[Sopater]

Schenck now sees abortion as a moral and ethical issue that should be resolved by "an individual and his or her conscience" — rather than by legislation.

I would only be persuaded to go along with that idea if the unborn were fully capable of defending their own lives with lethal force.

[Mrs. Don-o]

His story at Schenck's bio at Wikipedia is pretty interesting. Go take a look.

Is NPR possibly distorting his message? I guess I should read his book.

On the assumption that NPR has accur4ately quoted him, I would have some questions:

(1) Abortion should be the decision of an individual and "his or her" conscience... wait! Is he saying a man should be able to veto an abortion, if he's the father? Or is he saying a man should be able to mandate his partner's abortion, if he wants the baby dead? Or is he saying it's "his or her" conscience if transwomen or he/shes or whatever are getting pregnant? Or... what the hallelujah is he talking about?

(2) An intriguing concept, the individual having life-or-death power. He clearly opposes the killing of professional abortionists (I do as well). But how can you oppose that, if killing is a decision of "an individual and his or her conscience"?

It would be interesting for Schenck to meet with somebody who has actually made this "conscientious" decision to shoot an abortionist. For instance, visit James Kopp, a "conscience"-inspired idealist still in jail in NY state, and see if he's still OK with shooting Dr. Bernard Slepian through the heart.

So much for "individual decision." Your thoughts?

[Mrs. Don-o]

His story at Schenck's bio at Wikipedia is pretty interesting. Go take a look.

Is NPR possibly distorting his message? I guess I should read his book.

On the assumption that NPR has accur4ately quoted him, I would have some questions:

(1) Abortion should be the decision of an individual and "his or her" conscience... wait! Is he saying a man should be able to veto an abortion, if he's the father? Or is he saying a man should be able to mandate his partner's abortion, if he wants the baby dead? Or is he saying it's "his or her" conscience if transwomen or he/shes or whatever are getting pregnant? Or... what the hallelujah is he talking about? (2) An intriguing concept, the individual having life-or-death power. He clearly opposes the killing of professional abortionists (I do as well). But how can you oppose that, if killing is a decision of "an individual and his or her conscience"?

It would be interesting for Schenck to meet with somebody who has actually made this "conscientious" decision to shoot an abortionist. For instance, visit James Kopp, a "conscience"-inspired idealist still in jail in NY state, and see if he's still OK with shooting Dr. Bernard Slepian through the heart.

So much for "individual decision." Your thoughts?