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Who makes the decision?

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Who says that the government should come in and impose it's opinion, according to majority will, on the woman who is directly involved?
algore

22 responses // Who makes the decision?

  • I have always viewed abortion as each individual woman's decision. No one else should have a say in this. She is the only one that must live with the decision so she is the only one who should be able to make it.
    JoQ
    • JoQ
    • 8 months ago
  • wow to say this is a touchy one doesnt do it justice.
    first of all i believe in a mother and fathers rights to choose. notice the inclusion
    of the other person who created that life?
    secondly for myself i believe that to "terminate" that life is
    to kill it. there is no distinction in my mind.
    recent studies have shown an uncanny ability of children in utero to learn the music
    their parents listen too or speech patterns etc. check out some of these links.
    http://www.birthandbrain.org/memory.html
    http://pregnancyandbaby.com/pregnancy/baby/Yeah-mom--I-...
    http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/20/earlyshow/hea...
    http://216.194.201.208/terrytown/listeningtrainer.org/
    somefamilylove
  • Absolutely. Politicians only use this as a wedge issue to get votes anyway. Bottomline: it is the woman who should have the right to do as she chooses in makiing any decisions regarding a fetus as it is her body. Especially if she has been the victim of rape, abuse, or ill health. And religious zealots in this government need to start worrying about their own souls instead of always pushing their noses in other people's private business.
    JanforGore
  • Agree on this most wholeheartedly, and have done a 180 degree turnaround on this in the past thirty years, personally. Here's a thought -- instead of working so hard to stop abortions from happening, why don't people work on making them less necessary? This whole idea of reducing sex education to "oh, just stay pure until marriage" isn't working too well. Ignorance is too dangerous. I can remember a girl 30 years ago in my sex ed class who everyone knew "slept around." She asked the teacher one day if it was true that you couldn't get pregnant if you didn't have an orgasm. Another girl had heard you could get pregnant sitting on a boy's lap.
    These so-called religious folk who are against abortion, against sex education, against condoms or the pill, should just add "against women" to their list. If they were truly concerned about children, they'd be fighting for their welfare once they're born, but that we don't see, do we?
    TheDoorbellRang
  • Make no mistake: I believe it is a woman's right to choose. (I also agree with TheDoorbellRang's premise, that we should work on making abortions less necessary.)

    At the same time, however, I'm also concerned, Mr. Gore, that your argument -- that government should not impose the will of the majority on the woman who is pregnant -- is weakened by your immediate inclusion of consideration of the pregnancy's age. If government shouldn't intervene in the earlier stages of a pregnancy, why is it then acceptable for the government to intervene in the later stages?

    Termination of later-stage pregnancy is very difficult for me to consider -- but so is termination of early-stage pregnancy: neither is an easy decision. But I do think that if we are to argue that government has no role to play in a woman's decisions about her pregnancy, then that should apply *throughout* the pregnancy.

    I appreciate enormously your relentless candor and honesty, Mr. Gore; you are a statesman for our time, even (or perhaps especially) in your very refusal to be an official of the state. As Rick Jacobs wrote in yesterday's Huffington Post (01/23/08 http://tinyurl.com/3ckckg ), "[Al Gore] says what needs to be said without fear, without posturing. He leads." Keep leading, sir; today's world is badly in need of such as you.
    MBlake
  • This is truly a touchy subject. As a woman I do know that my pregnancy is ultimately my responsibility and not that of the sperm donor. That's where the problem lies. We have not evolved enough as a civilization to impose other's views on a woman's right to choose. There are many men who will not stand by that woman and care for her and the baby. Reversing Roe vs Wade will put women back to a point in time we worked hard to come out of. Limiting the case for abortion is the ideal and should be addressed in the early stages as it is a safer procedure. However, men need to own up to the part they play in the conception process and be equally responsible for preventing that unwanted pregnancy. There is currently an odd move towards excepting teenage pregnancies. While I do believe adoption is a viable option, there are many unwanted babies that won't have it that good and grow up abused and in the foster system.

    Our Nation as a whole is contradictory. Some will tell a woman she has no right to choose while at the same time make no provisions for her to be able to properly support this life we are telling her she must bring into the world. Until we evolve, until we grow more compassionate this is a choice that must be left to the woman.
    gailwinds
  • If we promote abstinence before marriage and commitment for life, many millions of abortions would be avoided, Aids would disappear as well as so many venerial deseases.
    This is the real message we need to hear from Al Gore, not just that it is the right of women to make the decision.

    In terms of $, our governement supports sex and condomns 10 times more than it supports abstinence before marriage.

    There is so much hypocrisy !!!!!
    soleil10
  • soleil10, I don't disagree that continued messaging about abstinence is useful. But I feel that it should be a message "in addition to," not "instead of" a woman's right to choose.

