(This is taking from another blog posting)
Thursday, December 16, 2004
The liberal pro-life argument
This came in the mail. Clearly I don't agree with this viewpoint, but I thought he made his case well. And in the interest of debate, I'll present it. Now read closely: Jen and I are pro-choice. Jen did clinic defense while in law school. But you don't often hear liberal pro-lifers, so....
I figured I'd give you a quick comment on your abortion article just to throw some contrary thoughts your way.
I am a Consistent Life Ethic kinda guy - oppose abortion, the death penalty, euthanasia, pretty much anything that involves the termination of human life. I'm also pretty much overeducated NY style Irish Catholic white trash - relatives are cops, meatpackers, union men, &c. So I hope that I know that of which I speak. I'm also a member of Democrats for Life - we're pretty much a pro-life Democrat organization, in the Consistent Life Ethic vein.Anyway a couple of thoughts. I think one of the major messes involving the abortion debate in the United States is that its interpretation is pretty much unique. The rights-based interpretation of abortion is pretty much ahistorical - I know, for example, that Susan B. Anthony expected one of the signs of women's liberation would be the elimination of abortion. That women would no longer be so far backed into a corner that abortion would be considered an option.Similarly, it's unique to the U.S. and Canada. In Europe it's viewed as more of a health and biology issue - France has considerably tighter abortion laws than the united States. Actually, on paper, pretty much every western european country has tighter abortion laws than the united states; also considerably lower abortion rates. I'd argue that one of the holes we're in in the U.S., and the reason that abortion is not a 'settled issue' the way it is in Europe is only partly due to pro-life militancy, it's also because of a marked unwillingness on the pro-choice side to discuss the issue. Since Roe, U.S. abortion policy has been pretty much static with one side desperately trying to pack the courts and the other side desperately trying to prevent it.I haven't found anyone on the pro-choice side who views abortion as a celebratory act, but rather as a necessary choice - to eliminate the specter of back alleys and coat hangers. However, what the GOP does is focus on the corner cases of the issue - and the Democrats end up reacting in fear and ending up defending more and more indefensible cases. Partial Birth was really more vote-whoring than anything else, and also exhibit A in why the GOP doesn't care about abortion past getting votes - they had the ability to do something substantive, and this was their choice. Same thing with this anaesthesia measure they're pushing next. It's real goal is to put democrats on the defensive.There's an organization called PLAGAL - pro-life alliance of gays and lesbians - and their argument against abortion is because they're worried about what happens if homosexuality is genetic and we develop a pre-natal test. This is actually a problem in places like India right now - where abortion is used heavily as a way of guaranteeing male births. I'm sure that somewhere right now there's a move in the GOP to produce a bill making the democrats defend sex-selective or eugenic abortion - something that is going to make the choice rhetoric ring truly hollow.I think the biggest problem with the U.S. abortion debate is that it treats the entire thing as taking place only at the moment of the choice - as if we reproduced via parthenogenesis. My mindset these days is that abortion is a symptom of a deeper problem - when we do find somebody who is having an abortion, we should ask how we as a government and a people have screwed up so badly that this is considered a good idea. what can we do to fix this next time? Better birth control education? Better prenatal care for women? National health care?The reason I am a pro-life _democrat_ is because I believe these kind of solutions make a helluva lot more sense in the Democratic context. My general feeling is that the GOP will end up increasing abortion rates simply because they're going to increase the number of corners a person gets backed into. My concern for the Democrats is that they've implicitly accepted a 'GOP' interpretation - one of helplessness and impotence, rather than figuring out how to apply the capacities of government to solve the problem.I actually think that the Democrats could come up with something more acceptable to pro-lifers within the context of Roe - most of the Roe messes actually come from Doe V. Bolton, which established an inordinately broad definition of threats to the mother's health in the third trimester. If the Democrats approached abortion as a necessary and constitutionally protected evil, but worked to reduce the abortion rate through measures that we know work, then we'd open the door to bringing back a lot of Democrats who've gritted their teeth and voted Republican