Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Page 7
AFFAIRS OF STATE (Column)
Trivializing Abortion Serves Nobody’s Interests
By DAVID KLINE
I know women who have had abortions. You probably do, too. Based on statistics, it’s likely that we all interact with many women, young and old, who have had abortions.
We may never know that side of their lives, because it’s not something that comes up in conversation very often.
There’s a good reason for that. No matter where you stand on the issue, it’s not a pleasant subject. Opponents of abortion view it as infanticide, and even supporters of “a woman’s right to choose” ultimately must admit that women who abort babies often face serious psychological consequences.
It’s easier for all parties to simply avoid first-hand discussions about abortion. Religion and politics are more welcome topics around the water cooler or at a cocktail party.
Planned Parenthood is trying to change that. The group, which lobbies for abortion with a zeal that is difficult to comprehend, is selling T-shirts emblazoned with the slogan, “I had an abortion.”
Planned Parenthood’s online store is selling the shirt to anyone ready to hand over her $15 … and her propriety.
“They have finally arrived!” says the ad for the shirt. “Planned Parenthood is proud to offer yet another t-shirt in our new social fashion line. … These soft and comfortable fitted tees assert a powerful message in support of women’s rights.”
It’s a powerful message, all right. A powerful, morbid message of pride over the killing of a baby. No shame, no guilt, no remorse. Just a form-fitting T-shirt to wear to the mall to make people on both sides of the issue sick to their stomachs.
If the T-shirt doesn’t do the trick, there is a slightly less offensive one that’s made just for kids, with a drawing of the earth on the front, accompanied by the slogan, “Parenthood. Plan It!” The back says, “Every child a wanted child.”
If you think about that last slogan for a second, its real meaning should be clear—if you don’t want a child, kill him or her.
Planned Parenthood also sells a logo beach ball promoted as being “great for your next summer party, trip to the pool or beach, or a local community concert!”
Clearly, these attempts to throw pro-abortion messages in our faces are more of an issue to those who oppose abortion. But even supporters should do some soul-searching to consider the social impact of reveling in a medical procedure that ends in the death of a baby.
This suggestion would be an anathema to Planned Parenthood, because the group strives for cold, unfeeling acceptance of abortion as a necessity for modern women.
This is an organization that puts a photo of a cute little baby on the cover of a booklet that pushes abortion and then has the gall to title the booklet, “Creating Hope for Humanity.”
Can there really be hope for humanity if there is no respect for humanity? Is it right to put pro-abortion messages on the backs of children who are too young to understand the ramifications of the procedure? Is it moral to trivialize abortion by promoting it on beach balls?
These questions don’t need to be addressed at the next neighborhood barbecue, but they are the issues we ought to be thinking about. Issues that may not make for a pithy comment on the front of a T-shirt, but which may influence the heart that beats within.
— Capitol News Service
Copyright 2004, Metropolitan News Company