    As to "commitment for life," IMO that pushes government even more into an area where I *already* don't believe its nose should be. This is topic drift, but: I honestly don't think government should have any role in "marriage," per se. IMO, folks wanting to get married/committed/blessed/whatever in a religious ceremony should do so; then they -- and those who have no wish for a religious ceremonly -- should simply "register" with the State as a married couple -- and even that last step would only be for taxation/benefits and census purposes. As I say, however, that's topic drift...
    MBlake
  • Mr. Gore I absolutely agree with you, I'd also like to add that your the reason I became so heavily involved in volunteer work.
    current89
  • Mblake-promoting commitment for life does not mean that the government has to be involve.I agree with you. Also if we keep proclaiming that it is the woman's decision to choose if she will keep the baby,how can we demand at the same time that men support financially a child once he is born if they did not want one from the beginning. It is not logical, People who are not ready to carry the responsibility of a family should not be having sex together any way.That's the real message we need from Mr Gore.
    As long as government officials keep supporting promiscuity through a condomn message (do what you feel) and divorce through no fault divorce laws (just move on) they are speaking on both sides of their mouth. All we will end up is laws against laws. Every0ne knows the solution but we do not want to hear it. I am sure that there is a connection between abortions in one's family tree and so many couples not being able to have children. I wish someone would do some research on this.
    soleil10
  • I do not believe in abortion, both for scientific reasons, like the research on infants in utero, and because my entire being rejects this practice. But circumstance can never be counted out, which is why abortion should be the individual's choice--or both the creators' choice. And I think safe sex should be the priority, rather than abstinence. The practice of abstinence alone too often leads to lack of communication and uneducated, unsafe sex. What I can't decide is whether there should be an age limit imposed on abortion. I think kids still living at home--under 17 perhaps?--should be able to do it with a guardian's approval, but this, of course, presents problems as well. Ultimately I agree with Al, but even disregarding his arguments, human life is something that should be treasured, not wasted...which, I suppose, brings us back to foster care. As a friend pointed out to me, illegalizing abortion will not stop its practice--a universal truth, i believe. We either have to establish viable alternatives or continue to allow safe treatment.
    vcvirgil
  • vcvirgil-So called Safe sex is a lie. It is like playing with Russian roulette. With millions infected with STDs and well ove a millions abortions every year, America spend 12 times more to support an irresponsible condom culture than a culture of selfcontrol and abstinence before commited marriages. Billions and billions are spent in health expenses. We are the condom-nation.
    Our own nation capital, Washington DC,has a very high AIDs infection rate, Still the Disctrict of Columbia is fighting smart and well thoughout abstinence education. We prefer collective suicide. Any father or mother who want to protect their family has to fight for their kids life.
    soleil10
  • really? I agree about education. It's just that I don't think that our culture is marriage-based anymore. Disregarding divorce rates, people are changing. Our ways of life are changing.
    For example, I consider marriage to be an institution, partnership--whatever you want to call it--that exists for the purpose of raising children.
    I don't know that I will get married unless I someday want to have children. Does that mean i don't get to have sex?
    vcvirgil
  • vcvirgil-Many people think that having sex within an uncommited relationship is just a pleasurable experience.
    So what is the problem ? // Humans are not just animals. We are spiritual beings first. Within a sexual relationship, we are also uniting spiritually. Both our blood lineages come together. I do not know your personal spirituality. For me God created us in his image male and female. This means that when a man and a woman become one together they resemble God. Actuality God would like to be invited and bless this relationship. Casual sex is a frightening thing. It is completely off. I believe Adam and Eve's failure is related to sex. This is why they covered their sexual part. Please take this issue very seriously. Everybody struggle with the issue of sex. Deep inside we know that it is the most precious.
    soleil10
  • Exactly. You and I may never agree on this subject. And there are a lot of people who identify with me. Just as there are a lot of people who identify with you. Which is why we have to come to a middle ground. I'm not sure where that is...
    vcvirgil
  • vcvirgil-I do not think it is really about you or me. We can agree to disagree and even be friends. Everyone is looking for true love. Our mind and conscience say one thing and our physical body pulls us in a different direction. The conflict is really within each one of us. That is where it is. This voice inside of me tells me that the world of casual sex, condoms, morning pills, abortions, sleeping around, single mothers, babies out of wedlock, divorce etc..etc..is doomed. The issue is not abortion. That is only one of the effect. The right to choose is way before that. Billions and billions of $ spend in damage control are not going to solve these human problems. It is foolish to think that we can legislate the misuse of love.
    soleil10
  • I agree that we can be friends. In fact: Happy Valentine's Day! Everyone! But I disagree that everyone is looking for true love. I think there are many of us who would like to have it, but do not necessarily expect it to happen. I mean, I'm not even sure what you mean when you say 'true love'. Now, don't think that means I'm not a romantic! I am! But this is why I think we have to reach a middle ground. Because of you and me and everyone else trying to find our own way.
    vcvirgil
  • vcvirgil-What I mean by True Love is a love that last eternally, a love that is unconditional, victorious, faithful and for the sake of the other. Everyone is looking for such Hapiness and Joy. God too. Our sexual organ actually belongs to our beloved. This Valentine' s day, the Health department of New York City is distributing free condoms in the street. What is the message here ? It is not the message of a true love that is safe but of a promiscuous love that can kill you. How sad !!! A message of death instead of a message of life......followed by more deaths in abortions. Is there a middle ground as you wrote. Who can be happy with half death or half life. True Love is the only one worth living for.
    soleil10
  • Yes, my new Current friends, this is Al Gore. You may also know him as my idol. Gore founded Current in 2005. I'm now officially a Student Outreach Representative for Current...I work for Al Gore. Mission accomplished.
    bdphvb
  • another quick thought on this subject. it wasnt that long ago that both the woman and the baby were the property of the man. now the baby is the property of the woman. and the government decides at what age the baby becomes its own property and even at what age the baby is even a baby and deserving of the right to life. i really feel the PARENTS have a right to choose on this subject. i mourn for any that choose to "undo their mistake", but i do defend their right to kill their own if they choose. i personally feel that once that sperm and egg have joined that against all odds a life was created and to " terminate" this miracle of life or make any decisions about it based on convenience or fear or other selfish motives is to lose sight of the beauty and wonder of creation. but that is my opinions and my truths. and fortunately im not in charge.
    somefamilylove
  • With all the possibilities between contraception, abortion and homosexuality human beings can decide if they just want to have sex and just sleep around without any commitment during this short life on the planet.

    They can choose not to create a descendance for their lineage for eternity.

    I think even God does not want more of this kind of children from people who do not respect the value of life and the quality of love. It is very sad to say but I believe it.
    soleil10
  • well said!!
    federicoharo

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