Some thoughts on the 33rd anniversary of Roe v Wade

I don’t usually quote bumper stickers, but in this case the expression “Against abortion? Don’t have one” provides an excellent summation of my pro-choice views. To me, choice is simply allowing a woman control over her reproductive life, giving her the freedom to decide when and if to bear children—what reasonable person would want it any other way? The very idea of forcing a woman to have a child against her will is appalling to me.

As such, I’ll not be baited into “pro-life” arguments based on religious beliefs. The United States government maintains (for the time being, anyway,) a wall of separation between church and state and protects me from the compulsion to observe, much less submit to, any religious doctrine that differs from my own.

And I’ll not argue with those who rely upon gruesome and provocative language when describing the abortion procedure. A rudimentary knowledge of anatomy and physiology makes clear the differences between a blastocyst, an embryo, a fetus, and a child.

Nor will I argue with those who employ what I call the “Beretta” claim (“don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time”). In my opinion, this approach is sexist and hypocritical, and I will continue to think so until Viagra and Cialis are made as difficult to obtain as Plan B.

What I will do, however, is continue to sign petitions, call or write my representatives, and rally with like-minded women and men in order to keep abortion safe and legal.