Something In Common

I do not get involved in politics very much.  My parents used to say that it was not polite to ask anyone about their political leanings, that it was none of anyone's business whom they voted for.  I've become more forthright than they ever were, but I still get somewhat uncomfortable telling other people my political opinions.

It ranks right up there with religion for me as far as being personal and private.  I don't want anyone telling me what they think I should believe.  However, I realize that many people I know come from activist upbringings where they feel compelled to share their political views.  This does not offend me in any way.  And I often wish I could embrace politics and take a stand more firmly and openly.  I also know that without spreading the word about a candidate, that many people will not vote, or will make an uninformed decision.  So I am grateful for those that show their true colors and work toward the outcome they feel is right.

That said, I am utterly disappointed in the Bush administration.  I am embarrassed for our country and downright bitter about the things that have transpired these past 8 years.  I am excited and hopefully for a Democratic president who's philosophy on social issues I agree with.

First and foremost I am talking about being Pro-Choice.  I believe in a woman's right to choose.  But I get that many people do not share this philosophy, mostly grounded in the idea that "life begins at conception".  I see this as "potential life" begins at conception, just like an unfertilized egg represents the possibility of a baby.  The seed that is needed for it all to begin.

So, for me, the fertilized egg is no more viable than the untouched one because that life cannot continue on its own.  And I do think that there are very good and valid reasons why someone might make the  exceedingly difficult decision to terminate a pregnancy.

I don't want the government to decide for me (or anyone else) whether I feel abortion is wrong, but I fully understand why those that do, consider themselves protectors of unborn children. The part that I never really got was when someone who claims they are Pro-Life says, well I believe in life beginning at conception except when that was due to rape or incest.  Or if the woman is not fit to gestate a child because she takes drugs, or is sick, or whatever may be an exception, according to them.

See? that logic doesn't follow for me.  If you believe that abortion is wrong because it is equal to killing a baby, then what valid exceptions could there possibly be?  None.  Because it can't matter then about the consequences.  What might happen to the child or the mother or anyone else because then you would be condoning murder.

I do not want Sarah Palin to be our next Vice President.  I do not agree with her policies and the decisions she has made.  I want nothing more than for all Americans to see that she and McCain are the wrong choice for our country.

But I will give her credit for standing on the principle that you can only be Pro-Life in one way.  Even if I stand firmly on the other side of the fence.

Perhaps when those that consider themselves "Pro-Life With Exceptions" (sort of like the twisted term "Friends with Benefits") see the flaw in their logic, they will realize that they are actually more Pro-Choice than even they knew.

Because by being sometimes Pro-Life you have to admit that you really are about making decisions and choices.  Ones that everyone should be allowed to make individually.

Comments

[the weirdgirl]

Hear hear! The thing I've never understood is how so many people who are "Pro-Life" are also pro death penalty. Wouldn't that make them murderers?

[Lori at Spinning Yellow]

Point well taken, Conservative Bob. (Just so people don't wonder, I know Bob, he is a friend, not an internet troll, he even asked b/f commenting, b/c he is polite like that).

I will not debate your statistics b/c I have not done any of that research (nor do I want to, as I said, political talk is not my main game), but I do question whether every woman facing an unwanted pregnancy is forthright in their reasons/explanations for getting pregnant. Perhaps it is easier to say they got pregnant by some boyfriend than reveal that their father raped them.

And it does present gray areas. Like will woman claim to be raped so they they can terminate a pregnancy even if they (& the father) just made a really bad mistake? Or if a young teenager, say a 12 year old, gets pregnant, will she claim she is sick so that she doesn't have to go through the terrifying process of carrying a baby, and then labor & delivery?

Well, and don't even get me started on the men and how their culpability can not be determined.

Although you have shed some light on why someone might be "Pro-Life with exceptions", I still find it hypocritical and as you've shown here, it appears to be politically based instead of morally.

[Conservative Bob]

Great observation / comments and thoughts on the abortion issue, and thank you for stating your views respectfully. However I think I need to weigh in on the rape and incest concession. Those of us who are pro-life face the huge challenge of convincing folks that we are, in fact, compassionate. It's not about limiting women's rights, it's about protecting the unborn. For me, it's a battle, and when you believe what I believe, that life begins at conception, we are killing over 1.2 million people per year (about 3,200 per day) in the U.S. alone. As less than 1% of abortions are the result of rape/incest, I will concede on these 320 for a day (although they are not mine to concede on) if it will save 2,980 lives that day. If conceding on that is what it will take to get a victory, it's a huge step in the right direction. Even the reason of fetal abnormalities, which I still believe to be the wrong reason for abortion, account for less than 1% of abortions. About 3% are due to the health of the mother. So all told, it's less than 5% of abortions due to these factors, yet they are commonly referred to for reasons for why we should not limit abortions. Luckily, in the age of the internet, people have been able to become more educated on the abortion process, and people have had more reason to think about it and discuss it, and think about it. According to a Gallop Poll, as reported in the NY Times 1/21/01, people considering themselves to be Pro-life rose from 33% to 43% while people considering themselves to be Pro-choice declined from 56% to 48%.
I understand that I will never be able to change someone's mind about when life begins, so we can't get into that discussion - but believing what I believe, abortion is wrong.
People will then also say, "well how can you be against abortion but for the war?" Again, it's numbers (unfortunately). It's about the best results in the end game, knowing we will lose some in the battle. More people are killed through abortion every 2 days than have been killed since the beginning of the war in Iraq five years ago. I'm not defending the war - it's a horrible thing - just making the point that in my eyes, a life is a life is a life, just as valuable if young or old, healthy or disabled or handicapped, born or unborn. If I want to protect/defend life, I'm going after the biggest numbers - Difficult to comprehend, and admittedly easy for me say as I have not been directly affected by either. I feel awful for those girls / women who are faced with this awful decision and I do not think that they take their decision lightly, and if they choose an abortion, I do not think that they are evil.

[kristen]

"Because by being sometimes Pro-Life you have to admit that you really are about making decisions and choices. Ones that everyone should be allowed to make individually."

Well-said, my friend. It's always about making choices, in my book. And the right to do so, across the board. From abortion rights, to healthcare, to education. Choice.

[Karen]

I think you are right. It took a long time for me, as a Christian, to define myself very clearly as pro-choice. But ultimately, that is what I am & what our society is and should be.
Look, I showed you two of my true colors in one go...