Calavera: To suggest that since a fetus cannot survive outside the womb on it's own as evidence that it isn't life is simply wrong. An infant can not live without assistance, does that make it less than alive? An abortion is simply a convenience unless it is performed for medical (life threatening) reasons. I don't fault you for being "pro choice". Many people that I know and respect are. But don't hide behind the "choice" word. If you have the conviction then call it what it is: Murder.

Tailgator, how about rape and incest?

Was that a proposition? If so, no thank you...

To be fair, I'll answer that also. Conception is a very complicated task (for something so simple). Not only does the timing have to be right, but the woman has to be in the proper "chemistry". High stress levels screw up the pH levels and make it extremely difficult for those swimmers to do their job. In other words, rape almost never results in pregnancy. But in those statistically insignificant circustances I would be in favor of aborting the life.

Go hither and conceptualize thyself .. need ye not for a woman, thy own hands shall bring forth the seed of life ...

actually, i am speking about the state of people in this country, more parents are concerned about ink on the skin, then life in the belly, its ok to kill living babies in the womb ( no i did not say fetus's because that is a term used to dumb down our senses) without even thinking of letting a minor's, who cant even think clearly yet, parent know. Abortion is murder, there is no other way to say it, life begins at conception, not at birth. by the way it is also ok to kill unborn babies, but dont you dare hunt that deer that is overruning our state lands or dont you dare shake that Canada Goose egg. the 7 million we have here isnt enough.

decasere: Hypothetically speaking of course, if I were to draw upon all of your views regarding right to life and anti-abortion beliefs, I'd have to believe that that I've committed murder every time I've used a condom in the 18 years of my tender life ... not to even mention the multitude of crimes I committed once I reached puberty and up to the point of losing my virginity ....

Decasere: From the leading text on human anatomy, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology (3rd edition) by Frederic Martini: "embryo-developmental stage beginning at fertilization and ending at the start of the third developmental month." "fetus-developmental stage lasting from the start of the third developmental month to delivery." So I guess you were right, calling it a fetus is just clouding the issue because technically it is not a fetus until it is three months old. If you don't like the term fetus, however, we can go with one of the leading texts on embryology, An Introduction to Embryology (5th edition) by Dr. B.I. Balinsky "The term 'embryo' denotes the juvenile stage of an animal...in the maternal body." Using the term murder in regards to abortion is merely an attempt to introduce emotion into the issue in order to confuse those who are swayed by such things. And again, I would like to make it clear that I would not encourage everyone to run out and get an abortion. If you do not think that it is right, then do not do it. However, if you do not think that it is right, you have no right to force your opinion on someone else, or to attempt to prevent them from obtaining an abortion.

Cal: Thanks for the biology lession. Now that you are resident expert on how babies are made, answer me this simple question: At what moment does your "fetus" become a "baby"? If you say "at birth" then what about premature babies? Or what about the day before delivery? If you choose a time frame like "3 months", how do you determine the exact moment? What happens at 2 months and 29 days? I'm not a religious zealot that shuns contraception, and I'm not against post intercourse methods such as RU486 (when used properly). I am simply against the murder of unborn children for convenience. And I have been since the day I saw the ultrasound photos of my oldest daughter. At 10 weeks. She's real, but according you she was not a person. We simply could not differ more on this subject.

Not to sound like Johnnie Cochran, but isn't adoption a more worthwhile option?

... who in their right (or left) mind would want to adopt Johnnie Cochran ?

no, i'm syaing that conception is the point at which the sperm fertilizes the egg, at that point it ceases to be just a cell and becomes a new life, weather or not the baby can think or act yet is not important, if people did not believe this then why is there laws that you can not take a fertized egg away from a Canada goose, because that is considered to be a baby goose, sounds like a contrdiction doesn't it...

sorry to post twice, but adoption is a much better alternative, and i do not use the term murder to elicit an emotional response i use it to be correct!

decasere: Speaking of adoption, have you ever found your parents?

actually, my male parent is a alcholic/heorin addict if you must know, i dont like to call himfather, as he never was one, ah but why would you care?

Damn - I was trying to punt with a joke, now I suppose I owe you an apology and two cigars .... they're still a little to moist right now though ... should be primed and ready to go about 1 May ....