Left vs. Right: abortion issues, human rights

As we’ve seen in The Colonnade the past couple of weeks, you don’t exactly have to be a political junkie to have fervent opinions on abortion, something that sharply distinguishes the issue from other legislation.

In one corner, we have the pro-lifers and their precious, often times warped, perceptions of morality. It boggles the mind to think the same activists who hold signs that read, “Stop Killing Babies” probably have picketing posters in their closets reading, “Bomb the Hell Out of Iraq,” shrugging their shoulders at the collateral damage inflicted during an unnecessary war.

So, here is the question as many on the other side would ask it: Should the termination of innocent fetuses, with no access to their own lawyers, potential human beings who will never be given the chance to fall in love or be cool, be legal in the United States of America?

Of course it should be.

It’s comforting to know that a number of (not all; the word “all” has never been used in this column) staunch conservatives like the president and many on this campus–their biggest concern being the wrinkles in their Dockers, born on home plate without ever having to swing a bat–know exactly what it’s like to be a pregnant 15-year-old girl with an abusive father, no money, no way of supporting a child. Someone living in reality.

Sure they do.

Have the baby no matter what, they say. Just don’t let it be another welfare case because we’re not supporting it.

And remember, it’s such an easy decision, just another form of birth control. Those who advocate abortion rights love killing babies. Hell, maybe they’ll be twins, and we can kill two! The world is such a magnificent place to be born into; most of its inhabitants know exactly how they’re going to eat tonight and where they’re children will find medical care!

That is not to say these zealots do not make a strong case, and with abortion, also like few other issues, perhaps it is better to refrain from forming a rigid, unwavering opinion from either side. No, it should not be easily taken care of with a pill. Yes, as Samuel Alito agreed in the 80s, the father should be notified first.

But, whatever opinion is formed, try not to base it on the views of your affluent parents or your local Baptist minister, who probably doesn’t even know in what part of a woman’s body a uterus is located.

Listen to educated women and Atticus Finch from “To Kill a Mocking-bird:” Remem-ber, “If you just learn a single trick, Scout, you’ll get along better with all kinds of folks. You never understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.until you’ve climbed inside of his skin and walked around in it.”

This quote may sound simple, but this is what will always separate us on every vital issue, especially abortion.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Mar 31 2006. Filed under Opinion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry