Pro-Choice Abortion Decision and Abortion Access

Abortion Decision and Abortion Access

When a woman decides after consulting with her physician and perhaps her spiritual counselor, determines that an abortion is the least-worst option available to her, she has every right to have access to a safe legal medical procedure.

Does government have the right limit her access to abortion and in some cases, veto the woman’s decision?

There are two main questions that a woman must answer for her herself before she decides to have an abortion.

Before a woman chooses to have an abortion she must first exam her values concerning her specific situation. She has to consider her religious beliefs, her age, marital status, health, economic status, available support systems, and her genetic makeup.

Once a woman has consulted with her physician and maybe her spiritual adviser and decides to seek an abortion, does the government have the right to veto her decisions?

When a woman decides to have an abortion it is a very personal decision, whether or not the government can intervene generates intense levels of debate and occasional violence, especially in the U.S.

Pro-choicers believe that the government should not interfere with the woman’s decision, a woman should always have access to a safe legal medical procedure if she so chooses.

Most pro-choicers base their stance on the belief that human life becomes a human person at some time after conception -- perhaps when the embryo's heart starts beating, or when the fetus first looks human, or it becomes sentient, or it has half emerged from its mother's body, or is born, or is severed from its mother and is functioning independently. They feel that a woman should not be forced to go through a pregnancy and childbirth if she does not choose to do so. She should be allowed to have an abortion if it is done before her embryo or fetus attains person hood.
 

The pro-choice movement generally teaches that the fetus becomes a human person at various stages later in gestation, when:

• It loses its neck structures which resemble gill slits, or
• It loses its tail, or
• It begins to look human, or
• It becomes sentient. That is, its brain's higher functions first turn on and the fetus is able to sense its environment, generate thoughts, has memories, etc. or
• Its lungs develop to the point that it becomes viable and can survive outside the womb, or
• It is born, or
• Some other transition point occurs between conception and birth.

From this viewpoint, a woman's access to a safe and affordable early abortion is viewed as a fundamental human right. Many pro-choicers advocate that a woman should be able to choose abortion at any stage of gestation for any reason that she feels is valid.

I Am Woman Hear Me Roar

Pro-Choice Walk July 31st
This is the pro-choice walk I went on Sunday and as you can see we came out in great numbers there were at least TWO HUNDRED people and this Sunday for the final day of Summer Of Mercy 2011 there will at least that many. Please watch this clip of the walk. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=9ed_1312148079. The video was done by my friend Luke Kuhn. 

From Summer of Choice 2011

Our Kick-Off Walk on Sunday was nothing short of a triumph. NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland posted a great photo album of the day of the walk, and the Washington Post has a story and photos. Our own careful count showed a total of 220 to 240 supporters with us that afternoon, and we raised approximately $2,000 in cash donations for the non-profit Abortion Access Fund to add to the online fundraising total of $10,000. We were very delighted that our number one fundraiser, Zoe Nicholson, was able to be with us in person that day all the way from her home in California. Rounding out our top 10 fundraisers were second-place Rivka C Gates, Neda Bolourian, Deva Love, Kathryn Ranieri, Nicole Price, Susana M Vega, Kari A Rinker, Alberta Maschal, and Claire B Edwards. We are grateful beyond words for the inspiring collective effort of all our fundraisers, donors, walkers, volunteers, and horn-honkers who made the day such a success.
 
There are still several more days of Peaceful Pro-Choice Presence yet to go, which means there is still time for you to join us. We'd like to extend a particular invitation to come out this Sunday afternoon at 1:30 PM, when, in addition to our Peaceful Pro-Choice Presence, we are also hosting an Interfaith Prayer Circle for Choice. The event will be led by the Reverend Lynn Strauss, Unitarian Universalist Minister serving in Montgomery Count, and all are welcome.
All of us are so thrilled at the outpouring of support from this community. We are truly blessed to have so many steadfast friends. Your support helps us to continue our much-needed work. A million thanks--Dr. Carhart and all of us are grateful, and so are the women we serve.

 

OPERATION RESCUE is the only ANTI-CHOICE GROUP

Operation Rescue is the only ANTI-CHOICE Group

Troy Newman (born 1966) became the head of operation rescue after Jeff White’s Operation Rescue California closed due to legal judgments incurred against White.

Jeff White founded Operation Rescue West he was the tactical director for Operation Rescue. It was a branch of Terry Randall's original Operation Rescue Organization. 

Jeff White stayed true to the original intent of Operation Rescue organization maintain its focus on abortion. White stepped down in 1999 following a $880,000 judgment against his organization for harassment and intimidation of Planned Parenthood staff. He handed over the leadership to Troy Newman.

In 2002, Newman and Cheryl Sullenger moved the headquarters to Wichita, Kansas, to begin terrorizing late term abortion provider, George Tiller.

George Tiller was gunned down in 2009, in his church, 7 years later. 

Before Cheryl Sullenger became Operation Rescue’s senior policy adviser, she was perhaps best known for trying to bomb an abortion clinic in the 1980s. Sullenger and her husband plead guilty to conspiring to blow up the Southern California clinic; Sullenger served two years in prison. Five co-conspirators were convicted as well, and given sentences ranging from 149 days to five years.

Cheryl Sullenger and Troy Newman run Operation Rescue. Sullenger has pretty much stayed under the radar since her stint in prison, but in 2009 her phone number (316-516-3034) was found in Scott Roeder’s car after he was arrested for murdering Dr. George Tiller. Of course Sullenger DENIED any knowledge of Roeder’s plans, but later she did admit that she gave Roeder information concerning Dr. Tiller’s court dates.

Roeder did become a fake member of George Tiller’s church because he knew he was most vulnerable at church, he did not wear a bullet proof vest in church, ironically though Scott Roeder shot Dr. Tiller in his eye.

Roeder did visit OR’s headquarters shortly before killing tiller to ask Troy and Cheryl about “justifiable homicide.” 

Did Scott Roeder act alone when he killed George Tiller no he did not? 

Roeder claimed that he spoke with Sullenger and Troy Newman in 2002 about “justifiable homicide,” and that he visited OR’s headquarters shortly before killing Tiller.

Now Operation Rescue is in German Town Maryland to terrorize Leroy Carhart for the Summer of Mercy 2011

ANTI ABORTION GROUP-OPERATION RESCUE

Operation Rescue-Troy Newman

Newman became the head of this organization after Jeff White's Operation Rescue California closed due to legal judgments incurred against White. Newman moved his organizational headquarters to Wichita, Kansas. There, Operation Rescue West launched its "Year of Rebuke" campaign in an attempt at publicizing the names of those with political, professional, and social ties to late-term abortion provider George Tiller.

Newman developed the idea of utilizing panel trucks, called the "Truth Truck" fleet, being driven across the United States, covered with graphic billboard-sized images of aborted fetuses to publicize his organization's message.


Randall Terry filed a lawsuit against Troy Newman in 2008, alleging misuse of the name "Operation Rescue." Former Rescue leaders, including Keith Tucci (director), Patrick Mahoney (media director), Jeff White (tactical director) have signed a statement in support of Newman. “We now feel compelled to speak up because Randall’s actions are hurting the work of Troy Newman and Operation Rescue in their efforts to see George Tiller end his barbaric abortion practices in Wichita, Kansas. Additionally, we can no longer remain silent while Mr. Terry continues to fleece unsuspecting pro-life people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars for his personal and selfish gain.” Randall Terry feels that, as the initial creator of the organization, he has ownership of the Operation Rescue trademark. Terry headed the organization he started in 1987 until 1991.

1980’s
The history of Operation Rescue involves a split between the original American anti-abortion group and a branch of the original group. The original Operation Rescue group is now known as Operation Save America, while the branch, once known as Operation Rescue West is now known as Operation Rescue. The branch has become more prominent than the original group, and many supporters of the original group now support the branch (which now bears the original group's name).Operation Rescue was founded by Randall Terry (Plans to Mount a Primary Campaign against Obama, Because Why Not?) in 1986. The slogan of Operation Rescue was "If you believe abortion is murder, act like its murder.”  Randall Terry stepped down as director of Operation Rescue in 1989, appointing Keith Tucci to lead the national organization, now Operation Rescue National (ORN), as his successor.

Operation Rescue National's initial tactics involved peaceful sit-in demonstrations at abortion clinics, inspired by the civil rights demonstrations led by Dr. King in the 1960s. Operation Rescue National sprang to prominence during the 1988 Democratic National Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, where hundreds of demonstrators were arrested, capturing national attention. Independent Operation Rescue organizations cropped up around the country during these early years, the most successful of which was the California organization, Operation Rescue West (ORW), founded by ORN’s national tactical director, Jeff White. More than 40,000 people were arrested during ORN's anti-abortion demonstrations over the first four years.
The National Organization for Women and several abortion clinics filed a lawsuit, NOW v. Scheidler against ORN in 1988. The suit alleged violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), which were rejected by the Supreme Court of the United States.

1990’s
ORN continued to grow into the early 1990s, targeting abortion clinics across the country. However, after President Clinton signed the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act into law in 1994, blockading clinics became prohibitively expensive, and the organization turned to different tactics.

Summer of Mercy-1991

ORN's activities gained attention again in 1991 during the “Summer of Mercy” in Wichita, Kansas, led by Keith Tucci. Thousands of anti-abortion protesters flocked to Wichita and were arrested at sit-in protests and blockades of clinic entrances and adjacent streets. The protests were held at three different clinic locations in Wichita but focused on George Tiller's abortion clinic. Over 1,600 arrests took place during the first three weeks, with thousands of locals gathering and dozens of clergy people becoming involved. The event lasted six weeks, with over 2,600 arrests accomplished by the Wichita Police Department. The protests culminated in a rally that filled Cessna Stadium, featuring Pat Robertson. The New York Times ran an article on August 4, 1991, quoting John Snow, a retired accountant who sat on the sidewalk across from Tiller's clinic in Wichita, dispensing Kool-Aid and saying the rosary. "'They're in there killing babies, nothing else, ma'am,' Mr. Snow said."

Despite the large numbers of arrests, Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry was quoted as saying "The Wichita Police handled the Operation Rescue event better than almost any police department in history." As a result, Wichita Police Chief Rick Stone received the United States Department of Justice Marshal's Service "Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award" for his "outstanding professionalism and law enforcement leadership".

In contrast, Keith Tucci departed as director of Operation Rescue after the "Summer of Mercy" in Wichita.

Operation Rescue--2011--Tomorrow

US VS THEM

Women have the right to choose whether they want to carry their baby full-term and they also have the right to have access to safe legal medical procedure if they choose to end their pregnancy. Women also have the right to a doctor that can perform late-term abortions safely and compassionately.

The ethics concerning abortion does lie in a person’s belief system. If you are religious you will no doubt base your ethical view point on your religious belief system. If you are an atheist your ethical viewpoint will be based on facts and reasons.

There are two sides to the abortion issue: Pro-Life and Pro-Choice but in reality there is at least four categories and each category has a number of sub-categories to consider.

Pro-Life Movement.
The members of the pro-life movement want to reduce the number of abortions, or to totally eliminate them all together. (Which I cannot see how since they are also against birth control). They do reject violence against persons and property as a means of reaching their goals. They do oppose very strongly the assassinations and attempted murder of abortion providers and the abortion clinic staff.

Roman Catholics form a major section within the pro-life movement. Their church currently teaches the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death and thus rejects all abortions, almost all executions of murderers, and allowing terminally ill persons in intractable pain to obtain assistance to commit suicide.


Evangelical Christians and Fundamentalists form another major section of the pro-life movement. Their faith groups generally oppose abortions, favor executions of convicted murderers, and oppose physician assisted suicide. 

They are direct opposites when it comes to Roman Catholics as they are pro-death on executions, however they see their position as consistent. They are in favor of preserving innocent life in the womb, while they favor destroying guilty life in prisons -- executing people who have been found responsible for the murder of others.

