Supreme Court bans partial birth abortion... what do you think?

Question

As the header states -- the Supreme Court has just upheld a ban on partial birth abortions. What do you think?

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,266789,00.html

Answer 1

Holy crap, Batgod... heaven forbid we let women choose how to live their own lives.

It's understandable that the religious zealots are okay with being told what to do and how to live their lives without thinking because that's what the bible and the religious leaders tell them to do but seriously...

I detest abortion... honestly, I do. The thought of all of those possible babies dying when I had to struggle to have one... makes me cry.

BUT... I support a woman's right to choose how to live her life. My dad fought in Vietnam to ensure my right to do so if I choose.

The term "partial birth abortion" is the catchphrase developed by the conservatives to make this procedure much worse that it is. The overwhelming majority of women have abortions well before 12 weeks, the cutoff for this procedure. Further, the overwhelming number of women who have this type of procedure... possibly ALL of them having this procedure, do so because of a life threatening condition with the pregnancy.

So... we're not really saving any babies... and we're condemning women who might be saved by this procedure to needless treatment and possibly death.

Way to go, Supreme Court. And way to go, Conservatives. Once again, using your religion to make laws.

Answer 2

Due to this decision we all, all the woman in this country have lost our right to do what we want with our bodies. As far as I know a fetus is not a citizen of this country and does not have rights. I was very, very sad and angry when I heard of this decision. It's a large step backward for women's rights. What right will the court take away from woman next? How can somebody else made a decision on what I can do with something growing in my body? This decision will not stop or lower the numbers of abortions at any stage, just make people seek, now illegal (thanks to this decision) ways to get the procedure done, ways that are unsafe! There should not be any law on this subject, for or against. It is my choice if I want a required or elected surgery, no one elses! I just left this posting and read through the whole court decision. This decision only put rules on partial birth abortion, it does not make partial birth abortion illegal. This is a political nightmare! What a waste of tax payers money! What a abuse of the power of this administration!

Answer 3

I am Pro Choice, definitely for a woman's right to choose. Before abortions were legal in this country, illegal abortions were performed regularly, often under unsanitary conditions and by unqualified practitioners, not only terminating the fetus but sometimes the patient herself . I am opposed to overturning the Roe versus Wade decision and contend that, where the mother's life is potentially endangered by giving birth, or in cases of incest and rape, abortion should be permitted at any stage of the pregnancy. Having said the preceding, my understanding of the so-called "partial birth abortion" is that it is a very late-term procedure and that the fetus is therefore viable and might survive outside the womb, so, in effect, is actually prevented from being delivered alive. I can see the objection to such a situation, and not simply on the basis of religious belief. To my thinking, in the vast majority of pregnancies, the woman should have arrived at her decision to abort the fetus much earlier, preferably in the first trimester, and should not be opting for the procedure at so crucial a juncture in her pregnancy. I do maintain, however, that there are circumstances when the "partial birth abortion" should be allowed, although those are rare...

Answer 4

I'm libertarian. I am repulsed that there is a need for any abortion, but I recognize that it is because of my personal beliefs. I wish every baby were wanted and born to parents capable of caring for them. I do my best not to push my beliefs on anyone because I don't believe in legislating morality.

That being said . . . . I think the Supreme Court called this one right. Partial Birth abortion is an abomination. The baby is carried nearly to term, labor is induced, and after the baby is partially born he is killed in a quite horrific manner. I think that the LEAST we can ask of women is to make their choice before the third trimester. I'm not saying make abortion illegal, I am saying that this particular form of abortion should most definitely be. Any health risks to the mom and most handicaps to the baby can be identified well before partial-birth abortion becomes 'necessary' and a conventional abortion can be performed.

I use the term 'baby' deliberately here (instead of fetus) because most of the time the baby is viable outside of the womb by the time a partial-birth abortion is done.

Ladies, if we want the freedom of choice, we have to step up and take some responsibility with it. Ultimately this is a child, not a tumor.

Answer 5

I think that's reasonable unless the mother's life is in danger, in which case she shouldn't be forced to give up her life to give life (unless that's what she chooses to do). Besides, most abortions happen LONG before the 20 week mark. 20 weeks is 5 months into a pregnancy. Most women who are aborting for non-medical reasons generally get it done in the first three months. Maybe the 4th month at the latest.

Answer 6

It's about time. Early elective abortion should never be outlawed, as it's always a woman's right to choose.

But if it takes a woman 6 months to decide she needs an abortion and then she opts for the partial-birth one, something's not quite right. It would be much more humane to deliver the baby prematurely with no artificial breathing help, making a peaceful passing for the fetus.

Answer 7

Partial birth abortion is awful. I am a firm believer in Pro-Life. I just found out recently that a baby at 21 and a half weeks was born and 2 years later is alive and well. Now I know that is rare to happen but that just throws all belief out the window of all the Pro-Choicers that a fetus isn't a life at that stage, especially since partial birth abortion kills a fetus/baby at 24 weeks! If it isn't a life at 24 weeks then how did a fetus live at 21 and half weeks? It's just sad.

Answer 8

The law clearly states that if the fetus is entirely removed from the woman before it is killed, that is murder. It also clearly states that if it is entirely within the woman when it is killed, that is abortion and entirely legal.

All this ruling did was state that killing a fetus partially removed from the woman is now illegal. All you have to do to remain within the law is suck out the brain before you pull its legs out of the mother. The ruling will change nothing.

Personally, I believe the dividing line between right and wrong should be based on the age of the child, not its location. It's too bad that US law won't even consider that.

Answer 9

That'll be difficult to enforce, given the fact that partial birth abortion has absolutely zero medical meaning.

And since the law doesn't allow doctors to make exceptions for the health of the woman, I think it's patently intellectually dishonest to frame it as "pro-life".

Answer 10

i hate abortion. but i support the rights of prople to have them.

partial birth abortion however, i can think of no good reason for this. partial birth means that labor has started and that the baby is part of the way out. i think that that is just a bit too late to be making decisions.

however if there is a medical reason or any other good reason to carry a baby that long and then abort. please tell me you may change my mind.