[Semper]

The difference between the "potential human" and "the human being" is when one initiates violence against another. When you initiate violence, you lose your rights.

Invading Iraq, when Iraq did not attack us, would seem to be initiating violence. Does that mean that there are exceptions to your premise? We can initiate violence if it contributes to our security or economic stability or whatever - and that violence is experienced by innocents who are acutely aware of what is happening and must deal with the tragic results. The vast majority of abortion decisions are carried out when the fetus is virtually unaware of this world and will not experience the horror and consequences of a war.

Just to be clear, that does not justify abortion. The invasion of Iraq was not justified either. I wish that religious people obsessed with abortion would have focused at least as much thought and energy on our initiation of violence half way around the world.

[DocRock]

"Invading Iraq, when Iraq did not attack us, would seem to be initiating violence."

Then it seems you are mistaken. Saddam initiated the violence in the invasion of Kuwait in the first Gulf War and Saddam and fired numerous times at our planes in the No Fly Zones which violated the terms of the cessation of hostilities and numerous UN resolutions.

Your premise is wrong, therefore the rest of your abstract is also wrong.

" I wish that religious people obsessed with abortion would have focused at least as much thought and energy on our initiation of violence half way around the world."

Just to be clear... I am not obsessed with abortion and will gladly continue try to answer your questions.