From: eyc@acpub.duke.edu (EMIL CHUCK)
Newsgroups: talk.abortion,alt.rush-limbaugh
Subject: Re: rights and responsibilities
Date: 20 Nov 92 23:33:01 GMT
Followup-To: talk.abortion
Organization: Duke University; Durham, N.C.

adams@spss.com (Steve Adams) writes:
@Elizabeth Cornelia Green <eg1o+@andrew.cmu.edu> writes:
@>You think abortions should be used as a source of birthcontrol if
@>necessary?!?  And that the practice of abstinence is a ridiculous
@>solution?!?!!  Wow you're confused.  
@Hmm...I wonder who is confused...
@
@>Abstinence is the only good method of birth control.  It's obviously the
@>only 100% certain method.  
@Wrong.  Abstinence does not protect one from rape.
I can see that. But the majority of abortions performed in this country
are not a result of violent crime (i.e., rape, incest) nor as a
consequence of saving the life of the mother during childbirth.

I can handle this exception, but it should be shown that the woman was
raped or required an abortion as a bona fide surgical procedure. In
addition, the rapist should be given the stiffest penalties under the
law.

@>If a couple considers themselves adult enough to engage in sex, they
@>should face the adult responsibilities that might accompany the action. 
@Yep.  And one of those is dealing with pregnancy.  Abortion is a
@responsible option in the face of that responsibility.
But what is the responsibility when having an abortion? Surely not
sex-selection. Surely not, "because we can't afford taking care of
another child." Surely not, "because our child will suffer and inherit
the debt incurred by the Reagan/Bush years" or "because it will
contribute to overpopulation of the earth." Do you think babies
are given to you by the stork or a crow, sent from Santa Claus with
wishes from the Easter Bunny?

A child is a gift that is conceived in love and committment to one
another. You basically get children from the sexual act. If the act was
not made under the auspices of love and mutual consent, then abortion
should remain an option.

@>And making sure that the child that results from your actions is cared
@>for is an obvious responsibility.  I strongly believe that killing that
@>child through an abortion is not facing your responsibilities.
@Bringing a child into the world is not always the responsible thing to do.
Neither is it responsible to have sex just because you want to make the
other person scream your name, or to try on some new sexual position
that you or your partner is interested in, or to show how much you love
your significant other.  

@>Sure, sex may be fun, but be prepared to deal with all that it entails 
@>No Sex is Safe Sex.  
@Abortion *is* a way of dealing with it.
How does abortion deal with sex?

@>Everybody knows that there isn't any condom that guarantees no pregnancy
@>will result.  And they don't prevent the horrible diseases that can
@>result from sex, either.
@But they do help.  They give a level of protection.  One asseses the risks
@and weighs the options.
And one of the risks is the possibility of pregnancy. But when do most
people consider abortion? Before having sex (hey, baby, we don't need to
worry. If you get pregnant, you could get an abortion)? Usually it's
after a pregnancy test comes in positive.

-- 
Emil Thomas Chuck	eyc@acpub.duke.edu	Biomedical Engineering 1993
	THANK GOD IT'S BASKETBALL SEASON!!!!!
I don't have to have a 4.0 GPA to succeed in life because I'm 
good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me.
Newsgroups: talk.abortion,alt.flame