Why is it always about abortion?

[Miss Chybil]

It seems the first thing a lot of people seem to want to know about a politician, or a judge, or any other public figure is whether they are a right-to-lifer, or are pro-choice. Then it gets sub-catergorized into pro, or anti "late-term abortion." (The perfect issue with which to back a choicer into the corner.) Honestly, how many people even get abortions every year? More than die in traffic accidents due to unsafe cars, or crossing through poorly lit crosswalks, or ungated railroad crossings? More than die for lack of health care? More than die in Iraq in a year? More than die from lung cancer, or alcoholism, or malnutrition, or genocide, or through domestic violence? More than die from suicide, or the death penalty? More than die from the effects of pollution in our environment? More than those who die from AIDS?

How did all of these issues get swept aside for one issue that really doesn't affect THAT many people? My position on this issue, since it seems the position must always be stated is... I don't like abortion. I would never get one, (I have a hard time thinning the plants in my garden), BUT it is not my place to tell another woman whether, or not, she can have one. There are already more than enough unwanted babies in the world. For the life of me, though, I don't understand how this issue trumps all others. Pro-life encompasses so much more than trying to control another womans body and the cells within.

[madeline_con]

1. You touched on an interesting point...

that I feel I must elaborate on.

So many people go on about "killing babies" and then stand around and bitch about "welfare Moms" "breeding like roaches". You'd think idiots like them would want "certain" people to be able to get free abortions!

Just my usual two cents, folks. :)

[cssmall]

5. You just stated what all mouthpieces puke in one sentence.

:rofl:

[madeline_con]

17. I hear it all the time...

And why is a little OLD MAN our local abortion protester?

He stands out there with his "ABORTION KILLS" sign like he'd ever have the decision to make. ???

[cssmall]

19. You know what was great?

When Eric Randolph admitted he listened to Limbaugh (so I heard) which should have been a bit of a hint that what Limbaugh says should be taken as words of terror and he should be asked to leave, preferrably to Paris, in a rundown hostel with no money and a bunch of liberal French around him to keep him company for the rest of his days. Bet you ten Euros that Rush couldn't take a French child in a fight.

[cssmall]

2. It begets an emotional response.

No one in the world is truly pro-abortion, if you ask me, they just don't like the government telling them what to do or they know that no government legislation will EVER stop it and that surgical abortion is much safer than the homemade variety.

In the words of Bill Clinton: "I want abortions safe, legal and unthinkable." If we would teach sexual education instead of using hormonal rage in teenagers as a way of social and economic control, then we will never get past this.

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

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[cssmall]

27. Hey, don't indict me on that.

I have a VERY happy wife. :biggrin: Anyway, I was taught to return the favor and I believe I do a very good job on that, or so the responses have been.

[Heddi]

36. that post is very vulgar and offensive

and perhaps you should edit your post so it doesn't get deleted. You do realize there are children under the age of 18 that read this site, right?

absolutely un-fucking-necessary

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Because abortion is symbolic of so many other things that revolve

around the primary issue of privacy. Once that is gone, so will all the other rights that involve your right to privacy. They are starting with that one because it is so controversial and figure it will be the easiest one to overturn. It is just an excuse to get their foot in the door of infringing on all your privacy rights.

Don't be fooled into thinking that abortion is all that they are after.

It is only the beginning. Every right that you have that depends on the right to privacy is at stake.

[madeline_con]

18. "... the easiest one to overturn ..."

Oh, right. I hadn't really considered that angle. I can be so dense sometimes. :eyes:

[BrklynLiberal]

31. They figure they can overturn Roe V Wade before they can take away

womens' right to vote..but I am sure that is somewhere on their agenda, along with cancellation of search and seizure rights, and any of the other privacy rights that we are guaranteed by the Bill of Rights.

[lildreamer316]

4. Personally I 'm getting really tired of it

When can we move on to some other pressing issues? Its so exhausting.

[BrklynLiberal]

13. The right to privacy is a pretty pressing issue.

[lildreamer316]

16. Argh.

I just wish we could get some clarity and not so much empahsis on the "abortion" part; more on the reason this is a supposed epidemic/problem in the first place. The irrationality and refusal to see futher than their noses are what is exhausting. Everyone just needs to back up and chill and THINK.

On edit: have had this procedure twice;and expressed my gratitude to the doctor for having the right to do so, and that he was there to.

