Is there common ground on ABORTION?


Let's drop the mud-slinging and compromise

By Kelvin Wade | | October 16, 2008 23:35

Proposition 8, which would ban gay marriage, is the measure that has commanded most of the attention this election season. However, Proposition 4, which if passed would mandate a 48-hour waiting period and parental notification before a minor can terminate a pregnancy, also deserves our attention. It also deserves to become law.

It's an idea that passes the common sense test. There are so many things in our society that require parental consent for minors to participate in. Body piercing of minors requires parental consent. We require parental consent for surgery on a minor. We require parental consent to teach a child sex education but minors can currently terminate a pregnancy without their parents knowing.

This law would just require notification.

Similar parental notification measures narrowly lost in 2005 and 2006. This measure is even more reasonable because it comes with numerous exceptions.

-- Obviously, in a medical emergency, the law would be waived.

-- Upon evidence of a minor's maturity, or if it is found to be in the best interest of the minor, judges can waive notification.

-- Parents can also sign waivers ahead of time to bypass the measure.

-- And if the minor puts it in writing that she fears notification because of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, the notification would be made to a grandparent, stepparent, aunt, uncle, sibling or first cousin as long as the relative is 21 or older.

I listen to a lot of pro-choice folks say they want to decrease the number of abortions but too often they're not willing to do anything to bring that about.

At the same time, I listen to many pro-life folks say that abortion is murder, draw that line in the sand and nothing ever changes.

The two sides are more interested and invested in demonizing each other and perpetuating the status quo, instead of actually looking for common ground.

This measure doesn't even ask for the consent of parents to do this procedure, just a notification. A parent can tell their daughter not to terminate the pregnancy but their daughter can still have it done even if this legislation passes. But opponents fear that a consent law is next.

It probably is. If you're against that, then fight that.

I understand that some of the backers of this legislation want to outlaw abortion. I get that. But it's not all or nothing. I'll give you an example. I like guns. I believe in the right of Americans to bear arms. I own a Colt .380 automatic, Colt Peacekeeper .357 Magnum and a 12 gauge Winchester Defender shotgun.

My friend Dan has more guns than he would ever need. Over the years we've enjoyed going to the range and shooting.

But I wasn't averse to Handgun Control, Inc. (now known as the Brady Campaign) pushing the Brady Bill to have a national waiting period to buy guns.

I know their ultimate goal is to ban handguns but that doesn't mean I can't support a reasonable restriction.

If pro-choice and pro-life folks can't find common ground here, where are we going to find it? Peace.

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I realize that any time you touch the abortion issue, it's going to be a rough ride. I understand how pro-choice people reflexively oppose any limitation on abortion for fear it will lead to the elimination of the legality of the procedure. I get it. But it's an issue where we can find common ground.

It's a thorny issue. I used to be opposed to abortion. Staunchly. But my views on the issue changed over time. There are plenty of things I might personally oppose but I don't think that gives me the right to remove the option for everyone. And I don't want government on people's backs making these intimate decisions for them.

In Barack Obama's "The Audacity of Hope" he details a conversation he had with a man over abortion that is just riveting. And it shows that we can find common ground on the issue, whether it be reasonable restrictions or promoting adoption or educating young people about contraception and making that readily available.

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This week's DR Other Side blog focuses on Fairfield capitulating to thugs. Read it HERE

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