies a moral judgment I am unwilling to make.

Nor do I think the use of tobacco is necessarily "wrong" -- implying, as that does, a moral judgment I am unwilling to make.

I do think that one can be very much "pro-choice" when it comes to the use of tobacco products, but also very much against the use of tobacco -- not just for one's self, but also for others.

In fact, I might suggest that that is the position of a great number of folks.

I just want to see how many folks who say they are "opposed to abortio" but also "pro-choice" react to tthe tobacco analogy.

Have you any comments you'd care to share? Any point you'd like to make?

[outinforce]

35. Thank You For Your Response

I would, myself, take it one step further.

I liken it to my own personal position regarding the use of tobacco.

I am very much opposed to the use of tobacco. I am not only "personally opposed" in the sense of never wanting to use the stuff myself, but also "opposed" in the sense that I think I should do all I can to convince others not to use tobacco.

But that does not --- does NOT mean that I am opposed to the sale of tobacco products to people who wish to buy them.

Since I am "opposed" to the use of tobacco products, I support efforts by our government -- and, for that matter, by the tobacco companies -- to educate people about tobacco use.

But I would never want to take away the right of adults to purchase tobacco.

Pro-choice on tobacco, but opposed to tobacco.

Is this what you mean regarding being "opposed to abortion" but pro-choice asw well?

[sangh0]

37. Don't fall for it bunny

Don't let him set you up. Make him make his point. He can make his point without requiring that you clearly (according to his unstated standard) define what you think.

[outinforce]

41. Please

If bunnyj doesn't want to respond, that's OK with me.

Goodness, sangh0, one might almost think that you feel that you need to be the discussion monitor here -- warning everyone of the pitfalls of discussion.

I have never done anything like that to you.

If you have a point YOU'D care to make, why don't you just make it??

[sangh0]

43. I've made my point

which is that no one has to explain themselves in order for you to make your points. Though there is nothing wrong with your wanting to know what someone else thinks, it shouldn't be a prerequisite for your posting your opinions.

I've seen that tactic used many times.

[Name removed]

45. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[outinforce]

46. Your Are Correct

I have also seen that tactic.

In fact, just yesterday, another poster on DU refused to make her point, insisting that I first answer a question of hers.

Now wasn't that rude?

[Pithlet]

40. I'll ask it

because I don't think you've ever actually stated so, unless I missed it:

Do you support banning abortion in the US? All abortion, not just rape, incest, or 3rd trimester.

[outinforce]

44. Since You Asked ---

No. Such a position is, to my way of thinking, very, very extreme.

It is about as extreme as a position which says that women should be able to have abortions for any reason at any stage during pregnancy.

And, since I answered your question, will you indulge me a question of you:

Do you support a totally unfettered -- by which I mean, a no restriction of any kind at all -- right to an abortion for women at any and all points during their pregnancies -- up to and including one minute before birth -- regardless of their health, the health of the fetus, or any threat to their lives or health?

[Pithlet]

50. No

I think that viability is concrete enough to put a limit somewhere. I am not opposed to banning them after that point, as long as there are sufficient provisions to ensure that if continuing a pregnancy past that point would endanger the woman's life, that she will not be inhibited from choosing to terminate.

[Name removed]

26. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sangh0]

33. Not quite

The point is to show how Liberals are clueless and hypocritical, just as we say the ****r's are.

[dedhed]

2. Pre-emptive damage control

Better to discuss this now, then wait for the likes of Drudge and his ilk to leak the story first.

Can you imagine the spin they'd put on it?!?

[goddess40]

8. Abortion

If the Right starts running with this then the claims that have been floating around about Bush paying for his girfriend's abortion should be thoroughly investigated. Might turn out to be bogus but would be worth a try.

[trof]

10. Dead on.

Yes, they will TRY to make it an issue.
Get it out there on your terms with your words.
If she ever took aspirin for back pain they'll make a drug addict out of her.

[supernova]

20. Excellent point dedhed

It's better to tell the tale yourself rather than let your opponent get to it first and therby frame it to their liking.

edit: Hooray for THK for coming forward like this. She is smart and tough. This effectively takes it off the table.

[sadiesworld]

3. I'm really not sure why YOU care.

Maybe she wants to share an experience that may prove enlightening to the abortions-are-all-about-convenience crowd.

Maybe the question was asked and she decided to tell the truth.

I don't see it as an issue, at all.

[Mistress Quickly]

4. Why is this even news?

Um, issues anyone? Like there's nothing going on in the world, or right here in the good ol' US of A, but we have to know "too much information" about candidates wives. Sheesh.

** throws hands up and storms off **

[DinahMoeHum]

5. A miscarriage: G*D is the master abortionist !!

So any Bible-banger should realize that it was really G*d's decision to abort the fetus!! And if they're against that, then THEY are against G*d, NOT Theresa Kerry.

[Renew Deal]

9. Bible-banger?

That's pretty funny.

[sandnsea]

6. This is excellent

It's the exact thing that every man and woman in America needs to be reminded about, particularly Catholics. There are abortions for medical purposes and the road we're headed down ignores that. A woman should make these decisions herself, leaving it all up to the doctor is not good enough to ensure a woman's right to decide about medical complications. And if we don't advocate for abortion rights, we could end up without any doctors who know how to perform them.

