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From: barb@oliven.UUCP (Barbara Jernigan)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Stand firm on your position.
Message-ID: <389@oliven.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 15-Aug-85 17:52:46 EDT
Article-I.D.: oliven.389
Posted: Thu Aug 15 17:52:46 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 18-Aug-85 04:58:31 EDT
References: <29057@lanl.ARPA>
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Organization: Olivetti ATC; Cupertino, Ca
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> 
> 	It would be interesting to see where each of you ( the more
> flambouyant ones ) really stand....

       Well said, Steve.  

       The issue of abortion -- Right To or Law Not To -- will NEVER, I 
think, be resolved.  After scanning the arguments from both sides (and 
please excuse any redundancies -- I'm a newcomer), I begin to perceive a 
trend (OH, MY!!).  Pro-choice or Pro-Life, we (and I mean EVERY human being, 
no matter HOW self-claiming in our concern for the 'general good') argue
our personal position and from that position often take a stance that others 
should adhere to it.  I do not intend to criticize this, for it is a factor
of our human natures.  [I.E.  we REALLY, in our heart of hearts, DON'T want
[IDEAL] Justice, we want the scales weighted in our favor.]  But I distract
myself from my point.  I do not wish to argue -- although I expect argument
in reply -- but, as requested by Steve's posting, I WILL take a stand.

	First, I am a woman, and therefore feel somewhat intimately affected
by the issue of Abortion.  No offense, men, although your concern over the
issue is commendable -- keep it up! -- you cannot POSSIBLY have the same
perspective without having the risk of pregnancy.  Second, if I must be forced
to state my 'politico-religio-sociologico' position, I would say I am a
Moderate (>gasp!<) -- of Methodist background, although I would call my
current 'religion' Theist-Humanist.  
	To the gist of the matter:  I believe, like the Pro-Lifer's, that
the fetus is "alive" -- perhaps for a time a part of the woman's body, but
who is ANYONE to say when the spark of individuality (some call it a soul)
enters the picture?  Some of you Pro-Choicers are talking about the fetus
as if it were a MALIGNANT TUMOR!!!  In your Heart of Hearts do you REALLY 
believe that?  Or is it convenient for arguments' sake?  [NO, I am not
saying that your position is baulderdash -- before you flame, I just want 
you to REALLY ask yourself.  THINK a bit!  If your position doesn't change,
so be it -- I'm not trying to argue with you, just give you an alternate 
perspective for a moment.] 
	Assuming the fetus is alive (and I won't get into the issue
of whether or not it's 'human' -- although I don't know what else it would
be), abortion is Killing.
	Now I suppose you expect me to take a moral stance that, because
Abortion is Killing, it should be outlawed.  Life should be so simple.  Laws
should be so simple.  But Life is not -- and the Laws certainly are not.
	Although I doubt, unless my own life were in danger, that I could
EVER have an abortion, I WILL NOT refuse another person the right to make --
and act upon -- their own decisions in the matter.  Who am I to tell YOU
how to live your life?  HOWEVER, I will be so presumptuous as to make
THRICE FLAMED sure your decision to Abort or not to Abort is made ONLY after
careful -- and, insomuch as possible, logical -- consideration of ALL the
alternatives.  Therefore, my position is that Abortions SHOULD remain legal;
but, to have one, the individual(s) involved must go through appropriate
COUNSELLING.
	Perhaps this stance is based on a rather skeptical view of human
nature.  Abortions have been around at long as women have been getting
pregnant.  Outlawing abortions MIGHT prevent SOME persons from using that
route, but I fear more HARM than good will be done by it -- for I shudder to 
think of the losses from ILLEGAL abortions.  If BOTH woman and fetus die in an
illegal abortion, Pro-Lifers, is Justice served?  
	I think what many of us are concerned about is that Abortion might
become too CONVENIENT,  that it will become a prefered means of birth
control.  Personally, my heart grieves for the women who would think and
choose so -- but I freely admit I am a sentimentalist.
	The POINT of legalized abortion is Safety for the woman.  It is 
performed in a hospital/clinic/doctor's-office by a Doctor.  The POINT of
legalized abortion -- at least in my admittedly fallible understanding -- 
is NOT specifically birth control.  Indeed, I would support legislation
restricting subsequent abortions.  The first is nearly understandable -- 
although often avoidable -- but to chose abortion again and again?  From my own
perspective, I call this a crime -- as much against the woman as the unborn
fetuses.  This is also why I support pre- and post-abortion counselling -- to 
prevent, where possible, the abortion -- and certainly prevent any repeats.  
	In conclusion:  I believe Abortion should remain legalized, and will
fight in the voters' booths to defend it.  I believe, however, that 'permission'
to have an abortion should also hinge on appropriate counselling, with the hope
that the individual(s) will weigh all the options before deciding [I know, this
is rather idealistic, but it's worth a TRY].  Finally, I believe that it should
be increasingly difficult to have more than one abortion -- i.e. Abortion should
NEVER EVER become an easy form of birth control -- there are OTHER reliable
methods, speaking as one who has used them, thank you very much.

	So, here I stand.  Sling your arrows if you must -- but I feel as I 
feel -- and after years of careful thought on the matter.  I do not expect 
you to agree with me -- although that would be nice -- it is our diversity that
makes us exciting.  

				Ever respectfully yours,
         ___________________
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	       .	 / /	  o 
	     .ooo.     ./ /.	. o@ooo0          Barb Jernigan
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