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From: desjardins@h-sc1.UUCP (marie desjardins)
Newsgroups: net.abortion
Subject: Re: My perspective.
Message-ID: <478@h-sc1.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 29-Jul-85 14:40:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: h-sc1.478
Posted: Mon Jul 29 14:40:14 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 31-Jul-85 22:30:55 EDT
References: <28676@lanl.ARPA>
Organization: Harvard Univ. Science Center
Lines: 49

In response to Steve Smith's article:  (I have quoted only twice;
I think most of my arguments stand on their own, although they
were written as a rebuttal).

How can you say pro-choicers don't feel as strongly about the issue
as pro-lifers?  It is much, much, MUCH more than just "government
intervention."  It is taking away the basic human need of dignity
and the ability to do what one wants with ones own life.  It is 
taking away so much of what women have gained in their fight for
equality.  I doubt very strongly that I will ever have an abortion,
and yet every time I think that right may be taken away, not just
from me, but from all women in every situation, a piece of me dies.
And if the pro-lifers win this fight, I will be devastated.  (And
I doubt I am the most emotional of the pro-choicers, or even close
to being the most emotional.)

To address just a few of your points (although I am sure I will
never convince you of anything, but I have to try):  No, a woman
is not INVITING pregnancy.  She is risking pregnancy.  A woman
who seeks an abortion is not "viewing the issue as a 'responsibility'
of society to 'unburden' them from the biological facts of repro-
duction."  She is merely claiming her right to do what she wishes
with her body.  It is NOT society's responsibility, which is 
exactly the point.  Society's only responsibility is (to put it
mildly) to stay the hell out of her life.

Also, the only 100% effective methods of birth control are abstinence
and the pill.  I will not even argue the issue of abstinence with
you.  The pill can be quite dangerous for some people.  ALL forms
of birth control have their problems, and all are fallible.  And
I most certainly will not agree with you that all women should use
birth control or accept the consequences until this society takes a 
stronger stand on requiring men to take responsibility for birth control.

Lastly, I don't think that anyone in their right minds uses abortion
simply as a method of birth control.  Women agonize over their choice,
but it must be THEIR choice!  It is a last resort.  I don't think
that anybody is encouraged to use abortion as a method of birth
control, but I don't think that tormenting those who do need to
have an abortion (yes, I said NEED) is any solution.  Education 
would probably help, and open-mindedness in parents would certainly
help, but these things don't happen overnight. And yes, I agree
with you, no woman should be forced to have an abortion!  If she
chooses not to, it must be the father's responsibility to help
financially (and preferably emotionally, but that's almost 
certainly impossible).  See discussion above of men's responsibility
for birth control.

	marie desjardins park