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From: watkins@ut-ngp.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Avoiding hasty abortion decisions
Message-ID: <411@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 20-Mar-84 18:00:19 EST
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.411
Posted: Tue Mar 20 18:00:19 1984
Date-Received: Wed, 21-Mar-84 04:55:53 EST
Organization: Comp. Center, Univ. of Texas at Austin
Lines: 47

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There are many events that will happen in our lives which can
cloud good judgement.  When a family member dies, we can find
ourselves talked into almost any burial package; when we get
really angry, we can often say or do something that we will
later regret.  In the example of the imminent funeral, we have
no choice but to make our decisions quickly, however, in the
case of anger, we do have a choice.  We can sit back, count to
ten, and take a fresher look at the problem.  When things are
really tense, this often seems impossible.

In many states, there are what I shall call "Smoking Gun" laws.
These laws require that after a gun (handgun?) is purchased, a
waiting period of days is required so that the gun cannot be bought
and used immediately (I imagine it also allows for police record
checks.)  By forcing what may be a cooling off period, more intelligent
decisions can be made.  I propose we do the same with abortions.

Now owning a gun isn't unlawful.  You have a right in this country to
own a gun, like it or not.  Neither is getting an abortion, like it or
not.

Abortion is one of those times when strong emotions are involved.  Very
few people want to make poor decisions, but when faced with an unwanted
child, and an immediately solution like abortion available, few or none
of the options are explored.

How about this?  A woman finds out she is pregnant.  Instead of being able
to get the abortion immediately, she goes by the abortion clinic and makes
her intent known.  She is then given a government booklet or asked to visit
a government information official who will present a package with materials
supplied by numerous agencies that explain options also available to her.  In
this way, she can base her decision on all the facts available.  She may find
that solutions besides the trauma of abortion are available.  Many groups exist
that will help with the costs and emotions of pregnancy and many pregnant women
might find these solutions easier to live with.  Others may proceed with their
original plan.  A waiting period of at least several days seems good.

To be fair.  I am against the use of abortion.  It is something I feel very
uncomfortable with and I wish it were unheard of.  I don't know what the best
solutions are.  But I can understand that finding out about an unwanted
pregnancy is a very stressful time and that quick decistions might not be
rational decisions.

	Morgan Watkins