From: exudnw@exu.ericsson.se (Dave Williams)
Newsgroups: alt.child-support
Subject: Re: Roe v. Wade for Men!
Date: 6 Oct 92 19:33:29 GMT
Reply-To: exudnw@exu.ericsson.se
Organization: Ericsson Network Systems
X-Disclaimer: This article was posted by a user at Ericsson in North America.
              The opinions expressed are strictly those of the user and
              not necessarily those of Ericsson.

>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                  Fighting For Fairness and Equal Rights
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                                                       Post Office Box 317
>                                                       Brooklyn, New York 11240
>                                                       Telephone (718) 845-2010
>
>	We are attempting to overturn very sexist laws which deny men the
>right to decline fatherhood in this age of "reproductive freedom" for women.
>
>	A man's life, future and wallet are currently in the hands of his 
>female partner if she gets pregnant and decides to have the child contrary
>to his wishes. He is denied any say in the matter. He is not allowed to say, 
>"I do not choose to be a father and I don't want to be held financially
>responsible for this child." We are going to petition the federal courts to
>permit a man, prior to fetal viability, to go into a family court and 
>relinquish rights and responsibilities to the unborn child. We want a legal
>"right to choose," too.


Please define viability.  Others who have used this as a definition of "human"
have come to realize that it's a moving target.  There was a time (within your
lifetime probably) where a baby 8 weeks premature was not considered viable
as it had little chance of survival.  Who knows what the limit to viability 
realy is.  The logical and moral problems abound - what do you call a child 
who is surviving outside the womb at a "pre-viable" age? Is it human? Does
the "mere" act of birth denote humanity?  

Since such artificial definitions of humanity are usually flawed, why not 
go backwards to the moment *before* conception and invest in birth control
and education - it's a lot more effective than trying to force a woman into
doing something she is unlikely to agree to.

If you persist in this, you will only fortify the view of NCP's/fathers/men
as selfish ogres.


>	Our attorney, Robert Smith, has agreed to take this case "pro bono,"
>but we still have to cover his expenses. I, myself, have pledged $200 for
>this case (I was a paternity suit victim). If you have been, too, there is
>no need for me to emphasize the importance of this lawsuit. If you haven't
>been (yet), try to imagine a deceptive and uncaring woman taking you to 
>court to force you to support a child, when you were never given a choice.
>The financial consequences alone could total over $100,000 for twenty-one
>years or more.
>
><><><><><><><><><><><><><> End Excerpts <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
>
>We can use this filing as an opportunity to raise America's consciousness 
>about men's lack of reproductive rights. We would like to maximize media 
>interest by simultaneously petitioning the federal courts in other districts 
>nationwide. If you would like to join us, you can
>
>	1.) Distribute this letter far and wide.
>
>	2.) Help find an attorney in your area who will file papers in federal 
>	    court.

---
= exudnw@exu.ericsson.se                                                =
= David Williams              "You can't win, you can't break even,     =
= Ericsson Network Systems     and you can't quit"                      =
= Richardson, TX 75081                                  my opinions...  =