House on Red Corner

Not good for my daughter’s future

This here is a family blog, and as such on the occasion must address issues which will directly impact our family’s future. Lately, I am certain, you have realized that we are planning to vote for Barack Obama for President, what with the video’s and news articles I have been linking. Which means we do not want to vote for his opponent, John McCain; this is further emphasized by McCain’s choice in running mate.

During the Democratic primary, it was pretty touchy around here. TheDaddy has been pretty much for Obama the entire run, based upon the approach towards technology and innovation which is much more open and knowledgeable than any other candidate, while TheMommy has been an avid Hillary Clinton supporter, due to nearly identical views on issues that are decidedly feminist. The selection of Joe Biden, has gone a long ways towards encouraging TheMommy that Obama is going to continue to fight for the advancement of women’s rights.

Right now, I would like to redefine some terminology, Pro-Life does not in fact mean that you support the right to life at all costs, especially when the same individual also holds the view that capital punishment is a good thing. Nor is an anti-abortion stance a position that is pro-life, particularly when the effect it will have on the life of the mother of an unwanted child or the life of that unwanted child who has a much greater probability of growing up to become the very sort of criminal who is put to death in prison.

Now, I understand all the moral hand-wringing which goes into consideration of the legality of abortion. I understand the religious implications which are thrust into the socio-economic equations that shape this argument. These same implications are also thrown into the Creationism vs Evolution debate. Essentially, this shapes up into a Science vs Religion debate, and the way the Religious Right has shaped this debate there is no latitude for nuance or complexity.

Abortion is a medical procedure which while not necessary in all cases, and is rarely easily decided; ultimately is an exercise in free will for an individual. Free will has consequences and effects; do I eat this fruit or do I not; but this decision is the individual’s. There are cases where, it is easily to suggest that abortion would be the preferable route. The horrifying thought of a brother raping his sister and impregnating her, springs to mind as an opportunity where abortion would be a pro-life decision, pro-her life. Do you really think that that child will grow up wanted and loved? I know its a harsh thing to think about, but this is an important decision. The political decision in our country about abortion is not about whether or not a specific case has the right to make this decision or not, but whether or not the government has the ability to deny that individual the opportunity to make that selection.Sarah Palin is against abortion even up to the point where the pregnancy will kill the mother.

God gives us the Free Will to chose his way or not. God does not force us to believe in Him/Her/It, rather God prefers that we actually make this choice even when the competition is so fierce. “Be not as luke-warm water in my mouth…” If this issues is really about religion and the spiritual practices which it is based upon, then the political choice is to allow abortion to be a legal medical procedure, even as it may allow numbers of people to make what you say is a wrong choice, that is their right as a human being, they are allowed to be wrong and so are you.

This election is about so many things. We are voting for Obama/Biden so that abortion may continue to be a practicable procedure. This way when anyone in the future decides to have an abortion, it is performed by a skilled medical professional who has the proper tools and training, rather than by some hack who is killing young mothers in hotel rooms as it used to occur pre-Roe v Wade.

While I applaud, Sarah Palin’s personal choice to not abort her fifth child who was born with Down’s syndrome, I must insist that that was a personal choice. I would prefer that my daughter never have to get an abortion or ever be in a situation where she needs to even consider having one- however if she were to ever find herself in that predicament, I do want her to have the opportunity to make a rational decision that provides for her health on both sides of the choice.