“Freakonomics’” assertions on abortion are a pack of lies; it was written by a University of College professor and a New York Slimes columnist, so I do not see how it could have any credibility whatsoever.
Claiming to solve evils by using evil is a false claim, and Bennett said that in an unforced way. It does undermine his anti-abortion credentials, because one just does not say that. I’m not saying it’s unforgivable, mind you.
Nobody claimed that abortion was a solution for evil. It was a simple statistical analysis that showed that crime had, in fact, gone down as a result (directly or indirectly) of abortion in poor communities, and especially in poor black communities. Some would use that as an argument FOR abortion. At the time the book came out that was a discussion topic in the national media. Bennett was speaking out AGAINST that line of thinking.
One could easily say “what if Hitler had been aborted? Wouldn’t the world have been a better place?” 99% of liberals would say “YES - that’s a GREAT argument for abortion!” Bennett was arguing that no, even though aborting Hitler would potentially (likely) have prevented all of his future atrocities, that still wouldn’t justify the evil of abortion.
You need to re-think your approach here. You’re attacking your friends.