A Matter of Life and Death

Here is your must read for today. If you're reading this blog to begin with, not bad. But here is a piece that really needs to be read.

This is a story that discusses, in crib note fashion, the evolution of the abortion debate in the United States. There are many points that need to be understood, but here's my take on a couple of items that cannot be overlooked

First, prior to Roe v. Wade, women were dying or being permanently injured owing to the circumstances surrounding their need to obtain an abortion and the miserable and unsafe conditions available prior to legalization. It was a dangerous and life threatening choice many women felt compelled to make and, not infrequently, with tragic results for the mother.

Second, the movement to make abortion legal, safe, and a decision reached through the council of doctor and patient was driven by (mostly male) doctors and lawyers-- an unlikely alliance in my mind but one that points to the overwhelming motive to make life better, safer, and more humane.

Third, the article states that a recent poll found only 44% of people under the age of 30 knew what Roe vs. Wade was about. Too many people today simply do not know what's at stake and why.

Not many people are around to remind of us of what it was like taking care of a woman injured or bleeding to death from a botched back room abortion. There are doctors and lawyers to tell us about human rights and quality of care-- opinions driven by science and a compassionate understanding of the human experience. And there is real emotion and "real religion" to argue why it's wrong. As with most everything in this life I go with science and humanity. I can't support giving a Social Security number to a fertilized egg.

Regardless of where you stand, give the article a read or you can hear it on NPR's Morning Edition. No matter which side of the debate you embrace, it's a matter of life and death.