for the past 20 years.The thing is, this would be a golden opportunity to make the GOP put up or shut up. Ask them if what they want to do is stop abortion or stop _legal_ abortion. When I drive to D.C. from PA, I hit fireworks stores at the Maryland border; I'll bet that if Roe is overtuned and PA outlaws abortion, abortion clinics will pop up at the PA border. Hell, Ireland has a 10/1000 abortion rate. The GOP can't actually do much realistica about abortion unless they try to pass a Human Life Amendment, and if they do, they'll lose a good chunk of their constituents anyway - one of the successes of the GOP's abortion strategy is that they've made the 75% of the population who aren't militantly pro-choice view the democrats as more fanatical about abortion.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Colorado Springs Vigil
Media Advisory
For Immediate Release UCCS STUDENTS FOR LIFE
March. 19, 2007 Contact: President Mary Pico
Phone: (719) 201-3714
e-mail: mimicecilpico@yahoo.com
UCCS Students for Life vigil
Colorado Springs, CO – UCCS Students will hold a vigil at Planned Parenthood to remember the lives taken by abortion since its legalization 40 years ago in the state. The event is co-sponsored by UCCS Students for Life,
Who: University of
What: Candlelight Vigil to remember the lives taken since abortion was legalized 40 years ago in
Where: Planned Parenthood
When: Wednesday April 25
8-10 pm
*Schedule:
UCCS Students for Life
Candlelight Vigil to protest 40 years of legalized abortion in
April 25 from 8-10pm at the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic on
Sponsors:
Colorado Spring Catholic Dioceses
UCCS Students for Life
Itinerary:
8:00-8:30 Prayer and worship; 40 crosses
8:30-8:35 Remember Abortions from 1967-1977
8:35-8:55 Blessings/Speakers
8:55-9:00 Remember Abortions from 1977-1987
9:00-9:15 Speaker
9:15-9:20 Remember Abortions from 1987-1997
9:20-9:30 Memorial Service; Pray to close the clinic
9:30-9:45 Speaker
9:45-10:00 Remember abortions from 1997-2007;leave flowers in silence
Speakers:
- Chastity
- Former Abortionist
- Those who have had abortions
Contacts:
Mary Pico: (719) 201-3714 mimicecilpico@yahoo.comm
President UCCS Students for Life
Michele Pico: (719) 231-5011 Michele_pico@yahoo.com
Vice President UCCS Students for Life
Thursday, March 15, 2007
The Dangers of Abortion
Abortion Risks
Abortion isn't necessarily as "safe and easy" as many make it out to be. Here is a list of the risks of abortion - surgical and chemical:
Surgical Abortions
Future Ectopic Pregnancies:
- Studies point out that the risk of an ectopic or tubal (not in the uterus but in the tubes that lead to the uterus) ;pregnancy is 30% higher for women who have had one abortion, and up to four times higher for women with two or more abortions.
- When a woman has an Ectopic pregnancy she has a 12% risk of dying in a future pregnancy.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID):
- 5% of women suffer PID following induced (or surgical) abortion. PID can lead to fever and infertility (not being able to get pregnant again)
- There is a 23% higher risk of infection if you have an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease).
- 40% of the sexually active are suspected carriers of STDs.
Breast Cancer:
Reputable studies suggests that women who abort face a 50% increase in breast cancer. If the woman has a family history of breast cancer, this rate doubles with each successive abortion, if the woman is under 18 or over 30 years of age when the abortion takes place.
Placenta Previa:
Placenta previa is a condition in pregnancy where the sac holding the baby (the placenta) tears away from the uterine lining. This can result in extreme and severe life-threatening bleeding. Women who have experienced abortion have a 600% increase in their risk for placenta previa in future pregnancies.
Infertility:
Infertility and sterility mean that a woman cannot get pregnant. Abortion causes sterility in 2-5% of the women who have an abortion.
Psychological/Emotional Trauma:
50% of women who have had abortions report experiencing emotional and psychological problems lasting for months or years. These emotions include, but aren't limited to:
- acute feeling of grief
- depression
- anger
- fear of disclosure
- preoccupation with babies or getting pregnant again
- nightmares
- sexual dysfunction
- termination of relationships
- emotional coldness
- increased alcohol and drug abuse
- eating disorders
- anxiety
- flashbacks of the abortion procedure
- anniversary syndrome
- repeat abortions
- suicide
Many of these women go on to report that they regret their choice and would do anything to go back and undo the decision that resulted in so much pain.
Medical (Chemical) abortion risks include (but are not limited to):
"The Morning After Pill" (Emergency Contraception Pill) - - If taken within 72 hours of intercourse it prevents pregnancy 75% of the time. Medical problems would be similar to birth control pills, however effects could be more pronounced.
