Reply #47: Your argument of choice goes both ways.

[hunter]

If the woman believes it is murder, then that's what it is, and that is the emotion the violence against her will evoke in her.

Although my own views of abortion are essentially Catholic, I also understand that others don't share those religious views, and there is no rational way to argue the question. Thus abortion must be legal, otherwise women who choose to have abortions may be forced into dangerous circumstances.

This wretched case will certainly be used to fan the flames of the anti-abortion activists, but I think the legal definition of murder here is appropriate because that is what this is to many of the women who lose their babies in similar violent assaults. As a society we should recognize and respect the victims own beliefs before we argue about the specific language of the law.

I don't think there is any way to write the law so it pleases both sides of this argument, so I would rather lean toward the language that reflects the feelings of those victims who suffer the greatest emotional harm.

We can't all agree on abortion, or even the language of the law, but as a practical matter the law is an effective and appropriate measure against the criminals who engage in this sort of violence against women.