[lumpy]

24. Don't worry, If medical doctors are

prevented from preforming abortions the 'back alley' docs will take over and the stock in ergot production will be profitable. (sarcasm)

[sandnsea]

47. They aren't learning how

Medical students can opt out of learning how to perform abortions for religious or ethical reasons. They tend to opt out because it's one less item in an overwhelming schedule. Some more because they're afraid of the stigma performing an abortion will put on their record. Doctors that do have alot of experience, don't write in any medical journals because of stigma. So what older doctors have learned over the years is being lost. It's a serious problem from a strictly medical care standpoint. Which is why it's good Teresa is reminding people abortions aren't just done because Suzy had a fling.

[Dookus]

7. good for her for discussing it...

it points out that not all abortions are done for selfish reasons. She had a legitimate medical need to consider one, and unfortunately, circumstances made the point moot.

There is NOTHING shameful about the situation she was in, and if she talks about it within the framework of WHY abortion must remain legal, then more power to her.

[saracat]

11. The importance of this

is that Teresa has been known to be Pro-life. She is quoted in this week's Neesweek as believing that abortion is the cessation of life and would not be pro choice but is being forced to take sides because of the election. She says she realizes that she would "go crazy if she had a thrteen year old daughter who was pregnant". Remember she was a Republican until last year.This statement is important as it solidifies her pro choice stance.Otherwise she can be viewed as just adopting a platform .Good for Teresa.I'm sure this was her idea. She is very bright.

[lumpy]

12. Who cares if she nearly had an abortion

30 years ago? Apparentely you do, ringmastery, or you would have not brought the subject up. Great fodder for the Republican propaganda machine and the right wingers. Thanks a lot. Keep the muckraking dirt flying.

[frank frankly]

13. another illuminating post from ringmastery

[trumad]

22. LOL (Agreed Frank)

What's RayGuns favorite quote?

"There ya go again"

[saracat]

15. The importance of this

is that Teresa has been known to be Pro-life. She is quoted in this week's Neesweek as believing that abortion is the cessation of life and would not be pro choice but is being forced to take sides because of the election. She says she realizes that she would "go crazy if she had a thrteen year old daughter who was pregnant". Remember she was a Republican until last year.This statement is important as it solidifies her pro choice stance.Otherwise she can be viewed as just adopting a platform .Good for Teresa.I'm sure this was her idea. She is very bright.

[gulfcoastliberal]

16. Bush Had An Illegal Abortion!

Or at least he bought one for a girlfriend he knocked up while bravely protecting Texas and his country club from the VC.

[WildClarySage]

17. Too bad his mother didn't. n/t

n/t

[Vickers]

21. I nearly robbed a bank 30 years ago.

Whew! Damn glad I didn't.

[lpbk2713]

23. I "nearly" won the Lotto the other night.

I was only six numbers off..............

[Name removed]

27. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ringmastery]

29. you people really make me laugh

I post threads that I think may be interesting and will generate discussion. They obviously do, since many of them get hundreds of replies.

If you don't like my threads, you always have the option to ignore them. I couldn't care less what internet people who don't know me think about my posts.

[tom_paine]

30. Note how you said "you people"

What sort of person are you again? Who are YOUR people, Mr. (COMMENT REDACTED TO PREVENT BEING BANNED)r? You know, the ones who make you sy "we".

As such, I don't believe a WORD you say. Not a word. Go peddle that to someone more gullible.

Bah, what a waste of time. You got me. You should tell your B(COMMENT REDACTED TO PREVENT BANNING)k Masters that you have succeeded.

So, who are "your" people again?

(I await your customary silence when busted)

[ringmastery]

31. lol

you really are paranoid, aren't you?

"You people" are people like you who seem to take this interent message board stuff too seriously.

Again, if you don't like what I post, why haven't you put me on ignore? Why are you even reading this?

Why would you even take the time to waste 15 seconds of your day posting to someone you find a "(COMMENT REDACTED TO PREVENT BEING BANNED)."

Don't you have better things to do with your time?

[tom_paine]

42. You're correct. I do. Someimes my dislike for "you people"

gets the best of me. You people just piss me off. What is your fascination with lying and spying?

And of course, "you're really paranoid" is in fact the stock phrase of F(COMMENT REDACTED TO PREVENT BANNING)PERs who conduct DOS attacks and such.

Wha? Not little ol' me?

Welcome to the ignore list, F(COMMENT REDACTED TO PREVENT BANNING)PER.

[sangh0]

34. " post threads that I think may be interesting ..."????

Then why, in the original post, did you say that you "don't care" if Theresa had an abortion 30 years ago?

That didn't sound like interest, but maybe that's just me. I tend to be uninterested in things that I don't care about, but your mileage may vary

[ringmastery]

36. i don't care

but I found it interesting that the media cares and Teresa would care to speak about this on 20/20.

[sangh0]

38. And what is interesting about that?

You said nothing about this aspect (until I pointed out your contradictory statements) even though you have so much "interest" in it?

[outinforce]

49. Don't fall for it, ringmastery!

If this other poster has a point to make, make her make it.

Don't let her ask you a question without first making her make her own point!!

[liarliartieonfire]

48. This Thread is about WHAT??

Perhaps she decided to explain it first, in her own words to keep the hounds of the Repuke dirt-diggers from adding their version of her truth.

If Mrs Kerry is fair game for the repukes, then so shall be Mrs. GW Bush.

Shall we discuss the murder that was conveniently removed from her record prior to Georges campaign? New drivers license's were issued , and records wiped squeaky clean for the murderous couple.

And Shall we discuss the aborting of george's kid, the girlfriend who was not wanted along with his child she was carrying?

Mrs. Kerry didn't have the abortion. Her candid talk of what choices a woman may have to confront in her lifetime, is more honesty than we've ever gotten from Mr & Mrs slick-as-sh*t Bush.

I applaud Mrs. Kerry for revealing the dilemma of such a personal story.