Methotrexate - (given prior to 8 weeks) Doctors don't like to prescribe this chemical because of its high toxicity and unpredictable side effects. Those side effects include but are not limited to:
- nausea
- pain
- diarrhea
- bone marrow depression
- anemia
- liver damage
- lung disease
- heavy bleeding for as long as 40 days
- abortion may occur anywhere
This chemical may not work and a surgical abortion may still be required.
Psychological/ Emotional Trauma:
In addition to the risks listed above, women having chemical abortions often see the complete tiny bodies of their unborn child and are even able to see the child's developing hands, eyes, etc. So traumatic is this for some women that it is recommended that women unprepared for the experience not take the drugs.
Learn more about what a preborn child looks like: Just The Facts
If you are considering abortion because of your circumstances, know that you can change your situation. If you aren't sure about this choice, take time to find out "why" you have these feelings. Pregnancy care centers are here to help you in any situation regardless of your decision.
2 Teri K. Reisser and Paul C. Reisser, Identifying and Overcoming Post-Abortion Syndrome, Colorado Springs, CO.: Focus on the Family
3 "Oral Contraceptives & The Morning After Pill," Take Heart, Columbus Ohio: Heartbeat International
4 "Abortion Some Medical Facts," NRLC
5 Ibid
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Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Life Display at UC
I displayed a fetal model, provided by Colorado Right to Life, yesterday at the University of Colorado. I was surprised by how much attention the little fetuses attracted. It caught the attention of basically everyone that walked by, and I would estimate close to 100 people stopped to take a close look. The only pro-life event I have had experience with is the Genocide Awareness Project (GAP, the East Coast version of Justice for all, JFA). GAP and JFA's displays consist of huge 8-10ft tall photos of aborted babies. They are probably one of the most shocking things I have ever seen and they attract the attention of EVERY person that passes. It's no surprise that they generate a lot of controversy. It was, however, quite shocking to me that the small fetal display would get as much attention as it did.
At one point there was a crowd around the table debating abortion with me. They were all pro-choice. A student came by who just found out she is pregnant, she was excited to see an example of what her baby looks like. A staff member, who recently wrote a pro-life letter to the editor, stopped by to voice his support. He shared his views and his story. He was almost aborted, but his mother choose life, he was clearly thankful that she didn't abort. There were lots of "thank-yous" and "God bless yous", eye-rolls and head-shakes. Pro-choicers and pro-lifers stopped by to pick up literature and explain their views. One student who was a staunch pro-choice advocate said that he no longer agreed with late-term abortion, we talked for a while. My hope is that one day, with more education, he will be pro-choice. Most people's minds change overtime. I don't believe we will change someone's mind in one day. But if we are out there a few times a month, presenting the pro-life side in different ways, I believe they will eventually see the truth.
It was a great experience, I got to talk to some really interesting people on both sides of the debate. And I feel like the table had an effect on a lot of the people I talked to. I hope you will all set up a fetal display at your school! Donna at Colorado Right to Life is an amazing person and will make arrangements for you to use the display.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Abortion and minorities in the U.S.
I talk to a man today at UC Boulder who brought up the fact that abortion is hurting the growth of minorities.
Here is a great website: http://www.blackgenocide.org/
Here are some of facts from the site:
k community.
Here is a great website: http://www.blackgenocide.org/
Here are some of facts from the site:
Between 1882 and 1968, 3,446 Blacks were lynched in the
1,452 African-American children are killed each day by the heinous act of abortion.
3 out of 5 pregnant African-American women will abort their child.
Since 1973 there has been over 13 million Black children killed and their precious mothers victimized by the
In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King said, "The early church brought an end to such things as INFANTICIDE." What would Martin Luther King say to the church today?
The Rev. Jesse Jackson once said:
"That is why the Constitution called us three-fifths human and then whites further dehumanized us by calling us 'niggers'. It was part of the dehumanizing ps by abortion.
1,452 African-American children are killed each day by the heinous act of abortion.
3 out of 5 pregnant African-American women will abort their child.
Since 1973 there has been over 13 million Black children killed and their precious mothers victimized by the
In his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Martin Luther King said, "The early church brought an end to such things as INFANTICIDE." What would Martin Luther King say to the church today?
