[dwills]

I don't know about zarf, but I am FOR abortions up until the indices of consciousness that you describe. Whether it's under 16, 20 or 24 months I don't know, but until that time I am PRO abortion (not just pro choice). I'm sick to death of unwanted or defective children coming into the world and of folks fearing Republicans' insistence that it not be prevented.

God doesn't choose to send new humans into the world, people do. Those required to pick up the tab for these new lives should have a say as to how this choice is exercised: Severe punishment of drug-addicted mothers who deliver defective children (depraprovera contraception and free abortion to avoid this consequence), mandatory adoption of new babies born to chronically welfare-dependent mothers, etc. This is a conservative position on reproductive rights.

There's no taxpayer who's natural interests are served by membership in the Democrat party, but so many have fled to them over the abortion issue. Their fear is irrational, since early-term abortions are so strongly favored by the American public that, even if Roe v. Wade is overturned, no state would outlaw the procedure today. If those of you with an absolutist position on this issue want your minority religious beliefs respected, then work to comfort those dealing with the traumatic experience and persuade people to use alternatives.

[dwills]

umm, i obviously mean weeks, and a time earlier than viability--that time at which they fetus registers anything on the order of sensation

[Steve_Seattle]

"no state would outlaw the procedure today"

I'm not sure about that, but I am sure that first and possibly second trimester abortions would be legal in MOST states.

[John W]

I'll just say,its a good thing we don't use "indices of consciousness" as a measure of whether or not to let adults live.

[fooman]

Lots of good points and reasons why limiting ergregious abortions is not as black and white as people may first think.

[Woahhs]

If those of you with an absolutist position on this issue want your minority religious beliefs respected, then work to comfort those dealing with the traumatic experience and persuade people to use alternatives.

Your dismissive presuppositions belie a "fundimental" refusal to acknowlege the opposing position. Why aren't you a Democrat?

[pray4liberty]

God doesn't choose to send new humans into the world, people do.

Nonsense. People have sex. Sometimes it results in conception, sometimes not. A baby can be planned and wanted, but there is no guarantee of conception, no matter how hard the parents try.

Witness so many people these days trying to become parents and battling infertility problems. They spend money on doctors and IVF but still fail to conceive for all those efforts. Even the doctors tell them there is no guarantee.

The irony of it is, many are pro-abortion, and they still don't get the connection that maybe God is trying to tell them something.

My point is that only God knows the exact moment that conception occurs. The parents generally don't. At that point, it is completely out of their control.

So it stands to reason that we are here by the will of God, whether we choose to believe it or not.

[HiTech RedNeck]

I don't know about zarf, but I am FOR abortions up until the indices of consciousness that you describe.

I oppose on principle, but it would be a salient observation that more Rats than Pubs abort. So there could be worse things for pro-life than to let Darwin have his say (rhetorically speaking; I'm a creationist).