[BibChr]

Oh, now, don't get impatient on me; I am appreciating the dialogue.

First, I apologize for doing what I resent in others: reading too hastily. You're absolutely right, of course; you had mentioned murder, and I hadn't reflected thoughtfully enough on it. So... do you ultimately think murder should be a federal crime, though? Doesn't saying "No" open the door,theoretically, to it possibly being legal in some states? (Now, there's a premise for a sci-fi novel if ever I heard one.) And if it is, you already grant that abortion might follow.

I grant you have good reason for being confused about what I mean when I say I'm not single-issue, yet single out abortion as an issue. Let me try to clarify my position, and my thoughts!

Here's what I mean: I mean that abortion isn't The One and Only Issue I care about. I did not support Alan Keyes, for a number of reasons, and he certainly has been the most articulate and passionate candidate on that issue for a long time. So I mean that my stance is not, "Is he pro-life? Then say no more: he has my vote!"

On the other hand... this is hard to put into words. I am horrified and appalled to my very soul at the practice, defense, almost sacralization of this hideous practice in our culture. Millions and millions are slaughtered barbarically each decade, and why? Nearly 100% of them die because they were imperfect (the fewest) or simply inconvenient (the most).

And this in the richest, most affluent country in the entire history of the world. (Yes, I do think this is a legitimate connection to bring that up.) What possible excuse can we claim? Ignorance of the fact that this is a human being from conception on? Science has ruled that out. Unavailability of alternatives? No, in no way.

And yet we are at a near vapor lock on the issue, unable to move one way or the other. Those who realize the, to me, ethically DUH! reality that it is an abomination which must stop instantly, are timid and apologetic. Those who prop up the case for the killing are bold and cultic, and they hold the reigns of power.

So what small part can I play? When I can, I protest, I write, I persuade, I give... and I vote. I let it play a part in whom I select. I think, if they haven't thought this position through and figured out that kids should be protected by law, they're Not Ready for Prime Time.

That's basically where I am. Now, do I demand that a candidate reflect my virtually 100%-opposed stance? Will I oppose him if he allows exceptions for killing the child if the father was a criminal (i.e. rape)? No; I want to move the ball in the right direction, and even that position would eliminate nearly 100% of all abortions.

Then you seem to twit me, puzzlingly, for "demanding" clarification of her position. Well, what do you want me to do, MnR? Be a sheeple, but just a sheeple for the GOP? You want me to say, "Golly, it's just such a privilege to be able to vote for a (1) smart (2) pretty (3) black (4) woman that I just won't even ask any questions before slamming down my primary vote!"?

No, of course Condi doesn't go to bed each night asking herself, "What does Dan Phillips think of my positions?" But I think it, when it comes to placing my vote. Shouldn't I?

Dan

[Mind-numbed Robot]

I was pro-choice until a few years ago. My reasoning was that since it can't be prevented then it should at least be safe. I was naive. Most of those who say abortion should be legal, safe, and rare are hypocrites. They really want legal, safe and cheap, preferrably with the government footing the bill. I changed my mind listening to Alan Keyes. He made it obvious that it was murder and he most effectively dramatized that in one of the presidential debates. When John McCain was asked what he would do if he learned that his unmarried daughter was pregnant, McCain said they would have a family meeting and talk about it. Keyes said that reflected McCains lack of fundemental understanding of abortion. He asked if McCain's daughter was thinking of killing her grandmother would McCain call a family meeting to discuss it? McCain was flustered and defensive but I thought that the example brought home the facts perfectly.

As far as reading too quickly, that is common with all of us. It usually happens when we think we already know the other person's position and, therefore, we already know what he is going to say, we have heard it before, so we just skim. However, it sometimes leads to cross communication and misunderstandings.

I have great admiration for Ms. Rice and I would gladly vote for her, as well as for many other conservative Republicans whether I agree with them on everything or not. Is abortion abomidable? Absolutely! However, sometimes we have to choose between the best of bad choices. Not voting or voting for a sure loser is still a choice between the top runners whether we like it or not. Some just rebel at being thought as supporting something they don't.

Do states have the option of making murder legal just as they have the option of making abortion legal? Yes, and they already do. Killing someone in self-defense or the defense of property is legal in most states. Abortion with the exceptions of rape, incest, and threats to the health of the mother are legal murder in most states. However, premediated or careless murder of the innocent, including the unborn, should be illegal in all states and it is in many.

Life is not perfect and we often must make unpleasant choices to move closer to that goal.