Being pro-choice doesn't mean you're pro-abortion

[BushOut06]

I think this gets lost amidst all the debate, particularly among the "pro-lifers". I don't know many people who are ardently "pro-abortion". Abortion is a horrible unfortunate thing. I can't imagine any woman who thinks to herself "Oh boy, I just can't wait to have my abortion!" The RW fundies would like us to think that most abortion is simply social birth-control. In fact, I'd wager a bet that nothing could be further from the case (I haven't seen any polls or data, maybe someone here could provide that?).

Most of us wish abortions weren't necessary. The simple fact is that even though many of us personally find abortion unpleasant, we still respect a woman's right to choose.

[spanone]

1. No one is pro-abortion...the term is Pro Choice.

A woman's CHOICE to abort or not.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. And privacy

When did politicians and private citizen's become doctors and medical licensed?

[Lars39]

2. I am pro-abortion, the same way I am pro-appendectomy,

pro-chemo, pro-any heart procedure, etc.
It is a privacy issue.

[boobooday]

3. We are pro-W-O-M-A-N

I hate the thought of abortion, but it isn't my decision to make for others. I wish we had health care for all, and loving, safe childcare for all, and an end to the SHAME.

Then I think we'd have fewer abortions.

[ellenfl]

4. regarding the semantics . . . i prefer to call the anti-choice crowd

just that, anti-choice. being pro-choice, after all, does not make us anti-life, which is how the pro-lifers have framed THIS debate.

ellen fl

[FreedomAngel82]

13. Yep

I use that too. That and pro-fetus. If they were pro-life they'd be for social programs such as welfare, social security and programs to help kids after school and such. But they don't. Look at all the programs Bush is cutting in his 2006 plan. All programs that will hurt the poor and middle class.

[foreverdem]

16. They don't care about that

They are so busy spewing about the 'rights of the unborn'. I'll bet if you asked them about the rights of the born, they would have no idea what you are talking about.

[JuniperLea]

5. Well said

Horrible thing to have to do. It's a poor choice for birth control and I would never, ever consider it an option for myself in that regard. However, if I had been raped by a family member, or if my doctor told me my unborn child would live a life of agony, or if a pregnancy would be life threatening to me, I'd consider the option. It should be an option. The problem I see is not the birth control issue, it's the medical issue. If abortions become illegal, then the above-referenced circumstances would not change the situation.

[democrank]

6. Indeed.

President Clinton said abotions should be safe, legal and RARE. My position exactly. Having said that, it`s about the choice, not the abortion.

[BushOut06]

10. Agreed - if the pro-lifers were so concerned about being 'pro-life'...

They'd spend as much money as possible on developing alternatives to abortion. Embryonic transplantation (transferring an embryo from one woman to another who wants to carry a baby), preventative measures (RU-486 anyone?), etc. Imagine the technologies that could exist if they actually cared about investing in them.

Instead, they'd rather get up on their platforms and rail about how Godly they are, and how they are "trying to save babies from being murdered". Well, buckos, actions speak louder than words.

[catmother]

7. being pro-choice does not mean being pro-abortion. it's giving

the woman the choice -- her choice might be to have an abortion, or her choice might be to have it and keep it, or she may choose to have it and give it up for adoption.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Pro-preggers believe that pregnancy is punishment for sex.

If you're naughty, and a woman, (men get a pass), then you must be punished by being forced to have and raise a kid whether you want to or not.

aka - slavery.

[FreedomAngel82]

14. That's if you're not married

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. "Nice" married women aren't supposed to enjoy sex either.

To the pro-pregs, sex if for procreation, at least for women. Men are given a nudge and a wink because..well, you know, men are beasts and it's their duty to keep women in their places.

It's both the idealization and debasement of women. Women are "supposed to be" like the idealized Mary. Virginal, pure, and a vessal for men to use to keep the race going. They're never supposed to be like Eve or Delilah or Jezebel or any of the other evil women who subvert male dominance by having desires and pleasures.

If the anti-choice crowd really were concerned about abortion, they'd be screaming, marching, and protesting for more sex-ed and free birth control - instead of fighting it.

[Cleita]

9. I think we need to change the vocabulary. Pro-life and pro-choice

have become banners that are meaningless today. The real issue is a woman's right and access to a medical procedure when she finds she is pregnant.

We should call it women's right to medical access for her reproductive health.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. They know the difference

I'm sure many of them know the difference but could care either way. All they care about is making it illegal and will use words of their choice to change meanings etc. Instead of outlawing abortion they need to realize it's to protect women. Look at what causes abortion and how you can change that. Under Clinton abortion was lowest ever. Under Bush's first term it rose twenty percent.

[AZBlue]

15. I think another good argument and one that's effective is to point out

that making abortion illegal doesn't solve the problem and that women will die or be seriously injured in back-alley abortions. It's hard for a pro-lifer to continue arguing that it's not right to kill an unborn child when you point out that overturning RvW will just kill the child and the mother. It's not the answer.

[DanCa]

17. I tell people that I am pro neutral on this..

Since I don't have a medical degree I am not qualified to make life and death decisions for another human being. That's all I gotta say about it. It's simply not my place to tell a women what to do with her body.

[RB TexLa]

18. for me it doesn't focus on abortion

It's the fact that I and everyone else has the right to regulate and control my body free of government intrusion. I do not have to inform my wife if I have a vasectomy or if I have a heart condition or cancer.

[foreverdem]

20. That's the thing that gets me

Maybe a bit off topic, but when you said about not having to inform your wife if you have a vasectomy, it struck a nerve with me. When I had a hysterectomy back in June, for medical reasons, my husband had to sign a consent for me to have it! He was a pissed as I was, saying I am not his property, I am his wife. Why did HE have to consent to it?

[TallahasseeGrannie]

19. Such an excellent point

I am in my mid-50's but my dr. says I could still get pregnant. Now, I find abortion morally repugnant. I think it is murder. But if I got pregnant I would reluctantly commit murder because I don't think I could physically survive a pregnancy.

And I want that right.

But I am troubled by the huge numbers of abortions in the country. Very sad.

[Zinfandel]

22. Nobody is fucking "pro abortion"!!! Its a woman's right to choose...

These self righteous assholes who stick their noses into a women's very private and very tough & difficult decision should look at themselves, these who think they are so perfect...It's a women own personal decision with herself and her own spiritual guidance, not someone else's!!!

"Pro abortion" is the stupid, ignorant, self righteous, anti-choice assholes, terminology.

It's called the right of Pro Choice, and this dude here, will fight forever for that right!!!!!