Most individuals in the pro-life movement share a single concept: that human life in the form of an ovum and spermatozoon becomes a human person at the instant of conception. From this principle, it naturally follows that a newly fertilized ovum, a pre-embryo, an embryo, a fetus, and a newborn are all human persons who should be granted the same rights, privileges and protections as a child or adult -- including the right to life. Some view an abortion clinic as the ethical equivalent of a Nazi death camp. 

Within the pro-life movement are persons with conflicting views of abortion:

• Some follow the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church and advocate for laws and regulations that would not allow abortions even to save the life of the woman.
   
• Most would allow abortions only if needed to save the woman's life.
• Many would allow abortions to women who have become pregnant through rape or incest.
• Some would allow abortions for women who would suffer serious or permanent disability if the pregnancy were allowed to continue.

The pro-life movement is sometimes referred to as "anti-choice." This is derogatory term that implies to some people that the main aim of the pro-life movement is to regulate women's lives and reduce their options. We feel that a group should be referred to by the name of their own choosing, assuming that it is not intentionally deceptive. To have two names referring to the same group is confusing to the general public.

The ANTI-ABORTION MOVEMENT

Individuals in this movement hold pro-life beliefs, and go one massive step further: They feel that acts of violence against abortion clinics are justifiable in order to lower the number of abortions. Some argue in favor of the ultimate violent acts: to attempt to assassinate abortion providers and clinic staff. The term "anti-abortion" has only been in common use since the Clinton years when it was first used to identify individuals and groups who employ violence and murder to attain their political ends.
The term "anti-abortion" is occasionally used as a derogatory term to refer to persons in the pro-life movement. We recommend against this use because it leads to confusion. Also, we feel that a group should be allowed to select the name by which they are known -- unless it is intentionally deceptive. Any time that there is one word or phrase with two meanings, the result is chaos.
A pattern has been observed in which U.S. anti-abortionists tend to be relatively inactive during Republican federal administrations and very active during Democratic presidents.  

ANTI ABORTION GROUPS CONTINUED TOMORROW

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The Religion of Abortion

As an Atheist I often wonder if that leaves me at a disadvantage to understand how people especially religious people feel about abortion. Not believing in a god does not make life any less precious to me in fact it makes life even more precious because I know this is the only life I get and this is the only opportunity I have to enjoy my life and the lives of others.

Abortion is an Atheist issue and I will tell you why. It is because we are free thinkers that make us perhaps the most qualified to speak about the abortion issue. We have no religious beliefs about Abortion because we base our decisions on facts and reasons, nothing more and nothing less.

The Atheist movement represents something else; we represent an advocacy for non-believers. We do tend to focus on the obvious issues-forced prayer sessions in schools and workplaces, religious monuments built with public money and so on.  

The Atheist movement has a much broader movement we want to bring to light every area of life that religious organizations seek to control: sex, marriage and childbearing a woman’s right to choose.

Your religious beliefs dictate your abortion politics.  A 2009 report by the Pew Research Center sheds some light:

Among those who said religious beliefs had the most influence on their thinking, 82% said abortion should be illegal in all or most cases. 82% of those who cited education as their primary influence said abortion should be legal in all or most cases.**

Atheists or people with no religious affiliations support abortion rights. Also there is a strong positive relationship between education level and support for abortion rights. Even stronger is the negative correlation between church attendance and support for abortion rights.

These results echo the findings of a 2002 Gallup review:

Abortion is often thought of as a women’s issue, but polling data suggest, to the contrary, that the depth of one’s religious beliefs, not gender, is what drives attitudes on abortion. The overwhelming majority of people who say religion is very important in their lives believe abortion should either be illegal or legal in only a few circumstances. Similarly, most people who say religion is not very important in their lives believe abortion should be legal in most or all circumstances. Gallup finds some differences in abortion attitudes according to respondents’ age, education level, region of the country, political ideology and political party preference, but these patterns largely overlap with the underlying religiosity of these groups.

If we really believe that we have a right to live our lives free from the control of religious organizations and the whims of their adherents, surely we can agree that pregnant women have the same right.