Could the Unthinkable Actually Happen?

Ah, finally, a coherent thought process, though I must give Marti credit for the inspiration.. THE hottest topic in the nation right now - not Iraq, not the return of the gas pump price gauging, not the economy, but the, apparently, inevitable confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, and the uncertain future of women's reproductive right. The controversy surrounding this confirmation is of epic proportions. I have gone to great lengths to keep blatant political opinions out of my postings, although, I think you have all pretty much figured me out by now. Honestly, I don't think it matters on which side of the abortion debate you sit, you have to be a little bit befuddled at how this particular topic, out of all of the issues, has become the focus of any appointment to the bench - Alito, and those to follow after him. We ask why, but after 33 years of rights, of protests, of violence, the confirmation of one judge could potentially, and most likely will, change history - again.

Indulge me, if you will, while I tell a tale of two friends. They can be any friends, sisters, your best friends, co-workers, schoolmates. Two friends, both unexpectedly pregnant, each faced with one of the toughest decisions of their lives. One friend chooses to have the child, one chooses to end the pregnancy. Pre 1973, the friend opting to terminate found a place that would help her out. Post Roe v Wade, the outcome was the same. Pre R v W, the odds of the woman having proper care and no complications were slim. After R v W, the chances were much improved.

Aside from the obvious difference, and all of the other choices the woman could have made, one word stands out "CHOICE". One, currently - post R v W - chooses to decide if termination is a right or a moral option for HER. Before R v W, women still had a choice. Unfortunately, one of the choices was dangerous, potentially life threatening, and illegal. The clincher though, is that they had the right to make up their own minds, to CHOOSE what to do. Why send our country back into the dark ages of back alley or coat hanger abortions? Women defied the law and risked their lives before legalization. Women will do it again if it is overturned.

Changing the law will not lesson the demonstrations, the letters, the controversy, the violence. No. It will only serve to escalate it. A woman can believe abortion is morally wrong and still exercise her RIGHT TO CHOOSE to carry the child. A woman can believe that abortion is a medical procedure, and nothing more, and still CHOOSE to carry her child. It is up to each woman, individually, to take her own personal opinion to heart and to CHOOSE what she thinks to be the right answer for HER, not for the government.

I was a woman with a choice to make. Unless you know me personally, you don't know what I chose...but I had what women have a legal right to - a CHOICE - a choice to decide what was right for me. I pray that, perhaps as a society, we are getting too over excited and worked up over nothing. I will continue to pray until Roe v Wade is safe.