Anti-Kerry LTTE and my response

[Nimrod]

This letter appeared in the Friday Missoulian. We'll see if they print my response:

"Did you know that John Kerry voted against the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act every chance he got? This procedure involves pulling a living baby feet-first out of the womb, except for the head, puncturing the skull and suctioning out the brain. It is used from the fifth month on and mostly performed on healthy babies and mothers.
<snip>
As parents of three children, we are pleading with you to use your influence to send this message to all Americans.
--Dennis and Loralee Hadley, Kalispell"


The Hadleys in their attempt to create shock value have unfortunately missed some easily confirmed facts.

First, a few facts about the the D&X procedure (commonly called Partial Birth Abortion): It is often performed if the fetus is found to be badly malformed or suffering from a very serious genetic defect, is unlikely to ever gain consciousness, and/or will die shortly after birth. Many which fall into this category have developed a very severe form of hydrocephalus that is often only detectable late in the second trimester. It is performed on a healthy fetus if continued pregnancy would grievously damage the mother's health, disable her, and/or place her life in severe danger. It is performed on a so-called "healthy" mother in the event of suicidal depression.

Second, John Kerry did indeed oppose the ban on the D&X procedure. This was due to the fact that the proposed ban was unconditional with no considerations placed on the health of the mother. To offer an example, this would mean that a woman whose life was severely threatened by her pregnancy would simply die along with her unborn child and leave her other three children motherless.

Open-heart surgery is a frightening, invasive medical procedure that would undoubtedly shock anyone who heard the process described in graphic detail, but it is all too often necessary to preserve human life. One wonders if the Hadleys would support a ban on that medical procedure as well, although I much prefer to think they are simply grossly misinformed regarding the D&X procedure and Senator Kerry's stance on the issue.

[Stew225]

1. Thanks so much for your efforst in sharing this.

I intend to send this to my email list as one of the countless examples of what non-thinking emotionals distort the facts for shock value.

[sandnsea]

2. I think we went back to D&E

When they say you don't need to do a D&X, I think it's because doctors can do a D&E. A D&E is when you chop the fetus up in the mothers uterus, then crush the head before you pull it out. Yep, that's what we traded "partial birth" for. :crazy:

Medical professionals, correct me if I'm wrong.

[Kierkegaard]

3. Nicely done.

Why is it that the wingnuts seem to rely on us 'liberals' to complete their statements for them? They often have this fragmented, detached view of the facts that conveniently omits relevant information that may otherwise pose a logical argument. Completely disgusting...

[Political_Junkie]

4. Well done.

[Eileen]

5. Wish our guy had answered this way.

All you need to know to rebut PBA propaganda!

The Phantom Procedure which has been called a 'PBA' by the Anti Abortion Propaganda Industry (AAPI)
IS NOT a Late Term Abortion (LTA).

The Phantom Procedure which has been called a 'PBA' by theAnti Abortion Propaganda Industry (AAPI)
IS NOT a D&X Abortion (or ID&X).

The Phantom Procedure (PBA) is an undefined procedure and can be used to refer to almost any abortion performed after 12 weeks.

Please read my - previous DU post -

As a further reference to the truth of these statements you could read - this excellent article - in Women's eNews.

Please do not permit this propaganda term to deceive you.

- Eileen`s always in process page -

Eileen