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New arena for birth-control battle
Star Tribune ^ | May 3, 2005 | Rene Sanchez

Posted on 05/03/2005 5:33:17 AM PDT by wallcrawlr

Rebecca Polzin walked into a drugstore in Glencoe, Minn., last month to fill a prescription for birth control. A routine request. Or so she thought.

Minutes later, Polzin left furious and empty-handed. She said the pharmacist on duty refused to help her. "She kept repeating the same line: 'I won't fill it for moral reasons,' " Polzin said.

Earlier this year, Adriane Gilbert called a pharmacy in Richfield to ask if her birth-control prescription was ready. She said the person who answered told her to go elsewhere because he was opposed to contraception. "I was shocked," Gilbert said. "I had no idea what to do."

The two women have become part of an emotional debate emerging across the country: Should a pharmacist's moral views trump a woman's reproductive rights?

No one knows how many pharmacists in Minnesota or nationwide are declining to fill contraceptive prescriptions. But both sides in the debate say they are hearing more reports of such incidents -- and they predict that conflicts at drugstore counters are bound to increase.

"Five years ago, we didn't have evidence of this, and we would have been dumbfounded to see it," said Sarah Stoesz, president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. "We're not dumbfounded now. We're very concerned about what's happening."

But M. Casey Mattox of the Center for Law and Religious Freedom said it is far more disturbing to see pharmacists under fire for their religious beliefs than it is to have women inconvenienced by taking their prescription to another drugstore. He also said that laws have long shielded doctors opposed to abortion from having to take part in the procedure.

"The principle here is precisely the same," Mattox said.

(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: conscienceclause; pharmacy
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To: Modernman
That is a good argument for further medical research into more effective contraceptives and for better educating young people on their use. If young people did a better job of controlling their fertility, this would be a non-issue.

Perfect non-abortive contraception would indeed limit procreation to those who were prepared for it. Of course, by then, we will all be sterlized anyway and babies will be made in labs. Or at the very least, undesireables will be forced to be sterile.

So there are very dangerous consequences from the development of such perfect technologies.

SD

561 posted on 05/06/2005 7:45:50 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: Hermann the Cherusker

Thanks for backing me up. As a protestant, I don't get that much. :)


562 posted on 05/06/2005 7:48:37 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: FreepinforTerri
The birth control pill is a recretional drug- used to have recreational sex.

And your point is?

Recreational sex is the only benefit of a drug that kills innocent, unwitting people that didn't take the durg themselves.

That's certainly one perspective. I don't have a problem with "killing" an embryo that is no bigger than the period at the end of this sentence.

In fact, I really have no problem with first trimester abortions, either. They seem to be a good compromise in the abortion battle.

If my taking an aspirin could potentially kill you, your tune might change.

From a policy point of view? No. If the benefits of Aspirin outweighed the downsides (even if the downsides include the death of innocent bystanders) I would still support its use.

Do you support a ban on automobiles because drunk drivers kill thousands of innocent people every year?

563 posted on 05/06/2005 7:51:29 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: FreepinforTerri
Fertility is not the problem--it's behavior.

Sure. Many, many people are irresponsible when it comes to their use of birth control.

564 posted on 05/06/2005 7:52:39 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: SoothingDave
Of course, by then, we will all be sterlized anyway and babies will be made in labs. Or at the very least, undesireables will be forced to be sterile.

(Rolls eyes) Right. Better contraceptives will lead to a fascist state right out of "Brave New World."

So there are very dangerous consequences from the development of such perfect technologies

Not really.

565 posted on 05/06/2005 7:54:21 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: MonaMars
His religious obligation not to look upon a naked woman would trump her need to not be dead. Any other position would be "selling out" his faith right? That is, afterall, the logical extension of your position...PS - I don't know what's more obscene: your refusal to provide needed treatment to rape victims or the pride you seem to take in it.

Very well said. At first I thought this guy's posts were a joke, but now I see he really means it and that absolutely sickens me. I can't believe a DOCTOR would support the right of someone to work in the MEDICAL profession and REFUSE BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS!! WTF?! Thank the Lord above he's not working at any hospital in my vicinity. His views would provide excellent ammunition to anyone who wants to make religious conservatives look bad.

Reminds me of a bumper sticker I once saw: "Dear God...please protect me from your followers."
566 posted on 05/06/2005 8:05:27 AM PDT by swissarmyknife
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To: Modernman
Right. Better contraceptives will lead to a fascist state right out of "Brave New World."

