Protect the fetus, forget about the child

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.suntimes.com/news/steinberg/2073553,CST-NWS-stein28.article

February 28, 2010

BY NEIL STEINBERG Sun-Times Columnist

Opening shot . . .

He who sets the terms wins the debate. Take the anti-abortion crowd. They've had much success restricting a procedure that's safe, legal and morally accepted by a solid majority of Americans because they've been able to deploy the concept of "babies."

They are not restricting the rights of women, but "saving the lives of babies" -- fat-cheeked, giggling Gerber babies. That's what they're doing, in their minds, and people accept it over the view that they're dictating how adult women must deal with a fetus the size of the period on this sentence.

As happens when twisting language, the "saving babies" metaphor leads to ironies. For instance, if health-care reform sinks -- as it seems to be -- part of the scuttling will be due to timid politicians loathe to do anything that seems to support abortion. The result? Millions of actual children living in the real world right now will continue to be denied basic health care -- some fatally -- in the name of protecting embryonic potential children. It's like letting a forest burn down for the sake of a bag of acorns.

[Turbineguy]

1. As soon as you are born you are a being

with free will.

[madmax]

2. I've been yammering about this for years.

As I'm sure many of my fellow DU'ers have been. :mad:

[Initech]

3. George Carlin said it best - "if you're pre-born, you're fine, if you're pre-school, you're fucked!"

[BlueIris]

6. Carlin was a king.

RIP, GC.

[elocs]

4. Most right-to-lifers' concern for life begins at conception and ends at birth.

Once born, you're on your own (YOYO: the motto of the Republican Party) and keep your hands off of any of their tax money.

[stray cat]

5. Help the child but forget the fetus until it can breath on its own?

and if thats the case stop medical care for premies to save money

[Omaha Steve]

7. I'm a Voice for Choice

I yell that at protesters at the Carhart clinic all the time. I live just over a mile from ground zero.

K&R!

[dsc]

8. while it is fair to point out the hypocrisy

this really isn't a factually accurate claim. We have insured nearly all children via Medicaid and s chip.