[madeline_con]

20. Imposing their will seems to be a priority

for some of the "religious" groups. It's not enough that they don't want to do something, no one ewlse can want to, either.

But let someon try to dampen their little church parade and it's Nelly bar the door!

[BrklynLiberal]

21. You can thank the RW spin machines for that. It is part of their job

description to muddy up the waters. It is not the defenders of freedom of choice who are confusing the issues. All we want is to be left alone to make our own decisions.
It is the RW Fundies who want to impose their will on us.

Why is it so annoying to demand that we be allowed to make our own decisions, and to choose leaders who would support us in that?

Go tell the RW Fundies to leave us alone.

[lildreamer316]

26. 's what I'm saying.

ENOUGH already. Give it a rest, will they?? Attack one of my other rights for awhile.It's really all about the wedge and patriarchy; surely we have other issues in this arena. I will not be controlled so just quit wasting the energy. And I sure as hell am not going quietly back in the kitchen without my vote.
Meanwhile I will try to teach my son the value of a condom and honesty. Wish me luck........

[REP]

14. Your Rights Bore Me, Too

They're not only exhausting, they cost me money. Can we move on to more pressing issues?

[Name removed]

28. Deleted message

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[REP]

37. I Think You Responded To The Wrong Post

If not, I'm having a good laugh at your expense.

[Cleita]

6. Distraction or wedge issue.

Women's rights are easy to pick on too, because we still don't have complete rights in our society. So a woman aborting an unwanted pregnancy is a baby murderer, but a man dropping a bomb on a bunch of people including children is a soldier and a defender of freedom.

We still have a long way to go.

During elections the abortion issue becomes so hot that there is no room to discuss real issues and that's the way the opposition wants it.

[thinkingwoman]

7. it's all about controlling women

If you control a woman's reproductive options, you control that woman's destiny. Abortion brings out the patriarchy in men, and women, who cling to the view that women should remain barefoot and pregnant in the kitchen while men rule the world thankyousomuch. That's why it is such a major issue decade after decade. We're still fighting for female equality in America. If women were equal, abortion would cease to be an issue.

Just my 2 cents.

[marbuc]

8. great post

I'm not sure how this became a litmus test, except that one's position on this issue is a pretty good indicator of political disposition. This isn't always the case though. I don't care so much about abortion as an issue (it actually creeps me out), but I prefer a pro-choice candidate because s/he is more likely to support my position on other privacy/civil liberties issues.

[AlCzervik]

9. If the abortion just went away they'd find another wedge issue

I really, really think that most republicans don't really give a rip about abortion one way or another but it plays to their base so they use it. If hating grapefuits got their base they would make grapefruits the evil "Grapefruits are destroying this country!"

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

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[Miss Chybil]

24. I don't think I deserve to be called a DUMB ASS, dumb ass.

The post is not about abortion as a procedure, or a right. It's about why is everything always boiled down to that one issue? I don't give a shit who gets an abortion.

Before the 2004 election I was very proud of myself for registering a bunch of new voters. Some were friends of my son. I actually registered his girlfriend's entire family. At the time, my daughter-in-law was in Iraq and her husband, my oldest son, had just returned from Afghanistan. I was devastated on election day to find all five of those people, my son's girlfriend's family, voted for Bush. "Why, may I ask?" I said. "He lied us into this war and I have family tied up in it." You want to know what they said? "BECAUSE HE'S AGAINST ABORTION!"

So, I'll thank you to get off your high horse. Nobody's asking you to defend your "womanhood." You might want to work on your diplomatic skills, though.

[femrap]

33. NRA vs. abortion....

so I guess you want to discuss 'one issue voters...right?' What about gun boys? They are more rabid than women who want freedom over their bodies....why not talk to them?

You do realize that Rove and the Bush Administration picked Abortion as an Issue, don't you? It puts boys over girls....and if you are a girl who has bought into this whole thing that women are crap, then....I'm sorry for you.

Women bring life into this world....we nurture....take care of the elderly...and now YOU WANT TO TREAT THEM LIKE SHIT...go ahead...I will not take part in that....

IF MEN COULD GET PREGNANT, ABORTION WOULD BE LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND FEDERALLY SUBSIDED...!

[Miss Chybil]

34. I think you need to read my posts again, and you might want to think

about who you're talking to. The abortion issue has been around long before the Bush administration. Maybe, you're too young to remember.

