Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84 exptools; site ihopa.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!harvard!talcott!panda!genrad!decvax!harpo!whuxlm!whuxl!houxm!ihnp4!ihopa!edw
From: edw@ihopa.UUCP (Edwin Windes)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: Are Laws what is really needed?
Message-ID: <331@ihopa.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 23-Jul-85 11:25:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: ihopa.331
Posted: Tue Jul 23 11:25:14 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 26-Jul-85 00:07:21 EDT
References: <509@scc.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories
Lines: 31

> 	Pro-life advocates (anti-abortionists) frequently try to
> pass legislation that prohibit abortions.  
>                                              ...  Laws that 
> prevent people from doing things they would like to do are
> a type of violence.  Basically, it is the old, "you have to 
> agree with me or I'll beat you up" argument.

	Well, what do you think society is?  Basically it is a group
of people saying "agree with us or we'll beat you up!"  So what's your
point?  Should all laws be abolished?

	I want to drive 95mph.  Can I?  How 'bout if I want your money.
Should I be allowed to just take it?  What if I decide that I want to
kill you instead of just writing a followup article?  Is it wrong for
the law to prevent me from taking your life?

	In other words, what I am saying is that society invents laws
to promote the general welfare.  These laws are based on principles of
fairness, rights, freedoms, etc.  What these laws should be is open to
discussion among the members of a society, and that discussion is what
we are involved in here.  But to say "laws shouldn't legislate morality"
doesn't make any sense at all.


-- 
				Edwin D. Windes
				...!ihnp4!ihopa!edw
				AT&T Bell Labs, Naperville, Il

	"Are we having fun yet?
		...wake me when it starts."