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Why Abortion is not a Women's Issue

Dec 03, 2003 3:01 PM
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Yeah, it's bad PR for the President to pose for his partial-abortion ban photo-op, surrounded only by men. But I don't agree with the sentiment that "The 'President' is signing a bill that impacts one-half of the american public- the female half..."

Hogwash.

If you believe abortion is murder (an opinion I don't hold), then it's the business of men *and* women that crimes are being committed.

The aborted fetuses are both male and female.

And men are significantly affected by whether or not the woman has an abortion — legally, financially, emotionally and spiritually.

Besides the cynical pragmatism of this line of reasoning (women are much more likely to be pro-choice), I think it's unfairly framing the debate to exclude men as affected stakeholders.

And, in general, that is a pitiful rhetorical technique, akin to saying white people aren't affected by Affirmative Action.


Comments: Why Abortion is not a Women's Issue

You're asking for it, bringing up such a taboo topic :)

My biggest grief with pro-lifers is their hypocrisy - the fetus is so precious and must be allowed to live, yet they are generally in favor of actions that lead to needless loss of innocent lives (see the civilian casualty count in Iraq, for example).

Now, you should shut your cracker mouth - affirmative action, political correctness, and abortion don't effect your honkey male ass.

Posted by: O'dell on December 3, 2003 6:30 PM | permalink

Actually that's surprised me, how few comments I've gotten so far on this topic. Maybe it's because I said I didn't think abortion was murder, but also criticized the fringes of the pro-choice movement who try to frame the debate in their terms?

Well that's another thing I'm glad you brought up ... war. Veterans, much as I appreciate their contributions, are given an undue amount of credit in other respects (e.g. as political thinkers) due to their military contributions.

Being a billionaire businessman hasn't translated into Mike Bloomberg (whom I personally met when he was a trustee at JHU, and he was a smug bastard) being an effective mayor, and I think it's pitiful how people fawn all over Wesley Clark -- if he was a civilian, he'd be behind Sharpton in the polls.

Posted by: Joe Grossberg on December 3, 2003 9:09 PM | permalink

I agree with you on the military types going into politics. Grant and Eisenhower both rode in on their military fame, but neither were good presidents.

I'm also bothered by the families in politics - just because you are related to the Kennedies, Rockefellers, Bushes, or whoever, why are you automatically good at politics? Sounds a little like an aristocracy to me.

Posted by: O'dell on December 3, 2003 9:40 PM | permalink

Good headline. The prevalent attitude towards abortion, on a nearly worldwide basis, is still a big, ugly slap into women's faces. And in this light, one into men's as well. You reminded me where I wanted to donate money this year - to one of those organizations helping women having their abortion while their countries threat them to death.

Posted by: mademoiselle a. on December 4, 2003 8:43 AM | permalink

No more comments! Either someone has violated Godwin's Law, I'm tired of the discussion or, most likely, the ten-week window has closed. You can, however, contact me through email.