Posted on 08/12/2005 4:06:27 PM PDT by Bob Haran
Mr. Goldwater told the Arizona Conservative that his "Views are pretty straight forward," and that, " I am pro-life with a few exceptions," but those exceptions give evidence to his true position on abortion.
His exceptions in his own words are "An abortion can only be considered in cases of rape or incest and only before viability of the fetus, the only other exception would be in the case of mortal danger to the mother."
I think Mr. Goldwater's exceptions would be of mortal danger to the unborn child.
The fetus is a human being deserving of life regardless of whom the father is or how conceived. To allow abortions in cases of rape or incest is to punish the unborn child for the crimes of the father and is not a pro-life position but the position of pro-death.
In the very rare case of mortal danger to the mother, that is a life for a life decision and should be made by the mother. Therefore, any exception beyond the life of the mother is a pro-abortion position, and therefore Don Goldwater's exceptions makes his position on the issue pro-abortion.
What Don Goldwater is trying to do is to take a compromise position on abortion, to straddle the issue. Unfortunately for Mr. Goldwater, there is no compromise position on abortion. The fetus is either an alive human being or it is not. A candidate for public office is either pro-life or he is not, there is no middle position on this issue.
Before someone takes a position on abortion they should study the words of The Declaration of Independence which states that "All men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights," the first of which is the right to life.
God gave us the right to life, not government and no one, born or unborn, should be deprived of life without the due process of law. Abortion is a violation of that right and is just simply wrong.
Just as slavery was a question of right and wrong, so too the issue of abortion and just as the institution of slavery was abolished so too must the institution of abortion be abolished.
Bob Haran www.bob-haran.info
Like, "except when someone wants an abortion"?
Blah, blah, blah. Trashing a candidate for not being perfect is completely irresponsible -- not only from a Republican standpoint, but from a pro-life standpoint.
Grow up, why don't you.
Sorry Bob, you lost me. Goldwater's position is solidly pro-life.
I'm solidly pro-life, but I have no illusions that if you hold the position that a woman who has been raped must carry any child thus conceived to term, you will very easily be portrayed as monstrous.
The author is supposed to "grow up" in your highly esteemed opinion, eh? Being "Republican" is so effing irrelevant to this issue that only a blind party loyalist would even bring it up.
CP, your little snotty retort at the poster is more immature than the post. His main point, that rape and incest do not constitute a valid reason to punish the fetus, is a very important one in pro-life circles. Those that favor it are considered pro-abortion and not pro-life. Any woman can say they have been raped or been the victim of incest just to get an abortion. The woman doesn't even have to press charges against the alleged perpetrator.
I agree with him. I consider myself pro-life, but if one of my daughters were raped by some drooling mutant, and became pregnant as a result, I would want the resulting monstrosity eliminated in the earliest stage possible.
I'm pro-choice, except where an unborn baby's life is at stake. It's a pretty straightforward position, really.
If you denigrate or trash anyone who does not hold an absolutist stand on the issue of abortion, you marginalize yourself, and limit the advances we CAN make in limiting abortion. A large majority of Americans would support a policy such as stated by Goldwater. Unfortunately, only a minority would support a policy limiting abortion to only the life of the mother. You and I may not agree, but that is reality.
I cannot speak for every woman, only for myself. A long time ago, when Abortion first became legal in NY State, my husband and I discussed this issue.
We decided that if I were ever raped, and became pregnant as a result, we would never abort an innocent life. If possible we would raise the baby as one of our own.
I would hope that others would at least let the innocent baby have a life, and put it up for adoption if they were not in a position to raise the baby as their own. This is a way of turning an ugly and montrous act of violence into something better than committing more violence.
I would not condemn someone who felt otherwise, but would ask them to think it through very carefully before choosing abortion.
I'm not so sure about that. I don't think it is wise for us as a civilization to allow rape to be an option for perpetuating one's genetic structure. It's not the kid's fault, true, but it's not an innocent bystander's fault if a terrorist hides behind them either - the fault for the death lies with the rapist. (By the way, I do not think children of incest are equivalent.)
If we are going to allow rape to be an exception, the law must be closely tailored to severely punish those who would falsely claim rape, of course.
Thank you for that Jacquej. That is exactly what I would do as well. Your comment of turning the monstrous into something beautiful is what makes it that much more right not to abort the child.
See thoughtomator, there are cases where women have falsely claimed rape just to save their reputations. As this situation may be rare, it has and will continue to happen. So, why would a woman stop at falsely accusing someone of rape, then get the abortion, with full knowledge of those kinds of ramifications. It won't, they will do it regardless. Their thought process is much too selfish and resentful towards the baby. This is why abortion should only be allowd in the case of peril to the mother.
Discontent with sending your baseless screed attacking Don Goldwater as a "Letter to the Editor" to everyone who would make the mistake of publishing it (see Arizona Conservative and Conservative Press) you signed up just yesterday to publish it here. Why don't you go peddle your divisive rants somewhere else. Goldwater is a Reagan Republican - solidly pro-life - and he needs the support of every Republican in Arizona. As the President of the North Valley Republican Assembly you should be more polically savvy than to play this stupid game you're playing. The ARA has done some good things. The censure of John McCain was truly brilliant. But what you're doing now in attacking Goldwater is a bad thing. Knock it off, newb.
We treat those as the double criminals - murderer-perjurers - that they are.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.