18+ General Discussion Forum

I have often said that this issue stands alone in it's possibility of causing the next Civil War in this country that would make the last one pale in comparison. I have many difficulties with both diversions. The "Pro-Life" people share a part of my sympathy, because I believe it is morally unconscionable to take a human life. For me, that begins at conception. I claim only for myself that definition. I make no official, or dogmatic statements regarding it--it's just my personal opinion.

Likewise, there is much to be gained by listening to the "Pro-Choice" people, as well. Is it truly a woman's right to determine what, how, and when her body is to be used? I believe so, but as I said previously, I do not accept abortion as the inconsequential happenstance many would have one believe. The choice, for me, comes before the fact--not after. There are some considerable instances outside the norm which should be given serious consideration. My mother told me once that, being number 12 in my family (and the baby) did not harbor thoughts of warm and fuzzy, but rather more diapers, etc. I was extremely premature, and was given less then 24 hours to live--in the best circumstance. I did not go home until shortly before my 2nd birth day. To many "Pro-Choice" advocates, my life would easily have been available to forfeit. But, my Mother chose life. She told me that my life became superior in position to her own. That is to say that, having to choose between one of us dying, she would choose to die so that I might live.

The problem I see with this dilemma is that polarization, so carefully crafted by both sides of this issue, is the goal. Nobody is really discussing the true and critically important issues of this debate. We should be. It is just not so difficult to lay down a law that makes perfect sense for both sides of this issue to accept, yet it could split apart the country (again) in a most profound way. I am old enough to remember the days before "Roe" (some would say I remember suggesting the color of dirt!), and they are dark memories. Roe is, to me, ineffective simply in that it never truly addressed the issue brought before the Court. They chickened out then, as have those to follow them. Overturning Roe is not justice, it is revenge. There has got to be a better way to resolve this issue. But the only solution that will matter is that solution the people create. That has always been the fact. Unless, and until, we steer clear of the diversions of the extreme, and concentrate on the core issues, and the core values surrounding the question, we will not arrive at a universally acceptable solution. We can. I wonder if we will?

I had no reason to expect to live. I am alive. I do not claim for one second that any life, or the world is better as a result, but at least I did have the opportunity, and the option, to create a little speck that I could leave better than when I found it. That matters--but only to me. 4.5 million mini-me's last year do not have that same opportunity. That, too is a reality. That issue needs to be addressed, and confronted. China's solution does not seem tenable to me. Neither does ours. I hope there may yet be a strong voice of reason to not delay, but rather put away this terrible situation for the betterment of all concerned.

Write Well!

M. B. "Bud" Fields, Jr.
Clarksville, Indiana USA