I'm not pro-abortion. The idea of abortion is rather ghastly to me. Yet there are circumstances that are perhaps even more repulsive than abortion itself. One example is of a mother dying in trying to give birth when a much simpler procedure performed months earlier could have spared her life. Another circumstance is of a child giving birth to a baby. In some cases that child could not have lawfully given consent to the conception of the baby. Another scenario might involve a woman giving birth to baby who is the product of an incestuous relationship. Another circumstance would involve a woman carrying to term a child was conceived by rape. Perhaps an earlier and simpler procedure might have negated the necessity of an abortion in that case, but we cannot always righteously judge the reason for which that procedure was not made available to the woman.
Most of us have heard the ridiculous lines spouted by the likes of Representative Todd Akin, who stated that the female body is very "smart" and knows the difference between "real" rape" and the kind of rape that women cry when they simply want to avoid taking responsibility for the babies they've conceived through irresponsible sex. The "smart" female body will prevent the occurrence of conception in nearly all cases of legitimate rape, according to Todd Akin. Many children who are themselves the product of rape might big to differ with the statements made by Akin. Incidentally, Todd Akin's mother is his father's first-cousin-once-removed. Perhaps an abortion in this instance would have prevented major spewing forth of idiocy.
I'll go on record as saying that the very idea of abortion is horrifying to me, but in some cases not as horrifying as what might happen if abortion were prevented by law. Beyond that, I'm not quite certain why men are screaming quite so loudly about what women are or are not allowed to do with their bodies. And Dr. Dobson, (by the way, did you legitimately earn your doctorate, Dr. Dobson, or is it one of those honorary degrees so common among your ilk?) "Before [Obama] was elected, he made it clear that he wanted to be 'the abortion president,' " you stated. When and where did The President say this?
Despite anything the religious right might care to spout to the contrary, affordable and available birth control would be an excellent place to stop or at least to slow the prevalence of abortion. The teaching of abstinence alone certainly will not thwart the need for abortion.
Lest anyone accuse me of being a slut, a whore, or a baby killer, I've never done anything that would convict me of any of these sins. I do practice abstinence. I'm merely realistic enough to know that not everyone else does.
Dr. Dobson, go back to writing books about beating dogs with belts. I'm not saying that your espousal of that practice was a good thing, either, but it was at least sufficiently ludicrous that even your nut-case right-wing followers would be likely to laugh at it rather than to follow your directives. For your own good, stay out of presidential politics. Please purchase a nice retirement condo for yourself if you have not already done so and live out the remainder of your days doing no harm.
I've read a couple of Dobson's books just for "fun". He really is a lunatic. My feelings about abortion are like yours. It's a terrible thing, but in some cases, it's justified. Moreover, it's not my business what another woman does with her body.
ReplyDeleteThe only way to read a Dobson book, in my opinion, is to get a nice buzz going, then then to open the up and laugh away.
DeleteHe lost me when he advocated animal abuse and glorified his beating his dachshund!
ReplyDeleteI can't remember in which book he advocated that -- I read it in some obviously perverted doctor's waiting room while waiting hours for a scheduled a appointment -- but now my dad insists I'm making the whole thing up or dreamed it, because nothing that bizarre would be published even in the quasi -mainstream religious right. I told him he needs to open his eyes to the porn in all its various forms that is available.
DeleteWhat frightens me is that many people think he makes sense and his opinions are revered. Only in an ideal world abortions wouldn't be necessary. Unfortunately, we are very far from that world.
ReplyDeleteGod help the poor children who have been raised with this nut job's advice as a guide in parenting. I know here are those of his ilk out there who are possibly even more barbaric than he, but they're all Satan's's minions masquerading in sheep's clothing, and offending those whom Jesus has said he does not wish to be offended.
DeletePeople like Dobson are singularly keen on women bringing children into the world but have no interest in dedicating tax dollars toward their care once they're here.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard his take on his own charitable giving (we hear a great deal more from him about how the rest of us should be charitably giving to him and to his organizations to which he has official or under-the-table ties). My guess is that he gives "generously" -whatever the hell that means -- to the collection plate in his house of worship, and that he assumes his offerings go to help the women who have found themselves with child without benefit of a husband , or to those children whose parents have left them to be raised by others. He probably gives the matter little thought after dropping his dime in the collection plate.
DeleteI agree, I find abortion horrifying, though I don't consider it strictly a pro-life vs. pro-choice debate. I think labeling makes the situation more black and white than it actually is. I'm glad that I live in a country that allows me access to birth control (all forms), and allows me to choose whether or not I use it. I agree with you that there are exceptions. I don't advocate for abortion, though I feel it's a personal choice.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of many instances in which i'd either undergo or advocate for an abortion, but just the same, I think it's best that a safe and legal option of such exists. It really isn't as black and white as we often try to make it. I'm all for doing everything possible to make it unnecessary in most cases.
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