The Rev. Jesse Jackson once said:
"That is why the Constitution called us three-fifths human and then whites further dehumanized us by calling us 'niggers'. It was part of the dehumanizing process. The first step was to distort the image of us as human beings in order to justify that which they wanted to do and not even feel like they had done anything wrong. Those advocates of taking life prior to birth do not call it killing or murder, they call it abortion. They further never talk about aborting a baby because that would imply something human. Rather they talk about aborting the fetus. Fetus sounds less than human and therefore abortion can be justified".
With 1/3 of all abortions performed on Black women, the abortion industry has received over 4,000,000,000 (yes, billion) dollars from the Black community
k community.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Life Display at University of Colorado!
For Immediate Release Contact:
Date: Monday Feb 12, 2007 Phone: (740) 408-3571
Respect Life Committee to host Pro-life display
Fetal display will be used to speak out against abortion
The group believes the fetal display will force fellow students to think about abortion and hope to change the minds of those who are pro-abortion. They will also be passing out information about pregnancy centers.
The group said they want to let students know they have options, when it comes to unplanned pregnancies.
“With social pressures, the fear of telling their parents and lack of resources for students on college campuses, many pregnant students believe abortion is their only option. We want to let them know there is help out there and pregnancy is a wonderful thing, that should be celebrated,” said
The Respect Life Committee has been active on campus in the past. They will be bringing Justice for All in April. JFA is a national organization that will be displaying 8ft tall abortion displays on campus.
###
For student interviews contact
For further information: www.studentsforlife.org
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Woman Comatose for a Month After Botched Abortion Caused Center's Closing
Woman Comatose for a Month After Botched Abortion Caused Center's Closing
Englewood, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- New reports are showing why a large New Jersey abortion business -- that does more abortions than most states see in a year --was recently shut down by state health officials. They took action after a woman who had an abortion there went into a coma for more than four weeks following a botched abortion.
by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
March 1, 2007
Englewood, NJ (LifeNews.com) -- New reports are showing why a large New Jersey abortion business -- that does more abortions than most states see in a year --was recently shut down by state health officials. They took action after a woman who had an abortion there went into a coma for more than four weeks following a botched abortion. Newark resident Rasheedah Dinkins had an abortion at the Metropolitan Medical Associates abortion business that went horribly wrong.
Dinkins, who is 20 years-old, became severely ill following the abortion and was transferred to Newark Beth Israel Medical Center where she needed blood transfusions and had her uterus removed. She also suffered a stroke due to the serious blood loss and had one of her lungs collapse.
"I was laying in my bed and I got the cold shakes," Dinkins told AP about her ordeal. "My body kept going numb. After that, I don't remember anything."
The young woman is still in a hospital recovering from the abortion that nearly took her life.
"I think it's horrible what I had to go through," she told The Associated Press from her hospital room Thursday morning.
Dinkins said her mother and hospital officials told her she died en route to the medical facility from the abortion center but medical personnel were able to revive her.
Knowing what she's experienced, Dinkins told AP she regards her decision to have an abortion, saying "I probably wouldn't have made this choice."
Adam Slater, Dinkins' attorney, talked about a lawsuit against the abortion center and abortion practitioners there that he's filed on her behalf.
"We expect to get to the bottom of why this incredibly horrible result could have happened," he said.
In ordering the abortion business to close, the Department of Health and Senior Services did not release an exact list of the problems at MMA but said the abortion facility had poor infection control, and did not properly sterilize instruments and equipment.
Health inspectors said the violations at the abortion business pose "immediate and serious risk of harm to patients."
They said it will remain closed until the problems are corrected. This is only the second time state health officials ordered one of the state's 650 ambulatory health centers closed.
Dinkins isn't the only woman who had an abortion at MMA and experienced problems.
Gloria Mozas of Cliffside Park is also suing the abortion center saying staff there misdiagnosed a tubal pregnancy and told her she miscarried the baby when she was actually pregnant with twins.
She told AP an abortion practitioner there did an abortion on her and told her he was just removing dead tissue. B ut a week later she had to undergo a medical procedure to remove the babies who had implanted into her fallopian tubes, causing her severe internal bleeding.
"I've been waiting for those doors to be locked for 3 1/2 years," she told AP.
Metropolitan Medical Associates is one of the biggest abortion facilities in the nation, having done 10,000 abortions last year alone. It was also closed down in 1993 for health and safety issues.
While it is closed, it is referring women to the Women's Choice abortion center in Hackensack, run by the same owners as MMA. The abortion facility is also telling callers that it will reopen next Tuesday and that it is "closed for renovations."
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