Reply #179: Say what? [View All]

Maybe we're talking past each other here, but I think you totally misunderstood my post.

I said that some in those "pro-life" groups do not, as a rule, want to address the underlying societal issues that make abortion an option for some women. Finding a way to make abortion as rare and safe as we all want will take more than the eqivalents of hissy-fits outside of clinics and digging in the legislative heels so that no discussion or compromise on the issue can be brooked.

Both pro-choice and pro-life -- more so pro-life, I think -- have to find some common ground on this issue if abortion is ever to be as safe, legal, and rare as everyone wants it to be. And I'm convinced, again, that there are some in the pro-life camp who never want to see this issue resolved because they would be neutralized politically. They mask their own self-interests behind their piety, which further discredits them as a force working to end abortion.

Those who are in the forefront about the abortion issue such as the American Life Leagues and the Judie Browns of this world -- seem to not want to address issues such as wages, housing, health care, safe and reliable child care, etc., that would ALL lead to an economic climate where women could be free to weigh ALL their options with a pregnancy, not just feel like there is no other way but abortion. All these groups want is an end to abortion. Period. Everything will fall into place once that happens. That's an unrealistic approach to the problem, and in fact, only guarantees that it will make things worse.

In my opinion, to shout "pro-life" and yet do nothing to foster an atmosphere that supports that life, is the height of hypocrisy.

ON EDIT: An additional thought: What I meant by "work" in my last post is, it is FAR easier to stand on a street corner and shout rhetoric, and to set up an organization that spouts rhetoric and does little else. However, it takes time, effort, resources, and the will to take a long step back and look at the underlying societal causes for abortion, and then come up with possible solutions (policy and otherwise). Large-scale pro-life groups should be doing this as well as getting their points across about how they feel about abortion as a procedure.

Hope that clears things up.