You are naive if you think reproductive technology is the only technology that will not be used for evil purposes.

SD

567 posted on 05/06/2005 8:11:34 AM PDT by SoothingDave
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To: Modernman

IF you see no problem with killing a child (first trimester babies actually look like babies- not just periods at the end of sentences), then there is no point in talking with you.

Normally, pro-aborts are sympathetic as the children get larger, but clearly you are equal opportunity destruction for all being who can't defend themselves.


568 posted on 05/06/2005 8:11:41 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: Modernman

I hate to break your heart, but there's something you need to know:

SEX CAUSES BABIES. Not the incorrect use of birth control. I can use birth control incorrectly all I want and not get pregnant without having sex.


569 posted on 05/06/2005 8:19:28 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: FreepinforTerri
SEX CAUSES BABIES.

Unprotected sex causes babies.

570 posted on 05/06/2005 8:20:46 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: Modernman

Upwards of 80% of the babies aborted were concieved with
"protected sex." Planned Parenthood, to whom you bow, this is their own research, not something I made up.

If more people had protected sex, more sex would be had- more chances to concieve- more babies...dead or alive.

These are the facts.


571 posted on 05/06/2005 8:25:15 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: FreepinforTerri
Upwards of 80% of the babies aborted were concieved with "protected sex." Planned Parenthood, to whom you bow, this is their own research, not something I made up.

It would seem that these women did not practice proper protected sex. They were irresponsible.

I've known women who have had abortions. None of them were the responsible types who took their pill every day or required their boyfriend to always use a condom.

572 posted on 05/06/2005 8:43:57 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: Modernman

Ever heard of a "failure rate?"

Screwing whoever you want when you're not prepared for the potential consequences is hardly "responsible."

Taking a pill regularly or insisting on latex isn't 'reponsibile' either. Sex has natural consequences. Responsibility is accepting those consequences rather than trying to thwart nature.

I am very responsible and I've never been pregnant or compromised my health or self-respect.


573 posted on 05/06/2005 8:59:16 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: SoothingDave

Okay, I've never ever used the Taliban line. And I do not apologize for hoping people will care about babies after they are born. If you do not care what kind of life a child has, that is very cold.

I am okay with early abortions. Would be better if they don't happen, sure. If you want me to, I'll say I like to kill babies. I DO NOT AGREE WITH YOU. Sorry.


574 posted on 05/06/2005 9:11:22 AM PDT by pa mom
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To: FreepinforTerri
Ever heard of a "failure rate?"

Sure. And if everyone was responsible when it came to birth control, we would have a lot fewer abortions. The vast majority of women that I know who are responsible about their birth control and that are sexually active have no need for abortions.

I am very responsible and I've never been pregnant or compromised my health or self-respect.

Good for you. That's my point exactly. People should take charge of their fertility.

575 posted on 05/06/2005 9:11:28 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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To: Modernman

Um...no, I take charge of my BEHAVIOR. My fertility is a blessing- not something I need to whip into submission.

Why do you not understand that it's perfectly acceptable to NOT be a whore?


576 posted on 05/06/2005 9:18:55 AM PDT by FreepinforTerri (Send Attorney George J. Felos Rebukes via Email. His email is proofg@aol.com)
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To: pa mom

Thanks, some folks just want to be angry.

I tried!


577 posted on 05/06/2005 9:20:51 AM PDT by pa mom
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To: FreepinforTerri

How is it abortive when there is no chance of fertilization? How about a woman who is abstaining from sex who takes the pill?

If an egg does not become fertilized, how can there be an abortion?


578 posted on 05/06/2005 9:22:57 AM PDT by Quick1
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To: FreepinforTerri
I think you might be wrong!

There are probably less pregnancy with women on birth control than if they didn't take them at all! Furthermore, I believe it is God who has the right to judge and determine the fate of man!
579 posted on 05/06/2005 9:24:53 AM PDT by ihv2bme
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To: FreepinforTerri
Um...no, I take charge of my BEHAVIOR.

As do people who are careful about their birth control.

Why do you not understand that it's perfectly acceptable to NOT be a whore?

Other than strippers, I've only known one or two real-life whores.

580 posted on 05/06/2005 9:32:28 AM PDT by Modernman ("Work is the curse of the drinking classes." -Oscar Wilde)
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