I guess I would qualify as pro-life, but really who doesn't? That’s a dumb term. The fact that one side is “pro-life” signifies, to me at least, that someone on the other side is automatically "pro-death." I mean really, who would choose death over life if they could possibly help it?

I think that there should be a right to choose, but I also think it shouldn't be something done lightly. I think that before any abortion there should be a mandatory counseling session in which the situation is examined and decided upon mutually. I don't think abortion should be allowed as a means of birth control. I’ve known girls like that. It’s not right.

And I'm not saying that there should 'never ever under any circumstances' be an abortion. I do think that there are some logical reasons for an abortion. Among them would be rape, certain defects - especially ones that would nevertheless cause death. (Again, I understand, not support or condone)

I have a real problem with those terms, “pro-choice,” “pro-life” – why not just come out and say it – pro-abortion or anti-abortion. I think a lot more people would have a problem with saying that they support abortion than skirting around the issue with saying they support “a woman’s right to choose.” If they truly support a woman’s right to choose, why do they flip out when a pregnant woman has a drink, or God forbid – a cigarette?! Why can’t a woman ‘choose’ to do that? Why is it more acceptable to snuff out a life than to subject it to low birth weight? And what about a man’s right to choose? What if the father wants to keep and love the child? Why is he left with no rights? You hardly ever hear an argument for a dad’s right.

Also, I don’t understand the controversy that surrounds the truth display campaign*. Some people say it’s obscene, graphic. Sure, it is a graphic image, but it is a graphic topic. Abortion is a real act of terminating a real baby. It’s all well and good to debate the topic when it focuses on hypothetical circumstances, but this isn’t hypothetical. Again, abortion is a real act of terminating a real baby.

There are hypocrites on both sides of the debate. I probably am, and you might be too. I’ve never been there. I don’t know what it’s like. But I bet some of the diehard pro-choicers out there would have a serious change of heart if they found out their daughter were pregnant. If it were their grandbaby’s life on the line, would they be so supportive of abortion?

Finally, at the end of my rant, is a plea for peace. Why do so called pro-life radicals feel the need to demonstrate their views, views of the sanctity and preciousness of life, by blowing something up and killing innocent people? What were you trying to show us? Oh, yeah – not to kill. Wait, I’m confused again…

* The truth display is a form of protest in which demonstrators show images of actual aborted fetuses. Many protesters who have joined in this campaign have been incarcerated. Supporters of the truth display campaign believe that unless people see the physical outcome of an abortion, they will never fully grasp what an abortion is.