Posted by Karen Zappavigna Hoogland in Articles & Essays, Family Life, Politics, Pro-Life, What Is Meant By "Choice"?, Women and Health | 0 Comments
40 Years of “Pro-Choice” – What Does That Really Mean?
January 22, 2013, marks the 40th anniversary of the legislation that legalized abortion: Roe v. Wade. The organization called NARAL marks the anniversary with a campaign called “Blog For Choice.” NARAL is an acronym whose meaning has evolved over the years from “National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws” to “National Abortion Rights Action League” and finally, “National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.” Apparently they have had identity issues over the years, similar to Planned Parenthood and their very recent change from use the term “pro-choice” to catchy little phrases such as “Reproductive Justice,” “Only you know what it’s like to walk in your shoes’ and “Decisions about reproductive health are personal. You can help keep them that way.”
Back on December 19, 2012, I put an image on my FB that read “It’s weird to see a president who has no problem with abortions in the third trimester stand against violence towards children.” This was in response to the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary school, in Connecticut.
Since that time, I have had several discussions with various people about abortion. I have asked people who identify themselves with the “pro-choice” moniker to explain what that means. Unanimously, everyone I have spoken to has said that if a woman should be able to “choose” to “terminate” a pregnancy. A consistent comment among many was, “I wouldn’t do it, but I don’t think I should take away the “right” of a woman to “control” her body.”
Some people undoubtedly ask, “Well, what if it is from rape or incest? Should a woman have to have it around as a constant reminder of that act of violence?”
I countered with since when is a baby an “it”? How does one justify an act of murder to counter an act of violence? Does the unborn ever have a “choice” in how they are conceived?
I still cannot come to grips with the fact that so many think it is okay to murder a baby nor how this murder is a somehow seen as “choice” or “reproductive justice.”
In office as the President of the United States of America is the single most pro-abortion president that this country has ever had. For those who question this, I will remind them that Barack Obama has consistently opposed bans on late term abortions, partial birth abortions and has voted against providing care to babies born alive after botched abortions. That last one is particularly disturbing to me. How could a man, who professes to be a good father, no less, vote against giving care to a baby who survived an attempt to murder him or her through a botched abortion. It smacks of evil.
I will never think of the “pro-choice” supporters as anything other than “pro-abortion.” I do not even have to ask them what they mean when they say “choice” because it is very clear that they mean women should have the opportunity to take the life of the unborn at will, whenever they “choose.”
To join other pro-life folks in this movement, check out the Facebook Page called Ask Them What They Mean By “Choice” Day 2013.
For more on Barack Obama’s record and views on abortion, this page gives a pretty good summary of his pro-abortion stance: http://www.thepoliticalguide.com/Profiles/President/US/Barack_Obama/Views/Abortion/