I don't know where you got the "treat them like shit" idea. Considering I am a woman and I am pro-choice. Maybe it's your reading comprehension skills that need a little honing. Calm down and R... E... A... D.

[REP]

39. Abortion IS Legal and Ethical

What was your point again?

[BrklynLiberal]

11. The basis for making abortion legal was based on case law that

involved the right to privacy.

The right to privacy is not only for womens' rights. It is for everyone's rights. So do not make the mistake of thinkng that making choice illegal will affect only women.

[benevolent dictator]

12. It's just a diversion issue.

People focus on that because the answers are easy to understand: pro, sorta pro, and anti.

It's not like say, taxes, or the economy, where you sort of have to have a basic understanding of what's going on and how the system works to understand the politicians position.

It's something I think the right has down way better than we do, simplifying everything to one word answers without getting into the intricacies.

taxes=bad
abortions=bad
money=good
god=good
gays=bad
etc.

It totally reduces everything to black and white, so people don't have to think about it, even though you can't really break everything down to be that simple (you know, and actually understand it at all).

[madfloridian]

15. Controlling a woman's right to birth control as well.

Just controlling women. I had to stop writing a friend of mine who got ballistic because her daughter went to work. She said she belonged at home with her children, that even though her husband was disabled....God would provide.

It is not just about abortion at all.

[madeline_con]

25. "....God would provide."

So, this person thinks he pays late rent for people who believe?

I wonder about her thoughts on welfare.

[rman]

22. Because it's a wedge-issue: the RW must devide us,

in order to conquer us.

[Blue_Tires]

29. highly divisive issue

which always garners debate, both pro and anti...

i think deep down, in their heart of hearts, the gop wants abortion to stay legal just as much as i do---they need that political card to play whenver they need it

[Miss Chybil]

30. Very interesting and logical point. nt

[gumby]

32. Anti-abortion is easy.

It's the holier-than-thou, I'm-better-than-you card.

It's the instant-mashed-potatoes of religiosity.

It's the easy excuse to destroy equality.

It's the self-righteous balm in a racist, misogynistic country.

It's the ultimate answer for those who think thinking is bothersome.

[SheWhoMustBeObeyed]

35. Why shouldn't it be about abortion?

Why shouldn't it be about the rights of over 50% of the US population?

Why shouldn't it be about dangerous illegal procedures, social stigma, the suffering of unwanted children and the ruined lives of real, living, full-grown, viable people?

So many people are too young to remember. I lost count of the girls in my high school who got pregnant, dropped out, disowned by their families, sent off to distant towns to bear and give up their babies or married off to the barely-legal fathers, only to divorce by 19 or 20. It was a nightmare, especially for young women who wanted more than marriage and family. One wrong move and your destiny was fixed for the rest of your life. Even criminals get a second chance.

That's how I saw it at age 15, and that's how I see it now. Only now it's so much clearer that what the right wants is to turn back the clock, keep women at home, churning out offspring and taking care of the family. How long after abortion is criminalized again will it be before women are stigmatized for wanting to contribute more to society than the fruit of their wombs? How many more of your choices will you be forced to give up...your choice of higher education, a job that utilizes your talents, an income that lets you maintain your independence?

That's why it should be about abortion.

[Miss Chybil]

38. Well made argument.

It makes perfect sense, and reading the other posts here also makes me realize it's not JUST about abortion. It seems like there should be so many other things to debate, but when you look at it, this issue really does encompass everything. Thanks for making it clear.

[SammyWinstonJack]

40. What else do they have?

Honestly, what else do they have? They have abortions, they do, though they won't admit to it!It's something everyone can get behind, killing babies? That is just wrong! And it is! What they won't say and what most people don't want to hear, is how Republicans couldn't care less about the living. It's not pro abortion, it's about choice. No one wants to have an abortion, it's a last resort. A woman should be able to chose what she does with her body, bottom line! If men were able to give birth, there would be an abortion clinic next to every Jiffy Lube in this Country!

[EC]

41. It depends on if you mean a politician asking another

pol or citizen .

To the politicians if boils down to RIGHT S OF PRIVACY since Roe v. Wade, was determined by Privacy Rights...

Now if you mean pol to citizen, it's used as an emotional gage, as to which way to sell oneself to the citizen.

[wli]

42. pandering to the religious reich

The neofascists probably don't care themselves (or are outright eugenicists) but the fundies go nuts about it, so they just play up to that.