It’s election day. So let’s talk about partial birth abortion. No, really. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick to death of politics. I’m going to go vote later, and then try to get some work done. We’re not even having an election party tonight. Aside from the fact that I don’t feel up to throwing one, there are too many races that will not be decided until very late, if not tomorrow, or even later when you figure recount demands by Democrats who have put all their eggs in the baskets of bad polling.
Patterico has a very interesting post with a question for partial-birth abortion supporters.
Here’s the question:
Assume the following facts. The fetus is viable. A doctor testifies that the safest method of abortion is to begin the delivery, and then abort the fetus. On cross-examination, he is asked whether delivery would be safer still for the mother — and he answers yes.
In other words, partial-birth abortion is the safest method of abortion — but delivery is safer still.
With those assumptions: in your view, may the state force the mother to deliver the baby?
If not . . . why not?
Go read it. It’s a no-brainer to most of us. We figure that the woman had plenty of time to have an abortion before the baby was viable, and now that it’s old enough to live outside the womb, killing it can fairly be called murder by any sensible standard. If, somehow, she’s gone three-fourths of a year without noticing that she’s pregnant, then suddenly discovered it, will delivering this unexpected baby be that huge of a burden, compared with the alternative? I think abortion is always wrong, however to have gone that far in a pregnancy, and have the option of letting the baby live and deliberately choosing to kill it is beyond immoral.
I don’t think any abortion supporters will have a persuasive argument in favor of partial birth abortion, given the facts, but I’m looking forward to reading the comments.
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